Shameless Plug: The Picture Company photo contest

Finally! After 3 tries, the photo that I submitted finally got in to their contest! :) That made me feel like we won already but I'd be so much happier and I surely think it'd be fun to promote and campaign for it to my friends! :) Thanks a lot guys!

Here's how to cast your vote:

1.) Click this link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3204388&id=104811514491&ref=nf

2.) Become a fan of The Picture Company

3.) Look for our picture on page 2 of the album, and "Like" it by clicking Like

I am not expecting to win this, and as Ive said I already feel like a winner just being included in the contest. I am just so happy, I feel this is another moment that our family should cherish and deserves to have a post on this blog. :)

Salma loves Christmas - a funny story

Last night, we had dinner at my parents' house, which is now adorned with Christmas decors.Upon entering the house, Salma gushed over the big Christmas tree! She couldn't stop saying “wow!” - really expressing her great amazement with the sight of all the decors.

We went out to the view deck where two colorful flashing lanterns were put up. Salma was literally jumping in so much awe to the Christmas ambiance she’s experiencing in her Lola’s house.

She kept dancing and shouting in delight then all of a sudden, her mood drastically changed, she stopped dancing and asked me with frustration in her face “Mommy!! Why walang snow??!”

Happy Relationships Throw More Parties

I'd like to share with you this article from Bo Sanchez, which really captured what I've been pointing out to my husband, Marlowe. I love celebrations because I am so grateful of life and I love being together and being surrounded with people I love. I love making occasions memorable because I know, when we're gray and old, I know we'd think back, and those memories would surely put a smile not only on our lips, but also on our hearts. We don't need to spend cash to celebrate and create memories, there are simple but heartwarming ways Im sure. God is a happy God, God wants us to celebrate life. :)

source: http://bosanchez.ph/happy-relationships-throw-more-parties/ 

I edited and take out some parts to make it shorter, I just left what I personally felt significant for me. I suggest you click the link to read the whole article :) I just copied it on my blog for my personal record. :)

Are Your Homes Happy?

After one of my talks, a very anxious mother approached me and asked, “Bo, can you help me? I have a problem with my 18-year old daughter. She’s like a bed spacer in our house. She goes home only to sleep. She’s always with her friends…”

I had very little time to talk to her, so I took my best shot. I asked her, “Is there happiness at home?”

Here’s my belief. I believe kids will love to go home if there’s love in the home.

Have you heard that great old song from 1964? (For your information, I didn’t hear the original version. I heard this song in a revival in American Idol.)

A chair is still a chair even when there’s no one sitting there. But a chair is not a house, and a house is not a home, when there’s no one there, to hold you tight, and no one there, that you can kiss good night…

Friend, is there happiness in your home?

I’ve noticed that the happiest relationships have a rhythm of celebration. In other words, they throw parties.

I don’t mean a party with balloons and clowns (though that’ll be great too), but putting a “party spirit” in your relationship.

       I’ve got four fantastic suggestions.

1. Make The Family Meal A Party

I know of a man who has 11 children.

When he goes home from work, he does a very important ritual before entering his front door. He mentally unloads all his problems at the front porch. Because his kids need a happy Dad.

When he enters the door, he shouts, “Hi kids!” And 11 kids rush to him to give him a hug. He then wrestles them on the floor and they play together.

And when mealtime comes, he makes everyone laugh. He inspires everyone with his stories.

Alas, the typical family meal isn’t like this.

Jack And Jill Went Up The Hill

The typical family meal is where parents hold court and pass judgments and vent anger

Let me give you an example.

The father turns to his eldest son, Jack, and asks, “Pass the rice. By the way, how was your exam this morning?” He doesn’t allow him to answer. He answers for him, “I won’t be surprised if you got a zero. Because I don’t see you studying. The good news is that we can save money because we can sell your schoolbooks next year as brand new!”

He then turns to his daughter, Jill, (You know, Jack and Jill…) “Pass the gravy. By the way, where were you last night? With your ugly boyfriend again? Can you tell me what planet he comes from? I can accept earrings in the ear. But why does he have earrings on his nose? Is he a cow?”

He then turns to his youngest daughter, Hill. (You know, Jack and Jill went up the hill…) “Pass the salt. And you, were you born with a telephone in your hand? You already were with your obnoxious friends in school, why do you have to spend three more hours talking with them on the phone?”

And finally, it’s the youngest son’s turn, Pail. (Okay, they really like this Nursery Rhyme.) “Pass the cake. And you, what did you do today aside from wasting your time playing those crappy video games! And are you deaf? Your music is either very loud or extremely loud. Go to the doctor and have your ears checked!”

No wonder the family meal is an endangered species.

Parents, please. Make your meals happy! 

Here’s a rule you should write on stone: Ban all sermons when you’re around the table. Instead, feed your children with dishes of laughter, platefuls of inspiration, and trays of encouragement. Make every family meal a joyful occasion.

2. Hold A Family Night Each Week

My kids love Family nights.

If they had it their way, it’ll be done every night.

Sometimes, we watch a movie at home, with a barrel of popcorn. (According to my son Benedict, a movie without popcorn is a horrific crime.)

Sometimes, we play games together. Monopoly, Charades, Pictionary, and Trivia. 

Sometimes, we all play video games together. Obviously, the kids always win and the parents lose. But that’s okay. Instead of banning video games from our kids, we enter into their digital worlds. Doing so makes us able to guide them against violent games.

       Sometimes, we go to a bookstore and eat ice cream.

       I believe the weekly Family Night is a mini-party that you should never miss. Believe me, when you’re old and grey (or old and bald), you’ll look back at these times and thank God you had them!

3. Weekly Dates With Each Family Member

       I date my wife each week. 

I consider that a mini-party too.

       Years ago, we had very little money. 

So we had dates in our garage.

Sometimes, we took a quiet walk in our neighborhood.

