MALATE(Pres. Quirino near Manila Zoo) 307sqm
BACOOR BUKID (Near SM, Tirona Highway) 8,826sqm
DASMARINAS PALAPALA (across SM) 4,676.5sqm
And lastly, another house and lot: 109 Scout Fernandez, Kamuning Quezon City.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
For RENT, For SALE
I'm trying to help my dear Lolo and Lola advertise the properties they want others to put to better use so if you have any brilliant ideas for these lots, we are selling, leasing, or renting them out!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Home is so familiar but so new to me...
On a GK road trip, I met a doctor who told me that it was very simple how he was able to build an entire village for the poor...he said "I simply jotted it down on paper. God put the ideas on my head while I was sleeping and when I wrote it down, it was on its way to being built. Just like that".
Last night I slept for 11 hours. It wasn't a deep sleep, it was more of a jet lagged kind of sleep where my body didn't want to move but my head was so full of memories of my 1st day here that my heart kept saying I must write them down. It felt like flashbacks in my sleep, it's only been 24 hours in the Philippines and already I saw what I can only describe as seeing LOVE in many forms and ways. So if you don't mind, I will simply jott down all these happy thoughts in my head.
-As soon as my plane landed, all the passengers clapped. Overhead we hear "Maligayang Pagdating sa Maynila" and I swear my heart jumped because this is my language. No need to study or have dictionaries, or to struggle in making sense of things, I can understand all the conversations around me..it is beyond cool after all the traveling to land back home and still feel the thrill of a new adventure.
-My flight is delayed and at midnight I come out with all 150 pounds of my luggage. I see Yaya Belen and Kuya Jun jumping up and down calling my name and they look happy to see me. What's even more welcoming is that my Lolo who is 90 years old is in the car waiting for me. He waited 3 hours! I almost cried because there was no impatience in his eyes, just joy as he tells me he was praying to Tata Ige (St. Michael) that I arrive safe. Same goes for Lola who requested that I wake her up when I arrive Bacoor, I startle her awake and she blinks her eyes open and says "Praise God you are home safe! Now go eat!"
-The next morning I wake up to see my nephew Miko sitting in Lolo's chair and looking like a small 10-year old version of my grandfather waiting patiently. He tells me "See, I woke up earlier than you. So what do you want to do Tita?". For the rest of the day, I see what Miko's life is like in the province during summer. Like most kids, he is bored plus he is grounded from computer games. Good thing I've got lots of questions for him like what are the names of all our dogs? He named them Mambo, Rico, Mejas (which means socks)and Max. Oh and of course I had some funny quirky things to do like kids yoga and patting our heads while rubbing our bellies on the swing. It makes me happy that I am the cool Auntie that can make him laugh.
-During breakfast Lolo tells me to put my fork down and use my hands to eat fish. :o)
-My parents call from the U.S. and it's nice to always have this routine of letting loved ones know I am safe. My mom wants a detailed account so I am sure she will love reading this blog.
-I take a morning stroll with Lolo. He is blind in one eye and has difficulty seeing height but this has always been his routine, to walk after eating. I join him and he gives me a mini-tour, neighbors greet him and he proudly introduces me to them. We also pass by SGT. E Ejercino Road and he tells me that man who has a street named after him fought in the WWII alongside Lolo and now only my grandfather is the last one alive. I am walking with a hero this morning and that is a miracle in itself.
-After the morning walk, I hang out with Ate Belen and Ate Edna while they cook lunch. Both of them have been with us as household help for a very long time and they are like family. They tell me that the neighbors outside said I looked like a nice person which is nice but what I thought was even nicer is that Ate Belen and Ate Edna vouched for me and actually told them that it's true, I am nice. What an ego booster!
-I shell out all the pictures, cards, and video my family in Florida asked to show and it feels good to be that messenger that tells family that all is okay on the other side. Of course, we gushed about the cuteness of my 4-month old nephew Milo who has yet to discover all the people who love him in the Philippines.
