Editor’s PageEditor’s PageEditor’s PageEditor’s PageEditor’s PageFrom My Heart

Editor Kimberly SniderAssistant Editor Evelyn Damian

Distribution Johnson LiCover & Layout Jo jo Santos

Published quarterly by AP Media, Unit 2608Raffles Corporate Center, Emerald Ave.,

Ortigas Center, 1650 Pasig CityTel: 914-9767

Email: moms@apmedia.orgReproduction of photos & articles

is prohibited without permission.

Mind & SpiritMind & SpiritMind & SpiritMind & SpiritMind & Spirit

3

This publication has no subscription price. MOMS issupported completely through contributions. If you wantto make a donation to help produce and distribute MOMS,it will be used entirely for the continued outreach of thispublication. Send cash or check made payable to: AsiaPacific Media Ministries FAO MOMS. You can call ouroffice to ask for instructions for direct deposit or use ourBPI, C/A #2431-0042-27. We are thankful for your help!

We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...

photo

by A

lvin A

bad

Last Issue The cover:

Dear Reader,It is so important that we, as parents, cherish

and encourage our children. We have been trusted byGod to take care of these kids and guide them. It is ourjob to make sure they turn out to be responsible andcaring adults who are emotionally healthy andspiritually strong. We can achieve these goals by doingtwo things—praying diligently and acting wisely. Wemust not give up our parenting role too soon.

In this issue of MOMS are articles written byyoung people describing their life journey and aninterview with a beautiful woman who survived adifficult childhood. There is also an informative articleon internet use. We hope these are helpful to you as webuild strong families together by responsibly guidingour teens.

and the MOMS editorial team

Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help! Ms. Charito Aduana, Agusan del Sur Rev. Andres Kho, Quezon City Ms. Arlene Pandaraoan, Quezon City Ms. Doris Bermudez, Makati City A friend from Malabon City Cebu Christian Gospel Center, Cebu City Kasibu Christian Fellowship A/G,

Nueva Vizcaya Church So Blessed, Antipolo City Christ the Great Shepherd, Pasig City Bethany Church, Cebu City Jesus is Alive A/G, Ilocos Norte Come to Jesus Community Church

Union Village, Caloocan City

Computer games have evolved rapidly. The invention of theWorld Wide Web further revolutionized the gaming process

by creating new kinds of games called MMOGs (MassiveMultiplayer Online Games). These Web based games can beplayed by large groups of people, ranging from several hundredthousand to 1 million, simultaneously.1

Our family friend owns an Internet Cafe, and last monthhe invited me to visit it. I arrived at around 9:00pm. The InternetCafe was full of high school and grade school students. My friendtold me these kids were all playing I Warcraft and Defense of theAncient (DOTA). Both of these games are types of MMOGs. I askedhim how long they usually played the game, and he told mesome teens played 10 to 15 hours straight.

When I went home, I was so disturbed by what I hadseen that I decided to do some research on online game addictionand its effects on Filipino youth. According to the Philippine OnlineGame List by JC John Sese Cuneta, there were 63 online game titlesas of May 28, 2009.2 Last February 15, 2010, I-Witness, a documentary TV show, investigated the effects of on-line gaming on Filipino youth. Three young people from various family backgrounds were interviewed. Onewas 22 years old, an out of school youth, who earns his living by scavenging reusable waste and then spendswhat he earns on gaming. The other was a 20 year old, who had stolen her mother’s ATM card, and proceededto withdraw all of her money to spend on on-line gaming. The last boy was 18, the son of an OFW who hasrepeated the 3rd year of high school for four consecutive years due to his addiction to online games.3

On one of the websites I visited is an article entitled “Why the Filipino Youth is Hooked on OnlineGaming”(by Sniper Angel, posted: July 02, 2008). In it the author points to three issues that cause online gameaddiction: companionship, boredom, and refuge.4 In another article on the internet entitled “Filipino YouthAddicted to MMORG (Online Games),” the author gave information and helpful links about the effects of onlinegaming on Filipino youth.5

In my opinion, a person addicted to an online game is like a person addicted to illegal drugs, alcohol,or gambling. All symptoms of addiction are the same; too much of anything is bad, and can have a severe effecton the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of their lives besides depriving kids of a goodeducation. What follows are my suggestions on how we can rescue our youth from this kind of addiction:

1.) Parents should spend quality time with their kids.2.) Parents should be concerned about their kids’ whereabouts and know their friends.3.) Internet Cafe owners should impose curfew hours on youngsters that are inside their shop.4.) Parents should only supply allowances to their kids to cover their daily needs.5.) Parents should visit their kid’s school adviser to ask about their kid’s performance in school.6.) Parents should encourage their children to participate in church and be involved in sports.

