MamaisWorking... so Kids, Take Over!

Be Fit and Fashionable

2009-11-07T22:33:00.007+08:00

I was never the skinny type. So I grew up being conscious about my weight despite my friends telling me that I looked okay. When I got married and gave birth to my boys, I got a ready excuse for being more rounded.

I was happy with that excuse until I saw other moms with more kids than me but who were sexier and definitely healthier. These moms are able to maintain their good physique and they're even looking a lot better than when they were single.

That's when it dawned on me that there's no excuse for being a slob. I can improve my fitness by exercising and going on a balanced diet. All it takes is focus and discipline.

I have been putting off taking on a more focused regimen, really. And since I've become more fashionable over the years, all the more I wish for a fitter body. I want to have a fashionista's closet and grab one of those expensive clothes.

Aren't you wishing for a Hermes, Rhett Eala, Michi Calica, Religioso, Kate Torralba, Jun Escario, Chanel, or 7 for All Mankind?

My goal now is to be able to wear a Kate Torralba and a Michi Calica. Thanks to Nestlé Fitnesse's 14 Days to Show off Your Shape challenge, now there is a way to achieving my goal. What's good about this challenge is that you can do it with your friends. In fact, I have already invited my fashionable BFFs Agnes, Kosh, and Clair to join. You and your friends can, too.

Here's how?

14 Days to Fitness and Fashion

So what do you have to do to get a crack at Manila’s most coveted designer wardrobe?

Simply form a team of 2-8 members, and using Nestlé Fitnesse’s 14-day meal plan, everyone in the team has to lose at least 2 pounds in 2 weeks. “No, 2 pounds is not that daunting, it only needs a few diet tweaks,” quips Myra Garcia. She explains that participants only need to replace breakfast and one of the main meals – either lunch or dinner--for 2 weeks. She adds that to exercise as well as eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and low-fat, carbohydrate rich foods is the best way to complement the 14-day regimen.

And as part of the challenge, participants also need to chronicle their 14-day regimen via an online “fitness diary” accessed at www.fitnesse-14days.com. The Top 10 most popular FITNESSE 14-day diaries will make it into finals.

The Nestlé Fitnesse 14 Days to Show off Your Shape will kick off on November 14, Saturday, 9am, with the voting period lasting from November 15 to December 3, 2009. And as adjudged by Manila’s top style icons the winners will be announced on December 10, 2009 in a special fashion show.

“People who’ll join this challenge will have nothing to lose but pounds,” jests Myra Garcia. “Not only do they win the fashionista closet of their dreams, but they walk away with health tips, tweaks and tricks during their 14-day challenge and continue on living a healthier, fitter and a more runway-ready lifestyle.”

For more information about Nestlé Fitnesse’s 14 Days to Show off Your Shape, please log on to www.fitnesse-14days.com.

Be fit and fashionable for Christmas!

To the First Man in my Life: Hutsai

2009-11-07T20:22:00.004+08:00

Today is the 74th birthday of my father. We call him Hutsai! :) In our card for him, I wrote:

A real father is very rare, that's why I value so highly the father-son-daughter bond that we share. We are blessed to have a real father, who displays his love with an iron hand and the gentlest heart.

We love you!

PhotoHunt: Veterans/Military

2009-11-07T20:04:00.005+08:00

November 7, 2009

This week's PhotoHunt theme is veterans/military. This is the photo I found. Gabo aboard a Philippine Air Force fighter jet in Clark Airbase.

This was a school field trip, and he had the time of his life!

More PhotoHunters HERE.

Circus Summer Camp for Kids

2009-11-06T00:49:00.002+08:00

Time flies. Before you know it, it's summertime again. And didn't you know that today is the best time to plan your summer?

You know how kids are during summer. Without the schoolwork and school activities, they get restless. My kids, for example, would always say, "I'm bored Mom!" Or "It's boring here, Mom!"

So, even before summer arrives, Wizheart and I make it a point to line up some activities for them to do. In the previous summers, they went to swimming and basketball camps. But Gabo and Rago already hinted that they wanted to try something new this summer.

