ENTER THE WORLD OF MY IMAGINATION

A Very Special You

2009-11-11T19:03:00.000-08:00

Life has really a lot of surprises because I have you. I never thought that one day in my life I will find someone like you.

I was busy with my life when you suddenly knocked into the door of my heart. I let you in for I saw in you a man of warmth and kindness.

When I met you, I knew there would be a new chapter in my life. I knew I would be writing pages of excitement, friendship and love. I knew I would be writing about You and Me…for I knew you will be a big part of me.

As I continue journeying life with the people I love,
you are there, too, journeying with me.

Everything has color.
A manifestation that there is happiness inside me.
My eyes spark every time you look at me
and there is joy when I’m near you.
I feel your presence through the melody of your songs,
and it also gives me security and comfort to be strong.
Your words are like magic that captivate my heart,
and your voice is sweet music to my ears.
Your hugs and your kisses are signs of your warmth,
and they trace smile on my face.
Your advices are words of wisdom,
and the thought of having you widens my perception
that life is truly beautiful and wonderful.

You really got me.
You captured me.
And stole my heart away.

I couldn’t ask for more…
Everyday becomes special because there is You.

How can I express this feeling?
How can we define what we have?
How can we call this connection between the two of us?

Two people who care for each other…
Two people who need not to utter words…
Two people who know where they stand and what they have…
and most importantly two people who know the significance of
having each other around.

It’s enough for me to know and to feel that you care…
For as long as you still hold my hand tightand promise that you will always be there ...I know that I am loved…

You will always be SPECIAL to me…very special!
Somebody I can call a friend…
Someone who is a better half of me...
A thing I can call a gift…
And an enchantment that brings me into the colorful world of so called love…

I have so much to thank for to the Lord
and I want you to know that you’re one of them.
Even if sometimes there is distance between you and me,
even if there are walls that hinder us,
I know you can break them all to be with me.
Even if criticisms almost destroy us,
you never failed to show that I am your world.

I want you to know that …
You will always be someone who …

...appreciates me the way I am,
…sees me as a person with beauty and depth,
…believes in me and in what I can do,
… taps my shoulder to bring me back to reality,
…cares when a few friends turned their back on me,
…constantly reminds me that I am somebody,
…accepts my imperfections and insecurities,
…finds time to listen and to care,
…shares with me moments of happiness
…is proud of me and
…makes me feel that I am SPECIAL.

I want to say, Thank you.

Thank you for being you.
Thank you for just being there.
Thank you for looking beyond my skin.
Thank you for believing that I am worth fighting for.
Thank you for coming into my life.Thank you for loving me.

I live each day with you and for you,
and I want to spend it for the rest of my life.

If the time comes that we have to move onwith our own lives…
when our hair turns gray...
and the sun will soon bid goodbye be with my side...
do not forget me.

Today and for the coming days...
You always be here in my mind
especially in my heart for you will always be my MAN.
Someone who brought change in me
and someone who continuously gives meaning to my life…

can also be viewed @ http://jhengmprado.multiply.com/journal/item/18

MASKARA

2009-07-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

Siya’y nakangiti na
may ningning ang mga mata,
maayos manamit,
tila walang problema
at nag-uumapaw sa ligaya.

Siya nama’y umaagos
ang mga luha,
walang ayos,
walang arte
malungkot,
masalimuot,
nag-iisa
patung patong ang mga problema.

Ito namang isa’y matapang,
masigasig,
itim kung manamit
buo ang loob
gigibain ano mang balakid.

Siya ay tahimik,
simple,
di magara ang damit,
nakakubli,
walang muwang,
kawawang nilalang.

Ang iba nama’y
nagpupumilit ngumiti
minsan makulay ang damit
pero kadalasa'y pula,
hindi dahil sa pag-ibig.
kundi dahil ang kalooba'y
puno ng pighati.

Marami ang bilang ng
namamahagi
ngunit sa kabila nito'y
higit ang kapalit na minimithi.

May ilang nagsasabing
marunong magpatawad
ngunit ang totoo'y hindi.
Dahil dapat ang katumbas
ng pagpapatawad
ay paglimot sa nagdaan
ng nakangiti.

Marami ang bukang bibig
ay pag-ibig
ng hindi alam ang tunay
na kahulugan.
Minsan ay kulang
minsan ay sobra.
Ano nga ba ang pag-ibig?
Paano nga ba ang umibig?

Di mo rin mabilang
ang mga nagkukubli
sa katotohanan.
Nagmamatapang,
nagmamarunong,
pero umiiwas para masakatan.

Marami ang palasimba
pero bulok ang pag-uugali.
Marami ang hinuhusgahan
batay sa pananamit.
Ang balot ang katawan ay santo
ang nagpapakita ng laman
malapit sa eskandalo.
Tama ba ang batayan na ito?

Sa iba’t ibang lugar
sa iba’t ibang pagkakataon,
maraming nagsasabi
nakamit nila ang tamis ng tagumpay,
tinapakan at niyurakan
ang kapakanan ng karamihan.

Ikaw nama’y
umuusok sa galit,
gustong maghiganti
at kapahamakan ng kapwa
ang minimithi.

Iba’t iba ang anyo
ng iba’t ibang tao.
Ibat-ibang maskara
sa mukha nila’y nakapinta.

Iba’t ibang pananaw
iba’t ibang pag-iisip
iba’t ibang galaw
kaya’t maskara nila’y papalit palit.

Anong uri ng tao ka?
Anong klase ng MASKARA
ang nakasuot sayong mukha?

May lakas ka ba ng loob
na humarap sa mga tao
na suot ay ang
totoo mong mukha?

http://www.jhengmprado.multiply.com

Unless we become a mother...

2009-05-15T02:05:00.000-07:00

We will never realize how it feels to be a mom unless we become a mother...

We will never feel the pains and joys of a mother unless we experience to cry and laugh with our own children...

We will never know when a mother is happy and depress unless we share in our own family's victory and defeat...

We can never speak of the sufferings and merriment of a mother unless we have seen ourselves standing still, smiling despite the struggles and burdens of daily life...

We can never talk of a mother's hopes and dreams unless we have watched our own children grow in obedience and kindness and fear in the Lord...

We can never brag how proud a mother can be unless we have nurtured our own children with values and virtues of Christ and Mary and in time seeing our children doing the same things to their own families...

We can never express the love and care of a mother to her husband unless we have submitted ourselves to them, become faithful to them and promise them to love them until the time they both have to lay down and rest...

We will never learn how it is to become a true mother unless we give our self...our heart and our life to the very reason why we are living...our family!

Thank you sa mga Birthday greetings

2009-04-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

Thank you Lord, for another year ahead of me…another chance to show my family and friends how much I love them and how important they are to me…thank you also, di mo ako pinapabayaan…love mo talaga ako! Mwah…

Siyempre dahil nag-birthday ako, marami ang nag-greet sa akin. And once again, I would like to express how much I am grateful and thankful for them for remembering me…(naks drama!!!)

Thank you kay DADDY SHRIMP…mwah..mwah..mwah talga…lalo na kay JENNARD…silang dalawa hinihintay mag 12 midnight para they will be the first to greet me a happy birthday. Siyempre in the morning, sila pa rin ang first na nag-greet kahit di pa nagmumumog…kiss to the max sa akin ang mga boys ko…mwah mwah mwah talga!!!

Thank you din siyempre sa family ko…kay daddy na siyang nagdrive from Manila all the way to Montreal Garden resort sa Pila, Laguna na di ko inakala na napakalayu pala (3 hrs. drive yun ha). Kay mommy ko na siyempre matiyagang tumulong sa pagluluto nung gabi ng March 27 para sa mga foods na bababuin namin the following day…nag-contribute yan ng 5 bottles of POP COLA…nag-luto ng spaghetti, hotdog at walang kamatayang Adobong Manok na nilagyan niya ng Adobo Cheese na galing kay Joanity. Kay Janelle na tumulong sa pagluto ng spag…thank you Nelle kahit na mas abala ka sa paglalagay ng nunal mo sa right eye mo. Siyempre kay Nika na napakalaki ng contribution…maghapong tulog…gumising nung kakain na…tsk tsk tsk…hay Chuba kaya ka lumalapad. Siyempre kay Joan na belated ang greetings dahil nasa Vietnam for a job interview…gud lak sis!!! Lam ko matatanggap ka dyan…aim high…dream high ika nga!

Sa mga pamangkenis ko na kiniss ako nung morning…si Chan na parang ampon na namin, si Chok na best child actor, si Popop na emotero at si Chelsea (a.k.a. Chili Bum Bum) na tawag ng tawag sa akin ng deng…deng…umaga pa lang e kinakatok na ang pinto namin.

May greetings din all the way from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – from Santos Family – Ate Joy, Kuya Dan, Elian and Eia…Thank you talga lage nyo ko naaalala…Thank you ate Joy sa text mo.

Kung may greetings from Saudi, siyempre may greetings din from United Arab Emirates – hehehehe – kaso si papa Mark lang nag-greet through friendster comment…si Minchiler – nag-deadma effect porket natalbugan ko ang primary photo nya…wahahahahha

Morning palang may text message na rin si Mama Remy na super excited na sa swimming na nagluto ng prito at nilagang talong…thank you!

At thank you sa napaka-excited na tita ko na March 25 pa lang ay binabati na ako sa text ng happy birthday…si Tita Helen yun…akalain mo yun…oopppsss…may gift yan na sandok at cake slicer…love it! Nag-contribute yan ng pasta, nag-libre yan ng dirty ice cream sa Montreal at naglabas ng green tea juice nung gabi pag uwi namin galing sa swimming.

Makakalinutan ba naman ako ng mga best friends ko…siyempre hindi!!! Never!!! May greetings all the way from Bussels, Belgium from Chona baby…sa YM yan e…at siyempre may greetings din through friendster comment and chat from Leyte Laki from best friend Noemi…mabuhey!!! Oo nga pala…umaga pa lang tumawag na sakin yan sa celfone para i-greet ako…akala ko nga nananaginip lang ako e…talga itong best friend ko na ito…lage nag-e-effort…thank you….

Sa mga nagtext ng kay aga-aga na siyang gumising sa akin: kay Mayamang Lawrence; kay Shane na bonggang bongga ang hair color; kay Eric na pinakiusapan ko ng mass intention; kay Ma’am Peachy na napakabait kong boss na may gift na bonggang bonggang Victoria Secret na cologne…ang bango nito.. Thank you din kina Kuya Boggs, Lyn, Pam, Che, Maya, Benet at Vicky…mga nakilala ko before sa ibat ibang occasion na nakakatuwa di nakakalimot. Thank you po.

Thanks din Ate Joyce, Jethra, sa ilang ALC pipol, sa HRDD pala na nagbigay ng SM Gift Card – naku malaking pakinabang yun. Kay Fr. Eric Adoviso na nag-bless sa lahat ng mga March celebrators last Sunday Mass – thank you…Sa AORD pipol – Eloisa, Ate Regie and Sr. Dennis. Kay Dennis at Roy ng CBCPworld – thank you!

Sa nag-comment sa friendter: kay Pao na isa sa mga best friends ni Janelle, kay Gigz at Grathia na mag-sweethearts na kasamahan ko pa sa McDonalds, kay Maricar na tropa ko nung college sa Uste. Thank you.

Sa mga nag-message sa facebook: Rochelle na friend ko rin from UST at sa pinsan ko si Oyet. Sa nag-write sa guest book sa Multiply – Anythingzanthie…thank you…

Sa mga nag-message sa friendster at sa Emails at sa Yahoo Messanger na ayaw pakilala at mas gusto pang maging isang anonymous na lang. Salamat po sa inyo…Sa Birthday Alarm, Sa Netlog saka pala sa Uni Silver – thank you sa coupon.

Sa lahat ng naki-mega beso beso at naki-powerhug…Thank you po….sa mga nakalimutan ko pa po…salamat!!!

Teka may P.S. pa, may mga humabol pa…wahahahhaa...sa sister ko na si Jaramine…hay…I thought deadmatic na ang bday ko sa babaitang ito…kasi busy sa pag-aalaga ng bagong panganak niyang sanggol…hahahhaha!!! Akalain mong nag-messae at nag friendster comment pa ng 3….nakunsensiya…anyway, thank you…sana uwi ka na ulit para kultian na naman tau…kay Jay, thank you din! Kay Regina na close friend ko nung high school…di rin ako nito nakakalimutan…thanks sa message…saka pala kay Cheng na pinsan ko, nagkita kami sa Goldilocks SM Sta. Mesa nung birthday ko, binati na rin niya ako…hehehehe…salalamt!!! Saka kay Donya Chut ng Accounting, ate, thank you ha…wala bang pulburon dyan?

I love Pizza

2008-07-16T02:00:00.000-07:00

MACHIBA GANG re-unites

2008-07-03T00:38:00.000-07:00

High school days were one of the best days in my life. I had spent some of the most unforgettable and enjoyable moments with the people close to my heart.

I had wonderful memories with my high school barkada, the MACHIBA Gang.

I lost communication with a few of them after we graduated from high school. I am glad that at least now; some of us were able to connect again with one another. And I hope we can manage to keep the lines of communication always open.

Last June 27, I had the privilege to be with them once again. Noemi, treated us dinner at Jollibee and even though only four of us made it, still, I am happy to see them and to be with them again. I am looking forward to begin a new chapter of good memories with them just like the good old days!

MACHIBA Gang is composed of Jasmine Garcia, Aimee Colangoy, Dianne Ocampo, Romarie Hernandez, Myrna Hulgado, Peter Allan Fernandez, Ma. Juneca Velasco, Ma. Verona Mendoza, Jheng Manalang, Noemi Bartolome and Mazaco Hirao. (Did I miss any one?)

Christian's 6th Birthday @ D' Marks

2008-07-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

Typhoon Frank didn't stop us from celebrating Christian's 6th birthday. The celebration was held at D' Marks, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Christian is my nephew. With him were his Lolo Dad, Lola Mama, Tita Jheng, Tita Joan, Tita Janelle, Tita Jennica and of course with his brothers, Carl and Christoff and baby sister, Chelsea.

Take a look at our pictures...

FORGIVENESS COMES FROM A HUMBLE HEART

2008-06-18T01:19:00.000-07:00

How many of us understand the meaning of forgiveness? How many of us know how to forgive? How many of us can let go of pain, grudges and revenge? How many of us can love the person who caused us pain, who hurt us, who let us suffer, who disappoints us? How many of us can love our enemies? How many of us can ask for forgiveness?

In today’s Gospel (June 17, 2008 - Mt 5:43-48), Jesus taught us about forgiveness. He speaks of gentleness, of compassion and happiness. When we ask for forgiveness, we should be sincere, real and true to ourselves. When we ask for forgiveness it should come from the heart. A person who asks for forgiveness just for the sake of being forgiven is not far from a devil who hides himself under the mask of an angel. And when we grant forgiveness our hearts should be free from anger and hatred.

We forgive because it is what our hearts say. We do not forgive and afterwards give condition telling him/her “I forgive you but do not do it again.” There is no guarantee that the person will not do it again and again. We forgive because that is what the Lord taught us. And even up to this day, we are still being taught of forgiveness.

