This is what the LORD says —
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go."
What has this world come to?
Some of you may already know how affected I have become by the news of a woman’s beheading earlier this week… it was heart-breaking.
A few days before, there have been news about a volunteer nurse who has been gang-raped in Maguindanao. The right-side of her body has now been paralyzed. This morning, I read about a 13-year old student who was gang-raped by his own boyfriend and others – twice. Last month, we have heard of news about a high school student stabbing and eventually killing his own teacher with a knife.
These things seem unthinkable, but they are real and truly happening --- in our generation, in this country and with the news of the woman beheaded by her boyfriend, right within our community. I do not know how you feel about all these, but for me, I have started to become dismayed, disgusted and afraid.
Last Wednesday however, I began to wonder how our Lord Jesus Christ must feel about all these… I thought how frustrated He must be. He then began to make me feel how He must be feeling. I began to weep and wail and was crying so hard I could no longer breathe. Afterwards, He comforted me and reminded me of these things:
• His covenant with Noah. That no matter how evil this generation has become, God has promised to be merciful.
• He has reminded (in Psalm 23) that He is my Shepherd and that He will lead me beside quiet waters & that I do not have to be afraid. He reminded me that He can be my hiding place.
• Lastly, He reminded me that He is praying for me in John 17.
John 17:15 - My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
God cares for us more than we know. He prays for us and calls for us to come back to Him.
Today I have been reminded and shown these verses:
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
Micah 7:18 - Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
My prayer for you also is to be comforted by God’s amazing love and mercy for us.
A few days before, there have been news about a volunteer nurse who has been gang-raped in Maguindanao. The right-side of her body has now been paralyzed. This morning, I read about a 13-year old student who was gang-raped by his own boyfriend and others – twice. Last month, we have heard of news about a high school student stabbing and eventually killing his own teacher with a knife.
These things seem unthinkable, but they are real and truly happening --- in our generation, in this country and with the news of the woman beheaded by her boyfriend, right within our community. I do not know how you feel about all these, but for me, I have started to become dismayed, disgusted and afraid.
Last Wednesday however, I began to wonder how our Lord Jesus Christ must feel about all these… I thought how frustrated He must be. He then began to make me feel how He must be feeling. I began to weep and wail and was crying so hard I could no longer breathe. Afterwards, He comforted me and reminded me of these things:
• His covenant with Noah. That no matter how evil this generation has become, God has promised to be merciful.
• He has reminded (in Psalm 23) that He is my Shepherd and that He will lead me beside quiet waters & that I do not have to be afraid. He reminded me that He can be my hiding place.
• Lastly, He reminded me that He is praying for me in John 17.
John 17:15 - My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
God cares for us more than we know. He prays for us and calls for us to come back to Him.
Today I have been reminded and shown these verses:
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
Micah 7:18 - Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
My prayer for you also is to be comforted by God’s amazing love and mercy for us.
Zapata's
It started out with my craving for some chicken quesadilla. Christine suggested we buy some pita bread and ingredients from the supermarket and prepare it ourselves but by the time we got off from work, it was already past 7pm. I was too hungry by then and suggested we go to this Mexican restaurant instead which I first read about from Kris Aquino's twitter account. Luckily, Sir Mark heard our conversation and immediately became interested in joining. The restaurant was just a few blocks away from the Korean town which was also just a few blocks away from our village so there was no problem finding it. Gladys, despite not feeling well that night, joined us also. What was supposed to be a dinner date between two friends became a dinner night out with all of us! Biglaang lakads are so much fun!
I was quite satisfied with their chicken quesadilla, by the way. The cheddar cheese they use i thought was delicious. Ate Elsa, who is the real foodie from the group, thought their ensalada could use a little bit of a certain ingredient the name of which I forgot but keep associating with Via Mare's bagnet ensalada. She says that she prefers the ensalada from El Pollo Loco which I remember to have that taste she was looking for. If I can just remember the name of that ingredient, this will be so much easier!
Anyway, everything that night to me seemed good. The place looks fun, the food tastes good. Perhaps an improvement can be made with presentation. I would have preferred separate plates for our soft taco and enchilada. No complains about the taste, as I have said, but it seems a little difficult for me to appreciate food when you see that the sauce for one is starting to slither into the other.
