I remember my first TV interview.

I was not prepared to talk in Tagalog. First of all, MOMS is an english word so I thought the interview was in English. When I saw the script, I was horrified.

I asked the writer: So I have to reply in Tagalog? I don’t speak Tagalog so well.

It can be Taglish. the production staff said

Taglish is just as worse. So throughout the interview, I struggled for the words, figuring out what the Tagalog word for grief….feelings…etcetera.

Suffice it to say, I had a Take 2.

It was a pain to speak in Taglish. My first language is English (Blame my parents) and spoke Cebuano with my peers. I spoke two languages as a child and never mixed cebuano and English in one sentence. When my daughter was once an active blogger, she received a deluge of criticisms for being more fluent in English. At least she can still speak in Tagalog. Shouldn’t we choose the first language that is best comfortable to communicate?

How come Cebuanos don’t mix Cebuano and English in one sentence? There is no such thing as “Cebualish“. People would gush with admiration at how we, Cebuanos didn’t have Cebuano accents whenever we spoke English. The Cebuanos from UP or Ateneo studied from top-notch high schools in Cebu with the same high standards as those of exclusive schools in Manila. So what made the difference? It was only much later that I found out that the taglish originated from the “yayas”

Yet, I think it is really wrong to speak in Taglish so I forced myself to learn to speak Tagalog. So far so good especially if it is a radio interview since I have a cheat list in front of me and I can concentrate on my train of thoughts.

Experts discourage the use of Taglish and that has also been my rule at home. I wanted my kids to be bilingual- English and Tagalog so I told their yaya to speak in straight Tagalog and not to mix English and Tagalog. It worked pretty well at home. My little ones spoke to us in English and shifted easily to Tagalog when they speak to their yaya

Eventually, their yayas learned to speak English fluently but the kids associated Tagalog with them that they never spoke English except to my their dad and mom and not even to relatives. Later on in life, they learned to speak English with anyone if spoken to. I found that really peculiar.

I know that English is spoken differently in every country but I believe that the Tagalog and English should not be mixed in one sentence. I also understand that “coños,” can speak in straight English but that the taglish is just a social norm among themselves. However, it also isolates them from the rest of their schoolmates who come from the provinces.

So what did the experts say in the First Philippine Summit on Early Childhood Education?

1. Kris Aquino should set an example to Filipino children and avoid mixing Filipino and English when talking.

2. Speak in the language of your home, not Taglish, Pampangueñoish, or Ilonggoish. The most important thing is for the parent to be very clear. She cannot mix it,”

3. Parents should read to kids even before they are born, not only for their children’s benefit but also for the parents’ because “we need moms who know how to read to their children.”

4. Parents could start at home by reading aloud to their children “every day,” encourage them to ask questions, and later encourage them to write.

5. Teaching children early about language was “really training the brain and developing neurological pathways” for children to be able to learn more languages other than their mother tongue.

I don’t care if I have an accent whenever I speak Tagalog. At least I don’t choke on it as much if I speak in Taglish.

Do you believe the use of Taglish should be discouraged?

Photo: “Baguio > Manila: GoodAh!!!” by sarah c, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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I accept the plea of the people. I accept the responsibility to continue the fight for the people. I accept the challenge to lead in this fight. I will run in the coming elections, Noynoy Aquino

The Noynoy’s ad is just brilliant! Well, technically it is. The support given in this ad from the entertainment and advertising professionals is just inspiring. The star-studded cast will surely attract the masses.

It’s beautifully made with an all star cast including two TV station’s talents such as Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Boy Abunda , Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Bea Alonzo, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Aiai delas alas, Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzales, Eric Santos , James Yap , PBA Players and more.

It certainly has mass appeal, but wait do we know noynoy’s platforms?

If you recall, I wrote an entry on Noynoy Aquino, the Game Changer just before he announced his presidential plans. Values, preservation of democracy and no ambition and intention to stay in power is the Cory legacy which Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not. That is the campaign line.

We have not heard any official statement on his platforms. He must still be working on it.

Noynoy said “The reason why I am on this path is because I believe the public will support and help me in the campaign.” and added that “I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and the well-connected, but for everybody.”

Majority of my readers and social network believe in Noynoy. Do you believe he will make a good president?

“I will be there because of the people, I will stay there because of the people and hopefully I will be true to my word to serve the people, Noynoy Aquino

Policy Pronouncements of Noynoy Aquino as of October 31,2009

While a formal platform has yet to be released, you might want to read this Compilation of policy statements by Senator Benigno Aquino III arranged by topic.

BSAIII Policy Pronouncements 10-31-09 ——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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Two years ago, Cartoons Network commissioned a survey on Filipino Kids and their lifestyle called “New Generations” because they believe that such study is an integral part of its on-going quest to learn about kids, their lifestyle , opinions and behavior. TV is the number one choice for kids among various forms of media consumption. Quite disappointing really. The 2009 survey does not differ much in TV consumption and preference.

