Singapore

The orchid garden at Singapore airport. Our flight to Singapore was delayed last sunday and spent a good amount of time waiting in line. Patience is being tried as always. I guess one thing that usually comes with age is that people start to "mellow" and in some ways grow in patience for glitches like this happen. Traveling I think makes you grow in patience and look at things in a better and wider perspective.

My compass

Today is a bit frantic, for I will be leaving for Singapore at 2PM today then later onwards to Bali, Indonesia. My head is aching and I am worried with the condition of our baby in my tummy but am reassured by two doctors who gave me the "go" signal for this business trip to Bali of 10 days. I'll be on the road for a while again.

Thank God that Amats and I were able to hear mass at Claret early today 7:45 rather than our usual 11AM. I just felt a bit more grounded. "Clinging on my compass" so to speak for the many directions that life and work is bringing me, I still hope and rely only on His grace to pull me through and give me direction.

Again my favorite author Fulghum comes to mind about clocks and compass. Like him I'd rather wear a compass than a watch on my wrist. Time is relative it passes by so quickly, countries have different time and people have different idea of time. But a compass gives you direction--but you need to have a bearing. I pray that God remain my true north. That He may always stir me towards the direction He wants me to take.

I consider this trip as a gift because I've always wanted to see Bali and experience the unique Balinese culture. Like my friend Mayang during her pregnancy she was still able to visit Europe for a vacation. I thank God for this blessing and opportunity.

35 years!

Three decades and five years. I can't believe it when I woke up today and that is my new year's age. How does it feel to be 35 years old? I really do not feel much older than before. It has been great the past years, there were ups and downs but still great. I'm thankful for all those years that shaped me today, all the places I've lived in (Alaminos, Los Banos, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan), all the unique places that I've visited (Kathmandu, Okinawa, Auckland, Brisbane, GBR, Madang, Tubbataha and many more), and all those who have stood by me through these years (you know who you are) - friends who gave me shelter and family who loved me for who I am. And the community that helped me renew and deepen my relationship with the One who loved us first! Thank you Lord for all Your blessings. Thank you for the gift of life.

I am looking forward to the coming years, of growing old gracefully. I still want to climb mountains, travel to unique places and dance until those golden years. Well it is not really my golden years yet but I understand when one of my friends said that we should celebrate growing old. There are many things that gets better with age, wine, cheese and other inner strengths and traits that can come only with the molding of the years.

At mass today, the final blessing was "go forth and continue to hunger for a better life". A message of hope that things could actually be better and to believe and yearn for that as your prayer was the residual feeling I carry from that blessing.

This year a diffent kind of realization of inner celebration came upon me. It is the first time in many years that I have come to really, really appreciate growing old.

"Thank God for you"

"I thank God for you"... everyday since we got married this is the short affirmation I say to my husband in the evening before sleeping and when I wake up in the mornings. An affirmation and prayer in one said everyday. Let me say it here to honor you my beloved "I thank God for you Amats".

*********

We do not really observe valentine's day and I was thinking of my blog entry of our non-observance of this day remembering our couple friends who make it a point not to date on this day. And after getting married I do not really expect anything special to happen. But after waking up this morning to a table of flowers and heart shaped donuts in pinks and reds I was really happy to be on the receiving end ( now thinking about it I do appreciate this things however cheesy! hehehe). Receiving the unexpected is experiencing His grace.

St. Valentine, Phil, Eros and AGape

I never thought that St. Valentine was a priest until today when I googled the History of Valentines Day. I guess I didn't look him up years before--I just had this idea that he is just one of those fictional characters and another form of Valentino ha!

Anyway, I was also thinking of doing a discourse about the many forms of love but I think there is enough here in the web to update you on that so I'll just refer you to this "Short Handbook on Love".

Lauds

Last weekend, we spent some time with close friends Melo and Jas. Since Melo needs to prepare for a talk the coming week he needs to go to LST in Ateneo to get some material. We tagged along Amats and I, spending a warm afternoon with friends. The JesCom shop was closed and I just kept looking at the all the nice readings and wonderful CDs-- silently inside I've been wanting a Lauds album but never had one.

Something good came up, we met Alan and told us as there was a talk and that the Lauds Seven album will be launched that afternoon. The shop was closed because there was a set up downstairs for the launch. Since I came in my slippers with no money Amats and I decided we cannot afford to buy the album.

All the while on the side Jas bought CDs and tapes. Later in the car, she gave a copy of the Lauds Seven CD as a gift to us. "Awww...thanks" was my reaction, as I did not really expect it. I was really happy and felt that God blessed this small unspoken wish. Now as I write and listen to the CD, I felt His warm reassuring embrace that I am His daughter.

fatigue

This bit of information page 114 from "What to expect when you're expecting", helped me get through my first trimester:

The concern is: "I'm tired all the time. I am worried that I won't be able to continue working."

Answer: "It would be surprising if you weren't tired. In some ways, your pregnant body is working harder even when you are resting than a nonpregnant body is when mountain-climbing..."

Sigh, no wonder.

Team Diesel

One of my last major climb (major climbs being multi-day climbs at least 3 days walk up the mountains at a certain elevation) I remember leading a team. There were 3 of us and the two team mates Xiel and Richelle are both newbies but strong and determined. Team Diesel that is what we call ourselves because we realized, we were really slow at starting up, always starting cold, walking at the slowest pace among the other teams... but eventually our winds will find us and will be walking with ease and catch up with the others. The joy of every climb is not just reaching the summit, it's each step taken, each breath, the trek, the journey and the revelations that the mountain has for the one who takes time to look and smell the pine trees.

I am writing this piece to acknowledge how really slow I am at the start of things, the year itself. This year, although is the second month already just seems to be beginning. No resolutions. I guess I never ever did stick to any if ever i thought of doing things differently. One of my favorite writers Robert Fulghum writes about thinking of all the good things done last year, put it in a list and label it as his last years resolutions. I think we have the same wavelength for I agree on that one indeed.

Slowly the year is just beginning--- as always I am full of hope that things will get better for each passing year. Looking back, it has really been great specially the past year.

Recently I posted here the year of the dog pics to remind me that "Hey! it is New Year already!" it is also fun to celebrate with our Chinese bros and sis they always look forward to prosperity and all that Chinese jazz.

