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Saturday, December 31, 2005
Aaarf! arf! arf! arf! Here, dogie, dogie! Come here boy! Dogs are nice and cuddly and kind and... romantic in some ways. But honestly speaking, i can't keep any dog inside the house. Outside, perhaps! Afterall, they are out with watchful eyes if any intruder comes breaking in, right? I hope this coming year would give us new beginnings and more aspirations to live a better, more meaningful and friutful life! With this thought please allow me to say a prayer:
May this coming year lead all of us
to rekindle our spirit with true LOVE
clear our minds with HAPPINESS
be bestowed with more WISDOM
and be given new HOPE;
May the good LORD grant us PEACE
in our hearts to share it with the rest of the family;
And may we i be renewed with HUMILITY
and PERSEVERANCE
AMEN.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Dr. José Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo Realonda …Universal Hero; Messiah of the Revolution; Great Malayan; Pride of the Malay Race; Messiah of the Redemption; First Filipino; He was an eye surgeon, and so on…Imagine how many names have been given to this man. Born on June 19, 1861, he was the “guy”. He had curly black hair, kind of “pogi” (handsome) in a way. Actually, if we trace back his ancestors, we would come up with six (6) different races happily mixed together within his blood namely: Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Malay, Sngley Meztizo and our very own- Negrito family.
With all these colors intertwined inside him, one should not wonder why he has become a multi-laurelled individual. He has learned too many languages totalling twenty two (22) of them including: Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Latin, Malay, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog, Cebuano and other Philippine languages.
Furthermore, Dr. Jose P. Rizal also became an expert in his own right on other branches of Arts and Sciences as: architect, artist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, musician, mythologist, internationalist, naturalist, novelist, ophthalmologist, physician, poet, propagandist, sculptor, and sociologist.
Trully, he was “The Man”. Our inspiration, our collegue, our pride! Our national hero. And today, It’s the 109th anniversary of his death in Bagumbayan (now Luneta), when he was shot at gunpoint from his back for reasons he knew beforehand would kill him. But he didn’t die in vain, instead, he died with dignity and honor for our country. I love his grin, don't you ;-)
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Children are the future! They must be cared for and loved, for without them no one would continue the cycle of life given to us as a gift. I pray those sad unforgotten past in Bethlehem and in Egypt would remain an epitaph in our consciousness and be reminded always that our children’s children and the children after them must live on and on in order to continue to serve and become fruitful thereby unceasingly enjoy life’s bounties given to us from up there.
Here is a prayer dedicated to this day. I took it from an Oxford Church site. Here goes:
THE HOLY INNOCENTS
For vulnerable children and adults.
For all statutory and voluntary agencies
that relieve the pressures of families in distress.
We pray for more workers in the fields of practical care,
especially those who seek to avert infant victims of famine,
thirst, disease, violence,
neglect and cold.
We remember children and parents who cannot be together during the Christmas celebrations.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Did you know that trees decorated inside homes dates back to ancient times? Yes they do, according to some historians from the western part of the world. One said that “…the Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshiped evergreens…” These people welcome the winter solstice by bringing forth “…green date palm leaves to symbolize life’s triumph over death.”Notice the resemblance to our Christmas tree tradition? As I’ve read in some manuscripts, a kind of tree called:Firs, were long been associated with Christianity and locally in Germany at that. It was told that St. Boniface angered by the acts of the pagans worshipping the oak tree cut down the entire oak tree but was amazed when a new Fir tree came sprouting atop the old cut oak tree. He considered it a sign of Christian faith thereby giving specific due to Fir trees.
Today, we are awed to the ways people treat trees for Christmas. Some are true ones while others aren’t. Either way, I find it an avid sign of true faith as a Catholic believer. Don’t you?
Saturday, December 03, 2005
A time for giving, and surely a time for forgiving and for loving as well. Christmas season has come! For me it is the best time of the year. Even better than my natal day!
Indeed, the Lord's birthday is the most precious of them all! As an avid believer of the Catholic faith, i consider these season very Holy. And this is the best time to forgive and forget. Let us just be happy and contended, can't we? With this thought please allow me to share with you a message from one of my priest friend. He sent it to me very early this morning which opened my mind and spirit in welcoming the Holidays truthfully. Here goes:
From 667 blog entries we are now down to 52 blog sites !
