Why are women treated as second-class?

Last March 8, we celebrated the women’s month. This is an important celebration because it is like refreshment to our minds that women are important in our nation. Actually all of us came from women!

But why are they treated as second-class? Why are they treated cruelly? Why are they treated as an object that is controlled by men?! Women are not treated equally with men. Don’t they know that women are also important?! They have let the women live a life wherein they are helpless, and not cared of. I can say this because I’m also a woman!

This morning, we watched a video during our reading class entitled, “Sex Trafficking: We’re so Syndicated Ma’am.” It tells about the abuse of women today. Trafficking is recruiting women and blackmailing them to go to other countries and have a wonderful work and big salary. But upon reaching there, they are forced to work as prostitute. Isn’t it unfair? They are only dreaming of having a good life for their family! They went in that country to work and have a big salary for their family. But why are they treated like this? Why?!!!!!!

It’s because of money! Sex Trafficking is the most common business right now. In this business men are playing. But what kind of toys are they playing? You’re right! Women! They are playing the women! It’s a very hard in the part of a woman to be treated like that! They are just doing it for their family but why?! I know that that’s the most common question of women right now? Why are we like this? Why are we in this situation that we are helpless? Women are crying out for justice! They should be treated equally to men! It’s unfair! It’s unfair! They should be treated gently! They should be treated with love. They should also experience the feeling of being the superior for something. Women must be trusted with something that is a challenge.

I can really say that we, women, are strong! We are not weak! We can do things that men can do! We can also achieve things that are hard for men to achieve. We women are brave and industrious. Suppose the husband is too lazy to work for the family, who take risks for the family to be able to eat everyday? Who finds a way for the family to eat three times a day? Who is suffering for the pressures and the problems of the children? Isn’t it the women? Isn’t it that they’re the ones who are taking the lead of carrying the burdens and sufferings of the children? Who is doing everything for the family to be together and taking care of the family? And who is the light of the family? Isn’t it the women?

Why don’t we scan ourselves and find out if we ourselves are also respecting women? And we must also learn to give more respect to our mother, because we owe our life to her.

I have a best friend

Friendship is a kind of relationship in this world. I can really say that having friends will give color to your life. Can you imagine living in a world without friends? It’s very boring isn’t it? I can’t see myself without any friend at all. Honestly, I’m a very friendly person. But I’m shy to make friends. But anyway, I still have lots of friends. But of course I’m making it sure that they are all good influence.

There are many kinds of friends in this world. Not all friends are good. I have already experienced in having a friend, but that friend left me when I was in the lowest part of the world. It hurts of course!

There are those friends that are good-weathered only. To the point, they are the persons who are there because you when you have something in which you can give to them. There are also friends that will be there because you are happy. But there are also friends that will never leave you even if you’re in the lowest part of the world.

I have a friend in which I can really say that He is a true friend. I mean, not just a friend, but He is my best friend. He never left me when I needed Him. I can always rely to Him whenever I needed someone to rely on to. I don’t know if He is also your friend, but I’m sure about this that He is a true friend.

I also had another friend. Her name is Rosa. We were best friends since grade four. She is a good friend because she’s there whenever I needed her. I know that she’s my best friend and she knows that too. She is always ready to listen whenever I needed someone to talk to. And of course, I’m also ready to listen to her. In fairness I knew her better than her mother. I know her feelings, her manners, and the negative side of her and many more. The same with her too! She knows me very well. We are always there for each other. We never leave each other.

I’m really thankful to God that He sent us in the same school. I know that our friendship will still face a lot challenges. Just like now, we are facing a new challenge. We are in different sections right now and we seldom talk to each other. I’m afraid that the ax of our friendship will become dull. What if that would happen? What will happen to our friendship? Will it be broken up? No!!!! I won’t allow that to happen! Because we understand to each other. We know that we seldom talk to each other but when we talk just a little while, it seems that we’ve never talk so long.

I’m always hoping that she won’t change her attitude towards me because I will never change towards her. I’m hoping that until now, she still considers me as her best friend.

Who is God?

God is everything to me. He is the one that is always there whenever I need Him. I’m really safe in His arms. I don’t know if people know Him for Who He is in there lives. Isn’t it nice to think that there is someone Who will never leave no matter what happens? And that whatever problem you have He can always help you? It’s very nice to think isn’t it? God is always there to defend us when we are oppress isn’t it? He always helps us to recover when we fail. Even if we sin against Him, yet He looks at us with love. Isn’t that amazing for such a person like that? Aren’t we lucky for having a father, a friend, a savior like Him? Even if we sinned against Him, yet He suffered for us and He never sinned! He conquered the crown for us! We are the ones who got the prize! God was the one who suffered the penalty for our sins; and when He rose, we are the ones who receive the price of His salvation. I bet there’s no man that has kind heart that would dare to suffer for someone else’s sin. And yet He sacrificed Himself for us.