References:1 http://technologysource.org/extra/231/definition/3/2 http://gameshogun.ws/dls/Philippine_Online_Games-List-v2.3.0.pdf3 http://www.gmanews.tv/story/183916/adik-ka-bacom-documentary-by-kara-david4 http://www.pinoygaming.net/why-the%20filipino-youth-is-hooked%20-to-online%20-gaming/5 http://bayanmo.multiply.com/journal/item/21

Online Gaming: Addiction to the Cyberworldby Rizaldy S. Guevarra

2

Readers’ LettersThank you so much for sending us copies. Studentsand teachers are also blessed. These are being usedin my values education classes in High School.From San Antonio, Zambales

Thank you for publishing Moms. It is worth readingand I gained valuable insights when I first read it.Enclosed please find a check to further help inpublishing needs.From Sta. Mesa, Manila

Editor’s PageEditor’s PageEditor’s PageEditor’s PageEditor’s PageFrom My Heart

Editor Kimberly SniderAssistant Editor Evelyn Damian

Distribution Johnson LiCover & Layout Jo jo Santos

Published quarterly by AP Media, Unit 2608Raffles Corporate Center, Emerald Ave.,

Ortigas Center, 1650 Pasig CityTel: 914-9767

Email: moms@apmedia.orgReproduction of photos & articles

is prohibited without permission.

Mind & SpiritMind & SpiritMind & SpiritMind & SpiritMind & Spirit

3

This publication has no subscription price. MOMS issupported completely through contributions. If you wantto make a donation to help produce and distribute MOMS,it will be used entirely for the continued outreach of thispublication. Send cash or check made payable to: AsiaPacific Media Ministries FAO MOMS. You can call ouroffice to ask for instructions for direct deposit or use ourBPI, C/A #2431-0042-27. We are thankful for your help!

We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...We need a little help from our friends...

photo

by A

lvin A

bad

Last Issue The cover:

Dear Reader,It is so important that we, as parents, cherish

and encourage our children. We have been trusted byGod to take care of these kids and guide them. It is ourjob to make sure they turn out to be responsible andcaring adults who are emotionally healthy andspiritually strong. We can achieve these goals by doingtwo things—praying diligently and acting wisely. Wemust not give up our parenting role too soon.

In this issue of MOMS are articles written byyoung people describing their life journey and aninterview with a beautiful woman who survived adifficult childhood. There is also an informative articleon internet use. We hope these are helpful to you as webuild strong families together by responsibly guidingour teens.

and the MOMS editorial team

Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help!Thank you for your financial help! Ms. Charito Aduana, Agusan del Sur Rev. Andres Kho, Quezon City Ms. Arlene Pandaraoan, Quezon City Ms. Doris Bermudez, Makati City A friend from Malabon City Cebu Christian Gospel Center, Cebu City Kasibu Christian Fellowship A/G,

Nueva Vizcaya Church So Blessed, Antipolo City Christ the Great Shepherd, Pasig City Bethany Church, Cebu City Jesus is Alive A/G, Ilocos Norte Come to Jesus Community Church

Union Village, Caloocan City

Computer games have evolved rapidly. The invention of theWorld Wide Web further revolutionized the gaming process

by creating new kinds of games called MMOGs (MassiveMultiplayer Online Games). These Web based games can beplayed by large groups of people, ranging from several hundredthousand to 1 million, simultaneously.1

Our family friend owns an Internet Cafe, and last monthhe invited me to visit it. I arrived at around 9:00pm. The InternetCafe was full of high school and grade school students. My friendtold me these kids were all playing I Warcraft and Defense of theAncient (DOTA). Both of these games are types of MMOGs. I askedhim how long they usually played the game, and he told mesome teens played 10 to 15 hours straight.

When I went home, I was so disturbed by what I hadseen that I decided to do some research on online game addictionand its effects on Filipino youth. According to the Philippine OnlineGame List by JC John Sese Cuneta, there were 63 online game titlesas of May 28, 2009.2 Last February 15, 2010, I-Witness, a documentary TV show, investigated the effects of on-line gaming on Filipino youth. Three young people from various family backgrounds were interviewed. Onewas 22 years old, an out of school youth, who earns his living by scavenging reusable waste and then spendswhat he earns on gaming. The other was a 20 year old, who had stolen her mother’s ATM card, and proceededto withdraw all of her money to spend on on-line gaming. The last boy was 18, the son of an OFW who hasrepeated the 3rd year of high school for four consecutive years due to his addiction to online games.3

On one of the websites I visited is an article entitled “Why the Filipino Youth is Hooked on OnlineGaming”(by Sniper Angel, posted: July 02, 2008). In it the author points to three issues that cause online gameaddiction: companionship, boredom, and refuge.4 In another article on the internet entitled “Filipino YouthAddicted to MMORG (Online Games),” the author gave information and helpful links about the effects of onlinegaming on Filipino youth.5

In my opinion, a person addicted to an online game is like a person addicted to illegal drugs, alcohol,or gambling. All symptoms of addiction are the same; too much of anything is bad, and can have a severe effecton the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of their lives besides depriving kids of a goodeducation. What follows are my suggestions on how we can rescue our youth from this kind of addiction:

1.) Parents should spend quality time with their kids.2.) Parents should be concerned about their kids’ whereabouts and know their friends.3.) Internet Cafe owners should impose curfew hours on youngsters that are inside their shop.4.) Parents should only supply allowances to their kids to cover their daily needs.5.) Parents should visit their kid’s school adviser to ask about their kid’s performance in school.6.) Parents should encourage their children to participate in church and be involved in sports.

