Compassion - his way of saying it

Rescue, relief, re-establishment.

These three are the things needed by our friends in Luzon. They may have suffered a lot because of Ondoy's aftermath, but life must go on. Who are we to question God? It is up to us on how we must pick up our lives after every fall, and how we deal with it.


Compassion is a human emotion prompted by the pain of others. More vigorous than empathy, the feeling commonly gives rise to an active desire to alleviate another's suffering.


So is this Manny Villar's way of showing compassion to a suffering nation? Or is this his way of sharing his campaign materials. Sorry senator, I just don't think this came out right, albeit proper.

Is Metro Manila sinking?

Shifting from one channel to another, torrential rains and water is on the news. Yes, water, floodwater.


I feel sincere pity to those greatly affected by this disaster. Although i feel their pain, i can do nothing but wait and pray that they are fine and out of harm's way.

I have blogger friends there, but I don't know of relatives who are residing in the areas affected by the flood. I have close friends too who are there for such a wrong timing. I was even invited to join them for the Bar Opps. They came in Friday and Saturday was a shocking state to them as Manila is greatly flooded and the downpour just won't stop. Worst of all, the bar exams is scheduled for the next Sunday, and they can do nothing about it but get their lives out of the metro as soon as the flights in the airport are back to normal. So for those who will tackle the last exams of the bar, it's a prolonged agony for some but another joyous moment for some as they can still continue the cramming. I guess no more fans to do drumroll when you get out of the exam rooms as those fans and supporters who went there have their flights scheduled for a return trip home.

I just couldn't understand why this has to happen. Again, we blame it on Mother Nature, and her anger. This is such a harsh reality. I have seen videos of cars and buses drowned in the deluge. People in the rooftops literally basking in the rain, chilling and crying for rescue.


Is Metro manila sinking? A question only experts can answer but I have seen with my two eyes, yes, the metro is sinking in the flood.

And while we wait for the news today, it will be even devastating as casualties and damage to properties will be announced. How many lives were claimed by the flood, how many houses filled with appliances were left as lives have to be evacuated. Such a pitiful situation.

But amidst these things, it's also in the news, people helping one another. My eyes got misty when news of such generosity and kindness are being flashed. Yes, Filipinos still have kind hearts. Some even help out the kids carrying them along in their backs to transport them to a safer place. During these times of disaster, we discover that we still have love in our hearts for our brothers and sisters in need of help. We find out that yes, Filipinos are worth the love.

Mother Nature is angry and her anger is lashed out to all of us. We here in Mindanao, especially in Gensan, are just thankful that we do not experience such a terrible state. We are covered by the mountains that continue to protect us from the winds and the rain.

My appeal is that we continue to preserve the mountains, as they are the ones which will save us from this dilemma. I am known to be an environment preserver, and I can only say my thanks to the good Lord for not letting us experience that flood, but I am praying too that people in the metro will survive from such tragic state.

The Metro may be sinking, but we still have time to make amends with Mother Nature.

Be safe, my friends!

A Quick Note

Dear friends,

My life is in a beautiful turmoil now, I have several projects lined up in my desks; to mention:

* 2 elementary Science books (for copyediting, final proofreading)
* 2 high school Science and Technology books (for copyediting, final proofreading)
* Bagong Bayani 3 and 4 Magazine for editing
* Bagong Bayani Magazine 1 and 2 for gathering of articles
* the GMA dictionary
* Grades 1-6 Reading books
* Grades 1-6 Adventures in English books
* IDs to make
* OLPGV translation project
* trip to Manila this October
* Bob Ong books to read

* kids and family

* social life - to which is impossible to insert for now.

So, please understand if I could but simply visit your blogs and not leave a message. I will be back soon after all these stuffs are all marked: Done!

Thanks.

sHenG

Air Supply Live in Gensan - What Air Supply Song Am I?

Ahhh Air Supply,

the famous duo who has melted the hearts of many.

Finally, Air Supply live here in Gensan and will be performing just for the generals. I have been an avid fan of their songs, yes, young as I am but that is Air Supply, those who know of their songs will just simply get carried away by the tempo, the lyrics, the melody, the ALL that is in their songs.

My Dad is an avid fan, and listening to what he has been listening to has made me a fan also of this phenomenal duo. My favorites from out of their collection of songs remain undisputably the best still, to name them:

All Out of Love
Lost in Love
All Out of Love
Making Love out of Nothing at All
Even the Nights are Better

But what stands out is the last on the list, Even the Nights are Better. I have always been a singer, albeit a poor singer of this song, the tempo just makes me giggly. This song is just ME, and so true that ever since I found my mate, all my nights have been better.