-My grandmother hands me a laundry basket and some cabinet space for my things. I help her arrange fake flowers on vases around the house and change bedsheets. She is like a micro manager, everything has to be done a certain way and I oddly feel very happy to finally experience Lola's famous home economics training. She is 89 years old and still quite the busy bee.
-We are watching TV and my grandmother asks where Miko's friend is and he tells us that he is not allowed inside the house. I met Norbin earlier today, he is as young, skinny and hyper as my nephew and is the son of one of the help. My grandmother gets a bit upset and says that she refuses to partake in having discrimination, Norbin is Miko's friend and guest and should be allowed to watch TV and eat with us. My respect for Lola goes up a big notch for this lesson she is giving us.
-Everyone tells me I am lucky. Apparently the extremely HOT season where you often wake up with your pillow soaked with sweat just ended. Thank God.
- In the evening, we leave the province to go to Malate because Lola is part of a women's group who facilitates the 6am mass every 1st Sunday of the month. It is only me, Miko, Yaya Belen and Lola so we all sleep in one room in the Malate house. I wake up in the middle of the night and I see Miko snuggled up to me because the airconditioner is on high. I wake up again because I had to go to the bathroom and when I came back, Lola was calling my name because she got worried that I was gone. Wow---I was just thinking of sitting outside to read a book but I changed my mind...better to just fight jet lag and sleep it out...also it will help Lola sleep knowing I am there. As I drifted off to sleep I realize that beside me are gems. Miko is 10 and Lola is almost 90, that's 100 years! I am 25, in my quarter life and in this moment I am learning the hearts of both a kid and an elder. Last week I saw an ad I liked that said "I want to be a mature and responsible kid". well....isn't this just what I asked for? God you are too funny.
-Early next morning we wake up to attend mass. It takes about 3 minutes to get there but at my grandmother's pace it is about 10 minutes. I remember telling God that I want my adventure year to slow down a bit and here He goes again and answers my prayer in His very unique divine way.
-Along the slow way to church, I notice the surroundings more. There is vomit by our door step, a homeless man sleeping on a carton by our garage, and a woman squatting and smoking a cigarette. There is trash everywhere but it is drizzling a bit so somehow it smells clean and fresh. There is also cats everywhere, I even saw a pushcart that sells candy with about 5 cats hiding from the rain and surprisingly one dog snuggled along with them. Near the church entrance I see a 3 year old wearing only a sando, barefoot with a dirty but sweet face. We enter and my grandmother directs me to walk her towards the other women wearing uniform like hers. When the offertory came around, I walk Lola towards the back and she releases me amd holds one of the ladies to support her. I go back to my seat and glance at the women. They all look so nice in their blue dresses with white collars. Only Lola has the full head of white hair but her face is still young in my eyes because she looks happy to serve. Suddenly one of them wave at me to come closer and she hands me a candle and tells me to walk in front of them down the aisle. I am honored to do this and chuckling a bit on the inside because this is God talking to me I know for sure. I am holding this little light of mine and He is gonna help me shine...I sing this kid's song in my head as I walk up to the beautiful altar. It is exactly 24 hours from the time I woke up yesterday.
So yeah....this was one very long blog. I needed to share it for a reason I have yet to discover. I have a long way to go and am very much clueless to where this decision to go back home will lead me. Still, I am where God wants me to be this minute and that is just perfect.
Last night I slept for 11 hours. It wasn't a deep sleep, it was more of a jet lagged kind of sleep where my body didn't want to move but my head was so full of memories of my 1st day here that my heart kept saying I must write them down. It felt like flashbacks in my sleep, it's only been 24 hours in the Philippines and already I saw what I can only describe as seeing LOVE in many forms and ways. So if you don't mind, I will simply jott down all these happy thoughts in my head.
