St. Martha School Christmas Program

Intercultural dance presentation

Claire's wedding 12-17-06

Claire's wedding

Claire's shower party

Claire's shower party

Start:

Dec 10, '06 09:30a

Tea time shower party at my home for my goddaughter Claire Chua. The party theme is " Something Sexy"

More school buildings

19 new school buildings from 2003 to 2006.

Donations of school buildings

In line with the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce school building projects; last week my husband Lucas together with his brother Lucio, two Manila federation's representatives, local board members James Yap, Johnson Go, Bernardino Cue and others went to the interiors of Cotabato, Maguindanao to donate 19 units of two-classroom school buildings. They went to Buaya Buaya, Tamontaka, Kakar, Dalikan, Upi and other barriors to officially turn over the school buildings.

LCT hardware, our family own business donated one unit, other local business establishments followed suit with Mr. Enrique Cheng (base in Manila) donating 9 units.

Lucas was happy to be involved with the civic events. He enjoyed the trip to the hinterlands: the bumpy roads, the scenic views, the fellowships and others. I shall soon post some of the pictures taken. 

Donations of school buildings

pull out

Something is wrong with my computer. My blog is stuck up on November 10. I will have it pulled out tomorrow for a check up. Until then.....see you again.

Busy

Christmas is fast approaching and I am getting busy with practicing the kids for their school Christmas Program. Practice started last week. The children are oh so enthusiastic but how am I going to teach them......to listen to rhythm, to move with coordination, to remember their formation.....etcetera...etcetra......They are but only 4 to 6 years old. Hahaha!

Claire's wedding

Start:

Dec 17, '06

November 10, 2006

This morning I went to school as usual and conducted my lessons as planned. At 9:30 AM recess time, I treated the pupils, faculty and staff to snacks of spaghetti, fried chicken and coca cola. I brought home the same packed value meals to the househelps, driver and security guard.

This evening, I celebrated my birthday simply and quietly at home with Lucas. We ate pancit canton brought from Mardoney's. My sister Jeannette, her son Anthony and grandson Abraham came to greet me. We had dinner together. I am glad to be celebrating my birthday simply without fanfare. During the dinner, my next door nephew Dominic, his wife Carol and their child Chelsea came over to greet me too.

Earlier my children, two best friends and siblings texted me greetings of happy birthday.Honestly I am happy they all remember. 

As I write this blog tonight, I thank God for this circle of people. They are God's gifts to me.

Fifty five

Today I turn 55 years old. I am glad to have reached this age. I thank God for the gift of life and the many blessings He has bestowed upon me. Earlier this year, I was foolishly afraid of not being able to reach this natal day because of some physical and emotional health concerns. My mother died at the age of 52 and I prayed to live longer. I am happy to be 55. To be physically present for my family: my husband, my children and grandson. Even if I can not be of great help, yet I can always pray fervently for my loves ones. God listens to me and I trust in His great mercy and compassion.Thank You Lord

 

Eve of Christening

I was out most of the nights here in Manila. There was the birthday of Helen on October 31, a visit to Baclaran Church on Wednesday night, a movie "The Guardian" on November 2 with my sibs, and another movie " The Banquet" with Ollie, Emil, Martha and Marion last night. But today after a whole day shopping, I stay put while the kids play board game at home. They are really noisy and I can't write well with all the distractiions. Tomorrow is the baptismal of Dylan. We'll have a small party at night. This is so far a very busy and active week in Manila.

October 31st

Ever since I can remember, October 31st has always been an eventful day. Oct. 31 is the birthday of my sister Helen and there is always somekind of a birthday celebration whether it be a merienda, lunch or dinner ; with friends, relatives or just a few of us. Yesterday,she happily celebrated her 57 natal day in Jun's (our brother) place. My sister-law Jean prepared the festive food: my favorite were the very fresh and crunchy vegetable salad, very special light spaghetti, very delicious lamp chop and the very tender peppered tenderloin steak. We had ice cream cake for dessert and coffee after the sweet. All of us brothers and sisters (except Jeannette who was in Cotabato) were there with our children. Tom and Angel did not attend though because Tom was sick with stomach flu.

