Catching up

Oh my blogspot we meet again!  I've been wanting to post a lot of things and happenings here but doesn't have the energy to do so.  2013 came - new job, Chinese New Year holidays, new and sponsored restaurant escapades, relative visits, planned trips, ups and downs... Oh I have an endless list of things to blog about!  All of them just went by so fast that I felt I didn't have the time to even boot up my laptop. 

Being back in the workforce, there are a couple of things I had to set aside until I get used to this pattern again.  It's been a month since I started working and already, I miss baking, blogging, watering our plants the same time every morning, watching series while folding laundered clothes, being able to go anywhere I want at any time.  I miss those things yeah, but I have no regrets giving them up for this job.  It may not be the most ideal job for someone who's planning a baby or for someone who's looking for a work-life balance kind, but I consider it as a pleasant surprise and a real blessing.  This gift is not wrapped in fancy paper but I believe, it was hand picked by God.  I was running around in circles but ended up on the same spot so, I know, it's meant to be. 

2013 will still be a long way but I can smell how great it's going to be for me... and for us! I know you all have your own stories to tell about how 2013 started for you, but I wanna start mine on a positive side.

It may be a bit late but cheers to a good 2013!  Let's beat last year and make this the best!

P.S: I am looking forward to more blogs and adventures this year!  :)

Christmas is LOVE at the Children's Home! :)

December 9th, 2012 - I thank the Lord for this day! It's the big day at the orphanage (related post here...) and it's my hubby's birthday! :)

We started the day right with a holy mass at Sister Maria Bertilla Vangelista Children's home, celebrated by Father Serg.  We were extra grateful that Father Serg made it to the event despite his busy schedule this month. It was a fun-filled celebration as kids were enchanted with Father Serg's comical stories and antics.  

After the mass, we started with the kiddie party hosted by two of Jollibee's crews.  The orphanage was filled with laughter as the first half of the day was swept away by games, dances, Christmas tunes and nothing else but fun!  Kids were all thrilled to participate in each and every game.  They all compared prizes, kept them aside and then played some more...

Prepping for the next game!

All eyes and ears...

Little kids can do the cup dance too.

Kids enjoying the cup dance! 

The twin = Partners in crime! :)

Showing off the prizes!

Newspaper dance

My nephews, Rap and Gab

A kiddie Christmas party wouldn't be complete without the showcase of talent from the kids.  My nephews and niece showed their moves in front of the 17 young girls and the cheering nuns.  Well, it's been a long time since I've seen them dance so I consider it the highlight of my day as well.  Behind the rolling camera I was holding that moment, I can see my Nanay and Inay laughing and enjoying their performance as well.  It was priceless!

"Everyday I'm shuffling" - From my nephews, Gab and Rap & my niece, Zak

Of course, kids at the orphanage also prepared a special intermission number for us.  It was a joy to see all of them on the dance floor!  I can tell the nuns were so proud of them, too, being their parents. :)

The young and talented kids at the orphanage

After an hour, a long table was set up for a sumptuous lunch.  Everyone feasted on Jollibee's crispy fried chicken with gravy, cheesy spaghetti, steamed rice, peach mango pie, and the oh-so delicious dirty ice cream in 2 flavors -- pinipig (roasted rice flakes) and cheese. It was also the best time to enjoy the Christmas songs in the background, the calming view and the cold breeze of the place.  To add, it was the perfect time to enjoy the company of my family!

Inay and Nanay

The happy bee!

Thanks to my friends Manel, Genica, Rod and Jason for sponsoring the ice cream.  Everyone enjoyed it! :)

My sistah with my nephew, Hav

My brother in law as "Mamang sorbetero" with the kids queuing up and all excited for their turn

And who doesn't love "The Jollibee" himself? The kids went gaga over the presence of Jollibee the mascot, especially when he danced with the crews.  He still proves to be the ever graceful and most famous mascot in the country. :)

Jollibee and Havvi

After a couple of snaps with Jollibee, we ended the party with gift-giving.  We gave each kid a wrapped toy and green eco bag with sandals in it.  You can just imagine the genuine joy as each of them opens their gifts.  Of course, we never forgot to bring presents for our beloved sisters, too.  After all, they've taken the noble responsibility over these kids and they love them as their own.  We also left the orphanage with two sacks of rice courtesy of my four besties, whom I'd never get tired of mentioning here - Manel, Genica, Rod and Jason.

My brother in blue, with my brother in law, nephew and niece

To my family and to my dear friends who made this event a success, thank you for making my Christmas extra sweeter this year.  To the nuns and kids of the orphanage, thanks for welcoming us!  I hope we will all be in this together again next year! :)

12.12.12

It's 12.12.12 and I'm in the Philippines!  I promised to start my own legacy to be at somewhere special doing something special on such a historic date.  In fact, I captured my promise on this blog. :)

Well, being in the Philippines for a short, pre-Christmas vacation is already a blast.  Although I did not wake up in a fancy hotel at one of the tourist spots in the Philippines (not what I initially planned), I am thankful to be here in my hometown when this historic date hits.  After all, there's still a lot of things to be thankful for; and being alive and kicking today is one of those many things!