I don't know. I'm just being weird I guess :)
Postcard from Hong Kong
With this blog post, I wish to offer my sympathy to the Hong Kong and Chinese people whose loved ones -- perhaps a friend, a brother, a mother, or a daughter -- perished in the hostage-taking that took place at the heart of my beloved Manila.The images below have been taken last year from various tourist spots in Hong Kong, during a 3-day trip which thankfully, did not require that I fear for my safety or of being discriminated against.
I pray that the people directly involved or have in any way influenced the result of the tragic incident will do everything in their capacity to cooperate, to speak out in truth and be willing to pave the way for justice, even if that will cause them their positions of power. I pray that the government and the police force will be able to identify clearly what their faults have been and be able to learn from these shortcomings so that ultimately they can work together and prevent anything similar from ever happening again.
As I pray for justice and truth to surface, I also pray for the family members and relatives to be able to find a path of forgiveness and acceptance rather than a path of blame, bitterness or hate. Only with forgiveness can there be genuine peace.
Clockwise from the top-right image: Tian Tan or the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island || Bruce Lee Statue at the Avenue of Stars, Tsim Tsa Tsui || a Buddhist woman offering prayers at the Po Lin Monastery also in Ngong Ping || a bicycle parked at a sidewalk around noon time in Mongkok || souvenir T-shirts for sale at the Ladies’ Market also in Mongkok district
I pray that the people directly involved or have in any way influenced the result of the tragic incident will do everything in their capacity to cooperate, to speak out in truth and be willing to pave the way for justice, even if that will cause them their positions of power. I pray that the government and the police force will be able to identify clearly what their faults have been and be able to learn from these shortcomings so that ultimately they can work together and prevent anything similar from ever happening again.
As I pray for justice and truth to surface, I also pray for the family members and relatives to be able to find a path of forgiveness and acceptance rather than a path of blame, bitterness or hate. Only with forgiveness can there be genuine peace.
60th
It was a Sunday.
Food and balloons were ordered. Parlor games were prepared. Gifts for each of the guests were wrapped. Clowns and friends were invited. The cake was chocolate and the month was May.
If it were up to me, I would have preferred an overnight stay at the beach with the entire family and closest friends. But my mom and dad wanted something more special to happen for their 60th birthday. It seems to me they had wanted something like this to happen for quite some time.
My dad rented out a karaoke machine. Two of my mom's bestfriends arrived earlier to help us prepare the venue. We arranged the chairs and the tables. We scattered the balloons to make sure the atmosphere would be conducive for a party. We thought about what parlor games we could play, what prizes to give.
My Kuya invited his youth pastor friend who lead the kids to sing some action songs and read Joseph the Dreamer's story to the kids.
We played. We ate. We sang and we danced. We had fun with the kids.
We sang the happy birthday song for my parents.
They blew their candles and made a birthday wish.
It was a privilege and a great opportunity to throw a party not only for my parents but for the kids of the Tahanang Mapagpala in Bagumbong, Caloocan City as well. Some of the children were found wandering the streets, some have been left by their own relatives at the shelters. And some, have become orphans.
Some of them smiled genuinely. Some, reluctantly. And some, would not smile at all. Most of them were hardly ten years of age, but their eyes seem to know so much more.
One of the kids, after hearing the youth pastor share about how God demonstrated His love for us through the life of Joseph cried inconsolably and asked me this: "If God loves me, why would He let my relatives abandon me and not come back for me?" I did not have an answer. But I silently said a prayer for her.
At the end of the party, we handed out gifts for the kids. The goodie bags had a toy, a toothbrush, a comb, a face towel, and some other personal hygiene items which we thought the kids needed. We knew they needed much more than that, but our resources were limited as well. What our goodie bags lacked, we tried to make up for by offering our prayers. A prayer of comfort and most especially of hope. A prayer that one day, the kids will be reunited again with their own families or become a part of a family that could provide them the love and care they need.
Two months later, also a Sunday, I saw a familiar face in the television. The show was Jessica Soho's Reunions. I watched in disbelief and amazement as I realized that the kid, who has been reunited with with his family through the help of the show, was among those who attended my parent's 60th birthday celebration.
