Ask Me First, I Might Say YES

Weekly Photo Memes

Dec 9, 2009

If you happen to visit the ongoing World Bazaar Festival 2009 from Dec 4 to Dec 16 at World Trade Center, please try to check out Tabemasho's food stall selling Takoyaki Balls. For those with no idea what takoyaki is, which is very unlikely since Pinoys have grown to enjoy this japanese delicacy, its actually a japanese dumpling made of batter, diced veggies and baby octopus that is baked or grilled then topped with special sauce, mayonnaise and fish shavings. Nowadays, its hard to find authentic tasting takoyaki balls, some vendors have modified it to make it more affordable, seeing less of the tako which is the octopus and more on the batter and veggies and some meat extenders.
My friend who owns Tabemasho is actually proud to tell me that she uses the finest ingredients to make takoyaki balls, you can actually see the main ingredient tako while her sauce and toppings are really japanese tasting. I really can attest to that claim. Actually I had to try the other takoyaki balls seller at the World Bazaar which is MUSASHI to make a good comparison and I can really tell the big difference, aside from their price which is more expensive by 15 pesos, well maybe because the size of their balls are bigger, it has more batter but less filling. My unbias verdict, TABEMASHO tasted and priced better!

Anyway, if your a takoyaki balls lover, try them both at the World Bazaar and make your choice.

Dec 5, 2009

Mrs. Kolca aka UTOTMOPINK is holding her first giveaway contest in celebration of her 2nd blogversary. I was tagged to participate in the fun. Happy Anniversary dear!!!




PRIZES AS FOLLOWS :
♥First Prize♥
-Pink Camisole by AVON (worn by Reese Witherspoon in the picture)
-AVON Lovely in Pink Eau de Toilette Spray
-AVON Lovely in Pink Purse Concentrate
-3 months 125 X 125 ad space

♥Second Prize♥
-Photo Frame Alarm Clock
-Pantene 3-Minute Miracle (6 pcs)
-2 months 125 X 125 ad space

♥Third Prize♥
-Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings
-Pond's Whitening Cream
-Pond's Facial Wash
-1 month 125 X 125 ad space

♥To join, simply do these♥
-Follow utotmopink.com
-Add utotmopink.com to your blogroll and or link list
-Grab utotmopink.com button/badge to you sidebar
-Blog about this contest by posting the giveaway image & answering the following questions:

a. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? If yes, write about it.
hmmm, scouring my area, I can see my sisters pink crocs slipper....

b. Who is your favorite Hollywood actress or supermodel younger than 30?
most of those I like are already in their 30's and 40's, well if I really have to answer this question, I can only think of Anne Hathaway and Scarlet Johansson...

c. Choose one. Shoes? Bags? Clothes? Or make-up?
BAGS

d. What is your favorite sleepwear?
PAJAMAS

e. I joined this contest because_______________.
Aside from the giveaways, I wanted to support a friend from the blogesphere who's celebrating her 2nd year. CONGRATS sis!!!

♥This giveaway is open internationally♥

♥The owner of my MOST FAVORITE BLOG wins the 1st prize♥

♥The blogger with the MOST CREATIVE POST will get the 2nd prize♥

♥The COOLEST COMMENTER will receive the 3rd prize♥

♥Winners will be notified through email♥

♥Contest ends before the clock hits 12 on December 31, 2009♥

---------------

I'm tagging everyone interested to join the FUN!!!!


Just lately, the Prt Sc button on my lappy's keypad is doing a lot of work for me to take screen shots of subjects I want to use in most of my blogosphere related activities but it has its limitations.

I'm trying now this screen capture software to do the job for me. It's features looks promising. No need to crop or edit the image you wanted to appear. You can take snapshots of exactly what you need with just a click. Check it out!

Screen Capture Software

Try it for FREE



Dec 1, 2009

 These past 2 days, I've been spending sometime creating a niche blog that will focus on all travel related articles with emphasis on my actual travel experiences. I've lifted all my travel entries from here to my new blog, Shie Went To Town while Shie's Asylum will still be active but would concentrate on non travel related subjects, weekly memes and the likes.


