Heroes of my Life: Ate Rhea

It took me exactly one year before I can come up with the next post that involves my well-loved family: Youth for Christ. As they say, it’s better late than never, right? So, I think I can actually use that phrase in this site.

I am deeply sorry for the long inactivity of this site. I am super, duper, mega, giga, terra busy for the past few months. I’m still busy, of course, with so much requirements and stuff (student’s life). But I’m terribly stricken by my conscience. Especially when someone actually begged me to post more. And that someone is my one and only… fan? *<laugh>*.  Nah, she (yeah, a girl) is my protégé. And I am her, eherm, mentor. What a nice setting.

Anyways, here it is. As promised, this post will be dedicated to all those people that, in one way or another, have shared their lives with me (and vice versa). This is for those people whom I was with in serving God through YFC. This is for those people who made my life extra special.

Let us start again with…

This time, I don’t have to introduce her to you. ‘Coz I already did. Of course, I have to start with her because it all started with her. So, I think logic counts, huh. I especially love that smile. So sincere. So true. And, oh, a guitar. Maybe I could include that Ate Rhea was among those people who inspired me to thrive hard in learning how to play the guitar. Yap. Guitar was hip during my high school. If you don’t how to play it, you’re out. You’re an outcast. A cancer to the society. Kidding. But, partly true. You see, almost everyone knows how to make sounds with a guitar during my tween years. Not just that saw-like, ear-splitting sounds you make when you strum the guitar with Mars-invented musical chords. Nah! That would screw everything. What I mean is, tunes that are tuned with human being-understood songs. And I don’t want to belong to those groups of people who can only make sounds with a triangle, or a tin can. I wanna be in, man. Whoah, talk about status quo. So, that’s it. I started studying the basics of guitar-playing. You know, with basic chords like G, A, C, D, E, B, Bm, Fm, F#m, B#m, etc. And, of course, the rhythmic, synchronized, and it-should-have-the same-number-of-strum-upward-and-strum-downward-rule strumming. But as time goes by, and you actually managed to play one whole, unedited human being-understood song with a guitar, you would realize that the number of strums upward could always be different with the number of strums downward. It’s up to you. As long as it sounds good, and it fits the song. And after the basics, you are now ready to learn a little bit more complicated chords like, G#m7, C#M7, DbM, F#maug, and BbM7augdim (oh, my!). And plucking comes next. You know, that type of playing the guitar when you just make sound by literally plucking the string one by one. For better comprehension, go to YouTube and search for Sungha Jung.

Geez, I said a lot. About guitar. And here’s another thing about guitar. I actually doubled my effort in learning to play the guitar ‘coz I really wanted to use it as an accompaniment when I sing praise songs. Sometimes, it’s not enough when you could just memorize the song and sing old-school way: a Capella. It’s way better if you sing it with a guitar. You could really feel the song. Especially when your heart desired and needed a reflection. And another better idea is to sing it at the top of the mountain. The tallest mountain in your locality would do. So, remember to bring a guitar when you decided to go mountaineering.

Ok, enough with guitars. Let’s talk about henna tattoos. ‘Coz Ate Rhea happens to have one on her lower left arm. I have nothing against henna tat. ‘Coz it’s temporary. What I don’t like is the real tat. I mean, oh, I’ll not say anything.

Let’s just talk about the girl in the pic. Youth for Christ would not be complete if this girl wasn’t a part of it. I mean, let’s face it, she did everything there is to be done in serving God. Especially in YFC. She’s a great leader, and a very good adviser. And she could be one of the bestest friends you could ever have when you get the chance to get close to her. She also happens to have 10 billion good vibes that are up for grabs for everyone. You really just can’t help but admire this SUPER WOMAN. Everything about her is SUPER. And I mean it. Everything I learned about God started with her. If it wasn’t for Ate Rhea, and her wonderful service team during my youth camp, I would never grow and become what I am now.

Ate Rhea also went through tough times. That’s how life really works, right? As I have mentioned in a previous post, this is her 7^th life. Now, can you dig that? I kinda remember the occasions where Ate Rhea almost lost her life. But not all seven. And I’m not really sure if could divulge that here. I mean, it’s personal. And I need special permission from her. She also suffered great loss. Her mother, whom she loves so much, died not too long ago. She was in Manila at the time. In fact, as far as I remember, she’s in a trek when she received a call bearing the sad news.

