Ketsana' Fury

The entire Philippine nation is grieving for what have typhoon Ketsana (locally known as Ondoy) left our country. My heart is broken for those who have lost their love ones, their living and their home.

My not so difficult experience...

I frequently work on a graveyard shift. My work day normally starts at 10PM and ends in 7AM. I asked my manager if I can come in early, friday night (Sept. 25) so I can go home early. I set myself to badge at the office doors at 8PM but due to heavy rains, I came in at 9. I was worried because it was raining so hard all night and I was thinking of how difficult it will be to go home with that king of weather condition. I went out at 6AM, then force myself to fight the heavy rain with my mighty umbrella that was torn as I came home.

Because I was so tired, I slept as soon as I hit the bed then woke up after 3 hours. It was still raining then realized that this is already different, different from any other storm that passed by our shores. I watched the news then found out the status of the Metro which is so devastating. I worried for the love of my life, for my sister who's in her apartment in Makati, and for my friends who are within the badly affected areas. Twitter was flooded with prayer appeals and bad feelings of what was happening then. I was a person full of complaints. But for what happened, I realized how lucky I was. I want to share some pictures from Jr Lo, uploaded in facebook.

Here is a brief recap of the storm damage garnered from news reports:

A massive rescue operation is under way in the Philippines where at least 140 people are confirmed to have been killed in the wake of torrential rains. Tropical Storm Ketsana, also known as Ondoy, triggered the worst flooding in decades in the capital Manila and nearby provinces. The equivalent of a whole month's rain fell in six hours.

Army troops, police and civilian volunteers backed by U.S. troops continue the search and rescue effort in the country. So far, they have more than 4,000 people - many clinging to each other on roofs.

It is estimated that more than 430,000 people were affected by the storm.

More than 250,000 have been driven from their homes.

The government has declared a "calamity" in Manila and 25 provinces, allowing access to emergency funds. Philippines President Gloria Arroyo appealed for donations and called for calm.

Welfare agencies have begun to provide food, shelter and medicine.

Government forecasters are concerned more bad weather might be on its way. They have been monitoring a low pressure area over the Pacific Ocean that could develop into a storm, possibly hitting the country later this week. The name of the tropical depression is PARMA, locally tagged as PEPENG.

Sorry if I'm not that updated with my blog. I am very busy at work and I really can't find time. You can add me in facebook, my user name is Christian Bryan

Let's all pray for our recovery. The Lord will never let us down. I also want to appeal to my fellow bloggers to donate to the Philippine Red cross via paypal. Their email address is give@redcross.org.ph

August 1, 2009: A mother and an angel.

A mother

I was just 2 years old when Cory was elected as president of the Philippines. I don't have any idea then, because all I want is to drink milk and to sleep, I guess...

Cory was one of the first image that I viewed on television. I formally met her when I studied SIBIKA which has evolved to HEKASI in elementary. Until I entered high school and her existence is probably the least of my concerns then. I went to College and got addicted to TV. I can see her in the NEWS once in a while.

In the last couple of weeks, Cory has become the topic of the nation when her illness (Colon Cancer) gotten worse and worse. Filipinos here and all over the world prayed as ONE, for her healing. Until last Saturday, August 1, 2009, she passed away.

I don't feel the need to publish hundred exuberant words synonymous to how good she was. I just want to say..

"Thank you Tita Cory."

For the freedom. If it weren't for you, Filipinos wouldn't be able to blog.

"Thank you Tita Cory."

For being a mother that unconditionally loved the Filipino people.

"Thank you Tita Cory."

For being an example of a good Catholic that constantly talked to God, to guide us and to thank him how great life is.

"Thank you Tita Cory."

For sharing your life with us and for making us proud to be a Filipino!

“Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa Panginoong Diyos na ginawa niya akong isang Pilipino“

– Cory Aquino

An Angel

From a Mother, I want to share a story about an Angel. I remember how excited my friend Ara when she was thinking of a name that starts with A, for her baby niece who was then getting ready to witness the world. I said that perhaps Arwen can make a good name. She smiled because she thought of that as well. The day after, Arwen came out of her mother's womb. Angels from heaven sung as Ara and her family celebrate life of a cute baby girl.

"When you were born, people cry because of joy. When you're dead, people still cry because of grief."