What are the relevant findings for 2009?

1. A new wave of pinoy tech-kids view technology as an integral part of their lives

-Philippine homes show a 12% increase in computer ownership from 42% to 47%.

- Internet access enjoys a healthy 39% growth with 32% if kids accessing the internet at home, as compared to 2007’s 23%

- Mobile Phones are so much a part of a kids’ daily lives as their personal ownership of mobile phones increased from 14% IN 2005 TO 26% in 2007 and then to the current ownership level of 38%

2. Kids are significantly more digitally savvy and embracing technology like never before and the proportion of kids using the internet has grown 37% in just 2 years.

- Compared with 20% in 2003, 26% in 2005 and 46% in 2007, over six in 10 (63%) kids are now classified as internet users (used within the past month).

-76 % of kids visit the internet at least once a week while 26% go online daily.

- Gaming remains the number one attraction for kids, with 78% of internet using kids playing online games within the past month.

3. Half (55%) of young Pinoy netizens use the internet to assist them with their homework and 45% visit social networking sites.

- Social networking is more popular among girls ( at 50% in past month) than boys (41%).

- Friendster emerged as the leading platform among kids,teens, followed by Facebook, Multiply and Myspace.

- Almost half (47%) of the kids agree that they act differently in some way when online as compared to how they are in real life.

- 77% still prefer real life friends to 23% who choose internet friends.

4. Television viewing remains the medium of choice for kids with 95% claiming to have viewed “yesterday” as compared to the internet in second place at 39%

- Cartoon Network maintains its leadership position as cable kids say it is their favorite television channel.

5. Kids haven’t changed all that much from before.

When given the choice between two options:

• 57 % prefer watching TV versus 43% who choose to surf the internet
• 66% prefer talking to 34% who choose texting
• 62% choose to hang out at the mall versus 38% who prefer the beach
• 63% prefer eating versus 37% who prefer sleeping

Duncan Morris , Vice President of Research & Development Turner International Asia Pacific

Aside from the media studies, the study also brought interesting findings about our Pinoy Kids.

1. Money Matters

- Vast majority (91%) of Pinoy kids receive pocket money. But take note, countries like Japan (just 49% receive pocket money), Australia (59%), and India (41%) receive much lesser.

- If you combine gift money and pocket money, and upon extrapolation this to the kids’ population across the survey cities, Pinoy kids have PHP 42 billion spending money per year.

2. Secret Lives of kids

Parents remain trustworthy as 77% of kids indicate that they trust their moms ” a lot”, followed by dads at 69%, grandparents at 60% and religious leaders at 52%; tongue wagging friends were the leats trusted at 29%

3. Kids and the Wider world.

59% of kids nominated “the spread of the H1n1 (Swine flu) virus” as one of the top 3 world issues.

- Rounding up the list are current issues including “the impact of the global economic crisis: with 48% and “natural disasters such as floods, typhoons, landslies” with 39%.

4. If kids had to choose between the two, I found these quite interesting

55% preferred Nokia over Apple (45%)

79% preferred Facebook over Multiply (29%)

58% chose Marian Rivera over Angel Locsin (42%)

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Now that you have seen a preview of this latest study, I asked Duncan if TV viewing declined. Based on the Yahoo Nielsen study conducted late 2008, more Filipinos, especially the younger population, are favoring the Internet more than television and print. The Nielsen study was based on a sample population of 10 years old and above while the New Generations Study utilized 7 to 14 years old. If the latter study is accurate, it may be inferred that the high preference of TV viewing belongs to the 10 year old and below kids.

There is nothing wrong with kids watching TV but I believe a balance on all activities is necessary. Reading, Sports, social activities outside the Internet and social networking, and TV is an ideal combination of child’s activities outside their study time. My sister noticed that her 6 year old son, Matthew often watched TV and used the internet often. One day, she asked him if she wanted to play the piano. They both sat together then my sister started striking the keys. Matthew was enthralled with the music. These days, he plays the piano like he is a 10 year old kid. Sure he still watches Cartoon Network, play online games, and play soccer with his dad but all these activities are well-balanced.

As a parent, I am not too comfortable knowing that 95% of kids watched TV “yesterday”.. I am sure not all kids were surveyed on a saturday. It bothers me that TV viewing (as inferred in the two studies of Nielsen and the New Generations) is quite high among the 7-10 year old kids. I wonder if this is true. Most of my mommy friends don’t allow their kids to watch TV that often.

In the A New View of TV, the position of the medical field is that…

To be sure, the position of many in the medical profession has been that television is bad for children. Many studies have shown television is correlated with slower cognitive development, as well as violence and other behavioral problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents limit children’s use of TV, movies, video and computer games to no more than two hours a day.

