KCAT CAN: My brightest star

On December 25, we'll be celebrating the birth of our Brightest Star, our savior, Jesus Christ. Even though it's children's (picture) book, it inspired me to write this article.

My Brightest Star 
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
December 19, 2011

Christmas is a time of celebration, a season of enjoying sumptuous meals and special treats with family and friends. But in the midst of merriment, let us not forget the star atop the Christmas tree, and the real reason why we celebrate Christmas: Jesus Christ. With Him as our star, we can definitely move forward and twinkle brightly.

This reflection was in my thoughts after reading the book “Brightest,’’ published by Isshin Dream Publishing. A picture book for children and adults as well, “Brightest’’ imparts a deep message that tugs at the heartstrings.

KCAT CAN: One fine friendship

Friends through thick & thin; thick because Teresa is on the chubby side, and thin because my Madge is so skinny. Hahaha. Teresa is Madge's salbabida, while Madge is Teresa's panungkit. LOL. Anyway, just read my column.

One fine friendship
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
December 5, 2011

Whenever Madge introduces me to her old friend from her grade school or high school days, her first line would always be, “She was my best friend in…” I would often tease her that each one of her classmates had become her best friend and we would both laugh.

But there was one person who is best among the rest; she’s Teresa Rivera whom she is friends with since grade school, up until now that they have grandchildren.

CDO Bloggers:Project Cadayunan Primary School

the Cagayan De Oro Bloggers will hold an outreach program in the newly opened public primary school in Besigan. Cadayunan Primary School is 52 kilometers away from the city proper and most of the people in the area are farmers with no regular transportation except dump trucks provided by the city government to help the people transport their farm products. Before it the school was operational, the cildren used to walk 12 kilometers to and fro everyday to reach the nearest school. This resulted to in-attendance; most of them was skipping school and eventually stopped going to school.

Share the Christmas spirit with our distressed "kababayans" on the desert

I got this from Jen Arellano - an angel on the desert ♥

Christmas is just around the corner...Some of us have almost finished on our Christmas list…Some cargo boxes are already sealed and ready to be shipped to loved ones anytime…Some of us had already plan for “the event” – Christmas parties, family reunions, and others already booked for vacation

But Christmas is more than those –

Firming the FAITH of the youth - NYD2011 (Nov17)

Last November 17, 2011, I was invited to be one of the Plenary Speakers on National Youth Day at DBTC Festival Site. When I received the email invite last month, my first reaction was "Wow!" It's really an honor. This is one of God's purpose for me and I would LOVE to be His instruments and share the workssssss He has done on me. ♥

"I shared my story not because I wanted popularity but because I wanted to share myself, my ordeals, my struggles, and the very words and principles that I live by that have given me the inner strength to carry on and to live on and still be with my family, loved ones, and friends."

KCAT CAN: Baking happy thoughts

I'm always thrilled whenever I get to taste Timmy's oven latest offering, not only because I love eating, but because I'm so amazed with Cathy's perseverance & hard work. Galing!

In 2009, Cathy and I were chatting on the internet about online games (PetSoc days!) and some other random stuffs when she told me that she was bored of bumming around the house when she has no classes to attend to, and wondered about how she could earn money. ....and then...

Baking happy thoughts
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
Nov 21, 2011

There was a time in my life when I used to bake and sell Christmas brownies to earn extra money to buy gifts for my friends and family. I would look around the metro for cheap yet good quality ingredients for baking, bake and put the brownies in boxes which are sold and personally delivered to customers.

Not only did I earn enough money for my Christmas shopping, I was also able to put a smile on the face of those who taste my baked goodies. I believe that the secret ingredient to baking yummy goodies is the kind of emotion that goes into baking activity. The happiness inside my heart made my brownies taste luscious.

One person who bakes with happy thoughts and happy feelings is Cathy Cansino.

Graduating from high school, when all her other classmates were about to go to different colleges, Cathy was already a young mom and wife to my cousin, Mark, and the mother of my godchild, Timmy.

Read. Enjoy. Love. Help.

The Seven: The Key to Credence by Veronica Mist

Just Like Harry Potter, Twilight, and such, The Seven is targeted for Young Adult readers, as well as the kids at heart. Though it doesn't really matter how old you are, if you love fantasy stories, you'll definitely love this book.

Toys for Joy 2011 by Touch of Ellehcar

Touch of Ellehcar Outreach Program started in 2009 by the owner Rachelle Gregorio and some of her close friends. It's their way of giving back all the blessings they have received.

