A Taste of Durian Republic!

Davao City is the capital of Region XI or the Southern Mindanao region of the Philippines. Aside from being the country’s melting pot of diverse cultures, it is also considered as the world's largest city in terms of land area. Surprisingly, this place is typhoon –free and the quality of potable water is among the best in the world! As for me, one of the most interesting facts is that Davao City is the ultimate Durian Republic!

I was on my second year in college when I became fully aware and persuaded that Davao is really a must see spot. My Bible Study leader – Ms. Alma Villacarlos (my mentor and my confidante) is a native of this place. The admiration becomes a passion every time she gives us durian candies and jams for a pasalubong. I began to have a desire in my heart to have a taste of the exotic durian fruit when I get to Davao.

Thanks to Cebu Pacific (and its exhilarating airfare promo) for making it possible for me and my husband Sim to see the splendor of Davao. It’s a timely vacation for us to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. What a self-rejuvenating trip it was!

Moreover, it’s our first ever plane ride! When we were in a queue to get to the plane, I couldn’t fully describe the heart-pumping thing that crept in. Feels like I have a bunch of butterflies in my tummy. Sim held my hand tightly – what a sugary sensation!; he made me feel so safe and sound through out the ride.

The moment I laid eyes on Davao City, I got star-struck and spellbound! The air is fresh; the city is clean and green. The cosmic land area, suitable climate, luscious fruits and sweets, mouth-watering sea foods, the scrupulously designed hotels, malls, and houses, the breathtaking tourist spots like the spine-tingling Crocodile Park, Philippine Eagle Center, Davao Butterfly House,Market Basket and Laichi's … whew, simply the best! I couldn’t help praising God for such an environment as this.

We stayed at my friend’s house and I could recount that the accommodation we got was far beyond what a five-star hotel could offer. The Filipino’s unique way of hospitality just came to light. We really felt blessed as we had a four-day fellowship with Jim and Nice’s family. Looking back, I met Nice in a Summer Training Program (STP) sponsored by the Navigators Phils. at Caliraya Recreation Center in Laguna nine (9) years ago. She’s indubitably one of my best ever friends. The friendship that blossomed between us has been an onlooker to the many seasons that transpired in our lives.

Our flight going back to Manila was on a Sunday evening. But before that, we attended the Sunday service at Free Believers Church in Lanang. I was taken by surprise when I learned that the Pastor is an active member of the PNP Intelligence Unit and he does the church work as part of his ministry as a Christian. Though the praise and worship songs were in Visayan, I still felt enlivened through out the service. There was this phrase that kept echoing in my heart, “Sometimes we pursue things with no eternal value at all”. It dawned on me that I am no exception to this; it made me reflect on how I’m living my own life as a believer of the Lord Jesus. I thank God that He is always faithful and true – wherever, whenever, and whatever the circumstances may be.

It’s hard to bid adieu to a place that really elated my heart for a couple of days. It was a perfect time to unwind and bond more closely with my dearly loved husband. God reminded me about the beauty of His creation when I relished everything that I set eyes on and experience in Davao City. God enabled me to gain a better perspective of the things around me.

First Wedding Anniversary

What a euphoria it is to celebrate our first wedding anniversary! Today, I bask in the thought and unwavering love of my one-of-a-kind husband as I ponder on the sweet memories of living together as husband and wife. Two people from eclectic cultures, two bodies, and two hearts joined as one…

In one whole year, though we were bombarded with a myriad of difficulties and setbacks we never gave-up. The Lord’s all-relevance and all-trustworthiness prevail in our marriage. As a couple we learned the very important virtue of forgiveness. Our hearts are very open to embrace the truth that there are no perfect couples or marriages, only God’s perfect love. His love teaches us to accept each other’s imperfections and leads us to forgive each other.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future”. Our favorite verse still holds true to this very day.

Indeed, the journey has just begun!


written by: shemi (june '07)

RETROSPECTION

Whoever believes that a long distance love spells failure will be proven wrong this time as we listen (read) to a retrospection of how this couple came to be… Without a pinch of doubt, a deeper love-relationship must be founded on friendship and a true love conquers all!


SIMPLICIO JR. and SHERLYN came across each other through a common friend Theo in September, 1999 in the City of Pines while reviewing for the arduous CPA board examination. Belonging to the same class, they got acquainted with each other. Consequently, exam result had been publicized to the whole archipelago but unfortunately, the two treaded different directions. Being a conscientious student, Shem considered it her first major failure in the academic battlefield while Sim made it with flying colors. Shem firmly believes though that despite a handful of ordeals one has to traverse, life still goes on because the Lord is faithful and He is in control of all things.

