Saturday, 30 January 2010

CHRISTMAS AT HOME 2009 (PART 2)

For Lukie, Burnham Park is the park with many children. For me its where every Baguio kid had his or her photo taken. Of which, it got me wondering where had all the old photographers gone, as I was writing this. A thought came too that a child may had gone to school, became a doctor, a lawyer or a nurse and tributes his or her success from his or her father taking pictures at the park. It would be a very beautiful story aside from the childhood memories dear to us of having been a part of this place.

It was newly renovated. I think the see-saws and that big circle sort of a swing is being preserved, considering it as historical heritage like the two elephants. Still there, they just refreshed the paint. Maybe it would be better if they cover all the ground with pebbles or sand because green grasses can't seem to grow. More or less, I hope the city government will continue to take care of the park. They're not only giving laughters to a child but also giving back to the site that once gave them smiles.







Here are some of our photos from our point and shoot. Lucky for our kids to play where their Mama and Papa used to run around. Thanks to Baguio people concerns, Burnham Park is still there.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

JOINING THE AMAZED WORLD...

... in posting this video.

Saturday, 9 January 2010

CHRISTMAS AT HOME (Part 1)

Yuletide of 2008, after an overseas call to my sister Irish, I told my husband, "Next Christmas, let's make sure we will spend it with Pa (Boogie's father)". He asked me why and I told him about the Christmas party at the YMCA where my father in law invited my sister and his husband Do'. Pa jokingly introduced them as his kids and people really thought they were my father in law's "extra" children - finally revealed.

Pa's friends and colleagues knew there's already a Beng (my sister in law) and a Boogie. Someone got confused if he is delivering one of his Ifugao anecdotes. A man desperate for the truth, he cornered my sister Irish and asked if she's really Pa's daughter.

Like any other Filipino working away from his country, fare going home to the Philippines is one of the reason why he/she lines up a lotto booth just to get hold of that lucky ticket. Which my husband is sure, that I do not stood the chance. He knows I seldom buy or most often forget that I need to bet before I can win.

I would still say God is great... or faith is good or a higher force somewhere had been kind that I am now about to write our "Christmas At Home", needless of winning the lottery. Though the irony of having made it possible never fail to dampen my eyes.


Had it not been for the generosity my late employer Diego, the unusual thick snow that blanketed Venice, would have confined me and my kids in our little abode here in Italy during the holidays. Instead, we got to spend it with 3 sets of kins and in three different homes in the Philippines.

After Diego's tragic death, his son handed me an opened envelop which his father left for me. I thought its a list of things I have to do in his house or maybe a goodbye letter (I honestly prefer to have during that time). Diego's gift made us buy our plane ticket six months before our flight. A Christmas gift for my family specially for Dylan who has yet to meet his Lolo Mondax and Lolo Danny - the two grannies who will always be our reason to board that long flight back home.



Its been 13 days now that we're back here in Italy. Last week, Lukie asked me, " What day would it be when we go again to the Philippines, Monday? Where will be our stop over?"... I told him that we have to hang the 2010 Calendar first then the 2011 next year before we will know what day would it be...(to be continued)...

Saturday, 28 November 2009

RANDOM POSTS

Pardon me ARA(how's that for a shortie?)friends for finding the same entry everytime you drop by. Its the "gray matter(like I ever had one) short circuit". Its noted though that since a month from now would be the yearly New Years resolution, more bloggable thoughts, I will try to include.

For now, here are some of our space fillers but let me first thank you for clicking this site every now and then... hope you keep on doing so.


CIAO PHILIPPINES!!!



One more day and off we go!

As I told Mommy Kengs, the new organizer and probably the owner (aminin hehehe) of a new OFW magazine, that my brain flew ahead in the Philippines. I can't work on the first assignment she was giving. She asked me to write for her and take note, its "one-oh-oh" per "WORDS"(figure it out...laugh-laugh). I told her I'll catch up on next year's articles, if the offer is still available...

Another sign that my brain is not really functioning, our luggage is only 25% done. Power of the universe help me... I'm seeing "intense" packing later today hahaha. Yeah, I'm losing it... that's called excitement, if I may...

IMAGE CREDIT: SMITHFIELD ELEMENTARY


LUKIE'S HOMEWORK

Poor Lukie, the teacher will email us his homework. Our son has to work on it daily or weekly. The teacher asked Lukie first if we have a computer in the Philippines. And, my son decided on his own that we have.


CNN HERO

Updating our previous post here's the video of one inspirational man.






PHILIPPINES - FOREX CARGO INC.



