The Divers

These are Boyet and Leah..my officemates who are already certified divers. One good thing came out from having so much pressures in the office, they turned to something else to achieve balance:-)


Consider yourselves blessed! Not everyone will have a chance to see God's perfect creations down there.

Kanlungan

pana-panahon ang pagkakataon
maibabalik ba ang kahapon?

natatandaan mo pa ba,
nang tayong dalwa'y ang unang nagkita?
panahon ng kamusmusan
sa piling ng mga bulaklak at halaman
doon tayong nagsimulang
mangarap at tumula

natatandaan mo pa ba,
inukit kong puso sa punong mangga
at ang inalay kong gumamela
magkahawak-kamay sa dalampasigan
malayang tulad ng mga ibon
ang gunita ng ating kahapon

ang mga puno't halaman
ay kabiyak ng ating gunita
sa paglipas ng panahon bakit kailangan ding lumisan?

pana-panahon ang pagkakatao
maibabalik ba ang kahapon?

ngayon ikaw ay nagbalik
at tulad ko rin ang iyong pananabik
makita ang dating kanlungan
tahanan ng ating tula at pangarap
ngayon ay naglaho na
saan hahanapin pa?

lumilipas ang panahon
kabiyak ng ating gunita
ang mga puno't halaman
bakit kailangan lumisan?

pana-panahon ang pagkakataon
maibabalik ba ang kahapon?
lumilipas ang panahon
kabiyak ng ating gunita
ang mga puno't halaman
bakit kailangan lumisan?

pana-panahon ang pagkakataon
maibabalik ba ang kahapon?


THIS SONG REMINDS ME THAT EVERYTHING ON THIS EARTH IS TEMPORAL.

Newest addition to the Family

This is Joem my third niece. So far, she is the youngest out of the ten grandchildren of my Nanay & Tatay. Born June 24, 2005 at San Juan, MM.

Joem got her eyes from her father, my brother Joey and the shape of the face from her mother, Emma. (thus the name, Joem)

She is almost 2 months now and according to her father, she is starting to utter her first words like, yahung yahoo!!, ago ayo... (ate Pam says, she doesn't believe and would wait until she hears Joem says so to her).... while sucking her whole fist and part of her arms....much to the delight of her parents.

Wayback April, 2005, when my father was seriously ill, he cried because he knew that he will be gone before Joem arrives.

You may not have experienced to live with your Lolo, Joem, but please be assured that he loved you and he waited for you. He would have done anything to see you before he goes but God had other plans.....


God bless baby, we love you and hope to see you soon.... (,")

My Ditse's Family

This collage shows some of the many activities that Kuya Nomer, Ditse and their three boys (Norman, Neil John, Norville) enjoy whenever my brother in law is in town. Family outings to make up for the time away from each other.

Most of the pictures here were taken when they went to Lagos Del Sol in Laguna. There is no better way to bond!

IT IS A SIN TO TELL A LIE

I love you, yes I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure it's true
When you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie

Be sure it's true when you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie
Millions of hearts have been broken
Just because these words were spoken

I love you, yes I do, I love you
If you break my heart I'll die
So be sure it's true
When you say I love you
It's a sin to tell a lie




WHOAH! I found the lyrics of this song while browsing on the lyrics.com. Here is one song that I couldn't ignore. I grew up knowing that this is my parents' song....could be that this song was very popular during their time, huh!

Not sure how much this song has contributed to the exemplary life they led as husband and wife......they had something which doesn't happen always in a relationship....they have devotion and respect to each other......they had weathered everything together....theirs was not an easy life..but they succeeded in making sure that their children would achieve something that they both lacked....My husband and I don't have a song in particular..maybe we should have one...

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME

There’s a saying old says that love is blind
Still we’re often told, seek and ye shall find
So I’m going to seek a certain lad I’ve had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven’t found him yet

He’s the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I’d like to add his initial to my monogram
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?

There’s a somebody I’m longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who’ll watch over me
I’m a little lamb who’s lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who’ll watch over me

Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won’t you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me


When I was a kid, the thought that my father would always be around was a great comfort for me. He was an embodiment of someone who would do anything for his children, be it hard work just to be able to support us.

When I got married, I thought that the responsibility to take care of me was transferred to my husband but I know that father will still always be there for me.

Now that father is gone, I believe that he still watches over me from afar, could be from a different dimension but he is still there watching and praying for me.

Free Dinner always taste best...

It was about 5 pm. We have just finished our staff meeting. Our manager, Boyet has just gotten his new silver Innova Toyota. Last month, he got his promo.... We were teasing him that he ought to give us joy ride and treat us to dinner afterwards. Being a true gentleman that he is (ehemmmmm) he gave in to our request....



















