Photo(s) of the Day # 13

Mich, Rich and Me

Me, Mich and Ate Liz

Some of our graduation photos..I miss these guys as much as I miss our school...

Rainy Morning

It's a rainy Monday morning. Rainy mornings makes me lazy and sleepy but I'll force myself today to read the readings on my report as well as some books I just downloaded. Hopefully, today will be better than yesterday. Tangle is on in Star Movies but I don't feel like watching. Maybe I'll just try to catch it the next time they play it. Belated Merry Christmas. 

Btw, this is the satellite view of the Philippines and in it's southern part , a low pressure area (the yellow and red colors) is lying which explains of our bad weather here in Gensan. 

Expectation/Reality Ngayong Pasko

Expectations:

• Pupunta sa mga Ninong at Ninang para humingi ng aginaldo.
• Maiingay na tugtugan ng Christmas Carols.
• Maraming pagkain.
• Masayang kapiligiran.
• Maraming tao sa paligid mo, nagkakasiyahan ang lahat.
• Aayain kang lumabas ng mga barkada mo.
• Buong tropa mo ay pupunta sa Mall para magsaya.
• Magagandang Regalo galing sa Magulang mo.
• Hindi mo maiisip ang anumang lumbay sa isip mo.

Reality:

• Tahimik ang kapaligiran, para bang mag-isa ka lang. (Mag-isa talaga)
• Wala kang naririnig na tunog, sobrang tahimik, ang tanging naririnig mo lang eh ang ugong ng aircon o ang motor ng electric fan. (Electric fan at nakabukas na TV na hindi ko naman pinapanood)
• Hindi umabot sa Quota na limandaan ang napamaskuhan mo. (Wala nga eh)
• Walang tropang nag-ayang lumabas sayo. (Wala, sa sobrang busy nila, nakalimutan akong imbitahin sa birthday ni Cocong)
• Hindi ka makapunta ng mall dahil sa wala kang pera at alam mong maraming tao. (Tama)
• Wala kang regalong natanggap sa magulang mo. (Mga bagong gamit, chokz na yun)
• Halos hindi nagluto ang magulang at umorder na lang ng pagkain sa Mcdo, Jolibee, Bucket Meal sa KFC. Pero ang gusto mo talaga eh Queso De Bola at Hamonado. (Maraming pagkain pero gaganahan ka bang kumain kung mag-isa ka lang?!)
• Nalulungkot ka dahil sa araw mo ng Pasko naramdaman ang lumbay na hindi mo nararamdaman noon. (Agay, Maninuod man!)

Ewan ko sobrang laki ng expectation ko ngayong Pasko. Nagulat ako at sobrang na dissapoint akong ganito ang nararamdaman ko. Sabi ko lagi maging masaya, pero sobrang boring nitong nangyari. Ang tahimik, walang christmas sounds, walang namamasko. Para bang normal na araw lang. Ibang iba sa mga nakaraan na pasko dati. 

Ang tahimik…. Sobrang tahimik…. May sariling mundo ang lahat ng tao ngayon. Kaasar lang.

Saddest Christmas

This is probably the saddest Christmas since my mother died. I felt so alone. Well, I'm literally at home, alone. No family members, no friends, nothing except a hairy-tailed creature who loves to chew my slippers. Last year, despite being just more than a month since I lost my mother, was different one. It was a lighter Christmas. Our relatives from abroad was here, my paternal relatives also visited us and it we had quite a happier celebration despite our painful loss. Now, I'm here, facing my laptop, writing this with some tears in my eyes. This made me miss my mama and Dingo. I wish they were here. I wish I was not alone. I wish I had some friends to talk to during this times. I wish I don't have to face the computer and visit the internet just to make myself busier and preoccupied. Christmas should be about celebrating the birth of Christ and spending it with our families and friends but where are they? I could curse myself for being this miserable on the most awaited season of the year but I just couldn't help it. I AM ALONE. Where is everybody? They are somewhere partying, drinking, having some good time without me. Yes, I am bitter. NOW. They never bother to call or text me. I have nowhere to go but to stay at home and look to that hairy-tailed creature at if reminding me that he's still here with me. Brimbo may never speak a word but the way he stares at me, the way he licks my feet, the way he sits beside me, it's as if he's telling me he will never leave me. Animals may have that kind of instincts that whenever I feel miserable, my dog would just never leave my side. At least, I have him.

