Pasko at New Year sa Pinas 2008

JANUARY 8, 2009

I had a long break before and after Christmas season and I never had the chance to post our Christmas celebration. My kids and nieces are rallying and demanding me to post the Christmas photos and other activities so this would be a long post guys 🙂

Filipinos usually starts welcoming Christmas at the knock of “Ber” months. As early as September, you will hear Christmas songs played on the radios and I myself started to decorate our house with Christmas Tree last October.

Of course my daughters did all the decorating stuff while I was pre-occupied with a lot of work and issues here and now as am staring at my blog, I realized that I never post a single article about Christmas [sigh 😦 ]

But it’s better late than never, so I have to post all the activities we had before Christmas time and after New year.

My youngest and only son Robin Jr. (Nonoy)

My third daughter Rajisha

My 2nd daughter Sabrina

Jessica & Nonoy

My niece Jane

Yours Truly 🙂

Simbang Gabi at San Sebastian Cathedral, Tarlac City

Dec 16 – Misa de Gallo

We’re off to church for the Misa de Gallo where we have to attend the early mass at 4am. Morning masses lasted for 9 days and it is believed and also part of Filipino traditions that a person who completed 9 days mass will have their wishes.

Some church celebrates mass before the break of dawn at 4 o’ clock in the morning while other celebrates mass at 7, 8 or 9 o’ clock in the evening.

It is also a common tradition for Pinoys to buy native Filipino foods such as malagkit, suman, bibingka, ibos, puto etc… after the morning mass.

Native Filipino Foods

Belenismo – The art of making Belen

It’s one of the project of our present local officials. This was conceptualized by Tarlac Heritage Foundation President Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay aiming to make the province of Tarlac as  “Belen capital” of the Philippines. It was launched in 2007 and since then, it becomes a yearly activity for Tarlaquenos which is actively participated by different Barangays, municipalities, institutions and local organization from different sectors and local businesess of Tarlac.

ASIATEN

Max’s Luisita

San Sebastian Cathedral inspired Belen

16 Belens won from different categories out of 78 entries. Categories includes personal, grand, monumental, municipal and diorama.

Tarlac Police Office Belen of Barangay Salapungan received the first award followed by Asiaten Hotel and Coconut Grill as third. Winners were personally awarded by Senator Loren Legarda

Zone ABC DEMOLITION CAMPAIGN

Demolition Poster at Barangay Entrance

The Nolcom authorities temporarily stopped their daily demolition rounds campaign, maybe for the sake of Christmas but nailed this poster at our Barangay main entrance. At present, they never resume the usual rounds of military jeep anouncing demolition. The last update was prior to Christmas, Zone President announced that we will expect the release of Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on January 27, 2009 and we are hopeful that it would be released earlier.

Inter Barangay Basketball League

There were many activities in the city. Barangay Basketball league, was participated by different basketball teams from different Barangays. Hub coaches one of the basketball team. The overall winner was Barangay Texas.

Carolers were everywhere, kids, teens, adults & beggars. Some houses who don’t have an extra money for carolers will just put off their lights early. But since I am running a gaming homebiz (PC & Video), and most of my customers are children and teens, I have to allocate coins for them but the good thing about it is that it would go back in my pocket as they would be back playing the next day.

Prior to Christmas time, my kids were busy preparing for their school Christmas party and exchange gifts so as a mom, I have so many things to do which makes me so busy such as buying clothes, gifts, school projects etc… etc… not to mention my printing jobs which requires most of my time.

Dec 24, 2008 – Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!!

Noche Buena

My day starts and ends at the kitchen lolz!

I have to cook for our Noche Buena. Macaroni Salad, Spaghetti, Crispy Pata, hotdogs, pan bread with cheese and a lot of candies for the kids. Gift giving… And a lot of Christmas Photos …

Mommy and Rajisha

Daddy and Sabrina

Juliet and Hub

December 25

Mano po Ninong/Ninang!!

Kids visited their Ninongs & Ninangs (Godparents) to ask for blessings and gifts. We call it “pagmamano”, another Filipino tradition where kids and teens are visiting their Godparents, these were the people who sponsored our children during baptism and acts as second parents to our kids. They usually prepare gifts or money for their Godchildren. My kids want to extend their sincere thanks to Ninong Atty. Jojo Batalla, Ninang Ressie Reyes, Ninang Myrna Sapasap, Ninong Edgar Uy, Ninong Bong Gallo, Ninang Luz Corpuz, Tita Sally & Ate Cherry for the money and gifts. And I also want to thank my daughters for their gifts for us. I love  you Jek, Sab, Ish, nonoy & ate den…

Dec 27, 2008 – Happy Christening Baby Jed!!

