De Ja Vu While Granting a Wish

Every now and then we find ourselves in a situation that is so familiar or one that feels like we've experienced before. De ja vu, as what they say.

This is exactly what I felt when I accompanied my tween daughter to the Davao concert of JaDine at SMX Convention Center last October 14. I was fangirling while granting her wish to see her favorite love team perform live.

My tween girl, Charlotte and myself are big fans of James Reid and Nadine Lustre. There's a different kind of magic between these two that have gained my deep admiration for them. They are just so natural and easygoing plus the fact that they are so multi-talented and family-oriented. Not to forget that the two are also good-looking and they do dress well.

JaDine in Love Concert SMX, Davao City

James & Nadine in Korea 2016

My daughter and I had a blast during the concert. I couldn't help but sing along with their popular songs and dance a bit during their upbeat production numbers. Never mind that we were not very near the stage and didn't get to have a photo op with them. Being there and feeling their presence was enough for us.

I've never admired a young love team since the 80's during the popularity of Martin (Nievera) and Pops (Fernandez). Back in my high school days, I and some of my classmates were such huge fans of the two. I remember vividly all the things I did as a fan of their love team and what my Nanay did to fulfill my wish of seeing them in person.

When Martin & Pops had a concert in Iloilo, I remember Nanay accompanied my classmates and I to the hotel where the love team was staying (which was just a short walking distance from our school). There, we met Pops and her mom, Dulce Lukban and some other staff. Then during the concert, I was fortunate to have gone to the backstage, thanks to a family friend who was in charge of the dancers there.

I could not forget the part where Martin went down the stage and went up to the lower box section where Nanay, my younger sister and I were seated. I was so ecstatic that time while the concert king was serenading me. I wanted to kiss him right away when he came up but he held my hand so tight first and sang to me before he let me kiss him. That was a dream come true for a fan like me!

I know my Nanay did all she can to fulfill my wish that time and now that I'm a mother myself, I didn't let the JaDine concert pass to grant my daughter's wish to see her fave love team.

Why Siblings Are Special

Not everyone is blessed with a sibling and I'm so thankful that I have three (Tim, Ted and Tina). Life would not be fun, interesting and challenging without them. Growing up was a lot more fun with my two brothers and sister despite the fights and misunderstandings. I would not want it any other way.

And so as we mark National Sibling Day (April 10 of each year), I'd like to share here some interesting facts about sibling relationships. The information below is courtesy of ibtimes.com.

1. Siblings spend a lot of time together: By the age of 11, children devote one-third of their free time to their brothers and sisters, a 1996 Penn State University cited in TIME showed. That amount of time is even more than they give to their friends, teachers and parents -- and themselves.

2. Siblings teach us social skills: Fighting with your brother or sister as a child was actually a good thing. According to at least one study on kindergartners, those with siblings got along better with classmates than those without.

3. Birth order matters: Firstborns are supposedly the most successful and the most driven to succeed, according to Jeffrey Kluger, author of The Sibling Effect.

4. The sex of your siblings matters: Boys who grow up with sisters have better listening skills and are more sensitive, Kluger said in an interview with Salon, while girls that grew up with brothers were less serious. Having a sibling of the opposite sex can also help you in romantic relationships with people of the opposite sex.

5. Relationships with our siblings are often the longest ones of our lives: For the most part, relationships with siblings often start and end with life itself, outlasting even our relationships with our parents, as the Siblings Day Foundation points out.

On a final note, here's a quote I like from Erica Goode - "Sibling relationships outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship. They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust."

Getting to Know Your Kids Inside and Out

Being a parent brings a lot of responsibilities. But together with these responsibilities are opportunities to see a miracle - your kid growing up from being a baby to toddlers to graders, tweens and teens.

Most moms would agree that if only given a chance, they would stop their kids from growing up and just let them be their cute and adorable little selves.

For a mother who loves her kid so much, it's a great, or even the best, feeling to be able to shower them with hugs and kisses whenever possible. On the other hand, it's quite a challenge to see them maturing (growing tall and gaining more knowledge through the years).

So what we can do then is really find time to get to know them and guide them in the right path as they're growing up. Communication is key so they can open up without hesitation to you any time they feel like it.

Becoming their best friend is a good step. In this way, you build trust and a deeper relationship that can go on for the rest of your lives.

Never let a day go by without talking to your kids. It's an effective way of knowing them better inside and out.

