Christmas 12252015

Christmas Day this year was spent in the office, one hour shy of completing my normal shift but I had to go because I wanted to spend sometime in a church as I did last year. Except I didn't go to my peaceful sanctuary because I left later than planned so I opted for the nearer church.

We had free lunch meals ordered from Cafe Nenzo as in last year. I love the fish fillet with garlic and butter. The cheesecake was exciting at first but the heaviness of cream cheese made me just gulp down the whole thing with water. The chocolate cake was one of the best ones I've had, to think I don't even like chocolate cake. But this one had just the right sweetness and the cake itself was moist. Yummy!

While to many working on holidays suck, I welcome the opportunity because I am more productive when I am alone. I get a lot of work done and I think better when alone.

Before heading home I dropped by Booksale to claim my reserved books: Pillars of the Republic and The Journals of Lewis and Clark. The latter is something I have been wishing for but it was always priced in the P150-P250 range so now that it dropped to P50 I saw my chance of having a copy. The other book is not much of interest to me but the blurb says something about common-school development before the American Civil War. Lately I have become interested in developments of systems and institutions as opposed to my earlier obsessions on origins (that's why I took up archaeology in the first place).

Walking on major roads, one can see the ugly side of Christmas. No wonder I am always gloomy and in a bad mood at this time of the year. Metro Manila is turned into one big stinking garbage city thanks to the undisciplined people and also to the MMDA's little effort in apprehending the violators of the Anti-Littering Law.

As I was looking for my last jeepney ride, I chanced upon one empty but on the inner lane so I hopped inside. The driver asked me where I was headed to because he was about to go home already. Just so happened that he would pass by near where I live so he told me there was no need to pay even though I insisted many times. So I just wished him a Merry Christmas.

2015 Christmas Wishlist

It's October and I have yet to clear my backlogs. Anyhow, at this very moment I am taking a break from playing cheesy Air Supply songs on violin and thinking about how much I would want a new violin, I decided to blog a bit.

None in my wishlist has been realized so far except for the art materials which I wanted a few years ago and which I also put in my wishlist in the office secret Santa gift-giving activity. As if people would go to great lengths to get what I really want. Thinking about what to want for Christmas is very hard for me.

Since lately I have been more focused on music, I would very much want to have music-related stuffs for Christmas. Those and going to theaters, museums, and maybe a long travel to think things through before the year ends.

1. Tickets to concerts and musicals

 Next year, Les Misérables will be staged here in Manila. I'm saving up for that but it would be really reaaly cool to have my ticket for free.

2. Movie dates

  While I am the type who prefers to go solo when watching movies, it would be nice to have someone to watch Le Petit Prince with. It just so happens that it will be in theaters within my birthday week this year. 

3. Food trips

  My sisters and close friends know fully well how much I love food and how adventurous I am when it comes to food. Going on an all expense paid good trip is an excellent way to make a girl happy. Whoever said that diamonds are a girl's best friend is a liar. The best way to a girl's heart is through the stomach. Always.

4. Long walks

  It's a real pity we do not have that many parks here so this poor hyperactive girl finds it hard to release extra energy. While I do walk on roads, I couldn't enjoy as much because of the pollution. Ugh!

And no, walking in malls is not my cup of tea. I easily get bored seeing all the merchandise on sale which we humans really do not have a need for anyay. [*curses consumerism]

5. The Mind Museum

I've been wanting to go. I did get to visit one time in August but only at the lobby to attend a talk on the origins of the universe. However, I can't seem to afford the ticket.

6. CDs

  Of musical giants. For the longest time I have been listening to sax, mostly by Kenny G. It's hard to find violin music so I might as well put that on my list.

7. Musical instruments

  I'd like something to add to my winds collection. Probably a harmonica or a clarinet. Or maybe a sax? But saxophones are way too expensive. Sigh!

8. Travels

  This girl is itching to travel but is on hiatus for now. I'm saving up for sometjing important so I'm holding my money tight. So it would be lovely to get a free trip again before the year ends. Wanna go to the beach to contemplate about life, love, loss, death, and redemption. Or about the origins of the universe. Or how we can achieve world peace...

