these days

these days are swamped. As in totally loaded. And then there will be last minute hostings and seminars. Like this week, may biglaang tie up with QTV, first time na may GMA network pips dito. And then today, I didn't know I had to attend a marketing seminar by the guru himself, Josiah Go. It's called Blue Ocean Strategy - one of the top 10 business concepts of all time. Apparently, hindi rin alam ng organizers that we are going to attend since we are not listed in their registration. It was supposedly exclusive for suppliers only. Kaya hindi kami pwede umatend.

Nakakaaliw, we had to wake up at 7am to go to MOA (the guards didn't know there was a seminar din..napakaconfusing ng umaga ko). We didn't know where to go, we didn't have an invitation. Armed only with a prayer, an encouraging text and my poor bladder which led us to the rest room inside the seminar venue which prompted us to sneak inside..voila! Instant gate crashers..

It was great to be surrounded with entrepreneurs and business bigwigs..parang feeling magaling sa math na rin ako. I learned a lot of marketing know how's. The free seminar should've cost around a thousand pesos. Ang catch we need to present what we learned and report it to management. wahh!

How Could I Ask for More?

I first heard this song in Elim, specifically Barbie Dumlao singing it on PY's show. It was soo beautiful. And hearing it again tonight after what, 15 years..soo amazing! I found a Christian radio station online and it played just now, sung by Cindy Morgan. Nawala ang headache ko.

How Could I Ask for More

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more

(see, gotta hear it when you're feeling ungrateful or grumpy or having a major headache hahaha)

Rye and Nette Simpson

www.simpsonizeme.com - One of the coolest sites to come out this year! I grew up with Bart, he was my favorite character when the Simpsons came out in the early 90's. I haven't watch the film though...Ok, here is the Riley and Lynette Simpson pictorial. Enjoy simpsonizing yourself!

Halfway

I just got back from a 2 week spiritual sojourn called the Halfway House Program, sponsored by the company and I felt like I'm reborn all over again. I got renewed or accepted Jesus as personal Lord and Savior when I was 14 years old. Back then I was in spiritual high, going to church service thrice a week. I was so hungry for the Word of God. Until college and work ate most of my time and simply got too busy.

I went back to choir just before my Mama passed away in 1999. But then the world just got too tempting with lots of fleeting fancies that I took the Lord for granted. Up until 2 years ago when I was down in the pits of darkness. It was the culmination of a troubled life. And the Lord just scooped me out and kept me in the shelter of His wings.

Sa Halfway House, confiscated ang cellfon, bawal magwork unless super urgent, 6:00 am ang start ng activity kaya 4.30 am pa lang gising na ko. Merong lectures, praise and worship, inner healing, deliverance (eto yung ma-action at madramang tagpo) and commissioning of the Holy Spirit. I got the gift of intercession - praying for other people's burdens and I think evangelism. Sana, sana..

Ang saya ng batch namin - puro makukulet na comedian hahaha! Mang Joseph - pinasaya mo kaming lahat, kakaiba ka! Saludo ako sa lahat ng servants lalo na kay Pastor Edmund and Sister Shirley. God bless you for helping save souls for Christ.

Now I'm back to work, back to the real world and still reeling from the joy of praise and worship for 8 straight days, meditating on God's Word and loving fellowship with batch 50 (we're gold!).

I'm going the whole 9 yards for you Lord, hindi lang halfway! Isasama ko si Riley and we will be a household of faith. Amen.

Be Bench Presscon

We've attended the Be Bench: The Next Model Search and it felt like old times when I used to work for a concert production company. Syempre, picturan with artistas (na hindi ko ginawa noon, ewan ko bat natuwa na kong gawin ngayon) - mas kinilig pa ko kay Christian Bautista kesa kay Sam Milby kasi I was watching his concert dvd just that weekend and sobrang gaganda ng songs dun. And he was really nice pati naman si Sam eh, though a bit shy. And I was so happy to see Haydee, my friend since elementary days pa kasi haven't seen her since 2004.

