Manila in Technicolor - 1960s

I was in awe with the beauty of Manila back in the 60s. I got these photos from my grandfather who experienced these lovely sights back in the day. Do you see Roxas Boulevard and the blue waters of Manila Bay? Blue waters! Who would've thought that 50 years ago, Manila was clean, picturesque, scenic, pleasant and filled with decent looking people? Try spotting anyone in flip flops or sando. You will not find one!

My grandfather must be disappointed while looking at these amazing photos. Fifty years of neglect and it is never the same. This should be a wake-up call to all the Filipinos. Let us help restore the beauty of our nation. It starts with YOU!

Oh how I wish we could go back to the old Manila!

Money Can't Buy Love or Class

(Photo Credits: Debt Help)

Amidst the on-going typhoon victim relief, the changing weather, the beautiful foliage and the lurking holiday season, there have been so many incidents in my e-life that I had to blog about it.

First was the rampant cyber bullying at a women’s forum that I frequent. Women’s photos were defaced to reflect horns, tails, mustaches, beards and spiteful words on their faces. These culpable women are supposed to be well-to-do, educated and mature. They openly mocked overweight, plain-looking and lower-class women. They probably felt superior to these so-called fat, ugly and poor (using their words, not mine) women. But they have been mistaken. The victims took the high road and forgave these women. They cried, they forgave and they moved on.

Another thread in the same forum focuses on women parading around their branded bags, shoes and jewelry like it defines a person as a whole. Some users look down upon those who wear ukay-ukay clothes and ignore them like they are not even part of the thread. I wonder, are these women just showing off to hide their insecurities? Melay, a good friend of mine even said it out loud, “The reality that expensive, designer items BY NO MEANS make anyone automatically fashionable or classy.”

No amount of money can cure insecurity, immaturity, rudeness and bad manners. Money does not buy class, case in point number one.

Secondly, a thread from the same forum consents that a woman can be labeled as high class prostitute in certain instances. Some women feel they deserve lavish gifts, trips and lifetime pampering from men because it is their God-given right. As quoted from the thread starter, “They take pride in enumerating everything that has been given to them, how they never have to pick up a check or work a day in their lives because their man provides for them. All they really need to do is satisfy their men in bed and then roll off and buy Gucci on their man's credit card an hour later.”

Disgusting if you ask me but there are women who are such. It is sad to know that some relationships are based on how much a man can provide a woman. It is not about how you feel for another person, how you see yourself with him/her or how you become a better person when you are with him/her. It’s about how much they can give you.

No amount of money can make you devoted to, care for, grow with and have mutual respect with another person. Money does not buy love, case in point number two.

Lastly, there are fake profiles who have been constantly bugging my Friendster account. I have finally given up and said, “Go ahead, ogle over it all you want!” because that’s what they’ve been trying to do for years. If they are so fascinated with my life, why should I deprive them from drooling over it?

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

(Photo Credits: Melissa Deak)

So to all my haters and stalkers, thank you for taking your precious time to think about me. I regard you with indifference and borderline aversion but I am flattered by your utmost attention. God bless you! Spread the love!

The Baby is Now a Lady

(Photo Credits: Kings Grant Fellowship)

The biggest and most shocking news I've heard recently is from my daughter. She comes up to me while we were watching television and tells me something that breaks my heart.

Gabby: Mama, there's a boy in school who likes me and I like him too.
Mama: (wide-eyed and curious) And?
Gabby: And he asked me if I can be his girlfriend.
Mama: (more wide-eyed and a bit shocked) And?
Gabby: (looking at the floor) And I said yes.
Mama: (trying to be nonchalant) Oh okay. What’s his name?

Gabby: Jordan. He has black hair like me.
Mama: Is he nice to you?
Gabby: Yes. He always makes me laugh.
Mama: Just make sure he is nice to you and does not make you cry.
Gabby: Okay Mama.

And then I calmly leave the room and cry hysterically in front of my husband.

My almost 7 year old daughter has a boyfriend! I was in denial and I did not know how to react. My baby is definitely growing up. I know it is nothing serious, much like the puppy love we all had when we were little. I just cannot believe that it happened so soon.

