Hats On!

Its always excites me every time I'll be with my Super Friends especially now that most of us are not working together in one company and some already left Qatar for good; that's why I marked my calendar already to make sure that I can be with them in our yearly thanksgiving party.

This year, no hotel and fancy clothes and stunning jewelry. Just arrive at the party on red or green outfit with any kind of hat or cap. As long as you're comfortable with what you'll be wearing and of course confident about yourself you have a big chance to be the best dresser. 

See you all!

I Love My Monito, I Love My Monita

Its less than a month before Christmas! And for sure like me your calendar is almost marked and weekends are already occupied.

Every Christmas season I'm telling to myself not to be stress in parties especially in preparation. Oh well, I really I can stand for it. Though I really love to organize and be involved in party preparation cos I really enjoy pero kasabay din ay ang stress. Just last week I need to confirm kung kailan nga ba yung party don sa kabila and don sa kabila, baka kasi mamaya magkapalit-palit.

I love attending Christmas/ Year End parties but I used to called it as "THANKSGIVING PARTY".

One of the highlight of the Thanksgiving parties is the "Monito-Monita" or exchange gift.  On Tito Abet's birthday celebration a week ago, Doha Family already started the first move to make our 2014 Thanksgiving possible and sympre sinimulan namin sa "palabunutan"

I love my "monita" so meaning babae ang nabunot ko :-) at kung sino man sya well abangan on December 19, 2014 ang revelation.

Aside from exchanging of gifts another thing to look forward to every Doha Family Thanksgiving is our dress code. Last year nag-ala Frozen theme kami feeling may snow sa disyerto on our shades of blue and white palette, check it here Doha Family 2013

Yesterday on our church naman instead of "monita-monito" we received an envelope na may letter at nakasulat don ang name ng 2 bata with their age, then sila naman yung bibigyan ng gifts.

The other party naman with SF is a common gift or unisex; since we don't have much time to meet each other before our party on December 12, 2014, we decided to bring gift that will fit to either babae or lalake. 

Exchanging gift for me is one way to symbolize giving though we can give to others without waiting to have something to receive. True essence of giving must come from the heart, hindi pakitang tao lang na naghihintay ka lang to be praised. And if you'll be giving gifts naman to your family, friends or colleagues its not necessarily na expensive then afterwards puro utang ka; we need to understand and practice that we should give according to our resources also, hindi din siguro magugustuhan ng niregaluhan mo kung malalaman nya na kaya ka lang nagkautang is just because dahil sa kanya, though we really want to give the best of everything to our loved ones and friends but its not right for us to suffer in the end. We need to balance our resources or finances as well.

Kaya ngayong Pasko para lahat happy maging matalino sa pag-sho-shopping :-)

Happy 70th Birthday Tita Mama!

Celebrating milestone with the family is one of the so many reasons that make us homesick being away from home. Today, another family celebration na naman ang namiss namin, its our dearest Tita Mama's 70th birthday.

Meet our dearest Tita  Ma

Norma, is Mommy's elder sibling.

Nakagisnan ko na ang tawag namin sa kanya is Tita Mama while we are growing up naging Tita Ma and sometimes Mama Norma, until now even the youngest  generation in the family call her the same.

I guess everyone in our family will agree if I say she's one  of the generous within the family. I remember nung pumapasok pa ako sa Day Care Center, since her canteen is located near SWA, dadaan muna kami sa kanya and even may mga baon na kami hindi pwedeng hindi nya pa rin kami bibigyan hanggang sa nagelementary, college and even nagwowork na kami, Tita Ma has always preparing something for us every time we passed by and would you believe until now na nagwowork abroad na kami, she never fails to have something for us from food, clothes and sometimes even money. Just recently after my vacation sabi ng sister in law ko, Tita Ma is waiting for me daw hindi na kasi ako nakadaan sa kanya before ako umalis ng Pinas,which usually dumadaan talaga ako before magflight sa kanila, meron daw sya dapat ibibigay na bedsheets and 100$ for me kasi di na daw sya nakabili ng kahit ano para ipabaon sa akin. 

