Please watch..

 Storyline's Christmas Special  
tonight on ABS-CBN after Bandila. My story was chosen as one of the episodes with the strongest impact this season; they made a follow-up interview.. Thanks!

KCAT CAN: The last time I heard Christmas carols

Merry Christmas in 5 days! 

The last time I heard Christmas carols
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
December 20, 2010


Colorful Christmas lights are everywhere, Christmas songs are playing, and Christmas trees are up! Christmas! Christmas!

Christmas! The most eventful day of the year is only a few days ahead! Are you ready to celebrate it?

Mama Fund ..Share + Pray + Buy + Donate = HELP

Please visit: http://mamafund.co.cc

Ms. Aileen Viray was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPCA) with intracranial extensions, commonly known as malignant cancer of the nasopharynx.. multiple tumors developed on both sides of her neck which required her to undergo a major operation and she has to undergo radiation therapy after. She'll also be needing a hip replacement since she's been having trouble walking..

KCAT CAN: The other Big C to fight the Big C

"Achieve the seemingly impossible dream. It takes The Big C to overcome The Big C. It takes the Biggest Courage to fight the Big Cancer."

The other ‘Big C’ to fight the ‘Big C’

by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza

December 6, 2010

It takes a courage to face The Big C.

Cancer begins in the cells,which we have learned are the building blocks of the body. Under normal conditions, our bodies produce new cells as we grow and as we need them. They replace the old cells that die. However, under abnormal conditions, some new cells grow in the body when they are not needed, and the old cells do not die when they should. These kinds of cells eventually form a mass called tumor.

"We Believe That Vincent CANCERvive"

I got to know Vincent in June 2009, then we visited him at PGH a few weeks after since I had my mapping session while has was still confined there.. 

he was resting when we came

KCAT CAN: Miracles do happen

"Each day is a miracle. Just being able to live through the rest of the day is a miracle. Breathing the air of tomorrow is another miracle.


A miracle causes great happiness among people. From a biblical perspective, it is an event in the external world brought about by the immediate and simple volition of God. I do believe in miracles. They happen every single minute. There are no explanations necessary, they just happen, and we know that they do happen because we can feel them when they happen..."

Fr. Joey Faller's Healing Mass

"...It is faith that makes miracles happen. According to our faith, so shall it be done."


MIRACLES DO HAPPEN
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
November 23, 2010


MANILA, Philippines – Each day is a miracle. Just being able to live through the rest of the day is a miracle. Breathing the air of tomorrow is another miracle.

Prayers for JP of KampeonNgPagibig.com

I saw that on my fb wall since I 'liked' Let's Go Sago on Facebook

Prayers for Fellow Blogger JP of KampeonNgPagibig.com

Someone needs a prayer daw, so I clicked the link..

I have no idea who this JP was, though his blog looked familiar..

Help Baby Jon Breathe Hope

This is Baby Jon. He is suffering from Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or HIE. According to MedicineNet.com, HIE is damage to cells in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) from inadequate oxygen, thus he need to be hooked to a mechanical ventilator to help him breathe.

Written by my mom..

This was my mom's entry when she nominated me at Cebuana Lhuillier's Happiest Pinoy that made me part of the Top 7 Finalists..

----------

I was a teenage mom when I had my eldest child, MARIA KATHRINA (Kcat) Lopez Yarza. Kcat was born on Friday the 13th  of May 1983. I was in labor pains for more than 10 hours when my doctor finally decided to go with the Ceasarian Secton. Kcat's heart beats was in zero respiration due to the cord coil and she suffered from meconium stain. She was revived and was in an incubator for 3 days. There was a guilt feeling and I really felt so sorry that my first child had to suffer all the pains.  This was the time that I realized that I have an obligation that I need to face. Despite, the trials and humiliations that I’ve gone through during my early years of my married life, I felt I must be strong for an innocent child who depends on me. She is truly a gift from God, to love and cherish.

RARE RUN 2010 Ala Eh!

I got this from Pam Mayo-Roman on Facebook..

Calling all families, friends and running enthusiasts! It's time to run, have fun and celebrate with us the birthdays of Julia and Vince through a FUN RUN called RARE RUN ala EH! on Dec 18, 2010.This is a special event that aims to raise funds for the benefit of kids with rare disorders like Vince and Julia. Proceeds will go to the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, Inc (PSOD) and Breathe Initiative (BI)

KCAT CAN: Change Comes Knocking at the Door

Change can only work in two ways – for the better, or for the worst. Yet, regardless of whatever manner in which change comes into our lives, what matters is how we view it and how we react to it. It may be uncomfortable and awkward at first and will have a ripping effect for anybody who refuses to go along with it.

