My First

Dylan's party is finally over. It was so tiring but  was fun and successful. Prior to that, it took me a long time planning  the concept.

I always love preparing special events. It brings a different kind of excitement when my mind is full of ideas.

Good thing my talent in balloon bouquet has never faded yet. Unfortunately, I didn't have an ample time to make all the balloon decorations I wanted. Anyway, D will have his 2nd bday soon and I'll make sure to have more time next time.  :)




It's good to have Mr. Google and Ms. Blog around. They gave me helpful ideas for children's party.I am blessed for having Pangs and dadudz Sam too. They helped me from the prep to the party.

The birthday theme is My First. So we decided our guest to wear white because D wore white the day he was born.

The night was filled with music, dances, and laughters. T'was awesome.

See you again next year pips!

See You When I See You

Your smile, your stare
I know them all.
Your love, your hate
I feel them more.

The days, the months
I spent with you,
No flowers nor gift
can ever replace. It's true

Now the time has come
For you to leave
In my heart
You are surely missed.

I pray you strength
I wish you luck
To serve as your guide
In your path

You will grow old
And will have fame
One thing I hope
Don't forget my name.

The photographer: Oni Lim

It's Takes Two to Pandanggo

*Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a very popular folk dance in the Philippines. It is said to have originated from Mindoro, the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. This dance of lights simulates fireflies at dusk and at night. 

The word pandanggo is from the Spanish fandango, a dance in 3/4 time. The phrase "sa ilaw" is Tagalog for "in light" and it refers to the three oil lamps that a dancer has to balance — one on the head and one on the back each hand. The oil lamp is called "tinghoy." Sometimes, candles in glasses are used instead of an oil lamp. 

Dancing Pandanggo Sa Ilaw requires time, discipline, dedication, and passion. You need time to practice the steps like the sway balance, the waltz, and the posture. Without the proper self-discipline, balancing the glass on your head  will be too difficult. Hence, a great dedication on what you do is the key to make this dance perfect. You might fall a lot of glasses and break them, but who cares? If breaking many glasses will lead you to a beautiful masterpiece, it isn't a big deal after all. Besides, it's how you learn from your faults that leads you to perfection.

Performing a folk-dance is like a relationship. It takes two to Pandango. When you want to make your relationship works, both of you have to dance harmoniously. You don't dance gracefully just to show to your partner that you are better than him/her. Rather, you practice together and help one another. Relationship requires discipline and dedication too. One doesn't need to walk out when one falls the glass. The show must go on. Pick up the glass, dance again, and move on. You need not blame your partner for the mistake committed, but  encourage him/her to do better. Lastly, when you put your heart with what you do or what you are into, things will flow smoothly. When both of you enjoy the moment, the lesser you blame each other. Your love and your passion to your relationship will blossom just like the light of your  candle luminously glowing in the dark night while dancing Pandango sa Ilaw. 

*http://tagaloglang.com/Filipino-Culture/Philippine-Dances/pandanggo-sa-ilaw.html

Mga Ginoo at Binibini

Pedro and Maria Clara

Welcome 2012

So this is what New Year's gonna be. I'm fully booked with book reviews, stressed in preparation for Dylan's party, and nervous for tomorrow's The Miracle Night. I dunno how will I survive the 5-minute Pandanggo Sa Ilaw  show with a glass on my head. Oh dear, I'm really praying for a miracle tomorrow and a strength to survive this hectic schedule this month onward. Wish me luck (with my fingers crossed)  :)

Dadudz Sam accompanied us in reserving the venue
for the party.

We had a chance to go to Pratunam last Monday. We bought
Dylan's clothes and souvenirs there.

A Tale of a Fairy Godteacher

We all need stories for our minds just as much as we need for our bodies. 
                                                                                                 - Andrew Wright


Once upon a time, there was a noisy class and the teacher didn't know what to do. Every time she announced the reading and writing task, the students frowned and were lazy to work. She became more frustrated when she realized that she was about to teach Cinderella Story to her boy-dominated class.

When she entered the room, she was a little anxious of how her students would react in the discussion. When the Guess and Match game was introduced, members for each two groups were so eager to win. The lazy class turned lively as they screamed and laughed every time they got the correct answer and failed to match some.The class roared with excitement when the kids failed to whip the correct picture in the Magic Wand Game. It was really funny because  they ended whipping each other.

Surprisingly all their eyes were glued on tv while watching the cartoon. They even imitated how Cinderella uttered  "I want to go to the ball" while sobbing. The teacher didn't know who to call first during the activity because even the laziest student raised his hand in arranging the story in chronological order. Finally, there was a deafening silence as they drew their most favorite part of the story. The teacher sighed with contentment when she ended the lesson  "happily (ever after)."




Suggested Reading Material:


How to Use Tales for the Teaching of Vocabulary and Grammar in a Primary Education English Class 
by: Ma. Asuncion Barreras Gomez

• A tale helps a teacher to contextualize vocabulary and makes it easier to understand and learn. Children see the illustration of the book or watch the teacher performing an action.  
• Moreover, one knows the importance of the relaxed atmosphere in class, which is easily achieved by story telling. Children know they are going to enjoy themselves, besides, "relaxed students learn more easily."

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Oh Christmas!

Christmas Fare + Gift-giving +Sunday Worship + Christmas Choir +  A Visit to a Friend
= Wonderful Christmas :)

* I applied lomo style to most of the pictures. Luvit :) 

My Prayer is For You

At this moment:

You are staring at the computer waiting for  someone who will  hire you for a job. For if this day pass without it, you will starve to death.

You are holding your pen and your notebook listing all your debts and thinking how to pay them. Sadly, no matter how much you try to work all day, it seems not enough.

You are shattered of losing  someone you think is your life and it kills you more to see him so alive while yours is ruined patheticaly.

You are waiting for a good Samaritan on the street to give you  a smile or a little time to talk. For you, a minute of conversation is worth the price of raising your hands  every single minute of the day to ask for alms.

You are counting your days and hoping for the miracle of life for you wish to live more and see them grow.

You are crying without tears, because there's no more tears to fall but more pains to bear. Pains of losing your house and for not   saving your  daughter, your son, your wife, or your entire family while the flood caused by typhoon Sendong visited and swallowed your house like a thief in the night.

You are full of problems. You are a living corpse.

Yet, you are still alive.

My prayer is for you.  I pray  that you'll have more strength to carry your burdens and more faith to believe that life is beautiful. I know that there is nothing more painful than what you feel today, but it shall pass. I know it's not easy though but I know THIS TOO  SHALL PASS. I pray for your happiness, peace, and love this Yuletide Season.