Filipino Talent Got Standing Ovation

Remember when Charice Pempengco make waves since she was featured in Ellen DeGeneres show not so long ago? This week another Filipino duo got another invitation to be featured in the same show. They are teen guys namely James and Aldrin who hails from General Santos City, Philippines. Like Charice, they were discovered through YouTube which they uploaded and went viral. Luckily, they captured the heart of Ellen. Hearing this little guy's voice gave me goosebumps. He has an #angelicvoice and such a superb and pure talent. Link on the video below to see their television appearance last Thursday on The Ellen's Show. #lakasmakaproud #trulyFilipino #worldclass

This video I got from my FB page. It makes me proud to be a Filipino. And made me envious even more. I am a frustrated singer by heart. I really want to sing and entertain people. I love the feeling of singing while people watch and listen to me sing. I know the feeling of being one of the audience and how it's like to be captivated by music. I love the feeling of being envied in a positive way (*wink). I promised my self if I couldn't get the proper singing ability, I would make my kids one of these days a singing sensation that would make Filipinos proud as well as their mother proud too. #stagemother mode

Rushing in Two Weeks: Nique's Birthday

My daughter's #1stbirthday is coming up in less than 3 weeks from now. I don't have anything realized yet. So I'm cramming with all nice but practical ideas for my daughter's big day. I don't want also to spend too much unnecessary stuff that will be useless after the event. My hubby and I had strictly imposed to stick on our budget for practical reasons. And I believe in that too. So I thought of #DIY-ing. My theme would be that of candies and lollipops. Something colorful, vibrant and cheerful yet the color not too bold with a touch of pastel hues. Good thing I came across Ms. Martine of Dainty Mom blog guest post of Mommy G of forty weeks and then some.

I am inspired by her theme she did for her daughter's first birthday. It's very personal, unique and fun. Almost everything in the preparations is her idea and made by her. See her post here and here for the invitations and her inspiration. Most of the birthdays or any similar occasions I attended is they use tarpaulin with the celebrant's photo and the event's details on it. I want to veer away from that for the meantime and make instead a personalized one. I still have the existing tarp from my baby's dedication and thought of using the back as the canvass for the wall design. Mommy G's wall design which her sister painstakingly made looks like this and this. Though the latter link is her creative idea and made for the dessert table, might as well make it too for the wall backdrop design. To further enhance the other walls, I'm thinking of putting buntings with my daughter's photos in it. It'll make sense right?Ceiling design would be something like this too. Thinking of party favors for kids should be useful so an idea like this is something so brilliant. A #desserttable is becoming popular nowadays and I love how she displayed it to this . Photography, I solely rely to friends and relatives who will be bringing camera by that time. I'm sure they will gladly share the captured photos to me and will ask for a copy from them. The cake will be sponsored so I'll be spared with that expense (hehehe...). Entertainment is to be taken cared of by hubby's friend (#Jollibee we'll see you real soon). He'll be responsible with the games and prizes. So the the major thing to consider for now is the venue and caterer which is very important. Though we already have in mind which caterer to contact. I hope we could finalize utmost next week for the real venue (cross-fingers! and wish us good luck too!). I hope to pull this off gracefully and successfully in my own little way. If pushed through as planned , it would be my first #DIY project for real. Happy Birthday anak! Papa, Mama and Ate Mariella loves you dearly.

Did I miss something out in my preparations? Please share a thought.

My Precious Wallet

For us girls, we have wallets in our bags with or without cash in it. It's a vanity thing too. Some styles do have mirror inside it. Even if it's kept all the time inside our bags, we too choose great designs like how we choose clothes, bags and shoes to safe keep our money, cards and receipts. This one is a gift to me by my SIL. I love it's color and quality. It's elegant and compact. I can keep my cards inside, a small compartment for coins and receipts. It's small but it can a house a lot. There are certain things I wanna tell you my precious one.

Dear Gorgeous Wallet,

First of all, I am thankful that you have kept me company in richer and in poorer. Though a lot of times you've been in drought, hungry and thirsty, I'm still thankful that you keep and secured my life's blessings with no cost. Even if you are bloated and deformed with a lot of coins I put inside together with some unnecessary papers, I'm so sorry for taking you for granted. Please be good to me and please be generous too. Your color seems to be very lucky because of the redness you portray, but I think you are not 'that' lucky to have an owner like me. Nevertheless, I wish someday I can take care of you in abundance in return the way you took care of my small riches. We pray together that our Creator be able to satisfy our needs and wants in time. But, let's be thankful that despite some oddness, we are here surviving and living in this so called life. Let's stay gorgeous, pretty and fab!