One day, I thought of something crazy. We ate at home, dressed up really well, and went to a 5-Star hotel. We entered the hotel like we were millionaires. No one knew we had very little money in our pockets. And confidently, I ordered a glass of Coke. And for 2 solid hours, we enjoyed the violin music and beautiful ambiance—all the while sipping our Coke very slowly.

       I date my kids each week, too. Those are mini-parties. Sometimes, it’s just donuts. Other times, we walk around a mall. Other times, we play a game together. The key is to make it fun.

       I also date my mother every other week. This is such a simple thing, but it means the world to her.

       I have regular dates with my friends, too. Our spiritual community, Light of Jesus, is organized around small groups called Caring Groups that meet weekly. Amazingly, I have four Caring Groups, so my weeks are pretty busy having fun times with my many friends.

       One last suggestion…

4. Annual Family Celebrations

       Create your own Family’s “Liturgical Calendar”.

Sit down and block off the most important dates of the year.

For example, plan everyone’s birthdays.

       Many times, it’s very spontaneous. “Oh, it’s your birthday today? Let’s have dinner…” So why not plan a bit more?  Go camping in the backyard, or visit an orphanage, or invite your child’s friends for a sleepover, or go out and have a mini-vacation together.

       Mark off also your wedding anniversary, Valentines, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Grandparents’ Day. 

One Valentine’s Day, I did something I cherish to this day. I set up two chairs and a little wooden table in our backyard. I scattered candles all over the grass, dressed in a coat and tie, and brought out my CD player to play Kenny G romantic music. I then ordered pizza. Finally, I got my guitar and sang an original song I wrote for her that day…

Ikaw ang awit ng buhay, Ang tinig ng langit

Ikaw ang himig at kulay, Ng pusong nagmamahal sa iyo

Refrain:

Biyayang galing sa taas, Anghel sa lupa’y naglalakad

Ikaw ang awit ng puso ko…

That happened a long time ago, but I still remember my wife’s tears that special night.

— 0 —

       Look at the big Feasts of your faith—Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, etc. Example: During the entire Advent season, we light the Advent wreath as a family for 4 weeks straight before Christmas.

       Other important days: First day in school. Last day in school. Graduation. First Job of the new Graduate. It could be Jimbo, the pet dog, giving birth to four puppies. 

Hey, if there’s a reason to celebrate, throw a party!

3 Ingredients For Throwing Parties

Let me share three things to make these parties work.

Ingredient #1:

Gratitude

       Someone might say, “But Bo, I’m a melancholic person. I’m not like you. I’m the loner and shy type. I really don’t like these party-spirit thing.”

       Excuse me, but I’m melancholic too.

       Every psychological test I’ve taken confirms without a shadow of a doubt that I’m melancholic. Remember that there are 4 personality types: Melancholic (that’s me), Sanguine (Bubbly, cheerful types), Choleric (Those with cholera), and Phlegmatic (Those with lots of phlegm).

I love being alone. I’d rather be quiet than talk. (Honest!) But I had to adjust. I had to do things that weren’t natural to my personality. 

       Here’s the truth: Celebrating your relationships doesn’t depend on having a bubbly or cheerful personality. It depends on your depth of gratitude.

You throw a party because you’re grateful to the person for being there in your life.

       If you believe that the people in your life are your greatest gifts from God, then you throw parties often to thank them.

       Even if we know it’s a lot of hard work.

Ingredient #2:

Hard Work

       Have you ever prepared for a birthday party before?

       It’s always hard work.

       But who said love isn’t hard work? As I said before, love is about dirty hands, not just beating hearts.

       Finally, the third ingredient is very important too.

      

Ingredient #3:

Creativity

       Throwing parties requires some creativity.

Do you want to be more creative?

       Copy. Get inspiration from others. It’s the secret of the greatest artists in the world: Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso, Rembrandt, Bo Sanchez, etc…

       You don’t know how to express your love in a playful way?

Ask others what they do. Do some research.

------------------------xxx----------------------------------

Let me end with the story of prodigal son.

When the “bad” son came home, his father threw a party. The son wanted to beg for forgiveness, but the father wasn’t even listening. Instead, he said,  ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Then go and get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast!

God loves parties.

And God loves to throw a party to people who don’t deserve a party. If you’re reading this, thinking of your sins, wondering if God still loves you, let tell you: God is throwing a party of love for you right now. He loves you more than you can imagine.

Receive His love today.

And learn to throw more parties in your life.

Your relationships need them badly.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

Claret Hataw : Champion - Skechers Streetdance Battle Yr. 5

Champions at last!

My brother Miko is the team president of their school's (Claret School of QC) dance group, HATAW. They have been constant finalist of the toughest dance competition. And my family has been watchign and supporting them since Miko joined the group 3 years ago.

And this year, they earned the "ultimate bragging rights" and not to mention 100K cash prize, they won the championship!

Well-deserved! Ive seen how they worked hard to give their best performance. I can't say much about the dance "technically" since Im not a pro. But from my point of view - no bias - after their dance, I undoubtedly knew that they got a BIG chance on winning the spot!

To prove that I'm not biased (LOL), Im gonna tell you which schools I liked - LSGH Airforce, very entertaining, nice routine, yet I think, it's the same style they've been doing for past years since I started watching Skechers battle. I also liked SHS Aglaia but my seatmate, Harrold, said so-so lang, I don't know, pero I really liked their dance, maybe because of their cute stunts.

So there, even if I knew malakas ang laban ng Claret Hataw, I also didn't neglect the fact that other schools were good too, so we still kept on praying, even upto the last minute before they called the winners.

And this, is what I believe, made the victory sweeter: Claret Hataw's teamwork and perseverance coupled with ardent prayers - I heard before going to Araneta, they went to Sta. Clara to pray and bring offerings, and now that they won, they also did not forget to offer and give thanks. To God be the Glory! =)

Skechers Streetdance Battle Year 5 happened last Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum. It will be televised on TV at ETC channel on Dec. 12 and 20.

