For Sale Office Space in Ortigas.. Please contact me if interested.. :)

Office space in Ortigas area.. Please contact me if interested.. :)

inspirational message to the Rotary graduates

mariecell at the stage

9TH COMMENCEMENT EXERCISE
Rotary Foundation Computer Skills Training Center for PWD
April 29, 2011
Lispher Inn- Matina - Function Room E
Mariecell M. Fornis

Good afternoon everyone!

In my younger years, I’ve always been dreaming of having a successful career and a happy family of my own. I often imagine myself working in a very prestigious company, clicking my work all the way in front of a computer, wearing an office suit – a skirt, blouse and blazer. It’s an ecstasy for me to think about carrying a laptop of my own, walking with my high heeled shoes, putting make-ups on and driving my own car going to the office, all these in my dreams.

The horrible night of February 16, has vanished my dreams in a twinkling of an eye. My family and I met a vehicular accident that has lost my eyesight. I was then a graduating college student with the degree in Bachelor in Computer Technology of the University of Southeastern Philippines. Since then, my life has never been the same, it made a total twist. It’s like facing through a dark opaque glass and I thought my dreams would never come anymore to a reality.

I never give up. I never stop dreaming. I still keep on believing that somehow a brighter future, in the dark moments of my life, is waiting for me. Most importantly, my faith and trust in God is still intact.

When a door is closed, another one is opened. I lost my eyes but I’ve met lots of friends. The Rotary Foundation Computer Skills Training Center is one of the instrumental organizations, which has nurtured me to be a more productive and functional being. Like you, I’m also a graduate from this institution. The Center honed my skills and encouraged me to stand strong. As long as I live, my family and I are forever grateful to this Institution, to Sir Darling, Tatay Jun Boromeo and Tito Axel Borseux.

Our dreams may come true, despite all circumstances - if we have the courage to pursue them. My work right now has not been remote from what I used to dream of. I’m currently working as a secretary to the executive director of a Singapore-based Genashtim Innovative Learning. I’m doing secretarial job online in the comfort of our own house. My task includes arranging flight and hotel bookings for my boss and his family, maintaining his flight schedules summary, arranging restaurant and other reservations, taking phone calls, doing follow-ups, and performing other administrative tasks for the company. You see, I’m still working in front of the computer. I might not be able to do fancy things anymore, but I’m happy and I love my work.

Majority of the people engaged in Genashtim Innovative Learning are PWDs. We are doing online jobs at home. The company has different projects, which are suitable to people like us. The Abled online, for example, needs some technically skilled personnel and Sir Darling is one of the staffs behind. We also have EPIC online, which requires good English communication skills. Some of the requirements of the company are technical skills, the facility of its employees in good English communication and most of all a PC and stable internet connection at home. Good attitude towards work, patience and determination are the most important ingredients to have a successful career. Genashtim doesn’t employ PWD because he pitied on us, empathized or sympathised with us. They employ us because the management believes in our skills, capabilities and knowledge, and that we can be of great help to company’s success.

Employment opportunity for PWD here in the Philippines is very difficult. The competition is so tough not only for us but also for the abled. Let us not be discouraged. We should have to double our effort and equip ourselves with the necessary tools. Let us continue to develop our capacities. Huge opportunities out there, I believe, are enormous. Your graduation today in this training center is already a big step to success.

In this seeming darkness, life has always been beautiful to me. I may no longer see the colors of this world again, but I know I still can paint colors in the lives of others!
Daghang salamat ug maayong hapon kaninyong tanan!

Composed by: Mariecell M. Fornis
Edited by: Dr. Romel V. Gador

Looking Back and Seeing the Present of my 8 years in Blindness

Walking Through the Light of God

me before the accident on my yellow blouse

I am twenty-eight now, and the last eight years of my life have been much different than I could ever have imagined at the beginning of 2002. At that time, I was a graduating college student scheduled to receive the Bachelor in Computer Technology at the University of Southeastern Philippines at the end of March, 2002. I loved my family and they loved me, and I had a wonderful boyfriend who had been with me for three years. I imagined our life together and my working career.

