Parable of Frog in a Milk-Pail

Life is not always fair so I need to be strong when everything goes wrong. One of my ways to arm myself with solid strength is to read inspiring stories. Today, I read parables and this one inspires me most..

A frog was hopping around a farmyard when it decided to investigate the barn. Being somewhat careless, and maybe a little too curious, he ended up falling into a pail half-filled with fresh milk.

As he swam about attempting to reach the top of the pail, he found that the sides of the pail were too high and steep to reach. He tried to stretch his back legs to push off the bottom of the pail but found it too deep.

But this frog was determined not to give up, and he continued to struggle. He kicked and squirmed and kicked and squirmed, until at last, all his churning about in the milk had turned the milk into a big hunk of butter. The butter was now solid enough for him to climb onto and get out of the pail!

The moral of the story is "Never Ever Give Up!"

Introspection

I was running wild gasping for air, asking heavens for release from the gnawing pains inside of me. I know I couldn’t endure more as the nights were getting colder and the days were getting fiercer. I had to make a life-changing decision before it was too late for me to be free. I stopped and looked the other way. Eventually, I found the end of the dark tunnel and had become emancipated again. I then realized that happiness indeed comes in broken pieces. I couldn’t have it all, no matter how hard I persisted.

Welcome to the World, Daniel!

The 20th of January commemorates not only the inauguration of President Obama but also the birth of an angel to our family.

Last Monday evening, my younger brother informed me that his wife was scheduled for an immediate premature delivery when the Ob-Gyne found out that their baby had cord coiling and low heartbeat. I and my family were so worried yet we commenced our prayer brigade at once. At three in the morning yesterday, we received happy news that the operation was successful. We were ecstatic.

Daniel Marcus (named after his two grandfathers) came into this world at the most historic time indeed. My brother said the baby looks like our tatay. I can imagine him to be a mirror image of my first nephew NJ who resembles tatay as well.

(NJ at 1 & 1/2 years old)

The not so good news is, our little angel is still under observation. He is still depending on dextrose monohydrate, pulse oximeter, and oxygen mask. This morning my mother told me that the baby has contracted pneumonia.

I've never begged in my whole life but right now I’m begging to all of you who read my blog to please help me and my family pray for the recuperation of our baby Daniel. Please. I really need your prayers. Thanks.

I Celebrate the Obama Era

It’s everywhere.. the Obama madness I mean. History is being made and it’s happening not only in America but also in every part of the globe. I want to do my part by sharing with you the videos that has moved me in one way or another.

Almost all big stars from movie and music industry gathered at We Are One Concert at the Lincoln's Memorial to celebrate history and the future. You’ll Never Walk Alone sang by Renee Fleming with US Naval Academy Glee Club made me cry. It stroke deep chords of my emotions and it made me missed my great grandmother so much.

The sensational Charice Pempengco graced at various Obama Pre-inauguration Balls in Washington, DC. She made every Filipino proud when she brought the house down with her world-class performances. She was also dubbed by Oprah as The Most Talented Girl in the World. Mabuhay ka Charice!

And now, the turning point of our history – the swearing in of President Obama. I want the video to say it all..

Lastly, the first dance of President Obama and First Lady Michelle with Beyonce singing "At Last". (What a fitting song for the first couple! After all their struggles, they finally made it to the White House!) I could only describe it with one word - overwhelming!

Witnessing a Political Milestone: The Barack Obama Inauguration

Barack Obama will finally swear in as the first African-American President of the United States of America! As expected, all news networks around the world are beholding at this paramount political event as it is happening in Washington, DC today.

Not only it is a celebration of a significant history of our time but also it gives triumphant finale to the struggles of the personified men and women in Amistad, Glory, Men of Honor, and my other favorite movies that depicted discrimination to minorities. In addition, it smashes the record held by Armstrong’s walk on the moon in 1969 and Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997 in terms of viewership. Millions of people around the globe are waiting for this great political milestone.