Jed’s clothing and accesories

Jed’s Christening

Location: San Miguel Church Time: 11:00 a.m. Reception: Max’s Restaurant

Cherry’s firstborn was finally baptized before new year. We were all invited at the reception but we can’t leave the house so I stayed home to entertain some expected visitors while my entire family attended baby Jed’s christening. Welcome to the Christian World baby Jed 🙂 I hope you grow up to be a God-fearing boy with wisdom and kindness 🙂

Baby Jed’s cake

Reception: Max’s Restaurant – Luisita

Baby Jed’s Candles, Token & invitation

Mommy Che & Baby Jed

My kids; Jessica, Sabrina, Rajisha, Nonoy and my niece Jane

Corpuz Family

December 31 – New Year Celebration 🙂

Once again, our day starts and ends at the kitchen but this time Hub did most of the cooking 🙂 Another Filipino tradition, we have to prepare 12 fruits on our table, 1 bowl of rice, salt and water and malagkit with egg on top. My mother in-law is doing this yearly and now that she’s gone, we decided to follow her tradition. We were roaming the market to complete the list of fruits. We had grapes, apple, watermelon, melon fruit, oranges, kaimito, pineapple, banana, pears, chico, ponkan and buko (young coconut). Hub added garlic and onions this time.

Media Noche

Yummy desserts 🙂 Kainan na!!

For safety, we never use any firecracker this year. It’s also part of saving our budget so instead of firecrackers, we played Christmas songs and videoke. Childrens are playing videos till dawn and we gave it for free until the next day.

Happy New Year!! it’s chow time 🙂

We’re all full lolz!! 🙂 look at the tummy haha!!

Final Pose 🙂 Happy New Year to all of you!!

The magic of “Ber” has passed and now we’re welcoming the New year with hope & gladness in our hearts. Happy New Year to all of you guys. May this year brings more blessings to all of us. Cheers!!

Juliet & Family 🙂

Mount Pinatubo Trek

Due to overwhelming response of my readers to my Mt. Pinatubo Post, which also becomes my no. 1 post since I started blogging, we added another service in our homebase business. This is Tour Guiding Services

My hub and I has particular task in running the business. With IT related works, I am in-charge of the internet, design and documentations while hub is doing the field work. But when the need arises, I also assist hub with field work activities.

Recently, I have many inquiries in my inbox particularly Mount Pinatubo Trek. I used to have a computer shop at Capas Tarlac and Tarlac Municipal Tourism had been one of our clients. I designed and created the Identification cards for Mt. Pinatubo Tour guides and most of them are Aetas. I also designed banners, flyers and brochures.

Last week, 2 clients from the internet hired our service thru this blog, Greg and Wisnu. Greg arrived last week but he went to Puerto Galera first and he scheduled trekking on Saturday, Dec. 13. Wisnu Wijaya, an Indonesian based in Malaysia arrived last Dec. 9 at 5:30pm. Hub meet him at the airport. They arrived home at almost 10pm. Although we had an agreement that we will book him in a hotel but because we were so excited sharing each others’ experiences, he decided to stay with us. Our house suddenly turned into a transient home.

The next day hub included Wisnu in the group of trekkers bound to Mount. Pinatubo.

Hub (in white shirt) with Wisnu and Mt. Pinatubo trekkers

Hub during the actual trek

Weee! Samson or Hercules?

Natural and Fresh Spring Water from Mt. Pinatubo

Mt. Pinatubo Crater

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Boating

Have fun, experience swimming at Mt. Pinatubo crater

4 x 4 wheel drive, the only transport system that would survive rocks and boulders

After a tiring day, sooth your muscles and enjoy full massage spa

Spa comes in different packages; mud spa, volcanic ash spa and many more.

What are you waiting for? experience a once in a lifetime trekking adventure at Mt. Pinatubo Philippines. You can come in group or you can trek alone with native tour guide.

For more inquiries, leave your comment here or email me pinaykeypoint@yahoo.com

Update 2/8/2009

Please click the link to see our recent Mount Pinatubo Trek last February 6 & 7, 2009

For further inquiries, detailed info, trek schedules and itineraries please visit my other blog:

HTTP://PINATUBOTREK.BLOGSPOT.COM/

POST UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 14, 2012

WE ARE NOW ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED TEAM IN THIS FIELD.

THANKS GOD FOR MY BLOG AND FOR THIS POST;)

I Need Your Strength

Two top media company has already come in our place to look at the matter but we never see any light at the end of the tunnel. Days passed by swiftly and the thoughts of losing the roof on our heads beyond January 30, 2009 makes me weaker each day. I can’t even feel the Christmas in the air, although cold wind is already embracing me… I guess it just makes me numb each passing day. The show of force is so demoralizing, watching the regular round of soldiers in our neighborhood is creating fear and confusion among the children. I already written our cause to some top leaders of our society but it seem our issue had just fallen in deaf ears…

 

 

I started blogging to ease my pains

To ease my feelings and gain some friends

To voice out my opinions and ravings

and to pacify the anger in my surging veins

 

The journey to blogging seems interesting

It lessen the worries that makes me lame

It makes me feel alive once again

From more than 3 years of silence

 

I was silenced by the forces of evil

Who threaten to take my life If I never refrain

Refrain from what? You may ask me that

From being radical which narrowed my path

 

But I can’t live in silence for many years

It makes me crazy and will paralyze my brains

Now I need to go out once again

Maybe not in the street but in the field of blogging

 

 I love my kids, I don’t want to endanger them

That’s why I shut my mouth off and quit from work

But how long shall I stop and just stare at them?