Change Comes Knocking At The Door
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
November 8, 2010


What is change? Why is change taken and seen as the only permanent and constant thing in life? From conception to death, everything in our lives is ever-moving, ever-changing. Slow and quick, change is the metamorphosis of life. It is no respecter of humans, taking no exception of anyone – including me.

Above was the opening paragraph in my blog entitled “Pagbabago,” my entry to a blog contest sponsored by Goldilocks and Nuffnang Philippines.

Check out my column tomorrow..

Goldilocks & Nuffnang's Pagbabago Blog Contest 

+ Alagang Kapatid

+ NEUROFIBROMATOSIS Friends

= CHANGE

Alagang Kapatid (October 30)

My NFFriends & I on Alagang Kapatid..

Kcat's dream: to live in spite of brain tumors

Her name is Kcat. This is her story.

by Ms. Patricia Evangelista (10-12-2010)

I'm back!

Dr. Kcat

I often saw a mother with many bumps on the skin (in different sizes) in front of our school gate dropping and fetching her son to school. When I saw her, I thought, maybe she has a skin disease or something. I had no idea what it was nor am I curious. All I know is she's a schoolmate's parent.

Neurofibromatosis on Alagang Kapatid (TV5)

Please watch

Alagang Kapatid

tomorrow on TV5 at 7:15am

An IPAD for me!

When I received the Nuffnang's notification regarding the Goldilocks contest, I told myself, "Big change in life? Madami ako nyan!"

October 25, 2005...

...was the start of my 2-month stay in the hospital then my health suddenly deteriorated.

KCAT CAN: Beautiful In My Eyes

Geraldine has given me further inspiration. She has given me further strength. And most important of all, she has further rooted my Faith in God.

Regardless of her physical appearance, Geraldine Javier Oliva is, and will always be, beautiful in my eyes.

Beautiful in my eyes
by Maria Kathrrina Lopez Yarza 
October 23, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – I was staring blankly at my computer and praying to God to give me something to write about when my Mom called out that dinner was ready. It has become a habit for me to watch television while having my meal.

That night, the habit became a blessing for it was an answered prayer for me. I saw Geraldine Oliva on TV and was moved by her exceptional courage, strength and faith. So I immediately searched more about her on the internet and admired her even more.

Column Advisory

Thank you Nuffnang & Goldilocks!

Just a short post..........

I won Best Overall Blog Yesterday Awarding for Nuffnang's Goldilocks contest.. An IPAD for me! Yey!

I'll blog the further details tomorrow.. I still need to attend 2 parties today.. :)

here's my entry:
http://underkcat.blogspot.com/2010/09/pagbabago_29.html

here are the pics from the event..

KCAT CAN: Rockin' My World

ROCK N ERA - October 8, 2010

Super thank you to Malen and Infiniteam!

ROCKIN' MY WORLD
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
October 18, 2010


MANILA, Philippines – Since 2005 when my Mom and I started our fund drive for my medical needs, whenever we saw a benefit concert, we would always say to each other, “Sana tayo din no?” So after five years, the heavens granted our wishful words. Last Oct. 8, 2010, my dream of becoming a concert beneficiary became a reality.

Eveready's Laging Handang Bayani: Nominee#9

Few weeks ago, someone emailed me and asked for my personal (contact) information because he wanted to nominate me for Eveready's Laging Handang Bayani contest because according to him, I am his hero. WOW!

Please take some time to register

and vote for me

KCAT CAN: My Strange Eyes

My mom was so anxious when I told her that my right eye's vision worsen, so she immediately scheduled a check-up with my eye doctor.. She can't get over her worry even after the check-up since my right eye won't go back to it's normal state anymore and I need to undergo eye surgery soon to prevent my left eye from damaging it with too much exposure since my eyelids are weak and won't blink properly.. My right eye will be stitch in half too so that it won't continuously swallow out..

It's just a minor surgery and it's for the best.. What really matters is that I could see. Period. My vision's kinda blurry, but thanks to my glasses, I'm seeing well.. :)

So I decided to write about it.. :)

Still OKAY inspite & despite.. 

with my eye specialist, Dr. Rey Santos back in 2008.. I was still weak then and my face was huge due to my steroids intake (for my brain tumors)

MY STRANGE EYES

by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza

October 11, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – A few nights ago, I asked my Mom, “Ma, madumi ba right eye ko?” She said, “No.” Besides, she just finished cleaning my right eye with the eye gel solution that my ophthalmologist prescribed for my eye maintenance.

