Typhoon Pedring 092711

Classes and work was cancelled due to Category 2 Typhoon Pedring, but our training pushed through, so we stayed at the training center the whole day. This is the scene when I got home: 

Due to strong winds, the mango tree just in front of our gate fell down together with the electricity cables and streetlight post. Gladly, our landmark, that old Volkswagen, survived Pedring's wrath!

What I learn today: The Deep Well

I remember Father's(our adorable company priest) sermon on one of his first Friday masses. It is a story of the "Deep Well". 

"Why, he asks, does a well never runs out of water when we always fetch from it but suddenly becomes dry when we stop getting from it? It is because, he says, the well is simply charitable and selfless, it dies when it stops giving". 

The more we give, the more we become happy, blessed and fulfilled in life. Make it a habit to be generous and of service to others. =)

WhatI learn today: Theme Song with God

September 23

St Pio's Feast Day

I, together with Gi, Aleli and Ms Fanny attended a mass at St Pio's church for Padre Pio's feast day.

To end his(the Priest) sermon, he shares with us(he actually sang!) his theme song with the Lord. I never thought this love song could be a theme song with God! But I really felt his song and it became meaningful to me too.

Basta't kasama Kita by Dingdong Avanzado. Here's the chorus:


Basta't kasama Kita
Lahat magagawa
Lahat ay maiaalay sa'yo
Basta't kasama Kita
Walang kailangan pa
Wala nang hahanapin pa
Basta't kasama Kita.


=)

MSI Smasher's new logo =)

Hope the jerseys will be out by 2nd week of October. Can't wait to wear it while playing bad! =)

What I learn today: The Wall

I want to share another story which I heard from the last mass I've attended. The story of "How did a spider's web saves the life of a wounded soldier."

A long time ago during a war, there was a wounded american soldier who's trying to run away and hide from Japanese soldiers to save his life.

He went into one of the many caves of a mountain and prayed desperately to God to build a wall on the cave's opening to protect him.

The Japanese soldiers have been hunting him for days. The soldier has been praying for protection since then.One day, he heard the Japanese soldiers stomping, shouting... he can feel them getting closer... and closer... his heart pounding... thinking it was the end of his life. But after a while, it was all quiet... they're gone... and he's still alive.

He wants to know what's possibly the reason they skipped to enter the cave. He went on just to find out a spider's web almost covering the cave's entrance.

Japanese soldiers, they say, checks every cave but then skips those that has untouched spider webs in its openings because they believe that if it is untouched, it means nobody went in.

God is so wise, He sometimes answer our prayers with sense of humor... a blessing in disguise! =)

Weekend Getaway: Tagaytay-Batangas

Chateau Royale Sports and Country Club, Inc.

Nasugbu, Batangas

September 17-18, 2011

Another surprise gift for our friend, a weekend getaway with us and her kids to one of Batangas' best resorts, Chateau Royale, a 4-hr drive from Quezon City. 

We took San Agustin bus but we have to get off in Mendez Crossing along Aguinaldo Highway to get a jeepney that will take us to Batulao. The kids were already hungry so we decided to have lunch first and it happens that in front of the waiting shed is La Trobada Restaurant. We enjoyed the bulalo and pinakbet as well as the music rendered by a local quartet but the best was the view of Taal Volcano.

We checked-in at around 2:30pm and after settling down, we left the mag-iina for a nap while Mace, Gi and I explored the vicinity. It's a great place for relaxation and their log cabins are spacious and cozy it lets you experience the ultimate country-style living.

There's a playground, swimming pool and facilities for big groups such as paintball, obstacle course, wall climbing and horseback riding. You may also visit the Greenhouses for lettuce, bell peppers, and other veggies as well as the orchidarium. Fresh vegetables harvested from the farm can also be bought inside the resort. If you're a fishing enthusiast, the fishing lake is a place to be, you just have to pay everything you catch.

You may want to bring water and snacks, though, if you're in a tight budget because there's no convenient stores nearby. Cost of water, etc. in the cafe are a bit expensive.

Before going back to Manila, we paid a visit to the famous Calaruega Church in Tagaytay. We would want to stay for a little longer to just feel the cool breeze of fresh air but it's getting late so we hopped in to the tricycle we rented and dropped us off to a nearby restaurant. 