While they are crashing our rights and our home

We were all strangers in this land

Which created by God for every man

But some men are greedy and cruel

They draw the boundaries and created their titles

 

But how dare you claim you own the land created by God?

You just draw the line and claimed it’s yours?

And for that claim you’re ready to harm and maybe kill

Whoever blocks your plans and claims?

 

Fights and wars has just one cause

The greed in every man’s heart to rise in power

By trampling the rights and freedom of other men

Just to place themselves in the pedestal of fame

 

The journey to freedom maybe long and hard

Millions of men had already sacrificed their lives

For the call of justice, equality and sovereignty

Despite all these, we still have to take our steps in this journey

 

I am drawing my strength from God and friends

And I am calling you to internalize the cause

The fight will be stronger if you joined mine

I need your strength in the darkest time…

 

~by: Juliet B. Corpuz ~

12-8-2008 4:00am

Poetry is my healing balm… I need to put into words all the bad feelings I have in my heart…

Related posts of our issue:

Demolition Issue

Demolition update

Eviction notice

Jan 1, 2009

I would like to thank all my readers and blogger friends who extend their hands and support to our demolition issue. The good words coming from you guys is very important to me as this keeps me going and stand on my feet each day.

I also want to give my sincere thanks to SSNUFY for a wonderful poem he composed for this post.

POEM FROM SSNUFFY

Be still my friend have you not forgot
that an awesome God Controls the lot
His word is law and very true
and you know the depth of His love for you

So Stand in faith and and trust His Word
to doubt His power is quit absurd
For He is God and on His Throne
and your promise is your not alone

In His good time this storm will pass
and you will stand at peace alas
and the threat so bold that held you there
will disappear in the morning air,,,,,,

Gods very best >>>SSNUFFY

Thank you very much….

Here is my response for this poem…

Thank you very much SSNUFFY
For this sincere poem you created for me
The thoughts made its way to my heart
Which adds to my strength and made me glad

Never will I forget I have a Big God
Who always leads my path
In him I draw my strength
To face all my struggles and pains

I always thank him for all the friends
That He sent my way as an instrument
Who cheers me up when I’m in vain
Which cushion the blows and ease the pains

I stand still and keep my faith
To trust His word is my shield
This storm will go and never win
Cause I have a God who never fail

<<<<Juliet >>> [January 1, 2009     7:30 a.m.]

BONIFACIO DAY

Let’s talk about our National History. I know many of you has no detailed knowledge about this so I did some research para naman medyo maka relate tayo ngayong araw na to… baka sakali… makita natin ang kahalagahan ng mga ipinaglaban nya… na sana lang ay hindi nga nasayang ang mga iyon… yung reference books ko ay hinalukay ko pa sa Baul ng tatay ko 🙂

Today is November 30, we are commemorating one of the important person in the Philippine history, Andres Bonifacio.

Who is the guy? ( He’s my Hero 🙂 )

Bonifacio came out after the failure of the reform movement headed by Rizal and M. Del Pilar. This paved way for a more radical and more active lines. He formed the Katipunan, a secret society which was founded at Tondo Manila, in a house on Azcarraga street then numbered 314, on July 7, 1892, the same date on which Rizal was decreed to be banished to Dapitan.

The secret society was popularly known as KKK which means “kataastaasan Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga anak ng Bayan” (The Highest and the most respectable Association of the Son’s of the People).

The two principal aims of the KKK as gathered from the writings of Bonifacio:

1. Unity of the Filipino people
2. Separation from Spain by means of Revolution

Rizal doubtless approved the first aim but refused to accept the second and this was the reason that he refused to go along with the “Katipuneros” (soldiers’ of the Katipunan) and voluntarily surrendered that leads him to prison and death.

To achieve unity of the Filipinos, propaganda work must be done and this was through massive education and civic trainings of the Katipuneros. To that end, Bonifacio prepared his now well-known Decalogue, and Jacinto his famous “Kartilya ng Katipunan” (Primer of the Katipunan)

Here is an excerpt from the second paragraph of the Kartilya which states that;

“The object pursued by this association is great and precious: to unite in ideas and purposes all Filipinos by means of a strong oath and from union derive force with which to tear the veil that obscures intelligence and thus find the true path of Reason and Light”

The strong oath was documented and signed with the blood of the “Katipuneros” (blood compact). They swore at the Katipunan creed; To defend the oppressed, fight the oppressor even to the extent of supreme self- sacrifice.

