Year-End Stint

For the second time, we were invited to sing at Rockwell's Thanksgiving Mass last December 31, 10pm. Everybody was in their element that night...maganda ang kanta...ikaw ba naman ang ilagay sa elevated platform, pag di ka nagperform ng maayos!

...yun nga lang nagmistulang replay ang misa ng gabing iyon...lalu na ang homily...ang kwento ng anniversary thanksgiving mass sa Bureau of Customs...ang blessing ng isang ektaryang factory...ang offertory parade sa isang misa sa MegaMall kung saan nakakuha si Father ng 35 baskets na pinamigay nya sa mga madre sa isang kumbento sa Quezon City...at ang mga madre na lubhang nasiyahan sa itlog, este, balot!...at ang free advertisement ng 2006 planner na may daily Gospel reflection na ang proceeds ay mapupunta sa mga seminarista ng Society of St. Paul...

...kahit parang kami'y nasa deja vu ng mga sandaling iyon, maganda pa ring pakinggan ang gist ng homily ni Father...

"This New Year, don't thank God for giving you more blessings while others have less, instead, thank Him for the countless ways you've been a blessing to other people during the past year."

"It's nice when your prayers are answered, but wouldn't it be nicer if you'll be the answer to someone else's prayer?"

That night, i'm pretty sure, the Rockwell Management felt a whole lot better since what they gave us is indeed an answer to our prayers...thank you so much!

Nightmare Before Christmas

Too many unfortunate events happened the night before Christmas:

- last minute problem at Poweplant
- emotional burden
- last minute rush (na talagang kinawindang ng mundo ko!)
- stress brought about by the recent church activities which resulted to: slight fever, colds, and severe headache

Hindi ito pelikula...totoong buhay ito...sa tagal ng career ko sa choir, ngayon lang nagkaganito...ayoko mag-elaborate...basta, it was indeed a NIGHTMARE...

Buti na lang masaya kami sa picture...

At The Coro

Last night was the start of Simbang Gabi...at sa coro kami kumanta!



Actually, di na bago sa akin ang pagkanta sa coro. I've sang and have conducted the choir at the coro for a couple of times, mostly during special liturgucal celebrations. What really makes it quite exciting this time is the fact that it'll be the first time that we will be singing in our new home, our permanent location, in the church. Yes, wala na ang mga araw na di kami magkanda-ugaga para lang pagkasyahin ang aming mga katawan sa gawing kanan ng altar ng simbahan...ewan ko ba naman kasi sa naka-isip nito...eh, ang pagkakatanda ko, tinanggal na sa Vatican II ang pag-awit ng mga manganganta at choir sa coro...kung bakit ba naman kasi...tsk,tsk,tsk...

Mixed emotions ang feeling the Youth choir kagabi: may excited, may nahilo dahil sa paikut-ikot na hagdan, at may natakot (I see dead people!)...generally, maganda ang kanta namin...binagayan ang aming bagong uniform...pero, later on that night, we had a small talk with Derps, sabi nya, ayaw nya sa coro kami kumanta...feeling daw nya, nawalan sya ng pamilya...

How sad :(

Kami rin po, para rin kaming nawalan ng pamilya...gone are the days na magi-greet at makaka-kwentuhan mo yung mga lectors, commentators, mother butlers, and eucharistic ministers dun sa sacristy...suddenly we've become isolated...we're one with them in worship but physically and strategically far from them...

Ngayon, naintindihan ko na kung bakit pilit na inalis sa Vatican II ang pagkanta sa coro...



(A shot of the altar taken from the coro)

Kuwentong Sari-Sari

Nakakatuwa kaninang umaga. Nagbidahan kaming mag-anak tungkol sa mga nakakatuwa at nakainis na mga tagpo na nagaganap sa aming munting sari-sari store.

Masaya sa tindahan namin at eto ang mga patunay kung bakit:

- Saan ka nakakita ng taong naghahanap ng asukal, kape, paminta, asin, suka, toyo at patis, gayong ilang hakbang na lamang ay palengke na.


- Meron ding mga taong naghahanap ng tempra, dolfenal, decolgen, aspilet, biogesic, neozep, gardan, salonpas, colantro, mertayoleyt at agua oxenada gayong ang tindahan namin ay di naman botika...yung katapat ng bahay namin, yun ang botika!


- May mga taong naghahanap ng "cocomban", "bagulgang", "head ang shoulders", "juicy fruwit", "dabolment", at envelope na ang tatak ay "via air mail"


- May mga coñotic at pasosyal effect na mamimili:

(a) Meron kayong mosquito killer? (lay man's term: katol)
(b) Miss, have kayo ng Marlboro Lights, the one in Gold? (yeah, right!)
(c) Meron kayong crape paper? (crepe paper, yung ginagamit sa art project)


- Meron ding mga medyo "tanga" na mamimili:

Ale : Manang, pabili po ng dyaryo...bago ho ba ito?

Syempre, saan ka naman nakakita ng lumang dyaryo na tinitinda, di ba?
Dahil dito, medyo nainis ang aking ina kaya sinagot nya ng...

Nanay Ko: Ay, luma... (tonong sarkastiko)
Ale : Ah... cge po, salamat. Saan ho ba merong nagtitinda ng dyaryo na bago?

...ay, patulan ba ang joke time ni mother?


- At mga pilosopong mamimili:

Mama : Manong, pabili po ng Pop Cola, maliit.
Tatay Ko: Ilan?
Mama : Isa lang po. Magkano isa?
Tatay Ko: 7.00
Mama : Bakit ho sabi sa TV, sais lang?
Tatay Ko: Eh, di sa TV ka bumili!

...oo nga naman!


- Meron ding question and answer portion:

Mamimili : Pabili ng sigarilyo?
Jhie : Anong sigarilyo?
Mamimili : Winston
Jhie : Red o Lights
Mamimili : Red
Jhie : Ilan?
Mamimili : Magkano isa?
Jhie : 1.50
Mamimili : Magkano 1 kaha
Jhie : 28.00
Mamimili : Cge, 4 na piraso lang

...ang ganda, di ba? Daig pa ang interrogation sa NBI!


- At dahil nagtitinda kami ng dyaryo at yung kodigo na para sa karera sa Sta. Ana, kailangang alam namin ang mga sumusunod dahil baka may magtanong ng:

- dyaryo na may ingles o kaya tagalog na editorial
- dyaryo na may horoscope
- dyaryo na may kwento tungkol sa sexual experiences
- dyaryo na may mga numerong lumabas sa lotto
- ang halaga ng mapapanalunan sa lotto
- masuwerteng kabayo na dapat tayaan sa karera
- araw at oras ng karera

Masaya magkaroon ng tindahan...kaya lang nitong mga nakaraang araw, ayokong magtinda...
sa sobrang bilis kasi tumaas ng mga presyo ng mga bilihin, di ko na alam kung ano ang
presyo ng mga paninda namin...hay!

Happy Birthday, John

Para sa aking...



...ka-tagay ng Coke
...ka-partner sa aking debut
...kakosa sa kakulitan at kalokohan
...taga-puno ng inbox
...tagapagtanggol sa mga stalkers at krung-krung na tao
...katulad sa pagiging smart at intelligent (syempre, di ako papayag na ikaw lang!)
...karamay sa dusa at saya

at kaibigan for life...

MALIGAYANG KAARAWAN!


SI JOHN AY...
isa sa mga pinaka-paborito kong tao...a genuine friend...a loving son...a good husband material (o, wag na magreact, wala naman akong sinabi na civil status mo ah!) ;p

PERO...
di halata!...hehehe...pero, lapitin ng bading (hahaha!)...at mabagal kumilos kaya palaging nale-late...


SALAMAT SA...
lifelong friendship and for being the brother I never had...

DI KO EXCPECT NA...
he has remained the same John that I've known all these years kahit na dami nang dumaan na trials sa life nya...

AT SANA MALAMAN NYA NA...
na panalo na ako sa pustahan, hehehe...and that i'll always and forever be a friend that he can count on for better or for worse, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in proverty and in plenty, in joke time and in seriousness...until...matapos ang forever! So help me, God.

An Affirmation

I don't take personal text surveys seriously. Actually, I am scared to find out how others would think of me as a person...However, it dawned upon me that you can really get something from it, an affirmation...something unexpected...but sincere.

I sent this survey to my Txtnonstop Tribe (thanks to Globe!) and it's nice to know how others valued my personhood, my uniqueness, my character...

I personally like what my good friend, John, said...mind you, it took him about four text messages to finally get the entire message across!



Here is it:

"SI JHIE AY...kaibigan ko na matagal na, as in matagal, alam mo yun, nung fetus pa lang kami nagtatawanan na kami...mabait yan

PERO...mataray, sasabihin ang gustong sabihin basta totoo lang queber kung masaktan ka, pero maayos pa rin naman approach niya

SALAMAT SA...halos magdadalawang dekada ng pakikipagkaibigan sa akin, biruin mo natiis mo yun. At salamat dun sa pang libre mo sa akin at sa pag sunod sa mga kantiyaw ko...ang coke, syempre...barbeque, chocolate sa ref nyo, balot, among others...

DI KO EXCPECT NA...until now friends pa rin kami, i mean yung tatagal talaga...sabagay, pareho naman kami mabait...Isa pa, di ko expect na magiging diretso buhok nya...salamat sa siyensya...

AT SANA MALAMAN NYA NA...sobrng thankful ako to have her as one of my good and closest friends"

Thanks for the affirmation, John!

ABS-CBN...here we come!

Last October 9, 2005, we sang at the Sunday TV Mass aired over at ABS-CBN Channel 2. After rigorous rehearsals and sparing ourselves from our usual saturday night bonding, our efforts have paid off. Everyone managed to be up and about as early as 3AM and we headed to the studio at quarter to 6.

The stint was generally OK except for some minor flaws: 1. Ang offertory song na di namin malaman kung kailangan nang tapusin o hindi at; 2. Ang keyboard na humina...kaya tuloy di namin nakanta ang Sanctus (it's ok Roehl...it's not your fault)

Tita Enciang sang a Marian song for the communion. She really wanted the song "Awit Ng Ina Sa Santo Rosario" to be sung during the recessional part but ate Jhie managed to convince her that the song she sang during the communion was enough to make Mama Mary proud (yay! payang MYMP :p )

After the show, syempre di mawawala ang picture-picture...



...at ang pinaka-importante sa lahat...ang fellowship! Saan pa kundi sa Jollibee!!!

Kaya't sa aming mga fans na walang sawang tumatangkilik sa aming musika, maraming salamat po!

Hanggang sa muli...

The Friendship Factor

I consider myself an expert when it comes to drawing the line between friendship and professionalism. I am serious at work but I also "laugh till my lungs drop" when I'm in the company of friends. My choir friends knew this for a fact...the two sides in me: the friend and the mentor.