Lately, they have been following this circus show on TV. Several times, I overheard them talking about how exciting it would to be in the circus. They're getting curious about how to do all those acrobatic stunts.

Then, I thought to myself. Wouldn't it be nice to have summer camps Westchester in the country? Summer camp Westchester is every kid's idea of a perfect summer-camp experience.

The Circus Arts Camp for one teaches children to be creative, confident, and safe, yet have a lot of fun! Children ages 7 and up, with a half-day camp for kids ages 4 1/2 to 6 1/2, learn acrobatics, clowning, balancing skills, juggling, and many other circus acts, while learning about teamwork as well.

It's a total package, actually. If your kids are full of energy and the kind who love adventure, then the circus summer camp is perfect for them.

A Child's Reasoning

2009-11-03T13:22:00.002+08:00

Rago had a long test in science the other week. This was prior to their 2nd periodical test. When he brought home his test paper, he got one mistake.

The item was on the habitats of animals. The instruction was to put two kinds of animals that live in water (sea), land (home), or air. In the land (home) part, Rago wrote lizard and fish. This was marked wrong. Well, generally fish lives in water (sea).

So, I told Rago that fish don't live in homes. Which he replied, "What about those in aquariums, Mom? Then they buy the aquarium, so the fish now lives in the house."

Makes sense!

How do you answer a question like that?

How to Maximize Your Use of Globe Tattoo Broadband

2009-11-01T23:06:00.007+08:00

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know that I am a loyal Globe subscriber. For the first time readers, I've been a Globe subscriber for eight years now. That is a long time, you might say.

It is. And so it's no surprise that when my mode of communication expands from SMS/MMS to chat and microblogging, I'd go to Globe and ask what they have to offer. I'm happy when they came up with the Globe Tattoo Broadband. I knew I just had to get one for myself.

But first I have to check out the product online, where else? Good thing I stumbled upon Kelvin's post about Globe Tattoo Broadband. According to Kelvin, Globe Tattoo Broadband is portable and fast. The connection is actuall very fast. Globe Tattoo Broadband connects to a 3G or WCDMA network fast; faster if you are in an area where 3G network is strong. A 3G/WCDMA network supports high data rate transmission up to 384 Kbps with wide area coverage, 2 Mbps with local coverage.

And like any other moms who value every dime, Globe Tattoo Broadband gives me two options when paying for the use of the network. First is the KB-based charging. This means that Globe Tattoo Broadband will charge you 15 centavos Per-KB. This is good for quick internet surfing such as sending or checking e-mails, or serving already cooked meal in your virtual cafe. Second is the time-based charging. You will be charged with Php5 for 15 minutes of browsing. This option is perfect for netizens like me whose work is Internet based. Aside from work, I also check out my Facebook, Twitter, and egroups, which I manage about three, every day.

One more thing, the Globe Tattoo Broadband also comes with a Globe Tattoo SIM. Internet usage via Globe Tattoo SIM by default is time-based. So, you can check your default browsing by SMS: text STATUS to 1111. To switch to Per-KB browsing, text KB to 1111.

Now, how to maximize your Globe Tattoo Broadband

Determine your Internet usage. If you use the Internet for email only, you can choose Option above. If you're an active netizen, you can switch from Option 1 to Option 2 anytime, hassle free. But with the fast Internet connection you get from Globe Tattoo, I'm sure, you'll be converted into an Internet user in no time at all.
Make sure you stay in an area where 3G signal is strong. But since we are in a highly modernized technology era, I'm sure you won't have problems finding a good 3G area.
Be creative. Express yourself. By the name itself, Globe Tattoo Broadband New Skins are pretty cool. You can choose the one that best suits your personality.
Unleash your creative power and design your own tattoo. If your design is chosen, it will appear in the Globe Tattoo Gallery. Plus you can get rewarded for it.