Shem went to the south and got gainfully employed in an Italian foodservice company in Makati. Sim stayed in Baguio and due to the prevalent problem of unemployment in the city, he found his way teaching as a Guest Lecturer/Reviewer at the BCF Refresher Course in the University of the Cordilleras. After a month, he was employed at the Camp John Hay Golf Club.

Days, months, and years passed … their simple acquaintance has metamorphosed into a meaningful friendship. Sim and Shem have become the best of friends. With the fast-paced technology, they were able to keep the communication lines open, updating each other on the latest happenings in their lives and airing their future plans through email, text messaging, and phone calls. Special feelings for each other crept in and yet they opted to not broach the idea of it because they don’t want to taint the friendship they painstakingly built for years. Challenging times came when they found it hard to draw the thin line between love and friendship. They just entrusted things to the Lord and allowed Him to work things out for them. One fateful day, a killer fire broke in the neighborhood where Shem lives in Makati City. That served as an eye opener to them of the possibility of losing a loved one in just the wink of an eye. They realized the importance of appreciating and expressing how they feel about a person whenever they get the chance to … before it’s too late. On the evening of that same day - May 19, 2002, the phone rang and Shem found herself conversing with Sim on the other line. She got the surprise of her life when he made a revelation of the unexpressed sentiments that bottled up inside him for years. That special night created a breakthrough in their friendship. It has become bound by an articulated commitment of love and trust. There’s nothing like love on its first blush!

Though a huge distance enveloped them as they live in opposite ends – Shem on the south and Sim on the north, still, their relationship went smoothly by the grace of God. They made it a point to grow together in all the facets of life guided by the wisdom of God.

It was January, 2005 when Sim first expressed his wedding proposal. But due to inevitable circumstances and on-going commitments to their own families, the plans didn’t materialize. They also realized that things were still half-baked.

In December, 2005, after a significant guidance from above, Sim proposed again and at that point both of them were pretty sure that it’s high time to make a lifetime vow and be united in marriage. Traditionally, “Pamamanhikan” was held on March 12, 2006. Three days before their big day, immediate family members from both sides and close friends wished them well in a joint stag and shower party.

June 10, 2006 is truly remarkable for Sim and Shem. Sim married his bestfriend and the one and only love of his life Shem in a solemn ceremony held at the PBTS Amphitheater, Baguio City with the presence of their respective families and people who truly have touched their lives in a special way.

God is simply amazing! The way He orchestrates things is perfect! Indeed, TRUE LOVE goes beyond distance and it even goes beyond the parameters of friendship. The three important elements of love: 

1. ATTRACTION 2.TRUST and 3.COMMITMENT.

At this point, the couple are basking in the glory of the Lord and trusting Him to act out and shape up their plans as they raise a truly wonderful family guided by one of their favorite verses found in Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future”.


written by: shemi (june '06)

First Date - ACM Church

First Year Anniversary (BF-GF)

Second Year Anniversary

Third Year Anniversary

Fourth Year Anniversary

Pamamanhikan (Veniz Grill)

Bridal Shower and Stag Party

The Big Day!

BONUS PICTURES ...

The Greatest Healer

God is the Greatest Healer! (says the Preacher), "Amen!" - people shout at the top of their voices. But how many of us would really mean and understand what we say? When illness and diseases struck us, what's the first thing that jumps to mind? More often than not, we become anxious, panicky, disheartened and a round of ill-feelings would start to creep in. When He said, "...I am the God that healeth thee", the words were so powerful and we could elicit from there a promise coupled with compassion. So when we come to the brink of bleakness, we should not forget (before it's too late)to claim the wonder and the power of God's healing. We need to be reminded of God's all-relevance and all-trustworthiness in our lives! 

Amazing Grace!

Why the Amazing Grace title for a Blog? God's grace was the very first thing that swirled to mind. Definitely, this work of art or should I say one of the awesome aftermaths of technology wouldn't come to existence without the Lord's grace.

"Grace" is an unmerited favor from God. We breathe, live, and enjoy life to its fullest because of this grace. Truly, it's amazing to have a taste of His grace every moment of our lives!

Thanks be to God, glory and honor to His Name!