Jula’s 2010

MY BABY GIRL'S PHOTOS FOR YEAR 2010....






JANUARY – 6th month.




FEBRUARY – She celebrated her 7th month in Laguna. It was her first time in St. John de Baptist Parish Church located in Calamba Laguna, where Jose Rizal (Philippines’ National Hero) got baptized on June 22, 1861.




MARCH – 8th month.




APRIL – She was in the hospital on her 9th month. She was confined in Olivarez General Hospital in Parañaque City due to Upper Respiratory Tract Infection.




MAY – her 10th month




JUNE – 11th month






JULY – Jula’s 1st birthday held in Shakey’s, Shopwise-Sucat Parañaque. It was attended by her grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, god parents and friends.




AUGUST – Jula’s first haircut. Nice hair baby girl.




SEPTEMBER – She had measles, unfortunately. She needed to be refreshed most of the time to avoid itchiness.




OCTOBER – Her first time to visit her paternal great grandparents’ grave in Everest Hills Memorial Park in Susana Heights. (Lala Gemma Sebastian-Asne's parents)






NOVEMBER – Halloween. She also enjoyed her Daddy Romy’s (maternal grandfather) 51st birthday celebration. She calls him Daddy Momie, hehe.




DECEMBER – Christmas with family. She opened her gifts and received Dora’s Tent from Mama and SpongeBob pillow from Papa.



***will still upload photos for the last day of 2010 and her 17th month celebration. ***

A Mother's Love

A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on. After his Mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
Baby-sitting my kid brother while you went shopping: $.25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a good report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
Total owed: $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote:

For the nine months I carried you while you were growing inside me:
No Charge

For all the nights that I've sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you:
No Charge

For all the trying times, and all the tears that you've caused through the years:
No Charge

For all the nights that were filled with dread, and for the worries I knew were ahead:
No Charge

For the toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your nose:
No Charge

Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is:
No Charge.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you." And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL".

Heaven's Grocery Store

I was walking down life's highway a long time ago.

One day I saw a sign that read "Heaven's Grocery Store".

As I got a little closer, the door came open wide.

When I came to myself, I was standing just inside.

I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere.

One handed me a basket and said, "My child, please shop with care".

Everything a Christian needed was in that Grocery Store.

All you couldn't carry, you could come back the next day for.

First, I got some PATIENCE; LOVE was in the very same row.

Further down was UNDERSTANDING, you needed it wherever you go.

I got a box or two of WISDOM, a bag or two of FAITH.

I just couldn't miss the HOLY SPIRIT, for He was all over the place!!

I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE to help me run this race.

By then my basket was getting full but...I remembered I needed some GRACE!

I didn't forget SALVATION, for SALVATION was free.

So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.

Then I started up to the counter to pay my grocery bill,

for I thought I had everything to do my Master's will.

As I wind up the aisle I saw PRAYER and I just had to put that in.

For I knew when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin.

PEACE and JOY were plentiful; they were on the last shelf.

SONGS and PRAISES were hanging near, so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel, "How much do I owe?"

He just smiled and said, "Just take them everywhere you go."

Again I smiled at him and said, "How much do I owe?"

He smiled again and said......

"My child, JESUS PAID YOUR BILL A LONG TIME AGO!"


Written by: Ron DeMarco & Friend

CHRISTMAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

According to others, our country has earned the distinction of celebrating the world's longest Christmas season, this starts from September (first month that ends with “ber”) and will end January (Three Kings).

We our also known to have a lot of Christmas traditions / activities like the following:

1. Night Mass / Misa de Gallo / Simbang Gabi


This is nine-day dawn masses that start on December 16. The Simbang Gabi begins as early as three o'clock in the morning. A popular belief is that upon the devotee's completion of the nine Masses, a special wish made by him/her will be granted by God. Attendance at the nine Masses is meant to show the churchgoer's devotion and faith to God as well as to heighten anticipation for the Nativity of Jesus. This is also the start of Christmas Caroling; children in small groups go from house to house singing Christmas carols, which they called pangangaroling.

2. Christmas Parties


Schools and offices organize Christmas parties, which are usually held during the second week of December, common activities include Monito/Monita or Kris Kringle, song and dance numbers, games and raffles. It’s provided either through potluck, or via a pool of contributions to buy food.

3. Christmas Eve


Christmas Eve ("Bisperas ng Pasko") on December 24 is celebrated with the Midnight Mass, and immediately after, the much-anticipated Noche Buena – the traditional Christmas Eve feast. Family members dine together at around midnight on and do exchange of gifts.

4. Niños Inocentes


This is commemorated on December 28 as Holy Innocents' Day. he innocents referred to are the children who were massacred by order of Herod, who was seeking the death of the newborn Messiah.

5. New Year’s Eve


On December 31, New Year's Eve ("Bisperas ng Bagong Taon"), Filipino families gather for the Media Noche or midnight meal – a feast that is also supposed to symbolize their hopes for a prosperous New Year. Fireworks, loud noises, children jumping at 12 midnight to grow tall, 12 different kinds of circular fruits wearing clothes with dots , putting coins anywhere in the house and opening and closing windows and door at the first day of the year are the traditional activities of Filipinos.

