Start of something new

Sharing of interests, stories of where I've been and what I did. Insights, thoughts, learning that may be applicable and helpful to anybody in this world!

Friday 26 April 2013

Happy Friday: Amazing Matrix!

Or should I say WEB!

Last Wednesday (April 24) was one of the longest day in my life with all of the people that I talked to!  With all of the strings that I want pulled!  

Back Story: My sister was supposed to come here in MY with my father in law today April 26.  However, due to some unavoidable circumstance, my father in law was admitted to the hospital and was not permitted to travel.

Given this, Louise will be traveling alone which is prohibited because she is a minor.  

FYI to those who are not aware, a minor traveling alone is not allowed unless the minor has:

(1) DSWD Travel Clearance to travel alone or 
(2) Has a legal guardian duly approved by DSWD

Luckily, my friends (Beth and Rod) were also traveling here to MY and thus we thought that it would be best for Louise to travel with a legal guardian than to travel alone.

Two things:
(1) We need to ask Cebu Pacific to rebook her flight from April 26 to April 25 without any fee.

- For this to be done, a medical certificate and a PRC ID of my father in law's doctor should be presented
- It will take CP to investigate and approve within 24 hours!

(2) We need to have an approved travel clearance from DSWD.

- For this to be done there were a lot of requirements (which I will be writing in a separate blog).

With these two requirements needed a day before the flight! I want to vomit blood! It seemed like we need to pull some strings and look for connections to make things work!

With the effort and full cooperation of DIAZ and FERNANDO FAMILY we were able to make Louise Fly yesterday!  No strings pulled! Just semi-cranky KL talking to very accommodating Cebu Pacific Agent ~ Thanks Apple Gonzales for all the help!

Let me give you the details on who did what:



Gboy - Punong Abala! Principal! Director! President!
         - In Makati City
He was the one calling everyone because he was in the Philippines!  Call Mama, Papa, Cebu Pacific and ME!
Adjusted his working hour to make sure that he is able to get the Travel Clearance from DSWD which was in Muntinlupa, Alabang.


 
Mika- Vice President.
       - In San Pablo City
He was the one who initially researched on the requirements in DSWD and how to contact DSWD in Laguna (that was apparently in Muntinlupa Alabang).  Submitted the Birth Certificate of Louise to DSWD.



KL- Secretary.
    - In Malaysia
Talking to Mika, Gboy, Cebu Pacific, Mama Lena, Beth, Leah and Noel.  Coordinating here and there and everywhere! Maintaining my posture at all times, I do not want to be tagged as irate customer! :)




Noel - Assistant Secretary
       - In Malaysia
Coordinating with the secretary and giving moral support with everything that is happening.





Mama Loida - Treasurer
                  - In San Pablo City and Muntinlupa City
Arriving from a 2am Flight from Hongkong, accompanied Louise at DSWD in Muntinlupa Alabang to process the Travel Clearance and pay all necessary documents.  Not to mention, finding a Notary Public at Muntinlupa City is not easy!





Papa Gary - Assistant Treasurer 
                - In Binan Laguna
Coordinated with Gboy for the necessary documents needed for the DSWD.



Mama Lena - Public Relations Officer
                - In Angono Rizal
Requested for the PRC ID of Papa Nestor's physician, went all the way to the hospital to get the documents. Produced documents in less than an hour!



Papa Nestor - Public Relations Officer II

                - In Angono Rizal
Accompanied Mama Lena in all transactions





Special thanks to:

Leah Tanyag - for coordinating with Beth (who is in a meeting) all the necessary documents needed.

Beth Tangonan - for producing the necessary documents within requested timeline, even at 10 in the evening!

With all of these things happening in just less than one day I was worried that we might not finish on time.  With a lot of effort and coordination, Louise was able to fly to Malaysia with Beth and now she is here!! :D

Kudos to this wonderful team! I don't think this will happen again because we already know what to do! :)


Thanks again! Yay!


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Xoxo




Thursday 25 April 2013

Making each moment count!




I was browsing through my personal files and I saw this excel file that I made more than one year ago!

This was the schedule that I made when we were about to go back to the Philippines for 9 days.  I made this schedule because I wanted to make sure that we (Sweets and I) are able to do the things that we planned to do.