9. Books

  Ah this girl's best friend. I'd like some intelligent books on history. I like books focused on lesser known heroes and/or intellectuals. Or books on music. Or perhaps books on crazy ideas. Would appreciate books on dating, too. I am seeing the wisdom in a friend's suggestion to read up on dating only now... because that's where I fare poorly.

10. The wisdom to guide me every step of the way, the courage to enable me to do the things I should do, and the strength to carry on doing what I need to do.

Last but not the least, a chance to throw it all to the winds again--- my dreams, my frustrations, my sorrows, my joys. I want to empty myself and start anew.

Pangasinan- llocos 2014 Yearender Getaway

A friend and I were planning to go to Bicol during the extra long Christmas break this year. The night of December 26, we decided to go to Pangasinan instead. I was thinking that finally we will be able to go around the big province and visit each town together with its respective churches. The town of Anda was our first stop.

Itinerary:

Day 01:

Tondol Beach

We caught the sunrise at 828 Gems Beach Resort owned by the generous couple Engr. Felix and Grace Chong. I'm planning to go back and bring my friends to visit the beach. It's as my officemate says, the road to the beach was long, but what the heck, at least one can get peace and quiet there, and enjoy the white sands as well.

Top photos: sunrise at Tondol Beach
Bottom photos: CDCC

Crusaders of the Divine Church of Christ Church in Anda town which we passed by on the road to Alaminos. The church is still in the middle of construction. Nevertheless on my visit, there was a funeral march and it seems the structure is already in use. I remembered the distinct minaret I first saw in Badoc and I was told that it pertained to a church of a certain cult. The local whom I interviewed wasn't able to name the cult and it is only this time when I discovered it pertains to CDCC.

(I unfortunately wasn't able to see the old Roman Catholic Church because we just hitched a ride on the way to Alaminos.)

Saint Joseph Cathedral and many ancestral houses in Alaminos.

Hundred Islands day tour. We shared a banca with a friendly couple.

Because the couple we met had their own car and were already going back home down south, we accepted their invite to get a free ride all the way to Dagupan were we slept from 6PM to 3AM at Value Star Inn.

Day 02:

Waking up at 3AM feeling a bit sluggish despite getting enough hours to sleep, we proceeded to Laoag. We boarded a bus going to San Fernando, La Union, after getting quick breakfast of cup noodles in a 7-11 store. From San Fernando, we had to get another bus all the way to Laoag, sleeping all the way to our destination.

Arriving at 1PM, first thing we did was check in Texicano Hotel where I stayed during my solo trip last year. Then, lunch at City Cup Café where I had my first taste of malunggay pesto pasta. After lunch, we went straight to Paoay to try the sand dunes adventure in Culili Point, experiencing both the roller-coaster-like 4x4 and sandboarding.

Paoay Church was still breathtaking and this time around we spent hours near the church until darkness fell and the lights were all turned on. We visited an exhibit hall featuring the works of Ricarte Puruganan, a late Filipino modernist painter. (The exhibit is still ongoing until February 27, 2015.) We also got to know a gown designer who graduated from UP Diliman. He was very nice to us and accommodated us in his studio.

Finally I had the appetite to try Paoay's empanada. It is a filling snack since it has monggo. Also, the ground meat went well with the egg. Tastes better with ketchup than with Ilocos vinegar, IMHO.

CCW from top left: empanada in Paoay, gallery near Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte Capitolyo, Paoay Church

Since we skipped dinner last night, preferring to sleep instead, we pigged out on this night. We went back to Laoag and checked out the mini food market near the Sinking Bell Tower. I had soft shell tacos from one of the stands whereas my friend took out Laoag longganisa. We ended up sharing an order of beef pares at Mr. T and Mrs. Y. It doesn't disappoint and the price is fair enough.

Day 03:

Waking up early to catch the 4AM bus to Pagudpud, we ended up disappointed because the bus left at 5:30AM. In Pagudpud we met my friend's friends and I got to know a fellow Wikipedian there! Small world! Because of connections, there was no need for us to rent a cottage or pay shower fees.

Patapat viaduct where we had fun taking photos even in the middle of the road. Now this is a bit dangerous since vehicles usually speed up on the road.

Bangui Windmills. More picture-taking.

Lunch of bagnet and rice at Johnny Moon Café in the town of Burgos.