Food and balloons were ordered. Parlor games were prepared. Gifts for each of the guests were wrapped. Clowns and friends were invited. The cake was chocolate and the month was May.
If it were up to me, I would have preferred an overnight stay at the beach with the entire family and closest friends. But my mom and dad wanted something more special to happen for their 60th birthday. It seems to me they had wanted something like this to happen for quite some time.
My dad rented out a karaoke machine. Two of my mom's bestfriends arrived earlier to help us prepare the venue. We arranged the chairs and the tables. We scattered the balloons to make sure the atmosphere would be conducive for a party. We thought about what parlor games we could play, what prizes to give.
My Kuya invited his youth pastor friend who lead the kids to sing some action songs and read Joseph the Dreamer's story to the kids.
We played. We ate. We sang and we danced. We had fun with the kids.
We sang the happy birthday song for my parents.
They blew their candles and made a birthday wish.
-ooo-
It was a privilege and a great opportunity to throw a party not only for my parents but for the kids of the Tahanang Mapagpala in Bagumbong, Caloocan City as well. Some of the children were found wandering the streets, some have been left by their own relatives at the shelters. And some, have become orphans.
Some of them smiled genuinely. Some, reluctantly. And some, would not smile at all. Most of them were hardly ten years of age, but their eyes seem to know so much more.
One of the kids, after hearing the youth pastor share about how God demonstrated His love for us through the life of Joseph cried inconsolably and asked me this: "If God loves me, why would He let my relatives abandon me and not come back for me?" I did not have an answer. But I silently said a prayer for her.
At the end of the party, we handed out gifts for the kids. The goodie bags had a toy, a toothbrush, a comb, a face towel, and some other personal hygiene items which we thought the kids needed. We knew they needed much more than that, but our resources were limited as well. What our goodie bags lacked, we tried to make up for by offering our prayers. A prayer of comfort and most especially of hope. A prayer that one day, the kids will be reunited again with their own families or become a part of a family that could provide them the love and care they need.
-ooo-
Two months later, also a Sunday, I saw a familiar face in the television. The show was Jessica Soho's Reunions. I watched in disbelief and amazement as I realized that the kid, who has been reunited with with his family through the help of the show, was among those who attended my parent's 60th birthday celebration.
Top 10 Things to Do in Nagsasa (Part 2)
Ang unang parte ng post na ito ay matatagpuan dito.
6. Magkulitan.
...picture-an ang mga tutulog-tulog...
...umakyat sa puno (kung feel mo lang naman)...
7. Mag-explore. Puntahan ang Nagsasa Falls at maligo sa batis.
...tahakin ang tamang daan patungo sa Nagsasa falls...
..magpakuha sa ibabaw ng mga bato na parang mga astig...
...ngumiti sa kamera kahit nilalamig...
8. Gumawa ng bonfire at mag-bonding.
...bawal talaga maglaro ng apoy pero pwede na rin siguro paminsan-minsan...
9. Bisitahin ang Capones Island at akyatin ang lighthouse.
...go ate elsa! (photo taken by sir mark)...
...para sa kin, makapigil-hininga ang view mula tuktok ng lighthouse...
...pawisan at hinihingal man, carry pa rin mag-project sa camera para sa souvenir...
10. Masdan ang kagandahan ng kapaligiran.
...bato na lang siguro ang hindi makaka-appreciate sa ganda ng kalikasan...
6. Magkulitan.
...picture-an ang mga tutulog-tulog...
...umakyat sa puno (kung feel mo lang naman)...
7. Mag-explore. Puntahan ang Nagsasa Falls at maligo sa batis.
...tahakin ang tamang daan patungo sa Nagsasa falls...
..magpakuha sa ibabaw ng mga bato na parang mga astig...
...ngumiti sa kamera kahit nilalamig...
...bawal talaga maglaro ng apoy pero pwede na rin siguro paminsan-minsan...
9. Bisitahin ang Capones Island at akyatin ang lighthouse.
...go ate elsa! (photo taken by sir mark)...
...para sa kin, makapigil-hininga ang view mula tuktok ng lighthouse...
...pawisan at hinihingal man, carry pa rin mag-project sa camera para sa souvenir...
...bato na lang siguro ang hindi makaka-appreciate sa ganda ng kalikasan...