TV is not necessarily all that bad. Children’s advocates are divided when it comes to solutions. Although many urge for more hours per week of educational programming, others assert that no TV is the best solution. And some say it’s better for parents to control the use of TV and to teach kids that it’s for occasional entertainment, not for constant escapism.

My daughters were nine or ten years old at the time Cartoon Networks was first shown in Philippine TV Cable. If I were to recall my kids at that age, TV was never their number 1 choice. Reading was their first choice. Even my four year old Luijoe balanced his TV, reading and other physical activities. I set the NO-TV rule on school days and they never complained. I wonder how many hours these kids stay tuned to TV.

You, parents know what is best for your children. I know many kids like Cartoon Network so let them have their time and other fun activities.

How do you manage their TV and internet time as well as other activities?

New Generations Survey 2009

Here are the findings

2009 Filipino Kids Lifestyle , Cartoons Network Survey

The approach in conducting the study was based on face-to-face interviews with 1,000 child and parent pairs, surveying Filipino kids aged 7-14 years and their parents from socio-economics classes A to D in three metropolitan areas of Cebu, Davao and Manila between August 25 and September 21, 2009. An even sample split by gender and age ranges (7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14) was ensured. Synovate Philippines was commissioned to conduct the survey.
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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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Irrespective of who wins, I believe the biggest winner tonight is the blogging culture in the Asia Pacific itself- Ming and Tim, Founders of Nuffnang.com

It’s 1:42 AM and I have just uploaded the photos of the biggest blogger event I have ever attended. I loved it. The event was well organized, food was great, and meeting bloggers from 3 other countries is something different from other blogger events attended so far. The Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards gathered over 400 bloggers from Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia. Around 31 Pinoy bloggers flew all the way to Singapore.

Photo via Ada Lajara. Glamorous Filipina bloggers gather at the Link Hotel before proceeding to the Pan Pacific Hotel for the Awards Ceremony

After 2 years of community building, Nuffnang.com presented the first ever Asia-Pacific Blog Awards at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

with Nuffnang co-founder Tim

Honoring the best of the blogosphere in the region, they ran 2 months worth of nominations and campaigning and culminated last night’s award ceremony. It is also the first time to see bloggers dressed in fancy or classy attire.

Anton and I loved the formal wear for once.

But see, the Aussie delegation were even more glamorous.

Meeting a few Malaysian bloggers was interesting. I like their formal wear too.

Of course, the gorgeous Gosengfiao sisters and Jehzeel in black tie affair gave a touch of elegance.

With Alodia Gosiengfiao, Ashley Gosiengfiao, Jehzeel

Photo Credits to Ada Lajara . Philippine Nuffnang President Eric Ramirez with Filipino Bloggers at the Pan Pacific Hotel

Congratulations to Ferdz Decena for winning Best Travel Blog for his ironwulf.net. He also won in the First Philippine Blog Awards. Ferdz is truly a winner.

I know the challenges faced when organizing Blog Awards and one is forever grateful to the sponsors. One of the major sponsors was Pringles which held a viral video contest and gave a prize of 5,000 singapore dollars for the winner. Here is that winning video:

The Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards criteria in determining the winners differ from the criteria that we set for the Philippine Blog Awards which is mostly based on the judges and a set of criteria. I noticed that content was not a main winning criteria (around 40% including relevance to category). Popularity for one was based on the 50% voting from readers. When I asked Xiaxue, the secret of winning three awards (Best Original Blog design, Best Regional blog, Most Influential Blog), she said that she asked her readers to vote for her. Well, but that is only 50% but when I asked her secret for her popularity, she said “just being myself” . I have yet to read her blog entries though.

Video I took of the Asia Pacific Blog Awards

In any case, I still believe that content should be the overall factor in determining a winner. Sure, the blog may not be popular but after the recognition, the blog gains a bit of fame and popularity. I hope Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards give a bit more weight to content rather than popularity in future winners. Is the content making a difference in Asian Pacific region? Owning unique content is more valuable than owning the blog or the design. A blog’s content is even more valuable if one can open it up for broad and creative use and making a difference in the world. Or perhaps just giving value. On the other hand, Filipino bloggers have the distinct advantage of freedom of speech compared to some of our Asian neighbors. There lies the difference in diverse content among our Asian counterparts.

