Typhoon Haiyan 2013- Canada… How to Donate

How to help:

Humanitarian Coalition

Tzu Chi

To Donate via Tzu Chi

Red Cross

To Donate via Red Cross

Gawad Kalinga Canada

To Donate via GK Canada

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“Great things are wrought through simple and small things. 

Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, 

our small and simple acts of kindness and service 

will accumulate into a life filled with love..."

~M. Russell Ballard~

Fabulously 60

The things I miss most at home are the people and the events that happens even when I am far away.

I really wish that we were home or close (an hour of plane away) to come as we please for occasions such as this.

* Groovy Aunt, Mary

* 60th @ CHOI GARDEN

* Gifts for the Beauty Mama/Lola... 

** Photo Grab from Jason Tan

* 60th Dance Presentation


Love was really put into all the details.. Even my brother danced in this video... I didn't know you got hidden moves inside of you Ken!

* Greetings from Afar


The most important people in our lives leave imprints.
They may stay or go in the physical realm, but they are always there in your heart, because they helped form your heart.
There's no getting over that.


-Rachel Cohn


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GREAT WORK 
COUSINS :)
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HAPPY 60th AUNT MARY

Life as an Architecture (Fine Arts) Student...and more

One of the best times I had when I was younger was my college years.

The best of both worlds, I got a bit of freedom and  a lot less responsibilities to worry about than now. Those carefree moments when life was stretched out right in front of you. 

I was a student of Interior Design, University of Santo Tomas then, and like Jerald, I can perfectly relate as to what he was talking about regarding plates and endless sleep. Sleeping over at a friend's to finish a plate to be submitted the next day. The cramming. Actually, sleeping over is not actually sleeping but trying to listen late at night on the radio while finishing our plate with cups after cups of coffee to keep us awake. Alarming our mobiles to make sure that we are informed when the time is almost running out or in case we accidentally slept out of sheer exhaustion. 

Graduation was both a happy and sad occasion. Happy to see that we are somewhat in the finish line for school days but sad when we realized that we won't be seeing as much of our friends as we were used to.

I didn't have someone significant during my college years but I would really be swept off my feet if my boyfriend did this during our graduation...

It was a real treat to see Beato Angelico in the video. It was quite new when we left for graduation. The familiar hang out tables and chairs as well as the new uniforms. I feel like it was so long ago... Thanks for this video, it somewhat transported me back to my yesteryear as a Fine Arts Student.

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To Jerald and Angela, I don't know you but I definitely wish you all the best 

* * * * *

Everybody deserves someone 

who makes them look forward to tomorrow

-Anonymous

Christmas from a distance... Near and Far... :)

Christmas is the time when I think of celebration back home the most.

* Christmas 2011

 Manila, Philippines

December has always been a celebration as I was growing up back then. We do triple celebration on the 23rd and 24th every year. Cousin Eileen on the 23rd, 

* Birthday girl, Eileen

Taken at  March 2011, Serendra, Philippines

and Cousin Jason and my Grandmother from my mom's side on the 24th plus the actual Christmas Day. 

* Birthday Boy, Jason... based in Singapore

Taken March 2011, Singapore

* Birthday Grandmom, Juliana

Taken March 2011, Philippines

We do a lot (A LOT) of fireworks and potluck. This is one of those rare moments that we are all complete in one place. End of the year is an event as well then, with my aunt's (Betty) birthday on the 31st and my mom starting the year with her birthday as well as New Year. 

* Birthday Aunt, Betty

Taken March 2011, Philippines

* Birthday Mom,  Judy

Taken March 2011, Philippines

I guess Christmas is different now than it was before anyway, with a lot of us away from home, but still I miss those good old times.

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It is just a treat for me when I get something for Christmas here that was sent all the way from the Philippines or my friends from places like U.S. and Dubai. It makes me feel nostalgic and a girl once again, all giddy with excitement to be remembered by their classmate back in elementary during Christmas mail back in school. 

FYI: Our school used to have a program that send Christmas mail from classroom to classroom when I was in elementary to high school. You can drop little messages in our lobby during break and someone will deliver those little greetings from room to room during class hours. That was one of my favorite things in school during Christmas time.

To those friend who are far, far away and still manage to send a greeting my way, thank you very much for the small thoughtful gesture :)

it may seem small to you, but it meant a whole lot to me.

  

Some were personalized...

* Cham Family from Richmond, B.C.; Canada

* Cuervo Family from U.S.A.

Thank you for the nice personalized card... LOVE IT! Maybe next time we can make something like this ;)

* Ninang KC to Kenzo

Kimi will be so jealous with this book :-P and I will try to keep Kenzo still to finish this entire book. I just love this book a lot... Thanks KC :)

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Some came via package in our mail...

* Agbada's Package

Thank Kiko and Kc who had a gift for everyone in our family :)

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...and from the friends that I have found here

Countless thank you for making Vancouver a home that I wanted to stay in now 

It's because of you guys that I have found friends that feels more like a family to me...

* Glenda, Sarah, Joy and Jo

Thank you for the valuable friendship... Love you guys!

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MERRY CHRISTMAS
Burnaby, B.C.
Canada

One for Iligan

Whenever I hear news like floods which kills countless lives in the Philippines (although Iligan is far). I always say a prayer thanking God that everyone in my family back home is safe and wish I could do  a little in my own way to help

I found this site that accepts paypal for help

Your $1 helps...

