Behind the Smiles

Typhoon Ondoy made landfall in the eastern coast of the northern Philippines on Saturday, bringing rains that caused widespread flooding in many parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila which was hardly hit .
I know that a lot of people are still shocked by the events of the past days. Typhoon Ondoy has been the most destructive catastrophe that had hit the Philippines. Now is the time for all of us to unite and open our hearts to the cries of help from our "kababayans" As suggested by Josie, Batch '63 can make a difference by helping out the victims of the flood.

For the information of our batch mates Lagrimas and Julie's happy stance and smiles in the pictures I posted yesterday are cover-ups for the silent grieving they are experiencing because some of their close kins were affected by the wrath of Ondoy. The house of Julie's brother in Vista Verde, Cainta was submerged in flood waters and everything in the house were damaged . Lagrimas was worrying because her niece who resides in Cainta cannot be reached by phone for almost two days. Later they were informed that she is okay but everything in her rented house were also destroyed by flood waters.

Maybe our other batchmates have their own stories to tell about this recent happening...it is really heartbreaking to see our kababayan suffering but in the worst of time like this we see how resilient Filipinos are.

ONDOY and JRI Batch 1963

We were in Austin, Texas, when we learned about the devastation brought about by ONDOY to our kababayans in Luzon, particularly in some areas of Metro Manila.

OUR BATCH CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. The time to make the first move to help is NOW.

I learned from our experience during the 'deluge'in Ormoc City, that flood victims are in dire and immediate need of salt, matches. candles, clothes,slippers and water - before anything else. Cooked food, like arroz caldo, champorado and sinaing are most welcome. The canned sardines given at NDCC centers are enough for ulam for a few days.

Rollie, with his Rotarian spirit and experience(not to mention his charisma) can take the lead.

On the other hand, our lifetime president, MIKE, will be the leader of those who are presently out of the country.

PLEASE DON'T HESITATE WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND YES-
YOUR DONATIONS TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE.

Posing While Posting

We were at Lagrimas place ,this rainy Monday afternoon. There were two reasons why we were there, one is to teach Lagrimas how to post in our blog and to have lunch with her. Ang nangyari natagalan sa turuan, wala namang natutuhan kasi mas interesado siya mag photo shoot. Just look at the pictures taken by her daughter,April,di naman nakikinig,may ka phone pal pa. Nelia, sorry daw kasi di siya makakapag post,at suko na ako sa pagtuturo. At napakaselan pa pinag- alcohol pa ako bago pinahawakan ang laptop niya kasi kumain muna kami ng lansones.
But in fairness masarap naman ang iniluto niyang lunch sa amin,Filipino chopsuey and porkchops. It is an afternoon to remember!!

Mental Test

During a visit to the mental hospital, I asked the Director, 'How do you
determine whether or not a patient should be admitted to the hospital?'

'Well,' said the Director, 'we fill up the bathtub with water, then give
a teaspoon, teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him to empty
the bathtub.'

'Oh, I understand,' I said. A normal person would use
the bucket because it is bigger than the teaspoon or the teacup.'

'No' said the dircctor. 'A normal person would pull the drain plug.

Well....do you want a bed near the window?'

A MESSAGE BY GEORGE CARLIN

I would like to share this article I very recently came accross, with you, my dear batchmates...
I think this is a masterpiece . If you have not read it yet, take time to read it now... Then read it again.

George Carlin died July 2008. He was a comedian of the 70's and 80's. Isn't it so amazing for a comedian like him to write something so very eloquent .. and so very appropriate .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways but narrower viewpoints . We spend more, but have less , we buy more but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families , more conveniences but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly , laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late , get up too tired , read too little, watch tv too much and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced on values. We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often. We've learned to make a living but not life. We've added years to life,but not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space, but not inner space. We've done larger things but not better things.
We've cleared up the air, but polluted the soil. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character , steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of large incomes but more divorce, fancier houses but broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers , throwaway morality, one nightstands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is too much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you , a time when you can choose either to share this insight or just hit delete...

There is much truism in what he said . Got to share this with whoever cares to read.
Warm regards to you fellas.

DAILY PRAYER - SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

We often wish, Lord, that life were simple. So many people find themselves greedy for the latest and greatest gadgets - flat screen TVs, fancy cars, huge homes - that they get in over their heads with credit card debts and bills. Help us to let go of our need for such material possessions and to appreciate a simple life, enjoying the company of family and friends while living for You. Amen.

