Time In a Cave

The article below is really something to ponder on because worldly life can distract us from living a God-willed and purposeful life. Sometimes we go on in life doing what we want to do but when we fail we question 'Why?' This one is really enlightening and makes you think 'Is this what God wishes for me to do or is this where He wants me to go?' Trust God, surrender to Him and everything will have it's meaning.

Time in the Cave

You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living... " - Psalm 142:5 NKJV

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Hard times energize some people, yet paralyze others. Look at David. Everything he touched turned to gold: Samuel anointed him to be king; he defeated Goliath; Saul chose him as a musician and warrior; the army loved him and wrote songs about him. Then his life fell apart. He lost his job and his marriage failed; Samuel his old mentor died; his best friend Jonathan couldn't help him, and Saul's soldiers hounded him until he had to hide in a cave.

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At some point we all do time in the cave! It's where you end up when all your earthy supports are gone. It's where you learn important things about yourself that you can't learn anywhere else. It's where God does some of His best work in moulding you into the likeness of Christ. It's where your worst inadequacies confirm that you're out of your depth, and where God sends His power to flow through your weakness.

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When David prayed, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living,' he'd no way of knowing there was a crown in his future, or that he wasn't going to die in hiding. For all he knew, this cave he was in right now might be as good as it gets. When you're in a situation you can't fix, can't change and can't escape, trust God! Trust God! Trust God!

 

As long as your sense of security is tied solely to your success, it'll always be fragile. But when you know that God is with you even at your lowest point, you can handle the cave and come out stronger! 

Kind regards,

bongsantiago

eMail 1: BenSantiago@smartbro.net

eMail 2: bensantiago@me.com

eMail 3: bongsantiago@gmail.com

Weekend Treats

For several weekends (except recently when we’ve been really busy with something), I 'd cook with the help of Sophie merienda and breakfast that are very simple yet something we all enjoy eating. For one, I made spaghetti inspired by Amber’s spaghetti. I usually make Italliani's-inspired pasta having outgrown cooking the regular spaghetti with meat sauce. But this time, it's a kiddie-party style spaghetti, with hotdogs ang sweet tomato sauce, something Bam, Sophie and Sam really love.

Amber's Spaghetti, really yummy :)

our spaghetti, syempre masarap din :)

Another weekend, Sophie and I made pandesal pizza. Very easy to do, just cut the pandesal in half, put a little tomato or pizza sauce, quick melt cheese, hotdog or ham (or both), fresh basil and sprinkle with olive oil and it’s ready for the oven (even oven toaster will do J ). Once cheese is melted and bread a little brown and crusty, it’s done. This is a yummy treat, the fresh basil adds so much character to the pizza.

 If you notice, we just love cheese :) 

Then one weekend, Bam and I decided to make a big breakfast sans McDo delivery. We made scrambled egg ala McDo (the soft and moist kind), french toast, ham and...sliced cheese again (which Sophie finished off in minutes). Perfect breakfast to go with the our new Nescafe Taster’s Choice coffee :0

Eleksyon 2010 / GMA 60th Anniv. photos

Sharing some of the photos from my behind the scenes work for Eleksyon 2010 and GMA 60th Anniversary.

With the Post Vgfx team. 

I'm so proud of the level of creativity and commitment of these guys. Being a producer, projects become more bearable and easier working with these guys. They're always up for the challenge even if it's something new, something risky, something they've never done before :) 

On the red carpet of the GMA Anniv in Araneta with Vgfx unit head Xtian Borja. 

Truth about the GMA Anniv photos, these photos were taken on the night of the taping in Araneta Coliseum, just before we headed back to GMA office. I was not supposed to be there that night but we have to rush to the venue last minute to SOS the staff for some graphics problems. They were practically in panic mode because the show is already 1 hour delayed from starting. Unfortunately, the woman in charge of the guest list at the back door won't let us in. She's saying we're not in the guest list and that the backstage is already full (that where they setup the red carpet so it's really full with artistas, prod staff and media). She instructed us to get tickets from the *^%$& red gate and come in through the audience entrance. Probably not absorbing that Xtian and I were there because of last minute troubleshoot, we explained to her several times that we didn't go there to watch but to work. She wouldn't listen even to the production staff who fetched us from GMA and accompanied us inside the back gate. She's just damn hardheaded. Finally, we told her that the show won't start if we can't get in and those staff accompanying her were already helping us explain the obvious to her, and so she let us in. Finally! I will never forget the face of that old lady with the dangling P30 earrings. Anyway, I ended up going home past midnight already, got 31/2 hours sleep before flying off to Cebu. Haay, the hazards of production work...

On a lighter note : Thanks Xtian for the photos :)See you around friend. We won't be seeing each other everyday come August but I will definitely cherish the friendship we had developed over the 7 years plus the number of groundbreaking projects (naks) we did. Good luck on you next endeavor! Just remember, I'm always your confidante so don't hesitate to give a ring anytime :0

Cebu in a Day

Wow! It's been a while since I last visited my blog. The GMA 60th Anniversary Special and other work stuff kept me busy lately. Anyway, while I was out, I was out of town also.

Went to Cebu last June 19, and came back to Manila the day after. Talk about quick getaway :) Got an invitation from my cousin to attend her daughter's (my niece Tricia) debut in Midtown Hotel in Fuente Osmeña.What's nice about the place is that it's near downtown, Magellan's Cross and Sto. Niño church. Downside, it's quite far from the airport, felt this especially since my flight back to Manila was only my second time to travel alone :(
But no regrets. I knew I needed to reconnect with the old spontaneous me and my naturally lakwachera self. This is one thing I definitely agree that moms should do, have some ME time and never feel guilty about doing what you really love as long as you're spending quality time with your family. For sanity sake.
So,even if the invitation came only Thursday (June 17) and the event was Saturday (June 19) already plus the fact that I wasn't able to get a budget airfare due to last minute arrangement, I enjoyed that travel. Also, I missed my relatives so much since almost all of them are either in Bacolod, Cebu and Ormoc, we don't get to reunite much unless there's a special occasion. By the way, it was a surprise birthday party so imagine my niece' reaction when she saw us came in (my Titas flew from Bacolod City also). I knew I couldn't miss the moment.
Another reason to go to Cebu: to finally get my picture taken beside the Magellan's Cross :0 Imagine, been to Cebu a few times already but I still don't have that souvenir? My bonus is that I was able to attend mass at Sto. Niño church or the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and, of course, made a wish since it's my first time to enter the Basilica. We decided to skipped the touching of the Sto. Niño part (oldest relic in the Phils. mind you) since the line was spiraling all around the church and I have a flight to catch. It's a nice church, tough, reminds me of Binondo and Quiapo churches. Although I didn't understand 70% of the mass being said in Cebuano, I felt the solemnity of it and I admired how good Cebuanos really are at singing.

After that little trip, I had to go back home in time for Father's Day celebration with Stephen and the kids. Bought Sophie a ukelele from the airport and Sam a shirt with I Love Dad design which I bought from SM Cebu. Suhol kumbaga :) Back home, we had pizza and chicken dinner since it's been raining in Manila all day. It maybe a simple dinner but with Sophie, it's already a party, anything that includes all four of us eating together plus a yummy dinner is a party for her :)

p.s.: thanks Working Filipino Moms for following :)