 Here's a screen shot of  my new blog, just click on it to visit. I'm still halfway through the process though and needs more time to do a lot of tweaks and hacks to improve my layout and make its presence felt to search engines. This process is very challenging for a noob like me in the realm of  web designing and search engine optimization. In the meantime, I hope you can drop by my new space while I'm still working on my new entries, and if you happen to like it, following  Shie Went To Town would be great and you'll see me returning the favor! ..... SEE YOU THERE!!!

Nov 30, 2009



Whooga Ugg Boots is giving away a pair of comfortable ugg boots every month in two simple steps. This is open to everyone in every country. Just follow the simple steps and you will be included in the next draw.
Go here to perform the steps and register your entry - I Want Whooga Ugg Boots



uggs




Nov 23, 2009

Yes, I'm finally going to Taipei, not alone but with a cousin in a while. Our flight today is scheduled late in the evening and will be arriving there past midnight. I prepared an itinerary to cover 2 whole days of fun and adventure, food tripping and a little of shopping, leaving so little time for rest.  It was my mistake to not scrutinize the time of our departure, what a bummer! But  instead of paying for the re-booking charges that is similar to buying another ticket, I just work around our schedule, with an itinerary comparable to an Amazing Race Challenge, geez! I really have to challenge myself if I have the energy to keep up with the schedule, but I'm sure it would be fun!
I'll be back on Thursday, hopefully bringing with me interesting stories and a wonderful experience. Till next, praying for a safe trip and a good weather while looking forward to this sight ....

Nov 16, 2009

Still flip-flopping whether to travel solo or just cancel my plan to visit Taiwan. Originally there was a bigger plan but things happen for a reason and I'm really happy  for my friend because her wish just came in a little earlier and she's got to let go of the plan. But still she promised to pay for my air ticket if I push through, well of course I'd love to grab it since my visa has already been approved. My sister, cousins and some friends showed interest to join me but the hassle of applying for a visa turned them off plus considering the time constraints involved as my visa is expiring by Nov 25 and I need to leave before that date.

I haven't tried traveling alone for pleasure but I've done so on a business trip. I guess there's a big difference! When your on a pleasure trip alone, picture taking, getting lost in directions and in translation and eating by yourself would be the biggest challenge but the chances of meeting new friends are higher and the sense of accomplishment is bigger, so I guess it isn't bad at all. Actually, I admire those solo backpackers who can go on trips abroad, came back as a better person  and truly have a blast, that's really a feat worthy to be proud of, a challenge I would like to do anytime soon but would require a lot of preparation and I think I'm not yet equipped to go this soon. Well, there's still a chance that I won't be traveling by myself yet, my cousin is on her way to process her visa tomorrow after a week of gathering the required documents and hopefully she'll get the approval within this week so we can schedule the trip before my visa expires! Yey, there's still hope, crossing my fingers :D





Nov 10, 2009

Got this from a friend's email that is worth publishing, read on and you might get inspired to use this as your guidelines for living, I will!!! ^_^

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king,lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants,and less of food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's-- Energy, Enthusiasm & Empathy!
5. Make time for prayer.
6. Play more games!
7. Read more books than you did in 2009


8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for at least 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day----and while you walk,smile!

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo ; keep to your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does!
15. Don't waste your precious energy on idle gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear & fade away like Algebra class,but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more!

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

25. Call your family more often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day!
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right things.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything...
35. However good or bad a situation is,it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up!
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your innermost self is always happy.So,be happy!

Last but not the least :

40. Do forward this to everyone
you care about... .


Nov 2, 2009

This week's theme at I ♥ Faces is BALLOONS. Balloons never fail to enliven up any childrens party! Here, my cousins were all scampering for their spot to have their photos taken together with the balloons! Isn't that fun?






Oct 26, 2009

Finally, a good news about Filipinos! A selfless man with a good cause, Efren Penaflorida is making us proud by being considered as one of CNN's TOP 10 Heroes for 2009. I hope our country would be blessed by more EFRENS to help move our country forward! GOD BLESS YOU! To hear his story watch below ...




Let us show our support by voting for our HERO. We can cast our votes multiple times, so lets start now!!!



Oct 25, 2009

Last Wednesday, Ex President and convicted plunderer Erap Estrada declared his intention to run in 2010 presidential elections in front of thousands of followers in the slum district of Tondo amidst legal deterrents.

He can fool the slum settlers of Tondo with all his charms and promises but not us. Let us all join hands once again and show him that Filipinos are not stupid to elect to the highest office again a convicted plunderer and a morally inept person.



