Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wonderful lazy afternoon while convalescing
I have been sick since Sunday after a week-long trip. Terrible. Hmmm. Body breakdown. Too much wear and tear.
I’m relaxing today while recuperating by listening to gospel songs and visiting my Facebook site from time to time.
As I was looking out the rice field, I noticed that the weeds have outgrown the rice stalks. Tsk, tsk I was wondering if Manong (I never got his name) will start clearing the weeds. Where is he?
Aha I was so right! The weeds didn’t escape Manong’s hawk eyes. As the afternoon sun sets and the wind starts blowing – yes it’s a windy afternoon here, I saw him clearing the weeds using a sharp sickle. I have seen Manong for over ten years now tending to the rice field adjacent my house. He is the faithful katiwala of the landed owner.
He is wearing a brown cap to protect his head or face (?) from the heat. Or maybe I’m wrong. It could be a fashion statement for all we know. Aha! He is wearing a white T-shirt with a printed face. I’m trying to discern if it’s the face of Manny Pacquiao but his back is towards me. Hmmm. Mystery T-shirt.
Maybe I should go out the door and beckon him so I can see the printed face up close but that would probably make him wonder. He would probably say, silly girl.
He is now amidst the wind-blown weeds and rice stalks. What a picture.
If only he knows I’m writing about him right now, he will probably have the biggest chuckle of his life.
Wonderful lazy afternoon while convalescing. (“,)
I’m relaxing today while recuperating by listening to gospel songs and visiting my Facebook site from time to time.
Aha I was so right! The weeds didn’t escape Manong’s hawk eyes. As the afternoon sun sets and the wind starts blowing – yes it’s a windy afternoon here, I saw him clearing the weeds using a sharp sickle. I have seen Manong for over ten years now tending to the rice field adjacent my house. He is the faithful katiwala of the landed owner.
Maybe I should go out the door and beckon him so I can see the printed face up close but that would probably make him wonder. He would probably say, silly girl.
He is now amidst the wind-blown weeds and rice stalks. What a picture.
If only he knows I’m writing about him right now, he will probably have the biggest chuckle of his life.
Wonderful lazy afternoon while convalescing. (“,)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Makati weekend (",)
I was in Makati over the weekend. A totally unexpected experience.
I stayed in this condo unit which was huge by condo size. It had a large sala, a spacious dining room, four bedrooms with a toilet each, kitchen and even stock room.
That Sunday night, I had the entire place to myself. Nice. Don’t ask me about ghosts huh! I am quite comfortable being alone and I’m not afraid of ghosts really. Really. (“,)
By late Sunday afternoon, I decided to steel myself and walk the Makati streets. Whew that’s scary. Now, that’s scarier than ghosts!
The traffic in Manila, Makati included intimidates me no end. Here I was a provinciana courageously walking with the throng to cross huge streets! The first two streets were fine; it was a Sunday and traffic was light. Then I had to cross the main street Puyat where I would meet a friend and now I’m really scared haha. I searched for people and guess what I did? You will never guess. I asked the silly question: “Are you crossing?” Aha! The three men just looked at me strangely. One said, no. Then a bus stopped and they hopped in. Great! Now I’m going to deal with this crisis on my own. But alas when I looked towards my left, I saw another group of people who were waiting for the traffic light to change. It was a corner street, easy to cross. I hastily walked towards them and asked the silly question again. When the red light blinked for motorists, I joined the crowd. What a relief! I lived.
I met my friend and we went to a nearby mall which by all intents and purposes looked familiar. It was so like Ayala in Cebu City. Hmmm the structure, architecture, and even the shops and restaurants. I felt transported back in time. Not bad. And surprise, like Ayala in Cebu City, the mall had plenty of huge Christmas trees, and all sorts of “pictorial” corners with huge stuffed bears, tigers, and other animals for shoppers. The ubiquitous pictorial haha. We took our photos, too. Grand. I loved the three huge Christmas Trees where I playfully stood in the middle for the shots. Hey Bonits, when will you upload the photos? I’m excited to see them.
After exploring the area, taking photos, and dining in this Mediterranean-type restaurant, we headed back to my impressive condo building. We took a cab. I requested my friend to drop me at Malugay Street first where the condo building stands because it was scary to return on my own. Haha no more crossing streets for the night.
