Pinoy Big Brother Season 2

I’ve been a viewer of Pinoy Big Brother since the first season, and I am kind of excited for this new season…and in connection with this, I present to you: Chismosang Kapitbahay! :) It’s a blog where I talk about anything connected to PBB Season 2. My take, my opinions, my observations and whatnot. :P Comments are highly welcome; now come on and be a chismosa in Big Brother’s house. :D

I ♥ GK

Today, I went back to one of the loves of my life, GK.

Now before you go thinking that this is some boy, no, it’s not. If you’ve known me for a while, you would probably know what I would be talking about, but if not, GK stands for Gawad Kalinga. To give you a formal definition of what GK is:

Gawad Kalinga (GK) translated in English means to “to give care”, and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world. GK’s vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino.

The first time I visited a GK site was during my first Summer House Training (SHOUT) with YFC High School Based. One of our activities for the week was to visit a GK site. Back then, GK wasn’t really that big yet. We visited one of the biggest GK sites in Bagong Silang, Caloocan. At that time, all I thought about GK was like Habitat for Humanity or something like it — all building and such. So what I was really looking forward was the builds. But when I got there, I got to meet some of the kids, who were all soooo sweet. =) They stuck to us like glue, and I know some people had a life-changing experience because of the kids. It really didn’t matter that much to me yet, because I was just really doing it because I was a YFC leader and it’s expected of me.

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Soul Sisters ♥

Now where should I start? You’re one of the reasons why I am where I am right now, and why I am who I am. I wouldn’t be back in the community if it weren’t for you (and Myka) always asking where I was, “bugging” me to go to the tambayan. I knew there was a reason why I went to the discovery camp back in 2004 (and Engel saying I was her simple joy) was because I’d meet you.

I’ve only known you for two and a half years, but I feel like we’ve known each other all our lives. I love how you understand me and my quirks, how we always seem to understand each other, how comfortable we are about talking about God. I love how assured you are of God’s love, how dedicated and passionate you are of GK. Most especially I love how you never judge a person, but you love them just the same. Actually, there’s so much I love about you, and that’s why you’re my best friend — too many reasons to write. ;)

On this special day of yours (which I missed by 4 minutes last night!), I pray that God will bring you to places where you could shine even brighter than you do before. I pray that God will continue to make your heart bigger so as to accommodate even more people inside. I pray that He takes care of you and your mom and everyone else you love. I pray that despite all the trials you have experienced and will experience in your twenty-first year, you will still continue to smile and laugh and make other people smile and laugh, because the world wouldn’t be the same without that Beaboo cheer. I pray that you touch more lives, that they may see through you (just as I have) that God is a good and loving God. I pray that our friendship will last longer, grow stronger, until we are all old and have our grandchildren playing with each other in your big flower garden, where we will all spend our afternoons with our GG’s and closest friends. And finally, I pray that on your twenty-first year, you’ll grow into the woman that God has made and is making you to be. :) Actually there’s so much more I pray for you, but it won’t fit. :P

Bea, Beaboo, Bei, Liberty, Billie, Boo, Pink 5, Awesome Chick, Princess…so many names, all the same great woman. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARIE BEATRICE LIBERTY O. CORTEZ! :) You don’t have to be demure for people to love you; we love you just the way you are, Princess Chick. :D Sister to sister, yours in life and death. I love ya, soul sister. ♥

GK 1MB National Build

February 25, 1986: our parents and grandparents rallied in EDSA to throw a dictator out of presidency and in turn, change the country. It was the change that everyone is waiting for. It was the promise of a new life for our country.

Twenty years later, another group gathered on this day. While everyone else was rallying, blaming the government for the country’s misfortune and while the entire country was in a state of emergency, other people chose a different path and decided not to point fingers of blame but to start doing something more worthwhile, something that actually works.

February 25, 2006. GK1MB is born. 1 Million Heroes, out to help raise the Philippines from poverty. 1 Million Filipinos not joining any rallies, not taking any sides, not pointing any blame, but accepting responsibility and acting on it to bring the country (and everyone else) up instead of down.

[Click on the image to see a larger version]

One year later. February 25, 2007. On the 21st anniversary of the EDSA People Power 1 revolution, be a hero. Join the GK 1MB National Build nearest you! Click on the image to see the details. ;)Let’s go, friends! Let’s pick up our construction materials, arm ourselves with a smile and join other heroes in rebuilding this nation! :)

For more information, visit www.gawadkalinga.org. :)

Pre-summer nights

Has anyone noticed how hot it has been lately? The kind of hot that seems to burn down on your skin? Ergh. It’s sad that the cold weather is already gone. As much as I love bright and sunny days, it’s just so hard to go out under the relentless sun.

Although this kind of heat reminds me of some fond afternoons and nights. Like sitting in front of electric fans set to number three while reading or watching TV…or long conversations under the shade of some trees, waiting for a breeze. Bumming around at home, watching TV all afternoon while munching on Chippy and washing it down with a big glass of ice cold Coke. Summer afternoons eating P15 halo halo at Dingalan, or sleeping on a mat outside the small yard of one GK house in Dingalan, Aurora for siesta, resting for the afternoon before going back to build work before dinner.

Ah, summer. As much as I hate the heat, I can’t help but love you. This summer though, since I am working and still have no available leaves, there won’t be too much summer outings for me. :( Unless I go on weekend trips, but they’re always so bitin. Hmmm.

But anyway. I won’t think about summer just yet because another significant event has to happen first before I can feel it’s summer already. :P More on that significant event later. What about you, though? What are your plans this summer?

Random things before I go: I’m listening to Anberlin’s Cities…and it’s good so far. Yez, new music! Haha. :) Oh yeah, and I’m nominated here…along with 70+ other people. Good luck. But whoever nominated me, thanks! :)

Please let my PC have internet tomorrow. Please? More to that tomorrow, if I have Internet. :P Good night world.