-As soon as my plane landed, all the passengers clapped. Overhead we hear "Maligayang Pagdating sa Maynila" and I swear my heart jumped because this is my language. No need to study or have dictionaries, or to struggle in making sense of things, I can understand all the conversations around me..it is beyond cool after all the traveling to land back home and still feel the thrill of a new adventure.
-My flight is delayed and at midnight I come out with all 150 pounds of my luggage. I see Yaya Belen and Kuya Jun jumping up and down calling my name and they look happy to see me. What's even more welcoming is that my Lolo who is 90 years old is in the car waiting for me. He waited 3 hours! I almost cried because there was no impatience in his eyes, just joy as he tells me he was praying to Tata Ige (St. Michael) that I arrive safe. Same goes for Lola who requested that I wake her up when I arrive Bacoor, I startle her awake and she blinks her eyes open and says "Praise God you are home safe! Now go eat!"
-The next morning I wake up to see my nephew Miko sitting in Lolo's chair and looking like a small 10-year old version of my grandfather waiting patiently. He tells me "See, I woke up earlier than you. So what do you want to do Tita?". For the rest of the day, I see what Miko's life is like in the province during summer. Like most kids, he is bored plus he is grounded from computer games. Good thing I've got lots of questions for him like what are the names of all our dogs? He named them Mambo, Rico, Mejas (which means socks)and Max. Oh and of course I had some funny quirky things to do like kids yoga and patting our heads while rubbing our bellies on the swing. It makes me happy that I am the cool Auntie that can make him laugh.
-During breakfast Lolo tells me to put my fork down and use my hands to eat fish. :o)
-My parents call from the U.S. and it's nice to always have this routine of letting loved ones know I am safe. My mom wants a detailed account so I am sure she will love reading this blog.
-I take a morning stroll with Lolo. He is blind in one eye and has difficulty seeing height but this has always been his routine, to walk after eating. I join him and he gives me a mini-tour, neighbors greet him and he proudly introduces me to them. We also pass by SGT. E Ejercino Road and he tells me that man who has a street named after him fought in the WWII alongside Lolo and now only my grandfather is the last one alive. I am walking with a hero this morning and that is a miracle in itself.
-After the morning walk, I hang out with Ate Belen and Ate Edna while they cook lunch. Both of them have been with us as household help for a very long time and they are like family. They tell me that the neighbors outside said I looked like a nice person which is nice but what I thought was even nicer is that Ate Belen and Ate Edna vouched for me and actually told them that it's true, I am nice. What an ego booster!
-I shell out all the pictures, cards, and video my family in Florida asked to show and it feels good to be that messenger that tells family that all is okay on the other side. Of course, we gushed about the cuteness of my 4-month old nephew Milo who has yet to discover all the people who love him in the Philippines.
-My grandmother hands me a laundry basket and some cabinet space for my things. I help her arrange fake flowers on vases around the house and change bedsheets. She is like a micro manager, everything has to be done a certain way and I oddly feel very happy to finally experience Lola's famous home economics training. She is 89 years old and still quite the busy bee.
-We are watching TV and my grandmother asks where Miko's friend is and he tells us that he is not allowed inside the house. I met Norbin earlier today, he is as young, skinny and hyper as my nephew and is the son of one of the help. My grandmother gets a bit upset and says that she refuses to partake in having discrimination, Norbin is Miko's friend and guest and should be allowed to watch TV and eat with us. My respect for Lola goes up a big notch for this lesson she is giving us.
-Everyone tells me I am lucky. Apparently the extremely HOT season where you often wake up with your pillow soaked with sweat just ended. Thank God.
- In the evening, we leave the province to go to Malate because Lola is part of a women's group who facilitates the 6am mass every 1st Sunday of the month. It is only me, Miko, Yaya Belen and Lola so we all sleep in one room in the Malate house. I wake up in the middle of the night and I see Miko snuggled up to me because the airconditioner is on high. I wake up again because I had to go to the bathroom and when I came back, Lola was calling my name because she got worried that I was gone. Wow---I was just thinking of sitting outside to read a book but I changed my mind...better to just fight jet lag and sleep it out...also it will help Lola sleep knowing I am there. As I drifted off to sleep I realize that beside me are gems. Miko is 10 and Lola is almost 90, that's 100 years! I am 25, in my quarter life and in this moment I am learning the hearts of both a kid and an elder. Last week I saw an ad I liked that said "I want to be a mature and responsible kid". well....isn't this just what I asked for? God you are too funny.