Yours truly.

Your Equally Gorgeous Owner

A Weekend: Not Your Usual Day

My weekends is mostly is spent in home. Call me a bore but I choose to be like that for the following reasons: (1) to rest from a 5-day work week, (2) to spend quality time with my kids, (3) to find something in the house that needs to be cleaned, cleared, organized and improved, and (4) to avoid unnecessary spending being the woman that I am. (Backgrounder: I've already declared myself a domestic diva ever since high school days. Maybe I was used to being a stay-at-home-person being a super obedient child. My daily routine would be that of school and home. That's it. I'm also a late bloomer being not too exposed to the real world. It's not that we were not allowed to stroll around the city but I choose not to. I love staying at home. Being outside means setting a different environment for a change.)

Anyway, back to the real stuff. As I was saying, last weekend was mostly spent outside the abode. The activities I had were the unusual kind. First, I met a relative which I only knew then. It was a happy feeling and reunion knowing you can't have it in an ordinary day. She's related to the grieving family which happens to be the funeral rites of her MIL. It was a grieving moment yet a happy reunion of sorts. Second, we proceeded to the farm of hubby's family. It was a refreshing afternoon despite the heat we experienced during the burial. What I love being in the farm is the freshness and relaxing atmosphere you can hardly experience in a city life. The breeze of the air is so natural and cool. My FIL said, during the night it is like you have a free airconditioner that you won't have to worry of the electric bill. Every time I am there, fruits are abundantly sourced such as these:

Fruit bearing trees such as Banana and Cacao.

Notice this shot? I wasn't able to capture the whole tree because of how big and tall the tree is.
It's an old Durian tree that ages I don't know when. But it really is an old tree.

This is the family's old hut. I'm shooting from the present house they are presently using. 

By Sunday, we went to my family's side. It is the 36th wedding anniversary of my parents and the birthday of Mama Mary (for the Catholics). It is indeed a fun-filled and blessed weekend celebrating life and not an ordinary day in a lifetime you can experience it in one great weekend. It is indeed blessings like these that we celebrate the bounty and beauty of life brings. 

Christmas in September

Hello, hello, hello! Every time September month comes, I always associate it to Christmas because of the 'ber' ending months. I love the feeling of the holidays because of the positive and happy vibe each one radiates. There's something about Christmas that gives me a feeling of delight and every thing merry and nice. Maybe because during my childhood days, both my parents make it a point that we experience the most wonderful time of the year. We were not deprived of gifts such as toys, food and clothes in this season as its the only time we can be spoiled by my parents of such material things apart from our birthdays and some special occasion in between. We were made to believe that Santa Claus give presents to children who do good for the day. That only children with good deeds are rewarded.

Then as years pass by, I appreciate more the essence of what the season brings. To me, it means thanksgiving and happiness of the others apart and more from mine. When you see children happy, it makes you more satisfied and happiness is filled with more meaning to it. Christmas is for children indeed. Before, I could only be happy when the season comes because I would have new stuff, lots of food and all merry-making. But now, it's more on being together with the loved ones and thankful for the year that it was. Now, I would want my kids to experience everything that we experience too. It was a fun childhood I have every time my family celebrate Christmas. It was incomparable and it is the most cherished memories I have of my childhood.

Now, it's payback time. My kids will experience their most wonderful time of the year. Peace, love and happiness. May we have this in this holiday season and to start the new year right.

Pinkyicy in Wattpad

Do you have any idea what it is? For those who are bookworm and is into ebook reading nowadays, they would know. Here's an avenue of budding writers and book lovers in one great online bookstore. It's at www.wattpad.com. In one of our family gatherings, my cousin who submitted her written teen romance fiction story, told us about this online site. Being the more older cousin that was around that time (looks like my generation is way too far already from them, tee hee), I was clueless about it. But the rest of my cousins were amazed by Pinkyicy's own version portrayed by our local celebrities as characters in her own story. It garnered quite a lot of views. As soon as I got into my computer, I searched for that site and onto my cousin's profile.