But despite all these, Ate Rhea still stood up and her faith never was wavered. Intact, strong, overflowing! Kudos!

Maybe I’ll just talk about how Ate Rhea touched my life. And changed it. Of course, everything started in my youth camp. But it did not end there. That Youth Camp was just the beginning of a fun-filled journey with God. And with all the other YFC’s I met along the way.

Various activities and gatherings followed the camp. Spearheaded, of course, by Ate Rhea. There’s the Fellowship, a few days (I think) after the camp. This was where I saw how the YFC’s spend time together. Spend time not just with each other, but also with God. The Fellowship started with worship. There are idiot boards (Manila paper) scattered all around the place, so, beginners like us could actually sing with the group. And honestly, during that time, it was still a mystery to me why the other YFC’s (almost all the old ones) were raising their hands while singing. Others clap (including me) while others just stood up, singing. I understand the clapping (well, in my own standards before). I thought clapping will enhance the musical arrangements of the songs. How silly of me.  But I couldn't raise my hand the way they did. It just felt awkward. So, I really couldn’t blame those new YFC’s now if they can’t raise their hands while worshipping God. And much more, those who are not YFC’s yet who, in one out of three million, four hundred thirty-two thousand, five hundred three chances, happen to get across and see YFC’s doing the worship. How could I not? I used to be like them.

There are games, presentations by group (according to the group organized during the camp), and, of course, FOOOOOOOODS! To cap it all up, it was F-U-N!

After it was Covenant Orientation. This is where we were oriented about our covenant as YFC’s. Uhm, it’s obvious, right? And we were given Youth for Christ ID’s. Epic! I still have mine, safe and sound in my wallet. The ID contains the covenant statement as Youths for Christ we ought to follow and keep at all times. Sadly, few remember it by now. The orientation, as I remember, had four talks, where Kuya Mel, Kuya Jaype, Ate Rhea, and Ate Reza were the speakers. I really just can’t remember which talk belonged to whom. What I can remember is that it’s all about loving, honoring and serving God, family, fellow Youths for Christ, and the country.

What followed was the Household training. How can I ever forget this day? This training made me walk around the school blindfolded, with a partner who shouts directions on what to do and where to go and was prohibited to touch you. Bummer! What made it bummerer, was that my partner’s voice was not the only voice around. That’s why my partner was shouting. The service team members, who played as villains (they’d try to misdirect you by shouting “go left!”, “go right!”, “jump!”, “oh! There’s a hole, jump!”, “ewww, there’s a _______ ahead!”, “sit!”, “roll over!”, “tongue out!”, “play dead!”, and “oh, my! A Tyrannosaurus Rex! Run!”), really were villains. What, with the noise and commotions around, how in the world could I distinguish my partner’s voice? But we managed to go back safely and realized that there were no holes, ___________, and most especially, no Tyrannosaurus Rex around. Oh, man!

There was also this task they call “Rope of Life”. And mind you, this is one heck of a ride (and fun!). Just try to imagine one end of a rope in a nice position and the other end is also in a nice position. Here’s the catch, before you could reach the other end, you would pass under a concrete bench, over a tree, around a pole, in between trunks, over and under and over concrete bench again, etc. And to make it a little bit more twisty, you’ll do this baaaaalindfolded again (that’s what you call Extreme!). But this time, we were grouped with ten members each. We were asked to hold the rope (beginning end) and the first one in our group was made the leader. And this time, there will be no instructions and DISTRACTIONS from the team. The group leader will start the epic journey while we, the followers, well, uhm… followed, blindfolded and holding the rope at ALL TIMES until we reach the other end of the rope. At the end, when all of our groupmates made it alive out of the obstacle, they made us shout a phrase. Sadly, I couldn't remember what the phrase was. But I'm sure it's not "We want Peace. Not War!". It was tiring, and hot (having done the activity under the heat of the sun), but AWESOME! 

And… and… the very memorable phrase “Brothers and Sisters, catch me! I’m falling!” followed. This is legendary, man. And I considered myself soooooo lucky having been given the opportunity to experience this. It’s like this; I was standing, at least, 4-7 meters above the ground, blindfolded again (by the way, I got there blindfolded firsthand), I was asked to place my arms in an x manner in front my chest (my left hand touching my right shoulder and the right touching my left shoulder), and I WAS ASKED TO LET MY BODY FALL BACKWARDS (DOWNWARDS!) after saying, “Brothers and Sisters, catch me! I’m falling!”