-Early next morning we wake up to attend mass. It takes about 3 minutes to get there but at my grandmother's pace it is about 10 minutes. I remember telling God that I want my adventure year to slow down a bit and here He goes again and answers my prayer in His very unique divine way.
-Along the slow way to church, I notice the surroundings more. There is vomit by our door step, a homeless man sleeping on a carton by our garage, and a woman squatting and smoking a cigarette. There is trash everywhere but it is drizzling a bit so somehow it smells clean and fresh. There is also cats everywhere, I even saw a pushcart that sells candy with about 5 cats hiding from the rain and surprisingly one dog snuggled along with them. Near the church entrance I see a 3 year old wearing only a sando, barefoot with a dirty but sweet face. We enter and my grandmother directs me to walk her towards the other women wearing uniform like hers. When the offertory came around, I walk Lola towards the back and she releases me amd holds one of the ladies to support her. I go back to my seat and glance at the women. They all look so nice in their blue dresses with white collars. Only Lola has the full head of white hair but her face is still young in my eyes because she looks happy to serve. Suddenly one of them wave at me to come closer and she hands me a candle and tells me to walk in front of them down the aisle. I am honored to do this and chuckling a bit on the inside because this is God talking to me I know for sure. I am holding this little light of mine and He is gonna help me shine...I sing this kid's song in my head as I walk up to the beautiful altar. It is exactly 24 hours from the time I woke up yesterday.
So yeah....this was one very long blog. I needed to share it for a reason I have yet to discover. I have a long way to go and am very much clueless to where this decision to go back home will lead me. Still, I am where God wants me to be this minute and that is just perfect.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
old articles to keep...
http://www.nova.edu/cwis/pubaffairs/sharkbytes/2007/apr18/interfaith.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S8P4qgE-vE
http://www.transit1design.com/evites/gawadkalinga/newsletter/2009/june
http://www.transit1design.com/evites/gawadkalinga/newsletter/2009/july
http://www.transit1design.com/evites/gawadkalinga/newsletter/2009/sep
http://www.transit1design.com/evites/gawadkalinga/newsletter/2009/oct
http://www.transit1design.com/evites/gawadkalinga/newsletter/2009/nov/
http://www.yogagoaindia.com/yoga_teacher_training.php
http://www.youtube.c
http://www.transit1d
http://www.transit1d
http://www.transit1d
http://www.transit1d
http://www.transit1d
http://www.yogagoain
Thursday, April 29, 2010
laundry..again!
I don't know why but I always feel like blogging when I am in the midst of laundry....haha.
FOUR last days in DC, I pray that I can make the most of it!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
My NOTHING Day
It's only 10:50am and I already know it is impossible for me to have an absolute nothing day.
Trust me, I tried! Like you see on TV, I stayed in my PJs even as I bid my sister farewell in the public lobby of her apartment. She is working overtime today and I won't see her until late tonight. I even canceled a lunch date with my friend just so there is NOTHING in my schedule. I ride the elevator back up and I smile as I see my reflection. I am wearing my pajamas backwards, my bright pink socks is peeking out of my snow boots, all of my lovely short hair is poofed up like crazy and I am wearing my eye mask as a head band. Yup, this is what a bum looks like.
I know it is odd but I really want to feel what it is like to bum around all day.