Worth Going to Prison For

My new love - Wentworth Miller of Prison Break! Dati ko pa syang nakikita but haven't found the time to watch PB until 2 weeks ago. Although I saw the "Human Stain" in which he played the young Anthony Hopkins. Oh such beautiful eyes. Oh perfection.

Basketball has been my favorite sport watching activity for as long as I could remember. At 10 years old my parents brought me to Rizal Stadium to watch Ronnie Magsanoc(my 2nd cousin) play in the UAAP. The UP-UE match was a classic finish. After that, it was PBL and the PBA. How I loathed Ginebra during that time. There's the rush of excitement watching it live and winning it by a just a point or two or even a 3 pointer.

During college, it was just sheer heartbreak losing over UST. And having googoo eyes at Jason Webb and Luigi Trillo.

Yesterday, I had fun watching the Jones Cup with Team Pilipinas winning against hometown favorite Taipei. All my good manners flew out the window when I watch a game. I cussed, I scream, I jumped and I howl like a man.

And Rye is soo amazed. He's now a basketball fan too. He says "shoot" and then proceeds to dunk in his mini court.

Cool.

10 Ways to beat stress

1. Accept your imperfections and go ahead inspite of them.

2. Avoid fighting for anything that's really not worth it. Don't squander your energy on semi-important things.

3. Learn and follow organizing principles.

4. Say "no" more often.

5. Get rid of a lot.

6. Don't gather much.

7. Don't keep much.

8. Value simplicity in your lifestyle.

9. Don't sweat the little things.

10. Be grateful.

-adapted from Organizing for life by Sandra Fellton (Nevell)

I'm not sure if I'm stressed. Just out of sorts. Italy dreaming. Wanting frappe and a good conversation. Missing Glorietta and Greenbelt.

Lea's Site

I thought I was having a slow day today, just browsing which resto to have advance Fathers' Day dinner with Dad and the haws people..and voila!

I stumbled upon Lea Salonga's Multiply site with tons and tons of photos..yeeha

http://bigsis222.multiply.com

This early, I'm actually preparing for Christmas. Kasi maraming tao ngayon ang gusto kong bilhan ng gifts. And yen will bake some goodies as part of the gift items so sana talaga pasok sa budget. I also found a new place where I can buy really cool clothes at bargain prices pero hindi ukay ha.

Been seriously thinking of Bo Sanchez's Catholic Filipino Academy - home schooling for Rye. I know it's about 2 years to go but tuition is soo expensive in the schools and yet education is not as good as it should be. Until grade school lang siguro ang home study kasi mas masaya ang high school in the traditional sense eh. And he's more equipped na to handle life..

Sana lang I could be a credible "teacher". I'm looking forward to lots and lots of field trips. Like if we study history, we'd go to the actual places where the action happened that's just near di ba..ang cool nun! Tapos madaming madaming reading assignments na parang isang buong library ang reading list nya.

Pag summer he'll be exposed to kids his own age kasi I'll enroll him in any art/music class or sports clinic of his choice. So far, that's how I've planned it. I'm taking it one step at a time.

Wow Philippines

Dami dami ko pang lugar sa Pilipinas na dapat makita. And so I hereby declare that every year on my birthday, I would visit one destination and support the local tourism industry. I'll start with Corregidor...

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Visited Map" alt="" />
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My Lakbayan grade is C-!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at href="http://forge.codedgraphic.com/lakbayan">Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Beyond the Sea

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailing

Somewhere beyond the sea
He's there watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high
Then straight to his arms I'd go sailing

It's far beyond the stars,
It's near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon

We'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just like before
Happy we will be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing

I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon
We'll meet, I know we'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we will be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing

No more sailing
So long, sailing, sailing, no more sailing
Good-bye, farewell my friend, no more sailing

Such a hopeful song, I didn't realized it until now.

My Mot

For 2 amazing years, you have showered me with immense joy.