Having my closest friends in the choir was really something I am really thankful for. Their jolly personality added just the right amount of casualness into our somewhat formal rehearsals. Being friends with them for so many years did not require any adjustment on my part now that they have become a part of the choir. Little did I know that it was the other way around for them...

A freaky little incident triggered my 360-degree shift from being cool to furious. That was the very first instance that I have been humiliated in front of the choir by no less than my closest friends! No amount of explanation can compensate for the disappointment that I got from that experience. In front of the group, I tried to pretend that I'm still the same strong mentor that I was...but deep inside, I was falling into pieces. I was about to explode and I did just that...cried buckets of tears and uttered a thousand curses...after they all have left.

Later on my close friends texted me and have expressed how sorry they were for what they did. I promised myself not to reply to their text messages but the TRUE FRIEND in me prevailed...

"I was deeply hurt about what happened earlier. What disappoints me the most is the fact that it was done by the very least people I expected -- my closest friends. I just hope that we all learned something from what had happened. To forgive and understand are the two things that I can easily do simply because you are my friends."

happy birthday, Danna!

aherrrm......





Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Danna
Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

...isang kampay (at pose sa camera) para sa paborito naming Poblacion Star...



Salamat sa Yellow Cab Pizza, ChiSig, at San Mig Light...

Maligayang Kaarawan, Ryan!

Happy Birthday, Carol!

Today is the birthday of my inaanak, Carol!




'Nak, next year, ganap ka nang dalaga...

Sunday Blues

Waaah! Nandito ako sa office...

...pero bago ko simulan ang trabaho ko, minabuti ko munang sagutan ang BIG 5 PERSONALITY TEST...

and here's the link to the results of my test:

I'm a O70-C52-E64-A44-N43 Big Five!!

Bridges

I have crossed a thousand bridges
in my search for something real
There were great suspension bridges,
made like spiderwebs of steel

There were tiny wooden trestles,
and there were bridges made of stone.
I have always been a stranger
and I've always been alone

There's a bridge to tomorrow,
there's a bridge from the past.
There's a bridge made of sorrow
that I pray will not last

There's a bridge made of colors
in the sky high above
and I think that there must be
bridges made out of love

I can see him in the distance
on the river's other shore,
and his hands reach out in longing
as my own have done before

And I call across to tell him
where I believe the bridge must lie,
and I'll find it,yes, I'll find it,
if I search until I die

When the bridge is between us,
we'll have nothing to fear
We will run through the sunlight
and I'll meet you halfway

There's a bridge made of colors
in the sky high above
and I'm certain that somewhere
there's a bridge made of love

New Phone...Yipee!!!

I got myself a new phone...its a Sony Ericsson K750i



I really wanted to have a digital camera but since my Nokia 7250i was becoming a bore (no bluetooth, no video...talk about human contentment! ;p ), well, i thought of finding myself a phone that would surely fit my needs into a T.

After reading the reviews about this SE K750i unit two days ago and after receiving our bonus, i bought my dream phone...

...well, at least, for now ;p

A Movie Sequel

He did it again...

Strike two na ito...same people involved...kumbaga sa pelikula, pareho ng mga tauhan...at sya pa rin ang bida (o kontrabida?)...pareho ng tema...nag-umpisa sa text message...ang saya, di ba?

The movie sucks! Nakakainis panoorin. Pagkatapos ng pelikula, nagpalitan ng mga kuro-kuro ang mga movie critics...syempre pa, iba-iba ang naging "reviews"... merong very vocal at meron din namang "less talks, less mistakes" ang drama.

On my part, I've learned a few words, at eto sila:

New Tagalog Word : Plastikan (verb)
English Translation : Hypocrisy
Meaning : The act of putting on a mask and feigning himself to be what he is not.
Use in a sentence : "Hindi ako sasama, hindi ko kayang makipag-plastikan!"

New Tagalog Word : Palamunin (verb)
English Translation : To feed
Meaning : To provide food in an exploitatory manner
Use in a sentence : "Matapos kayong palamunin, gaganyanin n'yo yung tao!"

I wonder kung kumita ito sa box-office na nataon pang ipalabas sa kaarawan ni Marvin...

Happy birthday din pala to my dear friend, Dwayne...(uy, may kinikilig!) ;p

Accidents do happen...

I woke up earlier than usual that fateful Monday morning of July 18. Gusto kong pumasok ng maaga kasi hindi ako nakapasok last Sunday para mag-OT. I left the house at 7:10am. On my way to the jeepney terminal in J.P. Rizal, I was thinking whether I has kissed my mom goodbye. Usually, bumabalik ako ulit sa bahay to kiss my mom, deadma na kung nakapag-kiss na ako sa kanya earlier. But that day, I did not go back and immediately dismissed the thought. Sumakay na ako ng Ayala route na jeep at bumaba sa may tapat ng Petron gasoline station sa corner ng Buendia at Makati Avenue.



Habang naglalakad ako sa loob ng Petron, papunta sa sakayan ng Buendia-Washington, may dumaan sa harap ko (coming from my right side) na white taxi...syempre pa, at the back on my mind I was thinking na, "aba! Ba't di kaya nagbusina itong mamang ito...muntik na kaya ako masagasaan!"

Next scene: Bigla akong bumangon sa loob ng isang personal car...then I was with two strangers, a lady driving and panicking all at the same time, and a man, looking at me...WHAT HAPPENED? Bakit ako nasa sasakyan na ito? If I remember right, sasakay ako ng jeep papuntang office pero bakit nandito ako? Wala akong maalala na may sinakyan akong car! Tumingin ako sa rear view mirror, gosh! May malaki akong bukol sa noo!!! As in para syang maliit na mukha ng baby!!! Pagtingin ko sa left side ko, dun sa hinigaan ko, maraming dugo...sa seat cover (na kulay cream), sa make-up kit, sa documents dun sa loob ng car...pati sa gray pants ko...Naaksidente ba ako??? I asked the man in front and he answered me: "Miss, nabangga kita sa may Petron kanina, nawalan ng preno yung jeep na minamaneho ko...kumanan ako sa Petron, di kita napansin, nabangga kita, tumilapon ka ng ilang metro, nawalan ng malay kaya dadalhin ka namin sa ospital." I couldn't believe what I heard...immediately, nag-panic ako...paano nangyari na nabangga ako, eh wala naman akong maalala na tumama sa akin? Marami silang tanong, di ko matandaan kung nasagot ko lahat because my mind, too, was racing on some thoughts: Paano ako nabangga? Ano yung unang tumama sa akin nung bumagsak ako? Bakit maraming dugo? Alam na ba ng parents ko? Will I be okay?

A few more minutes at nasa Ospital ng Makati (Malugay street) na ako...The good lady, who introduced herself as Tita Evelyn, asked me kung anong number sa bahay so she can inform my parents...I immediately gave our residential phone number and further instructed her to calmly inform my mom so she won't have a nervous breakdown. After informing my mother, sinamahan nya ako sa xray room para ma-xray yung head ko...tapos, balik na naman kami dun sa Trauma Unit (hospital room for accident victims)...I informed my boss, my immediate superior, Cheng, John, Eryc, Elay and ate Minda through text message and informed them of what happened and where I was. A few more minutes, dumating na si Mama kasama yung neighbor namin na si Mang Alex na may kotse...wala kasi si Papa dahil may pinuntahan na client na magpapagawa ng laboratory gowns…eh si Mama, di marunong sa pasikut-sikot sa Makati...sa takot na maligaw, pinakiusapan si Mang Alex para ihatid sya sa...Makati Med! Eh wala ako dun, kaya pumunta sila sa Ospital ng Makati at dun nga ako nakita. Sa sobrang panic yata ni ina, di na nya na-grasp kung nasaang ospital ako. My mom cried upon seeing me but she wasn't hysterical since nakita naman nya na I'm conscious...syempre pa, alam kong takot sa dugo ang mama ko...I did not allow her to touch the back of my head and I kept on telling her to relax and that I'll be okay.

Pagkatapos, sinaksakan na ako ng anti-tenatus injection...then my dad arrived. My dad was calm, he called for the jeepney driver and asked what happened. Surprisingly, di nagawang magalit ng dad ko sa jeepney driver...ewan ko kung anong nangyari...must be the fact na di naman ako tinakbuhan nung jeepney driver at sya pa ang nagdala sa akin sa hospital. Then, dumating yung operator ng jeep...he promised to shoulder all the expenses in the hospital…mabuti naman. Mga 6,000 din inabout yung expenses...4,000 dun sa hospitalization and 2,000 dun sa anti-tetanus. Sometime later, the results of my head xray and pelvic xray came and both were negative. We requested for a CT scan kaya lang we have to wait for the ambulance to take me to the Ospital Ng Makati (Main) in Pembo, Makati

Around noon, my boss at RCBC came with his wife...siguro, he saw how pathetic my condition was and how poor the services were, he immediately requested my transfer to Makati Medical Center so I can be thoroughly checked. We immediately cancelled the scheduled CT scan and ordered for an ambulance for the transfer...Syempre, natagalan pa bago ako malipat kasi...wala pa daw yung ambulance! So we waited. My officemate Cheng came with the papers from RCBC, the Hospitalization Request and PhilHealth Form. Around 2pm, a nurse approached me and told me "Miss, pwedeng mamaya ko na tahiin yung sugat mo sa likod ng head kasi hindi pa ako nagbe-breakfast eh!" So syempre, kesa naman iba ang matahi nya, pinakain ko muna...wala na akong powers magtaray kaya pinalagpas ko na lang! Around 2:30 natahi yung sugat ko (4 stitches lang naman) and around past 3 o'clock, sakay na ako ng ambulance papuntang Makati Medical Center.

Pagdating sa Makati Med, dun ko lang naramdaman na pasyente pala ako...my bruises on my left leg and pelvic, and my swollen forehead were examined and measured, and my reflexes and eyes were checked. After all the examinations were conducted, I was brought to the Radiology Room to have my CT Scan...all in the span of 30 minutes!!! Around past 4pm, I was already in my private room (Room 436).



The following day, we were informed that my CT Scan result was negative.

I stayed in Makati Medical Center for 2 days and a half. My company, RCBC, shouldered all the expenses.

Thanked God, nothing serious has happened to me. I really consider it a miracle.

Before I forget I would like to thank the following:

...to following people who visited me at Makati Medical Center:

Sir Jun, Ma’am Jenny, Tita Norma, Cheng, Gima, Sir Alex, Elay, Ate Minda, Mike, Marvin, Jan, Ryan, Jing, Dida, Eryc, Angel, Mark, Christopher, Zeus, Vanessa, Sallie, Grace, Trisha, Mhyke, Alaine, Marian, Sir Al, Ma’am Tessa, Ma’am Cris, Tita Lourdes, Ate Minnie, Carol, Mamu, Beth, Gio, Nonoy, Sam, Darline, Joie, John, Cecil, and Sir Jelo.