I go back to bed, do my prayer time there, go on facebook, and then I start watching youtube videos. I started with typing down Susan Boyd's 'How Great Are Thou' because I am amazed by her singing voice. After I just kept clicking on links like Carrie Underwood's 'Jesus Take the Wheel' and then Standuptocancer.org where Beyonce, Mariah, Miley, Fergey and all the others were singing for the cause. After more clicks to links it all just led to celebrity gossip which gave me a headache. I must be hungry so I look at the fridge and I see an opportunity to be even more bum like. I eat cereal and almost soiled milk (expires today!) with my feet up on the balcony and then I drink straight from the orange juice carton (Sorry Ate Lil!). I go back to bed and pull the covers over my head and start to wonder why it is SO cold still. I daydream and space out while I try to gather some warmth but it doesn't work. What next?
That's it, my bumhood ended in less than 3 hours. I got up cuz moving will warm me up, made the bed, washed the dishes, packed up for my camping trip this weekend and I started to separate laundry until I stopped in my tracks to ask myself, I am so free today, what do I want to do this minute?
My answer: to write.
And so here is a new blog on the first day of my Washington DC life. If I feel like it later, I'll write about Seattle and Canada which is another boatload of stories that someday I hope will fit perfectly in the plots and details of my future novel.
For now...I feel like...finishing my laundry.
Trust me, I tried! Like you see on TV, I stayed in my PJs even as I bid my sister farewell in the public lobby of her apartment. She is working overtime today and I won't see her until late tonight. I even canceled a lunch date with my friend just so there is NOTHING in my schedule. I ride the elevator back up and I smile as I see my reflection. I am wearing my pajamas backwards, my bright pink socks is peeking out of my snow boots, all of my lovely short hair is poofed up like crazy and I am wearing my eye mask as a head band. Yup, this is what a bum looks like.
I know it is odd but I really want to feel what it is like to bum around all day.
I go back to bed, do my prayer time there, go on facebook, and then I start watching youtube videos. I started with typing down Susan Boyd's 'How Great Are Thou' because I am amazed by her singing voice. After I just kept clicking on links like Carrie Underwood's 'Jesus Take the Wheel' and then Standuptocancer.org where Beyonce, Mariah, Miley, Fergey and all the others were singing for the cause. After more clicks to links it all just led to celebrity gossip which gave me a headache. I must be hungry so I look at the fridge and I see an opportunity to be even more bum like. I eat cereal and almost soiled milk (expires today!) with my feet up on the balcony and then I drink straight from the orange juice carton (Sorry Ate Lil!). I go back to bed and pull the covers over my head and start to wonder why it is SO cold still. I daydream and space out while I try to gather some warmth but it doesn't work. What next?
That's it, my bumhood ended in less than 3 hours. I got up cuz moving will warm me up, made the bed, washed the dishes, packed up for my camping trip this weekend and I started to separate laundry until I stopped in my tracks to ask myself, I am so free today, what do I want to do this minute?
My answer: to write.
And so here is a new blog on the first day of my Washington DC life. If I feel like it later, I'll write about Seattle and Canada which is another boatload of stories that someday I hope will fit perfectly in the plots and details of my future novel.
For now...I feel like...finishing my laundry.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Books and Travel
I’m still in the middle of reading “Eat, Pray, and Love” but I couldn’t resist breezing through Ken Foster’s “Ask and You Will Succeed”. After all, it’s more like a questionnaire than a novel and I really rather not carry this heavy book with me at the airport. If you haven’t received my personal business card, on the back of it is a quote from him that became one of my inspirations for traveling ishfully this 2010.
He said: Your life cannot be repeated. It is now or never, so find out who you are, what your heart longs to achieve, and then sail away from safe harbors and explore your greatest dreams.
Evaluation
Have you traveled where you want to go?
Yes, yes, and YES.
What about travel do you enjoy?
Discovering what God has in store for me that day.
What do you dislike about travel?
Airborne viruses- my mom swears she’ll wear a face mask the next time she picks me up from the airport because along with my gifts to them is cough and colds. Sorry family!
What benefits do you receive from traveling?
Learning to enjoy the present, new friendships, unique stories to tell, awesome pictures
Where have you most liked traveling to?
