En Français. . .

I have nothing to do last night so I decided to go over our mini library and read some of my college books. I was surprised to find our scripts, inserted in one of my books, during our dramatizations in our French class.

Being a Foreign Service student, one should need to take a language class like Nihongo, French, Spanish or Mandarin. I remember, it is a must for us to take Nihongo lessons during our first year (two semesters) and on my 2nd and 3rd year of college (four semesters), we have to choose between Spanish and French on what language to take.

Senior students, at that time, frightened us that French is a hard-to-learn language and many of their classmates either dropped or failed the subject not to mention the strict professors. But reality caught up on me. Due to (could be) same reasons like mine, many students enrolled in Spanish and I was a late enrollee so, I was left without any option but to take French.

But opposite to what others said, when classes began, I learned to love the language. Yes, it is indeed tough but very challenging… and by the way, my professors were so great! They were just strict because they wanted us to really master the language.

Below is a copy of one of our scripts…

Ian Kenneth as PAPA

Maria Paz as MAMAN

Lorna as JULIENNE

Carmina Anne as ANNE

MAMAN: Je viens d'avoir notre courier, mon cher!

PAPA: Ah, bon. Qu’est ce qu’il y a?
MAMAN: L’aller vien d’arriver, aussi.
PAPA: Bon! Je n’attend pas dire les enfants. Nous leurs dirons au cours de petite dejeuner.
MAMAN: Bien!
----------
MAMAN: Ah, vous y avez filles. (Ah, voile filles). Bonjour!
ANNE et JULIENNE: Bonjour Maman, Papa!
JULIENNE: Qu’est ce qu’il y a? Vous avez souriez…
PAPA: Bien, nous avons une surprise pour vous.
ANNE: Vraiment? Qu’est-ce que c’est?
MAMAN: Nous allons déménager à Baguio!
ANNE: Quel???
JULIENNE: Pourquoi?
PAPA: Bien, vos grandparents partiront pour Canada le moin prochain. Ils ont decide nous donner leur maison. Ils y resteront avec tat ante Petunia.
ANNE: Mon Dieu! Baguio! C’est formidable!
JULIENNE: Oh là là! Je ne crois pas, j’habiterai à Baguio finalement. C’est bonne nouvelle Maman, Papa!
ANNE: C’est vrai? Mon Dieu!
JULIENNE: Ce sera permanent?
MAMAN: Oui, ma chère!
PAPA: Je suis heureux, vous êtes contentes.
ANNE: Allors, Quand nous partirons?
PAPA: Ce Vendredi.
JULIENNE: Mais, attendez, nos études?
MAMAN: Avez-vous pensé déjà aux?
JULIENNE: Oui, maman… j’y ai déjà pensé? Je crois j’allerai à UP Baguio
ANNE: Formidable! J’ai envie de changer mon mode de vie.
(ALL LOL!)
----------
JULIENNE: Alors, il me faudra beaucoup de pullover.
ANNE: Bien sûr… moi aussi. Mais, je souhaite, ils ont beaucoup de magasin agréables.
MAMAN: Bien sûr, ma chère.
JULIENNE: Mais Maman, qu’est-ce que vous deviendrez? Vous travaillez?
MAMAN: Ah, c’est bien, ma chère. Je reprendrai le ferme de fleur de ta grandmère.
ANNE: Et Papa?
PAPA: Je serai avec LandBank.
ANNE: Ah, bon! Uh, Maman, Papa.. je crois il nous faudra notre permis de conduire, quand nous y arrivons.
JULIENNE: Et nos voitures…
MAMA et PAPA: Hmmm…
PAPA: Bien, mais vous aurez partager avec un voiture.
JULIENNE et ANNE: C’est bien. Bravo!!!
MAMAN: Mais vous avez nous promette ce vous ralentisserez aux carre fours! Et ne voulez pas trop vite.
JULIENNE et ANNE: Bien sûr! Non, problem!
PAPA: Je suis sertain, nous nous amuserez bien et nous aurons la vie bonne.
MAMAN: Vous aimerez la place mes chères. C’est très ravisante… Avec beaucoup de belles fleurs.
PAPA: Au fait, l’avion part à dix heures. Il faudrait que nous nous levions à cinq heures du matin.
ANNE: Après ça?
MAMAN: Vos grandparents passerent nous prendre à l’aeroport.
ANNE: Combien y a-t-il d’ici à Baguio?
MAMAN: a 200km. environ.
ANNE: D’accord. J’aime bien voyager.

In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham with Dean Merill

I was inspired by an officemate to read the book, IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES by Gracia Burnham with Dean Merill, which he also borrowed from a common friend. I loved reading it so I bought one for my collection.

The book tells the story of American Missionaries, Martin and Gracia Burnham, who were kidnapped by the terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf. While having their romantic anniversary getaway at Dos Palmas Resort in May 2001, they were seized and spent a year of their lives on the run, fighting to survive in the Philippine jungles.

The book is a chronicle of the improbable suffering of the hostages; hunger, privation of comfort, day-long marches and gun battles amidst heat, cold and exhaustion, not to mention the grisly tales of murder, terror and forced marriages between captors and captives.

There are also surprising events in the book that narrates the relationships developed between terrorists and the hostages. Their conversations were often friendly and at times, the captives realized that they were all on the same side avoiding a deadly confrontation with the soldiers who were tracking them.