Advance Economics

It is the month of August, on the shores of the Black Sea. It is raining, and the little town looks totally deserted. It is tough times, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.

Suddenly, a rich tourist comes to town.He enters the only hotel, lays a 100 Euro note on the reception counter,
and goes to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to choose one.The hotel proprietor takes the 100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to the butcher. The butcher takes the 100 Euro note, and runs to pay his debt to the pig grower.The pig grower takes the 100 Euro note, and runs to pay his debt to the supplier of his feed and fuel.
The supplier of feed and fuel takes the 100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to the town's prostitute that in these hard times, gave her "services" on credit.The hooker runs to the hotel, and pays off her debt with the 100 Euro note to the hotel proprietor to pay for the rooms that she rented when she brought her clients there.

The hotel proprietor then lays the 100 Euro note back on the counter so that the rich tourist will not suspect anything. At that moment, the tourist comes down after inspecting the rooms, and takes his 100 Euro note, after saying that he did not like any of the rooms, and leaves town. No one earned anything. However, the whole town is now without debt, and looks to the future with a lot of optimism.....

And that, batchmates, is how the United States and the Australian governments are doing business today.

DAILY PRAYER - SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

Increase our faith, Lord! We yearn to be closer to You. We want to hear Your voice and do Your will. Walk with us on our journey of faith. You are our guiding light. Help us to teach others about Your goodness by being a good example of dedicated Christian living. Amen.

The Best Diet for Life

This topic was published in the Pheladelphia Inquirer by Dr. Ranit Mishori.

The MEDITERRANEAN diet is among the most highly recommended eating plans. But which of its components brings the biggest benefits? In a recent study in the British Medical Journal, researchers tracked 23,000 adults in Greece. They found that eating a lot vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes(like beans and peas) had the greatest impact on increasing longevity. Also associated with a longer lifespan: consuming moderate amounts of alcohol and less meat. Surprisingly, a high intake of cereals and seafood had little to no positive effect.

In related researh, a study in the Archives of Neurology showed that the Mediterranean diet reduced people's risk of experiencing dementia or of its progressing. In a group of adults with no dementia symptoms at the study's start, those who most closely adhered to the Mediterranean diet had 28% lower risk of developing cognitive impairment. In a group that already had impairment, the people who best followed the plan had a 48% lower risk of getting full-blown Alzheimer's disease.

GO On, Make My Day!

Best scene from the wild, wild West, er, East, featuring our very own Manny and his ma'am pardner, Deb.

Watch out, M & D. Bill and his Calamity Jane are lurkin' about. Hang on to your safe and suitcase and be sure the AK-7 (?) is loaded.

Batch Meeting on September 5, 2009

With nineteen (19) batch mates attending including Nelia and Josie who are bound to be back to the US ,the meeting which started at 2:30 pm at Nelia's place practically ended around 11:00 pm,the rest of the evening spent listening to the jokes and antics of Joey (Pito) Mariano and listening to Beatles songs.The September birthday celebrants brought the merienda; pancit canton from Ofelia Angeles Calimbas,dinuguan from Rosa Villegas Balmaceda and puto from Ramon Lacson. Josie brought a bilao of kakanin while Nelia provided the drinks,sandwiches,nilagang saging na saba ,mixed nuts and chocolates.
The following reunion concerns were discussed and finalized for the two major activities on January 16 and 17 2010 .

Saturday, January 16

5:00 AM -------Thanksgiving Mass
( No other mass schedule in the morning is available and the
anticipated mass in the afternoon pose the problem since we are
coming from the Batch picnic. Attire:Batch T-Shirt

8:00 AM onwards-Batch Picnic, God's Win Resort, Limay

Attire: Batch T Shirt
Food :To be provided by a caterer . Batch mates are requested
to provide the number of family members they will bring
along for accounting and information to the caterer. Pls.
contact Belen 244 4314, Luz 0917 8343272 or Emma 244 4035
The total number shall be finalized during the November
meeting.

