My Simple Thoughts N Creations

My 2011 Visita Iglesia

2011-04-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

I’ve been doing Visita Iglesia yearly with my son but this is the first time that we did 14 churches…

Fortunately, I was somehow feeling well but to be safe, we did bring my wheelchair in case I have to use it…

And so last Maundy Thursday, April 21, at about 6:30am, off we start our Visita Iglesia journey… I was with my son Marc, my brother Ferdie and Mang Caloy, the owner of the van that we rented for this purpose…

Our first stop was “Holy Family Parish Church at BF Homes Almanza, which is just across our village…

Our next stop is St. Pio of Petrelcina Chapel located at 188 RER Compound, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue (C-5) Road) Bagungbayan Libis QC. So, from Zapote Road Alabang, we took the South Luzon Expressway and using the C-5 road. At that time, travel was a breeze and we reached the place at around quarter to 8am.

I already heard so much about this chapel from my mother… she told me to hear mass there if I can able to do so. She said that after mass, at the right side of the altar is Padre Pio’s statue where devotees can fall in line and pray in front of him. I’ve read people say that they felt a real hand while they were holding Padre Pio’s statue. And that it also felt he was gently squeezing their hands too! You will also feel a certain positive aura when you look on his face..

It was just unfortunate that I wasn’t able to go to that area… but I know that there will always be a second visit and I hope it will be that soon!!!

(photo by Catholicpilgrim.blogspot.com)

and there’s also a line where people can avail of the oil… and this oil is being massaged to the body area where you need it.

There’s also an area inside the chapel, at the right wall, where plaques of testimonial are hang given by those whose prayers were answered, medical conditions that were already healed by St. Pio and many other circumstances…

For the Holy Week activity, the Station of the Cross was set in one of the parking areas. Crosses are also available right before the entrance as well as a copy of the Way of the cross..

It is also only in this chapel that I was able to see a “15th station”…

When I was planning our Visita Iglesia, I came across in one of my The Way of the Cross booklet about the 15th Station and it says…

“A “fifteenth station” is added, since the Passion of Christ is meaningless unless the Resurrection is kept in mind. Passion, Death and Resurrection is the new Passover, from the death of sin to the life of freedom in love. This “fifteenth station” should be done before the Resurrected Christ in tabernacle.”…

There is a small chapel at the back and I think it is called The St. Francis Chapel and it is here where I saw the sign of the 15th station… I just got this pic from the internet because I wasn’t able to take a shot inside.. from kathmadula.com so that you will have an idea how the place looks like…

Upon entering the area, I experienced goosebumps right away…my body was slightly shaking and tears were suddenly coming out from my eyes. I had to literally compose myself because I was afraid that I might faint right there and there. I am not exaggerating… I just want to share what I felt at the time. The place was so serene, so solemn as if you were being transported in another time and place. It is a place where you really can reflect and pray.

There was an intention box at the front . Unfortunately again, I had no paper with me that time and so I said my intentions personally to him.

An area at the back side of the chapel is a place where you can light candles. You just have to look for unlit candles. Prayers of St. Francis and St. Pio are hang on the wall for devotees to recite and pray. Love offering boxes are available there.

This chapel is really worth visiting and I definitely suggest you find the time to hear mass here or simply just visit the place. You will not regret spending your time in here.

Nearing 9am, we were off to Bel’ place, a close friend of mine for a stopover. She prepared breakfast for us… her daughter-in-law “Chef” Irene cooked a sumptuous pancit for all of us to devour.

After eating, Bel, her son Kylie (almost the same age with my son Marc), Irene and daughter Jesmine joined us on our third leg of the journey, which is the Monasterio of Santa Clara at Katipunan Road.

It’s been a while since I paid a visit to Sta. Clara. I think its been years already and it was one of those churches that I chose to pray my intentions at the time that I was diagnosed to have breast cancer. And so I really made sure that it is included in our itinerary.

Next stop… Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph situated at Aurora Boulevard.

This church is also one of the few that is really close to my heart.

For our 5th Station of the Cross… Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church located at Corner Legaspi and Camerino Sts. Project 4.

After joining us visiting the last three churches, the kids were brought back to their place but Bel still did the journey with us.

It was already past eleven and we are now plying the route going to Manila specifically Mendiola with St. Jude in mind.

The street was closed, with barbed wires all over and so we had to park right there at the entrance, just across Recto.

It is at this point that I had to use my “secret weapon” …a wheelchair… to possibly reach the place. It was kinda long road.

And before reaching St. Jude, we saw a church beside San Beda College, Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, making it our 6th Station…

At the end of the road, we reached National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus at 1420 J. P. Laurel St. San Miguel, Manila. It was actually my first visit at this church.

We’re half-way through now…and so for our 8th station…destination is of course the famous Quiapo Church also known as Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene . We took Claro M. Recto and upon reaching the bridge, turned right to look for a U-turn slot. It took almost an eternity finding one, they call it the rotonda, passing along the University of Sto. Thomas belt before reaching Plaza Miranda along Quezon Boulevard.

Next target was supposed to be the Binondo Church but we end up at Plaza Lacson where Sta. Cruz Church was so we made it our 9th station.

Paying parking fee at some destinations was inevitable but we got the shocked of our lives when we were asked for P40 for a less than 10-minute stay at the area!!! We got used to paying P20 or even P10 for that matter at the areas before that Sta. Cruz event…

Next stop… Binondo Church, also known as a Minor Basilica of St. Lorenzo Ruiz which was at Manila’s Chinatown at the western end of Ongpin.

our 10th station of the cross…

and right outside the church are the now becoming famous “lavander” fire trucks of the Binondo District…

It was almost past two and so we decided to have our lunch at the area. Ongpin road was teeming with people. There was even an area where your blood pressure can be taken, with drinking water, all for free. We even dropped-by at the well-known food store Eng Bee Tin for our hopia and other delicacies stuff. It was a first for me to do shopping there.

After getting our stomachs full, the most likely place to go after of course is Manila Cathedral at Intramuros and as expected was full of people.

When you are already in Intramuros, it is only logical that you get to visit the San Agustin Church but when my brother said that it will be a long walk from Cathedral Church, I opted to forego with it. I was getting tired already and I don’t think I can go through with it. And so off to our next station… at Villamor Air Base at Pasay City for the Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.

It was kinda long drive passing Roxas Boulevard and somehow gave us that needed rest to gain some strength… and while coasting along did some shots

Since we’re taking the route of Roxas Boulevard, again it was logical for us to include Baclaran Church in our list but since we felt it will be hard for us to find a U-turn slot again, we opted to delete it in our list.

St. Therese is my favorite saint and the one closest to my heart.

The church even has a columbarium and if given the chance, I really want to be laid there someday…

My last visit was years ago and it really surprised me so much to see how improved the area is now… what with all those high-rising buildings and hotel within the vicinity.

Two down to go and we’re done with our Visita Iglesia . Taking South Luzon Expressway that afternoon was still a breeze… a very smooth drive.. ending up at Alabang Town Center for our 11th station, St. Jerome Emiliani Church.

It is also at this point that we took a break, have a bite and the needed refreshments…

Can you see me? That was me, in my silhouette form ha ha…

After the eating and the drinking, back to our place for our last stop, Our Lady of the Pillar Church at Pilar Village of course.