High School Category
Champion: Claret Hataw
1st Place: Ateneo Indak
2nd Place: LSGH Airforce

College Category
Champion: UP Diliman
1st Place: ADMU
2nd Place: DLSU

Healing Life in the Spirit Seminar

Mentioning my brother's LSS in their community on my previous post made me remember that I forgot to blog about our first LSS (life in the spirit seminar) that happened last May.

Having been through a lot (which I will just tell more about in a separate entry) last year in our family, in our marriage and some personal issues, we were led by our parents to know God more, which up to now makes me feel so overwhelmed and teary-eyed for being so grateful that words couldn't express, naiiyak na lang talaga ako. We felt how much God loves us more than our human knowledge can comprehend. God is really great!

Healing is a continuous process, and once a person is healed, she has come to know her purpose in life and the journey continuous as she fulfills God's mission for her. So that's what's happening in our lives right now. People sometimes ask us if we have converted to "born again" (another religion), no offense to them, but I really don't get that question. We have one Creator, one God, and we're all brothers and sisters. I don't see any argument in that.

Anyway, going back to the journey, I could say that I'm still a work in progress. That's why I can relate so much to the quote I saw on a shirt "Please be patient with me, God isn't finish with me yet." There are times that I still get distracted and lose focus, fervent prayers help me a lot to keep me reminded and get me through the obstacles.

Part of our healing was joining this year's Healing Life in the Spirit Seminar (HLSS) sponsored by Bethesda Springs of Hope Healing Ministry. We claimed God's gifts. We were renewed!

Next year, our batch naman will be sponsoring the next HLSS, no details yet but I think it will be held on the same month (MAY 2010). And with confidence, I am inviting YOU to be part of it. It's a 2-day (saturday & sunday) whole day (8am-5pm) seminar in Christ the King seminary in E.Rod, QC. It's really something worth your time, actually compared to what you'll gain from it, parang maiksi lang yung time na yun, and for sure you'll be yearning for more (of God's words). =)

Sayang the pics from our LSS were lost, I wasn't able to back it up when Marlowe reformatted his PC =(

Ang tarush ng mga guards dito sa condo

Yesterday, naabutan ni Marlowe na nagkkwentuhan ang mga guards sa ground floor, one guard greeted him by letting him join in their topic...

Guard (mukhang badtrip): "Ser, sold out na tickets!"

Yesterday was Manny Pacquiao's fight with Cotto at nagkakaubusan ng slots sa live viewing sa mga bars and establishments. Yung laban ni Manny ang topic talaga ng mga kwentuhan kahapon, so natural na yun din ang inisip ni marlowe kung bakit dismayado tong mga gwardyang to..

Marlowe: "Saan? sa Pacquiao?"

Pero hindi pala Pacquiao fight ang pinag uusapan,

Guard: "Nde, sir, sold na yung tickets sa NEW MOON (Twilight sequel)."

Oh diba.. ang taray ng mga lolo nyo! LOL

Sorry Salma

"Oh...you're crying..why? Because I'm biting you? Aww..sorry."


--- Salma talking to her lollipop


*toinks!* =)))))

Who's cake is it?

Last Thursday afternoon, I had a meeting in Intramuros. I went there by means of public transpo (a.k.a. commute; taxi. *LOL*) with Beth, our Bldg. Admin., who says that she has lived in Manila area for long years, thus, she's familiar and knows the pasikot-sikot in the area.

On our way back to the office (Quezon City), we couldn't get a cab from Intramuros, so she suggested that we ride the jeep first and just go down to a high-traffic place where we there's a bigger chance that we could get a cab. So, okay we did. I was waiting for her cue to go down because I trust that she knows where we're going, but I noticed she was also clueless where in the world we were, she started asking the jeepney driver and the passengers. LOL. And upon hearing one passenger who paid her fare saying "Bayad ho, sa Harisson", Beth told me that we'll just go down in harisson plaza since it's a mall. LOL.

Harisson, from what I know, is already in Pasay! If I'd be in Pasay, I'd better visit my favorite cousins there - meaning, I seldom go that far, if I would, it should be something really worthwhile like seeing my relatives.

Haha. But that I can't let that happen, I have to go back to the office. From Intramuros to QC, do we have to really pass by Pasay? Haha, I certainly know it's wrong. So when we passed by a familiar landmark - Malate Church fountain, I told Beth to go down right there and then. LOL. What a roundtrip!

While Beth was hailing a cab, I decided to check the cakes in Aristocrat bakeshop and buy a birthday cake for my brother, Harrold since I haven't given him a bday gift yet.

When we finally got back in my office, Harrold wasn't there anymore. He didn't go back, and just went home straight. So I just put it in the fridge, thinking I'll just give it to him the following day. But Friday he also didn't go the office and went straight to Olongapo to spend the weekend there for an LSS they sponsored! I texted him to tell him about my birthday gift, told him we have to eat the cake since its a cheesecake, it expires easily, so I'll just take a picture of it for him. Haha!

We spent the weekend at my parents' house so we can share the cake with everybody. Here's your cake, Har!

 

 

Two slices were left for Harrold and he was able to eat it when he got back home Sunday. =)

Anorexic ka ba anak?

It's Friday and Salma has playschool class at 10AM, so we were trying to make her hurry up and get ready, I carried her to the dining table to make her eat her breakfast.

She pushed her food away, and said "I don't want to eat, I will get fat.."
I was shocked of course, nanlaki mga mata ko! But taking it on a light mood, I said "Ayaw mo nun? Cute nga eh! Fat is cute noh!"

Salma complete with maarteng facial expression, imagine twitched nose and squinting eyes, she pointed to her cheeks and pinched em while saying, "Eh I dont like, chubby chubby na cheeks ko o!"

Natameme na ko..wala na ko masabi. Sarap kutusan hahaha! Ang arte!

