Rewind 2011

The year almost ends and the upcoming future waits. It’s been a tough year for Philippines since Tropical Storm Sendong hits Mindanao before the year ends but it doesn’t mean that the year will end with full of hopeless dreams for the upcoming future.

Looking back on the days of devastation, happiness and the moments with full of hopes leads every individual one step away for a brighter future. Reminds me of the famous phrase of us Filipinos, “Ang hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan”, genuine right?

We spent another 365 days with full of smiles, frowns and laughs. We have to accept the reality that life must go on, life must not stop even though it seems very hard to move on when we still have those heartaches left. Time heals and smiles & laughs heal the scars.

Rewinding the past every minute of the day of 2011 brings us to the destination where we wanted to be. Hopes don’t die, dreams do come true.

2012 seems a minute away and seems, it is also seconds away before we leave 2011. Another year is here to come, another chapter would be written in our little book of life, every memoir counts.  When past and future affiliates, it gives a shining year for each and everyone.

Let us leave our past heartaches and enjoy the forthcoming year. 

Happy New Year!

Help Mindanao

It was only an ordinary day for everyone as the start of the Evening Mass came. It was sunny in the morning yet cloudy in the afternoon and inevitable that it will rain in the evening. It was seven in the evening when the rain poured hard but seldom disappears and then goes back again. The rain seems has a scheme on what time it will pour down.

Around 8 o’clock PM when the electricity was lost, a moment later, it came back. Not more that fifteen minutes when the electricity was lost again. No signs of electric current to come back. Around 11 when strong winds approached, it is accompanied with rain not knowing that the center of Cagayan de Oro City is already in a great calamity.

Morning came when we heard news regarding last night’s events. Typhoon Sendong left our city undefined. Sendong visited Cagayan de Oro City with just an hour and left the whole city devastated.

Our city badly needs great help. We need donations in any kind but much better if water. 80% of our city’s water operation is paralyzed we still have to wait for a month to have the 100%.

You can send you donation thru:

By sending relief good in:

Capitol University Gym

Xavier University

ABS-CBN Region 10 Station

Or:

HELP MINDANAO- For Cash/Check Donations: Acc Name: Philippine Red Cross, Bank Name: BDO, Peso Account: 453-0018647, Type of Account: Savings

HELP MINDANAO - For SMS Donations: Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe)

For online donations: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow

Thank You !

Simbang Gabi (Evening Mass)

image form Google

“Simbang gabi, simula ng Pasko. Sa puso ng lahing Pilipino. Siyam na gabi kaming gumigising, sa tugtug ng kampanang walang tigil. Maaga kami kinabukasan, mag-lalakad kami langkaylangkay, babatiin ang ninong at ninang ng maligayang “pasko po” sabay halik sa kamay”

Christmas is in the air. As of December 15, 2011, 10:24 AM, there are only 9 days-13 hours-33 minutes until Christmas.

A common practice of Christians during this yuletide season especially when the dawn of December 16 comes is the Simbang Gabi. This part of the year is the most memorable, enjoyable and also the solemn. When Simbang Gabi comes, we have the feeling of “Christmas is near”. Absolutely! Remember the song “Simbang Gabi, simula ng pasko!”? It is actually the start of Christmas though we are also known for the longest Christmas celebration but this time, we can actually feel that December 25 is coming.

Waking up so early is not a hindrance for us. I remember those days that I enjoy strolling heading to church with my friends and with my family in a cold morning breeze. It seems that everything would be great for the next few days before the year ends.

As a Filipino, who believes on superstitious beliefs, I am proud to say that I try my best to complete the 9 masses to make a wish. Sounds funny but I believe that. Probably, when you were a kid, we have the same thought about Simbang Gabi. Well, it would also be nice if we pray for our family’s health and happiness during this solemn time.

God bless and may you have a joyful Christmas!

(Don’t forget to attend the Misa de Gallo)

The Unkabogable

“Vice Ganda (born March 31, 1976) is a Filipino comedian, host, actor and recording artist. He is a regular host/judge on ABS-CBN’s talent show Showtime and starred on his two films, one of which considered as the highest-grossing film in Philippine cinema. Also he is best known for his stand-up routines, for which he use observational comedy on typical “Pinoy” lifestyle and using situational irony and sarcasm pertaining to Filipino culture & behavior and human sexuality. He is the first openly gay endorser for a major product, which is Globe Telecom in the Philippines.”  Wikipedia defines Vice Ganda.

