I Love Philippines

I've been out from blogging for quite so long now. As much as possible, I have kept my silence for I never want any unwanted circumstances to come. And when finally all my plans had been granted by our good Lord, that's the time I can speak out.

I had a series of despedidas with my friends. The first one is a dinner at Mang Inasal at Robinson's Pulilan with my mother, my tita, and my tito.

Mommy and Mommy Ja

It is followed by a coordination meeting of sort with my team, the MAIDRS team, at Buddy's.

Brian, Liezel, pEDo, me, Jem, Cris, Marco, and Chad

Are you counting? My third one is for my loving office buddies, 'My Despedida Treat'.

pEDo, Zen, Jem, ChickenLegs, me, Faith, and Mark

The fourth one is at Red Mango with Faith and Mark. Originally, we are a group of four. However, BurpRunner is no longer around. He is seeking greener pasture out of the country.

Mark and Faith

The fifth one is at Sensations Spa and Max's Pulilan. I had the opportunity to spend quality time with my angel, and my cousins: Analyn and Mine.



At that moment, it is slowly sinking in to my senses that I will be missing all of them. And I had no idea how I can deal with it. But, I already made up my mind. I already made a decision. I know God will provide.

To continue, I had a sweet surprise from my fairy. And never losing count, this is my sixth. It is at Mr. Kurosawa, Eastwood.

My fairy, Thania, Chris Pacana, me, Tita Patti, and Tito Popoi

The seventh was another surprise. It was unplanned. Special thanks to Marivic for the treat. I had a despedida with my NGCP friends (my angel's office buddies) at TGI Friday's at Trinoma. It was followed by a short chat over a cup of coffee and cheesecake at Starbucks.

Me, Phoebe, Marivic, Aiza, Christian, and my angel

With all those despedidas, I feel dearly loved. Yes, I cried. But there's a need for me to do this. I need to work here in Singapore for six months for something. I have my plans. And I hope my plans would turn into reality. I know God is with me. I put my faith in Him. So there, now you know what had been making me busy lately. I guess 'change' really is inevitable. I thought I will never work abroad and leave my family behind. But I'm already here. It is exactly a week already.

I arrived here at Singapore last Sunday. The day after, I already had to report for work. This country seemed to be very friendly with respect to geography. My close friends know that it is my weakness; but here in Singapore, I got to go to work and back home by my own on my second day. It is that easy. At the same time, I am overwhelmed by the number of Filipinos I met along the way. Not to mention that I had the dearest housemates. Well, I still got a number of things to say about Singapore and my stay here. But I am planning to create another blog for that, and I will call it Minnie Project. Watch out for that.

So, what's the sense of my blog post title with what I had just said? Earlier, while I was updating one of my social sites, I thought of adding "I Love Philippines" in my 'About Me' profile. Working here in Singapore allowed me to realize how much I love my country. I would not deny the fact that Singapore is a well developed country. Anyone would say that they would love to live here. Well, I do love to; but there has to be a condition - and that is, I should have my family and love ones with me. My family does not end with merely my mother and my siblings, it extends to my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, my in-laws, and the list goes on. I Love Philippines because it is my home. And yes, there's NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

This is a video of Stephanie, me, and my mom on our way to the airport.

Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan Lights up Magic & Happiness

Shake up the happiness. Wake it up, wake up the happiness. It’s Christmas time!

Once again, the country’s one and only partner in opening up the true spirit of the holiday season, Coca-Cola, rolled down the highly anticipated Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan and the annual Araneta Center Giant Tree Lighting last November 12, 2010 at the Araneta Coliseum parking lot. The well-loved beverage brand treated guests to an experience like no other when it painted the town red and led all the festivities, keeping true to fulfilling its tradition of bringing everybody together to usher in a magical Christmas.

Kicking off the day’s funfair was a grand parade led by a convoy of Coca-Cola Christmas trucks carrying two of the hottest youth icons of today and Coca-Cola ambassadors Kim Chiu and Enchong Dee with teen celebrities Empress Schuck, Joseph Marco, Matt Evans and the Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash of 2010 housemates Ivan Dorschner, James Reid, Ryan Bang, Bret Jackson, Tricia Santos, Jenny Sol, Devon Seron and Fretzie Bercede, Starstruck idols Kris Bernal, Steven Silva, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda and Diva Montelaba along with the Philippine Navy Band which marched along and rocked out the Araneta Center with lively renditions of popular Christmas jingles.

