Mama Mutant Wife

ORIGINAL PLAN

Last week, we witnessed God’s promise unfold through Sinag’s sunrise dedication by the beach. ⛅️

I am still in awe, and until now, I cannot find the right words to express how grateful I am to God.

This was more than a celebration.
It was a testimony of His faithfulness.

⸻
MOTIVES

This was 1 year in the making.

Pagkapanganak ko pa lang, hubby & I already agreed that Sinag’s dedication would happen together with her 1st birthday.

But honestly, along the way, muntik na namin itong iadjust because of peer pressure, people’s opinions, practicality, and even the unexpected arrival of a close relative from abroad.

For a moment, we were tempted to compromise the original plan.

Buti na lang binalik kami ni Lord sa Word Niya, and our motives were checked by Him.

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘴‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭3‬
“𝘛𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦.

𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥.

𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴.”

God answered our questions one by one.
And eventually, He gave us peace.

⸻
WALANG PASTOR

All was set.

Most of the guests had already booked their accommodations when suddenly, 2 weeks before the event, the officiating pastor had an unexpected change in schedule because of work.

We tried contacting other pastors close to us.
One, two, three… and many more.

Until someone suggested:
“Humanap na lang kayo ng pastor nearby the venue.”

Sobrang nadishearten kami kasi prefer talaga namin someone we have relationship with. Someone who knows us personally.

Dumating kami sa point na:
“Cancel na lang kaya?”
“Paano yung mga guests na nakapagbook na?”
Hanggang sa nagtalo na kaming mag-asawa.

Then God led us back again to His Word.

‭‭ 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘴‬ ‭30‬:‭5‬
“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴; 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘮.”

The next day, while we were with friends, a pastor we’ve known for many years suddenly video called hubby to ask something about bikes. 🤭😂

He had no idea that we were struggling and praying about who would officiate Sinag’s dedication.

Then God reminded us about him again through different circumstances and people.
Not once.
Not twice.
But three times.

That’s when we humbly asked him if he could dedicate Sinag.

He didn’t ask about accommodation.
He didn’t ask about transportation.
He didn’t even ask for details yet.

He simply checked his schedule and said:

“Available ako that day. It’s a YES.” 🥹

That was only 10 days before the dedication.

And at that moment, we knew…
God already went ahead of us.

⸻
SETUP

We talked to a lot of suppliers while also trying to manage our budget wisely.

Hubby & I agreed:
“Whatever happens, we will stick to our budget. Hindi kami mangungutang at hindi kami gagamit ng credit card for this.”

Then once again, God brought us back to His Word.

‭‭ 𝘌𝘤𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘴‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬
“𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘥. 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘩, 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘸.”

Suddenly, we were reminded of the song “We Stand in Awe” by Victory Worship that starts with:

“‭‭𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺…”

Then God gently reminded us:

He already set everything up.

He set the sky.
The sand.
The sea.
The sunrise.
The waves.
The wind.

Wala na kaming kailangang idagdag.

His creation is enough.
His presence is enough.
He is enough.

And it turned out to be more than enough. 🥹

⸻
DEDICATION DAY

The sunrise dedication by the beach was set to begin at 5:30 AM.

I woke up at 3 AM and asked God for His Word.

‭‭ 𝘌𝘤𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘴‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬-‭14‬
“𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥; 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳: 𝘍𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥. 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭.”

It was so timely because I was literally at the end of Ecclesiastes.

And somehow, it felt like God was concluding the whole journey with us too.

God concluded it.
God reaffirmed us.
God made it happen.

From the motives…
to the pastor…
to the setup…
to the sunrise…
to the dedication itself…

It was all God.

All glory belongs to Him alone. 🤍

📸 EDG Photography

WHEN YOUR SPOUSE IS ANGRY

Yesterday, nakaalis na si hubby to work then bigla siyang tumawag para lang sabihin na naiinis siya.

I just let him share his thoughts why he’s upset. Hindi ako nagbigay ng solution or what. And all I said was…

“Ingat sa byahe, Papa! Love you and I appreciate you so so much!!”

