Welcoming the New Year 2011

It's about nine hours before we sing Auld Lang Syne to bid goodbye to 2010 and welcome the New Year.  This is one instance when people all over the world are united in a choral manifestation of thanksgiving for a year spent and another year given, and hopefulness for next year's continued bliss or for changed lives.  

How we do the New Year welcoming rites in this little Southeast Asian Philippine republic has already become eclectic; what was considered native to us has been mixed with Oriental and Western influences that one can no longer determine which tradition and practices are really ours.  

But, all of these practices, however they were introduced, are now our own ways to  show hope and gratitude: a bountiful meal, wearing polka dots and good luck charms, making tremendous noise in various ways, listing down resolutions, cleaning up the house, and stocking up the cupboards and refrigerators.

Thank you, Lord, for all of these, from your bounty

In our household, for example, rather than the hazardous firecrackers, my hubby bought locally-made trumpets for the kids ($0.25/piece) to be used in the midnight noise barrage. (Definitely, no firecrackers for us!)  

We have cooked and prepared food like crazy since 9:00 p.m. of December 30, 2011.  What we prepared, we made sure to be either round or long.  At this time, we're done with round choco-moist cake, cookies, spaghetti, fried fresh lumpia, and macaroons.  All of these, we will join with the rest of the viands that our relatives will be bringing for the highlight Media Noche.

//rmis// 

Gifts, Presents for Christmas

Gift-giving is one tradition during Christmas season that people cannot do away with.  Why not make this tradition work to your advantage?

You see, aside from being considered as one of the causes of Christmas rush that congest city traffic and a fool-proof alibi to splurge, gift-giving can be a great means:

-- to tell a friend or a love-one how sorry you are for the wrong things done; 

-- to finally say to someone how you like him/her so much; 

-- to call an engagement or propose a marriage; 

-- to mend a broken heart and lend a shoulder;

-- to express one's gratefulness; or

-- to simply remind someone how much he/she means to you.  

Your reasons for gift-giving can go a long way and very cheesy at the same time, but don't laugh on it because this is unmistakable, and nothing beats the feeling that a real and open-hearted giver gets.  Like they say, it's better to give than to receive, and when you give, give it freely and honestly.

HP PHOTOSMART INK ADVANTAGE e-All-in-One K510 Printer
My hubby's Christmas gift for me and the kids, and of course, for himself;
Making school assignment time and projects easy 

Some of our presents from Lola Cathy's freighted box,

from ninangs and ninongs, uncles and aunties

//rmis//

Party, Family and Visita Iglesia on Christmas

Family Christmas Party 

The night before Christmas was most specially spent for our annual Family Christmas Party. It was filled with dancing, singing, games, prizes, and lots of presents that the kids enjoyed it so much! What could be the nicest way to celebrate this happiest time of the year but with our love-ones.  This is a given fact, a non-contestable one!

Our Family Christmas Party this Year: Loads of Fun and Give-aways

Just before midnight, we bid each other farewell, for the meantime, as another plan for a New Year's party is still being brewed. You see, we just can't get tired of one another. 

At the strike of 12:00 MN, my hubby fired up the firecrackers, signalling that it was officially Christmas Day, while the children were still on the Magic Sing. We wrapped up at half past two in the morning, and woke up a family member who was to go home to the province to be with his new family, too. We slept at 4:00 in the morning.

December 25, 2010 - Christmas Day 

After breakfast, we went to Marco Polo Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City. We watched the displayed Christmas Village and the "Polar Express." Unfortunately, the Polar Train was still not scheduled to take the tracks.  

Zoie and Mom Lea at Marco Polo Hotel Cebu

Top view of the Christmas Village at Marco Polo

Houses, Boats, and Fun Rides at the Christmas Village in Marco Polo

Christmas tree at Marco Polo Hotel lobby

After many photo poses and a drink at the Hotel, we made our "Visita Iglesia". Though this is a Holy Week tradition of visiting churches, we found it fitting to make such for the Christmas Day.