Kapurpurawan Rock and Burgos Lighthouse via rented tricycle. We also saw the Lopez-owned windmills which were just recently installed in the hills of Burgos.

clockwise from top right:Patapat viaduct, Kapurpurawan rock formation, Bangui windmills, Pagudpud Beach

For dinner, we opted at La Preciosa in Laoag. I was super disappointed at the slow service and at the price and serving of food there. The only thing I liked is the P100 carrot cake. I simply cannot understand why it took them so long to cook bucto which is asohos cooked like paksiw. Nothing special there and the asohos are significantly smaller than the ones I am used to eating in Manila.

We spent our second night at Texicano Hotel again.

Day 04:

We woke up at 4:30AM to catch an early bus to Vigan, our last stop. We left Laoag at 5:30 and got to our destination at a little past 8AM. Lots of tourists flocking to Ilocos. We just walked along Calle Crisologo so my friend can see the preserved heritage town. Of course, we also visited Vigan Cathedral and Plaza Burgos.

in contemplation of Rizal's greatness as we were in Vigan on Dec. 30.

A eulogy was being said for Marjo Villanueva-Gasser who was killed just this Christmas eve. It was a sad tragic event for all cultural heritage workers since Marjo has been instrumental in the revival and protection of Vigan as heritage site.

Then off we went to a pottery place owned by Fidel Antiporda Go. We tried pottery-making but to no avail.

Quick shopping for pasalubong at the Public Market then boarded Partas bus to Manila at 11AM.

Heavy traffic along Balintawak was caused by the big market allowing vehicles to occupy two to three lanes of EDSA for parking! Just why the hell did the MMDA allow this to happen when they know that many vacationers will be going back to Manila for New Year’s Eve!

Got home at 10:30PM.

Cosé Home for the Aged, SJDM, Bulacan

Last Sunday, I joined a friend and her friends to play santa to a group of old ladies at Cosé Home for the Aged in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. The experience was a humbling one as it gave me something to think about about old age. An empath like myself could feel their difficulty in moving around so I made sure to be extra attentive to their needs.

dolls made by the lolos and lolas of the community

Because it's not enough for me to just drop by and give gifts to people, the journalist in me interviewed some of them, those willing to share their stories, so that I may share them to people. I've always loved stories about past experiences because they allow me to glimpse into the human psyche and to understand human behavior as a whole. Also, gaining their trust and confidence makes me feel good as it means that I am doing a fine job in being an anthropologist.

close up view of the dolls

Nanay Benny (Benilda Policarpio)

 For instance, I was shocked when Nanay Benny (above) suddenly told me how she ended up in the home for the aged. Her daughter-in-law didn't want her around because for the son's wife, Nanay Benny was grabbing all the attention at home. I was shocked that the son would consent to sending his own mother to a home for the aged just for that petty reason. There might, however, be other reasons, and I cannot judge as I heard only one side of the story. 

Nanay Ces (Cesita Orale)

Nanay Ces above, on the other hand, served as a nanny to a family in Malabon. The family still sends her gifts regularly. Nanay Ces seems to be happy with the arrangement though and still vividly recalls her days of service to the family. 

Nanay Teresita Pereira and Nanay Juanita Ortega

The two above told stories of their lovers even at their present age! Nanay Teresita has a more interesting story. She is said to always go to the grotto to meet up with her boyfriend. Also, she gives whatever money she has to a volunteer at the home for the aged. She has only one wish, to see her brother Bonifacio Pereira who is now based in the US. The volunteer told us that her brother has taken all the money and has left the country since. When asked why she still wants to see her brother, Nanay Teresita says she just wants to know how he is ("kamustahin siya"). That in itself touched me deeply. Here is a free woman whose heart knows true love.

I would love to go back to the community if only to spend time with them again. All the while I was in there, I couldn't help but think of my grandmother who is lucky to have us, her daughters and grandchildren visit her every Sunday.

The old ladies of Cosé may be living together in a home for the aged, away from their blood and kin. But they have found a family which values them and which still gives meaning to their lives.

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The whole experience made me want to volunteer more in the coming years. I would also love to spend time with children in the orphanage. I'd like to somehow reach out to them so that they won't feel unloved in this cold, dark world. The world has enough of "petty" lives because of lack of love and warmth. I think it's grace that people with no blood relations can brighten up other people's lives.

Christmas Parties 2014

This week is Christmas party week... plus becoming a volunteer again.