The event also became a time of recollection and soul-searching; when true faith in God was tested especially when hope turned to despair. But always in the end, above all, God is gracious and merciful.

I highly recommend the book, In the Presence of My Enemies, to those who seeks encouragement and inspiration.

. . . God's Gift . . .

I haven’t noticed, just now, that I don’t have any post published introducing my baby to the blogging world. So, now I proudly present my little angel, Stephanie Lorraine. I conceived her when I was working in Hsinchu, Taiwan (2006) but I flew her to the Philippines when I was on my 5th month of pregnancy.

Lorraine was born at the University of Sto. Tomas Hospital at 8:05am of December 2, 2006 and weighed 7.28lbs. Her pediatricians nicknamed her “Pinky” and “Baby Ganda” because of her pinkish skin and beautiful face. Of course, mama is very proud of her.
I remember one time, Lorraine was about 8 months old, when we went to SM North Edsa to buy some of her stuffs at the Children’s Section when a man came to us and asked if I am interested to let Lorraine join their contest – SM Next Baby Model. We didn’t join the contest; first, because she’s below the age requirement of at least a year old and second, I’m not yet prepared to be a stage mother. He instead gave me a leaflet of the contest. I read the criteria for judging as follows: 15% physical built, 15% skin complexion, 30% projection and 40% overall appearance. I wonder, if we joined the contest, could Lorraine possibly won the competition?

The Gift of Love and Life

Having a child is definitely the most important event in one’s life. Moreover, children are the special treasure that enrich our lives, give us happiness and make everything worthwhile.

After so many years of yearning for a baby, Kuya Eli (my officemate) and Doc Anna believed their prayers were finally answered. The good news came Sunday morning, and the couple felt elated.

@ Kuya Eli & Doc Anna: The beautiful miracle of love and life has come to you now. May his/her/their coming bring happiness and joy to your family. Félicitations!

“Miracles occur naturally as expressions of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle.”

- Marie Lloyd

An Invitation from Canada

FRONT INSIDE

I got an invitation (all the way from Ontario, Canada) from my childhood friend, Ann Vernille, who will be having her Baby Shower on October 25 @ 6pm. Bad thing… I haven’t saved enough money for airfares. Well, there will always be next time or I’ll just patiently wait for Twinkle and Baby Miaka to visit us here in the Philippines -- hopefully soon!

@ Twinkle: Mare, I’m very very sorry. I won’t be there personally but my love and prayers will always be with you and Miaka.

@ Miaka: Baby, we’re very excited of your arrival! Soon Little Lorraine will have a baby sister in you. I know you will grow up to be a beautiful woman and have eyes and dimples like your mother. You came to us as a blessing from God and to be your mama's inspiration. And now, even though you’re still there inside your mama’s womb, I knew that you also feel what she feels. Just be strong because you’re the only one who’s keeping her very strong. Ninang loves you so much! See you soon! Hugs and kisses!

You call me - "Curacha"

One day, you might come across with this horrible-looking and scary creature served in your dinner table. It is locally called, “Curacha”, a strange-looking crustacean endemic ONLY in the waters of Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu that seems to be like a hybrid between a large sea crab and a spiny lobster. Sometimes it is also called “Cucuracha”, literally “cockroach” in Chavacano.
My first encounter with this sea creature was when a mayor in Basilan gave me these, alive and fresh, as pasalubong. I am very hesitant (at first) to touch the curacha, feared that it might sting and poison me to death. My baby even shouted in a gruesome tone, “Mama… ipis! ipis! Yucks!” But true to the saying, “beauty lies within”… the curacha is very meaty in the inside and when cooked in garlic and chili sauce, is very delicious and will make a finger-licking feast. It can also be steamed or cooked with coconut milk. It is best to cook it minimally to preserve its unique exotic taste.

. . . My Unmasked Friends . . .

Before, Masskara Festival was just like any other festival to me… it will come and it will go. But everything changed since I worked in the Department of Tourism - Southern Tagalog Tourism Council (DOT-STTC) about 4 years ago.

I was assigned by my boss to be one of the event coordinators of “Masskara at Market! Market!” held on October 23-24, 2004. Market! Market!, a mall developed and managed by Ayala Land, Inc. located at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, is newly opened at that time. Our office together with Market! Market! redefined mall entertainment when we successfully brought the Masskara Festival to the metro exhibiting the colorful masks and featuring the actual winning dance troupe, Brgy. Villamonte together with their choreographer, Mr. Panoy Cabalcar performed right in the activity center.
Brgy. Villamonte Masskara Dance Troupe won 1st place both in the open and barangay categories of the 25th Masskara Festival with five minor awards, barangay category – best in mask, best in costume, best in concept and in the open category – best in costume and best in choreography. They were also the champion of the 2003 Masskara Festival and got 4 out of 4 minor awards. They have represented the Philippines in the 2004 Shanghai Tourism Festival with 15 other countries participating and watched by more than 200 million people in China. In fact, they gave me a memorabilia pin of that said festival.

Now, every time October comes in I would always reminisce the times I had with them. I remember giving them the wake-up call at Atrium Hotel, joining them at meals and watching them every rehearsal and on their actual performance on stage. Though, we’d only been for quite some time; I did enjoy getting to know them. I will forever treasure the friendship we have.