I am watching CNN right now and I'm so overwhelmed with the intensity of President-elect Obama’s journey to the White House. Commencing from Barack’s travel by train from Philadelphia to Washington that retraced Abraham Lincoln’s route taken hundred years ago, to the star-studded inauguration party at the Lincoln’s Memorial, to the big gathering of people of all colors and races at National Mall, to the preparation of Secret Service Counter-snipers on top of the buildings, to the testimonies that Barack has indeed made Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream come true, and so on. I can’t wait to see him on stage. I’m sure I will shed tears of joy.

Let’s join hands in celebrating this meaningful moment of our history. It will be streamed live on CNN, ANC, Channel News Asia, BBC, Bloomberg, ABS-CBN, Studio 23, and GMA Network at 11.30pm Manila time. The replay of Yes We Can: The Obama Inauguration Celebration at the Lincoln's Park will be aired on HBO at 7pm Manila time.

Long live President Barack Obama!

Ways to Say I Love You

Mark and I have our share of ups and downs as a couple but no matter what, we are still committed to say I Love You to each other always. It helps us revive our vow to make our marriage stay fresh till the end.

Likewise, we have our ways of exclaiming the three magic words without actually saying it. We couple words with action, so to speak. How do we do it? Let me count the ways..

* We gaze at the stars.

* We hold hands.

* We take trips.

* We cuddle.

* We listen.

* We scrub each other's back.

* We write unexpected love notes or emails.

* We schedule a day to just bum around the house.

* We don't forget anniversaries and birthdays. (Well, he does occasionally.)

* We share why we love each other to family and friends. (Like what I’m doing now.. winks!)

* We give the gift of time by performing trivial chores such as making coffee, cooking dinner, etc.

* We smile a lot. (Hmmm, I guess it’s just me but most often than not, I stimulate him to do the same unconsciously.)

* We wink to each other impulsively.

* We dance in our own living room.

* We plan and cook a meal together.

* We give each other a massage.

* We compete against each other in our favorite games like chess and billiards.

* We create fun outdoors.

* We watch TV and movies together.

* We tell jokes and laugh.

* We go joyriding on his bike.

* We watch the sunrise as well as the sunset.

* We give each other a surprising hug and a teasing tickle.

* We share memories by looking at old photographs and talking about memories we share.

* We let our hands do the talking.

* We share.

* We call and text often.

* We sing together.

* We heal our wounds.

* We surf the net and read books together.

* We update each other with what’s happening around the world.

* We view each other’s profile at Friendster.

* We go malling.

* We try new restaurants from time to time.

* We give each other me-alone-time every week.

* We debate on certain topics. (We’re thinkers!)

* We educate each other.

* We try new hobbies.

* We go to Mass and pray together.

* We kiss romantically.

Making Marriage Work

OK.. (Sigh) It was our longest fight ever. Four days. Yesterday morning, Mark kissed and hugged me then I gave in. We’ve decided to just learn the lesson from our rift and take it from there. Go figure.

There are five things that pretty much keep our marriage working.

- Number One –
We always say ‘I love you’ to each other.

-Number Two-
We don’t fight much and long. If we do, we simply give each other space and time to contemplate.

-Number Three-
We go on romantic dates from time to time. It helps us escape from routines and reminds us that we are lovers above anything else.

-Number Four-
We keep our communication open. My husband's job demands so much of his time and concentration that’s why communication is very important to us.

-Number Five-
We center our marriage to God. This way, we feel secured that nothing can go wrong to our marriage because we are always taken care of by the Big Guy up there.

Rendezvous at Greenwich Pizza.. Yummy!

Moving House, Anyone?

With the kind of job my husband does, I am expected to move with him from one place to another. I have become like a rolling stone that gathers no moss but honestly, I am cut out for it. I don’t fear changes. Instead, I like to welcome new surroundings that bring fresh feelings and I love meeting new friends. Most of all, I am pleased to revolutionize erstwhile routines that has been dragging me to monotony.

There’s one thing I dread so much though – packing!