References:1 http://technologysource.org/extra/231/definition/3/2 http://gameshogun.ws/dls/Philippine_Online_Games-List-v2.3.0.pdf3 http://www.gmanews.tv/story/183916/adik-ka-bacom-documentary-by-kara-david4 http://www.pinoygaming.net/why-the%20filipino-youth-is-hooked%20-to-online%20-gaming/5 http://bayanmo.multiply.com/journal/item/21

Online Gaming: Addiction to the Cyberworldby Rizaldy S. Guevarra

2

Readers’ LettersThank you so much for sending us copies. Studentsand teachers are also blessed. These are being usedin my values education classes in High School.From San Antonio, Zambales

Thank you for publishing Moms. It is worth readingand I gained valuable insights when I first read it.Enclosed please find a check to further help inpublishing needs.From Sta. Mesa, Manila

Making a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceGrowing Up the Hard Way

I was looking for love in the wrong things. I thought I could find it byhaving relationships with men. I knew

I should not pass over the boundaries into physical love.Still, I was desperate to fill the constant void caused bythe emptiness I felt. I thought boyfriends could supplythat need. “I had a rough childhood. We were 11 in the family,and I was the youngest. Our family ran severalbusinesses and considered well-off at that time. Butwhen I was 7 years old, my mother was in an accidentthat cost her life. Grieving and not knowing how to copewith the sudden and tragic loss, my father got depressed. He started drinking alcohol and coming home late. Myolder sister took care of us and tried to keep the householdgoing on a daily basis. Through these hard times, mysiblings and I became closer to one another. Because ofneglect, as well as an unfortunate legal lawsuit and afire, my father’s businesses went bankrupt. We losteverything. Finally, he abandoned us completely.Apparently, he had been seeing a woman and ended uphaving 2 children with her, so, he went to live with hisnew family. At this point, some of my brothers andsisters had to stop going to school and find work. In orderfor us to survive we had to live with relatives. I grew upfeeling abandoned, feeling like I did not have a completeand happy family.

“I remember that it was my sister who asked oneof my aunts to come and take me. It was tough gettingalong with all my aunt’s children. I had to work, and atthe same time study hard so that I could maintain myscholarship. At the age of 11, I woke up every morningat 3am, worked until 11am at the market, and then wentto school from 12 until 6pm. I had to hurry to finish myassignments in order to get to sleep early so that I couldwake up the next morning again at 3 o’clock. This wenton for years. I was determined to finish my educationbecause my brothers and sisters were having a hardtime getting work. I saw how difficult life was and toldmyself that I needed to finish school.

“I graduated from high school with high honors. Ihad to work my way through college as well so, I appliedas a secretary to the assistant Dean in order to get freetuition. However, I still had to come up with my dailyallowance. About that time, we came back together as afamily. By then, one of my brothers had established his

own business and rented a house for us. He was the onewho helped me with my allowance. My dad’s newmarriage had fallen apart. He came back to us withoutany job, without anything. He was a very quiet man. Henever disciplined us. Nothing.

“This is what my life was like until I reached theage of 19; I worked, I studied, I existed without ameaningful relationship with my father. I didn’t have apurpose. I was doing things just to get by. I had notexperienced any happiness.

“During my senior year, some people came to ouruniversity from Youth With A Mission, YWAM. Theystopped by our school almostevery day to chat with us and dofun things. I saw somethingdifferent in these people. One daywe went for an outing to Batangas,and while we were theresomething hit me. I knew that Godwas dealing with my heart. I hadbeen looking for real love andacceptance. A Filipina named Iolishared the gospel with me andthat’s when it clicked. I thought,“So this is the one I’ve been lookingfor. This is the God I want to serve!”I remember I prayed and repentedfrom my sins and acknowledgedthat Jesus is my Lord. I gave myheart to Him and from then on, lifewas never the same. The next

5

by Shirley Marquez as told to MOMS

4

morning I knew something in me had changed. Somethinglifted. There had been darkness. Now the heaviness and guiltwere gone. I felt the love of God for the very first time. After19 years of hardship, I felt loved unconditionally!

“Up until this point, I had been trying to get myhappiness from relationships with men. Now I knew that arelationship with Jesus was the relationship I had beenlooking for. Ioli taught me how to read the Bible and prayand commit my ways to the Lord. I remember waking up inthe morning, and thinking about how Ioli had said, ‘Youpray anything. Just communicate with God. You just tellHim how you feel. Just thank Him for a renewed life.’ When