It is through forgiving that we can have inner peace and happiness. I know it is not easy to forgive and forget, but a person who knows how to forgive have often experienced how to be forgiven most especially by the Lord.

We are capable of forgiving because the Lord always forgives our sins and wrong doings. There is no other reason why we forgive but the Lord God. He alone is the reason that is why we are called to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

In his homily, Fr. Genie Diwa said, “only a humble heart knows how to forgive.” I always believe that humility is a virtue. A person who humbles himself/herself and is willing to admit that he/she is wrong is a person who symbolizes Christ. And I know that the Almighty Father is always with him/her.

can also be viewed at http://jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng/

NANAY, 92

2008-06-17T22:57:00.000-07:00

There are things in our life that we can’t do anything but to accept. Sometimes we have to let go of someone even though it is painful. This is the rule of life and we have to submit ourselves to it in order to live normally.

There are people in our lives that occupy big space in our hearts because they play significant roles. Some became part of our growing up while some became an important ingredient of who we are and what we are now.

Nanay is one big part of me. She has a special place here in my heart. She was close to me. She was close to us. I go to her house once in a while but she is the one who often visits us at home. We live in the same street. My mom takes care of Nanay. She cooks and prepares food for her and attends to every need of Nanay. Nanay will sometimes knock at our door saying, “Minda, Minda kakain na ba?” She would sit on the chair and sings her favorite Ilocano songs and every now and then she gives pieces of advice. She always tells the story of her life, her struggles, her pains, her difficulties, her victories and her joys. She constantly reminds us about our health telling us “basa ang likod mo, magpalit ka ng dami baka ubuhin ka.” “O, ang lalamig ng mga paa mo, halika at hilutin natin ng langis.” “Wag ka masyado malapit sa TV, lalabo ang mata mo.” “Magpagupit ka na nga ang haba haba na ng buhok mo mukha ka ng matanda.” Those were some of Nanay’s reminders to me.

She goes to our house whenever one of us is sick, despite her age, she insists on helping in the household chores. She exercises regularly. She attends Mass at the Sto. Cristo Chapel in Sto. Tomas. She is a fortune teller. I remember what she always tells me every time she holds my hands and sees the lines in my palms. She will say, “Oi, ikaw sumpungin ka pero maya maya wala na. Matipid ka, marunong ka sa buhay. Oi, pataas lahat, paakyat ang pera. Haba ng buhay mo. Matutupad mga pangarap mo. Makakpagpatayo ka ng sarili mong bahay. Yung balak mong mag-abroad matutupad.” Those were the things she constantly tells me. She is brave. She is tough but she is unselfish. She loves to eat vegetable and her all time favorite, Banana!!!

During my college days, I always accompany Nanay in getting her pension at PNB, España and afterwards we will eat at Jollibee. I also accompany her at the UST hospital for eye check up with Dr. Javate. We were walking along Gov. Forbes and exchanged stories while heading for a jeep in España. There are many things Nanay shared to me as well as to my family.

How I wish I could turn back time. As her apo, I know I have my share of shortcomings to her but I know she understands. It is so hard to bid farewell to someone who has become a part of you. It’s so hard to let go of Nanay.

Four weeks ago she was with us. Four weeks ago, she started to be weak. It was sudden. She was brought to the hospital thrice but the doctor refuse to confine her instead offered that Nanay should have home medication. She ate less and refuses to take her medicines. Day after day she gets weak. On June 1, she gets different. She no longer eats, speaks and she barely open her eyes. She was just lying in bed. All of us were there. Her children, my mom, Tita Babes and Tito Boy and all her grandchildren were there up to her last breathe. We were all there by her side.

On June 2, at around 2 in the morning, we surrounded her. We’re crying for we know she will leave any time. She was running after her breathe. I was holding her hand and felt that she was already cold. Her heart stops beating. We cried hard. We all held her and kissed her for the last time.

Nanay was 92. She lived long and had a wonderful life. It’s time for her to rest for she already accomplished her mission here on earth. Yes, I am still holding on to her memories but I (we) have to let her go so that she can journey well with her new life with God in heaven.

She was buried at the Nacional Funerary in Araneta, Avenue and was laid to rest at Loyola Memorial park in Marikina on June 7, 2008 at 10 a.m. We also would like to express our deepest gratitude to those people who were with us during our grieve. Thank you very much.

"Nay, your body will soon perish but the wisdom you shared with us will be cherished forever here in our hearts. We love you and we will surely miss you!"

Birthday Treat

2008-06-17T21:42:00.000-07:00

Birthday treat at Chef de Angelo in Glorietta with Joan and Reggie last March 29, 2008.

Thank you!!!

2008-06-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who remembered to greet me on my birthday!!!

Sa lahat ng nag-greet through email…thanks po ganda ng mga messages at mga links! Lalu na sa Wayn.com, Naukri.com at Bayt.com, salamat talga! Thanks din pos a mga nag-greet through Yahoo Messenger…salamat sa messages. Thanks din po mga nag-greet through posting a comment in Friendster, thanks sa inyo, lalo na kay Giggie, Chona, my ever dear best friend, Ate Joy Almodiel, at Jennica my ever loving sisteru, saka Thank you sa mga nag-greet through sending message sa friendster at nag post ng bulletin sa friendster. Yung mga nag-greet galing abroad, thank you sa pagbati. Thank you din kay Noemi, isa pang best friend ever ko, thanks sa gift mo, special delivery pa via Macel. Thanks you din sa mga officemates ko sa RCAM na nag-greet sakin, nagkiss at nag-hug lalo na sa AORD. Sa mga kapit bahay namin salamat sa mga bumati lalo na mga chikiting patrol. Saka siyempre sa pamilya ko at mga pamangkenis ko. Lalo na sa Junakis ko, JENNARD, love na love ka ni mommy. Syempre sa Daddy Shrimp ko! Mis u pare! Thanks din sa mga nagtext sa akin:

Happy Birthday Mi!!! Musta kyo Enard? Nsa sm nb kyo? Pakiss nga! Mmwahhhhh..Ang bango fish fish ko ah! Hehehe. Cge work muna me. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Mwah – Daddy Shrimp

Jheng happy birthday di kita na kiss kanina saying hehehe tomboy bgla! Maligayang bati sa iyo mahal kong kaibigan muah God bless u! – Shane

Gd am. Hi Jeng! M with u n thanking God 4 His wonderful gft of life. May u strive hard 2 mke dis life as pleasing gft 2 Him too. Ecthos! Npacompose ako ng gritings ah! Heheh, para sayo, luvyah mor dan u knw, idol. – Ate Regie

I wish you today, a day of special graces, a day of extraordinary things to smile about, and a day of happiness and love in your heart. Happy birthday jeng! – Shane

hapi birthday! D2 pa kmi sa philam – Mom Rem

Hav a nice and hapi day! God bels u 2 – Ate Regie

Everyday is God’s MIRACLE. It brings new chances to GROW, new beauty to SEE, new plans to MAKE, and new goals to PURSUE. Hapi birthday – Precy

Sa pinkamabait, di nkakklimut na frend, hapi bday 2u. – Giggie

Uy sister, hapi hapi bday. Ntayin mo n lng ung gft ko syo, inorder ko p galling jafan…hpi bday, more 2 come – Lawrence

Puks hapi bday! Ano hnda u? try u check pera, pg wla tel me agd. 1st tym ko kc pdla. Mbgal dw process pg 1st tym, ng gold cntr kme khpon. Pinamili ko ni mark mga ginto. - Jaramine Ribay

Kikay, kiray, kaartehan, yan k, maarte k, mldita, bruha, sobra kn…puros nlng mgggndng bagy nattngp m, ppuri mla s ibang tau, kya ng imbento ako ng kakaiba. hehe hpi bday sa big ate jeni k tsup – Grathia

(1,2, ready, SING…) HAPPY Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to you! May all your dreams come true. – Ma’am Peachy

Happy bday…Dyoann

Hapi2x bday mam! May u hv more blessings 2 come, and gud health – Kuya Angel

1msayang pgbati sa 1kaibgan n plaging handa mkinig at mgsalita kng kinakailngan. More power 2u n 2 urpamilya. God bles! – Lyn

Ate jheng happy bday po! - Franz Bernabe

Happy birthday! Last year mo na sa calendar. More blessings to u nd
urfamily! And ofcors gud health. – Joan Manalang

Hpi hapi bday! Wish u an evrlsting hpines wid ur fmily.- Luisa

Woman was made from the rib of man. She was not created from hi head…to top him…nor from hi Feet…to be stepped Upon. She was made from his Side…to be equal to him…from Beneath his Arm…to be Protected by him…near his Heart…to be Loved by him…Happy birthday pretty woman!!! Dan, Joy, Elian, Eia Santos

Maligynag kaarwan sayo. Nway lmigya ka s araw n e2 at nway maisipn mong magpainom pra tyan namiy mbusog…tomaan n…hpi bdy – Kuya Bogs

Fren, khit tgal na tau di kta, alala prin kita. Hapi bday wg u sna limot bday ko..hehehehe –
Alice

Hpi2x hapi bday, sau ang inuman, sau ang pulutn, hpi2x hapi bday, naway patomain mo kmi! Hapi bday, jheng! - Benggay

Graduation of Jennard (Preparatory)

2008-06-17T20:14:00.000-07:00

Last March 15, 2008, my son Jennard graduated from Preparatory. It was held at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium in UST, España at 3 pm.

Thoughts of HAPPINESS

2008-06-17T20:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt emptiness inside your heart? That even if you posses all the luxuries and glamour in life, there is still a part in you that is missing…and that is happiness.

Happiness for me is the state of being contented with what you have in life whether materially or emotionally. It is also being joyous and thankful that you have the chance of living and journeying in a world full of beauty. Most of all, happiness is having inner peace.
What makes us happy?

There are many things that make us happy. Things, persons, events, situations make us happy. There are some people whose basis of happiness is through the possession of power, fame and of course money. Money makes the world go round. But money cannot buy happiness. You can wear in your wrist the most expensive Tag Heur watch, or showcase your latest Ferrari model on the road or even own a million peso house in Forbes Park. But you cannot buy happiness. You may also have a dozen friends which you go out with for a coffee in Starbucks or a lunch at Super Bowl but you cannot buy a bucket of happiness. You may be the most influential people on earth or attain the highest ranking position in the office and yet one part of you is missing. It is useless. We often recall those pains, hardships, struggles and travails in our lives. But seldom do we look back the good things that happened to us, the people around us, our friends and families. The best way to do is to count your blessings and believe me, you’ll never stop counting. That is happiness.

Happiness is something that cannot be bought. It is a feeling. It is within our hearts. It is a state of fulfillment. It is also an outcome of your act. There are thousand ways to be happy and make other people happy. Being human, we don’t aspire for the downfall of other people. We also don’t expect our neighbors to do us big favors. A little act of kindness and respect will make us happy and will make them happy, too. A simple hi or hello can brighten up a day. Doing something good to others without anything in return gives us a feeling of joy, comfort and relief. It is by giving and sharing what you have to the needy that make us more like God. And what more could make us happy? It is through forgiving and forgetting. When we let go of our grudges and throw away excess baggage in our lives, then, we will surely have a taste of happiness.

Happiness is also hurling away anger, jealousy, selfishness and pride. Sometimes it becomes hard for us to heave these things from ourselves especially if it already becomes part of our daily life. You certainly cannot attain happiness if you continue nourishing these evil things and nasty thoughts. These are the works of the devil. These evil ways might break you into pieces and sometimes it becomes too late for you to pick up those chunks. You’re nowhere now. You’re all alone trying to befriend everyone around you. In that sense, you’re lost!

Happiness is also the result of trust. If you know how to put trust to other people then in return, you will also feel that they trust you and it’s a nice feeling to be trusted by others. Sometimes we have to open up ourselves, share our wisdom and be what you are. You have to speak and at the same time know when to listen. Do not pretend. Do not wear various masks simply because you mingle with different people. We have different personalities and that make us unique. The challenge there is how you deal with society without exaggeration and pretensions. It is how you establish yourself to other people that even if you have committed mistake, they will still accept you and believe in you. More often than not we are uncomfortable saying sorry or pasensiya na. Sometimes it’s hard to do because we are embodied by our own insecurities. We fear of rejection. Remember that you cannot please everybody and you cannot befriend everybody. Pity those who claim that they are a friend to all for they do not have a friend at all. It is better to have 1, 2 or 3 friends around you who are real, true, sincere and loyal than to have a multitude of friends who tolerate your mistakes and cannot even give a bright direction to your life. Just be yourself. Be consistent. Always be fair. Always be courteous and give respect. And most importantly, be humble. Humility is a virtue. And possessing that virtue makes us more human. It’s not easy to say sorry but admitting that you’re wrong doesn’t make you less of a person. It is one step forward to becoming a better person.

Happiness is being accepted and appreciated by other people. It is actually part of the process of life. You don’t need to brag yourself to them and speak of your accomplishments or what field you excel. You don’t need to have expensive things to attract them to appreciate you. We cannot buy love. We also cannot buy friends. We are loved by other people because of who we are and not for what we have. We also love others because of who they are. We accept them despite of their weaknesses. Friends become part of our life if they leave footprints in our hearts and if they continue touching our life with their sincerity and truthfulness.

Happiness for me is FAMILY. It is nice to feel that one of the sources of happiness is our family. They are the most significant gift God has bestowed upon us. They are more than treasure. They are the very reason why we continue fighting the challenges in life. They are good reason to live and to love. Our family is our LIFE with God as the center of everything. It is fine to live in a typical house without enjoying some life’s pleasure and delight as long as you have your family with you. Our happiness can be reflected through our words and deeds inculcated to us by our family. We feel and we speak of happiness when we know and we feel that we are well loved and treated with respect. Our parents as well our brothers and sisters are part of who we are. They help us become a good person so let us love them. Care for them. Nurture them and of course, be proud of them.

When we talk of happiness, we go down from its very root, its source, its beginning and its end. When we talk of happiness, we talk of God. He is the primary reason of our happiness. One way of showing how grateful and thankful we are for the abundance of His blessings is to keep our faith with Him. If we always strengthen our faith in Him and we continue living in His ways, there is certainly bountiful happiness in us. God is good so let’s keep Him always in our life.

I know that we all have different meaning and experience of happiness. But I know that you will all agree with me when I say that happiness comes from within our hearts. Happiness is seen through our eyes, the window to our soul. Our eyes are glowing and glimmering if there is complete happiness in us despite our problems. If there is real happiness inside your heart, then, you are beautiful! Remember that inner beauty comes from within. I am very sure that you can wear that genuine smile.

So, smile! Be merry and be HAPPY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-06-17T19:44:00.000-07:00

Last December 31, 2007, my sister Joan, the Artist Chef cooked delicious foods for us for our medianoche and she also treated us to SUPERBOWL at Glorietta, Ayala, Makati.

2008-06-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Christian world!!!

Chelsea Jeanne M. Ribay was baptized on December 9, 2007 at the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Church) at 11 a.m. Reception followed at Arzobispado de Manila Intramuros, Manila. Loramiles was the caterer. Special thanks to Mr. Chito Ferrer and family for the help they extended us.

christmas party shoot.....with eloi!

