Home-made Holiday Treats

Don't know what to give your relatives, friends and loved ones this Christmas season?

Why not try Zette's goodies !!! Home-made yummy holiday treats guaranteed to cheer and satisfy your tastebuds.

visit: http://www.freewebs.com/barangay/zettegoodies.htm

why a three year old don't dream of being a priest

Last Wednesday we invited Fr. Ramon Atanacio, our parish priest to officiate a blessing rite for our Sibol school and as well as our GK houses in our Gawad Kalinga site. After my wife and I fixed the things in the school, I went to pick up my three year old son Pio at home and on we went to the church where fr. Mon is waiting. I prepared Pio prior to meeting the priest by telling him that we will be fetching a friend, our local priest, while also telling something about him and what to expect.

And so when we finally get to the church, I asked the good priest to sit in front with Pio in between us, since the front right passenger seat of the van is good for two. I introduced him to Pio and told him how he got his name. Fr. Mon greeted him with warm hellos and tried to ask questions from him but my son refused to answer and is in fact frowning a bit. Fr. Mon is already wearing his long, clean, off white vestment which I admire because of the intricate embroidery all over. That's when I asked Pio, "Would you like to be a priest someday? Look at the nice clothes that father is wearing." Pio answered in a disgusted tone, "Eh pang girl naman yan eh!" (that is for girls!). We both laugh our hearts out at him while fr. Mon continues, "Oo nga, pang girl ba ito?" (yes, is this for girls?)

After the rites, I told my wife the incident at home and she was quick to add, "so that's why, when father was blessing and touring the houses, Fr. Mon kept on sprinkling holy water over Pio while murmuring 'Pio, Pio,...'"

A Merry Marian Month

The start of September really had me conditioning myself for the busy schedule ahead for the celebration of Mama Mary's birthday on September 8. You see, Suzette and I were assigned as the new PPC representative for CFC in our parish last July and of course the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes has its programs to celebrate this Marian month.

One of the activities is the 'Harana Kay Maria', where the different organizations of the parish will render a song or dance number for this musical concert. Sacrifices were really had to be made to attend the practices on September 2, 4 and 6. Most of my co members in CFC had to skip dinner, leave work early, and braved the rains and floods just to be there during the rehearsals. Their full support has made our job in the PPC worthwhile.

Our presentation is an acoustic rendition of 'Mariang Ina Ko' and we thought of showing to the audience our CFC community as Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth, which is precisely the Mission and Vision of Couples for Christ. So we also involved our children in the production who incidentally are also members of the Kids for Christ and Youth for Christ.

Next, I made a short slide show presentation that greets Mama Mary and show to the public what the CFC community is all about. The plan is to play the clip as we do our presentation. It amazes me how this clip was produced. It's as if God had a hand in helping me put it all together. The timing was perfect as the clip was synchronized to the whole length of our performance. Although I really had no basis on how to time the whole clip except for using the MP3 file of Carol Banawa's version as a guide that I had in my iTunes which has a totally different arrangement and play length to that of our own version of the song.

And given the limited time we had after it was announced by the organizers that we can submit our logo or show something about our organization on the video wall, I started working on it after coming home from work on the 5th and finished it 2:30am the next day just in time for the final submission during last rehearsals later that day.

I've always been a devotee of our blessed Mother and she has always come to the aid of my family every time I asked for her intercession. This first Sunday of the month was no exception. With two days before her birthday, I was hoping that I could have the sacrament of reconciliation during the mass because it's been a month already that I have not confessed to a priest and I want to celebrate in the Eucharist during that Sunday. For the past Sundays that we attended mass, we did not see the green light on the confessional. And when it happens to be lit, the lines would normally have formed already making you think twice of going in because you'll definitely miss the homily.

We arrived just after the entrance hymn for the 5pm mass and upon entering the church, we knew the priest is already there waiting for us. It is not so often that we see the confessional open before the mass starts but this day is going to be special. We saw the green light and would you believe there was no line on both sides of the confessional? Suzette and I did not talk about going to confession but at that instant, we made eye contact and entered the two doors waiting for us. Our kids would be waiting in line outside. And if that is not enough, our confessor would happen to be Fr. Tonet who is one of the priests that Suzette and I look forward to hearing homily every mass.

We finished confession with enough time to start listening to the gospel. Fr. Rolly was the celebrant but a deacon gave the homily. The Lord's message that day was about brotherly correction. The sermon was delivered in a way that it reminds us about how we handle delicate personal relationships in line with correction. On how things could be handled in private and not in public while still giving and showing love and respect to the persons involved. In a way I think it is related to reconciliation in the sense that sometimes after trying to correct a point, disagreements occur and you may end up also losing valuable love and friendships.