After making this schedule I had this approved by my husband to make sure that he is amenable with this schedule and if he wants to make any changes.

Just now, I thought am I over acting when I made this schedule in an excel file? Nah, I think not! I just wanted to make things documented!

I want to show you what I did:



Although there were a lot of blank spaces there I think we were able to maximize our stay in the Philippines at that time!

If you will recall, I also had our last holidays in the Philippines well documented.  I made sure that we made the most of our stay!  To find out more, visit -->  Our Sweet 16 Days in Pinas (2013)

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Xoxo



Wednesday 24 April 2013

Sharing my wonderful Experience! ^_^

You all know how proud I am in everything that I do! Hahahahah!

Well one of the things that I am very proud of was when I got married to a very wonderful man!  

There is nothing more special than that and I am very blessed to be able to go back to those precious memories because of the wonderful team that helped us that day!

Yes! No other than Noel Salazar and his team! 

Let me share with all of you again what transpired in this wonderful experience with Noel S. --> Read more from Happy Couple!

I am always and will always be proud of what Noel has achieved and will achieve! He has made wonders on our wedding day and I know he will do as well with other couples.  He was even blessed to have Rae Venturanza as his wonderful wife!! ^_^

This couple is very busy helping other people achieve their dream photos! They will definitely make time to create memorable portraits that will surely last a lifetime!  Well I am always a living proof so no need ask further!


Catch them and you will definitely not regret it!
Talk to you all soon and wish to see your wonderful portraits from Noel and Rae!

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Xoxo
 

Winky Wednesday: Tara!


 
Let me share with you my ramblings, craziness and how it is to be in LOVE!

Tuesday 23 April 2013

I am appreciating the Heat of the Sun!



Summer is all through out and Mr Sun is boasting about how hot he is!  Yes Yes I know he is hot and I mean very hot especially in the Philippines!

I think it has something to do with our Ozone layer... blah blah blah.. I can still remember my High School mini thesis when I discussed about the importance of the Ozone Layer and how it helps absorbs 97–99% of the Sun's medium-frequency ultraviolet light (from about 200 nm to 315 nm wavelength), which potentially damages exposed life forms on Earth.

Because of the many things that are happening with our Ozone Layer now, it can no longer absorb as much UV Rays coming from the sun and thus a lot of problems arising - like heat stroke, skin cancer, skin asthma etc but for the mild ones, it is really extremely hot that you would like to take a bath every single hour!

The depletion of the ozone layer is one thing to be alarmed and to take action to but I can only do much as an individual.  However, because of the heat of the sun I realized one thing ~ My family and I are very blessed!

Here are my reasons!

1. We have a house to stay away from the scorching heat.
2. We have a refrigerator to store water and make ice cubes.
3. We have water to drink to keep us hydrated.
4. We have electric fan and air condition to keep us cool.
5. We have clothes to wear to protect us from the heat.
6. We have work that does not require us to be under the heat of the sun.
7. We have the opportunity to take vacation and cool down.

While some people are having a hard time appreciating the heat of the sun, I was able to find some things to appreciate and I am very happy for that!

Often times, we focus on the problem and not the solution.
Often times, we focus on the bad things and not the good.

I think it will always be best that in every not so good experience / happening that comes our way, we should always stop and think back, how is this situation beneficial for us? How is this situation able to help us to think about the things that we have and others don't?

With these questions in mind, we will be reminded that there are always good things in every situation, there are learning in every challenge and that we should always learn how to appreciate!

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Xoxo

Monday 22 April 2013

Jen and Ed's Wedding Day

Last year, we attended another wedding in the Philippines and it was also my second hosting stint!  It was Ed and Jen's wedding.  They are both staying here in Malaysia and just went back to Philippines for the wedding.

Before I proceed with the wedding, let me refresh your memory about Ed and Jen's pre-nuptial pictorial here in KL --> Click here

This was the AVP that I have created for them:



Now on to the wedding!

Ed and Jen are our very good friends and we really made the time to come to their wedding even though it was very far from our place. The travel was all worth it.  

