Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Happy Father's Day

To have someone like these two is a real blessing in life. Happy Father's day...
...my husband
and my dad

And to all the father's in the world!

Blog Your Blessings: Happy Mother's Day!

Your Mother Is Always With You
~Author Unknown

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks.

She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside your laughter.

She's crystallized in every tear drop.

She's the place you came from, your first home.

She's the map you follow with every step that you take.

She's your first love and your first heart break.

Nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space, not even death...

will ever separate you from your mother...

You carry her inside your heart!


HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the Mommy, Mama, Mom, Niang, Okaasan, Eomma, Inay, Nanay.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Top of her class

Andrea is Mary help of Christians Learning Center Grade 1 class First Honors. She was also awarded Best in English, Best in Filipino, Best in Science, Best in Sibika, Best in Religion and Most Disciplined. I am so proud of her. But the award I treasure the most is the Most Disciplined award. It says a lot about her character, and in a way, shows how I and my husband nurtured our daughter. Too bad, dad wasn't around to assist me in pinning the medals and ribbons to our little girl.

And worst, her pictures while she was being awarded were corrupted when I tried editing it. But this misfortune couldn't dampen my spirit, I am blessed to have a beautiful, intelligent, responsible and God fearing daughter.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Easter Message

Pope Benedict's Easter message is for all the injustices, hatred and violence around the world to end.

Let us take a moment to reflect and pray that each of us may find peace in our heart and mind, in our family, in our life, and in the world.

No matter how chaotic the world have become, there is always hope that we will find peace.

Just like the picture above, no matter how dark the clouds are, there will always be a persistent ray of light penetrating through it.

Happy easter!

Blog Your Bleesings: Cemetery of Negativism

There is an interesting cemetery located at Camp John Hay in Baguio City. It is called Pet Cemetery, Lost cemetery or Cemetery of Negativism. However, no actual animals are buried there. Rather, negative thoughts or the "greatest negativisms of all times" were buried. It was in the early 1980s, when base commander John Hightower enjoined all camp employees to think of the negative thoughts and attitudes that impeded their productivity at work, and symbolically buried them all there.







If we try to create our own cemetery of negativism, is our backyard enough to fit every negative thoughts that cross our mind?

Blog Your Bleesings: Panagbenga celebration

If you haven't experienced the "Panagbenga Festival" of Baguio, you are missing a lot. Panagbenga is a kankanaey term which means "a season of blooming." It is also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, some kind of a tribute to the beautiful flowers the city is famous for.

But for me, Panagbenga celebration brings a different memory. For two years, during the street dancing and float parade "days" of the celebration, we would wake up as early as 3 am in order to be at the store as early as 4 am. This is torture for us since the third week of February is considered the coldest in Baguio. We have to open early and be able to cook enough food before the bulk of customers, usually tourists, would come in. I, together with the assistant managers and the crew would be on our feet from early morning till late in the afternoon. I witnessed how the crew persevered and how the managers supported the team members. It was a picture of team work and hard work.

Just like the flowers of Panagbenga, my team blooms during this period. They are blooming in the spirit of team work and hardwork.

I miss my team. I miss being "in action". But I have chosen to be just an observer now. A proud observer of how the flowers and the people bloom.

Blog Your Bleesings: Voice

I suffered a terrible asthma attack last week and I am just regaining my strength now. To my luck, I have wonderful people, my mom and my aunt, who took really good care of me. I feasted on milk and egg (according to their doctor, eating at least 2 eggs per day is good for the health. I'll write more about this next time) and my favorite Asian drama series ( my all time favorite stress buster =>).

The latest series that I watched is Silence, a Taiwanese drama series shown in the year 2006. The story is about a young girl and a young boy who met in a hospital and found happiness during the week they were together, although in silence. The girl was involved in an accident that traumatized her and makes her unable to speak. In one episode the girl asked, using hand language (with english subtitle of course => ) this question.

" Why do people who have a voice always hide the most beautiful words in their heart?"

Why do we indeed?

At least at one point in our life we meant to say good things to someone, wanted to say words we know deep in our heart would bring smile to someone, but opted not to.