I’m so stressed out and I’m in constant struggle to settle on what to bring and what to forego. No matter how it is done, it’s back-breaking and it takes more time than I wish to spend on such a task. I’m also amazed of how much junk we have accumulated through a short period of time.

Thankfully I have my sister to help me put prized possessions in boxes and throw away what I consider rubbishes to the dumpster. I just bribe her with brownies and Tropicana juice. She’s not whining yet, I don’t know in the next days.

Some of our clothes are now in luggages, pasalubongs in canvas bags, books and shoes in boxes. I haven’t loaded yet the curtains, beddings, PC, Mark’s cherished gadgets, and yeah, his bike too.

I’m thinking, how about if we just live in a boat like the Badjaos (sea gypsies) so that if we have to move again, we’ll just simply sail away! How about that, huh?

A House That is Not a Home

Funny how it seems but just in time I already know where to buy the tastiest pandesal and freshest seafood in town, I have to leave it because we’re moving to Cebu City soon.

Actually, Cebu City is more strategic for me as it is nearer to my beloved Bohol (I can go home to my folks anytime I want to); closer to scenic islands like Boracay, Camiguin, Palawan, and Davao; and most importantly, it’s convenient for me to study my Masters again and put up a business.

Ah, I should also emphasize that goods and services there are cheaper as well as lifestyle is more laid-back compared to Greater Manila Area. It would take me just few minutes to go to the mall and church. I’m kinda liking it. I’m excited, to say the least.

But while packing our things this afternoon, I felt wistful. I guess I’m emotionally attached to the house where we’ve lived in for almost a year now. It has witnessed my efforts to be a great wife to Mark. It has smelt my aromatic cooking along with the burnt ones. It has seen me laugh and cry. I will surely miss it.

Boob Tube Indulgences

As a plain housewife by circumstance, I consider TV as my best friend. It feeds me current events, provides me fashion updates, gives me cooking tips, and a whole lot more. It’s all in one, so to speak.

I am not a couch potato though. I only watch shows that have to do with my interests.

TV Patrol World on ABS-CBN (6.30pm Monday to Friday). It’s the only local show that I watch for as long as I can remember. I like Ted Failon, Karen Davila, and Julius Babao. They are my best source of local news ever.

Naked Science on National Geographic (10pm Thursday). I am amazed with the scientific investigation about the big mysteries of our time such as human life beginnings and death of our universe. It features experts who conduct experiments and lay out realistic scenarios that confirm or debunk common assumptions and misconceptions.

Discovery Channel. If I’m not watching my other favorite programs, I’m undoubtedly stuck with Discovery Channel. I really like most of its first-rate shows.

Tennis Tournaments on Star Sports. The tennis season officially began in Abu Dhabi then in Doha, Qatar earlier this month. My beloved Rafael Nadal reveals more power now that he is the world’s number one. I’m looking forward to cheer for him at the first Grand Slam this year, Australian Open, starting in January 19. Vamos Rafa!

Amazing Race Asia on AXN (9pm Thursday). The Hongkong team brought home the most coveted first prize in Season 3. Team Philippines came second. I think Season 4 will be aired in the 3rd quarter yet. I’ve always wanted to join Amazing Race Asia. Question is, am I capable of doing roadblocks and detours? If you ask me now, I don't think so.

HBO, Star Movies and Cinemax. Needless to say, I’m a movie enthusiast. I browse for movie schedules on these three channels but more often than not, I watch HBO frequently as it runs more up to date movies than the latter two.

American Idol on Star World (6pm Wednesday and Thursday). AI is back! I was addicted to AI last year and I’m glad Season 8 is nothing short of spectacular. There is one I’m rooting for as early as now – Michael Castro. He’s the younger brother of Season 7 fourth placer, Jason Castro. He’s ballsy and I like how he sang Gavin Degraw’s ‘I’m In Love with a Girl’. I’m excited to see how he fares the next round.

