Philippines Election 2016

The people of the Philippines has spoken. We have elected a new president in a landslide victory for Rodrigo Duterte, a stark (uncouthed) opposite of outgoing elitist Benigno Aquino III who moved mountains of money to sit his anointed Manuel Roxas III, but failed. Now that Duterte will be our next  president, I pray that the Lord will help him straightened out this criminal laden country, instill discipline on our people, bring out our best qualities and usher order and prosperity to the nation. Everybody needs to help better our country, it must not lie on the shoulders of one man alone. May God help this country and our people and the newly elected president.

Earthquakes

Two major earthquakes in Japan in 2 succeeding days, then one fatal one in Ecuador yesterday. Even before the Ecuador quake, my daughter Marion in New Zealand had already sent us Internet links about possible "big one" and internet tips for survival preparedness. So last night while I was in bed, I began to think about preparing my own survival kit.

Actually I am a worry wart, a safety paranoia mother. Even early on, my homes both in Cotabato and Manila are already stocked with flashlights, candles and matches, even inside our bathrooms. This morning, when I went about filling water containers with clean water for emergency use, I found out I had some 3 gallon of water stashed away last summer in the recesses corner of my room, still there anticipating for water shortage. I also have surgical and dust masks in store for when earthquake struck, as I had experienced before in Cotabato in 1976, all the accumulated dust inside the house and on the ceiling will come falling down. Dust specks will fly for several days, even weeks. Children and elders with weak constitution, soon begin to suffer respiratory problems, diarrhea, severe asthma attacks, fever and other ailments, etc.

I continue to think about the big earthquake in Cotabato in 1976. Our abode toppled down, and my son Roy, my mother-in-law and several others were rescued from the rubble. We had no house, no business, no electricity, no water, no shelter. We stayed with our closest relatives, depending upon the generosity and/ or hostility or kindness or moods of kindreds.....until we could get back on our own.......

If ever, even surviving the aftermath is difficult. Oh, so I pray to God to have mercy on us and spare us from any calamity. O Lord, have mercy, O Lord, have mercy, O Lord have mercy.

Take care everybody and be prayerful always.

Jigsaw Puzzle

This year March 24 to 27, my children came home to Cotabato for 4 days to observe and follow the Holy Week tridum celebration. After church activities, for family recreation, I put out the the most recent jigsaw puzzle my mischievous brother Ollie gifted me when he went to Japan. ( He mischievously enjoyed buying the most difficult puzzle for me to piece. Hahaha.) Martha and Sue (Emil's girlfriend) worked on the puzzle with very little help from me. Indeed it was a difficult one to do for they were not able to finish it when they left for Manila.

This much they did when they left. Although they hope to finish it themselves when they come home again, no way I am going to leave this thing undone. So I task it upon myself to finish it. My eyes are not as sharp anymore, so I am not as good as I was before, and beside I get color confused after hours of looking at the different shades of green. Haha.  Anyway, this is what I have done so far after 2 weeks....

  

Hahaha! 

Late Posting: MMLC at MH Family Resort, Tagaytay/Cavite

Last March 8, 2016, after four day of religious ladies federation convention in Legaspi City, my sister Jeannette Yu invited the Mary Mediatrix Ladies Circle of the Queen of Peace Church from Cotabato City for an overnight stay at MannHann family resort, Tagaytay/Cavite. Out of a big contingent of more than 40 members, 26 attended the sortie including our parish priest the Rev. Father Charlie Celeste. DCC.

The family resort is actually owned by the Chua's family. My brother Wilson is married to Dianne (nee Chua). When business started, he and his wife literally physically handed and managed the start and the expansion of the restaurant. He is so far and by far an integral part of the family and business.

Since my brother Wilson was busy, he tasked me and Helen to welcome the Cotabato ladies to the family resort. He provided us with a car and a driver. He also sent in an advance team of housemaids and cook to prepare the accommodation and food for the visitors. The guests rooms were big and spacious and properly provided with beds and linens. Each room has a rain forest themed toilet and bath. The ladies picked their own places to sleep, while the priest and his chaperon were given the coolest suite.We sisters Jeannette, Helen and I occupied one bedroom for ourselves too. The resort was so cool and calm at night. The best place to relax and chill out. I hope the visitors were able to enjoy and appreciate the accommodations at Mannhann family resort, through the invitation of sis Jeannette.

In the morning, we ate a breakfast of green salad, hongba with hardboiled egg and cha misua, bread and coffee or tea. My brother Wilson came over with sis Imelda later in the morning to meet the MMLC, who were then preparing to leave, while Helen and I minding our business, waddled luxuriantly by ourselves in the pool. Hehe. I always enjoyed my vacation to the max. Hehehe.....Thank you Boboy and/or Wilson. Thanks.

Marilou, Leng leng, Precy and Connie by the pool side.

Amelita Manubang on the piano.

Doris and Evelyn

The ladies and the morning sunlight

Remy and the MMLC chaperon Ceasar

Father Charlie Celeste, DCC and his angels. Can you spot me there?

48th Year Class Reunion at Bagac, Bataan

CCI/CCHS Class'68 celebrated its 48th year class reunion excursion at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Bagac, Bataan from March 3 to 5, 2016. The resort was unique and quite charming and the ambiance really rustic. Walking tour was available upon request with plenty of sights to see and stories to hear. We were billeted in old houses with big beds and spacious rooms and even bigger living rooms. The hotel museum-liked old rooms created wild imaginations for many of our old classmates. The girls were afraid to be left alone. Hahaha. The old charm made the reunion hilarious and enjoyable. I did not get to capture interesting scenery for I was a real poor photographer. Let me share a few shots though. Enjoy the pictures:

Class'68 48th year class reunion - excursion at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

One of the old houses - Casa Lubao - from the ancestral home of Macapagal.

 Getting into Casa Binondo. 

Despite the on going expansion, we were able to relax and swim at the beach.

Early morning calm......
 

Eating together.

Playing games.

 Hilarious cookie eating (cheating) game.

My roommates: Cora and Remy,

Doctors Who Let Their Patients Wait for Hours.....

My husband and I have been doing the rounds in hospitals, seeing doctors for check up, diagnosis and minor procedures. We make appointments and come ahead of the appointed time but the doctors never arrive on time. Rather they let us wait for hours. Other doctors see their patients on first-come first-serve basis, still even if you're registered first or second in line, you still have to wait, for the doctor will arrive two to three hours late. The longest wait was in UST hospital for more than 5 hours and the eye doctor never arrived because he was caught up in a meeting. After several hours of waiting, even if he asked some other associate doctor to examine my husband, still it wasn't right. We could have consulted other doctor if we wanted to. Some and many other doctors gave excuses about being caught up in traffic or in a conference or what not.....for me that is no valid alibi. The only reason would have to be an emergency case.

This is my question. Why can't doctors make adjustment to their schedules, and not let their patients wait so long? Most of the patients are infirmed and old. We go through the traffic ourselves, cancel family or business schedules to keep our appointments. Our time is as important too. And we don't pay pennies for using their time. Why can't they be more professional with their profession? Are they so full of themselves? If more than 10 patients can come ahead of him, why can't he have the decency to arrive according to his own office schedule.

Doctors, please be more compassionate, keep your appointments and follow your schedules. 

Dancing During High School Reunion

Happily I could still do a dance number with my friends during our 48th year high school class reunion. Hehehe.

Hahaha!