Iglesia Ni Cristo (96th Anniversary)

"Consider the momentous event in architecture when the wall parted and the column became"

~Loius Kahn

27th of July is no ordinary day for any member of the Church of Christ, a.k.a. Iglesia Ni Cristo which was reestablished in the Philippine archipelago back in 1914. Today, the church worldwide is commemorating on its 96th anniversary.

It was last year (2009) when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared July 27 as Iglesia Ni Cristo Day and every year thereafter signifying a special working holiday in the country in recognition to the founding of the church. This was signed into law via the Republic Act 9645.

Looking back and reminiscing on the church' humbly beginnings, the obvious was inevitable, persecution and maltreatment were so much rampant in the early days of the Church of Christ. T'was like you were being outcasted entirely must people know that you belong to this religion. Worship Services were stoned, despised, and bluntly speaking - most people would give a murderous remark as if to belong in the fold is an original sin.

However, members did not waver in their calling. Early members shrugged off the inequalities they get during that early stage. They never faltered to deliver and all the more they become steadfast in the church. Time is the greatest healer they say, and the generation of this age are now reaping the sacrifices, conviction, hope and unmatched beliefs of the pioneers of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, led by the late Bro. Felix Manalo.

Look at the church today! It's almost on its Centennial anniversary... and the glory it beheld is quite stunning and remarkable. Not only by its proliferation of magnificent & breath-taking chapels mushrooming around the isles of the Philippines but the core values it has continued to impart among the followers of the faithful.

It is indeed, unbelievable for the mundane on how this church has achieved on what it has right now. The titanic expansion of its growth, conquering the different continents of the earth is something ala- "more-than-meets-the-eye" concept. Wonders among wonders, this church keeps on inspiring lives, keeps on shedding the true light in this world of darkness and chaos.

I want to extend my deepest and heartfelt greetings to all the members of the Church of Christ in all the corners of universe. Anywhere you are, if you are reading this, keep the faith!

Glory be to God. Happy 96th Anniversary!!!

~mAc

Smile (why is there a need to wear it?)

"Smile an everlasting smile... a smile can bring you near to me."

~ Words, by the BEEGEES

It happened on a stretch of quiet road—a walk back home through dry, blistering desert heat, the kind that presses against your skin like it's trying to reshape your face. The streets were nearly empty. The kind of emptiness that feels more emotional than physical. No breeze, no sweat—just the silence of asphalt and the occasional whisper of a passing car every few minutes.

And then, a figure appeared in the distance.

A man, likely in his fifties, walked toward me, carrying something I couldn’t make out. At first, it was just a passing encounter. But then, about fifteen meters apart, something shifted. I smiled—not fully, just a half-smile, hesitant, almost shy, unsure if it would be returned.

It was.

His smile came slowly but sincerely, warming his face with the kind of recognition that’s hard to fake. He nodded too, like we had silently agreed that in this moment, in this emptiness, we had seen each other. Not as strangers. Not as silhouettes. But as human beings sharing the same heat, the same dust, the same simple desire to be seen.

I kept walking, and not long after, I crossed paths with someone of another nationality. I smiled again—this time, with a little more confidence. And again, the smile came back, accompanied by another gentle nod.

What happened on that empty road stayed with me long after my footsteps faded behind me. Not because it was dramatic or life-changing. But because it reminded me of something we often forget in a world chasing noise: how quietly powerful a smile can be.

We underestimate it all the time. A smile seems too small, too ordinary, to matter. But it does. It’s a soft gesture that carries heavy weight. In barren places—physical or emotional—it has the power to crack open a moment and let just enough light in.

It’s not just about being polite. It’s about being present. A smile says, “I see you. I acknowledge your humanity.” In cities, in villages, in foreign lands or familiar streets, that kind of recognition is rare—and more valuable than we think.

Sure, not every smile will be returned. Some might even be misunderstood. So here’s a gentle rule of thumb:

- Don’t wear your smile like an invitation to flirt.
- Wear it like a reminder that kindness doesn’t need a reason.

