My Blogs

”It was only when I had the opportunity to experience life away from my comfort zone when I finally understood what my father was trying to say — what ever life may bring, put your hope and trust in God and lean not on your own understanding.”

I was raised from a simple life, you may call it. having a father whose known for tough love; for our daily curriculum growing up, my father focused on values and principles. He raised us to be tough and prepared us to face the harshness of the real world; my mother, on the other hand, has shown me compassion and love in their truest forms; having three brothers and six sisters that simply colors my life. being the sixth in the brood of ten, taught me to work hard and be independent (or at least to appear that way) never asking for help as much as possible, because “I believe that living on your own builds a character”.

After high school; I moved in manila to continue my college studies, my sister and brother who came before me were also in college. I felt, it couldn’t be easy to my parents for having three in the college; so, I decided to work part-time to provide my own allowance; but, the company I worked for also uncured financial problems after some times; so, I started seeking better opportunities, fortunately, I got another job; however, it didn’t make the experience easier, so I decided to setting aside my studies to pursue full-time working.

Thus, began a journey of a challenging — even changing — I faced my own ventures independently; being responsible and facing the consequences of my own actions really meant. it was very difficult to live so far away from my family. I had endured so many trials since then, “too many to count”, a period of four years taxed with emotional and physical strain is not an easy journey for anyone. there was a time that I could barely make ends meet. the pressure to give-up got stronger; I cannot remember a day when I didn’t constantly remind myself that it was my choice, therefore, I shouldn’t give-up. I have completely entrusted my fate to God through prayers and introspection. I know that God is with me, He knows me and sees what I truly feel and what I really intend even if no one else can or does. He sees through my pride and fear as well as my wants and desires.

Despite the difficulties, I rose up to the challenge. I began a prolific life in art-making when my friend encouraged me to try painting, because ”I looked into ART differently”. Year 2002, when I had already taken an interest in art. occasionally ”doing posters” and going to art exhibits, the same time experimented in charcoal. furthermore, a friend introduced me to his connoisseur uncle who own an advertising firm, he asked if I’d like to work in his company — I accept it not only because I want the challenge, but also to enhance my skills and to get some ideas. however, there’s a bit of pressure, I know, I never had any degree related in arts. still, I tried to “learned the ropes” anyway I could. ”to do that, you have to humbled yourself,” I asked questions when I don’t know about something, “just like a child in order to grow”.

I work harder; there were days that I come to work early and leave before midnight; just the same, I also have days when I had to spent extra hours to finished my projects. I never stop exploring and garnering experienced in a divergent fields; after six years, my art-making experienced has trained me will. so I decided to put-up my own business. the happiest moment in my life, was when my parents first walked into my new house, they said that “I came a long way” and felt so happy to hear them say, “they’re proud of me”.

Now, I look back with no regrets, the tough training humbled me, it has also change my general disposition, I am definitely calmer, patient, responsible, optimistic and stronger. until today, I still appreciate the training I got being “independent”, however, my willingness to learn has never end.  I’m still looking forward to getting back into exams and finish my studies; at that, it’ll be interesting, I’m looking forward into it in the sense that it’ll be a whole new experience; I think, that will be a very big plus.

I give thanks to my parents, they shown me a great deal about self-belief, learned the value of hard-work, above all, faith in the divine providence. I also give thanks to God for giving me more than I ever thought, I appreciate when He gave me trials and correction to adjust my behavior and understanding. as a result, ”I am my own person and have my own goals”; I am now fearless of whatever the future may bring, “my mind and my body may grow weak, but God is always my strength — He is all I ever need”.

Umaga ng itong diwa ko’y magising
Mapanglaw ang ihip ng lagalag na hangin
May awiting tila may taghoy sa damdamin
Luksa ang bumungad sa aking paningin

Ikaw ay nagpagal para sa Iglesia
Hindi ka nglikat kami’y ilapit sa Ama
Ngayon sa amin Ikaw’y kanya ng kinuha,
May luha man sa mata, kami’y maligaya.

Ang mahabang takbuhin Iyo nang natapos,
Bagaman malungkot, pasasalamat ay lubos
Pusong tumatangis, Diyos ang hahaplos
Mga aral mong gabay, ibubuhay na lubos.

Pinagsumikapan mo na iyong matupad
Tungkuling kaloob sa Ama’y naging tapat
Sukdulan ng lakas iyo ng binigay
Sa iyong pagtupad Diyos ang kaakbay.