Visita Iglesia  

Descending from Nivel Hills, our first stop was in St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Lahug, Cebu City.  The vicinity was quiet, except for the carolers carrying guitars sitting at the entrance of the church.  It was still an hour for the next mass at 4:00 p.m.

We then proceeded to the historic Carmelite Monastery in San Jose dela Montana, Cebu City, near the PLDT main office.  Historic, I may say, because aside from being a very old edifice, stories have it that this is where the late-President Corazon Aquino, mom to President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, hid at the height of the many coup attempts that struck her administration in the 1980s. 

Facade of the Carmelite Monastery in Cebu City

There's only one mass set in the Carmelite's house, an early one at 6:00 a.m. Unlike St. Therese, there's a slow traffic of people visiting the monastery's church.  

Next stop was at St. Joseph Church in Mabolo, locally known as Mabolo Church, standing inside an estimated 3,000-square meter perimeter fence.  The church/chapel has been there as early as the 16th or 17th century, but the concrete Neo-Gothic structure was written to have belonged from the 18th century style.  

Looking at the facade, however, you cannot exactly distinguish the classic artistry that this particular church claims because of the many alterations and renovations made throughout the years. 

Last stretch was at the Redemptorist Church in uptown Cebu. We were just in time for the 3:30 p.m. Christmas mass.  The gospel story was about the Sagrada Familia: Joseph, Mary and Jesus.  

Right side of the Redemptorist Church along Queen's Road, Cebu City

As old as the other churches earlier visited, the Redemptorist is also a product of the Christian colonization of the past. Constructed by Irish priests, this church managed to withstand one war after another. 

Final Stop: At the Altar of the Redemptorist Church

Swarmed by peddlers, beggars, and parking barkers outside, the church was ethereal inside with all the flowers and Christmas decors.  Matched with the cold breeze blowing in, the altar was heavenly beautiful, like I always remember it.

The "Belen" at Redemptorist

Church-goers lining up to kiss the displayed Baby Jesus, after the Holy Mass

For me, this last stop is meaningful, because December 25 is Christmas Day, a reminder to us Filipino Christians of the birth of Jesus, who was sent to become the Redeemer of mankind, our Savior.  And here we were as a family for our traditional mass on Christmas Day with the Gospel message about the Holy Family at the Redemptorist Church.  Yes, I know, how can't I recognize this?  We are just blessed, truly blessed! 

And though this is quite off to become the ultimate topping of this story, we ended up finding ourselves at McDonald's for burgers, fries, spaghetti, and 'Thirsty' shakes on the side.

Zoie, sipping and loving 'Thirsty'

//rmis//

Our Tree This Christmas

My youngest daughter helped me put up our Christmas tree this year. Looking at it, a bit untidy and lifeless after having gone in and out of the storage box for 11 straight years, it dawned on me how time flew so undetectably fast.  

Yentl, decorating OUR TREE this year

I bought it in 1999 when I was still single at P250.00 in Gaisano Metro Ayala in Cebu. Back then, such an amount was already a lot to me. Throughout the years, I collected my decors, got married, continued to collect decors, had a miscarriage, got more decors, had a baby, acquired additional decors, had my second baby, and eventually, a family.

Although this tree is now a bit wimpy (and goes out of its box once a year), I realized it has become part of my life and my family.  With all my musings, I thought and said, "THIS IS MY TREE!"

With my kids growing up and slowly appreciating the uniqueness of this season to other events of the year, they have become eager to see me preparing the Christmas tree!

For this year, I placed some tiny Christmas cards.  I never imagined that my kids and their cousins would use them to write on their Christmas wishes.  Some asked for toys, swimming pool, laptop, and shoes; one actually wished that her lolo and lola would go up to heaven. My seven-year old eldest child, in particular, listed hers on a sheet of pad paper, and among those she asked was a "real husband" named Aarone (who happens to be her classmate).  Simply cute and funny!