I slept soundly that night. No ghosts appeared.
The following day was THE day!
It was another experience worth writing. I’m still thinking if I should write it. We will see.
P.S. The photos I used here are inspired by what I saw. (“,)
That Sunday night, I had the entire place to myself. Nice. Don’t ask me about ghosts huh! I am quite comfortable being alone and I’m not afraid of ghosts really. Really. (“,)
By late Sunday afternoon, I decided to steel myself and walk the Makati streets. Whew that’s scary. Now, that’s scarier than ghosts!
The traffic in Manila, Makati included intimidates me no end. Here I was a provinciana courageously walking with the throng to cross huge streets! The first two streets were fine; it was a Sunday and traffic was light. Then I had to cross the main street Puyat where I would meet a friend and now I’m really scared haha. I searched for people and guess what I did? You will never guess. I asked the silly question: “Are you crossing?” Aha! The three men just looked at me strangely. One said, no. Then a bus stopped and they hopped in. Great! Now I’m going to deal with this crisis on my own. But alas when I looked towards my left, I saw another group of people who were waiting for the traffic light to change. It was a corner street, easy to cross. I hastily walked towards them and asked the silly question again. When the red light blinked for motorists, I joined the crowd. What a relief! I lived.
I slept soundly that night. No ghosts appeared.
The following day was THE day!
It was another experience worth writing. I’m still thinking if I should write it. We will see.
P.S. The photos I used here are inspired by what I saw. (“,)
1000
Call me a kid but I’m just totally delighted today haha. (“,)
My Unexpected Blessings blog site has reached its 1000th reader today. Boy that made me happy!
It’s not easy keeping a blog site. You need to keep the inspiration going to churn out good material. By good, I mean the stuff that I produce. It could be a lonely, sentimental, joyous, victorious topic or something that totally sucks.
Thank you, thank you for consistently reading.
Reaching 1000 pageviews today totally made my day!
A toast to blogging and my wonderful readers all over the world!
You are my inspiration. (“,)
It’s not easy keeping a blog site. You need to keep the inspiration going to churn out good material. By good, I mean the stuff that I produce. It could be a lonely, sentimental, joyous, victorious topic or something that totally sucks.
Thank you, thank you for consistently reading.
Reaching 1000 pageviews today totally made my day!
You are my inspiration. (“,)
Friday, November 12, 2010
Crossroad
(This space is exclusively given to True Gold and her “Crossroad”. Thank you for the honor.)
I thought our love would be forever
You were everything I could ever want in a
partner
27 years of happiness and love
Who would think it would end this way?
You hurt me badly
Almost destroyed me with your betrayal
All the happy years were just a cover up
A farce to hide the ugliest truth of all
You didn’t love me that much after all
Yours was not true or even exclusive
No conscience, no depth
Could it ever have been called love?
And so, I am standing alone now
In pain and also broken
There is no rainbow beyond the horizon
My tears overflow, my heart shattered
And yet I still miss you so
Your smile, your warmth, I look for
How could my love be enduring and forgiving
When you have left with me with nothing?
Will I ever be happy again?
Will I ever see beauty in my life again?
Will my heart ever mend?
Answers evade me now.
Then you come knocking on my door again
Promise of a tomorrow
Your sweet words and tears fool me once more
Why do I keep on believing?
Do I trust you again?
Do I risk my still broken heart?
Am I doomed to die a second time?
Will my world explode forever more?
My plea to you
Please do not play Russian roulette with my
heart
Don’t come back if you’re just holding the gun
When one bullet will finally break my heart into
Little pieces and then I’m totally done
See my pain, wipe my tears away
Have pity on me and please don’t hurt me again
If you have any mercy in your heart
Let your love be true this time
I am helpless, after all
A prisoner of my love for you
If this is just what you are after
Then treasure it above all
I stand on a crossroad
To give you up or take another chance
Where, oh where, do I find salvation?
Only God knows what lies beyond each path
I still love you
And it seems I will love you for eternity
But you, will you ever truly love me?
I can only cry.
I can only cry.
True Gold
I thought our love would be forever
You were everything I could ever want in a
partner
27 years of happiness and love
Who would think it would end this way?
You hurt me badly
Almost destroyed me with your betrayal
All the happy years were just a cover up
A farce to hide the ugliest truth of all
You didn’t love me that much after all
Yours was not true or even exclusive
No conscience, no depth
Could it ever have been called love?