The best thing that came out of it was that she had the courage to come up to me and tell me the truth. I was very proud to know that I've instilled that in her. I’ve always told her that the truth will give her less trouble and reprimand. If she lied about something and I found out, I would be more upset and there would be consequences for her actions.

I realize that this is one of the earliest lessons I’ve taught her – speak the truth no matter what. And I should not be sad or mad that she has revealed something as personal as this. I am a proud mother.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32)

Filipinos Have Heart!

(Photo Credits: Mark Gosingtian)

My blog had and still has an overwhelming number of readers when I posted about How to Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims. By searching for “donate to Ondoy victims” or “Ondoy drop off center donation” on search engines like Google, my blog was one of the first to appear on the search page. I’ve written the entry specifically to consolidate legitimate websites where people can send their online donations to. One quick search and you will find the information you need.

This is my own little way of spreading the love and I am extremely grateful to those who’ve given support and are continually supporting organizations like UNICEF, Red Cross and World Food Programme to help our fellow Filipinos back home. I was especially touched by an anonymous reader who said that my blog is informative and helped him/her find a legitimate website to donate $70.

I have loyal albeit faceless readers from Manama, Bahrain and Doha, Qatar, Huntington Beach and Long Beach, California, Miami Beach, Florida and Quezon City, Philippines. I want to give a shout out to you and thank you for taking the time to read my blog and spreading the word about online donations to Ondoy flood victims. And if it isn’t too much to ask, I hope you leave a comment or send me a message and introduce yourself.

Our help - whether monetary, prayers or time – are very much appreciated. Filipinos do have heart, and where I’m from, everyone’s a hero.

How to Donate to Ondoy Flood Victims

If you are reading my blog and you are dry, have electricity, food and clean water to drink, you are all truly blessed to be alive and well. Now is the time to share your blessings with the Ondoy Flood Victims in the Philippines.

For someone like me who lives abroad, we can all donate online through these websites:

GMA Kapuso Foundation
http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donate

ABS CBN Foundation
http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/donate.php

Ayala Foundation
https://www.myayala.com/ondoy/Default.asp

Barrio Siete
http://barriosiete.com/donate-for-ondoy-victims/

Red Cross Philippines
http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Default.aspx?S=48&SS=972

World Food Programme
https://donate.wfp.org/supporter/donatenow.do?n=gbss&dfdbid=1044253

UNICEF
https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5960&5960.donation=form1&gclid=CJrO0tqvlp0CFR4Hagod4C15_w

MULTIPLY (PayPal)
http://ondoyrelief.multiply.com/

One measly dollar can buy a meal and bottled water for a child. To my fellow Filipinos abroad, do not forget where we all came from. This is a time to spread love to those who are in need.

Here is a list of US Based Drop-Offs:

1. New York
NAFCON (Nat'l Alliance for Filipino Concerns)/SANDIWA Nat'l Alliance of Fil-Am Youth are now receiving relief donations (clothes, blankets, medical supplies, monetary). NY drop-off @ BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center, 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY 11377. Call (516)901-1832 or email sandiwa.national@gmail.com if you would like to help.

2. New Jersey
Drop-Off Points: 1) Sinugba Cafe – 561 Westside Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07304 2) Casa Victoria – 691 Newark Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306-2803.
You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN's "BALSA" (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan).
For donations in New Jersey please contact: (201)621-3156-Yves Nibungco or (917)476-7855- Nick Cordero

3. Los Angeles
In Los Angeles area please contact Kuu Hilo (818)395-9207. You can send CASH through Metro Bank acct. 3 189 14540 1 For BAYAN's "BALSA" (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan)

4. San Francisco/Bay Area
For donations in San Francisco/Bay Area, please contact Ryan Leano (626)534-4971. Monetary donations can also be dropped off at these sites. Checks can be made out to "Lakasdiwa," a non-profit organization that will send the funds directly to MIGRANTE International in the Philippines, a workers' organization directly helping the victims in the disaster relief efforts. Please put "Typhoon Ondoy Relief" on the check's note.