MOST INFORMATIVE BLOG SITE OF THE YEAR
Good luck to all finalists!
Friday, December 02, 2005
A day of reckoning dedicated to the million of individuals who are inflicted with the ailment.For sure it won't be just a day of being fearful. Let this dedicated day be an everyday warning to all of us. For however fast we are in trying to stop its pace, it 's just isn't fast enough the way it is spreading and contaminating even our very minds in the way it consumes our dignity and pride as a sane human being.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Sure thing! Mr. Bonifacio, Andres was born on November 30, 1863, from a Meztiza (mixed blood) mom and Filipino dad in Zambales. More can be said about Ka Andres, but i don't think i would go over and enumerate them all here. Perhaps, some of his important tasks and achievements might be useful though. His life story which we, Filipinos, must have learned in our elementary years has always been a significant one. He initiated a secret society together with two more friends which carried the name: KKK (Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan nang mga Anak nang Bayan, or shortly called - Katipunan with the sole aim of: freeing the Philippines from the rulings hands of the Spaniards, with force if needed. History revealed, the Philippines was under the Spanish regime for over three hundred years! Can you imagine how long that was !
Oh, so much of history. A million more facts about this man and his movement can fill a thousand more pages! They say, had Ka Andres listened to Dr. Jose Rizal(our national hero) and didn’t do his thing, then there would never have any revolution. I say, if Mr. Bonifacio just stood there quite and passive, then, he would have really failed of not trying to do what he thought would be a wiser move. Say you?
Monday, November 28, 2005
The SEA Games is a bi-annual sports event aimed at developing and further enhancing training in various fields of sports in preparation for upcoming Olympic Games. And this is our third time to host such a spectacle. It opened last night in the Manila, our capital with 11 countries participating namely (alphabetical order):
1. Brunei
2. Darussalam
3. Cambodia
4. Indonesia
5. Laos
6. Malaysia
7. Myanmar
8. Singapore
9. Timor Leste
10. Thailand
11. Vietnam
A total of 43 sporting disciplines will be covered by SEA Games including: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Billiards, Body-Building, Canoeing, Chess, Cycling, Gymnastics, Judo, Rowing, Silat (a kind of martial art), Sepak Takraw (Kicking game), Shooting, Soccer, Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Table tennis, Taekwando, Wushu and more.
Good luck to all and most especially our very own Philippine team!
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Lahat tayo mayroon pagkakaiba
‘Pakita mo ang tunay at kung sino ka
[chorus]
Talagang ganyan ang buhay
[chorus]
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Hello everyone! Blogging is really new to me. I didn't even knew the word blog until a dear friend of mine mentioned it in one of our conversations, which escaped out of my thoughts a minute later. He was introducing it to me a year ago quite in detail. He told me it was one of the communication tools he was working on. I'm sure he explained it all to me then but i wasn't really digesting the topic. As i recall, i was kind of pre-occupied a little at that moment; daydreaming perhaps! It wasn't until this year (February, 2005) during my next encounter with that same dear pal that made my mind tickle with interest and curiousity. I think it was more of curiousity. Friday, November 18, 2005
Nuestra Señora Virgen De La Regla - The name so avidly uttered and passionately praised. This is the patron saint of Lapu-Lapu City. She is worshiped by thousands (if not millions) of pilgrims. And her feastday is celebrated annually every November 21st. Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Twenty (20) years and twenty six (26) days ago today (Monday, 5:30 a.m. October 6, 1985), Byron Joseph came to this world.Meek, naïve, gentle and sweet, he made me feel we know each other all too well already. His smile opened up new windows of happiness for me. His thoughts seemed to have gotten inside mine and we had great days together. I had great times with him too! He was simply amazing!
It is still very clear to me when he wanted something, he’d be uneasy and edgy and then I’d nurse him and he’d be so gentle. His eyes looked at me as if he can see me already at three days old. He was a gem and joy! When he was still inside me, I felt good and with ease, as if I was not carrying him at all. He was truly a wonder!