Organization of the Katipunan

The Katipunan has 3 levels of authority:

Kataastaasang Sanggunian (The Supreme Council)
Sangguniang Bayan (The Provincial Council)
Sangguniang Barangay (Town Council)

It was founded in 1892 but Andre4s Bonifacio assumed the presidency in 1894

Table of Organization

President – Andres Bonifacio
Secretary – Jose Turiano Santiago
Fiscal – Emilio Jacinto
Treasurer – Vicente Molina

Executive Department (1896)

President – Andres Bonifacio
Secretary of State- Emilio Jacinto
Secretary of War – Teodoro Plata
Secretary of Justice – Briccio Pantas
Secretary of the Interior – Aguedo del Rosario
Secretary of Finance – Enrique Pacheco

Membership of the Katipunan

With Bonifacio as the Supreme leader, the society gains active followers in the provinces of Morong (Rizal), Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Tayabas. The number of Katipuneros has been estimated at 123, 000 in Manila and the surrounding provinces. Women also organized themselves into an Auxiliary of the Katipunan including the 29 relatives of the Katipuneros.

Ritual of the Katipunan

Katipunan also adopted some of the features and practices of the Masonry, such as conferring of degrees, secret ceremonies and symbolic names.

A first degree of the Katipunan was called “Katipun” meaning an associate and the sacred word was “Anak ng Bayan”. A second degree member was called “Kawal”, a soldier and the sacred word was “Gom-Bur-Za” which stand for Father Gomez, Burgos and Zamora. A member of the third degree was called “Bayani”, a hero and the sacred word was “Rizal”.

The symbolic name of Bonifacio was “May Pag-asa (There is hope), Emilio Aguinaldo as Magdalo and Emilio Jacinto as Pingkian.

The call to Arms

It was a lieutenant of the civil guard stationed in Pasig, who in July 5, 1896, reported in confidential writing to the Governor of Manila that persons coming from the capital and neighboring towns were enlisting men for an “unknown purpose” and that they were making recruits sign wit their blood a pledge not to reveal, even under threat or death the purpose of the association and its intentions.

On August 19, 1896, the offices of the “El Diario de Manila was forcibly searched by the “guardia civil” and lithographic stone with 2 blank receipts of the Katipunan was found including the By-Laws and other incriminating documents. This leads to multiple arrests of many suspects that ends up in their tortures and death.

The First Cry of Balintawak – The first cry of revolution

On August 20, at the last series of meetings held in Kangkong, a barrio in Caloocan, Bonifacio and his followers plan and agreed to attack Manila on August 29, 1896. That decision marked the triumph of the radicals under the leadership of Bonifacio and Jacinto. Resolved not to return home, the Katipuneros, as proof of their determination to break off their allegiance to Spain, tore up their “cedulas” (certificate of residence), shouting “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” (Long live the Philippine Republic)

That was the start of the Philippine revolution which took place in many parts of the land. Many Katipuneros had died in the battle for the sake of freedom and liberty. Bonifacio has fought for this purpose until the last breath of his life.

300 years of Bondage. Millions of Filipinos had lost their lives fighting for independence.

The Spanish is too proud to surrender to what they call idiots and stupid Filipinos. They rather surrender to Americans. And so it was done.

The history tells us who the real heroes are. ..who fought to liberate this land. It was clearly written but Bonifacio, was denied the title of a National Hero. My daughter asked me that same question. I said, maybe because Bonifacio is a radical person and must not be idolized by future generation. They want us to be meek and just pray and ask for God’s mercy. Not fight and bear the unbearable… and whoever raised his voice against the government must be silenced… legally…brutally.

The Cry of Balintawak still echoes in the wind. For every life that is wasted, for every leader who dies because of a word called “principle”. I wonder if independence was really achieved because until this day, the Spanish styles of killings and tortures is still existing. Activists are killed. Organizations are busted. Workers are displaced. Unions are abolished.

The journey to freedom is long and hard. The price of bravery and principle is high.

The day of real freedom and independence still remains a dream…

 

References: History of the Philippines by Conrado Benitez

The Philippine Islands – by Dr. James A. Robertson, Blair and Robertson

>>> My dad’s books from his very old collections…

Veterans Day

NOVEMBER 11, 2008

Today, Americans are celebrating Veterans Day. This occasion is celebrated annually every 11^th day of November in honor of military veterans. If it falls on a Sunday then the following Monday is designated for holiday leave. This practice is similar to Philippines because any legal holiday which falls on a Sunday, Monday will be a holiday leave, and for regular workers working on a holiday, it will be a double pay on their pay slip.

Why I am discussing this?