Because smiles aren’t just for joyful moments—they create them. Even if just for a second. Even if only for a stranger. And sometimes, that second is all someone needs to feel a little less invisible.

We often talk about changing the world, but sometimes the smallest revolutions begin with the corners of our mouths turning slightly upward.

So try it: when the world feels too dry, too heavy, too silent—smile. Someone might just smile back.

And for that one fleeting moment, everything feels a little more alive.

~ Mac

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Christopher Nolan

"I think audiences get too comfortable and familiar in today's movies. 

They believe everything they're hearing and seeing. I like to shake that up.”

~Christopher Nolan

Everyone's ranting and raving about Inception. The box office kicker by Christopher Nolan. I still haven't watched the flick, yet i'm getting so much into it that i'm having a wishful thinking to be in Manila or somewhere where there's a moviehouse to watch to.

The goodness of it all when dissecting what's all about a motion picture is when you are in-line with the thought of the director, what i mean is, if the way you understand what the film has to convey is in parallel to what the director of the movie is trying to deliver.

Most of the time, i'm immersed to flicks that will leave a question mark at the end of credit rolls, that it would spark a conversation to your partner/s (someone whom you've watched the film with) whether you got the meaning of it, or, the essence of the film. Not to say, not only the plot, not only the story... but the mere fact that a "CLOSURE" is established in your mind after watching the film.

I reckon that there are two films of Nolan's that got me spell-bounded. Call me a no-witty boy but it's good to be honest. Lemme tell you the first film- The Prestige. I watched this with Claudine (my call center buddy) back in Mall of Asia, i enjoyed the flick, the thrill and all... but it did not come in full circle (to me) about the story. Later did i know that there are two main twists in that movie.. that is, Hugh Jackman (The Professor) is the same guy who offered help to Christian Bale (The Great Danton) in adopting his child. The 2nd twist that made me fully understand the story was learning that Christian Bale has a twin.

The second film that until now, there are remnants of unsolved curiosity in my head is the film - Memento. This film has all tangled up. It's in a reverse order. The sequence is so wittingly crafted that the climax of the film was delivered in the beginning. Yet, as the story unfolds, methinks as an audience felt the need to know how it had all started? Like how on earth did the protagonist came into having an anterograde amnesia? There are still scenes in the movie which are unintelligible to me, like when was the "black and white" sequences came to converge with the color one?

The above are just minute details on how Christopher Nolan's mind and well-crafted arts could tickle, stir, arouse both our imagination of thought and creativity. It is an understatement to say about  fascination and engrossment.

So now, i'm trying my best to avoid spoilers of the movie Inception so as to measure my level of understanding if i will get the plot and story right. It's different when you get the level of satisfaction that your mind wishes to achieve.

~mAc

Do you have FAITH?

Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable

~H.L. Mencken

I woke up one day, stricken by life's complexities and difficulties. The thought of it made me shiver, it's undenying that life in this world in general is getting worse each day. I don't have to paint in your mind the horrendous events breaking on the news. Neither the poor nor the rich could escape from this wrath. Everyone has it's burden (as you read this, i know you're going to reflect on yourself, what's troubling you at the moment) to face and handle. Reality check, they say that to live each day is a grand thing but we have to acknowledge the fact that sadness is mundane, that sailing rough is not out of the ordinary anymore.

At times, we are crushed by the many tests in our journey, sorrows almost unbearable to handle and it's as if, we can no longer move our foot forward to face what's going to happen next. Emotions deepen especially when our focus seems endless along the horizon, where muted silence is the only company in our grief and the longing for constant happiness slowly vanishes within our hopes of hope.

Above all these, we are still alive. Enduring, forever battling what life has to offer. I asked myself how come i'm still in to it?, how come i've gone this far?. It boiled down to one of the moral foundations established as early as childhood. That each day that passes by, this moral judgment is being cultivated, where conviction on it's power increases as experience flows, as the tests of life transpires in every moment - to prove something and would always light a piece of wisdom that is somehow carved in the heart. I call it FAITH, it is believing and holding-on to things yet to happen. It is the solemnity and peacefulness of the mind and heart to things unseen. Things unseen that are impossible for the human mind to decipher and grasp, yet you have the prowess to believe in it signifies that you have faith.