To sum up, Globe Tattoo Broadband is not only functional, but it is also fun. So what are you waiting for? Check it out now!

Mommy Moments: Precious Gift

2009-10-30T10:33:00.005+08:00

October 30, 2009

As moms, we teach our kids to be generous, sweet, and thoughtful. So, we encourage them to give or create cards or prepare a gift for every family member or dear friend during special occasions.

My kids love to dabble with crayons and watercolors, and they also enjoy drawing. So every occasion in the family, they would prepare a drawing for the celebrator(s).

But we know that gifts become more precious when they are given to us as a surprise. There is no occasion, and you have no idea that something special is coming your way. And boy, I LOVE surprises.

So one day, I opened my laptop and found this (the image above) as a desktop background. I asked who made it, and Gabo went, "Me. But it was Rago and my idea."

Aren't they the sweetest?

More Mommy inspiring Moments HERE.

Food Trip Friday: Strawberry Yoghurt

2009-10-23T14:02:00.006+08:00

October 23, 2009

Last October 10, I had dinner buffet at M2M Restaurant, Renaissance Hotel. We took advantage of the 33% discount on their buffet dinner every weekend. If you're interested, the promo is good until December 15, 2009.

It was worth it. Plenty of choices from appetizers to dessert and coffee or tea. One of the desserts that I liked was this strawberry yoghurt.

Why? Because aside from it being yummy, it should also be healthy. ;)

More Food Trip Friday HERE.

Mommy Moments: Tantrums Tantrums!

2009-10-23T10:12:00.006+08:00

October 23, 2009

Between Gabo and Rago, it's Rago who often throws a tantrum.

In the first photo Rago threw a tantrum because we didn't buy him a pack of merengue outside Trellis restaurant in Market Market! Look at his face!

In the second photo, again, Rago didn't like to be photographed because prior to this photo opp he wanted to buy cotton candy. Instead of showing his frowning face, he hid himself! :D

What's good about them, though, is that their tantrums don't last for hours. A few tickles and small talks after, they're back to their usual funny selves.

I also notice that each one is each other's tantrum buster.When Gabo is not in a good mood, or in the throes of throwing a tantrum, it's Rago who can make him laugh and vice versa. You can say they are each other best enemies and best friends. :-D

What I do when they are in tantrums? I ignore them completely! I know they couldn't stand it when I ignore them, so after a few minutes, they would come to me in their sweet selves again. ;)

More Mommy Moments HERE.

Of Songs and Memories

2009-10-20T13:53:00.004+08:00

It started when a college dormmate started posting on Facebook the videos of Peter Cetera and Chicago. Being a fan of these two, I clicked on the videos and watched/listened. It was on Peter Cetera's related videos that I chanced upon Peter Cetera and Amy Grant's duet, "Next Time I Fall."

The video brought me to other videos of Amy Grant and of course Michael W. Smith. And guess what? I listened to their songs the whole day yesterday! I listened again and again to "Somewhere, Somehow," "Friends," and "Thy Word."

I liked especially the version "Thy Word" sang by Amy and accompanied by Michael during the 2008 Dove Awards, where Michael was cited for his achievement during his 25 years in the business. These two, both happily married to their respective partners) have remained the best of friends for years! For such a friendship to exist is just awesome. Their song "Friends" (though composed by Michael and his wife for a friend) says it's all. It's amazing!

I listened most of the time, and would pause and view the video, and remembered. ~LOL~

At one point in my life, I had a Michael W. Smith. We shared a beautiful friendship for years. We had special feelings for each other but we remained friends. And we had lots of music! We sang together "Next Time I Fall," "Somewhere, Somehow," and "Friends," plus other songs. We had a special affinity to the song "Chances Are." This song in a way described us: we met, we parted, we met again.

The last time we met again, we were both adults, professionals. We thought it was time and we were ready to take our friendship to the next level. We thought wrong. The relationship that started beautifully, fizzled. Though the relationship was not meant to be, I have the memories to affirm my being, my person.