This is how I see this, she's not anorexic - of course not hahaha!
She just doesn't feel like eating and she knows na how to reason out or make up excuses! Like what she did the other day when she didn't want to go to school, claiming she was sick.

Hmmm...naughty witty kid. Manang mana sa pinagmanahan. Lol.

Harrold's Bday at Kanin Club

 

Sinigang na kanin

lemon chicken

crispy tadyang

crispy dinuguan

Lolo and Salma with their toothpick

Kanin Club
TechnoHub, Commonwealth Ave. QC

Salma Anecdotes

YouTube-ing Salma

At Salma's age, it wouldn't be surprising to know that she has now become a rival on our television and computer. And yes, she wins most of the time. I miss some episodes of my primetime bida shows because she wanted another channel. Marlowe can't focus playing online poker because Salma wanted to watch on youtube.

Last Monday, before hopping into the shower, I left the computer on, with the browser on youtube playing a Keri Hilson music video. While I was in the bathroom, Salma shouted and said "Mommy!! I don't like the many many videos there (on the side bar)!" She was referring to the choices of other Related Videos on the side, she was choosing what to watch next.

I answered her, "Why? What do you want to watch?" She said "Mickey Mouse! Cartoons! I want cartoons!" I told her to wait for me, but she still kept on whining and nagging me to change the video playing on youtube.

I, annoyed already, answered her "Eh di you type on the search box the word Mickey Mouse!" Still whining, she went back to the computer, nagdadabog pa. And then after a little while, the music on the computer stopped playing, then she shouted again "Mommy!!!! What happened???! It's wrong eh!!!"

So I went out of the bathroom to check because Salma sounded really upset already..hehe..when I saw what was on the screen I couldn't help but laugh!! I immediately called Marlowe to tell him the funny story!

This was what I saw on the screen:

Hahahaha! Salma actually typed on the search box! But of course, she doesn't know yet how to type words correctly kaya ganyan! Hahaha! Funny haha kasi atleast she knows how to "search" for her favorite videos. LOL

Should I be worried?

Sometime July, I enrolled Salma in a nearby playschool. She has classes every Wednesday and Friday.

Last Wednesday, as Yaya and I were preparing her to class, Salma naman on the other hand, seemed too lazy to go, she wouldn't eat her breakfast as her eyes were glued on TV, so I turned it off. She went down the bed, I was trying to take off her clothes so we can bathe her na pero ayaw pa din nya, she went inside the cabinet and pretended that she's hiding as if nakikipaglaro ako. I was telling her firmly that she needs to get moving because she's late na for school, pero dinededma ako, parang walang naririnig at iniiba ang usapan! So I asked her,
Me: Salma do you want to go to school?
Salma: (deadma)
Me: Yes??
Salma: (shaking her head)
Me: No?
Salma: (nodding)
Me: Why?
Salma: I'm sick. (complete with kawawa face)

Eh wala naman syang sakit. Well, may konting sipon sya pero konti lang, pwede naman sya pumasok eh. I told her Im gonna call her teacher and she has to be the one to tell her teacher her reason for not going to school, and I did. Sabi nya nga sa teacher nya "Im sick."

Hay nako.. alam ko nagdadahilan lang ang bata. Pero sige, sick daw eh. Then come afternoon, I asked her Me: Salma, are you sick?
Salma: No!
Me: Then why did you tell your teacher that youre sick, ha?
Salma: Nah, Im just joking her!

Hayy.. Kaloka! Marunong na magdahilan ang anak ko, namana yata talaga kalokohan ng daddy nya! Pero naisip ko din, baka na-bore sa school kasi kaka-start pa lang ng 2nd sem at wala pang ibang enrollees kaya wala pa syang classmates. Hmmm.. ano, should I be worried sa kalokohan na yun ni Salma? Natatawa ako na medyo nagiging worried din of course, ayoko naman na maging pala-absent sya paglaki nya diba.


Boy-Girl
Last Saturday, we were wathcing the new abs-cbn noontime show ShowTime where one of the casts is the gay comedian Vice Ganda, for those of you who doesn't know him, eto sya:

Salma: Mommy, what's his name?
Me: Vice Ganda.
Salma: I thought he's a boy??
Me: Yes he is, but he's gay - a boy pretending to be a girl.
Salma: Ah... so he's 2 (2 genders) ! He's a boy-girl!
Me: Ahmm.. yes. (Hahaha wala na ko masabi eh, anu pa nga ba! Haha!)

Nakakaloka noh...pano kung medyo malaki malaki na si Salma at magtanong pa yan ng magtanong..Hahaha! Hayyy....

Cooking for my hubby

When we got married, I tried my best to be as domesticated as I could be. On our first mornings together, I woke up early to prepare breakfast for Marlowe. Bacon, ham, eggs, toasts, butter, jam.. the works! Parang pang-hotel na breakfast talaga, pero yun pala, my husband just wanted to have peanut butter sandwich and hot choco-milk in the morning. Hehe..now he's very vocal with his appreciation of what I do - heat his milk and make sure that we never get run out of peanut butter. =)

But of course, aside from breakfast - there's lunch, and dinner. So my bestfriends were cookbooks and cooking blogs (my favorite: www.pinoycook.net). I learned to cook dishes I never imagined I could cook when I was single, mga simple lang din naman like Pinakbet, Monggo, Tinola, etc. Pero big deal na sakin yun...kasi when I was single, kitchen and I equates to disaster, lahat kasi ng niluluto ko parang lasang laruan lang.. haha! Hindi talaga edible...ewan kung baket! Nasasayang ko lang ang food. Pero nung nag-asawa na ko, kahit papano, I can proudly say, natuto na ko! Edible na talaga ang luto ko! Or..on second thought...baka no choice lang kami kasi wala na kaming kakaining iba. hahaha!

