Wednesday, September 14, 2005
PLAYING GAMES WITH JOHN
It's fun to play games with your hubby. ;-) nope...it's not what you think it is. It's just clean and fun games, boardgames that is. ;-)
A few nights back, John and I played like children anew with chess and Snakes and Ladders. The game took me back to my younger years when Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, Scrabble and Millionaires' were the games children play, aside from the truly Pinoy street games of patintero, taguan-pong, and piko.
Our TV was busted for over a week already, and to while away our evenings, my Manang Leah took out the 6-in-1 gameboard and called our nieces and nephew to play Ludo. The girls played Ludo while my nephew Augie engaged his Tito John in a chess match. We had fun playing Ludo, as I coach my nephew once in a while with chess moves in an attempt to beat John. Hehe. My mom watched us play, and got to relive her younger days when my Dad courted her and engaged our Tatang (Mommy's father, our lolo) in a chess match. According to my mom's tales, our Tatang was the undisputed champion in chess in their hometown. Nobody can beat him until my dad, who was courting my mom during those days, played chess with our Tatang. Of course, our Tatang was confident of his chess prowess, but my dad proved to be more superior as he beat our Tatang, not just once, but twice! Our Lolo was flabbergasted, and so was everbody else. They could not believe that the Maestro (our Tatang was the school principal in their hometown in La Union) was beaten by a young engineer in the person of my dad! And for that my dad won the hand of my mom, and earned the respect and high-esteem of the Maestro.
Back to the present...in the chess match between John and my nephew, John was actually teaching him moves, as my nephew is trying out for their school's chess team. After their match, John dared me with a game of chess, and to spice the game, we had a bet that whoever loses the match will sleep in the floor!! I took the challenge, as my dad had taught me chess when I was in gradeschool, but sad to say, I have not inherited my dad's chess prowess. John and I started playing; my chess skills had definitely become rusty, as I forgot how to do go about castling. Hehe. John taught me as we played, even hinted on some moves to help me win. But I admit John is really good in chess, and finally John had my king in a checkmate. I lost! And John kept on taunting me that I will sleep on the floor. I said, "Oo ba! Asan na ang comforter? Wag kang maka-kalabit-kalabit jan ha!" Hahaha!! John could only scratch his head, and when we were in our bedroom, I was grinning mischievously. Of course John would not let me sleep in the floor, and grabbed me by the waist and told me "Lika na Hon, tulog na tayo." *wink*wink* ;-)
End of chess game. Lights off. A new game about to start...hehehehe...;-)
joy [2:13 PM]
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aliw naman! naku, nung nagboard games kami ni joven, sobrang competitive, ayaw matalo. haha! =D
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Monday, September 12, 2005
TAGGED BY TONI!!
Etong si Toni o! Galing lang sa Taiwan tapos mag-tag ba! Kahirap pa naman sagutin! Anyway, here are my SEVEN TAG answers, some are gaya-gaya from Toni...hehe! Hirap talaga mag-isip huh!
Seven Things That Scare Me:
1. Not having our own baby
2. Losing a baby through miscarriage
3. Dying without getting the last rites
4. Losing my dearest loved ones
4. GHOSTS!!! (hehe!)
5. cockroaches
6. rodents (those big black ones yuck!!)
7. drowning
Seven Things I Like The Most
1. John!! - a person, not thing ;-)
2. biting John's shoulders (di pa ko naglilihi nyan ha! hehe! ;-) )
3. chocolates!!!
4. cooking and baking
5. watching cooking shows
6. FRIENDS (the tv show) and my own friends
7. vacationing in my dad's hometown in Iloilo
Seven Random Facts About Me
1. I am a structural engineer but aspires to be a chef someday (frustration!)
2. I started going to school at the early age of 4 y.o. (kaya tinatalikuran ang kindergarten teacher!)
3. I was Daddy's pet (hehe!)
4. I am the youngest among 3 girls (now you know why I was daddy's pet ;-) )
5. I am asthmatic and has a heart problem, too (high maintenance ako)
6. I can be quite frank even to my closest friends
7. I am a devoted Marian
Seven Important Things in Our Bedroom
1. our Bible, Our Daily Bread and my rosary
2. our bed and different kinds and sizes of pillows
3. my favorite handwoven blanket I bought from Laoag
4. our clock radio
5. aircon and electric fan
6. our clothes and boxes and boxes of my shoes! ;-)
7. dresser/mirror and kikay stuff (lotion, astringent, cologne, brush)
Seven Things I Plan to Do Before I Die
1. Donate to a government hospital for patients with heart and lung diseases
2. Treat some streetchildren to a fun afternoon in Enchanted Kingdom
3. Go to Holy Land with my family
4. Spend quality time with John and our family
5. Build our own dream house and have my own bakeshop
6. Ensure my children's future
7. Travel all around the Philippines then the whole world
Seven Things I Can Do
1. I can cook delicious food!!
2. I can bake yummy goodies!!
3. I can sing (but not as good as John)
4. I can play the piano
5. I can dance
6. I can compose poems
7. I can understand both Ilonggo and Ilocano dialects
Seven Things I Can't Do
1. I can't swim (nyehehe!)
2. I can't ride a bike (nyehehe again!)
3. I can't drive (si John kasi ayaw pa ako turuan...hehe!)
4. I can't walk or run too fast (asthmatic nga eh!)
5. I can't take aspirin (allergic)
6. I can't understand John's dialect (Panggalatok)
7. I can't bear to live without John (naks! ;-) )
Seven Things That Attract Me to the Opposite Sex
1. soulful eyes (just like John's)
2. deep, manly voice (both singing and talking voice) - just like John pa rin ;-)
3. Love and responsibility to family
4. clean finger and toe nails
5. intelligent, witty, simple and humble
6. great sense of humor
7. artistic (can draw) and musically inclined ( can sing and play the guitar) - yep! yep! si John pa rin 'to! ;-)
Seven Things I Say the Most
1. Hon
2. Ganun??
3. Ngek!!!
4. Ano ba yan?
5. Asar!!
6. Shocks naman o!
7 Talaga lang ha?!
Seven Celebrity Crushes
1. Antonio Banderas
2. George Clooney (the eyes!)
3. Oscar dela Hoya (cute! doesn't look like a boxer!)
4. Kevin Bacon
5. Brendan Fraser
6. John Stockton (NBA player - Utah Jazz pa rin ba?)
7. hmmmm...wala na!
