Ka Edong sa Hong Kong Marathon

I wanted to share some experiences about the run, especially in comparison to the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. I did the Singapore marathon (yes, 42Km of it) in December 2, 2007.

Terrain/elevations:

Singapore: flat; asphalt and concrete.

Hong Kong: “Urban Hilly”  - This is how I describe having to go up the elevated highways, down (and up) the tunnels (yes, there were two tunnels!), and just when we thought we were all done with the uphill climbs there was just one more more climb towards the last 2kms before the finish line. Mostly asphalt. There were many instances of banked roads — runners with weak ankles better be careful.

By the way, the first 5 kilometers of the half-marathon were very cramped. At some points, we had only one lane for the thousands of runners. It was a challenge moving ahead or other runners. All the maneuvering can take a toll on the ankles and knees. Worse, it could lead to a collision with other runners.

Climate:

Singapore: When I run the full mary in Singapore, I was running all the way until mid-day. It was gruelling in that way, the heat got to me and many runners.

Hong Kong: The weather was cool, between 18-22 degrees. The overcast skies worked very well for the runners of the Hong Kong Marathon. In fact it drizzled/rained the day before. On marathon day, it was just overcast with a little direct sunshine later in the morning. Perfect overcast for a morning run.

Air Quality:

Singapore: Nice. The air was nice in Singapore. There were areas in the route where we were at seaside and it was all pleasant. Many parts of the route had lots of trees, like going through the park. That was all good.

Hong Kong: It was a very urban run. For the first 8 kilometers, the air was okay. But after the turning point, the exhaust of speeding vehicles on the opposite lane didn’t help much. The tunnel was surprisingly windy, which was good. But I couldn’t help but feel that the air wasn’t good for me. The air degraded at the last 7 or so kilometers when we were at Hong Kong island making our way through the snake-like bridges, while other motorists were speeding on the other bridges alongside the race route. The last 3 kilometers were at the seaside and the air wasn’t very pleasant.

Logistics

Singapore: I loved the way the Singapore marathon took into consideration the friends and family who would be cheering in on. They provided pointers about good places for friends/family to cheer. I loved how there were school bands playing victory, inspiration songs. Most memorable was listening to a high school brass band playing the theme from “Rocky”. Wahoo! Water stations, bananas, power drinks, power gel drinks were all provided, including liniment.

Hong Kong: This was impressive. From online registration, distribution of racepacks, providing all the information prior to the race, baggage deposit (totally impressive!), cheering squads, water stations with clown costumes to cheer on the runners, sponge, liniment, marshalls, medics, photographers … the works! All impressive! I especially like how they collected runners’ baggage at the starting line, and made them available at the finish line. The distribution of bags was flawless.

In both my Singapore full marathon in 2007 and my Hong Kong half marathon, I enjoyed every minute of both runs! They had their own challenges. I learned different lessons for each run. I always ran with a smile. This Hong Kong run was a lot of fun because I had friends running too. Cheers to the Smart runners (SMS) and Pinoy Runners!

Congratulations to all finishers!

How to run a marathon: Push your heart forward and your feet will follow!

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Proud Pinoy at the Hong Kong Marathon

I have this principle that if I hadn’t used something for more than 2 years, it’s best to pass it on to other people who could make good use of it.

While I was cleaning my house before the new year, I noticed that some of my books haven’t been re-read for more than 2 years.

Some of these books I bought at the bookstore or at the book sale. Some are books given to me that I’ve read many years ago.  Some are books that I truly cherish and want to keep for future re-reading, but would like lend to other people who would want to borrow.

Books are meant to be read, not kept.

Thus, I present to you a few books to lend and a few books to sell. This is an experiment. When this is done, I’ll tell you what worked and what didn’t work. And I’ll encourage you to lend your books and sell your books as well .

