A week ago we went to Baguio to attend my husband’s Alumni Homecoming at the premier leadership school in our country the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). I won’t much elaborate what this institution is all about because I’m sure you heard so much about PMA. I just want to give a synopsis for you to at least reminisce if you are once a cadet/cadette here or for those who are not that familiar with this institution.

This is PMA Insignia, with its glorious history, the Philippine Military Academy looks forward to the future guided by its motto; COURAGE, INTEGRITY, & LOYALTY.

The Academy strives to epitomize the finest traditions of the service. It bears the standards of character founded on honor and fortified by discipline. It is a school, which has trained men and women for a hundred years in the defense of the State  and furtherance of peace and order. It has a proud heritage to cherish, a glorious tradition to uphold, a noble standard to maintain, and a vital mission to accomplish.

Well.. it is sad to say that some of the graduates from this institution are heading to the wrong direction, whatever their motives are I hope it will not ruin their vision.  It is supposed to be a school producing military professionals of character, dedicated to protect and help build the nation. 

Still, I am proud of my husband because I know he is still intact with the vision as member of the Academy. He still upholds the academy’s motto; COURAGE, INTEGRITY & LOYALTY, and PMAer is always a PMAer, no matter how they handle their lives; be it in their family,in the branch of service they have chosen, as individuals and as one fine gentleman from the said institution.

Yesterday, the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in 1896 was commemorated what with all the pomp and pageantry at the Luneta (Rizal Park). The funny thing is we haven’t been there not even once in our lives—that is, me and the kids. So I badgered my husband Aaron to give me and the kids a tour of the place. And so, off we went on an educational trip to that historic landmark.

We found out that it was a worthwhile effort to give the kids, especially, a glimpse into the life of our National Hero. I saw to it that I did not let this occasion pass without documenting the experience with digital photos for our future recollections knowing that it might be some time (or never) before we could do the same exercise.

I learned that hundreds of local and foreign tourists pay tribute to the monument by taking souvenir photos while promenading at the Park. The kids were full of questions starting with “How come the National Flag was at half mast?”, “Who designed the monument of Rizal?”, “Who executed him?” and “Why he was killed?”. They got their answers by reading the tablets beside each effigy.

We will continuously cherish the history of Rizal’s life and passions while we are still here on earth. I am thankful for the overwhelming experience we had as a family— the time to do simple things like this with them, to share discoveries and forge stronger bonds. It is always a welcome reward to have the leisure to unwind with my loved-ones, even for just a day. It was indeed fulfilling to be able to reap that rich harvest of memory and introspection with them at the close of the day.

Few days before christmas the Commandant of the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) hosted a formal Dining Out or Military Ball at the Villamor Club House. The event is just as it sounds. Officers looked dapper with their dinner jacket accompanied by their wives who were not far behind in an evening gown. The Ball recognizes Officers and Ladies social event of food, drinks, dance and recognition. It’s honoring those who are currently in the service. They look great, and you’re just stunned when you talk to them, as the wife of an active duty member of the Coast Guard, I feel so proud being with these fine gentlemen. Members of a group are gathering together to celebrate their union and accomplishments.

Social hour is the time when the first guests begin to arrive and before the receiving line begins. It is a time for Officers to interact outside of class, for spouses to be introduced to classmates and other Officers and to meet other people you do not see everyday.

Held before the Dinner, the toasts are traditionally done to honor the uniformed services, our leaders and guests. The evening opens with a luxurious catered dinner with an introductory speech by the Commandant.

After the Colors have been retired following the dinner, the dance begins. A good time is usually had all and more than a few stories are circulated about the nights events. The dance has been played by the Coast Guard Band and the Air Force Ladies Band. It was a very pleasant experience, during the night, the year is looked back upon. It was really a time to remember.

The highlight of the season is right after the Misa De Aguinaldo, families go home to a grand midnight meal known as Noche Buena. Noche Buena is a time when the entire family sits down for supper with a table laden with lots of food. Ham, queso de bola, rice cake with hot chocolate and fresh fruits are the standard fare served for a typical Noche Buena. But the homemaker can always add a personal touch to this feast. With generous helpings of creativity and imagination, a traditional Pinoy Noche Buena on tightened purse strings can be as festive as we want it to be. For our Noche Buena, I thought of something simple so I won’t have a hard time preparing them. I thought of combining techniques based of what I have learned from chefs everytime we went to different places and arm it with locally sourced ingredients. I want to make sure that these joyful days can be the most exciting time of the year for my family not a stressful one because my husband and I are the one doing the planning and the cooking. So the easiest and foremost entertaining tip of all is to plan your menu ahead of time and prepare it with teamwork.

