Post-Mortem of a Fire

 A day before the biggest festival in Iloilo City, a fire broke out and razed a commercial building. 

News reports indicated that the fire broke out on January 24 at 7:40 PM at the Ledi Supermarket in Iznart St., a few hours before the highlight of the Dinagyang Festival. The fire lasted for 3 hours and required assistance of fire trucks and fire volunteers from nearby municipalities. 

I read in a Rappler report that 11 stores were razed down. Most of these stores sell clothing and textile products which may had fed the fire. Here's a list of the stores affected:

• CPT Pharmacy
• Yoka Store
• Helen Marketing
• AH Trading
• LGC Hardware
• EC Marketing
• Yankee General Merchandizing
• PCSO Lotto Outlet
• JB Lucky
• Mercury Money Changer
• Enghong Commercial

My husband took these photos of the Bureau of Fire and Protection people cleaning up the area the day after the fire while they were covering the "Kasadyahan" performances in the nearby JM Basa St.    

Remembering Panoy

It's October 30 today. It's a day of the year we always remember. It's my brother Panoy's birthday.

He would have turned 32 this year. But our beloved brother is frozen at age 23. He died a hero in Surigao del Norte on May 2, 2005. The last time I saw him was on October 2004, when he fetched me at the Manila Airport. He was very excited to meet with me then. We had a long talk about life, family, his ambitions and plans as a soldier, and about his girlfriend Deen.

Panoy wanted to spend more time with his sisters. Bonding time, he said since we were not able to really bond during our college days. I spent my college days in Miagao, Iloilo while he spent time sweating it out at PMA. I was her big sister, especially during his elementary years when most of our elder siblings were off to college in Iloilo. I was the one who would bring him to school. Who would attend the PTA meeting when Nanay can't attend. I was the one who would wash their dirty uniforms and help coach him when he joined a declamation contest. 

THE HOSPITAL

Two hands clasped together
Over a rounded belly
In anticipation
Of a new life
A gift
Waiting for that first glimpse
Of that black and white image 
The first picture 
Of a life about to be born

A pair of arms cuddling
A new life created
Familiarizing
Protecting
Nurturing
A smile exchanged between 
Two beings who made
This new bundle of joy
A new life chapter awaits

Starting a Moon Series of Poetry

The moon is a constant feature in my memory bank. There are a lot of memories in my life - happy, sad, painful - that the moon had been a witness to. Last night, a big, golden full moon evoked strong memories from the distant past. And it inspired me to write a poem. Actually, I'm inspired to write a series about the moon.

I'm a bit conscious about my writing. I'm more of a reader than a writer. Decades ago, I attempted to write poetry but somebody told me I don't have it. And so for sometime, I did not write again.

Poetry writing is a form of therapy, so I'm writing again. Even if somebody will tell me I suck at it. 

Moon Series I
08/21/2013

A golden moon
Wrapped by dainty finger-like clouds
Brings back memories
From a hundred moons ago
Of coconut trees caressed by sea breeze
Of gentle waves kissing the shore
Of young, beating hearts whispering
Innocent vows towards the perfect moon
No words were required
A sigh, a glance, a heartbeat
Spoke a thousand meanings

But that was before.

Another attempt at poetry, one boring afternoon

I got bored last Wednesday, so I tried writing some poetry. I originally posted it on Facebook but hey, I guess it also deserves a post here on my blog. 

Literary critics would definitely raise their eyebrows especially with the English title and the Filipino content. I'll try to translate it in English next time. 

A Reader's Wish
(Original work, in Filipino)
June 26, 2013

A Happy Birthday Greeting!

Carrot cake in whipped cream frosting. I made
 this cake last year as gifts for friends. The nice
photo  was taken by my loving husband.
Will post my carrot cake recipe here soon.

It's been awhile since I last made an entry in my blog. I had been very busy these last few months. I was busy with school, with a new job, and being a Mom to my two hyperactive kids. 

I posted here an image of a cake in this article. So what's with the cake? What's there to celebrate?

Cakes are usually associated with celebrations and birthdays. And today, we are celebrating the birthday of Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Why "happy birthday" and not Merry Christmas, some friends ask. Let us all remember that it is indeed the birthday of Jesus Christ that we are celebrating this season.  I know some little children think that Christmas is about those lovely Christmas trees, the abundant food and the new toys and clothes they will get as gifts. Maybe, we the adults, were not able to explain to them the real essence of Christmas. Let us bring back the focus of the celebration to Jesus Christ and not our own merriment. 

To Christians, everyday...most especially today....JESUS...you are the Star! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Buzz About Sun Shorts: Filipino Indie Films Tackle Importance of Preparing for the Future

Piolo Pascual, Filipino actor, endorses Sun Life's "Sun Shorts".
Image courtesy of www.sunlife.com.ph

Indie films are quite the "in" thing nowadays. Every year, Cinemalaya organizes a film festival dedicated to showcasing the works of art of independent film producers. The film festival produced some of the best films in the local cinema, and also some of the best actors and actresses of this generation (talk about Coco Martin. Yammmi!). 


This year, one of the biggest insurance and financial institution of this country, tries it's hand in producing short, independent films with themes about love, hope and the importance of preparing for the future. Sun Life Financials will launch "Sun Shorts" - a collection of five short films directed by selected top directors of the country. Each film will mirror the director's interpretation of how life could be brighter under the Sun. 

For A Very Special Boy

Baby Oyen at 1-year old

I first posted this on my Facebook wall. It's about my feelings and thoughts about my special boy, Baby Oyen. He is autistic, and at age four, could not yet verbally communicate with us. It is sometimes frustrating not to know what's going on in Baby Oyen's mind. 

Somebody suggested that I turn my Facebook post into a poem. But since I'm not a literary writer, I'm sticking with the original format. My attempts in poetry always ends up in total failure. Anyways, in whatever form it maybe - poetry or prose - the message is still the same. I made some changes, a little editing here and there. So here it is. I am hoping someday, when my Baby Oyen will be allowed by the Lord to progress and learn how to read, he will discover this so that he would know how much I love him.

IF I AM THE RICHEST PERSON IN THE WORLD

If I am the richest person in the world, how would I spend my wealth?

This Used to Be Our Childhood

My daughter Naya, at 5-years old, is a pro in using the laptop. She knows how to turn it on and shut it down; she knows where to locate the folder for her favorite videos; she knows how to search the internet for Barbie, Dora, and Blue's Clues games. I am really amazed with her and the other kids of her generation. Some kids her age now knows how to play Dota! But, honestly speaking, I am not happy with my daughter spending so much time playing with the laptop. It's difficult to totally not allow her to use it since she sees her Tatay and I use it too.