Just this Monday, I took a leave to volunteer at a Gawad Kalinga community down south. It was my first time to visit such a community and I was glad to have participated. It was such a brief volunteer stint lasting less than three hours but I hope that the community had fun with what we came up with and with the mural painting we left. I would have loved to stay and interact more with the locals to get to know them better, to listen to their stories, to see how they really live, instead of just organizing a little party where people pack up after everything not even knowing the people's names and stories.

a girl looks at the repainted mural

Then Wednesday night, our team had great bonding time at Red Box. The place is overrated and overpriced but I guess it's still the quality of bonding time that matters. We had fun singing Linkin Park songs, which I think really spiked up the team's spirits. It was just so funny how at the last 10 minutes, we skipped song after song until we finally ended the night with Spice Girls' "Stop". Like, yeah we need to stop and go home already. LOL!

Thursday morning found me still sleepy because of an early morning meeting which ended as just a chat between me and my contact. I was so exhausted the night before because of the horrendous Christmas traffic that going home took me more than an hour when on normal days it's only for 30 minutes! Still I couldn't postpone my date with a friend from elementary days. I was able to contact her via FB after seeing her post in one group.

So feeling slightly feverish and coughing tremendously, I still went ahead to meet her. We pigged out on buffalo wings at Buffalo's Wings n' Things and had loads of fun recollecting about our elementary days. I never really forgot about them and every start of classes in the school I transferred to, I would always remember them, how half the class joined me during recess time to run around the school. It's a bittersweet feeling, knowing you share fond memories and yet to face the reality that we're all grown ups now and we have changed a lot. It's been 18 long years after all, and yet I still feel that I have not moved on. I think this is the reason why I would love to meet with them, to somehow have a sort of closure. It just hurts being friends at one point in time and being total strangers in another.

Friday saw me dressed up as a kid for our stream's Christmas party at a Jollibee branch. I would have wanted to win the cash prize for best in costume but sadly I did not though I do think I had a high chance of winning because I look childlike. Moving on, at least I did win an umbrella. Just a week ago my long umbrella just disintegrated.

Also, I got my third wish on my wishlist, which is a copy each of local comic books Mythspace and Trese volume 1. I always look at those comic books but never purchased them because I always wished somebody would buy them for me.

Finally decided that these will be part of my holiday reading

Scheduled on Saturday is Christmas lunch with former team mates but which I declined because consecutive parties drain me (and my wallet, and contribute to further fattening of this kiddo.) I'd rather rest at home since I was still suffering from a major cough. Also, since 2014 is about to end, I am also planning to end one major project pretty soon and the holidays would be the perfect time to accomplish many things. So the whole day I sat in front of my laptop to work on a volunteer project.

Today I spent the day with the old folks at a home for the aged somewhere in Bulacan. The captain/ originator was a travel buddy and dear friend so without any second thoughts, I signed up as volunteer. I've always admired her guts, and this time her gentle heart. We may not have prepared much for the old ladies but at least we were able to make them smile, to laugh, dance, eat with them.

After that, we hang out at Fairview Terraces and talked about intellectual stuff from economics to the latest research items. It was like a breath of fresh air since I do not get to talk about intelligent ideas that often since most people I am with would only regard me as an annoying know-it-all who never stops talking about crazy stuff nobody gives a shit about anyway. For this, I always treasure those rare moments when I can be with people with whom I can truly converse with without worrying about their ability to keep up with my ideas.

Hot Christmas

This year's Christmas feels different. Everybody was complaining of the unusual heat. Previous years saw me sporting jackets whenever we attend the misa de gallo but this year, I wore sleeveless tops most of the time because of the unbearable heat. Cold winds rose only a few days after Christmas, leaving me too weak to get up from bed. Turned out I was on the verge of suffering a viral attack. Good thing I still found the strength to make my own hot calamansi juice. And quickly consumed a number of ponkan and kiat kiat for added Vitamin C. Getting sick during the holidays suck coz one won't be able to eat as much. (Though on second thought maybe I should welcome that to make sure I don't gain weight... LOL)

Compared to Christmases the previous years, this year's Christmas seems to pass by without much ceremony so in a way I was happier. I just hate the commercialization of the holidays. I hate Christmas dinners (except at home of course) and not to mention silly exchange gifts, most especially since there are still those who buy stuffs which are pretty useless and just eat up space. I'd rather have food anytime rather than receive something I can't use. Better yet, I love Christmas cards and long letters. Group messages through Facebook and SMS are the norm now, which is sad. I've seen 18th-19th century letters and these are always full wise words, not to mention beautiful prose. We in this digital age have lost the art of writing beautifully. Sigh!