Whatever preparations we have on the Noche Buena, let us not forget that the spirit of Christmas lived on within our hearts and it would be a celebration with our family. It will be more meaningful and special if families are together partaking of the meals and making family bonding warmer.

At Christmas, particularly on Christmas Day, let us humbly thank God for our blessings. Let us also take time to show our love and appreciation for people who are a blessing (even those who are a burden) to us. Let us also reach out to people who are less fortunate than us. I am one with you in gratitude, in love and in prayer.

Where will you and I be next Christmas? We don’t know. What we know is that we are still here this Christmas. Remember: “Wherever you are, you are there, and God is there!” (Last Sunday’s Gospel). Together let us pray for peace in our hearts, peace in our homes, peace in our country, peace in the world, especially at Christmas!

Wishing you all a meaningful and blessed Christmas!!!

It was a tiring day yesterday, we had our general cleaning from the ceiling down to the floor not to mention my daily activities in maintaining my plants outdoors, obviously, because christmas is just around the corner. I usually do have my christmas trimming every 16th of December that is what I have inherited from my folks.

But the kids kept on asking me why we have no spirit of christmas yet? So I was obliged to start the decorations early. Actually our 7 feet christmas tree was ready we will just need to brush out all the dusts it had for a year and let it dry under the heat of the sun to let go the bacteria. I got all my accessories from their hidden place such as; christmas balls, lights, ribbons, they were all set and still looks okay except for a set of blinkering lights which I need to replace.

I was able to decorate the christmas tree the way I wanted it to be but with regards to our general cleaning we are not yet done, there are still lots of cleaning, wiping, grass cutting and so on and so forth. My grandma once said a clean home reflects one’s personality.

Andre my 3 year old son was so amazed upon seeing our cheerful and colorful christmas tree he can’t help staring all the time for the lights to blink again and again joined by the small star atop the tree he was screaming and smiling, now, I have to believe that christmas is really for the children. When everybody was home I can see their faces smiling and looks very inspired because they know that we already have started celebrating Jesus’ Birthday and the spirit of christmas is in our very own home.

Today is the birth anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio, the father of the Philippine Revolution born on November 30, 1863 to a poor couple in Tondo, Manila. Since I live here in Fort Bonifacio we have the reason to reminisce his courageous acts during his leadership in forming the “Kataas-taasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) or Katipunan.”

Katipunan is a secret society aimed at gaining independence from colonial rule even through violent means if necessary. As I recalled my history this morning I can’t help but appreciate this Katipunan hero for his bravery. I believe that he somehow continuous to inspire the participants (and would be participants) of the likes of yesterday’s commotion in Makati Peninsula Hotel. The group of then Lieutenant turned Senator Trillanes believes they are again showing courage in pressing their demands for the Commander-In-Chief (PGMA) to resign in order to have the needed change for the better.

For sure the government also acted with the same fervor and brand of courage in handling the crisis considering that many citizens are sure to be affected. No matter how history judges our actions today, the influence of Andres Bonifacio’s nationalistic and brave concerns will continue to run in every Filipinos veins — Be it self induced or as a mere justification for our actions.

Maligayang Kaarawan Gat Andres Bonifacio! Mabuhay ang mamamayang Filipino! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

It’s been a week now that the wheather is not quite helpful to man in the sense that some places were suffering from floods which causes our brothers and sisters huge calamities, especially to the people in far flung areas. As I’ve learned on the news, each local governments have already prepared places for families to stay for the meantime while wheather is not doing good yet and advised the people from the affected areas to evacuate to spare themselves from danger. Well, I just hope that calamity funds would also be ready for those who are really in need.

In a way, to those who are not affected it helps because rain flushes all the dusts in our house roofs, in our yards, everything! for that matter, it cleanses in fact all the dusty areas and waters our plants too, it would be a big help for water conservation. But not to the people who are suffering right now. I pity on them especially the children. I can’t help but worried to those who are affected, who are even died because of heavy rains, and heavy floods.

I considered this a call of nature this is actually beyond our control all we can do is to pray harder to refrain us from such calamities. And for those who are gone I hope and pray that God will bring them to eternal life. Maybe this is God’s call for us to realize that there is still somebody up there who runs our life and only Him knew where on earth each and everyone of us will be going.