At 31...
- I am still learning how to trust completely, to wait patiently (it really isn't easy)
- I am still paying for outstanding debt (I am very bad at this)
- I am still learning how to love unconditionally, selflessly, completely
- I still have not been to Europe, not even Singapore, still do not drive, still unmarried, and I barely have enough savings in the bank for purchasing anything that you can declare under the asset column (I think I am being taught how to be content)
- I have been able to witness a miracle
- I am still inlove with photography and daily falling more inlove with cooking (basil leaves, oyster sauce and those pork cubes are my new friends)
- I still dream vivid dreams, watch a movie at least once a week (whether in my laptop or at the cinema)
- I still suffer from TMJ
- I still struggle in being on-time for appointments (but I keep trying)
- I have been able to ride a horse (at least long enough to have my photo taken), wear an Igorot costume, try a new sport (no, not really)
- I have learned to appreciate SharePoint
- I still don't wear two-piece bikini (I have no idea what my waistline is anymore)
- I feel grown-up (I'm pretty sure I look it, too)
- I have learned to distinguish between the good, the acceptable and the perfect. I have learned to measure my life against these.
- I am thankful that both my parents are still around to see me try, falter, strive, wait, fall, cry, laugh, cook, love, fly, run, come home, fail, hope and try some more.
- I still expect a lot out of life, but I am content, grateful and happy just the way things are.
Wallem Sunset
...CHRO and me enjoying the sunset...
My phone rang around 530pm last Monday. I thought it was a call from Singapore, but it was from an officemate, urging me to go outside immediately and witness the sunset that day -- it is not the first time that my attention has been called for the same purpose actually. However, this is the first time that I happen to have a camera with me.
The blue and yellow colors in the photos have not been altered. The sky was really stunning that afternoon and the clouds quite playful. There were several patches even where clouds would reflect some shades of pink, cyan and green. It was a refreshing and a much welcome break from work.
Recent Consumptions
Toy Story 3 which I saw in 3D here at SM Clark with friends and overflowing popcorn. Limbunan and Sigwa which are both Cinemalaya 2010 entries. 17 again, New Moon and The Proposal are in AVI format, shared by friends who have unlimited access to broadband internet.
Argh. Need extra self-control and focus my energies in preparing for my next certification exam instead of consuming the rest of the hollywood movies shared with me just recently.
Heeelp.
Top 10 Things To Do in Nagsasa (Part 1)
1. Magtayo ng tent kasama ang mga friends. Mahirap magtayo nyan nang mag-isa.
...mga bagong tent, excited gamitin...
2. Magpahinga. Um-order ng halo-halo at magpalamig.
...halo-halo delight...
3. Maghanda ng tanghalian. Mag-ihaw-ihaw, magsaing.
...pwede rin magpa-cute habang nagsasaing...
4. Tsumibog. Magkamay para mas masaya.
5. Mag-picture picture. Gumamit ng tripod para kasama ang photographer.
...hello and peace! from nagsasa...
...mga bagong tent, excited gamitin...
2. Magpahinga. Um-order ng halo-halo at magpalamig.
...halo-halo delight...
3. Maghanda ng tanghalian. Mag-ihaw-ihaw, magsaing.
...pwede rin magpa-cute habang nagsasaing...
....go Sir Mark!...
4. Tsumibog. Magkamay para mas masaya.
...si gladys, gram at rhandell, galit sa mga hipon...
5. Mag-picture picture. Gumamit ng tripod para kasama ang photographer.
...hello and peace! from nagsasa...
Waiting
God comes to Abraham when he is 75 and tells him he is going to be a father, the ancestor of a great nation. How long was it before that promised was fulfilled? Twenty-five years. Abraham had to wait.
God told the Israelites that they would leave their slavery in Egypt and become a nation. But the people had to wait four hundred years.
God told Moses he would lead the people to the Promised Land. But they had to wait forty years in the wilderness.
Waiting is our destiny as creatures who cannot by themselves bring about what they hope for. We wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light, we wait in fear for a happy ending we cannot write. We wait for a not yet that feels like a not ever.
Waiting must be the hardest work of hoping.
-from John Ortberg's Life to the Max
God told the Israelites that they would leave their slavery in Egypt and become a nation. But the people had to wait four hundred years.
