What If

I was ecstatic to see many friends pass the bar exam.  Wow! Most of them chose to become lawyers on top of their existing degrees and work experience. I truly admire them for doing that. It's really hard to work and study at the same time. I did that when I took my masters. A former manager (one of the VPs at G) asked me to pursue my doctorate. I promised her I would... it hasn't happened yet. Haha. I don't know if I have the energy to pursue a doctorate at this point. 

Today's OOTD is my Kulasa #kakampink shirt <3

If I followed what Daddy wanted, I would've been a lawyer. I took double degrees that's considered as pre-law. I disappointed my Dad and my professors because I didn't pursue it. I just felt it wasn't the right path for me. Maybe if I was allowed to run in the SK elections, maybe I would have taken a different path. Maybe I would have attained my dream to be mayor of my city. 

That's the what if, but I chose a different path and I don't regret it. I feel I was where I was supposed to be in the last 25 years. I also know I'm in the right place now. What I have experienced in the past two decades is unique and I'd like to believe I was able to help in my own little way. 

I don't like dwelling on what ifs because I believe in trusting the Lord to navigate your life. I gave up the struggle when I felt things weren't going the right way. Things righted when I lifted up everything to Him. I'm glad I did because I never second guessed whether I was doing the right thing. I always knew I was following His Will. 

Have a blessed Holy Wednesday everyone. 

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

The Farmers Made Me Cry

When Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan approached Sen. Kiko Pangilinan during his speech I thought something was up. I've watched a number of the rallies online and she never did that in past rallies. After awhile she interrupted Senator Kiko and told him that the San Nicolas farmers were there for him. Sen. Kiko turned his back and was obviously full of emotion. I started bawling then. 

Photo by Team Kiko/ Earvin Perias

In the past few weeks we saw politicos endorse VP Leni, but not Sen. Kiko. To me that was infuriating because these politicos were obviously enablers of bad regimes. These endorsements are half baked because they're voting for VP Leni for president while supporting a different candidate for vice president. I do not believe that these endorsements are sincere. They just did that to protect themselves and protect their amo. I will not vote for these enablers. They are not truly serving the Filipino people, but only their own interests. They should be flushed out of the system. 

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said it is okay with him. He will do whatever it takes for VP Leni to win. You'd see him staying at the back whenever these endorsements happen. He would also skip some rallies to give way for these endorsements. He just does what's best for the citizens. It should hurt though. Being set aside that way like you're just a pawn in a game. 

Photo by Team Kiko/ Earvin Perias

The endorsement of the farmers made me cry because it's symbolic of what we all want. We want VP Leni to win and succeed. This will only happen if she has the full support of government and that includes Sen. Kiko and both houses of congress. The farmers also showed us that this fight is really for them, those in the laylayan. And I'm grateful that they came for Senator Kiko because I think he needed it and we needed to be reminded that this fight isn't just for all of us. 

We can do it! If you need ideas on how to campaign, download the Leni 2022 app ☺️ 

Be a #Kakampink! 

Android: https://t.co/KFFP69LAcC 

iOS: https://t.co/py6nyjCJQK 

Use my invite code: JPY866

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely 

A Pink Bench

We've been working on fixing my craft room since February. I thought it would be nice to have something I could lie down on when I get tired. The room though is very small so I decided to get a bench. Tried looking for one in online furniture shops, but I couldn't find the color I wanted and most were quite expensive. 

Reached out to the shop that made our dining chairs and they said they could customize it for me. I sent them an idea of what I wanted and the measurements. The bench was done in less than two weeks. I would have gotten it sooner if they stuck to the delivery time (no midnight deliveries for me sorry). 

The bench was finally delivered last Saturday when we got home from the mall. Sweetie re-organized the craft room and I immediately tried it out. I only got to enjoy it for awhile since the effects of the booster shot suddenly hit me. I super love the bench though and I'm happy I requested for it to have storage space. I'm just on the fence about requesting it to be tufted, but it's growing on me. 

Love, love <3

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

The People's Campaign is Heating Up

The campaign rally of VP Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan was streamed live last night. I was happy I was finally able to "attend" a rally albeit virtually. It was time well spent since I got to listen also to the senatorial candidates and their platforms. The rally was festive and it reminded me of happier times before the gloom settled in. 

I would have loved to be there. Realistically though I won't survive a rally so I'm happy to just live through my friends who were there. One described having goosebumps from start to finish. Another said he felt hope. I felt the same even though I was just streaming it to our TV via Chromecast. 