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
2. The heart of a Leader by Ken Blanchard
3. Staying Up, up, up in a down down world – Zig Ziglar – Love Joy
4. Strengths Finder by Tom Rath — Tristan
5. The Journeys of Socrates – Dan Millman
6. Developing the Leader Within by John C. Maxwell
7. Only The Real Matters by Francis Kong – Mimel
8. The Heart of Humor – Raju Mandhyan
9. Getting Things Done – David Allen
10. Brillant NLP – Tristan
11. Pera Mo Palaguin mo 1 – Francisco J. Colayco
12. Pera Mo Palaguin mo 2 – Francisco J. Colayco
13. Why we want you to be Rich – Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki (hardbound) – Cla
14. Personal Development for Smart People – Steve Pavlina (hardbound) – JP
15. The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield (hardbound)

Each at 50 – 250 pesos or more

1. The Wealthy Barber – Chilton
2. Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino – Bob Ong
3. The Project 50 – Tom Peters
4. Iacocca, an Autobiography – Lee Iacocca
5. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom – Suze Orman – Cla
6. 67 Success Stories — Entrepreneur Magazine Philippines – Lulu
7. Eleven Minutes – Paolo Coellho – Gigi
8. Like the Flowing River by Paulo Coellho – Gigi
9. For One More Day – Mitch Albom – Mimel
10. The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom – Mimel
11. Riches in Foreclosures – Dinna Revilla
12. How to be Really Really Happy – Bo Sanchez
13. You Can Make your life beautiful by Bo Sanchez
14. Grow Rich Pinoy! – Larry Gamboa
15. Cashflow Quadrant – Robert Kiyosaki (ripped copy)
16. Getting things done – Robert Allen
17. The Project 50 – Tom Peters

    
    Each at 5 pesos and Up

18. 14,000 things to be happy about – Cla
19. Man of Purpose
20. God’s little instruction book for leaders
21. 500 Ways to Change the World – Mimel
22. Organize your Business Travel
23. A life God Rewards – Wil Kenyon
24. God’s Little Devotional Book
25. What are you Afraid of? – Plonka
26. Another Shot – Joe Kita
27. 50 ways to a better life – Andrew Sercombe
28. Stress Free Life – Sandeep Narayan
29. Winning Ways – Dick Lyle
30. Leadership is an Art – Max DePree
31. The Moon by Whale Light
32. A Penny Saved – Neal S. Godfrey
33. How to Develop Self-confidence for Success – PC Ganesan
34. Get a Financial Life – Beth Kobliner
35. Use the News – Maria Bartiromo
36. Internet Jobs for the Rest of Us – Deborah Gallant
37. A Still Small Voice – Echo Bodine
38. Youngblood 2.0 – Aruta De Vera
39. Network your way to your next job – Lowstuter, Robertson
40. Rizal is my President. 40 Leadership Tips from Jose Rizal  – Almonte (with autographs from the cast of the stage play)
41. Life is an Attitude – Dottie Billington

Take a look at the books below and see if anything interests you.
Click on the image to zoom in,
or visit the original post at http://www.edwinsoriano.com/books/books-to-lend-books-to-sell .

Books to Lend, Books to Sell

How it works:

1. The books to Lend are only open to my personal friends. I will Lend you any 1 or 2 books for 2 months.
2. In exchange, I will ask you to buy at least Three (3) of the books in the Sell Section.
   I’ll give you a fourth book for free.
3. Prices of books in the Sell Section are between P5 to P250 or more (negotiable).
   Name your books and let’s find a win-win price. Madali ako kausap .
4. First come, first served. Leave a comment of the titles you want for yourself.
5. *Pick-up only* in Makati area

Why am I doing this?

1. I want to make space for newer books for me to read.
2. I want to spread the wealth — Books were meant to be read, not kept.
   Better that they be read by someone who’ll find them useful.
3. I sell some of my books (as low as P5!) just to make sure that the people who will buy it really want to have it and not get it just because it’s free.

Last notes

1. If you are a personal friend, you gave me a book and you find it in the list above — fret not, my friend.
   This is my way of sharing to others what you’ve shared to me in the past.
2. I encourage you, my friends, to share your books as well. Books are meant to be read, not kept.
3. List of books subject to change without prior notice.

Originally posted at: http://www.edwinsoriano.com/books/books-to-lend-books-to-sell

ka edong
bookshelf refresh

We chose The Blind Side. Even if the movie is below the radar, barely knew it was coming, after reading the synopsis, I wanted to check it out. And we didn’t regret it for a minute.

The Blind Side is about a young big African American boy who was taken off from the streets one cold winter evening by a rich family (Sandra Bullock, husband and two kids). The family and their new found friend struggle through the stigma of other people’s prejudice. Prejudice against color, stereotypes, appearing “goody two shoes”, expectations, being stupid, acting “normal”.

