A Calling

Image borrowed here

Since my Easter Triduum witnessing of a renewed perspective of our Eucharistic celebration and the fullness of parish community involvement, I have been thinking lately, sometimes even welled up in tears, on reconsidering entering a religious or priestly vocation. I know it wasn't just an idea that popped spontaneously at the back of my mind. I won't be impulsive in making any decision for now. But this may just be an opportunity to respond to a special desire He has given me way back. 

May God bless my discerning heart. I pray that He bless my discerning heart.

Internship 2: Week 4 Daily Logs

{Day 14 - 04.25.11}

I did the inspection rounds today on my own choosing to stray away from the group of interns we’ve become. Detaching oneself, even just for now, even just for a while, from very uninspiring personalities is a breath of fresh air. I realized that dealing with different characters in the place of work surely is all a part and parcel of the profession. Patience and temperance are both virtues and abilities one must learn to forge on a daily basis.

{Day 15 - 04.26.11}

Today’s yet another slow day at the office. My mentor did not assigned any particular inspection requests and I doubt there has been any progress in the installation of macro wall panels so I did not went on my regular rounds. It’s a good thing I am free to use the computers in the office. It is during these days that I can productively use my spare time in meditating or looking for any good resource or material I can employ for my thesis. Suddenly it came to me all at once. My final year truly is the zenith and culmination of everything that I have learned through college. I am so going to make most out of this internship experience.

{Day 16 - 04.27.11}

I did my inspection rounds today with my mentor which I very much quite enjoyed. I am given again another lesson on the strict implementation of sensible authority in the construction site for the worker’s and the contractor’s compliance. I noticed how abrupt his look and facial expression changes as soon as we come face-to-face with a worker/foreman concerned. I do understand his stance that such must be done to imply order, discipline and respect in order to get the job done correctly.

{Day 17 - 04.28.11}

I am delighted that I have accomplished so much today. One of the engineers even gave us a practical crash course lesson on project scheduling. It is a good thing I still quite remember some of our lesson on Project Management and PERT-CPM in Professional Practice. What makes this lesson so different is its practicality and application in real life which I can now transparently see.

Update 04.29.11

Concerns littering my cranium cavity:

• Submission of Architecture Internship 2 Report: Daily and Weekly Log of Diversified Training Experience, Architecture Internship 2 Sketchpad, and Internship certificate of acceptance tomorrow;
• MMDA Flood Control Bayanihan Zone Consultation Forum 2pm-5pm @ UERM College of Medicine, Aurora Boulevard (which I won't be able to attend);
• Community Summer Excursion tomorrow @ Nasugbu, Batangas (which sadly, I'm about to turn down *sigh*);
• PULP Summer Slam tomorrow @ Amoranto Sports Complex, Roces Avenue whom my officemates are dying to attend to (well, they want me to get them an exclusive backstage pass, as if I had any legitimacy to do so);
• and the Fellowship Dinner invitation from Team Ubaldo @ Max's Restaurant, Roces Avenue later @ 6pm - oh yes~ another political gathering.

'Do not be awed by the greatness of your tasks; do not be cowed by the discomforts you have to bear while carrying them out; do not fear the obstacles that will come your way.'

Ordinary

Image borrowed here

It's always refreshing to bump in some friends you haven't seen for a long while. Most especially in the least expected of places you'll ever anticipate to cross with one. It makes you want to jump for seeing a familiar face in the chaos of the crowd. It almost makes you remember the juvenile dreams that somehow along the way you have thrown aback.

Bless the moment I cross path with Gill while perusing aimlessly for some cheap jeans in the department store. Bless the moment I cross path with Jaylow as I handover the portrait sketch of his beloved partner. It is during these instances of spontaneity in monotony that I truly feel God has put me at just the right place and at just the right moment in time.

Creative Juice #026: World First BioCar

Image borrowed here

World renowned Filipino product designer Kenneth Cobonpue has created the world’s first and only biodegrable car made out of bamboo and rattan called the Phoenix.

Cobonpue is known for his signature designs using natural fibres and materials. The Phoenix is his latest venture in partnership with design apprentice Alberth Birkner which is created using rattan, steel, bamboo and nylon. Showcased for the first time at the “Imagination and Innovation” exhibit at Milan, the Phoenix is a testament of high quality craftsmanship to create an environmental friendly solution to transport.

Cobonpue collects and tinkers with vintage cars and is an ardent car lover. However, his concern for the environment is the true inspiration behind this design. When pressed upon this Cobonpue states that though car manufacturing has been a hi-technology process employing robots and complex processes, maybe all that can be done away by a simple handmade solution.