After the call, natawa ako. Kasi yung devo ko nung morning is “responding to an angry spouse” and it’s so timely. 🤭

Sabi dun, “there are three steps to respond to an angry spouse:
Step 1: Listen
Step 2: Listen again
Step 3: Listen, one more time.”

Buti na lang talaga nag-uusap muna kami ni Lord first thing in the morning 🙌

Dati kasi kapag galit siya, magagalit din ako. Akala ko kasi sakin siya galit, tapos ang ending mag-aaway na kami. 😅😂

But over the years, we grew and learned to truly understand and listen. We can now freely share to each other what we truly feel—without fear, without defense.

To be honest, mahirap makinig. Mas madali kasi mag-react agad, mag-respond agad, or magbigay ng solution. But most of the time, all we really need is someone who listens.

Naalala ko yung story ni Mary and Joseph in Matthew 1:18–25.

When Mary was found to be pregnant, Joseph didn’t react impulsively.

Imagine this ha…

Engaged na sila,
then suddenly Mary is pregnant…
and Joseph knows it’s not his child.

Naturally, this could’ve led to anger, confrontation, and public shame

But instead…

👉 Joseph chose to pause
👉 He didn’t expose Mary
👉 He planned to “divorce her quietly” (meaning he still chose to protect her.)

Before he acted, God spoke to him in a dream. And Joseph listened.

He didn’t argue.
He didn’t insist on his own understanding.

Even when the situation didn’t make sense…
he chose to listen, trust, and obey.

Joseph could’ve reacted based on emotion, assumption, and pride. But instead, he paused, stayed quiet, listened (to God), and responded with grace.

And because of that Mary was protected,
and their relationship was preserved.

Minsan ganun din sa marriage.
We don’t always see the full picture.
Akala natin it’s against us… but maybe, there’s something deeper we don’t yet understand.

Yes, galit siya peroooo hindi naman siya sakin galit. 🤗

Your spouse is your suitable companion, not your enemy. Kakampi mo siya, hindi kalaban.

So the next time emotions run high,
be quick to listen,
slow to speak,
and slow to be angry.

Because sometimes, love doesn’t reacts
—it listens. 🤍

Comment “LISTEN” if you needed this reminder today.

JESUS IS ALIVE

We read Bible stories every night before bed, but last night, we intentionally looked for “The Easter Story.”

Ilang beses na namin nabasa ito, pero iba yung impact last night. Nagulat din ako kasi madaming comment si Tala, at may pagkanta/worship pa sa mga scenario. 🤗

Mama: Pagpasok nila Mary sa tomb, nakita nila yung angel
Tala: Tapos Mama, kumanta yung angel? “𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘺, 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩, 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺. 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳!”

Mama: Sabi sa kanila ng angel, “Jesus is alive.”
Tala: 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦! 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦! 𝘈𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦! 𝘔𝘺 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦! 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘫𝘢𝘩! 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘫𝘢𝘩! 𝘔𝘺 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦! 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘫𝘢𝘩! 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘫𝘢𝘩! 𝘔𝘺 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦!! 🙌

Napakanta ka ba? 😂

Cute noh! 😍 We truly enjoyed that bible time and I know that she’s very attentive and carefully listening.

Tapos naremind ako about the importance of the resurrection, na hindi nanatiling patay si Jesus. On the third day, He rose again.

Our God is alive.
We serve a living God.

And because He lives, hindi lang ito magandang story—this is our hope.

As it says in 1 Peter 1:3, we have a “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Hindi lang Siya namatay for our sins—He conquered death.

Victory was sealed.

And that same power that raised Him to life is the same power at work in us today (Romans 8:11).

As a mom, ang daming araw na paulit-ulit—pagod, puyat, minsan parang invisible yung ginagawa natin.

But last night reminded me…

If Jesus rose again, then nothing we do for Him is ever in vain.

Every prayer whispered habang nagpapatulog ng bata, every act of patience kahit ubos na,
every small moment—these are not wasted.

Because we are raising children who will know a living God. 🙌

Our Bible reading ended with Jesus giving the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20).

And often times, we think missions means going out, going far, doing something big.
But God gently reminded me…

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.

