Looking through the window, all I see is the dark sky and the heavy rain pouring; my hair blown by the strong wind. Heartbreaking news played on TV a few meters from where I stood. The only thing I can feel is the warmth of my palms. At that point, it occurred to me that I am beyond blessed.

Mother Nature had been grumpy for the past week, devastating thousands of souls. Flash flood wrecked Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City & Negros Oriental; Water rises in some parts of Cebu City; a 5.1 magnitude earthquake stroked Surigao del Sur; and now, some Mindanao and Visayas provinces are on high-alert for over-flowing rivers. Overwhelming and scary, right?

And so as this one word: Cancer. Isn’t it interesting how one word can send shivers down your spine? And how that one diagnosis changes everyone’s life? Shattering as it may seem, there are children who suffer from cancer as early as three or four. A Christmas Village of Hope at SM Cebu North Wing Atrium is just one way of helping these children. Mr. Joji Tugonon  together with his family and the Kythe Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting pediatric cancer patients, made this set-up: a mini village.  Each “house” may be adopted for P5, 000 and a train/carriage for P20, 000 wherein the individual or corporate donor’s name is identified with a marker.

Isn’t this lovely? and full-filling? For more inquiries, visit SM Cebu North Wing.

It’s during these times that I remind myself that I have everything I needed in life. I see many people are going through hard times –pain and suffering. And it breaks my heart. I am comforted for the fact that I have my family –my parents who are very loving and compassionate in guiding me through every step.

…plus! I get to have coffee once in a while, or, errrr, everyday?haha (I’m one week caffeine-sober and I badly miss it that I needed to insert this one here. Sorry!)

There’s one thing I am proud of being Pinoy: that although Sendong brought the Christmas spirit of the people down, it’s the compassion of those who helped that gave the victims hope! I do believe that there’s more to life than the pain. It’s good to know there is hope. Even in the darkest of times, it’s there.

And for those who still wanna help, especially those who are Cebu-based, Join the “Don’t just drink to life, Drink FOR LIFE” event!Drink-all-you-can on Local Beers and Tanduay Ice for P200.00 per person. Drink to your heart’s desire. Desire for celebration and desire for restoration as ALL proceeds go out to the victims of Typhoon SENDONG. We don’t only raise our glasses to life, we raise hopes FOR life. Donations in Cash and Kind will also be accepted. Event will also serve as a drop-off area for donated goods. All CASH donations will be provided with an Official Receipt from Sacred Heart School Alumni office. All proceeds will be used to purchase drinking water. In cooperation with Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, the school will be sending all goods to Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro and will be distributed through Fr. Eric Velandria SJ, head of “relief operation: Tabang Sendong”.

And at the same night, shop the closet of some of Cebu’s notable Fashion Bloggers: Eden Villarba of Chic in the Tropics, Vanessa East of One Frozen Margarita and Rabsin de la Cruz of Philippine Street Fashion!

Hope is believing that tomorrow could be better than today. That things will turn out the way it should be. Pray. Believe it.

-xoxo

Jem