We have so many memories with Tita Mama, she sponsored my year book when I was in highschool, she and Tita Atit kapag ibinibili nila kami ng damit magpipinsan pare-pareho talaga magkakaiba lang ng color sympre para daw walang inggitan :), kapag birthday, graduation or any special occasion she always handed something.I know hindi lang sya sa amin generous cos we are a witness kung gaano sa mapagbigay even sa catering staffs nya, kaya naman everyone knows "Tita Ma"

To our dearest Tita Mama, we are very thankful to the Lord for giving us a generous, thoughtful and caring tita. Though we're not in the Philippines to personally celebrate with you your birthday, you will always in our heart and thoughts and your birthday will always be remembered. Just pahabol na kwento, yesterday ka-skype namin sya, and she's saying na magpapadala sya ng money so we can celebrate her birthday too...awww how generous she is! but we insist that we're ok here and may mga family celebration din naman kami na gagawin dito.

Happy Birthday Mama Norma!

Our simple gift

To one and only "Tita Mama"...

Happy 70th Birthday!

 Our Lord continue to bless you in all areas and aspects of your life especially on your health. Youngest generation of the family is so blessed too cos they are still able to meet and be with you, hoping and praying that my future children will meet you too, hehehe well kung kailan yon di ko pa rin po alam, basta praying that our Lord will give you long life to live pa. God bless you Tita Ma! We love you,Mama

 

Christmas 2008 - picture with Tita Ma (iba-ibang henerasyon)

The Cleofe - siblings

 

celebrating Tita Ma's birthday at Keta Kelaruega Resort

taken last October 25, 2014 during my vacation

Many more birthdays to come!

The Bible - 1/5 BW Photo Challenge

It should be posted on Facebook account but I don't know what's wrong why I can't post any photos. Anyways, maybe you all know the Black and White Photo Challenge and this is the reason behind this.

I was tagged by a friend Abhie on B/W Photo Challenge thru IG yesterday. I love taking photos, hindi pa uso ang digital camera at film pa ang ginagamit marami-rami din akong naubos na pera sa pagpapadevelop ng kung ano-ano lang naman ang pinipikturan ko :) Minsan nangarap din akong maging photographer pero due to some personal reason hindi ko kinalimutan ko na ang pangarap ko na yon ^_^ pero who knows magkainterest ulit ako. Back to the challenge, here is my B/W photo; instead of posting new photos I decided to pick some I kept on my archives. Here's my 1/5 picture.

THE BIBLE

 

I captured this 2010. 

This Bible was gift to me by my college classmate Atty. Rickson Buenviaje and his friend Kuya Rommel Magboo on my 18th birthday. It was given to me during my birthday celebration (10 days after my actual birthday), March 19, 1999. One of the most precious gift I ever received and until now I still have this.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." - Matthew 24:35

#1/5 B/W Challenge - post black and white photo for 5 consecutive days and pass the challenge to a friend.

Why Will I Settle for A Second Hand

If given a chance to choose another field I will choose interior designing. I remember when I was still a child I love to draw houses and how it looks like inside, I even cut some pictures of houses from magazines. But since my first love is to be a lawyer that to be an interior decorator I settled to take different course(s). i told to myself I can have the passion in decorating houses by simply reading or browsing. Until now I'm still falling in love seeing nice interior of houses and my hope is still in my heart that someday I can even take at least even a short formal course for interior decorating.

I believe that every house deserves a good interior. Sound expensive? Nope that's not what I mean, every house can have a good interior with style but in cheap cost.

I will try to post some of pictures I have collected from net and at the same share with you on how to incorporate it in your house in a low cost budget.

I was inspired by several blogs that I've read of how a second hand furniture was given a new life and add new look at their houses that's why one of the project that I'm trying to have is to check and have some good piece(s) of furniture from shops that are selling second hand.

Bangkal shops in Makati

I started to ask some friends of where I can find second hand furniture shops in Batangas, so it will be more easier for me but most of my friends don't know any place in our town. A friend of mine ask me why will I settle for a second hand if can have a new one. Well here are my answers:

 1. Style of old furniture are classic. You can revive them to look modern by just simply painting and upholstery. 

2.  Mas matitibay ang materials na ginamit usually new furniture that you can buy in shops in mall are just coated.

3. Its cheaper than brand new although not all the time especially if its antique pieces. I tried to ask one antique shop in Batangas, its a bit expensive but if you'll try to assess its worth it naman kasi nga antique, you can't have same pieces everywhere.