He had my eyes, my lips, my chin and my nose too! Yes, we looked so much alike. I’m sure he would be a happy person and true and daring. One time I felt pain inside my womb and thought I would have him earlier than expected but it stopped after a while. I knew he was in a hurry to see the world, my world. Well, he did come out full term. And when he did, he did not even cry, not once, not ever.
Today and every day although he is gone, I can feel him near me. I’m sure he must be close by, smiling. Thanks dear. We love you so much!
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This entry today is trully dedicated to All Souls Day, which we Filipinos continue to celebrate every year to honor our very dearly departeds.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Just the right time to talk about the times and just the right title for a blog for the most current if not the hottest on issues pertaining Lapu-Lapu City today: LAPU-LAPU TIMES!
A blog by a Filipino plastic surgeon, but was trained in the United States and now a balikbayan. His blog talks mostly about what is going on presently in my very own city- Lapu-Lapu. It consist of six (6) categories namely:
1. Lapu-Lapu Times: Headline news
2. Lapu-Lapu Times: Politics
3. Lapu-Lapu times: Public safety
4. Lapu-Lapu Times: Socio-Economic
5. Lapu-Lapu Times: Environment
6. Lapu-Lapu Times: Culture, Entertainment and Sports
It was launched just a few days ago and i'm quite proud to say i am one of the contributors specifically in Culture,Entertainments and Sports. If you want to see what i am blabbering about here, you can visit the site by simply clicking here: Lapu-Lapu Times
Hope to see you there!
Well, let me see...
I think i love you because:
You taught me lots of things
which i didn't know then;
you smiled at me
like you never have smiled anyone else;
you gave me hopes and dreams
that a better tommorow exists;
you shared with me little what-nots
'though they aren't as lovely as you want them to be;
you greeted me "Happy Birthday"
'though it was not;
you held my hand
quite firmly but gently;
you made me feel loved
as if love was all that mattered;
you sang me songs
which lulled my heart up high;
you brought me to places
which meant a lifetime-achivement to me;
you played the guitar
so elegantlyand melted me slowly but softly;
Oh, i can go on like this forever!
but most of all, i love you because:
You spoke in sweet voice and uttered words in amazing ENGLISH!
Yeah! that's it! that's why i... love... YOU!
-------------------------------------------
For Visayan version pls click here:
Literayong Binisaya
Bisaya Bloggers
Monday, October 10, 2005
Sunsrise @ Baguio City! Ahhh! The summer place!
I came to Baguio City for the third time two weeks ago! The first time was 1986, way before the Pines Hotel fell and crumbled to the ground brought about by the earthquake which hit the city shockingly! I was with my two brothers, my sister-in-law and of course- can't miss out my hubby too. It was really fantastic! And the second time, i was with my second daughter-Angela. It was her first time then and she was awed too! With all the sites- who wouldn't. She rode on the horse all the way around the rotunda all by herself... i-m-a-g-i-n-e! Oh yeah!
And this time i went there for a four-day official occular inspection of their STP (Sewerage Treatment Plant). I know, it sounds yulks, but mind you i had the greatest time ever! I stayed over @ Baguio City Country Club. It was built on 1905, when the Americans were still here. The picture above was taken on its innaugural opening day - 1905. And this is how it looks today: 
And below are the photos i took of the awesome sunrise ! I stayed for four days ! Although raindrops came falling when i got there, but amazingly enough it was only a drizzle. And after that, off i went to the sites (again)!
On the first morning, i woke up quite early and was awed by the view! I think we (sun and me) got up @ the same time! So i took my digicam and click it went... one after another. Click on the pict to enlarge
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You might notice the tags i gave on the picts, i was so excited that i mis- tagged them as "sunset", foolish me huh. Enjoy the views!
Sunday, September 25, 2005
A flower is a blossom, that part of the "angiosperm" (classification of plants that have flowers) that is concerned with the reproduction. There is a great variety of floral structure, but the basic organs and structures are similar. Each flower is borne with a stalk or 'pedicel', the tip of which is expanded to form a receptacle that bears the floral organs.
Parts of a Flower:
SEPALS : are first parts of the flower organ and are usually green and leaflike.
PETALS : are found above the sepals and normally are colored and vary greatly in shape.