Read more at Good News Pilipinas

Creative Juice #025: Blog Award :)

A simple badge of heart-felt appreciation for Kamila of Road to Kill for her undying readership with my blog. Salamat sa walang sawang pagdaan at pag-iiwan ng comment. Nakakataba ng puso. I have lovingly custom-made this badge just for you :) A thousand thanks Kumareng Kamila!

An Apostle's Easter Triduum Celebration

Image borrowed here

Arriving home from our morning services, I can't help but to feel nostalgic with probably the best Easter Triduum celebration I took part with starting last week's Maundy Thursday. Oh the euphoria still lingers. And I already miss that sense of fellowship everybody coming from the different ministries and walks of life have created. Perhaps such form of united passion, hope and service is a common sight (and of course, a requisite) in every Eucharistic Celebration I've ever seen yet nothing can truly compare to that intense sense of communion during the celebration of Christ's Ressurection where everybody stops for a while in their daily lives to make that Easter journey regaining a new perspective of life and how to live its meaning in the Paschal Mystery of Christ's Passion and Ressurection.

To tell it flat, I truly had a blast having chosen by the music ministry to represent one of the Twelve apostles. It was something new which I have not pictured myself doing yet here I am point blank staring at mid-air reflecting on something I wish could've lasted a little longer.

{Some Reflections}

• For starters, I was able to avail of the Sacrament of Confession as part of our spiritual preparation a week before all activities commenced. And I tell you, the Lord's forgiveness truly is one of the greatest gift I received during this year's Season of Lent.
• Simply honouring and humbling. Almost cried when my Father R kissed my foot during the Washing of the Feet. For a milli-second there, I almost pictured him as Jesus and I as one of his beloved apostles. The experience is simply incomparable in any manner. We even had a closed-door agape reenacting the Lord's Last Supper where we first established the Eucharist.
• 'Behold the wood of the cross on which is hung our salvation. O come, let us adore.' - I just looove that song. It was playing in my head the whole of Good Friday. I'll surely miss this solemn chants when Easter arrives.
• I learned all about the salvific meaning and the redemptive mystery of our everyday trials and sufferings. It is true that there is no smooth road in becoming a faithful follower of Jesus. But let us all strive to imitate Simon of Cyrene who learned to love the weight of the Cross upon encounter with the suffering Jesus.
• The procession with the Santo Entierro was really tiring yet it gave me the much needed long walk of reflection with the rest of the faitful community while praying the Rosary. With lighted candles in our hand, we made our way thru the deserted commercial street of Timog Avenue to the slow neighborhood of the Scouters area silently reflecting on the Lord's Passion. The solemnity of it all is just overwhelming.
• I was touched by one woman's faith during our Black Saturday Pax Tecum Visit where we visited and prayed with the families of 8 chosen homes (we were assisted by a member of the Legio Mariae and a member of the BEC). She was teary-eyed and thankful saying in us she saw the real beloved apostles of the Lord - even asking for our blessings when she made the gesture of respect, the mano.
• And finally, I was able to meet with other faithful men from different ministries/walks of life and share a fellowship which by God's grace I pray will continue even after this Easter celebration. With the messed up perspective of manhood that for quite a time littered my mind, it is such a blessing to see other fellow men standing up (for whatever reason that lead them) to represent Jesus' beloved apostles. All this time in the back of my mind, proudly I say - 'ang isang tunay na lalaki ay malapit kay Hesukristo.'

As we get on with our daily grind, with the work place (and the university as for me), may we always remember that redemptive Passion of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. May we consider this as regaining of our sense of perspective in life where with great clarity, we know it has a meaning and we can live it out with a sense of mission.

We should rejoice for the Lord has risen! May the glory of Our Lord be known to all! Thanks be to God. Alelluia! Alleluia! Happy Easter to all! :)

Internship 2: Week 3 Daily Logs

{Day 11 - 04.18.11} - Holy Monday

Our mentor expressed to us his irritation regarding the slow operation of the general contractor. I’ve read file the other day counting the number of delays on the projected schedule against the actual progress of the Tower 3 construction. Everyone is really working hard before Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. There’ll be another concrete pouring on the top floor’s core wall and slab. I really wish I could freely come to see but my mentor won’t permit me access yet on the upper floors as he was just being cautious and concern regarding my safety.

{Day 12 - 04.19.11} - Holy Tuesday

I came to the office late and walked in only to see the construction manager almost reprimanding the officer-in-charge/representative of the general contractor. I really looked up to the Big Boss for being such a fine and genuine gentlemen. His voice is calm yet there is this distinct degree of firmness and stance showing authority over the situation. I can’t help but to silently chuckle by looking at the OIC’s facial expression. He seemed professionally tamed in front of our construction manager.