CLICK HERE TO HELP

I just did a bit of my share :)

Happy Giving!

Fun Fun Ranch...

It's Kimi's first time to attend a birthday party here in the Philiippines...

and it's being held at Fun Ranch.

The place which we also considered for her own Farewell/ Baptism Party when she was 5 months old.

* Fun Ranch, Pasig

* Fun Ranch Train... with mommy

* Capilano Bridge Kuno...

* Birthday Girl KC

* Carousel

* Mini Ferris Wheel

* As Kimi simply puts it... He is Dora and gwama is Diego... haha!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KC VILLENA

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Fun Ranch

 Frontera Verde Ortigas Ave/ C5, Pasig City

The "Joy" of Cooking

Nope, It's not the popular book...

but my friend, Joy.

She is one of those women who can juggle career and be able to serve up sumptuous meals effortlessly.

I wish I have some sort of that talent in the kitchen...

* Mel, Chef Joy, Cherie with Little Kimi

* Joy, Mark, Dexter, Kester, Harvey, Kimi and Mel

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Thanks to Mareng Joy for cooking up dinner to welcome us...

Nothing really beats your sisig homecooking :)

Mwwaaaaah!

Beauty Day @ Bamboo Nail Spa

It was our (sis in law, Sab, me and the kiddos) planned beauty day but Sab's regular nail salon's aircon unit wasn't working so we opted to try another nail salon....- Bamboo Nail Spa.

* Bamboo Nail Spa Logo by the foyer

* Interiors

It was a nice, cozy place with sheer curtains to offer a bit of privacy in between clients...

* The Little Princesses Nail Service Php 215.00

* The Little feet getting painted

* Kimi was a bit rigid during the first part of the service...

First time hesitation?!

* After warming up to what was happening... both Kimi and Sophie started playing around

* Marge was able to join us for a girl's foot service :)

I really enjoyed the mask and the massage done to my lower legs and feet. It was my first time in months to have my feet pampered once again that I might not be a good judge of what is good at that point. Just having someone (anyone) massage and a pamper day is enough to make me swoon with delight. Thanks again to Sab for this wonderful pamper date :)

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BAMBOO NAIL SPA

P. Guevarra, San Juan

Foods that brings back childhood memories...

My sister Sabrina really knows me well...

She knows what I want without me even saying anything...

...that's why she was one of my favorite person to spend more time with while I was home :)

* SOTANGHON SOUP

* SAGO AT GULAMAN

* BAKED NEW ZEALAND MUSSELS

* CLASSIC CHICKEN BBQ

* PUTO BUMBONG

* BIBINGKA

Thanks Sab for accompanying me to Alex III :)

I really miss these comfort foods from my youth... 

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Alex III Restaurant, Wilson

201 Wilson St. cor. Abad Santos, Greenhills

San Juan, Metro Manila

Philippines

(02) 724-7794

When Las Vegas meets Broadway...

* KAOS TICKET

When my brother was informed of my final plan to finally go through with a Manila trip, he immediately told me that he will include KAOS in the itinerary... I was like CHAOS? What is that? He told me that it was a play that resembles Cirque de Soleil and that it was realllly goooood. I was thinking, I'm sure it's not gonna beat LA REVE in Vegas.... Hmmm so I was a bit skeptical about spending a couple of thousands right after I just booked a ticket... plus, I wasn't sure about Kimi... she might be not into the show and will ruin it for everyone.

I was glad though that we did watch the show...Kimi really loved the show and it made a way for all of us to watch as a family. A thing that doesn't happen very often. She clapped and asked questions a lot and even picks up some of the scripts between the characters. She also commented on some of the dresses and costumes.

* THE THEATRE - Newport Performing Art Theatre

* Look at the impressive ceiling lighting

* Colorful Carpet and Plain walls to balance the space

I was a bit worried as well if my dad would find it boring and sleep through the show. He has the ability to sleep through movies when we were young and finally gave up on inviting him to watch movies with me a long time ago. It was good to see him watching the whole show as well...

The visuals was really amazing. The stunts will leave you holding your breath especially the stunt wherein 5 motorcycles was roaring inside a huge metallic wire mesh circle. I was mentally preparing myself that an accident might happen. That is how scared I was of that particular stunt. I was also telling Kimi again and again not to follow everything she saw... The mother in me was in full mode while watching the show. I was watching through her eyes and explaining everything just so she won't have an idea of doing some of the stunts with her little brother...

The two guys with immense strength and balance lifting each other up and testing their physical endurance was a stunt I have watched in Vegas but still got me the edge of my seat and cringing inside thinking how painful it must have been for them to do this over and over again while at practice.

I was pretty stunned to hear the voice of the leading lady... It was so clear and so good. I finally learned from searching that she was one of the top 8 Canadian Idol by the name of Martha joy and was Half-Pinay. That must be why she is sooo good..

There was also a range of animals to see... yellow tiger (BETTY) and white tiger (SITO) and white lion (KAOS). picture with the real KAOS costs around Php 600 and the maximum is just for 4 pax.

* The stage with all the wonderful performers

* The Satisfied viewers

* With Kaos the mascot

* Kiddos

* Ken and Eric

* Mom and Dad

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KAOS THE MUSICAL

Resorts World Manila Philippines 

Newport Boulevard, Newport City Cybertourism Zone

Pasay 1309, Metro Manila, Philippines