PERIANTH : is the collective term for the rings of Sepals and Petals known as calyx and
corolla, respectively.
STAMENS : are the reproductive organs comprising the male organs ( androecium)
CARPELS : are the reproductive organs comprising of the female organs (gynoecium)
ANTHER : is that part of the stalk or tip which produces pollen.
OVARY : is a swollen base of a carpel which contains the ovules that later form the seed.
STIGMA : is an expanded structure connected to a style from the carpel.
PISTIL : is the term given to the style and stigma together.
POLLINATION ... FERTILIZATION
Here's how a flower is formed: Basically, when a pollen lands on a stigma, maybe carried there from the back of an insect, it grows a tube into the style and penetrates the ovule ( the egg container) via a hole called the 'micropyle'. Then two male sex cells from the pollen ease their way through the tube to fertilize the egg. An then, a bud (petite un-bloomed flower) is developed and in after a few days this bud would open up into a full bloom flower!
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I hope there is something about these flowers which might have opened some avenues in your imagination and add up to your info wealth!
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The heart is the pumping station of our body, bringing in and out blood to circulate every tip of vein there is. With every beat it sends off life carrying oxygen and food to all the cells inside us. When the heart stops pumping,we would die unless a gadget which specifically oxygenates our blood and make to circulate all over our body is placed.
One interesting story about the heart goes like this:
your heart..."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart
open," he continued...
" to see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in
there," said the boy.
The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.
"When I see how much damage has been done,
I'll sew your heart and chest back up,
and I'll plan what to do next."
"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says
He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there.
You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll
find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply,
and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."
"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there." the boy added.
The surgeon left. He sat in his office, recording his notes
from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein,
widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant,
no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest.
Prognosis:" here he paused, "death within one year."
He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.
"Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this?
You've put him here; You've put him in this pain;
and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was
not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock,
and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain,
and will be comforted as you cannot imagine.
His parents will one day join him here, and they
will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."
The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was
hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart.
He'll be dead in months. Why?"
The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return
to My flock, for He has Done his duty:
I did not put My lamb with your flock
to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept. The surgeon sat beside the boy's
bed; the boy's parents sat across from him.
The boy awoke and whispered,
"Did you cut open my heart?"
"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.
Author Unknown -
Sunday, September 04, 2005
THE DIFFERENCE
I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray.
Problems just tumbled about me and heavier came each task.
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered...
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me...
He said, "But you didn't seek."
I tried to come into God's presence;
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided...
"My child you didn't knock."
I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.
Dear Lord, the day is just beginning. I am to continue the tasks, which were left undone. I hope I can manage to pursue them with open mind and contrite heart for the fulfillment of the soul.
For always, I start my day with gratefulness, acceptance, praises and fill my heart, mind and soul with faith - hope - and love.
May this day Lord brings peace of mind to everyone, including me. And may each day that passes by, enables us to find happiness within our hearts and fills us all with the joys of life.
And before the day is over, I take some few moments to look back and reminisce all the day's tasks and endeavors, I try to contemplate my deeds, if ever they were done honestly, unselfishly... truthfully. Amen.
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Thanks for the graphics which was e-mailed to me!
You might have seen this post in the past,but allow me to post this again here 'coz i just love its thoughts that i feel the need for it. Enjoy reading! The photos posted here are some of my beloved people who has inspired me so much in this life i am having... in fact they are the very reasons why i'm having all smiles everytime we are together. Thanks so much!
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrong doing on your part or an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.
When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real... But...only for a SEASON.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job now is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
May you enjoy the company of the people who love you, though they may come to you for a season, a reason or a lifetime!
Monday, August 08, 2005
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...
If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.
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(Michael Jackson lyrics)
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Ako ay Pilipino
Buong katapatang nanunumpa
Sa watawat ng Pilipinas
At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag
Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan
Na pinapakilos ng sambayanang
Maka-Diyos
Makakalikasan
Makatao, at
Makabansa.
This is our new Pledge of Allegiance. I say- new- because it was not so long ago yet that we had a different version of it. It used to go like this: Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas- It was changed to this new one on June 12 1996 by our former president: Pres. Fidel V. Ramos, adopted and institutionalized as our official oath of Allegiance for all Filipinos, as a way of commemorating the centennial of the proclamation of our Philippine Independence last 1998.