>>> Funny moment: It was our (Sweets and I) first time to go to Novaliches and we really do not have any idea where the church is going to be.  Then it rained hard and we felt that it will be more difficult to find the Church.  Then suddenly:

Noel:  Ayun na ung Church! (pointing to a cross)
KL:     Sige go don tayo!
Noel:  (Drive drive lang habang umuulan)
KL:     Ayan malapit na.  (then after 5 min going to the cross)
KL:     Eh Poste naman yan eh! Toinks!

We were both laughing madness! Hahahhah!
Then we have decided to call the couple for directions:

KL:    Ed! San ba ung church?
Ed:    Deretsuhin nyo lang ung daan, then maghanap kayo ng pila ng tricycle
KL:    Tapos?
Ed:    Tanong nyo don sa mga tricycle driver kung san ung simbahan
KL:    Huh? Okie sige!

Malaking tulong talaga si Ed!
Then we decided to call Jen! Luckily we found the place! Hahahaha!

Anyways!  Their reception was supposed to be a garden reception but because of the blessings that poured down, they had the reception in the hall instead!

We arrived there a bit early because I wanted to talk to Jen and Karen regarding the reception and other small details.  When we arrived, Ed and Jen were both getting ready!

Jen was very stunning! 
Ed was in his tuxedo (very pogi:))!




While both of them were having their pictorials, Sweets and I were having our pictorials as well! Hahahahaha!

Then a few minutes later, we went to the church to prepare for the wedding.
When I saw the bridal car! I was like "WOWOWOWOWOW" so nice!


I like it when the couple makes a twist on their wedding! Very cutie cutie!


The wedding was held at the "Christ King of the Universe Parish".



The happy couple!
I was not able to attend the entire wedding as I was running here and there with Karen in preparing for the reception.


On with the reception!
Lucky for Ed I was not able to record their wedding dance! It would have been a blast! :)




~ me whispering to Ed while I was in front hosting!

KL: Sasayaw kayo!
Ed: Walang pinag usapan na ganyan!!

KL: Basta sumayaw ka! Go!!!
KL: And now the couple has prepared their first wedding dance!  Give them a round of applause!

Ed: No choice! Sumayaw! :D










The barkada!


Unfortunately some of their very close friends were not able to attend the wedding but Jose was able to make it!  Jose from the iPad!

I was very happy with this bunch of people!  As i was calling the table numbers for the pictorial, it seemed like they were all turtle like! They were very slow in coming in front to have the pictorial and I was patiently asking them to make it faster!

When I called this table! Wow! They were very excited to stand up and take the picture! Good job guys!!!!

Here are our wonderful shots from TeeStudio Photobooth!


 

 

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Xoxo
 

My Best Friend's Wedding: Dera and Art Yanga








Last weekend we went back to the Philippines to attend a very special event.  It was the wedding day of Dera and Art.

Dera is my husband's best friend since college and she played a very special part of our wedding.  She was the one who sang "Ikaw" when I was walking down the aisle and she was my part time coordinator!

Now it was her time to shine and she was a very beautiful bride last Saturday!

The wedding was held at Christ the King in Quezon City. 
The church was air conditioned and Christ's image was very refreshing.

It looks like He is inviting everyone to join him in praise and worship!


This is Art! The very excited groom!

 
Now on to the very beautiful bride.
I was not able to capture a lot of shots but she was indeed stunning with her very simple and elegant gown; not to mention the intricate bead work!


The officiant shared a very important thing about marriage.  He mentioned that wedding day is not the marriage, marriage is where you will spend the rest of your life with another person and making it work! :D

We wish Dera and Art one bountiful and fruitful marriage life.
Me and Sweets with the sweet couple! :D


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Xoxo

Thursday 18 April 2013

Throwback Thursday: Nah! Ito daw ang uso! @_@



I love to surf the internet and look at people's activities!
Look for inspiration, learning and appreciation!  

Pretty much the world wide web has given me; 

a lot of things to think about, 
a lot of thoughts to write about and 
a lot of questions asked like "what about?"

In this time of age, whatever is "uso" is something that spreads like wildfire.  You will see them everywhere, FB, IG, YouTube and so on and so forth, basically in almost all social networking sites. :D

Well, "Call Me Maybe" has it's time, "Gangnam Style" is slowly fading, and "Gwiyomi" has started to invade.