On a recap, we visited 14 churches, really a first for me…

1. Holy Family Parish Church - BF Homes Almanza
2. St. Pio of Pietrelcina Chapel - Libis QC
3. Monasterio de Santa Clara - Katipunan QC
4. St. Joseph - Aurora Blvd. Project 3 QC
5. Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish - Project 4 QC
6. Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat - Mendiola, Manila
7. St. Jude - Mendiola, Manila
8. Quiapo Church - Plaza Miranda along Quezon Blvd, Manila
9. Sta. Cruz Church - Plaza Lacson, Manila
10. Binondo Church - Chinatown and Ongpin
11. Manila Cathedral - Intramuros, Manila
12. Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus - Villamor Airbase, Pasay City
13. St. Jerome Emiliani Church - Alabang Town Center
14. Our Lady of the Pillar Church - Pilar Village, Las Pinas City

Note: Sorry if the pictures here are not that of good quality. My digicam wasn’t working that well at that time and so I had to resort to using my “cheap” celfone. Anyway, I am still thankful for these memories that I want to share them and my experiences with all of you…

It was a long day and quite tiring for me… and again I consider it another “Miracle Day” for me!!! I was given the opportunity to do my yearly thing of Visita Iglesia. I was not scheduled to do my 3rd chemo, which should have fallen on Holy Wednesday if my doctors were to follow the 3-week chemo cycle.

And I thank the Lord Almighty God for this blessing and I give back the glory to Him!!!

Only Heaven Knows…

2011-02-06T21:21:00.001-08:00

For years, there’s no one else around to see what’s going on with our lives and the things that we have to go through; and were both scared of what might be. I ask myself what if I did not love you, would everything be better?

For years, I’ve allowed myself to fall for a long time… I did it all, holding on to a hope that you will reach for my hand and together, we'll face the world who wouldn’t understand ...

Everyday is a struggle I should face… to pay the prize of wanting this race, but what of it that makes me stay...

In lies and deception, what would love say? … when the only sound I hear is the beating of our hearts and with your very touch , true happiness starts!!!

Can I let this go?

All I want is to be true to myself and face the truth… that no matter what I do, I really love you. I will stay with you forever, and for some reason, I know this is really worth fighting for... Love you babe!!!!!

A very touching message from a very special and important person in my life… at the most crucial stage of my existence.

Our story is quite an uphill battle… really, it’s a “CLIMB”… as the song goes…

I can almost see it

That dream I am dreaming

But there’s a voice inside my head saying

“You’ll never reach it”

For years, I’ve always hope we’re gonna make it; sometimes, I can almost see it happening. But I guess it was just my imagination working at its best.

The struggles I am facing

The chances I am taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I’m not breaking

Yes, definitely I am not about to break… I gotta keep on trying; I just have to remember our moments to keep pushing on!!!

You’ve been the pillar of my strength, the core of my very being. I am where I am now, still standing despite of everything, because you love me. A love that is overflowing, so selfless, so giving, so caring, so compassionate, very patient and understanding. What more can I ask for?

That dream we are dreaming… maybe it’s about time we forego of it… not that we don’t aspire for it anymore… but for us to go on, to move ahead and start doing things that will also make us happy. And in time I know that God will finally lead us to the road we’ve always longed to take. And as another song goes…

Somewhere out there

If love can see us through

Then we’ll be together

Somewhere out there

Out where dreams come true!

It’s been awhile…

2010-10-10T20:26:00.001-07:00

Yes, it’s been awhile since I made a post…almost five months now!!! Haven’t got back my passion for blogging, as well as my passion for scrapbooking, which was the reason really why I went into writing.

Now, I am here… just came into my mind to open my windows live writer… when I don’t even know what will I write. The only thing I know right now is that I am at one of my lowest point. But not totally depressed.. just sad, lonely, empty, weak, in pain….

My world revolves around the four corners of my room… from sunrise to sunset…. from the time I wake up to the time that I decide to call it a night. Sometimes I wish I really can go out and explore… see the other side of the world… Once, I read a shout out of somebody I know in facebook… and it goes, : “get out of your comfort zone! break out from your shell! explore the world as you should! (to myself)”…. and as I read that, I thought that I should also be saying that to myself!!!

But much as I wanted to, I can not. I am weak at this point in my life. I really can not go to all those places that I wanted to see, hope to see before I leave this world.

I have so much regret in my life…I haven’t been able to do so many things…and if I am given the chance to live my life again, I will definitely do them all… like riding a bike, swim, ice skating, play volleyball, tennis and bowling, drive a car, do better in my professional career, maintain lasting relationship with my so-called friends and travel and see my country and the world.

All these will have to wait for my next life, if ever there will be one. It’s so hard to live a life alone (not literally). I just felt that there is really no one that can hear my voice, someone that would really listen to what I am trying to say… no one really cares I believe.

So sorry if I came out with this piece… a very sad one really. I am just glad that I have my laptop and my blog to pour my heart out… somehow it eases the pain… and i know somehow there is somebody out there who can relate to what I am going thru…. so at least, with that in notion, I “am not alone”…

Lee DeWyze… the new American Idol!!!

2010-05-27T18:52:00.001-07:00

As predicted, Illinois paint salesman Lee DeWyze emerged victorious at the Nokia theater in Hollywood, beating out young mother Crystal Bowersox, thus capping the 9th season of American Idol.

As Kara DioGuardi had remarked in her interview, “If it’s based on performance, it will be Crystal but if it’s based on people’s love for a story…then it will be Lee.”

The two-hour finale also highlighted Simon Cowell’s departure from the show as the hit show’s judge known for his cutting remarks is moving to another Fox’s show, “The X Factor,” a version of his popular British talent contest.

Crystal or Lee?

2010-05-26T04:45:00.001-07:00

Season 9 Finale…

It’s down to Crystal and Lee…

Which contestant will be crowned the next American Idol?

But before that, let’s see what the two offered today at the start of the 2-night season finale…

Round 1:

Lee Dewyze’ The Boxer…

Judges Opinions:

Randy: A great way to start off this night. This will come down to a duel to the finish. You sounded nice but pick it up.

Ellen: I couldn’t be prouder if I birthed you myself.

Kara: You got to punch harder. It was believable. You were connected to it.

Simon: This is the big one. I would expect a lot more passion and excitement. That was a kiss on the cheek when I want a kiss on the lips.

Crystal Bowersox’ Me and Bobby McGee…

Judges Opinions:

Randy: It started a little slow but at the end it was the Crystal we have grown to love. It was dope.

Ellen: I think you are so compelling on stage. Stunning.

Kara: I loved it when you first did it and I loved it tonight. You have fire in your belly tonight.

Simon: This is you back on your best. We have a competition tonight.

Round 2:

Lee Dewyze’ Everybody Hurts…

Judges Opinions:

Randy: That was better. It started off pitchy but you pulled it together. It was a lot better.

Ellen: I felt like you went off a few times but it is about the performance. You got into a couple of times but then you pulled back.

Kara: Your emotionally accessible. It wasn’t a perfect vocal.

Simon: Brilliant choice of song. You went off melody in parts. I want a 10/10 for your last performance.

Crystal Bowersox’ Black Velvet…

Judges Opinions:

Randy: This is what I fell in love with from day 1. That was hot.

Ellen: That was fantastic.

Kara: Tonight is the night to give it your all. You want it, you can tell. That’s what tonight is all about.

Simon: I am almost allergic to that song but you took that song and you absolutely nailed it.

Round 3:

Lee Dewyze’ Beautiful Day…

Judges Opinions:

Randy: Started off interesting but by the middle of the song you got your groove back.

Ellen: You were fully present for that song. I am so proud of you. You did a great job.

Kara: You got swallowed up in that song. You had some good moments and some not so good moments but you deserve to be here tonight.

Simon: You made the most of it. You made a lot more effort. This is what this competition was designed for. You have worked hard and I wish the best to you.

Crystal Bowersox’ Up to the Mountain…

Judges Opinions:

Randy: This is what this show is about. An amazing song by an amazing singer.

Ellen: You are in a league of your own. You have a beautiful voice. You are so so good.

Kara: Tonight you were emotionally vested in the song. You really blossomed with that song. Amazing.

