Repairing again......

I am back to repairing my home in Manila. There are so many broken down things like faucets, downspouts, blinds and others. I am also having the roof repainted and may have to repaint the whole house in and out, in the very near future. These repairs are tedious and costing me a lot of money. But I need to provide a good shelter for my family, so I maintain the usability of my home the best way I can. Some works are done well, others have to be redone. I pray hard to St. Joseph to guide and teach these workers of my home to do their job well. St. Joseph is the patron saint of the workers, at the same time he is also the protector of the homes and family. I reach out to him for help, so that my family and I may have a home that is safe and secure like his own in Nazareth.

Best Compliment

The best compliment I ever received, was from one of mine former teachers, Mrs. Angelita Alejandro Hornido. She said " Ma'am, I have learned a lot from you as a teacher. Thank you very much!!! Honestly I get to learn more from St. Martha School than from the 4 years I was studying in the university, not only as teacher but also as a person. That's true ma'am." This sincere gratefulness was given several times:
1. While as a relatively new faculty member under my supervision at St. Martha School,
2. When I was about to permanently close my school and preparing my teachers, as well as the pupils to move to CCI,
3. And many years later when both of us were no longer working together at St. Martha School, and when I was no longer her department head either at CCI.

Mrs. Angelita Alejandro Hornido is now a public school teacher in Upi. She hails from that municipality. She never fails to thank me whenever we meet. I do really feel the honesty of her compliment. I am equally glad that I am able to exert good influence and make an impact on her, both as a teacher and as a person too.

Thank you likewise Angie Hornido. Thank you!

Celebrations

What have we in February?
1. Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11
2. Valentines Day
3. Forty one year wedding anniversary
4. Chinese New Year
Happy celebration everyone!!!
P.S. And oh... Ash Wednesday on February 18 - the beginning of Lent

Thank You Guys!

Last Christmas 2014, my children gifted us (Lucas and me) a mini ipad 3. The gift was a big surprise since I specifically told them not to buy any thing for us. All I wanted was for them to come home safely and spend the Christmas with us. But they surprised us anyway with their present.

The story behind started when Lucas and I went to Seattle. Since my son Roy was a computer guy, I asked him to help me look for a cheap tablet for his father. Lucas for sometime, wanted to own the now popular gadget which he oftenly saw his brother Lucio using. I reasoned him out that we didn't really need the ipad for we were already broad band pc users at home. But since I felt that he really was curious about it, so there, I asked Roy to help us look for one. In Seattle, several times, Roy brought us to Microsoft and Apple stores to view the items. But I just couldn't make up my mind. It was for me too costly. My point was - "We really don't need it." With emphasis on the word "need".

Honestly though, I know that tablets are useful, specially when travelling. When I was in Japan last March 2014 with my siblings, I had several times borrowed from my sister Helen when my cellphone failed me. Most evening in Japan, I used it to follow up on Philippines and international news. Also every night, I checked on the weather forecast too. I would tell my siblings the degree of temperature expected the next day to prepare us for the proper rainy or winter clothing.

Coming back to then our trip in Washington. When I decided after all not to buy the mini ipad 3 that Roy recommended us, although he kept his silence yet my son did not seem too happy with my decision. Unknown to us however, when we left Seattle, Roy secretly gave my daughter Marion some money and told her to buy one from the Philippines instead.

So Lucas and I went to Cebu after our trip from Seattle. While in Cebu, I mentioned to Tom and Angel that I regretted not buying the mini ipad in USA. Anyway, I told them, when I get home to Cotabato, I would buy one from my nephew Eugene who owned a computer store in Cotabato. Upon hearing my pronouncement, Angel quickly called up Marion and told her of my intention; Marion on the other hand hurriedly called up Eugene and told him that they (my children) were already in the process of buying one for their father and me. And to please not mention about this their secret to us.

When Lucas and I came home to Cotabato from Cebu and Manila, I started getting busy with the Yuletide preparation and the children's homecoming, that all too soon forgot about my wanting to purchase.