Seven people you want to take this Quiz
1. Mec
2. Angie ni Max
3. Dionne
4. Mai
5. Jacque ni Simon
6. Aggie ni Irwin
7. Jenn ni Tabs
joy [9:42 AM]
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naku sis, 2nd ka na to tag me :) w/ the same meme... anyway... i will try working on that one soon :)
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Tuesday, August 30, 2005
W@W EB WOW!!!!
All roads led to Oasis Saturday night, August 27, as the W@Wies held the first grand EB. Despite the rains, the EB was a blast!! John and I attended, of course, in spite of my mom's warning not to go anymore because of the heavy downpour.
I guess every W@Wie was excited for this event. The whole week prior to this, W@Wie posts are mostly abut the coming EB. Saturday came and when I checked my mailbox, aba!! Message posts came in trickles...everyone must have been preparing for the EB.
I, myself, made sure that there will be no other commitments that day. I was supposed to have a check-up with my OB Saturday morning, but I knew we'd be waiting long hours for that, and I don't want John to get tired...because we still had the EB that night. I went to see my OB instead on Friday, as I took a sick leave (daw) from work...classic case of Friday sickness!! :LOL:
SO despite the heavy downpour, John and I went to Oasis. Arrived ther around 630pm. There were a handful of W@Wies already. First saw Mai, Tin ni Archie, and Wella at the registration table. Then we proceeded to find a table. I spotted Mec ni Jojo and Ivy ...my pretty volunteer coords, but their table was already fully occupied. So we settled in another table with Mhay (sans Jerry), Meng and Inch and Bryan. Our table was right in front of the stage...perfect for the Bring Me games!!
.:fellow W@Wies Bryan & Inch, Meng, Mhay, me & hubby John, with Mec standing:.
People came in trickles as the rains continue to pour outside the Oasis pavilion. IT was raining, but I found the place humid despite the mist fans. Sorry, but I am asthmatic and I prefer airconditioned rooms. ;-) A few hi-hellos with our tablemates...beso-beso with Mec and Ivy...got my W@W loot bag and the free W@W shirt from Benz (a privilege for us moderators and volunteers...thanks a lot Benz and John!). Benz droped by our table to tell us to make chika-chika so we wont get bored as we wait for other W@Wies to arrive.
Finally, around 730pm, the event kicked to a start with Visions and Ideas taking charge of the program. Soon after, a light dinner was served by Josiah's, The Plaza and Villa Imaculada. Yummy food ...especially liked the potato croquettes!!
The the games began....the first Bring me item was a white hankie...great!!! I had my hankie with me as Mhay and I were taking some food from Villa Imaculada's. I hurried back to our table, near the stage and immediately handed my white hankie(the same one I used during our wedding) to the emcee. Yippee!!! Our first prize for the evening...it was a Sun-Cellular business card holder from fellow W@Wie Karlalex. Other items we got were: toohbrush hollder and W@W keychain, when the emcee asked for the first couple to bring their engagement ring to Benz...cympre we were sitted in the front table so I jumped from my sit and dragged John to Benz...hehehe!!!
The EB was a night full of fun and laughter. Highlights of the EB were the donut cake (courtesy of Hoops DOnuts and arranged by Ms. Judy Uson) with John and Benz's cute cake topper,Mec's and Jojo's famous giling dance (W@W Totoy Bibo!!), the donut-eating contest for the brides (grabe ang takaw sa donuts nila Tin and Wella), and the Kissing Game where John and I, together with 4 other couples (Rhea and Nap, Jacque and Simon, and the other 2 couples..sorry I missed their names!) gamely kissed in the stage. No sweat!!! Coz we are already married....but I had to pull John from his seat because he initially did not want to join, but our tablemates Inch,Meng and Mhay prodded him to join...hehehe!! For that we got a bagful...a Starbucks GC from Mai ni Paul, a cute picture frame and a SIM backup protector(?).
There were also the mind-boggling table game...darn we did not win the Acronyms one...but Mhay won a table game(with a powerful rendition of Narito Ako to boot!) and Meng won also. Inch and Bryan had their share of the prizes with their first dance as a couple...complete with the dip!!!
Then came the W@W Peer Awards...Mec for W@Wie Most Helpful, fellow June bride Aggie ni Edil (Best Blogsite and Most OC), Jacque ni Simon (Most Friendly and Darling of the W@Wies), Gloria ni Jun (Most Creative), Francis Dy (Mr. W@Wie), and Wella (EBest W@Wie...in other words, the most lakwatsera!!! hehe!). COngrats!!!
Of course, the event is forever captured in pictures by John Mateos Ong and Frank Dizon of Imagineer...had the W@W EB group pic taken...so cute!! Still had to wait for the
official EB pics, as CDs are still to be burned and distributed.