"I do believe that we were all created for a reason. We may have different views of our purpose in life, but in the end, we all agree that we are meant for something or someone in our life.. 
It has been my greatest deeds to share my blessings to other people. Mostly to people whom I don't know or people I haven't heard of. Early in life, I've learned that life is tough so I have to be tough. I experienced hardship along the way, countless trials and excruciating pains. I endured all of this with the help of people who cheered me up, guided me and lead me to the right direction to where I am right now. If not for them, my life should have ended on different path.
I knew that I have moral obligations to share the blessings that I have. Same what other people have done to me when I was in need through those difficult times in my life.
Now I am living on this principle of sharing my blessings. I may have not much monetary fund to share, but my knowledge and expertise can also be shared to others. It is only up to us how we are going to give back all the things that we have today for the benefit of those people that needed it most. This is my way of being happy through giving happiness to other people."

Rachelle Gregorio

KCAT CAN: There's truth in fantasy

There's truth in fantasy
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
November 7, 2011

Credence is to believe and to trust the truth about something. It is that on which our faith lies.

I am not really an avid reader of fantasy books, but once I start reading one, I always feel like I am being transported into a world of make-believe, mesmerized, and never letting go of the book until I finish reading it down to the last page.

It was fun reading “The Seven: The Key of Credence,’’ a book that made me feel like a teenager again. I can definitely relate to the youthful curiosity and love of adventure of the main character Ryan Trish and her friends.

The Seven on November 7

First of five books. The Key of Credence tells us about Ryan and her friends and how their simple curiosity brought forth a multitude of problems to them. This book lets the readers experience an entirely new and different world—one that involves the Heavens and the Helles, and most of all—it shows how the humans themselves and how the innate goodness of their souls can create a huge difference on just about everything. (Facebook Fan Page)

The author, Veronica Mist  reached my heart not only with a beautiful story that she wrote but with her helping hands as well. Read it on my column, KCAT CAN - Monday (November 7) on Manila Bulletin (Students & Campuses section).


Support & Like these pages:
The Seven - The Key to Credence
Veronica Mist
The Key to Credence on goodreads.com

KCAT CAN: Silent Angels

October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, Let us be aware, be informed & be inspired with ate Pam & Julia's heartwarming story.

Silent Angels
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
October 24, 2011

Girls like Julia are called ‘silent angels’ because they cannot speak. These angels need us.

Julia Roman was born on December 21, 2000, and like all newborns, she was a perfectly healthy and beautiful baby. But on her seventh month, things started to change.

KCAT CAN: Brave little people

Brave little people
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
October 10, 2011

Someone once complained, “Why do people say that a sick child is fighting for survival when that child is so innocent and has no idea of what is happening?”

I believe the answer is found in the same question.

Be a hero for Hannah Marie

This is Hannah Marie Honor. She has Biliary Atresia and she needs our help. Attached is her mother's letter. Read on:

My name is Marie Angela De Luna Honor, mother of Hannah Marie D. Honor. She was born on born Feb. 26, 2009 is now 2 years old. On her 2nd month, she was diagnosed with "Biliary atresia", a liver disease characterized by the absence or closure of the bile ducts.  On her 3rd month "Kasai" procedure was done on Hannah at the Philippines Children’s Medical Center [PCMC]; an operation that removes the damaged biliary ducts outside the liver. According to her doctor, this operation is not a cure but rather a temporary solution to give us some more time to find resources for the necessary funding of Hannah's liver transplant operation.

I hope & wish & pray..

After the non-stop surgeries, therapies and medications, my battle with NF2 continues and I won't stop raising money to sustain my medical needs.

This October, I need to have my regular cranial CT scan to monitor my tumors. And also, I'll be having my MRI of the spine to check if there are tumors on my spinal column that's causing my immobility.

Both tests would cost us more or less P35,000. (The MRI of the spine costs P24K). We are not really short of money since I still have my savings, but still we can't let that savings be drained because we'll never know when I'll be needing it. Besides, that is where we get the money for my maintenance medicines like anti-seizure, antibiotic for my eyes, etc.

Good things come in two's

An amazing thing happened yesterday and then today:

The tumor on my right leg shrunk last year and it shrunk again! Wiiii!

Welcome back!!!

A few days ago, I was so sad because my right eye's vision became so blurred again.. As in almost blind! It really bothered me because my vision already improve and then it worsen again. Tsk.