How the Lord Created the Mother

I was so touched by a Mother's Day post on Paulo Coelho's Blog which a friend and former high school classmate shared on Facebook today. I'm sharing this in its entirety in the hope of touching more lives.

The post is entitled "Character of the week: The Mother."

When the Good Lord was creating mothers, He was into his sixth day of “overtime” when an angel appeared and said: “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, “Have you read the specs on this order?

* She has to be completely washable, but not plastic;
* Have 180 movable parts… all replaceable;
* Run on black coffee and leftovers;
* Have a lap that disappears when she stands up;
* A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a disappointed love affair;
* And six pairs of hands.”

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands… no way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me problems,” said the Lord. “It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have.”

“That’s on the standard model?” asked the angel.

The Lord nodded.

“One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks, ’What are you kids doing in there?’
“Another here in the back of her head that sees what she shouldn’t but what she has to know.
“And of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and say, ’I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching His sleeve gently, “Go to bed. Tomorrow…”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I’m so close to creating something so close to myself.

Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick
“…can feed a family of six on one pound of hamburger
“… and can get a nine-year-old to stand under a shower.”

The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. “It’s too soft,” she sighed.

“But she’s tough!” said the Lord excitedly. “You cannot imagine what this mother can do or endure.”

“Can she think?”

“Not only can she think, but she can reason and compromise,” said the Creator.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek.

“There’s a leak,” she said. “I told You were trying to push too much into this model.”

“It’s not a leak,” said the Lord. “It’s a tear.”

“What’s it for?”

“It’s for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness, and pride.”

And the Mother was created – a work of genius.

Happy Mother's Day to all amazing moms!

Bayanihan: The Power of We

Bayanihan is a well known trait among Filipinos. This is where the "we" concept is very much alive.

It has been an age old tradition for citizens in the Philippines to help each other in times of need. Typically, the bayanihan spirit is most famous in a situation in the barrios wherein a family moves to a new location and their townmates would gather together to help move their house made of bamboo and light materials by carrying it on their shoulders.

The 1986 EDSA Revolution is a major event in the Philippines that displayed the "we" trait among Filipinos and one which caught the attention of other countries. Tired of the dictatorship regime of former president Ferdinand Marcos, people of all ages and religion flocked in droves to the EDSA Shrine in February of that year to protest against the Marcoses and throw him out of his presidency. So successful was this mass movement that the Marcos family was forced to leave the country at that time eventually leading to the establishment of democracy.

In times of natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes, the Filipinos also unite to help the victims in any way they can. Immediate actions of help by food, clothing and monetary donations are taken by companies and private individuals as a way to alleviate the sufferings of those affected.

This is how the "Power of We" is put into action in the Philippines. Through this bayanihan spirit, Filipinos have proven that they can topple a dictatorship, move for the establishment of democracy, stop corruption and unite to help people badly affected by natural disasters.

Filipinos are always resilient citizens the reason why they are admired by people from other nations. Thanks to this bayanihan spirit, we always find a way to stand up and move on after a storm in our lives. Long live the Philippines and to the Filipinos, mabuhay tayo!

This post is in commemoration of Blog Action Day 2012 on October 15.

Mom Bloggers for Social Good

I recently joined this group called Mom Bloggers for Social Good and I'm happy to be a member. This group created by Jennifer James provides great inspiration to moms around the world who care about the work of NGOs and non-profit organizations.

This women's coalition supports causes close to the hearts of moms and through its members, helps spread the word about various issues that affect men, women, children and the environment through blogging and social media. From 400 members on its launching last January 2012, the group's membership now has reached 900.

Group founder Jennifer James also announced a few days ago the release of the Social Good Moms mug. The mug is being sold and proceeds will feed the children who are beneficiaries of the World Food Programme.

But you have a chance to win one by leaving a comment on the website until July 20 only. There's also an option there to share a tweet for an additional entry.

I'm inviting others mom bloggers out there to join the group. You can visit the official website of Mom Bloggers for Social Good or go to the Facebook page. On Twitter, you can follow @socialgoodmoms.

Don't Forget to Laugh!

In these times when people are preoccupied with work, there's one important thing that we should not forget to do. It's a very easy act but has great benefits to a person's emotional and physical health. I'm talking about LAUGHTER, what else.

I found this photo on Facebook being shared and thought of sharing it here as well. A friend of mine said if this was only available over the counter, she would really buy it. I second the motion.