The ERA Rocked!

Almost Almost Blind Right Eye

I always check the vision of my right eye by closing my left eye and using just my right to see.. and then I was surprised to see than I can't see anything on my right anymore.. I can only see a major major super blurry light.. the silhouette image I used to see before is nowhere to be found..

i edited a picture to show how my right vision used to be and how it is now..

i used this pic:

KCAT CAN: Food for Happy Thoughts

happy thoughts cannot make us fly, but beautiful and happy thoughts can lift us above the cares and problems of daily living, allowing us to do our tasks with greater ease and comfort.

Food for happy thoughts
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
October 4, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – Whenever someone comments about my love for food, I would jokingly say “I’m just paying my debts because the thought of eating again was one of the reasons why I got out of the hospital.”

Pagbabago

What is change? Why is change taken and seen as the only permanent and constant thing in life? From conception to death, everything in our lives is ever-moving, ever-changing. Slow and quick, change is the metamorphosis of life. It is no respecter of humans, taking no exception of anyone – including me.

Six years ago, at age twenty-one, I was living a normal and happy life.  I was at the prime of my life, hanging out and having fun with my friends.  I loved partying and found enjoyment in making people howl in laughter with my funny antics.  Needless to say, I was a carefree and jovial person who enjoyed almost everything around me.  My life was at its peak until the inequitably unexpected change came – a change that ultimately pressed me out of my comfortable zones.

KCAT CAN: Hannah's Letter

Two years back, I saw a link about a sick baby girl, Hannah Ysabelle. I was so touched when I read her condition and her parents’ courage and strength to help their little angel. I met her parents, Kuya Carlo and Ate Joan, through the net and from then on, our friendship started.

In order to sustain Hannah's (super expensive) medical needs, they put up an online store and sell rosary bracelets which are made by Ate Joan & Kuya Carlo..
 

Let us help Hannah continue to breathe and watch her grow. Visit her website http://hannahysabelle.multiply.com/or e-mail thru zivodrock@gmail.com.

Hannah's Letter

by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza

September 28, 2010

Two years back, I saw this link about a sick baby girl, Hannah Ysabelle. I was so touched when I read her condition and her parents’ courage and strength to help their little angel. I met her parents, Kuya Carlo and Ate Joan, through the net and from then on, our friendship started.

Be aware. Be inspired.

A few days ago, someone from TV5's Alagang Kapatid messaged me on ym.........
....and then the camera rolls again!

KCAT CAN: I have a pen that writes

I am the author of my life. Unfortunately, I am writing with a pen with permanent ink; therefore, I cannot erase my mistakes. It leaves me with no other choice except to use the lessons I learned from my past and use them to create my beautiful present...

...Life is the greatest chance that has been given to all of us. So how do you choose to live your life? You’ve got a pen. Write it down.

I Have A Pen That Writes
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
September 20, 2010


I am the author of my life. Unfortunately, I am writing with a pen with permanent ink; therefore, I cannot erase my mistakes. It leaves me with no other choice except to use the lessons I learned from my past and use them to create my beautiful present.

I look at my life as a book with many pages and chapters. Each page tells of who I am and what I had gone through — the stupid mistakes, the laughter, the tears, and the small accomplishments that come with them.

KCAT CAN: What Would My Life Be Without Friends?

People come and go in this lifetime. Some merely pass us by. Some stay with us for a little while. Some leave as quickly as they come. However, when real friends come, they stay and never leave.


---

While I was writing this article, I missed these girls:

So I invited them for dinner..

Lea, Pau & I often use the "everything has a reason" phrase to comfort ourselves whenever things don't go our way.. Those were the days........ :P

What would my life be without friends?

by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza

September 14, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – People come and go in this lifetime. Some merely pass us by. Some stay with us for a little while. Some leave as quickly as they come. However, when real friends come, they stay and never leave.

KCAT CAN: HELP KATRINA HEAR

I wrote about Katrina Rambongga and her fund raising campaign today.. I really wish for little Kat to hear & say the words 'I love you'.. soon!

She has cochlear implant device now, thanks to your help! and she can speak a few syllables.. But she needs continuous therapy & schooling in order to hear clearly and speak more words.. And she needs our help..