Slowly cleaning my drawers, uncluttering our house and inner thoughts, finding my bearing, hoping for the best, nothing written on paper, prayers in my heart, breathing the air, walking at ease, knowing that He is leading the way is enough for me.

I believe it will be a good year.

Its the year of the dog

Happy New Year!

A book found me

The sky was overcast and light rain drizzled. After my appointment with the pulmonologist a week ago, we passed by a nearby second hand book store Books for Less along Roces Ave. While we came just to look for paperback and some good read, a book found its way to me. I am amazed how things manifest itself when you need them.

There is an old saying "when the student is ready, the teacher arrives".

Dinner with Mayang

It has been years since I spent some time with my really good friend Mayang. Since she migrated to the States in '99. She went home a couple of years ago with Isabella and this year we got to meet the latest addition to the family Dylan.

Thanks Dylan for all the gifts. Mayang said that being a parent to a child is one of the most selfless thing a person can do.

Mayang is one of my most cherished friends. We climbed mountains together, trained together as we are batchmates in a school mountaineering club before in the mid-90's. Even though now that our home are literally oceans apart and family and work has kept us busy, we kept in touch. It doesn't matter that there were time of long absence of emails and letters but when we get together, it feels as if it was just yesterday that we were spending an afternoon sharing tea and updating each other of our latest adventures.

Good friends are really for keeps, no matter where they are.

“Thank you, Lord, for the friends you have given to me. Help me to cultivate these relationships, and to set you as their foundation. May we all discover your presence and your blessings through one another.” from Word Among Us

the blessing of friends

Last Jan 5, just the day before Mayang and family flew back to the US, we had dinner at Cafe Bola at GB3 with El, Earnest, Buddy and Veda, and of course Amats. Mayang brought 2 month old baby Dylan.





Amats playing around with Veda and Buddy taking pictures.


Isabella Mayang's eldest(who looks like a mini vogue model in her pink dress)first thing Veda said upon meeting her "can you skip?" and went about skipping around GB3 showing us her new skill.

Our most jolly meal!

Early this January just before we went back to Manila, we treated the kids to a trip to Jollibee to the nearest city. This is one of my most enjoyable time. This is the first time ever that I had my picture taken with Jollibee. You could see Genuine's eyes sparkle and I guess it rubbed on all of us as she plays around. One of the happiest moment a grown up can experience is to re-connect again with our inner-child. These children that we are with are not worry-free they been through real hard times and pain that some of us adults haven't experienced in our lives. But spending time with them and playing with them, as they let go of these concerns and believing they are cared-for. A degree of abandonment of worries knowing that the divine is at work in their lives. I could only guess that these are one of the reasons that God loves His children.

Spending time with old friends

The recent holiday gave us all a chance to spend time with family and friends. I just love the simple life. Simple things makes me really happy like gardening with friends, swapping plants for our own yards. Spending time talking and catching up on one anothers lives-- I love the laid back life and spend a lazy afternoon with friends at home (not in the aircon mall--I am not a mall animal) I love cooking for friends and eating home made mini pizza on pita bread.

Last December I caught bad cold that complicated my breathing that I had to be brought to the ER of East Ave Medical and missed baby Jane's party at Jollibee. But when I spent some time in Laguna, my colds slowly cleared up with the fresh air. I miss the trees around the old house. We spent time just swinging on the hammock and playing with the new puppy Brownie (don't ask me I didn't name the dog hehehhe).

Bakasyon sa Probinsya

Media Noche 2006!

Welcoming the New Year with a potluck of sorts Media Noche includes grilled liempo, chicken, cocktail hotdogs and vienna sausages with marshmallows for the kids, ham, carbonara which the kids did not recognize hehehe, buko salad and a donated crumbly cake we dressed with mallows.

Even if were ourselves were dressed up in pajamas, and the kids still are dazed because they just woke up almost at midnight, the cooks smelled of charcoal and kitchen scent all were very happy to welcome the new year!

I guess every family hopes to be gathered around good food sharing it with loved ones and friends. Hoping and praying that this joy can be tucked in our pockets to share the morsel each day of the year.

Araw ng Pasko sa Alaminos

On Christmas Day after morning mass, we traveled to Alaminos, Laguna. As far back as I can remember I always spend Christmas Day at the ancestral house in Alaminos. In the past, my main reason to spend Christmas Day there is to be with Inay and Lola Abeng. Inay and Lola have gone but even now, I make the traditional visit together with Amats to the old house now transformed into a foster home for children waiting for adoption. It is managed by a family we trust Aling Nimfa and family who has been with our family for more than 12 years. The kids are Ricric a special child, then John Eudes aka Dagul and the little lady Genuine is from Bantay Bata who recently replaced Giselle and Maricris who are both now in the US. This year we brought toys and gifts and foodies to celebrate Christmas with them

Pasko sa Santiago

We spent Christmas Eve at the Santiago household with Jinky, Julius, Baby Jane, Vico, Dad, Tito Philip, Rhea, RJ and the whole family of the Jaboli's Nanay Bacion, leah, Niknik and other guest.

It was happiest for the kids specially during the gift giving and gift opening they were happily surprised with all the toys. Julius with the rc and the light sparkled in rj's eyes opening the mini toy billiards. We had great food with crabs, grilled bangus, roasted chicken, crispy pata that took the whole day to prepare (Julius hoarded the crispy skin), biko and more biko, ham, sausages, for dessert Jinky's buko salad and a huge sans rival cake to top it all (if there is still room in one's belly that night).

A Child is born unto us

This season of advent would be one of my first to truly know the meaning of waiting,expectation, and anticipation. I feel blessed to experience being an active part in His miracle of creation.

It was only this Christmas season that I truly felt how difficult it is for Mama Mary to be carrying the Child Jesus in her womb, experiencing all the physical stress of coping with daily stress of an expectant mother, traveling to visit Elizabeth, then that 9 miles travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem on a donkey to think that they were not just traveling on flat land. Never have I felt so sad that they have no room to stay but just a stable.