And so, I am standing alone now
In pain and also broken
There is no rainbow beyond the horizon
My tears overflow, my heart shattered
And yet I still miss you so
Your smile, your warmth, I look for
How could my love be enduring and forgiving
When you have left with me with nothing?
Will I ever be happy again?
Will I ever see beauty in my life again?
Will my heart ever mend?
Answers evade me now.
Promise of a tomorrow
Your sweet words and tears fool me once more
Why do I keep on believing?
Do I trust you again?
Do I risk my still broken heart?
Am I doomed to die a second time?
Will my world explode forever more?
My plea to you
Please do not play Russian roulette with my
heart
Don’t come back if you’re just holding the gun
When one bullet will finally break my heart into
Little pieces and then I’m totally done
See my pain, wipe my tears away
Have pity on me and please don’t hurt me again
If you have any mercy in your heart
Let your love be true this time
I am helpless, after all
A prisoner of my love for you
If this is just what you are after
Then treasure it above all
I stand on a crossroad
To give you up or take another chance
Where, oh where, do I find salvation?
Only God knows what lies beyond each path
And it seems I will love you for eternity
But you, will you ever truly love me?
I can only cry.
I can only cry.
True Gold
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Vintage "Menu"
Look at the prices.
This was posted on the wall of Max's Fried Chicken in Antipolo.
One whole fried chicken only costs P5.00! Beat that.
This was the "Menu" in the late sixties.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The question finally caught up with me
Friday evening as I was setting my alarm for a 7:30 A.M. appointment the following day, Saturday, I received a call. Curious. What could have inspired this person to call me up hmmm?
After the usual greeting, the first line goes: “Belinda, do you speak Ilonggo?”
That finally hit me. Why is it that after so many years in the city, I have not learned to speak Ilonggo? Hmmm. Most of my colleagues at work were Ilonggos and almost everyone else can speak Ilonggo but I can only understand a handful of words. Tsk…tsk. My loss.
But let’s look at the bright side. We can always minimize our losses and focus on our strengths, can’t we?
So this weekend, I will start my Ilonggo crash course. I have got to speak the language man! It’s a must.
Ilonggo (Hiligaynon), here I come.
After the usual greeting, the first line goes: “Belinda, do you speak Ilonggo?”
That finally hit me. Why is it that after so many years in the city, I have not learned to speak Ilonggo? Hmmm. Most of my colleagues at work were Ilonggos and almost everyone else can speak Ilonggo but I can only understand a handful of words. Tsk…tsk. My loss.
So this weekend, I will start my Ilonggo crash course. I have got to speak the language man! It’s a must.
Ilonggo (Hiligaynon), here I come.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Project Pagsubay
(I'm posting the letter found below as manifestation of my support for this project. Please read on.)
Batchmate:
We are writing on behalf of the Elementary and High School Batches 1979 and 1983 of the Holy Spirit School and Holy Name University of Tagbilaran City, Bohol , Philippines . On December 17, 2010, our project 'Pagsubay' will be launched via a Medical and Dental Mission at the Cabawan Elementary School of Maribojoc, Bohol , Philippines .
'Pagsubay', meaning 'to retrace', is a word that punctuates a search for some forgotten footpaths from childhood . It also pertains to the search and retrieval of lost sheep.
‘Pagsubay’ is an outreach project which aims to help elementary schoolchildren in an underprivileged barangay school in Bohol , Philippines . This non-sectoral, non-political and non-profit engagement aims to provide sustained medical missions and educational assistance initiatives.
Our project recipients are 175 schoolchildren of the Cabawan Elementary School of Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines who are in dire need of assistance in terms of health and education. The school is situated in a community where the most basic problems like poverty, malnutrition, and diseases bring day to day impact on the children's lives.
Our group is composed of committed and willing volunteers who are ready to face the challenge of elevating the standard of these schoolchildren’s lives. We are proud to say that we stand firm on these positions:
That every child has the right to good education
That good health and nutrition are major factors that affect and determine every child’s learning process
That every child has the right to an adequately provisioned, well facilitated, and well maintained learning environment
The Medical and Dental Mission on December 17, 2010 will include obtaining a health profile and medical history for each child (measuring growth parameters like height and weight), and performing a complete physical examination to identify acute or chronic health problems; instituting immediate therapeutic interventions in the presence of acute illness by prescribing appropriate medications; educating caregivers on the preventive aspects of child health; and, identifying dental health problems and providing immediate and long term solutions. This one-day Medical and Dental Mission shall culminate in a children’s party and the distribution of Christmas give-aways.