2007-12-27T01:14:00.000-08:00

Joan won the Yummy Cook-Off at Shangrila

2007-10-24T23:21:00.000-07:00

Joan Manalang, the Art Director and the Artist Chef won the first ever Yummy Cooking Competition in the Blogger Category on September 30, 2007 at Shrangrila Mall at 3 p.m.

The competition was divided into three categories namely: Moms, Blogger and Chef division.

It was presented by Summit Media and Yummy Magazine. The YUMMY is the modern food magazine for anyone who loves to cook and eat. The YUMMY magazine gives inspiration to readers to be creative about their home menus even with time and budget constraints. The magazine is also packed with useful and practical content for only P95.00

Every issue of the magazine has more than 40 doable and delicious recipes, with ingredients available in the supermarket. It also has beautiful food images, styling and overall layout. It is useful cooking and food shopping tips, and instructionals and of course, exciting food features and dining out articles.

The show was hosted by Ruby Rodriguez and Chef Jun.

Here are some of the pictures.

The ARTIST CHEF at CONDO CENTRAL Magazine

2007-10-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

My sister JOAN who is an ART DIRECTOR by weekdays and an ARTIST CHEF by weekends is featured in the JULY issue of the CONDO CENTRAL Magazine. The article is entitled JUST FOR TWO. Discover how she came up with a business like this one - a romantic dinner date for two with an affordable prize of P1,800.00. Here she narrtaes how she blends her ideas in the arts and her passion for foods.

Visit http://www.artist-chef.blogspot.com/chef.blogspot.com and http://guides.clickthecity.com/metro/?p=1748

The Artist Chef

The Workplace

The Ambiance

The Arrangements

BEN10 Aliens (with Jennard)

2007-10-01T20:40:00.001-07:00

At Star Centrum

2007-10-01T20:38:00.001-07:00

Photographs at Star Centrum

2007-10-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

JOAN MANALANG...the Artist Chef

2007-10-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

JOAN MANALANG...a name known to the advertising industry, a name attached to the word ART. That is how exactly I would describe this lady. A woman who exemplifies not just beauty but a woman holding tight to determination, perseverance, wisdom, goal and dreams.

This is how she wants her future to be. Since our childhood days, she never loses hope of being somebody someday. She has a vision and she works hard towards that vision. At 28, being an ART DIRECTOR, I believe she is halfway her dreams. She harvests the fruits of her labors. A proud woman who's head is up high when she walks down the streets in Makati and as she mingles with the society's high profiles.

A Fine Arts graduate major in Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas, Joan has done many print ads for Smart (SMART Buddy and SMART Gold) and TV commercials like SKIN WHITE, ANLENE, UCARE 1,2,3, (Biyenan and Balae), STRESSTABS (with Tuesday Vargas), LEWIS AND PEARL powder, GREEN CROSS SOAP (with Maricel Soriano), CHOWKING nai cha, black gulaman and mongo pao, and the recent is the DUTCHMILL Yoghurt drink. Apart from these, she has also been into modeling, photography and painting which, most of her works became finalist in some prestigious art contests.

She has also done various posters, brochures, flyers, etc. relevant to her field. But her inclination in the arts never hinders her passion for cooking. As a matter of fact, cooking has become an added income for her. She is branded as the ARTIST CHEF of the people who know her and of course, those people who have been acquainted to her. To her family, she is the kitchen queen. She has a condo unit in Makati which serves as the place for romantic and sozy dinner for two. The place is simply decorated with white curtains, white table and chairs, and white plates. The walls are also painted in white and Joan's works of Art are spread throughout the place. You can tell her before hand if you want to have your personal style during the dinner. A menu will also be given to you before hand to allow you which food you want to be served. You may also request her to have the food you like if it is not in the menu. Aside from the white atmosphere that brings a positive aura, a selection of amorous songs from Jazz Cappuccino CD will light up and stir the romance in the place.

For the amount of P1,800, a unique and heart warming experience will be added to your library of memories of course, with the special person in your life.

By the way, Joan Manalang is my sister and I am very proud!

CHELSEA JEANNE M. RIBAY

2007-07-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

PUMPKIN Jennard

2006-12-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

Last October 27, St. Vincent Blessed School of Manila had their Halloween party at the lower ground floor of SM Manila. The party was sponsored by Jollibee and Biogesic. The students were very happy and full of excitement as they wore they various costumes from Spiderman to Batman to Superman for boys while the lovely girls wore their Darna costumes. There were others who reallyd dressed according to the occasion and wore their scary costumes. My son Jennard is a Pumpkin Jennard!!!!

I was there for you

2006-12-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

I was there accompanying you
when you felt like everybody hates you.

I was there supporting you,
standing right next to you
when other people criticized you.

I was there listening to you
when you cried out your sentiments and pain.

I was there making you smile
giving a tap on your shoulder
when you felt that life is bitter and unfair.

I was there comforting you,
showing you that I care,
when everybody left you
coz no one wants to befriend you.

I was there giving you wisdom
when you’re tired of understanding
life’s journey and suffering.

I was there trying hard
to make you understand
the reason of your existence.

I was there trying to open your eyes
to see the beauty of others
and making you learn
the truevalue of appreciation.

I was there making things
lighter and easier for you
when you felt like almost giving up.

I was your voice
when you felt like being quiet
when others said nasty words against you.

I was there like an Evangelizer
spreading the good traits
they can see in you,
convincing them that you are good, too.

I was there constantly reminding you
that you cannot live by yourself alone,
that you have to come out from your shell and interact.

I was there always believing
that there is good in you
and I never got tired of understanding your weaknesses.

I was there when you commit victory
and I was also there with you
when you faced defeat.

I was there for you as a sister,
an adviser,
a friend,
and a family
that treasured you for what you are
and not for what you have.

I was there…
I was always there…
I was always there for you.

Accepting you for what you are,
for what you’ll become,
for what you want to be.

I never left you.
I was always at your side.
Even there were times
that I know I will enjoy with the company of others,
I never left you.
I chose to be with you
because I know you need someone
to be there beside you.

Birthday Greetings

2006-12-04T16:56:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to the following people who are part of my life...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY APO ISLAW
September 28
My dearest lolo who loves to make butingtings...
he is the JACK of ALL TRADE...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHRISTOFF JACOB a.k.a POPOP
September 28
My cutie nephew who is the most makulit and malikot of all...
ASTIG yan pre...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOM REMY
October 1
My mother-in-law who is the carbon copy of Richard and Jennard...
Mahilig maglakwatsa...hehehehehe...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTINE JENNICA a.k.a. CLAUDINE BARETTA
November 25
Oh my gosh! who would ever forget the name Jennica...this name always resounds into my ear...haaayyyy!!!
She is the most lovable, adorable and gorgeous of all the creature in planet Mars, i mean planet Earth...the wackiest and corniest of all, the obedient yet sometimes hard headed girl, the lavishing and electrifying woman of her time...well, that is my sister Nica...

DESPEDIDA

2006-11-08T00:47:00.000-08:00

Last October 21, a despedida was given to Fatima who works at DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and was assigned at Egypt and and will soon leave the country. The send off party was well attended by her friends from school to her colleagues in the office. Also, it served as a reunion between me and my other college friends whom I missed so much. Some changed physically while some dont changed at all. A few became matured while the others remain childish. The despedida was held at the 18th floor of Atrium Hotel in Buendia. Take a look at some of our pictures:

This is Fatima showcasing her singing prowess.

Me-an, Chard, Jheng, Tina, Eldrick, Fatima, Michelle and H

H, Me-an, Chard, Jheng, Tina, Eldrick, Fatima and Michelle

H, Tina, Eldrick and the ever beautiful and falwless, Jordi

Smile!...digicam ni H yan!

Pals from college!

Shrimp and Fish - di pa kami lasing nyan!!!!

Me with my favorite friend back in college...Prof. ELDRICK PEÑA

Having fun!?!!

A shot with my birthdaymate...Prof. Eldrick

Strike a pose!

Again, with Eldrick

Glimpse of Me...

Eldrick, Jheng, Michelle and Tina

Eldrick, Jheng, Tina, Michelle and Dennis

Girls just wanna have fun

2006-10-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

Jheng, Noemi and Dyoan...making fun...having fun!!!!

Lessons on Friendship

2006-10-18T20:39:00.000-07:00

These past few days, I’ve been so confused with the people and with the things that are happening around me. I do not know who are real, those with a sincere heart, those whom I can trust and those who wear different masks to cover the person in them. Fate has twists and turns. They say things happen for a reason and I definitely believe it is God's will.

Yes, it is the will of God because I’ve come to realized a few things in life and had learned some lessons from one of the most valuable gift from God, friendship.

Friends can be classified as friends for good times, friends for bad times and friends for life. To which do you belong?

When you enter the wondrous gift of friendship, be sure that you know its meaning, its value, its importance and its essence. You enter that kind of relationship not only because you want someone you can have good time with and to laugh with. Girl, if that is what you want, you merely want to have fun and not happiness. Friendship paves way to happiness - the happiness of discovering the real person that she/he is and happiness of revealing or opening the kind of person that you are. Friendship is the happiness of realizing and appreciating what is in your hearts.

Friendship is attached to the word commitment. It is a reciprocal kind of relationship. You benefit from each other. You help each other grow. You help each other to reach out. Do not appreciate what is only good in her/him. For that is not real friendship. Friendship accepts even the most disastrous attitude or behavior one has. Friendship embraces not just the strength your friends possess but you also have to learn to cuddle its weakness.

Friendship goes hand in hand with sincerity and trust. When one enters friendship, he/she should be sincere with his words and deeds. If you promise to keep a word, be sure to keep as it is and never ever use it against him/her when the time comes you both decide to end it. Friendship develops the meaning of trust. If trust dwells in the heart of friends, doubts and worries will have no room in it. If you trust, you know how to love and if you love you will also be loved.

Don’t love your friends because you need something from them. Don’t love your friends because they meet your expectations. Don’t love your friends because you share a drink of beer or a cup of coffee. Don’t love your friends because you have the same units of cellular phone or the same brand of shoes. Don’t love your friends because you always eat and chat in a cozy restaurant. Please don’t, don’t love your friends because you benefit from them. Love them no matter who they are and not for what they have. Love them because you have accepted them without any hesitations and simply because you want them to be part of your life.

Friendship involves maturity (in mind and in deeds). Always see the scenario. Always listen and then speak. Keep an open mind. Don’t jump into conclusion. Widen your understanding and learn from your mistakes. Do not judge others if you don’t want them to judge you, too. Remember the golden rule? Keep the lines of communication always open. If there is something that is bothering you, always voice it out. Directly confront your friends if you want to clarify things and never believe in hearsays.

Sad to say but I was surrounded by a very deceiving people, or friends should I say who wear different faces everyday. It is painful to say that once I thought I found a lifetime friendship. A friend I considered a family. A friendship I treasured and valued a lot. A friendship I fought from beginning to the end over a lot of people who have false judgment. But now it is a friendship ruined by false allegations of a rigid level of understanding.
Friendship is tested by time. It will be attacked by a range of dilemmas, problems and challenges. Remember, the weather of friendship is not always a sunny day. But, if genuine friendship prevails, no matter how heavy the storm is, it will always stand firm and strong.

I lost one friendship but the door was opened and a new one came. I won’t say that it’s for life now, but I will always give the best to make it grow in maturity and love.

I lost one, I gained another but there are still a few friends left. Learning from the past mistakes, I will start a new with them with new hopes and new dreams.

I lost one, I gained one, a few others are left, and most of all, I’ll make stronger the foundation of a friendship to someone who has long been there, long been kept and long been treasured. God make His way, He permits things to happen. I am thankful and grateful for making me closer to a special friend who is always a part of my life.

Friendship no matter how far the distance, how busy the lines of communications are and how complicated life may be, when founded and rooted in hearts that is always willing to sacrifice and to love, remains friends till the end.
Painful and difficult it may sound, in life, sometimes we have to learn the art of letting go. To free our minds and our hearts, we simply have to let go of the things that once had meaning in our lives. Don’t hold on to a thing that is unworthy of your time. Life is journeyed forward and not backward.

I only have a few friends. I have two best friends, a number of special friends and some close friends. I can count them in my fingers but I am happy and glad having them because I believe we have shared various things that helped us make a better person and moments that strengthen our friendship. Life is beautiful and God is good, remember that!

The JOYS of being a child

2006-09-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Thoughts

2006-09-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

There are things
that are meant to happen
and they don’t just happen.
They happen for a reason.

There are words
that are better left unsaid.
Coz if you voice it out,
you might got hurt.

There are also feelings and emotions
that are better unexpressed.
Coz if you show it,
you lose in the end.

And there are stories
need not to be told.
They are better kept.

The only one who knows it well
and you trusted the most
is Him……

For someone who cannot voice out the love inside his heart…
for the one who keeps quiet and watches his love grows…
for a person who loves in silence…this is for you!

Late Birthday Greetings

2006-09-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Mommy!
(August 3)

A salute to a special someone in my life who gives and does everything and anything to give me and my sisters a life we all can be proud of. She is not a perfect person but she wants our lives to be orderly and peacefully. She’s the first person who got hurt every time she sees me cry or when I’m in pain. She sacrificed so much for us that sometimes she fails to look after herself. She takes care of us all with pride and dignity and molding us to be a good person that we are. I know she wants the best for us even life caters variety of happiness and suffering. Somebody who’s hand is always willing to help, someone who shares with me her joys and hardships and a person who tries to serve and love us until she can. She may not be the perfect Mom for us but her caring heart is the perfect manifestation of her undying love for us. Happy birthday MOMMY….we love you!

Happy birthday Carl Jefferson a.k.a. CHOKOKOK!
(July 13)

The kiti-kiti, the unstoppable and ever kulit BOCHOK is the second among the brood of 3 of Jha and Mac. He is like a dwarf that walks back and forth our house and lola Ma’s and lolo Dad’s house.
Chok is not just a cousin to Jennard but a playmate as well. He is super “lakas magkalat ng mga toys” every time they visit us in Manila. This li’l boy is very energetic and flexible and of course, handsome.
Be a good boy Chok! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday JARAMINE!
(July 8)

Oh, I believe this feature might as well be a good testimonial for my ever dearest sister in crime and in kalokohan.
The fourth among the six angels, this creature is a certified chismosa…(bwahahhaa)…every time she and her family visit us, we all gather in our house along with my 2 other sisters (Cheesecake (NICA) and Chestnut (Janelle), and started making kwento….hay! we never run out stories to tell. This girl is full of chismax…we would stay late at night telling funny stories, cracking jokes (sometimes corny) and of course, the main event – kainan time!!!!
But hey, this lady is a good mom…(oo, nanay na ito). She takes good care all of her sons and her hubby as well. She will do anything and everything to keep her family together. She is ready to sacrifice no matter how hard it may be for her family. She really loves them so much and I believe her family is the no. 1 reason why she manages to survive all the hardships that come her way. I saw this lady grow. I’ve seen how she changed her outlook and beliefs in life. She is not just an ordinary girl but a lady with bigger and greater responsibility.
As a sister, she is not just my partner in chikahan, landian, okrayan, utangan, etc. She is also my partner when it comes to sharing life’s load. We exchange advices and shares secret. And when one of us is at the low point of our life, we offer any help that would be beneficial for us. I hope that life will always treat you special and that your family will always serve as an inspiration. Richard and I will always be willing to help you and your family if you need help. Happy Birthday Minchiler! Hahahahaha!!!!