I got a Coca-Cola Shirt from the games that I played in the booths inside the activity area.
I also had a souvenir picture with co-bloggers (Mee-I and Flow)

Photo Op with Kapuso Stars (Steven Silva, Kris Bernal, and Rocco Nacino)

With Justine Ferrer
Photo Credits: Mee-I

Right after the caravan spread cheers across the upbeat hub, more and more surprises were opened up as the energetic duo of Nicole Hyala and Chris Tsuper welcomed guests to the various game, activity and photo booths lined up by Coca-Cola just before the official tree lighting ceremony started. The renowned Love Radio tandem DJ’s bonded and shared an early Noche Buena feast with the celebrity guests, granted some of the guests’ heartfelt wishes and gave away raffle prizes to lucky folks all through out the afternoon.

Kitchie Nadal singing Coca-Cola's Christmas Theme Song
(Shake Up by Train)

In no time, all the rush and thrill finally led to the much-awaited lighting of the Giant Christmas Tree situated at the heart of Araneta Center, a celebrated custom since 1981. The exciting countdown to the “it-moment” was joined in by officials from the local government, Araneta Center and The Coca-Cola Company along with Kim Chiu and Enchong Dee along with other personalities and celebrity guests. Standing at almost 100ft. this year’s tree is bedecked with more than 10, 000 lights and hundreds of stars and Coca-Cola Christmas balls, with huge ribbons and colorful gift boxes as accents. Through the years, it has been a beacon of hope among the Filipinos; a most cherished icon that signals the beginning of the holiday season and reminds us to always believe in the magic and happiness it brings, the same way Coca-Cola inspires.



“We are so happy that we are part of this very momentous affair - to light up happiness and open up a magical Christmas season with our favorite drink, Coca-Cola! That’s what this occasion is all about- for us to remember that we would always have Coca-Cola to energize our bodies with its delicious taste and fizz as we celebrate with the ones closest to our hearts and to refresh our spirits so we can all enjoy life’s goodness,” says Coca-Cola ambassador Enchong Dee.

Unlike in the previous years, Coca-Cola gave the amazed partakers more reasons to light up happiness among themselves and others around them as it held the first-ever simulated lights and sounds show. The magical harmony of lively Christmas anthems and dazzling beams that sparkled among the Coca-Cola caravan up to the giant tree culminated to a fireworks display, which left guests in high spirits.



Indeed it was a day of wonderful surprises, moreover when Coca-Cola also launched the Coca-Cola Contour Glass promo. “The Coca-Cola contour glass is one of this season’s fun, ultimate merry must-haves that will surely complete our Noche Buena bonding and allow us to keep refreshing ourselves with the deliciously fizzy cola drink we all love. It’s available in five perky colors such as red, yellow, violet and green and the latest addition to the bunch, the aquamarine contour glass. Let’s make moments count this Christmas by sharing them together. Let’s make it more colorful with an ice-cold Coke and these cool contours,” says Coca-Cola ambassador Kim Chiu.

It’s so easy to take home all five Coca-Cola Christmas Contour Glasses: Buy Coca-Cola, Coke Light, Coke Zero, Sprite or Royal Tru Orange in any of the 500ml, 750ml, 1L, 1.5L and 2L packs. Look under the Santa cap for the “Coke Glass” text and collect 2 more regular Coca-Cola Santa caps and exchange these caps for one Coca-Cola Christmas Contour Glass from any 7 Eleven store, selected sari-sari stores or public markets and Coca-Cola Sales offices nationwide. You may redeem from November 15 to December 31, 2010 only.


This Christmas, let us all open and celebrate magical moments together shared with nothing less than the irreplaceable sparkle that uniquely refreshes and makes us happy- Coca-Cola. Energizing Christmas Spirit. Open Coca-Cola, Open Happiness.

New Blog... Again?

A new chapter of my life will begin a few days from now. And since I am a blogger, I am thinking of creating a new blog for my adventures. I am thinking of having a title “Minnie Project”. In is in reference to the Project 365 that I have been seeing in most of the blogs that I hopped. What do you think?

On the other note, I wonder if I would still be able to manage my blogs. Read it again – BLOGSSS. I got so many blogs:

1. My Unrevealed Thoughts – my personal blog
2. Minnie Runner – my blog dedicated to running
3. Odds and Ends – my blog dedicated to movies, TV shows, strange and/or funny pictures
4. My Puzzle Piece – my blog dedicated to food and places
5. Not So Personal – anything that falls outside of my blog categories

Can I handle another one?

Anyway, my food and places blog’s domain name will soon expire and I no longer wanted to continue with my current web site hosting provider. I don’t know if I’ll still be looking for another provider or simply settle with Blogger and have that long blogspot.com with my URL. But since I am frugal, I guess I’ll settle with Blogger. I’m not that serious blogger that wants to make money online anyway.

Please do visit my other blogs if you have time (See the link at the sidebar). See you around!

