From Student D

An SMS sent by one of my students.  Beyond the SMS shortcuts, He got it ….

U know Cris Ialways ask God, “how do I get the best out of life?” n i beliv u were d instrument sent to me for my prayr (coz I didnt xpct that u would also teach us about LIFE aside from englis) in a way tru ur ncouragement n nsight n tots u shrd, “face your past without regret, handle your present with confidence, prepare for the future without fear” was d esens of ur ideas w.c i appreciate. I learnd 2 keep my faith and drop my fear. Now I don’t believe my doubts and never doubt my beliefs. Now I know that Life is wonderful its ol cuz of d thought u shared. Thanks v much cris take care always…senxa npo now ko lng nsabi – d cat caught my tongue knina…hundredfolds…

D

 

From Student Z

Given to me by one of the students…

Cris,

I wanted to thank you personally for everything that you for us to make us feel good about ourselves. I really admire your teaching style, your attention to detail with your students, your great lectures, you compassion for each individual, and your creativity and enthusiasm for teaching. My parents gave everything for my well-being though I was emotionally abandoned by them and there were times when I feel that I am no good compared to others but you took the time to assure us that we could be superstars someday.

I’ve had many teachers in my career as a student, and I can honestly say that none has inspired me as you have. You really go the extra mile for us to talk about our feelings, fears and I don’t want you to think that your dedication goes unnoticed. You have made a lasting impression in my life though I know that some acted like I felt bored inside this class. Yes, sometimes I get bored, it’s just that your ** manuals are way too boring. Your office should change your manuals.

Also Cris, I would like to thank you for being such an amazing mentor. You are one of the best! Never forget that! You have the power to change lives and always remember that you changed the life of this girl and took her from not having any goals and dreams to never wanting to stop learning and be a successful person. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are such an inspiraiton. I feel so blessed to know you. Being a teacher is a such a powerful and noble jov and sometimes I think you guys lose sight of the fact that you do make a difference everyday in some way. Thank you for your time and dedication.

You are the Best Porn Star** Ever!

Z

**One time in class, instead of ‘point-and-click’, I said ‘point-and-*bleep. Because of that, my students made a sash that read “Porn Star” and I gamely wore it for the entire day. hahahaha!

 

I am the ONE who is grateful…

My students at EXL (June 2009) sang this for me on our last day together.

I left them alone to review for their quiz. The moment I left the room, I heard them scuffling about. Definitely not reviewing .  I knew they were cooking something up.  I didn’t know how long they were waiting for me to come back but eventually, somebody called me in. I came in and there they were standing in a corner of the room lined up like a choir with lyric sheets all ready for their surprise.

Halfway through the song, each of them walked over and gave me a long-stemmed rose one by one…..I couldn’t get myself to cry…that is until now….

*** The kids singing could have been on video but cameras were not allowed in the center.

 

For my students at EXL: Reach for the stars!

I made a video dedication for my students at EXL. It was put together through animoto.com, of course.

This pales in comparison to what they did for me on my last day with them. It was not your usually goodbye dinner, gift or note. Everything they did for me that day was personal. I didn’t want them to stop with their surprises yet the reality of goodbye was settling in.

I will see them again. This I know for sure. When that time comes, they will outdo my expectations. No longer superstars but supernovas. I say with all sincerity that I love each and everyone of them. I hope they all see the beauty that’s inside of them and never lose sight of it.

 

It Always Starts with Loving Yourself

“Our life is shaped by our mind, we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draws it.” – Buddha

It’s really tough when the image we grew up with is that we are never enough to make a difference or to even just matter in the world. Such feelings of inadequacy and insignificance have left us wanting the wrong things for the right reasons in the hopes that people would take notice of us and appreciate us. Our suffering never ends because we do not consciously think of ourselves as beautiful beings who deserve the happiness they seek.

And what we do or think reflects on everyone else around us.  The suffering extends itself to the world. Our misdeeds and suffering has an effect on everyone close to us. Expanding our suffering even more to guilt as we have become part of their suffering too.

Each of us should take the time to feel good about ourselves. That is the most meaningful among selfish things that a person can do for him or herself. This is how true beauty surfaces. When a person loves themselves in goodness, they show it to others and infect them with their love and beauty without a need for words.

 

WAAD 2009 Video

I posted it here so the Board of Trustees can review the video: 

 

I was on Philstar.com!

Appreciate the small (and big) things that you do.

A lot of people forget about this. It doesn’t really mean that you brag about the things that you do but never belittle yourself and the things that you do. Especially if it’s a good thing. That’s why I always say “You’re welcome” and “My pleasure,” after appreciation is given. It feels much better than “don’t mention it” or “it was nothing.”

My kids would probably have no idea of the things that I’ve done when they get older but just in case, they dig around the internet…I’m posting a few good things that I’m proud about myself. I can’t get myself to tell my family members about this but just in case they do google around the net…

I hope you all don’t mind the minor errors on the photo. The image was pretty large that I had to cut it up and paste together in Photoshop in order to produce one whole image.

The feature in full.