ANC. When there’s significant local news I want to follow, I tune in to ABS-CBN News Channel It runs 24/7 and it feeds live streaming from Malacanang Palace or Congress or Senate. Also when I’m in the mood for debates, I watch Korina Today on ANC.

CNN. I always start my day with watching the news from around the world on CNN. My favorite CNN anchors are Christiane Amanpour, Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, and Larry King.

Channel News Asia. If I’m not paying attention to ANC for local news or CNN for international news, I switch to Channel News Asia for Asia-Pacific Region updates.

Oprah on Hallmark Channel (8pm Monday to Friday). Please refer to my post about Oprah below. It's very informative and entertaining.

Lifestyle Network. It’s one good channel for housewives and working moms. However, I don’t really get to watch it religiously because its programs are replayed over and over and I get bored sometimes. But when there are fresh episodes, I watch Everyday Italian, Barefoot Contessa, and Pairings with Andrea. And oh, Martha also. I love Martha Stewart!

Project Runway on ETC (10pm Wednesday). I’m such a fan of Heidi Klum and that goes without saying, I go crazy over her Project Runway as well. It’s one heck of a show. Love it!

The Insider on 2nd Avenue (11pm Monday to Friday). Showbiz gossips, anyone? If there’s an avant-garde authority in delivering entertainment juices, it’s got to be The Insider.

Velvet. I don’t like Velvet much but it has special programs that I don’t want to miss like Mariah’s Concert in California and Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, among others.

Freezing Cold and Gloomy Heart

Sounds like a pair of mixed drinks – freezing cold and gloomy heart. But I do have some of both for two days now.

Freezing cold is as it sounds. In Cavite City, we are experiencing a drop of temperature, cloudy skies, scattered light rains, and gusty winds. According to weather news, it is due to the tail-end of a cold front. My feet get numb whenever I slip them out of my thick blanket while I sleep. Right now, I’m wearing thick socks but I still feel chilly. Grrrr. I hope I won’t get hypothermia. Heaven forbid.

With regard to my gloomy heart, I think it’s pretty normal to feel this way for this kind of weather. But I tell you, it's mainly because I have a serious fight with my husband.

We are not talking to each other for two days now. I’m mad at him because he missed out on a very important engagement. He is likewise mad at me because he said I don’t try to understand him. I refute because the said engagement was very critical to me. I've invested so much time and effort for it and it was what I've always wanted in my whole life.

Usually we just talk things out. Not now. I want to hold my ground and let him know I'm hurt deeply.

I hope that the coldness and our rift won’t last long though. For the time being, I just need a cup of coffee and a long hot bath to make me feel better.

Roller Coaster Ride of Emotions

There are a lot of emotions consuming me right now. One I can’t mention yet because I'm still in the process of sorting its advantages and disadvantages. However, I’d like to share with you some of my other sentiments. Are you ready for a roller coaster ride of emotions?

Happy :-) My father celebrated his 55th birthday yesterday. I'm blessed to have a wonderful father like him. He is simply the best!

Surprised :-@ I received a creepy email from a certain Violet (obviously an alias) that mentioned far-out things like the love I desperately seek is in his arms, I'm the one for him, and I let him feel real. This has taken me aback because I don’t know this person and I’ve an intuition that he is crazy. A stalker? A follower of my blog? I don't know. Whoever you are, please leave me alone!

Sad :-( My Tita Boy passed away after her long fight to cancer. She was good to me and to my family. Also, the youngest son of Mark’s boss died after a complicated brain surgery. He was only sixteen and very athletic. Such a loss!

Glad :-/ Heath Ledger won a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Award from Golden Globes for his role in Dark Night. His talent and contribution to entertainment industry will surely be missed but will never be forgotten.

Angry :-x The PDEA-DOJ-Alabang-Boys Case is going nowhere. It officially has become one of the many judicial circuses in our country. The worse, PGMA just appointed herself as the new drug-busting czar. Tsk tsk tsk.

Excited -:” I’m counting down the days to when I can make the big turn around of my life. If you happen to follow my blog, you’d know what it is. I could only wish for the best!