This is the wonder of the gift of songs. A song transcends time and place. You hear a song and it brings you back in time, makes you latch onto a memory, and get inspired from an experience.

Wizheart and I love music. Gabo and Rago love music, too. We have music every day in or home. We share a lot of music. I hope one day, the music that we share today, will remind Gabo and Rago of this time, and so wherever life takes or brings them, they will get strength and inspiration from it.

So, I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me. ;)

Weekend Snapshot: More Lessons from Typhoon Ondoy

2009-10-18T22:09:00.008+08:00

October 18, 2009

Today, we spent the afternoon sorting out the things that got drenched following Typhoon Ondoy's onslaught. After several days of playing hide and seek with the sun and hoping to dry out the books and magazines, we finally gave up on the magazines and textbooks.

We had to throw away magazines, which we kept because they were important issues or editions. We threw away National Geographic, Reader's Digest, Time, Newsweek, Asiaweek, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Economist, Good Housekeeping, Metro, Marie Claire, Preview, Real Living, Home, and Yummy magazines. We also threw away old textbooks.

About the books, we're holding on much longer. You can see from the picture that among those that got drenched were my favorite books: Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand), The Haj (Leon Uris), Norwegian Wood (Haruki Murukami), The Godfather (Mario Puzo), The Lightness of Being (Milan Kundera), and The Little Prince (Antoine de Exupery).

I sigh.

Well, it's true that I can buy these books again, but the edition would be different. Old books and old editions have a special appeal to me and Wizheart. I'm glad we have the same mind on this.

I know this is nothing compared to letting go of loved ones who had died because of the flashfloods and landslides. The loss of magazines and books seems to be so little compared to the loss of lives and homes. The things that I had to let go are pretty inconsequential.

Events or circumstance really have a way of putting us in place and reminding us what is really important, what really matters. They also teach us to value things that we already have and people that we are with, and not waste time on wishing for things we don't have or people we cannot be with.

PhotoHunt (Free Week): Stylish Toilet

2009-10-17T00:05:00.006+08:00

October 17, 2009

This is the toilet of resort Balay Indang in Indang, Cavite. A good family couple-friend celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary there last June.

It was such a beautiful place! More photos soon. :)

I have not played Photohunt for quite sometime. I'm glad to be back here.

More Photohunters HERE.

Food Trip Friday: Homemade Tacos

2009-10-16T13:42:00.003+08:00

October 16, 2009

I had the simplest birthday celebration (so far) this year. The plan was to go out of town (Tagaytay!) but because of the coming of Typhoon Pepeng (Parma), we decided to just stay home and have the simplest celebration. Besides, we were just recovering from Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) that time.

We prepared tacos. In fact we bought the ingredients on a Friday, when people were sort of panic buying in preparation for the land fall of Typhoon Pepeng (Parma). Feeling guilty, I just grabbed the basic ingredients.

How to prepare homemade tacos

Prepare the veggies and dice them: lettuce, green bell pepper, onions (I prefer the white onions because they're sweeter), tomatoes
Cheddar cheese, also diced
Wheat Tortilla as Tacos (there are many variety in the supermarket, the more expensive ones taste better; tip: check the box first for broken tacos)
Ready-made tomato salsa (you can choose the spicy, the cheesy, the herb salsa off the shelves)
Ground beef (or pork or chicken, depends on your preference) - I choose beef and got the sirloin part. Marinate the ground beef for a while. Heat a large covered frying pan or stove-top casserole and add a bit of oil. Saute some onions and garlic. Throw in the meat into the mixture. Brown the meat well on both sides, and then add about 1 cup of water. Cover and simmer until very tender.

The veggies are eaten fresh. I would have wanted some mashed avocado with it, but there was no avocado in season.

Simple yet yummy tacos! =P~

More Food Trip Friday HERE.

Mommy Moments: A Day at the Mall

2009-10-16T10:50:00.014+08:00

October 16, 2009

It's Mommy Moments time again! The theme this week is A Day in the Mall. We are almost always in the mall every weekend and yeah I have photos, but this is all I got here in my PC right now.