In all walks of life, we have our own unique culture. Unique ways on how faith got established inside of us. I know what i believe, i know what i'm holding-on to. I know the promise - it's not yet delivered, it's unseen at the moment, intangible like the wind. But i have faith in it.

How about you? Do you know what you are waiting for?








~mAc

Top 3 Benefits of being Consistent in Writing on Your Journal

(updated April 06, 2025)

"Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it"

~David Sedaris

Having a journal - may it be a restricted blog or a handwritten diary which contains the everyday-happenings occurred in your life both with highlights and the sidelights of the day is a whole course of a meal quite fulfilling and satisfying. My below top three reasons are only in effect if consistency is observed.

1. It's a creative way of continuous learning in mastering the art of expressing your thoughts. Not only does it enhance your writing skills, it makes you explore a plethora of vocabulary.

It’s Like Mental Gymnastics… But with Words

Writing in your journal is like giving your brain a daily warm-up. It’s you vs. the blank page—and trust me, you’re winning. Whether you’re writing about what you ate for lunch or how you lowkey hate team meetings that could’ve been emails (we feel you), every sentence is a chance to flex your mental muscle.

Over time, you’ll start sounding smarter, expressing yourself clearer, and throwing around words like "cathartic" or "existential" without blinking. Imagine texting your crush with flawless grammar and confidence, or writing IG captions that slap and make people think. That’s journal magic, baby.

Ever typed a super long comment or rant on social media, read it back, and thought, “Whoa, that actually sounds kinda deep”? Yeah—journaling sharpens that.

2. An effective way of releasing emotions & feelings: may it be on the extremes, it's your world to paint, it's your choice to deliver- and it's free, no one's suspending you. Psychology books suggests that writing as an outlet of your emotions provides a healing drug to the tired brain.

Your Journal is Your Emotional Dump Bin—and It Never Judges

You know those moments when you're about to rage-text someone but instead you type it in your Notes app and never send it? That’s journaling 101. It's cheaper than therapy and more honest than your group chat.

Whether you're crying over your situationship, ranting about your boss who thinks emojis are professional feedback, or just celebrating the fact that you didn't cry in traffic today—writing it down helps your brain breathe.

Psychologists legit say that expressive writing helps lower stress, anxiety, and even physical tension. So yeah, your journal? It's basically a silent therapist who won’t ghost you.

Your mom’s old diary probably holds stories of first loves, heartbreaks, and that one day she skipped class to watch Bagets. Trust—if it worked for her, it can work for you.

3. It serves as a blueprint. Time will age up... memories gone. But if you have a day-today journal, documented and published for your own eyes only. This will serve as your guide, your cheatsheet, or could even be a memento. Lookin' back, reminiscing and learning from the past at your own expense is still the best wake-up call, for you've been into that situation before, you just have to relive the moment.

It’s Your Personal History Book—No Fact-Check Needed

Let’s be honest—how much of 2020 do you even remember? Journaling gives you receipts of your own life. It’s like your personal timeline, but with more depth than just “went to Starbucks” or “Netflix and cried.”

Fast forward 10 years: you open your old journal and read how you survived a heartbreak, pushed through burnout, or felt on top of the world after your first solo travel. It’s a cheat sheet to your evolution—a reminder that you’ve overcome things before and you’ll do it again.

Plus, journaling is that rare hobby where “talking to yourself” is actually encouraged.

Remember love letters? Remember pen pals? Journaling is that, except now you are the soulmate you're writing to.

_____

Your journal doesn’t care if your handwriting sucks, if your spelling is off, or if you're oversharing about your 3AM food cravings. It's your space, your rules. No likes needed, no comments required. Just you, showing up for yourself—one entry at a time.

So go ahead. Buy that cute notebook. Or open that Notes app. Or even talk to your Google Docs like it’s your bestie. Just write. You’ll be amazed at what comes out.

~billymacdeus