It was one fun-filled night...a night of camaraderie and unique friendship that can only be found in W@W. Everyone went home that night happy, with memories forever etched in minds and hearts...and a couple of boxes of Kleenex tissues to go!! ;-)
joy [2:25 PM]
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4 Greeted us:
nyahaha sis
ito pala.. sowee!!!! na-rattle ba kita? sowee talaga... ahihi
anyway, nice recap ever talaga!!!
so sa inyo pala napunta yung isang starbucks gc. hehe! thanks for the chocolates..so sweet of you talaga!
nice seeing you there joy. thanks for the chocos ah. =) kita kits sa xmas party. =D
alam mo naubos agad ni matthew yung chocolates! walang natira sa akin! (ni hindi ko nga napiktyuran eh!).
nice meeting a fellow June Bride finally Joy!!!
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Tuesday, August 16, 2005
A LOVE STORY THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING...
This is our story...our love story...the story of jjs61805 and how it all began...
....four years ago in Intramuros. It was 2001 when John was in Manila and had gone to their agency to look for a job opening as a seaman. It so happened that his younger brother Ariel was working also in Intramuros, very near to John’s agency, and so John paid him a visit one lunch time. Ariel and I worked together in the same project…the Catanduanes Circumferential Road Improvement Project, where I was the Jr. Structural Engr. and Ariel was our assigned CAD Operator, but we worked for different companies then. The project group always went out for lunch together and it was one of those days that destiny started to take its course. Ariel met with his brother John while I was among our other project mates having some chit-chat before going back to work. According to John, he saw me that day…still vividly remembered what I was wearing…black slacks and lavender sleeveless knit blouse, with my hair in ponytail, as always. He thought I was beautiful and sexy…a real knockout…but I did not notice him talking to Ariel! Soon after, he asked Ariel for my number, but Ariel refused to give him because he thought I was so suplada and would not give his brother John the second look. Being his superior, Ariel thought that I am not the type of girl who would care…that I was masungit (I was strict with him during work)…he thought I would only make taray to his Kuya John. One of our project mates and Ariel’s officemate and friend Ruby, who also became one of my close friends, eagerly told me days after that one of Ariel’s brothers had a crush on me. I was surprised because I never met anyone of Ariel’s brothers. Ruby told that his elder brother John went to see Ariel and it was then that he saw me. Ruby even told me that John asked for my number. Ruby was so giddy with her story… told me to wait for someone’s call. I was a bit amused, but still was nonchalant about it all. After all, I was dating someone else that time. My project contract soon ended, but there was neither a call nor text from John. According to him, shyness got the better of him, and the thought of Ariel’s warning that I might snub him prevented him from introducing himself even only through text message. Three years passed…I went through two shortlived but nerve-wracking relationships...and John had a girlfriend for two years while he stayed with their tita in Novaliches. We lived in the same town for three years…he even helped his cousin’s husband in a project in the same barangay as ours…but we never bumped into each other...it was not the right time yet...
...fast forward to January 2004......John who was at that time an Architecture freshman in Dagupan, went to Manila for their school field trip. John called up Ariel in their office but he was no longer there. Crissa, Ariel’s girlfriend and happened to be my good friend also, talked to his Kuya John instead, as Ariel was already with our company and he was assigned in our main office in Makati. John remembered me and asked Crissa how I was. Crissa told him I was no longer in the project office, that I had also gone back to our main office in Makati. Crissa, who knew the story three years ago, gave me my new cellphone number, and told his Kuya John to text me…told him that I was not masungit (she really is a friend!!! Lol!!)....it was the perfect time!
It was a week after Valentine last year…February 21, 2004 to be exact, when I was in my bedroom...contemplating anew on my life as a single lady...getting sentimental and depressed because another Valentine had passed without having spent it with someone special. I have had three previous relationships, but sad to say, I did not get to celebrate happy hearts day with anyone of them. All three relationships were shortlived... and I, always so trusting and naïve did not to know beforehand that there was the other girlfriend ahead of me. Being a prayerful person, I always pray to God to guide me to the right man whom He has meant for me, and though I got heartbroken thrice because I asked God to let me know if I had made the right choice, I never had any regrets. He never failed because every time I prayed for a sign, something always happened which made me discover deceit early in the relationship..always after 2 months...when the feelings were not that deep to cause major heartaches. I know God is great…for He always shielded me from the snares of the devil! Lol!! After my last relationship got doomed just after the New Year, I was resigned to the fate that I, a hopeless romantic, will remain just that...hopeless...sigh!!!! Until my cellphone beeped for a message that day...
...It was a new number…and the text message was a romantic poetry line…something about love. I thought that it was sweet...but who could have sent that belated Valentine message? I usually do not ask who the texter was especially if no name registered in my phone, but that day was different, and I had the urge to know who the person was. So I replied “That was sweet…but do I know you?” The reply was “Hi! My name is John… someone gave me your number.” I texted all my friends if they know someone with that number….and it was Crissa who replied “Oo Ate Joy, kuya yan ni Ariel. Tumawag kasi siya minsan sa office, ako ang nakausap niya, tapos kinamusta ka niya. Eh sabi ko, wala ka na sa Intramuros, nasa Makati ka na. Kaya binigay ko number mo. Sabi ko text ka nya kasi mabait ka naman. Sabi ko wag siya maniwala kay Ariel na masungit ka. Guwapo si Kuya John, mabait pa; tsaka sigurado ako wala siyang girlfriend ngayon.” Crissa knew I already have a phobia with men who are attached, what three exes who turned out to have girlfriends all the while. “Ok thanks!”, I replied to Crissa. So I replied to John “Are you Ariel’s brother?” He replied “Ahuh!” I was intrigued, but I don’t why I became interested to reply to his messages. Soon after, we found ourselves texting everyday...we got to know each other better...our lives…our work…asked him why at his age he was still studying Archi...told me it was his first love…his passion...that being a seaman was just obeying his mother’s wish. Soon I started getting fond of him…missed him every time he did not text…and got excited every time my cellphone beeped. I knew it was sort of an online friendship (just like in W@W), but I cannot explain the feelings that I had. Could I be falling in love with someone I haven’t seen? We were textmates…and in the world of SMS...everything can be said…truth or lie...and you don’t have a way of knowing which is which. But I am a very trusting person, and John’s being Ariel’s brother somehow made me feel at ease.