The mall these days have become playgrounds for most kids. My kids for one love to run around the halls of big malls. After all it's like one big air-conditioned park!

Location 1: at Greenbelt 5 with grandparents
Location 2: at Glorietta 4
Location 3: at Greenbelt 5

More Mommy Moments HERE.

Lessons from the Dental Chair

2009-10-15T16:14:00.004+08:00

Last Saturday, we went to the dentist for our regular checkup. I love trips of this kind because it's another opportunity to know my children more.

For this particular trip, I learned that:

we, parents, are the source of strength of our children. A mom's or dad's tiny voice or even a momentary grip of a parent's hand is enough to take away the fear
kids gain confidence when you encourage them and give them your full support
trust your kids, and they learn to believe in themselves

We applied all this as Gabo and Rago took turns to the dental chair. Wizheart and I kept on encouraging them, telling them that they could do it, that it wouldn't hurt, and that we were just on the sides at their beck and call.

True enough, when each one had their x-ray alone in the x-ray room with a gargantuan-like equipment around them, neither one of them were scared. The dentist, Doc Karen, said, "We have brave boys!"

Blog Action Day 2009: It's Time to Take Action for Climate Change

2009-10-15T12:04:00.014+08:00

October 15, 2009

Today is Blog Action Day, and the theme is "Climate Change." Very fitting theme in the light of what's happening in the country and in the rest of the world.

I live in a country where typhoons outnumber the number of months in a year. Can the number of typhoons outnumber that of the days of the month? I hope not. But the possibility is there. And the most likely culprit is climate change.

Environmental groups have doubled their campaign awareness program and they're telling us that the effect of climate change. Over at the Greenpeace website, we are given these facts:

Global Warming is a Catastrophe Coming!
The causes - humankind's relentless burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.
The impacts - the melting of polar ice caps, rising oceans, severe droughts, the spread of diseases, massive flooding, coral bleaching and surging storms.
Who will be hit hardest - coastal countries, island nations, and underdeveloped regions like Southeast Asia. Continue reading...

Philippines fall under island nations, and yes as an archipelago, we have many coastal areas.

Typhooon Ondoy was a wake-up call. But it was not the first wake-up call that we got. There were many others, and these reminders are given to us year after year. Every year that a strong typhoon hits the country, we talk about improving our esteros and drainage, cleaning up our creeks and canals, planting more trees, etc. etc. They never happened, unlike Singapore that after experiencing massive flooding went to work and never let it happen again!

It took Typhoon Ondoy, which damaged key cities in Metro Manila, for us to go back to the drawing board and examine our system. This was when I found out that we did have an urban planning program, but it was during the Marcos administration yet. What?!? Worse, the succeeding governments didn't pick it up and continue it.

What I Want Us to Do

Finally, put up an honest-to-goodness urban planning, environmental program suited for our country.

We have a lot of engineers, architects, scientists who can study the Philippine topography and decide what is best for all of us.

We have plenty of agencies that work or can work on this. Let's get them to work.

There are about 96 million Filipinos, surely, we can all clean up our backyards, do away with plastics, and recycle. Small steps, if done by everyone, can effect change.

As Greenpeace said, we should expect heavier rainfall and more massive flooding. Let's do it now! A strong political will can do this. Come on, politicians! Come on, leaders---and those aspiring to be leaders---of this country. Show us what you got. Prove that you can really help us take care of ourselves.

Let's preserve the green.

This photo was taken at the Airforce City, Centennial Park Musuem, Clark, Pampanga.

Food Trip Friday: Mexicali Pizza

2009-10-09T11:13:00.003+08:00

October 9, 2009

I LOVE Mexicali Pizza of Figaro. It's crust is thin and crispy, and the toppings, especially the cheese and the green bell pepper, are to die for! =P~

More gustatory treats come your way. Head on now to Food Trip Friday HERE.