This very incident happened to us about a year ago and after we've said our peace be with yous to the people around us, I was surprised to see a teary eyed friend who approached me from my blind side and held my hand and offered her peace while also giving me a buzz on the cheek. The same was offered to my wife who by now was was taken aback and with much surprise and then asked our friend if the peace she's offering is now for real. Tears flowed while both of them hugged and speak to each other again for the first time since that fateful incident last year. It didn't matter that we were causing a scene as we were positioned inside the church standing up just beside the right front side entrance while the people around us watched. I have learned our Lord's reconciliation in so many ways that day.

Early the next day, I brought Dang at our school bus station then proceeded to bring Suzette and Pio to Tita Rose's house in Sanville after which I went back home to get my other two kids and bring them to their respective schools. It was a hectic day and Suzette is going on a three day retreat in Makiling with our friend, Rose. They will be dropping off Pio to my in-laws along the way in Paranaque. This is the start of my Natay day - where I'd be both Dad and Mom to the kids while Zette is not around. Our eldest daughter Isay is also sick this day and so from time to time I have to monitor her by phone from the office.

I had to leave the office around 4pm to fetch Jiego from school as I needed to be in church by 5pm. When I arrived in the church, the organizers of the holy Rosary and lighting of candles were already there talking about the details. Our community is assigned to lead the fourth mystery and I am tasked to represent CFC. I would like to thank Marvin who graciously offered to be there to help lead the Rosary should I am not able to be there on time.

The Rosary was immediately followed by a high mass which was affected by a brownout that started during the offertory until the end. Outside the church it was raining hard and the streets outside were experiencing heavy traffic due to some flooding also. I immediately went home after the mass to fetch my kids for the concert and rushed back to the church because I was worried that the road conditions may cause me to be late in returning back to church. Anyway, all my worries subsided when the electricity just went back up after we arrived in church.

The show ran delays due to the power outage but it was enough for all our participants in the presentation to be there just in time. Our group would go to one corner and practice our song and final bow. Everybody was fired up and ready to go. We were careful in not leaving any minor details and so we also checked on the organizers regarding our video clip and gave instructions to the audio video people on how to sync the clip with our performance. Everything is a go.

We entered the stage and proceeded to our positions just as we rehearsed it. Before Danny would strum his first note, I looked to the video wall and could see the starting frame of our clip. So off we sang our hearts out but then something did not went right. The clip failed to play! This is what the av people explained to us after our performance. Awwww! They told us before that they have reviewed our clip and it was working fine. Perhaps they failed to test it in the other laptop they would be using that night. Oh well!

While waiting backstage for the grand finale, I sensed the frustrations and disappointments of my comrades. Sure, we were all more than ready for our performance but we also wanted to share that clip with our parishioners. It could have had more impact. But more than being sad for what had happened, I felt happy because I now know that this group deserves to carry the name of Couples for Christ. Every night we attended for practice and even during the program itself, everybody sacrificed and show their love for Mama Mary. We did not only give our all but we also showed to everyone what our group is all about. It's about friendship, commitment and standing tall together for a cause. We face challenges together and help each other in times of need. I felt proud doing our final bow together that night.

A day after the concert, I tried to put our performance which my daughter Isay took a video of and the slide show I made earlier together in one video. I couldn't believed it that everything was in sync! It's as if God made all the timing perfect. Not a second over or under. And so now I am sharing to you all how the performance should have been and to you Mama Mary, we love you!

YouTube : CFC WB3A Harana Kay Maria 2008

Smile! Mama Mary Loves You!

The following is my letter to my chapter mates in our Catholic community, Couples for Christ. We had a song number presentation for Mama Mary's birthday and were high up in spirits during our performance. It includes the link to our presentation on YouTube.

Smile! Mama Mary Loves You!

Thank you dear all for your efforts and sacrifices to make our presentation a success and a memorable one.
You have all shown your heart and love for Mama Mary and this is so much more than our presentation itself.

I felt all your disappointments and frustrations regarding the 'technical difficulty' that occurred that left our video clip presentation blank. But I also felt happy and proud because we were all there ready to show to everybody what our community is all about and how this family of ours prides itself in carrying the name of Couples for Christ. You have given all your precious time, skipping dinner, braving rains and floods just to be in the practices and have shown your love for our beloved Mother. Though our group may be small now, time and again we have shown our commitment and dedication to things that matter most. We don't chide and kid ourselves but rather help each other take those little steps towards our goal of holiness. I am very proud to be with you all.