You who came at the most hectic time of my life (adjusting to a new job, moving to a new house, ending a relationship, ate's homecoming), two scary spottings, fetal distress, pre-eclampsia which led to an emergency CS - whew!

...stuck with me and held on for dear life. You taught me how to be strong. Hence, your name Riley. Courage to the end.

For 2 amazing years you have given me unconditional love.

You who had to endure my clumsy mothering skills - from diaper rash to new infant milk allergies and wanting to quit being your mom at 3am over colic and incessant crying, still gazed at me with pure adoration and how!

For 2 amazing years you have provided me with stretches of laugh lines.

You who call Shrek an "okoy", wakes up at 5am smiling and eager to go outside, plays at the park but not wanting to slide, dances to ABS CBN's summer song and calls me Momommy - as in Wowowee. You made me laugh like no other guy can.

For 2 amazing years you made me a better person.

I didn't care about a lot of things before. Ako'y isang malaking dedma. I do what I want and don't want to be disturbed. Period. But when you came, I just wanted this world to be a better place for you. I don't want to die just yet so I can see you grow. I'm also praying to God that you would have a greater life than me (although I've been so much blessed din), more opportunities and all.

For 2 amazing years you made me want to aim bigger dreams for you.

I want us to travel together and see the world! I want you to be good in math. I want you to be a well-rounded person. Sana you'll learn a musical instrument. Or play a sport. Of your choice. I won't force you to do something you don't want to do. That's not how I was raised (thank you Mama and Daddy).

For 2 amazing years you kept me a domesticated person.

Home buddy naman ako but during weekends, I want to go out as much as possible and as long as my budget would allow me. But when you came along, I never did want to go even to the mall without you. And had my appointments squeezed in a day or even cancel night outs. The only time I did go to a bar again was in Davao (mandatory pa yun) and I was so out of place. I was content seeing you as you go about your milestone moments or watch you play and read (more of scan books) and those hohum things.

For 2 amazing years.

Thank you.

Allow me to thank these people too:

Daddy Dad: for taking care of you the whole day and watching endless Barney cds

Ate Elma and Kuya Jo: for treating you as another one of their own kid (nagselos nga si Jocelle eh)

Teret: for taking you to the mall ALONE(a feat which I haven't done pa nga) and arranging your clothes and trimming your nails

Kuya Bong: for buying pasalubong - a cool Toy Story car in Disney HK (ako nga walang something eh)

Ate Susan: for taking care of you and calling you her bunso

G-Anne: for taking countless photos and videos of you in her phone (ako nga nag grab na lang ng images pra sa multiply ko eh)

Ayla: for being your 2nd mom when you stayed in the hotel and watching over you when you swim

Jundee and Angel: for making alaga din and buying food pag nag grocery for gab

Yen: for giving you a lot of stuff and pampering you with kisses and for being the nth mother (ang daming nanay ni rye)

Jen and Jamal: for giving Rye a glimpse of the Moslem ways and being a hands on Ninang

To my Mot, Toot toot, Rarye, bert, Matmat: Happy Birthday! Let's go dizzy with fun..

3 days before Rye 2.0

So, I've been really trying not to plan Rye's bday but it can't be helped. the un-O.C. me needs to prep for my son's birthday. Yesterday I gave him a Shrek toy thanks to McDo Happy Meal. Made him so happy.

I was having the usual working day yesterday when I accidentally learned that this person shares the same birthday with Rye. Of all days in the calendar di ba..

This guy I met in Cebu. That's why I wanted to go to Bora. Coz he lives in Cebu but his work requires (oh the pain) him to frequent the island paradise. Dapat isang buong journal entry nga ito. Ngunit hindi ko na nagawa.

Eck!

Land of the Loving

Deep in your eyes is a promise
Love can be ours if we want it
Starting tonight ev'ry dream I ever knew
Here in your arms I'm believing
Fin'lly my life has a meaning of its own
Here in the land of loving I am home.