The biggest challenge for me is cooking for two. Hindi ako maurnong magtantya ng para sa dalawang tao lang...parati may sumosobra, eh ayaw na namin kumain ng leftovers kasi mangyayari 24 hours mai-stock sa ref kasi usually dinner lang naman ako kelangan magluto, unless weekends. Kaya ayun...sadly minsan kinakatamaran ko na din.  I sort of gave up cooking. Hanggang sa nagreklamo na asawa ko puro pancit canton na lang kasi kinakain nya. LOL

So ngayon, I promise itutuloy kong mag practice magluto para sa asawa ko. hehe. Lalo na, tipid mode kami ngayon, kelangan iwasan ang pagpapa-deliver or pagkain-kain sa labas. Hehe.

The other night nga I thought of cooking sweet & sour fish when I saw that I got a free sweet&sour recipe mix from Del Monte, so I prepared the fish na..pero ang kaso...I also prepared the sweet & sour sauce -from scratch! Nakalimutan ko na meron nga pala akong ready-mix na from del monte. Haha. Naalala ko na lang nung tapos na kami kumain. Ayun, ang verdict, my sweet &sour fish is sweeter than it should be hahahaha lasang dessert! =P 

Halloween 2009

I remember saying to myself halloween last year that Im going to prepare for this year. So, August pa lang when I was preparing for Salma's 3rd bday, when she told me she wanted to wear Cinderella dress, I planned already of having one custom-made for her come halloween, but it didnt push through coz a month before halloween, she said she wanted to be Ariel (Little Mermaid), so I decided to postpone buying costume because of her fickle-mindedness. True enough a week after that, she suddenly wanted to be Snow White, and then one week before PAWS Scaredy Cats & Dogs Year 6, Salma told me she wanted to be a Superhero. But then, I didn't have the time anymore to buy a ready-made costume. And of course, sadly I couldn't make or even buy one for my dog Clover too - aside from the fact that it would be a hassle to get her from my parents' house and then bring her back there after the event.

Naisip ko na lang to just watch the event kahit walang costume si Salma, but then again, kawawa naman if she won't join trick or treat diba...so isip isip ng costume...naghalungkat ako sa cabinet at nakita ko yung binigay na cheongsam sa kanya nung neighbor namin a few months ago! Pinasukat ko agad kay Salma at buti na lang kasya pa!!! And buti na lang din she liked it! She's really pretending to be Chinese on it hehehe in character talaga! nag-i-intisk intsikan ang loka!

"siopao siomai hopia pansit!"

the program has started na when we arrived. just like last year, ang daming tao! enjoy!

with Ninang Andeng, baby Kylie and CJ as Rainbow Brite!

Both Kylie and CJ won prizes for having the cutest and best costumes! We're so proud!

I thought Salma have stage fright like mommy.. pero susme.. pag akyat namin ng stage dinedma na ko! Bigla na lang nagpo-posing posing! Bumaba na ko ng stage pero sya andun pa din at ayaw na bumaba! Hahaha!

It's really fun Trick-or-Treating in the mall, aircon na nakakapag-window shopping pa si Mommy! Haha!

PAWS Scaredy Cats & Dogs year 6

October 25, 2009

Eastwood Central Plaza

Prayer for Emotional Healing

I want to share with you a prayer that helped me a lot during my moments of weakness. Times when there were much negative emotions building up inside that I could no longer express in words what I wanted to tell Him. This prayer summed up what my heart yearns for.

PRAYER FOR EMOTIONAL HEALING

Loving Father,

I come before You with faith

in Your promise

that whatever I ask for in Your name

You will grant to me if it is for the good

of my soul and in accordance

with Your Divine Will.

I come trusting in Your great love for me

and believing that only You

know what is best for me.

I come to You now to ask

that You enter my heart

and heal all my wounded emotions.

You know me better than I know myself.

Bring Your healing love

into every corner of my heart

and release all the buried

negative emotions inside

that have not been resolved

and continue to cause

me pain and anguish.

Remove all unhealed hurts

and painful memories

that block the flow of Your graces,

robbing me of Your peace, love and joy.

Heal all feelings of sadness, loneliness,

fear and anxiety.

Heal all guilt, despair,

feelings of betrayal and rejection.

Heal all feelings of anger, hatred,

resentment and bitterness.

Bring Your healing love to all my emotions

that have caused me feelings

of hopelessness, discouragement,

helplessness and despair.

Grant me the grace to forgive all those

who caused these negative

emotions and likewise to be forgiven

by those to whom I have done the same harm.

O Lord, give me a repentant heart,

forgive me for my sins

and failures, and be merciful to me.

Help me to realize the blessings

that resulted from each painful experience

and how this has led me closer to You.

As You release from me

all these painful emotions,

fill all empty spaces

with Your love, Your peace, Your joy

and the powerful presence

of Your Holy Spirit.

After I have been healed,

may my life be a witness

to Your power and glory

and may I reach out to others, too.

All these I pray in Jesus’ name

through Mary and all the angels

and saints.

Amen.

Tita Cory

I know my blog is delayed, as Im trying to update it and I'm currently on the month of August , I remembered the very first day of August which saddened many Filipinos throughout the world.

Even if it's now months after President Cory Aquino passed away, I still wanted to mark on my blog a tribute for her.

I admire Pres. Cory so much not only for what she has done to make our country attain democracy, but most of all, I admire her for her unwavering faith, purity of soul, selfless love for the people, and the sacrifice she offered for the common good.

She served the country like how a mother serve her children. She was called to be a Leader, and President Cory did it as what God meant a Leader to be.

She fought the battle peacefully. Remained calm but still showed great courage and strength.

Most especially, President Cory encouraged and led the Filipinos to pray and really believe that prayers are indeed powerful - more powerful than any weapon there is. She taught us how to patient, she proved to us that God answers prayers in His time, and not ours.