An Ode to My Father

On January 12, 1954, a bouncing baby was born into this world. He came as the sixth child from a brood of ten. He was the most favored son by his doting parents. He grew up humbly in the rural agricultural town of Trinidad, Bohol. Twenty-three years later, he would become my father.

When I was eight or nine, my loving father gathered me and my four younger siblings in our living room to record songs on cassette tape. He played his guitar while I belted out ‘We are the World’ by Michael Jackson and “Mutya Ka Baleleng” by Max Surban. Then my sister and brothers hummed to Freddie Aguilar’s songs. Until now, that cassette tape remains an unrivaled highlight in our family gatherings as well as an ultimate source of never-ending family jokes.

My father is a musician at heart. He reads musical notes, conducts a chorale, and plays musical instruments such as piano, guitar, and harmonica. He leads an all-male group named MIGS that sings on weddings. I grew up listening to their wonderful voices. (MIGS was the choir at my wedding. They serenaded me with Petula Clark’s ‘You and I’ while I walked down the aisle which really made my childhood dream came true.)

Since the day I learned to be aware of things, he already imposed strictness unto me – in a good way, of course. He disciplined me to be responsible and prudent. He trained me to be self-reliant and upright. He encouraged me to read and be informed. He taught me how to be humble and generous. He supported my interests. He listened to my whines. He gave me comforts. Most of all, he showered me an unconditional love.

Today is his 55th birthday. We talked on the phone a while ago and I told him how much I love him. I heard his voice cracked as he told me he loves me too. At this point, I feel that I am the luckiest because I have the best father one could ever ask for.

Happy birthday, Tatay Chito!

How I Captivate My Husband

It’s windy here in CALABARZON area and I like it very much. It’s precisely the right weather to cuddle with your husband the whole day, isn't it?

Not for me though.

My Mark loves to work (or should I say experiment) with details and once he’s into something, it’s very hard to divert his attention from it. Right now, he is so absorbed assembling, disassembling, and assembling yet again his beloved bike.

One way or another, I've reached the maturity to not to compete with his hobby or with his job anymore. If he wakes up at 5am to jog and comes home from the office around midnight, so be it. If he brings home paperwork or new software to install or new gadget to play with, I give him the space in our abode. If he spends his weekend doing his interests like his bike, I let him.

But there are certain moments that I impulsively want his adoring eyes on me. That’s why, through the years, I’ve mastered the art of alluring him.

Here are my major ways..

First, I cook a special dish for him. As they say, the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So true. (At lunch today, I prepared Thai Moo Tot - deep fried beef chunks rolled over to fried garlic and chilies. Chilies are aphrodisiac, don't you know?)

Second, I engage him in an intellectual conversation. For us as a couple, there’s no better turn-on than an intelligent talk. Mark is very clever, knowledgeable, and analytical. He can keep up with my intense and diverse ideas as well. We indeed complement each other.

Last but not the least, I give him a massage. It’s the best letup you can give or receive to or from your spouse. Who doesn’t go head over heels on a massage?

I must add that as a wife, I consider it important to not only look and smell good but also to smile a lot for my husband.

I guess I have to do the charms now. Have a happy cuddly windy day, everyone!

5 Steps to Better Sex

If there is one show that I have to follow religiously, it’s got to be Oprah. I watch it every weeknight on Hallmark Channel and find it very informative and entertaining.

This week Oprah ran a special entitled Oprah’s Best Life Series. Last Monday to yesterday, she tackled about money, spirit, health, and weight. Tonight was all about the most sensual of all – intimacy and sex.

Man, to say that it was interesting is an understatement. It was a shocker to someone like me who is clueless regarding the tight spots on sex. Not that I don’t read FHM or other sex-rousing magazines but it was happening for real to real couples.

One wife claimed that she has not experienced an orgasm for all twenty years of being married. Her husband did not know that she was just faking it through the years. Another couple attested that after a few years into their marriage and two children, their passion for sex just simply died down. They could not even remember when the last time they did it.