What if an unexpected thing happens and robs us of our voice? How will we be able to express out loud with emotions the words we kept in our heart?

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Happy Birthday Mama!

It almost slipped my mind, but I am extra blessed this sunday because my mom is celebrating her 69th birthday today.



Happy birthday mama. Thank you for your unconditional love. We love you!

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Burnay

"Burnay" or Jar


Burnay Making


Andrea witnessed the process of Burnay making


Burnay making in Vigan was introduced by Chinese immigrants. Burnay maybe used for storing drinking water, salt, basi wine, tagapulot (brown sugar), and Ilocano's favorite bagoong.

The educational tour of Andrea's school at the Heritage City of Vigan gave us the opportunity to have a deeper appreciation of these jars. They are no longer just jars, instead, it signifies skills and hard work.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Surprises!

I feel so blessed today!

Early this mornig, while serving breakfast in our canteen, one customer approached me and asked where I studied in high school. Incidentally, we went to the same high school but he was already a senior when I was just a freshman. When he was about to go, I asked his family name because I couldn't remember his face, it was then when i realized I was talking to my ultimate crush in high school. He belonged to our school's basketball team and I have been following their games eversince I saw him shoot from the three points area. Well, I was an ugly duckling in high school, and I never thought that he would notice me. But I guess, he did. Uhm, I am not sure if it's because I still look like the ugly duckling then. Nevertheless, he remembered me, and I, did not recognized him.

After attending mass this afternoon, I dropped by the drugstore and I was so thrilled to see one of my bestfriends in highschool! After more than ten years of not seeing each other, I was able to hug her again.

Thank you so much for today. After dreaming for a year (during my high school days) that this ultimate crush would look my way, I was able to confirm that, at least he took notice of me then ( who cares what he thought about me then, at least he took notice of me). And I know in my heart that despite him being my ultimate crush, God gave me someone better, someone who completes me.

Thank you so much for today. After I resigned from my work, I felt sad because I won't be able to see my friends as often as i want to. But I guess, it paved the way back into the arms of my old friends.

This is truly a blessed day. For sure, I will be wearing a smile on my face tonight as I rest my tired my body.

Happy Blog Your Blessings Sunday!

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Promise Yourself

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can
disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to
every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel like there is
something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your
optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best,
and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the
greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give
every living person you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too
strong for fear, and too happy to permit the
presence of trouble.
The Optimist Creed
From The Optimist International

I stumbled on this when I was looking for inspiring stories to get me back on my feet. I hope it could bring you additional energy as it did to me.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: POSITIVE THINKING

I got hold of this very inspiring book "The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking" by Norman Vincent Peale. I am still on the second chapter when I read a phrase that caught my attention and hit me real hard.

" You must never conclude, even though everything goes wrong, that you cannot succeed. Even at the worst there is a way out, a hidden secret that can turn failure into success and despair into happiness. No situation is so dark that there is not a ray of light."

I am a mother, a wife, a daughter and a listener to all my troubled friends. When some of my colleagues thought of giving up on their job, I have offered them my ears and this philosophy in life, that everything will turn out find, eventually. The words from Peale's book reflected the thoughts that I have been trying to pass on to my colleagues and friends. And guess what, they were able to last longer than I did

Funny. Because while I was so busy sharing this philosophy with them. I forgot to live it.

I am just very lucky to have a husband who maintained his positive outlook in life, despite being bombarded with trials too. I have almost given up so many times. But he always put things into the right perspective, and gave me assurance that everything will turn out find, eventually.

I am truly blessed.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: WOMAN

You can see her in the affection of a…
Sister
You can see her in the care of a…
Mother
You can see her in the envy of a…
Beloved
You can see her in the understanding of a…
Wife.
She’s a woman
She’s YOU.

This was the content of the e card that my husband sent me,while I was feeling low. Again, it brought tears to my eyes.

For all the women.

You may check the ecard at http://egreetings.indiatimes.com/egreet/compose.jsp?recpno=1&langid=13&imgid=5442&subcatid=130204&pay_cardflag=P. It is better with music.

