1. What was my conversion experience?

Although we grew up knowing God and going to mass I didn’t have that
intimate relationship with the Lord. I became a seminarian when I was in high
school and there my knowledge not only of the existence of God but also
about our religion increases. Although I was sent out after almost 2 years
because of some “kalokohan” I still treasure my time inside because it
thought me the importance of prayer. It was there where I learned how to
pray the rosary among others.

But it was in the youth camp where my parents who are members of CFC in
Negros invited us to join where I really experience the presence and reality of
the Lord. During the entire camp I had this arrogance that I already know
what they are talking about having studied in the seminary but one thing I
notice the speakers where not talking about a God that is just sitting in the
throne and punishing us for every fault we commit but rather they are
sharing their experience with Jesus like they are the best of friends. Christ
was not just in their mind but was real in their hearts.

During the Baptism night when the speaker ask us to pray for the spiritual
gifts that we want and need and people where praying over the other
participants and most of them started crying I said “ang OA naman”. I even
thought maybe they are crying because the prayer was too long. My prayer
that night change my life forever instead for asking for the gifts I made a deal
with God, I said I don’t want to waste time in attending camps or seminars or
reading and studying about Him only to find out when I’m dead that HE
doesn’t exist. So I ask him to prove to me that night that He is for real, and to
my great and very pleasant surprise He manifested to me even if I was
resisting, His presence and it was that moment that I said ok I will follow you.

2. What did he give up to be able to do what you are doing?

It took me 9 years to finish college after going from one school to another.
One time I told God that whether I finish or not that he will just allow me to
serve Him. I really don’t have anything to boast that I have given up a lot to
serve. My service is my “thank you” to the Lord for all the love He gave me.
I’m just truly grateful. I feel more liberated knowing that I’m serving without
thinking of the cost or what I left behind. We are not a rich family but we are
blessed to have wonderful and very supportive parents. They are very much
instrumental in bringing us closer to God. And so when we (3 brothers)
decided to go fulltime for the Lord they never made us feel that we have to
give back anything to the family.

3. What was I before?

 Growing up with a twin brother who excels in a lot of things not to mention
that we don’t look alike it is inevitable that we will not be compared. But I
have to stress that I don’t have any regret or hurt against him but I really was
affected whenever people compare us. There was a lot of times that I
questioned God why we have to be different, even asking him if He forgotten
that twins are supposed to look alike.

I was always struggling to prove myself to others. Trying my best to belong. I

know that I was blessed to have a wonderful and loving family and great
friends but somehow there was still that struggle of insecurity inside me.
Because my brother was a good student, I was always doing the opposite. I
lost my drive for school, my life was not going anywhere and I felt I was not
part of God’s plan. It took me 8 years to finish school. My uncle once said the
more you stay in school the more you learn. I guess I took it very literal.

I was failing my subjects, hanging around and drinking with my friends, not
attending school all the time, going home late or shall I say early morning but
I guess most of the things I did back then was normal for a lot of young
people. But the reason why I was behaving this way and doing the things I
was doing was that I wanted to project an image that I was a different person
from my brother. My insecurities was growing inside me and I was having a
difficult time handling it. Sometimes I would go for 3 days just feeling like the
world around me is moving and mine is not. Crying myself to sleep, to a point
where I thought I was really going crazy.

When you are nursing an insecurity you really cannot make a logical or a
good decision because it’s always about you.

4. What is my work now?

I became a fulltime missionary worker with YFC when I graduated. It was

during those years that my love for Jesus was developing and growing but
also my healing. It is when you accept Jesus’ love and starts to share that
with others that you are being healed also. I serve in various capacity and
been assigned to different areas but one thing I learned is that position of
authority should not get into one’s head after all we are just servants.

I am currently serving in Gawad Kalinga as the Coordinator for GK1MB the

volunteer management program of GK task in getting a million people to
volunteer. Other than my official title I am privilege to be able to serve in the
other works of GK. Serving in GK truly brings the fullness of my journey with
God. We cannot just pray and be concern with our own salvation. But it is also
important that we put our faith in to action, and helping the poor like Christ
did.
5. What is Discipleship?

Discipleship for me is a big word. Sometimes I feel I’m not worthy to

associate myself with it. But I just see myself as a son who is grateful for
what my Father in heaven has done and also trying to others feel His love.
One thing we have to remember though that being a disciple is not about
position. And it is always about being an inspiration not a leader that just
issues memos and expect everyone to be obedient.

Serving is surrendering, loving is giving, praying is doing, and leadership is

servanthood.