Visit: http://www.theblindsidemovie.com/

The Blind Side Movie - Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron

Blind Side is about giving people a chance. Giving people a break. Sometimes, that’s all we need to get along better in life, just one break from someone who truly cares for us.

The movie is filled with inspiring scenes. It was such an inspiring story, and it was even more inspiring to find out that it was a true story!

But there’s one specific scene that strikes me most.

This big African American boy they call “Big Mike” appeared “spaced out”. It was as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He just trudged this earth as if there was nothing “wrong” or nothing “right” with the world. With all the violence, crime and poverty that Big Mike grew up in, Sandra Bullock’s question was, “how did he come out of it?”. How did he break free from all the bad things that was happening around him.

And the answer was in what Big Mike’s real mother taught him when he was a kid.

When Big Mike’s mom would do something bad at home, like sniff cocaine, the mom would ask Big Mike to close his eyes and pretend nothing’s happening. And when she’s done with her kalokohan, she’d go back to Big Mike and she’d say: “When I count to three, you open your eyes, and then BELIEVE that it is a beautiful world we live in.”

BELIEF! It’s such a powerful thing to believe very strongly with all your heart and mind in something.

What do YOU believe in?
Be aware of what you believe in, because your beliefs shape the world as you perceive it.

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dream, believe, survive!

I was part of a one week stay-in training in Baguio called the PSI Heroic Leadership Class of XXIX. It’s a seminar which helped me understand myself even more, making me aware about my deepest darkest fears, and making me more aware of my deepest brightest dreams.

One of the seminar activities was an act of Agape for the kids at an orphanage called “Bethesda Children’s Home”.

I have many stories about my Bethesda experience. Stories like…  

• being entertained by the kids with a Cordilleran dance
• walking from the church to the school which meant hiking 10 minutes down one hill and hiking a second hill to the school. Whew!
• playing fun kindergarten games with the kids
• singing nursery rhymes and songs
• hauling and mixing cement for the floor of 2 classrooms – this was our class’s contribution to Bethesda
• sharing a meal with the kids
• giving a massage and being massaged in a massage line

A Helping Hand for Bethesda

Bethesda Kids in a Cordilleran Dance

All these were remarkable experiences I had at Bethesda.

Amidst the many experiences I had that day with my team and the kids of Bethesda, I’d like to share just two specific stories that capture the essence of my first visit to Bethesda.

A helping heart strengthened in childhood

I start with the story of how PSI “discovered” Bethesda as told to us by our seminar facilitator Kokoy Reonisto. And the story goes …

When PSI “discovered” Bethesda, the school building looked like just two slabs of cement nestled on cement posts. It had no walls, no ceiling, no nothing except the vision of what it could become. PSI decided to help Bethesda through the Heroic class and built the first classroom.

What was interesting was the story of how the Bethesda community all helped in building the school. There were the experienced adults doing the brunt of the heavy work and the skilled work of mixing the cement and laying the hollow blocks that formed the walls of the first classroom. In the meantime, the Bethesda kids helped out by hauling their share of sand from one hill near the church, down the hill and back up the other hill to the school.

Most remarkable was the story of how kids as young as three or four had made their contribution to building the school as well. These kids would have small cup of sand nestled gently in both their hands. I could imagine how these kids would be highly focused in their balancing act, making sure that each precious grain of sand is brought intact to the school.

I could imagine the utter joy of accomplishing their contribution and flashing a smile of contentment. I could imagine the kids saying “Isa pa” and rushing back to the other hill to get another cup of sand to bring to the school.

As I reflected upon that story, I realized that the contribution of the kids to help in the building of the school was more than just an act of physical contribution. It was a spiritual act of Agape – unconditional love. Afterall, kids at this age will not hesitate to help out in any way they can. When the Bethesda kids see people rallying together to build a classroom, they want to help out. They are just that way, without any questions or explanations.

I have a strong sense that there is so much value and character to be learned when a little kid, from the pureness of his helping heart, is *allowed* to help out. I also realized that it was a powerful lesson in being part of something big through one’s personal contribution, no matter how big or small.

Imagine a little Bethesda child 20 or 30 years later all grown up. This Bethesda kid would show his own children that building and tell proudly: “I helped build this school in Bethesda!”

Trekking Down the Hill

Rising Up to the School of Excellence

A helping heart rediscovered through Bethesda

This brings me to my second story about the day we were at Bethesda. I was in a group of 36 leaders from different parts of the Philippines. We trooped to Bethesda for a day with the kids.

