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!