Well, what can I say? My husband and I have healthy sex life but I don’t want to talk about our bedroom romances here, okay? For me, it’s a very private thing.

However, I admire those couples who guested on Oprah. I think they were courageous to tell the whole world about their sex dilemmas. I know it wasn’t easy for them but in a way, they were being helped by an expert and also they helped other couples who have same problems as theirs.

It was indeed an eye opener.

According to Dr. Laura Berman, a renowned sex therapist, the five steps to reclaim sex life are the following (please click links to Oprah’s site for detailed explanations):

1. Tell the truth about your sex life.
2. Ask for what you want from your partner.
3. Let go of negative messages that affect your arousal.
4. See a doctor because maybe little sex drive is a sign of something serious.
5. Make sex a priority.

Honestly, for me, sex is the most important expression of love for your spouse. If you love her or him deeply, you will ultimately get the happiness and satisfaction you need. Otherwise, you will certainly go down the drain.

A Crisp Salute to a Maverick Marine

One can never get enough of the many principled men in this world. Lately, we just have been introduced to one of them. We have been introduced to one honest man and dedicated officer who courageously busted high society drug dealers infamously known as Alabang Boys.

Major Ferdinand Marcelino is a young marine from a modest family in Hagonoy, Bulacan. His humble beginnings included toiling as a construction worker, striving as a working student, and knuckling down as a police beat reporter. Eventually, his destiny brought him to the doors of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and became part of PMA Bantay-Laya Class of 1994.

He was commissioned as a Marine officer in the war-torn Mindanao during the early years of his military career. He waged war against the hostile group Abu Sayyaf. He was cited for his intelligence undertakings in capturing Abu Sayyaf Commander Abu Sabaya who staged the unforgettable Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001. He also met head-on death threats from refusing bribes to rig the elections in Basilan.

In 2003, he turned down the recruitment from the core group of Magdalo officers who launched a mutiny against the Arroyo Administration. He said and I quote, “people did not send us to the PMA so that we would have nice combats or clothes or a nice life. We are trained to endure all kinds of hardships.”

At present, Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino is the special unit head of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Few days ago, he and his team conducted the buy-bust operation in Ayala Alabang which led to the arrest of young elite scions, namely: Richard Brodett, Joseph Ramirez Tecson, and Jorge Jordana.

The PDEA conducted a pre-arrest investigation. They cased the suspects. In the end, they were able to entrap them thru a tactical operation in which they seized ecstacy tablets and considerable grams of cocaine. They followed procedures.

And so they thought.

Surprisingly (and irritatingly) though, the prosecutors trashed the legitimate arrest and even made an order (with the approval of no less Secretary Raul Gonzales of DOJ) to release the drug pushers on the ground of technicalities.

As of this moment, this case is still undergoing probe at House Committee on Drugs and pending on review by Department of Justice. If you happen to watch its live coverage on ANC, you will surely admire the courage Maj. Marcelino has mustered. He made Sec. Gonzalez turned red as tomato!

I am so disgusted to these scoundrels – families of the peddlers as well as some persons holding high government positions – who tried to bribe the agents to kill this case. Shame on you bad people!

On the other hand, I highly commend Major Macelino for living up to the maxim of his Alma Mater - Courage, Integrity, and Loyalty. It is nice to know that there are still people in the ranks that can keep their honor to serve God, Country and People. I am indeed proud of you, Sir. Please continue to do the good work for and on behalf of the Filipino People. Let the revolution continue and fight these evil menaces that inflict our nation.

Kudos and carry on!

(Reference & Reference)

Don't Ever Give Up Your Dreams

This goes to all innocent children who are victims of conflicts, indifference, and poverty. Remember to hold on to your dreams even when situations around you seem hopeless. Don't give up. Live, walk, and savor life. Read on..

