Showing posts with label Passion for Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passion for Family. Show all posts

15 Minutes of Desperation

Sunday, April 18, 2010 0 comments

I experienced losing sight of my 2 year old son, Sev, for about 15 minutes. It was the longest 15 minutes of my life. We were in a mall filled with people and there were lots of other kids. I was called out by one of the salespeople because I accidentally left something. It was only for three seconds that looked away from my boy, then he was already gone! I started telling myself, 'okay don't panic he's just here somewhere.' I then started to ask other people if they have seen an adventurous little boy wearing an orange shirt with curly hair. I searched high and low, front and back, going to every nook and cranny of the sections of the department store. My heart started pumping fast and my imagination was running wild. I was desperate! Until a comforting message came upon me from one of my friends in community who crossed my path. He said,'don't worry your wife already found him.' Suddenly all the panic and pressure was gone. What a relief!

What or who do we hold dear in our lives? What or who can't we live without for more than a minute? There are many things we deem important; our degrees, career, possessions, knowledge, connections, and wealth. These are seemingly important things we value in our life. These things though, are replaceable and temporary. What should matter are the things that last. These are our friends, family and most specially our faith. Friends who enrich our lives, family whom we love dearly, and our faith that gives meaning to our existence. These are lasting and most important. It is sad to know that many people are willing to loose them, not for a minute, but even for years. Some even go through life without the slightest effort to embrace these 3 f's.

May we be alarmed when we lose sight of our friends, family, and our faith. May we search for them with much urgency and desperation, until we are reunited and embraced by these precious gifts from God.

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The Family: Together in Every Situation!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008 0 comments



A weekend of family bonding, fun, learning, and adventure! That’s what happened in the KFC Family TIES Camp at the BSP Camp in Laguna on June 7-8, 2008. There were 7 wonderful families that participated from different sectors of Metro Manila.

“Masarap tumulong sa pamilya,” shared a 4 year old participant after going through one of the activities. The camp brought out the best in each member of the family, even “bunso” contributed a great deal in the activities.

One of the highlights of the camp was the series of obstacle courses that the family had to go through. The courses were very challenging, and not all members in the family had the physical ability to accomplish the task. There was a rope climbing obstacle that the teen siblings were more capable of doing. There was a mini tunnel that only the kids can fit in. Mom and Dad took on the more demanding challenges as the children cheer them on. Each of them had a role to play just like in real life.

The inspiration of the the Family TIES camp comes from (1 Cor 12:26) “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.” The Lord exhorts the family to be there for each other both in times of plenty and in times of need, in times of joy and moments of sadness. T.I.E.S. is an acronym of “Together In Every Situation” and that’s what I saw in the families that participated. The weekend was full of perfect moments for the family, memories that they can cherish and hold on to in the future.

If you’re family hasn’t been into a Family TIES camp, I encourage you to join one. If you’re a KFC Coordinator, you can organize this activity in your own area. One of the four major goals of the KFC ministry is “Family Enrichment.” KFC is about involving the whole family in bringing the kids closer to God. Indeed we are raising “Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth.”

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Generations

Friday, May 30, 2008 0 comments

Generations come and go
Leaving a legacy to know
Some created a mess
Others claimed greatness

Dare we choose our fate?
Are we to love or to hate?
The path of peace, narrow
But with faith we will go

There is no easy way
We only strive each day
Unless we will pursue
No freedom, nothing new

Only once we walk on earth
Then a new generation will birth
By our actions they will recall
Will they bow in shame or stand tall?

Generations come and go
It is love I have to show
Come my son, do not fear
God and country I hold dear

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A Father's Commitment to His Son

Wednesday, May 28, 2008 0 comments


My own flesh and blood. My son, Sev Philip Siaotong Llaban. What future does this world hold for him? Its up to our generation to answer that question. As for me, I will do everything I can, with God's strength, to build this world into the Paradise God intended it to be. A world where people live in solidarity, a place where peace reigns, a society that cares for one another, an earth renewed by families in the Holy Spirit.
I will have to start this dream in my own land, the Philippines. I want Sev to grow up proud of his faith because he has seen the fruits of God's love manifested in our caring for the poor. I want Sev to hold his head up high and say "I'm proud to be Filipino!" for he has witnessed how a people of faith restore their dignity and integrity by removing the shame of corruption and poverty through uniting a nation in love.
Sev, you are God's promise to me and Michelle. Let me thank and honor God by serving my country, witnessing to His Word, and loving the poor. I will strive to be the best husband, father, missionary, patriot, and friend. May God bless us all.

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