6. Three Kings


Christmas officially ends on the Feast of the Three Kings. The Feast of the Three Kings was traditionally commemorated on Jan. 6 but is now celebrated on the first Sunday after the New Year. Tradition states that Three Kings leave behind gifts like candy or money. The twelve days of Christmas end with the Feast of Epiphany also called "The Adoration of the Magi" or "The Manifestation of God.", it is known as the day of the Three Kings (or wise men/magi): Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. According to an old legend based on a Bible story, these three kings saw, on the night when Christ was born, a bright star, followed it to Bethlehem and found there the Christchild and presented it with gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Religious symbolism of The Twelve Days of Christmas

1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the old and new testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

LYRICS:

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Christmas Gift for My Sister

I already have gifts to almost all the members of my family except for my sister who is in the United States. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant and I am planning to give her scrubs set. I want to surprise her. I know that she had worked so hard on her career and she deserves a wonderful gift.

Nowadays, medical staff can wear fashionable scrubs; unlike before that they only wear simple and plain white scrubs. My sister has her own fashion statement and she likes to accessorize. I want her to look beautiful while she is on duty.

Shipment from here to the US will cost me a lot, I am thinking of sending her money before Christmas. As much as I would like to really buy the gift and personally give it to her, I cannot, we are thousand miles away from each other. She can just check where to buy medical scrubs online. She’s good at purchasing quality products and she will definitely be able to find fashionable and discounted scrubs. My sister likes to do online shopping because it is convenient, not time consuming, and will be able to compare products and prices easily. I will recommend her to check this site, http://www.blueskyscrubs.com, this site was also recommended by my friends.

The Final Decision

June 30, 1991, I was 10 years old, when Vizconde Massacre happened; the most sensational case in the country because it involves children of rich and influential families. After 19 years and 4 months, the Supreme Court finally had a decision regarding the said case. On December 14, 2010, Hubert Webb and the rest of the convicted were released.

Two parties suffered a lot. Lauro Vizconde lost three members of his family, not in humane way. Imagine how he lived his life for almost 20 years alone, how he prayed everyday to give his family the justice they deserve. It saddens me because at the end of everything, he didn’t get the justice he has been longing for.

On the other hand, the suspects: Hubert Webb, son of actor/former basketball player/former Senator Freddie Webb; Antonio Lejano II, son of actress-singer Pinky de Leon and nephew of actor Christopher de Leon; Hospicio Fernandez, son of a retired commodore; Michael Gatchalian and Miguel Rodriguez, sons of prominent lawyers; Peter Estrada, son of a wealthy businessman, Joey Filart, believed to be related to former National Capital Region Command chief Marino Filart; and Artemio Ventura, son of a wealthy businessman; spent 15 years in prison, away from their families. Imagine their parents’ suffering.

Each party has different levels of pain and sufferings. Not to be with a loved one or losing a loved one is a devastating event for anyone but when the loss is unexpected the pain is beyond words. Hopefully, in God’s time, they will find forgiveness in their hearts. There are reasons why things happened and only God knows why.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and don't lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way”. - [Proverbs 3:5, 6]

My CVG Team Leads

I started in CVG December 28, 2005; 18 days from now, I will be celebrating my 5th year with the company. I have been under different Team Leads and been with different teammates. TLs have different way of leading the team. They have different styles of motivating each individual. They aren’t perfect, they aren’t able to satisfy you at the beginning but eventually, you learn to accept and love who they are.

I am grateful that I was given a chance to work with my TLs. They have made me a better and stronger person. They have shared with me laughter and tears. Each memory I had with them will be cherished for how long I’m going to live.

Thank you for making my stay in CVG wonderful.

I am hoping for the best for my next Team Lead.



12/2005 – 01/2006 = CCT with Gen Ogbinar






01/2006 – 02/2006 = PST with Mike Banting / Transition with Apple dela Cruz



03/2006 – 12/2006 = Team Joe Collantes





01/2007 – 04/2008 = Team Jhen Jason






05/2008 – 09/2009 = Team Gelo Obsequio






10/2009 – 12/2010 = Team Dave Granados

Powder Day

This is our own version of Powder Day, our own little way of spending quality time with each other. It all started when my husband asked me to put powder on Jula’s back. It was fun.

Cedie

Two thumbs up to the person/people who started this…”Please change your profile picture to your favorite childhood cartoons or characters and invite your friends to do the same until December 6. Support the worldwide protest against child violence!” in the social networking site, www.facebook.com. It gave us the chance to go back to our childhood. Reminisce how we loved these cartoon characters.

I remember tuning in to ABS-CBN (one of the local stations in the Philippines) every morning except Saturdays and Sundays just to watch Cedie. He loves to play "Annie-Laurie" in flute and I love listening to that song.

Cedie or Little Prince Cedie was just translated to English in 1996 but it was an original Japanese anime entitled Little Lord Fauntleroy, also known as Shoukoushi Ceddie which was produced in 1988.

Plot:

The story concerns an American boy named Cedric Errol (more fondly known as Cedie[1]), who at an early age finds that he is the sole heir to a British earldom and leaves New Yorkto take up residence in his ancestral castle. After some initial resistance, he is joined by his middle-class mother, the widow of the late heir, James Errol. His grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, intends to teach the boy to become an aristocrat, but Cedie inadvertently teaches his grandfather compassion and social justice, and the artless simplicity and motherly love of dearest warms the old man's heart.