#Notetoself

"Walang dahilan para manlamig sa paggawa dahil: 

> May tungkuling nagbibigay kabuluhan sa buhay,

> May mga kapatid na laging umaagapay,

> May mga manggagawang handang umalalay,

> May mga Mangangaral na nagmamalasakit,

> May Espiritung laging nagpapaalala, ~> May Kristong nagmamahal ng tunay,

> At may Dios na nakikinig sa ating mga pakiusap."

~BroEliSoriano:) Happy Pasalamat:)

Reminiscing Asia-Oceania Conventions

2012, Tokyo Japan

August 2013, Melbourne, Australia

Hi, Australia!

Around Victoria, Australia

From Top (L to R) to bottom: (1) Loving the rural atmosphere at Churchill Island that I felt like i do not want to go back to Singapore anymore; (2)Having some posing with the choppers on the background at Great Ocean Road (12 Apostles); (3) Somewhere in Warnambool: The place where I was able to have a very close encounter with jumping kangaroos in the wild. I was star strucked that I was not able to take pictures. Sigh.

From Top (L to R) to bottom: (1) At 12 Apostles. This scenic place is really breathtaking. 4-5hours drive going there was completely worth it. (2) Next is at Mornington Peninsula. we enjoyed walking around because there were no other visitors. Just the two of us :) ; (3) Outside the Melbourne Gaol. It used to be a prison house for the most notorious Australian criminals during 1940's. 

From Top (L to R) to bottom: (1) I hate to state the obvious, but eer, we were at Melbourne Visitor Center in front of the Federation Square; (2) This is my favorite photo of ours: at Cape Schank Lighhouse, Mornington Peninsula; (3) That green train is the ever famous Puffing Billy train, one of the well-preserved steam train in the whole of Australia.

From Top (L to R) to bottom: (1) Visited my childhood friend, Angelo in their Truganina home; (2) Roaming around on a very late night at Melbourne CBD with rio and Vik. This was after the ASOP-AO Midyear Division Eliminations; (3) Visiting Bro Joel Saba in his Melbourne abode; (4) With Rio, Vik and my Beybi at Flinders Station. Late night strolling here was a lot of fun :)

Exploring New South Wales

From Top (L to R) to bottom: (1) @Feathedale Wildlife. Awesome place and highly recommended to future visitors; (2) @The Entrance. 1.5hrs away from Sydney. A very serene place and there are lots to do but I was only after the free afternoon attraction which is the pelican feeding; (3) @ the Scenic Blue Mountains. Nature tripping at its finest. It was damn cold and windy that day and I cant bear it haha!

From Top (L to R) to bottom: No need to say more top pics were taken in Sydney. On the background is the Sydney Opera House and the equally famous Harbour Bridge; below was in Darling Harbour and the place is really a darling. I dont mind going back and have some nice strolling again :D

Oh, Australia. I want to see more of you :)

Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 22:6

King James Version (KJV)

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

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On Special Olympics, Special Kids & Kuya Daniel's Help

Special Olympics International is a global institution that focuses  on helping intellectually challenged individuals in developing  their self-esteem and self-worth to make them productive and respected part of the society. They help build their confidence through sports by demonstrating what they can do. Athletes are grouped based on ability and levels and all of them are encouraged to join so everybody will be recognized for his/her ability and capability. 

This year, Special Olympics group from Philippines and Malaysia visited Special Olympics Singapore to hold competition. The 5day-event was indeed successful. As the participants showed off what they can do, the hard work and patience of those taking care of them manifested in their performances. They showed persistence and enthusiasm on the games they are on. Taking care and teaching these bunch of special people entails a lot of patience and commitment. Kudos to all trainers, parents and volunteers! 

Seeing all the participants wearing their sweetest smiles during the event was such a heart-warming scenario- true and genuine happiness! And we, the UNTV-Singapore News Team is so honored to be given the opportunity to witness and cover this event. We were so astonished to see our delegates from the Philippines winning! There were 6 events in the olympics and our team joined 3 categories: bowling, bocce, and swimming. Below is partial and unofficial list of medals won by our kids:

Bowling:  

Doubles: Anton Silos and Robin Clarino, Gold
      Mark Inductivo and Bryan Robles, Silver

Singles:   Anton Silos - Gold
                 Mark Inductivo - Gold
                 Bryan Robles - Gold
                 Robin Clarino - Bronze
                 Joy Bautista - Bronze
Team: Mark Inductivo, Bryan Robles, Robin Clarino, Joy Bautista- Gold

Swimming:
Raymond Macasaet - 2 Golds
Christopher Gutang - 2 Golds, 1 Silver

Bocce: 
Singles: Robin Conanan - Gold
               Kevin Patrick Ong - Gold
               Andrew Lim- Gold
               Carmella Motte -Gold
               Paul Jonah Bianzon- Silver
               Edward James Cabarles - 5th Place

Doubles:Kevin Patrick Ong and Carmela Morfe - Gold
                Mylene Garcia and Bernadette Lim- Gold
                Andrew Lim and Paul Jonah Bianzon - Silver
                Andrew Conanan and Edward James Cabarles- Bronze

On overall account, bagging 6 golds, 2 silvers and 1 bronze medals after the tournament is not really bad at all for the whole Philippine delegation. 

Among all the games, BOCCE is the only game that is never heard to me. But then again, I consulted Mr. Google and according to him, it is an Italian game similar to lawn bowling. How is it played? Click here. Philippines' Bocce players showed a tremendous performance all throughout the game. The Bocce Head Coach, Mr. Christian Dorion and the SO-Philippines Head Mr. Rodolfo Ungson were so thankful to Kuya Daniel Razon for sponsoring the whole Bocce Team's uniforms and air ticket. Without his support, their participation was not possible. 

 

John 9:2-3 - And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”  Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Being able to mingle with these special people was a very heartwarming experience. They converse like normals do. What I love most was hearing them tell their achievements, their disappointments, their aspirations and dreams and their appreciation of life. This experience made me more grateful and thankful to God for what I am and what I have.