My Cup of Tea

For several decades now, TIME, one of the world's most prestigious magazines, is annually honoring individuals from diverse cultural background, group or even idea and object, that has done the most to enormously influence the world in a year. It has some shares of controversies though. In 1982 the public, and even the whole world, expected STEVE JOBS of Apple to be named Person of the Year due to his revolutionary innovation on personal computing but the magazine named "COMPUTER" as the winner instead, and in 1936 when a commoner woman, Wallis Simpson, whom the British royal family extremely detested, won the accolade. Simpson, who was never fully accepted by the royal family during her lifetime and was never granted an official style of Her Royal Highness (eventhough she legally married the Duke of Windsor), stirred the mystical world of British monarchy and created an almost constitutional crisis when she formed a romantic relationship with King Edwar...

Long Live Pope Francis! His election surprised everyone, including me, I thought the Cardinal Electors would choose someone younger as advanced age was the center of Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, resignation, not knowing that this person as a Cardinal has a remarkable background and inspiring lifestyle. A day after he was elected, the official site of the Vatican published a detailed story about his life and why he chose to reign under the mystical name of Francis. It was only then that I understood why God allowed him to win the Papal election. The Conclave follows a very sacred process of casting votes with a severe punishment given to those who will be caught divulging details of the conclave, it's the best-kept secret process of the centuries old existence of the Catholic Church and Vatican Palace, known with its legendary secrecy, made sure no one will eavesdrop at the sacred deliberation. Each Cardinal elector will be under oath before God and the Holy Bible upon e...

Three days after Vatican Palace officials announced the impending resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, a list of possible contenders for the next Vicar of Christ and Successor to the throne of St.Peter was released by leading newspapers in the world. The Conclave  (gathering of cardinals around the world to elect the next pope)  is believed to occur in the middle of March this year. The only people who can elect the next pope are Cardinals also called the Princes of the Universal Church. The   Papabili  or potential Popes mentioned came from different countries. Although no specific criteria had established by the Vatican to choose the next Pope, the ideal candidate for the next Roman Pontiff should always be someone who has the competence and devotion to spread and promote international understanding, peace, solidarity, Christian values, good news of the gospel and someone who can staunchly defend and uphold the scriptural traditions, practices and laws of t...

Pope Benedict XVI, the 265th successor to the throne of St. Peter, Supreme Head of the Universal Church, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Head of State of Vatican City, Bishop of Rome, Primate of the West and God's Messenger of Peace and Unity. At the age of 78 during his election to Papacy in 2005, he was one of the oldest Cardinals to become a Roman Pontiff and the first to resign in almost 600 years since Gregory XII in 1415 Still reeling in shock on the unexpected resignation of the beloved Pope... I am extremely devoted to the Roman Catholic church and very loyal to its teachings and traditions. Despite the transformation of society to modernity and recklessness and amidst the emergence of fundamentalists who lured weak Catholics to their groups, I remained faithful to my religion, following the conservative approach of Catholicism. I grew up accompanying my father serving our parish as a lay minister and had seen him all my life rendering his unselfish service to the churc...

Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi on their wedding day at Fernbook Gardens. I loved the atmosphere of the event because I am always fascinated with a garden wedding reception and Cherry Blossoms motif! What Zoren did was a tough act to follow and I am wondering if there are still men left in this world who have the same devotion, level of commitment/fidelity and declaration of unconditional love toward their partners.  Last night, I was one of hundreds of girls in the Philippines who was extremely enthralled with the display of unconditional love of local actor, Zoren Legaspi, to his long-time partner, Carmina Villaroel. As I watched the episode of their civil wedding on TV and how Zoren planned the ceremony without Carmina suspecting it, I could not help but think how many men left in the world who have the same devotion and level of commitment as Zoren.  It was so fascinating and moving. Women in general loved surprises and longed to meet someone who could sweep...

Entry to Politics Campaigning for Bam Aquino, not because of his illustrious family name, but because I believe he can contribute something remarkable in the senate. His passion in the social service would be his best advantage. Bam is a multi-awarded social entrepreneur. He was named Asian Social Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Global Leader  in 2010 by the World Economics Forum, and also named one of the     Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in the Philippines . He is no stranger to policy-making being the youngest chairperson of the National Youth Commission in the Philippines in 2003. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV. He will be a breath of fresh air in the Philippine senate. An active youth leader and multi-awarded social entrepreneur, Bam Aquino champions financial advocacy and had been in the social service since he graduated Summa Cumlaude at Ateneo de Manila University in 1999 (BS Management Engineering). He co-founded MultiVentures Incorporated i...

I greatly admired the late beloved Pope, John Paul II, he was such an inspiration and considered him as a perfect role model in my life. Since he died last April 2005, not a day goes passed without thinking about him, his influence, compassion, kindness, deep humility, his unique devotion to Catholic faith, and how he had shaped the world with his crusade about solidarity, unity and peace. He was considered as one of the most effective God's messengers of peace ever sat in the throne of St. Peter. He strongly opposed liberal theology, abortion and any form of destruction of human life. He was the first and only Pope who visited Mosque and Synagogue. During World War II, he worked as a laborer in the quarry maintained by Nazi and helped many Jews escaped from death, thus, he was very familiar with sufferings and sacrifices which helped him carried out his mission effectively as Vicar of Christ. Pope John Paul II, according to an interview with his biographer, Georg Wiegel by Ti...

Nick Vujicic, a 28 year-old Australian who was born without hands and legs but he get on with life and went on to earn two Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Financial Planning. He is also active in sports playing golf, surfing, swimming, springboard diving and fishing.  When you look at him you see he’s definitely worse off, yet he has a more positive attitude and outlook on life than most of us.  And now very busy with his career touring around the world and inspiring others An inspiring man. An excellent motivational speaker in the world! Sir Deypalubos showed me a video from youtube this morning about this very inspiring man named Nick Vujicic. I was stunned with how he managed to live a normal life despite being totally disabled. He has no arms and legs but he can move comfortably like a normal human being. When I returned to the office, I immediately search stories about this amazing human being. Nick Vujicic is an Australian, he lived in Brisbane, and he was born...