BY Jeff Ruffolo
What is passion?
Can you quantify that “get up and go” desire that propels us ever forward in our life?
Is passion something that you can bottle – put on a supermarket shelf – and sell it for $9.99?
Hardly!
Passion comes in many forms.
For me it was that special knowing when I first met Cris Evert Lato; I knew without a doubt that I would marry her and spend the rest of my life with her.
Passion is something so very special in this world.
Cris certainly has it – and as a citizen of The Philippines she has every right to be proud of her nation.
And why not?
The Philippines is a great country with a youthful energy that rocks to its own beat. It is an emerging nation with a growing economy that would put most “first world” countries to shame.
As such, Cris is an outspoken and passionate advocate as she mentors and inspires the youth of this great nation.
I am so in awe of what this great woman has already accomplished – her volunteer work is a tireless effort that finds her climbing mountains to remote villages to speak with hundreds of young children, the youth of a nation.
What a great woman she is and I have already learned so many great life lessons from her.
So … what is passion?
For Cris it is spending time away from hearth and home and traveling from our home in China back to the Philippines to speak at a university to hundreds of young people, and spending time with her fellow members of The Outstanding Students of the Philippines Alumni Community, who in turn inspire to do her share in what she calls “nation-building”.
And what happened to me as Cris shared her story of love and respect for the Philippines?
I became the stay-at-home Super-Dad. I constantly changed diapers; washed/dried nine loads of laundry a day; managed the Reading Ruffolo twins – Nicholas and Antoinette – as they tear through our home; and sent never ending prayers to our Heavenly Father that he will watch over Cris; to protect her from any harm or adversary; to open her mouth and speak the words that He would have her say.
For you see … I too am a man of passion.
My heart yearns for her, to share with the Heavens the hopes, love and desire I have for this really great person.
What is passion?
In truth you will find it in Mrs. Cris Evert L. Ruffolo, a woman of steadfast determination, an advocate for her nation who willingly shares her passion for excellence to the youth of the Philippines so that they too can dream dreams and achieve anything they desire.
Here are photos of the Youth Hours’ session that happened last November 29 in Tarlac, Philippines. All photos from Jem Bareng.
Cris’ note: Thank you for the kind words, Jeff. Thank you for the support and the inspiration. More than blessed to have you.