 Some people say I'm short-tempered, emotional, easily gets pissed off on small things, snob, disrespectful. I could honestly say that only few can understand me 50% but never a 100%. I say something and they misinterpreted it and they start to say some blah blah blah's without really comprehending what I said. Some says I'm too serious and I couldn't force myself to join some nonsense, off the topic cracking of jokes. They even say I couldn't adjust myself to some people's personality. Yes, I'm aloof when strangers try to talk to me. My guard is on when someone not really nice approach me. I don't usually get along in some nonsense conversations and I don't like someone cracking some insensitive jokes. Yes, I maybe cynical at times, I'm stiff, I can't loosen up, adjust to other's personalities and don't let my mood swings, which is very terrible, ruin my day. But this is me. And maybe, with this kind of personality I have, I will always be alone. The inevitably painful truth.

I end this with a post from terminallykeith.tumblr. You can view the original post here. So here it is:

I stand alone.

I hate being alone for one reason, I hate the feeling of confinement and solitude. But times have changed, and solitude is the new thing for people afraid of trusting others. Afraid for a multitude of reasons, either personal or trauma or whatever.
We are constantly in search of companionship, and lucky are those who already have found their match. But for those who haven’t, it sucks. It pains. Yes, it is difficult to be alone, but it won’t kill you. So hold on there young child, have strength and just stay as you are. Don’t change for the benefit of others, but stay as what you wanna be. Because people who insist for you to change are people who don’t deserve you, your attention, your time and your affection., you might as well stand alone.

Good Night Everyone and Merry Christmas!

Last Christmas

Luke 2:8-14

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Sigh. I can't believe how time really flies so fast. It seems like yesterday and the 365 days felt like it didn't happen. Today is Christmas Eve and one or probably the best time of the year. It's the year where everyone cooks something special for their noche buena or the Christmas Eve dinner, everyone got some new clothes, new shoes, new things for themselves, and everyone is practicing the spirit of gift-giving. I don't usually expect to receive gifts during the holidays but some friends and relatives don't fail to give me gifts or extend their blessings. I'm contented with what I have right now and I'm very thankful that God gave us so much blessings not just this year but to all my 21 years in life. Life never promised a smooth perfect path but I'm really thankful that God gave me problems that I can bravely bear and made me a stronger person. But I know I still had so much to learn. Today, in this Christmas Eve, I'm thanking the God for all the blessings he gave as well as keeping us in good health. This is the time to give and spread love, extend and share our blessings, and spend good time with our families and friends. I am fully aware that my Christmas will never be the same. It will be the second Christmas without our mother and the first time without my canine bestfriend, Dingo. But life must go on and I'm looking forward for a better future and I'm very hopeful for this coming new year. 

This Christmas is gonna be different from last year. Last year, we were joined by my aunt and uncle from America and my niece and her mother. It was a fun Christmas despite some of us getting a bit emotional since it was the first Christmas without my mother. We had a lot of gifts for each other since we were given more money by my aunts and uncle as well as my father so we can buy our own gifts. We had a sumptuous dinner and an enjoyable bonding of dancing, joking and fooling around. It was the first time we had an exchange gift. It was a very happy Christmas Eve despite the painful loss of my mother. I believed that my mother even joined us in that celebration. I believed those mists on the pictures was my mother. We had countless photos of us on that spot but that was the first time we ever saw a mist on our photos. It was nice to feel that she was with us that time. As I've written, this Christmas will be different. My aunts and uncle weren't here, my niece will be spending Christmas in Bukidnon, and we don't have an exchange gift this time. Nevertheless, Christmas is about spreading love to your families, friends and even to those strangers that are in need. It's about sharing good times whether in a sumptuous dinner or a simple one. It's about celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. It's about thanking God for all the blessings we received and will be receiving. All I hope is that this Christmas, despite our family not complete anymore, it will be a Christmas worth remembering and celebrating and that we shouldn't forget what the real meaning of Christmas is: LOVE.

By the way, My father share the same birthday with Jesus Christ, December 25. Happy Birthday,Pa. We Love You!!