4. Fulfilling. I don't know with you guys but for me accomplishing even buying simple good things at cheaper cost makes me happy and fulfilled. Fulfilled in the sense na I know nag-effort akong maghanap.

love to revive the color of this chair

Antique shop in Taal, Batangas

Look at these Victorian style chair, parang wala na talagang buhay. For others sasabihin naman magaaksya ka lang ng pera after mong bilhin but nope! Ano naiisip nyo na ba how you will give new life to these pieces?
Well, here's what Rica Peralejo did...
Yup kanya ang mga silya na ito. She bought it in Bangkal shops (second hand furniture shops)

She is so hands on but don't worry according to her the paint that she used is safe for pregnant. Yup don't ask why kung kelan ko sya nakausap hehehe, feeling ko lang close kami ^_^.

 

And taran!!!! 

Isn't it fabulous?! after the painting and upholstery old self gone no more! walang kabakas bakas na minsan naging ugly duckling ang silya na ito. 

So guys, the next time makakita kayo or if you have in your house old furniture wag nyong deadmahin, ang kelangan lang maging artistic tayo, I believe that every individual has an artistic side. There's no harm on trying naman, isipin mo naging artistic ka na, nakamura ka pa, and fulfilled ka pa cos you accomplished something di ba.

"Mamamaysan" Team

Hello August!

August is one of the memorable month for us as a family, its my Mom and Dad's month. They'll be celebrating their 34th years together this coming 23rd. But before we celebrate their union, another milestone will happen in our family, our cousin JEP (Joseph Emmanuel Perez) will be getting married on 20th to JHO (Josephine).

Even its not our first in Doha family na may ikasal dito, first was Sze and Shawn then Peach and Glen, iba pa rin talaga siguro yung sa Pinas. Of course here limited lang yung invited I mean we're from a big family pero since dito kung sino na lang ang nandito. Second, kapag dito sa Philippine embassy not in the church, the solemnizing officer will be the consul and not the priest/ pastor unlike in other country na kahit expatriates ka pwede, here in Qatar hindi pwede. Third, the preparation - siguro mas less pressure and stress lang dito ng konti kasi nga since the wedding will be simple, hindi naman nga ganong kadetalye, all you have to have is time to prepare and money to pay.

Last Friday, we agreed to meet up to discuss the details of the program and to know our "role" and responsibilities at the wedding reception...kapit bisig Doha Family! We didn't invite the couple to join us. We called the meeting as "Mamamaysan Meeting"

Meet the "Mamamaysan" Team

I am not sure if all of you knows the term "mamamaysan". Mamamaysan is a tagalog word for groom's family and friends who will do all the chores and preparations before the wedding day. Here's what I found from one article regarding the usual things that mamamaysan and its duties the night before the wedding day:

"At the break of dawn, the groom's family is abuzz, preparing the sundry of things that will be hauled to the bride's place. Vehicles are borrowed and hired –jeeps, jeepneys, tricycles–to haul the kith-kin-and-caboodle, literally. Kin, friends, neighbors, wedding attire, bridal gown, pots, pans, plates, utensils, are crammed inside and atop the vehicles. A single pig will fit in a tricycle. A few pigs, for the occasion of a grander wedding, will need an elf or jeepney. The side of the vehicles is decorated with fresh fronds of coconut leaves (see insert). The jeepney is loaded with passengers to the rooftop, and although illegal, the coconut fronds identify it as a wedding vehicle, and local police usually just turn their heads away.

Arriving at the bride's house, welcoming starts with the "tasting of the kalamay." Each side tastes the others' kalamay' concoction, with the usual exchange of praise as to whose tastes better. Meanwhile, the bridal gown is taken to a designated room in the house; no fitting is allowed for fear that the wedding might not happen.

The kitchen has started to buzz alive. Preparations slow to start, pick up into full swing. On one end of the bilik, a pig is being slaughtered. The blood is collected for the preparation of the "dinuguan" dish which will be the traditional dinner entree. The rest of the pig will be divided and amounts allotted for the preparation of other foods for the traditional wedding feast: embotido (finely chopped meat), apritada (catsup based) and menudo (pineapple based). And if the pig meat supply will afford, the additional dishes of ginulayan (milk), pochero (banana) , sinantomas (bone-based) and rebosado (fried pigskin in batter)."