One more thing I like best from her is how she gives emphasis to the virtue of simplicity. Her celebrity daughter, Kris Aquino, said that her mother advised her to never enter politics unless she learns how to live a simple life. Makes a lot of sense, right?

With that, I support and believe the Canonization of Cory Aquino, she is the saint of people power.

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/327378/57878619?m=8a2642d9

Click the link if you also believe.

August 2009 Celebrations

Have I told you that my favorite month is August? I bet I already did! Obvious naman why =)

Salma's Birthday
Shakey's. Pizza. Arcade.

We were still awake before midnight of August 6, so we decided to just wait for the clock to strike 12, lit a candle (candle lang, wala pang cake eh hahaha!), and sang Happy Birthday to sweety Salma :)

 

Pizza and arcade party for our family and closest friends, some neighbors and Salma's playmates.

 Giant PIZZA!!!

 

 

 

After the party, we went to Salma's happy place =  Starbucks!

Miko's Birthday

Casino Royale. Poker party. Dance showdown. 

The Birthday Boy

Salma not in the mood for picture-picture

 

Daddy can I join your game?

 

Mame's Birthday

Surprise. Sharmila Ortigas H.D. 

She thought we're just gonna have the usual birthday dinner - just us - so surprised she cried when she saw long table with familiar faces, complete with cake and balloons!

 

 

 

Ang original na magkamukha! Hehe! next si Salma. lol

 

My 27th Birthday

Yikes! I'm OLD!

Tagaytay overnight. Swimming. Casino. Bag of Beans.

Co-celebrators Edu and Zasha (jen's daughter)

 

poker na naman!

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday Dinner on my actual birthday (Crisostomo, Eastwood Mall)

Starbucks after dinner

Happy month!!!

Though medyo nagdrama-drama lang ako nung birthday ko hahaha! (What's new?!?!)

Siguro ganon lang talaga, I become emotional tuwing August and February. Gets nyo? Dapat si Marlowe gets na yon..so, bebi...alam mo na na dapat pinaghahandaan mo those months, ok? Hehe! :)

Girlfriends

I always find myself being grateful and overwhelmed with the gift of friendship. I always say that the 3 most important things in my life are the 3 F's: Faith, Family and Friends. Friends always make me happy, make me feel loved. Sometimes kasi I feel so useless and unworthy, and the gift of friendship never fails to lift me up.

needless to say, when i consider someone my friend, I mean it in the TRUEST sense of the word, that's why I easily get hurt when I feel that its unrequited.

Ive already written last year about an old friend whom I care for so much (upto now), but disses my husband - actually anyone, anything..everything, I don't know why - basta kontra sya sa lahat. We somehow got used to her attitude of saying nasty remarks about people (by people, i dont mean random people - it means our other friends, her family, her husband, our husbands or boyfriends), sanay na kami kaya di namin pinapansin masyado mga sinasabi nya, but then I thought what if iba makausap nya - someone who doesnt personally know us/my husband/my other friends? Eh di sira na kami sa taong yon?

That happened na nga actually, pero last year lang I decided to confront her about her attitude. I wanted to tell her coz as her friend, I can't just let her do that to other people. baka kasi porke wala nagsasabi sa kanya, kala nya parating okay lang. So I confronted her through a letter, a friendly yet honest letter. I hugged her pa after giving her that letter. I still used to text her pero dedma naman.

Months after, we went out pa, I didn't give her cold shoulder, I  still smiled and made chika to her-the usual, pero sya yung nagbago, sya yung nailang. She couldn't look straight into my eyes anymore. And since then, ako rin "natabangan" na sa friendship namin. Sad, pero ganon eh.

Ngayon I just pray na if not sa akin, I believe someday she'll meet someone na makapagparelaize sa kanya ng value ng relationships, and if if she realized that, she'll learn how to be careful and sensitive sa mga salitang binbitiwan nya.

Another challenge happened naman with another group of friends, though it doesn't directly involved me, affected pa din ako and super na-sad, siguro I thought kasi the friendships in that group was real - naive lang siguro ako, or idealistic?

Anyway, here's the kwento - kasi one girl from our group (lets call her D) who was super nice to me kept saying stuff about this other girl (call her O) who also belongs to our circle. Eversince nakasama ko si D, she always had little chismis's about O. Actually deadma lang ako at first, kasi her style hindi mo maobvious na chismis (a.k.a. backstabbing) sa una, kasi she says it to me in a "as if concerned" tone...parang ako, nakikinig lang..kasi dati, I wasn't that close to O. But eventually, I became close to O na din, but still di pa din ako nakialam. Pero natuturn off na din ako dun sa kay D..kasi if they really were friends - tulad ng pinapakita nila samin - dapat yung mga nanonotice ni D na "bad" daw about our friend O, sya na mismo magsabi diba.

Until the time came na nalaman na ni O from other sources (take note, plural - not just one source), na D was saying not-so-nice things behind her back. O realized that D is a fake friend, and she decided right then and there to delete D in her life - deadma and delete forever.

Dun ako na-sad, kasi wala na naging chance for them to talk and fix whatever the problem was. Si D di na rin nag-effort kesyo ayaw nya na mauna mag-approach kasi she would appear guilty (hello..totoo naman eh).

Pero siguro, if I were in O's shoes, di ko na din siguro kaya pang i-try na i-fix yung friendship...kasi trust na yung nasira eh. At ang dami pang nagpatunay dun sa ginagawa nung tao na yon. I mean, it' easier to accept na may mga tao talagang maninira sayo...could be because of matinding inggit and insecurity, normal lang na may mga ganong tao sa buhay natin.. deadma lang, as long as malayo sila sayo - mamatay sila sa inggit. Pero mahirap kung yung taong gumagawa non malapit sayo...kasama mo parati, pinapapasok mo sa bahay mo at hinahandaan ng pagkain, tinuturing mong friend, tapos ganon pala. Hayy. sad.