We were given a choice of different roles to take. The Engineering group helped mix and lay the cement for the classroom. Another group played kindergarten games and sang songs with the kids. And yet another group helped out in the kitchen where we prepared food for the Bethesda community. The food was prepared near the church and would be served at the school – yes, at the other hill which meant we would have to trek 10 minutes down one hill and another 10 minutes up the other hill.

After cooking, it was time to transport the food to the school. One of our teammates, Nats, led in the distribution of work, like a dispatcher. The adults were given the heavy stuff like large pots of ulam or rice, containers of water, big bags of utensils.

The were all around us and wanted to have their share in the work of bringing the food down the hill and back up the other hill.

My friend Nats, not wanting to put any burden in the kids’ hands, said: “Ang mga maliliit na bata, hwag nang mag-bubuhat. Kami nalang mga grown-ups ang magbubuhat.”(Kids, don’t bother carrying the food, the grown-ups will take care of it).

The kids were silently wondering about Nats’ instruction.

I understood why the kids were wondering about Nats’ instructions. They simply just wanted to help, just the way they are used to helping. It’s a community where it is all so natural to give a helping hand.

I wanted to tell Nats to allow the kids to help. I kept silent knowing that I could communicate this message in a unique way that I have discovered through our seminar.

When my eyes met Nats’ eyes, we both understood each other at a deeper level. In a split second and without saying a word, Nats understood me. Nats understood and agreed that indeed, the kids just wanted to help.

Nats quickly shifted and allowed the kids to help in their share of the work.

Let the kids help. It’s natural for them to help themselves, it’s natural for them to help each other, it’s natural for them to help others.

I came away from Bethesda feeling that I had benefited more from the kids than the kids benefited from me. And I was okay with that. There was so much to learn from being with the Bethesda kids. Being in the presence of pure hearts is like an elixir for the tired man. It is like rediscovering that when we were kids, we were as pure as they are – pure-hearted we are.

Rediscovering a Helping Heart at Bethesda

How would you like to have the opportunity to help build a community of pure-hearted kids? How would you like to support a community that knows, without question or explanation, that helping is all so natural and that it is all within us?

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rediscovered

Snapshots of Ka Edong

• 1975,  January 11
  Baby born after the Christmas 0f ‘74. Must have been an expectant Christmas.
• 1975-78
  Dad says we lived a comfortable life. Inalagaan naman daw ako ng parents ko at mga kapatid ko, lalo daw ni atchi.
• 1979
  Earliest memory was playing in the owner type jeep of the Silvestres. I fall and burst my lower lip.
• 1980
  Watching our new home in Happy Homes being built. The Soriano kids throw coins into the wet cement of the house’s columns and stairs, for prosperity and blessings.
  When we moved homes, I was riding at the back of a pick-up truck with the wind in my face, pretending I was driving a motorcycle. Bliss.
  Got bitten in the face by our neighbor’s dog (a rotweiler, was it?) .
  Went to school in Marishan (Maryknoll). Spent one of my first days there crying ‘coz I wasn’t dressed in uniform. Hahaha!
• 1981-1987 – SPED
  Met a fascinating man, Manong Johnny, who endlessly inspired and entertained us kids with his street-smart science tricks.
  Boy Scout camping in John Hay
  Tae Kwon Do
  Breakdance
  Christmas programs, UN Day, Araw ng Kagitingan
• 1987-1991 – Pisay
  A whole new world! Garnet, Camia, Rubidium, Muon.
  LBM the best! 91 the best!
  Sindi Katok
  Trip to Baguio, Planetarium, Coconut Palace, Senate
• 1991-92 – UPLB
  A whole new world ulit!
  Tibak days.
  Yellow jackets of our barkada. Pusoy Dos, Trumps and losers washing dishes.
  Skinny dipping at Baker Hall. Thursday evening parties. Rumbles.
  Rally at Senate against bases.
• 1992-93 – UP Baguio
  Discipline and self-reflection in Baguio. Starting anew.
• 1993-97 – UP Diliman
  Whoa, what?! I’m in EE? Thanks Jor!
  UPSCA, FDA
  UP EE, Yia hall,
  Eraserheads, Payatas, Papuri
  BarrioWork!!!!! Tiaong. Meeting Isay, our friend in the mountains (Dec ‘95)
  Solar Thesis. Board Exam.
• 1998-99 – Cuyo, Palawan
  My brown suede shoes are brown. My black suede shoes are brown.
  Pump boat rides on friday afternoons and Sunday afternoons.
  Losing my voice in class. Losing my mind outside of class.
  Tango Alpha and his radio, making phone-patched calls to Manila/Baguio
  Beautiful moon, stars, wind, waves, nature!
• 1999-2001 – PIA, PMA
• 2001-2004 – FIT-ED/Digital Philippines
  Solo Sagada
  Trips to Visayas, giving trainings, writing technical papers and books. First taste of personal financial abundance.
• 2004-2005 – AIM
  Wow, list of dean! hehehe.
  Good friends from Vietnam, Bhutan, India, Nepal, China, Myanmar, Ilocos
  SOUTH AFRICA! Whoooey, South Africa and Swaziland 
• 2005-2008 – Intel
  7am meetings, lunch out, tagaytay
  Shanghai, Pearl Tower, Chub Choc
  San Francisco, Arizona
  Canada, Niagra, snow
  Family is family even across the oceans
  Florida with family and friends! Thanks John!
  PSI! Forgiveness.
  Starshooters. Singapore Marathon! 6 hours 29 minutes, whew yeah!
  Sagada, swimming
  Palawan, underground river
• 2008-2009 – Smart
  Cory passes away, I walk with her
  Heroic, One-ness, Cebu
  Ondoy, Pepeng
• 2010 and beyond
  HK, Macau
  Angkor Wat
  Sydney Oi!
  Family finally
  Batanes
  UK, Europe
  Books
  Blogs
  Houses and businesses
  Proud Pinoys, nation-building