I could just imagine her having the difficult time of her life and yet she and Joseph was able to overcome all of these. I can imagine the stress that she might be feeling. It is difficult enough to be with Child and all those physical challenges that an expectant mother have to bear add to that they have no where to stay for the night. Only this year that I have felt how palpable this aspect of Christmas is.

Always I was wondering why God chose to come in such a humble setting. I thought I understood this in various ways but yet this year it revealed again a new insight. Our God is such a loving God that He wants to show us that it is not the physical and material things surrounding us that define us. And that the true meaning of our lives is that we were created with His divine purpose. He lets us know that He truly understands how hard it is to be human. A reassurance that wherever we are, whatever difficult situation we are right now, still He takes care of us His children.

Every Christmas season there is always a mix of emotions that floods upon me, they come in waves that sometimes I am unable to see through it clearly at once but God is good He sends His message in forms that is fitted to us alone. Now more than ever, the distinction between external hardships, anxiety, poverty is miniscule compared to the internal joy, hope and love that this Christmas has yet again reaffirmed in my life.

Merry Christmas everyone. Rejoice our Savior is born!

Parol

Parol is the local name for the star that was seen by the three wise men. This is one of my favorite symbols of Christmas. The Parol is also very Filipino (not Santa, not the tree nor snow flakes in a tropical country hehehehe) the parol usually is made up of thin strips of bamboo tied together to form a star with thin colored papers and paper cut outs for its two tails to symbolize its bright shining rays showing the way to baby Jesus.

Though the parol had taken on many forms some dressed with dancing colored lights, many still use the traditional simple five point star. I guess I do have a bias for parol because i used to make one when I was young and always happy to hang it in the most prominent window of the house.

I love it becaise it is also a symbol of light and hope. It brightens and shows us the way and points to the One why we celebrate this season.

Simbang Gabi

Simbang gabi has already started. This marks the traditional masses in the early mornings usually 4am held everyday nine days before Christmas. I used to asked my grandmother why it is held so early in the morning and she said that beccause the farmers in the old days have no time during the day because they are out in the field. The farmers also like to work really early when it is nice and cool before the sun is high and it gets too hot to work.

I grew up in the province and I always look forward to this time of the year. When I was young my Inay and I would start walking the 2 km walk to the church around 3am to make it in time and find ourselves a seat in the usually fully packed church. Along the way we would see the blinking parol in the houses, and when were near the church the smell of bibingka and puto bungbong will greet us. I remember I used to bring a rag doll back then to keep me company along the seeming long walk to town and to keep me warm also. That was the only year I was able to complete the nine early morning mass. It was believed that when one completes the simbang gabi a wish will be granted. I still remember the wish I prayed for that year a long time ago-- for my family to have our own house. After a year our very small house in Frisco was built but it was an answered prayer indeed.

I also love the community we have there in our small town. We had a big church overflowing with people and each celebration was sponsored by a barrio was grand. Always there were joyous singing each day I got more more excited in anticipation of Christmas. I guess thats when I learned what anticipation is of the Child that is to come and bring us joy.

Tiangge

This time of the year is when you'll would find almost everywhere in the city here in the Philippines the"tiangge" or flea market (I have to do my research on why they call it flea market). This is the place where you can buy all sorts of food stuff from cake, candies and other local delicacies, there are toys, clothes, gift items, bags, shoes and anything. It is amazing though that the products mostly are sold for just $2.00 US about a hundred Ph Pesos. It sounds like a garage sale but the items like the toys and small gift items are new, while the food stuffs are really good most of them home made for those people wanting to earn extra this season.

Yesterday was a first for me because I helped a friend sell her wares at the Claret Bazaar aka a local tiangge. Since the venue was just about a couple of blocks away from our apartment, I couldn't refuse not to pass by. Eventually I stayed on to help her sell her cakes, pastries and spreads. Also with us her 9 year old daugther Isabel. I enjoyed myself spending the day with them. I was also reminded how difficult it is to earn money. I saw that it was the best way for Ina to teach Isabel the value of work and money and be responsible for the blessings and resources that we are blessed with.

Human Rights Day today!

Join the celebration! Free Concert today at 8 MRT stations. Salamat kay Mae for posting the anouncement na may Rock and Roll sa mga MRT stations called Rock the Riles.

This Saturday, Dec 10, 2005,
RockEd Philipppines
will ROCK-the-RILES
from 4pm to 6pm
to advocate the 8 UN Millennium Development Goals and
to celebrate Human Rights Day and
to support the 3rd international White Band Day
8 MRT Stations
each campaigning for 1 MDG
each providing an art feast.
music. dance. art.verse. photography. poetry.
band performances. mural painting. story telling. poetry
reading.photo exhibits.

click here for your invitation.

Remembering Inay

Today is Inay's birthday. Inay actually is my Tita Ching who helped my parents in raising me up together with my Lola Abeng. I think I won't ever forget her birthday because her name is "Concepcion" named after the feast we are celebrating today.

Inay was a simple woman who didn't have much in life but I grew up under her care and love. I was witness to her generosity, patience and struggles in life that made her strong. It has been over a year now since she passed away. I've seen four deaths in my family, all of whom women very close to me, my youngest sister (1984), my mother(1989), my lola (1988) and Inay (2004). I would like to honor these women who have gone before me. Today, I realized that the way they lived their lives have helped me to be the person I am today. I thank God for the lessons I learned from them and the love that nourished me through these women.

Today, we celebrate a woman whose life is an example of simplicity, humility and love Mama Mary.

Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!

Congratulations Ria and John!

We enjoyed your truly Filipino wedding. From the Alibata invitation, to the sapin-sapin rice wedding cake, the buko and gulaman, isaw, bibingka, fish ball, lechon baka, dirty ice cream of an original mamang sorbetero. Thank you also for entertaining your guest with the "Sayaw sa Bangko" a festive native dance of love. We also had a great time singing with Middle C's rendition of VST hits.

May God bless you both...magpakailanman ahaha aha awitin mo at isasayaw ko!

Mabuhay kayo!

