Peace seems to be elusive. After the bombing at the entrance of South Sea's Mall last New Year's Eve, the campaign for the plebiscite for the inclusion of Cotabato City to the Bangsang Moro (Muslim autonomy) ensued in January. There were caravans of rallies of pro supporters coming in from the out skirts. Many Christians were scared of another Marawi (Isis atrocity) scenario and thus fled the city in a hurry. The true Cotabatenos stayed on, but alas, for the ensuing procedures for the incoming plebiscite, the comelec was seemingly lax and so were the military manning the check points. Too many flying voters were able to infiltrate. To the dismay of many Cotabatenos, after the plebiscite, Cotabato City lost the area to the Moros. It looked like we were made a sacrificial cow to appease the Bangsang Moro leadership. Maybe, I was thinking, the soldiers also do not like to fight the long running moro insurgency war anymore, hence Cotabato City was easily taken in such manner. O God have mercy on us.
Jolo City of Sulu, Philippines, however won its independency from the inclusion but few weeks later, horrifyingly, the cathedral in Jolo was bombed during a mass, more than 20 people died and scores were injured. O God have mercy on us.
Personally, I was on the other hand having a conflict with my high school friend. It seemed that I had offended her in one of our high school chums get together last January. She accused me of being rude to her with my boisterous voice. Well honestly, whenever there is an exchange of opinions, I have always been very vocal and loud, maybe to the extend of rudeness. So, I apologized to her and my batch mates as well in an email addressed to all, but the kitten had turned into a tigress. The tone of her reply to my letter of apology was indeed very harsh and full of ire. Well, maybe I deserved it rightly for explaining something very emphatically to someone whom I thought could not get my message rightly. Well, I did my part to make peace, if she is unforgiving, I am indeed truly sorry.
Oh then, why is peace so elusive. Correct me and protect us O Lord!!!
Monday, February 18, 2019
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Happy New Year Photos
Group picture on new year's eve at Lucio and Conchita's residence.
Group picture with our parish priest in the center Rev. Father Charlie Celeste DCC.
At home after the evening mass, Martha and Marion happily found an old baptism souvenir item.
Brightening up the kitchen with fruits.
My noche buena table setting.
My noche buena spread.
Getting ready for the new year, playing aloud Christmas songs on cds.
Happy family picture with my twins. Happy New Year to all!!!
Lighted a candle for peace through out the year! Happy New Year 2019!
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Late Posting - New Year In Cotabato.
December 31, 2018 - It was new year's eve, somehow we busied ourselves in preparation for the coming of New Year 2019. Lucio and Conchita Tan (as traditionally) were hosting the family dinner at their residence in the evening. The LCT family was sponsoring the new year's eve mass also. We were to begin the supper early since the evening mass was to start early too. I prepared four gifts for the offertory at church. One each for Lucas, Martha, Marion and myself. (Since the rest of my family members were back home in their respective places.)
That New Year’s Eve morning, at around 10:00 o'clock, Martha, Marion and I walked to South Sea's Mall to do some grocery shopping. There were many sidewalk vendors in front of the mall plying their wares and a lot of people milling around too. My daughter Marion who was into risk management, was thinking that the crowd outside of the mall posed grave danger to safety. We entered South Sea's through the Magallanes entrance amid throng of people who were also doing their last minute shopping. There were lots of people. We bought what we wanted and walked back home with our items.
In the afternoon of December 31, the hardware store was closed for the year end. We had our siesta and an easy time doing nothing much. Then around two o'clock in the afternoon, my friend Siolan Yap called me up to inform me of a big blast outside South Sea's Mall, Magallanes area. The same place were we entered South Sea's this morning. I was appalled, it was just a matter of few hours. O God, protect us from all harm and danger. I quickly checked on my household staff. Two of them were out doing their own grocery. I was getting hysterical, afraid lest they were also at South Sea's. Luckily, they were just buying stuff at the grocery store next door. They too came home immediately upon hearing the news. Some of the maids said they heard the blast from their window. It must be a very strong one. O God, please protect us.
Then news came. Two people were dead and scores hurt from the bombing outside the mall. Few minutes later, came news about another improvised bomb found on the second floor of the mall. The bomb emitted smoke but did not explode. Magallanes Street (aka Don Rufino Alonzo Street) was locked down, also entrance and exit points in Cotabato City were closed to traffic. Cotabato City became a ghost town in an instance. It was so disheartening that this atrocity took place on New Year’s Eve.
Not to be dispelled by the terrorist acts, we still proceeded to celebrate New Year’s Eve party as planned at Lucio’s place. They did not invite many people, only the kins, but our parish priest father Charlie Celeste was there. After dinner, we proceeded to attend mass. Alas, only a few brave souls attended. This was so far the least people in church during New Year’s Eve. But new year can’t be deterred. We went home from mass and prepared our noche buena meal. The city was quiet. There were no fireworks, not until about last fifteen minutes before New Year. We made noises too by striking the agong and toy drums and playing loudly Christmas songs of joy on cds. We also lighted a candle for peace. O Lord, give us peace, prosperity and good health. Protect us from all harm and danger. Keep us safe. Happy New Year 2019!