HELP KATRINA HEAR
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
September 6, 2010


Way back in 2008, I received a message from a concerned father through my Multiply account, Kuya John was searching for something to help Katrina, his two year old only daughter, the youngest of his three children. Kuya John and his wife Ate Karen wished they had a little girl and after four years of waiting Katrina was born. A dream came true.

Story of the pencil

A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point he asked:

‘Are you writing a story about what we’ve done? Is it a story about me?’

His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson:

‘I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I’m using. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up.’

KCAT CAN: To hEAR again

"It was only a dream for me to be able to hear again. When I learned about the Auditory Brainstem Implant, a device designed for NF2 to be able to hear again, my mom and I thought of a fund drive so I could have the implant done. We called it the hEAR Campaign (Help my Ear hEAR)..."

To hear again
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
August 30, 2010


It was only a dream for me to be able to hear again. When I learned about the Auditory Brainstem Implant, a device designed for NF2 to be able to hear again, my mom and I thought of a fund drive so I could have the implant done. We called it the hEAR Campaign (Help my Ear hEAR).

Mae Loves to hear from you again

For my friends in the dessert (Middle East) ;P Let's help Mae raise funds for Cochlear Implant in order to hear the world again..

I learned about Mae through Jen's blog.. 

Here's a copy of Mae's letter posted at her website:

I hope this letter finds you well.

My name is Ferlene Mae Muto, 15 years of age, I was born normal and healthy on September 25, 1994.  I go to a private school in Sharjah and will be in fourth year high school.  I am the eldest and only daughter and I have two younger brothers who are aged 7 & 4 years old.

I, You & We are not an accident

My friend Daniel sent me these 2 Bible verses to me on Facebook today.. Share ko din.. :D

"Before I shaped you in the womb,

I knew all about you.

Before you saw the light of day,

I had holy plans for you"

JEREMIAH 1:5

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

JEREMIAH 29:11

KCAT CAN: Life

This was how I look like in  late 2005..

And this is me now.. I can't smile, but I am happy!

Life is never hopeless.. While there's life, there's hope..


LIFE
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
August 23, 2010


Friday the 13th? To think that it is a bad luck day is an absolute fallacy. I was born on Friday the 13th of May, 1983, with zero respiration, not a bad luck — but a beginning of a brighter life for me because God gave me a second chance.

My life has been filled with challenges eversince.

Storyline Damdamin (Abs-Cbn) - Kcat Yarza

aired on ABS-CBN - August 18, 2010

Storyline Whispers (ANC) - Kcat Yarza

aired on ANC on July 22, 2010

Benefit Concert -The Dawn, True Faith & Bamboo

benThanks to Malen & thhe Infiniteam!

They made me their beneficiary for an upcoming concert they organized..

Storyline: Damdamin on ABS-CBN

Please watch Storyline

on Wednesday - August 18

at ABS-CBN after Bandila (around 11pm, i think)

This is the episode that was aired on ANC last July 22 entitled, Whispers.

KCAT CAN: That all-important support system

My mom's rheumatologist, Dr. Esther Penserga asked her to give an inpirational talk last August 7 during the monthly meeting of Lupus Club (PGH Chapter).. My mom is sick, and she is takes care of me, another sick person.. But we get by in spite of it..

That all-important support system
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
August 16, 2010


In 2000, my mom was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLELE), a`chronic autoimmune connective tissue disorder that can affect various parts of the body especially the skin, joints, blood, nervous system, kidney, heart and some other internal organs.

iSWEETS: Homemade Goodies

My cousin, Cathy Odulio, is selling homemade goodies that are super yummy at affordable prices..

Today is Friday the 13th

I was born on the night of May 13, Friday with zero respiration. Bad luck? Of course not! That day was full of good luck & blessings.. Because..

I'M ALIVE!

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This was the Last Friday the 13th in May 2005:

I just love it when my birthday falls on Friday..

more pics here

KCAT CAN: No Turning back time

Cinderella said (sang pala)..

A dream is a wish your heart makes

When you're fast asleep

In dreams you lose your heartaches

Whatever you wish for, you keep

Have faith in your dreams and someday

Your rainbow will come smiling thru

No matter how your heart is grieving

If you keep on believing

the dream that you wish will come true

ayun may family pic pala kami..

"Dreams can take us anywhere if we just set them free! What we believe is what we achieve. What we imagine is what we become. What we think is what we experience."

No turning back time
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
August 9, 2010


What is your greatest dream?

KCAT CAN: Blessings

You are one of the my finest blessings..

I counted my blessings!