At first, I was like "Ano un?" then I just ignored it, thinking that this is something for kids or teenagers only.  Then one day my office mate was asking if I knew about it. Then I thought, oh it was really spreading...

I do not have the intention of doing such (maybe because of my age @_@) but I loved looking at it specially if the one doing it are such a cutie.  Similar to this one!


 

Talk to you soon! 
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Xoxo


Monday 15 April 2013

A special message to Wonderful Moms!





They say that the hardest employment in this world is being a mother!  


You work 24x7 but everything is for free!
- There is no overtime pay when you need to change the diaper at three am
- There is no substitution when you feel restless for the entire day
- There is no performance bonus for a job well done
- There is no time offs, no holidays and no recess
- There is no time to be sick
- You have to be a:
    -  Security Guard
    -  Nurse and doctor
    -  Teacher
    -  Driver
    -  Counselor
    -  Referee
    -  Good Cook
    -  Lawyer
    -  Friend
    -  Clown
    -  Robot - cannot be sick
    -  Any occupation that you can think of - Only to protect their children!

These are just some of the qualities that I can think of.  
These are the things that moms are all capable of doing and maybe more!  I am not a mother so I cannot say much but all I can say is that being a mother is like being a hero!

My mother is my Hero! I got some of my fierce personality from her and I am thankful for that one!  Most of my life, I stayed with my mom!  Enjoyed everything with her and learned so much from her.

But when I decided to get married, decided to leave her house, she willingly accepted it!  It's hard, of course, that your first born will no longer live in your house but that's the reality.  I am thankful that Mama accepted it!

I may not understand how mothers think but I only know one thing for sure!  They are treasures that each child should cherish and give thanks!

I saw this very wonderful and inspiring video and I would like to share this to all of you! All of the mothers out there, all of the to be mothers!

Life is like an ice!  Make sure you cherish each moment before it melts!


Talk to you soon!
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Xoxo


Miss Universe Philippines 2013: Ara Arida

Last night was one of the most exciting nights of my life.  
It was Bb. Pilipinas 2013 Coronation Night.

I shared with you before that my cousin was part of this competition, she is Ara Arida and as I was watching the live streaming (which was extremely slow) I was also getting real time updates from my brother and cousins who were watching it live from Smart Araneta Coliseum.

I was so excited to hear that she was "Best in Swimwear" BUT knowing that she was the "MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2013" I was like "HUH?"

Is that true? are you kidding me?????
Then it sinked-in!!!  It was like a DREAM but no IT WAS TRUE!!!!

Ara is now the MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2013.





Ara! No one can be more proud that your family who have supported you all the way!!!! Keep it going girl and we will go and cheer our lungs out for your Ms Universe competition this coming December!!

Ara's official FB Page 
More News about this win -->  Ms Universe Philippines 2013

Cheerio!!!

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Xoxo


Friday 12 April 2013

Two persons: Which one are you?


Last Holy Week we had the privilege to attend a recollection here in KL that was sponsored  by "The Feast" in KL.  It was just a half day recollection lead by Brother Obet and it was a very fruitful half day session.

In the session I learned about two types of people:
1. Blessing expert
2. Problem expert

Now what does this mean?

I have a friend, every time she sees me, she always notices if I have a new pimple, new scar or anything negative about my face. Then every time those scars are gone she never notices!   This is a typical behavior of a Problem Expert.

Problem Experts, from the word "problem" itself means that they are always looking for the "problem", looking for bad or negative things.  While on the other hand, Blessing Experts are those who sees the good things about things.   Someone who can see the beauty of the one thing despite its negativity and flaws.

In my opinion, being a Problem Expert is something that is innate in every individual, it is just in the intensity that it differs.  I always choose to be a Blessing Expert rather than a Problem Expert. Here are my reasons:

1. If you "try" to see good things about anything, it feels light.
2. Saying good things to people strengthens relationship and bond.
3. Good things are all positivity; positivity is contagious; positivity is like a magnet of happy things and everything will follow.
4. If one is a blessing expert, slowly everyone around this person becomes a Blessing Expert 5. This is good Karma!

Now we all have a choice. Whether to be a Blessing Expert or a Problem Expert.  I chose to be a Blessing Expert! 

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Xoxo