...to those people who visited me at home:

Erick, Tita Marina, Ynah, Annie, Moimoi, Kim, Kuya Dodie, Mike, Tita Fe, Lani, Juliene, Tita Yoly, Tita Ynez, my choirmates, Lola Tutay, Auntie Malou

...for the mass intentions for my speedy recovery offered by:

Tito Boboy Yap and Tita Josie Quiambao

...for the heart-warming text messages and prayers by:

Derps, Fr. Amper, Junnie, Lorrie Ann, Sheila, Lilibeth, Bogart, Jumbo, Ching, Oweng, Rona, Maribel, Dennis

I really consider myself lucky, I have a great GOD who helped me survived this tragedy, an angel who took the form of a good samaritan (Tita Evelyn), a family who's ever supportive, friends who are there to give their love, prayers, and moral support...

What more can I ask for?

Turmoil

Just when I thought everything's ok...here comes the devil...trying to create turmoil amidst peaceful waters...





So many questions have been popping inside my head as caused by the series of unfortunate events that transpired over the weekend:

- Is there really a "nice way" of saying something bad without "hurting" the person concerned?
- Can a pure intention compensate for a foul approach?
- What does back-bitting really mean?
- Is there a truth behind the cliche: "when it rains, it pours"?
- How long can hatred last?
- Is there such a thing as "selective hatred"?
- Is overacting a crime?
- How does guilt affect a person?
- Can you really forgive without forgetting?
- Is maturity a case to case basis?

These and many more...

I pray that this will be over soon...I know this is just the devil's way of disrupting the peace and harmony within the choir...and the silver lining will definitely appear after the dark clouds...

I trust in the Lord...and I know He will never fail me...

Letting Go

One of the most heart-striking email I ever received...




When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.

Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to ..LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ...LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you .. LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge .. LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction ... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents ... LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude...LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed .... LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to... LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for you everyday!!! LET IT GO!!! Get Right or Get Left ... think about it, and then LET IT GO!!! "The Battle is the Lord's!"

Gothic Thingy

I visited the site http:\\www.deadname.com (scary site, huh?)...it's an online name generator wherein one gets to type his name and --- presto! --- one's gothic name translation is revealed. I'm not quite sure about the genuineness of the translation because I know the logic behind such utility. Nevertheless, I tried it just for fun.

I typed my name and a friend's name and here's what I got:

My Gothic Name : Beautifully Chaotic
My Friend’s Gothic Name : Beautiful Disgrace

Also tried another site: http:\\www.gothicstyle.co.uk

My Gothic Name : Ghost Darkmaiden
My Friend’s Gothic Name : Bloodstained Slayer


How's that for a combination?

Now I know...

I should have read the signs... ;p

Divine Providence

God is good.

He sends His angels at the precise moment...at the particular time when you needed it most.

Lately, i feel like life's been quite unreasonable and for the past few days, I've been wanting to talk to somebody who can really put some sense into what I'm feeling -- someone who knows me well apart from my friends whom i usually hang out with.

Out of the blue, I received a text message from my friend Bel, telling me that she wanted to see me. I strongly believe that our meeting was not a coincidence...it was drafted on purpose. Later on, I found out that we were riding on the same boat and that we needed each other's company.

It was indeed a fine evening...an answered prayer...a dear friend...a good conversation...some realizations...and courses of actions

You see, God is really good...all the time.

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Today is the 60th birthday of one of the two most important people in my life...

...my ally
...my prayer warrior
...my greatest fan
...my critic
...my confidante
...my shoulder to cry on
...my friend
...my life's greatest gift

...my MOM

Thanks for believing in me and for always being there especially during those times when the world turn its back on me...

I love you.

Got another blessing today:

I'll be the voice behind RCBC's Phone Banking Service...you know..."thank you for calling RCBC Phone Banking...please press 1..."

Isn't that great?!

walking cycles

People walk in and out of one's life. Some opted to stay while some others opted to walk out of one's life for good, leaving behind memories that are either pleasant or otherwise. Still there are others who prefer to walk in and out of your life as if it's the most natural thing to do: coming out from nowhere and walking away unnoticed only to come back another time and walk away again...

I have experienced this "walk-in-and-out" cycle quite often. Actually, I couldn't anymore recall how many times it happened. All I know is that every time it happens, it never fails to bring so much pain and disappointment...

One thing is certain, though:

No matter how much you care, some people are just ASSHOLES...


I NEED A HUG ...

Happy...but not quite

We performed at the annual recital of Mrs. Florencia Nepomuceno at the Battig Hall of St. Scholastica's College...masaya...lahat kami naka-red tops kaya parang valentine's day ang paligid...we sang Lupang Hinirang and Sanctus...ate barquillos and pancit, puto, sapin-sapin, and empanada...bad trip nga lang kasi i went back to the office to finish off some tasks...not that i don't like to render overtime...what i hate is having to cancel other other schedules in such a short notice...ang dami pa namang naghihintay sa aking bata sa rehearsals...well, as if i have a choice!

...hay! these are the times when i wish i have clones (yep, tama...maraming ako!)

Finally...

...after 48 years...a new blog! I used to have one in diaryland but i decided to switch to blogger...thanks to Carol's influence...this time, with picture pa! Ang saya :) Cute ng layout ko no? Fabulous colors, bongga!!!

oh well...i also decided to repost my archives here and decided to add pictures to enhance them a bit...ang boring nga naman kung puro words lang, di ba?

hay...wonders of technology!

Gung-Ho

I attended the BIGKIS Summer Youth Camp last May 19-22 in Tanay Rizal. It's a retreat mixed with exciting activities...the ones that will truly make one's body and soul fully alive.

It was indeed an experience filled with so much fun, laughter and talking to the Lord. I made friends with some wonderful people and reunited with some of my old friends. Masarap sanang magkwento kaya lang, it will really spoil Bigkis' main objective...

Eto lang ang tanging masasabi ko: I hope more people (both young and the young at heart) will join Bigkis and get Gung-ho about Christ Jesus!

Gullible Me

May dalawang klase daw ng tao na nabubuhay sa mundo: (1) ang mga manloloko, at (2) ang mga nagpapaloko...

...masakit mang aminin, subalit ang isang taong matalinong tulad ko (aherm!) ay naloko ng isang higit na matalino (kaya?) at tusong manloloko...

Just recently, kumanta ako sa isang kasal...the concerned parties were referred to me by a friend...in short, kaya ko lang sila nakilala ay dahil sa kaibigan ko...talks between me and the concerned parties went smoothly...I was to sing DURING the wedding and get paid AFTER the wedding...since kilala sila nung friend ko, okay na rin sa akin...sabi ko sa sarili ko, mukha namang matinong kausap ang mga taong ito at wala sa hilatsa ng mukha nila ang manloko...dumating ang araw ng kasal...syempre pa, ganda ng repertoire na hinanda ko...hinusayan ko rin ang pagkanta ko dahil ayokong mapahiya ang friend ko...natapos ang kasal...sabi nung kausap ko, "I'll get in touch with you tomorrow"...ever trusting that I was, I hold on to that promise...kaso mo, hindi sya tumawag kinabukasan...tumawag sya twice several days later, pero wala ako...alam mo naman, super hectic ang sked ko...when my mom told me na tumawag nga sya, nag-text ako sa kanya, apologizing for not being able to return the call...nag-text back naman sya, ang sabi, tatawagan nya ako later in the evening...dumating ang gabi, naghintay ako sa tawag nya...NADA!...at hanggang ngayon di pa rin sya tumatawag...as for my friend, well, na-mention ko sa kanya pero nagsabi na ako na wag na nya habulin kasi kung talagang magbabayad sila, di na sila kailangan pang i-remind...

…ok lang sa akin kung magbabayad sila...okay pa rin naman kung di na sila magbabayad...basta, hindi natutulog ang Diyos...at naniniwala ako sa KARMA...

overjoyed

Overnight outing ng choir...kaya naman, marami ring "over" na naganap sa loob ng humigit-kumulang na labing-walong oras naming pagsasama:

Over # 1: Naligaw kami papuntang Villa Madonna sa Antipolo
And to think tatlong beses na naming napuntahan ang farm resort…pero ang nakakaloka dun, yung naging tour guide namin na, ayun sa kanya, "oo, alam ko ang papunta dun. Dire-diretso lang!" Talaga lang ha, kaya pala ng mamalayan namin eh nasa Teresa, Rizal na kami...wowee!!! (background music: "Be brave, little one...")

Over # 2: Bumabaha ng gamit sa pagluluto
Dalawang 1.5 na bote ng generic na matika...isang banig ng paminta...kalahating kilo ng siling labuyo...isang kilong sibuyas...isang kilong kalamansi...isang tray ng itlog at maraming talong na nag-disappearing act...at pang-isang daang katao na basong pinoy...yehey! Pwede na kaming magtayo ng sari-sari store!!!

Over # 3: Super biritan sa karaoke
Hay! Kung napapaos lang ang karaoke, malamang wala na syang boses dahil sa 18 hours straight na walang tigil na pagpapatugtog…at ang reigning Karaoke Diva: si Jingjing! Panalo talaga ang timing at ang choice of songs! Walang sinabi si Sam na music student...tsk,tsk,tsk...

Over # 3: Guest namin si Darna, si Ding, ang dalawang alien at si Buboy

Over # 4: Muntikan nang malunod si Ice
At ang salarin ay ang aming pinagkakatiwalaang tour guide! Hala, lagot ka kay Dada...

Over # 5: "Kinasal" ako...sa isang lalaki na ang gusto ay kapwa lalaki…at ang nagkasal sa amin...um, well...no comment...

Over # 6: Problema na naman...suyang-suya na ako...

Sa kabuuan, masaya naman ang aming ginanap na pagtitipon...next year ulit...pero sana wala na ang mga ka-"over"-an na ito!

another survey

1. FIRST & MIDDLE NAME:
Jessica Santiago

2. HOW DID YOU GET YOUR NAME?
Sabi ng mom ko, she derived the first syllable of my name to that of Jesus Christ, nilagyan na lang ng "sica" para girly-girly...if I were a boy, my name would be Jess.

3. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
oo naman...

4. WHICH FINGER IS YOUR FAVORITE?
wala, lahat sila pantay-pantay ang billing...i can't imagine kung paano ako tutugtog ng piano kung may isang daliring magtampo dahil sa favorite-favorite na yan!

5. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
April 2, 2005

6. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
yes...

7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAL?
Depends on my cravings at kung ano ang masarap…

8. ANY BAD HABITS?
minsan may pagka sarcastic ako at palagi akong late

9. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF?
yung mga pirated CDs na song compilations

10. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
oh, yes definitely!

