ALWAYS LIVE LIFE
TO THE FULLEST

Don’t let go of Hope.
Hope gives you the strength to keep going
When you feel like giving up.

Don’t ever quit believing in Yourself.
As long as you believe you Can,
You will have reason for Trying.

Don’t let anyone hold your Happiness in their Hands;
Hold it in yours, so it will always be
within your Reach.

Don’t measure success or failure by material wealth,
But by how you Feel;
Our feelings determine the richness of our Lives.

Don’t let bad moments overcome You;
Be patient,
and they will pass.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for Help;
We all need it
from time to time.

Don’t run away from love but towards Love.
Because it is
your deepest Joy.

Don’t wait for what you want to come to You.
Go after it with all that You Are,
Knowing that Life will meet you Halfway.

Don’t feel like you’ve lost
When plans and dreams fall short of your hopes.
Anytime you learn something new
About Yourself or about Life,
You have progressed.

Don’t do anything that takes away
From your Self-Respect.
Feeling good about Yourself
Is essential to feeling good about Life.

Don’t ever forget how to Laugh
Or be too proud to Cry.
Or too stubborn to Smile

Don’t ever forget a friend who TRULY LOVES YOU
As it could be that friend who is true to your Needs
Don’t ever forget who helped you Grow as your need
for more seeds may often re-appear
With all the above live life to its Fullest…

The Beaches of Palawan

The exotic beauty of Palawan remains undefiled. Branded as the country's last frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. Palawan is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

With more than a thousand islands and islets, Palawan boasts of white-sand beaches, scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves. Other well-known attractions include Saint Paul's National Park which boasts of caves that nestle an underground river; El Nido, a world-class resort famous for its awe-inspiring seascape and limestone cliffs; and Calauit island, home of Philippine and African wildlife.

Also in Palawan is the primordial island of Busuanga, a perfect starting point for sorties to other nearby islands.In Palawan, each day is promising. The sun rises over the South China Sea and soon everything else sparkles, including the smiles of its people.

Bohol's Springs and Beaches

Bohol is one of the loveliest islands in southern Philippines. It is situated at the heart of Visayas and with coastline skimmed by gentle coves and white-sand beaches. Many highways snake along sparkling beaches or leafy rivers where one can stop at any point and jump in.

With its rolling hills and plateaus, crystal springs and beaches, the province of Bohol is a picturesque province replete with ancestral homes and centuries-old churches. Bohol is composed of numerous isles -Panglao, Pamilacan, Cabilao, Jao, Mahanay and Lapinin, which are excellent dive spots.

The Chocolate Hills is but one of the many natural wonders to be found in Bohol. The province is the home of the world's smallest monkey, the tarsier. The size of a fist, the tarsier lives on the hills of Corella, some ten kilometers from Tagbilaran. Other exotic flora and fauna may also be found amongst the forest of Bohol.

Bohol's various mountainous and water formations also serve as a natural playground for the adventurous tourist. One can cruise its rivers, hike up the hills, swim the deep waters, or just stroll down the avenues. Bohol is just waiting to surprise you.

Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital town can be reached by plane or boat from Cebu and Manila. Numerous tourist inns and excellent resorts are found in Tagbilaran and Panglao island.

Working Life

Working is a major influence on who we are as people and who we will become in life. Understanding the importance of the job we do is the first step towards appreciating the gift of work and learning how to use it to our advantage. Rather than seeing our work as just being something that we begrudgingly do each week day from 9 to 5, we have to see it as something more meaningful.

Work Creates Discipline
The commitment involved in getting up and going to work each day to devote many hours to a particular job is a major accomplishment. Regardless of the type of work one does, the simple fact that a person can make it to the workplace day after day is impressive.

Work is Giving
By giving your time and commitment to your work you are contributing to society in many ways. You may be working to keep food on the table for your family, providing valuable products or services to society, or creating jobs for others if you're the boss.

Work Encourages Growth
The skills we learn at work can involve everything from spiritual growth through to improved physical health. The contacts we have with customers or coworkers encourages social interaction, which is a great way to learn how to deal with people from a variety of backgrounds. Many skills from particular industries can also be of benefit in our home life.