I still can recall how it felt. It was awesome but took a lot of energy from me. Not to mention the chills I had. But, of course, they did not let me hit the ground. The service team was at my back hunched together with their hands extended and holding each other to provide me a safe landing (although I still felt pain. You know, sharp bone ends. *<laugh>*).

Well. Trust is what the whole training is for. Learn to trust and be trustworthy.

Those were just three activities I had and it was already fun-filled! How about the other 376,543 more?

And Ate Rhea led it all. I owe her a lot! I owe her everything I learned in life. How to handle it. How to manage it. And how to make the best of it. And spending it with God is the best thing you could ever do in your life. From her experiences, I gathered ideas on how to face tough times. From her teachings, I grew up. From her friendliness, I valued friendship. From her Love for God, I learned to love God myself. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

And I’ll just add this. Ate Rhea is also a nature-lover. In fact, she organized a group of spelunkers which she christened ISLANDERS. It’s actually an acronym. I just can’t remember the meaning. It’s a group of equally nature-loving pips who fight for the nature with their advocacies. They also have their own adventures. They go to places like mountains, caves and volcanoes? Kidding. See. She really is a super woman.

A Super Woman who once touched my life and made it SUPER too. A Super Woman who I can never ever forget. That’s ATE RHEA. By the way, she calls herself “Eya” now. Cute, isn’t it? I agree. So, that’s ATE EYA!

There you have it. The first one in line. I’ll just have to make a special post for those other people who I was with during my heydays in YFC. Keep in touch and watch out who will the next SUPER MAN/WOMAN on the line. See yah!

Here are pics of and with Ate Rhea I personally kept in my albums. Enjoy!

I had this pic during my Anak’s 18^th birthday. That’s Ate Rhea leading the opening prayer. And somehow, that girl in light green (my sister actually) managed to look at the camera just on time. Splendid!

We were wearing some kind of fluffy, colored headdresses. Funny. And Ate Rhea really was concentrating. Nice one there. And, oh, that lady in pink is my one and only protégé: Protégé Fides. But I don’t have any idea whose hair is that. There, at the back. And the girl at the middle is my sister.

Ate Rhea in her excellent pose. That fluffy thing still in her head *<giggle>*. And that guy really is happy about something.

That’s not Ate Rhea. I told you, it’s my protégé. I included this pic because Ate Rhea is indeed there. Somehow, she also managed to look at the cam just at the nick of time. And take a look at that eye. There, just left of Fides. Now, that’s my eye. Lovely. Of course, I will not forget that lady in white. That’s Ate Vanie, one of Ate Rhea’s best friends and one of the best leaders YFC has ever seen.

Ooh. Ate Rhea is at the back. Ate Vanie is also at the back. And just kindly look for me.

What we have here is a best friend’s best friend pic. See, that girl in blue gown (My Anak) is best friends with that lady in white (Ate Vanie) who in turn is best friends with that lady in, uhm, red? Or orange (Ate Rhea)? Sorry, I’m kinda color-blinded. But, whatever. And those three are my friends.

Despite the fact that this pic is solely dedicated for that phone, I included this because Ate Rhea is visible. And I especially love the arrangements of those balloons. And, of course, that’s my lil’ sis.

Stolen. Caught in the act. Holla.

Those balloons really are awesome. And Ate Rhea is just so cute with that Korea-influenced-finger pose. Me and Ate Vanie couldn’t help smiling.

Wow, I belong. Me and my Anak are at the back. And Ate Rhea, with big smile, on the left, is, uhm, smiling? *<laughs>*

Here we are again fighting about the government fallacies. Ate Rhea and Ate Vanie, on the other hand, were just eating. 

If there is something I love about birthdays, it’s foooooooods! I think, all of us in this pic showed it.

Here we are again with our fluffy headdresses. And you should notice Ate Rhea’s favorite color. Man, orange phone, orange shirt, and orange fluffy headdress? Tell me, it’s orange, right?