Then, on the night of February 16, 2002, my boyfriend and I were riding in a car with my father, going home after picking up my younger sister from her JS Prom, when we came upon a road construction site that had no flares or warning devices. Trying to avoid the hazard, my father lost control of the car and we crashed.

me with Fr. Bebot and friends at the hospital 2 months after the accident

     My boyfriend had only some minor facial bruises and my sister was not seriously hurt. My father had to undergo major surgery and was on crutches for almost six months as he recovered. But I was more seriously injured, and would spend almost four months in my hospital bed. Initially the doctors gave me only a 70/30 chance to even survive. There were bandages all over my body, but the worst trauma was to my face and head. There were many stitches to repair the lacerations. There was a tracheostomy tube in my throat to let me breathe and multiple jaw fractures and displaced teeth, so there were braces and wires to support them, and I could not speak or eat. I could only communicate with people through writing or by making signs. There was an NG tube to feed me (a "nasogastric" tube, through one nostril and down into my stomach) and I could not take any solid foods for four months.

     And, I was blind. The doctors said that my eyes were so badly damaged that they could not be saved – that if they had been left, they would have only become infected and the infection would likely have spread to my brain and killed me, so my family had to agree to have my eyes removed. So from that moment in February, I am completely and permanently blind and my eyes are both artificial. (We have said, better to lose my sight than to lose my life, although it almost sure I would never have been able to see with my eyes, even if they could have been saved.)

     Knowing that I could so readily have died, I am grateful to God that I’m alive right now. He gave me a second chance to live. He never left us, and even sent instruments to help my family go through this tragedy. While still in the hospital my family and my boyfriend never left me, and my friends, professors, relatives, and neighbors were there to give me enormous support. They all made me feel so special, and that gave me an assurance that I wasn’t alone.

    My eagerness in life has motivated me to move on. The university decided to award me my diploma because I already had completed my thesis and met all my requirements before the accident happened. As soon as my fractured legs were healed and I was discharged from the hospital, I went to the Davao School and Rehabilitation for Visually Impaired. There, I studied Braille, even while having seven reconstructive surgeries on my jaws. Once I had learned how to write and read Braille, they endorsed me to the Rotary Foundation Computer Skills Training Center to pursue my studies in computers. It enabled me to apply all my knowledge and skills on computers as a university graduate in computer technology. The Rotary then introduced me to the UCCP Social Concern Foundation for my Mobility Orientation. While having my studies in Rotary, I also went to Resources for the Blind, Inc. for my further studies in computer and for my personal needs like Braille paper, Braille magazines, and others.

   In 2006, I took the 6-month computer literacy course in ATRIEV. Away from my family for the first time, I tried my best to brave the city life in Manila. I completed my ATRIEV training and I was awarded the “U21 Global Student of the Year for 2006.” After graduation, I was given transcription work by ATRIEV. At present, I am the main transcriptionist for ATRIEV’s account with the Philippine Olympic Committee. Even now as I am back in Davao, I still continue to receive transcription work where I earn even from home. Training with ATRIEV in Manila gives me new career options and gives me a more optimistic attitude toward my future.

    There have been trials and struggles, however. My boyfriend stayed with me through the early times and supported me tremendously in putting my life back together. Unfortunately, after 2 years, things changed. We lost communication and decided to move on after a relationship of more than five years. All the sacrifices and the faithful love ended in nothing. I was hurt and sad, but no choice but to move on.

    God will never give us a trial more than what we can handle.   I’ve met new friends and they continue to be here for me. I thank God because I came to know them through my situation. They all helped me in my financial, emotional, physical and spiritual struggles.

    I feel so blessed and thankful that God put me into this situation because through my disability I’ve come to know special people and new friends. And I have received opportunities and gained achievements that I never had when I was still sighted.( These opportunities even brought me to Manila where I rode on a plane for the very first time.)