That Stranger

2006-08-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

It was a Friday, August 25, after coming from a tiring sports fest, I was on my way to the entrance door of SM Megamall where I’m going to fetch Chard.

The security guard was checking my backpack when I accidentally looked at my right side and saw a guy looking at me. I didn’t mind. I entered the mall and walked my way to KODAK to see Chard. I asked Lanny (one of the outrights) if Chard was there. Lanny told me he was at building A. I was ahead of time (6:30 p.m.) so I decided to roam around.

When I turned around, I saw the guy who I saw at the entrance gate. He looked surprised to see me (and maybe in his mind, he said – nakita ko to kanina ah!). I looked at him but didn’t mind that I saw him again. I bought peach Danish at French Baker because my stomach is barking in hunger. And for the third time that guy and I crossed ways again. I was paying at the counter when I saw him paying too. In that incident, I was surprised to see him (again). He smiled at me but it doesn’t matter to me (deadma effect!) and left.

After eating, I went to the comfort room to fix myself. Coming out from the door, I saw him again coming out from the men’s CR. I don’t think he was following me. Maybe it was really a co-incidence that we crossed ways for the fourth time. He smiled at me and said hi. I just looked at him and walked hurriedly. I was a bit frightened – (baka sira ulo nito, magnanakaw, kidnapper, etc.). Things were playing in my mind as I walked fast. I was turning back to see if he was following me.

He was tall, white and yes, handsome. He looked as if he was attending office in one of the companies in Ortigas. He looked decent but beware….looks can be deceiving!!!!!

I looked back to check if he was following me and I saw him entered a boutique. I noticed that there were many people looking down the basement so I checked to see what it was. Agot Isidro was having her mall tour for the promotion of her album – The Island (compilation of bosanova ). So, I mixed myself in the crowd and had forgotten that guy. After a few minutes of watching the show, I decided to go to Chard coz it was 6:25 p.m.

When I walked away from the crowd, I saw again that stranger. This time he stopped and talked to me. He smiled and asked me my name. I became conscious that people might be looking at us and I was afraid. I wasn’t able to answer his question. Then he told me “uy ba’t namumutla ka, wag ka matakot, di ako masamang tao.” I just smiled and said “pasensiya na nagmamadali ako…” He smiled and asked me again my name. I said “Jenny po.” He extended his hand and said “I’m Eric Salvador.” I was hesitant to shake hands with him but I didn’t extend my hand instead, I answered, “pasensiya na ha…hindi ako interesado makipag-friendship, may asawa na ako. Sige, nice meeting you.” I know I wasn't polite that time. I was about to walk, when he said, “pasensiya na, nakikipagkaibigan lang kasi ang gaang ng dating mo nung makita kita sa gate. (sus bola!) Hindi ako masamang tao.” I said “ganun, salamat, sige, una na ako.” He asked for my number but I didn’t give it. When I walked away from him, he gave me his calling card and said “wala namang masama kung bibigay ko number ko sa’yo, here’s my calling card…nice meeting you.” I took the card, smiled and walked away.

That night I was recalling those incidents. I looked at Chard who was sleeping soundly while I was looking at the calling card. There were few things that run in my mind. If I accepted the invitation to add him in my circle of friends, then, you can’t avoid him to call you or call him, sometimes there’ll be gimmicks. Love starts in friendship and friendship might take a leap into its boundaries. And that I don’t want to happen. I also thought, that, the guy might just be fooling around. I tore the card and threw it to the trash can and sleep.

Happy Birthday KUYA DAN!

2006-07-03T00:25:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Happy Birthday Kuya Dan!!!

We want you to know that we always remember you and your family (Ate Joy, Eliana nd Eia) eventhough we seldom text or call you. We are looking forward for your visit here in the Philippines. We are so excited to see and hold EIA (the newest addition to his family) and of course Elian and we always wanted to see your two children playing along with Jennard, Bochan, Chok and Chop.

WEll, what can i say about Kuya Dan? hmmm...Kuya Dan is my brother-in-law. He is like our barkada. Hip, cool and friendly. He is very kind, good, accommodating, unselfish ad caring to us. and we hope he will stay that way. I must say that he is a sweet husband to Ate Joy and a loving father to his children.

We wish you goof luck, good health, long life, moe happiness and the best of what life has to offer...

Again, Happy Birthday to you!!! (from all of us her ein the Philippines: DADDY, MOMMY, Apo Islaw, Nanay, Tito Boy, Tita Babes,Tita Helen, Joan, Janelle, Jennica, Richard, Jheng, Jennard, Mark, Jaramine, Christian, Carl, Christeof, Terence, Marie, Lj, Tita Beth)

can also be viewed at http://jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng/

Christian turns 4

2006-07-03T00:17:00.000-07:00

Happy, happy birthday to my handsome nephew, CHRISTIAN. He celebrated his 4th birthday on June 19.
Christian is the constant playmate of my son, Jennard along with Chok and Chop. Every time Christian and his family visit us here in Manila, my son gets excited because he will have time playing with Christian.

BOCHAN or CHAN as we fondly call him is a good boy. Shy when you’ll first look at him, but, like most little boys are, he is playful. My son considers him not just a close cousin but his playmate and best friend for life.

I wish Christian to be an obedient and respectful son to his parents and a loving and caring brother to his siblings.

Again, happy birthday Chan from all of us here in Manila especially from Tito Richard, Tita Jheng and Jennard. We love

can also be viewed at http://jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng/

Happy father’s day!

2006-06-19T23:28:00.000-07:00

Our home cannot be called a home without this man who bravely faces every problem his family encounters and who stands out firmly to protect and secure the welfare of his family. This person is very close to our hearts. He is the “haligi ng tahanan,” he is our DADDY!

Daddy, tatay, papa, itay, papang, ama, amang, whatever we call him, he is the only person that really knows us well (aside from our mom, of course). A father’s love and care never ceases. It is endless and priceless.

The Father Almighty who always listens to every prayer is also a caring and loving father to mankind. He sacrificed even his only son to redeem us from our sins. That is how great the love of our father to us.

To all the fathers out there…this is your special day!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

Hapy father’s day to my Daddy, SHRIMPY, Apo Islaw, Tito Boy, Kuya Dan, Papa Mark, Terence, Fr. Lito, Don Rapadas, Tito Dante, Kuya Noli, sa mga Empire na tatay na, sa mga miyembro ng media for Christ na tatay na, sa mga Isbotoys na tatay na, sa mga ka-friendster ko, sa lahat ng mga taga-RCAM na tatay na at sa lahat ng mga pari at sa lahat lahat ng mga nakalimutan ko, happy father’s day!

5 years of continued hopes and dreams

2006-06-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

June 10, 2006 was our fifth year of spending, celebrating, journeying and surviving life together. Bro, it is never easy. It is not all fun and merriment, there were times we were lonely and disappointed. It is not all times winning, sometimes we lose. It is not all times we gain, sometimes we’re about to give up.

I’ll be the biggest hypocrite and the greatest liar if I’ll say we are the ideal couple. We are a typical husband and wife having fought a lot of things about friends, family, money, decisions, events, etc., and had argued details about the way we dress ourselves, manners, bills, foods, etc. We exchanged sharp words that hurt our feelings and often times we remind each other of the good things we’ve done. But hey, those were part of this so called marriage. They were challenges; they were tests on how long you will last. As the old ones say, they are the ingredients that add spice to life. Life won’t be tasteful without those.

Every time we fight and argue, I look back to the old times. I look back when, where and how we met. I look at Jennard. Then, I’ll smile and the pain will subside. I tell myself, we managed to survive for 5 years and I believe we still have a long way to go. 5 years is a bit short. We are still in the beginning. We are still in the period of continued adjustment. But, these five years of being with Shrimp had thought me a lot of things about being a mom, a wife and a person. We do not have so much in life. We can’t give each other so much luxury in life. What we can give to each other and to Jennard is a heart that is always willing to love and a self that is ready to sacrifice.

What makes this marriage special? Together we face and share the hardship life brings us. We continue to fight the difficulties that come our way. And together we hope and dream for our future.

PALAWAN PIX (part I)

2006-06-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

Palawan Get Away

2006-05-26T01:03:00.000-07:00

THE SCHEDULE

The employees of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila had their annual summer outing on May 14-15, 2006 at Coron, Palawan.

The original schedule was on May 12-15 but because of typhoon Caloy, the trip was moved on May 14-15. We were scheduled to leave Manila on the eve of May 12. But because of the hazards the typhoon may bring, the scheduled trip was suspended. The management told us that we will leave Manila at 5 in the morning of May 13 and that we have to leave the office going to PIER at 2 a.m. Since there was a time to rest, I went home and planned to go back to the office at 12 midnight. I received text messages from my officemates that the ferry will arrive at 9 a.m. because there was a delay in the schedule. Again, I received a text message that we will leave at 5 in the afternoon and we will leave the office at 3 p.m. So, I prepared myself again. For the last time, another text message was sent to me by Eloisa that it was already confirmed that we have to be in the office at 7 p.m., and we will go to Pier at 8 p.m. to board SUPERFERRY 1. At 5 p.m. I was in the office. I ate dinner with Ate Flor and Precie. I thought the trip will be re-scheduled because the weather was really bad. Ms. Noie came telling us that Msgr. Tantoco gave his blessing that we should go on with our trip. So, at 8 in the evening we left the premises of Arzobispado and we all went to PIER. The PIER was terribly like a hell. Hundreds of people were stranded who were sleeping, resting, lying and roaming around.

At last! We boarded at SUPERFERRY 1 at around 9 in the evening. All the while we thought we will leave Manila before 12 midnight. But there was an announcement as soon as we entered the ferry that we will leave at 2 a.m. (May 14 – Mother’s Day). It was really sad news for me because I was tired that time. I fell asleep and when I woke up we were already sailing. We left Manila (not 2 a.m.) at 4 a.m.

FIRST TIME

I had mix emotions. It was my first time to ride in a ship and also my first time to go to Palawan. That is why I was really very excited and a little afraid. But my excitement was lessened because of the changing schedule of our trip.

My adventurous mind played the moment I entered the ship. (Wow!) – In my mind, I thought I was entering the ship of dreams – TITANIC – bwahahaha!!! – Superferry 1 lang pala!) They said I should take Bonamine an hour before we go, so, I took one. I wanted to explore the ship. I wanted to find out where the captain is, where the life jackets are placed, what is the feeling when the boat is already sailing, how the sea does looks like when we were in the middle of it. I wanted to find out the other where abouts of the ship. But because of the bad weather, I wasn’t able to roam around the top of the ship where I can stand, put my hands up and say I’m flying!!! (hehehe sounds familiar!) I felt a little dizzy maybe because I am tired and there were giant waves from the sea while we were sailing.

THE TRIP and THE WEATHER

There was news that came out that there was a typhoon heading Manila. The typhoon was named Caloy. Everything was set fine. The employees were all set up for a wonderful and enjoyable outing. Nobody expected that it will affect the schedule of our trip. Then it was raining. Caloy was around. Everyone doubted if the trip will push thru despite the bad weather. Some backed out and chose to stay at home than to risk their lives thinking that the ship might lose track because of the typhoon. But still, some wanted to go on. On May 13, Saturday about 6:30 p.m., an announcement was made by Ms. Noie telling us that Msgr. Tantoco gave his blessing and we will go on with the trip. Some were hesitant while others were joyful.

Then we boarded on the ship. The trip was not good when we were on our way to Palawan. Some of my officemates vomited and felt really dizzy. Some really lied down, rested and slept the whole time. Some got headache while a few felt really very tired. It seems there was an earthquake.

I felt a little dizziness but I was able to tolerate it because I busied myself watching the waves of the sea from a window glass at the lobby of the ship. The trip was too long that made everyone felt restless. And it was really raining hard. The floors of the ship were wet. It was cold. You will really feel the ship was moving up and down breaking all the big waves that were saying hello! There was an emergency in the ship but thanks God we were all safe and alive. We reached Coron, Palawan at exactly 4:30 p.m. of May 14.

When we went home from Palawan, we were sailing smoothly. We all felt good. No vomit, no headache, no dizziness. Everyone was enjoying it. I, too, enjoyed it. That was the time I explored the ship and of course took pictures from the different sites of the ship (of course remembrance – pang friendster ba!). I was there on top, along with my officemates. I felt freedom…I shouted, I jumped and saw the world…I was there, really, I was there!

SUPERFERRY 1

“Welcome to Superferry, Ma’am!” The warm greeting of one of the crews of the Superferry when we boarded in the ship. The ship was not too big or too small. According to Doc, Superferry 1 is the oldest among the ships. It travels from Manila to Coron, Palawan then to Puerto Princesa. And from Puerto Princesa back to Coron, Palawan then to Manila. The ship sails every Friday.

There is a place called Horizon Café where we took our meals. There is also the canteen where we bought snacks and other stuff. Inside the canteen is the videoke bar where anyone can showcase his/her singing prowess.

The ferry has three accommodations. The Cabin (top most part), a room where there is privacy and comfort, the Tourist (middle part) where it accommodates at least 8 persons in a row and the Economy (lower part) where you can mingle with everyone.

The clinic is located beside the Horizon Café facing the information center at the lobby where anyone can have a consultation or ask for assistance in terms of health problems.

There is also the information center located at the lobby. People can also ask for assistance about the different locations inside the ship and a place where anyone can rest, relax and have a chat.

There are other places inside the ship but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see those.

THE CREW OF SUPERFERRY 1

The crews of Superferry 1 were all very warm and were very accommodating. They gladly assisted us in all of our needs and answered every question we asked from them.

We were able to converse with a few of the crews. At the lobby, we talked with Lannie, the pretty girl at the reception area. Dennis Cruz, the hotel manager, was also very helpful to us and once in a while he ensures our situation. Also, the friendly and helpful doctor (unfortunately, after a long conversation, I wasn’t able to have his name) who I had a long conversation with and found out that we were both THOMASIANS (Long live! mga Tomasino!).

These guys made our stay/trip inside the ship a little relaxing and enjoying. Thanks huh!

THE LODGE

When we reached Coron, we were welcomed by the people from the VILLAGE LODGE, the place where we stayed during our trip. The place was owned by the auntie of Ms. Edith Dabuit (of La Loma Cemetery). They welcomed us by providing food (puto, kutsinta, fried banana and a glass of iced tea).

The keys to our rooms were distributed to us as soon as we arrived. My roommates were Ate Flor (tarantacious), Ms. Precie (hilocious) and Ms. Emcee (tulogacious). There were 4 beds, each with pillow and mattress, a towel, an electric fan, an aircon, a set of cabinet, mirror, comfort room and other decorations.

