Lin Manuel Miranda in Manila!

I saw the local version of In The Heights last year and we really did a fantastic version of the show, capturing the spirit of the immigrants trying to make their way in American society. I saw that the writer and the actor who played the lead in the original Broadway production was actually in Manila, and the video above shows that he was indeed, in the curtain call of the production last week. Would've been great to see him but oh well, wrong timing for me! Alabanza is my favorite song from that musical. In a way, it's some kind of prayer for me whenever I feel I need God's help!

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Laying All the Hope On God

I don't know when exactly I decided to just lay everything on God.  I think when I was 17 years old and I was off to college and I was even unsure whether I'd study in Manila.  Our family then was so tight, financially, it's a miracle we got through that stage in our lives, intact!  I think that's the time when I just said to Him, ok, I'll do my part, and if I get what I want, then maybe You willed it, because I know you wouldn't give me something that is not good for me.  From that day on until now, even on days when it just seems so hopeless, I still believe that He will get it through to me. And He has - every single freaking time!  It's really a miracle.  I guess, sometimes He does it photo-finish just to make sure He and I are still on the same page - and so that I won't get too proud too much!

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Easter Thoughts: How I Did My Own Resurrection

I have always been an optimist in many ways so you could say that Easter is just an extension of who I am in real life.  But that was not always the case.  I went through a phase in my young life where I even thought of committing suicide.  But I guess, like Jesus, after three days, I rose again, of course, in reality, it was more like twenty years later.  So today, being Easter, I'd like to share my thoughts on how you can have your own life's resurrection -

1.  Cut off all the negative people from your life.  Really!  Even if they're your family.  So now, except for my mother, who is one big baggage herself, I have just cut off everyone who has brought me down or made my life miserable before.  I just simply said Adios to them.  Negative people are never nice to be around with so stay FAR FAR AWAY from them.  Unless of course, you are a negative person yourself, tsk tsk.....

2.  I am an awesome person.  I am a good person.  I am a wonderful person.  I always say this everyday to myself.  As early as eight years ago, I was my own worst critic.  My self-depracation was so bad, even my close friends were alarmed by it and warned me not to be so hard on myself.  So I followed their advise and just accepted my faults and weaknesses and magnified my abilities.  Of course, without being a brag about them.

3.  Trust in God.  Everything will fall into place.  I used to worry a lot before but nowadays, I just leave it to God.  Not very easy to do since the truth is, you'd have to do your share first before things fall into place. God is not a genie and will not do things for you.  As they say, 'Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa."  If a cloud passes through my life, I just stay calm about it and believe that God will soon blow that cloud away.  And He always does.

4.  Continue to grow.  I try my best to grow physically, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually.  Stagnation is not good and will lead to a lot of self-doubt.  Challenge yourself with new tasks and if possible, get out of your comfort zones.

Well, your resurrection will not happen in one day.  For me, it took about twenty years and it was a gradual process.  But when you achieve it, it's a most wonderful feeling of emancipation, or more self-love and more self-belief.  It's a harsh world we live in, and if we can't give off positivity to everyone, what use are we to them!

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