I was alone in the city
Searchin' for someone to find me
Cold empty nights and a million strangers' eyes
Here in your arms I'm beginning
To leave behind all the loneliness I knew
Here in the land of loving there is you.

In this simple room magic is made
Though the world seems unchanged
Leave the lights on I'm a bit afraid
This might be just a sweet dream.
Deep in the night love is growing
Though I had no way of knowing
That when I found you I found everything I need
Here in your love I'll be staying
Finally my love won't be living all alone
Here in the land of the loving I am home

- I love this song! It's a beautiful revival sung by Lea in her Inspired album.

I love You Lord. Your love is awesome. Awe-standing. Awe-mazing.

Mother's day is fast approaching and I am pure gooey sentimental mush. I'm senti at the thought of being a Mom but more of missing my Mama.

Treated my family for a lil bit of R & R. Sequestered in a hotel room. Nothing to do but sleep, swim and eat. Not necessarily in that order. But it was fun. I still wish Mama was physically here so she can enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Oh, but it was worth seeing the light in my father's eyes..

Rye and Buh-Bye

My morning ritual consists of Rye waking up just after I've taken a bath, giving him to Dad so I can change for work clothes, having breakfast together or him just watching "Breakfast" and then they would send me off to get tryke. Sometimes he'd cry as part of the usual separation anxiety.

But now he's just content watching tv and saying "buh bye" and looking at me briefly. Sigh. He's really a toddler now. He shrieks like one, he wants to have his way all the time and he's getting tall.

He knows the parts of his face. He loves to read and draw on any available surface. Just about anywhere (poor wall, poor sofa). And he loves to eat rice. He loves cars. He drinks water a lot. And eats my super sour sinigang with matching kilig. He's not jealous of baby Gab and he doesn't hurt kids.

I still can't believe he's turning 2 next month. It's too fast. Too soon. Di ko pa alam how to celebrate his birthday. Pero excited na ko.

America: GunFULL society

My heart is breaking for those who died at Virginia Tech. I saw "Bowling at Columbine" a few years before and I'm still horrified as to how these kids get guns easily and have so much rage in their hearts to shoot and kill on purpose. What kind of society produces such mean killling machines? And they're just KIDS.

Is it the bullying they receive from fellow students? How hard is it to go to school and get picked on everyday when you're not cool or popular enough? Are the kids of America absolutely clueless of their bad treatment of the uncool?

Is it the violence in videogames or movies? Tell us please. The world wants to know.

My brother in law in the US said he'll bring my nephews here to study high school.

And I sighed in utmost relief.

WinWin

Included in my ideal guy list (super shortlisted lang yan) is none other than my dear old cousin Win. The first time I saw him was when our Lolo Pulis died and we were just 3 and 4 years old. After that, hindi na kami nagkita at all. Yung next was when our uncle died, medyo grim di ba but it was the start of a great friendship. Si Win helped me with my career path, tapos sunod sunod na yun.

Pati sa gimik, relationship advice at kung anu ano pa. Sya yung kasama ko from taping, to Malate, to audition pati ang pagkaloka ko meeting Lea Salonga up close and watching Miss Saigon. He never fails to make me smile, laugh and everything in between. Here's to hanging out at Starbucks UN and Greenbelt 1. He tried to right the wrong in my life but I was just soo damn stubborn and yet he never judged me. He just silently prayed for me to come around. And I did in God's time.

I knew he was there for me throughout my struggle.

When he got married (buti na lang he waited for the right girl to come along), hindi ako nakapunta kasi birthday din ni Rye yun but I wanted to be there. Being an only child, alam ko super excited na sya to be a dad soon. Finally. It's going to be such a blast.

Sabi nya noon sa testimonial nya for me, "masasaktan ang magpapaiyak sa pinsan ko" and that "she reminds me of God's goodness in the world". It was enough to make me cry kasi nakakatouch talaga. Don't worry cuz, pinaiyak ko din ang nag-cause ng heartbreak sa yo! (i'm sooo bad).