Emil came from Cebu yesterday evening to be with us. Martha, Marion and I went to the airport to fetch him at 8:30pm. From the airport, we proceeded to the Helen's party at around 9:30 pm.

With the good food and the siblings together, the party hardly ended before midnight as we then prepared to go to the cemetery to visit the graveyards of our dearly departed parents, grandparents, an uncle-in-law and brother-in-law Pipo, the husband of Helen on the early hours of November 1st. .

We went in two vans, lighted candles and josh sticks, we offered flowers and food and prayed the rosary for the holy souls of my parents Francisco and Mary. The other graveyards were hard to find but we took effort to locate them though, we lighted candles and said a prayer of two. We came home around 3:30 AM and went to slumber at 4 this morning.

cancelled flights

I was supposed to go to Manila last Saturday, but it seems Phil. Airlines has abadoned Cotabato flights. It cancelled our one and only pal flight to Manila for 2 days in a row now, for reason that it is changing its fleet and there is a lack of aircraft to serve us. Cotabato City of course has been a third class clientelle. But if this keeps on, I am going to change my patronage to Cebu Pacific. 

The Ang Taichi

I have by now, memorized my taichi steps and sequence. I still need some more polishing. But the good thing is, I can do the exercise by myself now at home. I still need a lot of concentration because the Ang Taichi (from the Ang clan) is quiet long. Doing it with a support group is the best though. But now I am so happy because I can practice it at home anytime I want. I congratulate myself  hahaha!

Dylan Noah Christening

Start:

Nov 4, '06

End of Ramadan

Today is the end of Ramadan. Early this morning I was awaken by gunshots. (as was the common practice of the local muslims here) This year however, the unscrupulous firing was a little bit lessen. Maybe there was less prolificatiion of firearms? or maybe these people now knew where the bullets actually fall? Mostly at the homes of their poorer brothers' shanties. However I heard quite loudly several rounds of automatic fires of armalites. They were long and continous. I hate to say they sounded quite near where we are staying. Why can't these firing practices be out-lawed?

Today, many Muslims practice alms giving and they also eat festively. Sometimes we are happy to get some delicacies like pastil (rice with shreded chicken wrapped and cooked in banana leaves), dudol (sweet sticky violet gulatinous rice cake), tinagtag (rice rolled fries) and the likes..... truly....I say Happy Ramadan to all the true faithfuls.

first term almost over

Tomorrow is last day of final examination. The first term is almost over. After the examination, comes the semestral break. Yehey....but no rejoicing yet, for after the first term,comes enrollment for the second semester. And enrollment is parents' worse nightmare specially when they have more than three kids going to school all at the same time. I had my share of worry when my three boys were in different colleges, way back in the nineties. Thank God, they had all graduated and are working now. But it is not layback time for me yet because I still have twins in the universities. I used to think. "How are we (Lucas and I) going to financially manage educating 5 kids in this country's best universities?" With the help of God, we did and still continuing to do so. I honestly and sincerely thank God for guiding and showing us the right way.

two month old Dylan

October 2006

Lorraine's wedding and others

Last October 15, 2006, we attended the wedding of Lorraine to Stalin in Manila. My husband Lucas stood as one of the sponsors together with William Ko and Ricky Lim, Aleta Ko, Garland Lu, Judith Lim among others. The bride was very very pretty and the bride's mother was very pretty as well. The happy parents Alberto and Mildred Lim were gracious hosts to their guests and relatives, many of whom were Cotabateneos. The exchange of vows took place in Sanctuario de San Jose, East Greenhills while the reception was held in Shangrila, Makati. It was a high profile wedding with picture perfect flower arrangements and rainbow colored motiff. The bridal and entourage gowns were handsomely made by a well known couturier, very specially designed ( I forgot the name of the couturier though ).

I met many Cotabato friends at the reception whom I had not seen for a long time. My Auntie Pilar was one of them with my cousin Henry Lim. I was most happy though to see my best friend Imelda Bugayong and her husband Arthuro. They came home from a sojourn in United States. We had a lot of catching up to do but we didn't have enough time to chat for long because we were seated in different tables. Anyway we will be seeing each other again very soon.