I have made my HKM Reloaded version - of what our presentation should have been last night. Just picture yourself again performing but this time with our props. I'm sure Mama Mary is proud of your hearts and your performances. With my right fist I pound my chest twice and stand proudly saluting you with the love of our God. Enjoy!

Viit YouTube and search for: CFC WB3A Harana Kay Maria 2008

Prayer of Commendation

This morning we were alarmed by the continuous ringing of our doorbell. I went towards our gate to see who it was and saw ate Virgie, our neighbor across our house, crying and asking for assistance. Her brother, kuya Rudy, as we fondly calls him is trapped in the bathroom. Apparently, he was there for a long time and his sisters got worried that he wasn't answering.

With the help of other neighbors, we put him in my revo and rushed him to the hospital. No amount of CPR and other devices were enough to revive him. He was already DOA.

Kuya Rudy is one of the respected elders in our neighborhood. Everyday he would wake up early in the morning to sweep our street. He would also notice every people that pass by and helps visitors locate the house they are looking for and as well as take note of suspicious strangers. During fiestas he would organize the setting up of festive banners and decorations and make sure that the kids will play the "palayok" (hitting a claypot blindfolded with a stick) and other games.

To my children, he is Mang Rudy. He helps watch over my kids when they are playing bikes or running around. Every morning before I bring them to school he is already there, sweeping our street. But this morning we did not see him nor did we notice him there at all. My kids will be shocked when they get home and hear the news.

In the hospital, I was also thinking of what to do for kuya. I rushed to the canteen to buy a bottle of water for ate Virgie who is now also being administered with oxygen and a pill to lower her blood pressure.

I called my wife and told her what was happening. Before we were about to put our phones down, I remember and asked her to get our Handbook of Prayers by Charles Belmonte and James Socias. I asked Suzette to look for the Prayer of Commendation and to dictate it to me to pray over kuya Rudy.

I realized that kuya perhaps was not able to have his last confession or communion. As Catholics we can also give our blessings and pray to our brothers and sisters who are in need. If a priest is not available immediately, we can help pray for an unfortunate brethren specially when he is dying.

Prayer of Commendation
(when the moment of death seems near, the following prayer may be said:)

I commend you, my dear brother/sister, to almighty God,
and entrust you to your Creator.
May you return to him
who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and the saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life.
May Christ who was crucified for you
bring you freedom and peace.
May Christ who died for you
admit you into his garden of paradise.
May Christ who died for you
admit you into his garden of paradise.
May Christ, the true Shepherd,
acknowledge you as one of his flock.
May he forgive all your sins,
and set you among those he has chosen.
May you see your Redeemer face to face,
and enjoy the vision of God for ever.

Amen.

Hail Holy Queen may be said.

Banaue - Sagada Adventure

We never had a serious break this summer as I was busy attending to our family business and my brother who is helping me was vacationing in the US. So when he finally arrived about two weeks before school time starts again, I decided to bring my wife to Sagada. We were joined by our two eldest daughters and friends Manda and Shari.

Nope, I've never been there and I don't know how to go there. So off I searched in the web for clues on how to get there. Eventually I puts bits and pieces from different blogs so here's my own blog and tips on how to get there.

You can get to Sagada via Baguio which is about four hours from Manila. Baguio to Banaue is another six hours and from Banawe to Sagada via Bontoc is another three hours. This time, we decided to take the alternate route directly from Manila to Banawe instead.

Road travel to to Banaue from Manila is nine hours. It's good that we decided to take the bus instead of bringing our own vehicle. If you take the Florida Bus transportation, they have only one Deluxe aircon bus that goes to and from Banaue daily. Bus leaves at around 10pm and you will arrive Banaue around 9am the next day. Night travel is quite comfy as the driver seems to be just taking his time leisurely driving and you can have a reasonable night sleep before your adventure the next day. Florida Bus is at the corner of Earnshaw st. and Lacson st. (formerly Gov Forbes), though there is another bus company Autobus that also ply the same route. You may need to buy your tickets in advance at least a day before.

When you arrive at the terminal in Banaue, you will be greeted by drivers and operators who will offer you tours of the place or transfers to Bontoc or Sagada. You can go to Sagada via the communal public transportation which is also limited and runs on scheduled trips or hire one for yourself. In our case we hired one and divided the fee among the number of persons we are in our group. We decided on this because we would want to stop every now and then when some places of interest would catch our attention.

