KCAT CAN: The best birthday treat

The best birthday treat

"I am Kcat Yarza. We’re here to celebrate my birthday by sharing my blessings that I call family and friends.” That was the introduction I gave in each ward during our 8th MAY Birthday Project at the Philippine General Hospital last May 17.

“We want to let you know that you are not alone because someone cares for you.” I relayed everything in Tagalog, of course. I paused and got distracted whenever I saw someone crying not because I feel pity for them but because I saw in their faces that their prayers were somewhat answered, especially when I said the line, “Habang may buhay, may pag-asa (while there’s life, there’s hope).”

KCAT CAN: Beautiful despite the imperfections

Beautiful despite the imperfections

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” − Psalm 139:14

When I was a child, I was diagnosed with various illnesses and conditions, which we later found out to be just one kind of disorder – Neurofibromatosis (NF).

NF is a neurological disorder and causes benign tumors to grow on nerves that can affect many parts of the body, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, skin, and other body systems. It can be inherited and can be caused by a mutation in genes. Once you have it, you can pass it on to your children.

KCAT CAN: The sincerity of children

The sincerity of children

Look at children. Of course, they may quarrel, but they do not harbor ill feelings as much or as long as adults do. Most adults have the advantage of education over children, but what is the use of an education if they show a big smile while hiding negative feelings deep inside? Children don’t usually act in such a manner. If they feel angry with someone, they express it, and then it is finished. — Dalai Lama XIV

One day, my friends wondered. “How does one feel when one is doing something just for the sake of getting the job done, to gain praises or popularity, without a bit of sincerity?”

KCAT CAN: Power of a heartfelt prayer

Read
Power of a heartfelt prayer

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” — Mark 11:24

What are you praying for? Most of us pray for good health, guidance, safety, finances or a better understanding of life. We would pray for ourselves, our friend, our families and the world. Those who are sick like me, pray for complete healing. Others ask God for forgiveness or thank Him for all the blessings they receive. Most prayers are done inside places of worship, at home, at work, while traveling, or wherever we maybe because God is always with us. There are those who do their prayers while lighting a candle, holding a rosary or crucifix, or while kneeling. Most people pray silently while some say it out loud or write it on a paper.

It’s amazing to know that there are so many various ways to pray and communicate with God, but do we have the time for Him or are we too busy with our lives?

KCAT CAN: The best way to fight life’s battles

The best way to fight life’s battles

In our Neurofibromatosis group page on Facebook, one of our NF friends posted, “Sadya bang ganon…? Tayong mga maysakit parang bawal magalit at bawal gumawa ng kasalanan? Dapat alam kung ano ang tama at alin ang mali? Kailangang magpaka-bato pagdating sa love dahil sa takot na baka di tayo sapat.”

I immediately disagreed with two letters, “NO!” Then, I later explained, “Hindi maiiwasang magpaka-emo minsan, pero don’t take everything seriously nalang and choose to laugh at it than be sad about it. Mahirap? Pero hindi impossible.”

KCAT CAN: Choose Happiness

Read
Choose Happiness

“I want to have a reason to be happy like Kcat,” reads this Facebook status from my friend Cecille.

I told her that she can be because she has a lot of reasons to be happy like being alive, waking up to a beautiful morning each time, being surrounded by family and friends, and having a job.

“Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself,” says a quote from American author Alice Walker.

MAY Birthday 2014 on May 17: Birthday Wishlist

It’s already summer time and the month of May is just around the corner! It’s going to be my birthday once again meaning MAY Birthday Project is here!!!

1st MAY Birthday Project in 2007

Since I was a child, I am always excited whenever my birthday’s coming because it means gifts, foods and party with my friends and cousins. Up until now, I still feel the same excitement because my birthday means there’ll be foods, gifts and family and friends to share and bring JOY to those who are in need.

In 2007, while travelling by car with my family, I was thinking aloud, “I want to celebrate my birthday with the kids in the hospital." Ideas kept coming out of my mind, but I told myself, “But we are not rich, how can we fund the event?”

I am rich with blessings though, blessings that I call family and friends, and so I’ve been sharing them with the patients of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Charity wards.

7 years of gift-giving

Like most people who’s about to celebrate their birthday, I too have a birthday wishlist that I’ve been asking for 8 years now. Please give me a birthday gift from my wishlist and help us in making this year’s gift-giving event as successful as the previous years. Donate. Join. Support.

KCAT CAN: Carlisle's Plea For Help

“Wala na po bang ibang option?” Marie desperately asked the doctor when she was told that Carlisle needs to undergo another brain surgery. She’s completely aware that craniopharyngioma is a tumor that may come back even after surgery and radiation therapy but she never thought that it can be this fast, it hasn’t been a year since Carlisle’s recent brain surgery.

“I know this is for the best, but as long as there are other options, that I’m sure there will be, I don’t want to risk his life again,” Marie shared.

Read
Carlisle's Plea For Help

On the dawn of March 31, Marie Ruth Berma was blessed with a bouncing baby boy who immediately cried after coming out of his mom’s womb, a sign that he was healthy. The handsome little boy with rosy cheeks and birthmark on his foot, was named Carlisle Von Patrick. For Marie, Carlisle was perfect.

KCAT CAN: Waiting For God's Signs

Whenever I can’t think of anything to write about— whether I mention it in my prayer or not, as long as I would think about it—God always gives me a ‘sign’ to answer this prayer; and Ndre’s story is my answered prayer. 

Read
Waiting For God's Signs

“Do you believe in signs?” My sister asked me one day.

KCAT CAN: Everyone needs a family

Everyone needs a family

Most of my friends know who Tito Jim is. He is my mom’s younger brother who is five years older than me. We basically grew up together with my cousins. From hip-hop music to rock, riding the bicycle and skateboard, I learned it all from him.

During our teenage years, we used to call his place “Paraiso” because hanging out with him was like a paradise of reality. That was something my cousins and I made up. It may sound as an excuse, but for us, it was like seeing what’s ahead of us while being in tune with the current moment and having fun.

Last January 10, Tito Jim married his girlfriend, April Policarpio. I already forgot how long they were together because it seemed like they’ve been a couple since the day they were born. April went to the US in 2012 so they were separated from each other for more than a year. But they have proven that distance is not an obstacle because their love grew stronger. They later decided to get married.