Sa simpleng pagbabasa ng Bible story,
sa pagtuturo kung sino si Jesus,
sa pag-model ng grace, forgiveness, and love
—we are already doing missions.

And what a privilege it is to introduce our children not just to a good man,
but to a risen King. 👑

The tomb is empty.
JESUS IS ALIVE. ✨

And because of that,
may hope ang bawat tahanan,
may purpose ang bawat nanay,
at may dahilan tayong magpatuloy—araw-araw. 🤍

Comment JESUS IS ALIVE if this made you smile and reminded you of our living God.

9 YEARS AGO

Nine years ago, I said “OO” to you. Grabe, malapit na pala tayong mag-isang dekada together, that day still feels like yesterday. ☺️

Paano ko ba naman makakalimutan yun? It was literally the day after my graduation day. 😂

Tapos heto na tayo ngayon, may dalawang bulilits na. 🤍

Some days that were rough, but most days were fun and filled with love. 🥰

It was God’s grace that carried us in every season, and it is still His grace that will carry us, hanggang sa pagputi ng mga buhok natin.

Totoo nga…
Love is a decision and not an emotion.

And if I could go back 9 years ago,
ikaw at ikaw pa rin ang pipiliin ko.

Thank you for praying and waiting for me.
Happy Anniversary, my love! 😘

SIMPLE JOY

A month before my birthday, I was looking for that “Dark Chocolate Cake with wine” that I tasted last year. I badly wanted that cake sana for my birthday salubong. 🤤😋🎂🍷

I asked a friend kung saan nya nabili ang cake ng husband nya last year. I thought it was that cake but when I checked, it’s a different one.

A month turned to weeks then to days, until a day before my birthday, I looked and kept on different delivery apps, pero hindi ko talaga siya mahanap. Until umabot ng gabi and I wasn’t able to buy one. 😅

Sa isip ko, okay lang kahit wala na for my birthday salubong. We’ll buy na lang on other days as long as yun ang “dark chocolate cake with wine” that I really wanted. I also don’t wanna spend on a cake that I do not like at all.

10mins before 12MN, I suddenly thought of the shop na binibilhan namin ng favorite dark chocolate muffin namin ni hubby. 🧁

Me: Papa, open pa kaya yung bilihan ng favorite muffin natin? Ano nga pangalan ng shop? Parang I want that one 😍

Then biglang may kumatok sa door namin, pag-open ni hubby, it was his mom tapos may hawak na sobrang laking plato and inside that was the DARK CHOCOLATE MUFFIN that I was telling him few minutes ago!

Not one, not two, but 8pcs!

I was so shocked!
My husband knew me so well! 🥰

He was able to buy after his work. Paclose na din yung shop that time tapos inubos na daw nya lahat ng stocks.

I was really happy!
Joy was all over my face.
Abot tenga yung ngiti ko 😄
I keep on telling him, “Ang saya ko talaga Papa!” (mga 10x ko siguro nasabi yun 😆)

To the point na hanggang sa paghiga namin sa bed, I kept on smiling! 🥰

I realized, most of the time, we chase something specific. We wait for that “perfect” version in our head… the exact cake, the exact flavor, the exact moment.

But that night, I realized joy isn’t always in the exact thing we were looking for. It’s in the thoughtfulness. It’s in someone remembering what you like and what you love. It’s in someone going out of their way after a long day of work, just to see you smile. ☺️

It wasn’t the dark chocolate cake with wine.
It was way way better.

Because it came with so much love.

And… look at that strawberry vanilla cake toy in the photo, my daughter prepared that for my birthday salubong. She was so excited na kantahan ako ng happy birthday song and she keeps on reminding me na isama yun sa photo. 🎂 It was so genuine!

No wine.
No fancy cake.

Just muffins, a toy cake, and my family who made sure I felt celebrated. 🥰

Comment SIMPLE JOY if you also had a simple yet joyous moment in your life.

ZILLENNIAL

It’s my last day in my 20s because in a few hours, I’m turning 30.

And before I close this decade, there’s something I’ve quietly carried for years, that feeling of being “in between.”