God told Moses he would lead the people to the Promised Land. But they had to wait forty years in the wilderness.
Waiting is our destiny as creatures who cannot by themselves bring about what they hope for. We wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light, we wait in fear for a happy ending we cannot write. We wait for a not yet that feels like a not ever.
Waiting must be the hardest work of hoping.
-from John Ortberg's Life to the Max
Miracles Can Happen
If you're hoping for a miracle, stop gabbing and start working...
Persist, and miracles will start happening, all the more wondrous because you worked them yourself.
-Martha Beck
Persist, and miracles will start happening, all the more wondrous because you worked them yourself.
-Martha Beck
Akin Ka Na Lang
one-month old female schitzu... forgot her name... super cute and playful.... kinagat ako nito, buti na lang wala pang ipin!
Time Capsule 11/365: Nike Running Shoes
Description: This is a new pair which I had to buy when the old pair got cooked after being left for a considerable amount of time inside a car trunk. I had run a few kilometers with this new pair, first time was in UP then the rest around the neighborhood. Had to make sure though that I took a photo before it got all dirty and worn out. So fun to wear running shoes and actually use them for running. Can't help sometimes to tell myself: RUN ME, RUUUNNN!!
Date: March 2010
Time Capsule 10/365: A Day of Everything that Flies
Title: A Day of Everything that Flies
Description: Photos taken just before sunrise at the 2010 Hot Air Balloon Festival. The day started with the "coming down" of the Philippine flag followed by the main event, which was the flying of around 15 or so hot air balloons from local and international participants. Throughout the day we were able to witness various airborne activities such as paragliding, aircraft exhibitions, skydiving and what was most interesting for me, kite-flying.
Venue: Clark Air Field, Pampanga
Date: February 13, 2010
Time Capsule 9/365: A Short Visit
Title: A Short Visit
Description: Photos taken from the first day of Jp's short visit to Manila summer of 2010. It was an unplanned visit, although at the same time one which seems to be long-overdue. He was here Friday noon and left early morning Sunday. There was no time to do anything much, but we were able to include a trip to Bonifacio High Street and to MOA with his mom and siblings.
The photos above do not show this... But it was somewhat strange the first time I saw him. He had an earring in his left ear and was wearing a polo shirt which did not seem to be something I would imagine him wearing. He did not seem a total stranger, but he seemed different. At first, I kept my distance and did not hold him. I probably said the coldest "hello" without intending to. He was surprised and saddened by my initial reaction, but was patient enough to wait for me to warm up to him. He simply offered to carry my bag and walk beside me. Before this, I last saw him January... just a few months ago. We speak on the phone everyday. We write each other several times a day. And yet, for a few minutes he seemed like somebody else who just looked "a lot like Jp" but was not him.
I am thankful that he went home, even for just a couple of days. I wonder how much stranger he would seem to me if he waited longer to come home...
Venue: Starbucks at SM Megamall / Bonifacio High Street / Mall of Asia
Date: March 19, 2010
Time Capsule 8/365: Hammock Time
Title: Hammock Time
Description: Lately, i keep picturing myself relaxing on a hammock by the beach or any remote place. I should get one of those net hammocks that campers bring to wherever trees could be found and perhaps plan a trip out of town where i can just lie down, listen to my iPod, read a book, watch the clouds go by, fall into a daydream, fall asleep, sway my way into a stress-free, carefree, hammock time...*sigh*
Venue: Bale Dutung, Angeles City, Pampanga
Date: March 13, 2010
Time Capsule 7/365: Sino Kamukha
Title: Sino Kamukha?
Description: It is not often that we get to be together to do anything given that we do not all live under the same roof. But two weeks ago, by God's grace, the whole family (brother included, though not in the picture) was able to attend church and afterwards enjoy a delicious dinner at Banana Leaf. I ordered everything I knew was good in their menu and I am happy because my parents were not disappointed. Praying for more occassions such as this. By the way, in the photo above... who do you think do I look like more?
Venue: Banana Leaf Curry, The Podium in Ortigas
Date: March 14, 2010
Time Capsule 6/365: Hot Air Turtle
Title: Hot Air Turtle
Description: The biggest, floatiest, most colorful turtle I have ever seen in my life! Can I adopt you, Mr. Hot Air Turtle?