Simbang Gabi

SIMBANG GABI is one of the longest and most popular among the Filipino traditions in the country. It is when Catholic churches across the nation start to open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass.

Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.

During the old times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells. In some rural areas, an hour before the start of Simbang Gabi, a brass band plays Christmas music all over the town. It is also believed that parish priests would go far knocking on doors to wake and gather the faithful to attend the misa de gallo. Farmers as well as fishermen wake up early to hear the Gospel before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest.

The changing of times does not break the preservation of celebrating Simbang Gabi although it is celebrated in new ways. Still, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues. Part of it are the colorful lights and lanterns that fill every streets. Beautiful parols are hung in every window. Songs of the season are played everywhere to warm the hearts. Families, friends and even individuals find its way going to the nearest church to attend the nine-day novena. 

Today, the tradition of Simbang Gabi continues whether you live in the city or in the province, although it is celebrated in new ways. Most churches are decorated with colourful lights and beautiful parol lanterns to welcome the church goers. The Nativity Scene or "Belen" is displayed in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It shows Baby Jesus in a manger with Mother Mary and St. Joseph. There are shepherds and farm animals. A complete scenario of the Belen includes the three wise men carrying their gifts to Infant Jesus and the star of Bethlehem that guided them in their journey. 

Shortly after the mass, traditional delicacies awaits the church goers and are sold in stalls right outside the church, Favourites like bibingka, puto (rice cakes), puto bungbong, suman sa pasko, suman sa ibos and usually served with tea or coffee.Hot pandesal (breakfast roll ) are also very popular.

Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. but it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. TheSimbang Gabi is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord,as most people believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn masses, wishes will be granted

Over the years, Filipinos communities have made some changes in the celebration of Simbang Gabi, some urban parishes now celebrates Misa de Gallo around 8- 9 in the evening in order to accommodate the needs of the members of the community who have different work schedules.

The Simbang Gabi tradition is also practised by Catholic Filipinos communities who are living elsewhere in the world. No matter how or when this celebration takes place, the Simbang Gabi provides a strong indication of the depth of Catholicism among the Filipino people.

Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in the country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if one has the stamina to complete the novena or not, what really matters is what is inside the heart. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing.

(Read more here about the Simbang Gabi and photo credits due to their respective owners)

Today was the start of the Simbang Gabi. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to wake up early and I really hated it. Last year, I was able to complete the nine mornings of the Simbang Gabi and I was really happy and blessed on completing it. They say that if you completes the nine mornings, you can make a wish and it will surely be granted to you. I really can't remember if I did make a wish on that particular feat of mine but I do made a lot of wishes that I asked from the Lord and countless of these wishes came true through the blessings we received this year from the Father. Last Christmas was the first Christmas without my mother. I was personally sad that she's not with us in that very special time of the year. However, my relatives and family did a little reunion where my aunt and uncle from the US came here to the Philippines for the holidays. It was the first time we had an exchanged gifts since before, our aunts and uncles as well as our grandmothers are the ones giving gifts to us younger generations. Those cousins of mine who already have a job are also sharing their blessing to us through gifts. Maybe I could only hope that this Christmas will be as much fun as last year and the previous years even though we're incomplete this year. And I hope I could still attend the Simbang Gabi to really appreciate the true sense of Christmas and feel the Christmas in the air. Christmas here in the Philippine is the best time of the year and I'm still looking forward to this Christmas and I hope we could realize the true sense of Christmas and that is LOVE. 

Me!!!!

This is so ME!!! =)

Last Friday Night..

 Last Friday night (November 25, 2011) was one of the best night of my life. Maybe I can say that whenever I spend good times with my closest friends is always the best. I really love hanging out with them. I always look forward on attending class where we're classmates and our "unplanned" strolls in and out of the city. Last Friday night was not an exception. It was a planned trip for us to visit again the nearby municipality of Alabel for the Munato Festival and to watch and support the Pearl of Glan whom Rich had accompanied during the pre-pageant meetings. The trio of us (Mich, Rich and I) had rendezvous at KCC Mall. Ashamedly, I would admit that I was a bit late again (sigh). I was hoping to catch the sunset and took a photo of it in the capitol but during these year-ending months, days are much shorter than nights. It was already dark when we got to Alabel and to start the night, we visited Glan's cottage only to find out that they were serving foods (it's Jollibee) to some people whom I believe are from LGU-Glan. Mich and I were even surprised when they offered us the food even though we're not connected to them, we were just visitors and friends of Rich, who works for Glan Tourism. So as they say, never say no to any blessing (yeah, it's a blessing since we don't have to spend our money for dinner, hehe) that we accepted the foods offered.Our "first" dinner of the night was a burger and "over-flowing" fries with coke softdrinks from Jollibee. We were contented with it since it's free, hehe. 

