Tuesday, December 23, 2008

MALIPAYONG PASKO UG MAUSWAGONG BAG-ONG TUIG!!!


Puhon ang tanang kalibutan ay makadawat ng kinahanglang gasa gikan sa Ginoo.
Maayong lawas, kalipay, ug kalinaw.

Sa imong tanan, na mga amigo at amiga namo, kinasingkasing-kasing na pagbati sa umaabot na 2009.


Pete, Jo, mga anak, mga umagad at apo.

SEASONS GREETINGS







To All Our Friends and Batch mates,




A short note of holiday wishes to you all. May this Christmas greetings reach you in fine health, with peace and prosperity throughout the coming years. May you enjoy the holiday with your family and friends in peace, filled with happiness and appreciation for one another. Least we forget that what we have is much more than other less fortunate people in this world. May the good Lord grant your wishes not only this holiday season but throughout the future. Happy Holidays, Cheers!

Love and prayers,
Annie and Eddie

Monday, December 22, 2008

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Here's wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!May peace,love and joy abide in our hearts not only during the holiday season but always.Enjoy the christmas season with your family and friends.

Love,

Nelia

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Toronto's Snowstorm


Metro Toronto was hit by a major snowstorm today.


Our office which is engaged in auto collision reporting was in chaos with numerous motorists coming all at once from the collision scene and hoping to be served right away. Here, we cope up with people who are blaming each other, people who are upset, shaken, apprehensive, impatient, and angry at their misfortunes, people who are driving in winter like it is still summer.


After a long day, getting home from work was brutal. When I got to the parking area, coming out was a problem because the laneways in the parking lot had not yet been plowed. So lots of cars were slipping, sliding away.


It is during times like these that I think of staying at Boracay, or Panglao, or Dakak.


Monday, December 15, 2008

Holiday Outing

At the wake of Ursulo last Friday evening,a plan to have a small gathering was hatched. There were 12 of us there, Rollie,Armando,Rosa ,Perlita, Luz Saul, Belen, Mercy, Minervina, Adoring Violeta, me and Nelia. At the request of Nelia, a picnic was planned to be held on Dec. 30 in Duale , Limay. We will inform our batch mates in Orion and those residing in Manila.

We also informed the group that Tuding Mariano Gamboa is inviting us to attend their renewal of vows ,40th Wedding Anniversary. If a good number will be attending,we will rent a vehicle and attend the affair on Dec. 28 in Paranaque.
I will post updates regarding these gatherings.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Goodbye, Ursulo



Batchmates, I just received a message from Belen Almazan that Ursulo has passed away a few minutes ago. Let us pray for the eternal repose of his soul .

He is my second cousin and we grew up together as we were neighbors then. Last Sunday, when we visited him I cannot contain my grief seeing a once active relative lying in a hospital bed hooked up to machines. It is hard to imagine that he is the same individual who previously so active and full of life. Good bye, Kuya Ursing may you rest in peace .

Belen , Julie , and Rolly are now informing our Batchmates about Ursulo's death and I will just update you of some details about his interment.

NEURO TEST

This is a REAL neurological test. Seat comfortably and feel calm.


1- Find the C below. Do not use any cursor help.


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO



2- If y ou already found the C, now find the 6 below.


9999999999999999999 9999999999999999 9999999999999999 99999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999 9999999999999999 99999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999 9999999999999999 99999999999999999999699999999999999 9999999999999999 9999999999999999 99999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999 9999999999999999 99999999999999999999999999999999999 9999999999999999 9999999999999999 9999999999999999



3- Now find the N below. It's a little more difficult..


MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MNMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMM


This is NOT a joke. If you were able to pass this 3 tests, you can cancel your annual visit to your neurologist.Your brain is great and you're far from having Alzheimer Disease.

Congratulations!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

About Ursulo

Ursulo is presently confined at the ICU of St. Michael Hospital here in Orion for Pneumonia and Renal failure. We, Belen,Perlita ,Luz Torres and me went there this afternoon but we just peeped in his room. No visitor is allowed. He is conscious, but his only response according to the nurse is just opening his eyes . His condition is quite serious so please offer prayers for him .

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Our Condolences to Tommy Canaria and Family




Tommy, our deepest sympathy for the loss of your eldest brother !

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

DECEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

GOD BLESS OUR DECEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU THE BEST ESPECIALLY OF GOOD HEALTH OF MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT.

LOURDES GARCIA CRUZ - DECEMBER 1

JOSEFINA JAVIER MACALUA - DECEMBER 6

CONCEPTION RIVERO LADORES - DECEMBER 9

JULITA SABINO MARIANO - DECEMBER 12

ZENAIDA MENDOZA SISON - DECEMBER 13

ROLANDO REYES - DECEMBER 23

CARMELITA CANARIA ALMAZAN - DECEMBER 26

VIOLETA FELICIANO CORDERO - DECEMBER 27

INOCENSIO SIMEON - DECEMBER 28.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Revisiting Baguio City





It was another long week-end, since November 30, Bonifacio Day was a Sunday. An invitation from my former lady boss to visit Baguio City made me hastily pack my bag for the mountain city.
I've been to Baguio City a couple of times already (work-related and leisure trips) but this time I am quite excited because it is bonding time with a friend whom I have not been in touch with for a long time. She owns a cozy townhouse in Bakakeng area which served as our "sleeping area only". We spent most of the time going around like first time tourists.This weekend in Baguio City was well-spent, awesome and fun. Baguio 's unique charms provided me some sort of calming balm,some quiet relaxing moments It could be the chilly weather, the pine trees, the people, the laid back atmosphere or the combination of these that makes Baguio a favorite vacation spot.

My friend and I went street walking,people watching in Burnham Park,a little "ukay-ukay" shopping, dined out, tasting the mixture of local and international cuisine that cater to everyone. From street food to gourmet and exotic dishes, Baguio always has something fresh to offer . We also did a little shopping at SM Baguio but also explored the public market which is home to a wide variety of goods and services that you won't find in other markets. We did not forget to go to some nearby churches, the Our Lady of Atonement (a.k.a. Baguio Cathedral) and the popular
Pink Sisters Convent where we heard the first Sunday of Advent mass.

Well, it was an awesome pleasure trip to the City of Pines !

Friday, November 28, 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving to all! The color of thanksgiving is orange(pumpkin).I'm working though.

My mom is doing better everyday.Thanks again for all the prayers,she needed more.

Love you all,

Nelia

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Color Your World with Love



From my readings, I am sharing this bit of information.

Colors of the rainbow entice us. Chakra colors help heal us. As children we use up our favorite colors first. So what colors are your love crayons?
Love colors your world!

According to research, colors are important to all of us. While we all learned about the three primary colors of red, blue and yellow when we were in school, we were not told how they affect us psychologically and emotionally. Scientifically, each color has a vibration rate that is called the Schumann’s resonance. In other words, colors vibrate at different rates making us feel different things if we are sensitive. If you wish to attract something different in your life, then attract a different vibration by changing the colors around you.

For example, did you know that fast food restaurants will often color their chairs burnt orange to make you squirm and move out faster? Did you know that prisons and jails often paint their walls pink since it has been proven to decrease testosterone levels and therefore decrease incidents of violence? Hospitals traditionally paint their walls white since we subconsciously believe them to be more sanitary and germ free. Did you know that a lot of companies will use orange or reds on their products because your eyes are more apt to notice their products? Indeed Market research shows that 80% of advertising comes to us via color.

So how can you color your love world? It depends on what you are trying to convey to your loved one. If you wish to show you are vibrant and alive, then choose bright reds and oranges. Be aware that reds and oranges might also lead to more fights and feisty behavior. They tend to be the color of arguments and anger.

If you wish to grow your relationship, then surround yourself with greens. Green is a universal color of growth since all our plants are some shade of green. There are so many lovely shades of green that one can use in candles, clothes or in gifts. When you choose to have green in your environment, you subconsciously are telling your main squeeze that you are growing together.

If you want to create a calm atmosphere and one of trust, then choose a light shade of blue. One of the colors of the sky will do nicely. This is one of those universal symbols and is actually reputed to be the color most liked around the world. Sky blue calms us down when we wear it or see it.

If you choose to create a gentle atmosphere, then surround yourself with shades of pink. Yes, thank God, men can wear pink today too. It sends a message they are secure in who they are and that they too feel emotions deeply. Shades of pink bring out our gentler side since Venus rules pink. Venus is the ruler of love energy!