Happy Blog Your Blessings Sunday!

I welcomed the New Year with a BLAG!

BLAG, not with a bang, because I fell down the stairs in my father in law's home. I was going down the stairs absentmindedly when I heard a couple of "blags" then I found myself on the floor, shock and unbelieving that I fell. My sister in law and father in law rushed to help me, I was hurt but not badly hurt, just shaken from the fall so I wasn't able to move nor speak at once. As I was being helped to my feet, I laughed. I laughed for looking stupid. I had gone up and down that stairs many times during the span of six years. And this is the first time that I fell. But I took the stairs again, this time, with a little care.

Looking deeper, my "fall" is just like the things that happens in our life. When we have grown comfortable with our routine, sometimes we function automatically. Then out of the blue, we take a "fall". We ask how could that happen? We knew perfectly well what to do, just like I know perfectly well how to go up and down the stairs. But still, I fell, and we take a fall every now and then. Either we laughed at it, rise from the fall and take the stairs again, or wallow in despair for looking stupid over a simple task. Even if we are left with bruises, just like the bruises I have on my back and thighs, it will heal, eventually, and we would be as good as before.

A new year for me, a new career soon. Last year I took a "fall" when I quit my job. It was difficult financially, I am bruised. But with the new venture which I hope I could start soon, I will heal, eventually, and all my "bruises" will be gone.

Start the year right, even if it started with a BLAG!

Happy New Year everyone!

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: The Light

The Parol, technically called Philippine Christmas lantern, was adapted from the Chinese lantern and the Mexican piñata to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Patterns of the parol evolved from the five-pointed star-shaped paper lantern that was crafted by an artisan named Francisco Estanislao in 1928. His creation was made of bamboo strips pasted with papel de japon (Japanese paper), illuminated by a candle or kalburo (carbide). This kind of lighting was adapted by barrio folks to light their paths during an annual ritual dawn Mass called Misa de Gallo, due electricity being unavailable at the time.

The star-like shape of the parol which has been its original design remains common in the Philippines and considered distinct for Filipinos.The crafts are usually made in the barrios and the poblacions and is rarely done in urban areas. On the contrary, Parañaque, a city in Metro Manila, has the largest production of Parols.

The parol has become an iconic symbol of a Filipino Christmas and is as important to Filipinos as the Christmas Tree is to other cultures. Its appearance on houses and streets which usually starts in September along with other Christmas symbols signals the coming of the season. The parol is associated with the Simbang Gabi, a series of dawn masses that lasts for nine days. Parols remain until in January, usually removed by the sixth day of the month, to honor the "Three Kings" and their visit to the child Jesus. (Wikipedia)

Without the parol, christmas would be less festive for us Filipinos. And it makes me proud that this christmas ornament is distinctly a Philippine product

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: One man's trash is somebody else's treasure

I have been thinking about cleaning my closet but I was too lazy to start it. However, when my aunt mentioned that the church she is associated with invited some indigent families on December 23, and the church members are encouraged to bring used items to share it with them, I gladly started cleaning out my closet at once.

While going through my things, I was overwhelmed with a lot of emotions. Every piece of clothing has a sentimental value, which makes it more difficult for me to let go of. But I have set my mind that the things that does not see the front of my drawer or cabinet will have to go. In no time, I have 3 big bags full of old clothes, bags and shoes which were only kept for sentimental reasons. It is sad to let go of the things that brings back the past, but the thought of being able to clothe other people is more than enough compensation. Besides, i am not letting go of the memories, just the symbols. Because the memories will forever be embedded in my heart.

I may not have the happiest christmas this year because one member of my family is away, but I am sure that I have made someone smile through my "trash".

I promise to do this every year. And when I am more stable financially, I will be giving more than just used things.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Delays

Usually, if there is a delay in my schedule I would be impatient. If there is a long line in the register, I would be forced to chose another establishment or postpone buying an item. But this particular day, the delays that transpired paved a smoother way for me to handle a crisis.