Wishes Up on the Christmas Tree

This Christmas, officially, MY TREE will no longer be "MY TREE", but our "FAMILY TREE". Apparently, this tree has lighted up and guided new people into my life, into our lives, and still continues to do so.

If there's one good reminder that this Christmas tree is telling me, is the thought that it is never better to stand under the [shade of a] tree ALONE (!) especially during Christmas season. 

Christmas Buy: Something Made for Walking

I can now feel the Christmas rush by the looks of the congested traffic as well as the crowded malls and their extended shopping hours. Everyone seems to be running around all over Cebu metropolis for some gift buying. How about you? Have you thought of something for a significant someone or for your special "self"?  Why don't you get something that's made for walking and come in twos. Here's something that you might fancy:

On December 15-19, 2010, Converse(R) will have a MEGA SALE at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall 2 & 3, Third Level that offers up to 70% off on selected items.

If you're someone looking for good buys and great bargains, mark this on your calendar.  There surely is something that's right for you!

Word to the Wise: So as not to be jammed in traffic and you happen to have the time, shop at 10 a.m. to 12 noon, just before the daily rush begins.  Happy shopping! 

HOME LIFE: Decorating for Christmas

I'm not yet through with my Christmas decorating, but I can't wait not to share this with you, otherwise I might lose that "writing itch".   

Like in the past years, I see to it that I have all the Christmas dress-up finished before November 26, my hubby's birthday.  We have traditionally considered this day as the official start of Christmas in our home.  

Decorating for this joyous occasion has always been exciting for us, especially for my kids. Overtime, I have collected ribbons, Christmas balls, wreaths, etc.  Our X'mas tree is actually 11 years old now.  I'm not sure when to replace it but I believe it is still capable of bringing out the season's spirit once "dolled-up". 

I was in Gaisano Country Mall a few days ago when I saw these glossy Christmas wrappers ($0.34/pc), and I thought they can be good replacements to the old ribbons I always recycled for the garland, wreath or the tree.  Use "metallic" twines to form those ribbons. Take a look at these captured pieces:

Peppering Wonder Leaves for Dengue Cure

About two persons that I directly know have succumbed to dengue fever caused by this bloodsucker monster-mosquito: my nephew, who was then around nine years old, and my sister's househelp, about a year ago.   

It was very critical for my nephew.  He stayed in the hospital for almost two weeks, a near-death experience for the family.  His platelet count was terribly going down and he was already bleeding inside. He had blood transfusion, but the treatment seemed to be going nowhere.  

My sis, in her "when there's nothing to hope but hope itself" moment, resorted to this wild grass/plant, locally known as "mangagaw", "tawa-tawa" or "gatas-gatas."  In the science world, it is named Euphorbia hirta.  

The wonder wild plant Mangagaw

She had bunches of mangagaw cleaned, boiled and screened for my nephew to drink on a five-minute interval. She efficiently attended to this rite and  forced her son to urinate every now and then.   After two days of constant care, to her amazement, the platelet count went up and all other vital indications improved.  At that point, my sis did not think of anything or anyone that she should thank or be grateful to, but to dear Almighty and the humble, Mangagaw.  She also did not think about the hospital bills!

A similar scenario happened to my sister's househelp,Trina.  Again, the mangagaw was there to the rescue, but the "constant care and mangagaw ritual" exemplified in the previous narration were not done patiently and efficiently.  Hence, Trina's situation was thought to have worsened. 

My sis, being mindful that Trina was their responsibility, did not take this sitting down.  Thinking that the kind of strain that attacked Trina was unusually strong because the mangagaw concoction did not seem to help, my sis closely worked on taking care of Trina.  

Apart from the mangagaw, my sis let Trina took chili peppers at  five pieces on an hourly basis for two consecutive days, matched with the mangagaw juice that was given like some water therapy. A treatment she got from office talks, SMS, and online chats, these chili peppers are locally called "sili kulikut," wherein both ends are thinly cut before a patient takes them in, swallowing like ordinary capsules.  