As of this writing, price of diesel is at 55 pesos per liter. Trekking the rough mountainous terrain from Banaue to Bontoc for two hours and another hour to Sagada is no joke and not cheap either. It will cost you at least 3,600 pesos one way. Our driver - friend Joel Tindungan however was kind enough to give us some discount and we also get him to fetch us at Sagada three days after to bring us back to Banaue. These guys will serve you one way and return back with no passengers on their load.

If you get a chance to have Joel as your driver (09217503248), he can be your tour guide in Banaue as well. You may want to polish your chess skills also as this guy has only one defeat in his Banaue home town. Near the bus terminal, you can check out the viewpoint to see the famous Banaue rice terraces and be on guard for boys playing with their wood carved scooters. There are also genuine Ifugao huts for rent here where you can try to live for a day or two and experience how it is to live in their native homes.

There are a lot of affordable inns and lodging houses in Sagada. We were lucky to meet Tita Mary (09196728744 or 09296257419) of homey and comfy Residential Lodge. The place have rooms for couples or groups but you also need to book ahead as we find many travellers from Baguio are requesting for rooms by chance to all of the inns in Sagada after they have arrived. This retired teacher is so warm and hospitable in dealing with her visitors that you would really want to call her Tita (Auntie) Mary. And if you ever feel cold from the weather or tired and want to relax after long hikes and cave spelunking, then try the brewed Sagada coffee and mountain tea they serve to the visitors.

For things to do and adventure, you should go and visit Dina Calpi Salcedo, the friendly and accomodating lady in the tourist information center. Would you believe she walks three kilometers daily to work and another three going back? She is the person to ask for suggestions on the places of interests in Sagada and how to get there. Their tourist center is so organized that if you approach any one of the tour guides, you will be pointed to do your transactions with the tourist center. Transport to all the spots can also be arranged here. And when you get your assigned guide (we met Pid, Crescio and Tigger), try to start a conversation with them. The people in Sagada are very friendly but they are shy and modest in a sort of way. You will be surprised with the many stories and history that they will want to share with you.

Don't miss the sunrise at Kiltepan where the view of Sagada's magnificent rice terraces is really a sight to behold. You can also see the Cordillera mountain ranges from here where the sight of the heavens are touching the earth is really breath taking. There are lots of activities waiting for you in Sagada - from visiting the burial grounds in Lumiang caves to spelunking in Sumaging cave. Keep your eye on the lookout for hanging coffins near Echo Valley and be refreshed from the cool waters running from Bokong falls or Lake Danum. Along the way from Banaue to Sagada you can catch portions of the Chico river which is the longest river here in Luzon.

Food in Sagada is an experience. Each restaurant has their own specialties and each one with a story to tell. Ever heard of a foreigner who was stranded in this town and later on fell in love with the place? He happens to be a French chef and he whoops up buffet dinners every Saturday night at the Log Cabin house. We were not able to sample his famous buffet because we it was fully booked then. We were lucky enough to try the ala carte menu served on other days but also almost missed it as we would later find out that they require advance reservations.

Try the chicken paprika served with black rice and bowl of chili at the Bilig cafe, the everyday breakfast meals at Ganduyan Inn and Resto, the specialties of Yoghourt house, Masferre's and The Lemon pie house. Sagada has their own version of the halo halo that you can find in the wet market, complete with macaroni and avocado from among the usual ingredients we have here in Manila. In the evening there's Persimoon bar for those who would like a beer or two. And for souvenirs, visit all the shops there as they sell different and unique things from each other so shopping here is not boring and redundant. Say hi to Mae Lumbag and her son if you get to see them.

The sights, the tranquility of the place, and the people interwoven in this fascinating place called Sagada is really enchanting. Go and have an adventure in Banaue and Sagada now. You may not want to leave the place!

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vacation with friends minus family

If you already have a family, you are most likely to go on vacation with them.
This summer, after fifteen years of marriage, Suzette and I went on an overnight vacation with five other parent friends without our children. My wife has her own blog about this. We left our five children behind to have this enjoyable and relaxing trip to Tagaytay. It is definitely something different from the usual family vacations that we had as parents are free to do as they wish without looking after the kids.

And as if that trip wasn't enough, a month later, we went on another three day and three nights adventure trip to Sagada with another couple. Although our eldest and second daughter were with us this time, it is still another different experience with more mature company rather than being harassed and or limited when with smaller children.