Venue: Clark Airfield, Pampanga
Date: February 13, 2010
Time Capsule 5/365: Staring at the Sun
Title: Staring at the Sun
Description: What if we wake up one day, we look up and the sun as we know it has been turned into a hot air balloon, smiling down upon us all as if it knows something we don't?
Venue: Hot Air Balloon Festival, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
Date: February 13, 2010
Time Capsule 4/365: Girl at Batasan Hills
Title: Girl at Batasan Hills
Venue: Batasan Hills, Quezon City
Description: This girl is a recipient of a toy donated by the supporters of AWAM (Alcoholics with a Mission). Her family is among the victims of typhoon Ondoy which flooded a large part of Metro Manila September 2009. I printed out a copy of this photo and posted that in my office cube. People have been asking me whether that was my photo, once upon a time when i was younger. Pwede. We share the same hairstyle and chubby cheeks after all.
Date: January 2010
Time Capsule 3/365: Left-Click, Harvest
Title: White Chicken
Description: When I saw this chicken at the farm, all I wanted to do was take its picture. Once I uploaded the photos to my desktop PC, all I can think of was "left-click" then "harvest" or "collect eggs". I swear it looks just like the chickens I have at my coop in Farmville.
Venue: Prayer Farm, Tagaytay
Date: January 2010
Time Capsule 2/365: Anawangin Sunset
Title: Anawangin Sunset
Venue: Anawangin, Zambales
Description: One of only two photos taken during the golden hour in Awangin. Shot with my Olympus e-500, right before I went to the poso to take a bath. Submitted as entry to the Western Digital Time Capsule Contest for their "Environment" theme. The photo won me $500 worth of camera supplies, with the help of all my good friends who voted for me.
Date: January 2009
Time Capsule 1/365: Big Brother and Me at the B1G Retreat
Title: Big Brother and Me
Venue: Chateau Royale, Nasugbu Batangas
Description: The other day at church, I was introduced to someone who knows my brother and plays frisbee with him as, "kapatid ni Dan". His immediate response was to ask, "the older sister?" Hehe. I just told him that no, im the younger sibling. Adding also that this mistake happens a lot...around 2-3 out of 5 introductions, actually. In the photo above, who do you think looks older?
Date: November 2009
Description: The other day at church, I was introduced to someone who knows my brother and plays frisbee with him as, "kapatid ni Dan". His immediate response was to ask, "the older sister?" Hehe. I just told him that no, im the younger sibling. Adding also that this mistake happens a lot...around 2-3 out of 5 introductions, actually. In the photo above, who do you think looks older?
Date: November 2009
at the B1G Retreat
Date: November 28, 2009
Venue: Chateau Royale, Nasugbu Batangas
Description: familia zaragoza
WIS 10th Anniversary
Date: November 12, 2009
Venue: Holiday Inn, Clark, Pampanga
Description: party people in da house
AWAM-Wallem Ondoy Relief Operations
Venue: Batasan Hills, Quezon City
Date: January 9, 2010
Description: pictures of hope amidst adversities
at the thunderbird resort in poro point
went to thunderbird resort in la union with my friends to hopefully take contest-worthy photos and get the chance to win cash prizes. from the main town of san fernando, we took a tricycle and a jeepney ride going there and was dropped-off at the main gate. the journey from the town took 20 minutes, but in order to get to the hotel we had to walk another 15 or so minutes. it was tiring, but the view was truly breath-taking. immediately i thought, it was a good decision to include this visit to thunderbird resort in our short itinerary.
situated in a scenic cliff at poro point, the resort is quite huge and is the only one in the province that offers 5-star accomodation to its guests, including a mediterranean-inspired hotel, a golf course and a casino. the beach however, did not seem bum-worthy nor surf-worthy. yes, it had waves but the shore seemed too rocky for you to even walk on easily.