If you want to be perceived as being wealthy and regal, then choose deep purple. Purple is also considered to be one of the most spiritual colors. At the very least burn purple candles. Yes, even having a candle in the above colors will help create the ambiance that you want in your life.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

NELIA'S MOM

For those who are asking for Nelia's mom and who wants to offer mass and prayers, her name is CEFERINA RODRIGUEZ AMPARO. Let us hold our hands together and pray that Mrs. Amparo feels the healing hand of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God grants us special power of healing and special power of prayers. Let us also pray that Nelia and all members of her family have strength at this time of need. Let us have trust and faith to the Lord that He will listen and answer our petitions. Regards to all and God Bless.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

To NELIA, with love...

just read mike's blog, so sorry to know that your mom suffered a stroke. i hope that she's out of danger by this time, and that she's on her way to recovery.

may i know your mom's name, so i can offer a healing mass for her, here in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

may you be blessed with strong faith and physical strength as you nurse your mom back to her health.

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR MOM.

love always,
jo

JoGJMac'08

Reunion of the Decade

Hi batchmates, this is to inform you that our Reunion of the Decade will push through as it was scheduled on January 17, 18, & 19, 2010. I'm hoping that all of you should be there especially for those who were not able to attend during our last reunion on May 9, 10, & 11, 2007. Kindly pass this information to our batchmates who have no access yet to computer.

I want also to take this opportunity to inform you that Mareng Nelia's mother has just suffered a stroke and she was taken to the hospital and stayed there for three days. She was transferred to a Nursing Home for a therapy according to Mareng Nelia. Please include in your prayer a full recovery of Mareng Nelia's mother from her sickness.

Regards to all.

Monday, November 17, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELEN

TODAY, NOVEMBER 17 IS BELEN'S BIRTHDAY. FOR YOU BELEN WE YOUR BATHMATES ARE WISHING YOU THE BEST ESPECIALLY OF GOOD HEALTH OF MIND AND BODY. MAY GOD GRANTS YOU MORE JOYFUL AND WEALTHY BIRTHDAYS TO COME. GOD BLESS.

PASKO NA:SI HESUS NARITO NA

(One of the write ups I found in my baul is the following.This was published in BATINGAW ,a newsette of the Parokya ni San Miguel ,Oct-Dec,1986

Malamig na ang simoy ng hanging nararamdaman ng mga taga Orion na lalong kilala rin sa tawag na Udyong.Ang mga bintana ng lahat ng tahanan ay unti unti na ring napapahiyasan ng nagkikislapang parol at ilaw dagitab na patay sindi patay sindi na tulad ng isang tanghalan ay naghuhudyat ng isang kakaibang pangyayari na darating.Sa mga loob ng pamamahay at tanggapan ay karaniwan nang mamasid ang mga belen at mga punong pamasko.Naroron na rin sa mga lansangang patungo sa simbahan ang mga pondahan na nagsisilbi ng maaalsang bibingka at katakam takam na puto bumbong na inaanod ng mainit na tsa.Ang mga tindahan ng damit ,laruan,at pangregalo na karaniwang matatagpuan sa palengke ay nagbibihis na ng makukulay na panindang nakagaganyak di lamang sa mga musmos kundi pa rin sa matatanda.Lalong nagsisikip ang pamilihang ito kung Lunes araw ng bargain dahil sa pagnanais ng mga mamamayang makabili ng mamuramurang kasuotan at kasangkapang magagamit sa Dakilang Araw na kanilang pinaghahandaan.
Ang mga kabataang magaaral ay karaniwan nang makikita na may dala-dalang palamuti at parol na marahil sinadyang gawing project na kanilang mga guro na nakikiisa sa darating na pagdiriwang.ang usap-usapan ngayon ay kung may bagong damit ka na ,may bagong sapatos ka na, gayundin ang bagong laruan para sa anak.Para sa naghihikahos ,malaking suliranin kung sagad sa hirap,na pagukulan man lamng ng pansin ito.Ang mahalaga,ay ang ilalaman ng kanilang bituka ngayon at mamaya.Para naman sa mga may tiyak na pinagkakakitaan ay kailan at magkano ang bonus.

Sa gabi karaniwan na ang paggising dahil sa pagtapat ng mga pangkat ng nagkakaroling(ngayon kahit araw may nagkakaroling at kahit iisa odadalawa tumatapat and it start after Todos los santos na-writers note)Mayroon ding tumatapat na umanoy oara sa kilusang ganito osa ganoon

Ngunit sa ating mga mamamayan ng Orion ,ano nga ba ang kahulugan ng lahat ng paghahandang ito?Bakit kailangan ang ganitong paghahanda?Sa isang taong mapaglimi at marunong maganalisa sa mga pangyayari,ganoon din sa isang musmos pa na halos ngayon pa lang nagkakaroon ng kamalayan, ang tanong ay ganito,.Ano nga ba ang lahat ng ito?Ano o sino ba ang darating upang pag-ukulan ng pagpapahalagang ito?Sa isang matapat at tiyak na kasagutan ,iisa ang ating kasagutan sa lahat ng ito . Si Hesus ,di ba?
Sino ba Siya?..Ito marahil ang kasunod na katanugan.Muli kailagang ibigay natin ang isang katotohang kasagutan.Maisasagot natin na Siya iyong taong nagturo sa ating maging mapagkumbaba, ,ng pagpapakasakit at pagmamahal sa kapwa.Mailalarawan ba natin sa nagtatanong na Siya iyong ipinanganak na walang tanging saplot kundi isang basahang lampin sa isang hamak na sabsabang wala ni munting dekorasyon na katulad ng ginagawa natin ngayon?.Na isinilang Siyang salat sa pagkain at karangyaan na di tulad ng naiisip nating paghahanda para sa araw ng kanyang pagsilang.?...Na Siya ang Diyos na dakila at Pinakamakapangyarihan sa lahat na sa isang kisap mata ay maaring tamasahin at makuha ang lahat at maaring higit pa kaysa paghahandang ginagawa natin ?...Ano ngayon ang kahulugan ng lahat na ating ginagawa na tumbalik sa tinunton Niyang buhay?Anong uri ng pagpapakumbaba itong halos lahat ng karangyaan ay nais nating makamtan sa pagdatal ng Tanging Araw para sa Kanya..Anong pagpapakasakit itong puro kasayahan at paghahanda para sa sarili lamang natin ang ating iniisip?Paano natin Siya haharapin at sasabihing;..Diyos ko akoy namumuhay sa mundong ito na sumusunod sa aral mo at tumatahak sa buhay na iyong pinagdaanan.

Mga anak ng Diyos sa Orion,Siya ay nagmamasid sa atin .Inaakala natin na malaking kasiyahan na para sa Kanya ang taon-taong pag-alala natin sa Kanyang kaarawan.Subalit ,tunay nga kaya na kung Siya ay bababa upang makisalamuha sa atin sa araw ng Pasko ,maaasahan kaya nating sa ating tahanan Siya pupunta o sa mararangyang Christmas party Siya dadalo?Nagkakamali siguro tayo kung ito ang ating naiisip.Saan nga kaya natin Siya matatagpuan sa kapanahunang ito?.....Subukan kaya natin Siyang sundan....doon sa mga pook sa Orion na may mga dukhang naninirahan....doon sa piling ng mga nagdarahop.walang makain at wala halos saplot sa katawan.Hanapin natin Siya sa piling ng mga ulila sa pagmamahal,sa mga taong itinakwil ng lipunan at naliligaw ng landas. Marahil naroon Siya ..nakikihalubilo at sumusubaybay
Mga kaibigan,hangad nating makita siHesus sa Kanyang pagdating ,di ba?Subukan kaya nating hanapin Siya ngayong Pasko..Sasama ka ba sa paghahanap na ito?

Saturday, November 15, 2008

birthday jamming


Hi to all batchmates. Idinaos ko din ang aking 26th b-day by my traditional way of celebration: jamming with my former bandmates from Bulacan. Nakakalimutan ko ang age ko kapag ganito. So here we were releiving the music of the 60's and 70's. Beatles DC 5, Rolling Stones. I will forever be a rakista. Sorry di natuloy ang GK affair last Nov. 15, it was postponed indefinitely. So, hintay na lang ulit. If you have a chance to visit Udyong. com, may mga posting din ako doon, mostly Rotary work. I'm hoping that somebody will follow my lead. As for the reunion sked, wait lang kami dito, we are always here.Anyway, hello to all.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

FLU Warning!