Few years ago, I was invited to be one of the speakers in a campus seminar. Aalis na sana ako right after my talk, but I stayed a little more while I was waiting for hubby to arrive.

I still remember, the topic of the next speaker was about different behaviors in the corporate world between generations.

He gave an introduction about generation classifications:
• Boomers (1946-1964)
• Gen X (1965 - 1980)
• Millennials / Gen Y (1981–1995)
• Gen Z (1996–2012)

Nagulat ako kasi that was the first time I saw my birth year, 1996, placed under Gen Z.

Out of curiosity, I raised my hand and asked:
“I was born in 1996 and ang alam ko is Millennial ako. Saan po ba dapat ang 1996?”

He smiled and said, “In some books, kasama siya sa Millennials. In other researches, nasa Gen Z siya.”

Years have passed… and I still feel that “in between.”

Both my sisters are Millennials. I can connect to them sometimes, but not all the time.

My husband is a Millennial and there are moments na ang sagot ko talaga,
“Hala… hindi ko yata inabutan yan.” 😅

And then when I talk to younger Gen Zs, may times din na,
“Wait… bakit parang ibang language na ’to?”

That’s when I discovered something.

Those born around 1994–1999 are technically at a generational cusp.

They call it:
ZILLENNIAL (𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘭–𝘎𝘦𝘯 𝘡 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦)

It’s not an official demographic category, but culturally very real.

• I know what a beeper is but I never really used one. Pinaglaruan ko lang because I saw it from my parents.
• I remember VHS, cassette tapes, DVDs, antenna phones.
• I customized my Friendster profile with moving texts and background music.
• I used Yahoo Messenger for videocalls abroad
• I experienced being so pawis playing outside homes before mobile games.
• I’m not hooked on latest trends and not interested in buying latest gadgets, as long as mine is working I’ll keep on using it.
• But I also adapted quickly to social media, apps, and fast tech shifts.

We had:
• Analog childhood
• Digital adolescence
• Adult life during rapid technological change

We remember both worlds.

And maybe that’s why…
We value presence differently.

I’m not big on Instagram or Twitter.
I don’t feel the need to constantly to post everything online.

When someone uses their phone while I’m talking to them, I feel unloved. Unvalued.

For some, it’s normal. For Gen Z, multitasking during conversations is common.

But Zillennials grew up when being present meant eye contact.
When phones were tools, not extensions of identity.
When divided attention felt like divided affection.

It’s not insecurity.
It’s wiring.

Different generations define presence differently but that doesn’t make one better than the other.

Another realization?

Millennials were shaped by economic pressure, many became breadwinners because they entered adulthood during unstable times. Hustle was survival.

Gen Z questions hustle culture altogether. They protect mental health first.

But us?

We saw Millennials burn out.
We saw Gen Z draw hard boundaries.
And we quietly chose something in the middle.

We want to work.
But not at the cost of our peace.

We value stability but also flexibility.
We care about income but we don’t want identity tied to productivity.
We don’t glorify overworking.
But we’re not anti-work either.

We steward.
We build systems.
We automate.
We think long-term.

As moms (if you are one), we’re not trying to win motherhood online.
We’re not trying to be Pinterest-perfect.
We just want intentional homes.
Emotionally safe spaces.
Less screen, more presence.

We’re not confused.
We’re translators.

We understand Millennials because we grew up beside them.
We understand Gen Z because we evolved with them.

We are bridge-builders.

We can sit at both tables.
We can speak both languages.
We can honor tradition while adapting to change.

And honestly? That’s a strength.

Turning 30 feels symbolic.

Not just closing a decade but embracing this in-between.

Not too old.
Not too young.
Not fully this.
Not fully that.

But perfectly positioned in the middle to choose wisely and live joyfully.

Comment ZILLENNIAL if you were born around 1996 and felt this way too.

Let’s see how many bridge-builders are here. 🌿

CLEAR THE STAGE

14 years ago, I was invited to perform a karate stunt in church. The story was I was being attacked by three men and I ended up beating them all. It was a youth event entitled “I CAN.”