Laughing makes me feel good. To enjoy this privilege, I look for ways so I can laugh on a daily basis. I watch TV shows that are funny, whether local or international. I'm a fan of Showtime, Gandang Gabi Vice, Loko Moko, Just for Laughs, Mr. Bean and of course, the comedy films.

Other things I do are play with our dog which is also therapeutic. Or I would recall memories of my childhood and teenage years and have a good laugh.

So go ahead take your daily dose of laughter. It's free, improves your mood and has definitely no side effects. And the best part is it gives you a different kind of high.

What I've Done as a Fan of Aga Muhlach

Many of my friends are not really aware that I'm such a big movie fan when I was a teenager. In fact, it's not just the movies that I'm a fan of but even TV entertainment shows. So if by chance these friends of mine get to find out about the things I've done as a fan, they would raise their eyebrows in disbelief or tell me "You've got to be kidding!"

So let me share with you the things I did as a teenager who was going ga-ga over some celebrities (both males and females). I remember that it was the movie "Bagets" that started it all. From the time I saw that film, I just fell in love with Aga Muhlach. Since then, I developed an interest in the lives of movie and budding TV stars and followed the latest updates of those that I liked.

For Aga Muhlach, these are what I've done as far as I can remember...

• Would you believe that I made two major scrapbooks filled with clippings of his photos and news taken from magazines?


• I also collected magazines (new and back issues) where he was featured. Some were given to me by cousins and friends.


• I bought photos of him sold at bookshops.


• The biggest move that I made that really thrilled me was meeting Aga in person and kissing him on the cheek. What a joy that was!

Meeting Aga was an opportunity that came to me when I was already working in the broadcast media. I learned that he was coming over to Iloilo City and I took the chance to contact a media friend who was working on the side for SM (ShoeMart as there was no SM City yet) and asked her where I could personally meet the actor. And so she told me the hotel where Aga's entourage were staying and that I could wait in the lobby.

I was super excited to meet Aga then that I even brought with me one of my scrapbooks so I could have it signed by him. I waited at the lobby of Amigo Terrace Hotel with my heart pounding out of excitement. I positioned myself to face the elevator so I could easily spot the actor when he comes out.

Then the moment came and the elevator opened with a big guy coming out first (Aga's younger brother) followed by Aga himself. I immediately stood up and slowly approached the actor and presented to him my scrapbook for his signature. I could not forget his words when he saw it "Wow! A scrapbook!" Perhaps he couldn't believe a girl like me could do such a thing. So he signed it with a big smile and I thanked him.

But that was not the end because as if I was not too contented with that, I also asked permission from him if I could kiss him (oh, the shy me!) And he was laughing when he said "Sure!" He then put his arm on my shoulder when I gave him a peck on his cheek. That moment, I was really on cloud 9!

Until now, I have remained a fan of Aga and his beautiful family.

Visita Iglesia

Happy Easter! The Lord has risen...let us rejoice and continue to have faith and hope in our hearts whatever life might bring us.

The past Holy Week was a time for me to slow down from work. It was also a time for me to do an old tradition which I haven't done since I came here in Davao City.

Doing the Visita Iglesia was a family tradition for us while I was growing up in my hometown of Iloilo City. Being a devoted Catholic, we never missed the different activities of our church from the start of the Lenten Season (Ash Wednesday) until Easter Sunday. We would take part in prayer vigils, processions and visit churches.

Visiting seven churches on the morning of Good Friday was one activity I always looked forward to. I remember my family would prepare early to start our rounds of the churches in the city. There were times that we did this activity together with relatives.

Finally this year, I was able to carry on the tradition with my two kids and our house assistant. Although we only visited four churches (Carmelite, Redemptorist, Sacred Heart and Assumption), it was worth the visit amidst the scorching heat. It felt great that I was able to expose my children to this tradition even if their dad was not around.

The Visita Iglesia tradition actually starts on Maundy Thursday right after the procession and ends until noon of Good Friday. I learned that this originated in Rome during the ancient period.

(Photo of Carmelite Church courtesy of Ruby Thursday More's photostream on Flickr)

Proud to Join a Recycling Event

I've always been an advocate of the green movement. Although I don't really join major environmental campaigns that require people to gather in some place, I do my share in preserving our ecosystem in whatever way I can.

At home, I segregate our wastes and use water wisely. I teach my kids to do the same. In fact, I can be strict with them in terms of putting their trash in the garbage bin in and out of the house and turning off the faucet after use or when brushing their teeth.

Last weekend, though, I felt proud after taking part in a recycling fair organized by one of our newest and world class shopping malls (Abreeza Mall of the Ayala Chains) in the city. I've long wanted to join this kind of recycling event but never got the chance.