Here are her works:

Wattpad is a community of writers and readers alike who loves to write and read as a hobby. This is a good venue for aspiring writers who would want to showcase their writing ability to the public. And for bookworms who can just visit a one stop book library. Accessing to Wattpad is very convenient and every kind of fiction stories you like, you may browse in there easily.

I am proud of my cousin. She's known to be a story teller in our group ever since in our childhood days. Everytime we gather around and eat, she's always the last to finish her share of food because she talks a lot and is our 'kikay' entertainer.

Here's the link to her stories:

• You are My Only Love ( A JulQuen Story )
• The Romantics
• LOVE found ME and YOU

There are various story genres you can find there. Who knows? You might be the next best-selling book author at all times.

Pure Love

I melt and live with this...

There's no other person you could turn to but your family. It is disheartening to see and hear news of chaos, separation and misunderstanding between blood lines. Husband and wife putting their indifferences in court battling out custodies over their children and ending their marriage, siblings who are lashing out each other like they are complete strangers in an instant. Who would've thought it will be like this? I couldn't imagine a life without your solid ground. It's like a marriage vow. For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do us apart. Please take care of your family. Savor every moment you have with them. You won't have them forever. It's a blessing and it happens once in our lifetime. Separation is not an option while we are still alive. It is breaking God's will of togetherness. Priceless, divine and sacred! #blessing #love #family

The Value of Being a Woman

Being a female is quite expensive to maintain and worth the investment. It is by this that I have to say, our value appreciates and depreciates through time depending on what specific aspect. I would say that our value appreciates as we age (talking about number of years) due to our own experience that makes us wiser, stronger, tougher, patient, complete and survivor against all odds not men would be capable of. I'm not underestimating men as they have their own strengths, as well as weaknesses too like us. To fairly address this and not to sound too gender bias, I opt to address here as a woman. Our journey towards our womanhood makes us priceless and incomparable. We bear almost all the sacrifices to complete a family. And to bear a child is beyond imaginable. We hope to age gracefully and beautifully even with the slightest of depreciation through the years.

This subject fascinated me because as I ponder on things base on my everyday experience, it overwhelmed me. Being a woman, you have to take care of yourself in and out. Unlike boys whose fashion sense and regimen is not that obligated. Yes they can dress way too tame than us girls. Don't you agree? They don't need to put anything on their face and  accessorize. As long as they are in their most comfortable get up and they look presentable, they're fine with it. Where as girls, beauty regimen and products that you have to maintain and buy in order to stop or slow down physical aging (girls are very particular with wrinkles). We update our wardrobe from time to time to keep up with fashion since we are visual creatures. We love it when we dress in new clothes. We feel new. We are freakin' shop-aholics. We can't help that. We adorn ourselves with make-up, jewelries (fancy and the REAL ones) that adds life as to how we perceive beauty aside from what's within. We are just born OC (obsessive compulsive). We love beautiful, neat and dainty things. We make spas, beauty salons, shops more richer because we spend in a regular basis for our OC-iness. We feel confident, empowered and beautiful when we take care of ourselves from the outside. Don't blame us girls. I guess men would agree that they adore beautiful women. We are their weakness. And they love it like that. When a woman becomes a mom, then our value appreciates even more. Being a mom is the alpha and omega for a woman. When I first saw my first born right after she was out crying to her hearts content, that was the happiest moment. I couldn't find enough words to contain my joy. I felt selfless, a sense of achievement and empowered. It is by this moment that life of both the mother and child is at stake. It's not a joke. That doesn't stop the moment our babies our born. As mothers, we have the responsibility to give our children the proper tender loving care that no man or fathers can give. There is a sense of warmth and tenderness that keep a human being in its peaceful form that only a woman and a mother can give. As working mothers, we make sure that even if we are away from them more than 8 hours a day, we see to it that they are given quality time, that our kids are properly taught and they are given the proper attention when taken cared by nannies. In our household, both my kids love to cuddle with me than with my hubby. They love to spend time with their 'papa' (Filipino word for father) when they love to play or stroll around. But when they want to sleep or just want to be hugged or want a peaceful solace, they run for 'mama' (Filipino word for mother). When they can't find me anywhere in the house, they always call for 'mama' even if I'm just meters away. They don't want me out of their sight. I think it's motherly instinct. I love the thought of it. Mother's care and love never tarnish.