One funny anecdote I should tell you about this Pledge thing. It happened just last week. As you know, government offices always sing the national anthem and recite the pledge unceasingly every Monday of every week @ 8:00 oclock in the morning before any official business can be taken cared of. And it was our department's turn to do the ritual. Unfortunately, the ones assigned were late so our department head requested some other persons one after the other, but in vain. I thought i would do it but!-shame on me I cannot recite it either. So apologies were laid out in the open. Okay, I know it was not supposed to be funny, but mind you it was my first Five (5) days in government service! What an excuse huh ;-)
Anyway, I am now quite adept with it that I might volunteer to do it in the near future, say you? By the way, can you recite it too? As in right here- right now?
Friday, July 22, 2005
Heritage Conservation simply means:Taking good care of the past. Quite ironic, don't you think? How can one takes care of the past when it has already gone? I think the answer lies in our hearts.
As an architect, I observed that through preservation of our Cultual Heritage, career-wise, has enhanced in ways i incorporate the design concept into the classical creations thereby giving recognition to those old but historical edifices which are now on the verge of existence due to wear and tear brought about by time and natural calamities while consciously merging both the modern and the classical ideas into a soluble tandem evolving into a pleasing incorporation of design eventually allowing trapped and hidden talents to be exposed and made to flourish into the limelight in the design arena.
With the application of Heritage conservation here inCebu, the community was hesitant at first. In fact they over-reacted that there were lots of misunderstandings and debates over who, what and why preserve? The biggest question then was: Why not just forget about it and replace it with a new one? To some it may seem to sound okay, but with the continued advocacy on the ins and outs of the process, the people now has grown and are more conscious in finding ways to lean some of the techniques in conservation of heritage. The greater majority of society are now positively enjoying the fruits of its resulting impact in the tourism-related repercussions in the aspect of economy. A rise of annual revenue together with the increase of influx of visitors proved it so. Various sectors of society were greatly benefited of this said program, and one of them are the intrepreneurs, who directly absorbed the profit-projected turnout in various angles of commerce.
Another group who are also enjoying its benifits is the marginalized group of people whom we have the majority in number. Although their level of consciousness as far as heritage is concerned was fast disappearing if not lost yet but with this Heritage conservation process they learned in their hearts the importance and value of why we should take good care of the past and/or what's left of it thus enabling their minds to subtlety be filled with the essence of what our heritage was and its significance in our existence today.
Cultural Heritage preservation means so much! I can say it is the guiding strength of a nation, of a society in general and of man, in particular. They are the mainstream of how we are today and how we might be in the future. Our pride as the only catholic nation in the far East only elaborates it more. We owe it all to our great though-kind-of- sour- past as to what has become of us now. Our culture speaks so much of us. As a matter of fact, it governs our very lives. Culture is our lifestyle. And the things, images, items and everything else which are associated with our culture, are significant for us in every little way it does. They come in as tangible and intangible kind. Structures like churches, ancient gates, old fortresses, grottos, even cemeteries are rich enough to be preserved as they are the very solid evidence of the ways those people in the past started it all for us.
The picture above is one of the booklet of four (4) produced by our team Cebu Heritage Frontier (CHF) from the taxing yet fun research we did in four towns in southern Cebu namely: Argao, Dalaguete, Boljoon and Oslob. I was the head-architect assigned in Oslob.
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Related article: INQ7.net
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Today starts a day without warning
Molded by time and nurtured with emotion
A day, full of life and compassion
Only to be interwoven with dignity and pride.
Empty heart continues to bleed
Longing for that moment
Chosen mindfully
By HIM.
Nothing really matters, but life.
And the day goes on…
Wishing here waiting
Put to a test by time.
Always forgiving
And not expecting
Almost without grudge
But overflowing with undying love.
Sensual yet forbidden
A love so true but denied
Bestowed upon thee.
Wanting to be near
And wishing it were real
Probed with trials
But cursed by man.
A love unequalled
Thus a love pefected.
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(Note: E-mailed graphics ,thanks)
Full of life and true to the other
Always giving and not expecting
Realizing her man’s needs.