We dined-in at Sonya's Garden for an eat-all-you-can lunch. At Php610 per person, we indulged ourselves to a healthy menu: Garden Salad with fruits and eggs drizzled with Sonya's secret dressing, whole wheat sesame bread with different homemade dips and toppings(the basil pesto with white cheese is a personal favorite) pasta with white(chicken cream with mango) and sun dried tomato sauce, topped with shitake mushrooms, black olives, ratatouille, capers, grated Parmesan cheese and deep fried salmon belly for main course and for dessert there's the chocolate cake and favorite pinoy treats; banana rolls with sesame and jackfruit and glazed sweet potato. Meals are served with bottomless freshly squeezed dalandan juice and hot tarragon tea. :)

The kids had a great time, as well as us, the Yayas! :D

A day at the Spa 09-03-11

A full body massage at Blue Water Day Spa and end up the day with an Italian dinner at Fazoli's. A surprise birthday gift from two sweetest friends.

Such a wonderful gift for me and Aleli! Thank you Gi and Mace! muah! =)

Aleli's Yellowcab Treat 09-05-11

Happy Birthday Aleli, thank you for the pizza treat and oh let's thank our dearest friends, Mace and Gi one more time for the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's chocolate cake they gave us. =)

What I learn today: Faith

I love listening to our first Friday mass sermons. I love Father's story-telling and here's one notable story I will never forget. The story of a faithful boy.

There's this one small village suffering from a drought condition for months. The villagers religiously go to church to pray for rain because their crops and farm animals are already suffering too much from the drying soil. One night, while everybody were in the church to say their prayers, the heavy rains began to pour. After a while, the villagers gets worried they won't be able to get home because they didn't brought their umbrellas with them and so they prayed for the rain to stop. One boy stepped outside looking frustrated, opened his umbrella and said, "You're praying for rain yet you didn't bring your umbrella."

It seems the only one who truly believes in his faith is the boy. How about you are you sincere enough with your faith?

PS&MIS Team Ilocos Tour 2011: Day 2

Day 2 of our Ilocos Trip continues... and it's still raining...

Fort Ilocandia Resort

Malacanang of the North

Grandpa's Inn for Lunch

Bell Tower, Baluarte and Paoay Church

Dinner @ Cafe Leona along Calle Crisologo

Sinigang  na bangus and Ilocos Longganisa

A trip is not complete without a jumpshot! =)

PS&MIS Team Ilocos Tour 2011: Day 1

August 26, 2011, exactly one year after my first trip to Ilocos! Same dates (Aug26-29) but different weather. My first trip with my travel buddies was sunny, this year, it's not just rainy, there's a category 2 typhoon over the area! Another adventure for the team! =D

Inside our Bus!
August 26 @ 9:00pm: Off we go to north!

Cafe Amarra
Arrived by 6 AM. Breakfast includes: Ilocos longganisa with black Ilocos vinegar, scrambled eggs, hot chocolate and mixed fruits for dessert.

Tour Begins! Our tour guide gave some historic information about Ilocos and its famous tourist spots along the way.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
It was built on top of a hill in 1890's to help incoming vessels navigate their way to busy ports of Ilocos.

Bangui Windmills
Unfortunately, due to heavy rains, we're not able to get closer to the giant windmills.

Patapat Viaduct
It is a 1.3 km concrete coastal bridge that connects the Maharlika Highway from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to the Cagayan Valley Region.

Polaris Beach House

Lunch includes: Chicken bbq, pinakbet, banana and cold softdrinks. Some of the team braved the strong winds and big waves of Pagudpud beach while others played cards.

UKL Hotel
Time to rest at this budget-friendly hotel. But most of the rooms' hot and cold shower system aren't working and we're not satisfied with their service either. Dinner includes: Pancit, Chicken, Pork and macaroni salad for dessert while for breakfast, I ordered sunny side egg and longganisa with orange juice.

For the highlight of the Teambuilding: Welcome session for newbies which started off with a mini-performance of each of them and the serious team's open-forum follows.

@ 1 o'clock AM - get enough sleep for Day 2 of the tour! =)