For me God is always be the best best friend that I’ll ever have. Where can you find such a friend that is willing to die and to sacrifice everything just for you? Where can you find such a friend that always wants the best for you? He loves us so much that’s why He sacrificed Himself for us. How can we be so greedy of not offering our life to Him and yet He’s the one who is always there whenever we need Him? It’s our only way to thank Him for what He has done in our lives. Even if we offer our whole life to Him, that won’t be enough to thank Him. But at least we had our way of thanking Him.

So we must allow Him to be our personal Savior and Lord and we must give our lives as a living sacrifice to Him. My life right now is devoted to Him. Everything I do is always for His glory. It’s because I love Him so much and I will always remain in His love forever. I can’t spend my life in doing things that are not for His glory.

And right now I’m doing my best to please Him, but of course with His help. That’s what the word Christian means. Notice that when you get the word Christ, the remaining letters are ian. This simply means that without Christ I am nothing. Isn’t it true? It’s really true that without Him we can never live life.

I’m hoping that someday people will really know Him for who He really is in our lives. I’m really asking God the permission to help Him in bringing people back to Him. All we ask in Him is for ourselves. Why don’t we try to ask His permission to help Him in bringing people back to Him? You in your life, have you done this?

Different Kind of Experience

Hi! I am a student of the University of the Philippines. And I’m very proud of my school. In short, I’m proud to be a Upian. I know that I’m in a good school, because my school is very famous. When I was still in elementary, I already want to study in UP. Maybe because it’s just near to my school. They say that UP is a very strict school. And the lessons are very hard. But I still give in.

ast March 11, 2005, was the entrance exam at UP High. I don’t know if I’m ready at that time. I was scheduled during the afternoon test. When I arrived at UP, I was from the retreat at that time. I really lack sleep the night before the test because it was our retreat. We went to Eco-Tech and there have bonding together. I really enjoyed at that time. In the morning, while we were having a lecture we were really sleepy. We were given an early lunch so we can prepare for the test at UP. I was already nervous because I’m going to take the test. But before I leaf the lecture room, I suddenly opened my Bible to a certain verse and there God told me that “If you ask for something, you must believe that you can have it.” I was really shocked at that time because I didn’t expect that God would tell that verse. My nervousness lessened. After lunch we went to UP High School. Thanks to God that He guided me during the test. I was able to concentrate in the test and I was able to finish it all. After the test, I went home and when I arrived home, I immediately went to bed.

And now here comes March 20, 2005! I was very nervous because we are going to find out the result of the test. When I arrived in UP, I was very shock to find out that I passed the test! My teachers are very happy for me! Maybe they are happier than me. Especially teacher Gracel. She really hugged me when she found out that I passed the test. That was a very happy day for me. Because I know that it’s really God’s plan for me to study in UP.

And now, I’m already in UP and I never realized how happy it is to be in UP. It’s very enjoyable in UP. Despite the hectic schedules, hard lessons, and many more, it’s still enjoyable. I really can’t believe that I entered here in UP. It was a very unforgettable experience to take the test in UP.

Right now, I’m just enjoying my life of being a Upian! Even though that there are very scary situations in UP. Especially the card day and the periodical test. But anyway, I’m still enjoying lots of activities here in UP.

For me the best High School for me is UP. Because it is where I found freedom and more enjoyment. And now I’m here in UP enjoying everyday with the school that I’m very proud of.

My Alma Matter

The memory of my elementary school is always a part of my life. I can never forget the school that molded me and shaped me into a better person. I really love my school very much!

I can still remember the times when I was in that school, I was still in grade one. Every teacher knows me because I’m a very naughty child. Even if I’m a girl, I always play with boys during my grade one level. I’m really like a tomboy at that time. But I know that I’m still very young at that time, that’s why I still have that childish prank. I don’t know why at that time that was my behavior. I still can’t imagine myself having that manner. Maybe because I’m already a teenager right now.

I know that in that school, it is where I grew up and changed myself. Every time I went there, the teachers will always say that I’m already a teenager. It’s true but I’m still shy because I still have the mind of a child. It’s a little funny but it’s true.

In that school it is where I have found the people that love me. And I love them also. The memories that I have in that school is still very fresh in my mind.

One also that I cannot forget was when I was still in grade five. Our teacher is a very good one. I liked her very much as my teacher. She understands me very well. And do you know the saying that, “Bird with the same feather flocked together?” That’s also the saying in my situation with my teacher in grade five. I can’t really forget the time when she makes jokes. She’s a very funny person. Every time I see her, I always smile. That’s why she asked me if she looked like a clown to me. I just want to smile, whenever I see her. She’s a very important person to me. Sometimes, she is absent because she had a fever. I was very sad, and I don’t feel well that I’m in school. It’s really hard to have a day without the person that makes you smile. I don’t feel comfortable on that day. I don’t know if I’m going crazy.