One day he sent me a really romantic message which made me realize I really like this guy…and the following day, March 11, 2004 over the phone, we admitted our feelings for each other. Are we already officially a couple? Not quite…just MU…coz he was open to the fact that there is the chance I might change my mind when I eventually see him....but he was already sure of his feelings. That’s why 2 days after, he casually proposed marriage when we were texting, as I was attending a birthday party of a friend’s son. I told John that I envied my friends who already have their own kids. John told me “Wag ka mag-alala, magkakaron din tayo nyan, mas cute pa. Yun eh, kung gusto mo akong maging ama ng magiging anak mo.” I was amused, and chided him “Nagpo-propose ka ba?” And he replied “Bakit, may masama ba?” I replied “Seryoso ka ba o baka naman nanloloko ka lang. Madaling sabihin sa text yan noh!” But John answered back “Seryoso ako, kung gusto mo pupunta ako sa inyo kasama ko si Nanay. Sabihin mo lang kung kelan mo gusto tayo magpakasal.” And I believed him....I got excited and found myself browsing a calendar looking for a perfect Saturday, a date which had an 8 or 0….and there was June 18, 2005!! Thoughts ran in my mind….Wow!! If ever, I’d be a June bride. It was perfect because we were both born in June...John on June 3, and I on June 21.... and I managed to do some math with it: 21 – 3 = 18!!! Truly perfect!!! It seemed we were really destined to be together, but quite ironic because I vowed I will never get involved with a seaman because of their playboy record, and as a civil engineer, I have this silent “dislike” for architects simply because we clash in our work...architects are a pain in the neck especially for us structural engineers. Yet I had fallen for both…a seaman and an aspiring architect rolled into one!!! Seemed like fate played its game on me...
March 27, 2004...John invited me to come to their town fiesta in Mapandan, Pangasinan, and Ariel, through Crissa, also invited our barkada to come as well. So together with my friends Ruby & Justin, Arnel & Donna, and Ariel & Crissa, and Crissa’s nieces, off we went to Ariel’s hometown using our family Adventure. Ruby and Justin alternately did the driving….but somewhere in Tarlac, our car started to have some trouble. When we reached Binalonan, we had to stop by a Petron station to have the car checked. There was something wrong with the clutch….still Justin managed to start the car anew...we traveled literally at a snail’s pace...until the car won’t start anymore. I called John, told him the car stopped and won’t start anymore. He told me he’d look for a jeepney to tow us. We were almost in the boundary of Manaoag and Mapandan…and hungry and all sweaty (we turned off the aircon starting from Tarlac)...we waited for John to rescue us. Soon, a jeepney driven by their uncle arrived, together with John and his brother-in-law. Everyone teased me no end…and Crissa told me “Ayun si Kuya John…pumayat siya. Siguro sa kakapuyat dahil sa paggawa ng plates sa Archi.” We had to go down from the car, and the moment I saw him, I flashed my very irresistible smile. Dark-skinned, thin and long-haired and unshaven...honestly I thought he looked like an addict!! LOL!!! But I understand that being an Archi student meant sleepless nights...I have to admit though that I really liked his eyes, deep and soulful...and when I saw his profile, his nose was perfect!!! It was only after our wedding that he told me he really meant to look like that, to see if I will get scared of him…and was glad that I did not! And what did he think of me when he saw me again after 3 years? He was shy and scared the first few moments because I looked so strict and suplada, but when he saw me smile, all his fears melted away...
...and so we transferred to the jeepney while our car was being towed…and all the while Crissa and my other friends teased me again….no wonder John was not able to mutter a word…and chose to seat beside the driver. Finally, we reached their home…and a sumptuous lunch of shrimps (John knew these are my faves), the famous broiled bangus Bonuan, pinakbet and green mangoes with matching bagoong!!! John was really shy he did not join us for lunch. After a late lunch, we were supposed to hear mass first at Manaoag, before we go to San Fabian for a beach night out, but my friends thought of going to Baguio instead. My mom, after learning about this, warned us that we stick to our original plan ‘coz something had already happened along our way to Mapandan, and if we push through with Baguio, who knows what danger will happen to us. So we went to San Fabian instead to spend the night there. I convinced John to come with us, and even though he had not slept due to homework, he joined us. Had we gone to Baguio instead, John would not have been able to join us...and that would have made a great difference!!!
We stayed in Lazy A Beach Resort in San Fabian. My friends went out to have a night swim in a nearby pool, and they made me stay with John in the cottage. I envied them having fun in the pool, so I asked John if it’s okay to leave him and join my friends. As I dipped myself in the pool...gosh!!! The water was very cold I thought I am gonna freeze!! I started to shiver and decided to go back to the cottage before I get an asthma attack. I had to take shower instead, but when I got into the shower room there was a cockroach!!! I hurried back outside and called John…I told him there was a cockroach inside…and so he went to see and then got hold of the cockroach!!! Wow!!! Pa-impress!!!