What made the day extra special is my visit to Divino Amor Redemptorist Church at Lipa City.  The church is well-known to be the place of profound devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for most Batanguenos.  On Wednesdays, the church is packed with devotees from all walks of life.  In fact, today's scene is not far from what it was like when I was still a kid.  The church's structure may have already been renovated but it is still the same place where people would squeeze in to light candles or would rub hankies on Mama Mary's portrait.  I'm glad, most Filipinos continue to believe in Mary's intercession.  The massive presence was amazing!

Snapped after a powerful novena on 12.12.12

It felt great to attend an all-Filipino version of the novena once again.  It's been awhile since I celebrated this devotion with fellow Filipinos 'coz in Singapore, I normally do the novena alone. In here, the rites are familiar, the tunes are familiar and I sang out loud! 

And oh, did I mention about the puto-bumbong and bibingka stalls just outside the church? Yummy! Only in the Philippines... :)

Perfect for the cold December breeze.

OEC lah!

So I learned it the hard way.  Last Monday, I went to the Philippine Embassy at around 10-ish to have some documents certified and to obtain an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate).  Processing the documents was a breeze but I was surprised to know that the Philippine Embassy has imposed a quota for OEC processing during this period.  I felt sorry that I wasn't a frequent visitor of their website so I was totally uninformed.  I know it's a busy period since a lot of fellow Filipinos will be rushing to get their OECs for Christmas  vacation.  I just didn't expect that the said quota will be out before 10 AM on a Monday... and just an FYI, the embassy opens at 9 AM.  That quick!

With this awareness, I went back at the embassy yesterday (Wednesday) and started my trip at 6:30 AM.  Yes, I had to wake up at 5:30 Singapore morning to get ready!  Zombie-like, I reached the embassy at 7:30 AM and this was the scene that "woke" me up:

Long queue outside the Philippine embassy at 7:30 AM, on a weekday. Queue was doubled behind me by 7:45 AM.

Other embassies nearby were still "sleeping" but the Philippine embassy was already quite a scene.  Super early birds were on queue (and standing) as early as 6:30 AM and most of them already complained of hunger.  People I've spoken to were on their 2nd trip as well and were unlucky to be served previously... just like me.  Leave was wasted so they had to file for another leave or a medical leave to make this 2nd trip.  Well, you'd hear different stories and make friends during this time. :)

Finally at 8:50 AM, after waiting and standing on queue outside for more than an hour (or more for the others), they let the first batch in.  Official queue numbers and forms were given.  I was number 56!  In a day, they give out 250 queue numbers, to be processed until 3 PM.  All 250 were given out by 9-ish, I guess.  I bet more than a hundred behind had to leave and didn't make it yesterday.

I hate to say this, but it was still a mess while we're inside waiting.  It was normal to expect that at least, due to the quota, it would be a bit manageable.  Unfortunately, it wasn't.  Most people were confused, angry and impatient. Well, probably due to the time and effort they need to endure to get the thing done. You have to be at 2 windows/counters if you'll only be processing an OEC.  If you haven't paid for Pag-ibig (which is a requirement), you have to visit a total of 3 windows.  For those who would renew OWWA membership, you need to devote more time.  Hold on to your queue number, you're going to need it the whole time you "come and go" to and from the windows.  A classic story of the Philippine window-system...  What's worse, at around 10:20 AM, they announced that people holding 151 and above will be served at 1:30 PM.  Imagine how loud the "aahhhsss" were!  They were advised to go out first, eat, or pass the time and then come back after lunch.  Considering the location of the embassy, I don't think people would want to walk under the hot "Singapore" sun or take a cab to pass the time and be back again... Oh well.  

I was number 56 and I finished at 10:45 AM.

So if you want to finish before noon, plan your trip and be there at 7:30 AM latest.  Sunday might be worse, though.  Make sure to bring all the requirements with you.  For OEC/OWWA processing (Employees) you'd need passport, work pass, pag-ibig receipt, air ticket (they no longer check this, but bring it anyway), and the duly completed form, the one you need to fill out on the embassy.

Wishful thinking, I hope they'd consider an online OEC processing.  Embassy has started with an e-appointment for electronic Passport so I'm hoping we're not far from doing most services online...  It will help both the embassy and the people anyway...  God bless the Philippines! :)

Our very own "Christmas-for-a-cause" event

I am overly excited that I'll be back home in the Philippines this coming Sunday.  Aside from the fact that I'll be reunited with my family, I am so looking forward to our first ever family "Christmas-for-a-cause" event!  This year, we have picked Sister Maria Bertilla Vangelista Orphanage in Lipa City as our beneficiary.

The Sr. Maria Bertilla Vangelista Home for Children is an orphanage dedicated to Sr. Maria Bertilla Vangelista, a member of the Congregation, who strongly desired to continue the work of Mother Chiara Biagotti in the care of the poor, abandoned and orphaned children.  Currently, it is home to 17 young girls aged 5-15.  There are 4 nuns who take care of them and almost run the whole orphanage.  Mostly needed are rice grains, canned goods, girls' clothes and sandals.