That New Year’s Eve morning, at around 10:00 o'clock, Martha, Marion and I walked to South Sea's Mall to do some grocery shopping. There were many sidewalk vendors in front of the mall plying their wares and a lot of people milling around too. My daughter Marion who was into risk management, was thinking that the crowd outside of the mall posed grave danger to safety. We entered South Sea's through the Magallanes entrance amid throng of people who were also doing their last minute shopping. There were lots of people. We bought what we wanted and walked back home with our items.
In the afternoon of December 31, the hardware store was closed for the year end. We had our siesta and an easy time doing nothing much. Then around two o'clock in the afternoon, my friend Siolan Yap called me up to inform me of a big blast outside South Sea's Mall, Magallanes area. The same place were we entered South Sea's this morning. I was appalled, it was just a matter of few hours. O God, protect us from all harm and danger. I quickly checked on my household staff. Two of them were out doing their own grocery. I was getting hysterical, afraid lest they were also at South Sea's. Luckily, they were just buying stuff at the grocery store next door. They too came home immediately upon hearing the news. Some of the maids said they heard the blast from their window. It must be a very strong one. O God, please protect us.
Then news came. Two people were dead and scores hurt from the bombing outside the mall. Few minutes later, came news about another improvised bomb found on the second floor of the mall. The bomb emitted smoke but did not explode. Magallanes Street (aka Don Rufino Alonzo Street) was locked down, also entrance and exit points in Cotabato City were closed to traffic. Cotabato City became a ghost town in an instance. It was so disheartening that this atrocity took place on New Year’s Eve.
Not to be dispelled by the terrorist acts, we still proceeded to celebrate New Year’s Eve party as planned at Lucio’s place. They did not invite many people, only the kins, but our parish priest father Charlie Celeste was there. After dinner, we proceeded to attend mass. Alas, only a few brave souls attended. This was so far the least people in church during New Year’s Eve. But new year can’t be deterred. We went home from mass and prepared our noche buena meal. The city was quiet. There were no fireworks, not until about last fifteen minutes before New Year. We made noises too by striking the agong and toy drums and playing loudly Christmas songs of joy on cds. We also lighted a candle for peace. O Lord, give us peace, prosperity and good health. Protect us from all harm and danger. Keep us safe. Happy New Year 2019!
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Late Posting of Christmas Family Outing 2018
Since all the children (except for Roy in USA) were home in Cotabato, and we usually just all lazied at home on December 25: this year I opted to do something different. I planned a Christmas family outing instead via land trip.....
First, I booked the family for an overnight stay at Siteo Maupot Resort in Magpet on December 25th. I rented a van for 5 days for this family outing going towards Davao. Siteo Maupot had a nice view over looking Mount Apo at a distance. The resort had nice scenery and I liked their well kept gardens. Their rooms were just okay, but Lucas and mine suite room was the worst suite room ever (although they gave us free spa and free steak dinner for two). On top of the suite room was a viewing deck and was the deck ever so noisy with people moving chairs and children running around.. My husband and I could not have a proper rest in the afternoon because of the noise above us. Plus the suite's bathroom emitted some kind of a p-trap smell. I could not sleep well that night because of the foul odor that permitted. (Do not ever book that suite room as per my advise.) We chose to have a lazy day at Maupot. We drank coffee, walked around, bathed on a big hot jacuzzi fixture at 5 pm, supper at 7:00 pm, spa at 8:00 in the evening onward and a good night sleep for everybody except for me. Hahaha.
The next day December 29, Lucas, Martha, Marion and I left Davao to come back home to Cotabato City, while Emil and Suiling opted to stay in Davao for one more day, then they flew back to their own home in Cebu on December 30.
During our return road trip to Cotabato, We stopped by the roadside at Sta. Cruz to buy mangosteen, pomelo and lanzones.
First, I booked the family for an overnight stay at Siteo Maupot Resort in Magpet on December 25th. I rented a van for 5 days for this family outing going towards Davao. Siteo Maupot had a nice view over looking Mount Apo at a distance. The resort had nice scenery and I liked their well kept gardens. Their rooms were just okay, but Lucas and mine suite room was the worst suite room ever (although they gave us free spa and free steak dinner for two). On top of the suite room was a viewing deck and was the deck ever so noisy with people moving chairs and children running around.. My husband and I could not have a proper rest in the afternoon because of the noise above us. Plus the suite's bathroom emitted some kind of a p-trap smell. I could not sleep well that night because of the foul odor that permitted. (Do not ever book that suite room as per my advise.) We chose to have a lazy day at Maupot. We drank coffee, walked around, bathed on a big hot jacuzzi fixture at 5 pm, supper at 7:00 pm, spa at 8:00 in the evening onward and a good night sleep for everybody except for me. Hahaha.