Basahin ang blog ni Ria at JohnXXV: Republika ng Pilipinas (trivia: an essential read link ni mlq3 mismo)

Rhythmic Gymnastics at 23rd SEAG

Finally I was able to watch a world competition in gymnastics at the 23rd SouthEast Asian Games. Last Saturday, Amats and I went to see the games. We went to watch for a while women's single tennis, then baseball Philippines vs Myanmar but the highlight of last Saturday's games for us was the Rhythmic Gymnastics Women's Finals. The competing countries are Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Since I was a kid I always watched the games on TV only because I lived in the province and it is expensive to go to Manila. In recent years when our country was host to SEAG, I wasn't able to find time to go.

The past week, I kept telling Amats please check the schedule specially the gymnastics. For the longest time I wanted to watch and thank God we had a great time at the games all for free. We even saw Rocky de Castro in the sponsors booth, who called us on our mobile just to wave and say hi.

Here are some of the pictures of the gymnast. They move so fast, I could barely focus with my old cam. Amazing what these girls can do with their bodies. There were four events where all the gymnast had to compete these are rope, ball, clubs and ribbon. It took almost an hour each. Although Philippines did not win in those events, still we cheered the Malaysians like true sports fans. We went home happy with our small Philippine flag.

See the latest news at the SEAG website

Pilipinas mag sindi ka rin

Today is World Aids Day. Know that there is much suffering in the world but in the confines of own comfort zones at home or in the office, we can still do something to help and make a difference.

Please help raise funds for AIDS research. You can help by just clicking on the button
Click here to donate.

Visit www.lighttounite.com, click where you live on the globe(wait for it to draw it with the ribbon), and choose the reason you want them to make a donation[strenght, hope, love, etc.]. They will donate $1 to HIV/AIDS research for each person. This is available only tonight. Spread the word.

Pamilya Danao: isang pagpupugay

Welcome to baby Toni!!! (aka Amihan Antonia Ibanez Danao)

Mama Nina gave birth to Baby Toni on November 23, 2005 and Papa Louis backed up by lamaze was able to be inside the O.R. We visited them last Sunday to celebrate with them one of life's greatest miracles and God's blessing.

On to our Second Season of Love

Today is our first wedding anniversary! Yey!
And yes! what a great first season of love it was. We are on our way to our second year and growing strong.

We feel really blessed to be able to celebrate this day with the blessing of each other. We thank God indeed for the many journey's we've traveled together. During the past year there were some valleys we traversed but it was well worth it for the mountain top experience of being hand in hand travelling with each other was more rewarding because we have each other.

Remembering the past year, it reminded me of the small trees we gave out as souvenirs to our dear family and friends who celebrated with us ( we gave out 3 kinds of seedlings juniper tree, tea plant and peperonia seedling--all about 2 to 3 inches tall each in a small pot). I was wondering want happened to those plants.

The other day, while visiting my father's house in San Francisco Del Monte in Santiago, I was happily surprised that the peperonia tree that they planted a year ago is now a small tree and there are two of them there. It was about more than a foot tall thriving in the small garden. To say that I was excited to see that small tree again is an understatement. I was really happy to hear my father and my sister showing us the small tree-plant ( I will try to post a picture of the plant before and after in my future postings to celebrate a year of blessings).

Friends, if your trees are healthy and growing do send us a picture if you can to celebrate with us.

Just a side story, a few days ago while Amats was in Tagaytay for work, I found an old book but actually it was new. And guess what? It was a wedding gift, a book we haven't read yet after all these months. I was glad to find this treasure of "Chicken Soup for the Couple's Soul" a gift from Ian. The book is a compilation of stories on love and intimacy, finding true love, commitment, understanding each other, overcoming obstacles, about family and (of course) eternal love.

Ang galeng talaga ni God! Such great timing! Showing that He is a Father to us, celebrating these small moments of miracles with us, bringing overflowing blessings this season of love.

Alibata

I remember when I was in high school in Laguna College. I had a good Filipino teacher and she taught us how to write the old Philippine script--"Alibata". We were taught how to write and use it properly. Our final exam was to write an essay all in alibata.

I am sad that I already forgot how to use it. But it's like riding a bike once you learned you never forget and it is easy really. The local abakada has an equivalent symbol to change the vowel form that follows the consonant a dot is placed above or below the symbol. If only the consonant will be used as in the word "minsan" a small plus sign or kudlit is placed beneath it.

Some of my artist friends in Palawan still use it today. Susan Tupas signs her artwork in alibata. Others say it is still in use by the locals of Mindoro and Palawan. According to Gener my friend in Palawan they use leaves for paper and "tingting" as pen to carve out the symbols.

Recently, I was happily surprised that a friend used it for her invitation. I was inspired to look it up and decipher their invitation. Their theme is modern Filipiniana. I thought I should go back and review my alibata.

come join me visit this site.

Happy Birthday Ria Aps

We celebrated Ria Apostol's birthday last Sunday together with brothers and sisters from Lingkod QC whom we missed whom we haven't seen for sometime now. At the party I also met old friends from WWF turtle islands project. For the past seven years Ria was able to work in the project and more years I guess for Cowa because she was there since 1996. As for me I only spent a year with the project. I admire them for the strength and perserverance. It was good to see old friends again.

Ria has always been a very good friend. She will soon tie the knot with John on Dec 4th. Congratulations Ria and yes happy happy birthday. promising times lie ahead Ria.

Tubbataha and Greenpeace

What is common between the two is that I was involved with these two. I used to work for the conservation of Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park working for WWF Philippines. The Philipines one and only marine park. While I volunteer for Greenpeace specifically when the Artic Sunrise ship visited Manila in 2002. I volunteered as a tour guide on the boat and solicited signatures for the campaign.


Irony of ironies just recently in the news, Rainbow Warrior II sliced through Tubbataha and was fined for about 640,000 pesos or 11,600 US$ someone blogged about it too (read here)Save our Reefs from Greenpeace. Rainbow Warrior II there to find evidence of bleaching due to global warming but found out that our reef is healthy. If they have a researcher on board, at least one should note that Tubbataha is located in deeper waters thus much cooler and less prone to bleaching which is associated to global warming.

I think they should see the GBR if they are looking for bleached corals. Having snorkelled in GBR recently and worked in Tubbataha, I think our reefs are far more beautiful indeed. I can't remember who said it, "GBR is like Disneyland but Tubbataha is like Safari". I remember the time when we dived off season at Tubbataha and we saw 8 magnificent eagle rays.

