VinJoiel

Ang malungkot dun sa bakasyon ko ay yung Flores de Mayo. I was expecting it to be like before when we are still young pero iba na nga talaga ang panahon ngayon. Nung kami ang mga kabataan ang Mayo ang pinaka high light ng bakasyon namin, kahit sa manila pa ko nag-aaral I remember that I was always looking forward to the May month and was even sad if have to take summer classes. And I remember even when I have summer classes I make it a point to always go back to the province on Friday night so the weekend will be spent at the chapel specially during alayan. Pero nung umuwi ako wala nang kabataan sa chapel para sa "alayan" kay Mama Mary, mostly ang nandun ay yung mga usual na taga chapel, yung mga manang na...walang mga bagets!! Tapos siguro every night mga 6 people lang...hay..kakalungkot talaga kasi ibang iba nung kami ang kabataan...Yung mga bagets ngayon iba na talaga ang enjoyment, sayang ang tradisyon, sana hindi mawala ng tuluyan.. At least hangga ngayon meron pa ring “...

Eto na ang mga pics nung bakasyon ko sa pinas….isa lang ang masasabi ko suskupow ang pagka-banas baga sa atin….siguro nasa 36 yun nung andun ako…one time pumunta ako ng palengke at me hinahanap ako ay sus alas nueve ng umaga and tumutulo talaga ang pawis ko super!! Tunaw kolesterol ko hehe… Birthday ni Tatay nung May1 and that was the reason we went back, he is 62 already...we just had a simple celebration... As usual super enjoy naman, di nga lang nakapag beach at kulang sa timing... Eto pa ang mga sup er cute kids!!

Sa lahat ng mga Nanay, specially sa aking Inay... Happy Mother's day! We will not be here without you behind us... thanks for the unconditional love. Got this from email: "A mother willwalk the extra mile, just to see her children smile. She will work her fingers to the bone to make a house into a home." "Always remember to love thy mother because you'll only have one mother in your lifetime"

I went back to Phils for one week last Apr28 and came back on May6.. That was great though short, and as usual the kids made it memorable.. I'm back at work and being busy so I'll have the updates and photos upload later on... Cheers to all...

Holy Week commemorates passion of our Lord ROSES & THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces The Philippine Star 04/05/2007 The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia, the outcome of many years of Spanish occupation of the islands. Christianity in our country began in 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan came to our shores and planted the Cross, the symbol of Christianity. Since then, the natives have practiced different religious beliefs inherently Christian in origin. The observance of Holy Week, for example, has been a time-honored practice for Filipinos. Today being Holy Thursday, it is the anniversary of the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, the Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Sacrament of the Priesthood. But since we were young, we have always associated Holy Thursday with only two things — visita iglesia and the washing of the feet. During visita iglesia, we visit seven churches and that is because of the popular belief that the number seven stood for the s...

Congrats kids, all the best... Secondary School: Ramjo, Kayie Primary School: Iel & Ashley (who finish with 2nd honors)... Keep up the good work!!

We went to Bangkok last week-end and we had a blast of a good time... The food was superb, the place was amazing and shopping is great.... For sure we'll go back there.... Eric for golf, me for shopping and makan...

Last March 10 was Lola's 96th birthday and all of us have arranged some get together party for her. Lahat kami apo pitched in a certain amount para sa handa and they had the party from 4pm till 8pm. Just a close get together with the whole clan and some visitors from around our compound. All in all she has a wonderful time..with much crying and laughing and being so excited about the whole thing, tatlo daw cake nya hehehe...y..un nga lang we are not there to celebrate with her pero we make it up by calling that day... Imagine 96 years old!! whew.... Happy Birthday Lola Mary...we love you...

Last Saturday Mar4, our dear friend Dex came for a very short visit. He arrived from KL at around 3pm and then we start showing him around singapore until 12midnight..He went back to Phils the next sunday... So here's some of the souvenir pics we've taken..hopefully next time he can visit us with Ghe and the beautiful kids....

We've been renting this place for 4years already going on 5, I don't want to move out really even though its about 45minutes train ride from our current work place. Can you blame me?

Basahin daw ng malaman, galing ito sa forwarded email, so read on: Early Beginnings Long before the Spaniards came, large centers of population already thrived in Batangas. Native settlements lined the Pansipit River, a major waterway. Mr. Robert C. Fox, an American archaeologist, revealed that based on archaeological findings particularly in Calatagan peninsula, the province has been trading with the Chinese since Yuan Dynasty until first phase of Ming Dynasty in the 13th and 15th century. Inhabitants of the province were also trading with Japan and India. Historians believed that the present Batangueños were descendants of the Bornean datus, Datu Dumangsil and Datu Balensusa who sailed from Borneo to Panay Island as far as Taal Lake. They organized the first Malay settlement at the mouth of Taal River. They eventually set up their own settlement in the place and founded the town of Taal in 1572. The towns of Balayan, Lipa, and Batangas were founded later. In 1570, Martin de Goiti...