My Despedida Treat

Since I know that no one will blog about my despedida like what I did for pEDo and BurpRunner, I will blog my despedida myself, LOL! But before anything else, let me reveal that, yes, I AM FRUGAL, except of course when it comes to my angel ♥.

It feels like it is my last day today, so I decided to invite my friends for a lunch out. Supposedly, we would be having our lunch at Maguro, but pEDo requested to have it at Snackaroo. I don't know if the heaven is weeping or something 'coz the rain pour down heavily the moment when we were about to leave. But the rain does not stop us.

pEDo, Zen, Jem, ChickenLegs, Me, Faith, and Mark

Our Lunch

To aid our body in digesting the T-Bone Steak that we had for lunch, we had a cup of coffee at Starbucks. I ordered my favorite, Green Tea Latte (no classic syrup, add hazelnut).

My Green Tea Latte
I intentionally put some green on my lips and teeth

Zen, Jem, and ChickenLegs

Mark, Faith, pEDo, and Me

I will surely miss you guys. But I really have to go. ^_^

Disclaimer: Haven't I told you that I'm frugal? I ONLY treated them at Snackaroo,hee hee.

Joyful Christmas at SM City Marilao

Last November 6, 2010 kick off the Joyful Christmas celebration of SM Supermalls nationwide. My angel and I attended the one held at SM City Marilao Center Atrium. The program started at 5:30PM. We're a bit late for we attended a birthday party at Pandi, Bulacan. Nevertheless we had witnessed the significant parts of the program.

Christmas spirit fills the mall when the Christmas ChriSMs Bop was sung. I have the lyrics here. In case you had that LSS, hee hee.

The Christmas ChriSMs Bop

Stanza 1
Let's have happy times, good cheers are here,
let's have some greetin' and kissin' my dear.
Let's have the Christmas ChriSMs all,
shoppin', shoppin', shoppin' at SM Malls!

Stanza 2
Santa Clausin', reindeer and sleighin',
mistletoin' and tableau playin'.
All that Christmas ChriSMs we do,
SM Supermallin', me and you.

Stanza 3 (The kids' part)
All you kiddies both naughty and nice,
playin', gamin', zillion surprise!
Toys, candies and ChriSMs for you,
shoppin', shoppin', shoppin', fun and new!

(Refrain)
Gifts are here, gifts are there,
one giant spirit everywhere.
Christmas ChriSMs, great, big fun,
SM Supermallin' and we're not done.

Skatin', snowin', movie screenin',
wrappin', rollin', feastin', rushin'.
Christmas ChriSMs the sight and sound,
shoppin', shoppin', shoppin', round and round.

(Refrain)
Gifts are here, gifts are there,
great big lovin' everywhere.
Christmas ChriSMs, here to stay
shoppin', shoppin', shoppin', SM Supermallin'....
Merry Christmas ChriSMs all the way!

And for the main menu of the night, Santa's Toy Factory was opened for the public. Here, SM City Marilao takes you inside the famed house up on the North Pole where toys are made! You can have a photo taken in Santa's favourite place in his home - by the fireplace where he makes his list and checks them twice.


And being a kid at heart and a Filipino who loves to take pictures, I took the opportunity to have one.


Okay, I have to correct myself on my line earlier. I guess opening of Santa's Toy Factory is not the main menu of the event. Gift-Giving to Kids of "KIDS AT HOME Orphanage", for me, is the start of the program. About 20 kids received early Christmas gifts from SM. Indeed, it is a Christmas season of joy and love; and that is what SM Supermalls proudly promotes.

After the gift-giving, a band composed of youngsters led us to one of the mall's entrance for the fireworks display.

As the count down reached zero, a Grand Fireworks Display signaled the onset of Christmas celebration at SM City Marilao. The sky is painted with colorful fireworks that made me smile.

Weeeeeeee, 'tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Watch Pacquiao-Margarito Fight for FREE via PLDT WatchPad

I remember in one of Manny Pacquiao’s bout in the boxing ring, I was just able to watch it live via my friend’s webcam. She’s in Los Angeles that time watching at the comfort of her abode. As expected, the feed of her webcam is too slow that I ended up just listening to the radio – missing all the action. Nevertheless, it’s alright, Manny won and brought forth another glory to our beloved Philippines.

While I content myself at listening to the radio, others were able to watch the fight live at the comfort of their home via PayPerView. But for a frugal me, that’s not included in my options, LOL!


It’s noteworthy anyhow, that PLDT myDSL WatchPad will be offering a FREE live streaming of the upcoming Pacquiao-Margarito match with NO commercial breaks to their WatchPad subscribers. Existing subs with Plan 1299 or higher simply need to reserve a slot on or before November 8. A confirmation email will be sent after the reservation.