For the past few days my email has been swamped with invitations to visit the boat on Nov 14 and 15. Lakay volunteers will be there. Well, I am still thinking. This boat destroyed more corals that it can ever regrow in 20 years. Environmentalist kill environment...How is that?

After thinking about it and talking with old WWF friends, I decided not to volunteer anymore.

Good Health

I think the best thing you could be in life is to be healthy. Being human I guess we are bound to be prone to illness and other factors the affect our well being. Now more than ever I realize how priceless it is to be healthy. Many changes comes with age, less immune to this and that, aching backs due to stress and there are things that one cannot control that some say it is in the family, that some things are genetic.

When I realize how short indeed our life is, I think of the many things that I still hope to accomplish. Looking back the 3 1/2 decades past, full as it may have been, now I still see that much is to be done.

Well, I guess changes in health, being sick for a while makes me ponder more on these thoughts.

Happy Birthday Lolo

Yesterday, November 3 is my Dad's 66th birthday. ( it was also my late sister's birthday Vicky). We celebrated it at our old small house in Santiago st. at Frisco with my sister Jinky's family Vico, Julius and loveable, huggable Jane! Amats and I went to buy the usual foodies palabok, cake and of course ice cream with the newest flavor in town, Sans Rival a creation of Selecta and Red Ribbon.

Some things do get better with age and i was inspired by Aloy's blog entry about her mom. I didn't realize how many years my father has logged. And I am thankful that he is in good health. Although yesterday Jinky said he bought the crispy pata ("kontraban" as we call it). We were singing Happy Birthday Lolo and had a great time yesterday.

Rice

Home sweet home, it is always great to be home again. Despite the long and tedious journey, I feel really blessed to have a home to come back too. Every travel and every journey is an opportunity to see beautiful places and experience new cultures and meet great new friends. But above all these, I come home with more appreciation of what we have here. Despite the many things that might discourage others to go back the perennial political turmoil and poverty, there is still no place else to be, but home—in the Philippines.

Never in any of my trips before that I yearned to eat rice and galunggong and when I got back I ate lots of adobo and rice. Yes, it is proven that I cannot survive without plain steamed rice. I love rice. I felt so weak not eating rice for so long. Even the Chinese “takeaways” they have different kind of rice. My Mexican friends Hudson said poor Daisy she only gets “snacks”. Because I told her that without rice for me it is not a meal and every lunch we were served with sandwiches. But in fairness, we were served with gourmet sandwiches—my favorite was avocado with alfalfa and cheese and we had veggie sandwich choices. But still, there is no rice.

Vietnam

I cancelled my trip to Hanoi for Nov 1 to 6. I will miss the autumn season they say it is beautiful there now in Hanoi. I even planned to buy all the beaded bags i can hold on and all the TNF products made in Vietnam--well for now those have to wait for a couple of years. Hay.

But I am happy that I will be spending more time at home.

Geelong

It is mid-week of the IMPAC congress her in Geelong. I was sick yesterday and had to be in bed for the whole day. I have never been homesick in all my recent travels--now i really want to go home. By Saturday I will be back home. I can't eat sanwiches for lunch and like Honey I cannot survive with out rice. I had rice from a Chinese "takeaway" but my tummy not cooperating. Hay it is so hard to be sick and away from home. I canceled on the field trip to swim with the dolphins and seals tour. It is a bit hard when your body decides that it cannot cooperate with what you have in mind.

On the better side, I was able to listen to Tundi Agardy--one of the auhtors i read in grad school. I really thought that she was a "he" but it turned our that she is very smart lady. it was great to listen to my "references" as i call them.

I thank God for this experience and i look forward to coming home soon in a few days time.

GBR

We went to Paradise Island yesterday at the GBR. We went there on board Passions a nice boat about 80 people on board which is still small compared to others with 400 guest, really organized crew, complete gear. There was a bit of a current yesterday but the weather was great bright and sunny. I didn't get out of the water until the very last minute. I swam with my new Mexican friends Annie Hudson and Senora Gaby, also with Alma of Palau and Annie from NOAA. We saw a blue dotted sting ray, lots of regal butterfly fish, the we also saw a school of cuttle fish I kept beside them for a long time. I didn't have prescription mask and did not notice what they were until I was close and got really excited. We also went into a glass bottom boat with a marinse scientist crew Robin she was really great describing everything about the reef. We saw a maori wrasse a huge one and a hawksbill turtle. It was a really good day. I was hoping that I can go back to GBR next time with Amats.

We are back here at Tradewinds Hotel. This my last day at Cairns. There were 4 Filipinos in this technical trip actually 5 including Dindo. I will be flying out with Ms Jovy to Melbourne this afternoon.

Back in Sydney

I arrived at 8am in the morning at the International airport after a short one hour transit in HongKong last night. Yesterday it was raining in Manila when I left the house at past 2PM. One the way to the airport nearing Boni Avenue on the Red Dollar taxi, while i was reviewing in my mind my IT, I suddenly remembered my poster and asked Amats. We had to make a U turn at gualdalupe and get the poster--my main reason for this trip. In less than an hour we were able to get the poster at home then arrive at T1 at NAIA. Stress level high--departure pa lang. Hehehe. Anyway all went well during the trip here and I will be having lunch with Olive and James in their nice home. I already checked in at the T2 domestic airport earlier today. It was great my flight later today is at 4PM for Brisbane then Townsville. I was amazed how easy it is to have e-tickets an self check in at a unit very similar to an ATM machine.

I will not have regular access to email once we are in Townsville.

In awe of Your generosity

Unexpected blessings!

For the past few months one of the things our organization has been preparing for is the IMPAC congress in Geelong, Melbourne for October 24 to 28.  Early this year, I got confirmation that my abstract submission for the congress was accepted as a poster presentation. I was really excited that at least my paper passed the first screening. But I know, that usually those that got travel funding usually are those for the oral presentations.

As early as July, I knew that my application for a grant to participate in the first International Marine Protected Areas Congress was not approved by the organizers. I think I was expecting this and did not get my hopes up. My boss eventually registered me even though there is still no assurance that my own organization will fund my travel. Well, I really understood because we are now saving up as much as possible because finances are tight for next year.