Hoping, praying
Never undermining
But always believing
That someday, somehow, somewhere
There awaits
And then…
Life becomes endless.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
What I got to do to make you love me?
What I got to do to make you care?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
And I wake to find that you're not there?
What I got to do to make you want me?
What I got to do to be heard?
What do I say when it's all over?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word.
It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation.
And it's getting more and more absurd.
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talk it over?
Oh it seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word.
What do I do to make you want me?
What I got to do to be heard?
What do I say when it's all over?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word.
It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation.
And it's getting more and more absurd.
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talk it over?
Oh it seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word.
Yeah. Sorry
What I got to do to make you love me?
What I got to do to be heard?
What do I do when lightning strikes me?
What have I got to do?
What have I got to do?
When sorry seems to be the hardest word.
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I just love this band, and Elton John too!
Saturday, July 09, 2005
when the breeze was colder
and the grass was greener…
It was when I had a dream.
I saw you there, standing
Eyes wide open… staring
Lips moving… as if singing
Whispering so softly saying…
Hi, I’m here... Come near.
Every time I get near a structure of any type, whether a monument, a building or a superstructure, I feel some kind of connection, like magnetism… as if it is communicating to me and endearing me to it closer like a person. I cannot explain exactly why but it seems there is a need for me connect to it too, in any way I can. Like… a bridge! For me, a bridge is truly a bridge as its name denotes! It bridges me to an open field that somewhere out there opportunity awaits thus allowing my inner self to indulge with it like I am having some kind of connection from my current settings /situation to the other. It simply enthrals me and put me into some kind of a spell.
My first encounter with a bridge was when I was five 5 years old, in one corner here in Cebu City. I was already in first grade and we (my sister together with my two older brothers) liked to walk down to school using the only shortcut @ the back across it but a big pond was in between. So we traversed that little bridge made of only two (not four) bamboo poles, bonded together with a smooth steel wire-long enough to hold it still for a long period of time- in every foot distance. It had a rail on one side only, also made of bamboo for our hands to hold on to while walking on it. It was suspended more than a foot up from the mud with huge water lilys sprouting all over. I think that bridge was a little over four (4) meters long. We had great times with it. I almost fell one time when I was hurrying up too fast and my left foot slid down; but I did mange to get a grip on the railing and continued my journey to school with dry shoes! It was really fun.
Today, I am in an island with two bridges! This time it isn’t made of bamboo but tempered steel with huge pre-stressed concrete for support and cable on its sides. Isn’t that just fantastic!
First stop : Mandaue-Mactan Bridge. This bridge is quite dear to me because my dad and my two elder brothers were among the many bridge builders (erectors as they are called) employed then to fit those rivets in. 
It was the first to be built (1973) thus the name and it allowed progress to step into Mactan more easily and freely. It was said that a bridge lasts a lifetime depending on whose lifetime it started and considering some minor renovations /repairs are taken into account every so often.
The next one is the Marcelo H. Fernan Bridge- in honor of our chief justice of cebuano descent. It is located just a little over to the North (Pusok) but barely two kilometers away from the first one. This bridge carries long cables to support it from both sides as most suspension bridges do anywhere else.
Bridges! They simply amaze me all the time! It enables me to breath more freely and cherish this (almost) perfect life i'm having to the max! These huge but gentle structures sit on peaceful waters across the channel, joining two great cities :Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, sending off messages of camaraderie, freedom and...love perhaps?
Thursday, July 07, 2005
There! I’ve said it: Tennis is my game. And I’m quite proud to say I learned it from scratch. I mean, I started out with clinics: The term used in training young children the basics of the game. Basically it means: tennis lessons!
So there I was standing in attention- a 25 year-old married lady together with some 6 other kids whose ages ranged from 6 – 10. Oh yeah! It was kind of fun actually. Amid the heat of an open multi-purpose court -’coz it used to be a basketball court at night too - I stood there wearing my best skirt supposedly-tennis-attire and was doing the forehand and backhand grips, and hit better groundstrokes. I'm now using Head S6Intelligence midplus after my long overdue engagement with Prince oversize carbon.