And I still clearly remember my tagline that time:

“I can punch, I can kick, and I can make a difference.” 🥋

Nag-start ako magkarate at 9 years old. I competed in tournaments at 10, won gold in back-to-back competitions, and became a black belt at 14. My weekends (even some weekdays) were filled with training. Pawis, kalyo, pasa, drills, discipline. Karate wasn’t just a sport, it became my identity.

Then one day, our Master, Shihan Ernie Laxamana, told me that I was chosen to train for the Philippine Team.

Grabe, sobrang saya ko. I felt like I was am stepping at the peak of my athletic career. Then, I encountered the Lord.

In one of my quiet times (Bible reading and prayer), I asked God to check my heart. “Lord, is there any idol in me?”

I wasn’t ready for the answer.

God gently showed me that I had placed my identity in karate. In performance. In applause. In recognition. In fame.

And then He whispered something that shook me: “Let it go.”

Slowly, I began stepping back.
I trained less. I competed less.
My weekends started to be filled with church trainings instead of tournaments.

I would still visit karate, but wasn’t as active as before.

Then life took an unexpected turn.

Our Shihan was diagnosed with cancer.

One day, he was rushed to the hospital. I visited. His nurse daughter asked if I could stay with him for a moment while she attended to something.

Naiwan kaming dalawa sa emergency room. I shared the gospel with him and he accepted Christ.

He could barely speak and stand at that time. But he listened and saw tears falling in his eyes.

Later, his family told me that since that day, he would always request to be read the Bible. In one of my visits to their house, I even saw them reading Scripture to him. Few months later, he died.

And in that moment, I understood.

God didn’t ask me to let go because He wanted to deprive me. He asked me to let go because He wanted to use me.

Eventually, I visited karate occasionally while I focused on finishing my engineering studies and building strong biblical foundations through church trainings.

Many questioned my decision.
Some said “sayang”.
I felt misunderstood and persecuted.

The very first person who questioned me was my sister, who’s also my co-blackbelt. She found me weird.

But a few months later, she surrendered her life to the Lord.

She was the first person I shared the gospel with and we ended up worshiping Christ together.

Did I have regrets?
None.

Because letting go of the stage resulted in winning souls.

Sometimes God will ask us to clear the stage.
To step down from the spotlight.
To surrender the applause.
To lay down the dream we worked so hard for.

Not because it’s evil. But because it has quietly become our identity.

And when the stage is cleared, only One remains in the center.

Share your testimony below or comment CLEAR THE STAGE if God has ever asked you to surrender something precious for something eternal. 🙌

Random convo with our Tala…

Tala: Mama, bakit wala dito si Papa?
Me: Kasi nasa work si Papa
Tala: Gusto ko dito dito lang Papa kasi super super gwapo nya e

Hahahaha aliw makipag-usap sa toddler 😆

VERY INVOLVED HUSBAND

We spent New Year in a campsite where we met a new friend. Tuwang-tuwa siya sa mga bulilits namin. To the point na kagigising pa lang namin, ina-ask na niya kung pwede na niyang kunin si Baby Sinag. 🤗

On our last day, hubby and I were packing our things together then napansin namin yung nasa kabilang camping area na medyo aligaga yung nanay, habang yung tatay nakaupo lang.

Biglang umambon so tumabi muna kami sa kitchen area para sumilong with the kids. Sakto nandun si Ate Ivy and as usual, kinuha niya muna si Sinag.

Napansin niya rin pala yung kabilang camping area.

Then she said something that stayed with me.

“Buti very involved yung asawa mo sa pag-aasikaso at sa mga bata.”

I smiled and said,
“Oo ate… but it took us a while bago kami umabot sa ganitong sistema.”

And then she replied,
“Alam mo dati najudge ko yung mga nanay na palaging mainit ang ulo. Pero narealize ko dahil pala yun sa mga asawang hindi tumutulong sa pag-aasikaso.”

And suddenly, so many memories flashed in my mind.

The early years.
The adjustments.
The quiet frustrations we didn’t always know how to verbalize.
The times we were both exhausted but didn’t know how to meet each other halfway yet.

Motherhood can make a woman feel invisible.
Overstimulated.
Overtouched.
Overwhelmed.