 After eating our first dinner of the night, we walked to the nearby Main Provincial Building to retrieve some of Rich's belongings that she left the previous night we visited (and to somehow burn what we had just eaten) and we climb the stairs to the third floor.

Going to the main building

Still posing for pictures while climbing the stairs, unbelievable.

Guys, Do you have any idea what floor are we already??

 I was really relieved to find out that the elevator was unavailable that I was very glad to use the stairs (I might throw up what I had just eaten if I we used the elevator!!). When we ascended to the third floor, we quickly looked for Rich's cousin who by the way works on that office. We were surprised when her co-employee offered us dinner since it was his birthday and he treat all his officemates dinner and fortunately for us (and those girls and gays from Kiamba) that there were still food left and rice untouched. Again, we had no other option but to eat. I was already full (mind you, I only eat a small amount of food to be full) and I was exchanging weird glances with Rich and Mich cause they're fully aware that if I eat too much food, chances are I will have a stomachache again and that would be the last thing I want to happen for me that night. So what I did was to eat slowly and eat more the chicken and not the rice since rice will make my stomach more heavier while Rich and Mich were eating heartily (hehe). 

What was left of the fried chicken

The rice wrapped in banana leaves

The three "Asay" (Asay kaon, didto). The SECOND dinner of the night.

The two of you don't usually eat like that huh.. 

It's the Champ's Mineral Water (oh by the way, he's also Sarangani Province Congressman)

Eating in front of this office, hehe

Never mind the background, that's me inside the comfort room

How I wish I could eat all of this..

While eating, the group from Kiamba where so jolly that they even sing a happy birthday for the celebrant and we were also thankful to him for offering us dinner and for the warm welcome to us even though we're virtually strangers to him. As we finished eating, I noticed the view outside the windows and it was majestic (well, for me). They had a beautiful scenery of the night view of the bay and the nearby municipalities across the bay. I believe that place across the bay fronting Alabel was Calumpang or Bula in General Santos. I was simply amazed by the simple beauty of whatever my eyes laid on that night. I can also view from the window the backstage for the Pearl of Sarangani and the unassuming crowd that was already starting to gather. 

Lights beyond the bay

The backstage for the Pearl of Sarangani and the road leading to it..

Hello young boy! 

After finishing our second dinner, we thanked the birthday celebrant and we promised them that we'll be back next year, hehe (we will!!). We went down to the lobby and looked at the photo entries for the Munato Festival and I said to myself, maybe someday, I could display some of my photos in this lobby. Maybe someday, I could join that contest (aja!!). We then started to took some photos of ourselves in the capitol lobby. We want to grab that chance cause it was our first Munato Festival and we rarely set foot in Alabel since we live in Gensan and we don't have any business there except for that festival. Posing here, posing there, in front of the seal, infront of the capitol, we really acted like tourists, hehe.

As we exit the entrance of the capitol, I couldn't help but mesmerize to the beauty of Sarangani. I said to myself that someday, I will visit all the municipalities of Sarangani and appreciate its wonders. After checking if the pageant has started, we walked back to Glan's cottage and on the way, we (again!) stopped and checked out the beautifully lit Christmas lights wrapping the Neem trees and took some photos of us three. Mich is the very least person that ever touch the camera hence took photos herself so we agreed that it's time for her to practice a little bit of photography. We asked her to be the photographer for once and she merrily accepted it. However, since we didn't put a flash on the camera and instead we just used a higher ISO, she must took our photo with steady hands. Unfortunately, she had to work more on it since some of our photos she took were blurred and we didn't want to use flash cause it will ruin the drama (char!). It is much sensitive when using a higher ISO instead of flash. Nevertheless, we just took turns in taking some photos and we were glad most of it came very nicely. Here are some of it:

After taking more photos, we headed back to Glan's cottage. I decided to try the polvoron made from Glan so I bought one. They also displayed some of Glan's products and handicrafts like keychains. 