Exactly a week after my friend Ara almost flew everyday just get home to see the baby, Arwen died because of sepsis. (August 1, 2009) Nobody can translate into words how their family is feeling now. Only time will heal.

A message to Arwen:

Don't think that you don't have any reasons for your existence. Your cry made your parents so happy like a bird fying in the highest sky. Your touch made your family appreciate all the simple things in life and your departure to heaven made your loved ones at ease, that someone is praying for them and looking at them from up above, together with the Lord almighty.

Emma Ruguian Macatulad

I know that this woman would not probably make it to the VOGUE, Working Mom, Cosmopolitan, METRO or Time Magazine cover.

I know that this woman's name would not be familiar to everybody's ears and probably ask me who the hell is that?!

I know that this woman, whose age is 50, would not have expensive jewelries dangling in her ears, tightening her fingers and wrists...

I know that this woman would not wear Prada to pamper her feet and would not carry a Louis Vuitton Bag to house a chihuahua...

But I know that this woman would work all her life to provide food in our table, pay our bills, schooling and for us to wear decent clothes and to live under a strong roof. I know that she would risk her life living in a foreign country, alone, just to secure our future. She have been working for 10 long years now for the future of her children.

Mom, I miss you so much and you're truly incomparable! You're not just the best but you're truly God like!!! I can't wait to sleep beside you again. I love you unconditionally. Take Care!

Back to Business

Hello once again!! I really can't think of a good introduction for a good comeback here in my beloved blog, I am still lost. Perhaps, the talking can take place afterwards. Let's just put it this way, my mind was ill and have had a major dysfunction that it forgot to secrete thinking hormones (if there's such). Thanks to my friends who still keeps on hitting my URL though the master planner was away.

It was a very impoverished summer indeed! I've only got one chance to feel the warmth of the sun and the viridity of the sea water this year. I'm drooling for more! This photo was taken in Laiya, Batangas. Ask me why? It will be a very long story.

This is Kyle Jacob, my friend Kazie's son. I just love to stare at his smile. There is nothing more genuine in this world than a baby's smile and laughter before life removed all our purity and innocence.

I never thought that eating Sisig could be lovely especially if somebody will show you this! And I think that would explain why I was so busy.

I'm sory about that readers, more sensible post to come...

Tag, Vacation and Holy Week

I guess everybody was so busy during these days because of Holy Week. Some have already gone for vacation and some are still working like me. This is the time to reflect and to temporarily forget pleasure or for people who are so busy with serious things, time to rest and to go out of town to forget the congested city in a couple of days.

I've got a tag from Doc CED and I know it's kinda late to do this but here it goes! I also don't have the time to visit your blog for now. We just moved into our old home in Cavite and I am too busy. I don't have any special plans for the Holy Week, perhaps take a lot of rest and cherish my time with my special someone.

Here it goes:

(a) Write who tagged me,
(b) Answer the following questions:
(b1) my name/user name/pseudo
(b2) right-handed or left-handed?
(b3) my favorite letters to write
(b4) my least favorite letters to write
(b5) and I should write "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"
(c) Tag five other people.

I wrote on my cube whiteboard and yeah, the marker is green! lol

Happy Holy Week. Let's all remember Christ's sufferings and discover the true meaning of this season.

The Butterfly

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.

We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!

I asked for Strength.........
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for Wisdom.........
And God gave me Problems to solve.

I asked for Prosperity.........
And God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.

I asked for Courage.........
And God gave me Danger to overcome.

I asked for Love.........
And God gave me Troubled people to help.

I asked for Favors.........
And God gave me Opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted ........
I received everything I needed!

Have a Blessed Sunday everyone :)

I bought us some time...

Time is Gold they say

Letting it pass, is such a big dismay

I want to hold you and feel you everyday

For us to be happy and gay.

Time is such a big predicament

I'm sick and tired of every stolen moment

I wish I could wash sadness with a solvent

That every minute will enjoy your involvement.

I'm sorry for giving you my spare

This is an injustice to my flare

If I could, I would run to you and stare

Though I understand that life isn't fair.

I bought us some time, and it's quite expensive

But I don't care as long as it's not elusive

Your love makes me happy and it's quite a sedative

I'll be forever thankful for you being apprehensive.

PHOTO CREDIT: http://utmostscorn.multiply.com/