Let us STOP ERAP FROM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!!! Join this group and make a statement! Just click the image to lead you to the Facebook group.


Oct 23, 2009

I'm reposting this from Gangbadoys blog to let DSWD explain their side on what's really happening to all those donations that were just found lying inside these warehouses. If they really need volunteers, I'm willing to donate my free time to help repack and distribute this goods to all typhoon victims who badly need them. Time is of the essence!!!




Ella wrote on her (now blocked) blog: (her blog was ellaganda.com and it is now blocked)

Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo? (A special report from a volunteer)

Dear friends,


I’m asking your help to spread the word. Tulungan po ninyo akong ikalat ito. Beyond this, we should also demand action. I disabled a plugin so you can copy the photos of relief goods rotting in DSWD warehouses. You can link this post to your blogs, facebook, websites etc. You can also email the photos.


Philippine News (US based Philippine newspaper) will use this as its front page story this week. Every Filipino has the right to know where the tons of donations from the UN and other counties go. Kahit po nakakahiya sa mga nag-donate. Kung sa ganitong paraan, matutulungan natin ang mga nasalanta, then by all means, let’s do it.


For those who have the time, please try to volunteer sa DSWD warehouses. Getting in was not easy. A friend had to put in a word for us. Let’s see kung madali nang makapasok sa DSWD warehouse ang mga volunteers.


Please read on and good luck to us.


Ella

(This post was last edited Oct 22, 12:30 pm)


Kahapon, tinanong ng Philippine News si DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral:


Editor of Philippine News: Why are the relief goods in DSWD warehouses not moving?


DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral: Wala kasing volunteers.


This short interview was done over the phone. Philippine News wanted to hear her side pero ayaw niyang makipag-usap sa press. After four tries, pinasabi na lang niya ang maikling sagot na ito sa secretary niya - “Walang volunteers”.


I don’t want to accuse her of corruption but at the very least she is showing signs of being totally incompetent. We are in a state of calamity where every second counts. May namamatay araw-araw dahil sa sakit.


In my opinion, these deaths could have been prevented if Secretary Cabral had tried a little harder to do her job.


    Deaths from Philippine storms nears 1,000

    “Tropical Storm Ketsana left 420 dead and 37 missing when it flooded 80 percent of Manila on September 26, a disaster the government said affected 4.35 million people.


    Some areas are still flooded three weeks later and 189,000 people remain in evacuation centres,


    Typhoon Parma hit the northern Philippines on October 3 and lingered as a tropical storm for a week, triggering landslides that killed 438 people and leaving 51 missing mostly in mountain communities.


    The government agency said Parma affected 4.16 million people, including more than 32,000 who remain at evacuation centres.”



During the first week after the storm, lumabas ang “bayanihan spirit” ng mga Pinoy. “Makatulong lang kahi’t konti,” katwiran nila.


kung walang volunteers, ano ‘to, komiks?


From Stella Arnaldo’s blog:

“At the offices of many civic groups and private organizations, hundreds of people showed up to volunteer in packing relief goods.

At the Tulong Bayan center at the Expo Centro in Cubao, Most of the volunteers were adolescents as young as 10 years old, along with their kuya or ate in high school and college.


They came in huge numbers, many of them barkadas, classmates or siblings, dressed just in their tees and shorts, wearing their Havaianas. All were just enthusiastic to do their share!

Photos by Leah Navarro





GMA asked world for donations


Our government begged the world for more donations. Sumagot ang buong mundo sa ating panawagan. In less than three weeks, dumaong ang mga barko, ibinaba mula sa mga cargo planes, i-diniliver ng mga trak at container vans ang sandamakmak na relief goods. Cash donations were in the millions of dollars.


But these donations must be coursed through DSWD


Nagpalabas ng directive ang pangulo. Individuals, private companies and other nations were ENCOURAGED to send their donations to DSWD. I blogged about it here and the video of her announcement here.


This PGMA directive sounded suspicious to me then. Now I know why. Here’s the story.


A group of eight people, your ate Ella included, went to one of DSWD warehouses to help in repacking relief goods. We know they need volunteers pero hindi namin akalaing WALANG TAO TALAGA SA LOOB NG WAREHOUSE!