I thank You Lord for blessing me with my parents Tony and Babes, my siblings Kelmer, Atchi, Keric, KRC, Andrei, Cali, Eleonor. Our awesome funny family the Sorianos, Usshers, Bunags, Sabolboros!

I thank You for all the friends and teachers who have blessed my life, and those I have blessed as well; I thank you for reason, season and lifetime. There is sooo much to learn from all the people we encounter. Fellow pilgrims are we in this journey. 

I thank You Lord for making me Edwin “Ka Edong” Sabolboro Soriano. I thank You for being born Filipino.   

I thank You for the person I have become. I lift up to You the person I will become!   

Edwin “Ka Edong
Help More, Thus Be More

I remember that I’ve had a couple powerful dreams in the past 25 years or so. But unfortunately, I did not take the opportunity to document or write about it. Until today, I remember vividly one single powerful dream I had when I was in 4th year High School. Now having a blog, I take this opportunity to write about this dream I had this morning, so that I can refer back to it in the future.

Let me first share with you an experience with a very powerful dream I had in highschool. And then I’ll share the dream I had this morning and a few thoughts I have of it.

Adolescent Dreams and a healing of the heart

When I was in 3rd year high school, I had a relationship with a young girl whom I’ll call Chess. Chess was a freshman at the time. We had grown into a sort of MU, puppy love thingy (funny how I describe it now ). And then summer came and we lost touch for two months. We came back to school, I was in my senior year and she a sophomore. My relationship with Chess had gone cold. I had what I referred to as a “summer syndrome” — in simple adolescent terms, “I fell out of love” .

I was fine with that, I went through my days as if things were normal. In the meantime, Chess watched from afar as the distance between us grew wider and wider. She didn’t have a chance to understand what happened to me. I didn’t bother to explain.

Things went back to normal with more than a quarter into the year. And then the dream. I won’t go through the details in this essay. But at the end of the dream, I find Chess standing in front of the girls’ dorm, her back facing me. I tap her on the shoulder. She turns to face me and I see her crying. End of dream.

I wake up and the dream remains vivid. I am bothered by the dream the whole morning. Finally in the afternoon, I approach Chess for the first time in many months. I tell her about the dream and ask her what she thinks of it. I specifically ask her if it means anything to her, because if it doesn’t, I woud dismiss the dream from my thoughts. Chess tells me that my dream means a lot. And she continues to explain all her feelings for me and all that she had gone through the past months while the distance between us drew further. I said my apologies, made things up, and we both started to heal from our first experience with a broken heart.

Whew! That was when I was 16 years old!

My message now: Vivid and emotional dreams mean something. I have discovered this fact when I was 16 and I come back to it today after waking from another vivid and emotional dream.