We kindly seek your financial assistance in providing this opportunity to the schoolchildren of Cabawan Elementary School , and in making this project a success.
If you would like more information about Project ‘Pagsubay”, please feel free to contact us through these details:
• Website: http://www.pagsubay.org (coming November 2010)
• Facebook: http://www.causes.com/causes/524939
Donations can be mailed to the following Pagsubay coordinators. (Please make checks payable to the name of the Pagsubay coordinator.) We assure you of a proper accounting of all donations received.
• U.S.A.
o Gina Torralba Calipes
611 S. Bronwyn Drive, Anaheim , CA 92804
o Ricky Inting
18 Oceanside Drive, Daly City , CA 94015
• Middle East
o Cora Merilos Ropeta
P.O. Box 115427, Dubai, U.A.E.
Deposits can also be made directly to the Pagsubay bank account in the Philippines :
Account Name: Jonas Gilberto S. Inting
Rosario O. Chatto
Aimee T. Dela Peña
Account Number: 123-51550-8
Bank Name: Metrobank
Routing Number: 026002846 (within USA )
SWIFT Code: MBTCPHMM
The children of Cabawan have inspired us into the creation of this project, and we can only hope that their lives will touch yours as they have touched ours. So please consider this request and invite your family, neighbors, friends and your community to join in and know of your willingness to help.
Team Pagsubay:
Jose Nazareno
Ma. Neva Luna Batayola, M.D.
Mary Ann Alagon Ruiz, M.D.
Noel Lungay
Ricky Inting
Gina Torralba Calipes
Batchmate:
'Pagsubay', meaning 'to retrace', is a word that punctuates a search for some forgotten footpaths from childhood . It also pertains to the search and retrieval of lost sheep.
‘Pagsubay’ is an outreach project which aims to help elementary schoolchildren in an underprivileged barangay school in Bohol , Philippines . This non-sectoral, non-political and non-profit engagement aims to provide sustained medical missions and educational assistance initiatives.
Our project recipients are 175 schoolchildren of the Cabawan Elementary School of Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines who are in dire need of assistance in terms of health and education. The school is situated in a community where the most basic problems like poverty, malnutrition, and diseases bring day to day impact on the children's lives.
Our group is composed of committed and willing volunteers who are ready to face the challenge of elevating the standard of these schoolchildren’s lives. We are proud to say that we stand firm on these positions:
That every child has the right to good education
That good health and nutrition are major factors that affect and determine every child’s learning process
That every child has the right to an adequately provisioned, well facilitated, and well maintained learning environment
We kindly seek your financial assistance in providing this opportunity to the schoolchildren of Cabawan Elementary School , and in making this project a success.
If you would like more information about Project ‘Pagsubay”, please feel free to contact us through these details:
• Website: http://www.pagsubay.org (coming November 2010)
• Facebook: http://www.causes.com/causes/524939
Donations can be mailed to the following Pagsubay coordinators. (Please make checks payable to the name of the Pagsubay coordinator.) We assure you of a proper accounting of all donations received.
• U.S.A.
o Gina Torralba Calipes
611 S. Bronwyn Drive, Anaheim , CA 92804
o Ricky Inting
18 Oceanside Drive, Daly City , CA 94015
• Middle East
o Cora Merilos Ropeta
P.O. Box 115427, Dubai, U.A.E.
Deposits can also be made directly to the Pagsubay bank account in the Philippines :
Account Name: Jonas Gilberto S. Inting
Rosario O. Chatto
Aimee T. Dela Peña
Account Number: 123-51550-8
Bank Name: Metrobank
Routing Number: 026002846 (within USA )
SWIFT Code: MBTCPHMM
The children of Cabawan have inspired us into the creation of this project, and we can only hope that their lives will touch yours as they have touched ours. So please consider this request and invite your family, neighbors, friends and your community to join in and know of your willingness to help.
