The Feast of St. Francis Xavier

Today is the day for St. Francis Xavier. He is the patron saint of Javier, the third biggest barangay of my hometown (Barobo). The people in the place are so devoted to him that's how the place got its name. But probably there was a much deeper reason among the first settlers and knowing the fact that the saint had spent a short time preaching the gospel in the island of Mindanao.

Anyway, I would like to express my deep thoughts to all the people there. Happy Fiesta!

I know the place quite a bit since I taught the elementary grades there after my great experience in Agusan del Sur. And I am sure that few of the teachers that I worked with, if not retired, are still in the same school. I refuse to remember the hardships and fears that the whole community had gone through when I was there. But I can't help it. I remembered the pains and the shock on the face of every person who happened to witness the massacre of seven people (one was the barangay captain), right in the heart of Javier which is just few steps away from the church.

I was blessed not to see it because it happened after school. But I saw some of those victims on the road on my way home. They were walking along with some guys whom we did not know were members of the New Peoples' Army (NPA). They all headed towards where they were destined to be judged by the so called kumander. It was sickening to know how those false armies fired their guns on seven helpless people who were told to lay on the ground facing down in front of the many whom the NPA gathered just to witness the horrible event. The kumander of the group told the midst that the same thing would happen to anyone who would betray the movement. I believed that the NPA falsely claimed the place and that they thought that everyone there were all members of the leftist wing. But I know that the people had no choice. Their source of living was there, their family was there so their being quiet did not mean they all sold out to the wrong ideology that this group was selling to them. It was false and I hate to remember that incident.

The people were advised to vacate the place for the government troop to clear the area but there was no way the people would survive. All of them depended on their farm and there was not enough reason for them to leave the place. So they all nursed themselves psychologically, healing their own wounds and moved on. Now, the government put a permanent troop to watch over the place. Thanks to St Francis Xavier!

What's in this Centerpiece....

Thanksgiving Day is over.I believe that each and everyone had a wonderful time spent with family and friends, like we did. However, looking at the arrangement that I still have in the house reminds me of so many things.

Many times I wondered if Thanksgiving day is really a day to give thanks here in America. And giving thanks to WHO? It just amazed me to see people buying huge groceries and never to miss the turkey in their shopping cart for thanksgiving. I talked to a lot of the customers but never did I talk to someone planning to go to church on that day. To me it seemed like everybody was all excited for the party or what you may call it "get-together." Looked like every sensible person wanted to get out of their real world for the merriment.

I for one is not against the merry-making. I believe that we are all destined to be happy. But my only regret, I barely made my little prayer to thank the Lord for everything that I and my family received this year. I was distracted and became so engrossed with all the earthly stuff.

That's why this arrangement above is so meaningful to me. It reminds me both of my being and my faith in God. It is not just a Turkey Day but a Day of Thanksgiving to our Divine Providence.

Solution to My Beauty Problem!

Whey hey! I finally find the answer to my problem!

I have been complaining about pimples and blemishes on my face for almost a year now. I went to see my doctor but the medicine she gave me did not work too well. I tried some over-the-counter stuff but I have not seen the result yet. Even if I use tons of make up, my problem is still unresolved. Thanks to iDerma which offers scientifically advanced skin care products ranging from anti-aging products, moisturizing creams, cleansers and sunscreens, to mineral makeup and many more. Yes! iDerma has the solution to every beauty problem that an individual like me have. Selected brands are recommended by leading dermatologists and beauty experts, such as iS Clinical, SkinMedica, Remergent, NeoCutis. If you check GloMinerals, you will see the complete line of make up that is just right for your needs.

Now I am happy. I will have to get what I need for my face.

The Smile Stone Award

In this wonderful blogosphere, it is never impossible to meet friends who really care and are willing to extend a helping hand. This makes me ponder many times that if we care for somebody we are much, much willing to share what we have. Thank you Joops for sharing this awesome award to hubby and I. This really draw a very big smile on our face.

The top ten reasons why I am smiling are:

1. I am alive and healthy... Thanks God!
2. I married the most caring and loving man on earth.
3. I have a strong supportive family here in the US and back in the Philippines.
4. I have freedom and have no fear to execute my free will.
5. I have a job despite the scarcity of opportunities nowadays.
6. My Catholic faith is very much alive where we are.
7. I'm happy that Republicans did not win the election, so they will learn to rise and be true to their forgotten ideals.
8. I have true friends who fill up my gloomy days.
9. My senses are still in tuck to enjoy the beauty and abundance of God's creation.
10. Lastly, I am gifted with the ability to blog what I like. LOL!

Now I am passing this award to:

Ria, Blessie, Mabel, Marly, Chelle, Yvette, Twinks, Faye and Richard.

^_^ Happy blogging!

Food Trip....

Now that the cold season is here, my mind is always thinking of something to keep me warm aside from my layered outfit. My cravings for some hot snacks keep knocking at my head, thus sending the message to my own taste buds and stimulating my wild appetite.

Being far from the Philippines is oftentimes what pushes me to think of something that is traditionally of a Filipino trademark. I can never complain, though because I have the choices here in California. We do have a lot of Filipino restaurants that serve Filipino food if I really want to, but it is not merely my desire for food that I need to take care of. To me, it is more appetizing if I eat while socializing with people whom I know and have the same appetite as I do.

Anyways, when we went to Seafood City the other day, I saw a whole bunch of pinoy delicacies in one corner of the store. I wanted to buy but one package was just to much for me to handle and I hate to waste food. Too bad that until now I am still thinking of those kakanin.

Biko: a very popular kakanin during fiestas, birthdays and even in ordinary days. This is made out of sweet rice creamed with brown sugar, butter, and coconut milk.

This food is really special because my father used to make this when we were still young. He made it in a different way, easy and had its own distinctive taste slightly different from the rest that I tasted. This has a very special place in the deep recesses of my being.

Cuchinta: brown rice cake but this is actually made out of flour and water served with freshly grated coconut on top. This was a very popular street food when I was still there. During mid morning and/or mid afternoon, we knew that the Cuchinta man was there when we heard the ringing of his bell that he carried with him. I love this for snacking and I always had room for this even when I was already full.

Puto Cheese: a rice cup cake made of rice flour and topped with cheese. This is a nice treat in almost every occasion in the Philippines. This delicacy comes in different sizes. Some people like small and just bite sizes and others prefer bigger ones.

This food reminds me of my sister who likes to order this during family gatherings and other social events.

Suman: sweet rice cooked inside the assembled coconut leaves. To me, this is a very intricate delicacy to make because this requires to much skills to be able to come up with the right one. This is good to serve with hot chocolate. My sister likes to order this in addition to puto cheese when we had celebrations.


Hmm! all these remind me of so many things back home....

Miss Earth 2008 Pageant

Karla Paula Henry took home the Swarovski crystal-encrusted crown in the eighth edition of the international contest -- becoming the first Filipino and Asian woman to win in the Philippine-based pageant. She inherited the title from 2007 winner, Jessica Trisko from Canada.

Henry beat 84 other international delegates. She was also proclaimed Miss Photogenic based on votes cast by photographers and media scribes. To read more, just click here.

To Miss Karla Paula Henry....

Congratulations!
You have given our country another reason to be Proud Of!