upon getting to the resort, the first thing we did was look for a place to somewhat "disappear" into. there were already too many photographers in the pool area and in the lobby and we didnt want to further contribute to the chaos. we left our baggages at the reception and walked a little further to the where the golf course was (which was prohibited to photographers, by the way). a few minutes later on, we found ourselves walking an unusual path. after crossing a concrete road and climbing slightly upwards we arrived by the side of a huge rock, on top of a small cliff and we're all standing a few feet away from the edge! looking down i can see the waves angrily crashing onto the rocky foot of the cliff. i had to ask myself this: what have we gotten ourselves into?
knowing that i was at a restricted area, i felt quite embarassed and quickly prompted my companions (mavic and skip) to hurriedly take photos and go back to where we're not unallowed. i dont remember bringing out my camera to shoot. i was too afraid to fall off or get caught so i held on tightly to the rocks and made sure my feet are on stable ground.
half-excited, half-anxious... the edge seemed too close for comfort!
so having walked all the way to the cliff and back, i was quite exhausted and decided to stay by the hotel cafe, order some ice cream and watch the sun go down. from where i was, its easy to see the other photographers do their thing. some brought their own models, others strobes and light stands and there's this one who brought a ladder, the necessity for which i could not fathom, since the photographer was really just shooting at the sunset... a tripod would have made more sense, perhaps?
skip, mavic, yeye and me at the thunderbird resort in poro point, la union
anyway, as you can infer, i was not able to take any photocontest-worthy photos but i did have an awesome time at thunderbird. no thousands of pesos won for me, but at least i get to enjoy my ice cream, the lovely sunset and what seems to be quite rare these days: good times with good friends :)
inviting you all to checkout thunderbird's website for more information. it maybe too pricey for you to stay overnight, but a visit to the resort is definitely worthwhile.
The Desert Song
here's a song that's been playing over and over again in my media player this past few days. i think the song captures quite beautifully how faithful God has been (and can be if we allow Him to be) throughout EVERY season in our lives. unfortunate that i cannot upload and share the MP3 with you all, but i do hope you can check out the song in Youtube via this link. let me know what you think. God bless!
Desert Song
by Hillsongs United
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
CHORUS:
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
BRIDGE:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
Desert Song
by Hillsongs United
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame
CHORUS:
I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
BRIDGE:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
recipe for steak ala pobre
steak ala pobre ala estrella (my mom) actually.
just taking down notes from a recent cooking experience, so i don't forget:
**got this wrong the SECOND time
FIRST attempt was done a few months ago. i bought all the ingredients as told. forgot to have the meat cut at the grocery though and had to cut it myself. my mom was there to instruct me so we got the taste right, but the texture wrong.
SECOND attempt was done over the holidays. i bought all the ingredients and had the meat cut at the meat section. mom not around this time. cant remember whether to marinate or not. whether to put more oil and less butter or the other way around. so i struggled and ended up with steak that has good texture, but did not really... have much taste to it. awww.
i have no photos as i was too hungry and bit exhausted after cooking which is ALWAYS a challenge for me. i hope to take some on my third (and hopefully successful) attempt.
just taking down notes from a recent cooking experience, so i don't forget:
- beef sirloin cut thinly at the grocery is preferred*
- marinating the beef with soy sauce and just a few drops of calamansi a few minutes before cooking is preferred. less calamansi, more toyo. this is not bistek.**
- in a heated pan, put one tablespoon cooking oil then garlic, lots of them
- add butter, lots. less cooking oil, more butter.**
- place the beef when butter is heated, around 20seconds each side. steak is good, once meat is brownish not red.*
**got this wrong the SECOND time
FIRST attempt was done a few months ago. i bought all the ingredients as told. forgot to have the meat cut at the grocery though and had to cut it myself. my mom was there to instruct me so we got the taste right, but the texture wrong.
SECOND attempt was done over the holidays. i bought all the ingredients and had the meat cut at the meat section. mom not around this time. cant remember whether to marinate or not. whether to put more oil and less butter or the other way around. so i struggled and ended up with steak that has good texture, but did not really... have much taste to it. awww.
i have no photos as i was too hungry and bit exhausted after cooking which is ALWAYS a challenge for me. i hope to take some on my third (and hopefully successful) attempt.
home (and at the hospital) for Christmas
unforgettable Christmas, this is.