Seeing the sea of people was what I needed to see to feel hopeful again. We really need to get back on the right track for things to improve. I like the platform presented by VP Leni and Senator Kiko since it will improve the lives of the general population. I also like the fact that they have been reaching out to the marginalized, the people in the laylayan for consultations. The only way to really improve the lives of people is to understand their needs. You can read more about their platforms here.

#IloiloisPink (Photo by Robredo's People Council)

The rally was a fitting celebration of the 36th year anniversary of the EDSA Revolution. The celebration at the People Power Monument was a simple ceremony, not even attended by the president which was disappointing. The rally in Iloilo made up for it and showed that the force is waking up and we are all over the country. We just need to remember that the success of the EDSA Revolution depends on each and every one of us. 

Mama Ogs trended last night! 

I was sad though to hear about the retirement of Sen. Franklin Drilon. He is the last from his generation and has served us well. He was a senator for a long time, but made sure that his home city progressed. I've been to Iloilo a few times and I did see the improvements. I saw this firsthand in the last 15 years. It flourished from looking like a charming town to a bustling city. That's a good example of what a good leader should do. Thank you Senator Drilon for your service to the nation all these years. 

I will continue to pray for the success of the people's campaign and will pray for the protection of the candidates. Let's all do our part :)

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

Using Your Hand to Pray

My heart is full today after seeing the successful proclamation rally at the Quezon Memorial Circle. I've been going through happy posts by fellow Kakampinks on Twitter. I wish I was there too! Seeing the support of so many people gives me hope that we'll have a better future. The dark forces though are hard at work so we all have to do our part to make sure they don't win. 

There's been several bad news this past week. Comelec junking the disqualification petitions. El Shaddai announcing their support (honestly find it strange how they found in their conscience to support he who must not be named). Hope for a better Philippines with the right leader is what we have. We must pray hard for it.

I've been praying for better leadership since last year. I bought a prayer journal last year. It had a prayer guide which I thought would be useful to share. It's a guide that would help you pray for more people. 

Thumb - pray for those closest to your heart. 

Pointy finger - pray for those who teach and heal. This is where I pray for frontliners, educators and the religious.

Middle finger - pray for leaders. This is where I also pray for good outcome of the elections and I also pray for the protection of the candidates I support and their staff.

Ring finger - pray for the weak and those who need healing. 

Pinky finger - pray for your needs. The guide said, praying last for yourself gives you a better perspective of what you need. 

#BeKind #StayHome #VoteWisely

Contribute for a Better Future!

Yesterday was the start of the official campaign period. Candidates hosted proclamation rallies in their bailiwicks. I would have loved to be at Plaza Quezon in Naga City to participate. It's the first election in 15 years where I don't need to be impartial (freedom!). Like many other volunteers, I'd like to contribute in my own way. 

My Mom was one of the campaign managers of former Senator Jovito Salonga when he ran for president. She managed the campaign office in Makati City. I used to go there after class and contribute what I could. And before that I remember we campaigned hard for President Cory Aquino as well. Back then though campaigning was all done through face to face interaction. 

When I woke up this morning, Sweetie asked me, "Do Lazada delivery riders wear uniforms?" I know Shopee riders have uniforms, but I'm not sure about Lazada riders. He said the rider that delivered this morning was wearing a campaign shirt. So it gave me an idea on how I can contribute. Since the only people we encounter nowadays are delivery riders, I could start there by giving away info packs for them. 

I found out from the volunteer group that we can purchase flyers and other campaign materials from Lazada or Shopee. I checked out some shops and I'm planning to buy flyers, stickers and fans/masks. I'm planning to add a water bottle and a biscuit as well to the info pack. I realized though that I don't really have a lot of deliveries so I can probably expand this to other areas in my barangay. I can probably get someone to help distribute flyers house to house. I think that's the best way I can contribute for now. 

Here's some links to online shops where you can buy campaign materials:

Team Leni Robredo Volunteers

Sticky Stickies PH (this is where I got some shirts and stickers)

Alabang Garage

3C Creations (got a cute bag bling here)

Kakampink

*I'm not connected to any of these shops, I'm just a buyer :)

The threat of bringing  back an old regime is real. Seeing politicians dance to get votes is really disturbing. And seeing convicted politicians run again is giving me nightmares. Let's not slide back to these abusers. Progress is not what they have in mind. They're only in it for their own benefit. So let's do what we can to ensure we could have a better future. 

#BeKind #StayHome #VoteWisely