I'm Lizette.  Most people call me Lie'z.  My family sometimes calls me Izette.  Students who are very close to me call me Mommy ...

Hello everyone!!! Hope eveyone is okey.

Last night, we shoot live our TV Show, Steps of Faith.  I've been co-hosting the show since 2002 with my partner (my best friend), Pastor Riel John Rafols.  We air usually on Monday evenings on Channel 36, CPU Alumni Channel, Cable Star, Iloilo City.

The show used to be very religious because it was meant to be religious. When I came in, it slowly catered a little more to people who appreciate "talking a lot".  Partner and I were very happy because it became more enjoyable.  Anyway, I agreed to host the show with him even without any experience on hosting TV shows because I wanted to know if I can do it.  I know that I look nice on TV because I came out on TV several times already.  Tell you what ... whenever I'm in Manila and go to watch noontime TV shows such as Eat Bulaga and MTB, I get focused a lot. ;-)

The hosting turned out well.  On the very first show, I was a little stiff because I don't really know what to do and which language to use.  After that, I got the hang of it and got comfortable to talking to a camera.

Last night was our first show for the second semester 2004-2005.  The next one will air on Monday, December 6 at 4 to 6 pm.  November 29 is a holiday and that means no studio staff at work.  We will go on air in the afternoon of Dec. 6 because the Kantahan sa CPU will air in the evening.

Here's a picture taken with my partner, pastor Riel John Rafols.



Here's also a photo with the crew of CPU Mass Communications Students.



We hope that those who have Cable Star will watch the show whenever possible.

Imagine Me Without You

Song by Jaci Velasquez

from "Crystal Clear"

written by Rudy Perez

 

As long as stars shine down from heaven

And the rivers run into the sea

Till the end of time forever

You're the only love I'll need.

 

In my life You're all that matters

In my eyes the only truth I see

When my hopes and dreams have shattered

You're the one that's there for me

 

When I found You I was blessed

And I will never leave You, I need You

 

Imagine me without You

I'd be lost and so confused

I wouldn't last a day, I'd be afraid

Without You there to see me through

 

Imagine me without You

Lord, You know it's just impossible

Because of You, it's all brand new

My life is now worthwhile

I can't imagine me without You

 

When You caught me, I was falling

Your love lifted me back on my feet

It was like You heard me calling

And You rushed to set me free

 

Repeat Chorus (Italicized) 2x

Last night, my family went to watch a concert. The concert was held in the Kabayao's residence; aptly called the Kabayao White House of Arts.

It was a charity piano concert performed by Laure Favre-Kahn.  She's a 28 year "young" lady from France.  She perfomed around eight (I counted around 8) pieces by Chopin.

She's amazing.  The way her fingers fly across the keys are so fast it was incredible.  Her playing gives you goosebumps!!!  She has already played in Carnegie hall in New York. Makes me want to wish that I could play like that or simply to be able to play any musical instrument at all.

The Kabayao Family is among the very few families who I consider like my own even if we are not blood related.  I love Tito Gilopez and Tita Corazon like I love my own parents and Sicilienne, Farida, and Gilberto like my own younger sisters and brother.  They love me just as much.  I am honored whenever they would often refer to me as their adopted daughter.

I would often spend days and nights in their home where I would always get to sample Tita Corazon's delicious cooking, feel Tito Gilopez's affection, Sicilienne's love for talking, Farida's commitment to being an actress and vegetarian, and Gilberto's star quality.

They were the ones who nurtured my appreciation of classical music and the arts.  I grew up under their influence regarding music and visual arts through choir singing and listening to them play and through tagging along visiting art exhibits.

Watching and listening to them play music together is always a treat and a lovely experience for me.  Personally, their playing music together symbolizes unity in the family.  Since my father died, my mother left to work abroad, and my sister and I having generation gaps, they are truly a testimony of family harmony and togetherness.

The EE/ECE together with the CPU-ANEC went on Outreach to Brgy. Panpanan Uno and Dos, San Remegio, Antique last December 15 to 19, 2004. The CPU-ANEC has installed a micro-hydro power plant in these areas, although it is not yet operational. The EE/ECE has volunteered to provide the labor on installing the electrical wiring of the barangay residents' homes.

 

This outreach has been the farthest, longest, most ardous, toughest, and most dangerous I have ever participated in. I was able to do things I never would have done if I knew it would be as it was.

 

I am generally afraid of heights and on this trip, I climbed up a very steep mountain, climbed down a treacherous cliff without any safety gear whatsoever, and walked across a wobbly hanging bridge. There were times that the path is inclined about 60 to 75 degrees up & down and sometimes the path is so narrow & if you look down, it's a long way to the bottom with nothing to catch you if you fall.

 

Everyone was exhausted but the boys are young and have more stamina and were able to bounce back in time to work. I, on the other hand, took more time to recover. My knees and thighs were killing me! Moving them were torture and I was in great anguish! It felt like my thighs were on fire!

 

As for the documentation & picture-taking, I'm grateful that the girls & Engr. Eilrem Fernandez were around to do the rounds in my behalf.

 

I was also glad of the chance of being with my boys, my mga "anak". If it be God's will that I leave for abroad this year, these will be among those memories I shall cherish when I am gone from them.

 

The view we saw while trekking was breathtaking & awe-inspiring! It really is true. The view from the top is truly amazing & incredible.

 

The people there are nice and hospitable. They made sure that most of our needs are met such as: toilet, water, huge pots & pans, firewood, places to sleep, additional food, etc.