Apart from the physical attributes that make us expensive creatures, it is the ability of women that we can multi-task in greater heights. We are a mother, a wife, an employee, a boss, a household helper, a nanny, a friend, a daughter, a sister rolled into one. I don't know how we do it. But we think we are superwoman. Inside, we can portray grace, calmness, peace, vulnerability, security, softness and patience. But when in times of despair, we can be tough and man enough to face the world. That's how our value define us. That we can portray calmness, peace and patience in times of chaos, love in times of rejection, warmth in times of coldness, toughness in times of violence, confidence in times of shame and disgrace and a solace where there's no other place to be safe and be at home to. A motherly love makes YOU.

Suspicious Sign In: How Safe Are We?

How do you do my fellow bloggers? It's been a week now since I haven't posted anything here. I've got a big hangover over the many holidays August month brought. Anyways, to start up, just this morning when I opened my email account, I saw this 'no-reply' email from my email service provider. THERE'S SOMEONE TRYING TO HIJACK MY ACCOUNT! OMG! I wasn't afraid but just alarmed. Good heaven's that I made this account from them. The user's security and privacy is their main concern and priority. I was just saved from any malicious crawler trying to check something from my account...hmmmm..... But nevertheless, even if that person got in my account, he/she can't find something in there. You know it's pretty safe when you have a couple of email accounts in order to prevent it from somebody trying to access it. I have more than 2 email accounts. I have email accounts which I can freely give or publicize (I'm a blogger) and not worry too much when somebody tries to access it. I have also for those I use for confidential matters. And it's important too that you change/reset your password from time to time like changing toothbrush. You can never tell. There are really people who are privy to someone else's property... tsk, tsk, tsk...

   

If you can't view clearly the details of the sign-in attempt, it's this:
Date: Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013  3:35:05 PM UTC
IP address: 123.184.131.25
Location: Shenyang, Liaoning, China

My high school friend told me something like 'coordinates' which he gave that I couldn't understand. Maybe computer experts might know this... 41(degree sign) 47'32"N  123(degree sign) 25'58"E  (+/-) 10 ft... According to him I would determine who hacked me and to which location. He told me it belongs to China Telecom. And what business do I have to do with that company?! I guess it could also be, that person hacked that account to be able to get access on my email so that I couldn't trace him/her. Sounds interesting huh! Well, the power of technology is limitless. And now I know how it feels to be stripped off and invaded my privacy. Oh well, I hope it won't get back on him/her. We'll see...

The Controversial Pork Barrel Fund

Much has been said and spilled out. A lot of versions came out that kind of shaken and awaken me. I've heard it countless of times and I know what's it all about. But what came into my curious mind is why it is termed as 'Pork' Barrel? According to Wikipedia, and I quote, "is the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district. The usage originated in American English.^[1]." Further, the term pork barrel politics usually refers to spending which is intended to benefit constituents of a politician in return for their political support, either in the form of campaign contributions or votes. In the popular 1863 story "The Children of the Public", Edward Everett Hale used the term pork barrel as a homely metaphor for any form of public spending to the citizenry.^[3] ... More generally, a barrel of salt pork was a common larder item in 19th century households, and could be used as a measure of the family's financial well-being.