Simon: That was by far the best performance and the song of the night. That was outstanding.

It was obvious that the judges chose Crystal tonight but it’ll be interesting to see how the demographics will vote.

A few hours from now, we will know the winner…How do you think it will turn out?

The 10 Greatest Hair Makeovers…

2010-05-24T17:28:00.001-07:00

You can see this article at www.allure.com…

Simply cutting or coloring their hair made these celebrities look drastically, jaw-droppingly different.

Jennifer Aniston, 1992 and 2009

Ginnifer Goodwin, 2002 and 2009

Nicole Richie, 2003 and 2009

Katie Holmes, 2005 and 2009

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, 2005 and 2007

Beyoncé, 2005 and 2009

he Jonas Brothers, 2008 and 2009

Hillary Clinton, 1997 and 2009

Chelsea Clinton, 2004 and 2009

Julia Roberts, 1990 and 2009

Top 10 Most Iconic Dresses of the Past 50 Years…

2010-05-22T02:21:00.001-07:00

Just saw an article today at Shine.yahoo.com on the most memorable dresses of the last half-century… and here are the Top 10…

Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)

Marilyn Monroe’s Jean Louis dress (1962)

Madonna’s wedding dress at the MTV Video Music Awards (1984)

Jennifer Lopez in Versace at the Grammy Awards (2000)

Diane von Furstenberg in her iconic wrap dress (advertisement circa 1973)

Jacqueline Kennedy in Oleg Cassini at the Inaugural Gala (1961)

Cher in Bob Mackie at the Academy Awards (1986)

Bianca Jagger in Halston at Studio 54 (1977)

Edie Sedgwick (1965)

Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph Lauren at the Academy Awards (1999)

The Moon Tonight!!!

2010-05-16T05:20:00.001-07:00

This is how the moon looks tonight…so lovely to look at. They say that’s Venus above… the eclipse of Venus and the moon!!!

Another nice shot by ImAlbertAlinsob….

this time by vanyakatrinaCpE…

And a more dramatic shot at ensaymada.tumblr.com….

From the article I read at space.com, the next time Venus passes between us and the sun will be on June 5, 2012, when it will actually pass directly in front of the sun as seen from Earth, in what is called a transit.

The last time Venus transited the sun was in 2004, and won't do it again until 2117, so this will be the last chance to see a transit of Venus in your lifetime.

Charice at Oprah…

2010-05-11T18:47:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, just one day after her 18th birthday, Charice made her fourth appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show for the US debut of her new, self-titled album and to perform her hit single "Pyramid" featuring Iyaz , which nabbed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Dance/Club Play chart, overtaking Rihanna's "Rude Boy.". She also did another performance, singing "In This Song" with David Foster.

If you like to see these segments, you can watch Charice performance on Oprah.com.

If you would like to watch both the performance and Oprah’s interview, here’s another link…at Youtube…

Cosplay Weapon-Making

2010-05-10T06:06:00.001-07:00

As you all know by now, my son Marc is into cosplaying. Aside from having costumes made, finding wigs, shoes and other accessories, part and parcel of the total look is the weapon or gadget used by the character being portrayed.

And fortunately for my son, his classmate John C, who also is a cosplayer, has got the talent in doing such.

I did have the opportunity once to watch how the weapon of Sasha of Seikon no Qwaser was made (it was the simplest of them all though) and somehow I’ve got the idea now of the whole process.

John C (who cosplayed as Cloud Strife and Noctis below) already did several weapons to-date…

And so here now is the step-by-step process of cosplay weapon-making…

… making marks on the styro sheet (pattern)

… cutting-out the pattern…

… end-product after the cutting phase…

…putting some cut-out papers drenched in starch…

… drying it out for about an hour, before spraying it with paint…

… spray painting…

and here is the end-result…Sasha’s weapon…

What I have illustrated here is really a very simple process but I just want to impart whatever knowledge I had gained, no matter how little it is :-)

Cosplay Adventures…

2010-05-09T08:01:00.001-07:00

After Mangaholics 2009, it was time for Hero Nation. It was held at A Venue, Makati Avenue last November 30 of last year.

As in Mangaholics, my son portrayed Gilbert Nitrate of Pandora Hearts, and this time around he and some friends joined the catwalk. Here he is, at the stage, as My Hero Individual Contestant No. 84…

It was fun seeing him on the stage because he is basically a shy guy. And I am just amaze as to how his personality transforms once he dons an anime costume…

And here I am posing with my son, his cousin Rap and other cosplayers…

Next stop… Toy Convention 2009 at SM’s Mega Trade Hall B last December 20…

as Roxas of Kingdom Hearts…

and as with Hero Nation, another catwalk experience for my son…

View Full Album

and Marc receiving a token courtesy of Sugarfree and Blue…

the cosplayers also did a small parade around the mall…

posing with friends…

and with me…

Next destination… Otaku Expo 2010 at SM’s Mega Trade 2 last January 24 playing Noctis of Final Fantasy 13…

and here are some of my photoshop creations using the Noctis character…

Next journey… Toys and Hobbies Convention at

Robinson’s Manila last February 28, this time as Sasha of Seikon no Qwaser…

did some photoshop creations…

Marc with some of the beautiful cosplayers who attended Tagcom…

and with his friends, posing outside the venue…

and inside Robinson’s…

and at the stage, doing the catwalk…

and with me…

and last stop (well, as of this post)… Ozinefest 2010 at SM’s Mega Trade Halls 1 and 2 last April 11, again as Sasha of Seikon no Qwaser… this time donning the correct costume…

with friend John Carl Flores as Noctis of Final Fantasy 13…

with the girls of Ozinefest 2010…

There was supposed to be another cosplay anime event last May 8, Go Kaisho, but unfortunately was moved to June. Well, I guess, my son has to wait for some more days…

Looking back at all the cosplay /anime events that we had attended, each one was unforgettable. I truly enjoyed accompanying my son to these activities… becoming his official photographer, I’ve seen his transformations. I still clearly remember how awkward his poses then, fumbling with his hands, trying hard how to project. And slowly, event after event, he found his way with my camera. He is not shy anymore , so comfortable now even when he’s being asked to strike a pose by people watching the event. Somehow, he has grown into a better person because of his passion for cosplaying. And it also became a venue for our bonding moments… and so I eagerly await for the next cosplay activity!!!

Charice’ Pyramid!!!

2010-05-09T03:55:00.001-07:00

My featured video for now is “Pyramid” by Charice featuring Iyaz, which as of this writing is the Number One on the Billboard Dance/Club Charts. Do enjoy watching it and hope you would like the upbeat tempo and if you are in the mood to sing along, here’s the lyrics of the song…