Team Pagsubay:
Jose Nazareno
Ma. Neva Luna Batayola, M.D.
Mary Ann Alagon Ruiz, M.D.
Noel Lungay
Ricky Inting
Gina Torralba Calipes
Bonding time; Rebisco time (",)
It was one of those weekends! Totally fun!
I was at ABS-CBN’s My Only Radio (MOR) for Life FM station in Gen. Santos City for my radio guesting which turned out to be surprise! “Rebisco Time”. I was interviewed on “bonding moments” with the family. What families usually do during weekends which include housecleaning; gardening; doing grocery together; cooking; playing musical instruments which my teenagers usually do: Shiloh on drums; Kits on either base or electric guitar; pigging out at home; watching home movies, and on Sundays, church fellowship. Our family goes to Bread of Life Ministries.
Nice one. I had fun. More than that, I enlarged my circle of friends.
Thank you Mario Valentino for the honor.
Kapag my Rebisco, ang sarap ng filling mo! Thanks Rebisco, you truly made my day!
P.S. Special thanks to Joey John Elman Concepcion for making the interview easy. My Tagalog was almost perfect (",) Greyzee Vargas Alvarez for the company and shared aspirations. My friends (fans?) who sent text messages right after the interview. Haha fun, fun, fun. (“,)
Nice one. I had fun. More than that, I enlarged my circle of friends.
Thank you Mario Valentino for the honor.
Kapag my Rebisco, ang sarap ng filling mo! Thanks Rebisco, you truly made my day!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The best of both worlds
The reason: school break is over; regular school days are back.
I can enjoy the cool early morning breeze; admire Mt. Matutum’s splendor; listen to Christmas music on CD and write. Ah write, write. Like I told my friends, I will write until I turn old and gray.
The cool breeze is softly blowing. It makes me shiver. Hmmm it’s really Christmas very soon. It’s the chilly air that gives it away.
Well, the sky is mostly blue, land is mostly brown; it must be to contrast the beauty and significance of all His creation.
Whatever the motivation, I’m benefited. I see the green rice field every single day (minus the days and months I’m not home naturally) of my life for the past fifteen years.
My response to the news article "How’s cyberlife for Palace speechwriter? It sucks; Palace to issue guidelines"
That's the dilemma faced by a speech writer, more so, if you are appointed Assistant Secretary.
You are now a government official and so your responsibility has expanded. You are no longer a ghost speech writer. You are a "seen"speech writer. As such, ethical standards must govern your behavior anywhere, even on Twitter.
I agree that her remarks were the expressions of a young lady, no argument there, but remember once it's out; it's read all over the world. It's the global paradox. The world has shrunk and we have increased because of technology. The medium was powerful.
The communications group has so much work to do. Communications is the "in" thing these days. You can't afford to be the first group to always commit the flak; you are supposed to be the front liners.
Shape up.
You are now a government official and so your responsibility has expanded. You are no longer a ghost speech writer. You are a "seen"speech writer. As such, ethical standards must govern your behavior anywhere, even on Twitter.
I agree that her remarks were the expressions of a young lady, no argument there, but remember once it's out; it's read all over the world. It's the global paradox. The world has shrunk and we have increased because of technology. The medium was powerful.
The communications group has so much work to do. Communications is the "in" thing these days. You can't afford to be the first group to always commit the flak; you are supposed to be the front liners.
Shape up.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
One fine day
I have thought of many column titles last week before settling on “One fine day”. Let me share some of my choices: “Get naked” to evoke naughtiness haha. Well, just to attract attention. “Where you belong” but it sounds so “GMA”. “Love language” but it’s too mushy for comfort. “Saffron Skies” which is my blog site – I could use that and “Saffron Skies” could become a by-word effectively generating memory recall. Hmmm not bad. I even thought of using “Bridges”, my column title in The Mindanao Bulletin. Ah choices, choices.
The pressure to produce a good column title is on me. Eventually, I think “One fine day” is perfect because it resonates with positivism, hope, and even a glimmer of romance. Oh, oh there goes my romantic side again. Blame it on my genes haha most especially my father’s genes. But what’s wrong with being romantic? Romance is beautiful. It ushers in wonderful feelings. I love romance. I may be jaded at times, but not too jaded to hate it huh!
P.S. This is only the introduction of my new column in The Rotary. (",)
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