Photos

My Photos of Asia Pacific Blog Awards

Flickr Photos from Ada Lajara

Official Photographs

Photos from Dustyhawk (Dustyhawk)

Other Entries

Ironwulf.net En Route is Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Award’s Best Travel Blog 2009 by Ferdz Decena

Nuffnang Blog Awards Gala Dinner! from Kuala Lumpur

Nuffnang Awards – A View from Serge (Malaysia)——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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“I don’t consider myself a survivor; that’s someone who has gone through something terrible.” Geraldine Ferraro

Of course, you know our home suffered the Ondoy Flood Damage. My husband is traumatized about it already that he obsesses on the weather report. Friends ask me how it has been. I feel guilty that we didn’t really suffer that much damage, I mean comparing our situation to the Ondoy victims in Marikina and the Pepeng victims of Northern Luzon. I have to give credit to my husband who took a week’s leave of absence to clean our house. All I did was call insurance companies, service centers, and internet providers. My husband had to live in our flood damaged home for a week while me and my two daughters had it good in my sister’s home in Quezon City.

A week after Ondoy, we finally returned to our Pasig home. Internet connection was back. As a fussy homemaker, let me share you some tips I learned from the damage.

BEFORE before the floodwaters reached waist deep. My husband and two househelp try to save as much as they can to the second floor

Lessons learned in furniture and home finishings:

1. semi gloss paint on cement wall made it easier to remove mud.
2. Hard wood furniture survived. Our narra antiques made it.
3. Sala set made in Malaysia that has detachable seats survived.
4. Most electric appliances worked after a few days of drying except the La Germania stove which had to have some parts replaced at 4600 pesos.
5. It pays to be a minimalist. We don’t have much stuff except for my husband who kept his 20 year paper junk and suffered the worst damage. Good riddance junk.
6. It pays to have your narra flooring laminated with polyurethane for protection.

AFTER- A week after, our living room is back to normal. The narra table survives but needs painting job. The coffee table has slight damage, the powder door is bloated, the piano is a total wreck that it scratched our white floor tiles

BEFORE three cars are submerged. The white Honda Civic is 2 months old. The black CRV is 7 years old while the silver CRV is 10 years old.

Lessons on Insurance

1. We have a 3 million Fire insurance which includes home protection covering flood, earthquake, lightning damage including contents which costs only 4,900 pesos a year. Adjuster still has to come over.
2. Check the fine print of your car insurance. The white and black car had comprehensive insurance with “Acts of God”. The silver (oldest) car had none.
3. Just because the car insurance is cheap doesn’t mean it is a good deal. My husband thought my usual MAFPRE insurance was too pricey. He got from Malayan insurance which was 3 thousand pesos cheaper and no wonder, it had no “acts of God”.
4. Take note of deadlines to pay insurance policies. Request your agent to nag you often.

AFTER This silver car is still being fixed by a mechanic. Wonder if it will still work.

There are blessings too. I was able to get a 3 month moratorium in my bank loan amortization. My sister and hubby’s brother lent their spare car. There are many minor details I have to attend to. Repairs on doors, wood works and painting jobs are being planned but it can be done slowly.

We managed but what about other Filipinos? I am glad to see so many bloggers, the Philippine Blog Awards, Filipinos here and abroad doing their own relief efforts. Much as I wanted to be part of relief operations, I believe that Charity begins at home. My family needed me to normalize our home. The least I could do was donate my clothes and the children did the same. Companies like Samsung, Nokia, SMART, and even Globe’s Bangon Pinoy are doing their share.

As a loyal Globe cellphone and broadband subscriber, I just had to mention this.

The Philippine Blog Awards has partnered with Globe Telecom in an initiative through Bangon Pinoy to raise funds for Ondoy and Peping victims through the use of twitter:

Use the #BangonPinoy hashtag, Globe and PBA will guarantee P1.00 to be spent for Ondoy and Pepeng victims. After the hashtag, post pictures, videos, quotes and even links to blog posts that will inspire Filipinos around the world to help as well. This happens from Oct 19 to Nov 3, prior the Nov 6 Help day.

My family survived the Ondoy floods. I feel blessed and at the same time guilty that not much was lost. Material possessions can easily be bought but lives, precious lives have been lost in other families.

Filipinos are resilient but rebuilding lives does not end in our homes. We can rise from this tragedy and hopefully press our government to fix the problem. All of us must take it up with our government officials. I like the word Bangon Pinoy. I’d like to use the word a step further. I will make it my business to ask each the presidential, senatorial and congressional candidates their platforms towards climate change and sustainable urban and rural development.

I say Bangon Pinoy. Wake up. Be empowered to rebuild your lives and future of our country.
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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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Your body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess the baggage, the shorter the trip. Arnold H. Glasgow

If you have seen me recently, you will notice that I lost significant weight. Actually I lost a lot of weight before I became a blogger. My pre-blogger weight of 129 pounds ballooned to 148 pounds (check weight loss photos.) Before that weight loss, I was borderline obese at 165 pounds. Thanks to food media events, I gained so much weight. Ack, I try to avoid food events as much as possible and exercise diligently.