January 17 Sunday

5:00 AM Sunday Mass
7;00 AM Visit to Gawad Kalinga Housing Project
Assembly : JRI Compound
Departure: 7:00 AM
Breakfast : Gawad Kalinga Multi-Purpose Hall
A Caterer shall provide different variants of
Sinangag,itlog, tapa, corned beef etc...
Photo sessions and fellowship

7:00 PM Dinner Dance Lou-Is Resort and Restaurant
Balanga City
(Raven Resort is not available for the whole month of January)



Other Activities:

There were also some suggestions that if some small group
gatherings may be held within the period the Balikbayans
are around,batch mates shall be informed/invited.These
activities will be further discussed next meeting scheduled
on November.


These are the highlights of the meeting,Nelia can perfectly describe
the "sidelights"

THANK YOU

The past week has been a time of great distress for our family and the thought that those we used to look up to ( Inang, Tata, Tiya, Ingkong) are no longer around even just be able to feel their comforting presence and courage made it more so. We, the siblings all adult as we are still have that inner child that longing for 'someone' to tell us not to worry , it's ok , everything will be fine.
But God is so good , truly magnificent, wonderfully awesome! He has never left us throughout
the ordeal. Sometimes He works in mysterious ways that we humans can't fathom but it is always what He sees best and what we really need.
To those who have read the blog posted by Azon a few days ago re my sister Pricilla's open heart surgery , the mild stroke following which almost made recovery difficult , I know you were with us. Many responded and it was a great comfort. What can my family and I say, save ,A Big Big Thank You....Thank you ... and a lot more ...Prayers avail much and miracles do happen even today.
Sister Priscilla is on her road to complete recovery. She's out of the Intensive Care Unit sans the iv's, no blood clot, with great presence of mind etc.... A bit of theraphy here and there will take care of the bits and pieces that usually come with a major surgery like that.

sept.5 meeting with jo

more pix on sept. 5 meeting

trip to corrigedor

A JRI 63 Reunion of Three

Niagara Falls is one great wonder of nature. Its grandeur and amazing beauty captivate millions of people from around the world every year. Each minute, 6 million gallons of water cascades down from its height of 173 meters and produces thundering sounds that makes one shiver from its power. The falls breaks down H2O into hydrogen and oxygen and offers pure air for the faint of lungs. The resulting atmosphere of fresh mist cools down the blistering summer sun. That would be enough to inspire awe from anyone who comes near this magnificient creation.

One of our batchmates among the many has been lured into this

fascinating site, that one daythis September 2009, she just unannouncedly barged into Toronto

and made her equally wondrous presence.

Of course, Lourdes and I were very willing hosts to this once bikini beauty, and we started a sort of reunion of three in this part of the world.

Together with my OAO Cecile, we drove our tourist around and gladly showed her the sights and the sounds of Niagara and Toronto. It was a non-stop story-

telling and the usual high school anecdotes were just hilarious.

Then there was the eating which has

become our Filipino tradition of entertaining our guests. How about China buffet?

I would like to impress on you batchmates that we feel just like members of a cherished JRI family. As Pilar said she felt like hugging every batchmate she meets after such a loooong time!

It was indeed a great opportunity to renew our friendships when we could pick up where we left off.

You may watch the other pictures in my multiply site.

Playing with Sand

This is the most incredible talent you will ever see.