Nowadays, only few people practice that customs. There are a lot of wedding sites and coordinators that you can check and hire to lessen the pressures and stress in preparing for the big day.

We created our own version of "mamamaysan" since the groom is from our side.

 

That's one of the joy of having a family despite of being away from home, may susuporta even not financially ^_____^ and there are someone who can help you to do some errands on your day, less stress na rin yon di ba?  There are some changes on that list that we did during our meeting. Preparation for a big and important occasion is a bit stressful  here compare to Pinas in a sense na hindi ka basta makakapagfile ng leave of absence sa work mo, kaya you need to maximize all the time you have in arranging everything to your suppliers minus the bridal gown naman kasi since hindi naman church wedding mas simple lang. 

We also discuss the reception program in detailed. And since we're not in Philippines, very limited lang ang mga resources na pwedeng kuhanin namin to execute some of the customs in a Filipino wedding. Just to clear out guys I'm not into "pamahiin" or superstition, of course ang pagsasama ng dalawang tao is depende yan sa kanila, it should be triangle nga di ba - the husband, the wife and GOD. 

We Filipinos have a rich customs and traditions and even in wedding celebration there are some practices that's already part of culture. Hope we can have some of those at the reception program, but first we need to check where to find suman and kalamay ^_____^

I advise you if you are planning to get married, have at least one (1) year of planning ahead. Its better na mahaba yung time ng pagpla-plan kesa naman ngaragness ang beauty mo on your wedding day. 

Wedding is milestone kaya dapat lang pinagplaplanuhan at pinaghahandaan. Di ba mas maganda if you'll have a memorable wedding and a happy marriage? so ngayon pa lang if you have plan to get married next year, start to plan now.

Don't Rush Things

I don't know if its just hormonal but lately I have so many things in my mind. I have so many things in my mind that I want to do, so many plans but I don't even know where, when and even how to start. All I am sure is GOD is in control of me. I'm talking to myself and assure that the Lord is always working, that despite of His silence He is listening to me, that even sometimes I feel He is not answering some of my prayers, He is there watching over me and moving on me.

Like anyone else I am just a human. I have emotions and heartaches. My body get tired and my mind blown away. Like anyone else, my life sometimes is also a roller coaster, full of ups and suddenly it drop down. I feel sadness too, sometimes I feel empty as well.  I become frustrated too when I didn't achieve something I really want. Like any other I am only human.

Sometimes I think of those people who because of depression and even due to frustration was become mentally ill.It sad to know that because someone doesn't love and care, their life seems to be wasted. 

Everyday is a second chance and those emotions are just only by passers. Don't let them win over you but instead be an over comer, show them how you that despite of the not so good thing that happened into your life, you still have million reasons to smile and be happy. Don't cling on your emotions they are not a part of you, remember when you were still a child, everything seems so red, no black nor blues. Happy moments are destined to be always in our mind and in our heart so whenever loneliness are passing by, those happy memories will become your sword.

God gave us free will to do things but don't be too confident and rely to yourself alone that you can do everything. You need GOD in your life. There will be times that you'll get tired. You'll need a comforter, you'll be needing a counselor, a provider, a healer, a Savior and so much more and you can only find that to JESUS.

 Have you ever say "thank you" from the time you open your eyes today? Have you ever say thank you for unexpected things and circumstances in your life, that you consider miracles?

I can't imagine my life without GOD. Maybe I am one of those people inside psychiatric hospital or maybe I have a wasted life or on the other hand enjoying a lonely luxurious life. No one knows.

My life isn't perfect and it isn't an ideal for some. But for me, I am happy and contented but it doesn't mean that I will stop to be better. From time to time I am reminding myself how blessed I am for having the life I have now. 

I don't need to rush for all of my plans to fulfill. I don't need to pressure myself over things that I want to accomplish. Anything worth having is anything worth waiting for.

For how many times God did a miracle in my life, for how many times He opened my eyes and made me realized that His plans are better than mine, that every "no" I received from people are another "yes" for a bigger and better plan He have for me. 

In my mind and in my heart, I will hold on to His words:

" Many are the plans of a man's heart, but its the Lord's purpose that prevails" - Proverbs 19:21

"For I know the plans I have in you", declared the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future" - Jeremiah 29:11