The aMAYzing Birthday Project 2012

When I stepped out of the car, I was really surprised with what I saw! The lobby area overflowed with people who were there to join the event. In our previous gift-giving events, it was convenient to meet up in the lobby area of the hospital and organize everything with the volunteers since we were only a little less than 40 people. This year, since we had filled up the main entrance area, we were directed to the PGH quadrangle and organize everything there nstead. Thanks to my family and friends who are the pioneers of my MAY Birthday Project.  They already know very well what should be done and they assisted the new attendees so well.

The PGH Lobby was full of volunteers

Everything felt surreal. The happiness I felt at that moment was even bigger than the previous gift-giving events that we had done in the past 5 years.

KCAT CAN: The merry month of May

Here's the most-awaited MAY Birthday Project 2012 story..

The merry month of May 
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
May 28, 2012

The month of May is almost over, but the memorable experiences of this month has given me more reason to believe that my life is worth living,  and I owe it to the success of my May Birthday Project each year.

Last May 12, I arrived at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) at past 2 p.m. The volunteers were already there, all prepared. In our previous gift-giving events, we were only a little less than 40 people. But this year,  everything felt surreal. We were not sure anymore how many volunteers came and who was who. All I knew was that more than 100 people showed up!

KCAT CAN: A birthday wish

I'm so excited to blog about my birthday celebrationsss (may 12, 13 & 14.. haha) but I still have A LOT of thingssss to finish. In the meantime, read my column last Monday. :)

Read:
A birthday wish

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Coming soon: the very very very very SUCCESSFUL MAY Birthday Project!

Cinderella's Birthday Wish..

Thank you so much Ms. Josephine Litonjua & Isshin Dream Publishing!

Here is a copy of my speech w/v my mom read during the event on April 28, 2012 at Malen's - Noveleta, Cavite..

"Good evening everyone! Thank you. Thank you Isshin Dream Publishing and the very determined Ms. Josephine Litonjua for organizing this event, thank you Malen's Restaurant for accommodating us and most especially, thank you everyone for coming and making Ms. Jho's birthday wish come true – and mine too.

A Birthday Wish: A wish within a wish.

When Kcat Yarza's birthday wish became Jho Litonjua's own birthday wish...

A fund-raising event for the gift-giving at the Philippine General Hospital - 2 Pedia Wards, Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Pedia ICU, and hopefully both Pedia cancer ward and Ward 10 too (if the budget permits).

Buy a ticket for P400.00 for a pass to the event inclusive of a book of your choice by Isshin Dream Publishing, foods, and an awesome time for book lovers or not. There will be a book reading / storytelling, inspirational talk, and more.

You also have the option to donate the book you will be receiving. As Kcat Yarza said, "It was so boring to be confined in the hospital. What more for these kids?" So why not give them something to do while helping them improve their literacy?

Proceeds of this event will help fund the upcoming gift-giving event tagged as MAY Birthday Project on May 12.

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Checkout A Birthday Wish on Facebook. For tickets and inquiries, contact 09324196696.

***please help us spread the word.. thanks!

KCAT CAN: The Cinderella who loves to read

The Cinderella who loves to read
by Maria Kathrina Lopez Yarza 
April 16, 2012

Cinderella was one of the first Disney movies that I watched as a kid. I have loved it since then. Even now that I am not able to hear the sweet and alluring voice of Cinderella anymore, I know it by heart.

I met Josephine Litonjua through a common friend, and we have been in constant communication ever since, talking about anything and everything. Yet it was only through her blog write-up on Junying Kirk, a Chinese-British author that I learned about Josephine’s interesting life, which is quite similar to that of my favorite Cinderella tale.

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.

Brightest (book)

Isshin Dream Publishing is inviting everyone to the Brightest's book launch on Dec 17, 2011 at SM CITY CALAMBA

Check-out Brightest on Facebook

Isshin @ SM City Calamba (Book Tour)

Isshin Dream Publishing would like to invite you to The Seven: The Key of Credence by Veronica Mist and Brightest by Johann de Venecia and Joanne Crisner book launch in cooperation with SM City Calamba and National Book Store Calamba branch.

The event will run from Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 2:00pm until Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:00pm


There will be a short program on the 17th and a book signing. We'll be having a writing and art competition and we're encouraging everyone to enter. ^_^


We'll showcase the art on the books for the rest of the week as well as the works of the winners :)


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I got this from:
Isshin @ SM City Calamba

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.