I, I was so confused
Feeling like Id just been used
Then you came to me
And my loneliness left me

I used to think I was tied to a heartache
That was the heartbreak
But now that Ive found you

Even the nights are better
Now that were here together
Even the nights are better
Since I found you
Even the days are brighter
When someone you loves beside you
Even the nights are better
Since I found you

You, you knew just what to do
Cause you had been lonely too
And you showed me how
To ease the pain

And you did more
Than mend a broken heart
Cause now youve made a fire start
And i, I can see that you feel
The same way.

Lovely song, isn't it? And those who knew me from the inside out would sure agree with me that this song is perfect for all that I have gone through.

Brought to us by the kind and generous sponsor, Mr. Michael Wee of Grab a Crab, and his Dreamwork Ventures Inc., this is another much awaited day for the Generals as we will surely be singing our hearts again, and will be entertained by the all-time favorite Air Supply.

I just love Bariles for coming up with this special contests, the Gensan News Online Mag is really awesometastic.

So to answer the biggest question of it all, What Air Supply song am I? It's up to you to figure it out, nah, of course, Even The Nights are Better!

*gets headphones and listens*


P.S.

The Air Supply in GenSan Concert is a major production of Dreamwork Ventures Inc.’s Platinum Concert Series 2009, in cooperation with the City Government of GenSan, the GenSan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., ABS-CBN. Other partners are Grab A Crab Restaurant, MISO Hardware, San Miguel Corporation, Coca Cola Bottlers Inc., East Asia Royale Hotel, Coffee Dream, Giacominos, NY Fries and Dips, Giacominos, Gaisano Mall of GenSan and Gregoria Printing Press.

The Neighbor that Was

Before we moved into our new home in La Cassandra, we had a neighbor who moved into their house a year and months more before we did. So they were the ones who took care of the house by checking it from time to time. Taking a look at their lifestyle, i noticed that they were kinda' luxurious, they had two vehicles, a Getz Hyundai, and an L200 pick-up, all brand new. The woman who manages the household is also the same woman who manages a big store of RTWs fronting a big mall here in our place, she even had a booth leased inside the mall. They sell cellphones, accessories, apparels. When they got into the subdivision, I was very envious because they had their lawn landscaped, had their AC prepared, had their walls painted good, had lotsa orchids, and they are simply RICH.

They are friendly neighbors too, especially Manong, the father of the woman, his hubby invites my hubby for drinks but hubby refuses to join them since he just doesn't drink. The kids go to a very fine school, expensive even. The kids have one yaya each, they got 2 kids. The man doesn't do anything, he's a home guy, a drinker and just an eater, read: palamunin.

And suddenly, there was no more red car, they sold it they say, and another month after, no more L200. They sold it to pay debts, as the woman had to do a guarantee favor to someone but she was fooled and swindled. The cars were really sayang, all brand new, the red car not even 2 years and was sold, the L200, not even a year, sold for only P400,000.

And just Saturday, no more neighbors. We heard they really had to move into a new place since they have no car, and must be near the downtown area where they have their booths.

I felt bad and sad for their early bankruptcy, I feel pity to the wife who did all she can to be a good provider. I felt anger to the hubby for being such a palamunin. I feel sad that Manong will not be with us anymore.

What's good with their move is that they left some of their orchids with me, I guess a souvenir that once in my life, we had been neighbors.

Ahhhh, life is really ups and downs. We must be careful for there are just some people who will pull you down each time you go up and will get your gold easily.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Everything Mom
By Joanna Fuchs


How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid.

How did you do it all, Mom,
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend.

I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I'd call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all.

Krispy Kreme, Finally!

I have always wanted a taste of this precious brand of doughnuts. Because here in Gensan, the available names we have are only Mr. Donuts and the ever pasalubong ng bayan - Dunkin' Donuts.

And finally, last Saturday, my 2 boxes of Krispy Kreme arrived.

I was scheduled to attend an old friend's wedding that Saturday in Davao city, and i plurked about it too prior to my trip, and since Plurk = updates, i read that a blogger friend is on her way to Davao City too, that same Saturday. I asked her if she could be available for a meet-up. Because if ever she is, i'd be very delighted to see her, my first ever meet-up with Manila blogger/plurker friends.

While in the wedding, she texted me, and confirmed, we will meet her! Yay!