I was praying and praying and praying and the next day, I wasn't that sad anymore. As always, I told myself, "What's the use of continuing to be sad. Keri na yung 1 day akong nagmumukmok." Haha. Though I'm still bothered and irritated. Eh naman kasi nakakainis! My mom and I would always say, "madumi lang ya.." Besides, I'm not using autologus serum or antibiotic for my eyes lately.. Madumi lang 'to.. Madumi lang 'to.. So my mom cleans it everyday w/ the eye gel.. It slightly improved. As in konti lang.. The last time I checked my vision was this afternoon while I was taking a bath.. I still don't recognized the shape of the 'tabo' but I can define its color..

KCAT CAN: Wanted: Pen, paper, musical instruments

Wanted: Pens, Papers, Musical Instruments
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
September 26, 2011

Getting an education prepares us physically, emotionally, mentally and socially to survive challenges in the real, big world out there while trying to accomplish our dreams. Even President Obama said, “Through education, we learn how to learn.”

I am forever grateful to my parents for giving me a good quality education. I might not have excelled in academics but the values that I learned in school really come in handy in my life’s journey.

A letter from Meldy Baldovino (who is battling w/ breast cancer)

I recently underwent surgery on my left breast last August 2, 2011. The initial findings revealed that I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage II-A, which will require me to undergo 20 chemotherapy sessions. Each session will cost me P52,782. I have already begun the first session on September 1, 2011 and the succeeding sessions will be 21 days after each cycles.

KCAT CAN: Bayanihan and Baby Liam

Sorry for the late post..

"...Pinoy bayanihan lives on. It is a deeply-rooted Filipino practice that cannot be forgotten. There is bayanihan in holding the arm of an elderly who is crossing the street, or in helping someone carry belongings.
In this modern age when even our grandparents are on Facebook, and when a Dear Diary is now called a blog, and when “following’’ is the new word for “stalking,’’. Bayanihan is still very much alive through the share button, re-tweet, re-post, and message forwarding.
Yes, things can now be done a lot easily but it is the bayanihan spirit that matters. Through social media, missing persons are found; sick persons are given chances to live a healthy life. I say, that is the modern bayanihan movement...."

Bayanihan and Baby Liam
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
September 12, 2011

 I was in primary school when I learned about the beautiful concept of bayanihan. Back then, bayanihan was defined as “village people helping one another to move a house from one place to another by carrying it together.’’

KCAT CAN: This journey called life

Like going on an road trip, we'll never really enjoy it unless we and look out the window to observe the terrains as it goes by..

After writing this article, I kept on thinking what picture should I attach? I told myself, "wala na nga lang".. And then..

This journey called life
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
August 29, 2011

Traffic jams are everywhere these days, no matter what route we take, we cannot avoid them.

Che Che Lazaro Presents: Binubuong Pangarap - Kcat Yarza (videos)

Aired last April 17, 2011 on Abs-Cbn

Gift for Anya's heart

I got this from my "angel" friend, Jen Arellano who is currently Doha. She, Abhie & many other OFWs are examples that distance won't hinder them from helping our kababayans..

Help Pia smile again

Let's 'Like' &spread the word about 'Please help Pia Smile again' page in Facebook.. It can reach to someone of high position who could help Pia with her heart operation & make her smile again..

According to her page, Paula Ysabelle or PIA is 4 years old and she needs an operation of the heart when she turns 6.

KCAT CAN: The power to dream

It's free to dream and there's no limit to it. Pangarap nga eh. So, what are you dreaming of?

Once we dream, we start to create a goal, and that dream would help us move forward with patience and determination until we finally reach that goal.

The Power to dream
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
August 15, 2011

Every night, I shut my eyes, say my night prayer and try to get sleep. But I have difficulty in sleeping immediately. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, or sometimes even longer, for me to finally doze off.

KCAT CAN: Happy Thoughts

This was my column last August 1, 2011.. Sorry for the late post. I have no computer for sometime. Anyway, here it is:

Happy thoughts
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
August 1, 2011

When I was younger, my most favorite color was yellow. I like it because of its bright and happy hue. Growing up, I learned that yellow symbolizes optimism and so I liked it even more.

I tried living according to the color’s given meaning, that is, living life with a positive attitude and an optimistic outlook. There have been times when I became overly positive, but as I tell friends, I am a realistic optimist, I make sure that I remain grounded in the realities of life.