After my shower, John and I just stayed outside the cottage talking while we watched my friends frolicking in the pool. They made sure they stayed there for quite sometime so that John and I can have more time to be alone with each other. I felt we were gauging each other, still very conscious of the presence of each other. It was only the following morning that John and I threw away our reservations and soon were holding each other’s hands. When we took the boat ride, my friends had that silent awe (and klilig!) in their faces…John and I were very sweet, kulang na lang daw langgamin kami!! We were inseparable…John’s arms were always around my shoulders...and I felt a sense of security as a laid my head in those shoulders.
Soon it was time for us to go, but my friends insisted that I be left behind because, after all, it was our car that needed major repair, and I had to be responsible for it....and of course, to have more time with John, they teased. It was a Sunday, so all car repair shops were closed. My cousin and his wife went home to her sister’s home in Bayambang to check on our car in John’s place Monday morning. So I really had to stay for another night, but decided to sleep in Bayambang so John’s family can not say anything about me sleeping in a man’s house. John suggested that we take our car to Bayambang using their truck. Their truck will tow our car, with John behind the wheel guiding it. But we had to wait until around 6pm to do that, so John and I went to Mangaldan first to buy extra clothes for me to wear.
Around 6pm, together with his youngest brother Jojo and other relatives in their truck, we started our journey to Bayambang. John was “driving” our Adventure, while I was seated beside him as we were towed by their truck. Twice, the rope connecting the truck and our car snapped, and eventually we had to stop in San Jacinto to borrow a larger and stronger rope. John and I went to his uncle to borrow one, and the road leading to the house was dark, yet I felt so safe with John holding my hand, leading the way as I blindly followed in good faith.
We continued our night journey along the dark silent roads of Pangasinan…with only the truck’s tail lights shining our way….and the sound of soft music over the car stereo lending a romantic background for us. Along the way we got to know each other a lot better, and felt more at ease with each other. John’s left hand was guiding the wheel, while his right hand held my hand. We moved so slowly…it was a funny scene, yet it was sort of magical to be there with him. It seemed that heaven and earth conspired with the events of the whole weekend...who would have expected our car would conk out during the trip, and I would get stuck in Pangasinan with the man destined to be my partner in life. To amuse ourselves I asked John if he could sing, though I already knew he sings as told to me by Crissa. He said he can sing a little, and so I asked him to sing for me..a song which eventually became our theme song, All My Life by America...and so John started to sing as I stared at him…”All my life, without a doubt I give you all my life...Now and forever till the day I die, You and I will share...” It was the sweetest voice I ever heard…very manly but soulful. I started to sing with him...but I felt a lump in my throat as tears started to well in my eyes…..and I had to turn away and look at the window. I had to fight back the tears…and I knew that fateful night...this is the man I am going to marry…and I thank God for giving him to me.
Soon we reached the town of Bayambang after almost 4 hours of being towed. My cousin was already waiting for us at the town plaza…and we had to part ways temporarily. John was a real gentleman because he did not dare kiss me even in the cheek. He just held my hands and squeezed them tightly…and we bid goodbye and goodnight to each other...promised to text and call everyday, and looked forward to the day that we’d soon be together again....
Our love story took three years in the making...as slowly as the trip John and I had in Pangasinan. It may have blossomed in such imperfect situations...but one thing is for sure, it did not happen just by pure coincidence. It was the way God has planned it...in His own perfect time.
joy [12:30 PM]
Thursday, August 11, 2005
PITONG BAGAY SA BUHAY NA NATUTUNAN KO SA U.P.
I just opened my gmail today...it has been ages since i checked my mails there. One email forwarded by my boss and ninong Sir Peter stirred my soul and brought me back to good old college days...in the beautiful grounds of UP Diliman.
I'm sharing this with my fellow UP alumni...hope this would also bring back the memories of the happy days when we were young and carefree and single... idealists and activists...iskolar ng bayan...pag-asa ng bayan...pero di ko po ka-batch si Ryan Cayabyab ha!!! ;-)
kaka-miss tuloy ang Peyups...
read on...
--------------------------------
'Pitong bagay sa buhay na natutunan ko sa U.P'
by PROF. RYAN CAYABYAB (Commencement speech given on April 24 before the
Class of 2005)
"Maraming salamat po, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. UP President
Emerlinda Roman, former presidents Jose Abueva and Noel Soriano, UP Diliman
Chancellor Dr. Sergio Cao, the Board of Regents, U.P. faculty
and administrative staff, co-professors from the College of Music,
classmates from UP High 1970, fellow alumni, graduates, and friends:
Malugod kong binabati kayong mga nagsisipagtapos ngayong taong 2005.
Isang karangalan ang pagtayo ko dito upang maghatid ng i sang talumpati
para sa inyo. Huwag kayong mag-alala, maiksi lamang ang aking sasabihin.
Kinikilala kong ako ay isang mamamayan ng UP. Unang nasilayan ng
aking mga mata ang sinag ng araw sa Area 1, UP Campus, sa may likuran ng
Infirmary, kung saan din nanirahan sina Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, si NVM
Gonzales, si Jovita Fuentes, si Jose Maceda, at ang mga Lansang, mga
Manalang, mga Daza, Cailao, Lesaca, Estrada at marami pang ibang mga
pioneering faculty members ng UP Diliman.
Ang nanay ko ay nagturo sa UP College of Music. Apat kaming magkakapatid na
lumaki sa sariwang hangin ng Area 1, nanghuhuli
ng tutubi at kuliglig sa araw, kulisap naman sa gabi. Diyes ang Coca-cola,
singko ang Cosmos.
