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It is just wonderful that Martha Stewart's WEDDINGS magazine is now here in the Philippines! Aside from being locally available, the real beauty of it is that the articles are appropriate for Philippine setting. Some articles were culled from the US version, but these articles are very much adaptable here. So now, we get the best from East and West... and at the most reasonable price already!
They had a grand launching last Sept. 17 at Manila Pen's Conservatory and I think everyone in the wedding industry was there. Wedding planners, photographers, florists, cake makers, make-up artists, souvenir suppliers were there. The set-up was very much Martha Stewart. I believe most guests were wishing that Martha herself was there, as I did.
As usual, there were the Manila Pen's savory hors' de oeuvres, scones (since it was supposed to be a tea party), and lots and lots of sweets... Any one with high sugar or diabetes should not be there! :-) Gosh! cupcakes, pastillas, all assortment of tarts and tartlettes, meringue and macarons, and so many others too many to mention... Well, it was a very good, or I must say "sweet" ending to my filling lunch earlier at Gloria Maris for Linda Lazo's bday blow-out.
But one thing caught everybody's eyes: the flower pot mini-cakes with assorted pink flowers, and everything edible including the pot. I was told that it was made by Peachy Juban of Shortcrust. She happens to be the daughter of one of my co-members in BLD, and a neighbor of our friend Tony Suiza. I just had to bring one home. I couldnt get myself to eat it there because I was already full (!), and it was so pretty to eat right away..
I recommended it to my bride who's having a garden-themed wedding, and she loved it. So I had to look for the number of Peachy and call her up. After several days, we finally got connected. This morning, she gave me her number and I was able to get the info I needed. I also learned that it was called POTS DU CREME... Hopefully, we clinch the deal...
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Spanish Songs and Luis Miguel
My October 25 wedding will have a Spanish Theme, and Larry Natividad will be doing the flowers and reception styling, complete with props. For the music to be provided by MPO, my bride wanted to have some spanish songs, interspersed with english. So I made a little google searching for popular spanish songs. And I fell in love with Luis Miguel and his songs!!! (sorry, darling, you're still my first love!) I do not even understand the words, but the melody and tiempo are very beautiful!
Luismi as he is called is muy guapo! And the songs he sings are really full of love and romance. Grabe! You should listen to his "Como Yo Te Ame", "Sabor A Mi" and "Amenecer"... Even his Historia de Un Amor, a very old love song, is better than the one sang by Julio Iglesias. Although the voice of Julio has a very unique sexy quality (listen to his "All of You" with Diana Ross), Luismi's voice is full and has a wider range.
Now I realize why they say that Latinos are very romantic. Their music is full of love and the melodies are really sexy and sensual... And if you watch the you tube of "Amenecer", wow, the scenes are bordering on X rating...hehehe... When Gilan (my apo) came and saw me watching it, I had to transfer to another site :-).. But the video of "Como Yo Te Ame" has very beautiful scenery of sunrise, sunsets, moons and stars, and so he even asked me to repeat it, hehe...
I think I have to buy Luis Miguel's "Segundo Romance" album because that's where these songs are contained. But his first grammy was the 1st "Romance" album. See, I even had to look up and read about him! Hahaha! That's how in love I got! They posted a video with his pictures as he was growing up ("La Gloria Eres Tu" another beautiful song!), ayyayay talagang muy guapo!
I dare you to listen, and tell me if you wont fall in love with your guy or even with Luis Miguel with these spanish songs!!!
Luismi as he is called is muy guapo! And the songs he sings are really full of love and romance. Grabe! You should listen to his "Como Yo Te Ame", "Sabor A Mi" and "Amenecer"... Even his Historia de Un Amor, a very old love song, is better than the one sang by Julio Iglesias. Although the voice of Julio has a very unique sexy quality (listen to his "All of You" with Diana Ross), Luismi's voice is full and has a wider range.
Now I realize why they say that Latinos are very romantic. Their music is full of love and the melodies are really sexy and sensual... And if you watch the you tube of "Amenecer", wow, the scenes are bordering on X rating...hehehe... When Gilan (my apo) came and saw me watching it, I had to transfer to another site :-).. But the video of "Como Yo Te Ame" has very beautiful scenery of sunrise, sunsets, moons and stars, and so he even asked me to repeat it, hehe...