Filipino Community Center4681 Mission StreetSan Francisco, CA 94112

Liwanag Kultural Center Hillside Park Clubhouse 222 Lausanne Ave. Daly City‎, CA‎ 94014
Mondays 3:30-6:00,Tuesdays 3:30-6:00,Wednesdays 3:30-8:00,Thursdays 3:30-6:00
Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy & Leadership Attn: Armael Malinis, AnakBayan-East Bay 310 8th Street, Suite 215 Oakland, CA 94710

Stanford's Pilipino American Student Union (PASU) is also collecting donations to be sent to the Philippines to help victims of Typhoon Ondoy (International name Ketsana). If you would like to make a donation, please contact AV David at avhdavid@stanford.edu or (650) 491-4561.

For more information, see http://www.google.com/landing/typhoon-ondoy.html

For those in New York and the Tri-State area, see http://briantenorio.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-birthday-party-in-nyc-turned.html for a birthday party turned fundraiser in NYC.

God Bless the Philippines!

Would You Rather?

Two of my closest friends and I were discussing marriage. All three of us were Filipinos and were talking about how some Filipinos (based on culture or tradition) label someone as an old maid or a playboy/homosexual when they are not married by 30. Our discussion came down to a question:

Would you rather marry the one you are with right now because you are “of age”? Or would you rather wait until the right person comes along even if you’re in your late 30s or 40s?

For the women, say you’ve been with this guy for a number of years but there have been kinks along the way. Kinks like cheating, lying or fooling around. But because you love your guy, you forgive him and you stick with him even though you know there is something missing. You are almost 30 and “time is running out”, as you’ve been told by your family and friends. You want to have kids at your prime but you are not even sure if your partner will make a good parent. He proposed and you said yes but your head is saying no. Now what?

For the men, say you’ve been with this girl for a number of years but there have been kinks along the way. Kinks like nagging, unreasonable jealousy or fooling around. But because you love your lady, you look past the negatives and stick with her even though you know there is something missing. You are past your 30s and your family and friends are debating whether you are gay or a playboy. Your mom wants to have grandchildren but you are not even sure if your partner will make a good parent. You find out that your girlfriend is pregnant and they expect you to marry her. Your head is saying yes, it’s the right thing to do but your heart is saying no. Now what?

It’s not a cut and dry answer. Situations vary but this was the scenario we conjured up based on our past experiences. What if I never met my husband? Would I still be with my ex and stay with him just for the sake of my daughter? Would my husband still be turning a blind eye on his ex's indiscretions? Would my girlfriend still be with her ex and stay with him even if he belongs to someone else? Would my guy friend still be with his ex and stay with her even if he knows in his heart that she is not the one? Would the three of us even be friends and living in New York?

All 3 of us agreed that it would be better to wait and look for “The One” even if it takes us past 40. Why lower your expectations when you know you deserve someone better? Of course, we don’t mean live recklessly and turn your backs on responsibility. If we want something, we go to great lengths to achieve it. Good thing this was only a scenario and not real life. This was a “what if?” situation.

Life has so many “what if?” situations but I always believe that everything happens for a reason. When things don’t go the way we want it to, it might not be about what we want, but what God wants for us. I used to say, “Lord, please give me this, this and this so that I will be happy.” But He knows better. He gave me trials to make me stronger and to make me realize that I was meant to be with my husband and not the guy I was praying for. Now I know. I say, “Let Your will be done, Lord.” And then I only have to wonder what life would be if He had not intervened and given me what is due.

So, would you rather push for what you want? Or would you rather let God lead your life? Trust in Him. Let His will be done. And you will be amazed at what He can do for you.

Woohoo for Jimmy Choo!

Okay, we all know that the Alexander McQueen diffusion line has not been successful for Target but the upcoming Jimmy Choo collaboration with H&M should be one heck of a treat! H&M’s first shoe designer collection is a must see (and buy!). Pictured above are the actual Jimmy Choo shoes for H&M. Drool! Jimmy Choo is known for creating shoes that match clothing rather than the other way around. Also available will be bags and accessories for men and women.

"We are privileged to be among the fashion greats who have been affiliated with H&M so far, and to be designing a collection appealing to fashion savvy, street smart women, and to be including some great pieces for men, too," founder and president of Jimmy Choo, Tamara Mellon said.

Now, who wouldn’t want to snatch a pair of these Carrie Bradshaw must haves? Save the date – November 14. It’s already penciled in my calendar! I can’t wait!