Work Improves Life
For the person that has little motivation or the ambition to do better in life, their conditions are improved by working because they can provide for their family and perhaps take the occasional holiday. But for those seeking more out of life, with big hopes and dreams, work is the key to change. It may start with a job that merely feeds and clothes you, which later leads to creating the change necessary to rise above your current circumstances. That could mean attaining further education while you are still working to get a better job, creating a product that could improve the life of others, or getting the savings needed to start your own business.

We can let work use us and become just another number clocking on and and off each day, or we can use work to create the person we wish to become in life. By choosing to learn from the work we have to do, we can eventually do the work we really want to do. If we collect chicken eggs or are the mayor of a city we are learning everyday, contributing to society, and improving the life of those around us.

- Article by Michael Dylan

"You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it." Oprah Winfrey Quote

L I F E

Every life has its share of setbacks and disappointments—of tragedy and loss. So the question we all confront, in the face of negatives that may assail us, is: How do we keep our inner fire alive?

The first question keeps us focused on positives; the second keeps us proactive and reminds us that we are responsible for our own happiness and well-being.

The pleasures that nurture me personally may be as simple as enjoying the view of the city and the ocean from the window of my living room, or spending time in the garden, or appreciating good health. Of course, one of the greatest joys that nurtures me is that I have a loving relationship with my love one.

One aspect aspect of nourishing the soul is the ability to stay focused on the present, to live in the present. The impulse to focus on the future can be quite strong. It’s natural to look ahead. Yet I realized that the key to happiness lay in enjoying the process, not just the final result—because the greater part of my life was going to be spent at the level of process and not at the stage of contemplating the finished product. So now I bless each day I can get up and go to my computer and sit down to write and know and love the fact that this is what my life is about.

Nothing I am saying about the importance of living in the present denies the value of being concerned with the future. We want to keep in mind our goals, what we’re moving toward, and to see the progression and direction that underlie our activities. We need to be able to plan for the future without sacrificing the present, and enjoy the present without making ourselves oblivious to the future. Obviously, we cannot control every single aspect of our life. We are not omnipotent. But we do have an enormous degree of responsibility for the shape our life takes. We have many options about how we will respond to events. We are not passive spectators, but active contestants in the drama of our existence. We need to take responsibility for the kind of life we create for ourselves.
How do we nurture the soul? By revering our own life. By treating it as supremely important. By reaching for the best within ourselves. By learning to love it all, not only the joys and the victories, but also the pain and struggles.

Critical Keys for Good Relationships

Critical Keys for Good Relationships - Learn the basics for a happy and healthy relationship, including the importance of touch, attitude, listening, and intimacy.

Time together - Learn about the importance of spending time with your partner. Why it’s necessary to schedule time to enjoy things together. How traditions can help keep relationships together. Learn how to share the load everyday and be yourself.

Playing - Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean that you stop playing. Spontaneity for adventures together or just cuddling and lightening up can be fun for couples.

Friends - Friendships sometimes suffer as a relationship grows. You partner may not like your friends and vice versa. Learn how best to deal with this problem.

Handling Problems - If you have a fully honest relationship, problems will arise. You can learn to handle those problems in ways that are best for both partners.

Giving - Learn how giving and taking affects your relationship and how handling this affects the health and happiness of the relationship.

Don’t Hold Back - A healthy relationship is dependent on honesty and full communications. Share your problems and your happiness. Learn to avoid keeping feeling locked up.

Show Your Love - An important but often overlooked aspect of relationships. Here is a list of ways to show your love to your partner.

Share With Care - How you share is just as important as what you share. Learn to avoiding measuring what you get related to what you give.

Respect - This is a critical topic because without respect a relationship can never be good. In spite of this, mutual respect is lacking in many intimate relationship.

The Joy of Travelling Alone

It has always been in our culture as Filipinos that traveling is always declared as a group activity. Most or shall I say, many of us would often go out of town together with friends or family members.

But, how many has actually traveled alone? I doubt if anyone will raise hands here.

Unknown to many, traveling solo has its perks too. It was through journeying alone that I was able to develop my skills in communicating with the strangers. I get to know a lot of people. I was able to appreciate local history more.