Now at this point in my life, Im proud to say I know who my real friends are. Ito yung mga friends ko na nawala, nalayo sakin, hindi ko nakasundo, nakasagutan ko..pero til now, andyan pa din. Sila yung kaya kong sabihan ng kahit ano, na hindi ko iniisip kung after ko ba sabihin yon, magbabago ba tingin nila sa akin. These friends of mine, I know na kapag may mali akong ginawa, alam ko kaya nila akong pagsabihan. Kapag may balak akong gawing masama, alam ko pipigilan nila ako, and they know na if I didnt listen to them...alam nila na mas-kelangan nila akong pigilan. Coz they know that I will thank them after.

Andrea and Jen, thanks. After another 5 years na-prove na naman natin kung gano tayo ka-solid. Haha!

Though ngayon, ibang level na mga issues natin, nakakatuwa kasi ibang level na din yung pag-handle natin sa issues. Super nakakatuwa kasi nawitness natin how each of us have grown :) 

Five years from now, Im sure Ill be blogging again about how thankful I am for you girls. :)  

 

Old Website

Pre-blogspot, I only use Geocities for our website (imagine manual HTML...then came MS Frontpage! but still, couldn't believe I was that tech-savvy when i was younger.lol) parang ngayon, nakalimutan ko na lahat yon. =S

Now i got email that geocities is closing, users were asked to copy their files..so I did. It was so fun seeing your old files HAHA!

Here are pics of our old layouts...manually made by yours truly. ahem. only proves how much inlove I was with my exBF (now hubby)!

What really cracked me up was seeing our old Guestbook which Ive totally forgotten about! I didn't know it still existed until i saw it! Hahaha!

Only old friends and readers of this blog will surely relate to what I'm feeling right now. Haha. If you're thinking that you might be one of those who wrote on our guestbook before, check it out now, click the link below, and be amused. :)

http://pub12.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=983160169&v_cardid=

Realizations after Ondoy

Through the recent calamity, a lot of things had been running on mind.

For the most part, Matthew 6:19-21 says it all  

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  

In just a matter of 6 hours, hard-earned material possessions were gone - home, businesses - that people were working hard for in 10-20 years were just destroyed in just a snap. Even life of loved ones taken, gone, just like that.

Again, we are reminded that we have to simplify our life by focusing on what lasts eternally. Everything, including our life, here on earth are just temporary. God just entrusted us to take care of these things, including our family, time will come that God may take it all away from us, thus we shall not be too attached and just do our part in taking care of what He has entrusted us.

It is more important to invest in the eternal life that follows, because life here on earth is just a temporary assignment, a test - we are just here on earth for a little while. Understanding this will help us achieve contentment in life easier.

On then other hand, I was overwhelmed with the compelling feeling that I have since looking out my window from the 7th floor that 26th of September - upon seeing the creek overflowing, I immediately thought of the people who might be trapped, submerged, or worse drowning. I felt I had to do something. 

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something!

Well, on a side note, I have this personal issue of feeling useless at times, I feel that I am weak, that the world can go on and on without my help - but during that time I really felt that I am someone who couldn't do nothing. I knew I could! And I knew that it was God who was calling me to help. And in fact, the help I offered didn't just favor the people, but mostly, it made me feel better about myself.

Don't let what you cannot do be a hindrance to what you CAN do.

And it was so surreal seeing people from all walks of life, going hand-in-hand to save and help the flood and typhoon victims. It inspires me to do more. And I am so grateful to God for putting in my heart that feeling and motivation of doing something to help my kababayans.

Truly, this tragedy brought out the best in us - the Filipinos.

But let us not forget, that Helping is not done once. Helping shouldn't stop, because many are in need of it. And still, let us not underestimate the power of PRAYERS. Keep on praying, and do it more fervently.

One more thing we shall not overlook is WHY this calamity happened. Our climate is changing. Ondoy, sadly, is just a taste of what we have done to our nature. We cannot turn back time and restore what has been long damaged. But we could still do our part in minimizing the bad effects of our recklessness and start taking care and giving back to our mother nature. I have mentioned that we are called by God as trustees of His creation, let us not fail Him in doing so. I hope that this be a lesson for us to work adn exert our efforts in conserving energy, a simple garbage segragation in your own homes could go a long way. Knowing that conserving energy not only lowers your Meralco bill, but also does a lot to help our environment, makes it easier and gives us a happier feeling when we decide to unplug sometimes.

Let us all say this prayer... “Oratio Imperata for Deliverance From Calamities”

“Oratio Imperata for Deliverance From Calamities”

“Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

“We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

“We have not been good stewards of Nature.

“We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.

“The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

“Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

“We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

“We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

“We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need.

“Amen.”

Our Kababayans need our help

Please donate, volunteer, and most importantly, pray for all the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

REDCROSS
http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx

Monetary Donations

1. CASH or CHECK
Please send cash or check donations to the PNRC National Headquarters in Manila. Checks should be made payable to The Philippine National Red Cross. We can also arrange for donation pick-up.

2. BANK DEPOSIT
Account Name: The Phil. Nat’l. Red Cross

METROBANK
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 151-3-041-63122-8
Dollar Acct.: 151-2-151-00218-2
Type of Acct. : SAVINGS
Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
Port Area Branch
Peso Acct.: 4991-0010-99
Type of Account: CURRENT

BANK OF THE PHIL. ISLANDS
UN Branch
Dollar Acct.: 8114-0030-94
Type of Account: SAVINGS
Swift Code: BOPI PH MM

For your donations to be properly acknowledged, please fax the bank transaction slip at nos. +63.2.527.0575 or +63.2.404.0979 with your name, address and contact number.

