FaithBook

Jasmine B. Suiza / December 12, 2017 I was shocked to hear Mama's news. One of her good friends just passed away. Twenty-two years old, with a 4-year old son. Nakakabigla. Hindi inaasahan. Malakas at masaya pa namin siyang kakuwentuhan noong nakaraang buwan. This made me reflect. Life is really short -  and indeed very unpredictable. I can remember a movie wherein the plot revolves around time as a currency. The citizens live until twenty-five years old, and after this, they have to work to "buy" time. Each person has a time counter where their "remaining life" is reflected. The rich enjoy the luxuries of having so much time, while the poor struggle every day to survive. Those who fail to work, beg or steal time will die. What if you can see your "remaining life" in your own time counter? What if today will be your last? Will people remember your good deeds in the past? For sure, neither you, nor I, or anyone can answer t

Jasmine B. Suiza "Engaged na si Zane at Mike!" "Wow, si Mich galing na naman sa business trip o!" "Si Marianne, doctor na!" “Bakit si Sharmaine hindi tumataba kahit malakas kumain?” Ito ang mga tumakbo sa isip ko habang nakikita ko sa Facebook ang mga wall posts ng mga kaibigan ko. Natutuwa? Oo. Natutuwa ako sa mga accomplishments at narating nila sa buhay. Naiinggit? Hindi ko idedeny. Ang mga bagay na nangyayari sa kanila ay mga mismong bagay na pangarap kong mangyari rin sa akin. Most of my life, I am comparing myself to others. Parang nakasalalay sa ibang tao ang self-worth ko. Because of this, I have the tendency to be always competitive. Sa grades, sa trabaho, sa mga kaibigan ko, sa sports, sa service – gusto kong laging gawin ang best ko. Hindi naman mali ang maging competitive, lalo na kung maganda ang dahilan, pero minsan, I find myself being tempted by Satan. Because he knows my weaknesses, he attacks me b

Lagi kong naririnig sa mga kakilala ko na, "blooming daw ako". Owsss? Really? Blooming (adj.) glowing as with youthful vigor and freshness. Wow. Big word. Ngayon, gusto mo bang malaman ang dahilan kung bakit "daw" ako blooming? Blush on? Maybe. New hair color? Posible. After-workout glow? Pwede. Antioxidant supplements? My diet is all natural. Pero, the reason is not something you need to spend money on. Hindi ANO - pero SINO.  Ang sagot - Si Jesus! Wondering why and how? Let's take Moses as an example. The Radiant Face of Moses "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." - Exodus 34: 29 (NIV) See? Pati si Moses naging blooming "because he had spoken with the Lord". If in Old Testament can talk directly to God, how can we do it in our day? It's simple. Spend time with Jesus. Imagine the privilege o

I am Catholic. Jasmine B. Suiza / September 3, 2017 "Why do you worship Mary?" "Why do you pray the rosary? It is not found in the bible." "Why do you worship the statue?" These are some of the statements I continue to hear from our brothers and sisters who practice their faith differently. As a Roman Catholic, I had my fair share of persecution – just as Jesus' apostles were persecuted during their time. When faith becomes the center of discussion, colleagues, acquaintances, and other friends sometimes SEEM to misunderstand Catholicism. Others think Catholics are so full of idolatry and "that-is-not-found-in-the-bible" practices. Being a Catholic in a Catholic country looks easy – we can avail the sacraments, join religious organizations, worship our God anytime and anywhere – but defending our Catholic faith to others is not a piece of cake. Just in time, the CFC - Singles For Christ Metro Manila held a Regiona

by Jasmine B. Suiza "You stand in the line just to hit a new low... You’re faking a smile with the coffee you go…” I curled my upper lip in exasperation as I see the long queues some ten meters from where I got off the jeepney.  Not my day again.  I turned my head from left to right searching the last row for my shuttle ride to BGC.  As usual . It’s 6:45 AM. My job is supposed to start at 8:00 AM and there are at least five lines that I have to overcome to catch the trip to our office.  “Cause you had a bad day... You’re taking one down... You sing a sad song just to turn it around…” I watched as co-rushers with familiar faces brisk walk towards the lines. Knowing that this would take more than a while, I diverted my almost-bad day into a more optimistic one. I flipped the first few pages of a devotional book that I brought to keep me occupied during instances like these. “ Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For th

On Losing Weight and Gaining So Much More Jasmine B. Suiza, RND. May 9, 2017. “Uy, may bola.” “Magkano isang kilong pata?” “Oink!” Growing up, I endured hearing these taunts, insults and offensive words. Whenever I passed by the street, I bowed down in shame – signaling retreat. There were days that I didn’t feel anything at all, but there were days that I cried in humiliation. I thought I deserved it. I thought I just had to accept the fact that I was really fat. Until one day, my Road to Damascus moment unfolded. My boss placed a weighing scale at the entrance of our office – as if he’s telling his employees that we are all gaining weight. Thanks to the many scrumptious breakfast and sweet desserts! At first, I was afraid to step on the scale. I was not prepared to know my weight – but I know I had to. 162 pounds. 74 kilograms. BMI of 29.8 – just 0.2 notches to obesity. The heaviest weight I have ever been. The truth slapped me in the face – and it hit me