Mommy Moments: Special Trips

2009-10-09T09:27:00.006+08:00

October 9, 2009

For this week's Mommy Moments theme, Special Trips, I asked my gremlins which family trips were special to them so far. Here are their selections and why.

Gabo chose this first photo.

He and Rago with Ate Tata lighted candles and prayed during our Bulacan pilgrimage two years ago. Gabo said that he chose this because it was his first time to do the tradition: that is light candles this way and pray. He said that he felt when he did that he was closer to God.

Gabo's second choice was this photo. We went to Enchanted Kingdom summer this year. It was his second time, and Rago's first. But both admit that they had so much fun because they were able to enjoy the rides.

Gabo and Rago chose this photo. They were on the beach from mid-morning till mid-evening! Again, it was not the first time for Gabo, a first for Rago, but first time for both to appreciate being on the beach.

Both agreed that they love Baguio! This is the first time for them to ride a horse. They didn't want to get off!

They wanted to include the photo of them inside the plane, but we couldn't find it. They love to fly! And their dream was to ride the 2nd-floor (that's business class man!) of the plane and head off to Disneyland! =)

More Mommy Moments HERE.

Thursday's Inspiration

2009-10-08T11:26:00.000+08:00

Be inspired by reading a book or inspirational quotes that help you to believe in the magic of life.

[Source]

I Remember my Teachers Today

2009-10-05T17:54:00.004+08:00

October 5, 2009

Today, Oct 5th, is World Teachers' Day. This year's theme is "building the future." I believe that a teacher can do this.

The key to comprehension lies on the teacher. A teacher can actually make or break a student. A good teacher can make difficult subjects easy. A bad one, can cripple a student's life for life.

I believe that teachers have a general impact on a man's life. That is why it's important we choose our teachers well.

According to their website:

5 October is a day to celebrate teachers and the central role they play in guiding children, youths & adults through the life-long learning process. This year, World Teachers’ Day will focus on the role of teachers within the context of the global financial and economic crisis and the need to invest in teachers now as a means to secure post-crisis regeneration.

Continue reading...

I have high respect for teachers. My grandparents were teachers, and so were their parents before them. My husband comes from a family of teachers, too. He was born with a family of teachers.

What I observe of families with parents as teachers is that their children grow to be successful and responsible. I've seen this in my family and in Wizheart's.

Which brings me to recall my favorite teachers, and those that have helped shaped me.

my Lola Petra. She was my paternal grandmother. I remember, she was teaching Grade 3 and I was two or three years old then. She would take me to her classes to sit in. She would even ask me to do their exercises as well. This is probably why I loved playing a teacher when I was in Grade 3. I had imaginary students, of course! :D
Baliling, my first teacher. From her I learned not only academics, but also about life.
Miss Gardenia, my kinder teacher. I remember her to be always happy and gay when teaching us. I loved going to school because of her.
I cannot forget Mrs. Fernandez, my Grade 2 teacher. She was a good teacher but I dreaded going to her class because of her heart ailment. She would often complain about chest pains, and would rest a while in between lessons. As a child, who would want to see a person possibly die before your eyes.
Mrs. Cañizares, my Grade 5&6 English (and Penmanship) teacher. She was beautiful and good. I cannot forget her bedimpled smile. I learned from her the virtue of being happy, too.
Mrs. Labao, my Grade 5&6 Reading/Language teacher. She was strict yet gentle. From her I learned that grades or academics are not everything. You have to be good in extra-curricular activities, too.
Bro. Bob Baldwin, our grade school principal. He didn't teach, but every time he interacted with us, he was always gentle and firm. He would never embarrass a person in front of everybody. I learned from him that talking is the best thing to solve a problem.
Mrs. Ymbong, my Biology teacher. She could never pronounce my name Merdekah correctly. She had been calling me Merdikah, even after I graduated college. I'm pretty sure, she would still call me Merdikah if we ever see each other again now.
Mr. Sarmiento, my Chemistry teacher. With him, chemistry was hilarious!
Miss Fagela, my high school English teacher. She was only a visiting professor from La Salle Greenhills, and I think, stayed for only a good three months, but from her I learned to write with vivid language, and think of concrete actions.
Bro. Andrew Jacobsen, my Algebra/Trigonometry teacher. What I liked about Bro. Andrew was that there were few rules. Formulae were displayed all over the classroom, and he was very generous about what he knows, his techniques, and even offers tutorial classes for free. You just have to do what he wants you to do, otherwise...
Miss Rama, my Shakespeare teacher. We called her Mrs. Shakespeare. She knows everything about Shakespeare and understands him really well! :D I learned not to steal the thunder from the other person. My time to shine will come.
Mrs. Lilia Realubit, my Stylistics teacher. She believed in me, that's why I succeeded.