With God's grace, Trina felt well after two days. (What dengue could withstand the heat that those chili pepper capsules can possibly give?) Once more, she did not bother herself of the hospital costs! 

Whether or not you take the wonder stories of "mangagaw" and "sili kulikut" seriously, the PPP editors do not recommend these to replace medical help.  In times of any sickness, call a doctor for proper medical advice and attention.  But for most people who do not even have a single cent to pay for initial dengue lab tests, where do they go to? What I know is that, the Mangagaw and the recent, Sili Kulikut, have provided these people a saving grace in the most trying times.

//rmis//111110

Day-Out Gears

During rainy season, there are many things to look out if you have errands to run to.  It would prove helpful if you guard yourself against the erratic weather conditions and the dangers lurking around.  

Rain or shine, bring an umbrella with you, preferably the foldable one that would fit right into your sling bag. "Foldables" or folding umbrellas are hassle-free especially if you are going to commute. If you have no umbrella or you hate tugging along one, try to bring a cap instead.  


Umbrellas are very affordable in Divisoria and Baclaran (Manila) and Manalili St. (Cebu City), and if you will buy at least three pieces, you are sure to get them at a wholesale price.


Along with your umbrella, slid your sunglasses inside that bag.  Your pair of raybans or "Divisoria" shades will assure you of a fine and migraine-free day.


Tuck a baby linen instead of a hanky; this will be very handy whether Mr. Sun is out or not.  Baby linens' "wiping" performance is simply excellent (in case you'll get sweaty climbing up the sky walk or a bit "dampy" under the rain). 

Since you are going out, apply some mosquito-repellant lotion, and bring with you a small bottle of it for some repeat application later.  You can't be too careless enough in these dengue-forsaken times.


In case you are torn between putting that mosquito-repellant lotion or your sun lotion, of course, get a rub-dub of that repellant.  You'll never know what kind of mosquito you will meet on your way out of the door.  You simply do not have the freedom to choose which ones you like to bit you! 

//rmis//

Conference on Children and their Fractured Families In Baltimore, Maryland

Protect our children, take care and love them

Disrupted adoptions, parental abduction and immigration are just among the issues that will be taken up in the conference entitled, Fractured Families: The Causes and Consequences of Children Separated from their Families Across International Borders.  The event will be held at the University of Maryland in Baltimore on November 4 and 5, 2010.

Ambassador Susan Jacobs and Hon. Peter J. Messite are set to give the keynote addresses for the first and second day, respectively.  Amb. Jacobs is the Special Advisor to the Office of Children's Issues, a newly created position for the protection of the interests and welfare of children.   Hon. Messite is Senior Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and who formerly chaired the Family and Domestic Relations Law Committee, Maryland Judicial Conference from 1991 to 1993.  Judge Messite was designated as U.S. representative to Judicial Network under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of the International Child Abduction. 

Presenters for the event are:

1. Dr. Howard Altstein - social worker educator and author;

2. Christina Baglietto - Regional Adviser for Latin America for the ISS/IRC and UNICEF consultant;

3. Dr. Allison Blake - Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families;

4. Dana Chou, interim Director for the Children's Services at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service in Baltimore;

5. Michelle Brane - Director of the Detention and Asylum program at the U.S Women's Refugee Commission;

6. Kathleen Cleary - Executive Director for Consortium for Children;

7. Stephen Cullen - head of the Miles & Stockbridge's Family Law & Private Clients Group

8. Howard Davidson, J.D. - directed the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law since 1978, and Chair, U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect;

9. Dr. Jean M. Geran - an expert in international child protection and family policy;

10. Geoffrey Greif - professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work;

11. Nathalie Lummert - currently manages all Migration and Refugee Services' (MRS) programs for immigrant and refugee children;

12. Debbie B. Riley - Executive Director of The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc., an independent post-adoption organization in the Baltimore-Washington area;

13. Kathleen S. Ruckman - Incoming Branch Chief, Office of Children's Issues;

14. Prof. Jana Singer - faculty member of the University of Maryland School of Law;

15. Miki Stebbing - Accrediting Entity Liaison for the Department of State; works with the designated accredeting entities to implement the Hague Adoption Convention and the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000;

16. Professor Maureen Sweeney - directed the Immigration Clinic at the University of Maryland School of Law since 2004; and

17. Wendy Young - Executive Director of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a non-government organization founded by the Microsoft Corporation and actress, Angelina Jolie to provide legal services and advocacy to the thousands of immigration and refugee children who arrive alone in the U.S. each year.