Inside the Lodge is a garden where there were tables and chairs surrounded by green plants. There is also a function room where the Eucharistic celebration was held and where we had our meals.

There is also a bar which is very cozy and hip suited for yuppies like us (sorry mga old ones – bwahahah!). In front of the lodge is a store where we bought souvenir items of Palawan – shirts, keychains, caps, clips, etc.

We were served with meals/foods that were very ordinary (my personal opinion). I was hoping for a different menu since the place is known for sea foods. I was imaging there would fresh foods – big fish (kahit tilapia lang), shrimp (kahit di na sugpo) – Was I expecting too much? – My officemates had the same sentiments. But, in fairness, the desserts were delicious – buko pandan and fruit salad!

THE OUTING (Activities)

We reached Palawan at 4:30 p.m. of May 14. From Palawan PIER, we all went to the Village Lodge, had our merienda, then rested and after a while celebrated the Holy Eucharist followed by our dinner.

At 8 p.m. the group immediately went to the Hot Spring – where the natural heat of the water is produce by a volcano. Going there was too fearful because the roads were dark and slippery and we were just riding a tricycle. After going to the Hot Spring we all went back to the lodge and laid our backs to the bed and sleep for a busy schedule awaits us the following day.

Early morning, some of our officemates climbed Mt. Tupas where you can see the amazing view of Coron (top view). On top of the mountain is a huge cross. There are 145 steps going up the mountain.

At 9 a.m., we went all the way to our island hopping where we rode a bangka (that time I was wearing my life vest – yeheey!!!) that took us to Kayangan Lake. The water was clear and bluish green. We climbed up the rocky mountain and then went down. At last there was the lake. Everybody was excited to go swimming so, some submerged into the water. After a few minutes everybody was called to go to the next island. We went to Atuayan Island where we took our lunch and went on swimming, then to the Twin Lagoon. Finally we all went back to our cottage and rested. After a few hours we went our way and bought souvenir items and other pasalubong like daing, besugo, kasoy, etc. for our families and friends.

We took our dinner and rested for a while. I joined the group of Dhang where we enjoyed the remaining hours having fun – videoke – sing-a-long.

Then, everybody was packing and preparing things for our departure from Coron. Then, we went to PIER where Superferry 1 (the same ship we boarded going to Coron) was waiting for us. And before 12 midnight, we bid goodbye to Coron.

We were in Manila at 11 a.m. of May 15.

EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY

Shit! May fire sa tourist, cried a man with a dark complexion and a kinky hair.

I was sitting alone at the lobby area because Eloi and Emcee went to the comfort room near the Cabin section. I was texting when I heard that there was a fire at the tourist section (the area where RCAM employees were assigned). I didn’t mind for I thought it was just a plain joke. Then, there came another man saying “may sunog sa tourist, may sunog.” I looked at the guy to see if he was joking or not (mukhang hindi naman).
I was still sitting when I heard one of the crews saying “may sunog sa tourist!” I saw a smoke from the glass door coming from downstairs so I stood up and looked at the crews coming up and down the ladder assisting and giving instructions to the passengers. I was stuck in the place where I stood not knowing what to do. I can’t move a single step. I want to run down the tourist to get my life vest but they instructed me “Ma’am wag po kayo bumaba. Wag po tayo mag-panic.” I remembered Emcee and Eloi were inside the comfort room so I run to them and told them “Ems, may sunog daw sa tourist.” Emcee was brushing her tooth but we immediately went out of the room and Emcee was about to get our life jackets but she saw the smoke and the crew didn’t allow her to go down. Everybody was in panic. The emergency bell rang and announcements were made.

The crews repeatedly shouted “katukin nyo lahat ng nasa Cabin, katukin nyo.” Emcee and I went all the way knocking at each door of the cabin. We knocked at each door of the cabin asking them “may extra life vest pa kayo, pahingi kami.” We asked from the crew if there were extra life vest and they said “tignan nyo sa mga empty cabins, kunin nyo.” But the empty cabins were locked. We went to the room of one of our officemates (who upgraded their accommodations from tourist to cabin) and we asked for an extra life vest. One of the boys replied “saktong apat lang eh.” We were helpless that time and everybody was in panic and they were all wearing their life vests.

I was afraid and I told Emcee “shit, Ems, wala tayong life vest.” I saw another officemate and asked him if he has an extra life vest in their room but he didn’t mind me, instead, he run to the hallway until he reached the empty space at the roof top. We went to the room of the military and asked for an extra life vest. The man was holding his life vest tightly and told us “tignan nyo na lang dyan sa ilalim ng kama kung meron pa.”

We didn’t have a life vest until everybody was placed at the roof top of the ship. I was really worried and I was telling Ems “Ems, wala tayong life vest” (I thought – paano yan pag tatalon na sa dagat! Huhuhu!!!!). Until one crew came in carrying 2 life jackets. I grabbed it immediately and gave the other one to Emcee – my constant companion during that time (thanks EMCEE!). I was tired and I felt helpless and restless. I felt afraid that time. I sat beside ate Regie and told her “Ate Reg, paki-ayos naman tong life vest ko.” Ate Regie fixed it and I was terribly out of my mind. I looked around and saw my shipmates were crying. Some were praying while some were terribly full of fear. We were at the middle of the open sea where you can’t see a single island. Waters and big waves filled our sights. I said to myself – “Diyos ko mabubuhay pa ba ako pag tumalon na ako sa dagat na ito?” Of course I prayed to God but that was the second time I felt I’m going to die. I thought of Richard and Jennard. I held Emcee’s hand tight and told her “Ems, ayoko pang mamatay” and tears slowly fell from my eyes.

Afterwards, there was an announcement that everything was under control and we were requested to stay calm and be back to our places. We didn’t go to tourist section because they were cleaning up the mess produced by the fire extinguisher. When everything was okay, I saw some of my officemates and asked them how were Ate Flor and Precie? My pals and I stayed the whole time at the lobby area until we reached Coron.

LESSON LEARNED

Every employee has his/her story to tell. For me, another experience was added to my collection. I have learned a few things on that incident. I learned that during moments like that, there were people who think only of themselves because you want to be saved because they have a family out there waiting. Sometimes we need to be selfish (though you want to extend help to those who are in need) to others because there is a reason (but it is understood). And the reason is not because we love only ourselves but because we love our families.

Also, during that time where you think only of yourself, still, there are people who are willing to be with you even though his/her life is also at risk. Still, there is a Good Samaritan who stays beside you when you are no longer in control of yourself. Still, there is a friend who holds your hand and says “I am here.”

In an emergency like this, I realized that I should not panic. Always have presence of mind so that you will know what the right thing to do is. Follow instructions from the crew, surely, they know what to do.

Don’t forget to pray. He is always listening and watching us. I believe it is another test how much faith we have in Him. If He allows bad things to happen, certainly, there is a reason. If you feel you won’t be saved, leave everything to the Lord and He will lead way.

SPENDING MOTHER’S DAY

It was Mother’s Day when we were traveling. It was Mother’s Day when the fire in the ship broke out. It was Mother’s day when I thought I will die. Wheeww! Life goes on and that’s how I spent Mother’s Day! I didn’t tell my family what happened for I don’t want them to worry about me. I told them when I reached home.

I called and greeted my mom, my sisters, my mom-in-law and special friends a Happy Mother’s Day. True friends texted me while others sent email messages.

ASSESSMENT (my personal opinion)

Honestly speaking, I wasn’t able to really enjoy the outing. In the first place, I was tired of the trip. The activities set for two days were lined up in a day – sobrang bitin…the reason why I wasn’t able to see and enjoy the beauty of Coron, Palawan. It did not meet my expectation. The lodge was good but the foods served were very ordinary.

****

When the trip was re-scheduled for several times, I was hesitant because the weather was not fine because Caloy was already in Manila. Jennard was telling me before I left home “Mommy, wag ka sumakay sa barko, may bagyo lulubog yun, sige na Mommy.” My Mother was also telling me “O, tutuloy pa ba kayo nyan? May bagyo ah, baka mapano kayo nyan.” The same thing my Apo told me “Hindi pa kayo nakakaalis? Sinabi na wag ka nang sumama, maraming lumulubog na barko kapag ganitong bumabagyo.”

But when we were gathered at the office canteen, I was a little relieved by the words of Ms. Noie, telling us that Msgr. Tantoco gave his blessings that we shall go. Ate Silvia, as well added that, we will not pass through Mindoro (where typhoon Caloy also passed through), instead, the ship will have a re-routing. Having heard those words, I knew, they know what to do and that they will not put the employee’s lives in danger.

We trusted them.

We went on the trip even though the rain was pouring heavy. It was risky, really. But that was the decision of the management. Unexpectedly, an emergency blew up. Was it a sign that we shouldn’t go? Life is precious, isn’t it? In this case, no one blames anyone.

There are two things here: first, the management may have decided to re-schedule the trip considering of the weather situation even though the employees insisted to go. Here, we value life more than anything else. Second, the management may have decided to go on with the trip even though there were hesitations on the part of the employees regardless of the typhoon (maybe) because reservation at Palawan was already settled or there were signals and permissions from the right persons who very well know the weather situation, etc.

It’s management decision whether to go or not to go, the employees have one thing to do…follow the decision.

In our case, the decision is final. “We all go to Palawan.”

Talks in the office about what happened to us are still very much in the air. What if we all died in that incident? What if the ship was seriously on fire? What will happen? What will happen to us? What will happen to our families? (just asking)

We don’t blame anyone here. What I’m saying is, maybe if the outing was planned properly (knowing all the pros and cons, the positive and negative, the advantages and disadvantages), then, everything might result well. I remember what the doctor in the ship told me that he was wondering why we pursued the trip because he said there were 600 passengers who backed out afraid of what might happen as the boat is sailing with typhoon Caloy in the air. If we thought of the welfare, the security and comfort of the employees, then maybe, we all enjoyed the trip and the outing as well. I know nobody wants it to happen. Nobody wants to put anyone’s life at risk.

The trip was over. Something emergency happened. The outing was finished. And we can’t bring it back. Those were part of history and part of our lives. If the chismisan, bulungan or chickahan doesn’t stop, I believe the experience is really unforgettable. Or maybe the rest of the employees are just pouring their sentiments (anyway, this is a free country).

The good thing is the Lord loves us because no one got hurt, we are still alive and back into the arms of our families. Let us be thankful for that.

Happy Mother's Day!

2006-05-18T00:04:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!! (better late than never!)

Cheers to all the mothers out there who unselfishly give themselves to their children. I salute those mothers who will do everything and anything for the sake and future of their children. And of course, I admire those mothers who choose to be upright in everything they do even though life is full of struggles and strifes.

To my Mother who always wants to give and bring out the best in her children, we love you and we appreciate everything you did for us.
A mom who always wishes for a bright future for her kids.
A mom who strives hard to attend to all the needs of her family.
An unselfish, caring, loving, supportive and understanding MomThank you very much! Cheers to you!!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all! (To Mommy, Nanay Ampy, ate Joy, Jaramine, Tita Babes, Tita Linda, Mom Rem, Ma’am Peachy, Ms. Precie, Shane, Ate Vangie, Mommy Ester Bartolome, Ate 2T, Marie, sa Machiba na mga nanay na, sa Empire na nanay na rin…at sa lahat lahat ng mga nanay sa buong mundo…Happy Mother’s Day!)

*** I would also like to say thank you for all those who greeted me through text message, email, who called me through celfone, and for those who kissed and embraced me just to greet a Happy Mother’s Day…also thanks sa mga nagpost ng message sa friendster! Salamat ng very biggie!!!)

He is Richard (a.k.a SHRIMP)

2006-05-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

Last April 18, my Shrimpy celebrated his 30th birthday (O my gosh! You’re already thirty!-I’m revealing your age…hahahaha!) We celebrated it in the simplest way by preparing a merienda – spaghetti, cake, ice cream, salad and puto. All of us were there and sing along with our extreme magic sing! (happy birthday Chard!) – You’ve grown a year older again…more luck, success, love and peace!

***

Time flies so fast. I never thought nor did I imagine that I will meet this guy. I never thought I’ll be close to him. He was my officemate. He is attractive, yes I admit. He is actually the ideal guy (tall, white complexion and of course, handsome! – wow naman, pagbigyan…birthday eh!). He had his own circle of friends and I too, had my own. I admire him because he has stands 5’10” tall and he has a good body built. Even I admire him, I do not show nor make the first move or be showy to him that I like him (di ba Eloisa Sajul – this girl knows our story very well). But of course, who would not take notice of a pretty lass like me (bwahahaha – kapal ko noh!)

***

Now that he is 30, I know he wanted to be more matured and responsible to himself as well as to his family. Being the head of the family, Chard always strive hard to become a good provider, a loving father to Jennard and a sweet husband to his Fish.

Raising a family in this day and age is truly very hard and one must really be practical in everything he does. And Chard, knows this a lot. He doesn’t mind how hard or stressful life can be as long as he gives his family a comfortable and decent living. When financial problems arise, he never loses hope how he can feed our hungry stomachs and he makes his way to solve it.

He is brave and tough but he has a caring and soft heart. I feel secure every time I am with him. He will never leave you and he stands for what he believes is right. He admits when he is wrong and never fails to say sorry when he commits mistakes.

He is unselfish. He gives more than he can give. His priority is his family. He makes sure he has time for his family. He offers everything for his family. He plays with Jennard. He consulted his problems with me and when he is problematic, he confides with me.

He is sweet, very, very sweet – his trait that made me fall for him (I remember those days!)

We fight and we argue (from the biggest to smallest details, from intellectual to non-sense) and even reached the point of provoking him a separation (but it never happens, and I wish it will not happen!) Because he loves and values his family so much, he never allows misunderstanding and miscommunications to take long. He makes the move to bridge it.

He is not the perfect guy. He also caused me pain. He gets mad at me when I am stubborn. He gets angry with me when he talks/speaks to me and I don’t answer (as in deadma). And when he feels he will erupt, he will simply get out from the house with his scooter (of course!). And when he comes back he already mellowed down. He believes in a dialogue. He always wants to settle things in a peaceful talk.

I’ve said so much about Shrimp (ooopsss, I seldom call him Chard or Richard…I call him Shrimp!) and you’ll hear more from me soon….

Before I forgot, I just want to say this to you Shrimp that I love you and Jennard so much. I always believe in you. I will always support you and I am just around. What I feel for you is still the same feeling I have from the very first time that we knew each other up to this minute. There had been so many things that tested that feeling, but it never change. I always trust you. I am hoping and praying that we will spend our lives together until we grow old.

Congrats Nica!

2006-04-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Nica has just graduated from her elementary years. Finally, it was over! And now she is about to enter her high school life. I bet she is excited now!

This time, Nica had proven to herself and to the girls of her age that she is a Good and Bright student. She is consistently a member of the star section where intelligent and diligent students excel.

She was able to accomplish her elementary years with pride and joy. All the efforts and labor of studying hard had bore its fruits. And she will take with her all those things as she enters the exciting and memorable years of being a high school student.

With her determination, courage and positive outlook in life, I am very sure that Nica will always do extremely well in all her responsibilities.