 

Since this batch is the biggest so far, we won't fit into a single house. The Brgy. Captains didn't offer the use of the elementary school buildings either. The Barangay Halls were not fit for habitation either. Thus, we were forced to be divided into three groups. The third year group was accompanied by Engr. Bernie Cangrejo. The fourth year group & ECE group was accompanied by Engr. Caesar Rico Acanto. I accompanied the fifth year group which is composed mostly of my boys.

 

Most of us took our bath in the river while others preferred to take their bath in the makeshift bathrooms. I I was especially relieved when I saw that there were working toilets.

 

Other than the usual problem in insufficient supply of screws and the long walks, climbs, and descents, we didn't encounter any serious problems.

 

Food was sufficient enough except on two occasions. We ran out of food by the time those who came to eat late arrived. It was among those instances when no matter how much I over estimated the amount of food I prepared, it gets all gobbled up like a tsunami swept over the table.

 

All in all, I am happy with what happened on this trip. It is among those rare occasions when you enjoyed yourself while helping others.

 

I have a lot of friends but I only have a few chosen closest friends. These are the people who knows me inside-out and accepts me as I am. They are very special to me and I treat them more like family than just friends.

 

Here they are & how they are special to me.

 

Ms. Sicilienne Pineda Kabayao

Diva, Princess, Multi-talented, Over-all Manager and Event Creator.

 

Among my closests friends, she's the most generous of her time, resources, encouragements, support, attention, and affection. She's among the most thoughtful person I know.

 

I am older by almost 4 years but we get along splendidly. I knew her for a long time in church, more or less 15 years. We became close friends since 1996, that's more or less 8 years now.

 

Nevertheless, we never experienced saying hurtful words to each other, much less fought; and I pray we never will. We had disagreements but it was always handled & done calmly and nicely.

 

I spent and slept countless days and nights in their home. Most of the time whenever I stay there, I get sleep beside her on her bed. During those times, we would talk until early morning, until we could no longer stay awake.

 

We watch movies and eat out together often. I actually spend more time with her lately than I do with my own sister.

 

Pastor Riel John Rafols

Minister, Host, Clown-Comedian, Hyper-Active Asst. Chaplain, Everything-Everywhere, Loudmouth (lilke me!)

 

Rielj is my partner. Mind you, there is nothing romantic about our partnership. When people tease us together, we would often tell them that it's not possible because that would be incestuous. Besides, he is engaged to a lovely lady fit to become a minister's wife.

 

We knew each other since late 1980's. More or less 15 years ago. We became close friends since 1999. It started during the ACCORD Seminar held in Trinity College of Quezon City. We were both delegates of CPU. We both realized that we both like to talk, eat, and work a lot.

 

He eventually invited me to co-host his cable tv show, Steps of Faith. It was on that show that he became my partner because since then, we would often work together for Campus Ministry aside from hosting the show together.

 

What I really appreciate about our friendship is the sense of balance between our moods and personalities. We would often have synchronized good mood days. On days I'm sad, gloomy, pissed-off, or bad trip, he would always be there to symphatize or comfort, and be my sounding board. If he's the one who's having a rotten day, I get to be his sounding board.

 

We also have "tampohan" days but it was nothing serious. Most of the time, it's an act to get each one's attention.

 

We don't get to spend time together as often as we used to. Life has become so hectic lately but we stay   in touch through hurried phone calls, SMS, and short visits.

 

Ms. Myrna Luceño

Educator, Ultra-Mega-Super-Conservative, Now you see, now you don't!

 

Myrna is a real nice lady. She's hard-working, responsible, and sweet.

 

She is very conservative. She never wears pants and sleeveless shirts or blouses. She always wear long skirts even when we go out bowling! She will never go inside a moviehouse, bar, or any dark places where people congregate to have fun.

 

When we are together, we get to talk and speak in Ilocano. She used to stay in Baguio City that's why she knows the language even if she's a full-blooded Ilonggo.

 

I value her friendship because she keeps me grounded. Most of all, she is a reality check for me. Whenever I feel lilke my life sucks, I reconsider everytime I see her. I am always reminded on how she sacrificed for her family and have to work so that she can finish school and earn her degree.

 

0f all my closest friends, she's the friend I don't get to spend too much time with. She's always away on a trip! When she comes back, she's swamped with work that piled up while gone.

 

I really can't remember when we started to become close. I think it was after Riel John and I became friends. After meeting her, Rielj, Myrns, and I became the group of three odd people. I became the equalizer.   The three of us go out. I get to go out with Rielj alone and I get to go out with Myrns alone but I have yet to see Rielj and Myrns go out without me.

 

These are the friends I value most. I am grateful they occupy a major part in my life. I pray that our friendship last as long as we shall live.

 

 

This is a very short poem I wrote on a table tissue the night before my 31st birthday.  I hesitated in uploading it on the website last month but I finally decided, "What the heck!"

I'm 31 tomorrow
l ought to age slow
But time flies so fast
I feel like l'm going to crash.

Have I accomplished much?
Or, did I overly rush?
Did I wait too long?
Or, did I miss the bus?

Hello everyone!!!

Those who personally know me knows that I write poetry. I was hesitating a great deal in having to publish my work because most of my work carries themes like pain, desperation, hopelessness, etc. The reason is that I used to be inspired to write poetry when I'm in a really bad mood or during those days when all things seem to go wrong. Thus, the resulting creation tends to be near fatalistic or at least pathetic.

I have written quite a lot. Unfortunately, I lost most of them. This is partly because I sometimes write poetry on tissue paper, scratch paper lying around, notebooks that were eventually thrown and burned, etc.

I was only able to save a handful. I choose not to publish most of these in this website because they are either very personnal or they have very negative messages.

The following poems are tame enough for general patronage ... hehehe ... I wrote most of these during college days and they were written without much regard to rhyme and measure.