Manila Ocean Park

Ate was off from work so the family went to Manila Ocean Park, the first marine-themed park in the country, for more bonding time.

   

We purchased tickets for the Marine Life Encounter package and decided to visit the Jellies first. The place is full of hundreds of different kinds of jellies in tanks. The light effects and soothing background music added drama to the displays.

     

The next stop was the South American Sea Lions followed by their entertaining Marine Life Show featuring Isabella, Icis, and their good-looking trainers.

    

The last leg was the Oceanarium which features various marine creatures from Agos (Freshwater Ecosystem) to Karagatan (Seas), Bahura (Coral Reefs) to Kalaliman (Deep Sea/Ocean). The main attraction is the underwater viewing tunnel. It was exciting to view the wonders of the sea up close.

 

Against the Wind

Our boat was supposed to travel straight to Batangas City but it went to Muelle Bay (part of Puerto Galera) and we all transferred to a bigger boat because of the strong waves. The waves were really strong as we sailed. Most of us put on life jackets and the crew members were busy attending to the needs of the passengers most especially the kids. As we traveled, I thought about my personal unforgettable sea travels. There was a time when we had to travel by pump boat from Roxas, Oriental Mindoro to Odiongan, Romblon in the midst of a forthcoming typhoon. I had another banca experience going to Marinduque when we had propeller trouble. I told myself, that these waves are nothing compared to what I have been through. Life is like that. As the song goes, "life is just like walking against the wind". Life is a voyage. The sea will not always be calm. On some days, the weather may be fine but the sailing is rough. But I know where my life is anchored. Wherever the wind may bring me, I know there is a purpose and God will never leave me nor forsake me.

Birthday at the Beach

Today's morning walk was different. We were not doing seven rounds at the oval in the university. We were at White Beach, Puerto Galera and it's my 46th birthday today. And it's also our 22nd wedding anniversary. While walking barefooted along the shoreline (we did it to avail of free and natural foot scrub), we saw a pandesal vendor. Hmmm, the sight of other beachcombers eating pandesal triggered our hunger pangs. Unfortunately, we didn't bring any coin purses with us so we went back to our lodging house. Bobby looked for the vendor but there was no more pandesal. He just bought what was available and ordered coffee for us. That was extraordinary because we are not really coffee drinkers.

It was our last day in Puerto Galera so Bobby and I donned our swimming clothes and hit the water. Oops, the waves were big so I just stayed in the shallow portion and got massaged by the waves. I felt like a kid enjoying the splashes and many times I tumbled and rolled on the sand because of the forceful waves. Bye, White Beach. Thank you, Lord, for giving me another year. The past year was full of blessings and enriching experiences. Thank you for my family, the wind beneath my wings, and for my friends. I pray that my life will also be a blessing to those around me.

 

"White" Christmas

Last year, Bobby and I experienced our first white Christmas in New York. It was also our first time spending it away from our two kids. This year, we had another white Christmas. Right after the Christmas Day worship service in our church, we trooped to White Beach, Puerto Galera for a three-day family bonding.

 

It wouldn't be complete without a shot on top of the rock and of course, I have additions to my jump shot collection.

    

It was so relaxing to have a whole body massage by the beach. And here's another must-see... different groups perform fire dances and variety shows every night.

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to All

Simbang Gabi: God With Us

Our church choir joined the UCCP-Tagaytay Choir in performing "God With Us: A Worship Experience" during their Simbang Gabi. We had this concert in December 2008 at Cavite State University Chapel. This time, it was another experience of doing the same but with a bigger choir. The songs of Don Moen continue to touch my heart and those of the listeners. Indeed, Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.

Bonding With Colleagues

Time out. It's time to forget for a while the usual work in school and enjoy a hearty lunch with fellow workers. Everybody deserves a break.

UCCP-Indang's 61st Anniversary

I'm blessed to have witnessed the 61st-anniversary celebration of our church and been part of its ministry. Actually, the church started its mission work longer than that. We are indeed thankful to those who labored in building the church and in strengthening its ministry. The church may not be as big as those which have existed this long but it has remained steadfast and continued to carry out the Great Commission. And God has been faithful through the years.

