UNTV Cup: New Concept in Public Service

When people ask me where I teach, I proudly say “at La Verdad Christian College”. In a not surprising mode, I know that most of them are not familiar with the name so I have to describe in all gesture and non verbal diads like where it is located, when it was established, etc.  But when I already mention “It offers full scholarship to the students. Free tuition, Free uniforms, even free meals! In other words ABSOLUTELY FREE!”, it amazes them. Then the next question that needs to be entertained: “How were you able to survive? Where do you get your fund?” I would just say, “Like what Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel are always saying, from God’s help and mercy.”  

So there we go.

La Verdad Christian College is just one of so many public services of Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel, such as Free Ride, Free Clinic, Free Legal Consultation, Free Transient Home, etc.  But who finances these public services? It is Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon who are the primary sponsors of these projects, with the continuous support of the Members of Church of God International. Aside from that, Kuya Daniel Razon spearheads different fund raising projects such as fun run, concerts, basketball games, etc. And these projects are being supported by the LGUs, public servants, extending to the people from the private sector. Proceeds of these projects go to the public services launched by Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon.

But this time, Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel extend their hands to reach out and support other institutions that also need assistance.  The very reason UNTV Cup is born, guided of bright concepts and ideas of Kuya Daniel Razon. The team who will win in the championship game will donate their cash prize to the charitable institution of their choice. Nota Bene: None of the cash prize will go to their pocket but to the institution that they want to support. In this manner, we are being taught to strive hard not for ourselves but for the others. Like what Bro. Eli has mentioned in his welcoming speech, “We will play hard, get tired and perspire, not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of those who need our help. Because this is what the Lord Jesus did. He even gave His life just to save us”.

There are 7 teams from the different government agencies who will compete to get the prize of 1 Million Pesos. It means that they will be able to extend help to the charitable institution of their choice without getting a centavo from the government funds. These teams are: PNP, AFP, LGUs, DOJ, Judiciary, PhilHealth, MMDA. Each team also has at least one celebrity player to play with them. Some of them are Michael Flores, Jao Mapa, Eric Fructuoso, Onyok Velasco, Brando Legaspi, Kier Legaspi and Zoren Legaspi. Former PBA Star and now Mapua coach Fortunato “Atoy” Co will be the commissioner while Mr. Ed Cordero will act as the assistant commissioner.

The ball was officially tossed to open the ceremony of UNTV Cup on July 29, 2013 at the Smart Araneta. Each teams and players were introduced to the cheering crowd. There was also a game between DOJ and AFP.  During this event, I was not just a spectator as I was given the opportunity to be a part of the event. I was assigned to assist the guests as they arrive, wave a smile and say "hello!". And of course, lead them to their designated seats. My task seems to be easy, but I have to walk to and fro, up and down from 2^nd floor to 1^st floor and vice versa. Quite tiring but I can’t help saying myself that I just love it. Not because it would help burn my fats (Well, it was just a joke. If jokes are half meant, so I really mean it). At the end of the day, it is fulfilling to say that I was able to be a part of this noble cause in my own little way to the minute little one.

UNTV Cup is so new to its very broad project. I am hoping that people who understand this noble cause will continuously hold up UNTV Cup not only during its opening ceremonies, but as well all the games for the entire season. By the way, just for a graceful exit from a source which I hope does not actually exist, I heard that there is some other network that will also launch a same concept? Hmmm…

Anyway, I want to end this by giving my heartfelt congratulations to Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel for being the pioneers of this new concept in public service. We are thankful to God for having them who always do public services to all people, regardless of their race and religion. To God be the Glory forever!

Mr. Public Service Kuya Daniel Razon with AFP and DOJ Basketball Teams during the ceremonial toss. (Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/KuyaDanielRazon)

The powerful All Access Pass that allows me to go anywhere in Smart Araneta. Yes, even to the players' dug out. *big grin* 

 With my student Meryl, who stayed with us (Ate Ehlite) in welcoming the guests.

Twitter Party with Bro. Eli

I came home last night very late from my duties. I was that really exhausted. Not because of the things I went over the whole day, but because I traveled from Valenzuela from my schedule post and gone to Parañaque where I reside. I even skipped dinner (yeah, that was on purpose) because I preferred to lie down and sleep rather than to eat.