To my friends: Nahidlaw na ko sa inyo! Tani makabisita ko dira sa Villamonte! Bati ko ma-entra kamo sini nga Masskara Festival. Goodluck! Matan-aw na lang ko sa inyo sa tv! (I miss you all! I hope I could visit you there in Villamonte. I heard your group is joining again this year’s festival. Goodluck! I’ll be watching you on tv!)

29th Masskara Festival & 70th Charter Day Anniversary of Bacolod City

For us Negrenses, the most awaited month is October because of the celebration of the Philippines’ most colorful Masskara Festival held in Bacolod City. “Masskara” is a portmanteau of the words, mass meaning many or crowd and cara meaning face. The festival’s symbolic feature is the colorful smiling mask worn by the dancers. Thus, Bacolod City bears the nickname, “City of Smiles”.

The Masskara Festival started in 1980 when Negros Occidental is in the time of tragedy and economic crisis; April 22 of that year, Don Juan, a vessel carrying many Negrenses, collided with the tanker Tacloban City and sank, also the sugar industry continued to slump (sugar cane as the province’s primary agricultural crop). The festival is a declaration of survival of the Negrenses that no matter how tough and bad the times were, they are going to live on and in the end, triumph. The people live up to the Masskara tagline, “Sige Lang, Sige Na.. Bacolod Bato Kita!” (It’s ok, it’s alright. Bacolod, fight on!)
On October 1, 2008, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officially opened the 19-day celebration of the 29th Masskara Festival with the theme, “Bacolod, City of the World” at the Bacolod City Public Plaza. This is a very historical event since it is the first time that a Philippine president graced the opening ceremonies.

Other events to look forward to are: Street dancing competition on October 16-18, the Electric Masskara along Lacson Street on October 17-19 and Search for Masskara Queen - Coronation Night on October 18.

The 29th Masskara Festival will be celebrated this year together with the 70th Charter Day Anniversary on October 19, 2008 when Bacolod was established as a city. An expected giant street party keeps vigil on October 18 which will be simultaneously held at Araneta and Lacson Streets as countdown starts 70 seconds to midnight and at 12mn the people sings happy birthday to Bacolod.

... 26th Anniversary of Facial Care Centre ...

Last week, I received an invitation from Facial Care Center in celebration of their 26th Anniversary on October 9 and 10, 2008 (Branches located in Makati, Ortigas, Tomas Morato, Shaw, Alabang, Binondo, Congressional, Pampanga and Cebu). Clients may avail of Buy 1 Take 1 packages, free treatments and more!

TRUE BEAUTY SHINES WITH AGE.

Angel Jacob. Agot Isidro-Sandejas. Donna Cruz-Larrazabal. Claudine Trillo-Webb. Hindy Weber-Tantoco. All remarkably beautiful.

Facial Care Centre respects true beauty. For 26 years, they still continue to provide women with the most modern, non-surgical procedures to help them enhance what they were already born with. So true beauty stands out even more with age.

4 Stages of Life ~ Les quatre étapes de la vie

. . . Time Machine . . . [machine de temps]

Usually, there comes a time in one's life where we realized all our faults. You might have hurt someone, someone might have hurt you, you may have lost a loved one.. but all in all, we regret. Wouldn't you wish right now that you have a time machine?! I mean, how amazing would that be.. Pick a time and date and SHAM! your there!

. . . Quarter Life . . . La vie quarte . . .

When I was still in school, I always wondered what it would be like in the real world with real problems. As a student, my problems revolved around studying and earning a degree. Of course, there would always be those occasional friendship squabbles to spice up student-life.

Life then was so easy.

After graduation from college, reality was staring me right smack in the face. Gone were the laid back days of being a student. Gone were the days when the major problems I had were finishing my thesis and making up with a friend.

After college, I was on my own.. testing the waters of the world.

It was a big challenge. You can never be too sure of what is in store for you. You can never tell whether or not the future will be bright -- or whether you'll grope around in the dark.

I saw myself facing responsibilities. I saw myself facing uncertainties. For probably the first time in my life, my "no guts, no glory" disposition vanished into thin air.

It was a slow, agonizing climb, but I learned along the way.

I learned that the older you get, the less friends you'll have. You can never keep all the people you have made friends with while you were growing up. Eventually, you will drift apart and live your own lives. But what you have shared with them has taught you lessons you can take along on your journey.

I learned that no matter what stupid decisions you have made, your family will always welcome you with their loving arms. They will stand by you and let you take your steps on your own, letting you know they're just behind you in case you stumble and fall along the way.

I learned that the job you have right now may not be the job you wanted in the first place, but it could be the job that really makes you happy. Sometimes, we choose the job not for its monetary compensations but more for our own development as a complete individual.

I learned that falling in love does not always equal a happy-ever-after ending. Some may be lucky to live their fairy tales with prince charming ready to sweep them off their feet. Some may shed buckets of tears and get bruised to the bone and lose the love of their life.

I learned that getting hurt doesn't mean closing my door to love. It will always take time to heal and courage to open myself up to someone again. But the experience of falling in love is worth all the tears and the Band-Aids available at the pharmacy.