The only thing I do not like about weddings in Manila is the delayed banquet time. The reception was supposed to be at 6:30 pm but it was almost 9 pm when we started eating. It was a good thing Lucas and I and Tom and Angel, we took a good snack while we waited at the hotel lobby. Martha and Marion did not attend because martha had two long tests on Monday and it was final examinations for Marion in Ateneo. 

Tom's Birthday

Start:

Nov 7, '06

2nd semester begins

Start:

Nov 6, '06

Semestral Break

Start:	Oct 30, '06
End:	Nov 3, '06

2nd Quarter Exam

Start:	Oct 16, '06
End:	Oct 20, '06

Loraine's Wedding

Start:	Oct 15, '06
Location:	Manila

Lunar August

Basing from the Chinese lunar calendar, today is mid autumn. It is the time of year when the moon is brightess. It is an auspicious day where the (Chinese August) Moon Festival is being celebrated. According to old folk's belief, this is the best time of the year to embark on any activities like wedding, transfer of residence or start of a business. 

It was during this time of the year, that the family transfered residence in 1980. We have been living in this house for 26 years now. Tonight, we shall be celebrating the August moon festival at home with friends by playing the lucky dice game. Elsewhere many people are playing similar games too. Happy August Moon everyone!

Another typhoon

Another typhoon is coming and the weather in Cotabato is manifesting the approach although the storm is not passing here but through the Visayan region and maybe north of Luzon.

I am however wary because there are still no electricity and phone line at my home in Metro Manila. ( although many other places have their electricity restored already) I am worried because there is a new born baby to care for, and with the remaining last school weeks before the finals in Ateneo, how can Marion study and work at night. Our food in the ref are spoiled but thank God water flow is good.

I hope that Meralco will be able to restore our electric today and pray that the next approaching typhoon would not create as much havoc as Milenyo.

Milenyo Stress in Cotabato

Yesterday, Typhoon Milenyo struck Manila. I was in Mindanao, far from the storm but I kept in  touch  with my children in Metro Manila. I called up to remind them to sweep and clean up the balcony drainage so as to prevent flooding upstairs. I texted them a number of times to ask if the wind was still blowing hard or slowing down. Angel and Marion informed me separately that there was no electricity. They also informed me that the gutter in the balcony gave way because of the strong wind. And that Tom got drenched as he fixed the problem temporarily to prevent the sudden out flow of water and flooding.

I tried to reached them again around 5 pm, to ask if electricity had come back but to my dismay nobody was answering any call whether through the landline or cellphone. I  could not reach anybody...the neighbor nor the relatives. I switched on the tv and learned that the entire Luzon area was out of electricity, classes remained suspended for another day. I tried calling and texting again and again. It was not until passed 11:30 pm that I got a response from marion. She told me the light was still out, the landline was out too, everybody's cellphone battery was down and her battery was running low too. Cellsite was not working good but I guessed all else was ok. I could not sleep well thinking of them in far darken Manila but what else could I do but prayed for everybody's safety.

Talk of the Town

I am the talk of the town. I've lost more than 20 lbs from:

1. a year's dancing exercise and taichi

2. gall bladder operation in June

3. curbed appetite, and

4. continuing light dancing and taichi up to the present

I hope can still lose a few more pounds or just maintain my present weight.

Ramadan

The season of Ramadan begins tomorrow - a month long observance of fasting and prayer. It is a holy month of sacrifices and alms giving.

The many gun shots fired in the sky tonight however are contra demonstration of piety and holiness. Why don't these people just play music instead, like the kulintang or agong. Music is much more closer to prayer than live ammo. (Grr...some people just continue to engage in wrong common practices.) Don't they really know about the danger of falling bullets?

Ramadan

Start:	Sep 24, '06
End:	Oct 23, '06

Teacher's Day

Start:

Sep 28, '06 07:00a

Back to Cotabato again

I am back home again. Although I would like very much to stay in Manila longer but my work at home beckons me to come back. Tomorrow is school convocation day - there will be distributiion of class cards, awarding of honors and class presentations. There is also a birthday bash during recess time and not to forget, tomorrow is also the 15th, salary day for employees.

When I arrived school this afternoon, a stack of letters and communications was waiting for me. Gosh, there is a back log of work for me to cope!