Just always trust the Lord and don’t forget to look back to those people (especially Daddy and Mommy – the very reason why you are here on earth and why you are able to study) and thank them for all their help and support. Most especially do not neglect to glorify and praise the Lord for all the wonderful things that happened in your life…(remember what you told me last time that the Lord is always answering your prayers…) so be good always!

Cheers to my kind, humble and obedient sister! Cheers to Nica!
Congratulations and Good luck!Smile!
The world is beautiful!

AT 29

2006-04-03T23:47:00.000-07:00

Time flies really fast. I just turned 29 last March 27. I can’t believe it! I’m 29! ( I don’t feel like 29 --- and I don’t look 29 --- hahhaha!!!! --- I bet Nica will disagree…but this is MY BLOG, okei! I feel like I am still in my youth…I’m young at heart! Hoooray!!!!!!

Seriously, I again entered a new chapter of my life, a new start, a new beginning of another journey. I consider each year that has been added to my life a blessing from God. It is a miracle that despite of all the perils around and the cost of living today, still I am alive and continue fighting and surviving against life’s difficulties and hardships.

At 29, I would like to say that there are so many things that happened in my life and those made my life colorful and meaningful. I have done a few good things in my life as well as to the lives of other people. I know I had traced a smile on other people’s face and had brought joy in their hearts.

But also, I had undergone so much pain and lots of sufferings. I’ve been through a stressful life and I’ve seen myself in various dilemmas. There were times that I had nowhere to go and nowhere to run. And all I have to do is cry and hold on to my faith. Life is really hard. I know the biggest and hardest problems have yet to come…but I am always praying to the Lord that it would never come. I ask Him not to give me burden I cannot carry.

At 29, I knew and felt that life today is not easy and fine like before. One thing I learned in life is to always keep on believing that God knows what’s good for us. He gives us problems to test how deep our faith to Him. He allows us to suffer to know how strong are we? All the things that cause us pain will never end. They add spice to life.

At 29, I learned that facing problems is a matter of attitude. If we think that we can surpass them all, we will. Be optimistic in life. Suffering, hardships, trials, burden, disappointments, depression, rejection and pain are all but part of this thing called life. We should always stand up if we fall and always try hard if we fail. We cannot please everybody. There are people who will always criticize you…who will always look for what you cannot do. At times, they find fault with your deeds. (The hell…who cares about them…I have a life of my own and I know I am different from them!)

Remember there is always another side of life. There is beauty in life. If you look around you will see a lot of them. You yourself is a manifestation of life’s beauty. Just always count your blessings and believe me you’ll never stop counting for they are endless.

At 29, I would like to continue the battle of my life. And I know that life will offer me many beautiful things. I have my family and they are enough reason for me why I should be very strong and firm. They are my strength and I live for them because I love them so much!

At 29, I never stop dreaming. I never stop believing that life will always be beautiful. I never get off my grip with the hands of the LORD. I always hold on to Him. I never stop learning. I know that many good and bad things will surely cross my road, but they don’t matter to me as long as they make me a better person. A person with principle, a person that is tough and a person with a heart.

I want to soar high and I have big plans for my FAMILY (dad, mom, the rest of my sisters, and those who are dear and close to me) most especially to my SHRIMPY AND BAMSTER! They are the most precious jewels that I have. And I am thankful to God for having them in my life.

Get together

2006-03-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

Wew! After almost 4 months of not seeing each other (but we often communicate) at last we got the chance of getting together again. Last March 19, Chona, Jordi and I had our get together. It was a fun and happy day for us. As usual I was late at the said time and Chona was already there when I arrived. So, we started eating the palabok Jordi had prepared for us. We told stories of our lives (imagine, Chona forgot the day I accompanied her to PIER when she went home to Bohol...kaasar!). We also shared dreams (Jordi's wedding day...Chona's assignment in Europe - ooppss, CHONA don't forget to send money for Jordi's wedding and for Jennard's birthday - and of course during Christmas) and me, working abroad and later meet with Chona in Europe (dreams! dreams! dreams!). And mostly laying our plans for the future...

Part of the get together was to reminisce the past - our college days. There were so much laughter
(at least none of us cried) and of course smile in our face. Jordi brought out our old pictures where we really look like "mga nene." Chona, still in her curly hairs (hahaha!!!), jordi with her favorite white hand bag (still handling it with poise) and me with my slender body. We were still in our Jologs days then...(tampuhan dahil sa thesis - remember mo jordi?, hangout at Colayco park, okrayan at Tinoko Park and meeting blah blah blah at the Pavilion, and the list goes on and on...)

But now, we changed a lot (physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and morally). But I believe there is one thing that never changed in us...our friendship...

Maybe for sometime we all parted ways and journeyed lives with other people but if we alwyas have each other in our hearts, memories wont fade easily. i know the friendship is always there...there are many ways in which we can communicate, and if you truly desire it you will definitely have it.

I hope this will happen often...I'm glad I found these two creatures (hehehehe - snow white and cinderella). And I'll always be thankful that they are my friends!!!

Daddy's 60th birthday

2006-03-19T18:09:00.000-08:00

Last February 26, my dad celebrated his 60th birthday. Being at 60, I believe he had achieved so much in his life. He was able to work hard for his family. He is a good provider and a good father. Well, there is no perfect daddy…he too had his shortcomings but we’ve seen how he battled to have his children a quality education, a decent life and managed to help his children become a better person.

We had a mini celebration on his birthday. All of us were there except for my ate Joy who is in Saudi Arabia. She just gave birth to EIA. Also, Joan was not there because she has a lot of things to do at work but she was able to treat Dad, Mom, Janelle and Nica at a fine resto in Makati. She also gave dad P2K, a nice polo, socks, hanky and brief. The same with ate Joy, he gave dad money.

Tita Helen bought Lechon. Chard and I bought the biggest size of chocolate cake at Goldilocks and 2 half gallons of ice cream and puto. Mommy prepared all the “ulam” that were served. Tita Babes prepared the “pulutan” for the inuman session. Mark and Min bought all the POP Colas that we drunk.

The celebration was simple yet it brought certain joy and happiness to us. And what made it happier was all of his grandchildren were there…playing, running after the other, shouting (magugulo, makukulit, malilikot – but that’s the thought of it!). I wish dad a more meaningful and fruitful year ahead. May he always has his family in his heart…also we thank you for all the things you have done for us…we love you!

Reflection to the Gospel of Matthew

2006-03-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

What I feel right now is actually not related to what I’ve posted here. I felt a little anger of a few things but today’s Gospel gave me somewhat a “relief” and totally took away my anger after hearing the homily of Fr. Regie Malicdem. It was very well said and it really made me realized a lot of things especially when asking for something from the Lord. The Gospel is according to Matthew 7:7-12 and here it is…

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives;
and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread,
or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father
give good thingsto those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”

The first few lines struck me the most. It is very true that the when we ask, it will be given to us; when we seek and we shall find it; and when we knock the door will be opened for us. The Lord is always listening to our prayers. His hands are always available anytime we need it. He always answers our prayers because He is just too close to us. He is just around.

Sometimes we get too tired and we always hurry things up. We give up if we feel God will not grant us our request. We just have to remember that God always answers our prayers. We just have to wait. The Lord knows everything for us. He knows what is good for us. He answers our prayers in His ways and for sure it will be best for us. He will not give us blessings we do not ask or something that will cause us harm or pain. He will not give us a burden that we cannot carry. And if God answers our prayers with a NO, it doesn’t mean He does not care. It only denotes that it is not good for us.

Sometimes, too, He gives us more than what we ask for. If we receive so many blessings in our lives, we must learn how to share it with those who need it. If the Lord showers us with good things, it will be kind if we give space for the needy to sleep in a bed of roses. What we do to others, we do it to the Lord. It is in giving and sharing that we express our love to God and in the same way it is the manifestation of His love for us.

Let us always be thankful and be grateful for everything we have no matter how big or little they are. Remember, God loves us so much!

Conversion of the Heart...the essence of a retreat

2006-03-07T18:40:00.000-08:00

Wew! The past few days were too exhausting for me. I’m a busy buzz…too tired because of work in the office and at home plus those superfluous things inside my mind that I cannot help but…hay! I wanted to freak out…shout as in…ahhhhhhhhhh…and the biggest headache of all is WEW! GMA, corruption, struggle for power and economic crisis. Although it’s not something new to us, still it is something to think about. It does not concern only ME…but also YOU! Haaay (again!).
====================================================================

I thought I would have the time to meditate and have my mind rested even for some time. The office had its annual retreat for the employees, but I wasn’t able to take the opportunity to be with them in solitude. I was asked by my director to stay in the office (of course I cannot say NO!) because the need to attend to media inquiries might arise and most probably we have to give media assistance. We have to monitor what is happening around and what is about to happen (because of the present crisis we are facing right now). We also need to wait for any statement coming from the Church. And above all I need to update and upload materials for the website of the Archdiocese of Manila (and it all happened).
===============================================================

Some of my officemates (I mean almost!) said that the retreat was good. They really were in solitude! Did I miss the chance? I cannot answer. Maybe if I see great changes from them, then, I can say that I miss the opportunity. But if they are still the same people I use to know, then I conclude that the essence of the retreat did not sink in their lives. The Holy Spirit did not work in them nor should I say Jesus wasn’t able to enter their hearts.

When do you say that the retreat served its purpose?

A retreat for me is not just a moment of silence, meditation or solitude. It is a time spent with God alone. A retreat is a moment to talk with Him, to give praise and glory, ask for forgiveness and seek petition or help. It is a moment of prayer. It doesn’t matter how good or boring the retreat master is…what matters is that, the things taught, shared and shown during the retreat gave new hope to start living your life according to His will and brought positive changes within yourself and created harmonious relationship with other people. The retreat master is actually Jesus Christ. Whatever the retreat master is saying is what Jesus Christ is actually saying to you. Believe it!

The retreat cleanses the soul. It deepens our faith. It brings changes, making us a better person. It is a renewal. And these things make a retreat very significant (and substantial as well). The retreat does not stop after 2 or 3 days. It goes on and on as long as we apply everything we learned and we keep in mind and heart the things that contributed to the shaping of our attitude and nurturing of our faith.

The Conversion of the Heart

This is the most valuable thing that happens during and after the retreat. The retreat does not serve its purpose if there is no conversion of the heart. The change should first start from us. Let us not go back to our old ways. Let us not stop growing. Conversion of the heart happens if we learn to forgive others despite the pain they caused us. Conversion of the heart is taking away anger and pride from our hearts and let love overflow from within. Conversion of the heart is not rearing envy and jealousy. It will not do any good to you. Conversion of the heart is not blaming others because of your suffering and failures. Rather it is counting your blessings. Conversion of the heart is loving one another and always praying for each other. Conversion of the heart is always keeping Jesus in our mind, heart and life.

can also be viewed at www.jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng

A Prayer

2006-02-16T17:13:00.000-08:00

Part I (A Prayer - Gratitude)

Dear Lord,

I kneel in front of you
Glorifying and praising you.
I thank you
for your countless blessings
and for all the kindness
that is overflowing.

Amidst all the hardships
dear Lord,
I thank you for always
taking me into your arms.

Amidst all trials and challenges,
between rejection and disappointment,
your merciful arms
lifted me up from my loneliness.

My God,
I thank you
for each day that I am alive,
for a bright morning
because of sunlight,
and for a refreshing day
ahead of my life.

I thank you
for all the luxuries of life,
for the possessions
and most especially for
taking me out of strife.

I thank you
for every mistake I’ve committed
and learned that life
is worth living
despite all the disappointments.

I thank you
for all the people around me,
for the daily joy and happenings,
and for making my day
always worth remembering.

I thank you
for making me valiant and tough,
at the same time
for giving me a heart
that is capable to love.

I thank you
for tracing smile on my face
and for putting a rainbow
after every crying.

I thank you
for giving me pals around,
to guide me
and make me feel loved and cared
and for making me happy
because of the love they shared.

I thank you
that I have a house and a home.
I thank you
that I don’t feel hunger,
because foods are ample
everywhere.

I thank you
that I have my family
beside me.
A family that is always there,
constantly and unselfishly
showing me that they care.
A family I treasure the most,
who brings me back to life
when I am almost lost.

I thank you
for giving me special someone beside me,
whom I’ll live with
and grow old with,
whose arms will always wrap around me
and whose heart will always love me.

Most of all,
I thank you
for giving me the most valuable gift.
Thank you
for giving me a precious angel.
The reason of my existence
and the fruit of all my endurance.

this can also be viewed at www.poemsbyjhengmprado.blogspot.com and www.jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng

LOVE is what the world needs

2006-01-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

A friend texted me this message…

“One day, a rich dad took his son on a trip. He wanted to show how poor some people can be. They spent time on the farm of a family considered to be poor. On the way home, the father asked his son “how’s the trip?” The boy replied “great dad!”

The father asked “did you see how poor some people can be?” “Yes” the boy answered.

“What did you learned?” the father asked again.

The boy answered “I saw we have 1 dog, they have 4. We have a pool, they have an endless creek. At night we have fancy lanterns while they have stars. We buy our foods while they grow theirs. And we have 4 falls for protection while they have lots of friends.”

“Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are!” the boy added.

===============================================================
Sometimes we don’t need to have all the luxuries in life or be enveloped of material possessions. These things won’t make us happy. Power cannot give us contentment and peace. Riches sometimes become an instrument of evil and the source of hatred. These things cannot make us a perfect or complete person because there is always something missing in us that would really make us a true person. That is becoming a person with feeling and understanding.

As the song goes “What the world needs now, is love sweet love. It’s the only things that there’s just too little of…” Indeed, what we all need is love and to be loved. There is fulfillment if there is love and peace in our hearts and if we know how to share these wonderful feelings with one another.

Let us not crave for things we don’t need and we cannot have. Let us be happy and be contented with the things we have. Let us be thankful that we have a shelter and clothing, friends around, a family that is loving and caring and be glad that God loves us so much because everyday He gives us a new beginning and fresh day to start living our lives with love in our hearts. These things I believe are more than anything else. So smile and enjoy life because the world is beautiful!

Web Design and Development seminar at CFA

2005-11-23T16:54:00.000-08:00

The Communication Foundation for Asia in partnership with SIGNIS conducted a 5 day seminar on Web Design and Development for Media Directors of the different dioceses in the Philippines at CFA, Sta. Mesa Manila on November 14-18, 2005.

The seminar was about web designing using Macromedia. Part of the lesson was a background on HTML and webpage, creating, editing and animating text, creating and editing tables and frames, animating objects and images, a background in COREL Draw and COREL Photo Paint, and using the Ray Dream Studio. The seminar opened new doors and opportunities for the participants to develop their skills, knowledge and abilities in computer most especially in web design. The seminar as well, created and developed camaraderie among the participants. The most important part of it is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by the priests of the different diocese.

Mr. Noel de Leon was our instructor who at the same is the Director of CFA (Media Affairs). He also gave a talk about the Ecclesia in Asia.

Ms. Erlinda So of SIGNIS was also one of the speakers. She talked about the Church Communication: Ministry and Mission. She further elaborated primarily on how to determine the Communication and Media Requirements of the Diocese and at the Duties and Responsibilities of a Diocesan Media Director.