Shawty's love is like a pyramid (ooh)
We stand together till the very end (eh ooh)
There'll never be another love for sure (ooh)
Iyaz and Charice let we go
Stones, heavy like the love you've shown (shown)
Solid as the ground we've known (known)
And I just wanna carry on
We took it from the bottom up (no no no)
And even in a desert storm (yeah)
Sturdy as a rock we hold (oh)
Wishing every moment froze
Now I just wanna let you know
Earthquakes can't shake us
Cyclones can't break us
Hurricanes can't take away our love
Pyramid, we built this on a solid rock
It feels just like it's heaven's touch
Together at the top (at the top baby), like a pyramid
And even when the wind is blowing
We'll never fall just keep on going
Forever we will stay, like a pyramid
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh (ooh)
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh (ooh)
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh eh (oooh)
Cold (cold), never ever when you're close (close)
We will never let it fold (fold)
A story that was never told
Something like a mystery (yoh!)
And every step we took we've grown
Look how fast the time has flown
A journey to a place unknown
We're going down in history
Earthquakes can't shake us (oh)
Cyclones can't break us (oh)
Hurricanes can't take away our love
Pyramid, we built this on a solid rock (hey!)
It feels just like it's heaven's touch
Together at the top, (at the top baby) like a pyramid
And even when the wind is blowing (wind is blowing)
We'll never fall just keep it going (keep it going)
Forever we will stay, like a pyramid (eh oh)
Like a pyramid girl let me show you
That I love you so much
That we gonna get through (oh oh)
Even when there's storms
I will never go, Ima be the one to keep you safe (hey)
Before was our love back it up more than enough
Holding on to one another be the cover when it's rough (oh oh)
Mother nature (hey) or disaster won't stop at happy ever after
Pyramid, keep it going (like a pyramid, like a pyramid)
Oh oh ooooh (like a pyramid, like a pyramid)
Pyramid, we built this on a solid rock (solid rock)
It feels just like it's heaven's touch (oooh)
Together at the top (at the top baby, at the top girl), like a pyramid
And even when the wind is blowing
We'll never fall just keep on going (keep it going)
Forever we will stay (Charice), like a pyramid (what what)
Pyramid, we built this on a solid rock
It feels just like it's heaven's touch
Together at the top (at the top baby, at the top girl), like a pyramid (pyramid)
And even when the wind is blowing
We'll never fall just keep it going
Forever we will stay (ooh), like a pyramid
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh eh

Missing My Blog!!!

2010-05-09T03:23:00.001-07:00

It’s been awhile since I made a post…almost five months, my last was November 24 of last year. I just can’t believe that it was that long…too much break huh!!!

I would have celebrated my first year anniversary in blogging last January 27 but I wasn’t still in the mood for writing at that time. I guess it’s about time to go back …i did miss it really. I also want to thank those who drop-by my blog. I never thought that after 1 year and five months, my readership will reach 26,000 and read all over the world. To think that I am not much of a writer, but really a very frustrated one :-)….

I do hope that I will also go back to my other love, which is scrapbooking. Its the primary reason why my blog was born. And I think most of my readers are scrapbook lovers too.

But for the meantime, I will update you all with my son’s (and mine too) cosplaying adventures since that was what my last blog was all about.

And so.. back to my blogging journeys…

Cosplay: Mangaholics 2009

2009-11-24T19:11:00.001-08:00

Last November 21, Saturday, was the first time that my son Marc attended a cosplay event that he donned a costume. Venue was the East Pavilion of World Trade Center.

It was actually a two-day activity but we opted to just attend the first day. This time around, some of his classmates did joined, thus making it a more exciting and memorable one.

This is my son Marc as Gilbert Nitrate of Pandora Hearts…

and classmates Kelly as Tifa Lockhart of Final Fantasy Advent…

John C Flores as soldier Cloud Strife of Final Fantasy too…

and schoolmate Nico as Vincent Valentine of Final Fantasy.

This is how the place looks like once inside the venue…

there’s a band that continuously played all throughout that day…

some exhibits of anime drawings…

booths selling various anime products and stuffs…

a booth selling camera buddy, a hand-held minipod which can extend up to 27 inches costing P500.00. I bought one for myself… I don’t know if that was a smart buy :-)…

and here is our picture while my son was holding the minipod…

and booths where you can also showcase your talent in drawing, just like what John C did and here is his drawing of his anime character done in minutes…

They also did some role-playing for photo shoots…

and of course, the endless picture-takings with the other cosplayers as well as with the mangaholics and anime lovers…

Here is a picture slide that I did to summarize the kid’s activities that day…

It was a tiring day for me… I was the kid’s photographer, keeper of things and attending to my son’s needs. But it was all worth it. I can see the happiness in their faces, never-ending smiles while they do their posing for the cameras…they never even thought of taking a rest even for a second huh!!!

And if you think you’ve seen the last of it, well you are mistaken!!! Next stop of the kids… Hero Nation on November 30 at A. Venue Events Hall at Makati City. See you there ha ha!!!

Still on my Pet Society…

2009-11-18T19:49:00.001-08:00

It’s almost a month now since my last blog huh!!!! It’s that long to do some postings, I just can’t believed it really. I still had not find the time to go back to my scrapbooking affairs… quite busy doing application games on my facebook account and attending to my son’s activities too.

After that Halloween theme last November 1, it’s thanksgiving this time at Pet Society. Before that, they had also these fairy elements. My Hannah already had undergone several transformations… and here are some of them..

And for the thanksgiving theme, this is how it looks like in Hannah’s place now..

and she’s got several rooms now and much-improved too since the time that I posted them here!!! Take a look…

I am looking forward to an additional room and I want a kitchen perhaps for Hannah this time around!!!

I did also try my hand at Farmville and I’m quite addicted to it also with it now. Since I had decorated most of Hannah’s rooms, my time now is focused with my Farmville. It’s still a long way to go with my farm though… take a peek …

It’s thanksgiving atmosphere too at Farmville and so turkeys abound… aren’t they cute feasting on that table ha ha!!!!

and flowers are bountiful too at this time around … and so garden shed is available now as well as flowers that stay in bloom for two weeks…that really is beautiful huh… I really loved that thing now!!!

I am into Restaurant City too as I had mentioned in my last post. But I got tired of it by now (as well as My Cafe World). It’s quite boring for me now…

Well, that’s just for now… hope I can do some postings more !!!

Halloween Fever is on at Pet Society

2009-10-20T00:09:00.001-07:00

Yes!!! That’s right…the halloween fever is on at Facebook’s Pet Society!!! And here is how my Hannah looks like now…isn’t she “spooky” cutie???

And so, Hannah’s living room just underwent a slight renovation to keep up with the current theme…and here it is!!!

Hannah also did visit a friend’s house, Winny Minny, for that spooky party…

and went to an ice-cream party too, hosted by JilyMily (the one w/ cucumber eyes ha ha!!!)…

And aside from Pet Society, I am engrossed now too with Restaurant City. It is called “Heaven Sent Cafe” and my pet society friends did attend its opening night!!! One of these days, I will show how the interior looks like!!! Till my next update :-)

My “Pet Society” Update

2009-10-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

Three days ago, I introduced to all of you my pet “Hannah”. She’s got a new look now…take a peek!!!

And her house also took some renovations… adding a front garden to her abode now!!!

This is Hannah’s front garden…still waiting for the trees to bear fruits. Quite a long time to harvest really ha ha!!!

and her living room…as you can see, so many things have been added to make it a very cozy one!!!

and the bedroom.. she’s got a wardrobe collection now and some knick-knacks too!!!

and her aquarium. She stopped fishing for now since its quite loaded now already!!!

Well, that’s it for now from Hannah!!! We’ll keep you posted in a few days perhaps???

My Pet Society

2009-10-11T02:11:00.001-07:00

A few days ago, I tried my hand in playing the game of Facebook’s Pet Society. And I became quite addicted to it. Somehow I felt I was also doing some scrapbooking of sorts because I create things again…

I just want to introduce to you my pet… and her name is Hannah. It is the name that I gave to my puppy before.

It was quite hard to accumulate things but after a few days, I must say my pet now lives in a modest house of her own, thanks to friends like Mokmok, Jilymily, Keichi and Hedger. They all send gifts, for Hannah to start building her home!!!