Now how to go back to my old 129 pounds at my prime time age when metabolism slows down? It was a dilemma I faced ever since I got invited to events in mid 2006.

I discovered something that really made me enjoy exercising..the Boom Boom Pow of Black Eyed Peas. Dancing, or workout in the treadmill made me it just so much fun that I forget the time and end up exercising more than 30 minutes. The opportunity to meet my favorite band became a reality when the Department of Tourism held a soft launch of the Apl.de.ap Take me To the Philippines in Singapore last month. I was terribly excited to meet them and to personally thank them for their music. Before leaving Singapore, I checked my weight and was surprised it dropped to 128 pounds but no one really noticed it until a few weeks ago.

As luck would have it, I got to watch their concert at F1 Rocks and danced to their live rendition of Boom Boom Pow.

It was the following day that I met the rest of the Black Eyed Peas at an exclusive party at the Supper Club in Singapore.

Finally, I met Taboo, a member of the Black Eyed Peas. I got up from the oversized bed, sort of knelt down and extended my hand to thank him for their music. As I shook hands with the charming Taboo, he then gave me a high five for my compliment. We talked briefly and I found out he married a Filipina and he proudly pulled out photos of his son. What a proud father. Gosh I loved his dance moves too.

I was able to thank Apl.de.ap too but Will.i.am came in late and photo ops were forbidden during the private party or else risk being thrown out. Fergie didn’t attend the party. Still, it was so much fun dancing along with them as Apl.de.ap became the DJ (is that the word?) did some spinning which was just my type of music, the hip-hop.

I realize that the hip hop music is for the youth but I believe I am still young at heart. The rest of the media danced along too. The music makes me happy and helps nurture my inner child , the fun loving, happy, frivolous, joyful, humorous me.

Age is just a number to a prime time woman like myself. Though I know life can be bleak, I keep my optimism high by viewing the world as beautiful, happy and carefree as I groove to hop-hop music.

Being young at heart means that I can be child-like without being childish. That’s how I lost weight, I enjoy the music, stay positive and nurture myself. Nurtured people are effective in their work and in their relationships. We learn to feel loved by ourselves so much that we can truly love others and let them love us.

Aside from losing weight to an acceptable level of 128 pounds, I continue to pamper myself.

1. Avoid negativity if possible. I stay away from reading negative blogs without positive resolution or just plain negative people who whine all day long.

2. I take women’s multivamins and minerals from GNC.

3. Take Fish oils

4. Exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week or not dance to some music you enjoy grooving to.

5. Once a week visit to the salon just to have pedicure and manicure, massage or facial.

6. Continue to read self-improvement books.

Nurturing is about how we show love for ourselves. I needed a loving relationship with myself that works so I can have a loving relationship with others that work. Losing weight was just one way of nurturing myself.

One of the bonuses about loving myself is that I get to feel good. I feel great!

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

It is Blog Action Day today. Filipino bloggers will speak out and take a stand now on climate change.

Filipinos in Metro Manila witnessed the effects of climate change never seen before in my entire lifetime of 52 years. Sure, I have seen floods but not in such wide scale proportions. My family survived the Ondoy floods. I feel blessed and at the same time guilty that not much was lost. Material possessions can easily be bought but lives, precious lives have been lost in other families.

What do I propose?

It is about time politicians and our good government develop a political will to monitor all these urban developments not only of real estate developers but the squatters that line the rivers and the dams. Oh the squatters, the number of votes it brings these politicians. It takes political will to put this into action. It is time for urban renewal. We cannot avoid the climate change but we can certainly control the wide-scale calamity. Climate risk management and adaptation is a top priority in our government.

In the upcoming election 2010 , I will make it my business to ask each the presidential, senatorial and congressional candidates their platforms towards climate change and sustainable urban and rural development. Are they aware of the flaws in their respective regions and what needs to be done? The climate change will form part of my election 2010 coverage together with other bloggers in our upcoming project, called Blog Watch. The soft launch will be next week. Watch out for it!

We all need to make a stand in any capacity we can. What can you do?

Read what the other Filipino bloggers had to say on Blog Action day.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

I think it is because you live and you live well — this is why you can blog. Someday it will be said that blogging is merely the record of ‘lives well-lived. by Gang Badoy, One Blogging Nation

Hear ye, you should watch this entertaining video by Vince Golangco from wheninmanila.com which was part of the 3rd Philippine Blog Awards.

Philippine Blog Awards intro “Silent Film” Jose & Andres are Bloggers

It is my third year to attend the Philippine Blog Awards. It is only this year that I am not actively involved in the organizing committee except being a judge for the Personal and Family & Living category and Presentor for two categories. Last year, I was the President of the 2nd Philippine Blog Awards. Before that , I was in charge for food and venue. This year I took a break. I applaud the current officers of the Philippine Blog Awards for the theme of “One Blogging Nation”. I know how difficult it is to organize such a huge event and solicit sponsors. Trust me, it is not easy so please give them a big round of applause.