{Day 13 - 04.20.11} - Holy Wednesday

The weather’s gloomy; construction activity seemed to be in such a drab, and we are having a very slow day at the site office. Perhaps it is the looming Easter Triduum celebration that’s got into everybody’s mind. My mind in particular is drifting off with all the Easter Triduum activities in our parish. It was not announced that it will only be a half-day regarding today’s working hours yet the construction site seemed deserted as most workers have probably took the time early off to be with their families at home. I silently made my way back home in solemnity of tomorrow’s occasion. In my mind, I bid a meaningful Holy Week to all.

Holy Wednesday

Image borrowed here

Slow day at the office. Gloomy weather. Lazy afternoon. What can I say more? My mind's drifting with all the chosen apostle's Lent and Easter Vigil activity commencing tomorrow. I swear when I became President (which I know will never happen), I'll pass a law decreeing all days of Holy Week a non-working holiday. I can't wait to go home.

Creative Juice #030: The Mountain

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

Awe-inspiring clip filmed on Spain's highest mountain, El Teide. It is considered to be one of the best places in the world to photograph stars. Reposted from one of my favorite Tumblr blogs :)

Lenten Recollection: 3 Parables of God's Mercy

Rembrandt's famous Parable of the Lost Son painting. Image borrowed here

Parable of the Lost Coin. Image borrowed here

Last Monday, I attended a 2-hour Lenten Recollection by Rev. Fr. Froilan Briones of The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (SSS) organized in our beloved St. Paul the Apostle Parish. He prepared a very well presentation on the subject of 'Spirituality of Love, Sacrifice and Unity,' in relation to one of our parish's main vision which is COMMUNIO.

Key gospel verses discussed in the presentation were the three parable of God's mercy (the main theme of Luke 15) and are as follows: the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk 15: 3-7), the Parable of the Lost Coin (Lk 15: 8-10) and the Parable of the Lost Son (Lk 15: 11-32).

For once I did quite enjoyed the evening to bask in the silence and the solemn atmosphere of our church while listening to some truly Godly reflections.

The highlight of the talk was in the climax of the Prodigal Son's verse where all was challenged to identify oneself not with the Younger Son (representing the tax collectors and the sinners in Jesus' time) nor with the Older Son (representing the Pharisees and the self-righteous in Jesus' time), but with the compassionate Father - the true main focus of the parable who - exemplified his loving mercy and tenderness when he accepted back the repentant son.

The main theme here rather than conversion was the restoration of a believer into the fellowship with the Father after falling from grace. It paints a picture of how we must respond to our repentant brothers and sisters in our daily lives. Here we are reminded how the three parable of God's mercy came after Jesus' teachings about the demands of discipleship where we are shown that He is not only speaking of God's mercy and forgiveness but He is as well insisting his followers to imitate God's attitude.

Truths:

• We don't have to (and can't) earn God's love.
• He loves us because He considers us as His children. We are family.
• God won't force us to live by His rules. If we insist, He will let us go our own way.
• If we choose to do things our own way instead of the Father's way, we have to live with the consequences of our actions.
• God will ALWAYS accept a repentant sinner, no matter what the person has done.
• Those who have been GOOD should not resent those who have been FORGIVEN.
• No matter what we have done in the past, God is genuinely happy to see us come back.

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If God brings you to it, He will bring through it.

Internship 2: Week 2 Daily Logs

{Day 6 - 04.11.11}

I’m starting to get the hang of what I’ve been tasked to do – which is the regular monitoring and inspection of macro light wall panel installation (and more) at assigned floor levels of Tower 3. I’m just privileged to be a part of the construction management team. With all the internal excitement going on, I must still remain cool and composed, and most of all professional in everything that I do.

{Day 7 - 04.12.11}

I was tasked to personally handle the construction update report for Thursday’s presentation with SM Development Corporation. It wasn’t really part of the field inspection practice but I am more than glad and willing to lend a hand with the revision of the progress pictures and the powerpoint presentation. I may not admit it but I do have a knack for orderly fashioned graphic layouts and is a self-professed shutterbug myself. This’ll be a jiffy :)

{Day 8 - 04.13.11}

In preparation for tomorrow’s progress presentation, my mentor brought me to the top floor to take some pictures of the current works being done. It was utterly breath-taking! I just witnessed an actual rebar installation before the filling of slab and beam at an altitude of 20-storey high. I must admit it quite gave me a fright but all is worth it as I also cannot stop myself from impulsively clicking the camera to capture such an arousing moment.

{Day 9 - 04.14.11}

I noticed how everyone who came back from the presentation of progress report with SMDC at MOA was busy shuffling through working drawings, letters and documents of previous transactions and meetings. From what I’ve overheard, I bet they are feeling even just a tiny inkling of spite towards the general contractor regarding the recent update of the construction progress report. From there, I remember what my mentor told me yesterday after our documentation at the 20th floor. It was about the ability to gain respect from your colleagues, co-workers and subordinates in the industry without them secretly yielding spiteful thoughts towards you.