Jake's Wedding in Cebu

One month old

Dylan Noah turned one month old yesterday, September 10, 2006. Angel's mom and siblings came over to celebrate the happy ocassion while Lucas, Tomas, Martha and I were in Cebu. We were getting ready to come home that same day but our flight was delayed from 5:15 to 8:30 PM. We even broought home a lechon for supper but our plane touched down Manila quite late at night already. Despite the lateness, I called up my sister Helen and Bernard to come celebrate the ocassion with us. They willingly obliged. The lechon was good and we had a happy late family supper celebration together at home.

Here's wishing and praying for Dylan Noah to grow up a strong, healthy, happy, smart and intelligent good boy.

Jake's wedding

Arvin Jake Tan wedding was held in Cebu last Saturday, September 9, 2006. It was actually a renewal of vows for they had their church wedding done already in United States. I guess this renewal of vows was a formality for the sake of parents and relatives and friends, more for the strengthening of relationship, I think.

Jake's wedding is a gathering of two families and friends from Cotabato and Surigao. Those who attented were intimate relations, who were happy for the couple and had the best of wishes for them both. I was one of the godmothers and my son Tom, was one of the two bestmen. During the reception, Tomas gave a beautiful speeech and toast the wedded couple. I was very touch at the love and affection of everyone present for Jake and Angelie. I wish for the couple the best of life together. May the Lord God bless their life together and ever.

Sept 5

Yesterday September 5 was Emil's birthday. My youngest son is now 27 years old. How time flies.

This happy go lucky boy, who did not know how to keep academic notes, had no study habit whatsoever, good at playing computer games, he somehow survived and graduated from Ateneo, Manila (not with out a lot of hardship though).

Today, Emil the favorite guy of most of his cousins here in Manila, lives and works in Cebu. He has become independent, self reliant and very business oriented. I pray for the Lord my God to continue on guiding and protecting him. May the Lord give him bountiful blessings always. Happy birthday Emil!

Sept 3, 2006

September 3 is also the foundation day of my alma mater Cotabato City Institute (formerly Cotabato Chinese High School). I went to the school this morning after attending mass and a merienda. When my husband ( a school board member ) and I arrived there, the morning activities were already through and people were leaving the premise to go home. It was however very heart warming because upon seeing me, a lot of my former kindergarten pupils came flocking to greet me. Even their parents were very happy to see me too. Many of St. Martha School kids go to CCI after graduating kindergarten school. I am very happy most of them are at the top of their class. A happy and good Sunday to all.

September

Another week has gone and another month is here. There are  lots of ocassions to celebrate in September but I shall talk about a September 3 which seems not too long ago.

It was the birthday of my Uncle Ernesto Go. 

I was a college first year student then, staying at the Holy Family Dormitory along Governor Forbes St.(Manila). My sister Imelda came to pick me up in the afternoon. We were to attend the 40th birthday of Uncle Ernesto. It was my first big party in the city. Uncle Ernesto in his 40's was a  young, handsome, self-made, already successful rich man. I recall Lauriat supper was specially ordered, cooked and served in his residence. Jovial relatives and business friends were abound. It was a high society gathering somewhat liked in the movies. I was so excited when my sister Imelda handed me a stem glass and poured something from a bottle.

"Take a sip, now you can tell your friends that you have tasted champange." she said. 

I remember sitting on a round table with relatives. When Auntie Lucy, the gracious hostess came over to the table and ask if the guests were okay, a certain Mr. Neri jokingly said " You know Lucy, they said life begins at forty." at which Auntie Lucy replied almost immediately.   "Don't teach him ". Everybody howled with laughter at the smart retort, cousin Henry most specially. He said it was a brilliant reply.

Uncle Ernesto will be celebrating another milestore this year, but I would not be in Manila to attend. I usually do whenever I am around. Happy birthday Soyku!

 

Home again

I am back home in Cotabato again after spending 13 days in Manila with my children and grandchild. My daughter-in-law Angel is currently on maternity leave, recuperating from child birth and nursing baby Dylan.

When I was in Manila, Martha was so much under stress because it was the week before her finals. There were long tests to take( one subject after another )and many reports to submit. She worked very hard to be able to accomplish her work well. I hope and pray, all her efforts paid off.