I learned about trust and betrayal. It is very hard to earn someone's trust and we can lose that trust with just one wrong move we make.

I learned about faith and hope. Sometimes, it is not enough to believe we can make it. We have to have faith to be able to make it through life. And every single day that comes is a breath of hope that today will be better and more meaningful.

I learned that life, with all its twists and turns, is a wonderful journey. Sometimes we are on top of the world. Sometimes we find ourselves lost in the woods.

But each step of the journey, we learn. We take along whatever lessons we get from our experiences. We take along the bonds we have built, the bridges we have crossed, and the mountains we have climbed. Each step of the journey, we become stronger, better and more fulfilled individuals.

I may have lived a quarter of my life already, but I know I still have a lot to learn. I still have to discover more about myself and the world I live in. I still have yet to reach my peak as a person.

It may be a long and tiresome journey, but life has taught me well.

...Favoris Anciens... Old-Time-Favorites

Join me as we reminisce and celebrate our old favorites and now nonexistent treats that used to delight our palates. . .

Cheezels and Chickadees. The little thingies covered with bright orange cheese and the chicken-y smelling balls aren't exactly the best junk food you had ever tasted. But these two treats gave you something to look forward to after your classes in grade school - the little toys inside. Most memorable to me were the colorful slimy sticky pop-up toys. My brother and I drove mom crazy when we made a game of throwing them up the bedroom ceiling to make them stick (and they did!).

Arnott's Tim Tam. Tim Tams are a gift from heaven. If you've never tried one, you owe your taste buds a major explanation. These are wonderful chocolate-filled, chocolate-covered rectangular biscuits. Too freaking sweet, you may be thinking. Wrong. They're creamy, they're perfect - just the right amount of chocolate. And they're no longer available.

Horlicks. Horlicks is a popular chocolate drink in Hong Kong. They used to sell the candy version here, which was very, very similar to Ovalteenies. These red and white packets were found near the counters of your favorite supermarkets, where your Chupa Chups and Strepsils now are.

Carol Anne's Cheese Potato Chips. Not much can be said about the packaging since these chips used to come in the transparent plastic bags now seen protecting your common chicharon and dilis. But the potato chips inside were fantastic. Perfectly crisp and flavorful, these chips tasted real, not like tha factory-produced starch we are now being swamped with.

Selecta's Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Sandwich. Good vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two Mickey Mouse-shaped chewy chocolate cookies. This was so good.. I used to eat five a day.

Magnolia's Ice Cream Sandwich. Magnolia's ice cream sandwich used wafers instead of your usual cookie, which made for a light and creamy treat.

Cigarette Gum. Paper-covered rolls of gum in pretend cigarette cartons. This was perfect for freaking our yayas out. "I-susumbong kita sa mami mo!" my yaya once said in halting Tagalog.

Jack and Jill Barbecue Curls. For lactose-intolerant, cheese-hating people, Jack and Jill used to produce an alternative to their popular curls. Not anymore.

Puffy Cones. The one sure thing to stop my bawling while heading for my pediatrician to get shots was a puffy cone. This treat was a cone filled with chocolate-covered strawberry marshmallow. The perfect tranquilizer for little cowards.

Chocovim. Chocovim used to be a staple in every child's life. The Chocolait-like treat used to be sold in bottles before it was phased out. It was again produced years later but this time, the chocolate milk came in pyramid-shaped cartons. That one didn't last either.

Tira-tira. The tira-tira of our generation can be remembered as a chalk-shaped, hard candy. But my mom tells me there was another kind of tira-tira in her time. Stretchy, chewy and taffy like. She still gets a glazed look in her eyes when she remembers it.

Pom-poms. Pom-poms were little caramel-filled chocolate balls that came in yellow boxes. They were chewy, they were sweet and now they are gone.

McDonald's Twister Fries. Here's another treat that was just too good to last. Twister Fries have been playing a now-you-see-me-now-you-don't game with us. Please, just do us all a favor and put it on the permanent menu.

Scramble. I never had the chance to try this frozen treat when I was a kid. Mom had a thing against street food. Although I was able to sneak in afternoons of bagoong-topped singkamas on sticks and lots and lots of fishballs, for some reason I never got around to trying the scramble.

Binatog. Corn and shredded coconut with your choice of sugar or salt. I liked my binatog very salty. I couldn't imagine eating it with sugar. To this day, binatog vendors occasionally can be seen in the streets riding their bikes that carry tubs of this old Filipino favorite.

Cotton Candy. Binatog vendors aren't the only ones who have disappeared or dwindled in number. Old men who push around metal cotton candy-makers are almost extinct.

Lipps Candy. Bright pink strawberry/cherry-flavored candies that little girls used to play with by pretending the candy was lipstick. It was disgusting, it made our lips as sticky as hell, but hey, it worked. Not to fulfill our desires though, instead of looking like pretty ladies, we looked like clowns with bright pink mouths.

Shawarma. Shawarma stands used to be so hot. But one by one, it seems like they've all closed down. There are still a few that remained open, thankfully, for those people who like this Mediterranean treat.

Rolling Stones. Rolling Stones, which were chocolate-covered honeycomb balls, came in orange packs. If I remember correctly, they were just P3.50 when I was in grade school.