11. TWO QUESTION THAT YOU HATE TO ANSWER AND WHY?
1. Bakit wala ka pang boyfriend? Kasi di ko naman alam talaga kung bakit!
2. Galit ka ba? Kasi when I'm angry, you don’t need to ask questions 'coz you're more likely to feel it.

11. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL?
yes

12. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Sometimes...pero if I get to choose between looks and character, I'd put some weight on one's character over looks.

13. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
when i was kid, nagbabali ako ng pencil or ballpen or sumisigaw ako habang nakatakip yung pillow sa bibig ko...now, i count from one-to-ten and... get even (joke lang!)

14. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
Church

15. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY?
sobra...kaya palagi rin ako nahu-hurt...waaaaahhh!

16. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
barbie dolls, chinese jackstone at saka yung doll na kulay yellow ang hair na naka-braid na malaki ang bibig na character sa Sesame Street (sorry, hindi si Big Bird!)

17. WHAT CLASS IN SCHOOL DO YOU THINK IS TOTALLY USELESS?
JRizal - Life & Works of Jose Rizal

18. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
I used to have one before, yung handwritten...napagod na lang ako ng kakasulat. But now I do maintain an online blog...

19. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
oh yes, most of the time!

20. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A BULL SESSION?
yes…kaka-tense, sobra!

21. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
may sense of humor, loving, responsible, sensible, malapit kay Lord pero hindi pari or hindi magpa-pari, has a deep concern for his parents, emotionally stable, and understanding

22. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Jhie (sa bahay), Gigi (sa office)

23. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
yes

24. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Sometimes

25. DO YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes

26. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
chocolate

27. SHOE SIZE?
5½ or 6

28. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORS?
violet, black

29. HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE?
Two

30. WHO DO YOU MISS MOST RIGHT NOW?
Si Alfredo...si Lorrie Ann...si Geraldine...yung mga dati kong ka-choir mates na hindi ko na masyadong nakaka-chicka...

33. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
White Houses by Vanessa Carlton

34. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Chicken Teriyaki ng Kitaro

35. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Jun

36. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Eyes and nape

37. LAST PERSON YOU TEXTED?
Roehl

38. HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
happy

39. FAVORITE DRINK?
iced tea, four seasons, at saka Rhumba Frap ng Starbucks

40. FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
smirnoff mule & mudshake

41. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
Wala...pero I’m beginning to like badminton though di ako makapaglaro these days kasi sobrang toxic ng sked ko...

42. YOUR HAIR COLOR?
black

43. YOUR EYE COLOR?
dark brown

44. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
no...bawal... kasi sasayaw ang contact lens sa right eye ko!

45. SIBLINGS?
none...ako ay nag-iisang tagapag-mana (ng ano kaya?)

46. FAVORITE MONTH?
april and december

47. FAVORITE FOOD?
McChicken at fried chicken ng mcdo...siomai ng henlin...donuts ng go nuts donuts...munchkins ng dunkin'...death by chocolate ng bennigan's...carbonarra ng spaghetti factory...chicken teriyaki ng kitaro...sinigang, porkchop, inihaw na bangus at syempre, yung ginataang pusit na luto ng nanay ko :)

48. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
The Phantom of the Opera

49. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
April 2

50. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
nope

52. SUMMER OR WINTER?
summer

53. HUGS OR KISSES?
both

54. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
relationships

55. ONE THING THAT PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU
sensitive ako (both the negative and the positive side of it)...di lang halata

56. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE OTHER PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU?
I'd like other people to remember me as somebody who has touched their lives even in the slightest way.

57. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
fiction and inspirational books

59. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Monopoly

60. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Full House…final episode na kasi eh…

61. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Clinique Happy, Wings (GBH), Roasted Almond by Bath & Body Works, Vanilla Fantasy, Light Blue (Dolce & Gabanna), Eternity for Women, GAP

62. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP?
Anong oras na...anong araw na...hay, salamat GOD, buhay pa ako...ano kayang breakfast ko...pag weekdays, anong una kong gagawin pagdating ko ng office...pag weekends at hindi ako mag-o-OT, matutulog ulit ako or mag vvi-videoke (yehey!)

62. WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF?
tragic death and being outlived by my parents

63. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD
Cranky...hehehe...

CFS...the reunion

Tonight, one of my earnest wish for the year has come true. To be with the people I love and grew up with...the people whose lives are etched with mine...all in in one place at the same time...

The original CFS gang came together...everybody was there...Ate Minda, Carlos, Elsa, Sheila (& husband, Owen), Dwayne, Liza, Joie, John, me, and our "mom", Tita Fe (with Tito Nick, of course!)...



There were two reasons for the reunion: my birthday, and that of Sheila's homecoming...

We had dinner at Good Earth, Greenbelt III...



and had desserts at Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar, also at Greenbelt III...

The entire night was filled with reminiscing, laughter, and revelation...truly, despite our differences, the changes in our personality (yes, even our sexual preferences), and the years of being apart from one another, one thing has remained over the years...FRIENDSHIP

Thanks guys for making my birthday celebration finale a memorable one...

29 random facts about me

29 Random Facts About Me 1. I am an only child, but never a spoiled brat

2. I really wanted to be a journalist or a TV newscaster

3. I have a lucky thumb ring.

4. I have a teary-right eye. I’ve had it since birth.

5. I love butterflies.

6. I’m very close to my mom and dad

7. I'm a
"what-you-see-is-what-you-get" person

8. I had my share of media hype when the Love Bug Virus thingy broke out last May 2000. I got interviewed by CNN, Washington Post, etc., and was featured in Balitang K (ABS-CBN 2), Debate (GMA7), and in a documentary aired exclusively in Germany. The supposed author of the virus, Onel de Guzman, was my former student.

9. I love chocolates (especially the dark ones) and I want them plain.

10. I learned playing the piano/organ at the age of 12.

11. I hate tunnels and vast bodies of water

12. The worst thing somebody said about me was: "marami ka nang tinatapakang tao"

13. I prefer chocolate-flavored ice cream and cakes

14. I love collecting poems and song lyrics

15. I started my church service when I was 13. The first mass on which I served as an organist was August 19, 1990, 5:00pm.

16. I'm very particular with color combinations on the clothes and accessories that I wear.

17. I have no patience for makulit and "slow" people – they are my greatest annoyance

18. I easily get bored

19. I love surprises

20. The qualities that I look for in a guy consist of the following: God-fearing, family oriented or someone who has deep concern for his parents, emotionally stable, intellectually stimulating, responsible, and has a good sense of humor.

21. I love black and shades of purple

22. It really takes me soooooo long to finally decide on whether to buy a particular thing or not.

23. My Hebrew name is YISHAV, which means, 'God's grace' or 'the wealthy one'

24. My birthday landed on a Good Friday when I turned 23...my favorite number

25. I have loved and lost him forever.

26. I love sinigang na baboy, porkchop, inihaw na bangus, and ginataang pusit.

27. My ultimate goal for the choir is to be able to let them sing and be accompanied by an orchestra.

28. I'm looking forward to having my own music school and manage my own planning and coordination business (for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and yes, even funerals!)

29. The most important thing I've ever learned is that no matter how much I care, some people are just assholes. ;p

Twice A Victim

I just turned 29 today...lagpas na sa kalendaryo…yun eh kung ang tinitingnan mo ay ang buwan ng Pebrero na hindi naman leap year...

Last night, I had my first visitor...si John...my best buddy-brother...he went to our place shortly before midnight...sabi nya gusto nya salubungin namin birthday ko...ang mokong...he sure has his own unique way of making me feel special...he stayed until 3:00 AM...maraming kwentuhan...tungkol sa buhay nya, sa buhay ko...noon at ngayon...lahat na yata ng memories namin, naungkat: funny, sad, outrageous, jologs, pa-cute, pa-senti...pati mga espesyal na tao na naging bahagi ng aming mga buhay...at minsan pa, isang 1.5 Coke na naman ang aming napatumba...

...sa sobrang puyat, inaantok tuloy ako nung magsimba kami ni Mama sa Quiapo...(yawn!)

Later during the evening, I was supposed to attend the SPP Children’s Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm...Phoebe texted me na kung pwede 7:40 na daw ako pumunta dahil hindi pa sila kumpleto...Bago pa man ako makarating ng simbahan, sinalubong na ako ni Phoebe...she blindfolded me and led me to a place and asked me to sit down...pagkatanggal ng blindfold, I found myself sitting in front of the altar and before me are the members of the Children’s Choir in formation...then they sang Thanked God I Found You…sa sobrang overwhelmed, I really cried profusely that somebody had to give me a tissue...tapos when I turned around, there were a handful of members of the Couples for Christ who were supposed to use the church at that time for their CFC seminar...they were all clapping their hands and greeting me...umiyak na naman ako...then the kids led me to another room where I saw Derps, our parish priest, Mike, Ryan, and the food that the kids prepared for me...spaghetti, hotdog cocktails, refrigerator cake, and juice..."what you reap is what you sow", sabi ni Derps..."love freely given deserves love in return"...

After I sent the children home, go na kami kina Carol kasi may double celebration: surprise graduation party for Carol and birthday din ni Tita Sylvia…pagdating ko, everybody was there na except for Tita Sylvia and Carol...nag-text pa si Tita Sylvia na masakit na daw paa ni Carol kakalakad...hala, pagdating sa bahay nina Carol, nagpatay na kami ng ilaw para pagdating ni Carol masu-surprise sya...chikahan habang nasa dilim…naging moment ko kasi tinanong nila kung anong nangyari sa asalto ng Children's Choir...syempre, ako naman, si kwento...dialogue pa ni Dida, "kahiya naman, wala tayong surprise para kay ate Jhie"...tapos panandaliang katahimikan...bumukas ang pinto…nag-switch on ang ilaw...sumigaw ako ng "SURPRISE! Congratulations Carol!" pero silang lahat, sumigaw ng "SURPRISE" at kumanta ng "Happy Birthday"...si Carol kumakanta ng "Happy Birthday" habang nakatingin sa akin...may dalang cake si Tita Sylvia...sa banding kanan ko, may banner...pero baliktad...ano ito!!!...before I knew it ako pala ang kinakantahan...nabaligtad na rin ang banner, at nang mabasa ko ang nakasulat: "Happy Birthday, Jhie!" (sa bandang ibaba, nandun din yung pangalan ni Tita Sylvia)...ako pala ang victim! Ang nakakatuwa pa, ako ang super nag-text sa lahat na may surprise party si Tita Sylvia for Carol...nalaman ko na lang later na it was part of the plan: mapaniwala ako na may party for Carol…

Ito pala ang dahilan kaya:
- ang dialogue ni Tita Sylvia sa text ay: "Please let me know if you are coming so I can push it through"
- matagal mag-text back si Tita Sylvia...kasi pala, nipo-forward pa sa organizing committee at saka may screening pa sa dapat na i-reply sa text message ko
- nagtataka ako kung bakit after ko mag-text kay Tita Sylvia na after 8pm pa ako makakarating, saka lang na-establish yung idea na may pinuntahan si Carol at 8:30 pm sya dadating...saan kaya sya mangagaling?
- may sense of excitement yung mga reply ni Marvin sa mga text messages ko
- walang pakialam si Mike at si Ryan kesehodang di namin maabutan yung execution ng "surprise party" for Carol
- ready na ang tables and chairs sa labas samantalang wala akong nakita ni isang food pagpasok ko sa loob ng bahay nila Carol
- walang tension habang hinihintay si Carol...proof? halos lahat ay nagti-text at naka-ilaw ang cellphone...lahat sila cool na cool
- 5 minutes pa daw bago dumating sina Tita Sylvia at Carol pero wala pang 5 minutes, nandun na sila
- hindi nila ako sinaway sa kakadaldal ko habang hinihintay si Carol
- hindi nagulat si Carol nung buksan ang ilaw
- may dalang cake si Tita Sylvia samantalang kasama nya si Carol

Ang galing! I’m totally speechless and overwhelmed...daming food na ni-prepare: spaghetti, hotdog cocktails, liempo, fried chicken, fried lumpia, sago’t gulaman at cake...