And I welcome all of you in Hannah’s World…

This is Hannah’s bedroom…

while this is where Hannah entertains her pet society friends…

and Hannah just acquired her aquarium today!!! She has to spend a lot of food for baits before she got the hang of how to get those fishes. And lots of trash too out there in the fishpond ha ha..like boots, bottles, broken boxes etc…

and I want you to meet Hannah’s Pet Society Friends…

and today, Hannah also won the Track and Field Race. At last, after so many tries ha ha…

It’s really quite addicting…it has taken so much of my time that I forgot my scrapbooking activities for a while :-)…

Celine Dion’s Just Walk Away

2009-10-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

My featured video for now is Celine Dion’s Just Walk Away…lyrics below…

I know I never loved this way before
And no one else has loved me more
With you I've laughed and cried
I have lived and died
What I wouldn't do just to be with you
I know I must forget you to go on
I can't hold back my tears too long
Though life won't be the same
I've got to take the blame
And find the strength I need to let you go

Just walk away
Just say goodbye
Don't turn around now you may see me cry
I mustn't fall apart
Or show my broken heart
Or the love I feel for you
So walk away
And close the door
And let my life be as it was before
And I'll never never know
Just how I let you go
But there's nothing left to say
Just walk away

There'll never be a moment I'll regret
I've loved you since the day we met
For all the love you gave
And all the love we made
I know I've got to find the strength to say
Just walk away
Just say goodbye
Don't turn around now you may see me cry
I mustn't fall apart
Or show my broken heart
Or the love I feel for you
So walk away
And close the door
And let my life be as it was before
And I'll never never know
Just how I let you go
But there's nothing left to say
Just walk away.

Joni Gray’s Felty Fall

2009-10-04T09:26:00.000-07:00

Autumn (also known as fall in North American English) is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter, usually in March (southern hemisphere) or September (northern hemisphere) when the arrival of night becomes noticeably earlier.

I got this wonderful kit of Joni Gray of Digiscrap Freebies called Felty Fall in time for the Autumn season together with a beautiful art from Linda of Random Thoughts at Linda’s Place. You can find wonderful creations and freebies at these blog sites so do check them out.

And from these freebies, I made a cluster and a quick page for all of you to enjoy :-) ….

and here is my inspirational layout using the cluster…

Retreat 2009

2009-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

My son just came back from his retreat held at BLD Covenant House in Dasmarinas Cavite from September 23 up to 25. This spiritual exercise is traditionally given by their school to graduating high school students. It is meant to prepare them to courageously cope with the challenges and trials as young adults by strengthening their understanding of God and deepening their relationship with Him.

This is the Retreat House…

and the graduating high school students of OPLMC…

and this is the sleeping quarters of the “young boys”…

and one of the activity of the retreat…putting in writing some thoughts on each of their classmates…

Our participation was also thru this manner… we were tasked to prepare a letter and hand it secretly to the class adviser. These letters were then given to each one of them in one of their retreat activities. And I would like to share with all of you what I had written for my only son, Marc…

First of all, I would like to thank the Almighty God for giving you the opportunity to embark on a very meaningful and fruitful "SPIRITUAL JOURNEY."

Mac, I've known you to be such a very simple person. And at your age now, you are still a very innocent young boy...so trusting and always ready to give a hand. I've never seen you to be a selfish person... and most especially, you never became a brat, never took advantage of being an only child. And for that, I want you to know that we are so PROUD OF YOU!!!

Much as I wanted you to remain as "my innocent young boy", I know that wouldn't be for long...

A few months from now, you will start "living" as a YOUNG ADULT!!!

Independence, maturity and sense of responsibility will be your new-found friends... and I hope and pray that they will become your constant companions in life...

Slowly, you will also learn that life will not always be a bed of roses. I can see by your actions that you want to have a simple and quite life. But I want you to understand that in this world, you can not be simple and quite all the time. Along the way, you will experience pain, trials, hurt, failures and/or disappointments. This is the stage of your life that you will have your ups and downs. There would be times that you don't have any idea where life is leading you, that you don't still see the road ahead of you. You can not know for certain when and where it will all end. But you should not let these negative things overrule you. Learn how to pick-up the pieces and stand up from every fall because life is also a "matter of choice", just like happiness...

There's just one thing that I would like you to always remember - - -

Hand-in-hand, we will both welcome and face your life's new dimension, the adult world!!!

Just as the Lord will always be here for you, so shall we. In your every endeavor, challenges and trials, we will be behind you; in every road you are going to, we're here supporting you all the way, come what may!!!

I want you to be strong always and hold on to God, always pray the Holy Rosary because it is the way of meditating Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

Lastly, I pray that this annual retreat will open new doors for you in understanding the Lord, strengthening your faith and in deepening your relationship with Him. This, in essence, will be your "most important journey in life!"

In closing, I thank the retreat master and all the teachers and staff of OPLMC for this spiritual exercise given to the graduating students. May God bless you all.

I know it will be quite a long journey…and it has only just began. I just pray, hope and wish that I will be here in his every step of the way…

October Elements 11-21

2009-09-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to Just a Dream, ScrapBookFlair, Digiscrap Freebies, NiceCrane Designs, and Gunhild Storeide for the elements used in making this kit.

October Elements 1-10

2009-09-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

I might be quite busy next week and the following days to come, and so I decided this early to make my October elements. I was able to come up with ten and will continue to do so, if and when I find more interesting ones to work with :-) …

Special thanks to ScrapBookFlair and Just a Dream for the elements…

Love WordArt 11

2009-09-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Joni Gray’s Digiscrap Freebies and Jaelop Designs for the elements…

Love Button Elements 12-15

2009-09-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jaelop Designs and Digiscrap Freebies for the elements and Gunhild Storeide for the button template…

Cosplay Mania 2009

2009-09-15T22:43:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday September 13, my son Marc and dear friend Bel, went to SM Megamall, Ortigas to see Cosplay Mania 2009 in action. This is actually the third time that I am attending this kind of event, a favorite of my son.

and here is my son Marc with his team mates and some of the anime participants...

while these are my photoshoots and my friend Bel's with the various anime characters....really had a good time doing the rounds. watching all those attendees in their eye-catching costumes parade in front of us!!! Enjoyment to the max!!!!

After some time, while we were waiting for my son doing his thing with his friends, we strolled around till we got tired of it...

and have to do some eating too...to get going ha ha....

It was indeed a very tiring day...we were at Mega at around 11 am, stayed there till 7:30 pm. It was a long day really but one thing is for sure... it was a lot of fun!!! Till the next Cosplay Mania event....November 08????? Try to catch it folks!!!!

Love Button Elements 08-11

2009-09-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jaelop Designs and Digiscrap Freebies for the elements, to NiceCrane Designs for the Scrabbled Alphas and Gunhild Storeide for the button template…

Love WordArt 6-10

2009-09-12T00:30:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Jaelop Designs for the elements and NiceCrane Designs for the scrabble alphas…

Love Button Elements 1-7

2009-09-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned, I turned some of my love bookmarks and wordart into love buttons… hope you will find use for them too… enjoy scrapbooking!!!

Thanks to Jaelop Designs for the elements, Nicecrane Designs for the scrabble alpha and Gunhild Storeide for the button template…

Love Bookmarks/WordArt to “Love Buttons”

2009-09-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

I decided to give my Love Bookmarks and Love Wordart a new dimension, a new twist, a new look!!! Yes, love buttons this time around… and these are some of the elements that I had finished so far. Please do drop-by in a day or two for the freebie!!!

Happy Birthday Mama Mary

2009-09-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

Today is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as “Mama Mary’s birthday”…

Note: Image courtesy of Flickr’s gEmstAh’s photostream…

A Prayer to Mama Mary

by Dine Racoma

Mother of Jesus
greatest Mother of all
Mother of mine
humbly in thee I call

when trials come my way
you are there to call on to
your hands gently holding mine
i find real comfort in you

i draw on your strength
a Mother who was witness
to her Son’s sufferings
bearing them all in her chest

and I always keep in mind
Jesus must have loved you
the most, being His mother
here on earth, in heaven, too

that is why through you I ask
protect my family and friends from harm
that lurk in this world, sometimes
even in the guise of a loving arm

protect my country from all ills
man made and called by nature
show our leaders the right way
for Filipinos to have a good future

cover our world with your loving arms
this I ask and the rest of your children, too
no wars, no strife, no colors, no race
that people may be one in peace so true

thank you, dear Mother
for being always there for me
I love you, dear Mother
and so, does my family.