It is a blessing that I couldn't find some items in the supermarket so I have to browse all the aisles.
It is a blessing that the cashier was new, so she was quite slow in punching the items I purchased.
It is a blessing that the queue in the restaurant we had our lunch was long.
It is a blessing that the van going to our place left just as we arrived at the terminal. So we have to wait for another van.
It is a blessing that it took longer for the van to load more passengers.

Without these delays, I would have difficulty bringing mom to the hospital for an emergency treatment for her asthma attack. We were about to go home, the van is almost full when my mom voiced her wish to be nebulized. I had to rush her to the E.R. because she was really having a difficult time breathing. Being an asthmatic myself, I know how difficult it is to suffer from an attack. That, plus her rheumatic heart condition made it doubly worse for her.

In life we encounter so many "delays". We are disheartened, we get mad. But beyond these delays, are beautiful fruits.

Blog Your Blessings: Time

Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it
you can never get it back.”
Harvey MacKay

I had a heart to heart talk with my cousin yesterday. She was already in her forties, an accomplished career woman who chose to leave the corporate life for her family. She shared how she missed so many things in her daughter's life, and the success she achieved with her job cannot compensate with those things. Her daughter once remarked that even if she is blessed with material things, her happiness is not complete because her mom was not there for her. Now, being a full time mom in just a little over a year, she still has to learn a lot about her child. She is starting fresh, hoping that she could still bridge the gap between her and her teenage daughter. But still wishes to turn back time so she could change the past.

Indeed, time is free and priceless. We are blessed with time, with an opportunity to use it. Though it is free, it comes with a great responsibility too. That is to make sure that we spend it the best way we can. Sometimes, when we have not acknowledged the most important thing in our life, we take time for granted. we spend it carelessly. And then when realization strikes us, we would like to turn back the time. Not all of us are given another chance. So while we do not know how many chances could be given to us, why not spend our time wisely?

Happy Blog Your Blessings Sunday!

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Bountiful Land

I left this place when I was fourteen years old to study in the city with my two cousins. Since then I became accustomed to the city life and never looked back at this place. After I graduated from college, I was lucky enough to land a job in a company known internationally. For eight years I moved from one city to another. I would occasionally visit our place, but during the short visits I was always in a hurry. Country living never appealed to me. Until recently. Six months ago I was heart broken because my romance with the city was cut when my husband and I decided to move back home. I was not very happy with the decision but there are things we need to do even if it does not bring us so much joy. We just need to because it feels right. So we moved, and now I'm loving it.

I am blessed with this beautiful view from my bedroom window. During the months of April and May, this land was dry and barren, but it is heaven to kids who were flying their kites. When the rain started to fall, it was wet and muddy, but it was a blessing to the farmers who were eager to plant rice. Now, after months of toiling the land, it is a mixture of green and yellow and brown. The colors of harvest time. Soon, every storage room within our little place will be filled with sacks of rice. A reassurance that there will be enough to feed a family until the next harvest time, or that a student will be able to pay his tuition fee in the next semester.

I do not have to look far to appreciate some more the blessings of living in the rural area. Our backyard is filled with vegetables. If I needed an eggplant for breakfast, a "siling labuyo" or a calamansi, I only need to look within our yard, and I would find them there. A relative dropped by this morning and gave us 40 pieces of milk fish fresh from the pond. A kilo in the market would cost us almost a hundred peso.

The free things within this place are indeed blessings. But the real blessing for me is the patience, hardwork, the kindness, the unpretentious life that unfolds in my very eyes everyday.

Blog Your Blessings Sunday: Money is not Everything

This was proven by an eleven year old boy named Gicoven Abarquez or "Gangga" when he surrendered to the police a bag containing eighteen thousand pesos (18,000). He found the bag on his way to school. The money could have helped his poor family, but Gangga chose to do the right thing. Despite poverty, he was not tempted to keep the money because his mother taught him not to keep things which are not his. Because of the good deed, he received a citation from Dagupan City Police (Pangasinan, Philippines). Rewards in the form of gifts, school supplies and even scholarship were given to the boy.

I am so proud of you Gangga, and your mother deserves a standing ovation.

You make me so proud to be a Pangasinense.

Source: http://punch.dagupan.com/