{Day 10 - 04.15.11}

I do not know it is just my enthusiasm waning or the seeming monotony of my everyday or both, that is affecting my macro perspective view of the whole internship program. I need to break away from this dreary steadiness. I need to somehow accept the truth that it is not always bright and exhilarating while doing my summer training. I may be exaggerating but unless I accept this given fact, I may not be able to pick myself up and pull through. Funny how a lot of ponderings goes through one’s mind when he is not preoccupied my topics that really matter.

ArchInspire #022: Construction Introspection

Just a quick post. Here are some of the shots from my first week of project management internship. I'm still pinching myself whenever we're doing the monitoring rounds to see if this is real. I'm just grateful to have been granted this opportunity to learn and experience first-hand from the construction industry. In consonance with my Architectural Internship 1 posts of office works last year, I will also be posting weekly wrap-ups and reflection of this whole experience :) yeah~

Mga napagtanto ko kanina lang:

• Masarap magnilay sa 10th floor habang pinagmamasdan ang mga construction workers sa baba na nagpuputol at nagyuyupi ng bakal. Nakatingin sa kalawakang bubong ng mga bahay habang dinadalaw ng serenidad sa pagmumuni-muni katabi ang mga konkretong kisame na wala pang masilya, at amoy ng bagong lapat na epoxy sa mga bakal na nakabaon sa pader. Oooh, surreal. Pa-deep.
• Palagay ang loob ko sa construction site. Mukhang alam ko na kung saan ko gustong madestino kapag nagsimula na akong magtrabaho.

Internship 2: Week 1 Daily Logs

{Day 01 - 04.04.11}

Arriving at the site office for the first time again is somewhat nostalgic in some sense. I remember how I got accepted in this company last year with my application for the Architectural Internship Program 1 but decided not to continue as they offered then a program that is fit for civil engineering field works. I’m just thankful and giddy to be back. The field office seemed a lot bigger compared to last year. Fully equipped and furnished, the room is big enough to contain two conference-sized tables, 5 computers, a Xerox machine, and kitchenette with a mini-fridge, a microwave and mineral water dispenser. There are about 9 desks for the different working engineers and a nook with racks for storing compiled folders and important documents. This is the place I’m going to report in for the rest of the summer. I am simply delighted.

{Day 02 - 04.05.11}

I was ecstatic to meet my mentor for the first time. He seemed very nice and accommodating. He even told that there’ll be a lot of work to be done making me a bit giddier with all the knowledge and learning I’m about to witness and absorb in the wholeness of this internship program. For sure, the heftiness of it all will be my drive to push through.

He dismissed me early today to make the necessary preparations for my first construction site walkthrough. A hard hat, a pair of safety shoes, my very own official ID, and the pseudo-uniform is a must when entering the construction zone. I’m anticipating a great day tomorrow.

{Day 03 - 04.06.11}

I chanced upon a stack of weekly progress reports that completely captivated me as soon as I get to the progress pictures taken at different periods of the construction before I came here. It was enchanting to see the primordial birth of a building – an environment which designers must have consciously regard as a space where living breathing human beings will soon populate. Well, I certainly would love to take part in such creation in the future.

{Day 04 - 04.07.11}

I was still thinking of yesterday’s bout when my mentor called for a representative of Carpark Building A’s contractor to discuss the inconsistencies/non-compliance of the actual work (a misaligned lavatory in the men’s room causing an ergonomic error with one of the wall-hung urinals) with the working drawings I reviewed yesterday. Their authority and stance regarding the matter is utterly remarkable. Metaphorically, I pictured the construction management team as a squad of dauntless police officers/ law enforcers reprimanding a grave offender. It was remarkable, indeed.

{Day 05 - 04.08.11}

On my way back from my inspection assignments for the day, I met Arch. Al, the occupational safety engineer who gave me the safety and hazard orientation on the first day. He reiterated his intent that if I ever see something that is suspiciously off within the site which might speak of hazardous and unsafe, I could confide it to him so that necessary steps must be taken. Now, I’m totally feeling like an inspector!

Update 04.06.11

Recently started with my summer internship at a nearby residential construction of a renowned development corporation. I'm so hyped! Getting ready for tomorrow's site monitoring assignment :) Yipee!

Shutterbug - Wannabe #016

Photography reflex while decluttering and dusting my collection of books and magazines. Hmmm. What would be your impression of me after peeking into my reading list?

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Nothing is ever a sin for people today, as long as they say that they are happy. But what does it really mean to be happy? When can we say that we are happy? Does the fool really know the meaning of 'happiness?' Or is he guilty of unconsciously fabricating its meaning only to justify the course of his choices?