Three weeks to travel time and still no word if I will indeed go.

Today, about two weeks before IMPAC, I received an email from my boss. I got a miss call on my phone and Ms Bek texted that Dindo wants to talk to me on Skype. Since I am still using a dial-up connection, I can’t be heard overseas. I can’t believe what I read on my inbox:

That the travel to Melbourne will be funded and the biggest BONUS and totally unexpected is that I am invited to a technical tour to visit the Great Barrier Reef on October 17 to 22.

OMG!!!

For the longest time, I’ve dreamed of visiting the GBR, since I became a diver — on top of the must see dive sites in the world—is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Oh my God! Thank you for your generosity! Definitely there were also angels that helped me get the grant - John Parks of NOAA and Pam Seeto of Packard Foundation—they were the silent angels who were instrumental in helping the LMMA team participate in this event.

My God, indeed You cannot be outdone in generosity.

Colds again and related stories

Since last Thursday the weather and the circulating virus caught me again. Last week was a bit of a panic because of the unavailability of the transcribers/translators for the documentary that we did at Surigao del sur for the Hinatuan Bay story. I thank God for good friends and the angels that quickly responded to the need. Thank God indeed because we were able to submit all the required transcriptions of footage log and translation for the English sub-titles for this was for international release here in the Asia Pacific Region for marine practitioners.

I guess it was stress, before we went to Hinatuan last week of Sept I got well from a terrible fever. It was fortunate that I was able to do the week long field work and was able to dive.

As of Thursday, the virus caught me again but still had the energy to celebrate last Friday for Lex’s birthday—we saw their new house which Lex designed himself—it was good to reconnect with friends Lex, Jeryc, Honey, Johanna and was able to meet a new friend one mean guitarist Arnel imported from Kabayan (he wants to live at He Cares).

Saturday was our time for He Cares I thought I would not have the energy to serve, the weather not so good, I was a bit apprehensive to go but we did anyway.  I cannot believe where the energy comes from, I was amazed how God enabled me to serve despite the colds and tiredness I felt the past days. We had our lunch at 2pm as usual but I was not hungry. This incident made me think talaga that it is an affirmation from God that when He calls He enables. After He Cares, I was able to send via Fedex the miniDVs of the documentary. I didn’t feel tired until I got home.

I stopped drinking medicine for a reason I cannot disclose now and all Sunday I was bed ridden so to speak although I was still able to cook because both Amats and I are down with the cold with Amats having high fever.  

God is so good –He sent us food last night.  Ria and Jas cooked giant tiger prawns for dinner. But we already had mungo for dinner. They invited us for a movie but we can’t. Today we had the prawns for lunch.

Today I am not feeling much better. Congestion is really bad because I have chronic rhinitis, my allergy together with the “cold” is not good. Still I was able to go to NCC Open U at Diliman to request for change of test center. It will be my final exam for my repeat subject on environmental economics.

I hope there are accessible herbal medicines that can cure colds and allergies.

Carry on

Do you need help with your pack? Let the "kabayo" help you.
This shot was taken by Jeryc Garcia during the Mt. Daguldol climb one of the last rest stops before the summit ridge. It was a despedida climb for Bay before she left. Look for Nine and Bay in the picture. The nearest translation of carry on is "padayon".

Mt Ugu

skills climb na naman this month and I am wondering kung makasama kami sa Mt Ugu. One of the most beautiful mountain range that I was able to visit.

Using word

Tried using word for blogger. I think I still need to polish this new tool. I tried using it in my last few entries and posting but need to learn how to format it better. I like to use smaller fonts.

Seven things

Been tagged by Joni and Honey this is my long overdue Seven.

Seven Things That Scare Me1) bunjee jumping
2) wreck dive (parang mag cave-in mga old boats underwater)
3) nuclear meltdown
4) fire
5) death of loved ones6) war
7) hell

Seven Things I Like The Most1) Traveling
2) Photography
3) Mint Chocolates/Green ice blended tea with Soya milk
4) Swimming in the Ocean
5) Dolphins (I swam with them once in Cagayancillo, Palawan)
6) Babies and puppies
7) Waterfalls

Seven Random Factos About Me
1) I put sugar in my tea
2) climbed Mt Kanlaon, Halcon, Isarog and Pulag
3) lived in the islands of Palawan (more than a year) and Tawi Tawi (for almost a year)
4) dived in Tubbataha saw 8 eagle rays in a single dive and Turtle Islands first saw shark while diving
5) been to Nepal, saw the Himalayas and Mt. Everest on a small plane from Kathmandu
6) I walked more than a kilometer beside the highway to get school when I was 7 years old alone and did not even have enough money to buy lunch and have no “baon” ( one of the things thought made me a strong person)
7) Married to a wonderful person--Amats
Seven Important Things In My Bedroom
1) Cotton smooth sheets (must have) on the bed of course
2) baby powder
3) fleece blankie
4) bedside lamp for reading
5) books and travel mags
6) bed that is not too soft
7) my “banig”
Seven Things I Plan To Do Before I Die
1) Visit the 8 wonders of the world and interesting countries
2) Put up a flower shop and plant lots of trees
3) Buy land on beach front, build a house then also build a backpackers place
4) Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela in Spain
5) Raise wonderful well adjusted kids
6) be an ambassador for goodwill (haha!) and be a teacher
7) live for a short while in an interesting country
Seven Things I Can Do
1) drive (stick shift)
2) ride a bike
3) cook a full course meal (at high altitudes)
4) climb a mountain
5) SCUBA dive
6) Identify corals
7) dance
Seven Things I Can't Do
1) bunjee jump ( even for a million bucks no!)
2) Drive a motorcycle (but I can backride)
3) drive in right-hand-drive countries
4) eat beef and pork
5) drink thick black coffee
6) ride a wave as in surf (I hope to be able to someday)
7) skydive (I don’t think I would ever)

Seven Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex
1) God fearing a good sense of spirituality
2) simple but uniquely interesting
3) can carry a good conversation
4) good sense of humor
5) kind and generous of his time (;P)
6) good voice
7) x factor

Seven Things I Say The Most
1) Pusa! and variations thereof
2) talaga lang ha!
3) Ingat
4) Salamat/Thanks
5) God Bless
6) kamusta?
7) Ah ok!
Seven Celeb Crushes (whether foreign or local)
1) Will Smith (as in #1)
2) Orlando Bloom (noong elf pa sya sa LOTR)
3) Josh Hartnett (katunayan na hindi lahat maitim ang crush ko)
4) Denzel Washington (very interesting man)
5) Cesar Montano (met him premier of MuroAmi)
6) Stephen Chow (ang saya nya “what kind of style is that?”)
7) Hugh Jackman (sobra!)