Hershey's Bar None. The old Bar None came in a packaging of different shades of brown that immediately told you, "I'm gooey and chocolatey! Pick me, chocoholic!" Yes, it was gooey, it was chocolatey. Perfect for a quick sugar fix.

Goya Chocolate. The older ones were creamy and melted easily in your mouth.

Brown Cow. If there was one thing I absolutely had to have in the refrigerator when I was a kid, it was Brown Cow. And I didn't like mixing it with milk - I liked it on ice cream or better yet, I like eating the syrup straight from the bottle.

Clover Bits. Leslie's used to sell Clover Bits in tiny packets for a quick snack fix. Although the extra-cheesy Clover of today is still as good, one cannot help but miss those little packs that can easily be slid in one's pocket.

Chocolait in a Glass Bottle. Chocolait now comes in plastic bottles or the cartons that come in two different sizes. Years ago, though, I'm sure you remember that Chocolait came in thick glass bottles. These bottles were even used by a lot of people for keeping tap water cold in the refrigerators.

Cola Candy. Cola Candy in the purple wrapper was usually sold in sari-sari stores or sidewalks. This has been replaced with Dynamite, Maxx and a host of other different generic hard candies.

Original Chippy. I swear that the Chippy of today isn't the same as the Chippy of before. Let's wait and see that Jack and Jill will revert to the original recipe.

Dip Pops. This was a Goya product. These lollipops came with powder dips for a more interesting sucking experience.

Combos. Combos used to come in bigger carton containers and an assortment of flavors. I liked their pizza line. Now, Combos come in packs and usually have just one flavor - cheese.

Benson's. The individually wrapped Benson's candies tasted very different from the rolls that you can boy now. The old kind was chocolatey and the caramel was more chewy. The packaging now may look more hip than the old drab one, but then again, it's what's inside that really counts.

Melody Pops. A lollipop and whistle in one. No wonder kids loved this. I was really beginning to miss it. But when I remembered the racket my little brother used to make with these lollipops, add to that the amount of saliva spillage, I can say that we are better off without some things.

..Aimer un ami.. [Loving A Friend]

I went to Facial Care Center (FCC-Tomas Morato Branch) about two weeks ago for my usual beauty treatment/regimen. After my session, they handed me a free cd of TV host Boy Abunda entitled "Love Life: Life Songs and Life Stories with Boy Abunda."

It was just this morning that I was able to open and play it in my cd player.

The album contains 10 cuts of inspiring and uplifting songs including When You Wish Upon A Star, Childhood, You Changed My Life in a Moment, Now and Forever, Tears in Heaven, Don’t Worry Be Happy, Time After Time, Song for Mama, It's My Turn and Because You Loved Me as well as 10 conversations with Makisig Morales, Sharlene San Pedro, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Kris Aquino and Erik Santos. The album also includes a very special conversation with his mother, Nanay Lesing.

I almost cried listening to this album. All the said conversations are very heartwarming but the one that struck me most is the conversation with Kris Aquino entitled "Loving A Friend."

Here is a copy of the conversation. . .

Kris Aquino to Boy Abunda:

Time after time, you've made me believe that everything.. "as in everything" is possible. And you know what, I believed in my self because you always believed in me. I've gotten lost so many times but you've been my flashlight. Ok sige, hindi flashlight. You've been my diva lights.. You've been brighter than all my studio lights combined. In the darkness, I found my way. I've gotten weak but you've been like a multivitamin strengthening my soul. You and I can't count how many times I've fallen. Sometimes because matigas ang ulo ko. I look without really measuring the depth. Other times because I was pushed to the very edge. But you're better than any parachute.. because you are my wings. I should in fact be at rock-bottom but because of you I've only soared higher. 'Wag na nating bilangin ang oras. Alam naman natin, our friendship is beyond the here and now. You and I know, for sure, we'll see each other in heaven.

Boy Abunda to Kris Aquino:

Sarap naman pakinggan Krissy. Ano kaya ang sasabihin ng Diyos 'pag nakita niya tayong papasok sa langit? Siguro sabi niya raw magiging maingay ang heaven dahil sa dalawang ito dahil alam mo namang tayong dalawa e 'pag nagkikita tau e walang patid ang daldalan. But thank you Krissy. Thank you.. for thinking about me and thinking about heaven na kasama ako. E tanong lang, halimbawa sabihin ng Diyos.. "Naku Kris, hindi pwedeng pumasok 'yang kasama mo." Ano kayang gagawin mo? Pero ako seryoso e.. Alam kong ipagtatanggol mo ko because you've always done that for me. Saka alam mo, dito sa buhay na ito 'pag nahulog ako walang pag-aalinlangan.. walang pagdududa.. I'm sure.. you will be there to catch me. At Krissy, with you I am safe.. and because of you I have become better. Thank you.

..The Power of 3 Lil' Words..

Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one another often come in just three words. When spoken or conveyed, those statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled.

The following three word phrases can enrich every relationship:

I'LL BE THERE - Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and to us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. 'Being there' is at the very, very core of civility.

I MISS YOU - This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved.

I RESPECT YOU - Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. It is a powerful way to affirm the importance of a relationship.

MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT - This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side of "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong."

PLEASE FORGIVE ME - Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles, and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up to he has been in the wrong, which is by saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I THANK YOU - Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness.