My purpose of joining Abreeza's Recycling Fair was to dispose of my electronic wastes at home. I had an old computer monitor that was no longer working, old VHS tapes, keyboard, CDs containing PS2 games and old electric cords and they were taking up space in our already filled cabinets. I didn't want to give them to just the "bote't bakal" people who come to our subdivision every now and then because I wanted them to go to the right people who recycle scraps. And the latest recycling fair was the right place to do it.

It was such a big relief to be able to dispose of my e-wastes the proper way. I even earned a small amount just by donating my personal stuff.

For sure, I will continue to take part in this type of eco-friendly events in the future. It's a good thing that major malls around the country are now doing this to raise awareness on the value of recycling among their customers.

Why I Love Davao City

There are just so many reasons to love Davao City! Whether it's personal, business or professional, one can definitely find a good reason to like the place and consider it home.

International Recognition

Davao City hogged the limelight in recent months owing to its positive achievements and its people's warmth. It's one of the "World's Friendliest Countries" according to HSBC's 2011 Expat Explorer Survey capturing the 8th spot. Thanks to the warm smiles and hospitality of locals that greet domestic and foreign tourists of all ages who come to visit all year round.

Business-wise, Davao City is among the fastest growing cities. It's in the 87th place of the World's Top 100 Fastest Growing Cities and Urban Areas. The ranking was made by the City Mayors Foundation, a research group based in London.

More than a decade ago in 2000, Davao City was also named by Asiaweek Magazine as the most livable city in the Philippines and among the Top 40 cities in Asia grabbing the 17th place.

Thanks to the strong governance of Mayor Sara Duterte and her father, Vice Mayor Rody Duterte. Their excellent rapport with the people and business owners have kept the metropolis peaceful and business-friendly through the years.

Way of Life

Unlike in other capital cities such as Manila and Cebu, life in Davao City is quite laid-back. You can't feel the rush that is so much associated with the lifestyle in those two big metropolitan areas. Traffic along the major thoroughfares is very bearable and banks, schools, churches as well as offices are very accessible. Even without a car, you can easily catch a ride via a public transportation.

People here can also engage in their favorite social and family activities after office hours and on weekends. With lots of dining places, coffee shops, entertainment spots as well as beach, inland and mountain resorts in place around the city, there's always an opportunity to meet up with friends after work or spend quality time with the family on a weekend.

Food Resources

Foodies can definitely stretch their budget while in the city because of the cheap food resources available.

For vegetables, one can buy at the "bagsakan" along Magallanes Street in the downtown area. There, you can choose from a wide range of fresh vegetables. With a 100-peso budget, you can already go home with two large sando bags filled with your favorite veggies.

Don't forget that tropical fruits are in abundance, too. Durian, mango, pomelo, lanzones, rambutan, chico, banana, watermelon, mangosteen, avocado...just name it and you can enjoy eating them here.

Restaurants are in large supply as well. From the budget-friendly to the fine dining spots, there's one you can always go to whether alone or with some company.

Accommodation

Finding a place to stay in the city is a breeze. Lots of hotels and suites have been put up in recent months which means more choices for the people.

You can just go online and search for #Davao hotels and inns and instantly, you'll get results fast. Depending on one's budget, there's surely a place to stay in Davao City any time of the year.

Interesting Places

Being the largest city in the Philippines, Davao City offers a mix of rural and urban atmosphere. As such, both nature and city lovers have every opportunity to enjoy a great time.

Those looking to explore Davao's natural wonders can visit the Philippine Eagle Center, Malagos Garden Resort and Eden Nature Park. At the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, one can have a fantastic view of Mt. Apo. Beach resorts in the city as well as in nearby Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and the Island Garden City of Samal are also worth visiting.

Those who prefer the city life, on the other hand, can check out the major malls. Davao City now boasts of local and world-class shopping centers such as Gaisano Ilustre, Gaisano Mall, Victoria Plaza, SM City Davao, Robinson's Cybergate and the new Abreeza Mall. Opening soon are the new SM City Lanang while other big mall chains are also set to open in other areas of the city.

Peace and Order

Your safety is always assured when in #Davao City. Peace and order are well maintained by law enforcement authorities and the Duterte leaders to boot. Known for their fearless attitude, the father and daughter tandem make sure that hoodlums are put to jail and other security threats are warded off before they can occur.