With Ferdz Decena as Presentors for the Winners of Family & Living, Advocacy, Travel, Food

This year’s blog awards is unique because it encompasses three regions of the Philippines thus making the theme “One Blogging Nation”. The keynote speaker, Gang Badoy says it all so let me share you her speech:

What an honor and a frustration to be given ten minutes to address, perhaps (arguably) the most eloquent group of people ever gathered in 2009. But here I am, so here I go.

I cannot discuss any other ‘angle on blogging’ tonight except my gratitude to bloggers. During a crisis- you have kept many of us informed, during darker times – you, blogger have inspired, during births – you spread the joy and during death – many of you have rendered those who have gone before us immortal. There is no single phenomenon that has done all those in such a level. Ang diin ng saad ng blogger sa sugat at balat ng Inang Bayan.

Your personal thoughts, observations, factual research even urgent yet seemingly trivial emotions have contributed greatly to us who read you. Imagine how wide the understanding of the next generation will be of us who have gone before them -because of your blogs. Mas maiintindihan nila kung saan tayo nanggaling. For me the best description of one who loves his country is someone who is interested in where we came from, where we are today – and where we want the country to go. Imagine the advantage the next generation has because they have our blogs to refer to.

Bloggers may have shook mainstream journalism out of its seeming (not apparent) complacency. It has pressured people to decide faster and smarter during emergencies because bloggers, for the most part, cover the many angles of truth. From the ground. I am aware that it is not all positive – lies, panic, confusion, anger, negativity have also stemmed from blogs. Blogs have given us headaches, I know one or two that have – but one thing is for sure – I have never encountered a blog that made me more complacent. And wow- what a gift. What a gift to the country – a country that desperately needs participation, incisive thinking, swift reason, informed suggestions and countless other values.

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Whenever the subject of press freedom comes up we always used to hear ‘better an abusive press than a suppressed one.’ I think bloggers took that one step further. Which is why my contention is this: there may be very few networks as powerful and as influential and as crucial as a responsible, articulate, prolific blogger.

2009 made me realize that a nation is not its government. Thank God. Blogging has relieved me with the fact that the history of the Philippines is no longer solely in the hands of the textbook writer. (Thank God) A history of a nation is really the collection of stories of individual lives. Our individual lives. Yours.

You know, during this recent crisis -one typhoon then the next – I observed that politicians will be ‘press-conning A” – networks will be reporting B – and bloggers will be saying C. How lucky we are to have all those views, may we have the resources and smarts to sift through all that. If we do, then we’re on our way.

Though divided in opinion I am still grateful to all who blog. Unity was never my premise for us to move and to make great a nation – but unity certainly is the goal. Not the premise — but the goal.

In my wobbly logic I will say that a country is a shared geographic space. It is the assigned square area where people live together. But a nation – wow, a nation is different; a nation is a frame of mind, a general direction, a common rhythm that a group of people share. That’s a nation.

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I like the title of this year’s awards. Three words that I hope to someday re-arrange. Maybe some day we can be just ONE NATION – and we just all happen to blog.

Last thought – blogging is not the ultimate verb here tonight. I know you have caught a lot of flack in the past about the seeming non-active motion bloggers take. For those who think that blogging is a minor verb, I have something to share: One cannot blog unless one goes out there. If you never got your hands dirty or walked streets, helped out, experienced heartbreak, death, birth, victory, defeat, betrayal, pain, sweat- then really- you have nothing to blog. I think it is because you live and you live well — this is why you can blog. Someday it will be said that blogging is merely the record of ‘lives well-lived.’ Again, for that I am grateful.

Keep on doing what you do, living the lives that you lead. If the country is lucky, you will still continue to blog and (quoting Plato) – your storytelling will be the education of our future’s heroes.

Welcome to the Philippines, One Blogging Nation.

Mabuhay tayong lahat.

Digital Chief Aileen Apolo, Digital Elders Me and Janette Toral

It’s been three years since I started blogging from a simple family and advocacy blog that now branched out to 10 other blog niches such as Filipina Images, Pinoy Food Blog, and coming soon, Blog Watch for Election 2010 coverage. It was a surprise and honor to be recognized by Globe (a sponsor) and the Philippine Blog Awards as one of the Elders of the Globe-PBA Digital Tribe for Luzon. Sharing this recognition is Aileen Apolo, Janette Toral and Manolo Quezon, Anton Diaz (not present). What an honor to be placed alongside top-notch bloggers.

I will continue blogging as always. Many wonderful things have been happening to me since I became a blogger. Sharing the changes in my new normal after the death of a child is one way of reaching out to others. I offer hope that life can still continue on despite the pain and that pain is a wonderful teacher.