From rags to riches experience, Vice stayed as humble as he could be. The early story of “The Supermodel turned actress turned horse” (his description on his twitter account) is similarly or should we say a common phenomena for gays and for those who haven’t yet confirmed their selves if their straight or still in the process of identity crisis. The story of Jose Marie Borja Viceral were viewed by millions of people around the world which was aired by MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) wherein we witnessed how  Vice faced the consequences of being a young gay who haven’t yet confess that he is a gay for some big reasons and that is because of his father but we were able to witness the success of Vice. His story is not far from other gays, the factual basis that gays are not being accepted by their fathers wherein he promotes that fathers should accept their gay sons and be proud of them.

In his early life, Vice was a stand-up comedian in a bar somewhere in Manila which his stardom started. As years have passed, the big break that Vice waited for a long time came. That big break started when he was introduced as a judge and also a host of Showtime. The phrase “May nag text!” was also popularized by Vice Ganda where his jokes (genuinely) are funny.  One of his notable works was the top grossed rating movie “The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin” starred by one of the best actors in the Philippines, Derek Ramsay and his past movie, “Petrang Kabayo”. By those top grossing film, Vice has a reason to smile but the most adorable attitude that Vice posses is being humble and that made him the Unkabogable Vice Ganda.

As a public figure, it is a common occurrence to receive criticism. One of his critics viewed his jokes as an insult and he was actually compared to boy-pick up (acted by Ogie Alcasid) as a result that a Facebook Fanpage with a name “Boy Pick-up VS. Vice Ganda” hits 149, 725 as of December 05, 2011, 05:16 PM. Nevertheless, Vice gained 1 million +++ followers on twitter with an account of @vicegandako. Years before, he was also the first Filipino to acquire 1 million likes on Facebook and obtain already 3, 664, 564 likes on Facebook as of December 05, 2011.

As for now, Vice enjoys his life being a host of Showtime and his Gandang Gabi Vice but his journey to famous are not yet done. Good luck Vice!

Happy Holidays !

Everyone can already feel the cool breeze in the morning, the songs that can make them remember that another special season is coming, it’s CHRISTMAS! Christmas songs can now be heard, the joyful Christmas cheers and the smiles of our little kids are incomparable. Another memorable season is soon to be added in our memoir and colorful pictures and big smiles will be captured by cameras. Our year would be incomplete without those stuffs.

Filipino culture towards Christmas is absolutely one of kind. Christmas is not complete without our loved ones, Christmas carolers cheer up the street, dazzling and twinkling lights captures are eyes and of course, the puto-bongbong which is served during simbang gabi will dominate again the joyful dawns of the street. But one of the most favorite parts of Filipinos during Christmas season is the noche buena (aminin HAHAHA). Lechon, ham, spaghetti, salad, pansit, crispy pata, fried chicken and so much more are sure to be served on the table on Christmas’ eve.  Filipino celebrates Christmas the way our Filipino ancestor celebrates Christmas hundreds of decades ago. OFW or those who work abroad seeks always the Filipino celebration of Christmas, as they said “there’s no place like home”. How happy we would be when we see our love ones during this yuletide season.

When the month of December sets in the calendar, it will be filled by hectic party schedules. Yes! You read it right! It’s been a tradition to have parties and discos all night long and all month long and of course, gift giving is also an undying tradition. Christians and other religion had embraced also the culture of giving presents during Christmas. Sharing is one of the essences of Christmas but the top most is spreading out love throughout our countrymen and forgiving our enemies. This is the time for peace and a joy. We have maintained the habit of giving gifts that are very expensive it’s better to give the priceless gift, love. It would be the most beautiful gift you could ever give. It will bring joy to your family, friends and to God.

As a Christian, we celebrate Christmas for the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. We expect that kids of today’s generation seldom ask about Santa. They would ask if Santa is true or does he really give presents or something. I have received this message from one of my friends regarding about Christmas and Santa. It talks about that kids of today’s generation are more into seeing Santa Claus than Jesus Christ. Even though they knew that December 25 is the birth of our Savior, they are more excited to see Santa Claus. Parents should let their children understand about the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is the time for giving and forgiving, a time for peace and joy, a time where problem are set aside and hopes and dreams are expedite. Distorted feeling are being fixed and sorrows and burdens are replaced by calmness and understanding. Christmas has lots of meaning. It can’t be define by the dictionary, by Wikipedia, can’t be search on Google or can be found on Twitter trends or Facebook updates thus its true meaning can be found inside our hearts. It only waits for a right time for you to open it and when you open it, it would be the most beautiful gift you would receive.

May everyone find their definition of Christmas and its true meaning.

Happy Holidays!