Sweet moments with Ms. B

The man, a hero. Well, I didn’t really know him, but who does? Unless you are one of the guys he roamed around with in those times, but nahhh, you won’t be anywhere here today, would you? If Andres Bonifacio had lived, he should be celebrating his 142nd birthday on this very day! My, oh my!

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?

This year, I’m very proud to say our very own country- Philippines is hosting again! YES! The 23rd South East Asian Games had its opening ceremonies last night. It was even graced by the opening message of our First Lady President- Her excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo no less!

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!

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.

Anyway, here i am now in full swing: blogging! Yeah! And i find it too good to stop. Oh, have i told you i was nominated among others as one of : Pinoy Blogger of the year 2005? Please click here to see the complete list of nominees.

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.

It is learned that this image is quite miraculous that whenever a child is afflicted with an ailment so grave it didnt stop until the parents would have gone near Her down on their knees praying, asking salvation and begging to save their sick child. When the ailment disappeared, the parents promised to offer that same child as a gift throughout her entire life as a devotee. In fact i had a classmate before in college whose parents did offer her to the Lady of the Rule (english name) when she was so sick and was saved. She was taught to keep the promise, which she did; so every year on the 20th of November, my classmate would make sure she comes and visits Nuestra Virgen De La Regla praising and thanking Her for a beautiful life she is enjoying now. At present, she is happily married to Filipino balikbayan and owns a promising business in the construction field.

Actually, since i transferred here in Lapu-Lapu City on early 1969, fiesta is celebrated for two consecutive days starting 20th of November and ends the second day (Nov. 21st).

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.

My son, my third child. My only boy. He is gone now. He saw me and the world so briefly. He died on a Wednesday night, just three days after he was born. Of course, tears fell before my eyes unceasingly ‘til morning came. I held him tight with my arms around him close and spoke to him in soft, sweet voice asking him to keep me company until I’ll have my time. Then I said goodbye.

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!

My mom died too last August. She must be beside Byron as i blog here.
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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.