My blog’s focus is on assisting and participating in advocacy groups that may reap the benefits of blogging. My efforts will not be in vain because these groups will be able to complement their grassroots efforts in advocating social change.

Lastly, I will continue to provide social commentary where I share my opinion on politics and current affairs. It’s my hope to contribute to the country’s progress through my relevant views and opinions.

Blogging doesn’t stop with the written words. I will be able to achieve all of these goals and achieve social impact not only by writing about it in my blog but actually participating in events and activities relevant to the advocacy.

My new blog project is coming soon and hopes to be relevant to the Ondoy and Pepeng victims as well as the upcoming Election 2010.

Let us continue on doing what we do, living the lives that we lead.

Congratulations to the Winners of the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards.

Photo Credits to Arbet Bernardo and Fritz Tentativa to some of the photos.

Photo Albums

Arbet

Fritz——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

“It is perfectly monstrous the way people go about nowadays saying things against one, behind one’s back, that are absolutely and entirely true.” Oscar Wilde

Just recently, I received an email from a friend (let’s call Delta) straightening the facts of a gossip in a recent reunion. The email was directed to the alleged gossiper (let’s call Alpha) and another friend (let’s call Beta). Take note that this is communication among “best” friends.

It was supposed to be a clarification of the “gossip” but instead the communication was totally ignored and made public by Alpha and Beta. The point of the email was to clarify. Direct , clean conversation clears the air and paves the way for good feelings about ourselves and our relationship with others.

All of us love to share tidbits of information – it’s human nature. Right? except it often appears as mere gossip and defined as “idle talk or writing, tattle”. One can gossip good news, but too often the gossip game takes over and distortions set in. Negative gossip, the showing of others in a bad light, is especially popular as gleaned by the high sales of the gutter press. Scandal is more titillating!

Usually, when I hear a negative talk about a friend, I just shrug it off because there are always two sides of the story. That last gossip encounter made me realize that if people can gossip about other people in front of me, then I could be the next gossip victim. Though I was a gossip victim, I was able to discuss and straighten it out in the end with much difficulty but still, it was resolved. But this one is different. I discovered that Alpha and Beta removed Delta and me as Facebook Friends and perhaps others too. What was all that about? Aren’t friends supposed to talk and discuss? Were they friends in the first place? Were they guilty? or afraid to confront the truth?

Hello, friends, we are 52 years old! Wake up, we are not kids.

Moral of the story: Don’t pass on “juicy tidbits” of information (true or not) unless verifying the facts from the “gossipper” or the “gossippee”. It’s tempting to do so. Like the child gloating “I know something you don’t know..bleh” then sticks out tongue. Some may think that by exposing others, they themselves appear more righteous. Remember. when YOU point a finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you. Blowing out someone’s candle does not make yours shine brighter.

If there is gossip among friends, clear the air instead of being defensive and ignoring the issue. What’s funny is that they chose to place the scapegoat on the “informant” which is immaterial because the issue is the malicious gossip. A mere explanation or an apology would have cleared the issue but Alpha chose to ignore.

Studies say that Gossip creates friendships, it does not break them. Research shows that sharing negative attitudes about others may have positive consequences; it promotes closeness and friendship. But this gossip was different because it involved Delta’s family. Certain gossips destroy friendships because it maligns the character of a person. Even if you are not actively involved in the gossip, if you are in the group and not sticking up for your friend, it could still damage your friendship.

I resolved that I will resist and place boundaries when I am faced with another gossip.

Here are some tips I read to deal with gossip better:

1. Create healthy ways of connecting with others that do not require negative talk about a third party.

2. When you are told about another person, ask for verification of the information. Trusting that what is said is true without challenging its veracity makes you a partner in perpetuating gossip.

3. If you hear negative talk — refuse to listen and politely attempt to stop the speaker.

4. Ask the “gossipper” to tell you what positive things he may relate about the individual he is criticizing.

5. When you are entrusted with a secret, feel honored and never repeat it to anyone. Repeating confidences is like stealing one’s dignity.

6. Feel free to share positive gossip with others, provided that your facts are correct.

7. As enjoyable as it may be to bond with someone temporarily through gossip, the damage to all parties is immeasurable. Resist the momentary temptation for gaining a wholesome sense of self-respect.

Have you ever been a victim of “bad gossip”?

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

(Berthram (Nonoy) Tan, Best Friends Forever UP Cebu 74-78 died on September 27 due to Myocardial Infarction. He came to Cebu and pretended to invite Robert, fellow classmate to dinner at Laguna Garden. Unknowingly,he was part of the game plan of Robert’s children to give a special surprise silver anniversary party. They had grand time that night and parted ways wee hours of the morning.