COUNT ON ME - "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out." Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those who are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there, indicating "you can count on me."

LET ME HELP - The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I UNDERSTAND YOU - People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting other know in so many little ways that you understand him or her is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship.

GO FOR IT - Some of your friends may be non-conformists, have unique projects and unusual hobbies. Support them in pursuing their interests. Rather than urging your loved ones to conform, encourage their uniqueness - everyone has dreams that no one else has.

I suppose the 3 little words that you were expecting to see have to be reserved for those who are special; that is I LOVE YOU.

..En raison de vous.. ..Because of You..

Because of you, I realized that I create my own happiness. I dont know where life will take us, but I hope that you are there in the future. But whatever happens, I’ll be happy having shared my life with you.

... Ma vie passée ... *My Past Life*

The Past Life Quiz

Result: A Queen
Ever get the feeling that you should be in charge of the whole damn country? That's because long ago, you were. Even though you were a tough leader back then, you were still pretty girly. Which is why you like feminine things like decorating and dressing up. These days, just like back then, you love being the center of attention. Even though you might not officially be queen, you still rule all in your own mind.

La lettre à un Dieu s'est préparée à moi (Letter to the one God has prepared for me)

I am wondering at this very minute if you are thinking of me, if like me, you are wondering what is taking us so long to find each other. Many times I thought I finally found you only to be disillusioned by the fact that my wait has not yet ended. I get up each morning hoping, dreaming, longing to meet you.

I am thinking of how we will meet. Would it be as romantic as the ones I have seen in movies? Or is it possible that I have known you all my life but we have yet to realize that we are meant for each other? Oh, how I wish you were right now because you are the only one who has the answers to all my questions.

Sometimes I ask myself if I have ever really known “love”. I do not have the answer to that question either but I believe that, more often than not, we will never really know what love is until we find that right person… and since I have not found you yet, then maybe I do not really know what love is!

You just don’t know how often I dream of finally knowing what it feels like to be in your arms. Even at this very moment I am imagining how you will simply sweep me off my feet! Perhaps I would be drawn to you by your smile, or your eyes, or maybe even how you manage to make me laugh by your silly little ways.

I don’t really know for sure but I am praying that God will help me recognize you when the right time comes. I think of all the pain that I have gone through in the past and of how much I have cried since the day I began my search. I just wanted you to know that I find my strength in clinging onto your vision of the beautiful life ahead of me – the life I shall spend with you. In my mind and in my heart I know that you are worth all that pain and sacrifice.

After all, the tears have become a part of my life and I believe that they are slowly washing away my flaws so that I would become perfect, not perfect in its truest sense, but perfect – for YOU. I’ve wonder if you’ve gone through so much pain as well. I wonder if you’ve been hurt so many times along the journey.

But my dearest one, please don’t ever give up because I am right here… patiently waiting for you. I assure you that when we finally find each other I would slowly heal those wounds by my love.

At night, I would look out my window and stare at the beautiful sky, hoping that somehow you are also looking up and wondering about me. I utter a silent prayer and send all my cries to the heavens above thinking that in time they would reach you. And when I feel impatient, I just close my eyes and believe that you are on your way and that you are longing to see me as well. It is funny but when I finally fall asleep, it is still you that I think of, for you are always in my dreams. It seems that, for now, that is the only place where I can hold on to you, long enough to tell you how much I love you. In my dreams you would kiss away my fears and wrap me with your arms of love.

And this, all the more, makes me want to wake up and face the new day ahead with the hope that soon enough, you will no longer be a dream but a reality and once again I am assured that you are worth the wait. And when that time comes, everything will fall into its place, just as I had imagined, just as I had thought and dreamed, just as I had believed it would be! By then, I would simply look back and smile at all that I have gone through, in spite of the pain and amidst the simple joys of life – and I would be very thankful because they all lead me to you!

In the meantime, take care of yourself for me. Hold on to our dreams and don’t even think of letting go. Believe in your heart that we will find each other no matter what happens. God has planned the course and it is up to us to follow the directions. Don’t worry, don’t be afraid about getting lost… God saw to it that all the roads, no matter which one you choose to follow, lead to me.

--- Mes vacances de semaine sainte ---

My family spent the holy week in my dad's hometown.. Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

We left Manila March 20, 2008 (Maundy Thursday). We were onboard Cebu Pacific Flight 5J479. Yes, it did not disappoint. The air pressure started building up between my ears soon as we were airborne. It felt like my head started to tighten just like my feeling during previous occasions I had rode a plane. The view from the window blurred fast into a sheet of clouds as I slipped in and out of my unconscious. I was trying to catnap, yet the buzzing, along with the sound of the engine, refused to be ignored. (I began to imagine the "Air Crash Investigation" I watched on TV). To relax, I reached out for a travel magazine (Smile) but I couldn’t find a map. I wanted to know exactly where we were flying over just then. Soon enough, there was a clear spread of island forms in varying shades of green and aquamarine, with coastlines defined by shifting waves. There were slices of white, which I rightly presumed were sand on some beach.

Finally, we're told we have reached our destination: New Bacolod-Silay Airport of International Standards at around 9:30am. Bacolod is just 45mins. travel to and from Manila via air and 20 hour leisurely cruise aboard world - class sea vessels.