Amats's entry

1) Where was your most unforgettable travel? It is our travels alone together. I treasure them all and you help me see things differently and fresh and light and fün!  ..especially the banawe-sagada trips... at yung sa boracay (siyempre 0;).. at sa el nido..! 0;) 2) What single thing makes your heart leap? hmmm... a "thing" which would always make my heart leap I will use a general noun for. It would be God's momentous creation.. poignant and true.. it is His love made seen and felt.. like the light of the morning sun filtered through trees, puppies playing, a baby's smile.. and a fluttering of the wonder of butterflies.    a thing which would make my heart leap is..  my bb seal pouncing on me with impunity!
3) What is your heart's greatest desire?
to be a true instrument of God's call for me.. a gift of continuous unraveling.. 0;) to spend intimate moments with my bb seal by the Gift of His moments of beaüty for us.. under trees.. over warm sand.. on a cozy coüch...basta mahal kita!
-- iyong lingkod rin,Amats 0;)There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - St. John the Apostle (1 John 4:18 NIV)

Honey's entry

Happy birthday to your blog dear Day...may you have many, many more
blogging years to come!

1) Where was your most unforgettable travel?
First time in Europe (Geneva, Paris, Rome, the Vatican, Florence, Naples,Capri etc.)  year 2000, first time on my own!  Strange continent, Strange languages, strange situations...I learned a lot about myself and what I'm capable of.  My world suddenly got a lot bigger (or smaller?  Depends On how you look at it!).  One of the most important things I learned on
this particular journey, which remains true despite the many trips I've taken since then: I cannot survive three days without RICE.  Amen.

2) What single thing makes your heart leap?
Recognizing God's handiwork.  Sometimes it's as if He's spraypainted "I was here" on the wall.  And I'm not just talking about the Grand Canyon or a spectauclar sunset , but simple things like answered prayers, the smile of a thankful child - the little miracles of every day.

3) What is your heart's greatest desire?
To fulfill His greatest desires for me. :-)  I hope those include more travel (the way things are shaping up, it sure looks like it!), a broader mission field, and getting to share all of this with the one He's prepared for me.  Yeeha...

Pie's entry

hi sis!
 
gusto ko lang sagutan ang questions mo .. ganda eh ... :)
 
1. all my travels have been very special since each trip is filled with snippets of wisdom, not to mention, truckload of opportunities to meet new friends and build lasting bonds.  however, the most special travel so far that I have had is my trip to Baguio with Pabs, my husband, for a gazillion and one reasons. 
 
To begin with, that trip was spontaneous.  We were not supposed to go to Baguio but to Bora instead for our honeymoon.  In fact, we even thought of spending it in Palawan but due to bad weather (for the former) and the unfriendly rates (of the latter) as we searched for packages, Baguio was not even an option but off we went.  and Boy! Did we enjoy it immensely! 
 
It was not my first time in Baguio but i felt that i was going around the place for the 1st time.  I was looking and appreciating the greens around me and enjoying the warmth of the people with a refreshed perspective.  There is hope in this world!  LIfe is beautiful. 
 
Such positive attitude could have been attributed to my being "high in love" since I just got married then.  could be.  however, i cannot discount the fact that I enjoyed the trip since I got reaffirmed that people could become better, could do good if they want to.  Take for example the cab drivers in Baguio, they do know that Pabs and I were tourists (we acted it!) but they never took advantage of us.  They gave us our change and never demanded extra if we went outside the City.   Then there are the hotel people and the tiangge vendors who are more than willing to share tips on where to get the cheapest find, etc.
 
one good deed could actually trickle down and be passed on among people.  it is a reaffirming fact too that such courtesy and honesty wouldnt have bene made possible if not for an exemplary leadership.  my hope that such also happens here in manila lives.  :)
 
2.  the single thing that makes my heart leap is to wake up every single day with Pabs beside me, and my family just outside our room, and enjoying the day with my loved ones.  i cannot thank God enough for the gift of life.  Every day is a renewed hope to do good and live life to the fullest.and sharing life with loved ones is an ultimate manifestation of God's generosity and love.
 
3. my heart's greatest desire is to be able to grow a family that is God-centered -- whose love and faith is overflowing, and whose compassion for others is infectious.  :)

Back from Surigao

I just got back from Surigao Del Sur from Hinatuan Bay for the video documentary of the Philippine segment of the LMMA network Lessons Learned video.

It was a good 6 very full work days on the field. It is always good to be back on the field. But I do not miss the 5 hours dusty road trip because the nearest airport to Surigao del Sur is Butuan airport. As always when we arrive I felt like an antique and my butt screaming from the long hours of the bumpy bus ride--not airconditioned. But all these vanish in my memory once we are on the waters of the Bay on a pump boat.

A great highlight of the trip is that one fisherman turned over a male hawksbill turtle, a juvenile one--actually it was a handicapped turtle it has only one fore leg. It was brought to the CERD office and we were able to film the tagging we brought the turtle to Mahaba Island and participated in its release. I was transported back to my old days in the Turtle Islands. Back then i was able to tag mature turtles when they lay their eggs on the shore at night. I remember the mornings when we participated in releasing turtle hatchlings.

Interacting with the fisherfolks and living with them just for a while is a humbling experience. Ka Gems, she lives on Mahaba Island. She always cooks for us when we are there--crabs, shrimps and gastropods for lunch fresh from the back yard mangrove area.

This trip is also the first time that I was able to dive in Hinatuan Bay before it was always snorkeling. We saw tomato clown fish, good sized sweet lips and groupers. The dive at San Juan we found huge braching acroporas.