Love WordArt 1-5

2009-09-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Special thanks goes to Ignacio Molina of Nicecrane Designs for giving me the special privilege of having a copy of his recent Flourescent Scrabble Alphas.. the same goes to Jaelop Designs for the other elements…

Love Bookmark Elements 05

2009-09-06T06:57:00.000-07:00

and here is the last of the series of my love bookmarks….

Note: Thanks to Jaelop Designs for the Peace, Love and Hope Kits and Sueli Colbert Designs for I Heart You wordart…

Love Bookmark Elements 04

2009-09-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Jaelop Designs’ Peace, Love and Hope Kits…

Love Bookmark Elements 03

2009-09-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Jaelop Designs for the Love and Hope Kit…

Love Bookmark Elements 02

2009-09-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Bethany’s Elegant Wordart, Jaelop Designs’ Love and Hope Kit and Gunhild Storeide for the other elements..

Love Bookmark Elements 01

2009-09-03T06:35:00.000-07:00

Still keeping with the “Love” theme, I made several bookmarks this time around…So do drop-by for them in the coming days…

Note: Thanks to Jaelop Designs’ Love and Hope Kit for the elements and Bethany’s Elegant Wordart…

“DS” Love QuickPage

2009-09-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Delicious Scraps’ Autumn Delight Kit and Digiscrap Freebies for the ring element…

September Cluster 03

2009-09-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to NiceCrane Designs for the beautiful origami frames, crazy marker, secret word envelope and scrabble alphas as well as the wordart; Sueli Colbert Designs for the calendar template and Jaelop Designs for the string element…

Smile Box' Embrace Life

2009-08-31T23:43:00.000-07:00

Embrace Life is a new photo scrapbook of SmileBox... it consists of 8 beautifully created pages. Just click and see for yourself...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The individual pages are shown below for your viewing pleasure...

Happy Birthday Bro!!!

2009-08-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of my dear brother Ricky, the third in the family. He may not be around physically with us (he is now working in a cruise liner) but all our wishes for his birthday will always be in our hearts and minds…

Here’s praying and hoping that today will be a happy one for you….

September Cluster 02

2009-08-31T06:02:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to NiceCrane Designs for the Little Princess QP and Sueli Colbert Designs for the wordart and calendar template…

September Cluster 01

2009-08-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Joni Gray of Digiscrap Freebies shared with us a new freebie-site, Free Digiscrap.com where we can post freebies there as well… so do check out the site…

Note: Thanks to NiceCrane Designs for the frame and Sueli Colbert Designs for the calendar and love wordart template…

September Layout 02

2009-08-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Gunhild Storeide and Delicious Scraps for the elements and Digitreats for the calendar template…

September Layout 01

2009-08-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Gunhild Storeide for the elements, Midnight Scrapping for the background papers, and Digitreats for the calendar templates…

September Birthday Celebrant

2009-08-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Gail Cruz, the love of the son (Roan) of my first cousin Bobby will be celebrating her birthday this coming September 3… so I made a calendar template for the two lovebirds, still in tune with my theme of the moment.. love is in the air!!! Best wishes for this sweet couple….

Note: This beautiful “Gold Heart” QP is courtesy of Georgia’s Digital Design Moments…do visit her blog for those wonderful freebies…

This September calendar layout will be my next freebie in the days to come. I made two templates actually, so do check them out…

September Elements – Part 3

2009-08-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Delicious Scraps, NiceCrane Designs for the crazy markers, Gunhild Storeide for the elements used…

September Elements – Part 2

2009-08-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

And here is the part 2 of my September elements… I was able to get new freebies and currently making a part 3, would you believe? So if you want more of these tags, please check it out in the coming days…

Note: Thanks to Digiscrap Freebies, Delicious Scraps, Efie’s Blog Freebies Scraps for the Over the Hill’s Alphas (Teletubbies), ChingJP Designs and Just 2 More Things for the elements used…

All About Love

2009-08-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

My friend in the digital scrapbooking world, Joni Gray, is celebrating their anniversary next month…that’s why I made quickpages using her “Cloud Nine” series. It is my current theme now… all about love!!!

And so I want to share with all of you an e-mail I got today… very fitting and timely with my theme…

Wedding Saving Passbook (Nice Story)

Monica married Nick this day. At the end of the wedding party, Monica's mother gave her a newly opened bank saving passbook with Rs.1000 deposit amount.

Mother: 'Monica, take this passbook. Keep it as a record of your marriage life. When there's something happy and memorable happened in your new life, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the line. The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the first one for you today. Do the others with Nick.
When you look back after years, you can know how much happiness you've had.'

Monica shared this with Nick when getting home. They both thought it was a great idea and were anxious to know when the second deposit can be made. This was what they did after certain time:
* 7 Feb: Rs.100, first birthday celebration for Nick after marriage
* 1 Mar: Rs.300, salary raise for Monica
* 20 Mar: Rs.200, vacation trip to Bali
* 15 Apr: Rs.2000, Monica got pregnant
* 1 Jun: Rs.1000, Nick got promoted
* ..... And so on...

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing for trivial things. They didn't talk much. They regretted that they had married the nastiest people in the world.... No more love...Kind of typical nowadays, huh?

One day Monica talked to her Mother: 'Mom, we can't stand it anymore. We agree to divorce. I can't imagine how I decided to marry this guy!!!"
Mother: 'Sure, girl, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want if you really can't stand it. But before that, do one thing first.
Remember the saving passbook I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money and spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage.'

Monica thought it was true. So she went to the bank, waiting at the queue and planning to cancel the account. While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record. She looked, and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came up her mind. Her eyes were then filled with tears. She left and went home.
When she was home, she handed the passbook to Nick, asked him to spend the money before getting divorce.

The next day, Nick gave the passbook back to Monica. She found a new deposit of Rs.5000. And a line next to the record: 'This is the day I notice how much I've loved you thru out all these years. How much happiness you've brought me.'

They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back to the safe. Do you know how much money they had saved when they retired? I did not ask. I believe the money did not matter any more after they had gone thru all the good years in their life.

"When you fall in any way, don't see the place where you fell instead see the place from where you slipped. Life is about correcting mistakes."

September Elements – Part 1

2009-08-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

I’ve got so much time lately that I decided to make my September elements this early… and was able to do 20 embellishments :-) … that’s why, for the first time, it has two parts…Hope you will all enjoy using them!!!!

Note: Thanks to Joni Gray’s Digiscrap Freebies and Anna’s Delicious Scraps for the elements used….

“Delicious Scraps” – Cluster 02

2009-08-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Note: Elements used from Delicious Scraps…

“Delicious Scraps” – Cluster 01

2009-08-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Another blog that I follow is “Delicious Scraps” … Anna offers tremendous freebies, all sorts of elements you will definitely find in her site, and that will surely fill your scrapbooking needs!!!

And still keeping the “Love Theme” that I started with Joni Gray’s Cloud Nine, I made a cluster out of the elements I got from Anna.

Araw ng Wika 2009

2009-08-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

Our Lady of Pilar Montessori Center presented their Araw ng Wika 2009 with the theme “Magkaisa – Malawakang Pagdiriwang ng Pambansang Wika” at SM SouthMall Activity Center yesterday.

The program was divided into two parts – from 10:30 am to 12 noon was dedicated to pre-schoolers and elementary students. Eight different dance interpretations were seen by the viewing public – subli, bulaklakan, carinosa, kalapati, pistahan, itik-itik, salakot and maglalatik. In-between these dances were Sabayang Pagbigkas were done by three groups.