DOH warns of flu
By Carine M. Asutilla
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 12:59:00 11/12/2008

CEBU CITY, Philippines - An official of the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) advised the public to keep one’s resistance high to avoid catching influenza or what is commonly known as flu.

Dr. Susana Madarieta, DOH-7 regional director, said people, especially children, should avoid staying out in the rain as this can lower one’s resistance.

“We easily get sick in that condition,” Madarieta said.

Flu can be caused by viral or bacterial infection.

The best way not to catch it, aside from keeping the body's resistance up, is to stay away from crowded places.

According to Madarieta, staying away from malls and cinema theaters can prevent one from getting the flu, which is transmitted by air when one coughs or sneezes.

When one has already contracted the flu, Madarieta advised drinking plenty of liquids either water or fruit juices.

“When we have the flu we get dehydrated, so it is always recommended that we replace our lost liquids since it could make us weaker,” Madarieta said.

Eating vegetables and fruits can also help a person regain strength.

But Madarieta strongly recommended the best thing to do is to consult a doctor.

Common symptoms of the flu are chills and fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing and weakness.

Madarieta warned that the flu and dengue have similar symptoms.

“Especially fever because that’s the first thing to develop. Dengue fever sometimes gets mistaken for fever brought by flu so we tend to buy medicines for ordinary fever,” she said.

“That is why it is important that we see the doctor before it is too late,” Madarieta said.

A simple blood test will show whether the platelet count of a patient is low enough to signal dengue.

She also warned that if a flu is not taken seriously, it could lead to pneumonia, which could be fatal.

Madarieta said the Philippines is fortunate because it has remained free of the avian flu even if neighboring countries are struggling with the deadly virus.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Invitation from GK Orion Awarding Ceremony

Yesterday morning , Rollie sent a text message informing me that there will be a GK Orion Awarding Ceremony to be held on Saturday , November 15 2008 , 2:00 P.M.at Crown Hotel in Balanga City. JRI Batch'63 is invited to grace the occasion and receive a Certificate of Recognition for our donation from Mr.Tony Meloto who is the guest speaker. I have called up Belen to inform our Batch mates in Orion. It is a RSVP invitation .

If it will push through on Saturday, I will keep you posted of the events. I was told it might be postponed because of the present squabble at the Provincial Capitol due to the six months suspension of Gov. Tet Garcia from the Ombudsman for selling a foreclosed private property,the Sunrise Paper Mill in Orani.

This is all for now...will be posting soon !

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Too Old to Remember?...Hope Not

Hi to my Batchmates,

After some months or year of hibernation heto ako your friend alive and kicking pa.
Bihira kong mabuksan ang blogsite natin because of various reasons but be assured that it
is still in my heart and mind. Luz always encouraged me to share but the only PC we have
at home is always occupied by my daughter and husband researching and making reports
for their MA course or if not by my apo and sons playing games.If I find time to open it
comes my 2 year Dennis the Menace apo trying to outdo me in typing.Tulog lang ang
pahinga niya.My new hobby is paggagantsilyo.Alam ninyo ba pati sinulid ko ay itinatapon
making fun of me? Pero masarap kahit mahirap magalaga ng apo di ba? sagot naman ang
mga may apo diyan.
Sasamantalahin ko ang chance na ito na ishare sainyo ang matagal ko nang gustong
isulat sa blog natin and it requires your recall.Ang di maka remember M...... na.

TAWAG NG T---------

Announcer;Magandang gabi po sainyong lahat.Mga kaibigan sumasainyo ang palatuntunang
Tawag ng T-------.Opo narito na naman ang inyong palatuntunan na nagbibigay
daan sa mga baguhan upang makasapit sa tugatog ng tagumpay Maraming
sandali ng kasayahan na dulot sa inyo ng ating tagatangkilik ang gawgaw tatak
galawgaw na mabisang pamuksa ng kagaw,pampasarap ng sabaw at panghalo
sa nilugaw.kaya mga kaibigan sama sama tayong makinig sa tawag ng t------.
At ngayon narito na ang ating kalahok ano po ang pangalan?

Tecla;Tecla Mapakla
Announcer; Kumusta po sila
Tecla ; Aywan ko po
Announcer Anong aywan mo
Tecla: Kinukumusta ninyo sila,malay ko kung ano ang lagay nila
Announcer Kayo ang kinukumusta ko
Tecla Ako pala bakit sabi ninyo kumusta sila di sanay sabihin ninyong kumusta ka
Announcer Bueno kumusta ka
TECLA Mas mabuti ho naman kaysa inyo
announcer Mayroon ba kayong hanap buhay
Tecla Kung minsan
Announcer Ano ho ang inyong hanapbuhay
Tecla Negosyante po
Announcer Isa pala kayong nogosyante.Negosyante ng ano
Tecla Negosyante ng mga negosyo
Announcer Aling Tecla Mapacla aawit po yata kayo
Tecla opo
Announcer Bueno pakinggan natin si aling Tecla (Tecla renders her song....was it Telebong?)


(Next contestants were Placido Walang Apdo who rendered awit na walang nota -a poem
and Miss damiana sabukot.)
I am sorry I cant give you the whole skit but here are some questions for you.Prizes
for the first to respond correctly will be awarded the next time we meet at our coming reunion

1What is the complete title of this skit and when was it shown-Complete date pls.
2.Who played Tecla,Placido,Damiana in the skit?
3Who directed the play?


Well thats all folks...hope you enjoy.The complete copy of this skit is in my position plus
an old ,very old copy of the program when it was performed.

Monday, November 10, 2008

PLEASE RESPONSE

Dear Batchmates,

Please respond here in our blog site to Pres. Mike suggestion regarding our scheduled reunion in January 2010 moving to May 2010. The reason is because of his employment problem. I am thinking to move it in January 2011 as when we had meeting here in San Diego last May most here abroad voted to be in January and I am thinking that President Mike will be must settled by that time in his new job if he will be applying this time. But I will go to majority for whatever proposed month and dates will be. Luz please inform our batchmates there in Orion and Manila regarding President Mike's situation and blog whatever suggestions you gathered.

Thanks a lot and regards. Miss you all.

Larpi

Thank God for the Internet and the Celphone!!!

'Telemedicine' means doctor is always in
By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:53:00 11/09/2008

MANILA, Philippines--The doctor is online.

Facing a laptop with a built-in camera, and wearing a headset, the specialist is ready to give medical advice to another doctor or a health worker thousands of kilometers away from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in Manila City.

Soon, he will be using the software being developed by the College of Engineering of the University of the Philippines Diliman which can transmit medical information like a patient's blood pressure, temperature or even electrocardiogram (ECG) results from provinces as far and as isolated as Batanes.

Netizens usually use them for leisure, but the National Telehealth Center is maximizing free online resources, like the Internet call software Skype, to provide healthcare access even to remote areas in the country.

"Our vision is to provide telemedicine to remote, underserved areas. We do not accept geographic limitations for people not to get basic health services," center director Alvin Marcelo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a recent interview.

In just a few clicks, a doctor in a remote village can log into the center's website, called buddyworks, and send a query, which is received instantaneously in the computer system of the center's office.

The system is manned by two nurses and functions like a hospital triage system. They study the query and if necessary, refer it to a specialist in the UP-PGH.

Information exchange could be through the website. If immediate response is needed, then the specialist reaches the doctor seeking advice using Skype.

For an enormous vision, the center has a small office in UP Manila. For each video call, the center has three computers simultaneously working. There is a laptop on the center of a small table equipped with a webcam where Internet calls are made.

To its right is a computer for the specialist to access the information base. Marcelo said they have been developing a database of healthcare information about remote villages which could inform the specialist about the nearest hospitals and available facilities to the doctor calling.

To its left is another computer where test results and patient information can soon be uploaded almost instantaneously from the villages and downloaded at the center.

To facilitate information exchange, the center has distributed laptops and gadgets to a few sites.

The system would give health care access to more people regardless of distance and at the same time, make health care more efficient, Marcelo said, recalling a recent example where a doctor referred to the center the case of a teenager suffering from a bone infection in Batanes.

The patient would have been brought directly to the PGH to queue along with the hundreds of regular patients the hospital receives per day. The family would have paid much for the airfare and for a place to stay while consultation was ongoing.