While I was on the boat, I felt at peace and kept thinking how relaxing it is to work out on the sea. The salt water spraying, the waves relaxing. Even if sometimes the skies were overcast it felt really good to be out there in the open water.

The Winners

congratulations to:

Honey Oliveros
Pie Maraya
Amats Salgado

Thank you to all those who joined the contest. Since there are only three entries ALL are winners!!! hehehe. I will send you your prizes by next week.

Please let me know if I can post some portions of your entries. Thanks for joining. It was a great year sharing with you all.

sali na :O)

The promo is extended until September 30, 2005. Just answer the 3 questions below and email it to me. I was really excited to read your email and hear from friends and lurkers alike.

Thanks to those who already sent in their answers (ang galeng!)

I will be away on travel to Mindanao for about a week and I hope you can send in your answers by then for the one year anniversary celebration of this blog.

(see details below)

a year old

In two days time, my blog will be one year old on September 21. I was wondering how to celebrate it in this space. Thanks to all those who shared their comments, greetings, prayers and own thoughs on the matter at hand. It was also a unique way to be in touch with friends and to be able to share these thoughts wherever it may find you, QC, Benguet, Taipei, Sweden or Guatemala.

It was good having this space to express some of my thoughts some because I don't think I will be able to share the zillion thoughts that pass by me. I just want to share what were the great things that happened and sad things too and how am I on my journey. Noting these down and blogging about it clearly helped me on my way. I learned more about how God was there for me everywhere and whenever.

I've been talking more about myself for the past year and would like to hear from you now. I've been talking about my own travels, what makes my heart leap and what are my aspirations. In celebration of this year's anniversary, I will be giving out a few gifts from my travels as a token to readers of this blog who would answer these (3)three questions.

1) Where was your most unforgettable travel?
2) What single thing makes your heart leap?
3) What is your heart's greatest desire?

Do not post your answers here you need to email it to me. Some readers may not be registered bloggers thus I am giving opportunity to non-bloggers who read this space to join in. Please email me your answers.

Send in your answers to day_flores@yahoo.com with a the title "happy birthday blog". Do send me your answers.

There will be 3 winners and will be announced on September 21st.

Feeling better

For the past week I've been down with the flu. I had fever that woke me up in the middle of the night.

The weather was sunny and hot then in the afternoon it would rain. I can't remember the last time I had a bad case of fever and flu. It always happens in the middle of something really important that you have to do. Our bodies have indeed a way of dealing with our stress, if we don't listen, more often than not our own osmosis joes will take charge.

There is something good to be able to slow down and rest. Now, I am really thankful that I am able to breath normally, how one would appreciate the things that we take for granted in our daily lives which is the very basic in essential for living and functioning. Such a relief to be able to breath without congestion.

free will, power and respect

I was ruminating about the things that happened today and once in while Amats and I would exchange some thoughts. We just came from the Center early this evening.

It just struck me once more how powerful our God is and I was telling to Amats, actually He is omnipotent that He can just make us follow Him. But He did not. Amats said, that is why He gave us free-will. Without free-will there can be no love in the world.

I am in awe how my almighty God could have so much respect to what I decide and He honors that. I do need to be responsible for my choices. But we are free to decide.

People sometimes mis-use this freedom. Sometimes I think people believe they are the master of themselves and even of their fellow men. I was also wondering why some people feel superior above others? Issues of racism even though it is hidden in many anti-racist policy, still palpable are the actions of people whose bias cannot be hid.

Why are there people who have no respect for others? I think those people who are truly strong inside exhibit true respect for others, while those who are weak tries to hide beneath the facade of being strong and more often than not, do not respect others.

midnight random thoughts.

Amazing Grace

My backpack has been found according to Mr. Charles Boustani of Lost property Department of Sydney Train station. They already called my friend's number and informed her, I also received a text from her this morning about the good news. I just need to authorize my friend who lives in Sydney to claim it for me. I will be back in Australia in October and I will be able to get it by then.

Thank God. Thank you for your prayers! Indeed this a concrete example that God answers prayers. He helps us during troubled times and brings us comfort wherever we are.

Back Home

It is good to be back home. Each travel I believe makes me learn a new lesson, see new things, understand various perspectives, overcome and adjust to challenges before me, learned to live better and appreciate life more.

The past weeks have been a roller coaster of work and adventure. I've seen familiar and new places. Again, I've visited Sydney, Australia and Suva, Fiji Islands I was really happy to be given the chance to work and visit these places. I've visited old and new friends. Again I was able to work with the warm people of the South Pacific. A big bonus of this recent trip is that I was able to visit New Zealand.

Working with my colleagues at the University of South Pacific and the Fiji LMMA network gave me inpiration to continue on with the work that I do here in the Philippines. Recent developments at work gave me a clearer bearing of how to move forward with our work in marine conservation. We visited a village which I already blogged about.

I've visited a Filipino family Benjie, Sally and 3 yr old Chinox living in a dairy farm in New Zealand. I lived with them for a few days and listened to their aspirations of a better life. Ms Jovy and I visited their beautiful Tongariro National Park where some of the Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed.

In Sydney, I visit an old friend Olive whom I haven't seen in a long time. We both used to work for WWF Philippines. Could you believe it that it was only through Friendster that I was able to get in touch with her again and visit her.

Not everything went smoothly though. Along the way in Sydney, I lost my backpack containing Toshiba laptop, a Canon A70 digital camera, 256mb, 64mb,16mb memory cards, my petzel head lamp, usb flash drive (a gift), lady bug mouse (a gift also), medicine kit, toothbrush, NZ manuka honey lip balm, kiwi moisturizer, LOTR collector's stamps and other souvernirs and 200+ US$ and 8,000 pesos cash. Never have I lost so much in one blink of an eye.

Because of these events, I realized how materials things can be temporal. Lessons indeed come with a price.

Despite the stunning loss, inspite of the beautiful places that invite one to stay on, there is only one place that can sooth a tired spirit.

Its indeed good to be back home.

Prayer Request

Dear Friends, I am here in Sydney. I lost something at the train station today something very important my laptop (ang kabuhayan ko) please pray that the person who got it return it to the train station where we reported it. Hay, it happened so quickly, it was like 25 minutes then we returned for it and its not there anymore. I kept praying that someone will return it. Hay