I read the Bible, it was like the Spiritof God talking to me. “My siblings noticed thedifference in my attitude. I honoredmy Dad even though there was stillsome bitterness about him leaving us. I served him. I really forgave himfrom my heart. My brothers andsisters asked me, ‘How do you do it? How can you forgive that fast? Howcan you forget what our father did tous?’ It was maybe because of theforgiveness I knew that God hadextended to me. I was a sinner myselfand who am I to withhold forgivenessfrom my Dad? Additionally, I was kindto my other siblings; I didn’t pickfights anymore. I was patient withthem. They asked, ‘What happened to

you? There’s a sudden change, in the way you relateto us.’ They were so tired of being unhappy andpurposeless. One of my sisters went with me tochurch. She said, ‘I need to know what you do, whyyou have that attitude!’ “You know, when people experience real pain,they either change for the better or for the worse. Sometimes like what happened to us as a family,pain draws us nearer to God. For me, there was onlyone reason for the change in my attitude andactions—having a genuine relationship with God. Ifsomeone neglects their relationship with the mostimportant person in their life—God— then, they’llend up missing the right direction. On a daily basiswe need to seek God, spend time with Him, knowwhat His will is for our life. “Not long after these experiences, I graduatedCum Laude with a degree in B.S.C. major inAccounting. It was when I went to review for myaccounting boards that I first met Ariel, who wouldlater become my husband. Ariel was sitting besidehis friend and they were singing a Christian song. When I heard that song, I asked them if they wereborn-again. Soon after that, I became a part of theirstudy group and I saw the difference between themand the other students; Ariel and his friends werereally focused on studying. “I had a boyfriend then who wasn’t a Christianand I felt like our relationship wasn’t goinganywhere. I knew in my heart that he was not theright man for me. I knew God was not glorified inthe relationship. Eventually, Ariel told me, ‘If you’rereally serious in pursuing and obeying God, maybeyou should think about this relationship. Is itdrawing you nearer to God? Rethink your priorities.You know it’s good to just focus on God and trustHim with this area of your life.’ I was attracted towhat Ariel believed. I saw the truth in his life; whathe preached, he lived. In the end, I broke up with myboyfriend. From then on I got serious. I prayed, ‘Lord,I will wait for the guy that you will give me. I willnot fool around. I will not seek relationships just tomake me happy. I will pursue You; I will do whatYou want me to do. I had Christian friends tellingme, ‘We can do this, we can be straight, and we canjust serve God and be joyful at the same time.’ “After taking the board exams, I got a job whereAriel worked. We were in the same department andthat’s when I got to know Ariel really well.Eventually our friendship developed into love andabout two years after we first met, we got married.We have been happily married for twenty years; weare the parents of three children. My husband is nowa pastor and I have never regretted turning my lifeover to Christ—it is Christ that brought me througha sad childhood into a happy adult life. I grew up thehard way, but I grew up to serve the Lord!”

Shirley Marquez is a pastor’s wife andthe mother of 4 children. Shirley’slife has the elements of a Cinderellastory, and is an example of what canhappen when someone learns whatlove really means.

photo

s by J

ohnso

n Li

Shirley and daughtersPastor Ariel, Shirley and daughters

Making a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceMaking a DiffferenceGrowing Up the Hard Way

I was looking for love in the wrong things. I thought I could find it byhaving relationships with men. I knew

I should not pass over the boundaries into physical love.Still, I was desperate to fill the constant void caused bythe emptiness I felt. I thought boyfriends could supplythat need. “I had a rough childhood. We were 11 in the family,and I was the youngest. Our family ran severalbusinesses and considered well-off at that time. Butwhen I was 7 years old, my mother was in an accidentthat cost her life. Grieving and not knowing how to copewith the sudden and tragic loss, my father got depressed. He started drinking alcohol and coming home late. Myolder sister took care of us and tried to keep the householdgoing on a daily basis. Through these hard times, mysiblings and I became closer to one another. Because ofneglect, as well as an unfortunate legal lawsuit and afire, my father’s businesses went bankrupt. We losteverything. Finally, he abandoned us completely.Apparently, he had been seeing a woman and ended uphaving 2 children with her, so, he went to live with hisnew family. At this point, some of my brothers andsisters had to stop going to school and find work. In orderfor us to survive we had to live with relatives. I grew upfeeling abandoned, feeling like I did not have a completeand happy family.

“I remember that it was my sister who asked oneof my aunts to come and take me. It was tough gettingalong with all my aunt’s children. I had to work, and atthe same time study hard so that I could maintain myscholarship. At the age of 11, I woke up every morningat 3am, worked until 11am at the market, and then wentto school from 12 until 6pm. I had to hurry to finish myassignments in order to get to sleep early so that I couldwake up the next morning again at 3 o’clock. This wenton for years. I was determined to finish my educationbecause my brothers and sisters were having a hardtime getting work. I saw how difficult life was and toldmyself that I needed to finish school.

“I graduated from high school with high honors. Ihad to work my way through college as well so, I appliedas a secretary to the assistant Dean in order to get freetuition. However, I still had to come up with my dailyallowance. About that time, we came back together as afamily. By then, one of my brothers had established his

own business and rented a house for us. He was the onewho helped me with my allowance. My dad’s newmarriage had fallen apart. He came back to us withoutany job, without anything. He was a very quiet man. Henever disciplined us. Nothing.

“This is what my life was like until I reached theage of 19; I worked, I studied, I existed without ameaningful relationship with my father. I didn’t have apurpose. I was doing things just to get by. I had notexperienced any happiness.