But since the doctor referred his case to telemedicine, a PGH specialist studied the emailed case history, physical examination and x-ray results of the teenager. To get more information, the surgeon also did a video call to see the teenager, who sat beside the doctor in Batanes.

The surgeon prescribed intravenous antibiotics for 10 days and when the teenager was finally brought to the PGH, the patient was ready for operation.

Marcelo explained this saved the family from spending more and maximized the capabilities of health practitioners in Batanes.

The system was also maximized in helping health workers give aid to typhoon victims in the Bicol region in coping with trauma through what Marcelo called as "tele-psychiatry."

"It has been a big help to me and to my patients," general practitioner Cherrilyn Zablan, the only doctor for more than 6,500 villagers in the town of Alilem in Ilocos Sur, also said.

According to Zablan, assigned in the remote town for almost two years, the nearest hospital is 45 minutes away while the nearest tertiary hospital is almost two hours away and both do not have many specialists as well.

"It has helped me a lot in accessing information. The help of a specialist is just one click of the mouse or one text message away," she added.

The center started in 1998 with a humble vision—to just provide a website where the public can browse reliable health information, Marcelo said.

Soon, the proponents of the project, fresh from training in the US and the UK, thought of expanding the project and proposed to the government what they called as "telehealth," which would "use the Internet to facilitate interaction between remote doctors and PGH doctors."

Supported by government funds, the project began in 2005 in a few remote villages in Cagayan, Leyte, Capiz and Lanao Del Norte.

The center distributed laptops to the project sites, which included medical colleges, government hospitals and provincial health centers.

The project did not fly, however: The center did not get any referrals in the first two years.

"We realized that telemedicine is very complex. Technology plays an important role, but more than that is the organizational aspect and the trust that is involved," Marcelo explained.

The sites for the project also did not lack doctors and specialists. Instead of going online for telemedicine, the general practitioners could just go to specialists in the provinces.

Thus, the center networked with Department of Health's doctor-to-the-barrios program. The program has been deploying new doctors in very remote areas and "they were yearning for somebody to consult," Marcelo added.

There was another glitch, however. The areas were so remote there were no Internet connections.

But the country is not dubbed as the text capital world for nothing: The center shifted to the short messaging service (SMS) platform, more popularly known as text messaging.

"We shifted to a device which serves as a personal extension of Filipinos. This felt perfectly natural," Marcelo adds.

So aside from the using the Internet, telemedicine also accepts referrals through text messages. It has a computer system which stores the cell phone numbers of all member-doctors and specialists. It accepts the messages and also forwards them to appropriate specialists.

Thanks to text messaging, referrals to the center grew from nothing in the first two years to at least 638 between October 15, 2007 and October 10, 2008.

The center has been getting referrals from remote areas and islands in Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Cagayan, Quezon, Ifugao, Bohol, Aklan, Romblon, Palawan, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Masbate, Iloilo, Sibugay, Lanao Del Norte, Lanao Del Sur, Cotabato, Bukidnon, Surigao Del Norter, Surigao Del Sur, Zamboanga Del Norte and Tawi-Tawi.

Zablan said that as a general practitioner, she encountered uncommon cases where she needed expert advice to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

Most of her patients are poor residents who cannot afford transportation fares and consultation fees to find specialists.

She recalled having a patient whose legs were paralyzed, but thanks to a series of email consultations with a specialist at the UP-PGH, she was able to give the correct diagnosis.

Zablan uses her cell phone as a way to send e-mails to the center. She also sends some of her queries through text messaging.

The system is so simple it can save lives.

Nurse Alexandra Belle Bernal recalled receiving a text message from a village doctor in Leyte months ago: A 3-day-old baby suffered from blood infection and was having fever. The nearest hospital can only be reached by boat—and there was a storm.

They forwarded the query to Marcelo. They quickly phoned the doctor to say that the baby should be given antibiotics—not orally—but through intravenous therapy.

Though Bernal missed actual patient care—of talking to them, seeing them, making sure they are fine—she recognized the importance of what she has been doing, working in an online triage.

"This is very important especially here in the Philippines because we have so many islands. Like in that case (in Leyte), they did not have a specialist in the island," Bernal says.

Telehealth is not only about providing medical advice. Marcelo said prevention would be far better, so the center has been training health workers, like midwives and nurses, deployed in far-flung areas, using video conferencing.

The center is focusing on training health workers how to deal with poisoning, stroke, tuberculosis and bird flu. Through video conferencing, health workers gathered in Cebu, for instance, can ask questions from resource speakers in Manila City.

Telemedicine and training are intertwined. Marcelo said they have been aiming to spread the reach of telemedicine in areas which have not been able to get doctors. If health workers like midwives and nurses in these areas can be trained to be "tele-presenters," patient consultation can soon be done online.

The center has been benefitting far-flung general practitioners who could refer cases to specialists and at the same time, has been giving doctors at the UP-PGH a "social benefit," Marcelo said.

There are about 10 specialists from the UP-PGH who are among the regular pool of experts for the center, according to Marcelo. They offer their time, services and knowledge for free.

"They (PGH specialists) feel that they are able to help even beyond their physical limitations. They get to learn about the situation in remote areas, about the conditions there," Marcelo says.

The system is not flawless, however.

Marcelo said a national broadband system, like those in many neighboring nations, would boost national healthcare system through telemedicine, as what has been done in other countries.

But as long as an Internet connection is available, phone signals do not fluctuate, and supply of electricity is stable, health workers in remote villages can be assured of help. The doctor is always in. Or online.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

TO: President-for-life MIKE CRUZ

My God, Mike! You are really one of a kind! Here you are having problems with your employment, and still the REUNION OF THE DECADE, occupies your mind.

BY ALL MEANS, THE REUNION CAN WAIT! IT CAN (AND SHOULD) BE POSTPONED INDEFINITELY UNTIL THINGS GET BETTER.

Lalo mo akong pinahanga sa pambihira mong leadership at sa ganda ng iyong kalooban. Bihira ang katulad mo na namomroblema na ay ang kapakanan pa ng iba ang nasa isip.

God will continuously bless you for your kind heart...

WE ARE VERY LUCKY FOR HAVING YOU AS OUR LEADER, MIKE!!!

May your employment woes be gone -soonest...and

MAY YOUR TRIBE INCREASE!

p.s.
Pag may problema ka pala ay nagiging Inglesero ka. Look at your blog - aba! STRAIGHT ENGLISH YAN HA?


Friday, November 7, 2008

US FINANCIAL CRISIS

Almost everyday you will read in the newspaper, hear on the radio and see on the TV the financial crisis which is happening today in the whole world especially here in the United States. Many banks here in US have been sold to other big institutions because of their huge losses running into billion of dollars.

Our contribution to 401k plan which is our savings for our retirement, wherein it is invested in the stock market is badly affected. From first quarter to third quarter it has been losing. Many houses were foreclosed because of their default in the payment of their monthly amortization.

Many companies laid-off their employees by cutting their j0bs so every month unemployment data is rising. Unfortunately the company I'm working is also affected by this financial crisis. On Nov. 3 without any notice our company was shot down. When we arrived, there were two policemen in front of the building. The General Manager suddenly called a meeting and explained what's happening. Our facilities here in Warminster, Pennsylvannia would be closed and our work here is being consolidated into Hamburg facilities which is also owned by our company, the Transcontinental Direct USA. Effective Nov. 3 all 460 empolyees had been laid-off except for a few, more or less 40 people including me must stay from 30 to 60 days for the transition period, and most probably by January, 2009 we have also to go. They gave us already a form for unemployment so by Jan. 2009 we can file it right away. As far as I know we are entitled up to six months unemployment until we take a another job. And I don't know when will I get another job. What I'm thinking now is our proposed reunion to be held on Jan. 17, 18, and 19, 2010. If I get another job, I'll be working less than one year by the time of our proposed reunion and I'll not have enough leave and of course parang nakakahiya kung bago ka pa lang
eh you will file a longer vacation leave. Supposed we move our reunion on May, 2010, what do you think guys?

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Keep your chin up, America


The 44th President [Elect] of the United States

For two hours now, I have been trying to put words on paper. It hasn't been easy.As a man who believes in the virtue of fundamental fairness, I am delighted that the United States of America will, come January, see its first African-American president...
As an American, however, I wish that president could have been someone else. My God, we elected a socialist tonight. My God, we elected a man who has done nothing to show that he actually likes this country, nonetheless has its best interests at heart...