To all of you, my dear teachers, THANK YOU! :)

Do you still remember your good teachers? Why don't you thank them now?

I Live a Blessed Life!

2009-10-03T18:35:00.009+08:00

October 3, 2009

I thank You God for most this amazing day; for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes. -e.e. cummings

--

I turned 41 today. I've lived half of my lifetime already, and it's amazing how the Lord has been with me through these years despite my shortcomings. He has blessed me more than I can imagine, and has challenged me several times. But in every challenge, He has always been with me, so I win every time!

When I was younger I would hear people say that life begins at 40. I couldn’t imagine that. Because I didn't think I'd have to wait that long to begin my life. My life begins---in the sense that I am free to do whatever I want to, go wherever I want to go---the moment I went down the stage of UP Theater 19 years ago. Clutching onto my diploma, some honors, and a job from a multinational company awaiting, I was ready to conquer the world.

But the country was at its most unstable then. In fact, my last semester in the University was interrupted because of the fatal 1989 coup attempt. I still remember it so well. We were all huddled in Ilang-Ilang Residence Hall. We slept in our street clothes,and a ready backpack for any eventuality. We were told that when worse came to worst, it would be UP
Diliman campus that would be rounded up first. Away from our families, we were scared but we had to be brave for our sake. We amused ourselves with playing board games and watching tora-tora planes hovering our dormitory.

The one-week coup ended on December 10, 1989, and UP declared that everyone went on Christmas break. All of us students rushed to the nearest PAL office and booked a flight. We came back the following year, 1990, only to finish all the requirements for graduation. It was a year of black outs and more coup attempts. My parents thought it best and safe to find work in Iligan first while the country was going back on its feet again.

Half-convinced, I went home to Iligan. I think part of the reason why I relented because my best friends went home, too. But I sort of rebelled. I took it easy and bummed for a year. I said I would stay for only a year, but I got caught up in a flurry of things, one of which was the Jaycees. I stayed three more years! No regrets. I had the best time of my life. Most of all, I met Wizheart. ("Sobrang cheezy." I can almost hear my kids say this line now.)

Well, now that I’m a year past 40, I think of the what-ifs, especially when it comes to my career. Had I stayed in Manila after graduation, and worked in Procter & Gamble, I'd probably be somewhere up there in the corporate ladder. But then again, I wouldn't have met Wizheart, and wouldn't be leading the life I have now. We may not have everything we want, but we have everything we need.

It's true. Everything happens for a reason.

I lead more than a charmed life. I live a blessed life.

How to Dry Flood-Soaked Books

2009-10-02T15:31:00.002+08:00

If you got your books drenched/submerged because of Typhoon Ondoy, here's a good tip.

Food Trip Friday: Tapella's Camembert

2009-10-02T10:16:00.004+08:00

October 2, 2009

I miss Tapella's camembert and caramelized onions on fluted bread (P180)! It was definitely yum! =P~

Tapella Restaurant specializes in tapas and paellas. One of the tapas that I like is this camembert. The caramelized onion is just right--not too sweet and tangy. The fluted bread is perfect, too--soft and crunchy.

You should try this out! ;)

More Food Trip Friday HERE.

