The Best Gift

     Truly the best gifts are those made by its givers. Yesterday was my birthday and my baby girl gave me a little book card which she made herself.

Deer Mummy - Dear Mommy

Smiley birthday - Happy Birthday

eye heart u- I love you

bill-e - Billie

     Isn't she sweet? I am a lucky mom!

Meet and Greet: The Mickey Mouse Plant

     The first time I saw this plant, it was being sold in make-shift stores along the way to Eden Nature Park in Davao. At first sight,  I was amused. How cam a plant be so cute? I find out it is commonly called the Mickey Mouse Plant for obvious reasons. It is often used as a centerpiece. But is is not only for decoration as its roots, fruits and leaves have medicinal uses from skin diseases to cough and cold. Check it out here but don't laugh!
http://stuartxchange.org/Utong.html

      To me it is a beautiful plant with a slight retro vibe which I like for home decoration. =-) Never mind the silly names.
 
   

Church On Time: The San Beda Chapel

     Churches are one, if not the best documentation of the history of architecture. They are like the big giant story books of mankind.

The church facade along Mendiola St. in San Miguel, Manila.

     Here in the Philippines we are not want of churches being a predominantly Roman Catholic country. Some of the world's most beautiful churches I believe are right here. Having grown up in Santa Mesa, Manila, our choices for churches on Sundays were the retro Holy Redeemer Parish in Brixton Hills, Mt Carmel in New Manila and the San Beda Chapel. My easy favorite then was the San Beda Chapel. Masses there were always so solemn. The people silently busy communing with their God. After church scene was equally serene except for a lone ice-cream cart, maybe a corn vendor and an old man selling lottery tickets. (or sweepstakes)

Frescoes, vaulted and a half dome.

     Hearing mass there after such a long time brought back a lot of memories. I remember, as a teen- ager trying to convince my parents to hear the 10am mass every Sunday......because there was a cute guy who hears mass at 10am. Teehee! I remember chasing after my then baby cousins Ana and Carla down the nave. I have not forgotten and still appreciate how well the Abbots prepared and said their homilies.

      The beauty of the San Beda Chapel still takes my breath away, all of its Neo-Gothic splendor. I am confident the Benedictines will preserve this wonderful edifice. This church is truly a gem.

      A lot has changed around it like a KFC fast food resto occupies a corner of the block where the church and school sits but inside the same serene almost mysterious charm still awaits anyone who ventures to come in, fold their hands together and pray.

Keep A Breast: Re-thinking Breast cancer Awareness

 

A cute baller band to promote breast cancer awareness. This one reads 'Check Your Self'

     In Filipino, we have an endearing word for a childhood friend, it is 'kababata'.  I consider my friends from way back grade school years to be my 'kababatas'.

     I recently found out that one of them has breast cancer and sadly is at stage 4. I remember her to be always giggly with a big hearty laugh even. She is not married but has an older brother. Some friends went to visit her at home as she had already been 'sent home' by her doctors. It is so sad. How fragile and short life is.

     This made me think are we really thinking of breast cancer enough? Are we really aware of what we should do? At my age. a mammogram must be a yearly thing. But am guilty of not having one myself yet. There is so much information out there about breast cancer.  As women, we need to grab it and take action. Love ourselves and love our loved ones even more.

I Heart Boobies says this one. =-)

     I am praying for you Eileen.
    I still have that big smiling face of yours in my heart.

Enjoy the Stopover

     My husband and I were heading home the other day but the traffic was just so bad. It had been a long day for me after habing gone to my Tagaytay job site in the morning and design school in the afternoon. I couldn't wait to get home, see my kids and lie down on my bed.

     As we inched through the jam, we thought of giving up for while and take a break. We ended up In Kopi Roti. The moment we sat down and our simple order of coffee and chocolate kopi bun was served, it felt really good. We were thankful for the break from the heavy traffic. We chatted and enjoyed the moment.

     Sometimes. we all are in such a hurry to get to our destination, we forget that we CAN take breaks. It is not enough that we stop, we have to afford ourselves the chance to enjoy it. So be it the long 16-hour flight to the States, a ton of work or a simple long ride home,  take a stopover and enjoy it.