I think I have to buy Luis Miguel's "Segundo Romance" album because that's where these songs are contained. But his first grammy was the 1st "Romance" album. See, I even had to look up and read about him! Hahaha! That's how in love I got! They posted a video with his pictures as he was growing up ("La Gloria Eres Tu" another beautiful song!), ayyayay talagang muy guapo!
I dare you to listen, and tell me if you wont fall in love with your guy or even with Luis Miguel with these spanish songs!!!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Villa Paraiso GK Village
As a member of the BLD-GK Ministry of Bukas Loob sa Diyos Community (BLD), We attended a Gawad Kalinga (GK) activity at Villa Paraiso in Sun Vally Parañaque City. Gerry and I did the survey work going from house to house.
One thing i confirmed, the attitude of a person changes with a change of environment. And this time, for the better. As one beneficiary said, owning your own house and in such an improved condition brought them dignity. And now he looks forward to adding/doing something for the house. He is now saving to add ceiling to their 2nd floor. Actually they have done so much already to beautify and improve what was given them: repainted, new tiles, a 2nd floor and improved kitchen. They used to pay P1000/month for a 6 sqm room in the old squatter area. Now they just pay P500/month to the city hall for the lot. GK gave them the house (20 sqm) after the houses in that area were burned and gutted by fire.
In my heart, I still want to do somethng for them. I pray that the Lord give me more time and resources to be able to take care of our lesser fortunate brothers and sisters who are just victims of the way our government has been run all these years..
I pray that more people can reach out to them. After all, how much do we really need a day to live?
The BLD Manila District is now seeking dontations to build 32 houses in this area. Any generous soul out there?
One thing i confirmed, the attitude of a person changes with a change of environment. And this time, for the better. As one beneficiary said, owning your own house and in such an improved condition brought them dignity. And now he looks forward to adding/doing something for the house. He is now saving to add ceiling to their 2nd floor. Actually they have done so much already to beautify and improve what was given them: repainted, new tiles, a 2nd floor and improved kitchen. They used to pay P1000/month for a 6 sqm room in the old squatter area. Now they just pay P500/month to the city hall for the lot. GK gave them the house (20 sqm) after the houses in that area were burned and gutted by fire.
In my heart, I still want to do somethng for them. I pray that the Lord give me more time and resources to be able to take care of our lesser fortunate brothers and sisters who are just victims of the way our government has been run all these years..
I pray that more people can reach out to them. After all, how much do we really need a day to live?
The BLD Manila District is now seeking dontations to build 32 houses in this area. Any generous soul out there?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Para Sa Iyo Choir
The moment I learned of my friend's passing away yesterday, I immediately called and texted Rodel of Para Sa Iyo Choir. I told him that I definitely would like to have them sing in one of the masses that we are going to offer for my friend. I would like this as my gift for the bereaved family, because I believe that just listening to the beautiful voices of this group would somehow ease the burden and pain they are feeling.
This group never failed me... They would be there the moment I called them even on such short notice... Actually, I always call them on short notice, hehe.. :-) And this time, Rodel was really forceful in suggesting that they sing that first night, saying that everyone was raring to go. They have a full force, plus their balikbayan choir-mate, Roselle (one of the first persons I met from their group 5 years ago) was home and would be leaving the next day. So it would be like a reunion for us. I felt so happy with his enthusiasm, so I had them sing last night.
And it never fails... Their singing was awesome! Every one was all praises for their singing. The good feeling was that when we see each other, it really was like seeing good old friends. Roselle and I were just so thrilled that we saw each other before they went back to the States.
I think their name is so apt: when they sing, it is really "para sa iyo"... But it definitely is "para kay Lord"...
This group never failed me... They would be there the moment I called them even on such short notice... Actually, I always call them on short notice, hehe.. :-) And this time, Rodel was really forceful in suggesting that they sing that first night, saying that everyone was raring to go. They have a full force, plus their balikbayan choir-mate, Roselle (one of the first persons I met from their group 5 years ago) was home and would be leaving the next day. So it would be like a reunion for us. I felt so happy with his enthusiasm, so I had them sing last night.