We arrived on Feb 20 from the short break, okay rin masaya...we took Jetstar Airways for cheaper fare but it's almost the same as PAL kasi late na kami nag decide umuwi.. Well, I got to see all my favorite people. Eric got to see his university friends after 12yrs kaya enjoy na enjoy si labs..… Here's some photos: Taken at the mango farm, Labs with his University friends, The cute kids, with Rigor & Iel, Eto yung bahay ni Rizal sa Calamba kaso close that day (Sunday) and we did not get in, sayang: And lastly my fave flower pic from that vacation, taken with labs new toy (Canon SLR EOS 400D)

Got this from email, eto yung tino-toss nila na mix of veggie, etc during chinese year...read on... For the information of those new to this tradition: 'Lo Hei' is celebrated during Chinese New Year, from the 7th day (24th February) up to the end of Chinese New Year celebration (4th March) and literally means the "mixing upwards of prosperity and progress". If you have the dish in the restaurants, it will generally be presented with auspicious phrases that signify prosperity, progress and longevity: Step 1 - Wishing customers 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' (congratulations, may wealth come your way), and 'Wan Shi Ru Yi' (may everything go smoothly) Step 2 - When adding the lime juice, they will say 'Da Ji Da Li' (good luck and blessing) Step 3 - On placing the fish in the vegetables, they say 'Nian Nian You Yu' (abundance of wealth), and 'Long Ma Jing Shen' (enjoy good health). Step 4 - On sprinkling the pepper and ...

Received thru email.... Today, February 14, candies, gifts, and most especially flowers, will be exchanged between loved ones as the entire world celebrates the most romantic holiday of all, Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, it is a time from all walks of life to express affection and devotion to their loved ones. But while this occasion has always been associated with love and romance, legend tells us that the history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. Although it hasn’t been proven historically, there were purportedly seven men named Valentine who were honored with feasts on February 14. Of these seven men, two stories link incidents that could have given our present day meaning to St. Valentine’s Day. One of these men named Valentine was a priest during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Valentine was very much revered by the people, with the young and old, rich and poor, attending his services. At this time, Emperor Claudius was actively recruiting men to...

Yap, decided just now to go back again sa bayang hinirang from Feb 16 - Feb 20. It's a long holiday from work and I want to spend it at home. I figure that if I don't go this time the next feasible time that I can get off from work will be around July-August already or not at all until next Christmas... Anyway now that it is decided I have to buy a ticket on-line. It's a bit expensive but what the heck..I will still earned it and at least I can go and see the whole family again specially Vince, Allie, Jolo, Iel & Arvin. Kantahan ka ba naman ni Vince lagi sa telepono ng "sitsiritsit alibangbang".... See you soon love ones....

Noli Me Tangere back to back with El Filibusterismo. Bought it last Dec at national bookstore. Just want to read it again without a teacher hovering at the background. Frankly I did not remember any significant thing about it during my secondary studies so I need to read back and analyze it again if I can. I feel I owe it to Rizal & the Philippines.

I was and always am bewildered by the way they convene certain phrases here but then sometimes I myself use these to be understood… Talk about complete assimilation hehe… Here’s a sample list lah, all must have the proper Singaporean intonation leeeh: 1.Where got… 2.Where got no such thing.. 3.Can or cannot 4.On it 5.Off it 6.Correct or not All is considered here as one complete sentence so go figure…

Here was me taking a walk along the piperack, checking for progress… I thought I was done with this course seven years ago but then no choice, its part of my current job package here at Jacobs…. This will be my work life until May this year (if they can finish it heh…)

Today is our princess 1st birthday… They went to Carmel for thanksgiving and the party celebration will be this Saturday… Eto po ang latest picture ni bunini / ninison / lulu :

Eto na po update ko during our vacaciones… Dec15 – dumating sa pinas, gabi na kasi ma trapik na agad Dec16 – ngumanga sa dentist para sa annual claim ng dental sa kumpanya (sayang din ang dolyares na claimable) Dec17 – shopping sa SM batangas with the kids Dec18- nag renew kami ni labs ng driving license Dec19 - hinatid ko muna si Labs sa bulacan just so he can spend some time with his family Dec20 – 22 shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping for kids, grocery etc…lagas walting Dec23 – sinundo namin si labs from bulacan tsaka si Rach from erport, sus ka trapik Dec24 – went to Claire place and finally met Craig who has some very funny adventure with Claire sa itaasan…did not stay long kasi cooking and preparing something at me xmas party ang aking mga pamangkin, all the kids duon sa umpukan at ako ang pinaka excited hehe, enjoy kaming lahat.. Dec25 – ano fah ay di namudmod ng walting sa mga namamasko, bente na ngayon ang pinkamababa na notes kaya kung limang kapatid ang kasama ng inanaa...