Our family's effort is to do an early Christmas event for the kids and to donate goods for them.  We are so lucky to have generous and kind-hearted friends who are also willing to contribute to the event as soon as they heard about it (Thanks all! You know who you are).  We have everything planned on the 9th of December starting with the holy mass at 8am. Kiddie party will follow after.  What's another delight is to have it on my husband's birthday!  He may not have his last year's "birthday-for-a-cause" in Singapore, but we are blessed to organize such an event this year.

I can imagine how much fun it will be not only for the kids, but for us, too!  We are very grateful to have been moved by God and share in our own little way.  After all, Christmas really means giving...

Will definitely post fun photos after... :)

Sweet November

It's the 11th month of the year. I still have 60 days more to accomplish even my littlest goal.  Oh, how quick this year unfolds! But before I recall how my 2012 has been and in the spirit of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day, i post...

Today, I thank all the Saints I have called upon during my lifetime for the hope and intercessions given to me.  

"How shining and splendid are your gifts, O Lord


which you give us for our eternal well-being


Your glory shines radiantly in your saints,

O God
In the honour and noble victory of the martyrs.


The white-robed company follow you,


bright with their abundant faith;


They scorned the wicked words of those with this world's power.


For you they sustained fierce beatings, chains, and torments,


they were drained by cruel punishments.


They bore their holy witness to you
who were grounded deep within their hearts;


they were sustained by patience and constancy.


Endowed with your everlasting grace,


may we rejoice forever
with the martyrs in our bright fatherland.


O Christ, in your goodness,
grant to us the gracious heavenly realms of eternal life."

                           - A Catholic Prayer In Praise of the Saints

And who could ever forget the Philippine tradition that November 1 & 2 are the busiest 2 days in the cemeteries nationwide?  Although memories of our departed loved ones live in our hearts everyday, we pay our utmost respects by visiting their eternal homes, bringing flowers, lighting candles and most especially, offering time and prayers.  Most of the time, the event serves as a family reunion when both days are declared national holidays.  Trick or treat for children, halloween costume parties everywhere, creepy shows on tv... Now, I'm missing my family more. I miss my dad more.

"Just as Jesus died and rose again, so will the Father

bring with him those who have died in Jesus.

Just as in Adam all men die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

God our Father, we ask that you hear our prayers

and bring us some consolation in our lives.

As we remember in our prayers all of our loved ones who have died,

we pray that they have received the promise of eternal life

and that they are with you in experiencing the joy of heaven.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever.  Amen.  "

- A Catholic Prayer For  the Souls of the Faithful Departed

To my father, you are always remembered and we miss you everyday...

Home

Oh, I missed blogging! I was out of action for a few weeks to attend my cousin's wedding back home.  It was an unexpected homecoming having decided a month back that we'd no longer attend due to hubby's work.  But hey, life's full of surprises! 3 days before the wedding, we booked our flight to the Philippines and carried on.

Two days after the wedding, I bid farewell to my husband who's bound to go back to Singapore for work.  It was heart-breaking, knowing that he loves being home and being around a lot of people by the time he wakes up until the wee hours.  It wouldn't be that way in Singapore.  It was also the longest time ever we were apart since we became a married couple.  Well, it was all part of the experience, and although my hubby only stayed home over the weekend, I got to stay for another 2 weeks to sort out some family stuffs.

For 2 weeks, I stayed with my parents.  It's been a while since the last time I spent my entire vacay with them.  After being married, I seldom stay long with my folks 'coz we need to divide our 'limited' time between my husband's family and mine.  Well, this homecoming was different.  I realized just how our house aged over the years.  Along with it, I realized how we all aged.  I can understand that my mother and my grandma can no longer maintain the place.  Even I, cannot leave everything to my brother.  The house has now gone too big for the three of them. I remembered how our place was once filled with the presence of everyone.  All the memories came crashing down one night, while I was staring at the ceiling, not moving a muscle to try to sleep...  

The memories of my father being alive watching his favorite PBA games

on his favorite spot in the living room... 

my mother helping my grandma cook in the kitchen...

my three siblings busy doing their own things...

and those times when my niece and nephews were all over the place...  

Those were the days when our house was filled with noises, laughters and non-stop chit-chats!  Those memories were priceless, brought tears to my eyes...

Knowing that I can no longer live the past, I tried my best to let my family feel my presence during those 2 weeks.  I cooked when I could. At least, for a moment, I tweaked  the wrinkled faces of my mom and grandma and brought those familiar smiles again. The smiles hinted how their faces looked like when they were younger and when our home was livelier. Maybe, things will be different when we're all home. Maybe, in a way, we can stop being sooo busy growing up when our folks were all left growing old.  I know I wanted to be there for them... physically... being there for them.  Now, this is our motivation to finalize our plans and be home to reunite with our families for good.  I hope it will be soon.  No matter how great our achievements are, no matter how far we've travelled, at the end of the day, we all want to be HOME.