Glan's Cottage

Handicrafts from Glan

Glan Wafer

Polvoron

Coco Salvaro

Keychains and some handicraft stuffs 

Me, taking out some money to pay for the polvoron

We'll be back next year!

Thanks Ante, for welcoming us..

We'll visit again..

After leaving some of Rich's things in the cottage, we went on to visit the other cottages of the different municipalities. As what Rich had written on her facebook, it was like we did a province-wide tour of Sarangani by visiting their respective cottages which also boast some of their most prized products and the photos (and gear in the case of Maitum's cottage) of the different famous tourists spots in their locality. They also displayed all the things they take pride on.

Maasim's Cottage if I'm not mistaken..

Behind Mich and Rich is a native hand-woven machine..
(Am I right, Rich?)

Nice looking mini-pond at the back of Malungon's cottage

Malungon's..

Visit Malungon pamphlets

Spider-webbed inspired window

The prides of Malungon: Kublai Millan's paintings

The People's champ is Malungon's tourism chair (sort of).

Certified Malungon-made handicrafts..

2nd-placer in the 9th Munato Festival's Cheerdance Competition

How I wish I had this windows at home..

Welcome to Maitum..

Poster Girl for Maitum??

Goofing around while wearing water-tubing gears..

Rich, posing for photos while talking to Dr. Ruiz in her cellphone..tsk3

Rich: "The wave's coming!!"
Me: "Rich, there's no waves in rivers..." -_-

Pacute..

Mich: "HUH??"
Rich: "Hmmm.."

Pose..pose..pose

My pic's blurred.. -_-

Love this PIC!!

Love this PIC Part 2.. =)

Love this PIC Part 3.. =))

So after an exhausting stroll of all the cottages of Sarangani Province and posing for photos and trying all those water-tubing stuffs, we decided to head on watching the beauty pageant of the Pearl of Sarangani (thought it already started). 

Heading towards the pageant..

There was a good crowd watching the pageant and some few supporters of the candidates from there respective towns and municipalities. We heard there will be some celebrities who'll be having a show during the duration of the pageant. Well, for me, I will never be starstruck by these people. I will just watch them performed but I will never shrieked for them. So back to the pageant, we looked for a space where we can visibly see the candidates as they walked around the stage. We were actually in front of a pretty much huge screen but we were annoyed by the way the camera views since we couldn't really see clearly the candidates. The cameras were placed in awkward positions and it really annoyed me since placing a camera in the right position is sooo basic. The guys who installed it should know it. Unfortunately, they didn't. 

This really sucks!

So as the pageant progress, the candidates looked very rehearsed and confident with only very little blunders that they committed (during the q&a, a candidate gave a very long specific answer instead of a brief, concise one.). But, as Mich said (she joined a beauty pageant before), it's very different when you're on stage and the crowd were eagerly watching and listening for your answer. I couldn't blame them either since it's really a nervous moment for them. All they had to do is project confidence and answer the question by heart. Again, it's much easier said than done (okay!). When it was the candidate from Glan's turned, she did it with full confidence as she gave a witty answer. 

Ms. Glan's father as he watches his daughter answers..

Rich with Sharene Joy Chatto during a photo shoot

The Pearl of Glan: Ms. Sharene Joy Chatto

At the left is Ms. Glan

The Pearls of Sarangani.

Unfortunately, Ms. Glan wasn't able to win any awards and she didn't even qualified for the next round so we left after they announced it. We felt we're already exhausted so we find a place where we could sit. When we felt the raindrops, we went back to Glan's cottage and retrieve Rich's stuffs and after it, we already called it a night. It was really a wonderful night worth remembering and worth reminiscing always. I couldn't put into words the happiness, the fun, and the bond we had that night. I hope we could have more fun times again in the future. I love spending my time with you guys, Mich and Rich and you are definitely what a real friend is, though we had so many good memories, we always have each others back. So long and let the good times roll..Love you guys.. 

♥HD