Fr. Francis Lucas of the Catholic Media Network gave his talk on the last day of the seminar. He spoke to the participants with so much vigor and great optimism. He talked about setting up a Diocesan Media Office accompanied by his PowerPoint presentation on working with the mainstream media. On the same day, a mini- graduation was held at the dining area near the pool. A certificate of participation was given to the participants for completing the seminar.

The seminar does not really offered bulk knowledge about the web. The seminar nourished and somehow shaped our perception on media and the church. The internet is truly one of the most powerful and effective tools of communication. Therefore, we can utilize media as means of evangelization. A useful way of reaching the people and bring them closer to the Lord. Media today is the language used by people of all ages to communicate and to adopt them to the changing world.

Our deepest gratitude to the personnel of the CFA who were all very accommodating, kind and generous to us. (Sr. Noel, Ms. Bob, Grace, Ramil and Allan) May you all, continue to be always of service to other people and always be true to your mission. Thank you very much! God Bless!

[Participants were: Cris Villanueva (Dipolog), Grace delaCruz (Infanta), Louie Improgo (Malaybalay), Fr. Arnel Lagman (Isabela), Rev. George Prado (Kalibo), Ellen Caangay (Davao), Tony Zoleta (Boac), Robert Bahia (Calapan), Fr. marlon Tebelin (Caceres), Fr. Errol Bataga (Masbate), Fr. Imbo Barrozo (Sorsogon), Fr. Bong Abringe (Dumaguete), Noel Bendillo (Legaspi) and Jenny Prado (Manila).]

This article can also be viewed at www.jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng)

DIFFERENT JENNARD

2005-11-06T22:49:00.000-08:00

These photos of Jennard were all taken by himself using my cellular phone...hope you'll enjoy looking at his pictures!

Poem: KAPAG NAG-IISA

2005-11-06T22:30:00.000-08:00

Kapag nag-iisa,
bumabalik ang mga alaala
nating dalawa.
Alaala ng pag-ibig na nabalot
ng saya at lungkot.

Kapag nag-iisa,
muling nanunumbalik
ang init ng iyong halik
at muling nalalasap
ang higpit ng iyong yakap.

Kapag nag-iisa,
di ko mapigil ang pagtulo ng mga luha
sa aking mga mata,
sapagkat sariwa pa sa aking isipan
ang pait ng iyong paglisan.

Kapag nag-iisa,
muling binubuo ang mga piraso
ng mga pangarap natin, giliw ko,
na maglalakbay ng magkaagapay
kahit pa abutin sa kabilang buhay.

Kapag nag-iisa,
nabubuhay ang iyong pangako
na habang buhay ay ako
ang laman ng puso’t isip mo
at mamahalin ng higit pa sa buhay mo.

Kapag nag-iisa,
unti unting dinudurog ang puso ko
kapag natatanaw na magkasama kayo,
magkahawak ang kamay at maligaya
tanda na ako’y tuluyang nilumot mo na.

Kapag nag-iisa,
ako’y lubos na nagsisisi
sa aking pagkakamali,
at sa iyo’y nagsusumamo
na gawaran ng patawad mo.

Kapag nag-iisa,
doon ko na lang maaaring sambitin
na mahal na mahal kita.
Ikaw pa rin ang laman ng puso ko
di magbabago kahit pumanaw man ako.

Kapag nag-iisa,
pinipilit maging masaya
kahit puso ko’y nagdurusa.
Kumakapit pa rin sa pag-asang balang araw ika’y babalik pa
kahit puso mo’y pag-aari na ng iba.

(this poem can also be viewed at www.poemsbyjhengmprado.blogspot.com and www.jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng)

POEM: Kahapong Lumipas

2005-10-04T01:06:00.000-07:00

...maybe some of you after reading the poem may find themselves in the same situation...

Tinangay ng malamig na hangin
ang pag-ibig mo sa akin.
Kasabay inagos ng tubig sa ilog
ang pagsinta mo aking irog.

Nawalan ng halimuyak mga bulaklak mong alay,
kasunod ay ang pagtingin mong wala nang kulay.
Lumipad palayo sa akin ang iyong halakhak,
At ang tangin nakakarinigay ang alapaap.

Binura ng panahon
mga pangako mo sa akin.
Unti unting kumupas
pagmamahalan nating angkin.

Galit ang maririnig sa bibig mong
dati’y matamis manalita,
wala nang ngiti o bakas ng saya
sa maamo mong mukha.

Dati’y ngalan ko ang sinasambit
ng iyong mga labi,
At sa puso mo
ngayon ay may kahati.

Nilimot ng panahon
mga araw nating kay saya,
at ngayon bakas ang lungkot
at buhay ko’y nangungulila.

May lamat na ang pag-ibig
na dati’y kay tibay,
at sa mga pagsubok ng buhay
ngayon di na ikaw ang kaagapay.

Kasing tagal ng pagtigil ng ulan
ang pagluha ng aking mga mata.
Kasing haba ng magdamag
ang tuluyang paglimot sa iyo sinta.

Ikaw at ang pag-ibig mo a
y tuluyan ng gumuhoat
lahat ay magsisilbing alaala
ng kahapong lumipas.

Sa paglubog ng araw mahal ko
isasama ko ang pag-ibig sa puso ko.
Upang sa muli nitong pagsikat
ay makapagsimula
ng panibagong pahina ng buhay ko
at magsilbing tanda na ikaw ay
tuluyang nilimot ko na…

jheng manalang-prado
September 30

(this poem can also be viewed at www.poemsbyjhengmprado.blogspot.com and www.jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng)

RULES FOR HAPPY MARRIAGE

2005-09-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Never both be angry at the same time.
Never yell at each other unless the house in on fire.
If one of you has to win an argument, let it be your mate.
If you have to criticize, do it lovingly.
Never bring up mistakes of the past.
Neglect the whole world rather than each other.
Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled.
At least once everyday try to say one kind or compliment thing.
When you have something wrong, be ready to admit it.
It takes two to make a quarrel and the one in the wrong is the one who does the talking.

Article on Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary's 50th anniversary

2005-08-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, if you have time (especially young boys who want to enter the seminary) read the article entitled:

"Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary: Turning young boys into priests, men for others"

by: Peachy E. Yamsuan
and Jennifer Manalang - Prado

photos by: Noli I. Yamsuan

Manila Bulletin
Metro Bulletin Section
August 21, 2005page 2
This is in celebration of the seminary's 50th Anniversary.

Thanks!

New Poem

2005-07-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

I have posted a new poem of mine entitled NOONG SIMPLE PA ANG MUNDO...hope you'll enjoy reading it and at the same time you'll realize and learn a few things...this can be viewed at www.poemsbyjhengmprado.blogspot.com

Peace of mind

2005-07-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

I really want to have peace of mind…I don’t know…I am so confused…I got to think a lot of things...I am bothered by many things….wew!!!

I want to go to a place where I can be all by myself. A place where no one will give me a ring…where no one can call my name…where no one will talk to me…where no one will wake me up…where I can sleep the whole day.

I tried to stay late at night so to have the quietness but it took me to hell…got a head ache! I tried talking to a friend and just tell her how I feel but just the same…I tried to sleep but there’s a lot of things waiting to be done out there!

I want to run away…I want to leave home and never tell them where I’ll be. I want to go near the sea and just look up the sky. I want to climb a mountain and be there on top and just simply sit down and shout if I feel like shouting.

I really want to be alone this time…I don’t know why. May be I’m just too tired or stressed. I want to unload. Ooopsss! One thing I forgot to do…I’ll talk to Him!

A Hectic Saturday

2005-07-18T01:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt really tired (as in tired) and you really want to just lie on the bed and rest and rest and rest!

Last Saturday, I was tired (as in pagud na pagod talaga ako). Ooops, before Saturday, I was in SM with my Tita Helen and Jennard waiting for Chard (one fine time, huh!)

I got up early in the morning and prepare the foods and things for Chard (he has office even on Saturdays and Sundays). And then took our breakfast and fixed the dishes and everything we used.

Afterwards, I went to the market with my ever dearest mother. I bought our foods: fish, meat, beef, pork, vegetables, fruits and others…

And when I finally arrived home, I brought with me Bamster and paid Meralco bills and as usual bought toys.

And so, we ate lunch and started to clean and fix the house. And of course the most “nakakapagod of all” was laundering our clothes. This time a mountain of clothes (lakas magbihis ni Bam eh and pati si papa Chard). I started at around 4 pm and ended up at around 7:30 p.m.

And you know what? I still have the energy to cook for our dinner. I rested for a while and Chard arrived home and again prepared and fixed his foods.

I took Bam a bath and made him sleep. And finally at 12 midnight, I also took a bath and brushed my teeth. I was planning to iron our uniforms but because I was already tired, I slept with my hair still wet!

PROUD MOMMY

2005-07-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

My 3 year old son is already studying in a day care center. Wow! I can't believe it! Just a few years ago he was in my arms. A few years ago he was crawling on the floor. A few years ago he was a baby!

Ched and I were really very excited to see him in school. We bought him uniform and even went to the grocery and bought him his "baon", towels, socks, bag, and school requirements, etc...

I was also nervous at the same time. I'm wondering what will he do? Maybe he will wander around the room, play with the things around, talk with his classmates or maybe fight with them. O my God! I wouldn't be there to stop him.But everything turned out right. My little boy is behave in the class. So attentive and constantly raising his hand to answer the questions of the teacher.

My mom and my mother in law were the ones who look after my son. And with the stories they shared during his first few days, I was really glad and so flattered at the same time.

It's good that he easily learned how to count numbers and how to recite the alphabet. It's good that he already knows what are the parts of his body and face. It's good that he was exposed to educational books. It's good that he knows a few songs and a few poems. It's good that he knows various names of animals. It's good that he can distinguish colors and can tell different shapes. It's good that he knows how to use the words "po" and "opo". It's good that he knows how to make the sign of the cross and how to pray. It's good that he knows who is Mama Mary and Baby Jesus. It's good that he watches cartoons coz he can practice speaking the English language. And it's good that he easily learns things when you tell him. And a lot more.

As a mother I am really proud of him...When you to talk to him, you'll feel that you're talking to a 4 or 6 year old boy. He knows how to reason out. He knows when to give thanks and when to ask for sorry (sometimes inaaway niya si chan at chock!) He shares what he has (but sometimes hindi...hahahha).

He is an extra ordinary boy. There's still so much about my child (of, course). And you know what his teacher placed him in the 11:00 to 1:00 class where his classmates' age ranges from 4-5 years old. According to his teacher he is a fast learner and his intelligence level is not of a 3 year old but that of a 4-6 year old.

Now tell me, is it just right to be a proud mommy having a son like Jennard!

After 7 long years, here she is...

2005-07-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen this girl for 7 long years...imagine that, after graduation from college her shadow vanished under the moonlight.

We were classmates way back in college. We were group mates every time the class has a project (in advertising, radio, PR, etc.). And most of all, KABARKADA...and we were both members of the EMPIRE unlimited (a group of people with a world class sense of individuality, style and intelligence).

College days were our happy days. But after graduation, we all have to part ways and face a new world ahead of us. Some of us had communication but as the days swiftly passed, the communication was disconnected. I lost (we) communication with this girl. But not with my two Ka-EMPIRE, H and Chona. We had communication until now and sometimes take time out relaxing from work.

I never heard any news about her. They said she was out of the country, out of town. I wonder how she looks like. Does she still have that braces in her teeth? Does her skin is as white as snow? Does she remember us?

Well, on our part, we remember her always and we truly miss her.

I received a phone call from Chona dear telling me that a long lost friend called her and she was asking me to guess who that was. Luckily, I knew who she was!

Wew! It was Jordinette! At last we found her. Finally, we will cross paths again. Surely, we will reminisce all the events that took place and had shaped our college days as well as our friendship (including the times when were finalizing our thesis...remember that girl!). And I know we will have a lot of things to talk about - GILR TALK!

Can't wait to see you, girlash!

Fun and Merriment at Star City

2005-06-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

"It's always nice to come out from your own shell and mingle with people from a different walk of life."

Last Saturday, June 18, Richard, Jennard, Nica (my youngest sister) and I went to Star City to spend Father's day. Aside from us we were with Ched's officemates from KODAK. We were with Bheng and his family (Kat, Rigor, Nico - Jennard's favorite, Anne - the ever, super duper, mega and most friendly of all, and with ate apple - halos mamutla at malagutan ng hininga sa Viking - hehehhe). We were also with Ronald and his family (his wife - I forgot the name, his kids, Princess - Nica's new found friend, the little boy and his youngest and cutie baby girl KiKay - Jennard's new found friend).

We were all very happy and we truly enjoyed the night. The kids really had a great time playing, running and enjoying the rides. We rode at Viking and entered the Mummy, Gabi ng Lagim and Ice World. We also roamed around and window shopped. We even ate at Chowking and played with the different games.

It's also a good night for me coz I saw Mazaco Hirao - my barkada. I'm glad I saw her again after graduation from high school.

That night before I went to sleep, I looked back to those moments and thought that it's such a wonderful time being with your own family enjoying every second that counts and spending your day with different set of friends. It's really a good feeling sharing with them jokes, laughter, fun, stories and ideas. It's very tiring but I had a wonderful and fruitful time with my family and with new friends. I'm looking forward to having such a good time again with those folks.

Celebrating 4 years of ups and downs

2005-06-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Ched and Jheng

Ched and I will be celebrating our 4th year anniversary as husband and wife on the 10th of June. Time really flies fast. I never thought we will reach this far. For me it is an achievement. There are some couples who ended up crying, regreting and wishing to start their lives again after marriage. But look at where we are now? Four years is not a joke...we've been through a lot of things (good and bad) before we reach this stage. Our marriage is not always sailing smoothly on the sea. Sometimes we traveled the rocky road and attempted to look for shortcuts. We fought over things that were often times non-sense, petty and sometimes had heated arguments. We kiss and make up and managed to remain sweet and caring to each other. Our marriage is not just a moment of laughter and fun. There were times that we wanted to give up. But after we thought of the things we fought for, the happy moments we shared together and the things that happened and came to us, we realized that those were just challenges in life. We struggle hard, cried a lot and sacrificed so much and that we never want to give up instead hold on to each other's arm as firm as we can. There were some who judged us that we will never make it. Others wanted to destroy us. But God has His own way and will. The most beautiful thing that keeps us going is our angel...our son...Jennard! and of course having great faith to God also made us stood firm and brave passing the test of time. I am hoping and praying that we will still be together until our hairs turn gray and still sitting beside each other holding hands just before the sun sets...

Finally they tied the knot!

2005-06-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

Boy and Me-ann finally said their vows in a matrimonial ceremony held at the Mt. Carmel parish in Quezon City last June 4, 2005 at 3:30 in the afternoon.

Boy was my classmate in college and was my officemate, my close friend, a brother I look up to and now ka-pamilya. Me-an is the cousin of Richard...Cheers to both of you!

Congratulations and welcome to the family Boy and best wishes Me-ann!

Things I should be thankful for!