That being said, I thought it's a Filipino term knowing Filipinos could easily make a joke on something controversial and illegal pertaining to government funds. With the questionable spending and distribution of government funds to the 'wrong' projects, I thought that's why it's coined after malababoy na ugali (like animalistic attitude). But metaphorically, it is somewhat kind of related to what's happening in our government scenario. In my own opinion, there is nothing wrong having Pork Barrel funds. The problem really is how it's used and spent and the manner it's allocated. What's saddening is the politicians whom we put into the government office are the ones making use the big portion of money that's hardly earned by each Filipino worker. That government tax that is slashed from every minimal salary of an ordinary Filipino worker is worth every cent in the ordinary Filipino family. I don't know what happened to this literate, over-educated and over-accomplished politicians that the basic rule, 'DO NOT STEAL' is not understood or just overlooked. This is one of the basic rule our CREATOR has taught us. Why their greediness over power their intention to 'serve' where in fact, they should be our servant and not the other way around. As a matter of fact, it should be their way of expressing their 'utang na loob' to us because if not for our vote, they wouldn't enjoy the privileges they are getting now. I'm NOT a kind of person who doesn't say a piece about government issues and stuff. But for this particular topic, I'd like to burst out my disappointment, disgust and protest to the same old government system and ideals that we're used to have. If not, I'll regret it that I haven't stand for the majority of Filipinos who are clamoring for justice. Shame on you DIRTY and TRADITIONAL POLITICIANS! I salute these whistle blowers who in one way or another have a little bit of dignity and integrity and a lot of courage and conscience (where these politicos don't have I bet) to show not for themselves but for the entire Filipinos. It's time for change, a deep cleansing of our dirty politics. It's now or never folks. It's time to end this evil ways. It's not helping us as they keep on saying that we're on our way to development. Maybe it's them who are becoming richer and living a life too much of a comfort. Our nation will never ever reach the goal and vision we have aimed for this country nor a government that is corrupt-less. It's a far cry from where we are standing now. 'Tuwid na daan' (straight road)? I don't think so. Unless we act for ourselves and NOT to leave it alone to this politicos who are doing dirty tactics as long as they reign supreme in their positions. How rude and shameless these politicians are. They are living in luxury and lavish lives while the rest of the poor don't even have food or slippers to buy. 

I'm sorry for pouring out negative remarks here. I'd really like to share something that concerns us all. I thought I'm done with my sentiments in my post here. But last night, words are flowing in my head and that I want to address it more. I really feel for the majority of Filipinos who for a very long time are suffering from tainted truth and lies. Let us be one in heart, mind and soul that Filipinos are really worth dying for.

'Maring' Hits Like No Other, Pork Barrel for the Rescue

It was my first time to see on television this morning the nightmare it brought Luzon area particularly Metro Manila and other nearby cities/provinces like Cavite and Laguna to name a few that was devastated by Tropical Storm 'Maring' that hit Philippine territory last Saturday, August 17. I didn't imagine that its destruction is massive and terrible again. Everyday in our household, our television is always tuned in to Dora the Explorer and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. And there's no chance or way we could check the current events happening in the world. Anyway, as I Yahoo-ed and Google-ed today in the internet, there are countless of casualties (while some still not identified) from across regions in Luzon not only in Metro Manila as what I've seen this morning. I lost track of the previous typhoons that previously hit our country before this which is Labuyo in a span of less than a week leaving thousands homeless and families either separated or became casualties. I've seen it first with Ondoy, Sendong in Cagayan de Oro, Pablo in Davao Oriental and then now, Maring. And there's a new typhoon to enter by Wednesday or at most Friday as what I've read in the internet today. I hope it will not be disastrous like Maring (God forbids) or it may swerve to somewhere else and spare us another life threatening event.

 It's never been the same and we, still haven't learned from the past tragedies. It all boils down to destruction of our Mother Nature, our environment. Well, it's not that we took hold of the weather situation or disturbance but if only we try to protect our environment, the aftermath of this so called weather calamities would not have gone this far. If only there's no illegal logging, trees could have protect us from ranging water current or it could have hold the roots that will cause flash floods and landslides. If only there's a proper drainage/sewerage system that will hold the water from spilling in our areas. If only we have learned to recycle, reuse our garbage and put it in proper disposal and use, then we could have save thousands and millions of lives. If only our government officials could have make a good projects like proper drainage system, recycling methods and environmental issues, then maybe it will make a big difference. As corruption in the government tends to blow out once AGAIN, maybe its high time that these government officials stand up not for themselves but for our country. Use our money through the government taxes we are paying through projects that we will enjoy not just now but for the next Filipino generations and not only YOU benefiting from it. After all, we've seen and read those whistle blowers who courageously spilled out detail by detail on how this IDIOT government lawmakers and the governing body abuse its power, even if their lives are at stake. As what my hubby told me, even if it already came out in the open, corruption cannot be completely abolished because they are also the people who will decide to let go or remain the 'Pork Barrel' (anak ng baboy!). The biggest feat for us Filipinos will be to let these corrupt officials surrender against all odds. That we need to pray harder and a miracle to happen. It is not easy for these whistle blowers to speak up for it means their lives and that of their family is in danger. To those who benefited a lot on this 'Pork Barrel' thing, may God be with you. If for this lifetime you enjoy to the fullest, then expect for the worst when you're called up. Good luck na lang sa inyo!