I couldn’t imagine what my kids from the Children's Choir and my friends from the Youth Choir went through just to show how much they appreciate me...many thanks, guys...May God bless you all...

Meanwhile, far across the globe, a very significant person also celebrated life – eternally, that is. At 8:37pm, (3:37 AM of April 3, Manila Time), our beloved Pope John II joined his Creator.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord...and let Your perpetual Light shine upon Him.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

John Paul II…we love you...

The Rituals

Maundy Thursday...

Maganda at maayos ang kanta namin during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper...na-late si Ate Minda...may solo pa naman sya...kasi naman, late ng 5 minutes ang relo nila sa bahay, yan tuloy, naging Mike and the Pussy Cats ang dating ng entrance song :p

Kumain kami ng chocolate porridge (champorado) at tuyo after the Mass...



Had dinner over at John's place...matagal-tagal na rin bago naulit ang ritual na ito: ang kare-kare ni Mommy Violy at ang mga batang yagit (kami yun!)...it’s been quite sometime...kung di pa umuwi si Sheila, di pa kami magkakasama ulit...the original tropa minus two – Dwayne and Elsa...si Elsa, understandable...as usual, marami na namang excuses...nasanay na kami sa kanya...we still love her kahit pa isa syang walking alibi...si Dwayne naman...naku, yun nga ang naging topic ng usapan...oh, how we miss the old Dwayne that we used to know...pero ganun talaga, seasons change and so do people...kaya ka nga friend di ba, nandyan ka para umintindi...

Di ko tuloy maiwasan ang mag-senti...nakakatuwang balikan ang mga magagandang alaala sa piling nila: breakfast club...ang llanera ng leche flan...ang milo na sing-tigas ng bato...ang tapa ni elsa...ang pag-iinarte ng majorette naming si Liza…ang initiation rites ng Center For Stupidity (the dead malice treatment)...ang high-waist ni Elsa...ang matapang na pabango ni John...Dwayne's double-socks...ang "wig" ko...ang malakas na tawa ni Sheila...mga pictorial sessions na umubos ng rolyo-rolyong negatives...sleepover sa bahay ni Dwayne...video marathon sa bahay nina Kuya Nog...sandamakmak na fries at iced tea ng Wendy's...Christmas exchange gifts...pagtambay sa mga bahay-bahay...ang panlilimos sa mga nakatatandang members ng choir para meron kaming pangkain sa Wendy's...surprise visits kina Tita Fe para makikain in dinner...ang iyakan sa despedida ni Sheila...ang mga mumunti naming tampuhan...ang pangungupit ni John sa wallet ni Kuya Nog...ang bukol sa noo ni Sheila nung Sister's Act presentation...ang walang humpay na puyatan at panda-daot sa mga taong dumaraan sa harap ng bahay namin...

Sa ngayon, may kanya-kanya na kaming buhay...marami na ring nabago sa aming pagkatao...hiwa-hiwalay man kami, patuloy kaming pinagbubuklod ng mga alaalang ito na talaga namang mapapangiti ako tuwing sasagi sa aking isipan...

The Cake & The Lamb

Sa susunod, kapag magpapa-deliver kayo ng cake sa Red Ribbon, tanungin nyo muna kung nagde-deliver yung particular branch na iyon bago umorder.

Alaine and I went to the Park Square branch of Red Ribbon kahapon to have a cake delivered to Ate Minda sa office nya kasi it’s her happy birthday…before kasi nagpadeliver na rin ako ng cake para kay Alfredo dun sa branch na yon kaya di na ako nagtanong…eh malay ko bang nagbabago ang panahon…ayun, super order ako only to cancel it later on dahil wala na pala silang delivery pero sa Greenbelt daw meron…

Para mawala ang init ng ulo ko habang naglalakad kami ni Alaine papuntang Greenbelt, binasa ko yung menu leaflet na inabot sa amin nung isang babae…Lamb Kaldereta…kita mo nga naman, pati lamb eh pwede na palang i-kaldereta! Tapos kumanta ako ng Mary Had A Little Lamb…nay, nakalimutan ko ang lyrics! Buti na lang, sumagot si Alaine ng…”and Jill came tumbling after”…nyek, mali! Marami akong tinext, lahat sila di alam ang lyrics…pambihira! Nai-deliver na’t lahat ang cake na binili ko para kay Ate Minda pero iniisip ko pa rin ang lyrics nya hanggang sa choir practice kagabi…ang nakasagot sa akin, si Mike… eto yung kumpletong lyrics…

Mary had a little lamb
Little lamb, little lamb
Mary had a little lamb
It's fleece was white as snow

Everywhere that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went.
Everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day
School one day, school one day
It followed her to school one day
Which was against the rules.

It made the children laugh and play,
laugh and play, laugh and play.
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.

Promise, ime-memorize ko na sya…

The Gift

I love it when friends come up to me and tell me that they liked the gift that I bought for them. Making other people happy is one thing that gives joy to me...and having them appreciate it affirms my being.

A friend once told me, "Your gift made me realize a lot of things in life…and I have to thank you for that."

"No life is a waste. The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone."

Very true.

A Blessing

Our stint at Shangri-La Hotel Makati for CIGI’s 25th Anniversary was great...much to our surprise, we got paid 5K!...Joie’s friend told me that if she had known we were that great, she could have asked for 10K...sayang...Anyway, we ate at Spaghetti Factory (Glorietta) and had ice cream afterwards at Icebergs…

I have learned a great lesson yesterday.

Don’t lose hope.

not-so-ordinary sunday

Nag sing-and-play ako kanina sa 9AM mass...Bodie came in late but he never bothered to sing 'coz he's afraid of the priest...oks lang, sanay na ako...Badette was early for the 10AM mass...aba! Naka-hanging shirt...dyaskeng bata, ire, magso-songlead na litaw ang pusod!...well, she did change her top into a more decent shirt (ngek, shirt pa rin!)

Mass Confirmation at 2PM...tagal ng mass pero sulit sa food...sarap ng cassava cake...yummy rin yung ultra thin crust pizza ng L' Inncontro (ooops, ako lang pala kumain nun...pumasok kasi ako sa loob kaya pinatikim ako ni Tita Adela ng pizza)...tapos, hiniritan nila ng ice cream si Derps, syempre ako ang namili ng flavor...rocky road...sarap!

It was nice to find myself singing with the choir during the 6pm mass...na-miss ko tuloy yung pagiging simpleng member ng choir...ngayon, naiintindihan ko na kung ano ang feeling pag katabi mo si mike at kung bakit minsan bingi si ryan...hehehe...

later during the practice, may nagka-pikunan...dejavu...ang theme song nila: Let's Get Physical.

Stairway To Friendship

Tagaytay bonding...we were 15mins late from the appointed departure time...late kasi si Ryan...kaya bad trip si Mike...hmmmmm...anyway, nakarating din kami...disappointed ako kasi hindi malamig sa Tagaytay...apparently, there are some reasons kung bakit nag-enjoy ako:

1. maganda yung napili naming place...malayo nga lang (sorry sa mga napagod ng kakalakad) pero malilim
2. everybody was affirmed in one way or the other
3. masarap ang adobo at tuna spread na ginawa ni Marvin.
4. masaya yung stairway to friendship na board game na ginawa ni jing...nag-go back to start sina dada at mike...bwahahaha!
5. maraming revelations & we got to know mike better (kasi sya yung na-"hot seat"!)
6. I was able to fulfill one of my goals for this year: to go to a butterfly farm!

Maraming tanong na gusto kong sagutin dun sa board game ni Jing, unfortunately, di napunta sa akin yung questions...kaya, dito ko na lang sasagutin...

What emotional problem bothers you very often?
...all the "what-ifs" and "could’ve-beens" of my life...hay!

What are the things you would not tolerate in a friendship?
...yung gagamitin ka...deadma na sya kung malagay ka sa alanganin basta favorable ang ending sa kanya...di bale, may karma naman eh…

What is scary in relating intimately with someone?
...di naman sinabi kung romantic relationship di ba?...siguro, kung sa babae, yung fear of losing a dear friend...it has happened many times at maraming beses na akong umiyak...kung sa lalaki naman, yung pag-isipan ka ng ibang tao na may other motive ka dun sa guy aside from friendship...yung mga taong nag-iisip ng ganun ay maaring isa sa mga ito: a) they don’t experience this kind of friendship, b) malisyoso sila, or, c) sila ay mga insecure na tao, as in insecurity personified…c’mon, pwede namang maging mag-best buddy ang babae at lalaki nang walang romantic angle...and believe me, kadalasan, ito pa yung talagang for keeps...

Describe your perfect partner in life.
...God-fearing, family oriented or someone who has deep concern for his parents, emotionally stable, intellectually stimulating, responsible, and has a good sense of humor

We arrived home shortly before 9pm...just in time for Stairway To Heaven...

I know what you did last night

Last night's choir practice was back to normal...back to normal in the sense na ako ang nagturo at madaling na-pick-up ng mga tinuturuan ko...call it revenge, if you wish...eto kasing mga nakaraang practice namin, medyo observer muna ang naging drama ko kasi nandun si teacher sampy...I was really hoping to learn a couple of choral techniques from her kaya lang medyo nadismaya ang beauty ko...my choir friends really had a hard time learning the pieces...I know the capability of my group kaya hindi ako papayag kung sasabihan silang "slow" dahil siguradong away ito! Neither will I allow other people to belittle my friends, no way!!! Kaya I decided to review them and tried correcting the minor flaws dun sa repertoire nila...now that they’ve learned the "proper" way of singing the songs, I rest my case...if only she'll do justice with the way she will conduct the choir...whew!