Like running in water

This morning I had a dream. It felt like I was in an international conference in a “far far away place” like the carribean, or hawaii or havana (thanks to the James Bond movies for the imagery).

I was in a breezy, laid back hotel in my walking shorts and a floral shirt. I was walking with my best friend Jorey, and we were about to go off to downtown for an afternoon of gallavanting. We come across another conference participant who tells us that there’s going to be an event in a few hours. I decide to put on a pair of pants. So I make my way to my hotel room which is just 2 floors above where we were, and I could see my hotel room from where I was along the corridor.

I’m used to walking fast. I walk from my home to work everyday. I walk fast when I’m rushing to get things done quickly. I walk fast when I’m off to my next appointment and running a bit late. So I did the same in my dream as I rushed to my room to put on a pair of pants.

Or so I tried. I knew it was simple enough to go to my room, put on a pair of pants and go back to where Jorey was wating for me. But it took forever for me to reach my room. I got lost amidst the hotel corridors and staircases. I found myself always within view of my room, but apparently was going further and further from my room instead of going closer.

And the most frustrating thing about this supposedly simple walk to my room was — it was extremely effortful! I tried with so much strength to walk quickly towards my room. But it felt like there was something physically preventing me from taking steps forward. It was like walking in neck deep water, you just couldn’t walk fast. It was as if there were cobwebs holding me back, keeping me from moving forward. I could see myself with a fully alert mind, just watching my arms and legs move forward in slow motion. It was exhausting!

I even saw an old lola along the street. Yes, street, a dirt road — by this time, I could see the hotel and my room at a distance and I was at the street, distant as ever from my room. The lola was giving me directions on how to reach my hotel room and I smiled at her because she couldn’t help me firgure out why I was walking in slow motion.

I grew tired. And I woke up. And later I wrote about this dream. And now you’re reading it.

My thoughts

I’m tired. It’s funny because it’s the start of the year and I’m tired. I’m tired from my dream. I’m emotionally tired from my current reality.

I’m afraid to understand. Frankly, I’m afraid to understand my dream. Because I’m afraid of what it may mean. I’m afraid of facing what my dream means to me.

I end here, now. I publish this story without much flare. I’m not writing to impress. I’m just writing because I feel moved to write.

This is me.

Edwin

Dear Friends,

This year, I became aware of One-ness.

One-ness is unity, not solitude. Pagkaka-isa, hindi pag-iisa.
One-ness is *not* the equivalence of opinion or equivalence of principle.
One-ness is finding a common connectedness or purpose.
One-ness is the awareness that we are one.

One-ness is the sharing of experience, energy or intent of many – each becoming one with others, at least for that moment, for that purpose.

Edwin and One-ness with the world

As I experienced One-ness ever so powerfully in October 2009, I began to realize that it is in One-ness that I have experienced many of my greatest joys and fulfillments.

Let me share some of my experiences with one-ness this year:

• One-ness of my work, my hobbies, my passions.
• Reconnecting with old friends, keeping warm the shared experiences and the continuing lessons about life.
• A country mourning the passing of a great leader – Corazon Aquino – and a country united by the remembrance of its greatness.
• The Philippines brought to its knees by a series of storms, and a country rising up to help one another – Agape!
• A group of 50+ people aiming to achieve one singular goal one damp and cold evening in Baguio – such One-ness in energy and intention is pure bliss!
• A country celebrating Filipino greatness, as showcased to the world through Manny Pacquiao, Efren Penaflorida, Charice Pempengco, Arnel Pineda and many more.
• Misunderstanding the silence of a deaf saleslady, and coming into one understanding through forgiveness.
• The messages of One-ness in “Avatar”, a movie you shouldn’t miss if only for the lessons of our own humanity.
• Reconnecting with friends online e.g. Facebook, creating value through the awareness of what we have in common, how we build things together even though apart.

This Christmas and in the coming new year, may you and your family find the bliss of One-ness … One-ness with self, One-ness with loved ones, One-ness with a country that needs all our help, and One-ness with our good God’s plan and purpose for you!

Maligayang Pasko!

Edwin “Ka Edong” Soriano
www.edwinsoriano.com

It was morning and the saleslady, let’s call her Serena, was arranging her products at the start of store hours. I found this ref magnet made of wood bearing inspirational messages, the one you hold in your hands. I thought this would be a quaint gift for friends – a reminder of the goodness of our Lord and of life.