As in sa isang humongous warehouse (1000++ sq.m) NA PUNONG-PUNO NG RELIEF GOODS HANGGANG BUBONG, ISANG DSWD employee lang at ISANG SECURITY GUARD ang tao!!


Kailangang magpa-register at i-schedule ang volunteering


    1) UNICEF Registration (as a volunteer)

    The warehouse can only take as much as 50 volunteers at a time or per shift. Here you will find that there is a 4-hour shift, and an option for a 6-hour shift for the volunteers to indicate their availability.


What “volunteers”? Nasaan?


Aside from the 8 of us? Nope, there was nobody there. Bakit kailangan ang scheduling? Feeling hindi ba magkamayaw at nagu-unahan ang mga volunteers?


I know somebody who wanted to volunteer many times. She was always bumped off, laging nirere-schedule kasi “there were too many volunteers” daw. At tuwing Sunday lang daw puwede. What the hell is going on here?


Nakatambak ang donations ng UNICEF sa warehouse, local and international


Mga banig na dapat ay nahihigaan ng mga nasalanta. Mga imported camp beds na hindi na yata masisilayan ng mga biktima. Mga kumot na hindi naman nakabalot sa katawan nila. At mga pagkaing hindi sumasayad sa sikmura nila.


The relief goods are not going anywhere


We arrived at about 8 am and left by midafternoon and yes, you guessed it right. Kami pa rin ang tao bukod sa isang DSWD employee sa loob ng warehouse maghapon. Walang ibang dumating.


The relief goods are not moving. By the way things look, they are not going anywhere. Hindi maglalakad mag-isa ang mga donations na ito papunta sa mga evacuation centers.


LET THE PICTURES DO THE TALKING


Note: Pinagbawalan kaming kumuha ng pictures sa loob ng warehouse. I wonder why.




“Not a creature was moving, not even a mouse.”





Parang haunted warehouse ang dating. May multo na yata.


Kahit na daig pa ang tindahan sa Divisoria sa dami ng naka-stack na kaldero


At walang katapusang kaldero pa ulit





Kahit halos natakpan na ang mga bintana sa dami ng mga kahon





Kahit umabot na hanggang kisame ang stack ng mga kahon





(Close up ng Coleman camp beds sa previous photo) Hindi ito kasama sa ni-repack naming goods. Para sa mga “special victims” kaya ito? Ire-repack kaya ang mga “imported” camp pads na ito ever?


Sabagay, may BANIG naman para sa “ordinary victims”. Ito ang kasama sa inimpake namin. Sayang ‘yung imported.




Ano kaya ang laman nito? Hindi rin pinabuksan. Pang-special victim din kaya ito? (teka, dito nga pala galing ‘yung mga kumot)




Mahiwagang mga kahon from Japan Aid.




(close up ng mahiwagang kahon) Hindi rin ito kasali, of course. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang laman nito. “Imported” are not included, we have concluded.



Marami ito, mga laruang kasinlaki ng tao. Hindi nakunan ng pic kasi nasa tabi ng sikyo.




PORK AND BEANS? Yup, you’d think kasama ito sa relief bag. Pork and beans lang ‘to, puwede na sigurong ipamigay,




Naaah! “Imported” pork and beans from Spain po ito. Sorry, hindi pa rin included


Now let’s take a look at what a victim will get from DSWD



Look Ma, sampung lata ng sardinas! How generous! Kaldero ang unang ilalagay sa sako. Sabong panglaba (bar soap) at sampung sardinas sa ilalim. Siyam na sabon sa gilid ng kaldero. Local goods lahat syempre.



Tapos papatungan ng isang tuwalya at isang pack ng sanitary napkin.



Sisiksikan ng tatlong rolyo ng kumot(?) ang blue water jug tapos ipapatong sa kaldero sa loob ng sako.




Last but not the least, lalagyan ng dalawang banig.




Sabay tatahiin na ang sako. O di ba, parang asong tinapunan ng buto ang mga nasalanta? Eniwey, busog naman sila sa SAMPUNG lata ng Mega sardinas


Do not delay



YOU THINK?? WTF is the matter with these people? Mag-iisang buwan na mula nang masalanta ang mga kababayan natin. ISANG BUWAN!! Do you mean “do not delay ang dati nang delayed”?? Shet.