Upto6only, yes, that's the who I have met. We met at Chowking, and it doesn't need any introduction because it is as if we were introduced already and we know of each other's lives because of our blogs. I have been frequenting her blog even before her photos were featured in Manila Bulletin, a brilliant writer, and an excellent photographer, all rolled into one name, Upto6only.

with Upto6only

And yes, she brought me what I have always been longing to try: Krispy Kreme. Double Yay! I have long wondered why KK has been on the popular side of doughnuts, and I have always wondered what could be the difference between KK and the other names of doughnuts. And now, I definitely knew the answer.

Finally, my first ever Krispy Kreme!

The soft yet crisp doughnuts used a very nice dough, unlike other brands which has its very soft but press it together, and you get 1 thin piece. Krispy kreme has it's sinfully delicious sugary taste in its frostings, very unlike the too sweet confectioners we taste on the other brands.

The cholocate shredded chips on top of the rings are very heavenly, that yes, I'd say, equals no one, yet.

I don't know what flavors they are but if you could help me figure them out, I'll know the name of my favorite flavor. It's actually the third doughnut (in order from top pic). My guess is that, it's a Lemon cheesecake. Seconded by the the fourth and the fifth, which I reckon are Chocolate Iced and Flavor Filled and Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate. Mmmmm, ssshhhh, an officemate passed by and she's craved when she saw these sinful delights...


Oh well, thank God for blessings! I went to Davao to meet with an old friend and join in her wedding, and I also met with a new friend too, Upto6only.

Marian, Thank you so much for the Krispy Kreme, you don't know how happy you made me feel that very night. I'm uber satisfied with Krispy Kreme. I still have 4 in the fridge as of today, because I want the doughnuts to last longer, I have been greedy and dividing the rings into 4 so we all could eat, and 1 flavor each snack, haha. Resisting the temptation to devour all of them.

I am even much much happier that I had the chance to meet you. Until next, and maybe with other bloggers too.

And for the record, she ain't really up to 6 only, we met at 9pm, teehee! ;-)

30 Be Good to Yourself Therapy

I read these from a book that i have been neglecting to read for years. And when it finally dawned on me that it's time for me to grab it, here's what I got and will share with you.


1. Trust yourself. You know what you want and need.

2. Put yourself first. You can't be anything for anybody else unless you take care of yourself.

3. Let your feelings be known. They are important.

4. Express your opinions, it's good to hear yourself talk.

5. Value your thinking, you do it well.

6. Take the time and space you need - even if other people are wanting something from you.

7. When you need something, don't talk yourself out of it. Even if you can't have it, it's okey to need.

8. When you're scared, let someone know. Isolating yourself when you're scared makes it worse.

9. When you feel like running away, let yourself feel the scare. Think about what you fear will happen, and decide what you need to do.

10. When you're angry, let yourself feel the anger. Decide what you want to do; just feel it, express it, or take some action.

11. When you're sad, think about what is comforting.

12. When you're hurt, tell the person who hurt you. Keeping it inside makes it grow.

13. When you see someone else's hurt face, breathe. You are not responsible for making other people happy, but you can cheer him up.

14. When you have work to do and don't want to do it. decide what really needs to be done and what can wait.

15. When you want something from someone else, ask. You'll be okey when they say NO. Asking is being true to yourself.

16. When you need help, ask. Trust people to say no if they don't want to give.

17. When people turn you down, it usually has to do with them and not with you. Ask someone else for what you need.

18. When you feel alone, know there are people who want to be with you. Fantasize what it would be like to be with each of them. Decide if you want to make that happen.

19. When you want to say something loving to someone, go ahead. Expressing your feelings is not a commitment.

20. When someone yells at you, breathe. Think about the message they are trying to get across to you. If you think about it, you will need some realization.

21. When you can't thin straight. Stop thinking. Feel.

22. When you feel harried, slow down. Deliberately slow your breathing, your speech and your movements.

23. Whenyou have tears, cry.

24. When everything seems gray, look for color.

25. When you feel like a baby, take care of the baby in you.

26. When someone gives you a gift, say "thank you". That's all you need to do.

27. When someone loves you, just accept and be glad. Love is not an obligation. You do not have to do anything in return.

28. Write down your thoughts. It helps to think about it when it is written.

29. Smile always, that is not only a gift to others but for yourself as well.

30. Acknowledge that there is a God who takes care of you, so you have to be good to yourself.

It's only 30 steps, but it sure makes a difference.
Take care everyone!

Love,

sHenG