villa amanda resort

SEPT.5 meeting

Rolly,presiding during the meeting

Sept 5 meeting,eating time

Sept.5 meeting at our place

arrived home safely

First of all,I would like to thank God for letting all these happen.For letting us take nanay home for her funeral without any problems and for our safe trip back home.we arrived yesterday afternoon from a very long and tiring trip,but I have enough strength to say a few words about my trip in the Phil.
My dear ones,mere words are not enough to express how grateful I am and my whole family for all the acts of love,all the prayers,emotional and financial support that you have given us during our most trying times. All these will never be forgotten,it will only add up to the things that are already engraved in my heart.
My trip to the Phil.was so sad but at the same time happy.Sad because we have to say goodbye to nanay but happy because of the pouring of love and support from all our families and friends especially you,my classmates.We were happy also because we were able to fulfll her most cherish wish to be burried with the rest of our loved ones.
I just want everybody who have gone to the wake to know that your presence helped me a great deal to go through this most difficult time.But I'm also thankful to those who were unable to be there but kept us in their hearts.
After the funeral we were able to go places because my 2 sister in laws and my 2 nephews have never in the places that we explored which even me and my 2 brothers have never been before.That's the reason why I got so dark.most of the places we went to were mostly beaches and it was so hot during those days.It only rained during the last night of the wake,during our meeting last Sept. 5 and more than a week before we left. In fact it was raining hard on our way to the airport.I thought we won't be able to make it on time ,plus the traffic was so bad.
Some of the places we visited are; Mt.Samat,Corrigedor,Morning Breeze Resort in Bagac where we saw the place where they made Zorro,Hundred Islands,Villa amanda,The Raven,The Aeta community,La Vista,Morong,A beach in Subic,the bat kingdom,duty free in Olongapo,Fort Santiago,SM in north edsa and the one in Clark.We also ate breakfast at the isdaan in Tarlac on our way to The Hundred Islands.We also went to Julie's nephew's mango plantation,close to the beach in Puting buhangin.One thing that was very challenging was when we slept overnight at the breakwater in Pulong bato amidst the big thunders and lightning.We we're gonna go fishing but unluckily did't catch any.So,my cousin just asked for some fish that some fishermen caught which we cooked on top of the giant rocks.We brought firewoods,rice and pots thinking that we will be able to catch some fish.It was 630 in the morning when we woke up and luckily it didn't rain.It was a very exciting experience.One of the boats almost went upside down,bec. it had no motor and my two cousins were screaming with their lungs out in the middle of the night.Some of the folks who were already asleep wokeup wondering what those crazy people were doing in the middle of the night in the ocean.
It will take me a while to write all my experiences on my recent trip but it is too long already.I'll try to send some of the thousands of pix that I took,don't worry i'll only send a few.I don't want you to get tired of my face,I'll save some for our reunion.
I was chatting with Ernie a while ago but I got disconnected,that's why I know Pilar and Lourdes are with him,what a nice mini reunion in Canada.
I'm already missing you guys back home,thank you for everything,all the pasalubong and most of all for making me happy.Take care everyone and I'll be seeing you,soon.

All my love,

Nelia

We did a gig at Crown Royale but the crowd kept on requesting pang bagets songs. Guess I'm really old for this type of gigs, unless my audience are oldies like me. Anyway, I enjoyed it. Hello to all.

Fely Reyes' Younger Sister Is Very Ill

Fely's sister, Priscilla who resides in Orion, has just undergone a major openheart surgery. In the course of the surgery or perhaps prior to that, she suffered a stroke that left a blood clot in her brain.

The family who are with her at the moment are waiting for the neurosurgeon to check it out. While she is conscious and can somehow respond to some questions , there are worrying signs of some problems.

It has proved too distressing to some member of her family. I enjoin our family and friends to spare a thought for the family in their hour of great distress.

Jokes To Make Your Day

Breast For Mommy Dionesia Pacquiao


Mommy Dionisia: Doc, gusto kong magpalagay ng breast!

Doc: (Gulat!):Magpapa- sexy ka na?

Mommy Dionisia: Breast sa ngepen ba, para umayos yung ngepen ko!


************ *****


Barko

Mag-ama nakasakay sa barko habang bumabagyo...
Anak: Tay! Nag-aalala po ako. Parang lulubog ang barko.
Tatay: Tanga! Ba't ka mag-aalala eh di naman atin ito!

************ *****
10 Oras
Isang binata naputulan ng parehong braso, pagdating sa ospital:
Binata: Doc gamutin nyo po ako, naputol parehong braso ko.
Doc: Mga anong oras ka ba naputulan?
Binata: Mga 10 oras na po.
Doc: 10?!? Eh bakit ngayon ka lang pumunta dito?
Binata: HALLER! Mahirap kayang pumara ng jeep!!

************ *****
Lipstick
Misis: Inday, napansin mo ba ang barong ni sir mo lagi na lang may
lipstick?

Maid: Opo nga ma'am! Mukang niloloko na tayo ni sir ah?!?!


Tawa naman !!

A quick test of intelligence

Don't cheat! Because if you did, the test would be no fun. I promise, there are no tricks to the test.
Read the sentence below and count the F's in that sentence. Count them ONLY ONCE. Do not go back and count them again.

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE-
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTIF-
IC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.

-

-

-

-

-

Answer:

There are six F's in the sentence.
A person of average intelligence finds three of them.
If you spotted four, you're above average.
If you got five, you can turn your nose at most anybody.
If you caught six, you are a genius.
There is no catch.
Many people forget the "OF"'s.
The human brain tends to see them as V's and not F's.
Pretty weird, huh?