Anong ginagawa ng mga donations na ito sa warehouse?? APAT na warehouse ang nasa loob ng compound na ‘yon! APAT na warehouse na punong-puno ng inaalikabok na relief goods! Relief goods na ayaw yata ibigay sa mga nasalanta. Halatang-halata.


Marami pang pabubulukin



Wow! May bagong shipment na naman! At the rate DSWD is moving, next year na madi-discover kung ano ang laman ng mga kahong ito.



    “The first of two of the largest high-energy food shipments from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) arrived in the country two days ago for victims of storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng.”


    The biscuits were fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for supplementary feeding to children, pregnant women and the elderly in evacuation camps. Another 100 tons of biscuits will arrive on Oct. 24, in a continuing effort to provide food assistance to flood victims.


Sige, ideretso ‘nyo ulit ‘yan sa DSWD warehouse. Para AMAG naman ang abutin ng biskwit… at sapot ng gagamba.


Conclusion


Sa maghapon namin sa warehouse,nakagawa kami ng 150 sacks of relief goods. 150 bags of relief goods lang ang lumabas sa warehouse na ‘yon that day. At nandoon pa rin sa loob ang mga imported relief goods, safe, sound and packed as the day they arrived.


Nakisakay kami palabas sa isang DSWD delivery van. Gusto sana kaming ihatid ng driver hanggang Makati pero wala raw siyang sobrang gasolina. Ibinaba na lang niya kami sa gitna ng EDSA. Millions of dollars in donations, walang extrang pang-gasolina.


Susulpot din siguro ang laman ng mga mahiwagang kahon at mapapasakamay din ng mga tao…sa ARAW NG ELEKSYON. O mabibili na nila ang mga imported goods na ‘yon sa mga puwesto sa Quiapo at Divisoria.


Suggestions lang po sa DSWD:


  • Alam ‘nyo palang walang mag-volunteer sa inyo, bakit hindi kayo mag-hire ng mga tao? Bayaran ‘nyo ng arawan para mag-repack. Ang daming walang trabaho, makakatulong pa kayo. Hindi naman malaking kabawasan ‘yon sa bilyong pisong donasyon na natanggap ninyo.
  • Isa pa, gaano ba karami ang mga sundalo natin? Hindi ba puwedeng ipagawa sa kanila ‘yan? Baka isang araw lang, tapos na ang problema ‘nyo
  • Bakit hindi ‘nyo ibigay ang trabaho sa mga NGO, churches, private charities, TV stations? I’m sure they are more than willing to help. Time is of the essence. Huwag kayong suwapang. Obvious ba, hindi ‘nyo naman kaya.
  • Kung talagang gugustuhin ninyong makarating agad sa mga kawawang biktima ang mga donasyong ‘yon, nagawa ‘nyo na ‘yan. Maraming paraan…kung talagang gusto ‘nyo lang.You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.

    You are the government. You have the power, the resources and the money. You just have to really care.


    I really can't believe that such a workplace exists! Check this video and find out yourself! I'm amazed and jealous!Is this for real?



    Oct 18, 2009

    This week's fix it friday subject is this cute photo of a little girl. I did two minimal edits below using photoshop.


    To check how others played, just clicked the button below....




    Oct 13, 2009

    That's my sister and my cousin giggling in excitement, my entry for this week's theme "EXCITED"!!!






    Oct 10, 2009

    I'm glad to have finally sit down and work on I ♥ Faces theme for the week "My Favorite Things" before the week ends. These are just a few of my favorite things and will probably come up with a part two in my succeeding posts.



    Oct 8, 2009

    Received this tag from YAMI of Mom Writes for A Cause. Thanks dear! The question is "What does your Birthdate mean?". Well, this is the result from Blogthings .... hmmm, kinda?





    You Are a Romantic



    You have the mind of an artist, even if you haven't developed the talent yet.

    Expressive and aware, you enjoy finding new ways to share your feelings.

    You often feel like you don't fit in - especially in traditional environments.

    You have big dreams. The problem is putting those dreams into action.