We're very much satisfied with Forex Cargo Inc's remarkable service. They worked wonders for our box to be delivered on the dot. Divine Geraldo, the company's Costumer Care Representative, was very kind to answer my email and I know, he personally made sure that we will be going up to Baguio City with the parcel. Again, thank you very much to Forex and more power!



Tuesday, 10 November 2009

FOR THEIR INFORMATION



Allow me to rant and be out of my self, just this time. I'm fully aware that it should not be written here and its wrong for me to 'yakatak'. Heck, there is no need to explain but I'm doing it anyway. Say, I'm drugged. Indeed I am! I just had my second dose of Ibuprofen today(lol).

I've got nothing against those who post their pictures or videos on their facebook account - how they went to help the victims of typhoon Pepeng. How they distribute donations or relief goods to evacuees. In fact, I do encourage it for "transparency" reasons specially if these donations were in-trusted to them.

Like our former forum mate Byd Bawayan who had been updating us for the small help we shared. We saw through facebook how he and his co volunteers work hard to sort and bring goods to evacuation sites. He asked me twice for the 2 times we sent him, "Manang, anya ngay ti isurat ko nga nagan?(what name will I write). For transparency reason gamin". I emailed him back and said, "Anonymous lattan ading".

Thanks to Marco, the 24 year old son of my late employer, he gave me 150 euros minus the 8 euro surcharge. He was suppose to spare 300 but said he paid a bunch of bills. He told me to give his money to those who need it in the Philippines. This was after watching the video I sent him showing the victims of the said typhoon.

I collected from my three sisters, Ica, Jhe and Matsay here to add the small euros from my part time job and Marco's money, so we could send some to Byd and some would be for the evacuees and those who lost their houses in our own hometown Tublay.

I phoned up my Dad and told him to use the amount we will send to buy blankets or food for our affected town-mates. But Dad advised us that they better distribute it in cash as our place is lucky because relief goods are coming in abundance.

After My family back home gave a thousand pesos each to those who lost their houses, 500 and 300 to some who still have their house but had to evacuate for safety purposes, I emailed Marco how the money was given. I included that we gave 8,000 pesos to Byd and his organization. I added that the receivers were probably more than happy to get the small amount rather than rice and sardines or noodles which by the way made Marco laugh.

Here is what is wrong with this post. I should have not written we donated this and that because if you give, its a "real or true help" if you be silent with it. I'm always a believer to this not until one of my city cousin who keeps on phoning up my Dad asking him about the compensation of his piece of land that some portion was washed out by the typhoon.

My city cousin said that the government will pay or had paid for it and with a threatening tone said he will inform. Dad told him to go to the Barangay Office and ask about any compensation and you know what he said? "Where is the the Barangay Office?", when its near our church and the school that bare his and our grandfather's name. Hayyy!!!! Apo aya ti city kids!

Again, I don't need to explain(but again, I'm doing it anyway) that the small amount my Dad and my sisters had been distributing was from Italy and not from "ghostly" stolen compensation for damaged private land. GEEEZZ WIZZ!!! Do I need to upload pictures at facebook the faces of Ica, Jhe, Matsy and Marco? Sisters, give me your photos but wait, you should be handing me those 'soldi'(money) first lols....


IMAGE CREDIT: SCRUTINY HOOLIGANS

Friday, 6 November 2009

HALLOWEEN 2009

CIAO everyone! Yeah, I'm still here and I know, I've got so many catching up to do(hehehe kasla met kano adda mailiw ti isursurat ko a). Let me just post here randomly while my pain reliever is still in effect. Yes, influenza again after having it two weeks ago...

As for "starters", here are my boys during the "retrieving" of sweets from our neighbors (lols). Dylan was our 'picolo diavolo' (little devil) and Lukie was our "not so scary" 'fantasma'(ghost).








Saturday, 24 October 2009

YES TO CHANGE (The 'Kariton' Version)





As always, while the blogsphere had moved on and are done writing about the latest buzz, I'm still picking up on the topic 3 weeks ago. Maybe you've already voted or watched the inspiring story of
Efren PeƱaflorida » . The founder of the Dynamic Team Company, a group of youngsters using a pushcart stuffed with books, a built in blackboard and other educational materials to teach street children or the underprevilaged who can't go to school.




Click the link below and lets give him the recognition he deserves. He said he is not after the merits but for the hope that other people will do it too.

CNN Heroes - Ordinary People Extraordinary Impact - Special ...




"Voting continues until Thursday, November 19, 2009 (6 a.m. ET). There is no limit on the number of times you may vote for the Hero of the Year", according to CNN.


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