Later on, Carol and I went to Gasoline Alley at Robinson's Galleria to watch Milk 'n Money and Urban Dub...Alaine was there with her buddies...She’s a friend of Pinay and Pres (Milk 'n Money’s vocalist and bassist respectively)...Once again, the critic in me emerged...well, you can't blame me, I really couldn't understand what they were saying, este, singing pala...ayan tuloy, nalipat ang attention ko sa iba...there was this erratic girl na feeling too-close-for comfort...then there was this boy who couldn't get his body to be in sync with the beat (wag na kasing ipagpilitan eh!)...yuck, ang sama ni ate Jhie!

Well, it was fun naman...simply because I like Carol's company... :)

a letter to the one that God has prepared for me

I am wondering at this very minute if you are thinking of me, if like me, you are wondering what is taking us so long to find each other. Many times I thought I finally found you only to be disillusioned by the fact that my
wait has not yet ended. I get up each morning hoping, dreaming, longing to meet you. I am thinking of how we will meet, would it be as romantic as the ones I have seen in movies? Or is it possible that I have known you
all my life but we have yet to realize that we are meant for each other?

Oh how I wish you were here right now because you are the only one who has the answers to all my questions. Sometimes I ask myself if I have ever really known "love". I do not have the answer to that question either but
I believe that, more often than not, we will never really know what love is until we find that right person.... and since I have not found you yet, then maybe I do not really know what love is!

You just don't know how often I dream of finally knowing what it feels like to be in your arms. Even at this very moment I am imagining how you will simply sweep me off my feet! Perhaps I would be drawn to you by your
smile, or your eyes, or maybe even how you manage to make me laugh by your silly little ways! I don't really know for sure but I am praying that God will help me recognize you when the right time comes.

I think of all the pain that I have gone through in the past and of how much I have cried since the day I began my search. I just wanted you to know that I find my strength in clinging onto my vision of the beautiful
life ahead of me --- the life I shall spend with you. In my mind and in my heart I know that you are worth all that pain and sacrifice. After all, the tears have become a part of my life and I believe that they are slowly
washing away my flaws so that I would become perfect, not perfect in its truest sense, but perfect --- for YOU! I wonder if you've gone through so much pain as well. I wonder if you've been hurt so many times along the
journey. But my dearest one, please don't ever give up because I am right there... patiently waiting for you! I assure you that when we finally find each other I would slowly heal those wounds by my love.

At night, I would look out my window and stare at the beautiful sky, hoping that somehow you are also looking up and wondering about me. I utter a silent prayer and send all my cries to the heavens above thinking
that in time they would reach you. And when I feel impatient, I just close my eyes and believe that you are on your way and that you are longing to see me as well. It is funny but when I finally fall asleep, it is still you
that I think of, for you are always in my dreams. It seems that, for now, that is the only place where I can hold on to you, long enough to tell you how much I love you. In my dreams you would kiss away my fears and wrap me
with your arms of love. And this, all the more, makes me want to wake up and face the new day ahead with the hope that soon enough, you will no longer be a dream but a reality and once again I am assured that you are
worth the wait. And when that time comes, everything will fall into its place, just as I had imagined, just as I had thought and dreamed, just as I had believed it would be! By then, I would simply look back and smile at
all that I have gone through, in spite of the pain and amidst the simple joys of life --- and I would be very thankful because they all led me to you!

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

last things

1) Last book you read?
When God Writes Your Love Story

2) Last album you listened to:
The Company Anthology

3) Last time you thought you were going to die:
nung nag-earthquake...sometime in October yata...nasa office ako (15th floor ng RCBC Plaza)

4) Last time you cried:
December 2004

5) Last piece of clothing you bought:
black maong shorts

6) Last food you ate:
Oishi Cheeze on Chips and Presto Peanut-Butter Creams

7) Last dream you had:
VI-Gold Class Reunion

8) Last TV show you watched:
Last night's late evening newscast

9) Last computer program you bought:
none

10) Last time you felt inspired:
February 3, 2005

11) Last time you lied:
err, kanina lang...

12) Last time you got into a fight:
November 2001

13) Last time you were confused:
December 2004

13) Last magazine you read:
Kerygma, January issue

14) Last person you talked to on the telephone:
Darline

15) Last time you were in the hospital:
December 5, 2004...when we visited Marvin at Makati Medical Center

16) Last video you watched:
A Walk In The Clouds

17) Last movie you saw at the theater:
Meet The Fockers

18) Last contest you entered:
RCBC Star Search

19) Last photo shoot you went on:
Last year, with the officers of the SPP Children's Choir

20) Last song you listened to:
Kasama Ka...yung Coke commercial jingle

21) Last time you were betrayed:
December 2004

22) Last poster pinned in your bedroom wall:
i'm not into posters...puro glow-in-the-dark lang

23) Last time you thought you were going to war:
January 22, 2005...muntik ko nang awayin si Michael

24) Last pair of shoes you bought:
black strappy shoes with heels

forces of nature

Had an extremely busy day at work today...very draining...nevertheless, I still find a couple of reasons for me to be happy despite the, um, not so good stuff:

- Alfredo said he missed me soooooo much
- I was able to eat a decent lunch for only 35 pesos...grabe, pang-Guinness ito!
- Ate Minda gave me a bear hug
- Carol told me na nami-miss nya yung pagtuturo ko sa choir (andun kasi si Teacher Sampy kaya pang-gulo muna ang beauty ko!)

Minsan mahirap talagang espelengin (arrgh, my Tagalong spelling really sucks!) ang isang tao...Take the case of my friend, Jing...dahil lang sa isang maling salita na binitiwan nya, nag-react si Dida...because of this, Jing has to leave the practice early to cool down...well, I just hope she feels better soon...(yes, she shouldn't dapat...ha? Ano daw?...ang gulo no?)

Lesson learned: For every force, there is always an equal and opposite reaction. ;p

Yehey! Friday na naman bukas...

ash wednesday reflection

Go the extra mile this Lenten season
By Jerry M. Orbos, Svd

TODAY, Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. According to
Church precepts, those between 18 and 60 years old are obliged to fast,
i.e., to take only one full meal. Those who are 14 years old and above
are obliged to refrain from meat. The reason for fasting and abstinence
is repentance of one's sins and sacrifice to obtain special graces from
God.

The core of true fasting is the heart, the heart that wants to repent,
the heart that wants to love. Without the heart, we miss the whole
point. We may end up as Jesus sternly warns in today's Gospel (Mt.
6:1-6, 16-18) performing righteous deeds, giving alms, praying and
fasting, just for show and publicity.

Which reminds me of one particular Ash Wednesday. There I was applying
ashes on the forehead with the words: ''Remember thou art dust and to
dust you will return.'' This bejeweled and all made-up lady comes up and
tells me, ''Father, little only ha, kasi my make-up''! Here she was
being reminded of the death and dying to oneself, and all she could
think about was her make-up!

I made sure she would never forget the message of Lent all right by
putting a very big cross all the way down to her nose and all across her
forehead.

Beyond the rituals and obligations, go the ''extra mile'' this Lenten
season. Fast and abstain not only from food, but from bad habits and
vices as well, such as smoking, drinking, gossiping and hot temper.

Abstain from meat, and have lobsters and blue marlin instead? That's
not making it.

There is no real sense of sacrifice involved if you fast only to lose
weight or to reduce your blood cholesterol and uric acid.

There is no real sacrifice if you end up cranky, angry and resentful.
God wants sacrifice offered with a joyful heart, and a sincere heart
that really wants to give.

Reach out to loved ones

Reach out and take time for your loved ones now. When was the last time
you ''wasted'' time with the people whom God has given to you, who may
not speak the language of your so-called friends and acquaintances but
who for sure will be there for you and will go the ''extra mile'' for
you more than anybody else in this world?

A phone call. A letter. A text message. A little gift. A pat at the
back. Little, little things. They do mean a lot. But please. Do it now.
Not when he/she is dead and gone.

By ''extra mile,'' I definitely do not mean the funeral mile. And when
was the last time you really gave an ''extra mile'' for the less
fortunate people around?

Don't forget the social aspect of fasting in your family or community.
Perhaps you can agree to skip soft drinks, dessert, or shopping, and
give the money you saved for the less fortunate. What have you done for
others? Have you ever really given time, talent, and treasure till it
hurt. Please remember again that your mission in this world is not just
to become rich, powerful, or famous. We are all pilgrims in this world,
and we carry nothing with us when we leave except the love we shared.

Sit still

Reach out to your God. When was the last time you really sat still and
listened to God and allowed Him just to embrace and love you? When was
the last time you dropped by a lonely church just to say Hello? And when
was the last time you said ''sorry'' to the Lord, and really, really
meant it.

Don't wait for dead-end

Go the ''extra mile'' now, and not when you are already dying or dead.
For there would be no ''extra mile'' then when you've literally reached
the dead-end.

Ash Wednesday is just the beginning. There are 40 days (Cuaresma) of
prayers, fasting, and good works ahead of us. You will never experience
the true joy of Easter if you just let this 40 days pass you by without
offering sacrifices (till it hurts) and without true conversion in the
heart. Maybe there's a bad habit or two that you can work on. Perhaps
there's a positive thing or two, you can offer to God like, smiling more
often, being more giving and more affirming. Go the ''extra mile.''

Finally, when was the last time you really took the ''extra mile'' for
your true self--not the strong superman nor the unruffled hero, not the
fearless advocate you claim to be. When will you accept that you too are
human, needing rest, needing love and needing warmth?

Be good to yourself. Be true. Go beyond the rituals and obligations.
Walk the ''extra mile'' especially this Lenten Season. Walk it in
secret, and begin each mile with an S (Smile!).

That ''extra mile'' begins wherever you are, wherever you're at, right
now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We will be the choir sponsor for tonight's mass at 6:30...our rehearsals were quite cranky and ecstatic last night...sana we'll do well tonight...for God's glory... :)

swallowing one's pride

I feel bad...a past issue has recently resurfaced and they are making fun of it…they are giving their unsolicited and malicious remarks, well in fact, they don’t know anything about the story, how it started and who started it...looking back, I must admit, I still feel bad...like it just happened yesterday...there I was, trying to help a friend...in one snap of a finger, I became the nemesis to the heroine... as for my friend, well, they don’t even know that it all started with her , anyway...how did the story end? Well, I was the one who apologized instead...talk about "swallowing one's pride"...hindi sya masarap, promise!

sometimes, being too kind is risky...and the price you have to pay is your dignity...

one sunday morning

Hyatt stint was good except for Ryan and Jan's Latin lyrics during the Gloria...

