Let's Join Our Hands for Nature

A youth leader once told us. It is so important for a youth to discover the meaning of his life.

He pointed out that as he sees it, I had the privilege of knowing the meaning of my life by the service of which I am doing.

To be an inspiration of the youth and my advocacy to protect and conserve our environment

It was a journey that just happened coming in one by one.

I started as an elected youth leader in 1979 and became more deeply involve in an ideological political spectrum of the right.

Filipino ideology , Kaisipan at Diwang Filipino

Maka Dios, Maka Tao at Makabayan

Nationalism love of country

We were taught about the struggle of the youth in their time (the activist in the 70’s first Quarter storm ) They wants to have a voice and be represented

It made me think on the problems of society and the hate of those who causes this problem. The government and some church leaders who became more concern of promoting social liberation.

I believe, this mindset of mine was also part of my inspiration of my Uncle Father Hilario Lim, an historian and fought for the Filipinization of churches in the Philippines which my dad been involved.

My Uncle was one of the three priest that was paraded in Mendiola First Quarters Storm representing the New Gomburza in their time 70’s

I became a street parliamentarian, we paraded the street and organized youth meeting to talk about Philippine Nationalism and Filipino ideology

Pagmamahal sa ating Inang Bayan.

My involvement was not that deep because I do not look like those activists you see in the streets. I planned to be part of organizing Union but was shooed away

I look like an elitist and I am from Makati. Hehe.

I was asked to cool down and was told to go Zamboanga City and stayed there for almost half the year

It was I think in 1987 that my friend told me. John just go back to Makati where we could do programs and projects that you want. We will make it happen

I joined the local election campaign and my best friend won as a Municipal Councilor

I was hired as a legislative staff officer of the Municipal Council under his Office Councilor Raul Oloy Javier

We did a lot of program for the youth

Our goal is to have a sports complex on all the community in Makati. It was a difficult program but we succeeded

After his first term, we were given another task this time on environment

Life seems good. I have a nice job. Enjoying the night life. Going to bars drinking.

I am more focus on the happiness that the world offers. I dated a lot of girls, enjoyed political entitlement that comes with my work.

I was almost eaten up by the world then

I had a spiritual encountered and It’s the miracle of the Holy Eucharist

Our Lord touched my heart and I said sorry Lord, please forgive me for not being with you in my life

After saying Yes that I will follow him, soon I realized everything just came in place one at a time. God’s plan.

I attended a Life in the Spirit Seminar at the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Makati

It enabled me to remove all my fears and just trusted our Lord to lead me and guide me.

Next thing I know. My greatest prayer was answered

Being Married to my beautiful fiancé Caroline my neighbor

Many months after i was elected as a number one councilor of our community. I never thought of being part of the Barangay.

God brought me here with a plan for me.

As my spiritual mentor said, it’s a divine appointment in your life,

I continued to be part of the Task force Makati Solid Waste Management and this time got involve in the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program.

I enteted Philippines Army Reservist and did numerous civic projects.

Was designated Makati YMCA and Rotary Amorsolo Board of Director

My involvement with the youth gets bigger with the Rota Ract, Y’s men club

In the church community I became a Parish Youth coordinator later on as an assistant parish pastoral council of the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart.

I cannot believe how I managed to do all those things at the same time.

Yes indeed only if we have passion to serve. If we have God. God do miracles making impossible possible

With my work I was rewarded to attend numerous Conferences and scholarships abroad

I was send Japan 3 times , Brunei, thailand and China.

In the Barangay, our community won as the cleanest and greenest award. So was the City of Makati

That time in 1999, I was nominated as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines

With all this accomplishments, I knew it will be my ticket to my ambition to be a City Councilor of Makati, if not having to work in Malacanang

But God has a plan for me.

Immigrating in the United States

It was on the year of the closing of the Jubilee door.

Bishop Yalung called us on the big occasion to bless our trip to a new journey

In 2000 I left the philipines and migrated to the United States. This is a new world for me and there is something I am thankful , it gave me more time for my family.

My advised. Let us all treasure the quality time for our family.

Life is different here in America it is an unending work. So greatful that I am part of couples for Christ.

I believe that in any time I will be called by the Lord, there is somebody that they can hold on. The greatest Father in this world.

Our Father in heaven, He is the reason for Living.

We are here To know Him, Love Him and to serve Him

all father deserved to be honored and it is my prayer may they continue to be the priest of their families.

Now i am more aware of my greater mission.

To evangelize, bring hope and be a light for other.

As a friend said, just plant a seed.

It’s up for them to listen and say Yes.

As explained what it meant closing of the Jubilee door from Vatican

Man, after his expulsion from Paradise, is a pilgrim in constant pilgrimage in search of a meaning and a goal for his life. But we do not journey alone; the scenes represented on the door remind us that, in

Christ who is like us in all things except sin, God has become our traveling companion, to make our pilgrimage a journey of conversion and of return home to the Father.

To look at the door, then, means to look beyond it, to look for a different space and time, another dimension, a goal which lies beyond the limits of this world:

. After the conclusion of the Holy Year, may we continue to keep our eyes fixed on the door which is Christ and may we deepen communion with the Successor of Peter, lest we be diverted from the journey which leads to heavenÂ’s door.

Vatican City, 20 December 2000

+ Piero Marini

It will almost be my 25 year here in America and in those 25 years it seems like Yesterday

I continue to be connected with a lot of People. Life was so fast. I cannot believe my baby is now a Nurse in Vallejo.

It just make me smile when she said when people would see her name tag they would just stare and ask. Do you know John. She would say he is my Dad.

You are popular Dad Hmmm

It humbled me. For everything that I did in my life is what I love.

Serving because that is what give me reason to live fully.

To inspire other and be an instrument of Change.

Kung di ngayon kailan. Kung di ikaw Sino.

God always give me smile for every day I have encounters of Exacto moments. A time to see miracles and transformation.

I would see people smile for even in their most difficult time. Because God touch them telling them do not be afraid do not loose hope for I am here.

As I always say God is alive in the Holy Eucharist it had changed my life so is everyone else

It is not out story it is a story of God working in us.

For without God we are Nothing