For Plan 990 subs, you need to upgrade to Plan 1299 or higher since a connection speed of 768 kbps or higher is needed for optimized viewing of the fight. On the other hand, non-existing subs simply need so sign up for the WatchPad service before reserving a slot.

Confirmed slots were posted in PLDT myDSL WatchPad on Facebook, so simply like the page and double check if your reservation has been confirmed. You might as well follow PLDT WatchPad on Twitter for updates and upcoming promos as well.

Anyway, my bet is definitely Manny Pacquiao via TKO. How about you?

It's Time to Reveal a Secret

Alright, I guess it’s time to reveal a secret. Soon, I’ll be leaving the company that I had served for more than three years. And I could not deny the fact that it had made me happy (Well, how could I stand three long years if I’m not right?). But there are just things that really have to end. More so, a lot of things changes. It’s inevitable.

Where am I headed to? I’m going someplace. Most of my closest friends already know it more than a month ago. But that I think deserves another blog post. Let me give you a hint instead.


I would be independent. For twenty eight years, I’ve never left home. I always loved to be at home with my family. That’s how close that we can get. But now, some situations required me to be independent. I’ll be moving in a new home, I’ll be living independently. And I guess my lifestyle would be simple. My things would be uncomplicated, except for the gadgets that I have won, of course. But I could consider rustic bedroom furniture for comfort. Definitely, my running shoes would come with me. Nevertheless, my heart will stay with my family and my angel.

That’s too much of a teaser. I will be posting more of this independence thingy soon.

Happy 4th Birthday Stephanie

It is Stephanie's (my brother's daughter) fourth birthday yesterday. We had a simple yet joyful celebration of her special day.

Before anything else, we drop by the adoration chapel of our parish to say a prayer and to thank God for all the wonderful blessing that He has bestowed upon our family; and of course, we thank Him for another year that He had given to our precious Stephanie.


And although we already visited my father's tomb last All Saints Day, we again drop by the cemetery to lit candles and utter a prayer.

Funny thing is (or shall I say creepy?), whenever we would ask Stephanie if she happened to see my father (his grandfather) or played with him, she'll say "YES". We even asked her to describe him and she'll amazingly answer correctly. And here's a conversation that made me really think:

Madz: Steph, eh ngayon, naglalaro pa kayo ni FG (my father)?
Steph: Hindi na, hindi ba patay na siya?
Madz: Ay oo nga pala, eh nung bata ka?
Steph: Oo naglalaro. Kelan ba siya nilibing?

Well, Stephanie was born four years ago; while my father died twelve years ago.

Our next stop is to buy Goldilocks cake for her. And since Goldilocks is situated inside Robinsons where there is Fun House, Stephanie grabbed the opportunity to enjoy her special day.

@ Goldilocks

Banana, Grapes, Apple

Tickets!

Playing with her Daddy

It's lunch time already, so we headed back home. And immediately, Stephanie wanted to blow the candle on her cake. So we let her after singing a Happy Birthday to her.

My mother cooked spaghetti, pansit, and chicken. We also had buko pandan and fruit salad. Unfortunately, I was not able to take photos of it.

At night, we sang at our videoke.

Singing Nothin' on You by B.O.B.

It was a fun day. I know Stephanie had so much fun. Ain't it nice to be a child? Simple pleasures that would really bring forth joy in our hearts. Do let the kid in you dominate sometime.

Happy Birthday Stephanie! I love you! Mwah Mwah!

All Saints Day

I stayed up late last night because I played Plants vs Zombies accompany my mother in doing some chores at home. We got home late after our Halloween Family Day of sort - doing the grocery and having dinner together at Jollibee.

@Robinson's Pulilan

@Jollibee Pulilan

This morning, I am supposedly visiting my father's tomb at night together with my brother. But I got change of plans when my cousin Analyn is looking for a companion to go there.

with my cousin Analyn

We arrived at the cemetery around 11AM. I say a prayer for my father and had a good conversation with my mother and Analyn.

In our hearts, you are so lovingly remembered

After an hour or so, Analyn and I proceed to my grandfather's tomb. Once more, I said a li'l prayer and stayed there. Then suddenly, it rained heavily.

My grandfather's tomb

Flooded Cemetery after less than 30min of rain

Since my pants is almost soaking wet, we decided to go home. And just when I am saving my running shoes from the flood in every path that we're traversing, there's just NO WAY OUT without having it submerged :(

Nonetheless, I can still say that my All Saints Day is worth it for I had offered my departed love ones a prayer. May God bless their soul! And I hope we all pray for them everyday, not just November 1.