WHICH BABY ARE YOU?

Since this is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, let me share with you and find out your sign with these precious, cuddlesome and irresistibly cute babies that individually symbolize each month.

JANUARY:
Pretty/handsome.
Loves to dress up.
Easily bored. Fussy.
Seldom shows emotions.
Takes time to recover when hurt.
Sensitive. Down-to-Earth. Stubborn.

FEBRUARY:
Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

March:
Attractive personality.
Sexy. Affectionate.
Shy and reserved. Secretive.
Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic.
Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others.
Great kisser. Easily angered.
Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness.
Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others.

APRIL:
Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very confidant. Sensitive. Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and traveling. Systematic. Hot but has brains.

MAY:
Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High-spirited.

JUNE:
You've got the best personality and are an absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make new friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt and more than likely have an a very attractive partner. a wicked hottie. It is also more than likely that you have a massive record collection. You have a great choice in films, and may one day become a famous actor/actress yourself - heck, you've got the looks for it!!!

JULY:
Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST:
Outgoing personality. takes risks, feeds on attention. No self-control. Kind hearted. Self-confident. Loud and boisterous. Very revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. Has an "every thing's peachy" attitude. Likes talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be loved. Hates studying. In need of "that someone". Longs for freedom. Rebellious when withheld or restricted. Lives by "no pain no gain" caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious, "charming" or "beautiful" to everyone, stubborn, curious. Independent. Strong willed. A fighter.

SEPTEMBER:
Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.

OCTOBER:
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Unpredictable. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all.

NOVEMBER:
Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, the greatest men are born in this month. If you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because their one of a kind.

DECEMBER:
This straight-up means you are the most good-looking person possible... Better than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl kind of person. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves music. Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Sensitive.

Did you finish reading your sign? So, which baby are you and how did you like it? :)

Lessons in Life

This was sent to me through e-mail by my friend Ayen. I thought, I should post it here. This is something good to read and a few points to ponder for a meaningful life.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself up seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. I't's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occassion. Today is special.
22. Over -prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative-- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read some good books. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don't ask, you don't get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn't tide with a bow, but it's still a gift.

By Regina Brett,
The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

Havaianas Metallic Logo

When I bought four pairs of Havaianas flip flops before, I told myself those were ENOUGH. But recently when I received in my inbox a newsletter from Havaianas Philippines introducing a new style "Metallic Logo" on straps, I can't resist thinking about it. Now, I have to confess, my brain was really starting to tell me to buy these new eye-appealing footwear. I'm already entertaining the idea, aaargh... I'm so tempted to check it out!

Thanks to sis Pia Magalona for letting me use this picture. She's a certified Havie fan and a serious collector. If you wish to see more pics of these flip flops, you may check out her site.

2007 NCAA CHEERDANCE COMPETITION

WOW! I'd like to congratulate my niece AYA and her teammates for winning the 2007 NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Cheerdance Competition. Until now, I can't believe she joined the cheerleading squad at school. I've known her as a shy girl, quite and soft spoken. So, I'm still awed by all of this.

During the event everyone of the pep/cheering squad showed their organized routines/skills from dance, gymnastics and stunts. Samsung sponsored this year competition.

I'm a frustrated Ballerina. I enrolled ballet and jazz lessons during summer when I was in grade school and, I actively involved in dance arena during my high school days but I wasn't able to pursue my "dream" for some reason. So, I'm just really glad someone in our family is now a member of a cheerleading squad. How cool is that! I'm sure her parents are very proud of her. Good for this young lady! You go girl!

Cheers to UPHD Perp Squad!

Manny Wins !

The Philippines is doubly happy that Manny Pacquiao once again showed his prowess by defeating his challenger Jorge Solis from Mexico in the 8th round at the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas.

Photo taken before their fight... Solis and Paquiao

(photo source: eastsideboxing)

Rivermaya Concert in Singapore

Concert for the masses featuring MTV Asia awards 2006 favorite artist from Philippines, Rivermaya will be performing live concert in Singapore at D' Marquee, Downtown East tomorrow April 8 at 3 pm.

Also featuring in the 3 hour long concert will be Singapore's very own John Molina & Krueger, The Great Spy Experiment voted Power 98 FM's Favourite Breakout Band, Flybar winners of the World Battle of the Bands Competition and Addiction curently performing the latest hits.

Tickets:
$ 28 for public
$15 for Students "Free Standing"
(Prices exclude Ticket Charge fees)

NikNik in the House!

Welcome our new family member in the house... named "Niknik". Ohhh... he's still a baby, very small around one and a half inches (body only). Niknik is a long-neck tortoise called Chelodina- an ancient genus from Chelid turtles native to Australia, New Guinea, and the island of Roti of the Indonesian archipelago. They are side-necked turtles, meaning they tuck their head partially around the side of their body when threatened instead of directly backwards.


