Holy Week

It is once again Holy Week. Most are going home to spend the long weekend with their love ones in the province. Others are going to a vacation spot to enjoy the yearly event. Others on the other hand try to live out the experience of Christ.

For those who like to reflect for the week but do not have the chance to do so, this website that was shared to me might be of help. At least there is something that you can use in the internet for the Lent.


For those who like to see how a Holy week procession looks like especially in Bulacan then visit the pics I took the past year or two. Hope it helps you feel the true meaning of Lent.




Blog out...

Blessings: A Reality check to reflect on.

Most of the time, we often complain a lot of things. Too many things to do and not enough time, budget is short and how to make ends meet, how to have a convenient and comfortable way to go to a destination, and so on and so forth. To be candid, I for one usually complain a lot, too.

Yesterday, I was humbled by the Almighty regarding my complaining. He up above has a mysterious and if I may say "weird" way of knocking on you. If HE can say it loud He would have told me, "Enough of your petty complaints and see what other people complain about." He just did that to me not only once, not only twice but FOUR times. WOW!!!

The first one was when I was checking up my old patient who had back pains, during our off-topic conversation her daughter mentioned that one of her choirs at home was picking up a sack of coals to use for cooking rice, since it is much cheaper. Her complaint "Mahal po ang kuryente, kaya hindi ko maiwasan na magbuhat." (Electricity is too expensive and I am forced to bend and lift.)
Now, here I am complaining of the home electric bill is too expensive especially using an air-con. But for this individual, using a rice cooker becomes a burden for them already. Reality check #1.

The second one was when I went to the school office. Our college secretary was suppose to be going home to Isabela to have a gown fitting for her sister's wedding. Unfortunately, she just got 45 pesos from her last salary. This is due to the salary deductions from her previous loan. Now my college faculty decided to use the pooled money they have and give 1000 pesos for her to use. However, her co-secretary in the personnel office also needs money since the younger brother needs it to pay for the tuition fee balance for him to take the final exam. In an unwavering sacrifice, our secretary asked permission to give the money to her co-secretary since she deemed it more important than her personal need. Now that is what I call a true selfless act in everyday life.

Again I am humbled by her and as I talked with my faculty, I shared 1000 pesos for our secretary to still go home to see her parents and have her gown fitting. Reality check #2, I often complain about the salary being not enough, but how about having just 45 pesos for 15 days?
Just to add, my faculty gave our secretary 700 pesos (pooled again and to be paid if able) during her last payday so she can get by for the next 15 days.

And so I thought, I get it Lord. But then Reality check #3 came in front of me. As I walked out the gate of the school, I happen to see one of our registrar employee who had a stroke. Her husband was waiting for her outside the school to fetch her. She then hopped on the bicycle back seat as her husband pedaled away in the hot afternoon weather towards the smog filled EDSA.
As for me, I complain that my transportation gets to overheat during the hot weather that I turn off the air-con. How about them who don't even have a car?

And as I was winding up my day with a medical research orientation during dinner, I got to chat with the medical representative (med rep) who assisted me. Talking about family and kids, I was again humbled when the med rep told me that they were trying to have a baby for 5 years now. As for me, I am blessed with a beautiful happy angel already during our first year of marriage. Reality check #4

As I was heading back home during a long day, I reflected upon the 4 Reality checks that the Lord showed me. EDSA even at night was still in a jam. I just prayed and said "Thank you for all the Blessings you shower me and my family." Lesson learned from today, "I should not complain so much, since so much is already given to me."

I hope for those reading this, may you have your own reflection on what is that you complain about and be humbled on how much is given to you.
Blog out.....

Comment: from Discovery weekend blog

Since I reposted the Discovery weekend personal review, I thought that it should also be fitting to place the comment given in spymac website by one of my visitors. Read below and see how it helped him.
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The Discovery Weekend is a fantastic way to discover whether or not you are both ready for marriage and understand the commitments that must be made, as well as the adjustments that each must make to accommodate the other.

I undertook the Weekend with my fiancee (at the time) around 6 years ago, and I must say it was an eye-opener, with all of the hard questions that you must discuss (i.e., dealing with finances, in-laws, conflict resolution).

I eventually married her, and I do think that the weekend did help us resolve some of our issues.

I had a friend who attended the weekend at the same time we did; he ended up splitting up with his girlfriend as a result. I thought at the time that it was for the best; better for the conflicts to arise now than after you are married. Eventually though, I found out that they married a few years later.

However, my wife and I still can't bring ourselves to "hold hands while fighting". While a good idea in theory, it's very difficult to do in the heat of the moment.

-Bon

Discovery Weekend: My personal experience in 2005

This is the first export of one of my blogs in spymac website. Since this is about discovering your partner before marriage. I want to start with this blog to be reposted here in blogger. So just to note those reading this that my review was in year 2005. I hope it will be helpful to those who are contemplating to be married. I highly recommend you undergo this seminar.



It has been a week after my girlfriend and I underwent a reflection for couples under this program. Discovery weekend is a program for individuals who have plans of settling down and want to know more about their future or would be better half. Their website at discovery weekend explains fully the goals of the program.

They are located in Quezon City (within the area of Gotesco Mall while going to Fairview). Couples come in on Friday night and finish the seminar on a Sunday afternoon.

It is quite extensive since the seminar starts right after the Friday dinner. This of course includes the whole of Saturday up to the evening. This is culminated with a Sunday mass in the afternoon.