The United States International Social Service and the University of Maryland School of Social Work are the main organizers of the conference, and supported by the University of Maryland School of Law, Rutgers School of Social Work, and the Wittig Associates.

//rmism/110410/ppp

General Electric and Newcom Group Ink Mongolian Partnership

General Electric Company partners with Newcom Group to explore business opportunities in Mongolia, according to a memorandum of agreement recently entered in New York.  The two companies agree to explore the areas of power generation, civil aviation, healthcare, railways, water, mining, and financial services, GE stated in a press release sent out on September 24, 2010.

Signing the MOU for GE was Mr. Mark Norbom, the President and CEO of GE Greater China.  Newcom Group was represented by its Chairman, Mr. Boldbaatar Tserenpuntsag.  The signing was witnessed by Mongolia's Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Batbold Sukhbaatar.

“GE is very excited to explore growth opportunities in Mongolia with a strong partner like Newcom. Each company brings strengths that are well-aligned with Mongolia’s growth needs -- GE brings technologies and expertise in infrastructure and financial services and Newcom brings established relationships and operations in the market.” said Mr. Norbom.

"Newcom is happy to be GE’s partner of choice in Mongolia. Indeed, we are a perfect match – it is imagination and innovation that drives our two companies. As GE has stood at the forefront of imagination and progress in the world for over a century, Newcom has been a pioneer in new and innovative technologies in democratic Mongolia. Together we are set to team for growth and take on big development challenges in emerging Mongolia.” said Mr. Bold Baatar.

For GE, Mongolia is a very good choice for a number of reasons.  The country has rich resources, having the world’s largest coal and copper deposits, and has high potential for wind energy generation.  Strategically, it is located in a neighborhood with robust markets: Russia and People’s Republic of China.  If everything follows through according to the parties' MOU, GE will be the largest multi-national company to operate in the Mongolian market.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is into diversified infrastructure, finance and media company operating in more than 100 companies globally.  Its interests include aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions and television programming.  GE (www.ge.com) employs about 300,000 people worldwide.

About Newcom

                                                                       

A leading privately owned investment company in Mongolia with interests in telecommunications and information technology, real estate, clean energy and aviation. (imayol_ppp_092610) 

Source: http://www.genewscenter.com/Press-Releases/GE-and-Newcom-Sign-MOU-for-Strategic-Cooperation-in-Mongolia-2b1e.aspx

JPMorgan Chase: Forbes Global 2000 Biggest Company for 2010

Banks and oil companies dominate this year's Forbes Global 2000 list of the world's biggest companies, according to Forbes.com.  With $2,031.99 billion in assets, JPMorgan Chase leads the pack earning $115.63 billions in sales and $11.03 billions in profit, followed by conglomerate giant, General Electric Company.  Other slots in the top 10 are held by oil and gas companies, with ExxonMobil (4th), Royal Dutch Shell (8th), and BP (10th), which had been badly slicked by the oil mess it created in the Gulf of Mexico.

Joining in the top 10 are other players in the banking industry: Bank of America (3rd), China's ICBC (5th), Spain's Banco Santander (6th), Wells Fargo (7th), and UK's HSBC Holdings (8th).

Vulcan Materials Company, a producer of construction aggregates, cement and asphalt based in Birmingham, Alabama, is Forbes Global's no. 2000.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/18/global-2000-10_The-Global-2000_Rank.html

Retrieved on September 26, 2010