Now, that’s Ate Rhea in action. She’s having her talk in this pic. I was so glad I was able to participate in this activity. This gathering is called “Kamusta si Kristo sa puso mo?”. And I really couldn’t help but notice the color of her shirt: ORANGE! I think this was held during the love month. I just can't remember the exact year.

  

See, this is a picture of Ate Rhea at a top of a mountain. I told you, she’s a lover of nature’s beauty ‘coz it’s God’s gift. And she loves spelunking. And here’s another proof of her devotion over orange things, orange shades. I think the head gear is also orange, I really can’t tell. Apologies.

This pic was taken during our Yahoo! YFC Christmas Party. See, there? That’s Ate Rhea with peace sign and Kuya Brent rockin’ and rollin’ with the “You Rock” sign.

Now this one is epic. Ate Rhea (in all orange) and Kuya Mamoy in one pic! I can feel the power, man! This pic was taken during the YFC Restored Youth Camp of batch 13. Kuya Mamoy was there to be a part of the team and to be the speaker of the fifth talk. By the way, Kuya Mamoy, at that time, was the Provincial Youth Head. Really spectacular! And Ate Rhea was the 4th speaker for the 4th talk: Receiving God's Gift: the Holy Spirit. The only talk in the Youth Camp Manual I wasn't able to be the speaker of. I just don't know if I am worthy.

Still in YFC Restored Youth camp. Ate Rhea with my Anak with all teeth exposed.  What a big smile!

Now, this one is another proof of how much love Ate Rhea has for the youth. You see, this was the day she went home because of her mother’s untimely death. But despite the great loss, Ate Rhea granted our request to be the speaker for the first talk. And I just couldn't help but admire her courage and devotion to the youth. Thank you so much, Ate.

Oh, by the way, this event is called “Highlights III: Jump for Unity”. In this pic, I’m whispering something to Ate. The only problem is I can’t remember what that whisper’s all about.

Ate Rhea on her talk. I remember the story of two friends having two different worlds: One religious and the other party party. It somehow struck me, how I couldn’t ask my other friends to go with me in serving God. Shame.

And that’s us. Ate Rhea, Ate Vanie and me, with one of my favorite persons in the whole, wide world, Ate Rose!

The next pics were taken during our fellowship in 2010. Unfortunately, this is the last fellowship I had had with Ate Rhea. Nonetheless, it was fun-filled with God with us.

Ate Rhea brought her tent at the fellowship. So, we, uhm, helped in, uhm, making it stand? *<laughs>*

I think we’re having our sharing here. See how serious they are in this pic?

I really can’t remember what exactly they were doing in this pic. I think Ate Cherry Anne is as perplexed as me.

Group pic! I love group pics. And I love that butterfly on Ate Rhea’s shirt. Reminds me of something.

Something is making Ate Rhea happy in this pic. And, uhm, whose hand is that? At the back were the YFC’s from Landusan. They willingly gave their time to be part of the fellowship. and I am just so grateful of it.

Ate Rhea is thinking in this pic. Wonder what could it be? Any idea?

I love how this pic was shot. See, it looks like Ate Rhea is watching us from afar. Awesome.

“Stretch your arms!”

There goes that hand again.

I really love that smile. And Ate Vanie’s too. That girl in violet is my other sister. Camera shy?

Butterfly!

Ate Rhea doing some instructions. And me, raising my hands.

I’m raising my hands again. And Joyce was just shocked about it.

I really don’t know what’s happening that time. It’s as if someone famous walked by. Angelina J.?

Well. Awarding ceremonies. And I can’t blame the winners if they were shocked, lost for words, and happy at the same time when they received their prizes. I mean, how many times in your life could you get 1 box of crayons as a prize? How about pencil? Sharpener? Congratulations!

This is byebye time. Till next time.

This last two pics were taken just as we landed in Oson International Airport. We just went home after attending three days and two nights of fun-filled Provincial Youth Conference in Bobon, Northern Samar Last May, 2010. Ate Rhea weren’t with us, but because of God’s Divine Intervention, we were together in this pic. You see, Ate Rhea was already on the plane when we arrived there. She was about to go home too. See, how magical things are? And that certificate she’s holding was one of our awards in that conference. There were three, actually.

I think that’s all I have in my albums. But I think that’s enough to show how much I am grateful that God made a way for Ate Rhea and me to become what we are now. And of course, to all the other YFC’s I met along the way.

May the good spirits protect all of you.