...di ako mapakali, Trish was texting and calling me during the mass kasi wala pa ni isang tao sa bahay namin...the guys assigned for rockwell were supposed to meet at 9am in our house...for the nth time, Badette proved how irresponsible she really is! Imagine, nasa kanya yung pyesa na tutugtugin ni Trish pero late sya dumating...syempre, I, as well as the rest of the guys in Hyatt were panicking!!! Di tuloy kami nakakain ng maayos...later on I found out na naka-abot naman pala si badette...according to my mom, she went to the house at 9:20 followed by Dada at 9:30 (and he was the one assigned to carry the keyboard pa!)...nainis talaga ako sobra...how can some people be so insensitive, irresponsible, and....waaah!!!

Anyway, the guys at rockwell were given 1K for breakfast, half of which went to the group's fund...we, at Hyatt, were paid 1K...we only managed to shell out 200 bucks for our taxi fare...

1,300 pesos in cash...well, tuloy na ang tagaytay bonding namin on Feb. 25...yehey!!!

two Funerals and a gimmick

I decided to extend my sleeping hours instead of attending the 7am breakfast meeting this morning...blessing in disguise...a little bird told me that it took them about an hour and a half before the meeting proper started...had I attended the meeting, I would surely be late for the 10:30am mass...The mass in St. Andrew Parish was the culmination activity for the Pro Life Movement rally-cum-funeral...prior to the mass, they buried an aborted baby at the nearby South Cemetery…makes me wonder, how could somebody have the guts to kill an innocent child…may God forgive and bless the people responsible for this and may the soul of the innocent child rest in peace...amen...

Anyway, Ate Minda, Badette, Dida, Ryan and Mario did very well during the mass...one thing very fascinating about our stint was the designated location for the choir...they have this carpeted bleachers (riser, in choir lingo) and sensitive microphones...they also have three LCD projectors and an intelligent piano encased in a wooden casket...oops, I mean, protected by a wooden casing...wow! they must be getting a lot of collections lately... ;p

After the mass, Dida, Badette and I decided to have lunch at Ate Minda’s place…we saw Ate Minda’s baby pictures and played with little Dana...then there was the funeral mass at 2pm...he died of heart attack…30 years old, 6’2 in height and about to take his bar exams...I was kidding the girls (Carol joined us during the mass) that I have met the man of my dreams...on his funeral day...poor me!

We got paid 300 bucks...Carol had to go to her mom’s office and Badette had to go home early so Ate Minda, Dida and I ended up girl-bonding...later on, I had my Saturday evening routine...choir practice with the kids and the pretending-to-be-kids…hehehe…

I’m so excited for our stint tomorrow at Hyatt...lots of good luck to Carol and to the guys assigned at Powerplant...

Emotional Blackmail

Help! Somebody's giving me an emotional blackmail...naranasan mo na ba yun? Yung pilit na pinapahirapan ka emotionally and the person couldn't care less kung maloka ka na...nakaka-trauma, promise!

I asked the help of a few people and here are the suggestions:
- confront the person (I already did this…walang epekto!)
- consult a witch doctor (hey, nice suggestion! I'd probably resort to this if worse comes to worst.)
- tell the person to seek the help of a psychiatrist (yehey! Pwedeng pag-praktisan ni Jingjing!)
- deadma (eh pano nga kung makulit pa rin?)
- eh di deadma pa rin hanggang sa maubos ang load nya at di na mauso ang telepono at internet!

The entire day went just like that...I felt like a tortured being...

At last, something to relieve my mind of the torture! Later on, I watched the festival concert at the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ along with Jan, Marvin, and Carol. But before that, uminit na naman ang ulo ko dahil lamang sa isang pasaway ng tao…talk about insensitivity…kainis talaga! The good thing is, I got back to my normal self as soon as we arrived in Las Pinas. God, the church was enthralling! Nice edifice and very solemn…the perfect place for the magnificent Bamboo Organ…makes me want to get married right away...oops, got one big problem, though…the groom! Well, I just hope the church and the bamboo organ would still be there when I finally meet "The One"...hehehe...



The concert started off with a German playing the bamboo organ...he played the Trumpet Voluntary which, in fact, is originally intended for the trumpet, and another suite piece whose title slipped my mind as of the moment. Soon after, the members of the orchestra went up the stage along with the members of the festival chorale...surprisingly, hindi lang united colors of benetton and drama nila kundi star-studded din...nandun si Legolas at si Harry Potter! In fairness, standout pa rin si Mike, grabe! Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with their repertoire...they could have, at least, sang a few common songs...ayun, tinulugan tuloy sila ng mga pretending-to-be-cultural-enthusiasts...oh well...mas masaya yung journey namin pabalik...the four of us rode the ordinary bus sa pondohan malapit sa Coastal Mall...you should have seen the look on Carol's face while she was enjoying the ride back home...she's pretending she was in a roller-coaster ride...the look of innocence...

I'm headed for an extremely busy day tomorrow, 7am breakfast meeting, 10:30am choir service at St. Andrew Parish, 2pm funeral mass, 6:30pm children's choir rehearsals, 8pm youth choir rehearsal...hay, iniisip ko pa lang, pagod na ako!

...now, iniisip ko na naman yung taong nagbibigay sa akin ng emotional torture...kainis...i wish mag disappear na lang sya sa earth...

itutulog ko na lang 'to...

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad’s 60th birthday. I really wanted to have a surprise party for him…complete with catering services, souvenirs, band, etc…but, my mom blew it! He told my dad a few weeks before his birthday. I couldn’t blame my mom for that ‘coz he knew my father. He wasn’t the type of person who would throw a lavish party just because he turned 60. He’d rather spend time with the family, do more important yet inexpensive stuff with the people he love…and I admire him for that.

My dad is much like a typical father but with a little ‘extra’. He isn’t the showy type but you will get to feel the sincerity of his love and care in simple ways one could ever imagine. He takes delight in waking me up in the morning and buying me merienda or balut. He may seem very strict but never did he lay a hand on me when I was a child. He was never patient but when it comes to my welfare, he seems to have all the time in the world. He never grows tired of waking up in the middle of the night just to open the door for me after a late night out. I really don’t mind having the key to our house. It brings me great joy to know and feel how happy my dad is when I get to arrive home in one piece…after all, I’m still his baby.

Like every normal father-and-daughter relationship, ours had its share of misunderstandings. Owe it to the fact that we are very much alike in many ways; our ideas, principles, and beliefs sometimes clash, and like the two similar poles of a magnet, we repel…but I love him just the same.

In general, having him as a father is really something I can truly be proud of.

He is my mentor, protector, counselor, number one critic, and number two fan (next to my mom!)

He sure has flaws…but who cares…nobody’s perfect anyway. For me, his imperfections and his good attributes made him the best father that he is to me…and I will be forever grateful for that.

Happy Birthday, Papa...i love you!

Happy Anniversary to SPPYC

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Youth Choir. My, oh my, how time flies! Imagine, I was there when the group started...fourteen years ago...at nandito pa rin ako!!! Kaya naman I thought of coming up with 14 things that i learned from the choir...just a reflection of how the choir changed my views in life and how it helped me to be the person i am today...read on...

14 Things I learned from the choir:

1. Singing is twice praying.
2. A choir member’s ultimate goal is to glorify God and sanctify the faithful.
3. No matter how hard you try, you just cant please everybody.
4. Commitment is synonymous to perfect attendance during rehearsals, mass service, and gimmicks.
5. Being too idealistic can put you into BIG trouble.
6. Diplomacy is not always the best solution.
7. Choir members come, and when they go, you simply can’t do anything about it.
8. Many are called, but only a few will choose to remain with the group, and more often than not, they are the people you least expect.
9. Choir members are worst critics when it comes to music.
10. Sing where the notes go. Don’t rely on your instincts.
11. No choral performance is one and the same, and each member of the group is responsible for it.
12. Nothing beats fellowship after a strenuous rehearsal or a magnificent performance.
13. Each choir member has a certain degree of artistic tantrums.
14. In the choir, you dont just have friends; you have a FAMILY.

Cheers to another year in God's service and good luck to all our endeavors!

"I will sing forever of your love, oh Lord
I will celebrate the wonder of Your Name
For the Word that You speak is a song song of forgiveness
And a song of gentle mercy and of peace."

Life's Lessons on SHoes

Here's one of the very few interesting emails na na-receive ko...it's really worth reading...and reflecting...

THE OVERUSED SHOES

When I went to Davao for Christmas vacation in 2001, I found what I think
was the best shoes I've ever had. It was a blue and white slip-ons with a
flower on its strap. Margay ang tatak niya. Ang tagal ko na naghanap ng
blue na kikay slip-ons at doon ko lang sa Gaisano Davao nahanap iyun. And
I bought the shoes for 500 lang! Feeling ko pa, suwerte ako dahil last
pair na iyun. And it was my size!
Sobrang natuwa ako sa kikay kong sapatos. At napakalambot niya! I wore the
shoes everyday because they would match anything... denim, slacks, capri
pants, skirt, dress. Gamit ko siya in the office, at the mall, in church,
even at the beach!
Dahil araw-araw ko siyang nagamit, at nasuot ko na siya sa kung saan, it
was expected na wala pang isang taon ay sira na siya. Sabi ko, okay lang.
May Margay naman sa Robinsons saka sa Landmark, siguro naman may ganoong
style pa sila. Ngunit napuntahan ko na lahat ng display ng Margay pero
wala akong nakitang katulad nang nabili ko sa Davao.
Nakadalawang uwi na ako sa Davao at pumupunta ako sa Gaisano, umaasang may
makikita akong ganoon klaseng sapatos. Hindi na nga ako naghahangad ng
eksaktong ganoon eh. Kahit na kamukha lang o kasing-lambot lang, okay na.
Kaso wala. Iyong kikay blue Margay na slip-ons ko -- na malambot at may
naka-angat na bulaklak sa strap, na bagay sa kahit anong damit ko -- ay
sira na ngayon.
Hindi lang siya sira, nangingitim na sa dumi, at hindi na kayang i-glue
ang punit na talampakan. Pero hindi ko pa siya maitapon-tapon. Hindi ko
alam kung bakit. Alam ko hindi ko na siya maisusuot uli, pero may reminder
naman ako na once upon a time, I had a perfect pair of shoes. Hindi ko nga
lang inalagaan.

Lesson learned:
Kapag nahanap mo na ang bagay o tao na sa tingin mo ay perfect na para sa
iyo, ingatan at alagaan mo. Huwag mong abusuhin. Kapag nawala sila, baka
wala ka nang mahahanap na kapalit. At habambuhay mo na lang iisipin na
"sana, inalaagaan ko siya."