JP goes home from Singapore and spent the eve of Christmas with me and my family at my lola's house. the fact that my parents are together is a miracle alone. being together at my lola's house is unprecedented as we have been spending Christmas at my parents ever since i can recall. really happy that JP was able to join us and was able to experience a family tradition: tablea. without sugar, he thought it was awful, hehe.
kuya couldn't be with us the night before Christmas as he had to be in the hospital with my uncle who was confined due to pneumonia, among other things. on Christmas day, i had to relieve my brother and had to spend Christmas attending to our patient. it was difficult to accept at first, but there was no other option, as everyone else had already spent their time at the hospital.
i decided to bring with me some cake, ham, grapes and some left-over food, thinking that my uncle and i will somehow be able to celebrate Christmas this way. i ended up eating most of what i brought, except maybe the grapes, hehe. so instead of feasting at the dinner table, i was eating some of my uncle's left-over from the food tray along with what i brought at the hospital bed.
after being in the hospital for two days, my uncle was regaining strength but it was still evident that he had difficulty breathing on his own. from time to time, a nurse would come in and wake him up to check-up on his blood pressure, hand him his medication, nebulize him or inject some steroids into the dextrose. it was a routine i had easily gotten accustomed to.
what was new to me was the fact that we had to record my uncle's water intake and output. we recorded when he drank water and how much as well as how much he took out. my uncle much preferred this over the catheter.
by the evening, JP would bring some coffee and some entertainment in the form of high-definition movies. he stayed overnight, sleeping in one of the hospital beds and would drive me home in the morning. he saw me fulfill some of my duties as nurse to my uncle and gladly helped when he could, such as when we had to change the cover for the hospital bed and the pillowcases. it was good to have him around.
it was such a blessing simply to be together with the people you care about and those who care for you.
these are photos from Kabisera at BHS, the 24th when JP came home. as expected, JP misses Filipino food a lot and bringing him here i thought would be a good idea. i think, and they agreed with me on this afterwards, that Kabisera has the best pinakbet in the country. their sinigang and lechon kawali we thought were really good also.
JP, his mom and sister and me at Kabisera in Boni High Street
this was definitely a different Christmas, but a good Christmas nonetheless.
JP goes home from Singapore and spent the eve of Christmas with me and my family at my lola's house. the fact that my parents are together is a miracle alone. being together at my lola's house is unprecedented as we have been spending Christmas at my parents ever since i can recall. really happy that JP was able to join us and was able to experience a family tradition: tablea. without sugar, he thought it was awful, hehe.
kuya couldn't be with us the night before Christmas as he had to be in the hospital with my uncle who was confined due to pneumonia, among other things. on Christmas day, i had to relieve my brother and had to spend Christmas attending to our patient. it was difficult to accept at first, but there was no other option, as everyone else had already spent their time at the hospital.
i decided to bring with me some cake, ham, grapes and some left-over food, thinking that my uncle and i will somehow be able to celebrate Christmas this way. i ended up eating most of what i brought, except maybe the grapes, hehe. so instead of feasting at the dinner table, i was eating some of my uncle's left-over from the food tray along with what i brought at the hospital bed.
after being in the hospital for two days, my uncle was regaining strength but it was still evident that he had difficulty breathing on his own. from time to time, a nurse would come in and wake him up to check-up on his blood pressure, hand him his medication, nebulize him or inject some steroids into the dextrose. it was a routine i had easily gotten accustomed to.
what was new to me was the fact that we had to record my uncle's water intake and output. we recorded when he drank water and how much as well as how much he took out. my uncle much preferred this over the catheter.
by the evening, JP would bring some coffee and some entertainment in the form of high-definition movies. he stayed overnight, sleeping in one of the hospital beds and would drive me home in the morning. he saw me fulfill some of my duties as nurse to my uncle and gladly helped when he could, such as when we had to change the cover for the hospital bed and the pillowcases. it was good to have him around.
it was such a blessing simply to be together with the people you care about and those who care for you.
these are photos from Kabisera at BHS, the 24th when JP came home. as expected, JP misses Filipino food a lot and bringing him here i thought would be a good idea. i think, and they agreed with me on this afterwards, that Kabisera has the best pinakbet in the country. their sinigang and lechon kawali we thought were really good also.
JP, his mom and sister and me at Kabisera in Boni High Street
this was definitely a different Christmas, but a good Christmas nonetheless.
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