Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Lokal Ng Jaro, Iloilo City - English Choir



One of the best feelings when visiting other INC Locales is the immediate "connection" established even when you are first-time meeting those resident brethren.

What's even more satisfying is when you get to know that they are also your fellow choir members.

It's obvious that these types of encounters are some of the blissful moments in the life of an Iglesia Ni Cristo. The close-knit culture of the choir in the church, not to mention the "love for the brotherhood" is basically a relieving emotion in times of strange and solitude or being in a foreign place.

It's comforting to note that upon meeting these brethren, you get the "Oh hey, we've been friends since long ago" - and then the burst of emotions of catch-up sessions would then continue as both parties feel each other's warmth of brotherhood/sisterhood.

The above description realistically happened to me every time I go to other locales of the church. In the case of Locale of Jaro - this is somewhat special because I got to witness and be part (kind of sit-in) of their choir rehearsals and Thanksgiving practices.





I also didn't expect the warmest camaraderie the English Choir brethren has shown, displayed with utmost affection. Infairness - we even had group picture.


Huge thanks to Ka Candy - choir pangulo whom she poised a fantastic accommodation to my requests, similar to a long lost Ate... suddenly re-united and has given a full support showcase of what's to offer in her local.





I surely had missed attending their choir practices (making sure my work related stuff are not affected at all). Although i visited them quite briefly, the love, harmony and long-lasting connection was put into existence i can never forgot.

I do hope it will stay that way, for "when we meet again" - it will not be a brief encounter any longer but somehow, a more defined way to celebrating brethrenhood and brotherhood in the faith.







Lovelots,
billymacdeus

Thursday, November 14, 2019

45 Days Before The Start of A New Decade:2020, What Were Your Best Moments?

2020 Here you come, pero iba parin if you get to review what happened in the past, yung mag-isip ka paano ung nagdaang buhay mo, positive or negative.



Here are some of my best moments of this decade (2010-2019) that's about to pass. It's nice to reflect, assess, look-back or reminisce the journey -- may it be the ugly, extreme, funny, harrowing, but most importantly the moments that made my heart alive - living this life.

Without an air of swell, mixed with whirlwind emotions, lots of tears, daily smiles here and there, full of hopes, and mostly spent on solitude... this is my list that prolly got carved already in my mind and heart:

1. Back to basics
2. Muling nagbalik sa bayang sinilangan
3. Thankful, no regrets
4. Back to renting bedspacer
5. re-uniting with religious duties
6. tried going pescetarian (try lang)
7. leading a team - again
8. Helpdesk biz
9. passive agressive genX
10. escalations handling
11. managing people (one downs and ups)
12. bought my first house
13. break-ups (4 times, only; inclusive of unannounced rels - seryosong usapin lang hahaha)
14. consistency sa pagtupad ng tungkulin
15. short stint as Pangulo sa south
16. making ends meet to para matapos si housey
17. got to xperience paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle (who doesn't?)
18. moved in to my own apartment
19. hopper to different call centers in the south
20. muntikan nang mag work uli sa MOA (buti nalang di natuloy)
21. approved US visa
22. cancelled flights
23. back to writing poetry
24. moved in to my new house
25. consistently independent
26. generous giver and supporter
27. tried the dark mode
28. lustful encounters but not yielding
29. brief affairs of the dark side
30. hopes, sunlights, smiles
31. overwork - stress - unmet expectations
32. bought my first car na dipa marunong magdrive
33. natutong magdrive ng manual via the car dealer (hahahaha)
34. disconnection of provincial home - kung saan ako lumaki at nagkaisip (long story)
35. relocation of parents to new environment and house
36. playing the arrows of cupid - enjoying the thrill and suffering the consequences
37. fell in lab (once, twice) pero...
38. solo driving from manila to Isabela and vice versa (mag-isa lang okey?)
39. had a major car crash; life was spared - Pure Thankful
40. my 9th locale transferee and im running 5 years without xferring (yet)
41. shifted to IT job
42. got into teaching via ALS (yeah the govt initiated program)
43. ran & walked the esplanade in Iloilo
44. got my 1st MBP (pure wowser)
45. luvin my Apl Watch - if you're reading this, u should grab one - series 5
46. walking and fitness at home is bliss (no cost at all)
47. discovered Reddit
48. got my first domain; then bought a second one (unpublished)
49. lands lands lands and titles
50. a lot more, pero secret na po ung iba.




So, what's next? Let's go ahead and create another decade of colorful events, akin to going the flow or being aggressive to change the life you're aiming to be.



˜O




Monday, November 04, 2019

Apple Watch November 2019 Challenge

(updated)


Hello Folks - been busy here, doing work-related stuff even on my rest days, I can barely touch my blogging site as I have to squeeze in some weekend responsibilities at work.


Nevertheless, I made an effort to post a couple of updates (this is the 2nd one) - my November 2019 Apple Watch Challenge.





It's a 100.9 mile long distance challenge; that's 162.38 kilometers. The longest distance by far as compared to the the distance challenge I got last August (88.6 miles).

From how I am faring thus far since November 2, I'm ecstatic to share that walking here is purely a bliss because I get to be so close with nature.




Last Sunday - it was more intense, I walked 3.69 miles rewarding me with the highest calories burned so far in my whole existence of using Apple Watch Walking exercise.



November 3 Walk Workout Details


Walk Workout Award



Apple Walk Workout Award




Fair enough - the weather is in favor with me because I get to be outdoors and walk/run the Esplanade in Iloilo (currently here for work temporarily).

Here's a brief video -








˜ (Update)

look at that!!! cheers to mahself for achieving another record. Way to go for fitness.

Apple Watch November Challenge Award




-billymacdeus



How Adorable These Street Cats Waking Up, Me Disrupting Their Slumber



Raw vid, me petting street cat along Paciencia Tijiam Avenue...




Such adorbs... easily purring and licking as soon as I touch her.





~billymacdeus


Sunday, November 03, 2019

Happy Birthday To You Manong Driver



Before 12 midnight hits November 3 (Manila time), dipa huli ang lahat para i-greet si Kuya Driver who has a big heart, full of generosity.







~billymacdeus
(image from reddit/philippines)