Reading Mom’s a Stewardess feels like reading the woman version of Bo Sanchez.
I travelled to Bohol to do a research on what an Ultimate Tour of Bohol would be. I only planned to spend two (2) days to explore the Chocolate Hills tourist route and Panglao Island. Unfortunately due to airplane flight constraints, I had to extend my stay for another day. I knew that I don’t have anything else to do on the third day except wait for the boarding time for my flight back to Manila.
I don’t know why I settled for this kind of predicament but I felt that I had to do it. I realized later on that it is God’s way of pausing my busy life. In that moment of peaceful existence waiting for my 5pm flight back to Manila, I finished reading Angel Viloria’s book : My Mom’s a Stewardess.
How I wish that I could write a book called “My Dad is a Steward”. I’m still in my “personal searching” stage. In a way, I find myself following Angel’s life path…
I decided to quit my CIO job for one of the best multinational company in the Philippines after close to 13 years of loyal employment. It was my first job so it was difficult leave. I felt like a traitor leaving all my stressed friends behind in the front line of the battle for improving consumer’s lives.
Angel left her professional career in the Philippine (audit) Rating Services Corporation for 14 years. Like her, I found peace in the company of my family, friends, and OAP friends after resigning. I became more thankful and in constant search for a meaning in life.
I’m happy that Angel accomplished her dream of becoming a published author. Like her, I’m eager to publish my OAP book: 100 Awesome Experiences Only in the Philippines.
Mom’s a stewardess is certainly a blessing for me. It gave me a reassurance that I’m on the right path and direction in life. It fueled my search for knowing more about Him and finding my own steward niche.
I wanted to be part of Bo Sanchez’s Light of Jesus Community but don’t know anybody who is a part of that community. Sometimes, I wanted to give back to my alma matter, Don Bosco Makati and support all the Salesian’s projects and undertakings. I also had an encounter with the born again organization and got invited to the Union Church’s Bible Studies.
Also, the book left me reflecting on how I would celebrate my 40th Birthday, 6 years from now. Or, how my 10 years Wedding Anniversary would be like. Thanks Angel for inspiring me and blessing us with your stewardship stories.
OAP GIFT
I’m giving away a FREE copy of Mom’s a Stewardess Book to the first OAP reader who wants it. I want it to be a viral book where after you read it, you promise to write a comment on the book and give it away to the next person. In this way, this viral book will be able to bless more people all around the world!
It was indeed a blessing being stuck in Bohol on my third day. I was able to write this reflection.
May God Bless You and May you Live an Awesome Life,
Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.
i’ll take it. only problem is, i won’t be in manila til the end of the month. i can read it during my two-week stay there and leave it with another traveler. would that be alright?
Yeah, that would be alright. Let me know where I can send it. Email me anton@diaz.ph
sayang naman, i just came in second… hopefully it’s available in national bookstore. actually, i’m out of the country because of my husband’s work. i also resigned from my work of 12 years just last year to join my husband who’s working here in malaysia. it was tough a decision for me who has been used to working and set it aside for a more meaningful reason. to be with the person i vowed to be with through thick and thin…
hello anton,
where can we purchase a copy of this book? 🙂 i hope i can get a copy soon! like you, i went through a personal journey lately and decided to pursue my dream.
and btw, i used to work in P&G too for 6.25 years 🙂 so i can relate how hard it is to let go of your first job … and great people that you’ve work w/.
rhee 🙂
Hi Anton,
I am glad that God has given you the grace to search for Him and have that desire to get to know Him even more. I am a big follower of Bo Sanchez too. His books have helped me a lot in my personal journey to improve my relationship with God. I am not a member of LOJ but I do attend their weekly Sunday gathering (The Feast) at the Valle Verde Country club beside Ultra. I am not sure if you have attended there yet but i can assure you that I have always felt blessed each time I attend. I have indicated below the schedule in case you would like to attend Sunday mass at The Feast. I am currently a part of a community – SOLV – similar to LOJ and we hold our weekly gathering at Don Bosco Makati every Tuesdays 730pm. Id be happy to invite you to our upcoming activities too (see below).