Edit: The cut-out shoes are approximately $132! Is it worth it? YES!!

http://www.nitrolicious.com/blog/2009/09/08/jimmy-choo-for-hm-suede-dress-sandals/

For You

I write for myself and no one else. I do not have a big fan base because I do not promote my blog. I just have it linked to Facebook and is on my profile signature at a woman’s forum. If someone views my blog for more than a minute, I am astonished and grateful for their enthusiastic reading.

It was a nice surprise when my hubby’s cousin told me that he’s been following my blog even before we met. This is partly false because I’ve only started blogging since January 2009 and I’ve known him since July 2005. But I digress.

This is a big THANK YOU to you, dear reader for giving this blog the time of day. I hope at one point, you’ve enjoyed my posts or have driven inspiration from some of them. I strive to be authentic and true because this blog is about me.

A big shoutout to my cousin-in-law. Hi, Al! Thanks for reading!

My Biggest Pet Peeve

(Photo Credits: apostropheabuse.com)

I dnt lyk txt spk nd rong speling nd inqorect punctuations…it anoys me 2 hi heavens nd givs me a bg hedache whn I rd a msg lyk dis…wats wors is wen ppl do it in tgalog.

“muxtah? ai xenxa na pu ngaun lng me nktxt sau..dnt wori im4tant qaw pa rin sa qin…ingatz pu lge”

ARGH! I want to grab a big red pen, correct the spelling and punctuation then beat the hell out of the texter. But that’s just a fantasy. There is also the wrong use of he’s vs. his, it’s vs. its, we’re vs. were. People, the apostrophe is for the omission of some letters! Meaning he’s is equivalent to he is. You say, I know he’s a good person and not I know his a good person. There is a big difference.

I’ve dreamt of being an author when I was in Grade School. I loved reading Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley Twins books, writing short stories and letters on scented stationeries (that's with an e and not an a) and even had a stint as Features Editor for our school paper. I’ve let go of that dream a long time ago but I have not given up proper grammar, punctuation, spelling and capitalization.

One of the most interesting books I’ve read is “Eats, Shoots and Leaves” by Lynne Truss. This book is about the zero tolerance approach to the apostrophe. She was motivated to write this book by her horror and despair over the abuse of the apostrophe and other punctuation marks. It starts off with the story of a panda that eats, shoots and leaves. What she really wanted to point out was the misuse of the comma between eats and shoots. It’s supposed to read, “A panda eats (bamboo) shoots and leaves”. The book is a very witty instructional volume that helps one brush up on grammar. She said that those using the apostrophe incorrectly should be struck by lightning and chopped to bits. Hilarious!


I don’t claim to be an expert in writing. I make mistakes too but I am resourceful enough to use spell-check, Google or Wikipedia. You can call me OCD (like me and my lists) again but I am a stickler for correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. Believe me, this is 10,000 plus points for a man if he gives a woman a handwritten letter with no grammatical errors. This is exactly the reason why my husband uses Microsoft Word, spell-check and even the thesaurus before giving me a letter. And the effort is so worth it!

Just today on Yahoo, a woman was fired for sending “confrontational emails” written in red, bold and all caps fonts. She sued the company for wrongful termination and won the case. IF YOU SEND AN EMAIL IN ALL CAPS, BOLD AND RED, WOULDN'T IT SEEM LIKE YOU'RE BEING RUDE AND SCREAMING AT THE OTHER PERSON? I think she should have been reprimanded first and then if she did not observe correct letter writing, she should have been fired for non-compliance.

We forget how to write a lovely handwritten letter because of the convenience of chat and text in this day and age. I am not even 30 but I feel like I’ve been left behind by the way people communicate. I would love to get a letter from a friend one of these days. I still have letters dating back to the 1980s and they are one of my treasured possessions. Xenxa na, old school me e!

Yours Truly as a Guest Writer

Bing, a good online friend asked me to be a guest-writer in her blog, I Love/Hate America. Her blog is about an immigrant's love-hate relationship with all things American. A wonderful and controversial blog, definitely a must-read! My article was about Facebook vs. Face-to-Face. Read more about it here!