In the Philippines, there is this program called Brigada Eskwela. Lots of kind-hearted individuals would flock to public schools giving them a make-over in preparation for the new school year. My organization has decided to make this a thing, it's actually our second time to go do this.

Anyways, education is a two-way street. It's not like you just drop in money and expect to learn a thing or two without hard work. Problem is, students don't like hard work. I know this because I don't like it myself. I detest the word. However, taking the focus away from the nitty gritty sweat-in-your-brow work and onto the beauty of going to school and the pleasure of learning would actually make the experience worthwhile. With sweat dripping off our foreheads and with backs starting to ache all over, we pushed on to paint the ledges of Paknaan National High School in hopes that we are helping the students forget about the pains of education. It made us feel involved in these students' journey towards their future. Who would've thought paint could give hope?

One of the perks of being an organization officer is to know first-hand the activities the university is up to. Last May 11, we hit the roads and geared up for the south. Argao was the spot. Together with the ME Department we transferred technology from the city to the residents of Brgy. Capioan.

Learning the making of liquid detergent from our Industrial Chemistry Laboratory subject didn't make quite a fuss. It was until activities like these were held that I was able to apreciate that class even more. *insert barfing sound here* But really, hearing comments like, " Oy, taga-i ko'g liquid detergent" and " Nindota's among sabon oy" mattered a lot more than the grade I got from the subject.

Them feels you get from giving back.












We did candles too.



And the ceremonial group picture marked the end of the day.

''This is the road to betterdom.''
You get this impression everytime your 'rents tell you to do well in school. Young as you are, incapable of making your own decisions yet, you walk down this road. But beware. You are not told of the truth! The road to betterdom is given a false name. Betterdom is nothing but mediocrity in disguise. Betterdom is but a sickening cycle of school-degree-work. People have this misconception of the equality of degree and success. What this cycle breeds is a bunch of mediocres that sap all of the earth's resources.

Don't give in to this lie.

Walk the road less travelled and make a difference. You're going to stick for a long time anyway, justify that sapping.

I don't know. Well, do you? Happy Sunday folks! Might I say that this day is beyond beautiful? I've had more than a few hundred Sundays but something about this Sunday is different. Today I learned that Jesus was able to shape-shift right after He rose from the dead. That's just cool! He went from being an old man to a stranger and up until now who knows what He had been up to? He may have been the security guard who helped you park your car or the waiter you so kindly tipped. It's a mystery how one being could be so famous in over a million decades. Even more mysterious is His never-ending, selfless love. If Jesus had a facebook account, I would go on fangirl mode and ask Him to give us a room tour! Would he have fluffy clouds for pillows? Of white drapes and white clouds with golden furniture - that was what my image of heaven was before I came across this story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdUGoFTfP7w. True or not, it made me realize that there is something to look forward to after we've had our fill of gadgets, investments and other of-this-world pleasures. Most of these pleasures are unjustifiably extravagant yet undeniably fleeting. Happiness is in the simplest of things, cue in melissa polinar's version of somewhere only we know.

I am certain about one thing in my life - that heaven is for real. Not really sure what it looks like, but hey, isn't life full of uncertain destinations? Maybe one day, I would accidentally bump into Jesus disguised as a tour guide.

all photos are from https://www.facebook.com/JesusDaily

Guilty of being a fitness rat. (is there such a thing?)