    Your strength: Your vivid imagination



    Your weakness: Fear of failure



    Your power color: Coral



    Your power symbol: Oval



    Your power month: November




    I'm tagging everyone on my bloglist located on my right side bar. Just grab it peeps :D

    Oct 4, 2009

    Our place was not one of those hardly hit but still affected us in many ways like what most Metro Manila residents had gone through. The experience was worth noting for the lessons it brought to most of us. The wrath of Nature is calling our attention and everyone must cooperate to halt the effects of Global Warming

    It was one lazy rainy Saturday morning, the bed weather is very inviting so I woke up later than the usual. Everything started normal, went down and drank a glass of water, went online, posted a 1 day late blog entry for my fix it friday meme, check my email, and updated my Facebook account with the status "Ondoy Ondoy Go Away!!!" and then went down again to make some coffee. Outside our house, the flood water was rising, and after a while, we felt that the water was slowly seeping inside the corners of our house. My sister then started removing things from the floor, then we lifted up some appliances and placed it on higher ground except for the huge refrigerator that obviously we can't lift. My father just had a cataract operation last Friday, so the work was left to my sister, me and my mom.

    It was probably 10 years ago when flood water would normally enter our house during heavy rains, not since we had our flooring elevated and our street as well. The heavy rains brought by Ondoy was really unusual and alarming. After we had our lunch, the electricity then went out, after a while my cellphone was beeping a low batt sound but I was able to access my Facebook account via my mobile before it went dead totally, updating my status to "Terrible ONDOY and the rains keep pouring! First time after many years that flood entered our home!!!"

    Without electricity, there's no water as well. Lucky for us we were able to stock up a drum of water the other day and have something to use to wash our dishes and to take a bath.The hard part was bringing the water upstairs, it was really energy consuming! By late afternoon, water inside reached almost knee deep and the rain hasn't stopped, each one of us were upstairs already including the dogs. We were praying and hoping that the rain would stop soon. We instructed our youngest sister to just stay put at her work and just go home the next day when water has already subsided. I was feeling restless, had no idea what's going on at the other parts of Metro Manila. We don't have batteries to power up our radio to get the latest news. So I was thankful to find out that my sister's mobile has an FM radio, soon enough I was trying to locate a station that would veer away from the regular FM programming and thank GOD there is JAM 88.3. The hosts Gang and Lambert proved to be very helpful to those who had no electricity and no access to AM radio. They were doing public service by taking calls of those who need assistance while updating its listeners of important information, numbers to call for assistance and providing comfort to those who feel helpless. I was tuned in until 3am, you can sense they were already tired but trying their best to be of service. I can't sleep as well, checking up downstairs because our front door was only partially closed since the wood expanded and wont fit the frame. Thank God for candles, amidst the darkness, we can sense some security by giving us some light, offering some prayers and reading the word of GOD for comfort and assurance.


    Thank God again, it was no longer raining the next morning and water subsided fully inside the house although outside it was still a foot high. We settled eating canned goods for 2 days, but that's ok, others had nothing to eat. Cleaning the house was the biggest challenge, but that's nothing compared to those who lost their house and their loved ones.

    We are still blessed and thankful that GOD is there to listen to our prayers. I've proven many times that prayers can really make a big difference. When people unite in prayers, miracles can happen. Super Typhoon Pepeng, predicted to directly hit Metro Manila after the wrath of Ondoy shifted its direction affecting only a smaller part of the archipelago. I believe that's the power of prayers!!!

    Let's keep on Praying!

    Sep 30, 2009

    The floods have subsided and reality sinks in. The death toll is climbing by the day and the damage to properties and crops have reached to almost 5 billion pesos. Despite all this, the Filipinos remain hopeful, MABUHAY TAYO! Let's get back on our feet and start to rehabilitate our nation. Things can only get better!


    Let's keep the Pinoy spirit that despite the adversities, we can still manage to put a smile just like the photo above.

    What have I learn from ONDOY?
    • To be more aware of our environment and take care of our trash
    • In the event of heavy rains, cancel all your appointments and remain at home
    • Have a disaster plan ready
    • Keep a stock of ready to eat foods and bottles of mineral water
    • Have a ready flashlight, fresh batteries and transistor radio
    • Keep my cellphone fully charged
    • Invest on life jackets for every member of the family
    • Keep a list of important numbers to call in case of emergency
    • In choosing a place to build your home, stay away from low areas and river banks
    • Material things can perished in a blink of an eye, let us instead invest on things that money cant buy like meaningful relationship with our fellowmen and with GOD
    I'm sure everyone has learned a lesson or two. Let's all be prepared as another storm is approaching our shore according to PAGASA.


    To Help the victims of ONDOY, you can make online donations by clicking on these links: