Season of Joy, Love and Peace

Indeed a happy season!

I started it with a longing.  Quite indescribable but having my grandchildren at home made me shift from a full-pledge lonely state to being candidly happy.

Scouting for jobs.  I have sent feelers to 2 projects.  But of course, my fate with them depends on the organizations.  These two attracted me not only because of compensation, but for the opportunity to serve the people of Tacloban and probably Samar.

Such a great time to end a year and a project.  Hoping for the best...

Andrew Cooper and the Strength of Filipinos

Maraming Salamat for showing us how to live...

Titanium - For the Philippines

[FOOTAGE RAW] Super Typhoon Haiyan Hits Yolanda Philippines!

So very sad that this happened.  I can't imagine such a very strong typhoon hitting elsewhere.  People would be defenseless with its strength.  God help the Philippines!

John Lennon says...

through the super storm

Philippines will survive!

cupping a person's face with your hand

i was trying to fall asleep last night when my thoughts ran back to two important male figures in my life.

even when this happened so many months ago, i can't help but smile over the thought.

by heaven's grace, i got too close to their personal space.  there wasnt much meaning from it during that time but unconciously it has as i discovered...ha ha

cupping a person's face in your hands is a sign of strong feelings. what feelings?

i like ellona santiago

mythical dragon

ending a project

Have you ever gotten sour at something you once loved doing like your work?

It will be 8 weeks more that I will be in a project.  Closing a project should have some amount of regret or hope for an extension.  But I think otherwise.  This project seems to be so mysteriously heavy for something light -  that I see in the surface.

The project I got involved with last year ended so "notoriously"  and we all ended up "silently" accepting each other's serious mistakes.

Great way to understand human nature...

My November

My birthday month is November.  It has been 49 years of life's journey.  My Chinese calendar says that my birthday should fall on  October 18, 1964, year of the dragon.  Consistently, the Rat person is destined for me (and I got him).  A Snake person  is a candidate for one good relationship (God gave me a chance to experience!).  I had a great year! (I have my family, got 3 job offers,  got 2 jobs,  friends and opportunities).  2014 should have more than that blast!

Bacood Public Library

View Larger Map

I learned to love reading by just visiting our public library.  The library during my time have the oldest books donated by US but has supported my need of knowledge back then.  The smell of books came back to me even when I was looking at the map.

This map also brought back my memories.  Good memories when I was still a kid.

Looking at the map, was looking vividly at the stores where I love buying candies, the house where I grew up, the  kalachuchi tree of my best friend, my first crush, etc....

wow ride at the banaue rice terraces

Charming Vigan

Arkitektura | Best of Philippine Architecture, Architects, News

Arkitektura | Best of Philippine Architecture, Architects, News

Arkitektura | Best of Philippine Architecture, Architects, News

Arkitektura | Best of Philippine Architecture, Architects, News

selfie song

The UP Madrigal Singers ... A Celebration Begins

Batanes, in my bucket list

Sahara Desert

By some estimates, the Sahara in Africa is growing at a rate of 0.5 miles per month. The desert, already the largest in the world, could consume all of Northern Africa, altering the environment of a continent.

Great Barrier Reef

It's so large that it can be seen from space, but the Great Barrier Reef is disappearing at an increased rate because of climate change. Rising ocean temperatures, water pollution, ocean acidification and cyclones continually pummel the reef and have caused mass coral bleaching. What took 8,000 years for nature to create could disappear within our lifetimes.  

Patagonia

Patagonia

A land of untouched beauty, South America's Patagonia could be dramatically altered by climate change. Many of its glaciers are steadfastly retreating because of rising temperatures and declining precipitation. While this land won't disappear entirely, its landscape may soon be altered beyond recognition if global warming persists.

to start the day

Harmony after the shaking of Bohol

Take Time

Take time to be AWARE:  It is the OPPORTUNITY to HELP OTHERS.

Take time to READ: It is the FOUNDATION of MISSION

Take time to THINK: It is the SOURCE of  POWER.

Take time to LAUGH: It is the MUSIC to the SOUL.

Goodnight all

WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS...             ROBERT INGERSOLL

come to DAVAO

shutdown in the US image?

first degree burns

after my vein stripping operation, i have to always wrap my legs with bandages or wear medical stockings...

today its odd to see my angela being wrapped in her right leg with bandages too...because of first degree burns...

i just wished  i could do something to reverse what happened to my angela.

Clarity by Ellona Santiago

july ten

a gift from a friend...then wonderful and magical moments followed...

sketch

camera trick

secret garden

my space...my solitude's haven...

Incentives for giving birth

Odd Baby Incentives: Countries are giving couple incentives to have babies | Watch the video - Yahoo OMG! Philippines

http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/video/whoknew-odd-baby-incentives-countries-060000272.html Watch the video Odd Baby Incentives: Countries are giving couple incentives to have babies on Yahoo OMG!. How did you spend August 9th of this year? Well, if you live in Singapore, the government is hoping you spent the day celebrating the anniversary of your independence from Malaysia…and then spent the night getting knocked up. That’s because birth rates in Singapore have fallen to an all-time low. It’s currently at around 1.2 children per woman, well below the 2.1 children per woman rate necessary to maintain current population numbers. So last year, breath mint company Mentos launched an ad campaign in Singapore that encouraged everyone to do their civic duty by making a baby on August 9th – with the aid of fresh breath from Mentos, of course. Many countries, in fact, are incentivizing their citizens to make little baby citizens. Russia, which has seen a steady population decline since the early 1990s, began a program in which moms who give birth on June 12 – the country’s National Day holiday -- are entered into a drawing to win money and prizes from the government, including refrigerators and SUVs. And Germany hopes that building new, state-of-the-art nursery schools will tempt people into parenthood. Incentives like this have actually been around for centuries. In Ancient Rome, Caesar Augustus became so concerned about dwindling population numbers that he passed a legislation rewarding big families with more political clout. The reason ancient and modern governments worry about population decline is that it creates severe economic problems. There are fewer young workers paying taxes and buying goods. So for the foreseeable future, you can forget about Valentine’s Day if you live in Singapore – August 9th is new day for romance.

happy Philippine economy

Moody's upgrades PH to investment grade rating - Yahoo Philippines News

http://anc.yahoo.com/news/moody-s-upgrades-ph-to-investment-grade-rating-080003874.html All 3 major ratings agencies in the world have now upgraded the country's credit ratings.

Midnight in Paris Woody Allen

after the killer flashflood

From a community of 3,000 families, this structure remained (the only one)  after the WASHI experience of  Cagayan de Oro City last 2012.  I was a part of the humanitarian aid organization that  helped the survivors.

soul expresses too

I was looking for a piece that would describe this silence and solitude I am marveling at...

and a rock band came out...even rock bands cannot contain silence and solitude...

many people cannot tolerate silence and solitude because this is when our souls express our depths...

silence for a couple of minutes

when you are at home and wanted to do many things and cannot do all...there just seems to be questions and answers that are confronting...

I guess this silence makes everyone rush to their offices, schools, workplace...to escape ... 

and people just keep asking for peace...one cannot face...

I am in front of this laptop and hearing not a sound...

getting to the top

... I have learned that everybody wants to live on top of the mountain, without knowing that true happiness is obtained in the journey taken and the form used to reach the top of the hill.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez

T'boli Princess Dream

Waterfalls, Mist and T'boli ladies at Lake Sebu

trying hard

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

Judy Garland

Jessie J - Who You Are (Official Lyrics on the Screen / Sound HD)

seeking love

Your task is not to seek love, but merely to seek & find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

Sufi Principles and Practices

Sufi Principles & Practices

The Sufis are the men of the highest morality.They are the people who behave according to the need of the time. They are not bound by the shackles of rituals and customs. Religion for them is important only so long as it does not hinder spiritual progress. The greatest religion for them is the love for the humanity and not to hurt anyone’s feelings. Their objective being to evolve as a complete man by improving one’s character and conduct the principles and practices adopted by them revolve around these central ideas and are to be seen in this light.

Ellona Santiago Spreads Her "Wings" - THE X FACTOR USA 2013

CHRIS DE BURGH - Here Is Your Paradise (Lyrics)

Chris de Burgh - Missing You

The last time I really got very fond of this song was year 2009.  And I am fond of this again this year. What was different then and now?

so sad

Sometimes, we are given a few minutes to be with the whom we love, and thousand of hours to spend to thinking of them.

thieves with positions

what to do with these lawmakers?