Courtesy of http://z.hubpages.com/

My Dad is a US army, a World War II Veteran. Col. Aureo B. Bustinera, my dad is one of the thousand Filipino Soldiers who fought hand in hand with the US military soldiers to liberate the Philippines from Japanese forces during war time. I grew up with stories of war and battles. I can’t count the times how my dad untiringly narrated his experiences in the battle field. The scars on his face, the traces of tortures and marks all over his body are the silent witness of his great bravery.

I was breed to be tough to all sorts of battle. The big D which stands for discipline was deeply marked on my forehead. I learned the essence of discipline through constant lecture and spanking but I do love my dad. I owe him what I am today. My battle of life has been easier compared to what he had been through during those crucial times. Living in the midst of tanks, firing guns and grenades is no joke. To survive from that battle is indeed a big miracle and I thank God that I was born to a brave man like my dad. I’m very proud of him.

Sometime in September 1992, Dad availed and filed for US Naturalization Process. This is one of the benefits extended to USAFFE (United States Army Forces in the Far East) and Philippine Scouts. Dad is a Philippine Scout (PS).  PS is a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 to World War II. Made up of native Filipinos assigned to the US Army’s Philippine Department, these troops were generally enlisted and under the command of American officers, however, a handful of Filipinos received commissions from the United States Military Academy. Philippine Scout units are given a suffix of (PS), to distinguish them from other US Army units.

One of my Dad’s Certificate. Click for larger view.

I assisted my dad during his review. He has to familiarize all the questions and corresponding answers provided in his reviewer. I even memorized the 50 states; American flag color, presidents and other related questions because Dad was reading that everyday, I used to mock him for that because for me, it’s odd why he has to memorize all that stuff. Then I go with him at the US embassy and you know what happen. Our efforts were wasted because the interviewer just asked him to narrate his experiences during the war and he listened tearfully. Whew! That’s what I get with days of review lol!

Dad has been naturalized after a year and awarded a multiple entry and exit to US. He petitioned us after but I told him I prefer to stay here in the Philippines. The irony of this naturalization is that Dad will only receive his pension if he would live in the US territory. Many of my dad’s comrades went abroad to taste the life of Milk and Honey but unfortunately most of them returned resting on their coffins accompanied by their mourning families.

Dad’s US Certificate of Naturalization. click for larger image.

My Dad is already past his 80s and one of an estimated 18,000 surviving World War II Filipino veterans, 13,000 in the Philippines and 5,000 in the U.S. struggling to survive without adequate veteran’s benefits which the U.S. government promised nearly six decades ago. Instead he has been living meagerly on his old age pension from PVAO (Philippine Veterans Affairs Office).

Reading the news, the bill which will allow the US veterans residing in the Philippines to receive part of the compensation that the US veterans residing in US is receiving which is called Veterans’ Equity Act of 2007 has been set for floor debates both in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

I saw the faint smile from my dad’s tired old face. Finally, after more than half of the century fighting for their rights, they’re almost at the finished line and I hope my dad can still raise his hands for that day that he will receive his $ pension which he long for many years.

Dad and thousand of men like him were victims of wars and conflict. They served hand in hand with the government but been abandoned afterwards. They’re no different from many Philippine soldiers who were pushed out from their hard-earned home like what is happening to us now here in Camp Aquino where we are facing demolition issue.

The irony of war… The irony of Governance…

…and yet we are wondering why resistance movements exist?

The existence of resistance movement in any country is a result of discontentment and poverty. They choose to die fighting rather than die waiting…

I hope that the leaders will comprehend the essence of this truth…

Undas sa Pinas 2008

 NOVEMBER 1, 2008

Filipinos are celebrating All Saints Day and All Souls Day every 1st and 2nd day of November. It’s one of the most celebrated traditions in our country. We call it “Undas” or “Fiesta ng mga Patay” in Tagalog and because I’m a Bicolana, we call it “Fiesta ng mga Kalag” in Bicol Term.

Fiesta, yes this is almost a festivity as families are going to cemeteries to pray and celebrate. It’s a whole day activity and to some, they even spend it overnight. It’s like a party or reunion as we are also bringing foods aside from flower and candles.

Yesterday, Hub and Jane went at Eternal Memorial Park at 7am to prepare our place. They brought some chairs and light candles while I prepared some food for our lunch and snacks. Every year, I usually cook “pancit” and “malagkit” for this occasion. This is a native Filipino food. We also put “atang” or food offerings in our altars. It’s a traditional food offering for the souls of our departed loved ones.

Some communities are also holding Halloween Party and “Trick or Treat” but in our Barangay (Pinoy Term for Community), families are spending the day at the cemetery. We prepare flowers, candles and my son even bought his pet Meme to spend the day with us.