Minsan sa isa o makalawang linggo, may dumaraang truck ng DDT
(Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) na nag-bubuga ng makapal na usok
pampatay ng lamok na nagdudulot ng malaria. Lahat ng bata sa
Area 1, at sa buong campus ay sinasalubong itong truck, at kung kaya lang
naming magsiawit ng Haleluya noon ay ginawa na namin dahil para kami lahat
nasa ulap, nagtatakbuhan, hinahabol at nilalanghap ang maputi at mabangong
usok ng DDT truck.
Napakasaya namin. Walang nagsabi sa amin na hindi lamang lamok ang
pinapatay ng DDT. Ngayong malalaki na kami at nagbibiruan ang aming egroup
na Area 1, napagkasunduan namin na dahil sa DDT na yan,
bawat isa sa amin ay may bahid ng kabaliwan, depende sa dami ng nalanghap
na DDT.
Marami kaming laro noon sa Area 1 patintero, tumbang preso, siyato,
lastiko, gagamba, luksong tinik, step-no, habulan, taguan, teks at holen, na
sa palagay ko ay sasabihin ninyong napakalow-tech kumpara sa mga laro
ninyo nung kayo'y mga bata. Meron k aming mga sikretong tawagan, sipol
at huni. Ang dami kong nais ikuwento tungkol sa aking pagkabata ngunit
mauubos ang ating oras.
Nag-aral ako sa UP Elementary School at sa UP High School. Matagal na
panahon ding diyes lamang ang bayad sa IKOT. Saan pa ba ako magkokolehiyo
kundi sa UP rin. Una akong pumasok bilang accounting major sa UP College of
Business Administration. Sa kabutihang palad, nauntog ako at na-realize ko
na ako ay hindi pala maalam sa pagbibilang ng pera.
Tinanggap ako at lumipat sa UP College of Music bilang isang piano major.
Nauntog na naman ako at natanto ko na ako ay nagpapanggap lamang na isang
Cecil Licad. Mabuti naman at tinanggap ako ng Department of Composition and
Theory. Sa maniwala kayo't hindi, tinapos ko itong kurso,
Bachelor of Music Major in Composition suma suma-sampong taon bago ko
nakuha ang aking diploma.
Aba! Naniwala pa sila sa akin at kinuha akong guro. Dito ko nakilala ang
isa kong estudiyanteng napakaganda na una kong naging barkada sa kainan at
kantahan, nauwi rin sa simbahan. Halos dalawampung taon din ako nagturo sa
UP College of Music.
Wala pang tatlong taon na ako ay nagbitiw bilang isang assistant professor;
akala ko'y doon na ang katapusan ng aking koneksyon sa UP. Hindi pala,
dahil ngayon ang aking panganay ay kasalukuyang isang university scholar sa
College of Music.
Mababaw at maikling kasaysayan lamang ito. Gayon pa man, kasaysayan pa rin.
Para sa akin, napakahalaga ng aking nakalipas at ito ay lagi kong
babalik-balikan.
Habang ako ay papalayo ng papalayo sa aking pinanggalingan, palalim nang
palalim ang mga ugat na aking tinatanim, sinisiguro ko lamang na hindi ako
maitutumba ng kahit ano mang malakas na bagyo o delubyo na sa
buhay ko ay sasapit.
Ngayon, nakita n'yo kung bakit napaka-halaga ng UP sa aking buhay, sana ay
maging sa inyo rin. Kahit hindi nyo na nasisilayan ang oblation, at hindi
na naririnig ang karilyon, nawa'y nasa puso at isipan lagi ang paaralang
kumupkop at nagpalawak ng isip ng bawat isa sa inyo.
Naituro na lahat ng maituturo sa inyo ng inyong mga guro. Alam naman natin
na ang bawa't isa sa atin ay ma y natatanging angking galing.
Walang halaga ito kung hindi ninyo gagamitin para sa ikabubuti at
ikauunlad ng inyong komunidad, ng inyong pamilya at ng buong
sambayanan. Itanghal ninyo ang inyong pagiging Pilipino na nag-aral sa U.P.
kahit saan kayo mapadpad.
Meron lang akong dagdag na pabaon sa inyo para lalong di nyo malimutan,
ang UP nating mahal. Ito ang pitong mga bagay-bagay tungkol sa buhay na
natutunan ko sa U.P.:
1. Ang buhay ay parang IKOT jeep. Ang iyong patutunguhan ay siya ring
iyong pinanggalingan.
2. U.P. lang ang may TOKI, sa buhay wala nito. Pero nasasaiyo na yon kung
nais mong pabaligtad ang takbo ng buhay mo.
3. Sa IKOT, puede kang magkamali ng baba kahit ilang beses, sasakay ka
lang uli. Sa buhay, kapag paikot-ikot ka na at laging mali pa rin ang
iyong bab a, naku, may sayad ka.
4. Sa U.P., lahat tayo magaling. Aminin nating lahat na tayo'y magagaling.
Ang problema dun, lahat tayo magaling!
5. Kung sa U.P. ay sipsip ka na, siguradong paglabas mo, sipsip ka pa rin.
6. Sa U.P., tulad sa buhay, ang babae at ang lalake, at lahat ng nasa
gitna, ay patas, walang pinagkaiba sa dunong, sa talino, sa
pagmamalasakit, sa kalawakan ng isipan, sa pag-iibigan; at kahit na rin sa
kabaliwan, sa kalokohan at sa katarantaduhan.
At ang panghuli:
7. Sa U.P. tulad sa buhay, bawal ang overstaying.
Maraming salamat po!