Still strugging for words, looking to connect my head with my fingers, I find myself disheartened because, if tonight is an indication of the near future, my daughter will not grow up in the same America I did. I find myself disappointed that my fellow Americans were not able to see past the rhetoric, past the spin, past the cloud of Bush Derangement Syndrome enough to do the right
thing yesterday...
Yet, oddly, I find myself optimistic...
Post by Jeff Schreiber at http://www.americasright.com/

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

8 Ways To Increase Hope

By Naomi Drew


Hope is actually something we create. It's not something that magically appears from an outside source. We each have within us the capacity to generate hope. It's critical that we be absolutely intentional about nurturing hope in our lives and the lives of our children.

Now more than ever, overcoming fear and holding onto hope are essential. The eight steps below will enable you do this. Try these steps yourself and teach them to your kids. Do some of these as a family. Know that it is within your control to become more hopeful. Don't let the news be your undoing. You can take charge.



1.Be Kind to Yourself
Think about what you need most, and then do it. Is it a cup of tea, a brisk walk, some downtime, quiet music, a little rest, or reading inspirational literature? Whatever it is, grant yourself permission to do it, even for just a few minutes. If you're at work, take a "care-break" where you take care of you for a brief moment. These small moments accumulate.

2.Create a Daily 5-Minute Silence Ritual
Light a candle and pray, meditate or reflect. You don't have to believe in any particular deity to make this work. Just silently reflecting in front of a lit candle is extremely nurturing and healing. This may be the one time of day when you feel connected to your own soul, and perhaps even something larger. Don't skip this step -- it's very powerful


3.Curtail Your Intake of News
Over saturation with news right now is detrimental to emotional health. If you read the newspaper in the morning, let that be enough. You don't need to turn on the TV or radio too, especially before bed. Consider putting a complete moratorium on news at least once a week. Anything you missed will be there tomorrow. Drastically curtail any news you let your children watch.


4.Treat Each Day Like a Precious Gift
Be vigilant in looking for things and people to appreciate. What if today was the last day of your life? How would you want to live it? Ask yourself this question throughout the day. It will help you let go of the countless petty annoyances that tend to throw most of us off balance.
Shift your gaze to appreciation. Who and what are you grateful for? Make a list each day.


5.Take a Break
Every morning, afternoon and night, take a 30-second break to look at the sky, breathe deeply and offer thanks.
Even though the world has its problems, the sun still rises in the sky each morning, and we're awake and alive when we get out of bed. Let the sky be a touchstone to hope. Think of other people around the world as you look at the sky, and know that we all share this planet together. Among all of us, we have the ability to create solutions to the problems that now exist.
Trust that this is so.

6.Express Love Tangibly
Hugs, words, notes, acts of kindness -- be indiscriminately generous with all of them. Surprise a friend with a hug. Hug and kiss your kids longer and with deeper feeling. If you like how the clerk treated you in the store, thank her. Leave your partner small notes expressing gratitude for kind acts. Doing all of this adds warmth and positive energy to our lives and the lives of people around us. It's also very comforting both to the giver and receiver of each loving act.


7.Say This Affirmation Every Day
Say this affirmation every day and see where it leads you: "I am the key to peace."
Most of us believe, erroneously, that peace will come from people or institutions much larger than we. Just the opposite is true. Peace starts with each individual and it will only come to this world from the people themselves. It is critical that we each create peace in the small and large moments of our lives. We must live it in our words and actions rather than giving in to fear, hatred, or resignation.


8. Make a Difference
Reach out beyond your normal scope. This is your opportunity to live your greatest promise, highest self. Don't wait. Each time we make a difference in the lives of others, we create hope in ourselves. By reaching out to someone in need, be it your neighbor, a Guatemalan orphan, or people in a homeless shelter, we add a little more peace and hope to the world. Our accumulated gestures of care and compassion will ultimately transform our lives and the lives of others. We are each the source of that transformation. Knowing this gives me hope.

Naomi Drew, M.A., is an expert on conflict resolution and peacemaking in schools and homes. Her website is learningpeace.com.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER by: Maya Angelou

A woman's heart should be hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

When I say.. "I am a Christian," I am not shouting I'm clean living, I'm whispering I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say... "I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride, I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of succes, I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain... I have my share of heartache, so I call upn HIS name.

When I say... "I am a Christian," I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received GOD's good grace, somehow.

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

This is for all those batch '63 BEAUTIFUL WOMEN.

HAPPBY BIRTHDAY TO NOVEMBER CELEBRANTs

TO OUR BATCHMATES NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS HAPPY BIRTHDAY. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU THE BEST.

Annie Navarro Benjamin - November 8

Rolando San Jose - November 11

Belen Buenaventura Almazan - November 17

Alfredo Almazan - November 18

Alselmo Labrador - November 28

Francisco Herilla - November 30

Magic broth for those undergoing breast cancer treatment

By Rebecca Katz, from Intent

This broth alone can keep people going, especially when they don’t particularly want to eat. It’s not just a regular vegetable stock. This pot of yum is high in potassium and numerous trace minerals that are often depleted by cancer therapy. Sipping this nutrient-rich stock is like giving your body an internal spa treatment.

A caregiver I know who never cooked tried this recipe for his mother, who was fighting colon cancer at the time. “After I put all the vegetables in the pot and started them simmering, I had to go out of the house for a half-hour to get something for Mom. When I got home and opened the front door, I couldn’t believe how amazing the house smelled. What was even more incredible was that I had created these smells. Before I left to go home, Mom wrote me a small check to cover the cost. I couldn’t understand why she thought she had to pay me for this. Then I looked at the ‘memo’ part on the front of the check. Next to it she wrote these words: ‘Love Soup.’”

Drink it like a tea, or use it as a base for all your favorite soups and rice dishes. Don’t be daunted by the ingredient list. Simply chop the ingredients in chunks and throw them in the pot, roots, skins, and all.

MAGIC MINERAL BROTH
6 unpeeled carrots, cut into thirds
2 unpeeled medium yellow onions, cut into chunks
1 leek, both white and green parts, cut into thirds
1 bunch celery, including the heart, cut into thirds
5 unpeeled cloves garlic, halved
1/2 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 medium red potatoes with skins on, quartered
2 Japanese or regular sweet potatoes with skins on, quartered
1 Garnet yam with skin on, quartered
1 (8-inch) strip of kombu
2 bay leaves
12 black peppercorns
4 whole allspice or juniper berries
1 tablespoon sea salt

Rinse all of the vegetables well, including the kombu. In a 12-quart or larger stockpot, combine all the ingredients, except the salt. Fill the pot to 2 inches below the rim with water, cover, and bring to a boil.

Remove the lid, decrease the heat to low, and simmer for a minimum of 2 hours. As the stock simmers, some of the water will evaporate; add more if the vegetables begin to peek out. Simmer until the full richness of the vegetables can be tasted. Add the salt and stir.

Strain the stock using a large coarse-mesh strainer (remember to use a heat-resistant container underneath). Bring to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing.

Makes 6 to 7 quarts.

Calories Per Serving: 29; Total Fat: 0 g (0 g saturated, 0 g monounsaturated); Carbohydrates: 6 g; Protein: 0 g; Fiber: 0 g; Sodium: 166 mg.

Inner Cook Notes: If you don’t have time to make this broth from scratch, substitute Pacific or Imagine brand vegetable stock, add an equal quantity of water, a piece of kombu, and one potato. Boil for 20 minutes and strain. Magic Mineral Broth can be frozen for up to 6 months in a variety of airtight containers for every use.

Rebecca Katz is the founder of the Inner Cook and senior chef at Commonweal Cancer Help Program in Marin County, California.

My intent is to overcome Breast Cancer

For more breast cancer articles, go to Intent.com.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

HUMOR ME






The following comments were heard from a Sunday homily. I’d like to share it with the group.