“During my senior year, some people came to ouruniversity from Youth With A Mission, YWAM. Theystopped by our school almostevery day to chat with us and dofun things. I saw somethingdifferent in these people. One daywe went for an outing to Batangas,and while we were theresomething hit me. I knew that Godwas dealing with my heart. I hadbeen looking for real love andacceptance. A Filipina named Iolishared the gospel with me andthat’s when it clicked. I thought,“So this is the one I’ve been lookingfor. This is the God I want to serve!”I remember I prayed and repentedfrom my sins and acknowledgedthat Jesus is my Lord. I gave myheart to Him and from then on, lifewas never the same. The next

5

by Shirley Marquez as told to MOMS

4

morning I knew something in me had changed. Somethinglifted. There had been darkness. Now the heaviness and guiltwere gone. I felt the love of God for the very first time. After19 years of hardship, I felt loved unconditionally!

“Up until this point, I had been trying to get myhappiness from relationships with men. Now I knew that arelationship with Jesus was the relationship I had beenlooking for. Ioli taught me how to read the Bible and prayand commit my ways to the Lord. I remember waking up inthe morning, and thinking about how Ioli had said, ‘Youpray anything. Just communicate with God. You just tellHim how you feel. Just thank Him for a renewed life.’ When

I read the Bible, it was like the Spiritof God talking to me. “My siblings noticed thedifference in my attitude. I honoredmy Dad even though there was stillsome bitterness about him leaving us. I served him. I really forgave himfrom my heart. My brothers andsisters asked me, ‘How do you do it? How can you forgive that fast? Howcan you forget what our father did tous?’ It was maybe because of theforgiveness I knew that God hadextended to me. I was a sinner myselfand who am I to withhold forgivenessfrom my Dad? Additionally, I was kindto my other siblings; I didn’t pickfights anymore. I was patient withthem. They asked, ‘What happened to

you? There’s a sudden change, in the way you relateto us.’ They were so tired of being unhappy andpurposeless. One of my sisters went with me tochurch. She said, ‘I need to know what you do, whyyou have that attitude!’ “You know, when people experience real pain,they either change for the better or for the worse. Sometimes like what happened to us as a family,pain draws us nearer to God. For me, there was onlyone reason for the change in my attitude andactions—having a genuine relationship with God. Ifsomeone neglects their relationship with the mostimportant person in their life—God— then, they’llend up missing the right direction. On a daily basiswe need to seek God, spend time with Him, knowwhat His will is for our life. “Not long after these experiences, I graduatedCum Laude with a degree in B.S.C. major inAccounting. It was when I went to review for myaccounting boards that I first met Ariel, who wouldlater become my husband. Ariel was sitting besidehis friend and they were singing a Christian song. When I heard that song, I asked them if they wereborn-again. Soon after that, I became a part of theirstudy group and I saw the difference between themand the other students; Ariel and his friends werereally focused on studying. “I had a boyfriend then who wasn’t a Christianand I felt like our relationship wasn’t goinganywhere. I knew in my heart that he was not theright man for me. I knew God was not glorified inthe relationship. Eventually, Ariel told me, ‘If you’rereally serious in pursuing and obeying God, maybeyou should think about this relationship. Is itdrawing you nearer to God? Rethink your priorities.You know it’s good to just focus on God and trustHim with this area of your life.’ I was attracted towhat Ariel believed. I saw the truth in his life; whathe preached, he lived. In the end, I broke up with myboyfriend. From then on I got serious. I prayed, ‘Lord,I will wait for the guy that you will give me. I willnot fool around. I will not seek relationships just tomake me happy. I will pursue You; I will do whatYou want me to do. I had Christian friends tellingme, ‘We can do this, we can be straight, and we canjust serve God and be joyful at the same time.’ “After taking the board exams, I got a job whereAriel worked. We were in the same department andthat’s when I got to know Ariel really well.Eventually our friendship developed into love andabout two years after we first met, we got married.We have been happily married for twenty years; weare the parents of three children. My husband is nowa pastor and I have never regretted turning my lifeover to Christ—it is Christ that brought me througha sad childhood into a happy adult life. I grew up thehard way, but I grew up to serve the Lord!”

Shirley Marquez is a pastor’s wife andthe mother of 4 children. Shirley’slife has the elements of a Cinderellastory, and is an example of what canhappen when someone learns whatlove really means.

photo

s by J

ohnso

n Li

Shirley and daughtersPastor Ariel, Shirley and daughters

Body & SoulBody & SoulBody & SoulBody & SoulBody & Soul Love & MoneyLove & MoneyLove & MoneyLove & MoneyLove & MoneyDive In: How One Young Man Proved Himself

by Nathaniel Maliwat

t was one of the toughest chal-lenges I ever faced. I had never

done it before—nor had I imagineddoing it for fun. My sister, seated atthe rear of the boat, was yelling atme to jump off the ramp. “Just doit! Don’t think, dive in!” shescreamed. My older brother wasafloat in the open water; waitingfor me. The cold December breezewas stinging my skin, making mestiff as a stick. Every second Ilingered at the edge of the boat, thedesire to back out got stronger. Iknew I had to do something, but Iwas scared that whatever it was, Iwould get laughed at.