   Right now, I can already manage to walk by myself using my cane. I am now also equipped with some of the latest technologies for the blind. I now have a personal computer with JAWS and a Nokia 6600 cell phone with Mobile Speak. These devices were all gifts from the people I’ve met because of my disability. It helps me to become more independent in my life. It has been the biggest part of my success right now. I can navigate through computers, surf in the net, check my email, chatting with friends using a screen reader and even texting. Without this aids, I won’t be able to work independently. I’m also proud to say that I can still manage to bake some cakes and pastries. Now I know that even though I am blind, I can still do things a person without a disability do – that disability is not a hindrance to your success. It is only my eyes that are gone.

    Last August 2009 was my first corporate world experience, as I worked as a voicemail transcriptionist at Gallop IT Solutions in Ortigas, Pasig City. Unfortunately, the company closed two of their accounts, and one of those accounts was the one that we were using. I had thought it was already the fulfillment of my dreams.

     Right now, back in Davao again and moving on with my life, I am still doing POC transcription jobs from ATRIEV, still earning while I’m at home. I am currently enrolled on a medical transcription course with a scholarship grant of TESDA and Rotary Club of Matina-Davao, carrying all the learning, skills and memories that I have gained with my Gallop IT experience.

     Everything that happens in our lives is God’s plan and purpose. He has plans for us even before we were born. In Christ we can do all things because He is the one who will provide us the strength to face anything that comes our way. I don’t see my disability as a hindrance to my success; instead I see it as a challenge to strive better. In 2008, discerning to become a nun, I went for a search-in at Sisters of Christian Charity. I stayed there for almost a year, but, in God’s will and plan, I left the convent last March. All we have to do is surrender our lives to the Most High, our Lord Jesus Christ. Have faith and trust in Him and He will do the rest.

      My living without my eyes now is my cross that I will carry on for the rest of my life. But this cross becomes a blessing in my life. It helps me to experience the love of my family, relatives, neighbors and friends. It helps me realize that God is good and He really does miracles here on earth. Though He didn’t restore my sight, he never left me in the midst of my struggles. He showered me with lots of blessings so I can live with my disability without difficulty. Everything that happens in our lives is God’s plan. And one of His plans for me is to be in my situation right now. Right now I have so much joy, love, care and blessings from God. I believe that I have become a blessings to others because of the inspiration they feel when they see how I have been facing this life’s challenges.

me at my work station at Gallop... still pretty and simple as always... hahahaha!

Mariecell's Special Puto Cheese

Mariecell’s special Puto Cheese

Ingredients:

4 cups flour
4 tsp. Baking powder
½ cup butter
2 cups white sugar
2 pcs. Eggs
1 small can evaporated milk
2 cups water
¼ cups grated cheese
Cheese sliced into small strips

Procedure:

1. In one big bowl, sift the flour and baking powder then mix.
2. In separate bowl, mix the butter and sugar. Then put the eggs. Mix. Pour the milk. Mix. Then put the flour mixture alternate with the water. Then put the grated cheese. Mix.
3. Cook it on a steamer with small plastic container. Top with the sliced strips of cheese. Makes 30 to 35 servings.

Love, Wealth, Success

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I
know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat.."

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked. 

"No", she replied. "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in", they replied. 

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. 

"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!" 

The woman went out and invited the men in"

"We do not go into a House together," they replied. 

"Why is that?" she asked.

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am
Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home." 

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said.. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth.
Let him come and fill our home with wealth!" 

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house.. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love?
Our home will then be filled with love!"

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife. 

"Go out and invite Love to be our guest." 

The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited
Love, Why are you coming in?"

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes,
we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"

MY WISH FOR YOU...
-Where there is pain, I wish you peace and mercy. 
-Where there is self-doubting, I wish you a renewed confidence in your ability to work through it. 
-Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I wish you understanding, patience, and renewed strength. 
-Where there is fear, I wish you love, and courage. 

The Truth About Flores de Mayo and Santa Cruzan

The truth about Santa Cruzan and Flores de Mayo
By Gil Alfredo B. Severino

MONSIGNOR Guillermo "Gigi" Gaston, who is presently serving as consultant to the National Commission on Culture and Arts based in Negros, seriously expressed strong disapproval over the way the Catholic Church celebrated "Santa Cruzan" and "Flores de Mayo".