The second part, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, was the turn for the High School students, were my son Marc did participate. The program opened with a parade of the participating muse and escort from casa to high school.

The dances this time were Singkil from the 4th year students…

Binatbatan from the first year students…

Sagidsid at Banga presented this time by the third yr students…

and Maglalatik at Kappa Malong from the second year students….

And luckily, the 4th year students were declared the champion that afternoon. Congratulations to my son Marc and to the rest of the group… the Singkil dancers - Eliza (Singkil Princess), Carmela, Inna, Myra, Kelly and Grace while the War Dancers – Victor, Patrick, Landrex, Cedric, John C, Dominique, JP, Kevin Taloyo, Shota and Kevin.

I took a video of my their performance…so amateurish ha ha, somewhat shaky…. sorry for that :-) !!!!

Note: That’s my son Marc, the second to the left…

And did some snapshots too of the events…

View Full Album

The Yellow Ribbon

2009-08-22T19:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the 26th death anniversary of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, the husband of Corazon Cojuangco.

The yellow ribbon became a symbol for the revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship. As our Icon of Democracy Pres. Cory Aquino passed away, a song was dedicated to her made by Jun and Mitch Morata.

So here is the video…

and the lyrics…enjoy listening…

THE YELLOW RIBBON
Music by: Mitch Morala
Lyrics Written by: Jun Morala

TAKE OUT THOSE CANDLES FROM THE CLOSET
AND TIE A YELLOW RIBBON AROUND IT
LIGHT IT UP AND LINE IT ON THE STREETS
TO BRIGHTEN UP OUR DREAMS AND HOPES ONCE MORE

A LIFE WAS ONCE LAID OUT FOR US
SO THAT FREEDOM CAN BE OURS
TO KEEP FOR LONG
AND FROM THE TYRANTS WE WERE FREED

BUT TIME CAME SWEEPING BY
AND SACRIFICES SEEM TO BE FORGOTTEN
THE DREAMS WERE SLOWLY FADING
AS OUR HOPES BECOME UNREAL
LIKE A WISHFUL SHOOTING STAR
ALWAYS UNREACHABLE FROM WHERE WE ARE

SO LET THOSE CANDLES SHINE SO BRIGHT
EVEN AS IT MELTS & THE RIBBONS FALL
REST IT ON A SACRED GROUND
LIKE A ROBIN IN ITS MOTHER’S
(TENDER) ARMS

THE LIFE THAT WAS LAID OUT FOR US
SO THAT FREEDOM CAN BE OURS KEEP FOR LONG
WAS NEVER MEANT TO FADE AWAY

BUT TIME CAME SWEEPING BY
AND SACRIFICES SEEM TO BE FORGOTTEN
THE DREAMS WERE SLOWLY FADING
AS OUR HOPES BECOME UNREAL
LIKE A WISHFUL SHOOTING STAR
ALWAYS UNREACHABLE FROM WHERE WE ARE

THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE
AND FOREVER THERE WILL BE
THERE WILL ALWAYS EVER BE

A YELLOW RIBBON ALL AROUND THE STREETS
RADIANT AS A GUIDING STAR

AND NEVER WILL THERE BE A BLOOD TO SHED.

Joni Gray’s Cloud Nine Cluster Frame

2009-08-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Digiscrap Freebies and Bon Scrapatit Designs for the elements…

Joni Gray’s Cloud Nine QP 4

2009-08-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Digiscrap Freebies for some of the elements…

Joni Gray’s Cloud Nine QP 3

2009-08-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Bonscrapatit Designs for the heart frame and to Digiscrap Freebies for the other elements…

Joni Gray’s Cloud Nine QP 2

2009-08-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Digiscrap Freebies for the elements…

Joni Gray’s Cloud Nine

2009-08-19T05:47:00.000-07:00

Joni Gray of Digiscrap Freebies is one of the nicest persons I’ve known in this Digital Scrapbooking World. She is very generous with her talent, always ready to lend a helping hand and very patient in teaching me how to do things. And I owe her what little I know now…

Joni was also one of those who persuaded me to continue with what I love to do and even offered her designs for me to work on. You are really a treasure Joni!!!

And now that somehow I am back into the groove, it is only fitting that I give honor to Ms. Joni Gray of Digiscrap Freebies. She has this beautiful kit now called “Cloud Nine” in time for her September wedding anniversary. Do drop by at her blog to get the whole kit…

So for all lovers out there, this is my first QuickPage…and more to come!!!

Another August Birthday Celebrant

2009-08-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

Agnes, a very dear friend of mine, is celebrating her birthday and all my best wishes go to her today!!!!

I met Agnes at Petron Corporation (late 80’s) and we’ve been friends since then. Below are two photos with me, taken more than a decade ago. Although I am not connected with the company anymore, we managed to stay in touch and though we seldom see each other, the bond is still there. She will remain in my heart and mind forever.

Protecting Graphics/Pictures

2009-08-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

If you want to protect images, pictures or whatever graphics contained in your blog, if you have one, then this tutorial is great for you…

Just visit Easy Custom Blogs and you will learn how to do it. So easy to follow the instructions.

Thanks Jeanette for always sharing your finds…

August Layout

2009-08-17T05:09:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to ChingJP Designs and Digiscrap Freebies for the elements used in making my August Layout.

August Birthday Celebrant

2009-08-12T15:42:00.001-07:00

Today is a special day for a very special lady...and I just want to take this opportunity to greet her in a very special way!!!

Happy happy birthday my dear friend, Bel....

I am wishing you another year of love and happiness, of laughter and surprises, of joy and fun...
I hope all your wishes would come true... and that this day would be a perfect day for you!!! Enjoy your special day!!!

Make a Smilebox postcard

August Elements

2009-08-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

I know that it is quite late to do this thing… but I just want to continue what I had done in the past. So no matter how late, I know there are scrapbookers out there who would still appreciate these elements. Thank God, somehow I am back in this world of scrapbooking.. i missed it really!!!

Note: Thanks to ChingJPDesigns for some of the elements and Just 2 More Things for the text paths.

“ The” Corazon Cojuangco Aquino…

2009-08-10T19:20:00.001-07:00

Note: Uploaded at Flicker by Oliver T. Tirador.

So much has been said with the passing of a great lady by the named of Corazon Cojuangco Aquino….and I take pride in being a fellow Filipina…

And I just can’t helped but share with all of you all those beautiful things that have been written about her…

Time Magazine called her the “People Power’s Philippine Saint. And in its Asia Edition Volume 174 No. 6, the “Saint of Democracy”… "She was a good woman whose goodness alone, at the very end, was what proved enough, if only by an iota, to save her country," the Time article said.
The magazine also highlighted their 1986 cover story on Aquino, where they declared her that year's Woman of the Year - the second woman to hold that honor.

"For many Filipinos, she embodied a hope of becoming a better nation and a prouder people," a New York Times obituary on the former Philippine leader said. "Although often criticized as an indecisive and ineffectual leader, Aquino combined passivity and stubbornness and an unexpected shrewdness to hold firm against powerful opponents from both the right and the left," it added.

The Los Angeles Times called her "[a] courageous woman who emerged as a reluctant leader at a time of national crisis."

Her rise to power was described as a "phenomenal metamorphosis" by the Washington Post in its obituary.

Through it all, there is one quotation from her that really befits “the” Corazon Aquino, and that is, “I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.”