Traveling alone is a very liberating experience for me. Imagine, I don’t have to wait for friends at the airport for an extra minute before queuing at the check in counter. I dont have to worry extra budget in case my friends would ask to dine in an upscale restaurant, or take a taxi instead of the usual jeepney ride. I can go to any place that I want. What if my friends love to go to the park, while I want to visit a local museum? Hard, isn’t it? Traveling with friends always limit your choices of itinerary. Not to mention limiting the foods that your going to binge in. I love seafoods, but my friend is allergic to crustaceans. While my other friend is a vegetarian???

The pace of your traveling activity is not a problem when you are alone. You can set your pace if you want to tour quick, or walk slowly, just like in the park.

I myself love traveling alone. It gives me the freedom to explore a city without the need to tow friends who are not interested in what I’m doing. I really enjoyed my self so much when I traveled all alone last July 2006, from Manila to Baguio, Baguio to Vigan, and Vigan to Manila. December 2006, I saw my self flying alone to the Asia’s Latin City of Zamboanga, then swim at the white sand beaches of Basilan. I also traveled alone for the Dinagyang Festival 2006 in Iloilo City.

So if I were to choose between traveling with a group or traveling alone, I’d still prefer the latter. The adventures are limitless. Who knows what happens next.

by: erid001

the only one for me

I saw them in the light
Loving and holding each other tight
Everybody has someone in their heart
And here I am lonely from the start

I journey here and there
But I've never found him anywhere
The only One for me
who'll love only me...
I know there's someone out there for me
And there's Someone who really loves me as me
He just want me to be me
and wait for the only one for me...

by: frendofmine

The Hidden Truth

I wear a smile in front of you
To try to cover my shame
Why didn't I think this through?
For now I bear this smile of pain

The tears of sorrow roll down my cheek
And flow with a neverending pain
They leave a permanent silver streak
As I live this pitiful life in vain

My heart aches in the memory of you
And the love that we once shared
How could I have lost something so true?
My love, best friend...someone who finally cared

"It's your destiny." some might say
But everytime I hear it I get more upset
Now I must spend each passing day
In my hopeless world of regret

This state of mind eats at me
But I just can't forget about you
I feel so blind. Why can't I see?
For, a love like this nobody should lose

These painful words linger on my lips
And sting my honest tongue
I just can't stop thinking like this
And regretting what I have done.

by: Sarah Lorraine

Wounded

I want to reach out
beyond the confines
of this self-made hell.

I’m lost; confused; alone.

Inside I’m still hurt;
my heart locked away
behind a rugged scab.
This blood inside me
lies cold and stagnant;
hardened to create
a protective shell.
But the wound beyond -
that it helps protect;
never seems to heal…

by: Mitchell Thompson

BORACAY

Boracay is the perfect island getaway, with its warm blue waters, powder-fine white sand, and a palm fringed 4-kilometer beach.

The world-famous island of Boracay is located in Aklan province 345 kms. South of Manila. The island is accessible by air from Manila or Cebu through two principal gateways : Caticlan airport or Kalibo airport.

After a swim in the sea, you can engage in relaxing activities. Comb the beaches on horseback. Play an exciting game of volleyball. Get on an outrigger and sail to the other side of the island. Swim over to the floating bar and cool off with a cocktail. Or hop around one beach to another and enjoy the easy-going atmosphere.

After sunset, the island transforms into one exciting night of dancing and partying. But don't take our word for it, Boracay is an island you have to experience yourself.

For many certified sun-worshippers the world over, paradise goes by the name Boracay. For indeed, many visitors have come back to Boracay year after ytear. Some have even chosen to live in this paradise island.

LEGEND OF SIQUIJOR ISLAND

Long, long time ago, Siquijor was not among the islands in the Philippine Archipelago. One evening a strong earthquake and a thunderstorm occurred. Flashes of blinding lightning laced the sky in white fire. Deafening thunder roared. The earth shuddered. The sea raged. From the churning waters of the ocean's womb was birthed an island. Until today farmers up in the mountains still find empty giant shells beneath the surface of their farms. Does this suggest some truth to the theory that Siquijor rose out of the sea?

Soon the place was covered with varieties of trees, the greater number of which were tugas (molave) trees. Because of the preponderance of tugas in the area, old people called the place "katugasan."

At night fireflies covered these trees. Spanish soldiers and missionaries aboard galleons plying the Visayan area at night noticed the sparkling nocturnal scene. They called the island "Isla de Fuegos" or Island of Fire, referring to the eerie glow the island gave at night as Spanish galleons passed by.