A retired couple from the Midwest made a tour in the holy land Jerusalem, in the early spring. They traveled with a bunch of senior citizens from all over the US, so they felt like at home
meshing with the locals and foreigners alike. This particular day they made a lot of walking throughout the area, where they believe Jesus was born. Unfortunately, the man collapsed with an apparent heart attack. Attended at a local hospital, the man could not be revived and was pronounced dead with a grieving wife at his bedside. Needless to say, a priest officiated his last rites, followed by a grief counselor to make arrangements for his final journey. The widower was asked where would she like her husband buried. In between tears and incoherent gestures, she said, “ I’d like to take the body back to the US to be buried." The counselor said that this kind of arrangement was the most sensible answer. However, in view of all the logistics involved, from the local funeral agent, dressing up, and making arrangement for a flight with a dead body, the counselor politely offered the widow another option. Lady, if I may be so practical, I would like to offer you these facts. Handling your husband’s body through the funeral parlor, clearing through the customs, and putting him on a plane will cost you anywhere from 5,500 – 6,000 US DOLLARS. This does not include other incidental costs once you get back to America. However, you have another option. You may choose to bury your beloved husband here in Jerusalem. This will only cost you around 1500 dollars. All the standard amenities are included. Viewing, mass, and burial at a local cemetery, all included. The widower, calm and collective, looked at the counselor and said, “Thank you for your concern. But I’d rather take my husband back in the US, and pay all the extra expenses to make this happen. You see, I’m aware of your history here. About two thousand years ago, a man died here and was buried almost exactly where you want my husband interned. But three days later, he came back to lifeThanks, but NO THANKS.”

(Smile, if you dare)

Pearl's Flower Shop on All Saint's Day






Here are photos of Perlita in her Flower Shop today The third photo is quite dark,I was with my "apo".Business is brisk today and when I went there she is so busy arranging flowers which she sell at various prices...an arrangement of orchids costs Php500,Malaysian mumps ,from Php 200 to 400 and a big one with stand is Php800. She is awaiting some batchmates to buy flowers from her.

I hope to see some batchmates in the Cemetery or in the Memorial Park this afternoon.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Some Notes About Halloween




Halloween is a tradition,celebrated on the night of October 31, also known as Hallowe'en, All-hallow-even, All Hallows' Eve, Hallow Eve, and All Saints' Eve.

Halloween, or Hallowe’en, is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, ghost tours, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses"
halloweencarving ,Jack-o'-lanterns,reading scary stories and watching horror movies.

Irish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century.

Halloween is celebrated in several countries of the Western world, most commonly in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Japan, New Zealand, and occasionally in parts of Australia. In Sweden the All Saints' official holiday takes place on the first Saturday of November.


Halloween is very popular in Ireland, where it originated, and is known in Irish as Oíche Shamhna (pron: ee-hah how-nah), literally "Samhain Night". Pre-Christian Celts had an autumn festival, Samhain (pronounced /ˈsˠaunʲ/from the Old Irish samain), "End of Summer", a pastoral and agricultural "fire festival" or feast, when the dead revisited the mortal world, and large communal bonfires would hence be lit to ward off evil spirits.

Here are a couple of links to explain the origins of Halloween night and the meanings of it .

Please check the sites:
http://people.howstuffworks.com/halloween.htm/printable
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Canada - My Second Home










My wife Cecile and I recently took our Canadian citizenship, and I thought I should share with you a part of this country we have adopted as home.



Here are some things about this beautiful country - Canada:

Canadian Geography
3.9 million - Canada's total area, in square miles (10 million sq km). That makes it just about one Florida bigger than the United States. It also makes it the second largest country in the world. Only Russia spans more land than Canada.

1 - Number of countries that border Canada. It's just the United States. In fact, Canada and the United States share the longest international border in the world. Including the frontier between Canada and Alaska, it's more than 5,500 miles (8,800 km) long.

3 - Number of oceans that border Canada. Canada may only border one country, but it touches three oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Arctic. The Canadian arctic archipelago, composed of more than 36,500 islands north of mainland Canada, extends deep into the Arctic Circle.

Canadian Demography

33 million - Canada's total population. There are about the same number of people living in Afghanistan, and more than 3 million more living in California. Canada may have lots of land, but it does not have lots of people. With only about a tenth of the population of the United States, Canada is one of the least densely populated countries in the world.

90 - Percentage of the population that lives within 100 miles (160 km) of the United States. There, the weather is more temperate and the winters less harsh. Permafrost in the "Great White North" makes living there a challenge.

70 - Percentage of the population that lives in eastern Canada, especially in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Together, those two big eastern provinces get to elect 181 out of Canada's 308 members of parliament.

Canadian Confederation

10 - Number of provinces in the Canadian confederation. In Canada's federal system of government, the 10 provinces have more power than U.S. states. Canadians often group the provinces this way. In the east, on the Atlantic coast, lie the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the 3 "maritime" provinces: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Down the St. Lawrence Seaway lie French-speaking Quebec and populous Ontario. Inland are the "prairie" provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. And in the west, on the Pacific coast, lies British Columbia.

3 - Number of Canadian territories. Canada's territories--the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut--have fewer powers than the provinces. They're also all north of the 60th parallel and largely covered by arctic permafrost and ice. The territory of Nunavut was created most recently, in 1999, as a homeland for the Inuit peoples. Nunavut means "our land" in the language of the Inuit.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

My Grandchildren




Is there anything better than children in our homes? Their innocence, their love, their curiosity provide joy to us. I have at present seven grandchildren from my nephews and nieces. Three of them are in the U. S. and their ages range from 7 to 8 months old.

On weekends, I always find time with them…reading stories, guiding them in their drawing sessions, teaching them some kiddies games and watch cartoons on TV with them. What is amazing is that I am transformed into a doting grandma from the usual “commander in chief “at home. Mind you all my grandchildren call me “ATE”

Grandchildren are wonderful they trust us adults implicitly, to tell them the right things. How great a responsibility is that?

Our Golden Years


Take the aging quiz.

The Mayo Clinic designed a test to be able to assess the reader’s grasp of some concerns in the aging process. Take it and see how much you know: True or False?
"1. Most older adults are missing most of their natural teeth and must use dentures.
2. Older adults go to bed earlier and get up earlier than their younger counterparts.
3. Getting older means giving up your driver’s license.
4. You should cut back on having sex as you get older, or eliminate it entirely, to save strength. (I can almost hear my fellow Rotarians in RCM gnashing their teeth).
5. Older adults are at risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
6. Memory problems are inevitable as you age.
7. Retired people can live rich and productive lives.
8. If you continue to work past age 65, you probably won’t be able to keep up with your co-workers.
9. Most older adults are sick or disabled, making them dependent on other people.
10. Incontinence becomes more common as you age."
The correct answers are:
1. False – as long as good dental hygiene (flossing daily and brushing after meals and seeing the dentist at least twice a year) is followed, dentures may not be part of aging.
2. True – the body’s internal clock or circadian rhythm changes as one ages. Older people usually sleep earlier and get up earlier as well. However, the quality of sleep is important so try to avoid caffeine in the evening and to consider a medical checkup if snoring or frequent urination at night have become bothersome.
3. False – Giving up driving is a personal decision affected not by age alone but by failing vision, poorer reaction times, and worsening hearing. Older people may even be better drivers because they are not likely to speed or drink and drive.
4. False – Satisfying sex is not only for the young.
5. True – regardless of age, polygamous sex is always a risk factor for STDs.
6. False – now is it known that glial cells, intricate connections between neurons continue to multiply. Memory loss becomes a problem to those who are too lazy to read and learn as they grow older.
7. True – especially in the Philippines, older people are given a prominent role in family affairs. Retirement may also be seen as a time to go back to old hobbies or to start new ones.
8. False – as a senior member of a team, you can offer wisdom and experience.
9. False – Exercising daily, eating sensibly, and getting enough sleep are mainstays in an older adult’s regimen versus sickness and disability.
10. True – at least 1 out of every 10 people over 65 has urinary incontinence – but it isn’t caused by aging alone. Some conditions such as urinary tract infection or prostate enlargement are implicated. Therefore, you should see a urologist or an OB-Gyne.
The more you know about the aging process, the more you should expect to truly enjoy the golden years

Saturday, October 25, 2008

G'Day

Hi there, folks! Apologies for not replying to your emails as I got to read them only when we came home from Sydney. Your concern is, as always, very touching and profoundly appreciated. However, please be assured that rumours of my demise are a bit premature and I am still around to nag and annoy you, all.


As Mike informed you, we were in Sydney for about 2 weeks. We stayed at The Entrance, a seaside suburb in what is called NSW Central Coast which is a little more than an hour drive north of the city of Sydney, to attend an annual Church Feast called The Feast of Tabernacles, the same feast we attended in Baguio City last year and in Harrisburg Pennsylvania in 2003. I guess you have no clue what it is about but just in case you are interested, this feast pictures the Millenial reign of Jesus Christ when He returns on earth. It is a time for concentrated learning about what the Bible teaches on God's plan for mankind which eventuates in the very near future. Loads of great wholesome fun!


