The Tragedy That Was ONDOY...

September 26, 2009 - Tomorrow marks the year after the tragic typhoon Ondoy.

I was going to work and everything seems to be normal that morning. It looked like any ordinary gloomy, rainy weather. Little did I  know that this rain could drown almost the entire Metro Manila (a month worth of rain poured that day according to PAG-ASA).

After the typhoon, seeing the news on TV, I was saddened by what had happened to many of our fellow Filipinos especially in the Marikina and the Rizal area. People lost their houses and hard-earned belongings. And the saddest is, some lost loved-ones. Many died.

Looking back,  I can't help but feel  the same sadness I felt last year. It is a traumatic memory. But more importantly, it is the lessons I (WE) have learned from it that really matters. As how the saying goes, "Stand up and pick up from where you fell down."

This has really been an eye-opener for all of us. Why? Ondoy is just one of the "signs". Our mother nature is taking its toll on us because we did not take care of her. We  now experience how abnormal our weather  and the calamities can be -- La Niña, El Niño, tsunami, earthquakes and hurricanes here and there. Let's protect nature as it has nourished us. It is not yet too late.

Secondly, this event has taught me to live simply. Whatever we have here on earth is temporary.  We can lose it at any time. Just a snap from God and all's gone - only He knows when. Life should not be dwelt on earthly things but must be focused on having a good spiritual and moral well being.

This is life. Let's all move on but let's not forget what this tragedy has taught us. Let's just be prepared for the things that are in store for us.

Ondoy leaves the Philippines

"There's a rainbow always after the rain... "

God bless the Philippines, God bless the world...

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Packed with action and suspense, Resident Evil: Afterlife is a 3D movie written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. The movie stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Boris Kodjoe, Shawn Roberts, Spencer Locke and Wentworth Miller. It is the fourth part movie adaptation of Capcom's video game Resident Evil.

This is the only movie I have seen among other Resident Evil movies that were released (Resident Evil, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Resident Evil: Extinction) and I must say I liked it.

Since I easily get bored with long and dragging movie scenes, I find the movie exciting because its full of action and horror (yey! ☺) -- from the first scene, you'll scream off your seat!

Claire and Chris Redfield plus Alice

Action scenes looked better since the movie is 3D. My favorite part was when Alice and Claire had an encounter with the axe-armed giant zombie in the shower. Milla looked sexy in her skin-tight outfit as she gave justice to her Alice character. 

And you know what the other best part is? Wentworth Miller is HOT! Weeeeeee! *blushing* HAHAHA!

Overall, this movie is for those who loves action and suspense (like me). You'll definitely enjoy this for its dynamic displays and good cinematography.

Hopefully, I may watch the first three parts of this movie. ☺☺☺

more information at:

http://residentevil.wikia.com/Resident_Evil_4_%28Film%29

BARNEY

2009 -- Still the sleepy head, my mom woke me up one fine Sunday morning to show me this brown, fat, cuddly creature which later became our pet dog named Barney.

A good neighbor gave him to us after finding out that we do not have a house dog. Mama originally rejected the offer but how can she not be swooned by this cute puppy?  Thick thighs and short legs plus the rounded face and that short neck where a gold bell was hanging (lovely how it jingles every time the puppy runs back and forth).

Growing up, Barney is an active and charming dog. He may bark at those people whom he's not familiar with but when he learns that you're a visitor, he will just go around to make "pa-cute" and "papansin". On times when the phone rings, he will even run before you as if he's the one who will be taking the call. Gaaaaaah!

Everything about him is lovable except for his fondness of getting out of the house. I just hate it when he runs out every time we open the gate. I'm just too scared that one day he might not be able to find the way to our house again.

pardon my haggardness... hahaha!

Barney is well behaved during bath times. He's a "picky" eater. He loves his belly rub and his water fresh from the faucet. His favorite hangout? In front of the fan!

Now that you're no longer with us, who's gonna chase them naughty cats trespassing the house? And who's gonna welcome me home at the gate after a tiring day from work?

"A dog is a man's best friend..." -- indeed.

I love you and I will miss you Barneykokoy... =(

the chef in me

My love for cooking started when I learned basic Filipino recipes from none other than my mom - Sinigang, Adobo, Nilaga and others. And ever since then, I got hooked with watching cooking shows.

all girly cooking tools... hihihi! :D

When I'm at home, I usually tune in to Food Network to watch The Iron Chef America, Barefoot Contessa, Giada at Home and Sweet Dreams (baking). For local cooking shows, I watch Quick Fire the 10-minute Kitchen Wonders and My Favorite Recipes both aired on QTV 11. I just love how they chop, slice, stir, saute, boil and fry beautifully - their sounds are music to my ears.

Korean dishes are my next target. I love how  healthy their foods are (greens and lotsa veggies). Hopefully, the finished products turn out just as good as those Filipino delicacies I have cooked before.

I enjoy cooking as much as I enjoy eating. More than this, I love serving the foods I cooked for the ones I love. I like food served hot, fresh and delicious!

Food brings people together. Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, New Year or even just a simple lunch and dinner.

Good food = Good times!

The 21st Philippine Travel Mart: Strengthening the Philippine Tourism

Our family is planning to have an out of town trip before this year ends. So when I heard about the 21st Philippine Travel Mart on DZMM's Teleradyo (particularly on "Todo-todo Walang Preno" hosted by Winnie Cordero and Ariel Ureta) I got very excited. I mean, who would not want to travel?

Participating the event are Travelling Agencies, Airlines, Hotels, Resorts and other tourism establishments which offers "super sale" plane tickets and tour packages good for family trips and barkada getaways.

At Php88 you can avail a domestic seat plane ticket and for Php2500++ you can enjoy 3days-2nights stay at the beautiful Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, Ilocos, Baguio or Sagada.

Unluckily, I was not able to book tickets for two reasons. First, line for ticket reservation is soooo long. Plane tickets are sold like pancakes (whew!). Second, we haven't really decided yet where to go. Good thing I got lots of pamphlets plus the contact information of traveling agencies so maybe we could just decide on when and where to go as well as what to avail.

This event will definitely help boost the Philippine tourism. Its nice to go out of  the country but come to think of it, there are lots of beautiful places here in the Philippines. There are beaches, mountains and other breath taking views in store for every traveller.

Event started last September 3 and will end tomorrow, September 5, 2010. So hurry up guys! ☺☺

For more details you can visit www.philtravelmart.com.

Looking forward to a vacation with my family and friends. ☺ Let's love and patronize our own!☺