There are rainbows and pots of gold waiting for you over the horizon, surprises and gifts and wonders just around every corner. Look forward to them. Love them. Catch these pieces of life as they come, and hold them close to you. Savor every moment, every triumph, and even every failure. Don’t be afraid to be too passionate to enjoy the ride, chase every quest, and praise every hint of answers to your questions. Dream big. Work hard. Enjoy your play time. Deal with all the challenges in life like the true champ you are. You may not always get what you want, but you’re never a failure if you give it your all and do the best you can.

You don’t have to be perfect or the smartest person in the world to dream. You don’t have to have all the answers or know everything to make your dream come true. Dreams are free, but they belong to the dreamer who’ll take a chance.

So let your imagination takes you to that perfect place where there is nothing to be afraid of and you can have anything you want. Prepare yourself. Knock on the door of opportunity, and be ready when it answers. Celebrate all the possibilities. Your future is full of hope and happy times, fantasies, and lessons to learn. Learn them well. Enjoy each one. Be good. Believe in miracles. Believe that all things are possible. Love and allow yourself to be loved. Reach for the stars and go for your dreams. (Source)

What's Going On in Gaza Strip?

For straight four days, my husband and I pay attention to CNN’s latest updates on the Gaza conflict. He has already shed light on me about Gaza’s geography, present political state, and military organization. So more or less, I can assess the ongoing war that has killed, at last count, 550 people; half of those were women and children.

Yet, after dinner, my sister nonchalantly asked, “Is Gaza in Saudi Arabia?”

This makes me wonder how many are not yet aware of what’s going on in our neighborhood, more so where the conflict is happening.

To those who are oblivious of the crisis, this post is for you. I will try to reiterate what my husband has informed me about Gaza. And for those who keep abreast with the news, please help me pray for the innocent children and women who are being made as pawns in the damaging war.

During the reign of Hitler, he killed millions of Jews. Most leaders around the world were helpless, if not indifferent, during that time. So when the United Nations was born, they tried to make amends to the Jews by bringing them back to Israel, their homeland. But Israel was already occupied by immigrants (non-Jews, mostly Palestinians) when they were resettled there. I guess (as my little brain could digest) that’s when the conflict began.

The UN supported the Israelis on their quest. And they slowly painfully thrived. They occupied and progressed all around the Land of Jesus EXCEPT the 41 kilometers long coastal strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea that is now popularly known as the Gaza Strip.

Gaza’s residents are mostly Palestinian Arabs, 100 or more of them are Filipino women married to their men. They are controlled by a de facto government called Hamas.

From 1967 up to now (roughly 41 years), Hamas strongly opposes the Israel’s control over their airspace, territorial waters, offshore maritime access, the Gaza-Israel border and most of all, the Israel’s control over the inflow and outflow of Gaza’s essential resources, including food. Whenever food is in short supply, Gazans have had little choice but to take in food supplied by World Food Programme workers in the area.

The Hamas wants independence. But Israel and other powerful nations (including US) are reluctant to give it to them because they think Hamas might make Gaza another Afghanistan, another would-be training ground to suicidal terrorists.

The name Gaza comes from the Arabic verb ‘azaz meaning to be strong. How strong could it stand the war? Only heaven knows.

I’m more concerned of the children (on both sides) who are caught in the middle of it all. They are innocents! They are acquainted to violence at a very young age. Aren’t they the future of our generation? What future are they molded to? A future of war and chaos? Those children deserve to live not to die. They deserve better.

PEACE!

Forbes' 20 Billionaire Heiresses

Who isn’t intrigued about the lifestyle of the incredibly rich heiresses in the whole wide world? Most specifically if they are very young, clever, and fabulous?

I certainly get awed with them especially that I have watched its airing three times already on Lifestyle Network. (The last time was just few minutes ago.)

I think 2008 batch is more captivating than the previous one because they exhibit risk-taking and tenacity on their fields (read: no Paris Hilton) that eventually make their parents most powerful people on Planet Earth. They defy the stereotype of spoiled wild bratty princesses owing to their achievements in business, sports, and arts.