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Just a thought for those non-English speaking people......

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen not oxes.
One fowl is a goose , but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses , not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Then shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

One may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose'
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren ,
But though we say mother , we never say methren.
Then the musculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine : she shis and shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language,
For there's no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger '
neither apple nor pine in pineapple and
English muffins weren't even invented in England.
We take English for granted , but if we explore its paradoxes,
We find that quicksand can work slowly , boxing rings are square
and a guinea pig is neither Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing,
Grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.
If you have a bunch of odds and ends
and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If a teacher taught , why didn't preachers praught
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English
Should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play
and play at a recital?
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.
We have noses that run and feet that smell
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same ,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
In which your house can burn up as it burns down,
In which you fill in a form by filling it out,
and an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing, if Father is Pop,
how come Mother is not Mop?
AND IF PEOPLE IN POLAND ARE CALLED POLES
THEN PEOPLE IN HOLLAND SHOULD BE HOLES
AND THE GERMANS..... GERMS

Some Popular Shorthand Texting Terms

Have you ever experienced difficulty reading text messages from the young, from your son, daughter or nieces or even your grandchildren? Do you know what HAND, IAT, BI5 means?
Indeed we may be startled by such popular terms as GNOC(Get naked on camera),POS (Parents over shoulder),LMIRL(Let's meet in real life)

Other than OMG, BTW,BFF,LOL,both the AP Stylebook and Merriam-Webster Dictionary now recognized texting shorthand.

Here is a sampling of some popular shorthand texting terms:

* UG2BK...... You got to be kidding
* GBTW....... Get back to work
* NMP ....... Not my problem
* PIR........ Parent in room
* GFTD........Gone for the day
* FYEO........For your eyes only
* BI5 .......Back in five minutes
* DEGT ......Don't even go there
* BIL .......Boss is listening
* PAW........Parents are watching
* 99.........Parents are no longer watching
* PCM........Please call me
* IMS........I am sorry
* TOY........Thinking of you
* KUTGW......Keep up the good work
* CID........Consider it done
* FWIW ......For what it is
* HAND.......Have a nice day
* IAT .......I am tired
* NRN........No response necessary
* 4COL.......For crying out loud
* WRUD.......What are you doing?
* ^5 ........High five


I know you are now ROFL (Rolling out on the floor laughing) !

A Must See

I hope you like this as I did!

http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/1684226/1312315328/name/What

How Twitterate Are You?

New words and expressions are expanding, enriching and invigorating the English language. Old words are exhumed from disuse, and revived albeit with new sounds, new meanings, and at times curious detachment from their original use.

How is your Twitteracy IQ?

We all know what OMG and BTW mean. But do you know what twit used to mean and what it means now?

To twit according to Collins English Dictionary is to tease, to taunt or to reproach often in jest. To twitter is to utter a succession of chirping sounds. A twit is a foolish or stupid person.

Now there is the internet social networking site called Twitter, a site that allows users to send messages of 140 characters or less. To twitter is the act of using Twitter. The messages are called twits. There is still a faintly recognisable link to the old meanings and use of the word.

Now try these internet-derived terms and see if you can guess what they mean: meh, mwah, noob, woot, soz, staycation, buzzkillers,beer o'clock, ecotarians, carborexics. How did you go?

(If you wish to know what the terms mean, check the comment screen).

Batchmates, don't let the twittering twits twaddle you into believing it was their original idea. Back in our time we read (and sometimes some of the more daring among us wrote) twittery messages on tree trunks, toilet walls , on fences at jeepney and busstops, flying kites, etc... Remember : Leroy (or someone else) was here; Jack loves Jill; Bawal eng meme keni (pardon the spelling).

We'd done it before and the newage twitteratis are merely reprising it but the difference is that they now use a new (internet) medium and they are quite content to call themselves twits - foolish, stupid. But of course we were not twits, we'd never call ourselves that.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS

To our batchmates September Birthday Celebrants we are greeting you a happy birthday and wish you all good health of mind and body.

1. ROSA VILLEGAS BARBOSA-BALMACEDA - SEPTEMBER 4

2. OFELIA ANGELES CALIMBAS - SEPTEMBER 6

3. ALFREDO GABRIEL - SEPTEMBER 9

4. RAMON LACSON - SEPTEMBER 16.