This album contains pictures from our overnight vigil as volunteers at Dela Salle Greenhills Gymnasium where Tita Cory lies in state, on August 1-2, 2009. This was from the 7pm-1am: JR, Yani, Dred, Elvin, Jesson, Ace, Uchi, Mike, Vince, RS, Lyca, and myself; and 1am-7am shift: Dred, Roy, Ace, Uchi, Mike, and myself. 8am na kami umuwi, hahaha! As in walang tulugan!!!
Young leaders and friends from AYLA and TOSP, along with Benigno S. Aquino Foundation, YouthVote Philippines, and of course YAP were present, along with the many Filipinos touched by Tita Cory during her presidency and beyond.
I count myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet her in person, converse with her (in a group and in an interview), and to be supported by her when we did the nonpartisan voters education for the youth way back in 2004. Her unwavering belief in the Filipino youth and in the Filipino people, is a legacy we cherish, along with her commitment to democracy (no matter how immature our democracy is as one friend put it).
We mourn our loss not with shame, but with deep and great pride. Quoting Tita Cory: "I thank God that He made me a Filipino just like you."
Our loss is more deeply felt in light of scarcity in moral leadership.
This might be of interest to you and your network (esp. those who have not registered). There will be an assembly on April 30 at the Asian Instititute of Management infront of Greenbelt I, Makati City with the agenda shown below.
This is one concrete step on how you can take part in the political process of our country. 2010 is not really that far. The April 30 engagement is not about who to vote for, but rather you, realizing that is in within your power (politcal and personal) to make the Philippines a country we can all be proud of.
Thus, read on, and I hope to see you there on April 30. Those who would like to attend, post a comment here so that I know who you are and meet you there at the venue.
So, sue me! I miss our new kitten Noodles. She got lost when the exterminators came to our house. According to my mom, Noodles got out of the gate when she brought the pets out so that they don't get snuffed by the chemicals in the pesticides. She must have been scared out of her wits when she encountered our dog who recently gave birth, who was also in the garage.
Who would have thought that these pictures I took were our last moments together? Noodles had just eaten breakfast, then I gave her a good bath, blow-dried her fur, then we took a nap over lunch. When I woke up, Noodles woke up too, so I took pictures of Noodles while she's playing with me. Huhu, sniff.. I miss Noodles.
February 25 is an important date for me for three reasons: 1) today is the anniversary of CMLI (high-school-college inter-school org); 2) today is a memorable day for YAP (our post-college alliance); and 3) along with the rest of the Filipinos, today we remember EDSA 1.
I was barely 8 years old in 1986 when my family trooped to PTV-4 to show our support for the soldiers who defected and as a response to the late Cardinal Sin's call. I remember eating a hotdog in a bun while walking from Timog Avenue to PTV-4 (it wasn't really far, but for an 8 year old, it seemed like forever!). I remember seeing a tank. I remember seeing fellow Pinoys and Pinays, waiting with mixed anticipation, curiosity, and anxiety since anything can happen. Now, older (and hopefully wiser), I can say that it was a very proud moment for us; a moment that proved to the world that the power of the people can topple a dictator.
After Marcos came Aquino, Ramos, Estrada, and now Arroyo my feelings toward EDSA I would vacillate between national pride and individual frustration as administrations came and went. Of late, while there are so many reasons for me to sulk in frustration somehow, the flame of national pride which EDSA I ignited, is still within me and still refuses to be put out.
I may not be as active as how I was before, but I know with certainty that the battle for a better Philippines has not ended. The dream of EDSA I (which was also the dream of our forefathers) is not dead. The national dream thrives in the heart of every Filipino: a true Filipino nation free from tyranny in all its form. I've met so many young Filipino leaders from the ranks of high-school-aged youth, college youth, and young professionals. I've met so many students as an NSTP instructor who in their small and big ways continue to make a difference in services that they give to their fellow Filipinos. I can attest that the country has not yet lost its soul as long as we have even a few good young men and women who continue to hold true to the ideals of a better nation and actually make things happen one day at a time. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to meet them and to work with them every now and them. Through the years, they continue to inspire me in becoming a better person, a better Filipino (though whether I am consistently successful in this regard is another matter, lol!).
My first visit was last Jan.29. Nadaan kami ni ate after doing window shopping ideas at the 3rd floor where the furniture shops are found. Nagkaayaan.