On December 26, 2018, after checking out from Siteo Maupot, we proceeded to Davao. Our destination was to Paradise Island Beach Resort for a three day and two night stay. We arrived in the afternoon. Paradise Island was one of the nearest Samal island resorts in Davao City. The place was clean and well kept. It was not pompous but rather showcased the local culture and life in the Philippines. They provided fire dance entertainment every night. There was a local band that played nightly too at the main dining area. As well as fireworks near the seashore too. My husband and I and the whole family were able to swim, relax and had fun at the beach resort. It was well worth it. Not very costly too.
On December 28, we moved from Paradise Island to Davao City and stayed at Seda Hotel. Tom and Angel and my grand children Dylan and Yuri departed for Manila in the evening to spend the New Year with Angel's mom. Most of the day, the rest of us hang around at the Abreeza mall, shopped, drank coffee, ate snacks, and then to SM mall at night to eat grilled sea food. 
Our cottage with a private garden.
Building sand castle on the beach at dusk.
Reserved family table.
Sunset at Paradise Island.
Common beach area on Saturday morning. Plenty of people who came for a day swim.
Fancy meeting Dr. Jong and Theresa Lao and family from Cotabato City.
Photo op with the fire dancers.
Snowman display on the way to our cottage. Haha.
The next day December 29, Lucas, Martha, Marion and I left Davao to come back home to Cotabato City, while Emil and Suiling opted to stay in Davao for one more day, then they flew back to their own home in Cebu on December 30.
During our return road trip to Cotabato, We stopped by the roadside at Sta. Cruz to buy mangosteen, pomelo and lanzones.
Happy traveling........
Friday, February 1, 2019
Christmas 2018, Late Posting
Lucas and I came home to Cotabato few days before December 8, 2018 to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Cotabato City. Our blessed mother is the patron saint of Cotabato City and the whole of the Philipines. It's a holiday of obligation. For me Christmas officially begins on this feast day. Every Christmas, I decorate my house to be happy and cheerful for the season. This year, my children were all coming home for Christmas (except for Roy in USA). We traditionally host a party at home on the 24th. This year my theme was in line with Catriona Gray winning the Miss Universe title. My instruction was for my guests to bring their own crowns. Hahaha.
And so my children began to trikle home on different dates:
1. Tom, Angel, Dylan and Yuri left Cebu on the 19th of December, went to Zamboanga and arrived Cotabato on the 22nd.
2. Marion arrived Manila from New Zealand on the 19th.
3. Emil and Suiling enplaned to Manila from Cebu on the 22nd,
4. Emil and Suiling together with Marion and Martha (who works and lives in Manila), the four of them came home on the 23rd of December. I had a full house. All my rooms were well occupied.
Some friends were out of town, but the party was well attended by those who were present. This year for the first time, I invited our parish priest Rev. Father Charlie Celeste DCC. I was glad he obliged to accept my invitation. The party on the 24th had to start early because our evening mass was to start early too. My daughters-in-law Angel and Suiling took efforts to make the sashes for the winners. Below are some pictures:
And so my children began to trikle home on different dates:
1. Tom, Angel, Dylan and Yuri left Cebu on the 19th of December, went to Zamboanga and arrived Cotabato on the 22nd.
2. Marion arrived Manila from New Zealand on the 19th.
3. Emil and Suiling enplaned to Manila from Cebu on the 22nd,
4. Emil and Suiling together with Marion and Martha (who works and lives in Manila), the four of them came home on the 23rd of December. I had a full house. All my rooms were well occupied.
Some friends were out of town, but the party was well attended by those who were present. This year for the first time, I invited our parish priest Rev. Father Charlie Celeste DCC. I was glad he obliged to accept my invitation. The party on the 24th had to start early because our evening mass was to start early too. My daughters-in-law Angel and Suiling took efforts to make the sashes for the winners. Below are some pictures:
My "Miss Universe" Christmas party aides: Marion, Angel, Suiling and Martha.
Marion and Father Charlie Celeste, DCC
Photo op with the relatives
Friends and relatives.....
The party table....
In this corner....
The kids.....
Preparing the spread......
Grace before meal by Father Charlie Celeste.
After dinner, the pageant commenced..........
The lava walk by Lechu Chua. Hahaha.
Jeanette Yu competing the lava walk. Hahaha.
Semi finalists!!!
The finalist: Tina and Conchita.
Holding hands....hahaha.
The winner - Tina Tan! Pinning of the sashes assisted by my two daughters-in-law.
Merry Christmas!!!
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