Mayroon pa akong isang huling pabaon, galing sa puso ko - para rin sa mga
puso ninyo, ito ang napili kong paraan upang maisalarawan ang tema ngayong
hapon:
"Angking Galing Para sa Sambayanan". Ito ay isang awiting nilikha ko at ng
aking kakaklase sa high school na nagtapos din ng kolehiyo sa U.P., akin
angg musika sa titik ni Ome Candazo, sa tulong ng mga kaibigan ko sa San
Miguel Master Chorale at San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra na pawang
mga alumni ng U.P.
'Hala? ginawang concert ang speech!'----------------------
RYAN CAYABYAB GIVES BACK TO UP by Ivy Lisa F.
Mendoza
Last Sunday, a "true-maroon" son of the University of the Philippines (UP)
came home to the Diliman campus to inspire the thousands of graduates as
this year's commencement speaker.
But it's not as if he left. Because he never did.
Acclaimed musician Ryan Cayabyab has and will always be a son of UP
Diliman. He spent his entire childhood in Area 1, a neighborhood located at
the campus periphery. He never went to any other school, from primary to
college, but the UP. Afterwards, he went on to teach at the College of Music
where he met his wife Emy, and now his firstborn is enrolled in the same
college, following in his footsteps. No doubt then that he topped the
shortlist of commencement speakers for the Class of 2005.
"I do not like delivering speeches, I'd rather write music obviously. But
when I was offered to be the speaker, I considered but not after giving it
much
thought and consultation with friends. Not one of them dissuaded me,
everyone told me to go for it,"
Cayabayab narrates in his signature jolly tone. Known as the inimitable
Mr. C in the entertainment industry, Cayabyab had previously turned down an
invitation to speak at a UP Integrated School graduation ceremonies for
exactly the same misgiving.
Ironically, Cayabyab never heard the commencement speaker at his own
university graduation simply because he did not attend.
"Nahihiya ako, because I overstayed," he laughs. But now he realized the
time was here.
It was time to give back to the university that honed him to be what he is
now in the best way he could.
SHOW, NOT TELL And yet, he didn't really know what to say. First, he didn't want it long and boring.
"It took me just one sitting and several revisions down to the last minute
before I finalized my speech.
I rehearsed it in front of my wife and she said, nangilid daw luha niya.Â
Puno daw ng UP, mapuso. That's when I knew that I could already deliver
it," Cayabayab says.
Cayabyab's speech wanted to show that he never went to any other school
except for UP. "I wanted to inspire them and make them realize that
here I am, a 100 percent Philippine-trained, UP-trained musician, and I
didn't learn it from any other school, here or abroad," Cayabyab relates.
But Mr. C was not without surprises. All along, he was cooking up
something for this year's graduating batch.
Longer than he worked on his speech proper, Cayabyab spent more hours
putting together a song that would show the young graduates, and not just
tell them, the beauty of creativity and innovation, which was this year's
theme.
Putting music to the poem of high school classmate Romeo Candazo titled
"Salamat sa 'Yo, UP" originally written for their UPIS class, Cayabyab
thought it best to turn it into a song, give it a totally pop arrangement
and premiere it on graduation day.
He commissioned friends from the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the
San Miguel Master Chorale, most of whom came from the UP Concert Chor us and
the UP Madrigals, to perform with him.
The result was a first in the history of UP graduations, a commencement
guest who did not only speak his heart out, but who sang his most profound
gratitude to his alma mater. The song is about students thanking UP, and
not UP telling the students what to do.Here is what Cayabyab (and Candazo) surprised the Class of 2005 with:
Sa 'yo UP maraming salamat
Ikaw na aking tahanan
Mula sa aking pagkamulat
Hanggang sa aking huling hininga
Sa 'yo UP maraming salamat
Ang iyong mga aral ang aking gabay
Baon ko ito sa paglalakbay
Hanggang mapanaw ang buhay
Kami'y lumaki sa iyong pag-iingat
Natutong mag aral, natutong magsaya
Dulot mo ay init tuwing kami ay nagiginaw
Sa lahat ng panahon bigay mo'y pagasa
Sa 'yo UP maraming salamat
Ang iyong mga aral ang aking gabay
Baon ko ito sa paglalakbay
Hanggang mapanaw ang buhay
THE NEW UP SONG? It is not surprising that faculty and alumni have
started clamoring for a copy of it? Salamat sa yo, UP" which, as early as
now, is touted to be the new UP song.
UP President Emerlinda Roman talked to Cayabyab and asked him about the
possibility of using the song for the fund raising activities in line with
the UP Centennial in 2008. Targetting to raise P5 billion, university
officials will go on a sort of a road show and travel abroad to rally
alumni to support the endeavour.
"I told her that the university may use the song in anyway they deem best.
I even suggested that we could produce it, and ask prominent UP
personalities to sing it and record it," Cayabyab adds.
With its lyrics, the song is indeed appropriate for the alumni of the
university.
"It is also subliminally appealing to the hearts of the alumni to give
back. Music has this way of creating an emotional attachment, and I hope
this song will do it for the alumni." -----------------------------------------
Sa'yo UP...SALAMAT!!!!
joy [4:37 PM]
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
MY OWN LIST OF KITCHEN MUST-HAVES
The kitchen is one of my favorite places in the house...aside from our bedroom, of course! ;-) It's not just because I love to eat, but mainly it is my love..or should I say passion for cooking and baking that makes me want to achieve a perfect kitchen...complete with the ameneties an aspiring baker would die for. When our house was remodelled, I made sure there will be lots of cabinet space for my kitchen gadgets. Eversince I baked my very first brownie, I have purchased quite a number of baking tools, but mostly were bought my sister from NY and were brought here.