My kids enjoyed the day playing, eating and running around. It’s also a time to meet old friends as many of our friends who are staying at other towns and provinces are going home to visit their loved ones. This is also a nice time for family reunions so it’s almost a dual celebration both for the departed loved ones and the family as a whole.

These are some of the pictures of the Undas

In loving memory of Inang, Tatay Pedro and Kuya FrancingMy eldest daughter Jesicca >>> pa cute  🙂Yours truly and my kids- Jek, Sab, Isha, Nonoy, my niece Jane and KBHub & the kidsMy youngest son, NonoyJane, Isha & KB >>> hala kain ng kain 🙂Hub’s niece Marilyn A.K.A. “Basisang” and her BF Aldrin>>> Oiii, sweet nila 🙂Sabrina>>> Pa cute din  🙂Inabot na kami ng gabi

My sis in-law, Ate Luz and niece Cherry

E2 c Hub dapat daw me solo pic sya 🙂 (talo pa ko- ako wala 🙂 )

at syempre only in the Philippines: Negosyo kahit araw ng patay 🙂

Okay, til here folks, that’s our yearly celebration of UNDAS SA PILIPINAS. Til next post 🙂 Ingat!

Note: ingat means take care

Happy Halloween!!

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Robinson and Demolition

OCTOBER 27, 2008

Okay sa title rhyme diba? 🙂

Robinson Supermarket’s Opening

To my fellow Tarlaqueños and Tarlaqueñas, opening of Robinson Supermarket will be on October 30, 2008 kaya mejo ihanda nyo na yang mga budget nyo for grocery.

Hay naku maganda lang to sa maraming pera hehehe…

I mean this is good to those who have extra budget but to us, who are living each day at a time and sometimes can’t even make both ends meet, maybe we’ll just walk in for window shopping lol! 🙂

Zone ABC Demolition Issue: Updates

Robinson’s opening will not stop my fellow barangays from worrying with the serious threat of demolition. I wrote this issue in my previous post and the last time that NOLCOM officers attended a dialogue with us last week, they lay down a “Take it or Leave it” offer. It means, we signed the MOA or not, its up to us. But one thing is clear, they will pursue with their plan.

What ironic in this meeting is that, our association’s officers are speaking in behalf of the officers when in fact, the NOLCOM officers are there and they should be the one answering the questions raised by the membership.

Leadership means leading and representing your people and members, and for this clear definition, we were expecting that our association officers shall mediate and collect the questions and raised it during the meeting, giving the opportunity to NOLCOM officers to explain their side but it’s the other way around.

This is indeed a serious threat to our property and security. The content of the MOA clearly defines a voluntary turn-over of your property, not only the lot per se where our house were erected but our house itself. The MOA also stated that they can conduct an inspection anytime they pleases which is a clear manifestation of harassment. They think we are all idiots and stupids and with an armed men around, threatening us with this “Take it or Leave it” connotation.

It’s really sad to see these people going beyond the rights of many people. This is one of the reason why GMA’s strong republic is never realized and will remain a dream until the end of her administration.

They are all like wolves under the mask of a lamb.

Girl Scout of the Philippines

Coping up with my posts, I’ll be sharing with you one of my daughter’s activity last September 30. It’s a delayed post but I have many article rewrites and paid blogging work lately so I kinda neglected my blog. Sorry guys, I need to prioritize my earnings since 70% of our income comes from online work and 30% comes from my field work and homebase biz. I have 4 kids to feed and 1 niece to send to school that made 5 kids to grow. We’re a big family indeed and we really have to work overtime to cope up with our daily expenses.

I am always active and supportive to my kid’s activities and one of this is GSP activity. GSP means Girl Scout of the Philippines. Last September 30, 2008 Tarlac South District Elementary schools from different  barangays of Tarlac South celebrated Escoda Day. Sapang Tagalog Elementary hosted the event.

GSP Theme

It started at 6am so my kids woke up early to prepare. It was a whole day activity which includes formation, Marching, Yelling competition and parlor games. The activity ended at 3pm and San Miguel Elementary school was the overall champion in Yelling Completion.

Hub took this picture before they go to the Formation area. He said the morning was so pleasant and he can’t help but take this picture.

I also made a research about the brief history of GSP to give you a clear idea why they are celebrating Escoda day. What or who is Escoda anyway?

Research from Wikipedia.com

The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) is the national Guiding association for girls and young women of the Philippines. Its mission is “to help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, and to the nation, and the world community. The girls-only association serves 671,267 members (as of 2003).

Lone Girl Scout troops were organized in the Philippines as early as 1918 by American missionaries and servicemen. These Scout troops were directly registered with the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Pilar Hidalgo-Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda spearheaded the organization of a Scout movement for girls, and requested the assistance of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). In 1939, Mrs. Escoda was sent to the United States and Britain for training through the help of Joseph E. Stevenot of the BSP. Upon her return to the Philippines, she immediately started to set up the GSP with the help of other civic organizations.