We had not seen Sydney for more than 2 years so it was a nostalgic trip for us. We got to drive around the city and see the old familiar landmarks, our old suburb and the house we used to live in. I had trouble holding back the tears. Sydney was my home state for 30 years. My love affair with it has not been diminished by my absence.


We also visited three new grandnephews (one by my sister and two by my first cousins), one of whom is Fely's 5th grandchild. Fely has not yet met this new addition to her family thus the photo.


When we arrived on Thursday about midnight, I tried to open my mail and was greeted with dire warnings/messages of computer infection. My children have been trying to help me clean it but it looks like a really severe attack. A lot of our files have now been corrupted and a number have been completely erased. I am doing this blog knowing that there is a possibility of greater damage but I felt that I should do this one at least before my computer gets totally incapacitated. So if you do not hear from me, it will be because of this problem.
Anyway it has been a tremendous pleasure reading all your blogs. Please keep it up, until we meet again in 2010. My very best wishes to all of you.

GREETINGS FROM THE GARDEN STATE




Hello Everyone:


We are your long lost friends from New Jersey. Annie and I are doing okay, thanks the Lord. It has been ages yes, since I posted anything. Now I'm writing about almost anything. Pardon the long silence, been busy with other stuff. Where did the summer go? Don't know, but it went pretty quick... The last time we were in touch with any batchmates, was in Baltimore with Manny and Larps, July 4th. Time flies...


We were busy doing house upkeep and maintenance. Aside from visiting our grandkids every so often, there's yard work, car maintenance, and a couple of trips here and then. Yes, I still love to do car repairs and stuff, just like when I was in our home town. I must admit, I toned down a little bit as far as "getting under the hood". Besides, modern vehicle maintenance is not as often or closer interval as in the earlier model. But I still manage to change oil, rotate tires, change brake pads, etc... Enough of the boring stuff.


September was a busy month because of a military reunion that I spearheaded about a year or so ago. Some of you maybe aware that I started a blog ,too. It's about a group of military family that served in Keflavik, Iceland between 1987 - 1993. We held the 20th year reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada. It turned out okay, but not a tad close to the success of your reunion in 2007. Since we were out west, we shared a rented car with a couple (close friends) from Florida and visited two national parks, the Grand Canyon National in Arizona and Bryce Canyon National in Utah. We logged about 1200 miles including the three day stay in Vegas, so we got our money's worth for the six day tour. That trip ended in Salt Lake City, where we saw a little bit of the Mormon Tabernacle, their visitor center, and their temple. We watched the choir practice for about an hour. It was an amazing group of singers, that I can only relate in tv beforehand. Why is vacation time always too short? Anyway, we've had a great time, even if it was a short time off from work. Meanwhile, back to reality. Hello from the Garden State, everyone! Looked like we missed a lot of great events in the past three months, huh?


Friday, October 24, 2008

Email ni Kuya Mickie

Am posting Pres. Mike's email about Cora .


Hi Guys,

Kumusta na kayo?, lalo na ang ating napakasipag na
assistant administrator na si Tita Jo. Kailan ba ang punta
mo rito Tita Jo at nang tayo'y mapag-reunion uli sa San
Diego sa May 8, 2009. Siya nga pala ang isang dahilan
ng e-mail kong ito eh para ibalita na okey pala naman si
Cora, kasi labis na nag-aalaala si Larpi. Tumawag ako kanina
at nagkataong naroon na sila. Nagbakasyon pala sila sa
Sydney ng mga two weeks at ang kanya computer eh may virus
kaya hindi magamit.patitingnan niya raw sa kanyang anak. Baka
bukas o makalawa eh mag-post na siya sa blog pag naayos na
ang kanyang computer.O Larpi seguro hindi kana nag-aalaala kay
Cora.Hanggang sa muli, ito ang inyong Kuya Mickie. (ha! ha! ha!)

With love and prayer.
Kuya Mickie

Thursday, October 23, 2008

So Pinoy



1. Parlor in San Juan is named "Cut & Face".

2. Wholesaler of balut in Sto.Tomas, Batangas:
"Starduck".
3. Fast food eatery in Nueva Ecija: "Violybee"
4. Internet cafe opened among squatters named
"Cafe Pindot".
5. In Manila , there's a laundry shop named, "Summa Cum Laundry".
6. Petshop in Ortigas: "Pussies and Bitches".
7. A pet shop in Kamuning: " Pakita Mo Pet Mo".
8. Bakery: "Bread Pit".
9. Bank in Alabang: "Alabank".
10. Restaurant in Pampanga named, "Mekeni Rogers".
11. Restaurant in Pasig : "Johnny's Fried Chicken: The 'Fried' of Marikina ".
12. A boxing gym: "Blow Jab".
13. A tombstone maker in Antipolo: "Lito Lapida".
14. A copy center in Sikatuna Village called "Pakopya ni Edgar".
15. A beer house in Cavite called, "Chickpoint" .
16. Laundromat in Sikatuna: " Star Wash : Attack of the Clothes".
17. Internet cafe in Taguig named, " n@kopi@"

18. Name of a kambingan, "Sa Goat Kita".
19. A salon somewhere, "Curl Up And Dye".
20. A lugawan in Sta. Maria, Bulacan: "Gee Congee".
21. A water refilling station in Dapitan named "Wa-Thirst".
22. A store selling feeds for chickens: "Robocock".
23. Shoe repair in Marikina : "Dr. Shoe-Bago".
24. Shoe repair store along Commonwealth,
"SHOEPERMAN: we will HEEL you, save your SOLE, and even DYE for you".

Smile !!

Eating my words...

It's not even a week ago when i wrote "So far, so good..." but here I am appealing for blogs again. Well, there are times in one's life when one has to eat his words. My time to do that is NOW. I make bawi that 'so far, so good' comment of mine. No one blogged after I said that. A Cebuano would say, "nabuyagan" in exasperation. Okay, NABUYAGAN!!!

So, once again, dear batchmates, please send in your blogs, photos, news, comments, questions, complaints, jokes, recipes, announcements, advertisements, even obituaries (okay lang). KAHIT ANO TALAGA! ( okay na okay)

And so until I see a new blog from anyone of you, I'd say, "So far, so bad. SORRY...

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Hmmm... so far, so good...

We made the appeal for blogs middle of last month(September). So far, so good.

Unang nagising si Larpi. Sumunod si Nelia. Tapos si Ernesto (EDR). Di nakatiis si President-for-Life Mike, nagsulat na rin, kahit na masyado siyang okupado sa trabaho niya, maging sa home chores. (paalaala, Presidente, unahin mo ang paglalaba kaysa pamamalantsa, para di ka mapasma. At paghiwahiwalayin mo ang puti at de kolor, para di magalit si misis). HEHEHE!

Ngayon, Rollie posted his very inspiring blog and his truly congressman-looking picture.

Who will blog next? Will it be my dear relatives- the BENJAMINS? Or Emma, Fely, Julie, Aida(not necessarily in that order)? Or are we bound for surprise articles from Lagrimas, Violet, Julita, Siony, Armando and the rest of JRI ORION BATCH 1963 PERSONALITIES?

But most of all, MS. ORIONJRI, PLEASE SURPRISE US WITH YOUR RE-APPEARANCE IN YOUR "BABY"-THE http://www.jriorionbatch1963.blogspot.com
PLEASE! PLEASE! MISS NA MISS KA NA NAMIN.

Apologies



Sorry mga batchmates,ngayon lang ako naka pag post,, nasira kasi ang laptop ko kaya kug minsan sa internet cafe na lang ako. Buti naman at na explain na ni Lucille who texted me tyhe other day. Again, my apologies.


I'm in the midst of preparation for a literacy project under Rotary. Nag workshop kami sa Baguio and the trainees comprising of the english supervisor, principals and teachers will then be the trainors during the workshop here in Orion on the 29/30th October. So many things are going on here.Na involve din ako sa Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BSPC) which is under the municipal CPC. During the Fund launching, I adopted a coin bank which I hope to fill up and turn over to the municipal council. This a real worthwhile project targetting children from 0 - 17 years. Mayroon silang website which you can find at Udyong.com in which there are account numbers where you can send donations.