SMS and G-CASH (Globe)

SMS
text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

G-CASH
text DONATEAMOUNT4-digit M-PINREDCROSS to 2882

You may also deposit your Donations thru  
ABS-CBN SAGIP KAPAMILYA
BANCO DE ORO
Acct name: SAGIP KAPAMILYA
Acct.# BDO 5630020111
swift code is BNORPHMM ABS CBN branch

FOR THOSE ABROAD:
YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE THRU CREDIT CARD
Click the link for details , just inndicate donation for Typhoon Ondoy, Philippines

http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/donate.php
http://www.myayala.com/ 
http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Default.aspx?S=48&SS=972

FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO VOLUNTEER (repacking and distributing goods)
ABS-CBN needs volunteers for Sept. 28, 29 & 30. Shifts are 8:00AM-12:00NN; 1:00-5:00PM and 5:00-9:00PM. Call 924-4101 loc. 2603, 2579, 4759.

From UsGirls - We need every able bodied person to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy. Donations of all sorts are most welcome. Join us tomorrow, 8 AM at Examiner St., Sagip Kapamilya Office. Us Girls is on a mission to donate blankets, clothes, formula milk and easy-open goods. To those who are willing to help, please reply to this post or send your inquiries to Roy, Wet or Toni at 0915 4836861.

Junior Chamber International - Manila will be accepting donations at the Baypark Tent, Roxas Blvd near Malate Church and Rajah Soliman Park starting today to help the victims hit by typhoon Ondoy. Volunteers are welcome to join the packing of... goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk, Bottled Water, Blankets and Clothes).


GAWAD KALINGA needs people to help buy goods, and to sign up for the centers. Contact Raul Dizon 09178888109 and Felice Caringal 09178888304. We are targeting 6PM for the centers to be fully operational. Operation GK Walang Iwanan Headquarters will be in RFM Gym in Pioneer.

DROP OFF POINTS for your donations:
SAGIP KAPAMILYA CENTER - Tomas Morato corner Sct. Bayoran (near Alex III)

GMA Kapuso Foundation

Ateneo De Manila University (court)

Miriam College (INSA office)
UP DIliman (Vinzons Hall)
7-11 Branches
McDonalds Branches (NCR)
Petron Gasoline Stations
Starbucks branches
Mail and More (FedEX, Air21) outlets 
One Orchard Road, Eastwood City
LUCA branches (Rockwell, Shangrila Plaza)
DSWD (Batasan Complex, QC), DSWD (Quiapo, Manila), DSWD (Pasay City), Petron Gasoline Stations, White Space (2314 Pasong Tamo Ext., Makati), Balay Expo (Araneta Center, Cubao, QC), and Ateneo De Manila.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. Proverbs 25:21

The goodnight song

About a couple of weeks ago, while we were on our way to visit Lola Ching in Malabon, Salma might have felt a little bored she suddenly asked me to sing her the "goodnight song", without thinking, I just made up lyrics saying goodnight-goodnight in a nursery rhyme sing-song tone.

She snapped and said "NO! not that! Mommy you're wrong". I said I don't know the goodnight song eh, I told her you ask Lola Ne, then Mama also sang a made up song - mali pa din daw, until Salma asked Lolo, and then Yaya. Mali pa din. Naiinis na sya, but she still went on at making us sing THE GOODNIGHT SONG!
Until the radio played BEP's I gotta feeling.... Salma cried out in amazement "There!!! That's the goodnight song!!" We were all like, "Ahhhhhhhh!! Okayyyyyy!" Hahaha laughtrip!

Marlowe's Jollibee Party

A year before Marlowe turned 30, I was already planning to give him a surprise birthday bash. At first I thought of reserving a venue, like bar/grill resto. But since I saw how much he "enjoyed" going to  Jollibee parties last year, I've decided to give hm his own Jollibee party!! And besides, he never experienced having one during his childhood. Aww

Reserved the branch I think March pa lang, mahirap na baka maunahan. I was with Salma when I did the reservations, the crew thought it was for my daughter's party, when asked for the age/numbers that they would put on the cake candle, of course nagulat sila at natawa! :)

The surprise plan was going quite well, I've sneaked into his celphone and got the numbers of his friends, informed them 2 weeks ahead, and most of his friends were very cooperative naman, excited pa!

I guess Marlowe somehow knew that I have something cooking up for his bday, but he doesn't have idea that it's gonna be like that - a funny jollibee party.

Until the day finally came, I told yaya to bring Salma to the office, but to bring clothes for changing na, they pretended that Salma was just gonna tambay in the office to play with lolo and lola. But actually, they went to the venue na.. I was exchanging texts with my SIL if guests have already arrived. Ive made up an excuse to Marlowe if he could drive me to Starbucks (near Jollibee) because kunwari I was meeting up with a buyer there. I changed my clothes, I wore a dress which made him grin - I said I just felt like wearing a dress kasi bago eh, para kako malabhan na! LOL. That moment I knew kinikilig na sya kasi alam nya na na this is it- party time na! haha! Though I was sure di pa nya alam na sa Jollibee yon. He changed clothes too, and quite overdressed din for Starbucks meetup hahahaha, so I really knew excited na din sya! Nakakatawa. Pero may panira eh, all of a sudden our neighbor (invited sa surprise party-well informed naman, or so i thought) called up marlowe asking "Hello, ay marlowe Happy Birthday, andyan na sina (name of her kids)? nagcommute lang kasi sila, check ko kung nakarating na sila dyan?" So na-weirduhan na si marlowe, ask nya "Ha?? Anditosaan??" sagot naman si neighbor "Dyan sa Jollibee? Andyan na sila??" Grrrr...Marlowe passed the phone to me, natatawa na sya. Ako badtrip syempre. Pero what the heck, ilang minuto na din naman im gonna spill it to him na..so okay lang. But no one from us was talking about it, natatawa na lang kami. So we drove to Starbucks, pero nung malapit na, I told him "Dun mo na nga sa JOllibee!" tapos ayun tawanan na! Hahahaha! Ayun si loko excited na umakyat sa party nya hahaha!

the bday boy!

"happy birthday daddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...."

continuation inuman at Baliwag