On May 26, 1940, the GSP was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 542.

In 1946, the GSP was accepted as a tenderfoot member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) during the 11th World Conference held at Evian, France. In 1948, the GSP became a full member of WAGGGS during the 12th World Conference held at Cooperstown, New York.

Since 1995 the organization lost nearly half of its members; the membership number shrunk from 1,275,113 in 1995 to 671,267 in 2003. In reaction to this, the BSP opened the Senior Scout Section for girls in summer 2006 which led to a public conflict about the focuses of both GSP and BSP.

Program

The GSP’s program focuses on “well-being, family life, heritage and citizenship, world community, preparedness, economic self-sufficiency, arts and environment. Center of the program is the “eight-point challenge”, a merit-badge program. The highest award is the “Chief Girl Scout Medal” which was introduced in 1976.

The Girl Scout emblem incorporates elements of the flag of the Philippines.

Sections

The association is divided in five sections according to age:

* Twinkler Scout – ages 4 to 6

* Star Scout – ages 6 to 9

* Junior Girl Scout – ages 9 to 12

* Senior Girl Scout – ages 12 to 15

* Cadet Girl Scout – ages 15 to 21

Scout Promise

Filipino:

Sa aking karangalan, gagampanan ko ang aking tungkulin

sa Diyos at sa aking bayan;

tutulong ako sa aking kapwa sa lahat ng pagkakataon

at isasabuhay ko ang Batas ng Girl Scout.

English:

On my honor, I will do my duty:

to God and my country;

to help other people at all times;

and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Scout Law

1. Ang Girl Scout ay mapagkakatiwalaan (A Girl Scout’s honour is to be trusted)

2. Ang Girl Scout ay matapat (A Girl Scout is loyal)

3. Ang Girl Scout ay matulungin (A Girl Scout is helpful)

4. Ang Girl Scout ay kaibigan ng lahat at kapatid ng bawa’t Girl Scout (A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout)

5. Ang Girl Scout ay mapitagan (A Girl Scout is courteous)

6. Ang Girl Scout ay magalang sa lahat na may buhay (A Girl Scout respects living things)

7. Ang Girl Scout ay disiplinado (A Girl Scout is disciplined)

8. Ang Girl Scout ay may sariling paninindigan (A Girl Scout is self-reliant)

9. Ang Girl Scout ay matipid (A Girl Scout is thrifty)

10. Ang Girl Scout ay malinis sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa (A Girl Scout is clean in thoughts, words and deeds)

Sapang Tagalog Elementary School Stage

Girl Scout Formation – Sapang Tagalog Gym

The big GSP Crowd includes the parents as audience

GSP Patrol Leaders holding the GSP Flags

Star Scout Yell presentation – San Miguel Elementary School

My daughter Rajisha is included in this presentation under my Best friend Liza’s sister Madam Susana Tam. They were awarded as Yell Champion

My daughter Rajisha and her friends – She’s in grade 4

My daughter Sabrina: they are reciting Girl Scout Law

My daughter Sabrina – She’s in 5th Grade

My daughter Sab and her friends. They also won the Yell Competition

Sabrina & Rajisha – My 2 daughters

One positive experience they have experienced transferring to a public school is this GSP activity. They never have a GSP activity when they were studying at Tarlac Montessori School.

Naalala ko tuloy nung bata pa ako, I used to go on camping and jamboree from one place to another, my dad is allowing me to do so but todays generation is different because of many dangers in todays environment so I’m always hesitant to allow them to join camping in far flung areas. My kids, especially my 14 years old daughter Jessica is asking for permission in their forthcoming camping activity outside Tarlac, on November but I said I’ll think about it 🙂

How about you? do you still remember your great experiences during GSP & BSP campings? 🙂

Zone ABC: We are facing Demolition Issue

Zone A, B and C of Barangay San Miguel, Tarlac City are facing Demolition issue and this is a very crucial matter for us. It means there is a threat that we will lose the very home that we have now and it is very eminent lately. There have been a series of meetings between the Zone association and the NOLCOM – Northern Luzon Command and Nolcom issued a proposed MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) which in my assessment is very unfair on our part.

I met my husband in Tarlac when I was relocated here 18 years ago. I am a daughter of a military, Col. Aureo B. Bustinera, a US WWII veteran. I was raised to embrace home and family and my dad taught me to be righteous and loyal. My husband’s father and 4 brothers served the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well and 2 had died in active duty. This is the reason why my hub’s family is residing here. The lot where our house was built had been awarded to his father more than 50 years ago. This serves a permanent home for my hub’s family for many years. I never had the chance to meet my father-in-law since he was already deceased many years before I meet my husband. We were both military children so we knew the essence of discipline and loyalty to home and family which our dads taught to us. When I married hub, 15 years ago, we embraced the same principle of raising our kids in the light of loyalty and discipline. My kids are growing with leadership yet, very loving and homebody.