I was always a scaredy-cat. I could get scared of anythingonce my imagination started to runwild. My older brother used tomake fun of me because I was acoward. I would cry over histeasing and then promise myselfthat I would prove him wrong. ButI never did. I felt excluded from mybrother’s circle of friends because Icouldn’t keep up with them—Icouldn’t play basketball becausethey might make fun of mydribbling; I couldn’t climb wallsbecause I was stocky and wouldlook stupid scrambling to the top.Every time I backed away from achallenge, I got one step fartherfrom my brother until he was outof sight, out of reach.

When I was seventeen, myfamily went on vacation tocelebrate my brother’s graduationfrom college. It was a once in alifetime vacation. My parentssaved up for it because theywanted to bring us to the bestbeach in the country. We were allexcited, but a part of me wasanxious about getting along withmy brother for three days. I hadnever been on vacation with himsince I began to drift away fromhim. I had no idea what we couldtalk about. We had never been

interested in the same things; I hadaccepted the fact that I would neverbe his buddy.

Growing up with him wasdifficult for me. We were five yearsapart and had different sets offriends. He was the only male rolemodel in my family besides myfather, and as a young boy, I lookedup to him. People found him easy toget along with. He was quitepopular because of his ready smileand sharp wit. I, on the other hand,was melancholy and introverted. Icouldn’t stand teasing andembarrassment, which was why Inever dared join my brother’s circle.I remember wishing that I had adifferent brother. I wanted a brotherwho was sensitive and supportive,someone who would not laugh at mewhen I slipped up. I wanted him tobe like the older brothers I saw onTV, fighting for their youngersiblings and making them feel likepart of a team. But, my brother wasdifferent; there was no way I couldforce him to act like those TVbrothers. The only thing I could dowas keep distance I thought.

“What now?” my brothershouted. It was a deciding moment.I knew that whatever I did at thatpoint wouldaffect my rela-tionship withhim. Backing outwould keep usfurther apart;diving in wouldbreak part of thewall I had builtaround me. Thebreeze seemed toget still at thatmoment. I waslooking down atthe blue-greenwater and even itseemed to stops t i r r i n g .Everyone was

waiting for me. I took a little stepforward. My heart was thumpingout of my chest and blood rushedto my head. I shut my eyes, bentmy knees and took the deepestbreath of my life. In an instant, I feltmyself jumping off the ramp andplunging into the water. As it rushedthrough my whole body, I feltinvincible. I pushed my way up tothe surface with both my armsraised in victory. When my sensesgot clear, I heard my brothercheering for me, swimmingtowards me with excitement in hiseyes. He grabbed me by the neckand told me I did a good job.

I remember what the Biblesays about fear—that it is not God’spurpose for us. God says we are notgiven the spirit of fear but a soundmind. I proved God’s word in thatone moment of courage. That divetaught me that it takes courage tomake a connection. Love and feardon’t go together. I would neverhave known my brother as I knowhim now had I let fear get the bestof me. Bonding with someone, Ilearned, is at times just like diving.You simply must “just do it!”

IRoach Bustingby Josephine C. Alabastro

Since I have become a mother, I have been acockroach buster! My pediatrician advised me

that cockroach infestations have connections withallergies and asthma in children. Here are mysecret weapons:

1. Keep the house clean. Roaches feed on foodparticles and dirt on the floor.

2. Cockroaches can infect food sources, so food mustbe properly covered. They leave behind waste inthe food that may contain illnesses and bacteria,such as salmonella.

3. Garbage, plastic and cans must be properlysealed so cockroaches cannot get inside.

4. If you see a roach during daylight, it’s definitethat there are many more roaches that you do notsee because they come out at night.

5. Seal your pipes, roof and cabinets, as this couldbe their entry point.

6. Try insecticides. Some bait and gel insecticideswork in as little as 1-2 days, often have little or nooffensive odor, and are safe to use in areas wherechildren and pets are present. However, otherpesticides if sprayed indoors can be a health risk,especially if the chemicals drift over play areaswhere young children can be exposed to poison.

These insecticides may cause headaches,dizziness, skin and eye irritation. Additionally,cockroaches can build up resistance to a particularchemical over time.

7. Cockroaches need a daily source of water tothrive. The key here is to keep the sink, and all theareas of the house dry. Also, check other sources ofwater as well, such as leaky plumbing, under-refrigerator dampness, and concrete sweating.

Natural Roach Insecticides

Pandan and Bay leaves. Place leaves on yoursink, inside the toilet, under the sink, cabinetsand everywhere that these insects thrive.

Make your own insecticide by mixing equalparts of baking soda and powdered sugar. Leavethe mixture in a shallow dish. The combinationof sugar and soda is lethal to the cockroach.