Now, you can just imagine my surprise when Lucas opened our gift. Hehehe. In Infact, Martha and Marion delayed no time installing a router, the first thing they did upon arrival. Where for, after receiving our gift on Christmas, the girls aptly configured and set up accounts and sites that Lucas and I preferred. They installed games we elders like to play such as soduko, tetris and crossword puzzles, etc.

Currently, Lucas happily prefers to view his facebook from the ipad. He says, it is faster than the pc. Hehehe. I, on the other hand have been playing tetris and crosswords nightly up to the wee hour of one o'clock in the morning. It's really addicting! You guess right, I also just installed one more crossword pack and a scrabble game. What a challenge!!! Hahaha!

Thanks a lot guys: Roy, Tomas & Angel, Emil, Martha and Marion. Thanks for the present. I love you all!

Weak and Naive

How can the Philippine government, the Philippine National Police, the Arm forces, etc, be so naive. They are in "Peace talk", "Peace negotiation" with the Mindanao rebel group by giving concession after concessions. The rebels are given money, territories, attention etc while bombings, kidnappings, atrocities continue to flourish in this sicken land. While they continue to talk peace, the rebels on the other hands are building arms and territories. So recently, this group of Philippine police went into their enclave hoping to catch an international bomber without the Moro's permission and so they were met with gun battle. Unfortunately, the government troop were not well informed and well trained; and forty three and maybe more of these policemen were horribly killed. They just sent themselves into a suicide mission.
How can a government be so weak and so naive!!!

Meeting the Pope

Don't be misled by the title for I was not able to meet Pope Francis, nor was I able to see St. Pope John Paul II, the two times he came to the Philippines. 

My topic today though is about meeting Pope Paul VI, the first Roman Pontiff who came to the Philippines - That was a long time ago in 1970. I was then a college student studying in Manila. I loved my pope but I was never an avid follower of personalities, aside from the fact that I really had this aversion to big crowds. So when classes were suspended for the pope's visit, my sister Helen and I, instead, thought of watching a movie at down town Avenida. From Quezon City, we took the jeepney to go to Avenida where most of the cinemas were located. But when we were on Espana St. near Quiapo Church, there was a road block and jeepnies were not allowed to proceed. We therefore stepped down to walk, it just being a short distance to our destination. We thought of walking passed through Quiapo church, crossing Carriedo Street and then to the movie houses. Along our way though, we were met by a line of steel railings blocking the side of the streets. Few people were beginning to line up along the railings. We were curious, why? Then it suddenly dawned to us that the pope was going to pass by. In just a few minutes, I could already see him approaching. In few seconds, and he was there in front of us, standing and blessing the people from his top down vehicle. From our vantage, without thinking, I raised my right hand to reach out. He was so near and I saw him very vividly. Although there were not very many people, yet there was great elation. I was overcame with joy. Indeed I felt God had greatly blessed me. My sister Helen and I were so lucky to see Pope Paul VI.(And without so much attempt at that.)

I wonder, among a sea of many people these days, where upon can I ever catch a glimpse of our very recent pope. Still, I do continue to love my church and the vicar of my Christ. Thank you Pope Francis for coming to the Philippines this January 2015.

And It's January 15

The year 2015 has come, and now it's already January the 15th!
1. Tom and Angel and grandchildren left for Cebu.
2. Emil's girlfriend Sue had gone home too.
3. Work has resumed for everybody.
4. Lucas had colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures first week of January. Thank God, all is well.
5. I hesitantly took down my Christmas decors.
6. My colds and cough are getting better now.
7. I am always hungry and looking for some left over to munch. hehehe
8. I play tetris and crossword puzzle with the new mini ipad 3 nightly. They are quite addicting.
9. I worry about my children's love life and career advancement.
10. Praying more fervently for the Lord to guide and bless them all.
11. Resolve to take matters slowly, one thing at a time.
12. And to thank and think and love my GOD even more.
Seems like a promisingly good and happy year!