Batid ng Amang, dapat ka nang mamahinga
Tungkuling binata totoong sapat na
Paghanga’y lubos sa iyong pangunguna,
Ala-alang iniwan, baon namin sa t’wina.

Ng Ikaw’y nakilala, tunay kami’y naging mapalad,
Tayo’y magkikita pa’t magkaka-daupang-palad.
Maraming maraming salamat po, aming Ka Erdy,
Tangi naming masasabi’y, “Hanggang sa muli.”

Lagi naming susundan Iyong mga bakas,
Magkakasama rin sa pagdating ng wakas.
Hindi masasayang ang iyong mga payo
Aming mahal na kapatid,iya’y asahan mo.

Muli paalam kapatid naming mahal
Ang lupang ito’y di na rin magtatagal
Mabilis ang paglapit yaong bayang banal
Doon makakapiling ka ng mga nagpagal.

From the days of my young age
I’ve noticed it’s hard to live
There’s a question in my mind
How could this life survive?

I’ve seen people who can’t resist
From deficiency that exists
For the pains they have to hide
And the tears do not subside.

There were times that I can’t imagine
Why there are people pleading?
Begging for justice, crying of fears
From the power unable to hear.

Many have tired trying
No other choice but yields
There’s no easy way of survival
To cope their plans and dreams.

How can we flee of these failures?
To beat the odds and thrive.
To be able to acquire
A profuse and teeming lives.

Now of my days I had to respond
And I will tell you only once,
That if you should follow His command
This life would come alive.

There are various disciplines that produces what we call art. There is also such as thing as design that is merely a well balanced composition of elements for the sake of producing a “beautiful” image. There is also what we call, art for art’s sake. However, ART for me should be an expression of deep and profound human experiences that can only be communicated in the language of art; such as classical music, paintings that depict the internal and external world which incorporates the artist’s feelings about the subject. Art is beyond the realm of the senses…it captures, a mood, an emotion and in some cases, great art could influence a society’s psyche.  art is the way by which the human spirit project its passion and will from its invisible realm into the visible world through whatever means the human senses can grasp and appreciate. From this, I can further say that art is the means of interaction between the visible and the invisible world of an artist/the maker, and of his spiritual and material world. The work of an artist, therefore, conveys what is hidden but always present. This, I think, shades all the works of art with enduring mystery, the reason why sometimes, when we gaze up with the works of true artists, we are caught up by unspeakable experience which lifts us from our temporal and mundane feelings into the realm of inexplicable world of joy and wonder. When everything is said and done about art, what is left in it is its mystery which evokes in us inexplicable thoughts and feelings. We may clothe these thoughts and feelings with words, labels, and formula, but somehow, we feel that there is something left in it which continue to impinge in our thoughts and feelings, and then our journey on art leads us once again to an infinite world of mysteries. These characteristics of art continue to find hosts of artists in every generation. Whatever the artist’s knowledge, experience, skills, peculiarities, and styles are all exploited by the “spirit” of art, thus, we find in different culture and societies countless manifestations of art.

What is love? most, if not all of us experience love from the first moments of conception to the last minutes of our lives. it is the tender and protective feeling of parents towards their children, the need we have for them when we were young, when life turns rosy or even stormy. it is the understanding we expect from our friends, even the affection we hold for our pets. Love is what everyone is looking for and thrives on - from the girl who sits next to you to the man who rules the richest kingdom. some say that love is ” the golden crown that makes a man a king”; many believe that it is “a many-splendid thing”. Love isn’t as simple as that. Love is a divine gift, a precious possession, a priceless heirloom; it is something to be cherished, to be felt, to be experienced and to be lived!

Fathom the heart of man
see the vastness of emotions
and infinite intentions,
circulate within the veins
of idealism and caring,

what is man without a heart?
we can feel the power, harmony and mystery,
clear water in the crystal glass,
drop a dirt a hatred heart.

where is mans heart? where is his mind?
is it heart over mind or mind over heart?
kingdoms ruined, too many wars were lost,
friendships are gone and many broken homes.

pure heart with noble intentions,
for the greatest is the loving heart,
clear water in the crystal glass, our world,
that’s what it should be.

pure heart we must possess,
when we praise, pray and come in His presence,
what is our worship, what is our deed?
without pure heart, all is wasted.