     We did not even finish our coffee though it was wonderful and we got back in our car for home. What do you know, the traffic from thereon was smooth and easy and we were home in 20 minutes! =-)

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1.02.28

There's Always Something to Smile About

     I am proud to be a Filipino. (That sounds like a song.) But the recent hostage crisis in Manila involving seven HK nationals' lives made me feel otherwise, at least for a few hours. My friends and I had breakfast together the other day and we all admitted feeling so small at the time the whole stand-off was happening.

    Of course life goes on and in as much as I continuously pray and feel sorry for the victims, what else can I do?  Or what else can anyone do? The very next day after that fateful Monday, we were all back at work or school and went about our regular schedules.....And one thing I love about our people is our resiliency.  Inspite and despite difficulties, we stand up and stay strong.

    In our country there is always something to smile about. I saw this bus along E. Rodriguez Ave. in Libis a few days ago. The name of the transport line made me smile. Only a Filipino will name a transport line Dimple Star and what's with the GelBoy on the bottom? =-) Filipinos will smile at this for various reason. Perhaps because for its sheer tackiness? Ang baduy 'no?

     
     And there are even funnier everyday snippets everywhere. So you see, everyday I am still proud to be Filipino and one thing that will always make me proud is the gift of laughter we all share.....and our unique, crazy sense of humor.

  

Nuts Over Beetle Nut Boxes

    It took me a while to get what they were. Perhaps I have been to far too many store that sells items from China, particularly the cricket box that crickets.  

     I collect small chests or 'bauls'.These metal boxes caught my eye during my last trip to Davao. I couldn't figure out what they were for with all its mini compartments inside. So I asked the shop keeper. She said, its is for beetle nuts. Stupid me I said. "Oh, they place them here after they are caught?" The shop keeper gave me the local, did-you--just-say-that look. (not the beetle insect?) Then she said it is for 'nga- nga'. Heck I know, nga-nga! So they are beetle nut boxes.  Our laundry woman when I was growing up was addicted to it as evidenced by her red orange teeth.  

     The practice actually involves chewing a combination of areca nuts and beetle leaves.  This explains the smaller compartments inside.  It is common in South East Asia.

    I examined the boxes more closely. What a pleasure it must have been for some to indulge in it. I heard it is an addiction. The boxes are either in-laid with silver or craved brass and there are three smaller compartments inside. I wanted to buy one. But they were not cheap. the one I liked was selling for P4,800 and the more intricate ones for up to P18,000. I said to myself I will wait until I have one of my Muslim family with me and haggle. Till then since I always have some use for all the chests I have collected at home, I will also try to figure out what to do with it once I buy it. Interesting and beautiful, don't you think?

From Davao To Me!

     The upside of having to go to a place over and over is that you go beyond the touristy thing and discover 'other' things about the place, things that usually only the locals know of.

     Davao is a fave city for many reasons, some of which I have mentioned in my older post. I feel that I can actually live here. I like how it not 'yet' a crowded city as metro 'cities' tend to be. The people are friendly and seem like happy, content people. My visits to Davao have always been relaxing, even if I have to work most of the time. In Davao, you can actually take your time.

     When most Davao visitors will take home, crates of pomelo, durian or other fruits, I get excited about two things. Alman's Pastries Brownies and coffee beans from Blugre.

     Alman's Brownies are not the gourmet, rich, 'profound' brownies but if you are like me with a simple and Pinoy palette for food, you will like this. It has just the right amount of sweetness and just enough density but it is good and so, so ,so addicting.

     They say, Blugre is the reason Starbucks has not invaded Davao. I think I know the reason why. Their coffee is one, if not the best I have had in this country. No joke! In fact I love it so much that during one trip I bought beans from their SM branch and had to buy a grinder in Manila just for me and my husband to enjoy it.

     So if you know anyone hopping to Davao or if you, yourself are try my two pasalubong suggestions.

     Now, for my coffee and brownie snack.....