Uncontacted Tribe - Human Planet: Jungles - BBC One

The loneliest animal on the planet - BBC Animals

morning romance

Romance like a ghost escapes touching; it is always where you are not, not where you are.... - George William Curtis

shitty notes

This is angelo.  I gave this to an officemate.  yesterday he had his best time by pooping on my table particularly on my notes.  ha ha ha  

Peace was always there

Peace and happiness are available in every moment. Peace is every step. We shall walk hand in hand. There are no political solutions to spiritual problems. Remember: If the Creator put it there, it is in the right place. The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.

Indian way

Wakan Tanka, Great Mystery, teach me how to trust my heart, my mind, my intuition, my inner knowing, the senses of my body, the blessings of my spirit. Teach me to trust these things so that I may enter my Sacred Space and love beyond my fear, and thus Walk in Balance with the passing of each glorious Sun.
~ Lakota Prayer

and another one to keep me grounded

When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.
~ Cree Prophecy

to keep me grounded today

Certain things catch your eye, But pursue only those that capture your heart.
~ old indian saying

Mabuhay to Pyronale 2013: Dragon Fireworks

Amazing! Genius! Having goosebumps until now!
Awesome and Mabuhay to the Dragon Fireworks for making us Filipinos very proud of you!

Which is the greater killer, social isolation or cigarette smoking?

The risk of death associated with social

isolation is greater than the risk

associated with cigarette smoking.

by:  House, Landis & Umberson Science,1988

Children don't deserve War

Dear friends,

Over 1 million Syrian children are refugees with no access to education, but we can stop these kids from becoming a 'lost generation'. We're teaming up with 16-year old education campaigner Malala Yousafzai and UN Education Envoy Gordon Brown to raise $1 million in the next few days, then challenge donor countries to match it 10:1, raising enough money to start putting every refugee child in school! Pledge €4 to make it happen:

Syrian children may feel little hope today, but this week we have a powerful chance to help save their future.

A staggering 6 million Syrians have fled the fighting, many of them children. In many wars, they become a 'lost generation' that knows guns more than books, and never get a chance to build a better life. But this time, there's an exciting plan to change that.

Inspiring 16-year old campaigner Malala Yousafzai and UN Education Envoy Gordon Brown are teaming up with our community to issue a challenge to governments -- if we can raise $1 million, we'll call on each donor country to match us 10:1 to raise the $100+ million needed to start putting every Syrian refugee child in school! In days, Malala and Brown could personally address the Syria humanitarian summit in New York and wave the cheque from us as a challenge. Our donations could help turn this from a business as usual meeting to a major moment that spurs action.

today's boost

"Never work just for money or for power.  They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night".  by Marian Wright Edelman

Steve Jobs in spirit

Steve Jobs said:

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do".

Kaba

scorpio images

lens principle

John Maxwell said:

Who we are determines how we see others. What is my perception of others?  You are your lens.
Who you are determines what you see, how you view life and what you do.

Love to work mode

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

Theodore Roosevelt

explosion

 I woke up today exploding because one of our puppies was attacked by another dog (ours too).  I saw the little creature in pain and wriggling from the slightest touch.  I can't bear to see.  If this creature dies, then this is the third death from 7 little puppies.

When i arrived in the office, the news of bomb explosions in the city was the topic so I was arggghhh, another one???

explosions...i hope all feelings of it,  subsides...I hope all thoughts about exploding, stops...i hope people expel explosions.

gone through vein stripping

My first ever operation is actually a minor one. It is called vein stripping.

I was excited but before that I was thinking of understanding my pain threshold.  I have one of the shortest and impossible thresholds in the whole world.

When I am alone, I seem to manage pain but with a loved one beside me all the pain seems to be so painfully great...over-acting.

So I challenged myself...

First I have realized that I cant seem to handle looking at the needle going through my skin by looking.  And if I am not looking, I can't help myself imagining the needle going through my skin and veins.   Which is for me the same as looking directly.  Failure!

The next one is the insertion of the Intravenous something.  In my lifetime, I never experienced a one-shot I.V.  It was always a couple or a number of trying to get to that "vein".  For this operation,  I got a record of  7 tries (all painful)  and one successful "shoot".

