Howard
Birthday: 29 July
Hometown: Trece Martires City, Philippines
Involvement before joining YMT: I am a member of the Antioch at St. Jude since 2001. I am also part of the executive committee of the Diocese of Imus – Youth Ministry.
Reason for joining YMT: See some snow and youth ministry
What are you looking forward this year? Spend one of the best and amazing years of my life
Testimony: God is a cool man/woman.
TV Shows: Wowowee, Fear Factor, Amazing Grace
Movies: La Vita e Bella, Peral Harbour, Pursuit of Happyness, Slumdog Millionaire, The other side of Heaven, The Patriot
Books: Bob Ong’s The Achemist, Stop Laughing at me, Angels and Demons
Places to visit: More of the Philippines
Describe yourself: A Ketchup man, Photography enthusiast, A frustrated chef, A mountain hiker, A cool youth minister
A childhood dream comes true
Last modified on 2009-12-20 13:46:42 GMT. 0 comments. Top.
When I was a young lad, I loved watching the movie “The Polar Bear King” and the main reason was the snow. It was also the snow which enticed me to watch the movie Narnia.
Growing in a tropical country, I thought snow was just a dream. However, with mere innocence of a child, I actually prayed to God pleading to snow in the Philippines, which is absolutely impossible. I could vividly remember that it would take me ages to leaf through the succeeding pages of a book or a magazine every time I would see quaint pictures of snow. I would imagine a young lad making a snowman, playing snowball fight with his mates, or a little boy waiting for Santa’s sleigh. As a child, being in a place covered with snow was a paradise.
When I went to Australia in 2008 for the World Youth Day, it was winter. I couldn’t hide my excitement for my childhood dream, seeing the snow, which I all thought was impossible, would be a reality. The temperature has gone down to freezing -4˚C. But sometimes God is a bit tricky. It didn’t snow. I went back to the Philippines without seeing the snow. Not maybe that time but in God’s perfect time.
September 7, 2009, life brought me to England. The long wait was over. The dream would be a reality. In the 30th of November at exactly 6:45 in the morning on our way to our mission at St. Anthony’s School, in my whole existence here on Earth, I have seen the snow. My face was frozen with a massive smile on our way to the mission. That moment I was neither the richest nor the most famous but I was the happiest man alive.
Every time I introduce myself in missions and in retreats, I would always mention that I have never seen snow in my entire life and I would always ask everyone to pray for me for a white Christmas because I heard it may not snow in England during the Yuletide season. I think for every kid in this world, so as for someone like me who hasn’t seen snow ever, a white Christmas is a joy of the heart. A couple of days ago, Anna, a co-YMT member, knocked on my door early in the morning and asked me to go to our lounge. I felt something strange. I was a bit worrisome thinking that something wrong might have happened. I just followed and walk through the lounge half asleep. To my surprise as I reached the lounge, it was so magical looking out the window seeing snow flurries gently falling down the white snowy ground. It was the first time I have seen it snowed that much and the whole village nearly covered with snow. I ran outside under the falling snow only with my pyjamas and shirt and thought to myself “It’s a white Christmas!” I just realized there might be a lot of people who prayed for me. Thanks for the prayers. It only proves prayers could really move mountains.
I danced under the snow with Joy and Morena feeling like the prince in The Polar Bear King and Edmund in Narnia. I took pictures with Fr. Paul. I had my first snowman with Hannah and Fran. I am enjoying my latest sports, snowball fighting with Matt. I am always excited to share my first snow experience with Michael. I went sledging with Sasha and Anna. Yes, I am living the dream.
Paulo Coelho is correct. The universe will truly conspire for the purest desires of our hearts because the God of the universe is always listening.
I rang my family in the Philippines and I told my nephews and my nieces about the snow. They told me that they also want to see some snow. I told them that they could also see snow just like when I whispered to the universe by praying to God when I was as small as them. Then I asked each of them what do they like as a Christmas present from me. One of them said in a cute tiny voice “Could you please send me a bagful of snow?”
Merry Christmas to everyone!
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Howard!!!! i miss you!!!!
Im glad you are there..
Just want you to know I am so proud of you…
October 2nd, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Howard!!!!! Im so happy to know you are here!!!
October 29th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Ninong! how is life there now? am so glad and am really proud of u guys! Goodluck to your mission. God bless. xD
October 30th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
howard!!! Maasim ka!!!! miss you, joy and te more..
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:37 pm
ST ROBERTS LOVES HOWARD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS! (L)
utter Legend!!!!
December 5th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Howard is cool.
December 6th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Howard you a Legend!!!!
December 11th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
howard ur cool i really liked being in your group at the ems retreat!
December 11th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
howard’s group was the best. the retreat was fab. i want to go again!!
December 14th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Howard! you’re awesome and not to mention Legen… wait for it… dary..Legendary! God speed and take care
January 4th, 2010 at 6:14 am
hey..musta ka na? hows UK?
January 4th, 2010 at 6:16 am
wow…legendary! hahaha…
March 12th, 2010 at 11:50 am
r god is a awesome god he rains
March 12th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
hiya! i think u were the 1 who makes evry1 laugh miss ya
March 12th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
hiya from st.josephs highfield ur dance of dancing queen was awesome see u in june !!!
March 15th, 2010 at 2:06 am
hey! Kuya Howard…… i can’t reach you nah…ibang level ka na talaga…i’m so happy for you…miss you^^
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:21 pm
howard ur a great team leader n i will miss u loads thnx for a great experience and a like u i also enjoy snow it is awesome
everyone in our team miss you and we want to see you again x 
April 24th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Howard you were an awesome team leader!!
Thank you for making the retreat so fun for everyone one in our group:)
team howard – the reptile wrestlers
everyone wants to come back and see you!!
April 27th, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Thanks for all the comments. Hope to see you all again guys!
April 29th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
Hi Howard its Hull St Marys Collage Y7, we all miss you aready we loved the things you did for us thanks from all the Y7S (St Marys Collage Hull) for haveing us there and this gose to all the team!! Love you all From St Marys Collage!!
:) xxxxxxxxxxxxx
April 30th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Hi Howard i had a great time tring to get to know you i realy enjoyed your company!!!! you are AWSOMEXXXX
May 10th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
HOWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we all love yous and i will never forget how great you are! i hope your family gets to see snow some day, and i will mis you alot. i dont think anyone couldnt like you. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
everyone is so happy for you and that you got to dance in the snow!
May 25th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
howard its Pupil from english martyrs school just to say your so funny i never wantrd to leave but i had to. i could probbaly come back soon.
May 26th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
howard you r the best!!!!
May 28th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
howard!!!
our team was d best! howey howay???
June 18th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
hey howard !!!
really miss u n all the team at ymt hope to see u soon. i really enjoyed been part of our team howards n the reptile wrestlers
July 6th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Howard, you are amazing , you’ve made us smile sooo many times (L) Thankyouuuu for being my group leader .