Kcat on CHINK POSITIVE (Watch & Listen)

Alice, my Pc, is malfunctioning again and won't open.. Huhuhu! I'm sad. But at least i could still go online, update my facebook, check my email(s), boost my karma in plurk, play gamesssss, harvest my crops in farville (haha), etc etc. Though I can't watch in viki & dramacazy, it's alright coz there's a youtube app anyway.. Thanks to my IPAD!

I just can't upload the pics from yesterday.. Sabi ko na, I should buy a dock/cable for my cam.. ;P anyway, i was invited yesterday by Dra. Veloso to deliver a motivational/inspirational talk to Physical Therapy students of Manila Central University in celebration of National Disability Prevention & Rehabilitation Week. Special thanks to doc-driver Tito Rino & p.a.-camerawoman Tita Angie for coming w/ us..

Haaay kainis! I still can't upload the pics.. Pero on the brighter side, I am able to blog saka madami pa.. ^__^

Anyway, I'll be guesting on CHINK POSITIVE at 92.3 News FM, on Sunday (july24) 6-8am - simulcast via Interaksyon Tv on UHf (free tv) ch.41. (formerly UNTV)


Hosted by: Chinkee Tan

Global Destiny Cable - ch.9
Sky Cable - ch.59

Davao & Cebu (free tv) - ch.29

Online Radio Streaming - www.interAKSYON.com

Prayers from the heart

My mom told me the news about her friend Tita Dorie who is currently in the ICU again. Sad. :(

w/ Tita Dorie in 2009

This came from my mom:

My friend from high school, dorie tayag ang or boston lady is in the Intensive Care Unit of Perpetual Hospital in Laguna now. She was diagnosed with heart enlargement that affected her lungs due to the abnormal size of her heart.

KCAT CAN: As simple as 'thank you'

Thank you so so so much!

As simple as 'thank you'
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
July 18, 2011

"Thank you” is a powerful and meaningful phrase.

Parents are grateful for their children, and vice-versa. Employees are grateful for their jobs. Sick people appreciate the latest medical inventions.

To be grateful is to count our blessings, acknowledge everything that we receive, and notice the simple pleasures in life.

Ferdie Caral will get better

Baby +Nate+ is an angel! Even though he already passed, his family remains an instrument of God in helping other 'sick kids' here on earth. I got this from Yan (Nate's mom):

Baby Ferdie Caral is diagnosed with congenital heart defect when he was 3-month old. His heart condition is called Tetralogy of Fallot. His family was advised corrective heart surgery immediately but because of lack of financial capacity, they were unable to do so. He is now 4 years old and his condition is getting worse. His delay of speech is an obvious indication aside from his dusky lips and nailbeds. Because of his developmental delay, he is also advised to do neurodevelopmental consult. However, first thing first! Fix the heart!

KCAT CAN turns 1

I was organizing all my scanned articles (not all of it were scanned though) a while ago when I saw that my 1st published column was in July 5, 2010 then I checked the date today and it's July 5!

HAPPY 1st Birthday

KCAT CAN!

(my very first column)

KCAT CAN: Hang in there, Four Turtles

Like me, Niccolo, Marie, Ashley & Dondon has NF2 as well and your trash could save their lives..

Hang in there, Four Turtles
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
July 4, 2011

Your trash may help save the lives of four siblings afflicted with the same rare disease…

In a Korean telenovela that I have been watching recently, a version of the famous fable “The Turtle and the Hare” was mentioned.

In the said fable, the hare loses in the race as a result of his over self-confidence. The hare challenges the turtle for a rematch and once again, the turtle wins. Why? It is a swimming race and turtle proves to be a better swimmer than the hare!

This reminded me of the Remigio brothers and sisters, or the Four Turtles as they call themselves. Like me, they are inflicted with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2).

KCAT CAN: God bless the child

"Let’s commit our children and their plans to God—knowing that He’s the only One who can help them truly succeed." (Proverbs 16:3)

God bless the child
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
June 20, 2011

I love children! I love playing and talking with them. One of my favorite things to do is to observe kids while playing, running around, or simply doing nothing at all. They can make someone happy even without putting much effort. They are naturally adorable in their own ways.

KCAT CAN: Blessings shared

So far, 2011 is a year full of success and blessing and once again, we have successfully shared our blessing last May 21 through our annual MAY Birthday Project.

Blessings shared
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
June 6, 2011

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

It is really a blessing to be able to share because that means you have something to give.

MAY Birthday Project 2011: SUCCESS!