This is my eulogy which I read last night during the necrological services.

Dear family, relatives and friends and Best Friends Forever,

I am not a stranger to death. I lost my mother, father, my two brothers and most painful of all my beloved son. 5 deaths in the family.
Still, the loss of a friend hits me hard. Even if my house in Manila is
undergoing a clean up operation due to Ondoy flood damage, I knew I
just had to come here to Cebu and pay my last respect to a friend.

I only met Nonoy in 2006 when Joan invited me for his birthday
celebration. I was like ” who is nonoy tan?”. But see, we shared
mutual friends from our group, Best Friends Forever . I had no idea who he was. Meeting him for the first time, we hit it off right away. It helped that he knew my dad .We could relate to stories of our common classmates and both had health issues with our heart.

Three years of friendship is not much but we didn’t have to meet every
day to connect with each other. Facebook, the social network bridged
the gap. It was our social playground, a place where we could be
ourselves, express our views and de-stress ourselves from the daily
grind.

He was my number 1 fan in most of my blog entries that dealt with
politics or social issues. I felt complimented every time he’d comment on my post or indicated that he liked the links or photos. We shared
the same passion and hope for our country. His music video links
lifted my spirits and gave me smiles when the song is in sync with my
current mood. Yes, we had fun even we were just having a ball in our
virtual playground. And I am sure a lot of you in Facebook as well.

My last memory of Nonoy was when he hugged me and said our` goodbyes” He added: “Let’s not wait for 5 years to have reunions. Make it 3 years. We are getting older.”

Each friend is a gift. I’d like to think that Nonoy left me with 3 gifts. and some of these may apply to you.

1. The gift of friendship

Why did Nonoy value the reunion? A friend once asked me “why should
we reconnect when we have gone our separate ways?”

Being with Nonoy and the “Best Friends Forever” helped nurture my
inner child of the present which we all need to do the rest of our
lives…the fun loving, happy, frivolous, joyful, humorous moments when
we were once young and unsophisticated, even if it is replaced with a
sophisticated, mature and more serious me.

Taking a trip into the past via attendance at a college reunion is
relaxing trip for our mind . When we return back to the present, it
will be with a firmer grasp on the treasure that is your past. Nonoy
wanted us to treasure those moments.

2. The gift of Music

We both love our ipods and music collection. I shared Michael
Jackson’s favorite song “Smile”… as we grieved his death, Nonoy
added “This is a very touching song by Charles Chaplin and has touch
our hearts for generations.. MJ will be missed..”

He often laughs whenever I tell him that my speakers are in full blast
whenever I am home alone just so I could groove to the 70’s music.
Grooving to the 70’s music kept us in touch with our inner child just
as reunions did. I thought I had a sizable amount of 70’s music. I don’t know if he was kidding me that he had 10,000 songs. His last message in my inbox was to send my USB flash drive to his home address so he
could fill it up with more seventies songs. I took my time sending it
over to his house. I regret it so much. I took for granted that he
will always be there. I never imagined he’d pass away so soon.

Nonoy, hearing your music in your facebook wall feels like you are
still there soothing our soul.

3. The gift of hope

It’s so easy to be cynical these days and yet, do nothing about our
country’s situation.

Nonoy once said to me “This is why we need to safeguard our election
process and forget the TRAPOS.”

I reassured him that is a project that I am working on.

He continued “Our country now needs someone with high integrity,
someone who walks the talk when it comes to self-sacrifice for public
service.”

At the height of the controversial Con-ass , Nonoy asked me “Why is it
that those people who love their country so much do not find
themselves running our government?”

We shared so much hope for our country. Nonoy and I often
discuss the latest political gossip. We shared the vision of what the
president of our country should be.

Nonoy, I will keep those dreams alive for you through my work during the Election 2010 and beyond.

For all those who grieve the death of Nonoy: family and friends: Death
may have taken Nonoy away from us but death did not take away the
memories in our hearts and in our minds. We grieve because we loved
him so much. Pain is the price we pay for love. . The grief journey
won’t be easy but keep in mind, if you hadn’t love so much you
wouldn’t hurt so much now.

Before closing, let me share Nonoy’s last Youtube post:

The Wheel by Rosanne Cash

Take up the hearts you came to heal.
Put down your dagger and your shield.
You need fear nothing now from me.
I see the essence of the man.
I stand before you as a friend.
The truth moves through us even when we sleep.

And the wheel goes round and round.
And the flame in our souls will never burn out.
And the wheel, and the wheel goes round.

The wheel of life goes on. Life moves on without Nonoy but it does not
mean forgetting his legacy: friendship, music and hope. All of these,
I treasure in my heart.

Nonoy is never really gone because he lives in my heart. Nonoy lives
in your hearts.

——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

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