The New Bacolod-Silay Airport of International Standards opened January 18, this year. It sits on a 6-km. stretch in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, which is about 20 kms. from Bacolod City. Its runway is 2-kms., more than twice longer than the 900-m of the existing airport in Bacolod City . It has provisions for a 500-m extension which will accommodate bigger crafts serving international routes. The airport has 15 check-in counters and three pre-departure areas that lead to three tubes. It has a viewing space, open to the public on the third floor.

The old airport in Bacolod City that began operations in 1936 closed down after the last flight out on January 17, 2008. It cannot be retained because of its proximity to the Silay airport that is within the prohibited distance set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The Municipality of Cauayan is located on the southern portion of the Province of Negros Occidental, approximately 113 kms. south of Bacolod City (the City of Smiles), the capital of the province. From Bacolod City, one can reach Cauayan via public utility vehicles in approx. 3 hrs and private car in 2 1/2 hrs. Air-conditioned and non-airconditioned buses are available at the Bacolod City South Terminal. There are also taxis and vans for hire.

Well, thanks to Tito Jun and his wife (Tita Lanie) who fetch us at the airport and take us to the Ceres Bus Terminal. Also, our gratitude to Tito Tiks for the free bus passes! =).

DAY 1: Maundy Thursday

We arrived in Cauayan at around 2:30pm. At long last! We were very, very hungry after so many hours of travel. Good thing, my aunts (Tita Josephine & Tita Luisa) prepared lunch... sweet & sour fish, grilled fish, steamed crabs, adobong sugpo, paella valenciana and spaghetti. We rest for awhile and gave them our pasalubongs.

DAY 2: Good Friday

We woke up early the following day. We had breakfast at my aunt's rest house built near the sea. What a comfy place! The blue sky, bright sun, clean and fresh air, cool wind, white sand and the calm and smooth sea provides a soothing sensation, relaxing enough to suggest yet another dream moment.

After breakfast we went to the cemetery to visit our deceased loved ones.

On our way home, we dropped by at the parcel of land my parents bought 5 years ago. On this site will soon rise our dream vacation house. =)

In the afternoon, we joined in the traditional Lenten devotion, the Stations of the Cross. These stations are the traditional ones which begin with the sentencing of Jesus by Pilate (First Station) but end with The Resurrection of Jesus (the fifteenth station). After the procession, the religious images were brought to the church and was covered with black cloth.
DAY 3: BLACK SATURDAY
Tito Boy & Tita Nene invited us to have lunch at their house.

- - Rumormongers - -

I hate people who judge others from their mistakes. I hate people that assume they know someone because of rumors told. Hate is a strong word, but it's a fine description of how I feel about “them” that judge me, but don't have any idea of who I am or what I am doing in the present. Some people have a tendency to remember the bad things and never the good. Have you ever heard the saying "When I do good nobody remembers, when I do bad nobody forgets"? I am not proud of my life, I am not happy that some things have to end up this way. I do not regret my choices; it made me become the strong woman that I am now.

I have made it through the worst parts of what life has to offer. Now it's time to enjoy the fruits of what life can give me on the other side of the fence and rid myself of the bad fruits that I allowed to sour my life for so long.

Crayon et Papier

Kung itatanong mo kung gaano kita kamahal, sasabihin ko sa’yo…

Tulad ng pagsasama ng lapis at papel, na mula sa kawalan ay nakabuo ng napakarami ng kabuluhan.

Ako ang lapis at ikaw ang papel!

Susulatan kita ng lahat ng aking pangarap, mga kuwentong masaya at nakakaiyak, guguhit din ako ng mga larawang makulay. Mula doon ay nagsimula ang ating daigdig… ang buhay na pagsasaluhan natin habang kaya ko pang sumulat at hanggang may espasyo pa ako sa mapag-aruga mong papel.

Ngayon, at kung sakaling magsawa ka na at ayaw mo na akong makasama, huwag kang mag-alala. Dahan-dahan itutupi kita upang maging isang eroplanong papel sabay paliliparin sa hangin, sa ilalim ng malawak na langit.

Mula sa itaas makikita mo marahil ang ibang mundo, mundong mula noong magkasama pa tayo. Kasama ng iyong pagiging malaya ang pagpili kung saan mo gustong lumipad. Nandito lang ako at masayang mananalangin na sana higit kaysa sa akin ang mapuntahan mo.

At kung malalaglag ka sa lupa at walang sinuman ang pumansin dahil hindi ka na ‘sing ganda at tayog noong nasa taas ka pang lumilipad, kung lahat ng inaasahan mong pupulot sa’yo ay dinadaan-daanan ka lang… kasabay sa paglubog at pagsikat ng araw, Doon… doon ako darating upang kunin ka at muling iaalok ang mundong binuo ko para sa’yo.

Iaayos ko pa at papantayin ang mga tupi na nalukot mong bahagi nung eroplano ka pa. Ibabalik kita bilang isang papel at ako pa rin ang lapis na walang sawang susulat sa’yo at magiging kasama mo habambuhay…

‘Pag naging totoo na ang mga bagay na hindi natin inaasahan, saka mo ako tanungin kung gaano kita kamahal ---

Ma dernière lettre (My Last Letter)

SINCE I GAVE YOU UP I’VE BEEN lonely
But I have to hide my feelings
I have to be strong
’Coz I know I have to do this on my own.