Dylan Noah one month old

Start:

Sep 10, '06 8:00p

School Convocation Day

Start:

Sep 15, '06 8:00p

Jake's wedding in Cebu

Start:

Sep 9, '06 8:00p

Emil's birthday

Start:

Sep 5, '06

Dylan Noah Tan

Bon Voyage Janah

My niece Janah Ledesma left for Spain this morning. She will be in Spain for a year's scholarship in fine arts. I wish her the best of luck and I pray that she gets whatever her heart desires and be successful in alll her undertakings. Here's to a happy and successful year in Barcelona, Spain. Ole!!!

New arrival

Angel gave birth to baby boy Dylan Noah early this morning August 10, 2006. Both mother and baby are doing well. Lucas and I, we went to the hospital nursery room several times today to have a peek at the new born baby. He looks like Tom.

I am a very proud parent and a grandmother. Grandmother sounds a little bit old for me but I am very happy. I thank God for the safe and normal delivery of the mother and the child. Thank you Lord for this wonderful new addition to our family.  

Sudoku

Yesterday afternoon, I tried the sodoku for the first time. It was challenging and fun but I wasn't able to finish it. After filling up four vertical and horizontal rows, I didn't like to redo and change anything anymore, so I stopped from there on. I tried getting back at the sudoku at night,  but I knew if I was gonna continue and redo it; I will be too intense and not be able to go to sleep. So there, I threw the paper down and gave up. Maybe next time.

waiting

I am just waiting for my first grandchild to be born this August and off to Manila I go. I pray for Angel, my daughter-in-law to have a smooth and safe delivery. May the Lord brings us a healthy baby boy. I am all eager and excited. God bless us all.

first quarter examination

Start:	Aug 7, '06
End:	Aug 11, '06
Location:	Cotabato City

tai chi

It's been one month and two weeks after my operation. Today, I resume my tai chi exercise. I am kind of apprenhensive to exert force and kick my legs high up, but tai chi is good exercise for me. It is not very strenous. I have yet to catch up what I have missed since last summer. I have also forgotten a lot of movements. Maybe next Sunday, I'll improve on it.

Eugene's wedding

more visitors

Tomorrow is the wedding of Eugene, and relatives and guests are starting to arrive. My hands will be full : Emil arrived last night from Cebu via Davao flight, my brother Ollie is coming from Manila, a contigent of 6 to 8 relatives from Zamboanga and Jolo are assigned to stay with me. My rooms will be full but I am really happy and excited to have a full house. There will be lots of coming and going. The boss of Emil from Cebu is attending the event too with two of his friends. They are however billeted in a hotel. Eugene's brothers and sisters and their children are all here already( from USA and Singapore), and there will be a party tonight hosted by the groom's family to meet the bride's relatives. I heard 50 of them from the bride side are coming for the pre-nuptial party, there will be more I think from the groom's side. It is going to be a small wedding party in itself tonight. Hahaha, absolutely, an excitement for everybody!

a wedding and a happy birthday

Eugene Tan is getting married next Sunday. Everybody who is in the wedding entourage is busy preparing for the big day. My gown has arrived from Manila and I think I have to contact a beautician for my hair and make-up. I hope I am not too late for most are booked pretty early already. Emil is coming home for the occasion and the groom's mother (Conchita, my sister-in-law) assigned relatives from Zamboanga to stay with me. I will be rather busy but anything to help the groom on his wedding day.

My husband Lucas birthday falls on the same week too. We will be celebrating with family and friends.  A busy and auspicious week ahead

kiddie lessons

Today is Friday. I just concluded another week of school activities : phonetics, dictations, readings, quizzes, Chinese language etc. You wouldn't believe that they are all kindergarten lessons 

Visitors

I have two visitors at home. They are my nephew Gary Tansuk and his fraternal aunt Gioklan. They are here for a three day visit, also taking advantage of the Cebu Pacific cheap promo fare. ( surprisingly their flight yesterday was really punctual )

Gary is the eldest son of my sister Helen. The family left Cotabato to look for greener pastures in Manila sometimes in the 80's. This is actually Gioklan first trip back home. I am glad they are here even for a short while. There are some good memories and things to look back to, even in this little troublesome forsaken backward town.