Hubby bought him for P1,000.00 at the pet store in Cartimar.

Did I Marry The Right Person?

I received this article through e-mail from Grace, my best friend from college. I want to share this to everyone. I believe this is a noteworthy facts in life and it's worth reading. Especially nowadays that many marriages / relationships break down and couples part ways. And one of the main grounds of break up is infidelity or unfaithfulness.

The Artcle:
"During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said, "How do I know if I married the right person?" I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, "It depends. Is that your husband?" In all seriousness, she answered, "How do you know?" Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's weighing on your mind.

Here's the answer:
EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with your spouse. You anticipated their call, wanted their touch, and liked their idiosyncrasies. Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called "falling" in love...Because it's happening to YOU.

People in love sometimes say, "I was swept off my feet." Think about the imagery of that expression. It implies that you were just standing there; doing nothing, and then something came along and happened to you. Falling in love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience.

But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria of love fades. It's the natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls become a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute, drive you nuts.

The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you think about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage.

At this point, you and/or your spouse might start asking, "Did I marry the right person?" And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of the love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for their unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.

Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is the most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work, church, a hobby, a friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances. But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You could. And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later. Because, listen carefully to this:

THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON; IT'S LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU FOUND. SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER just happen to you. You can't "find" LASTING love. You have to "make" it day in and day out. That's why we have the expression "the labor of love." Because it takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it takes WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work.

Make no mistake about it. Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage. Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), there are also laws for relationships. Just as the right diet and exercise program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your relationship WILL make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable...You can "make" love.

Love in marriage is indeed a " decision"...Not just a feeling."

I remember the famous quote of De Bernieres said to his daughter (from the novel Corelli's Mandolin); "Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. No, don’t blush. I am telling you some truths. That is just being “in love,” which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away….Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms had fallen from the branches, we found that we were one tree and not two."

Relationship has ups and downs and it's not always a bed of roses. And to be able to survive and be happy, uncover that great sense of purpose and meaning to the relationship. Respect one another and accept differences. Deal with a crises and adversity together. Stop the hurtful criticism instead comfort and encourage one another. And most of all have fun and laugh together.

Filipino Chinese New Year

Oink... Oink...
It's the Year of the Pig!

Generally, Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Filipino-Chinese community here in the Philippines. Praparations begin well in advance of the actual date. It is declared as working holiday and celebrated with much fanfare in Ongpin, the Chinese town in Binondo, Manila.

Some areas are closed to traffic to pave way for its festivity. The celebration is accompanied by dragon and lion dancing, parade, musical performances & beauty pageant for Miss Chinatown, fireworks display, giving of ang pao (red packets of money), wearing red clothing for prosperity and a brighter future, and the distribution / giving of "tikoy" (sweet sticky rice cake) which symbolizes unity.

Here are some traditions practised by the Filipino-Chinese on New Yea'r Eve.

* A week before New Year's Eve, everyone is advised to engage in a spring cleaning, or "cleaning to the max." It's literally meant cleaning all the nooks and crannies in one's house.

* On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dustpans and other cleaning equipment must be wrapped in a red cloth, tied with a red ribbon and hidden away. No one is supposed to use them on New Year's Day to avoid conflicts and exchange of hurting words, and to refrain from sweeping away good fortune.

* Buy red things with Chinese characters because they bring good things like Chewroh-Pin'an and K'ng Huat for peace. Hang these in your house and you will get whatever you wish for.

* Display ponkan and oranges in homes and in stores. Tangerines are symbolic of good luck, and oranges are symbolic of wealth.

* Prepare wealth baskets. Get a small basket, lay a red cloth at the bottom of it and put one or two kilos of rice on the cloth. Next, get a red envelope (called Lai-See or Hong-Bao) and put money inside. If you wish to be really wealthy, put money of all denominations inside the envelop and place the envelop under the rice. Next, place the basket beside a mirror so that that bounty will be doubled by the mirror's reflection.

* After the New Year, cook the rice and eat this with all the family members to symbolize peace and unity. In case a family member is absent, an extra place should be set to symbolize the person's presence at the banquet.

* The money inside the envelop should not be spent but be deposited in the bank.

* All debts had to be paid on New Year's Day and nothing should be lent. Anyone who does so will be lending all the year.

* Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words.

* No one is supposed to wash their hair on New Year's day because it would wash away good luck for the New Year.

* Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.

* Another tradition is the giving of the Red Packet (Lai-See or Hong-Bao) with money inside to unmarried couples. This is to wish them good luck in finding their future partners.