I’m sorry I had to let you go my heaven
One day my hurting will end along with the longing
One day I’ll stop crying
One day I’ll have peace of mind
One day I’ll smile again
One day I’ll fall asleep and have sweet dreams
One day I’ll move on
One day I’ll be able to face you and your new love with a smile

’Coz I know someone will take care of you
I just hope she knows how lucky she is to have found you

I’m sorry for being the one to break your heart
I’m sorry for taking you for granted
I’m sorry for not paying attention
I’m sorry for being selfish
I’m sorry for making you cry
I’m sorry for not sharing my past
I’m sorry for not keeping my promise

I pray to God that one day you’ll forgive me for what I’ve done
For I know there are no second chances

Thank you for the care and understanding
Thank you for the lessons (about life)
Thank you for holding my hand when I’m scared
Thank you for the years of love
Thank you for the memories
I will always keep them in my pocket

People around see me as a strong woman
If they only knew that every night
My walls hear pieces of my broken heart crashing on the floor

I miss your smell
I miss your kiss
I miss your smile
I miss your touch
I miss the way you look at me...
Forgive me for holding on

I should’ve listened to you,
Now, I’m more lost because I let you go
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you this to win you back
I just want you to know what I feel inside
And I know you’re happy.

Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Something To Think About. . .

Name the 5 wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last 5 winners of the Ms. Universe contest.
Name 10 people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor or actress.
Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headline of yesterday. There are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz… See how you do with this one.

List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
Name 3 friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
Name 5 people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Think of 5 people you enjoy spending time with.
Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards.

They are the ones who care.

Le jour des valentine heureux!

à l'homme qui me rend heureux (To the man who makes me happy)

I thank you for your love, your friendship, your kindness.

I thank you for sharing yourself with me.

I thank you for loving and giving unconditionally.

I thank you for every moment, every second that you've been a part of my life.

I thank you for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Happy Valentines Day!

With your sense of humor, your caring way and your understanding... you've taught me how to believe in love.

- - Mystery Love - -

It is a mystery why we fall in love. It is a mystery how it happens. It is a mystery when it comes. It is a mystery why some love grows and it is a mystery why some love fails. You can analyze this mystery and look for reasons and causes, but you will never do anymore than take the life out of the experience. Just as life itself is more than the sum of bones and muscles and electrical impulses in the body, love is more than the sum of the interest and attractions and commonalities that two people share. And just as life itself is a gift that comes and goes in its own time, so too, the coming of love must be taken as an unfathomable gift that cannot be questioned in its ways.

Sometimes, hopefully at least once in your life the gift of love will come to you in full flower, and you will take hold of it and celebrate it in all inexpressible beauty. This is the dream we all share. More often, it will come and take hold of you, celebrate you for a brief moment, them move on. When this happens to young people, they too often try to grasp the love and hold it to them, refusing to se that it is a gift that is freely given and a gift that just as freely, moves away. When they fall out of love, or the person they love feels the spirit of love leaving, they try desperately to reclaim the love that is lost rather than accepting the gift for what it was, then move on.

They want answers where there are no answers. They want to know what is wrong in them that makes the other person no longer love them, or they try to get their lover to change, thinking that if some small things were different, love would bloom again. They blame their circumstances and say that if they go far away and start a new life together, their love will grow. They try anything to give meaning to what has happened. But there is meaning beyond the love itself, and until they accept its own mysterious ways, they live in a sea of mystery. You need to know this about love, and to accept it. You need to treat what it brings you with kindness.

If you find yourself in love with someone who does not love you, be gentle with yourself. There Is nothing wrong with you. Love just didn't choose to rest in the other person's heart.

If you find someone else in love with you and you don't love them, feel honoured that love came and called at your door, but gently refuse the gift you cannot return. Do not take advantage, do not cause pain. How you deal with love is how you deal with you, and all our hearts feel the same pains and joy, even if our lives and way are different.

If you fall in love with another, and they fall in love with you, and then love chooses to leave, do not try to reclaim it or to assess blame. Let it go. There is a reason and there is a meaning. You will know in time.

Remember that you don't choose love. Love chooses you.

All you can really do is accept it for all its mystery when it comes into your life. Feel the way it fills you to overrflowing, then reach out and give it away. Give it back to the person who brought it alive in you. Give it to others who deem it poor in spirit. Give it to the world around you in any way you can.

That is where many lovers go wrong. Having been so long without love, they understand love only as a need. They see their hearts as empty places that will be filled by love, and they begin to look at love as something that flows to them rather than from them. The first flush of new love is filled to overflowing, but as their love cools, they revert to seeing their love as a need. They cease to be someone who generates love and instead become someone who seeks love. They forget the secret of love is that it is a gift, and that it can be made to grow only by giving it away.

Remember this, and keep it to your heart. Love has its own time, its own seasons, and its own reason for coming and going. You cannot bribe it or coerce it, or reason it into staying. You can only embrace it when it arrives and give it away when it comes to you. But if it chooses to leave from your heart or from the heart of your lover, there is nothing you should do. Love always has been and always will be a mystery. Be glad that it came to live for a moment in your life.

IF YOU KEEP YOUR HEART OPEN, IT WILL COME AGAIN.