Wishing to know more about the mysterious island, the Spaniards visited the place. Upon their arrival, they met a native who was fishing. They asked him in Spanish what the name of the place was. The native thought he was asked his name and responded "Si Kihod," limping around to demonstrate how he got his name. Because Spaniards found it difficult to pronounce the "d" eventually "Si Kihod" was changed to Siquijor.

Others maintained that King Kihod was the island's legendary ruler. Still others claimed that "Kihod" is the beginning of low tide when the seawater is drawn from the shore to the open sea. The Spaniards arrived at the place when the sea was ebbing.

Very little is known about Siquijor and its inhabitants before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century. The original inhabitants came as farmers and fishermen from Cebu, Bohol and the adjacent islands.

URBAN SQUATTERS

Urban squatters have been a permanent problem. Large numbers of people living in makeshift housing, often without water or sewage, indicated that cities had grown in population faster than in the facilities required. In fact, the growth in population even exceeded the demand for labour so that many squatters found their living by salvaging material from garbage dumps, peddling, and performing irregular day work.

Most squatters were long-time residents, who found in the absence of rent a way of coping with economic problems. The efforts of the government in the late 1980s to beautify and modernize the Manila area led inevitably to conflict with the squatters who had settled most of the land that might be utilized in such projects. The forced eviction of squatters and the destruction of their shacks were frequent occurrences.
Sources: The Library of Congress Country Studies; CIA World Factbook

FEELING BLUE

There are times in our lives when we are swept over by raging emotions. Times when we are overwhelmed by sadness and overcome by misery. Times when we feel that we are loved only for the worth others could get from us and not for who we really are. It is but natural to feel this way. Sometimes, we all need to be alone, to feel blue, to feel lonely, to listen to a song and cry...

Then we ask ourselves, why does this song have to end? Why do we have to cry when love is taken away from us? Why does it have to hurt when we let go of someone we love?
In a relationship we treasure, the hardest thing to do is saying goodbye and setting someone free. In every last embrace, a part of us dies. Every teardrop that falls washes away our hopes. Then, we are left with nothing but pain and bitter memories because we have lost but never knew how and will probably never knew why.

We try to get away but every move we make somehow has its way of reminding us of the past all over again. Every turn of our head and every blink of an eye remind us of something lost in eternity. It makes us wonder how one person can make us feel so empty, so alone, and so desolate.

Every song, no matter how beautiful it is will have to end on its own time. It is inevitability that we cannot restrain, something that we cannot control, and just a fact that we have to accept and live up with.

Let us remember that our lives do not have to end where our heartaches begin. Somewhere, someone will come along and sing us songs of love. Someday, someone will fill our lives with joy and laughter. Somehow, we will find love again. It will wipe our tears and bring us the promise of a new life, a new hope, and a beautiful beginning.

WHY AM I AFRAID TO LOVE?

Throughout life, we have this greatest craving of being loved. But the paradox is
this: if we seek to fill the void of our own loneliness in seeking iove from others, we wiil inevitably find no consolation but oniy a deeper desolation.

It is true that you're nobody till somebody loves you. Only the person who has experienced true love is capable of growing, and of maturing. If however a person seeks not to receive love, but rather to give it, he will become lovable and he will most certainly be loved in the end.

The only way we can do this is to stop being concerned with ourselves. Loving others can be truly accomplished only when the focus of our minds and the happiest object of our desires is another when all our activity results from concern for another and not for ourselves.

But how can we love if we have never been loved"?

All of us have some capacity to love, some ability to move the focus of our minds out from ourselves to the needs, happiness, and fulfillment of others. To the extent that we do this; to the extent that we actualize this potential that is latent within us, we will be loved. Even if at the beginning we can love only a little, we shall be loved a little, and the love that we receive will empower us to grow more reai and more of our true selves in the direction that love leads.
To love, one must have enormous motivation... Motivation towards goodness of humanity, since love, which of its essence seeks only the good of others, and is willing to pay the high price of self-forgetfulness...

Love never ends... It is a long and hard road we have rarely explored: it is an altar of sacrifice; It asks an enormous amount of self-forgetfulness and not pride...
Love is the only real meaning to our human destiny and to the feet of the Almighty, who loveS.