* Prepare something good for the kitchen god. By tradition, the kitchen god or Zaowang leaves the house on the night after the New Year to report to heaven on the behavior of the famiy throughout the year. To obtain a favorable report from the kitchen god, the family must give him a ritualistic farewell dinner with sweet foods and honey. Popular in the Philippines is the "tikoy", a sweet concoction made from sticky rice. Some said this is to bribe the kitchen god and
seal his lips from saying unpleasant things about the family.

Superstitions during the Chinese New Year period

The following is a list of beliefs that vary according to dialect groups / individuals.

*Buying a pair of shoes is considered bad luck. The word "shoes" is a homophone for the word for "rough" in Cantonese.

*Buying a pair of pants is considered bad luck. The word "pants" is a homophone for the word for "bitter" in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive as the word 'pants' in Cantonese could be a homophone for the word for "wealth".)

*A hair-cut is considered bad luck. The word "hair" is a homophone for the word for "prosperity". Thus "cutting hair" could be perceived as "cutting away your prosperity" in Cantonese.

*Candy is eaten to ensure the consumer a "sweet" year.

*Sweeping the floor is considered bad luck, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year; in the same way that having a bath will wash away the good fortune.

*Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.

*Buying books is bad luck, because it is a homonym to the word "lose".

*Opening windows and/or doors is considered to 'bring in' the good luck of the new year.

*Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to 'scare away' ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Snowy New York

Ate Maven and her husband kuya Nap, seemed to really be enjoying the outdoors in the snow-covered streets.

Yup sis, you're right! Just by looking at your pictures… I'm felling the freezing cold. brrrr…

Badminton Republic

After the whole family attended a Holy Mass last Sunday (Dec. 31), some of us went to Badminton Republic.

Badminton has been a sport and fitness popular here in the Philippines. And my elder sister Ate Rona and her husband are just one of the enthusiasts of this sport for almost two years now. As a matter of fact, she already competed and won in Women's Doubles Match for Class E (Beginner). Now, she's in Class D. And my brother-in-law even converted his sport from playing tennis to badminton.

Badminton Republic Court is spacious and clean. It has three traditional court sizes for doubles. The court flooring is taraflex matted. Players must wear clean and non-marking shoes. Metal cleats or plastic spikes are not allowed. The place provides shuttlecocks for renters. I just don't know if they supply badminton racquets because we had brought our own. The court has separate comfort rooms for male and female.

Entrance is P135.oo per head "Play All You Can" on weekends. But on weekdays it's more expensive.

Here are some of the pictures of hubby, Ate Rona, Kuya Boy and Anne playing badminton.

You need quick reflexes and rapid hand-eye coordination for this game. Since hubby is a newbie of this sport, at first, it was hilarious. He tried to hit the shuttlecock several times in vain. But as the game went on, gradually he learned the basic and some proper playing form and technique.

After an hour, we the spectators (that's me, my nieces and nephews) were already bored. hahaha... I guess we're not yet badminton enthusiasts.

Address:
Badminton Republic
Avenida Veteranos
Tacloban City (near Bo's Coffee Club)
Tel. No. 523-7070

Part II: Christmas 2006

In the afternoon, we decided to go out and stroll around Tacloban even though the weather wasn't great . We dropped by first at Sto. Nino Church located at the corner of Real and Zamora Streets. The Sto. Nino Church is the home of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Nino, patron of Leyte.

This is Rizal Plaza adjacent to the church. It is said that is the most visited plaza at night. Fast foods and restaurants within the perimeter are ready to serve the park visitors. Some live bands with their contemporary music perform here occasionally.



Then we passed by another plaza near Leyte Park Hotel. I think this is called the Tacloban City Children's Park and Playground.


We enjoyed a commanding view of the sea on another side of the park.



Across the plaza, we went to see the Map of Leyte. From the street, we climbed the stone stairs with wooden handrails on both sides.



When we reached the top, we saw the sculpted image of a crucified Christ.

The original Map of Leyte.

the stone tablet beloew the sculpture

On the tablet inscribed is ...

MAP OF LEYTE

"In 1521, Magellan discovered the Philippines, and held the first mass in Limasawa Island, in 1945 , Macarthur made true to his promise through his words "I shall return". For him to save the country from invaders and set foot on the shore of Palo, Leyte.

Leyte is indeed blessed for being the gateway to Christianity and the liberation of the Philippines. The Lord Jesus must have planned it the people is in search for paradise not knowing that they are standing on a blessed Island, the sculpted image of Christ."

Governore Remedios L. Petilla
Province of Leyte

THE IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFIED CHRIST

"Upon seeing the map of Leyte, I had visualized an image of a crucified man The Map of Leyte is indeed the crucified Christ."

Nemiranda
Artist

And here are our souvenir photos

and then we went to Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Plaza. A plaza named after the mother of Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

The plaza is wide and you will find mini fountains of an entirely different styles. The fountains are bubbling with delight and it comes with calming nature sounds that are soothing to the senses.