And sometimes when a mom looks “irritable,” she’s not angry, she just felt alone in the load.

And I realized…

The reason I feel softer lately,
the reason I respond more gently,
the reason I can enjoy my children more…

is because I am supported well. 🤍

My husband doesn’t “babysit.”
He fathers.

He carries sleeping toddlers without reklamo.
He packs and carries heavy bags.
He washes dishes kahit pagod na.
He cooks when I’m drained.
He fixes things around the house.
He plays with the kids with full attention.
He disciplines with love.
He listens to my rants.
He prays with us.

He is present.

And no, it wasn’t always perfect.
We had seasons of miscommunication.
Seasons of adjusting roles.
Seasons where we both felt tired and misunderstood.

Until we learned that parenting is not about “helping.” It’s about owning.

When I’m drained, he steps in.
When he’s tired, I cover him.
When the kids need one of us, they actually get both of us.

Very involved husbands don’t just build careers.
They build safe homes.
They build emotionally stable families.

And that kind of love isn’t loud.
It’s daily, consistent, and steady.

TAG and appreciate your very involved husband today.

THE LOST KEY

Dec 31, 2025. Last day of the year, just few hours before we went camping, we thought the challenging part was over.

Apparently, may suspense pala. 😅

December 31, 6:30 AM.
Pagising ko, nakaalis na si hubby. Hinatid na niya sa airport ang owners ng car and went home with it.

Nag-aayos ako ng gamit when he arrived. Medyo tahimik ako that morning, may konting tampo kasi ako dahil nakatulog siya agad the night before and hindi na kami nakapag-pray together.

Pareho kaming nakafocus sa “things to bring.”

Habang inaayos ko ang gamit ng mga bata, sabi ni hubby, “Mama, ilalagay ko na sa trunk yung ibang gamit.”

I replied, “Okay.”

Cold pa rin ako, pero sige tuloy lang sa pag-aayos.

Habang sinasalansan niya ang mga gamit sa trunk, hindi niya napansin na nahulog ang car key sa loob.

Pagkasara niya, natulala siya. Umakyat siya sa apartment namin at sinabi:

“Mama… nahulog yung susi sa trunk.” 😳

Sandaling natigilan ang lahat.

Pero strangely, may peace pa rin sa puso ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano, pero confident ako na matutuloy kami.

Habang iniisip ni hubby kung paano mabubuksan ang trunk, tinuloy ko pa rin ang pag-eempake.

Tho may mga random thoughts:
• “Baka nasa bahay ng owners sa Cavite yung duplicate key.?”
• “What if puntahan na lang? pero paano makakapasok si hubby sa house nila, e nakalock yun?”
• “Hiram na lang siguro kami ng ibang car kaya lang nasa loob na pala ng trunk yung major things namin.” 😅
• “Siguro dito na lang kami mag-New Year.”

Then suddenly, I felt the Lord prompting me to pray for wisdom kay hubby.

Tinapos ko yung inaayos kong bag, lumapit ako sa kanya, and I declared wisdom over him. I also confessed na may tampo ako kaya hindi ko siya masyadong kinakausap. He apologized, then we prayed together.

After praying, biglang nag-message si sister-in-law.

Nasa kanya pala ang spare key!
Kaya lang… boarding na sila at 10:00 AM.

Time check: 8:43AM
Hubby rushed to the airport.

Pag-alis niya, biglang umiyak si Sinag. I breastfed her while watching hubby’s live location then I started interceding for God’s favor and protection.

Then suddenly, bumitaw si Sinag sa pag-breastfeed.

At the same time, huminto ang galaw ng live location.

NAKUHA NA NI HUBBY ANG SPARE KEY!

Grabeng suspense.
Grabe rin yung reminder.

Prayer works. 🙌

Pag-uwi ni hubby, everything flowed smoothly—packing, travel, and the rest of the day.

That moment reminded me of something important:

Choosing peace doesn’t mean there won’t be problems. It means we respond differently when problems come.

The key wasn’t just lost in the trunk.
It was a reminder that prayer opens what panic cannot.

⸻
Comment “PRAY” if this reminded you that God is still in control.