Anywhere I can catch the rising or the setting sun; also, doing some sort of activity I enjoy in a new atmosphere. So far best spots that are memorable to me are: sunrise on a rooftop overlooking mountains in Ecuador, sunset while sharing my Naan bread with a stray beach dog in India, strolling and praying the rosary at the Great Wall of China, running with my cousin toward the Golden Gate Bridge, and visiting family and old friends and seeing their present lives.
What are the five most important things you have learned while traveling?
- My grandmother was a smart frequent flyer, I can be one too.
- Travel where your friends are.
- God loves me soooo much.
- Deeper thoughts, realizations, and appreciation.
- I am living my dream.
Vision
Where in your heart do you long to travel?
Whom would you like to travel with?
Any friend who is game, it would be a plus if they have a good sense of direction and have many connections.
What is the most exquisite travel experience you can imagine?
When I see it, it will be part of my life, a place I would be sure I’d want to visit more than several times.
What are the top five exotic places that you will be traveling to?
Looking forward, I imagine it would be:
- a Gawad Kalinga Moment (could be in the
- The spot I will plant my future business
- Seeing wild life in
- Visiting friends across
- My honeymoon destination. All of the details unknown for now, lol.
Goals
What are your travel goals?
For 2010, I want to discover what I will choose to do next in life. Also, publish a novel about my travels.
What is your strategy for fulfilling your travel goals?
Being open to all opportunities, life shadow others, keeping a journal, spending my savings wisely, earn extra money via donation teaching yoga.
Purpose
Why is traveling important to you?
My heart called me to travel and thankfully it’s going so much better than I imagined.
What are the five most important reasons for you to travel?
- I would regret it if I don’t.
- This is the best time of my life to do it.
- No big hurdle is stopping me; many people are cheering me on. Thank you!
- I love to travel. It is fun, it’s important, it’s amazing.
- I think it will make my life richer.
Commitment
What are you committed to accomplishing with your travel goals?
I will find more ways to love God, love my life, love others, and show people new ways to have fun in life. Speaking of which, have your heard of the game toilet tag or the yoga tree pose? lol, I want to be confident in teaching smart silliness. Make sense?
Blocks to Success
What has stopped you from traveling when and where you want?
Fear of danger and coming across bad people, hence my travel pepper spray, my informal letter of a living will, and a mother who I know prays for my safety everyday.
What is your excuse for not traveling where you want?
I once made lack of money as an excuse not to travel. For this stupid reason I missed the funeral of my favorite aunt and I regret it so badly. I know she forgives me but I swear, I am young enough to earn more in the future so if a travel event is the type that only occurs once and my heart calls me to go, I am there.
Quantum Thinking
What will take your travel experiences to a world-class experience?
If it makes me happy!
What travel opportunities are available to you now?
A lot, thankfully! I think everything on my travel wish list is possible within the next 5 years!
What arrangements do you need so you can travel more in your life?
Plan early and once I am there, let go and enjoy what happens next.
Action
What are five steps that you can take immediately to start accomplishing your travel goals?
- Answering this questionnaire and posting it in my blog.
- Confirm my flight for Monday, destination;
- Seek more detailed info about my 6-month volunteer stint with GK.
- Stop fighting my jet lag since I have no routine anyway. (Funny story, I literally fell asleep standing two weeks ago because my body clock got so confused jumping from India time to Florida time to California time to Day Light’s saving time and then China time all in the span of 10 days!
- Pray, write, and stay healthy.
Support
Who do you know who has traveled extensively who can help you accomplish your travel goals?
It’s different people for every travel destination. You know who you are…thank you
What is a great travel company or agent that can help you with traveling to where you want to go?
Friendlyplanet.com
Cheaptickets.com
Travelzoo.com
My NW/Delta miles—on my last flight, the flight attendant said 27 people were flying free…I was one of them. Oh joy!
Tita Hannah-our family travel agent (I’ll find the number later)
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