THE "MAGANDA SYA PERO MASAKIT" SHOES

May fini-fit ako noon na sapatos sa Celine. Okay lang ang presyo. Maganda
ang material. Kikay ang hitsura. At kapag suot ko, nakaka-sexy ng paa. May
isang problema nga lang... masakit sa paa.
Pero cutie kasi siya eh. Saka on sale. At sadyang matigas ang ulo ko. Kaya
ayun, binili ko.
Sa umpisa, okay lang naman. Keri ko. Saka masakit naman talaga sa paa ang
bagong sapatos. Pero habang lumilipas ang oras, lalong sumasakit. Hindi
siya meant sa pangmatagalang suot. Habang suot ko siya, parang gusto kong
umiyak sa tuwing humahakbang ako. Pagdating ko ng bahay, puro sugat at
galos ang paa ko. At ilang linggo din akong may peklat sa paa dahil sa
diyaskeng sapatos na iyun.
Kapag sa umpisa pa lang, alam mo na masakit na sa paa at hindi mo puwedeng
suotin ng matagalan, huwag mo nang bilhin. Bakit mo pa itutuloy kung alam
mong masasaktan ka lamang kapag sinuot mo?
Parang pakikipag-relasyon din iyan eh. May mga lalake na good on paper,
bagay sa iyo, tipo mo nga eh. Ang kaso, panandalian lang siya. "Boylet"
lang kasi unavailable siya. Bakit mo pa itutuloy kong alam mong eventually
ay masasaktan ka lang? Sana, habang maaga pa, iwasan mo na.

Lesson learned:
Kung sa umpisa pa lang, alam mo na masasaktan ka lamang sa bandang huli,
huwag mo nang ituloy. Baka mag-iwan pa iyan ng scar na hindi mo na
maaaalis kailan man.

THE SHOES THAT GOT AWAY

May nakita akong magandang sandals sa Landmark. Mura lang, less than 500
lang siguro. Kakaiba din siya kasi hindi siya iyong style na makikita mo
sa babaeng katabi mo sa MRT. Black and white siya. Polka dots ang strap
niya pero hindi cheap ang dating. Ang kikay nga eh. tapos, two inches
iyong heels niya. Sinukat ko minsan, ang ganda sa paa!
Kaya lang, hindi ko siya binili. Kasi, kakaiba siya eh. Mahirap hanapan ng
ka-match na damit at bag. Saka kakabili ko lang kasi ng isang sandals kaya
sabi ko, next pay day ko na lang bibilhin ang polka dots na sapatos na
yun.
Madalas akong dumaan sa Landmark at nakikita ko ang sapatos na gusto ko
bilhin pero hindi ko mabili-bili. Ilang pay day na ang dumaan pero hindi
ko pa rin siya kinukuha para iuwi. Hanggang sa dumating ang oras na
kailangan ko ng isang kikay na sandals na may print. Naisip ko agad ang
polka-dots na matagal ko na gusto bilihin. Pero pag-punta ko sa Landmark,
wala na siya doon. Naubos na. Ang ending, napabili ako ng ibang printed na
sapatos na hindi ko naman talaga gusto pero wala akong choice kasi
kailangan ko na nga.

Lesson learned:
Kung magpapaligaya sa atin ang isang bagay, seize the day! Sa kaka-delay,
baka mawala lang sa atin ito at mauuwi tayong nagse-settle sa hindi naman
talaga natin gusto. Mas mahirap pagsisihan ang mga bagay na hindi mo
ginawa. Wala na yatang mas masakit pa sa thought na abot-kamay mo na lang,
pero pinalampas mo pa.

Sino ba naman mag-aakalang may mapupulot pala akong leksyon sa mga
sapatos? Kaya nga panay bili ko eh, para mas marami pa akong matutunan. Sa
susunod, I will find lessons from bags naman para ma-justify din kung
bakit sandamakmak ang bags ko

hay, minsan talaga makukuha mo ang life's valuable lessons sa mga simpleng bagay lamang...

Nang minsang ma-STARSTRUCK ako sa Pornstars!

Umaga pa lang, bad trip na ako...kailangan kong tumugtog sa 7:00AM mass...ok lang, ang kaso, 10 minutes before the mass ako sinabihan...and to think yun pa lang yung time na nagising ako...STRIKE ONE!

9:00 na wala pa ang mga choir members na kakanta sa rockwell...mabuti na lang at dumating si Badette...at sya ang nagbitbit ng keyboard!!! Dahil sa hindi malamang kadahilanan, dumiretso na ng rockwell si Mike at si Jan...STRIKE TWO!!

Mabuti na lang at hindi na nag-STRIKE THREE dahil kung hindi, I would have probably spoiled the fun during lunch...anyway, sarap ng lunch namin courtesy of Elay...she treated us at Julie’s Restaurant in Borakay sa Parañaque (yung katabi ng Dampa)…calamares, ensaladang mangga at bagoong, buttered sugpo, inihaw na liempo, baked tahong and maya-mayang sinigang sa miso...ang dami kong nakain (yuck, ang takaw!)

After kumain, we went to Karaoke King sa Glorietta (3 nga ba yun, ah basta, located sya sa dating Quad Cinema!)…sing-to-death ang mga katauhan…ang ganda ng repertoire pati cover ng CD...syempre, may picture namin…ang title: PORNSTAR (ano ba yun?)

And here’s what I can say to their performance...

Ryan...Each Day With You...ano ba ito, audition? Hindi, malamang pinagpraktisan nya ‘to ng husto!!!...in fairness, walang kakaba-kaba ang lolo mo...pobstar na nga talaga :p

Dida...Torn...maganda ang timbre ng boses nya sa kantang ito, subalit medyo mahina kaya parang naging tunog ballad...kailangang lumapit pa sa mic ng konti...di bale, next time...

Mike…To Where You Are...Josh Groban, ikaw ba yan?...I specially like the line "...to see you smiiiiiiiiile"...grabe, pang birit queen talaga...

Carol...Power of Two...revelation ang batang ito!...she could give Indigo Girls a run for their money...ka-boses nya pa..."now the parking lot is empty...(with matching kulot-kulot d voice pa!)"...ning, di ka mukhang kabado, huh?...galing!

Jan...Unwell...I enjoyed listening to him...mas maganda compared dun sa una nyang recording...rock star ang dating...may angas..."im not crazy, I'm just a LITIL unwell..." yay!

Badette...A Little Bit...the song suits her voice very well...yun nga lang, nagmamadali syang tapusin ang kanta...di pa dapat tumaas, tumaas na...napagsabihan tuloy ni Dida…

Marvin...Crazy For You...I find her version far more refreshing than that of Cindi Lauper...para kasing bagong gising na tinatamad si Cindy...pero si Marvin, ah...iba sya...may sensuwalidad...mas maganda sana kung mapang-halina niyang binigkas ang mga katagang "crazy for you, baby"...

Jingjing...Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal...idol nya nga si Jolina (obvious ba?)...hearing her sing the song takes you back to the actual setting of the movie...pati climate ng Baguio, damang-dama mo!...she has a powerful voice, wag lang kakabahan...ning, ikaw na nga lang ang tao sa loob ng booth, kinakabahan ka pa?...ay, dinig nga pala ng buong place ang boses mo ;p...

Elay...Loving You...isa pa to...kakabugin si Nina sa kanyang rendition ng Loving You...feel na feel...I give you a 10!

Ate Minda...Now That I Have You...trivia: one week nyang hinanap ang kantang ito!...kaya lang, alam mo naman, coloratura-soprano ang lola mo, kaya medyo sayad sya dun sa mga low notes...pero wag ka, kaya nyang tatapatan ang The Company dun sa climax part ng song...panalo!

And the award goes to...

Too much ado about nothing

I attended the wedding of my friend Emolyne yesterday. It was held at 4pm at the National Shrine of St. Michael & The Archangels near Malacañang.

Here are the sidelights:

For the Nth time, nag-panic na naman ako!!!

You could just imagine my disgust when i learned that at 1:30pm, my pianist is just about to get dressed for the occassion...and to think we agreed to meet at 1:30! Ang nakakaloka pa, i texted him and asked him to get a cab on his way to our place para sasakay na lang kami 'coz we need to pick up Ryan at BPI...after a few minutes, text ulit ako kung san na sya at kung nakasakay na sya ng taxi...he replied: "kukuha na ba ako ng taxi?" hello!?

Shift to panic mode (highest level)

Finally, dumating din sya...dinaanan na namin si Ryan and tumungo na kami sa aming paroroonan (kasama ko na pala si Darline)...clock reads: 3:00pm ...nay, panic ulit!...only to find out na ang relo ni Ryan ay 30mins advance (ganda!)...hay, salamat, walang traffic...pagdating sa church...tenenen...kami pa lang ang tao! Nakakaloka ito!!!

In short, nasayang ang pag-exert ko ng effort para mag-panic!

So there, rehease-rehearse, chika-chika...dumating si jen...chika ulit...finally, the wedding started...it went well, ok naman ang pag-awit ko dahil hindi ako pumiyok...ok din yung awit ni Ryan...

Fast forward: Manila Hotel, 6pm

Masarap ang pagkain...chicken terriyaki with leeks (eto yung mga green-green tienes na nasa ibabaw nung teriyaki na sa tingin ko ay "for beautification purposes" lamang)...Ryan sang Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin...sarap ng dessert, baked alaska (strawberry-vanilla ice cream cake, yummy!)...nabunot din ang pangalan ko sa bouquet game (sabi ko na nga ba't malas ako pagdating sa draw lots)...ok lang kung mapili ako, naka-slacks naman ako...buti na lang hindi...maganda ang souvenir: rosaries from Rome...at ang walang kamatayang kulay pulang tin can na hugis puso ng Manila Hotel na may lamang cookies sa loob!

picture, picture...

After nun, punta kami nina darline at jen sa strumm's jupiter...ang saya!!! galing ng banda...maganda rin ang repertoire kasi they sang songs that are not too common...love moves in mysterious ways...after 2 smirnoff mules, 2 san mig light, at 4 na vodka blue...sign off na kami...laughing trip si jen...marathon chika si darline...at ako ay nahirapang maglakad sa aking 3-inch strappy shoes...hay!

My First Entry

i decided to create an on-line diary para maiba naman...high tech! mabuti na lang at surf-all-you-can kami dito sa office...si reginald kasi, di pa inaayos yung internet connection ko sa bahay :( ...kung di lang sya mahal ng best friend ko, malamang pinalabas ko na naman sya ng room!!!

It's 2005...hay! i hope this will be a good year for me...2004 naman was a nice year except for a specific news that really shattered my heart into a million pieces! Grabe na ito!!!

Move on, gurl... ;p

Oops, have to get going, have to meet George pa at Pancake House...sana maganda ang proposal nitong si George, or else...wala lang...hehehehe...i just hope this is not one of those networking chuva...