Vanisha Mittal Bhatia tops the ranking. She is the daughter of Indian-born, London-based steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal ($51 billion). She holds a seat on Mittal Steel's Board of Directors after finishing Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the European Business School and has completed corporate internships on their various businesses. Her billionaire father threw her and her investment banker husband, Amit Bahtia, what is believed to be the most expensive wedding in history, a $60 million, week-long extravaganza for some 1,000 guests in Paris. (Yes, $60 million bucks spent with ease and $2 million of that was for expensive wine alone. Whew! What I like about her is she's brainy, young and beautiful. She's only on her 20's, you know. - j)

Number two on the list: Delphine Arnault Gancia, the elegant daughter of France's Bernard Arnault ($26 billion), who runs the Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton luxury goods empire. She is a graduate of the London School of Economics. She is the first woman to have been named a director on the LVMH board at age 28. (Her name spells luxury, isn’t it? - j)

At No. 3 is Marta Ortega Perez, the low-key youngest child of Spain's richest resident Amancio Ortega ($24 billion), the self-made apparel manufacturing giant who lords over Inditex, which counts the Zara fashion chain among its assets. Marta is being groomed to succeed her father, and she's learning the how-to's of retail by working the floor--stocking shelves, assisting customers--in some of the family's stores. (Now this girl is who I like the most. Imagine her stocking shelves on her own mammoth fashion empire! It's what you call loaded down-to-earth girl. - j)

Number four is Georgina Bloomberg, the younger daughter of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg ($11.5 billion). She is an accomplished equestrian vying for a spot on the Olympic team. She founded Rider's Closet, which collects used riding clothes and gear and donates it to intercollegiate riders. (Cute, generous, rich, and a horse rider, what else could you ask for? - j)

The rest who made it to the top 20 are the following (in particular order):

Samantha Kluge, Amanda Hearst, Alannah Weston, Josie Ho

Hind Hariri, Dylan Lauren, Holly Branson, Tamara Ecclestone

Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, Ivanka Trump, Liesel Pritzker, Anna Getty

Anna Anisimova, Allison Sarofim, Charlotte Casiraghi, Paige Johnson

Read more at Forbes.com!

(Source)

Reaching Out

My mother used to tell me and my siblings to always start our year right by showing kindness to other people. Thus, it has become our family tradition to give out clothes and shoes that we’ve grown out of, old bags and other things in our closets.

This year, my sister and I chose a woman who has an admirable strength and unwavering faith in God.

Here's her story..

She is a midwife by profession but she preferred to just stay at home taking care of her four children (the eldest is still in high school while the youngest is about seven years old) when her husband was working abroad. They were doing well until two years ago, he got sick and came home with paralysis.

She worried of her family's future but she gathered all her strength as she knew she had to be strong for her family. She then decided to volunteer as a nurse aide in a government hospital earning only an honorarium fee. As sideline, she would accept laundry after work and on weekends. (They also live in the slums with no decent access to clean water and proper sanitation.)

In spite of everything, this woman remains collected, patient, and prayerful. She is also fun to be around. She laughs and laughs as if she's not carrying the world on her shoulders.

I definitely admire her and so we gave her our bundle of joy.

As the old adage goes: Kindness spreads happiness. I totally agree.

Welcoming 2009 with a Bang!

It’s my first post this year and I’ve decided to try a new leisure pursuit that is uploading my own videos to YouTube!

I hope you will enjoy watching them as much as I enjoyed making them.

First up is the New Year’s Eve Street Dancing along Palma Street in Cavite City. It’s basically done for scaring bad lucks away. It’s like the Sinulog in Cebu.

Then as the clock struck midnight came the pandemonium of bangs and squeals in the neighborhood. (where Judas’ Belt is considered ‘trendy’)

Here’s my official New Year’s greeting vid:

(I used my old digi cam in taking the videos that’s why they are not clear-cut. Hopefully, I can show you hi-definition videos sooner.)

And now I’m going to present to you the other side of my sister Datski:

Finally, here’s the other side of me:

Happy New Year everyone!