Bubble Tea is reminiscent of Easy Way and Quickly, but more than offering "boba drink" or sago pearls with egg pudding in their drinks, it is actually a Japanese sushi and dessert place. I love the Jasmine Milk Tea and the Green Milk Tea with pearls and egg pudding. Ok lang ung green tea cake though di ko masyadong nalasahan. I love the ambiance of the place. I'll definitely come back esp. that we missed ordering salmon sashimi (9 pcs. for Php140!!!). There are so many food and drinks to choose from (the drink by the way is more costly than Easy Way & Quickly--P90 ung medium size ata, hehe).
Nagkaayaan kami sa Diliman, 2nd day pa lang ng fair. Ang daming tao, lalo nang tumugtog ang Pupils. Parang tulala ang mga tao nang kumakanta si Ely, hahaha! Syempre, no fair is complete without the ihaw fest, the henna tattoos, kung anu-anong anik-anik, at syempre, mga banda!!!
My sister and I suddenly had the urge to go furniture window shopping minutes before SM North closed. We saw these interesting sculptures at Abubots (2nd/3rd floor ng Main building).
If you look closely, you'd see that each sculpture is made of scrap ball bearings, nuts, bolts, and other scrap iron and steel. Then it was spray-painted with silver. Astig! That's what we mean by being resourceful and creative.
Dear All, I got this from one of my yahoogroups and thought of sharing it in my blog. Marami talagang gamit ang blogs. Sana, this one would help Mang Mel. Ipakita natin na hindi lang pang-golf war ang internet. LOL!
For sure, once in our lives we've been saved by someone gratis... exactly what Mang Milton has been doing for the past 45 years and at his own expense at that. Perhaps, once in your life you've met someone like Mang Milton, so just like what the movie tells us... "When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back... pay it forward"
Please pass around to everyone you know so hopefully it'll reach those students whose lives and future he saved. It's about time that Mang Milton gets his long overdue share of good karma. :)
Posted by Mike on Dec 26, '08 9:06 AM for everyone
Meet Meliton Zamora, a retired University of the Philippines janitor and my hero.
For forty-five years, he swept floors, cleaned up trash, watered plants and did odd jobs at the University.
I met him when I was active with the UP Repertory Company, a theater group based (then) at the third floor lobby of the Arts & Sciences (AS) building. He would sweep and mop the hallway floors in silence, venturing only a nod and a smile whenever I passed him.
Back then, for me he was just one of those characters whom you got acquainted with and left behind as soon as you earned your degree and left the university for some big job in the real world. Someone whose name would probably ring a bell but whose face you'd have a hard time picturing. But for many UP students like me who were hard up and had a difficult time paying their tuition fees, Mang Mel was a hero who gave them the opportunity to finish university and get a big job in the real world.
The year was 1993 and I was on my last semester as a Clothing Technology student. My parents had been down on their luck and were struggling to pay for my tuition fee. I had been categorized as Bracket 9 in the recently implemented Socialized Tuiton and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP). My father had lost his job and to supplement my allowance, I worked part time as a Guest Relations Officer at Sam's Diner (back when the term GRO didn't have shady undertones) and took some odd jobs as a Production Assistant, movie extra and wardrobe mistress.
To be eligible for graduation, I had to enroll in my last three courses and pay my tuition fee. Since my parents didn't have enough money for my matriculation, I applied for a student loan hoping that my one of my Home Economics (HE) professors would take pity on me and sign on as a guarantor for the student loan. But those whom I approached either refused or were not eligible as guarantors. After two unsuccessful weeks of looking for a guarantor, my prospects looked dim, my future dark. And so, there I was, a downtrodden twenty year old with a foggy future, crying in the AS lobby. I only had twenty four hours left to look for a guarantor.
Mang Mel, with a mop in hand, approached me and asked me why I was crying. I told him I had no guarantor for my student loan and will probably not be able to enroll this semester. I had no hopes that he would be able to help me. After all, he was just a janitor. He borrowed my loan application papers and said softly, "Puwede ako pumirma. Empleyado ako ng UP." He borrowed my pen and signed his name. With his simple act of faith, Mang Mel not only saved my day, he also saved my future.
