SALAMAT!

For the past weeks, I've been busy with the preparation for the launching of our parish Jubilee celebration and God has been continuously giving me experiences to really enter with a deep sense of reflection and not just focus on the festivities that goes with it.

Being part of the core team for creative communications where we are in charge of promotions, research, documentation and public campaigns, God always reminded me that on top of everything, He is the one important! and His plans are greater than mine :).

I nearly cried when I attended the concelebrated mass last October 7 -- our fiesta (Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) and at the same time, the launching of the one year Jubilee celebration of our parish. Eric kept on saying to me that "ako ang ina ng lahat ng drama", kasi nga parati akong naiiyak. But this one is different.. Napapaiyak ako sa sobrang pasasalamat na binigyan ako ng pagkakataon ng Diyos na makilala Siya ng lubos-- that I was given an opportunity na kahit sa maliit ko na kakayanan, makapaglingkod ako sa Kanya. Because I'm part of the church. And it is true naman, that God has given me sooooooooo many blessings talaga all through the years.

How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? ..I can't.. Because His blessings are overwhelming--continuous.--and unselfish. At hindi rin naman Siya nag aantay ng kapalit..But I can always say..Thank You... Salamat..Maraming, maraming salamat :)

Salamat dahil may isang Diyos ..salamat sa Mahal na Birhen.. Salamat sa mga pari.. salamat sa mga kaba barrio ko.. Salamat sa aking pamilya.. sa kaibigan.. sa mga nakasamaan ng loob.. Salamat sa isang simbahan na Siyang pumatnubay upang patuloy kong makilala ang Diyos sa bawat pangyayari....sa bawat pagtawa..sa bawat pagdurusa..sa bawat tagumpay.. sa bawat pagsubok sa buhay... Sa lahat ng aking naranasan, tunay na pwede kong isigaw sa Diyos na "SALAMAT!!!"

Our Altar, taken during the feast of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary last October 7.

At 32!

Today officially removes my age in the calendar BUT luckily, enrolment in the lotto numbers.. nyahahaha..It's my birthday today, July 15!yahoo!

I'm making a post on this blogsite before 12midnight, as I would like to thank all the people who are really part of my life...I hoped I can list them all before I fell asleep:)

Yesterday I received an advance greeting through email from a friend abroad with a very touching message :). Somebody sent a text message at 12midnight of July 15 ( the first who greeted this day) and my phone inbox was full today with all the warm greetings from my friends. My family had given me a breakfast greeting of "happy birthday". I attended the morning mass and God enlightened me through the life of St. Bonaventure (feast today) who makes use of his talents and efforts in serving God. My TYOC friends came to the house later today for dinner and we exchange "chats" and "laughs" that we missed when most of us are not around.

Ahhh!! what a day!!I'm really blessed to be sorrounded by wonderful people:)

At my age, where I felt that "this is it... i'm getting old.. no turning back...", I'm really thankful that I have experienced different facets of life -- rejections, persecutions, triumph, failures, successes-- that I get hold of all these events so I continue to grow. Life is not about age, --life is not planning either-- life is like our taste buds... might be bitter..might be sweet.. or sour sometimes.. ..But that's the way it is.. The most important thing is that there is a recognition of what it is.. define it.. accept it... learn from it... live to its purpose.

I thank God for this life.. for the gift of family, friends, officemates, community..I thank Him for everything. My only wish for my 32nd birthday is that God may grant me the gift of touching people's lives.. That I may live to the real purpose of my existence.

Happy birthday to me !!!

Viva ILOCOS!!!

For the past 6months since I revived this blogsite, I failed to regularly make a post.. But with my latest get away this weekend, I can't help but share the wonderful experience I had. :)..

I really wanted to travel... and I got fascinated with nature..For me getting into these places keep me relax and free. I'm a big fan of Wow Philippines tag line: "Tara na , Byahe Tayo" !. hehehe..I knew that there's a lot to discover here in our country---maybe comparable or better than the other places I visited abroad.

My officemate, Helen, actually opened the idea of going for a roadtrip to Ilocos. She was influenced by her sister who had joined their cousins on a trip in the region two weeks ago- who said that the place is really worth visiting. Actually, I really wanted to go there as well, but I had always a conflict with the schedule with my other set of friends. and for me a group trip will be wonderful!!So, when she asked me I'm ok to plan for a trip-- its a GO!!!hahaha!. I didn't think twice.. Its a YES.. !!

Let's look at the map.. We are passing the four regions up to the peak of North. Total hours of travel is ~12-14 hours--> up to Pagudpod)

So, getting people together, we set the date--It's June 11-14. We go for a tour package instead of a previous plan of driving our own cars, because we thought it will maximize the time since we dont knew that place well. And wow!! I believed we are so lucky to get the best reasonable tour package!Thanks to Jem and his wife!Everything was superb! (http://www.explorenorth.multiply.com/).

We initially plan to leave Manila at June11 at 11pm, but due to the pussycat dolls concert, its almost 1am when we get rid of the traffic and went ahead to the north.. It was really a looooooong travel but the whole time was well spent when we arrived there!

The group: (L-R) Doods, Edmond (Doods youngest brother), Lordgen, Bebeth(my friend), ako!, Lina, Ana, Helen, Mark ( We re gain our strength when we finally saw the "Laoag" sign! heheh)

Jem, our official photographer.. este..our great tour guide pala..

The first day was spent on tours within Ilocos Sur, specifically in Vigan. Vigan is famous on Spanish built houses, handicrafts, clay pottery, and Chavit Singson's Baluarte.

ehhemm..ehemm... nice vase... :) This is clay pottery "re-engineered". I better solder components than mold clay vases. Too bad I dont have the talent :(

Later in the afternoon, after buying market supplies for dinner and lunch picnic the next day, we went straight to Pagudpud. Everyone was tired but happy. The next day was the best.. The itinerary is just within Pagudpod--highlights were the trek to go to Kabigan falls, blue lagoon for our lunch..and we had banana boating there!! yehey!!..our last stop was the saud beach waiting for the sunset. Waaahh!! it was relaxing!

Pagudpod at a distant (did you noticed the curve in the map? I think this is a part of it. Imagine you in the middle of mountains and the vast South China Sea ! Wow this is really amazing!!)

at Kabigan Falls

Going Bananas :)

1st Batch :: Yey!! We are all first timers!! Yahoo!!

2nd Batch: Lordz, you are there again??!!heheheh

Leaving Pagudpud at 5AM

We woke up early for the last day, as we are heading back to Manila but will be passing through the Bangui windmills and back to Vigan again..

This is one of the best weekend getaway I had. Thanks to everyone--to Mark/Helen, Lina, Ana, Bebeth, Lordz, Doods and Edmond (mega thanks for the dinner !!) , and to Jem/wife for everything!!. Seeing the beauty of the north makes me proud that I'm a Filipino. It gives me a realization that there's so much to treasure here in our own country!

We are not happy, arent we? :)

Have a great week ahead everyone =)