And it never fails... Their singing was awesome! Every one was all praises for their singing. The good feeling was that when we see each other, it really was like seeing good old friends. Roselle and I were just so thrilled that we saw each other before they went back to the States.
I think their name is so apt: when they sing, it is really "para sa iyo"... But it definitely is "para kay Lord"...
Monday, September 1, 2008
About Rusty
Yesterday, we lost a friend to the Big "C". I cried the moment I read his son's text message that his dad has gone home to the Father. It was not as if it was a sudden one, for Rusty had been sick for the last 3 months. He complained of a backache, had a check up and after several tests, they were told that it was stage 4. We were all in a state of denial. I was even positive that he will survive, if not at least be given more years. Even after a month and a half in China for cryosurgery, they were told to go home apparently because there were some complications in the lungs, or something...
Rusty, in his own silent ways, was a very prayerful man. He may not look religious, but I believe he was a very spiritual person. He followed Christ in the way he lived. He was ever ready to help people in any way he can: thru counselling and pastoral care, thru financial assistance/donations and even physical help if needed. I personally saw how he and his wife Olive were loved and respected by the BLD Community, especially the Malolos District. We all know that love and respect should be earned, and can never be obliged. Rusty and Olive have earned these well.
For two days now, the room where his wake is had been filled with so many friends from the BLD Community, from his business relations, and other relations. His son said it well, that it is only now that they realized how many people's lives Rusty had touched. This somehow eases their grief.
Rusty was a soft-spoken but very jolly and humorous person. It was from his candid sharing of how he got his wife to say "YES", that our ministry, the BLD-GK Ministry, derived all the fun that we are having all these 4 years that we are together. That's a "never-miss" thing with him, he would be telling true stories about them very candidly, and the obvious result would be the group rolling with laughter. The thing is that the way he told his funny stories was very softly spoken, straight to the point, and factually. I would say that Rusty was a serious funny man, or a funny serious man... whatever... we will surely miss all the fun times we had together...
I pray for his peace and joy in the eternal kingdom of God. With all the good works he has done in his life, I am sure he will.
The Lord taketh, but He giveth more... A few hours after Rusty passed away, his daughter Erica gave birth to a beautiful 7.2 lbs baby boy. I believe that Rusty has seen his first grandson, probably even touched him. And I am sure he is happy that it was an easy delivery for Erica, who is now going to start her own family.
Godspeed, Rusty.
Rusty, in his own silent ways, was a very prayerful man. He may not look religious, but I believe he was a very spiritual person. He followed Christ in the way he lived. He was ever ready to help people in any way he can: thru counselling and pastoral care, thru financial assistance/donations and even physical help if needed. I personally saw how he and his wife Olive were loved and respected by the BLD Community, especially the Malolos District. We all know that love and respect should be earned, and can never be obliged. Rusty and Olive have earned these well.
For two days now, the room where his wake is had been filled with so many friends from the BLD Community, from his business relations, and other relations. His son said it well, that it is only now that they realized how many people's lives Rusty had touched. This somehow eases their grief.
Rusty was a soft-spoken but very jolly and humorous person. It was from his candid sharing of how he got his wife to say "YES", that our ministry, the BLD-GK Ministry, derived all the fun that we are having all these 4 years that we are together. That's a "never-miss" thing with him, he would be telling true stories about them very candidly, and the obvious result would be the group rolling with laughter. The thing is that the way he told his funny stories was very softly spoken, straight to the point, and factually. I would say that Rusty was a serious funny man, or a funny serious man... whatever... we will surely miss all the fun times we had together...
I pray for his peace and joy in the eternal kingdom of God. With all the good works he has done in his life, I am sure he will.
The Lord taketh, but He giveth more... A few hours after Rusty passed away, his daughter Erica gave birth to a beautiful 7.2 lbs baby boy. I believe that Rusty has seen his first grandson, probably even touched him. And I am sure he is happy that it was an easy delivery for Erica, who is now going to start her own family.
Godspeed, Rusty.
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