New Year Prayer

Another new year is about to start and what better way to end 2010 than to say a little prayer. Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have showered to me and my family this past year. Thank you for the gift of life, for my family, relatives, friends, work and for continuously guiding us in our journey through life.

Thank You for this New Year. Let me do according to Your good pleasure and purpose, pleasing You in every area of this life. Thank You for Your mercy which makes all things new each morning -- even after a day of failure.

I pray that 2011 will be a fruitful one for all of us. May you continue to provide strength and guidance as I carry on my daily responsibilities all for Your Glory.

Why I Love Biking

I have always loved biking. I remember learning how to ride a bike at the age of 6 or 7 courtesy of my father. Since then, I have always wanted to bike. In fact, my greatest wish is for the Philippines, or even just Davao City where I live now, to have a public bicycle program that will encourage people to use their bikes in going to and from their destinations similar to Denmark and Japan.

Looking back to the old days when I often went biking with my big brother, cousins and friends inspire me. My two brothers used to be professional bikers and joined several competitions and I'm proud of them. Today, my big brother continues his passion and brings his bike wherever he's assigned to work in. Another cousin of mine before got hooked to mountain biking.

One of the greatest memories I have was when me, my two brothers, my younger sister, three male cousins and a male househelp went biking around Iloilo City early in the morning. That was fun and truly unforgettable. We were all prepared for that tour the night before. The truth is, we all slept in my cousin's room that night already in our biking getup so that when morning comes, we're ready to go.

I also used to tag along my big brother whenever he goes out to bike. Each of us had a bike then so I would bike along when he meets his friends at the plaza. It's also from him that I learned to do some tricks such as biking hands-free.

There are just so many good memories I have about biking that it urges me to do something more than mere riding a bicycle. Hopefully, I can turn that into reality.

For now, I do bike around the neighborhood once in a while using my son's BMX bike. Sometimes, I bike alone or other times, my little girl would ride along with me. I'm even amazed how fast my 5-year-old Charlotte was able to learn to bike and I taught her only once or twice by guiding her and giving her a little push. The next thing I knew, she's already biking on her own using her friend's bicycle.

It's great to be hooked on biking. It gives any rider a great feeling. The health and environment benefits should also not be forgotten.

Water is Precious

It's Blog Action 2010 today and I'm glad to be taking part in this worldwide campaign this year. With focus on water, let me share my own views regarding this very important part of human life.

Water is vital for humans. Not drinking this liquid for several days can lead to death. And so as water resources are being threatened today around the world, it is a must for people to do their share in conserving water.

At home, I always tell my two kids the importance of not wasting water. This is regardless where they may be -- in the house or in school. I often get upset when I see that they're not following my advice but I keep reminding them in the hope that it will eventually sink in their minds. Constantly reminding them of their duties is part of the discipline process especially when it comes to children.

So what specifically can you do at home to save water and lower your water bills? You may have heard these steps many times but it won't hurt to echo them all over again.

1. Use a glass of water when brushing your teeth.
2. Use the last set of water when washing clothes to water your plants.
3. Fix leaking pipes and faucets right away or turn off water supply while you're waiting for your plumber.
4. Don't take too long in the shower.

These are only a few steps but when done consistently, they can help you save water at home. Do your part, too. It feels good when you know you've done something right and helped the environment.

The "Ber" Months

September had gone by so fast. It's like it was here for only a few weeks and we're now in the second "Ber" month. Time flies and in less than three months, we will welcome Christmas once again.

Christmas is a very special occasion for most of us here in the Philippines. We always look forward to it and we even prepare for its coming at the start of September. And so it's only in the Philippines where Christmas is celebrated the longest because it spans the entire "Ber" months.

Another point is that it's not only the families that are readying their homes for the holidays because even the shopping malls are one in this early Christmas preparation. We see homes already being decorated with the usual stuff -- Christmas tree with colorful lights, mistletoe and other decors. At the malls, all items that have to do with the Yuletide season are already out for sale. Some are even offered at a lower price.

I strongly believe that the early Christmas preparation is the Filipinos' way of staying positive amidst the possibility that they won't have everything they want this coming holiday season. At least, we all look forward to this joyful season with hope in our hearts and that's the spirit we need to have regardless of our status in life.

So stay hopeful and joyful!!