SOLV
Acoustic Night
September 5, 2008 7pm
12/F Executive Dining room UCPB Executive Office
Makati Ave. Makati City
–This is a good opportunity to relax, unwind, and get to meet the cool members of our community and friends.
CLS (Christian Life Series)
13 Tuesdays to get to know God through people we have invited to share their life experiences in their journey with Him. We do invite preachers from LOJ as well in these talks.
LOJ – The Feast
Sundays, Venue: Valle Verde Country Club beside Ultra
7:00 AM – Talk by Bro. Bo Sanchez or any of the Kerygma preachers in case Bo is not available then follows the Sunday Mass Celebration .
10:00 AM – Mass Celebration then follows a talk by Bro. Bo.
12:30pm – Mass Celebration then follows a talk by Bro. Bo.
Soldier on,
Hazel
Sayang i missed the book. Will surely look for it next time i pass by a bookstore.
Light of Jesus Community is a good community. I have been attending their Feast but has stopped lately when they transferred the venue to the Valle Verde Clubhouse. I also have my own community and the Kerygma speakers by the likes of Bro. Obet Cabrillas, Bro. Arun Gogna, Bro. Alvin Barcelona and others talk to our prayer meetings once in awhile.
Try to attend their Feast. You will not regret it. It’s a bit addicting… =)
Hi Anton! Thanks for this post and for all your help in spreading the word about the book. To OAP readers (like me), the book is available at NBS, Powerbooks, and Bestsellers. Anton – am back to work at PhilRatings by the way. So you never know. =) God works in mysterious ways but always for the best. Good luck with your own book and will help you out in any way I can with that.
Hi again Anton! You can join the Light of Jesus Ministry of Bro Bo Sanchez by attending the Kerygma Feast every Sunday at the Valle Verde Country Club.
Details are here…
http://bosanchez.ph/do-you-feel-spiritually-hungry-thirsty-2/
you can also join the Kerygmafamily at
http://www.kerygmafamily.com/
You had intended to spend only two days in Bohol?! Far from enough to explore all its beauty, Anton! We were there for four days, and I would’ve liked to stay a couple of days longer. I’m not saying your third day wasn’t well-spent reading the book, but it’s too bad you didn’t take the opportunity to see more of Bohol while you were there. One could also look at it another way — that your flight was delayed so that you could further appreciate one of our country’s beautiful provinces. But, never mind. You can always return naman. 🙂
hi Anton, can i have/borrow the book? i used to read Angelica Veloria’s blog even before i read your blog. :-). God bless!
i left my job working as a senior trader in a top japanese trading firm 2 months ago. like you i spent 13 years there and it was my first job after graduating from UST. I’m still trying to adjust…13 years of waking up early 5 days a week and doing the same thing really grows on you…I also miss my former officemates. Right now i’m starting my own business and i’m happy, finally doing what I really want to do…working for myself, having my own free time, and doing the things i love..
I wish you well and its comforting to know there are people out there like me who have taken this step.
Hey Anton!
My friends and I are followers of your blog! 🙂 We try out the restaurants you feature, visit the places you recommend and believe that we’ve done something awesome when we get to experience something you’ve also posted. My friend was telling me that she approached you during a dress rehearsal of Avenue Q. She was saying how you inspired all of us. We all started taking amateur-feeling-professional photos of food, making trip itineraries and collecting a bajillion gigabytes of pictures. Of course, each one of us had that dream of traveling the Philippines and around the world even before professional blogging started getting famous, I guess what I want to say is that bloggers like you really inspire us (us whose fun is limited only to barkada gimmicks and malling) to dream bigger and start exploring the world even at early 20’s.
I just started working last year, but I decided to resign by early next year to explore on other things. The world is just too big to get stuck in front of your office desk from 8-6pm (++ if you’re working late) everyday. I super love that Discovery Channel campaign The World is Just Awesome. Galing that it’s somewhat similar to OAP.
Keep it up! When’s your book getting published? I’m excited! 🙂
I take down notes from your blog and keep it in my “The Secret” Gratitude Journal. I believe that if I keep on reading your blog, I’ll get to travel and experience as much in the near future! I wish you well and your beautiful family. Your kids are sooo cute!! 🙂