 

Angels’ Walk for Autism 2009

This has been the greatest Angel’s Walk thus far! We’ve had an incredible amount of support from SM Management who gave us the Music Hall for free. Even Hans Sy was there. Geiser-Maclang gave us the press attention we needed. Leo-Burnett responded to our call for angels. Cong. Irwin Tieng was our honorary chairperson. Chairperson De Lima of the Commission of Human Rights gave a heart-tugging speech. Our friends from Autism Society Norway were also there. Even, Karylle Tatlonghari was there to lend her stellar support.

Karylle’s presence did cause a bit of stir from the star-struck angel walkers. I ended up being her security detail. As the paparazzi insisted on having their pictures taken with her, I had to keep them in order and away from her just so we everyone can listen to the wonderful speeches. It was only for an hour. It didn’t hurt but I will admit that I didn’t like acting like a heavy telling grown up people to contain themselves and wishing they would behave. Next time, I’ll be prepared. I will have at least 3 security guards on hand to help me with the paparrazi. I will allow children being photographed with the celebrities but the grown-ups will have to gut it out.

I’m glad that I didn’t hesitate to suggest this event to our VP back then, Chrissy Roa. Good thing she saw the merit of the project immediately. Even my father was impressed with the turn-out. We estimate close to 6,000 came. Not bad for 8 weeks of work. Work credit goes to our executive director, Ranil Sorongon, and our awesome Board of Trustees. Woohoo! Go, Angels!

Credit for poster design goes to Hazel Navarro of www.digital2design.com. Credits for the photos go to Ben Reyes of Leo-Burnett and Raphael Torralba of Withnews.org

Click on photo to see more of Ben Reyes' photos

 

Relishing the Freedom of Being Me

I like being me.

People do not say this often enough to themselves. They spend their entire lives pleasing others and doing what is expected of them (by others) but not please themselves. Some people may find that self-indulgent or even worse, selfish. But isn’t that where most of our confusion comes from? Not knowing ourselves well enough? And not taking care of our unique emotional and psychological needs; that we create this image for others that is beyond our core, and streamline the process of losing ourselves.

Once we lose ourselves, it’s hard to operate freely. And once you’ve lost the freedom to express yourself as you are comfortable with, it creates a downward spiral to lost identity and, much worse, misery. A lot of people go through life just dealing with misery and not knowing what makes them happy…. Is this really how I want my life to be? 

I believe that all people are born good. It’s just that as we grow and absorb other people’s ideas without proper introspection, we lose the impetus to challenge ourselves and discover the light that’s within us.  We end up not knowing who we truly, uniquely are.

We were told that life is like this, so we should be like this. There’s no need to change the system…. Should everybody’s lives be the same?

And so for those, who think I’m arrogant about this, then DEAL WITH IT!

My name is Cristina.

I like to dance. I don’t care if people think I’m over the hill for hip-hop or ballet but ballroom dancing is still not my genre of choice just yet. And yes, because of that I love all kinds of music, from Classical to house…Maybe not Country, I’m not quite sure yet.

I like doing NGO work. It has more heart and purpose than being a corporate drone.

I like reading cards. I can’t stop it. It’s like a part of me. I’m still in the process on neutralizing my thoughts and emotions when I read but I will get there.

I like the idea of being an “undiagnosed case of ADHD” because I think faster than most and I love challenging the status quo.  And yes, I have to talk fast like a bullet. Otherwise, I can’t think.

I love yoga. It’s a great release from tension and allows me to settle freely within my own space. I do Ashtanga and sometimes, Hatha. I would like to try Bikram sometime.

I love meditation. It takes me away from other people’s thoughts and into my own.

I love to read in the morning. My current favorite author is Paolo Coelho. I resonate pretty well with Latin writers like Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

I love the cleansing quality of being out alone with Nature. Whether it’s being under a shady tree or the full moon or on a cliff overlooking the sea; It’s the best kind of stillness ever. So looking forward to experiencing Batanes.

I like learning about the unseen forces. I like learning how it can help me with achieving my goals. It’s an interesting ride but I think I’ll keep that underprotective wraps.  I know more than Feng Shui. Feng Shui acts more of like a cover now.

I like being a “sensitive” or “intuitive.” Am still learning how to strike that balance with the logical…. Am almost there. Getting the hang of it

I was baptized Catholic but I have no religion. I’m what you call inter-faith. I embrace all religions yet the bulk of my practice is Tibetan Buddhism and Pagan. This allows me to respect and understand others while embracing only the practices that I am comfortable with and not be confined to the expectations and dictates of an order.

I cast but I don’t hex. It comes on too strong….No, no to love spells. I don’t believe in messing with other people’s freedom. Though I admit there were times that I wanted to and did try…Don’t want to mess up the karma.

I believe in karma and that is why I choose to collect good deeds. I’m not an angel…yet.  I’m still a work in progress.

I can make an egg-shaped rock stand up by itself in the center of my palm. I can make a toothpick spin in a bowl of water without touching or blowing it.

I like doing Reiki. It feels good to pass blessings to others who need it. I occasionally do Reiki on cancer patients in UP-PGH.

I’ll admit that there’s still a trace of the corporate hotshot in me. I like being in-charge and pushing the creativities of others. I know I risk being “least liked” but I love getting the job done.  That’s why I love meditation. It has loosened some of the sticks and screws :-D

I’ve been told that I’m great with kids and should get into child psychology…. Maybe it’s because I think like one …I ended up as a spiritual / transformational life coach instead.

I am Scorpio….so be wary….