Visit

Corazon Te Taeza my high school classmate comes home to Cotabato for a 3-day visit. She took advantage of the cheap promo offer of Cebu Pacific. This morning, she came to visit me at home. She will be leaving for Manila tomorrow. At first we were planning to eat out for lunch but it rained, so we decided to eat at home instead. We had many things to talk about: her misadventure with the Cebu Pacific flight, our faith in God, our families, her grandchildren and then last but not the least, our weaknesses and our illnesses. These topics clearly define our age. Despite the age though, we still see each other in the sight of little girls as of old: no pretentions, no intrigues. We may not be the closest of friends but we are truly good friends indeed.

Back to work

Yesterday June 19, I went back to work at school. I am happy to be alive and kicking again  I thank God for giving me a chance to live and love and beloved. Thank you my dearest Lord. 

gall bladder

Unfortunate event had to happen just when school was about to open. I had my gall bladder removed last Thursday and I am now at home recuperating. Hope to be able to work next week. 

Shangrila, Mactan

Bantayan Island, Cebu

Bohol

Summer 2006 vacationeers

Back to the old salt mine

Hi, I am back home in Cotabato, back to the old salt mine. I spent two whirling summer trips to Cebu: One with the Ledesma group and the other with Lucas and my own family plus sister Helen. They are all fun-filled beach hopping vacations: The first Cebu trip, we went down south to Moalboal and island hopping to Badian and also went snorkling at the cebu fish sanctuary. 

The second lap, was a trip to Cebu and Bohol ( We went Dolfin watching at sea early in the morning and there were aplenty of them swimming upfront, infront of our boat like leading us somewhere out there in the sea). Emil also brought us up north to Bantayan Island. Helen and I really got to enjoy the beach and the cave swimming at Ogtong Resort. We were not getting out from the water and Emil said that we might start to grow gills and scales. Hehehe.

This summer I was really able to enjoy Cebu, Bohol, the beach and the scenery, the sun and sea and of course the family members altogether. I became as dark as chocolate. I am still however feeling the hang-over and hoping to go on another fun filled vacation again with my family and siblings. So long....works waiting for me....... 

Glaucoma

I went to see Dra. Lourdes Javier today to upgrade my eyeglasses. I have been having headaches lately specially after watching tv shows and browsing through the internet. I definitely thought the head aches have something to do with my eyes. After Dr. Javier confirmed that I needed a new pair of glasses, she further checked on my eyeballs. She immediately suspected that I have glaucoma and insisted that I see Dr. Lapuz, an eye specialist. She said she would not let me go home to Cotabato until I have seen Dr. Lapuz. And so I did and to make a long story short.......I underwent laser correction for glaucoma today. I am just so amazed how technology has advanced this far today. I went through a painless (but quite uncomfortable) laser treatment for less than 30 minutes for both eyes. Amazingly, When I opened my eyes, I could see as clear as day light. Then I went through my day activities as though nothing had really happened. Well, I need to drop eye drops though as prescribed by the doctor for one month. That's all folks...at least a happy solution to my problem hehehe

Lazy Sunday

It's a pretty lazy Sunday today April 30, 2006. We went to Mount Carmel Church at noon. Met Helen and Bernard in the church, saw Imelda Bugayong and Jed at a distance. Also met Roselyn Ho, had a little talk, came home for lunch and slept the whole afternoon away hehehe.

garden

I had my little garden plots landscaped today: the front one and the little backyard with grotto. I never have green thumb with plants, but I love well manicured lawns and gardens though. Infact this is the third time that I have seeked for professional help in landscaping since we moved-in in 1997. Today it looks pretty and good. I hope I can maintain and keep it pretty always.

Cebu

Hi, just came home from a week's vacation in cebu with the Ledesma siblings and families. We enplaned (angel, martha, marion and I) on the 11th of April. We were very happy to see Emil in Cebu and so did he vice versa. We met with the rest of the vacationers at night. The relatives of Janah treated all 18 of us to a yummy supper of fried chicken, liempo and rice. Imagine one whole chicken per person and believed me, you'll still want to have more.

 We went to Moalboal and stayed in a resort for 3 days and two nights. We swam at the white sand beach, went to Kawasan Falls and took the boat to Padian Island in that order for the three day activity. (Others went diving when Emil took us to the falls.) The scenery to kawasan was superb, the trip to the falls was literary a walk and the water was icy cold. Everybody took a dip though except Angel who was into her 5 months of pregnancy.