Love Magnet

I asked Serena what other designs were available. She was busy fixing other items and acted like she didn’t hear me. I asked again in a louder voice. No reaction from Serena. A third time I asked again. And Serena continued fixing her stall as if she didn’t hear me.

Leche, this saleslady ignored me! She snobbed me!

I dropped the magnets back unto the display table. I walked away with a heavy heart, furious and offended! I wouldn’t be treated this way by a saleslady who didn’t know how to entertain customers! I said to myself: “Such nerve! She ignored me and didn’t care that she was losing a customer.” I was sure I’d find the same item in another shop.

Or so I thought. But three hours passed, and I hadn’t found the same item in the entire mall. In the afternoon, I decided to go back to the stall hoping that the Serena wouldn’t be there.

As I selected each of the ref magnets that I wanted buy, I saw Serena from the corner of my eye. I avoided eye contact lest she’d give me a cynical expression of “Ha! I knew he would come back!” And then, still from the corner of my eye, I saw Serena giving hand signals to another saleslady.

And then it dawned on me. When I felt offended that morning, I thought the Serena ignored me. In reality, Serena didn’t hear me at all! Serena is deaf!

It was extremely humbling to realize my mistake, to realize the prejudice I had against Serena, the deaf saleslady.

When I looked up to Serena, she smiled at me. I felt the warmth of her smile. Moments later, with sign-language, we closed the purchase. I bought four times more than I had planned to buy. The gift you are holding now was made more meaningful by this experience with Serena.

I apologized to Serena for my mistake. With hand signals, she said it was okay and she thanked me for buying. I walked away with a happy heart!

Love Signs

I could only imagine the kind of prejudice Serena experiences from people who misunderstand her. She readily forgave me. I thank Serena for the humbling experience.

Dear friend,

How often do we misunderstand other people? How often do we misunderstand our loved ones? We never really understand them completely, do we? Well my friend, forgiveness transcends the lack of understanding. We CAN forgive without the need to understand. We CAN forgive without the need to be understood.

As we celebrate the birth of our Good Lord, let us give the gift of forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a gift to others much as it is a gift to ourselves.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Edwin

In October 17, 2009, the graduates of Starshooters Team 75 initiated a mangrove tree planting project at an island in Wawa, Batangas City as part of their world contribution. The chosen site will be developed as a nursery for fry and with the flourishing mangroves, will be an important tidal and wind breaker.

The Starshooters team 75 completed their program in July 19, 2009. It was nice browsing through their FB photos and seeing how they have helped in re-developing the mangrove they visited in Batangas.

Looking good, Val, Cathy, Carmen and team! Keep on shooting, starshooters!

Boat on

swimming smiling

Boat off - Aryaaaaa!!!!

bakawan seedlings

Bakawan seedlings

SST75 Mangrove tree planting

The work we do at the Angel Brigade ranges from sorting clothes, packing sets of clothes (men, ladies and kids tops and bottoms), packing sets of food (water, rice, milk, biscuits, noodles, sardines). These essentially are the end results, but there are so many tasks to do and it is … let’s just say it puts a smile on my face when I see how people help out in any way they can, big or small.

Sometimes it’s just the opening of plastic bags (so that the next person will have an easier time putting in goods). Sometimes it’s explaining to children how we’re helping other kids affected by the typhoon.

Angel Brigade is also a place of action, never mind the complaints. If you’ve come to the Angel Brigade, you’re here to help. Leave the complaints outside the door: complaints about politicians, about government, about the lack of (fill in the blanks) or about the irresponsibility of (fill in the blanks). Nevermind the complaints. The Angel Brigade is here to help in whatever way we can. Let’s just do it, and do it with a smile .

Join the Angel Brigade

The Angel Brigade accepts relief goods
and is open for volunteers to pack, sort, sing and dance daily from 1-9pm.

Relief Goods Drop-Off – Fort Bonifacio
Kuok Property Showroom -
4th Avenue corner Rizal Drive,
Fort Bonifacio Global Complex,
Taguig City, Philippines

Here’s a map to Angel Brigade at the Fort: http://tinyurl.com/2Angel

Search for Angel Brigade on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter: @AngelBrigade

Take a video tour of the Angel Brigade operations .

ka edong
angelito