I paid my student loan the summer after that fateful day with Mang Milton and it has been 15 years since then. I am not filthy rich but I do have a good job in the real world that allows me to support my family and eat three meals a day. A few weeks ago, a friend and UP Professor, Daki, told me that Mang Mel recently recorded an album which he sells to supplement his meager retirement pay, I asked another friend, Blaise, who's taking his Master's degree at UP to find out how we could contact Mang Mel. My gesture of gratitude for Mang Mel's altruism has been long overdue. As fate would have it, my friend saw Mang Mel coming out of the shrubbery from behind the UP library, carrying firewood. He got Mang Mel's address and promised him that we would come over to buy his album.
Together with Blaise and my husband Augie, I went to pay Mang Mel a visit last Sunday. Unfortunately, he was out doing a little sideline gardening for a UP professor in Tandang Sora. We were welcomed into their home by his daughter Kit. As she pointed out to a laminated photo of Mang Mel on the wall, she proudly told us that her father did retire with recognition from the University. However, she sadly related to us that many of the students whose loans Mang Mel guaranteed neglected to settle their student loans. After forty-five years of service to the University, Mang Mel was only attributed 171 days of work for his retirement pay because all the unpaid student loans were deducted from his full retirement pay of about 675 days. This seems to me a cruel repayment for his kindness.
This is a cybercall to anyone who did not get to pay their student loans that were guaranteed by Mang Mel. Anytime would be a good time to show Mang Mel your gratitude.
Mang Mel is not asking for a dole out, though I know he will be thankful for any assistance you can give. So I ask those of you who also benefited from Mang Meliton's goodness or for those who simply wish to share your blessings, please do visit Mang Mel and buy his CD (P350 only) at No. 16-A, Block 1, Pook Ricarte, U.P. Campus, Diliman, Quezon City (behind UP International House) or contact his daughter Kit V. Zamora at 0916-4058104.._,_.___
Spread holiday cheers to your friends and loved ones today!
Ang saya-saya!!! The lantern parade was wonderful!!! My best lantern/float picks (excluding NISMED): UP Archi (for their moving landscape), UP Open U (for their emoticons), UPLB (colorful!), UP Manila (ehem, ehem!!! rotating oble). I was screaming with glee while UP Manila was parading. Ang dami nila!!! Buong UP Manila yata dumating :-)
Fine Arts made a good parade, but the sounds and lack of story telling was a let-down :-( But still, they please the crowd.
Ika-2 ng Disyembre, 2008, inilawan ang administration building ng UP. Nagtanghal ang UP Symphonic Band at UP Symphonic Orchestra.
Bongga ang mga ilaw!!! Sayang, umalis ako kaagad. Hindi ko natunghayan ang fireworks! :-( Babawi na lang ako sa Dec. 17 para sa UP 2008 Parada ng mga Parol!!!
Camera: O2 XDAIIi 2.0 MP (huhu, di ko nadala ang canon ixus ko)
First reaction: dismay. Second reaction: disbelief. Third reaction: disgust.
Knowledge is supposed to open minds. More communication is supposed to clear the air. It is hard to believe that in this day and age when information is just a click away, some people still choose to limit their minds and commit acts of terror. Perhaps from their perspective, what they (terrorists) have done had a real and noble purpose. But that's just one perspective. I, for one, can see only narrow mindedness to say the least. Regardless of whatever noble cause they supposedly uphold, it does not change the fact that the attacks are clearly, definitely coldblooded.
I mourn for the lost lives, broken families, and shattered dreams. I pity the attackers for thinking that hurting innocent people is the best way to proclaim and uphold their political and religious beliefs.
I mourn with the rest of the world, for while the loss is not personal, it is definitely a big loss for humanity.
This album contains pictures take in Sendai City and Kesennuma City in Japan. It was an unexpected trip. The best part of it is the fact that I didn't pay for a thing!!! We were sponsored by Miyagi University through a project from Asia Cultural Center of UNESCO :-) Blessings abound!!!
The name is Poes (it's Dutch for cat) and pronounced "puss" like Puss-in-boots. Being a cat is not an easy job. I have to keep up with so many things: grooming, eating, napping, amusing myself, keeping up with my fans, doing my chores, playing with my humans, and sleeping.
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We are also working on our resort wear collection – cover-ups, kaftans & tunics, so please check back :)
thanks ma'am pia for the pics! 