But before I went up to my room, my eyes were patched on my PC then decided to turn it on, check in some queries and documents that my students might sent me. I also checked my twitter account for some messages. It was just plain surfing.

And to my surprise! Bro. Eli Soriano just posted his tweets few seconds ago! Twitter users were also sending their messages and asking questions to Bro. Eli. I tried to send him a message, expecting to get a reply from him. My intuitions were never wrong and he never failed me. He replied not only to one of my messages, but to all the messages I sent him. Even a simple "ssD" really made me feel overjoyed. It relieved my stress. Yes, it does at an instant. I already forgot that I was about to sleep. I stayed up until 2am.

He even greeted Johnas on his 1st birthday. Well, actually, I requested him to do so. :)

If being not absurd, I know that the "feel" was just overwhelming, not knowing that I was already getting so much of his time. But this is a very rare opportunity for me to catch Bro. Eli interacting to his followers on twitter. More often than not, I always miss the chance that he is online. So then why not at the perfect time, I grabbed the opportunity to send him message about La Verdad instructors. Funny may sound to hear but the joy was measured exactly what I am expecting. 

No beautiful words to describe the happiness that was. He did not just mention his twitter followers, but he gave words of encouragement and answered their questions too. It's like there were no distance between the lines and the spaces were filled with bliss and content. It's like we were having a twitter party until the wee hours of the morning. Inspite that Bro. Eli has so many obligations to deal with, he still finds time to reach us and gives us words of wisdom by and even through social media. We are very thankful to God for sending us a loving and reachable preacher like him. :)

About To End Something that Hasn't Started Yet

Have you ever felt something special for a person, that everytime that person comes near, your heart beats faster? And every time you see each other, you feel like the wind is blowing and the music is playing? And then suddenly, you realize that it was just a wishful thinking.

We are designed to love because as we are created out of it. I am not only referring to "Eros" which is the love you feel for your special someone, but also to “Philia" which is the love we feel for our friends, siblings and parents, and the "Agape" which is the love that we refer to His Highness.

Since we are of the so-called living souls, it is inevitable for us to feel the Eros love to a person.  When we reach our pubescent age, we then set off to admire another living soul whatever individual standards we may have for a person. The process didn’t stop there; this admiration will turn into infatuation, and when you get in your prime, I mean being mature, this infatuation will widen the artful meaning of love.

There is no concrete detail of a reference that a person can avoid this feeling. Again, and I’ll say it one more time, it is INEVITABLE. As long as we are breathing, our hypothalamus will continuously dictate us who we want or who we like.  

Indeed, we cannot avoid falling in love. But admiring or being in love with a person, is not a valid reason for someone to get into a relationship. Of course, just like what Bro. Eli is always reminding us, we have to be prepared- physically, mentally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Oh to mention; financially.

In spite of having the symptoms of this "ailment," if you feel an exquisite thing is about to start, and yet you are not prepared in all aspects, do not take the risk. It is better to end something that hasn't started yet before you realize that it is too late.

Just a second. I just need to get this thing off my chest.

The Thought of Giving Thanks

I may not be perfect as I am trying always to be like one and I often make mistakes. Probably because I am human and I am prone to it and that made me a fragile being. I even committed mistakes that I thought would not be forgiven. 

But God is good and always as He is. His hands are always stretched to reach me and rise me up every after fall, as always and will always be.

He provided me a chance to continue with my duties. He even gave me more of than that although I know I am not worthy. and most special of all, He showered me blessings that never fails to bring joy in my life and to put smile in my face.

But these are not just the reasons why I offer thanksgiving to Him...

There are things that I keep on asking Him. Things that I thought that would make me happy. Things that I thought would complete me. (I know you know what I mean and HE (God) even knew it). I believe that there is a perfect time for everything. I trust Him and He knows what's best for me. If an ideal biological father does not give his children anything that would harm them, so as the Father in heaven.

I am offering thanksgiving not only for the blessings that He gave me, but also for all the things that He did not give and has not given yet.

I may not receive all the things that I ask for, but He definitely will give all the BEST for me. And I thank God for all of these. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.