Teen Learns theValue of Money

by Mary Grace Jumento

When I was a teenage student, I didn’t think aboutmoney. If I needed it, I just had to ask Mama and

Papa for it. I had my transportation, meal allowance,and money for projects as well. Sometimes I was able tosave money to buy something I wanted.

I remember one school day in particular. Iarrived and looked around the school grounds for myfriend Lourdes. There she was sitting on a bench. Shehad a stout body, straight shoulder length hair, a blackheadband and brown skin. Her face had strong Visayanfeatures. “Are you finished with your assignment?”I asked.

“Not yet, I had to finish all my house chores,then I fell asleep working on it.”

“Here you can copy mine. Later, I will show youthe solutions.” I handed her my notebook. She barelyfinished before the bell rang. I got my notebook and weboth prepared to go to our classroom.

Lourdes was very timid and she could sit at herdesk the whole day. She seldom went with us when wewent to the canteen during breaks, and she always hadher packed lunch. At first, I befriended her out ofcuriosity. Then we became group mates and started towork together for class. We became good friends and weoften encouraged each other to join school competitions.Slowly she gained more confidence.

Once, Lourdes invited me to her home. Whilewe walked together she told me that she was workingfor a rich family, and in exchange, they would send herto school. Her job prohibited her from staying at schoolafter class.

The day came when Lourdes asked to borrowone peso. I offered her more but she refused. “I only needone peso to ride a jeepney so I can go home fast. I’ll pay itback next week,” she promised. A few days later sheapproached me and handed me a coin. “What is this?” Ilooked at her and the one peso coin in my hand.

“I borrowed this last week when I needed to gohome early. I was short one peso for my fare.”

“I completely forgot about it. It’s only one peso,you don’t have to pay it.”I replied.

“No, I borrowed it and I promised to pay you,”she insisted.

“It’s fine I don’t really need it. You can keep it.” Igave her back the coin.

“This money came from your parents, right?They gave this to you and they worked hard for it. Ifyou worked for this and you told me that I could keep itthen I would accept. But this is your parent’s money toprovide for you, so I have to give it back.” Lourdes said.

I realized she was right. My parents workedhard to provide for needs. I should value that work andspend their money wisely. I thanked Lourdes for makingme realize the value of money and of my parents’ hardwork to take care of us and send us to school. She taughtme a lesson for one peso.

6 7

illustr

ation

by Jo

jo Sa

ntos

Body & SoulBody & SoulBody & SoulBody & SoulBody & Soul Love & MoneyLove & MoneyLove & MoneyLove & MoneyLove & MoneyDive In: How One Young Man Proved Himself

by Nathaniel Maliwat

t was one of the toughest chal-lenges I ever faced. I had never

done it before—nor had I imagineddoing it for fun. My sister, seated atthe rear of the boat, was yelling atme to jump off the ramp. “Just doit! Don’t think, dive in!” shescreamed. My older brother wasafloat in the open water; waitingfor me. The cold December breezewas stinging my skin, making mestiff as a stick. Every second Ilingered at the edge of the boat, thedesire to back out got stronger. Iknew I had to do something, but Iwas scared that whatever it was, Iwould get laughed at.

I was always a scaredy-cat. I could get scared of anythingonce my imagination started to runwild. My older brother used tomake fun of me because I was acoward. I would cry over histeasing and then promise myselfthat I would prove him wrong. ButI never did. I felt excluded from mybrother’s circle of friends because Icouldn’t keep up with them—Icouldn’t play basketball becausethey might make fun of mydribbling; I couldn’t climb wallsbecause I was stocky and wouldlook stupid scrambling to the top.Every time I backed away from achallenge, I got one step fartherfrom my brother until he was outof sight, out of reach.

When I was seventeen, myfamily went on vacation tocelebrate my brother’s graduationfrom college. It was a once in alifetime vacation. My parentssaved up for it because theywanted to bring us to the bestbeach in the country. We were allexcited, but a part of me wasanxious about getting along withmy brother for three days. I hadnever been on vacation with himsince I began to drift away fromhim. I had no idea what we couldtalk about. We had never been

interested in the same things; I hadaccepted the fact that I would neverbe his buddy.

Growing up with him wasdifficult for me. We were five yearsapart and had different sets offriends. He was the only male rolemodel in my family besides myfather, and as a young boy, I lookedup to him. People found him easy toget along with. He was quitepopular because of his ready smileand sharp wit. I, on the other hand,was melancholy and introverted. Icouldn’t stand teasing andembarrassment, which was why Inever dared join my brother’s circle.I remember wishing that I had adifferent brother. I wanted a brotherwho was sensitive and supportive,someone who would not laugh at mewhen I slipped up. I wanted him tobe like the older brothers I saw onTV, fighting for their youngersiblings and making them feel likepart of a team. But, my brother wasdifferent; there was no way I couldforce him to act like those TVbrothers. The only thing I could dowas keep distance I thought.

