YOUNG AT HEART

It's our Nanang Orang’s 80th birthday.. It is very easy for me to find descriptive words to tell who nanang is and why is she so special to our family…

Our nanang is one of the not so famous people in this world that I admire..She is an epitome of a woman with joy and gladness in her heart. Every morning when she wakes up, she would prepare the hot water while whistling to her favorite tune..She never goes tired of making milk for my twins and coffee for me every single day.. At her age, she can still take care of our meals and prepare it lovingly..I hardly seen her being grumpy and complain about anything..She just enjoys every day that she is with us and she always hold on to happy thoughts and always proud of her pamangkins and apos here in the Philippines and in Dubai.. I am very blessed because at my age, my mom, my kids and my husband can still experience her love and devotion to us..

Orang, short for Maura is the sister of Tatay Freddie, my mommy’s father..Matandang dalaga ang aming Lola same with her two older sisters who passed away already.. She, and her two sisters were the ones who raised my mom and her siblings..

She is now 80 years old but she doesn’t look her age..she still wears a striking nail polish and dangling earrings whenever she wants..she laughs and always find something to be happy about...Sometimes when something worries me, she would always give the best advice,” may awa ang Poon…” Nothing worries her meek spirit because she firmly believes this..

Nanang is now 80 years old, her body gets old but not her young spirit..Every night I pray for more strength and health for our nanang, more coffee, more sumptuous and loving dishes to serve, more pocket books to read, more stories and laughter to share, more life and good health… We love you our dear nanang, our gratitude to you will forever be..

MY DANNIE AND GABBIE

This is my Dannie and Gabbie performing on stage at Montessori de sto nino. It's so amazing to see that they are now growing up smart. My heart leaps whenever I see them on stage..

disheartened

Al Jazeera English - Asia-Pacific - Witness: 'We just followed orders'.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/11/2009112654959580381.html

I haven't updated my blog for about a month now because of my busy schedule but, the news break about the Maguindanao massacre really dampened my spirit which I need to share in my blog. It is disheartening to realize that there are a lot of people now without conscience, no human spirit...they consider themselves most powerful and they are willing to trade lives for their hunger for power. Up to now I still can't believe of the gruesome incident that had happened. This is now the world and the country that we live in, it is so depressing...I pray that the victims will be given justice if not in this life, definitely on the next.Let us pray for our country especially for those who hold position in the government.

I got a link of the news exclusive interview of a witness..an eye opener.

PMS What is it???

I think this is one of the important things any guy and every husband should know about----PMS - Pre Menstrual Syndrome.. Every month, I am not spared of experiencing this syndrome. Aside from having my migrane which leads to vomitting, and disminorrhea, It is a point in my life that I feel very depressed, irritable, impatient. I feel that I am worthless and life seems gloomy. At times, I cannot even control my temper and emotions.. Sometimes, I even think I am nuts because of this unusual behavior, and this is one of the culprit, PMS!

What is PMS? Here's one of my research:

Premenstrual Syndrome: PMS is a disorder characterized by a set of hormonal changes that trigger disruptive symptoms in a significant number of women for up to two weeks prior to menstruation. Of the estimated 40 million suffers, more than 5 million require medical treatment for marked mood and behavioral changes. Often symptoms tend to taper off with menstruation and women remain symptom-free until the two weeks or so prior to the next menstrual period. These regularly recurring symptoms from ovulation until menses typify PMS, premenstrual syndrome.

Characteristics:

Over 150 symptoms have been attributed to PMS. After complaints of feeling "out-of-control", anxious, depressed and having uncontrollable crying spells, the most common complaints are headache and fatigue. But symptoms may vary from month to month and there may even be symptom-free months. No women present with all the PMS symptoms. Characteristically symptoms may be both physical and emotional. They may include physical symptoms as headache, migraine, fluid retention, fatigue, constipation, painful joints, backache, abdominal cramping, heart palpitations and weight gain. Emotional and behavioral changes may include anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, tension,lack of co-ordination, decreased work or social performance and altered libido.

So women need not feel that they are going crazy for these two weeks every month. They are experiencing an exaggeration of normal function. PMS IS REAL--

So, guys and Husbands I hope that you will find patience and understanding to your partner during this period. I tell you it's not easy. You just have to be quiet and let time pass until these hormones regulate...hehehe....Ba'jo

BREEZE

Time really flies so fast. I woke up this morning and I can already feel the christmas breeze. Christmas carols are now starting to play in the air, and decorations are already out in the market. Set designs of our studios in GMA are now filled with christmas shades. I have lots of plans this season. I'm planning to go to Divisoria before the start of December and buy materials for my personalized gifts for the holidays. I hope to make it this time because every year I am always part of the Christmas rush. I wanted also to do a general cleaning and do the house make over.. I want to organize, together with salingket kids, a christmas party in an orphange or charitable institution to share some of our blessings and to impart to them the joy of giving..I'm not sure if I can make all these plans that is why I am putting it in writing, it will be my reminder..

BATIBOT

pagmulat ng mata,
langit nakatawa
sa batibot,
sa batibot
tayo nang magpunta
tuklasin sa batibot
ang tuwa, ang saya
doon sa batibot
tayo na, tayo na
mga bata sa batibot
maliksi, masigla. (2x)
dali, sundan natin
ang ngiti ng araw
doon sa batibot (2x)
tayo nang magpunta
tuklasin sa batibot
ang tuwa, ang saya
doon sa batibot
tayo na, tayo na
mga bata sa batibot
maliksi, masigla. (2x)

I am pretty much sure that anyone of my age is singing this song in mind while reading it.. Who would forget Batibot? This is a daily routine of any Filipino child, decades ago...It was when there were only five channels to choose from, and every pinoy child is glued to the tv screens around 9am in the morning..

I can still remember when me and my brother would watch for the colorful puppets Pong pagong, Kiko matsing, Manang bola, ate Ningning and Gingging, irma daldal, kapitan basa... we would always wait for the stories of kuya Bodgie and advice of ate Sienna for the kids..Who would forget manang bola and her perlas na bilog huwag tutulog tulog...isdadada isda, Ako ay kapitbahay, kapitbahay nyo laging handang tumulong sa inyo..bangkang papel, alagang alaga namin si puti, telepono telepono kay daling gamitin..

I still have vivid memories of Batibot,especially their uplifting songs which they have instilled in my young thoughts..It talks about simple things which any child of that time could relate. It is about innocence, friendship, and hope. I believe that it played a great role in our generation..Until now, I always sing their songs to my twins and tell stories of the characters.

It was sad to know that the sprout of cable shows from Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, the newer children’s show of local stations and the licensing problems swept Batibot from its regular airing.. I really wish that it will be aired again soon and hoping that it will be in our KAPUSO network, GMA 7.