Thank You, Mayor Joni

Shocking news last night. Daughter of JILCW founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva and the late Sis. Dory Villanueva, Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna has died because of sepsis secondary to bacterial pneumonia. 

I'm lost for words. 

Sis. Joni is also a Pastor. I remember when the time that she first run in the office as the Mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan. In the most fascinating way, Joni and her opponent received the same votes. And according to the Election code, they can settle the winner by a toss coin or draw lots. 

They chose toss coins. Best of Five. 

This was a funny way and seems like a foolish idea to decide on a government official. 3 toss coins, Joni has become the mayor.

It was interesting for the nation and definitely looks stupid for some. But the JIL people and those who are close to Sis. Joni, knew that this is a miracle. This has been prayed for months, and our faith is in God. 

This was just a teaser. In the next election, Joni won by more than 9,000 votes and lately being on the trend because of what she's been doing in Bocaue in this time of the pandemic.

For me, Sis. Joni has always been the voice behind one of my favorite songs, Just To Please You. And little did I know that this song will mature into a tribute of her own. 

I don't know much of her, aside from being in the Jose-Villanueva family, being the mayor of Bocaue, wife of former CIBAC party list Sherwin Tugna, one of the KKBs ate, leader of ZOE TV 11, a singer and a pastor. 

God has blessed her. She's been a blessing to many and even to this nation. Thank you for her life, Lord. 

We're praying for your family, this has been a really sad year for the Jose-Villanueva family but you're now with your mom, Sis. Dory. The JIL people, your close friends, and your family have been mourning down here but we all know that you're both in the best place ever. 

Thank you, Ate Joni.

//ThankYouMayorJoni

//sebajisoka

How distracted am I?

I opened my laptop as I wanted to play some games. I just installed the classic Chrono Trigger. I hopped through the time and when I felt like I'm overplaying, I stopped and think about what will I do next.

Browsing through Facebook

Checking chat history

Being invisible

I decided to re-create my "sebajisoka" logo with this Romance Fatal typeface. I opened my photoshop and tweak some settings from the app and the computer setting itself to make sure that it's running under the right graphics card. 

After that, I started typing the name, searched for the typeface and viola, it's the same old logo. I mess around with the colors and set it in a mix of teal and violet, then I added some big solid title for my blog, Galvanized into ACTION. 

Then, I remember a friend from work, who laughs at me because of that title, so I checked it's meaning and I think it's kinda cool until I realized that it's not that cool. Now, I wanted it changed. 

But I stopped and wondered how I came up with that title. I wonder about the synonym that I tried searching to find matching words and details. The perfect description, maybe?

So, I searched about the history behind the title in my blog itself. I didn't find any explanation. Now, I don't know what to say when someone asks for it. Though I haven't found any, I found some good old articles that make me go back in time. 

I found some crazy activities that I tried just to improve my writing. Did you know that I attended a seminar before for something like writing an article for news? This is for the JIL Church Worldwide's anniversary.

See how frustrated I was about being a writer, and how cheap I was in getting as much free of a session as I hope for.

I also saw a picture of an old friend. I posted it like 8 years ago in this blog and it's about how life is unfair. She and her old sister almost got raped in their province. If you thought that the "almost" is a piece of good news but, certainly not. The man hurt her and she stayed in the hospital for who-knows-how-long before being declared dead. 

Well, it's almost 1pm. I should sleep now. Good night! 

//HowDistractedAmI?

//sebajisoka

Hero

Ever since I was still a child, I'm always dreaming of being a superhero to save someone. The knight in shining armor, has incredible strength, and the one who saves the day. As I grow up, I knew that superhero doesn't exist, there's no gamma radiation, spider-bite, or kryptonite and we're just destined to live by ourselves, surviving this life.

Then, I met Jasmin. I fell in love with her. I'm hoping to be that kind of hero she deserves. I tried very hard to be that person. 

Well.

Guess what! 

I was wrong.

I didn't realize that I don't have to be a hero to be with her. I don't have to be strong all the time, that it's okay to be vulnerable. And she knows that and she understands. Over time, I became self-reflective, and as I ponder on the things that I experience, I discovered, after all these years, I'm the one who needs saving and...

She did it.

She became the hero that I long for. 

//Hero

//sebajisoka

Essential

I read a news today that one senator called POGO as "Essential". 

In the previous week, I don't want to get bothered to the point that I'll make a blog out of it. I mean, I'm already bothered enough by the government. So, making a blog about it can be really frustrating and somehow a waste of time. 

I still have still small hope about all of this turning around. But, earlier, I wanted to cry for this nation. The leader of this country is not bothered enough to protect the our land. Other nation is claiming one of the recently discovered lands and they're letting them claim it. They didn't do early planning for the pandemic, they prioritize foreign entry rather than saving the people from the virus. 

They close their eyes to what's happening. Ignoring red flags and playing the blame game. Empowering military forces than medical frontliners. Thinking that guns are part of the solution. They call out those who criticize the administration and threaten to be summoned from a foreign land. 

I'm glad that Taiwan stood their grounds and support the Filipina, protecting her rights and freedom in their country but it's sad at the same time, to think that a foreign land has more guts to save people, not of theirs. Taiwan is saving Filipinos from their own country. Just let that sink in. I mean what do I expect for this country who called Gambling Operators as Essential in this pandemic. That providing justice is based on political party and that magic triangle. I regret supporting you. You gave us high hopes for our future and showed your potential while you're still a mayor. Well, we were fooled. Your political will is merely just words. Thanks for protecting the Chinese, rather than your own people. 

Praying that our eyes will be opened and use this experience to elect better leaders. We already saw it in Pasig and many places. We can do this for the whole nation as well. 

//Essential

//sebajisoka

Deadly Waters

Let me share some insights and revelation about parting of the sea. 

I'm pretty fascinated with Bible stories that include the sea or any water in that sense. 2 of my favorite stories are when Jesus walks on water (Matthew 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-56; John 6:16-24) and when He calms the storm (Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25.). 

I watched a YouTube video summarizing the book of Joshua. It was mentioned that Joshua did something Moses has done in the past, like teaching them the Torah, sending spies to the promised land, and the parting of the sea. I realized that the old testament is about parting the sea but I don't remember a significant story about the new testament parting of the sea, the new testament is about walking over the sea.

Now, I'm wondering that does it mean? Why does God stop parting the sea? Both goals are to pass through it. But I think this is pretty significant for some reason. Well, this morning, while listening to preaching for our Sunday Service, God revealed something to me and makes my whole morning in goosebump. 

In the Old Testament, people pass through waters to go on the other side. The water can symbolize a dead-end. In Moses' narrative its a hindrance from passing through, it can cause death over his people. In the New Testament - The water here symbolizes death. Jesus walking on water is a picture of His grand victory over death. Peter walking on water is God's gift of salvation - that we don't need to fear the storm over us as it has been overcome. 

From Old Testament to New Testament. From avoiding death to overcoming death.

Jesus did it. 

//DeadlyWaters

//sebajisoka

Post-Pandemic Food trip

This pandemic makes me crave for these mouth-watering food. Sorry for causing you this trouble as well. But I will make a mini-bucket list of food to eat after this pandemic.

Ramen - Well, I've been watching Naruto and this is all his fault. 

Samgyup - Samgyup sa bahay is an option though. 

Buffet - Sambokojin please?

Salted-Egg Chicken - No other than Frankie's

Pizza - S&R?

Xiao Long Bao anywhere. Binondo maybe?

Photo credits: 

spot.ph

taraletsanywhere.com 

sambokojin.com

pepper.ph

zomato.com

//sebajisoka