KCAT CAN: Modern-day Heroes

Mariya & Marco are two of the sweetest kids I know..

Modern-day heroes
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
January 21, 2013

"Indio” is the latest drama series on GMA 7 that is based on Philippine myths and beliefs with a twist of fantasy.

GMA described in its website that “the value of Indio’s beautiful story traverses through generations, as its theme of earning dignity through selfless sacrifice for loved ones resonates strongly even for audiences of today.”

Ikaw at Ako, INDIO. Ang Kasaysayan ng Isang Epiko.

Please watch my interview on "Ikaw at Ako, INDIO. Ang Kasaysayan ng Isang Epiko." this Sunday, January 13 after Imbestigador on GMA.


Related article: Watch the Indio Primer

**My mom & my neighbor NF Friend, Jonalyn, were also interviewed.

Celebrating November & December

I was so busy the whole month of December that's why I did have the time to do my recap for the month of November.. so here's both November & December 2012 recaps :)

November 3

YABU date with Maro & Talitha

 

November 6

Went to the office of Mayor Benhur Abalos with my mom & Bene and asked for his help with GYA Peeps' Christmas project.

Then went to Dr. Lopez' clinic in Cardinal Santos Medical Center for the removal of the stitches on my right toe.

KCAT CAN: Celebrating friendships and reviving traditions in 2012

Celebrating friendships and reviving traditions in 2012
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
January 7, 2013

2012 was indeed a colorful year for me just like how I wanted it to be when the year started. There was the color of success, a color that was brought back, and new colors to brighten up my life. And the memories that they brought will always hold a special place not only in my heart but also in the hearts of the people who shared the previous year with me.

KCAT CAN: Giving the deaf the chance to hear again

Giving the deaf the chance to hear
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
December 10, 2012

As most of you know, Med-el is my cochlear implant provider. But it isn’t just a brand of a hearing device. Having it also means having a whole company that supports you. When I decided to choose Med-el a few months before I had the implant in 2007, I felt that I did not only enter another dramatic change in my life, but more than that, I was welcomed to an additional family, the Med-el family.

A couple of days ago, I attended the 15th anniversary of Med-el. We were so lucky that it has an office in the Philippines to help people with hearing impairment to be able to hear life once again. There were a lot of people, mostly kids, with round-shape magnets with a wire attached to their heads. It is called a speech processor, the external part of a cochlear implant. To us, it is a hair accessory.

One of the things that I look forward to whenever I attend a Med-el gathering is seeing these deaf kids perform and display their talents. They danced to the beat even if they could not fully hear the sound or lyrics of a song. Some of them sang while some served as hosts. Others played musical instruments even though they did not really distinguish every pitch of the sound they made. And most of all, it was really fun to see them play around like children with normal hearing ability.

KCAT CAN: Bringing Christmas Back

Bringing back Christmas
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
November 26, 2012

Somewhere in the City of Mandaluyong is an area impassable to any vehicle.

Our neighborhood located at M. Vasquez Street is not as attractive as the other communities. There are a lot of small houses here that are cramped together. Within the area is a small compound called Green Years Apartment or GYA. This is where my friends and I have lived since we were young.

A GYA Christmas: Excited kids are excited!

Photo from my instagram

3 days after we announced about the upcoming GYA Christmas, 100+ excited kids already registered.. Let's make these kids happy on December 24!

A GYA Christmas for the children:

Care. Share. Donate.

A GYA Christmas for the children: Care. Share. Donate.

When we were kids, my friends and I along with the other kids in our street, would always look forward to Christmas celebration the whole day of December 24 – a day full of games and a party at night.

GYA  Christmas Party 1994

Remembering how it has given us so much happiness over the years, it became our goal to make these kids feel the happiness that we’ve felt when we were their age. We’re letting them experience the spirit of Christmas and showing them how it’s done. We would solicit from government offices and from some of our friends in and even from what little amount we have on our own pockets order to raise funds, buy everything, decorate and give the children a memorable Christmas Eve. We call ourselves the GYA Peeps.

KCAT CAN: Leading an extraordinary life

Leading an extraordinary life
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
November 12, 2012

It really does feel great whenever people tell me that I have touched their lives and influenced them in one way or another. Actually, I am not really doing anything greater other than enjoying my life and living it the way I want it.

I accept whatever life gives me despite the odds and enjoy whatever comes out from it. Some may complain that it is easier said than done, but it’s not really the case. Yes, life is hard, but doing the things that you can is not really that hard. It all depends on you and your attitude.

October Festivities

October 5

Merienda with my longest closest bestest friends (Daisy & Michelle) though sila lang ang kumain dahil kakatapos ko lang..

October 16

New Found NF Friend who in the same street as I am.. Jonalyn.

October 19

Minor Surgery on Talitha's birthday. The party surgery was held at PGH-FMAB (the new building for outpatients) which was done by, of course my neurosurgeon, Dr. Willy Lopez. Yes, it's a super minor and small surgery than can be performed by another doctor (at a cheaper price), but I want my doctor to do it because I'm more at ease with him.. We just need to raise raise raise funds.. and thank you for your continuous support :)

The very small, but very very very terrible tumor under my right toe finger

The processing of papers was actually longer than the duration of the surgery..

 

 

Ready. Get set. Go.