When I was still single, I try to bake some goodies in our home. Now that I am already a wife, it seems ironic that I don't get to do some baking for my hubby. John always tell me to cook or bake some goodies which were shown in Food Network, but my ingredients are not always complete. I think it's time to fill up my baking pantry with the basic ingredients....and so here is my MUST-HAVE list in the kitchen. Fellow W@Wie and June wife Peachy ni Gelo first came up with the list...and I am following suit.
1. ELECTRIC STAND MIXER - My ultimate wish list for my kitchen is definitely a KITCHENAIDE. Truly every baking enthusiast's dream! I have an electric hand mixer, which my sister brought from NY. Unfortunately, it is not working anymore...I guess it got overheated when John & I made some heavy mixing for the Sans Rival we made months back. I wish someone had given us a KITCHENAIDE as wedding gift, just like fellow June bride Serg had from one of their ninangs! Now, I know I have to save for that ultimate KITCHENAIDE of my dreams...hope BPI Installment Madness will include such items....sigh!!
2. MEASURING SPOONS, CUPS AND BAKING PANS – Baking is an exact science, so it is best to invest on these equipment.
3. ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR - I want to bake more often now, so I must stack up with all-purpose flour. The last time I bought a kilo of flour, I forgot to put it inside the freezer to prolong shelf-life. So when I was about to bake some food for the gods, the flour already had those icky yucky brown mites (or whatever you call them)...so off to the trash the flour went.
4. COCOA - Another baker's must-have. Preferably dutch-processed for richer and darker chocolate brownies, cookies and cakes! But cocoa bought from Chocolate Lovers will do fine for me.
5. ANCHOR BUTTER - I always bake with Anchor butter (unsalted) and nothing else. A lot more expensive but definitely will yield yummier and tastier goodies. I've tried a cheaper brand one time I baked some choco-chip cookies, they tasted so oily.
6. CONFECTIONER’S SUGAR - This is perfect for icings and dusting over those delicious choco crinkles...a favorite of my nieces.
7. CINNAMON – My mom always asks me to bake bread pudding (original recipe by Stella Daza), and cinnamon is one of its ingredients. So I always have McCormick cinnamon in the fridge. The aroma of the cinnamon as the bread pudding is being baked will definitely make anyone just sit down in front of the oven and watch for the pudding to be done…just like what my niece Jacque did one time.
8. VANILLA EXTRACT – Most baked goodies call for vanilla flavoring, that’s why it should always be in the fridge. I often use the vanilla extract of McCormick, as I have yet to try Ferna, both the extract and the powdered one. Aside from vanilla, I also have orange, lemon, strawberry, almond and mint flavors.
9. BROWN SUGAR – Also a basic ingredient of most baked goodies.
10. LIGHT CORN SYRUP – Great for more chewy brownies and food for the gods. Geesshh...talking about baked goodies make me hungry....
11. DATES – Pitted ones, they are perfect for my food for the gods.
12. WALNUTS – Great for brownies, food for the gods, cakes. Good for salads, too, for that crunch. Cashews or pecans are more expensive, so I often use walnuts.
13. CHOCOLATE BLOCKS – I buy white and brown choco blocks (the premium ones) from Chocolate Lover’s, but these must be used within 6 months or else the taste and texture will no longer be as great. These choco blocks can be melted in the microwave to make molded chocos which are perfect as a gift or as an extra income. My best sellers are choco roses (during Valentine and Mother’s Day) and the choco kisses. One of our wedding favors was the blue choco butterflies which my sister and my aunt painstakingly did for us.
14. FRESH EGGS – A common ingredient in baking. Also perfect for vegetable omelets ala Pancake House. Yummy!
15. CHOCOLATE KISSES – This is my indulgence. Cookies & cream kisses. To die for…
16. COFFEE - John's passion...never a day without a hot cup of strong black coffee...can consume at the most 6 cups in a day!!! Really a coffee addict!
17. NESTLE CALCIUM PLUS - If John has his coffee, I have my nonfat milk...good for the bones, especially for an scoliotic beauty like me! ;-)
Hmmm…What else? There are so many things that a kitchen must have…but for me, these are the most basic ones that I, as a baking enthusiast, must have ….ALWAYS!!!
joy [9:52 AM]
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Tinkering with a new blogskin
Lately, much of my time has been devoted tinkering on our blog. I know i should have been working...but the design work in our project has already devoloped into Scheme 4...and the arduous task of remodelling, re-analysis, redesign and re-drawing of the project is already sickening...is not at all amusing. Architects are really a pain in the neck...ooppsss...beep! beep! Lest i forget, my hubby is an aspiring architect...hehe! But he knows it and have to accept the fact that in work, we engineers and those architects do really have that Love-Hate relationship...either you love each other or you hate each other so much...but hey...as they say, there's a thin dividing line between love and hate. :-) oh well...guess that's how it goes for us engineers and the architects...
Back to our blog...we got a new blogskin!! As a breather from my design work, I took time out to tinker with our blog. Kinda miss blogging...so I searched for a new blogskin and took the pains of editing our blog...took a couple of changes in blogskin before I achieved the look I want. Well, for the meantime, the latest look will do...still have to change some colors and the pics, as well. I'm done with the colors...as for the pics...I think I'd stick to the kids pics...really cute I may say. Plus, it kinda inspires me coz John & I want to have a baby soon. John wants a boy while I want a girl...wish we can have fraternal twins...;-)
DOne with the blog editing. Now I'd be more inspired to blog more often...
I really and still am a Blog Addict...a W@Wie Blog Addict...right Dionne? ;-)
joy [3:38 PM]