2005-05-27T02:03:00.000-07:00

After having conversation with a friend last night I learned and realized a lot of things in my life. And I really have a lot of things to be thankful for. I am thankful because...

I have a family of my own...God is good for giving me 2 special gifts...Richard and Jennard who became my very reason to smile, live and work hard.
I have parents who were able to work hard to give us a comfortable living, education and foundation.
I have beautiful, smart and creative sisters who I can always count on everytime I need them even sometimes we have misunderstading. But the bonding is always there.
I am blessed for having wonderful nephews...(wala pa niece)...they are all handsome...hehehehe
I have very supportive relatives who always give assistance and guidance.
I'm glad that though I don't live in a very whopping house, I am living happily with the people I love...with my family.
Chard and I vowed ourselves for a lifetime commitment at the Manila Cathedral and we had our first meal as couple with our friends and relatives at the Great Eastern Hotel.
Even if I do not have the means to spend for the luxury of life, I am contented with what I have and with all the efforts I am exerting to have a clean, decent and fruitful living.
I'm glad that even though I do not own a title, a crown or a big name, still, other people appreciate me for who I am, for what I have and for all the things I've done.
I'm happy that other people notice my achievements, accomplishments, my abilities and capabilities...that I don't have to compete with other people or create a scene only to be noticed.
I have a decent job which I can be proud of.
I stand 5'5" tall and no need for diet to be sexy or slim.
Other people consider me having a pleasant personality.
My husband also has a decent job.
I have a very makulit, malikot son but definitely smart, bright and handsome.
Though I do not have a huge number of friends, I am proud to have two best friends...Noemi and Chona...who never forget to remember me even we have different sets of friends, a life distinct from each other and they are just a call and a text away everytime I need them.
I am also grateful that I have ate Flor who I can say a friend, sister, mother and grandmother! hehehehe!!!
I'm also thankful for having a few close friends in the office who (I think) are loyal and trustworthy.
Even I don't have a car of my own, I manage to travel to different places enjoying the company of my family.
It's a blessing that I became a member of the Arzobispado family. Through this office, I've been to places I've never been before. Aside from the financial benefits, the most beautiful of all is the spiritual growth and enrichment.
In the office, I'm grateful having a very kind, generous, understanding and considerate director.
I am also thankful that the office allowed me to discover other talents that I have and which I can consider an additional knowlege.
I can design a website.
I am able to express myself through poems and essay.
I know the basic of newswriting.
Even we have economic crisis, still, I am thankful that my family manages to surpass all of these.
I am thankful that I have a collection of clothes, shoes and bags (from brandless to branded)
I have the capacity to draw and design clothes.
I had the chance to learn how to drive.
I will have a new celfone coming (with camera hhuh!)
I can dance to every beat of music.
I can sing (a little only...at least) but to my husband's ears...my voice is a sweet music.
I can swim, play volleyball, table tennis, badminton, basketball and bowling.
I am good in Scrabble and Word Factory.
Despite of the price hike, we still manage to eat in a sozy and cozy resto and eat the foods we like.
Despite of the stress and tiring work in the office, I still have the time to decorate and clean our house during weekends.
I still have the time to laundry and iron our clothes
Even I am not good in cooking, my Shrimpy still likes to eat the foods I cook.
I have a father who allows us to use his FX and sometimes brings us to where we will go and even fetches us after. Also he allows us to use his Citibank.
I have a mother who washes our clothes when I am tired from work; who cooks food for us, etc. and who takes care of Jennard when I am not around and when my mother in law is not available.
I have a mother in law who also takes care of Jennard when I am not around and when my mother is not available.
Richard and I have been to different places through his ever reliable "scooter".
My baby will be an incoming day care student
We will be celebrating our 4th year anniversary.
Me, Chard and Jennard still have time to talk, play, watch and make pasyal even after work.
I'm glad that Richard and I were able to invest on appliances through our own efforts.
We eat not just 3x a day.
I am a computer literate (at least).
Chard and I had petty quarrels but we kiss and make up after.
Chard is still very sweet and caring.
I have a very colorful life.
and so the list goes on and on....(wait for the next list...)

So start counting your blessings...and be thankful to the Lord!

A text message from Noemi

2005-05-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

I don't feel good this morning because my headache is too painful plus I can't bear the humidity around...so hot...this is the hottest summer in my whole life...Eneweiz, while I'm lying on my bed, I received a text message from Noemi, my everdearest best friend for 12 years. This is one of the beautiful text messages that I received from her. Here it goes...

"When Jesus Seems far, it might be He is just deeply hidden in your heart. Dig deep in prayer and find him there."

I guess this is a good reminder for me to always pray to Him not just in times of need but everyday...

A song for Jennard

2005-05-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

When I learned about this blog blah blah...I started to think that it's a great way to organize all the thoughts that I've written and all the others ideas at the back of my mind. And becasue of this, I want to post the lyrics of the song that I composed for my son...

Refrain
I love you Jennard, you’re my only one.
I love you Jennard, you’re my precious one.

I
You make my life complete and sweet
A smile you put on my face.

II
You brightened up my everyday.
And take those tears away.

III
You put colors into my world.
I’ll treasure it till I grow old.

Bridge
I Love You Jennard
I Love You so…

I Love You Jennard
Oh, I Love You so…

Lyrics and Music by :
Mommy Fish

I always sing this song to him every time he goes to sleep or if he cannot sleep...and if sometimes I fail to sing it..he will be the one to remind me. I hope he will still remember this song even if he is old...through this song I want him to know and to feel that I am grateful that he came into my life and that I love him very much...

Forgiveness

2005-05-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

This morning I checked my friendster and found out the new blog name (METANOIA) of my dearest friend Don. I read the blog entitled I believe. Yup, I strongly believe in forgiveness because it drives you closer to the Lord. It is in forgiveness that you become humble and you receive peace of mind. It is in forgiveness that you can show other people your love.

No matter how painful the pain is, we should always have a soft spot in our hearts and it is forgiveness.

It is true that it is hard to ask for forgiveness and to forgive but it doesn't make you less of a person. Remember how great is the love of Christ for us...He suffered and died on the cross to forgive and redeem us from our sins.

Lost and found: little boy JENNARD

2005-05-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

It was Saturday morning when Ched, Jennard and I decided to take our breakfast at Jollibee, Welcome Rotonda. Ched wore his uniform while Jennard and I wore our pambahay…

We ate and made kwentuhan and deciding whether to go to SM Bacoor (coz it’s their 3 day super sale!) and then go to Mark and Min’s house and stay there overnight...

After having our breakfast, I decided to go to SM Manila with Jennard to buy the bag which I saw the other day…so we went to SM Manila and still we were with Ched because he was heading the way to Park and Ride. I was so hesitant that time whether to go to SM Manila or to SM Bacoor…but then I decided to go with Ched going to SM Bacoor and feel the moment with the two handsome guys in the world…(my husband and son, of course!)

my son Jennard

At long last we reached SM Bacoor…Ched went his way to his office while Jennard and I went our way window shopping…

Wow!!! There were so many people inside the mall…not only because it was a 3 day sale but because people came in to make palamig because it was really hot outside…

Yup! Jennard was also very excited and he knows where he will take me…to the toy kingdom…it is his favorite place every time we go to SM. I was looking at the different shirts at Mossimo and he kept on saying “Mommy, mommy, lika na, bili mo na ako ng mga animals! Sige na…” Then I’ll tell him, “sandali lang baby, tingin muna is mommy damit ha…” but he kept on pulling my hand and said “sige na bili mo na ako ng animals.”

Weww! Ang mga bata nga naman! So, we went to Toy Kingdom and as usual I bought Bam his favorite…animals…I bought him that big lion and that small frogs which he like so much…he can’t wait and wanted to play immediately with his new toys…

But of course, since I am his mother “ako ang nasunod!” We roamed around the mall and entered one boutique after the other. I was holding his hand tight so he could not get off my hand.

When we entered MINT, I was looking for some blouses that will fit me while holding Bam’s hand…may be he was tired of walking he said “mommy uwi na tayo” and then he ran and get off my hand and walked towards the exit…I hurriedly run after him. I can still see him walk holding the bag of the toy which I bought him. Until a girl bumped at me and passed across me. In a wink I lost sight of him…

I run and said “Jennard…Jennard….San ka na?” while I was looking for him. There was no response…again I said “Nard, anak, nasaan ka?” while I keep on looking for him. My God! I can’t see my son. I began to perspire hot…I wanted to cry but there were no tears that fell down…I began to panic…I looked like Sisa that time…I ask every people I came across with...nakita nyo ba yung anak ko? Naka kulay blue siya na strifes.” I wasn’t in myself that time…I was helpless and I really don’t know what to do…I thought I lost Jennard…I was crying then…I walked some more steps and finally I saw my boy…oh my baby!!!

I can’t forget the way he looked that moment! I saw him standing in front of a woman and a little boy who were talking to him asking where his mother was…he was crying while he was holding the bag of toys and he was saying “mommy, mommy, mommy.”

I felt relieved after I saw him and I hurriedly embraced him and said “akala ko di na kita makikita,”…I embraced him tight…very, very tight! He stopped crying while I embraced him. Then I told him “ayan ha…wag ka nang bibitaw kay mommy” and he nodded.

As we walked through the hallways of the mall, he was holding my hand so tight. He never got off my hand and I’ve noticed that he looked at me every now and then…

Wow! This one made me really very nervous…akala ko maloloka na ako…but then I whispered to God “thank you Lord I found him…”

This was a lesson for me…great lesson…also to Jennard though he is only 3…but this boy is very bright…smart kahit makulit!!!

I love him so much….I love Jennard very much!

What a journey it has been...

2005-04-27T23:52:00.000-07:00

Jheng, Dennis and Emcee at Bethlehem Beach
Resort in Bicol

April 20, Wednesday night when I started to pack my things. ahah! What shirts to bring? what shoes to wear? Should I bring shorts, slippers...where's my toothbrush, my toothpaste, my shampoo, lotion and so and so forth…

We’ll be having our outing and pilgrimage at Bicol…we left the office at 9 pm and began our journey from Manila to the wonderful sights of Bicol.

It was my first time to go to Bicol so I was really very excited…It was a long and very tiring trip …got a headache and I felt dizzy…promise! I really don’t feel comfortable in the bus…aside from the fact that I cannot concentrate to sleep, I also cannot stretch my legs (poor Jheng!) But anyways, I had with me my seatmate ate Flor who’s very patient with my uneasiness. We had stop overs and had good time making (weewee!!! Hehehe)…and I loved the taste of that hot and delicious mami soup…YUmmY!

We were in Naga City just before 6 in the morning and what a great time for stretching and walking…and finally we had our breakfast…hot coffee and pandesal…

The Pilgrimage began when we had our mass presided by Fr. Sanny…afterwards we had a beautiful talk by Fr. Wilmer, a professor from Ateneo de Naga about Mary and the Eucharist. As soon as the talk was finished, we went our way down to Bethlehem Formation House where we spent our time overnight to rest, sleep, eat, chat, etc.

We recited each mystery of the rosary in every parish that we visited. Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, St. John de Baptist Parish, Cathedral of St. Gregory Magno, Our Lady of the Gay Parish (from here I clearly saw the Mayon Volcano…indeed it has a perfect cone!), St, John the Baptist Parish in Camalig, Parish of Santa Porta Baga and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The structures and materials of these churches revealed how old they really are.It doesn’t matter how old the church is or how beautiful it is….what matters most is that…the church has always been there to unite the people of God in faith, peace, hope and love…

That was the pilgrimage…

What about the outing!

It is really summer time…its hot! Very hot and we’re all perspiring (hahahha)…getting ready for the waters in the beach!After having our lunch at Bethlehem, some of us sleep, rest and a few had a wonderful “chikahan.”

At 4 in the afternoon we were allowed to go to the beach and swim. But hey…the Morales Beach Resort was 15 – 20 minutes away from Bethlehem. It was a long walk…(it seems I walked from Arzobispado to Sta. Cruz or even up to Binondo Church). I really got tired. We reached the beach past five in the afternoon and we embraced the inviting water with our swim wear! The water was clear with its black sand. Some were not delighted to swim so they bored themselves sitting on the sand eating the most famous Piatos, Nova, Oishi and Pringles…

just after 6 pm we said goodbye to the water and headed our way back to Bethlehem.It was very dark outside and can’t help but to walk fast…I imagine a “mumu” blocking our way or a “mananangal” running after us. I was with Ate Flor, Dennis and Shane…the others were at our back walking slowly under the moonlight.

When we reached Bethlehem, we immediately bathed ourselves and had dinner…the story continues at night when some of us grouped ourselves making “kwentuhan”, ‘okrayan” and everything…

The following day, we left Bethlehem at 9 am and headed our way going to different places like Bacacay, Tobacco, Daraga, Camalig, Legaspi and so on…We also visited the Diocese of Nueva Caceres and Diocese of Legaspi.

We were also given time to buy pasalubong…I bought Pilinuts, tart, hat, slippers and the famous and delicious pinangat! Guess what? I really don’t eat Laing or food that has gata. But after I ate Laing (really delicious) at Bethlehem…I began to like it and it tastes really, really good.

At 4 pm we were given the time to roam around Naga and at 6:30 pm we have to prepare ourselves in going home. Shane, Eloisa, Emcee, Ate Flor, Randy and I ate at Jollibee for our dinner.

At 7 pm we journeyed back to Manila and had with us the beautiful memories of Bicol!

That was it!

This is me!

2005-04-10T23:01:00.000-07:00

I just love it!

I'm kind (sabi nila)...but beware!!! if i got angry...you'll hear those words that you don't expect to hear from me!!! ( i get wild...haba pisi pasensiya ko pero pag umapaw na...lagot ka!)Just like the other girls, I am also sweet and cool...minsan may topak pag pagod!!!I love fashion...i have my own fashion statement. I love clothes, shoes and bags...I dont buy too expensive stuffs...i go on sale and clearances. My clothes match with the color of my shoes and bags.I love wearing jeans (bootleg), sandals and body fit clothes and sleeveless...I love the color of pink and white...I love dancing (sobra...hatawan sa dance floor)...i love music...I write poems and essays...these are my outlets...these things best mirror myself...my moods, feelings and emotions...I like guys who are tall, medium build, white complexion, who knows the real meaning of what responsibility is. I like guys who are very determined and persevered in whatever he does. Those who are gentle and unselfish and those who love without any conditions. A guy who is very neat in all aspects of his body and deeds. Also, someone who has a very great sense of humor and is very down to earth...hindi pasosyal or feeling all knowing...or very mayabang...(kaasar yan)I am not analytical nor critical when it comes to thinking...(pahirapan daw ba sarili...mag-feeling genius...yaikkss!!!) basta i have my principles in life...i have great dreams and big hopes...for myself and for the people i love...i believe in myself...in what i can do and i stand with my decisions. i cannot say that I am a fighter...but I was able to surpassed all the struggles and troubles that bothered my life...and with an optimistic view in life...I know I can still survive...my family...my husband and my son...they are the reasons why I keep on moving...why I keep on sailing...why I am still smiling and the very reason why I am happy...Mababw lang akong tao...mabilis maiyak madaling matawa.