Raising the Bar

This is a shout-out to my law school friends who successfully passed the 2010 Bar Examinations. I am so happy and proud of each one of you. And we all know that this is the beginning of a new journey for all of you. And, thus, I pray that you continue to make your family and friends proud and that may you be blessed more and be a blessing to others as well!

Congratulations to:
Charmee Abad
Emman Acuña
Andrey Alcomendras
Jaja Almazan
Sol Marie Andoy-Gawiden
Carrie Mae Bangayan
Rex Batay-an
Cherry Canda-Melodias
Gil Ciudadano
Jong Cortez
Percy Donalvo
Lala Dulla
Tyntyn Ferrer
Xyza Gemelo
Sasha Go
Kim Ledesma
Rey Mar Ondi
Ferlyn Ong
Globel Rama
RR Roque
Rizza Mae Sam
MR Zulueta
Ryan Erik Santiago

and of course, the Top 4 Cat Ancog!

For my friends who did not make it, it was just appropriate that the Daily Bread reading on the date the results were released was:

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. — Psalm 9:9

When my brother-in-law was a missionary in Mali, West Africa, he was involved in a traffic accident. A man had wandered into the road in front of Chuck’s motorcycle. The cycle struck the man and send Chuck and the bike sliding along the ground for more than 200 feet. Shortly after Chuck regained consciousness in the hospital, his doctor told him he had been “really lucky.” Chuck smiled and replied, “God is good.”

Later he thought about the day’s events. The man who was struck hadn’t received any permanent injuries, and Chuck would also recover from his injuries. But what if one of them had been killed? He thought, God would be no less good.

When we experience tragedy, we may wonder about God’s goodness. Is God always good? Yes, He is. He doesn’t promise that bad things will never happen to us, but He does promise to be “our refuge and strength” (Ps. 46:1). He doesn’t promise that we will never walk through heart-wrenching circumstances, but He promises that we won’t be alone (23:4).

God is good — no matter what suffering we are experiencing. Even when we don’t understand, we can say with Habakkuk, “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (3:18). — Cindy Hess Kasper

O taste and see that God is good

To all who seek His face;

Yea, blest the one who trusts in Him,

Confiding in His grace. — Psalter

Red Riding Hood

Contrary to speculation, it was never mine.

The Red Car was bought so that my sister could start driving. I was a "saling-pusa" so to speak. But since my sister and I had different schedules, I got to use it for my classes.

I can't forget the day I first I drove the car to school. It was the first day of the Conflicts of Law 2007. From the house, there were a number of things I need to bring to school. I really didn't think of bringing the car but when my mom learned I was going to school, she gave permission for me to bring the car and saying that I could do it.

I was really hesitant. The first thing that popped in my head is to find someone who will ride with me. And Bem, my friendly neighborhood classmate, was ever ready to go with me.

I was nervous. The engine stopped at the Sandawa-Boulevard intersection. I kept my composure and Bem and I had our nervous laugh. And then, the car stopped again when I tried to turn left to Roxas. I can remember the horns and our nervous laugh.

I was happy that we got to school safely with the red car.

There were a lot of moments I remember with the red car - the front seat passengers with their seatbelts, the shrieks, the nervous laughter .. good times indeed!

Top 10 Events with the Red Car

1. My first drive to downtown with Bem

2. Elaine shrieking on the front passenger seat and saying she will never sit on the front passenger seat again

3. Bumped the car @ Pards and Christ rescued me by parking it properly

4. Dropping Blithe, Ryan, and other cheerdancers after practice and passing by Central Bank

5. The car broke down when I tried to turn right to Roxas and some men helped pushed the car and revived it but I somehow forgot to give pang-kape to them

6. Sharone helped push the car when we were in AutoShop

7. Slightly bumped a pick-up at the G-Mall Parking space, with Felai and Blithe, but it was just the bumper rubber which touched it.

8. RR seating in the passenger seat saying that he feels safe with me but secures his seatbelt at the same time

9. Allan and I had to fix the wipers at home in the dark with his flashlight

10. When Felai, Blithe, Noche, Ryan, Jad and I went to Bankerohan but somebody forgot to tell me in advance that I had to turn right at San Pedro Extension so we ended up having a joyride through Sandawa to Magallanes to Bankerohan.

Actually, there are a lot of things I can remember aside from these moments. I

will always be forever grateful to the Jacinto boys for assisting me, not only for looking a parking space but guiding me, especially with regard to parallel parking. I am eternally grateful that I had no major accidents with the car, only little bumps and it is not that much. I am likewise grateful to all my friends who have been patient with my slow driving. I am grateful to everyone who have given me the privilege to pick them up, drop them off and drive them around town. I am grateful for the wonderful stories we have shared .. if only the Red Car could talk!

My friends suggested before that I should name the car. But I did not name it since it was not mine. I guess the "Red Car" was just the most appropriate name. At home, we just call it "Pula".

Bye Red Car! Me and my friends really had good times with you ;) Thank you :)