When I read the MOA from Nolcom last week, I had a hard time getting a normal sleep. My kid’s future is at stake. There is a threat that one day we shall wake up homeless. It is so unfair. How can the government tolerate this? For more than 50 years, people are living here peacefully, soldiers served their purpose and some even died like my 2 brothers-in-law, tilled this land and made it a home. Now that progress is coming to our place, will it be the same progress that will make us homeless and poor? How about our house that we built for years? We were in debt for many years to build our house so we can provide our kids a decent home.

Is this the Strong Republic that the government is flaunting in their speeches? How sincere is the call when they are threatening us to take our home instead of providing it to its constituents? I can say that everytime the government is taking steps like these, they are creating enemies and waging war against the very people that have been very loyal and dedicated.

As I write this post, I know it will add another danger in our lives but I cannot rest and wait for that day that I will wake my kids homeless. I am asking the Government to take a second look and pay attention to people’s issues. I am lobbying this in behalf of my 4 kids and the rest of the small children in our neighborhood. Please don’t make them homeless… Please provide us a home… don’t take it away from us.

Robin, Juliet, Jessica, Sabrina, Rajisha & Robin Jr.

Calamansi Street Zone C San Miguel Tarlac City Philippines

The same place where my husband robin and my kids grew and experienced their childhood

This is the MOA from NOLCOM. Please read it tell me if this is just and right….

MOA – Page 1

MOA – Page 2

MOA – Page 3

My Home Land Philippines

At a brief glance at the map, you will notice how strategically my country is located with reference to Southeastern Asia and the Indonesian Islands.

Our Archipelago guards the approach to these regions by sea from the North and from the East. This is both a handicap and an asset to us Filipinos.

A Handicap to us in case war involves nearby countries, as powerful nation with plans to launch war against them may attempt to conquer our country first so they can use us.

We had learned this disadvantage during the second world war. At the same time, the Philippines strategic control over the northern approaches to the China Sea, and indirectly over the eastern approaches to the Straits of Mallaca, has advantages too. It adds to our Political importance among the nations of the world and above all, it makes Philippines commercially, an ideal center for the distribution of goods throughout Southeastern Asia. The Philippine archipelago comprises 7,107 islands. The total area of the Philippines is 115,600 square miles. I will share to you the poem I composed for my homeland.

A TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR LAND PHILIPPINES

By Juliet B. Corpuz 122096

We were living peacefully in this land called ‘Pearl of the Orient’

Our land was so rich and green
We have our gold, our seas and mountains
We have nothing to ask for
Everything is provided by mother nature
Then a galleon came with these foreign men

By their power, they took everything
Our land, our gold, our freedom
Our forefathers were divided
By their sword and cross, the Pearl was conquered

For 300 years they had stayed
Our ancestors became slaves
Our great grandmothers were raped
Millions of our fellowmen were killed
And all over the land, their blood had been scattered!

Then a cry of freedom rang In the ears of Balintawak!
Our Great father had stand and urge us to fight
With his bolo and great bravery,
He shouted:”We have to fight for our freedom!
We have to freed our land!”

We were almost there but then we were divided again
Some of our forefathers stood
On the side of these foreign men
By their selfishness we were weaken
Until we were conquered again.

The kind of sufferings that we experienced from these Whites
Will never be forgotten as long as we live
Millions of casualties, cities were destroyed
Their flag were victoriously hanged
Above the Pearl that mourned

While the Pearl was mourning
Another battle hits again
This time the Tiger Japs
Snatched the Pearl from Whites
By their bayonets, the land was bathed by blood.

The exploitation and slavery of our motherland
Seems like heavy rains storming its inhabitants
Freedom was just a dream
To a poor Filipino man

Then the movement had risen
To fight for our freedom
They were tag as “Huks” heroes of Japanese times
The struggle continues
We have to topple these men

As the Japs were cornered, the Whites suddenly entered
Because they claimed that it was their promise
To return as Mc Arthur said
The wise whites had shared with us
The victory that must be ours.

That was the great history of our Mother Pearl
With her beautiful feature
She is always jailed
In as much that she longs for freedom
But she was always conquered

My dear fellowmen Do we really gain the freedom?
Which been long so much by our motherland?
Do we really escape from the clouts of these Whites?
Who conquered us during those early times?

The Echo of Balintawak
Can still be heard in the wind
The way they shouted for freedom
Was like a thunder in the mountains
The cry of our forefathers were like a storm and hurricane!

How long shall we sleep?
How long shall FREEDOM be a dream?

Did you feel my anger in this piece?

This poem was posted in our company newsletter and a local magazine.

I was very active as a labor union leader when I composed this piece. I was one of those who march on the street with clench fists asking to make a difference…

JBCPEN