What is interesting about the program is that topics are given which initially deals with oneself, then between you and your partner and followed by topics that concern about the couple and God. This is for me important in order for each couple to fully understand each other.

The format of each topic initially presents the basics of developing a better relationship depending on the topic discussed followed by couples who share their experience with the participants. This is definitely very unselfish and brave on my point of view because this definitely exposes the couple of their personal issues. Wow! I definitely admire them.

After the couples share, the participants are given time to reflect on the topic through questions given to them, after which they then discuss their reflections to their partner.

Personally, the whole weekend for me is very helpful and fulfilling. Of course it takes two to make it a successful one.

Most of the participants are engaged couples that already have a schedule for their wedding. But this is actually designed also for individuals who need a better way of knowing their future partner i.e. if they are really compatible with each other. This of course helps such couples know how to deal better their issues even before they get married.

The males and females have separate quarters and each share the room with another participant. Those who join are usually 24 to 30 couples. The accommodations are very basic with bathrooms for each room. Do not expect a 5 star type accommodation so if you need extra pillows, you should bring your own.

How I just wished that they had some hot water during the morning bath. It is quite cold and how I can imagine it during the colder months.
I also hope in future sessions that they be able to ask the participants for food preferences or allergies. My girlfriend unfortunately was unable to eat one of the main foods during dinner due to an allergy on shrimps.

Overall, the seminar experience is quite exceptional, thanks to the main facilitators under Dr. Allan and Maribel Dionisio. As for the accommodations and food it is okay but again that is not why we went there in the first place.

So if you are seriously planning to settle down it is highly recommended you undergo this weekend seminar. Just make sure you register way ahead of time since they get fully booked quite fast. At 4,800 pesos (during the time of this writing) for two, this is definitely a must do pre-nuptial relationship enhancement.

To contact them see the info below:
Email: info@discoveryweekend.org
Phone number: 426-1271
Contact person: Lala Denilla

Found my old blog

Before I used blogspot or blogger website. I had made a blog at spymac. It is my very first attempt in the blogworld. However, since of the very erratic posting that I do, somehow, I got caught in the transition of the website (major revamp) and I was locked out (not able to get through my blog).Which led me to blogger.

Since I placed there some reviews of items that I use and placed some links there, I kind of feel it is a waste not to track down my account and get those reviews.

So just today, I was able to get in (at last) to my spymac account and will begin the transition this coming week or two. I hope I finish the transfer since some pics are missing already.

So for those who are watching my blog. Hope you find some useful things on my old blog.

signing out....

Jan 5, 2007: My papa's Birthday

January 5, 2007 is suppose to be my papa's 74th birthday. Unfortunately, he did not reach this day. As I mentioned in the previous blog post, he died last September 29, 2006 due to an accident in our garage in Bulacan.

Many people know, admire and love my papa. He is an Occupational physician who is also a general practitioner in our hometown, Meycauayan. Many go to him to have a checkup and are amazed on how he can diagnose with minimal laboratories and give the necessary meds for their ailment.

Initially, I was not attuned with his style, but through the years that I had my clinic with him, I realized that his style has value.

Patients of my father told me that he is one of the last remaining "old" doctors who has a healing touch.

Personally, I am happy to know, that he still was able to witness me getting married and graduating in my masters class. He was always there for me especially when I needed support and assistance in my undertakings.

One of the things, I love, that he did for me was in High School, wherein he gave me the freedom to decide what to do and go provided that I don't abuse it.

A few minutes ago, my nephew asked helped for his Christian Living homework. The story we talked about is the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple in Luke chapter 2. He asked me about the moral of the story and this is my personal reflection. The love of a parent to their child is unending. They will do all they can to make sure that their child is safe and sound.

That is what my papa gave me since the day I was conceived, the unending love in order to make me reach what I have today.
Happy Birthday Papa. I miss you so much. I Love you!

Blog out....

The year that was 2006

Hi everyone.
I guess it was quite a long period since I last posted on my Inner piece.
2006 was quite a year for me.
My last blog was about me getting married.

Well definitely, it did not end there in terms of significant events.
What do I mean?

1) Well, last September 29, 2006, a day after the "Milenyo" typhoon here in the Philippines, my father, Dr. Ildefonso L. Martinez died in Bulacan. It was a freak accident. Since he removed the tire wedge and the handbrake was not in place, his van rolled backwards in our garage. He was then pushed backed and went under the van.
Unfortunately, I was informed late because of bad cellphone network (due to the typhoon). When I arrived in Bulacan, I was not able to see my dad alive.\

The last time I talked with him was 2 days before when both of us were handling a patient in Bulacan.

I miss him so dearly and still wonder why he was taken suddenly. All of us were shocked most especially my mom.

I also wished that he was able to see his new granddaughter.
Which now leads me to another event this year.

2) My wife, just gave birth to our first born Baby Girl Marie Emmanuelle B. Martinez last October 23, 2006. Weighing 3.3 kgs. She is definitely an angel given to us. She is currently 2 months plus as of this writing and had her baptism last December 30, 2006.
I now made a blog for her.


So how was this year?
It was a year of happiness due to my wedding, fulfillment due to my graduation in Masters in Business Administration in Health, sadness and grief due to the death of my dad, joy and celebration due to the birth of my first born.

It was quite a year. A year with mixed events. And as the 2007 year begins, I hope and pray that it will be a good year. The only thing that I like to impart at this point, is hope, faith and entrusting the Lord, that whatever happens, He has His reasons.