Lastly, I would like to share with all of you a prayer entitled “Prayer for a Happy Death” made by her in 2004 and which was printed on the missalette given out during her burial mass last August 5. (Note: Image by Kel San Juan)

Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last

So, remind me each day,
most loving Father
To be the best that I can be
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient, to be true
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You

When the final moment does come
Let not my loved ones grieve for long
Let them comfort each other
And let them know
how much happiness
They brought into my life
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray
for each other

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered to our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope
You alone are my salvation
Thank you for your unconditional love, Amen

Time to Move On…

2009-07-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

After much thought, I guess its about time to move on to other interests. It’s a painful decision because I really love the craft and it gives me so much joy and happiness…

I began to love digiscrapping last quarter of last year and started blogging about it end of January. It’s almost my passion for the moment that it really eats my time. But I don’t have any regrets putting so much time and effort into it. I have nothing to gain here…i didn’t sell them nor I intend to. It was self-fulfillment on my part and the desire to share them with all digiscrap lovers.

At this point, I just want to thank all those who appreciated what I have offered and so sorry for those who felt offended one way or the other by it.

I will still keep my blog… to share my thoughts, my finds, my experiences and my journey in life….

And to all digiscrap lovers, do enjoy your passion!!!

What a Sad Day!!!!

2009-07-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

Well, I just received an email today from Corrie Kuipers, the artist whose designs I admired so much, requested me to remove those items that featured her (I am assuming the artis is a Lady) artworks. It really is sad because I know you all like her designs. That’s life I guess. And so I just want to thank all those who enjoyed these freebies of mine…

P.S. I just opened my blog and saw all those comments in my C-Box. I am really sorry. I have no intentions of making them as my “own” creations and never did I claimed that they are my own. I always take credit to all those designers that I really admire. And so, even if the other elements does not cover their designs, I will remove my birthday theme from this blog. If there are still items that appear in my blog, please just let me know.

I guess I will not make freebies for a while…I love doing them so much that it really hurts…

Another June Birthday Celebrant

2009-06-30T00:10:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I met for the first time a beautiful lady named Doris, thru my friend Bel. It’s her birthday and the venue -- at Skylark Bar and Restaurant at Timog, Queon City, where the guests were treated to ballroom dancing and a performing live band as well.

Doris here with her sisters Ethel, Lila and Leslie. Except for Ethel, all three are celebrating their birthdays that night!!!

and this is the group picture… from left Ethel, Lila, Leslie, Doris, Allen, Bel and me!!!

There was also a comedy stint that night, a surprise gift given by Bel and Noli. Both are close friends of Doris. There are actually three celebrants that night…. the other two are Leslie and Lila, both are sisters of Doris.

Doris and Leslie are shown here with two of the four gay performers…

Leslie (in plain black) is shown here with Allen (in black and white) who by the way is a very good singer, and sister Lila. The other three at the background are the dance instructors and instructress.

and me posing with Bel, while waiting for the birthday celebrants….

and with the celebrant…

and me getting ready for the “big” night ha ha….

It was a fun-filled night actually, what with all those sounds, dancing and laughter around us. And to top it all, I met new friends who are all nice, cool and so down-to-earth. It was indeed a memorable night for me….

July Elements

2009-06-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from my birthday theme….

Please note that some of the elements used in this July Kit have been with me for months now and unfortunately I lost track of the designers’ link and so, much as I wanted to give credit to them, I can’t feature them here as I’ve been doing in the past. But I’d still like to thank them all for those wonderful freebies. They are timeless and worth the keep.

Sports Alpha

2009-06-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from my current “birthday theme”, I want to share with all of you my new alpha set…this time for the sports lovers. I hope they will be of use again to someone out there.

Special thanks to Scrappin’ Alikat for the sports items used in completing my Sports Alpha.

More Birthday Digits.. in Pastel Pink n’ Stripes

2009-06-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

More Birthday Digits…in Orange n’ Aqua

2009-06-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

More Birthday Digits… in Blue n’ Red

2009-06-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Birthday Digits

2009-06-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

And to complement my happy birthday wordart, here’s my birthday digits. This is just one of the many versions of it. I made several variations of it… in different colors and textures. So do drop again for them!!!

My Happy Birthday WordArt

2009-06-12T00:30:00.000-07:00

I just finished doing the Father’s theme… and so, here I am now to another one, my version of “Happy Birthday”!!!! Our little princess, Jesmine, is about to turn one this month and that gave me the idea of why not do some elements on this as well.

And for starters, I did some wordart. Hope you will enjoy this too as you all did with my father’s theme…

NoteBook Elements

2009-06-11T06:10:00.000-07:00

Almost two weeks ago, I wrote that I am thinking of giving away my notebooks without the June element in them as well. So sorry it took awhile… it was sidetracked by my father’s theme. Well, as they say, better late than never ha ha!!! And so here it is now, especially for Jody…

Father’s Day Banner Elements

2009-06-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

This is my last installment under the theme of Father’s Day…. hope you all enjoyed my freebies on this one!!!!

Father’s Day Pop WordArt

2009-06-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

Note: Thanks to Scrap for Taggers for the alpha used in my wordart.

Father’s Day Border Elements

2009-06-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day Post It Elements

2009-06-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day Notebook Elements

2009-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day Postage Elements

2009-06-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

This year’s Father’s Day will fall on June 21, the third Sunday of the month.

The celebration of Father's Day was inspired by the success of Mother's Day (which was observed nationally for the first time in 1914). Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, was listening to a Mother's Day sermon in church in 1909 and decided that fathers deserved a similar day of recognition. The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910. It was not until 1966, under President Lyndon B. Johnson, that it was proclaimed a national holiday and observance of this on the third Sunday in June was made a law in 1972.

In line with this, I decided to make freebies for Father’s Day Celebration. I will offer them as soon as I finished doing them. As starters, I did two elements…in postage form. Hope you can make use of them. Do check out from time to time for the next freebie of this kind.

Winning Moments and Performances

2009-06-01T08:06:00.000-07:00

Congratulations both to Kurt and Kamillo (Bel’s sons, a very dear friend of mine) for winning their “first boxing fight” held last May 30, 2009 at Elorde Gym at Sucat, Paranaque. They are part of the Katipunan group and here is their poster as shown in the lobby premises of the gym.

and here is the proud mama with her two handsome guys before the fight…(sorry for the wrong date in the picture…I wasn’t able to update it ha ha)

and me posing with the gwapito brothers…and included in the picture is the youngest, Kylie, also a “boxer in the making” ha ha….

and some moments of the rest of the “cheering squad”…. and warm-up exercises of the two while waiting for the boxing fights to begin, around 1:30 pm. There are numerous fights scheduled that day, with so many branches competing like SM Southmall, Taft, Gilmore, Pasig and so many others. Kurt was 3rd while Kamillo was 18th on the fight list.

View Full Album

and we (w/ Irene, Kamillo’s girl) had also the opportunity to pose with a celebrity comedian by the name of Dennis Padilla… Kempee de Leon, a youngstar, was also around but too bad, we weren’t able to take pictures with him….

And now the Main Event…….

Presenting Kurt’s (in yellow uniform) winning performance in a two-round fight…

Kurt’s winning moment…after a glorious two-round fight!!!!

and here’s an album showcasing Kurt’s boxing performance…

View Full Album

Kamillo’s Moments….

He really did came up with a superb performance I must say. He was able to recover fast enough, displayed an amazing composure and eventually won the fight. His opponent did play dirty tricks on him and apparently that bounced on him, praise God. Too bad I was able to capture on video only his first round fight because my digicam registered a “memory card full” would you believe ha ha!!! At that time when I needed it most!!!! (I learned a very important lesson that day, and that is to check out the capacity of my memory card…which I never bothered before ha ha!!!!)

and here are some snapshots of the actual boxing fight of Mill….

View Full Album

It was so much fun seeing these young guys doing their new-found passion. I also never thought it would be that thrilling and fulfilling to watch a boxing fight. But it is really different when the person inside the ring is someone dear to you. All emotions will come in… you would even forget you are sick.

So again…congratulations guys!!! And thank you for an amazing and unforgettable experience. Till your next fight!!!!