Personal Testimony

I am the living proof of somebody who's not a pure Davaoena but who has come to love Davao City enough to call it as home. An Ilongga who moved here in 1997 after getting hitched, I can proudly say that the place has endeared to me. No regrets at all.

Family members and good friends who have visited me here all gave the city a thumbs up after their brief stay and promised to come back. One of my best friends who visited for the first time in November 2011 even loved the place so much that she's now contemplating about relocating here in the future. I was glad to know that she and her buddy had a grand time when I toured them around the famous tourist spots and it was no surprise when they told me they shall return with their families.

This is my own way of paying tribute to the city as it marks #Araw ng Dabaw this March. Thanks to the #Davao Tourism Office for holding this #Araw ng Dabaw blog competition as a way of promoting the city to the world. Indeed #Davao Life is Here!

Submitted as an entry to the 75th Araw ng Dabaw Blog Competition

Resources:

1. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=767588&publicationSubCategoryId=63">

2. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2011/11/10/davao-worlds-87th-top-city-189867 http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=105015">

3. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=105015

All About the Dragon

Hello 2012!

Time really flies so fast and I can hardly believe that it is now 2012. It's the year of the water dragon (yang water dragon to be exact) in the Chinese calendar. The next 365 days under this zodiac sign are foreseen to bring possibilities of good fortune.

I was born in the year of the rooster and feng shui experts say 2012 will be a good year for those born under my zodiac sign being compatible with the water dragon. I look forward to that!

Before I came to know that 2012 would be the year of the water dragon, all I thought was just it's going to be simply the year of the dragon, in general. I had no idea that there are actually different types of dragon being followed by the Chinese -- the wood dragon, fire, earth, metal and water. For each type of dragon, there's a different year being observed.

The year of the water dragon occurs every 60 years. It started on January 23, 2012 and will end on February 9, 2013.

The dragon is said to be the only mythical animal among the zodiac signs. In the Chinese element theory, the water dragon produces wood and wood symbolizes growth.

So are you a dragon? Whether it's your year or not, what matters is you work hard to achieve your goals in your personal and professional life. Luck won't be at your side if you don't do your part in reaching for your stars.

Fun with Online Contests

I can't believe it's already the end of the year 2011 and I was absent in my space for the most part of it. How time flies...

Now that it's December, I found the time to join some online contests. I've been a huge fan of radio contests in my younger days and was lucky to have won a few small but useful prizes. I've joined a local TV show trivia contest as well a few years ago and got lucky to win.

I'm not so lucky with raffle contests. The most I got was a beach towel from a local raffle draw. I still have to win that car or an all expense paid trip somewhere outside the Philippines or even just within the country. Who knows?

I'm trying my luck now in online contests and I've joined three so far for this month alone. The prizes at stake are not that big but I'm here to have fun. If I win, good. If not, better luck next time.

I spotted one of these online contests by hoshigirl that's giving away a pack of Elf Cosmetics and got curious so I decided to join. I use makeup every now and then mostly on special occasions. The lipstick, however, is one of my best friends. It's one of the effective ways of lightening up your face even without a blush-on and eyeshadow.

So what's next? More online contests for me while I still have the time to join. The key is to have fun and think positive. You'll never know when luck strikes.

Driving and What You Get From It

I've long wanted to drive a car. I did get a chance to learn how to drive a decade or so ago when I was already working in the broadcast industry. I was persistent and I asked my father to teach me. We used my aunt's manual Ford Escort car then and after several weekend sessions at an empty lot along diversion road, I was able to drive on the highway (but only for a short distance). I had to let my father take the wheel when we reached the area where traffic was slow.

But that was it. I forgot why I stopped. Perhaps, I got busy with work and my father was preoccupied, too.

It was only last year that I resumed my driving lessons courtesy of my sister-in-law's former driver. This time, I'm using an automatic Honda car which my hubby bought for our family. It's very easy to drive an automatic vehicle what with only two controls to handle -- the accelerator and the brake.

Early this month, I finally got my driver's license. And last weekend, I started driving on my own. Yay!!! What an achievement for me. I'm now a licensed driver. Although late it may seem to others, for me it's never too late to do anything you've always wanted to do. And that includes driving a car.

Driving a car is a great feeling. It helps boost your confidence and improves your alertness. What matters is you know how to follow traffic regulations and for sure, you'll be on the safe side.

So there. If you want to do something or learn a new skill, find the time to do so and enjoy every minute of it. No matter how small it may seem as long as it makes you happy, then GO DO IT!!

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.