My personal reason behind why I’m blogging about tennis is the fact that I miss the game so much now. You see, after my hospital encounters last April, I haven’t played it since because my doctors told me so. This tube inside me has to come off first meaning: four months onwards- (after August) but with a condition that no more kidney stones are trapped inside or else, I need to be inserted another tiny tube and wait another four months! Can you imagine how long that takes? You should know for tennis players like me, a week of not playing seems forever! My, oh my! By the way, I hit a few balls in billiards every now and then, and the latest craze here: Badminton.
But i think the best reason of all is simple. I only want to share with you something to aspire for, hoping one could get a grasp if not a glimpse of how it feels like having a sport as a way of releasing the tension of work in our daily routine; and also i was hoping it might encourage our youths of today in learning the game or any game for that matter, for a better sporty tomorrow.
So, you all know my sporty world (or is it), perhaps, you can tell me yours?
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Everybody has been talking and blogging about it lately. It's so humongus that it made responses greater than expected! And i had the chance last night of experiencing almost all the concerts performed in my very own bedroom!
Yes! It was aired live in our local TV ! There i was enjoying the simplest comfort of my 20" television and rocked my heart out with Bono himself live in London! WOW! Then it shifted to Japan with Bjork and then on to Rome with no less than Duran-Duran! My my! All my fave artists were singing and rocking and sending the message to the Group of Eight (G8) great leaders who will be having their annual summit meeting on July 6th in Edinbugh, which is aimed at fighting poverty in Africa.
It was up all night 'coz when i woke up this morning and turned on the tv set, Sting was featured with his great song: "Every breath you'll take" (we will be watching you). 'just breathtaking!
Oh, i manged to encode my name in the list and saw it run down my monitor thanking me along with the rest of names who supports this cause. I hope you have done your part too.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
(First of a series)
Various sports amaze me more than movie viewing but there is nothing like playing it for real to get the feel of it.
As far as I can remember, I won the 100-meter dash in my elementary days during the Public School Sports tournament or something like that and I was a softball player way back in high school. We were all girls and it made sense playing the game much as I enjoyed the running we did and the cheering dances we get to compete every so often while wearing those very short white skirts topped with sexier-than-ever (in those times) shirts! My mom was an athlete too in her younger days then. I guess I got the genes from her as a sports enthusiast.
Of all the sports I have encountered, I was pretty inclined to the ball games, which made me fell in-love with table tennis. I was so engrossed with the game that I requested my dad that we make our own table @ home for us to practice more freely. And indeed I had the standard table but get this: it was my boyfriend then (husband now) who built it all by himself! Was it real love already? Well, perhaps it was, ‘coz that same table was the presidential table during our wedding!
I M A G I N E ! Opps! I’m sorry, I got derailed there a while.
Anyway, I was an avid fan of the game and still is. But my heart fell (in sports I mean) for lawn tennis when my hubby started playing. And it wasn’t until I married (after my first child) that I got to play and learn it by heart.
Actually, Lawn tennis is quite a complicated sport-@ least for me - given my situation of a full time wife, mother, home maker, landscape artist, electrician, plumber and all plus I took some short courses in computers on my spare hours; but in spite of these I did manage and made it to the women’s finals (doubles) in our local city (LCTC) Lapu-Lapu City Lawn Tennis Club. I had more than a couple of partners every game or two though. Playing this game really demands so much time not to mention great efforts not only physically but mentally too. I remember one time we (my hubby) and i tied a ball up the ceiling and let it hang down in its most appropriate length for me to practice the serve because as the game requires- first serve is your greatest weapon. So there went my sliced first serve. Lately, changed it to a flat one considering my grip is changed too from continental to conventional (flat). I can strike it better now and harder... with a bang!
I trully felt how it is to be a champion when we earned it together with my nurse-partner carrying the club name: MTC (Marigondon Tennis Club) a new one - over the Pacific Cebu Resort (PCR). Oh by the way, I am a very active member of Marigondon tennis Club, with Fr. George Alfonso as our guiding strength and our very friendly spiritual adviser. It is under the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, one of the promising parishes in our city.
(to be continued)...
About Ms. B
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- Hi! your friendly neighbor Architect who loves ART eternaly... and poetry is my PASSION!