My Pruthner

Did I say I'm a trying hard pianist? I am. I was in the third grade when my mother convinced me to study piano. Mostly the rich kids got to enroll in piano lessons during that time. We were not rich but my mother was very insistent and supportive. I dutifully attended my weekly lessons. I had to walk more than a kilometer one way to reach the house of my piano teacher who was a retired classroom teacher. Maybe I was not serious about this extracurricular activity because I dropped out after one year. Maybe the monthly fees were too much. 

I was able to spend a few minutes practicing what I learned using the keyboard in a church next to our house and when an aunt bought a Yamaha organ for my cousin. I can still play my first piece after I finished the basic lessons. The sheets were manually written by my teacher (no photocopying machines during that time). Perhaps I'm really interested in piano because when my daughter was yet to learn how to read and write, I "pushed" her to take piano lessons. It didn't last long because she was too young then. What I didn't expect was I would be our church organist several years later when we didn't have a pianist and choir director for months. It was such a relief when our music director came. My love for piano did not fade until one night while I was listening to our music director played the piano during a wake, I was truly blessed and challenged that I finally decided to buy myself a piano and work on improving my elementary skills. That's how Pruthner came into my life.

Tita Pors @ 60

November 16 was declared a national non-working holiday so the family went to Calapan to join the celebration of Tita Pors' 60th birthday. It was a long time since we last visited the place and it turned out to be a mini-reunion. Better this way than seeing them at a vigil or funeral of a relative. Celebrate life!

STARRDEC's 22nd Anniversary

It was a holiday (barangay elections) but we were at STARRDEC to prepare for its 22nd-anniversary celebration on October 26-27.

One Tagaytay Place

We were the host of a regional meeting and I got the chance to see the view of Tagaytay from the top of the hotel.

Time Slips By

"Time slips. Years fade. Days pass. And life ends. And what we came to do must be done while there is time." - Max Lucado 

Days are getting shorter. Everyone seems in a hurry to beat schedules. Express lanes. Instant food. All-in-one stuff. The fact is we all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months a year. It's the busyness of life that somehow makes time fly so fast. Rushing here and there. And at the end of the day, is it all worth it? First things first. But there are always excuses. Not now. Maybe tomorrow. Later. Next time. When I get a chance. When the right time comes. And so on. And just like words spoken, spent or "unspent" time cannot be recovered. And what did I come to do? I have to do it now. Before it's too late.

ARDS Reunion

I had a great time bonding with kuyas and ates, reminiscing our good, old days at UPLB. We may not have seen each other for a long time but the bond remains. Because we were all ARDS grantees, once upon a time.

Little Christmas Trees

On a farm in Maragondon, bamboo roots are used to make little Christmas trees. No waste. More value.

CEIT@25

New Hobby

My son has just found a new hobby -- photography. His Ate who is a "frustrated photographer and aspiring to be a pro someday" recently bought an SLR. Since then, both have been doing photo shoots, experimenting, and trying hard to get the best shot. Cyril started with flowers. Hmmm, improving!

AE Grand Alumni Homecoming

El Nido, Palawan

El Nido is a top destination in Palawan just like the world-famous Underground River in Sabang, Puerto Princesa City. It is approximately 240 km northeast of the city via a long dust track between Taytay and the municipality but it is all worth the long trip. 

There are also small airlines offering direct flights from Manila. The poblacion is just a small version of Boracay minus the maddening crowd but a friend told me that the beauty of the place lies in the islands. Island hopping is therefore a must. True enough, I was awed by the magical limestone cliffs and other rock formations, crystal clear waters, and white sand beaches as we hopped from one island to the next. Our tour included the usual destinations like the Big Lagoon, Miniloc Island, Small Lagoon, and Secret Lagoon.

 

The islands are really breathtaking. I discovered later from the official website of El Nido that the novel "The Beach" was written by Alex Garland while living there. El Nido, I'll see you again. Next time, I'll explore more of your islands and beaches with my loved ones.