We went back to Cebu after the Moalboal expedition and stayed in Princeville villa. We rented a big boat and went to the Fish Sanctuary. It was really my first time to go snorkling. I was like in the middle of a beautiful aquarium except that the tide was kind of strong and it carried most of us away from our boat and there was difficulty getting back. Those volunteered life guards in small motor boats were aroung to pick us up though. But for their jobs, they were brazenly asking for money tip in return. That was the only sour part in that snorkling expedition and we paid for the entrance in the fish sanctuary, I had half expected a guided tour or help. I had infact scolded them and said "Must mabuti pa sa Bicol."

But for a that little sour note, the vacation was most enjoyable specialy there was Emil to take care of us. Us were Boy, Dianne, Helen, Ollie, Janah, Gary, Bernard, Carlo, Miguel, Martin, Julia and her yaya, Aileen ( gary's girl friend) Emil, Angel, Martha, Marion and myself.

I am planning to go back this May with Lucas, Lubeng and the twins. We'll see Emil again and proceed to bohol and Davao. Will post pics later from emil's file.

summer

Tying the loose ends and I'll be off for the summer. That's one and a half month of happy vacation!!!

so long

I think I'll be signing off for now. I have plentiful of upcoming school, social and family concerns that I shall be neglecting my blog. I will however visit the multiply sites now and then to keep abreast with what's going on with the young ones. I am forever young at heart

Manila

I have been in Manila for one week now. I flew in from cotabato at the spur of the moment when Martha's was sick and continued to attend school. I brought her to see a doctor and she was given some medication which help eased her throat pain. I gave her one teaspoon of coco virgin oil too at night when she had a succession of cough attacks. The vco proved to be very effective. I observed that when she took the vco, she would go back to a good slumber for the cough would cease. It took 4 nights of vco supplement (actually early morning from 2-4 AM) and thank God she is better now.

The declaration of state of emergency by gloria was unnecessary and a tyrannical show of power but the suspension of classes gave Martha and Marion a break from school and allowed them to both recuperate from lack of sleep.

weird

Today, the whole of Sunday, the weather was downcast. Everybody was expecting rain to fall but it did not come. The sky however remained dark and brooding. In the afternoon, my husband and I went to CCI for a walk. My husband brought his jacket and I brought an umbrella in case it might suddenly rain. As we parked the car at the rear of the administrative building, we saw plentiful big red leaves littered on the ground. I looked up and was amazed. Many of the leaves on two particular trees had turned red and a lot had fallen down still bright red in color. "This looks and feels a lot like autumn," I told my husband. "except the weather is not as cold." ( I was in Korea last November 2005). I bragged about my autumn experience.  But I really thought the weather was weird because even the mango and acacia trees had lots of leaves on the ground too. Oh well, but it was nice to have a walk without so much sun sometimes too.

weather

The weather is weird, even for Cotabato which has more or else regular hot days during the day time and rain at night.

These few weeks, it rains almost every afternoon. It does not only rain but the sky would darken and heavy downpour would come anytime in the afternoon or early evening. The downpour would come suddenly and leave not so quickly, sometimes with loud thunder storm. It is as though rainy season has come to Cotabato 

The la nina seems to be eerily sinister this year.

Lucas and his paintings

7/29/06 two more added

new store in the city

Life here in Cotabato is so uneventful....but I like it the way it is.  Well, at least it has been relatively peaceful for several years now and investors are beginning to come in although slowly. Yesterday, I went to look around at the newly opened CITI Hardware and yes, it is the first of it's kind here. It is some kind of a warehouse store, big and modern. But there were few people buying, maybe because it was a Sunday. Anyhow it is nice to have new establishment like that in the city.

I bought 3 pieces of bathroom rugs for buena mano. hehehe

Jan 2006

I am posting pictures taken early this January 2006 when Lucas and I went to Manila to be with all the children. After spending few days together, we sent off Emil to Cebu and Roy to USA. We are also back to the old salt mine again.

Jan 2006

Family

New Album

Quiet at home

The children left for Manila yesterday and it's all quiet at home.

Christmas Season