I remember way back in highschool when I tried to revive this old-fashioned custom, being quite the old-fashioned girl that I am who seem stuck in the Romantic Age. Not a week passes by without me sending letters to my close friends. And when December creeps in, I kept myself busy composing letters for my friends, each personalized, with real messages from me to them. But of course, the main point is wishing them happy holidays and to ask them to forget me not. Some would return the favor so I have accumulated quite a stack of letters. (Most are just about crushes with code names so reading them now transported me back to the time when I was a giddy highschool girl, always falling in and out of love, getting rejected and rejecting in turn. So I am reminded again of Honey and Clover, one of the two shoujo animé that I really liked for its realistic portrayals of characters in search of love and their own selves...)

Home is Calling

Back from my China trip all exhausted and drained, I surrendered myself to sweet slumber after a quick meal at home.

You know you're truly home when you let your mind and body crash down, trusting that you're surrounded by people who truly matter.

And then memories cascade, of those episodes in your life when you last laughed with all your heart.

From Multiply 080: Xmas

This time of the year, Christmas greetings abound. It sure gives a warm feeling having been wished a Merry Christmas even though to some, those are just empty words said to others for the sake of that damned formality. Still, I trust that those who do wish me a Merry Christmas wish me well and from the heart.

To be frank though, I am greatly bothered by the greeting "Merry Xmas". In high school mathematics, x is probably the most popular variable. Remember "let x be any number from blah blah to blah..."? X then can be any number. Why use x instead of Christ? Where does Christ figure in His supposedly special day?

Since I have been reading a lot about mythology since my childhood days, I know that some scholars believe that the story of Jesus Christ is derived from the cult of Mithra, the sun god who himself died and was resurrected. Just happens that his birthdate is December 25. We know that the Catholic church incorporated many pagan stuffs into its system and this is one of it. (I have read somewhere that the true birthdate of Christ is around September. But it's just a speculation, and no real evidence has been established yet.)

But this I argue: as Christians, we believe in Christ. Otherwise we are not called as such. You may be a Catholic but bear in mind that Catholicism started from Christianity. Catholics believe in Christ, do they not? So if you believe in Christ, it follows that He is important in your life. Therefore, on His special day, one shouldn't replace His name with the variable X.

Next year, I hope to receive decent Christmas wishes, with Christ's name fully spelled out. If you're not a Christian, well, it's understandable if you don't use Christmas, but to make it sound better, just say "Happy Holidays".

Dec 24, '09 10:08 PM
for everyone

From Multiply 079: Christmas 2009

This is probably the worst Christmas ever.

It's my second time to complete the Simbang Gabi but inside of me, I feel empty and cold. No, it's not because of the weather. It's just that something's missing in my life and I can't pinpoint exactly what it is.

And so I spend this year's first few hours of Christmas day in front of my laptop, downloading Yiruma's albums while playing some of his compositions. Then I suddenly remembered that I need a little shoujo magic so I went on to read manga (thanks to onemanga.com).

I sound so indifferent, I know. In fact, I AM. I don't know what has come over me. I have suddenly become a bit more contemplative when special days come. Lately, childhood memories have been flooding my mind. I have to write about them soon. It's a great opportunity for me to record my past.

Probably one thing that made me smile was a text message I received from a beloved teacher--- Prof. Aureus. It was such a big surprise for me. I thought that maybe he has forgotten about me. (Or maybe he did, just that he kept my number coz I sometimes ask him to translate something for me.) Anyway, since I do like him so very very much, it makes me feel good to be wished a Merry Christmas. And I replied to him--- in LATIN mind you! (I hope we get to meet again soon. I'd really love to converse with him in Latin.)

That's al for now. I'll be writing something important again. I keep forgetting about it but there's always tomorrow right? Still the procrastinator that I am. HMPH!

Dec 24, '09 1:25 PM
for Miracle's friends, Miracle's family and Miracle's online buddies