Just before I fell totally submitted to a total "sleep" I had the greatest growl of my subconscious for the one hour I.V. insertion painful process!

I thought I was in my conscious level, managing my pain...funny that I have to give in during my near slumber.

Bellefire - You Were Meant For Me HQ

Katy Perry's Roar and Taal Volcano in the Philippines

Can you spot where Taal Volcano is?  It is the world's smallest volcano and nestled in a lake.  And located in the Philippines.

soulful morning

It is in the early morning hour that the unseen is seen, and that the far-off beauty and glory, vanquishing all their vagueness, move down upon us till they stand clear as crystal close over against the soul. ~Sarah Smiley

to end my day and begin my night

“1) I love you not for whom you are,
but who i am when i'm by your side.
2) No person deserves your tears,
and who deserves them won't make you cry.
3) Just because someone doesn't love you as you wish,
it doesn't mean you're not loved with all his/her being.
4) A true friend is the one,
who hold your hand and touches your heart.
5) The worst way to miss someone is,
to be seated by him/her and know you'll never have him/her.
6) Never stop smiling not even when you're sad,
someone might fall in love with your smile.
7) You may only be a person in this world,
but for someone you're the world.
8) Don't spend time with someone,
who doesn't care spending it with you.
9) Maybe God wants you to meet many wrong people,
before you meet the right one,so when it happens you'll be thankful.
10) Dont cry because it came to an end,
smile because it happened.
11) There will always be people who'll hurt you,
so you need to continue trusting, just be careful.
12) Become a better person and be sure to know who you are,
before meeting someone new and hoping that person knows who you are.
13) Don't struggle so much,
best things happen when not expected.”
― Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez

unstable ground for me

I have always been challenged and it was always about this for such a long time.

I have had enough and I am more afraid of breaking what seems to be a stable ground than "going through the knife" on Friday.

Why can't I not understand you?  Oh God!  Please give me a heart.

how far am i to happiness? stability ???

Always remember that the most important thing in a good marriage is not happiness, but stability.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Choose

"A man is given the choice between loving women and understanding them" 
Ninon de Linclos

So am I... to a man...

Not everyone knows how to decide

Zamboanga and War

We believe 1 family torn apart by war is too many.
Tell the world you do too: http://www.unhcr.org/1family?link=email

Sir Gabriel Marquez, a part of my journey

I have to double check on Sir Gabriel Garcia Marquez.  The first book I read that he authored was so hard to understand when I was in high school.  "In Evil Hour" was read during the time when I have to read a book because I was supposed to do it for school.  I did understand it after reading twice.  And I promised to name my first born baby to be Gabriel. 

Reading "One Hundred Years of Solitude" gave me the idea of how to be patient and how to manage emotions with the characters portrayed.  I did not realize humans can actually experience too much pain and emotions and yet go on with their daily lives.

"Love in the Time of Cholera" is a gift.  I have read it many times because I loved the story.  I watched the movie, many times too.

To a great author, you were in my journey from then on until my last breath!

Gabriel Garcia Marquez says farewell

I have learned so much with you all,
I have learned that everybody wants to live on top of the mountain,
without knowing that true happiness is obtained in the journey taken and
the form used to reach the top of the hill.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

the right time

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The second best time is NOW.

Chinese proverb

Sana'y kapiling ka

B+ Blood Type

This blood type is something that me and my siblings have one thing in common.  Until of course, I married an O type and  produced B + human beings (my children). 

My parents by the way are all B type too.

Let me marvel over with our personalities:

Type B

People with blood type B are the most practical of the blood groups. They are specialists in what they do. When they start a project, they spend extra time understanding and trying to follow directions than others might. When they are doing something, all of their attention is focused on it. They tend to stick to a goal and follow it through to the end, even if it seems impossible. They tend to be less than cooperative, as they like to follow their own rules and their own ideas. They are individualists. B type people pay attention to their thoughts a little more than their feelings, and therefore can sometimes seem cold and serious.

People with blood type B are often considered more relaxed, freewheeling, and unconventional than other types, although not necessarily to an unacceptable degree. In anime, the genki, off-the-wall types are type B, along with any kind of well-intended character who's ruled by their impulses.

Naruto, Duo Maxwell, Miaka, Nuriko, Tasuki, Sagara Sanosuke