Medyo hectic ang sked ko ngayon in my capacity as pres. of the Rotary Club of Orion pero rewarding naman dahil nakakatulong din kahit papaano.
the accompanying pix is from Baguio, medyo mukhang tonggressman ako dito. Some of our projects are posted at Udyong.com.
Nagutom akong bigla sa mga handa sa birthday ni Nelia. Hindi ko na matanggal ang 6 kilos na excess weight ko.
Medyo mahaba na ito, boring na. C u later folks.

An Rx for Batch'63

Aerobic activity may reverse mental decline


Reuters Health | 10/19/2008 7:53 AM

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NEW YORK – Regular aerobic exercise can not only stave off the decline in brain function that often comes with age, it can also help turn back the clock on brain aging, two experts in the field report, based on a critical review of published studies.

Age-related deterioration in the all-important white and gray matter in the brain makes a number of high-level "executive function" tasks -- such as planning, scheduling, working memory and multi-tasking -- much more difficult, Drs. Arthur F. Kramer and Kirk I. Erickson explain in the latest issue of the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Yet a substantial body of research shows that these are the very processes that are most responsive to physical exercise, note the authors from the University of Illinois Beckman Institute, Urbana.

In people with or those without signs of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, regular moderate physical activity, enough to make a person breathless, has been shown to boost not only the speed and sharpness of thought but also the actual volume of brain tissue and the way in which the brain functions, Kramer and Erickson note.

For example, in a 6-month study Kramer and colleagues conducted, adults ages 60 to 75 who walked briskly for 45 minutes a day three days a week not only improved their aerobic fitness but also their mental fitness -- particularly their ability to perform executive function tasks - compared with a control group who engaged only in non-aerobic stretching and toning exercises.

These results suggest that regular moderate aerobic exercise can "reliably reverse age-related cognitive decline," Kramer and Erickson write, and that the aging brain retains its capacity to grow and develop.

Other researchers, they note, have found that physically fitter adults have less evidence of deterioration in gray matter (critical to thinking) than their less physically fit counterparts.

Still others have found that physically fitter older women going through menopause -- a time of declining estrogen levels and memory trouble -- have more gray brain matter and perform better on measures of executive control than their less physically fit peers, whether or not they are taking hormone replacement therapy, which can boost cognitive function.

Summing up, Kramer and Erickson point out that "many questions remain unanswered" regarding the effects of exercise on the brain. However, "we can safely argue that an active lifestyle with moderate amounts of aerobic activity will likely improve cognitive and brain function, and reverse the neural decay frequently observed in older adults," they conclude.

as of 10/19/2008 7:53 AM

Source: ABS-CBN news.com

An inspiring story....


In rags, he found riches

He once sent 50 application letters to find a job

By Irene R. Sino-Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:50:00 10/19/2008

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Rey Calooy once mailed 50 job application letters because he felt he would not get hired if he were to apply in person. Now the general manager of RNC Marketing Philippines, Calooy has come a long way.

He grew up in a poor family in Libagon, Southern Leyte. Dreaming of a better life, Calooy packed his bags and went to Cebu to get an education, even though his mother could not afford to send him to college.

Calooy worked for his education by carrying goods for buyers in Cebu City’s Carbon Market. He also sold bookmarkers made from used boxes and other recycled products.

Calooy now enjoys the fruits of that education, managing a repacking business, a trading company and another firm that produces instant hot chocolate drink, ginger tea and noodles.

Calooy says he has learned a lot from University of Cebu president Augusto Go, whom he knew when he was still taking up Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at the university.

He came to know and admire Go because the latter made it possible for poor students like Calooy to continue studies despite the uphill struggle to make ends meet.

There were many times, he recalls, when he could not pay his tuition on time. Each time, Calooy would pay Go a visit at his office.

Calooy also recalls how he had to make do with an average of three hours of sleep each night because he had to earn the money to finance his education.

But Calooy made use of his time in school. He was a member of 13 student organizations, including the UC debating club.

When he graduated, he worked as a news reporter with radio station dyLa for over a year.

It was shortly after he lost his job at the station—the company had to lay off workers at the time—that he decided to mail 50 job application letters.

“I did not feel confident. If I apply in person, I would be at a disadvantage. The other applicants came from very good schools, graduated with honors and were dressed up. Even the soles of my shoes had holes,” he says with a laugh.

He found a job with a Manila-based pharmaceutical firm looking for clients in the Visayas. When he succeeded in establishing a sales network in the region, the company hired more salespeople and promoted him to sales manager at the age of 24.

Calooy realized that he did not enjoy the desk job, preferring to go out and meet people. The job also lost its appeal since he could never become the owner of the company, he says.

So, he resigned, even though the company tried to make him change his mind by offering an attractive compensation package. He still decided to leave.

It was a risky move as he already had a family at the time. Calooy recalls how his wife had expressed her fear over their future. But he told her not to be afraid because they were used to being poor.

Using the P20,000 cash bond the company returned to him, Calooy decided to sell dust rags in 1994. He came up with the idea after seeing small boys selling the rags on the streets.

Calooy looked into the demand for dust rags among companies in Cebu and realized that there was an unserved market for the product.

He went to the manufacturer of the dust rags, bought his stock for P15 a kilo and sold the rags for P25 a kilo.

His income from that business was greater than what he used to get when he still worked with the pharmaceutical firm.

He felt he owed the firm something for it was during his stint there that he got to establish business contacts. He contacted them and told them he would supply whatever they needed.

That was the start of his trading business.

At the same time, he tried making laundry soap from used cooking oil. Several attempts resulted in failure, but he did not give up. He spent a sizeable amount before he succeeded in producing laundry soap, which he now sells in Leyte.

He also developed other products, such as ginger tea powder and squash noodles.

Calooy says that his mother is fond of making fresh ginger tea. He also decided to develop squash noodles, remembering the time when his family only ate squash raised by his father when Typhoon “Besing” hit Southern Leyte in 1984, destroying all crops.

He decided to develop agri-based products to help farmers, Calooy says.

Later, he set up a small laundry soap plant and a noodles factory in his hometown, providing employment to 30 and 10 workers, respectively.

His company, RNC Marketing Philippines, provides regular employment to 10 workers.

Another company, My Partners Trading International, is engaged in trading and distribution, while Rhea Naomi Food products manufactures ginger tea, squash noodles and instant chocolate drink.

Calooy has not considered going into exports, believing that the poor, constituting over 90 percent of the total population, remains underserved due to the absence of quality but affordable products.

Calooy recently went to the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry to seek assistance so that he could improve the appearance and shelf life of his products.

Calooy attributes his success to discipline, his passion for hard work and his refusal to accept failure.

He urges would-be entrepreneurs to focus on their work and choose friends who have entrepreneurial minds.

But he maintains that education is an important element in attaining success in life.

He urges the youth to consider going into business rather than seek employment when they graduate from school. Succeeding in business does require hard work and perseverance, he says.

“Never give up,” says Calooy, who has been recognized by Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as one of Cebu’s most inspiring micro-entrepreneurs this year.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Update kay Ursulo






Narito ang update tungkol sa batchmate nating si Ursulo na pinsan ko.Nahihiya nga ako sa inyo kasi dapat alam ko kung ano ang kalagayan niya.Nagkataon lang na weekends lang ako nasa Orion at madalas na okupado sa maraming bagay,di ko siya napupuntahan.. Kaninang umaga,matapos kung magpagupit ng buhok sa parlor,dumaan ako sa kanya at kinamusta ko ang lagay niya. Napaluha siya ng makita ako at sabihin ko na kinakamusta siya ng mga kaklase na nasa abroad . Sa ngayon sa tulong ng lingguhang Dialysis maayos pa ang kalusugan niya.Malaki rin ang pasasalamat niya sa tulong ng 3 anak niya na nasa abroad ay natutustusan ang medication niya.Ang babae niyang anak ang nag-aalaga sa kanya.Sana raw ay makadalo pa siya sa susunod na reunion sa 2010.
Nagkausap kami ni Rolly, nasira daw ang laptop nya kaya di siya nakakapagpost ng blog at ibinigay niya ang contact number ni Nanding,na 2 beses kong tinawagan ngunit di ko siya nacontact. Mamaya ,sa landline number ko siya tatawagan. Ernie, may sagot na ang isa,next time ang iba,okay?