And the most unforgettable experienced was during my grade six level. I’m also very close with my teacher at that time. I have already gone with her to Ayala and to other malls. That was very fantastic! And we also have our retreat at Eco- Tech. That was also a very unforgettable experience. I was very happy at that time because we have bonding together. I really didn’t sleep well at that time.

We already have that foundation of friendship before we graduated. It’s really good to have a bonding together with your classmates before graduating. Until now we are already separated. Others are in other schools. I can’t believe that time went on to fast. Next time I know that we were graduating. I don’t really want my grade six year to end because I’m happy in it. But I understand that everything must change. But now, I’m still visiting my Alma matter. I’m very proud to introduce my school, where I grow up. My school is Lahug Christian School!

How did I celebrate the sinulog festival?

Sinulog festival is always celebrated in Cebu every year. I too celebrated the Sinulog festival this year.

The Sinulog festival was Sunday, and I’m so happy that it is Sunday because were going to have a mission. I’m so excited about the mission because I know that with this mission we are serving God.

I arrived at the church early because we planned to have the service early because of the mission. I’m so excited that I arrived at the church so early.

After the service, I’m leaping with joy. I know that our mission will start soon. I can’t eat my lunch because of excitement. I can’t wait to start our mission.

After lunch, we got ready for our mission. We are going to Plaza Independencia to spread the Salvation of Jesus Christ, in short, we are going to evangelize people. Evangelizing is helping people to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior and Lord. And that’s a very big mission for me, because we know that every one soul that is save, the whole angels are rejoicing in heaven.

At last! We already arrived at the Plaza Independencia! We are going to start our mission soon! After gathering and praying for the success and safety of the mission, we started the mission. We were in pairs. Ate Lovely and I are the partners.

It’s not easy to approach people that are walking. We had a hard time in approaching people because they are walking and it’s difficult to stop them. But still we have to have enough courage to approach people because it’s our mission. And besides, God also did suffer for us so this mission is not enough to thank Him. Mostly we evangelized boys because they are the ones who are that are willing to listen than the girls. We are really very happy every time a soul will accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior and Lord. We were having a hard time to talk to people because some people are roaming around to collect money from the people. I’m really disappointed with these people. One incident is that when we are about to talk with the girls when suddenly, a man approached us and ask for some donations for the church. That’s why the girls went away. That incident really upsets me because those girls are not yet saved and they already lost their chance to have their salvation.

Our mission is almost finished! It’s getting dark in the park. We all gathered around and counted the people that we have evangelized. And it’s very good because all in all, we have evangelized one hundred six! Isn’t it a good harvest? We’re so happy for having a good harvest. Even if we’re exhausted, we’re very happy because in this way we have served God and it’s also our way of thanking Him for what He has done in our lives.

I’m still looking forward to the opportunities that will come to have that mission. It feels really good to serve God.

My teacher Fina

Teacher Fina is our librarian when I was still in grade six. When I was still in grade five, I didn't notice her at that time. One time, I met her at the stairs, I was about to greet her good morning, but she got an angry face when she's not smiling. My fear overcomes me, that's why I wasn't able to greet her. But it's really that her face is ugly, the truth is that she is beautiful. I am just to shy to talk to her.
When I turned to grade six, she's already the librarian of our school. I often went to the library to read lots of story books. I didn't know when that started, but I found myself already talking with her comfortably. We spent most time talking together, and we enjoyed each other's company. Until every break time, I always talked to her.
Everyday, we grew closer to each other. Until we already shared lots of our problems, experiences, and many more! I shared a lot of my secrets to her that my parents don't know about it. Every time I'm sad, she's always there to cheer me up. We are always laughing every time we are together. Every time I have problems, she's always there to help me. I don't know how she did it, but she knows if I have a problem or none. I didn't even tell her about it but she would just say, "Common tell me your problem. What's the matter?" I asked her how did she know that I have a problem, her answer is, "I can see it in your eyes." she said. Honestly, she is one of the persons who understand me. She's very nice to me and she is also very funny. We have shared a lot of experiences and problems.
Now that she's married, I thought that our relationship will stop. But it didn't stop, right now we are still communicating to each other even if we don't see each other everyday.
Now, she is still concern about me even if she already had her own family. I'm always happy for her. I always tell her that I love her so much. The same with her also, she also told me that she loves me.
I know that she is not just a pass away in my life. She will always be in my heart, no matter what happens. She has taught me a lot of lessons in life, that have left a foot print in my heart.
I really don't know why I always get close with people who are older than me. Maybe God really planned everything so that whenever I'm down, somebody will always lift me up. We also have lots of moments together. She's always there to inspire me whenever I'm discouraged. She will always be my teacher Fina.
Having her in my life is a very big thing for me to thank God. I know that it was God who really put her in my life so that I can have someone to help me with something that I need someone to lean on to.