Being Filipino Means Being a Sulitizen

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A "SULITIZEN" refers to a Filipino who puts great value in whatever he or she does. This person knows how to make the most of every situation that involves work, school, time, money, people and relationships and does his best to find solutions to life's problems and challenges.

Another Year Older

I woke up early today to do my usual routine - preparing my son's breakfast and uniform. The only difference is that today is my birthday :)

Time flies so fast and I'm another year older. But as always, I'm thankful for all the blessings that have come my way. I'm quite contented with my life right now. I have my family with me, two great kids, a loving and hardworking husband and jobs that I love to do every day.

Life is good and it's only right that we make the most of it while we're still breathing. And so I share this birthday prayer with hope, love and faith in my heart.

Lord, let this feast of my birth be a reminder to me of all the gifts and blessings I have received from You this day and all the days of my life. On my day of celebration, I thank you for my life and all of my blessings and ask for another year filled with Your presence in my life that I may continue to grow in your love.

Gracious God, I thank You for enabling me to celebrate my birthday. Lord You have been good to me all these years and I thank You for all the blessings I have recieved but especially for life itself.

Creator God, I do not know what lies ahead for me this year. Yet I know that You are holding my future in Your hand. Let my ways be pleasing to you. As You have promised, be with me, Lord. Grid me with Your strength and grace so that I can live for Your light. Enable me to draw closer to You that I may walk in your peace and be the creative and loving person that you intend for me to be. I ask this and all things in the sure and certain knowledge of your love for me and for all your people. Amen.

The Lunar Eclipse

I had no idea that yesterday was going to be the day the first of the two lunar eclipses for 2010 will take place. Until I saw for myself the unusual appearance of the full moon at past 6 p.m. right outside our home. The sight of the moon caught my attention as it was yellowish and a yellow light was surrounding it. Seeing the small shadow creeping in at the left side of the moon made me think it was an eclipse. The moon felt so near and it was picture perfect I didn't even to have to use any eye accessory.

I then called my son and daughter and pointed to the unique appearance of the moon. I told my 12-year-old son it's a lunar eclipse but he wouldn't believe it perhaps because we didn't hear any news on TV about its occurrence. But my instinct remained that it was indeed a lunar eclipse that I saw.

Just this morning when I logged into Facebook and read a post by a former college classmate now working in one of the country's TV networks, I confirmed everything. I was right all along. It was a lunar eclipse that occurred last night.

Upon checking Wikipedia, it said that the June 26, 2010 lunar eclipse was one of the two lunar eclipses for this year. The next one will be a total lunar eclipse and will take place during the Christmas season specifically on December 21, 2010. This July 11, though, a total solar eclipse will occur over the South Pacific.

This lunar eclipse is said to be part of the Lunar Saros 120 series that repeats every 18 years and 10 days. The last lunar eclipse recorded was on June 15, 1992.

I felt so lucky for being able to see last night's partial lunar eclipse. And at the most unexpected time at that. Hopefully, I'll be able to see the next one on July 6, 2028.

Nanay - The Wind Beneath My Wings

It's time to pay tribute to my Nanay as the world celebrates Mother's Day again. I've been actually doing this for a long time but this is the first time I'm sharing my thoughts about the most important woman in our lives on the internet.

I'm one of the lucky people who still have my mother around. Nanay is turning 70 this year but remains to be an active and young looking person. With God's grace, she was able to surpass the great trials in her life particularly those that came along her way after Tatay passed on to the next life almost five years ago now.

Nanay has always been a strong woman, physically and emotionally. It's only when a loved one passes away that I see her shed tears but in the most discreet way.

She's my inspiration and the source of my strength. Every step of the way, she was always there to support me and my siblings as well as my Tatay. Through her example, I was able to learn so much about keeping the house clean and well organized and even fixing parts of the house including upholstering old furniture. She's a real handyman, only a woman.

In terms of handling her marital relationship, Nanay was also a winner. Old-fashioned might be her style but it worked for her and Tatay. She served my father well and consistently and I think that was what endeared her so much to Tatay. Never in my young life did I see her and my father fight in front of us or heard them raise their voices when discussing certain family issues. They spared us from the usual marital conflicts couples face every now and then.

Now that I have a family of my own with two wonderful kids, my Nanay is still a big part of my life. Although we live apart now, I make sure to ring her every so often or she would call me. She's very supportive, always giving me encouraging words whenever I'm faced with difficult decisions. I'm very thankful that she was able to come to my place when I gave birth to my two children, even in short notice.