Gaston decried the confusion over these two separate events and how the Catholic Church allowed the "vandalization" of their historicity and sacredness.

Traditionally, Santa Cruzan is celebrated at the beginning of May while Flores de Mayo at the end of the month, Gaston said.

"Santa Cruzan is based on Emperatriz Elena's effort to find the cross of Jesus when she commissioned the excavation of Mt. Calvary. When found, she led a procession to offer the cross in a church. His son Constantine the Great was a little boy, then," Gaston explained.

Today, we see a fashion show of gowns, beautiful girls and boys in their teens, at times their parents fought for the coveted Reyna Elena title, Gaston said.

In other places, movie stars paraded themselves and the Catholic Church never explained the event, Santa Cruzan must lead people to the Cross, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Gaston added.

"Everything must point to the Cross of Jesus Christ. The celebration need not be grand. But if there's beauty and expenses involved, people must see to it that it must point to the Cross," Gaston said.

Gaston added he wrote a paper on this once and gave it to the City Tourism Office but still it remains unheeded.

Meanwhile, Gaston explained Flores de Mayo is the crowning of the Virgin Mary with flowers celebrated by children after a month of catechism classes.

"Flores de Mayo is for the spiritual development of children. This is not connected with Santa Cruzan. Without children's catechism, Flores de Mayo is meaningless," Gaston explained.

"That is why Jose Rizal has a play where an angel and a devil were fighting over children not to let them enter the church. Eventually, the angel won and all children celebrated inside the church," he recalled.

lost in the track

There came a point in my life where I’m already determined and focused on what I wanted in my life. I want to become a nun. I’ve crossed rivers, walk in a thorny paths, and even stumbled and got up again just to reach my goal in life. As I battle those obstacles that blocked my way, I was gone astray and destructed. I was bewildered on which way to trail, whether to turn left or to turn right. But one thing I’m sure of, I need to continue walking. Hoping in the end I can find my home. I believe that as I journey life, Papa Jesus is always at my side all the time, guiding my way. He’s my light that illuminates my way. He’s my armor to battle challenges and trials I’ve encountered along /my way.

Enjoy life just like mine

Long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered. Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.

Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, “Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."

The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.

One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed. Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. .

Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny so enjoy every day as yours…

Good chills

This will give you the chills........

GOOD chills...

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice

The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?"

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message.
Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, "God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey."

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.

He shook his head and said out loud, "God is that you?" He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.

But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.

The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.

"Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk." It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.

As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, "Turn Down that street."

This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.

Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.

At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. !

Half jokingly, he said out loud, "Okay, God, I will."

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed some! Thing, “Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street." The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

"Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going to be mad and I will look stupid." Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, "Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here."

He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, "Who is it? What do you want?" Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a! Strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. "What is it?"

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, "Here, I brought this to you." The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.

Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.

The man began speaking and half crying, "We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk."

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, "I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?"

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face.

He knew that God still answers prayers.

Sometimes it's the simplest things that God asks us to do that cause us, if we are obedient to what He's asking, to be able to hear. His voice more clear than ever. Please listen, and obey! It will bless you (and the world). Phil 4:13

I am troubled...

There are times in our life that we really have to choose. To decide if what’s really best and the right thing to do or which way we should follow. And in the point of my life, I’m on that stage. I didn’t know what to do with my life. I’m afraid to make decision.

At present, I’m still troubled whether to continue or not in my desire of religious life. Right now, I was out in the convent for the meantime because there’s something I need to settle first. I need to face it because I can’t do both things at the same time. I cannot focus my life inside the convent if I’m there. I don’t know what God wants to tell me of this situation.

With that situation, I think God has his own ways in showing us the way in our journey of life. He uses some certain situations in our life. It can be difficult or easy and happy or sad moment in our life. If we make decision we should follow God for if we follow our own way we may regret it in the end, for if we follow God we can say that it is the best decision because God knows what’s best for me.

I’m still praying for my decision. I need to think… think… think… and pray… pray… pray… And offer this to our Lord Jesus Christ.