Mommy Moments: Music and Me

2009-10-02T08:46:00.010+08:00

October 2, 2009

Me: Which musical instrument would you like to have?
Gabo: Drums!
Rago: Guitar!
Gabo and Rago: And piano, too!

Of the three, we only got them the guitar. We're still looking for a good junior drums, and of course a baby grand piano. In fact, it was only this year, that we got them a junior guitar. They had been using Wizheart's guitar ever since.

Gabo and Rago are music lovers. They love listening to music, and even download by themselves their favorite song, sync in the iPod, and they would be singing along. They also love videokes. They sing in the shower, while playing, or just doing nothing. They love to sing!

I think they got the passion from both sides of the family. Wizheart's and my families are into music. On my side, we play the piano and guitar, on Wizheart's the guitar. On both sides, all can carry a tune. ;) Playing music is actually a good way to bond with your parents and kids, and even friends.

I remember when I was still single, Hutsai advised me about how to choose a life partner. He said to choose someone who is a lover of music, who can play music. Because a man who has music in him is strong in character but softer in emotion. He may be right! :)

So just a bit of trivia about music and man:

The Doctrine of Ethos states that music effects character and emotion of man by way of morals or ethics. It was arranged into certain scales, each with a certain characteristic. Specific scales were said to be able to inspire rage or sadness. Some were said to inspire happiness, and one was even said to weaken the mind due to its simplicity.

Greek music, of which the Doctrine of Ethos specifically talked about, wasn't just solely instrumental. Improvising, they usually incorporated lyrics and even dance. Music was studied by the Greeks on a level that would be considered excessive in our society by all but our musicologists, ethnomusicologist, music theorists, and a small minority that take their love of music to more than just an aesthetic level.

In our world, a world of empiricism and skepticism, the Doctrine of Ethos may sound a bit hard to believe. It may even sound magical and mystical, but I feel that it has some deep roots in truth. Philosophers, musicians, and even the layman have all theorized about the effect of music on the mind, body, and soul.

[Source]

More Mommy Moments HERE.

Typhoon Ondoy's Aftermath: The Lessons

2009-10-01T23:22:00.012+08:00

Typhoon Ondoy's statistics continues to rise. Already the figures are the following:

death toll from massive flooding to 240
1.9 million people in the capital and surrounding areas were inundated by flooding
about 380,000 people have sought shelter in schools, churches and other evacuation centers
Troops, police and volunteers have already rescued more than 12,359 people

[Source]

In my household, Typhoon Ondoy soaked photo albums, books, magazines, school notebooks, CDs, carpet, and vehicles, and cut-off water supply for four days.

Inside Armstrong Villas (In Moonwalk, Phase 1, Paranaque), the flood waters was from knee-deep to butt high. Outside the villas, near the guard outpost, it was waist-deep. Walk farther down the waters were already from neck-deep to "lampas-tao" deep.

I know it doesn't sound right to say this but yeah as most people have been saying, we're luckier than most people who live in Marikina or Cainta or in other badly hit areas in the metro.

It's not easy to overcome such an experience, but I know in time we can pass through the trauma.

Lessons learned:

1. at a personal level
it's good to have a second floor in your house
a floor-to-ceiling book-CD-shelf is not always a good idea
position power outlets at higher levels, perhaps overhead (we had two outlets that were placed that way near the dining room sink, so we were able to cook rice and plug the hot-normal water dispenser there at least)
unplug all appliances when everyone leaves the house (we failed to do so; good thing all our 9-year-old appliances survived from being submerged for 10 hours)
tell the security guard to call you right away when something of this kind happens
when choosing residence/office address, find out if the location is flood prone, otherwise be ready with life jackets (got this life jacket idea from a friend)
2. on a national level
throw garbage in the right places, best to recycle
have a regular clean-up of creeks and canals or riverbanks (please LGUs let's do this!)
study urban planning and be guided by the findings of the study (pretty please!)
(for LGUs or government agencies, or private enterprises, especially subdivision developers) do your homework please!

My only prayer is that we all (residents and agencies alike) learn from it.