I can go on sharing so many great thoughts about Nanay but these are the most important for now. Indeed she's a Godsend!

Facebook Connection

Facebook is no doubt the most popular social media today. With some 45 million users and still counting, FB as what many people call it continues to attract more web savvy folks from around the world.

I'm one of those who have been captivated by the power of Facebook in terms of connecting people who share similar interests as well as friends and relatives. Since I created my account on this social media last year, I have already connected with old friends from way back in my elementary, high school and college days and have made new friends, too. This has given me so much joy that I always make it a point now to check in every day just to find out what friends and relatives are up to.

There are so many ways to connect on Facebook. One can send a private message, post thoughts or share links, photos and videos on the main What's on Your Mind? box, comment on photos and updates and send a Friend Request to people you know that you want to include in your friends list.

It indeed feels great to see old faces you know after a long time. Some have gained weight, looked more mature now while the others still look pretty much the same as in the past. The only difference is the age we have now but that's not a major issue.

What's even a joy to find out on Facebook are the families we have established and the kids we have bore. Despite the challenges we may have gone through in our careers and family life, it's wonderful to see happy family photos posted on our FB profiles and albums which our dear friends can access to at their own convenience.

This is just the personal side of it because the truth is, Facebook now also caters to business minded people. People who are into any type of business can very well take advantage of this famous social media to promote their products and services and get more clients.

So whether you want to connect or promote your business, Facebook is the way to go today. Better tell your other friends with no account yet to join in and have fun connecting.

Win a Boracay Holiday

The paradise island of Boracay brings so many great memories for me. I've been there seven times since 1983 and every time I go there whether with family or friends, it's always an amazing experience. Not many people get to experience the beauty of the island and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity of visiting the place several times already in my 40 years of existence.

I've witnessed how Boracay transformed from a less known summer vacation destination back in the 1980s to becoming one the world's best tourist spots today. And I'm always proud of this fantastic island because it's the pride of the Philippines. It used to be that the main beachfront was just dotted with ordinary cottages made from native materials and with no electricity at that time. Through the years as many foreigners and Filipino investors saw the potential of the island, more restaurants and cottages were put up until concrete structures such as modern hotels rose on the island filling up every space available on the front and back ends.

I'd love to go back there with my family if given the chance and I just found this opportunity through the WOW Philippines Travel Agency's promo. Find out all about it here.

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel
- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila
- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: www.boracay-packages.com

Double Celebration

February this year saw two important events celebrated in just a single day. You guessed it right, they were Valentine's Day and the Chinese New Year. A rare occasion if you may call it. For the romantics, the love day was their D-day while for the followers of the Chinese tradition, the lunar new year celebration had more importance.

I celebrated those two days in a very discreet way. No romantic date as the hubby is away although we greeted each other via email. I just strolled at Chinatown and the mall with the kids the day before and made important visits on the 14th. Guess, I was contented seeing those pairs in a romantic mood and feeling excited to be with the person they consider to be very special in their lives.

As for the Chinese New Year, I can feel the excitement each year when this event approaches. It's just that I don't really do the rituals. It's good, though, that the Chinese community here in my place has become united and very active in celebrating this occasion together with the local residents and visitors. The celebration has been a blast with several activities successfully conducted in the different parts of the city.

Let's all hope then that the year of the Metal Tiger will be a fruitful one for all of us and that we'll continue to be filled with love all the time.

Tina's Lucky 9

Do you believe in lucky numbers? If you'll ask me, I'd say no. Except for last year.

I would like to believe that the year 2009 was my sister's lucky year. Early last year, I learned from numerologists who were interviewed on several television programs (gosh, was that a year ago already?) that 9 was predicted to be a lucky number. Although I'm not a believer of yearly predictions, I enjoy listening to what people who foresee the future especially those studying numerology have to say.

It only struck me that indeed there's some truth to the lucky 9 prediction in 2009 when I learned about my sister, Tina's achievements early last year. I'll tell you why.

Tina's birth date is February 9 so that's just the first factor. Secondly, she was matched by a good old friend to a guy (who later became her husband)in the first month of 2009. Thirdly, she received two achievement awards from the bank she works for in February. Finally, she got married in September which is the 9th month of the year although not just on the 9th day.

So with all those positive developments in her life, I truly believe that it was really a lucky 9 for her in 2009.