We made a lot of faces (both patients & their guardians) SMILE once again. Thank you to everyone who supported us! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

(group pic before the gift-giving)

We really scheduled my (very successful) surgery on an earlier date (last April) so that I would have been fuuly-recovered when the month of May comes and we could push through with my annual birthday gift-giving. God is great! Everything went more than what we have planned.

KCAT CAN: 28 years

OK fine, I'm already 28 years old. Twenty-eighTEEN! ;P

28 years
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
May 23, 2011

Most of us consider our birthdays as a significant and meaningful event in our lives. We celebrate it in different ways, but what is important is that we have to be thankful because it is the day that we had been given our precious life here on earth. We have to live through the days, months, and years in spite and despite all the events in our lives.

Having another birthday means a new day is waiting for us to experience life. We may be a year older, but we definitely grow wiser and stronger.

See..

After taking a bath and cleaning my eyes this afternoon, I covered my left eye and checked my right eye's vision as always (to entertain myself) since I'm so happy every time I see the improvement of my vision.. Mababaw ang kaligayahan eh.. Pero super super nakakatuwa! And then I became happier! It became a little bit cleare compared to yesterday.. As in! I was able to identify how many icons are in my desktop.. Galing! Galing!

Words are not enough to describe how happy I am.. Anyway, here's a glimpse of how HAPPY I am..

O diba nakakatuwa!

Help Patrick

From Mommy Tet & Daddy Joni of Breathe Hope:

Let us help ease his pain.. Let us HELP Patrick Divinagracia who is suffering from stage 4 testicular cancer

For those who would like to help Patrick, you can contact his parents Daddy Warren and Mommy Lovella Divinagracia @ 09995540840/ 09292213594 or (034)7088536

Goodbye Baby Nate!

I was shocked, saddened & out of words when I learned about Nate's passing. I only learned about it at noon since I woke up late today (everyday pala ;P).. After the heart surgery yesterday, he had a cardiac arrest 12:15 am and the doctor tried to revive him until 2am but his heart did not respond anymore.. Let's pray for Nate's family..

Angel Baby Jon, playmates kayo ni Angel Baby Nate diyan sa heaven ah.. ;)

KCAT CAN: Conversations with God

Before submitting my article, I always re-read everything that I wrote, of course. And when I read what I recently wrote, I felt like crying, I cried without tears actually (super dry eyes), because I remembered all my conversations with God. I was so touched and happy because I got to experience all those super beautiful encounter with Him. Super WOW! And then I realized that my eyes weren't really dry, there are no tears yet, but moist.. God is great!

Conversations with God

by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 

May 9, 2011

Like everyone else, I learned how to pray in my toddler years. I remember kneeling in front of my bed while putting my hands together in prayer position, just like what I would see in picture books and in kiddie shows. I prayed for simple things and prayed for everyone in the family.

"Natutuwa ako"

"Natutuwa ako!" Those are the words that kept coming out my mouth after I was discharged from the hospital. I AM HAPPY because my surgery was a super mega complete success, I kept noticing a lot of improvements and since my face won't show how happy I am, I kept on blurting out: "Natutuwa ako." and "Ang saya ko." Haha! So get ready, I'll enumerate all those improvements. Ready. Get set. Go. ;P

The day before the big day.. Talitha & I were fooling around

Liz, my highschool friend sent me a text message on morning in April, "kcat, may leukemia anak ni donnie, please pray for him" I was surprised with the news, I immediately opened my eyes woke up and asked for donnie's number. I texted d Donnie and learned the sad news. :(

Zaknate: A story of love (Please share & help)

Visit Nate's page on Facebook!

KCAT CAN: No reason not to be joyful

"...There are a lot of people who have disabilities but are still capable of succeeding in life by doing everything that they could; and I am one of them! I may not excel in anything, but I have touched lives. I am able to share my talents. I am able to bring joy to people’s hearts. And the most important of all, I am able to know how to live with gratitude, contentment, happiness and courage in the face of many struggles and challenges. I am disabled, but I am surely, definitely and undoubtedly able!..."

No reason not to be joyful
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza
April 25, 2011


MANILA, Philippines — I had an open-head surgery two weeks ago, and it was a success! The tumor that was causing my right eye to bulge out was removed completely, without complications, I had the fastest recovery. Post-surgery, I didn't feel any pain in my head nor weakness. In five days, my doctor Dr. Willy Lopez discharged me from the hospital. God is so great!