“What now?” my brothershouted. It was a deciding moment.I knew that whatever I did at thatpoint wouldaffect my rela-tionship withhim. Backing outwould keep usfurther apart;diving in wouldbreak part of thewall I had builtaround me. Thebreeze seemed toget still at thatmoment. I waslooking down atthe blue-greenwater and even itseemed to stops t i r r i n g .Everyone was

waiting for me. I took a little stepforward. My heart was thumpingout of my chest and blood rushedto my head. I shut my eyes, bentmy knees and took the deepestbreath of my life. In an instant, I feltmyself jumping off the ramp andplunging into the water. As it rushedthrough my whole body, I feltinvincible. I pushed my way up tothe surface with both my armsraised in victory. When my sensesgot clear, I heard my brothercheering for me, swimmingtowards me with excitement in hiseyes. He grabbed me by the neckand told me I did a good job.

I remember what the Biblesays about fear—that it is not God’spurpose for us. God says we are notgiven the spirit of fear but a soundmind. I proved God’s word in thatone moment of courage. That divetaught me that it takes courage tomake a connection. Love and feardon’t go together. I would neverhave known my brother as I knowhim now had I let fear get the bestof me. Bonding with someone, Ilearned, is at times just like diving.You simply must “just do it!”

IRoach Bustingby Josephine C. Alabastro

Since I have become a mother, I have been acockroach buster! My pediatrician advised me

that cockroach infestations have connections withallergies and asthma in children. Here are mysecret weapons:

1. Keep the house clean. Roaches feed on foodparticles and dirt on the floor.

2. Cockroaches can infect food sources, so food mustbe properly covered. They leave behind waste inthe food that may contain illnesses and bacteria,such as salmonella.

3. Garbage, plastic and cans must be properlysealed so cockroaches cannot get inside.

4. If you see a roach during daylight, it’s definitethat there are many more roaches that you do notsee because they come out at night.

5. Seal your pipes, roof and cabinets, as this couldbe their entry point.

6. Try insecticides. Some bait and gel insecticideswork in as little as 1-2 days, often have little or nooffensive odor, and are safe to use in areas wherechildren and pets are present. However, otherpesticides if sprayed indoors can be a health risk,especially if the chemicals drift over play areaswhere young children can be exposed to poison.

These insecticides may cause headaches,dizziness, skin and eye irritation. Additionally,cockroaches can build up resistance to a particularchemical over time.

7. Cockroaches need a daily source of water tothrive. The key here is to keep the sink, and all theareas of the house dry. Also, check other sources ofwater as well, such as leaky plumbing, under-refrigerator dampness, and concrete sweating.

Natural Roach Insecticides

Pandan and Bay leaves. Place leaves on yoursink, inside the toilet, under the sink, cabinetsand everywhere that these insects thrive.

Make your own insecticide by mixing equalparts of baking soda and powdered sugar. Leavethe mixture in a shallow dish. The combinationof sugar and soda is lethal to the cockroach.

Teen Learns theValue of Money

by Mary Grace Jumento

When I was a teenage student, I didn’t think aboutmoney. If I needed it, I just had to ask Mama and

Papa for it. I had my transportation, meal allowance,and money for projects as well. Sometimes I was able tosave money to buy something I wanted.

I remember one school day in particular. Iarrived and looked around the school grounds for myfriend Lourdes. There she was sitting on a bench. Shehad a stout body, straight shoulder length hair, a blackheadband and brown skin. Her face had strong Visayanfeatures. “Are you finished with your assignment?”I asked.

“Not yet, I had to finish all my house chores,then I fell asleep working on it.”

“Here you can copy mine. Later, I will show youthe solutions.” I handed her my notebook. She barelyfinished before the bell rang. I got my notebook and weboth prepared to go to our classroom.

Lourdes was very timid and she could sit at herdesk the whole day. She seldom went with us when wewent to the canteen during breaks, and she always hadher packed lunch. At first, I befriended her out ofcuriosity. Then we became group mates and started towork together for class. We became good friends and weoften encouraged each other to join school competitions.Slowly she gained more confidence.

Once, Lourdes invited me to her home. Whilewe walked together she told me that she was workingfor a rich family, and in exchange, they would send herto school. Her job prohibited her from staying at schoolafter class.

The day came when Lourdes asked to borrowone peso. I offered her more but she refused. “I only needone peso to ride a jeepney so I can go home fast. I’ll pay itback next week,” she promised. A few days later sheapproached me and handed me a coin. “What is this?” Ilooked at her and the one peso coin in my hand.

“I borrowed this last week when I needed to gohome early. I was short one peso for my fare.”

“I completely forgot about it. It’s only one peso,you don’t have to pay it.”I replied.

“No, I borrowed it and I promised to pay you,”she insisted.

“It’s fine I don’t really need it. You can keep it.” Igave her back the coin.

“This money came from your parents, right?They gave this to you and they worked hard for it. Ifyou worked for this and you told me that I could keep itthen I would accept. But this is your parent’s money toprovide for you, so I have to give it back.” Lourdes said.

I realized she was right. My parents workedhard to provide for needs. I should value that work andspend their money wisely. I thanked Lourdes for makingme realize the value of money and of my parents’ hardwork to take care of us and send us to school. She taughtme a lesson for one peso.

6 7

illustr

ation

by Jo

jo Sa

ntos