Nakakatuwa lang that he (and Kay) ang mga kamag-anak ko na malapit ko rin na friends. Although we don't get to see each other as often as before( but I think that's gonna change yahoo!) hindi pa rin magbabago ang samahan namin. Ngayon lalo na mga magulang na kami.

I want to thank the Lord for Win. He's been such a blessing.

Life with Win is a win-win situation.

What is Easter?

What is Easter?

A Sunday where the sun shines a bit brighter than usual

Mass with family – Rye screaming to hold the candle and the whole church looks at him

waking up at 6am to give wide awake Rye to Dad and sleep again

watching 3 Sunday TV Masses because I'm spying on the latest choir songs

eating tuyo, tinapa, fried talong and peanuts

listening to Rye say “Rabbit” “Monkey” and “Viva” over and over

getting a phone call from my sister

watching dvds while having chips overload

reading (hurrah!) the book on my bedside table that has accumulated dust already

tickling Rye and watching him dive on top of his cousins

laughing at baby Gab who looks like comedian “Balot”

thanking God for saving me and the rest of humanity

Nami Cebu

I'd just have to say: if I can move to another city here in the country, it's gotta be Cebu! Less traffic, less people but beautiful ones I tell you, more food and they have a sense of style that I can't define.
9 days in Cebu kept me in good spirits (though I missed my Rye soo much) especially when I laid eyes on Plantation Bay at night. It's pretty romantic. Sigh.

Went to the Taoist Temple and found great accessories in Colon.

Here's our food trips:
Bo's Coffee Club - raspberry iced tea
Golden Cowrie - tuna belly and garlic clams
Krua Thai - crispy beef (tastes like crispy pata)
Larsian - street ihaw-ihaw (chicken etc.)
Tomato - pana cotta (leche flan ice cream)
Dimsum Break - great chinese food
Abuhaw - in IT Park, love sizzling pochero
Venetian Coffee - choco latte
AA - sugba
Bigby's - first discovered in Davao and now in Ayala Cebu
MT Korean Resto - my first on a low dining table
Harbour City - chinese ulet
Bean Date - moist choco cake and strawberry shortcake
Roma Mia - chef's pizza
Lami-ah - Filipino resto with a cultural show

Dami ko pang kwento. I just need to adjust pa my sensory overload. And download the pics..

Davao Travel Blog

Davao is clean. That's the first thing I noticed. Walang kalat sa streets. The best sa food. Been in Harana Resto, Jack's Ridge - overlooking the whole city at may WWII history pa, Miggy's Grill at Times Beach - with the waves lapping while we're eating, gimik at Pop's (although I felt so ancient there kasi puro mga JS Prom highschoolers ang andun), lunch at Bigby's (wla pa silang branch here in Manila but the food is great and the theme is ala-Moulin Rouge so cool!) Meron ding shop called Mags where the clothes are great at cheaper compared dito.

We attended presscons at The Marco Polo Hotel and Royal Mandaya. On the last day, we had a city tour and passed by the church that's shaped like a ship and looks like a mosque din meaning Muslims and Christians live in harmony in Davao. Syempre punta kami sa batik store with lots of great finds na bracelets and other trinkets. Since wla naman akong budget tlga, puro mga small anik-anik lang ang nabili ko. And of course the pomelo, which I had a stomachache for eating just one! Eh kasi nung umaga ko kinain eh. Ayan tuloy. Pumunta din kami sa Lola Abon's durian sweets.

Super pagod pero super happy din. The travel show was fun kahit sumakit ang paa ko katatayo at kakabigay ng flyers sa mga umatend. Ang dami ko ring kinuhang flyers kasi malay mo mega fly kami ni Riley next time di ba. Finally, nakapunta na kong Mindanao. Thank You Lord. Hindi ko tlga expect na makakasama ako but You made it all happen!

Next stop: Cebu! (after 7 years)