On our way to Tagaytay, we were enveloped with very thick fog...almost zero visibility....The wind was so strong..as if a typhoon was coming...hmmnn...cold...brrr...The low temperature in Tagaytay did something to our appetite. We relished our yellow cab pizza and some fried chicken wings. Yehey..we had a nice time... and hope we could have another one like this soon:-) thanks a lot, Boyet....may your tribe increase!

STANDING IN AWE OF OUR GOD

I STAND IN AWE OF YOU

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard

Who can grasp your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above.

CHORUS:

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you.


In our life, there are so many things that are happening that we can't comprehend. It is so comforting to know though that Someone up there is in total control of everything.... We may not understand the reason why He allowed certain things to happen yet these things happen because of His great plans for all of us. Just like how my most favorite gospel song goes....

"Who can grasp your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above"

Giving importance to what really matters... right now...

I am confused.

The other day, I accompanied my mother to the hospital for the first of the 3 sessions of eye laser treatments. It was done to stop the bleeding of some veins at the back of her eyes. Mother is suffering from type 2 diabetes and it can cause blindness if not acted upon fast. She experienced on and off vision which the doctor termed as an eye attack.

Mother is having a hard time coping with father's sudden demise. On top of that, we can't find her a permanent helper in the house. All her children are married and working so she is alone in the house except for her sister who visits her now and then during the day. One niece stays with her at night time. Mother is very frail and she doesn't eat much these days because she said she doesn't feel like eating:-( She needs someone who truly loves her to take care of her at this point.

I am sure that she will love to have a son or daughter live with her for a while. Getting her out of her 'territory' is not an option. She just wouldn't budge. This is a problem, indeed.

The only days that I could offer are my weekends. However, I have my MBA classes on Saturdays until 5:30 in the afternoon. This is the reason why I can't visit her on weekends as much as I want. When I enrolled this term it was more because I wanted to keep myself busy so as not to give loneliness some space. I forgot that my mother needs somebody by her side especially now..... So... I am in a dilemma - Should I drop one subject to be able to visit her more often? Or should I just wait for the end of the term? My heart says that I should drop it now but I am also thinking of the money, time and effort I have invested so far...

My mother is already 67 years old..I am young and I can have the rest of my life to finish my MBA...My mother needs me now......I believe I should give her my time now...

Tomorrow, I will talk to the dean that I am going to drop my class in the afternoon. I need to give way to what is more important in my life....

HONGKONG SIDETRIP

it's always beautiful when mountains and ocean meet....


Central Hongkong


What would you do if you have 7 hrs in between flights? Of course, you have to maximize and try to visit the country you are in with those limited hours. That was what my friend Leah and I did. We decided to see Hongkong as much as we could .....with these limited hours.

First, we took the airway express train and got off at Hongkong Central.



Then, we tried the Peak Mountain View ride.



We also cruised the Hongkong bay....



.....and we enjoyed harbor walk in the Avenue of the Stars.

Hmmnn..it was a marathon visit and we ached all over..all those walking and running....while reading the map.. (poor Leah lost her balance and fell down in Central Hongkong) and with our heavy laptop backpacks all the time.... it was a very tiring sidetrip but we will surely do it again next time.....

My first trip to SHANGHAI, CHINA (July 10-16, 2005)

Yu Garden


"Work on your Chinese Visa for the CS Asia Capital Face to Face and CCF/FAA Roadshow Training" that was Chui Lin, my manager. "Be ready to be in Shanghai on WW29". Cool! I will be able to visit one of intriguing countries for me since I was child. I have always been fascinated by the traditional Chinese houses, dresses and foods (yummy!) Here's the chance to see what I have just heard or read in the past about China and Chinese people in general.

The Golden buddha in the restaurant where we had teambuilding dinner


July 10, I was prompted by my husband to wake up following the alarm from my cellphone. Hmm.. it was 3:30 in the morning. My flight was at 8:00am but I need to be in the airport at least 2 hrs before the flight and we also live about 1.5 hr drive to the airport.
My flight to Hongkong was okay but my connecting flight to China was delayed for 2 hrs. When I finally arrived in Shanghai, I was flashing the Chinese name of the hotel where I have made the reservation to the taxi driver when there was this man who got my suitcase and prompted me to follow him. I thought he was a good samaritan helping me with my heavy load. He was walking so fast and I had a hard time following him. He led me to a taxi at the carpark under a building just opposite the airport. He talked to the driver in Chinese after putting my suitcase at the back of the car and then he left. I was starting to feel nervous that time. The driver seemed friendly enough and kept on chatting with me with his limited English vocabulary. I asked him how much it would cost me to the hotel and he said we will use the meter. I thought it was okay.


China's unique architectures




We were already in the highway when suddenly the man who accompanied me to the taxi showed up and rode with us. I felt that something was wrong. He sat in front with the driver and used his handphone. I just prayed that everything will be okay. When I spotted the facade of my hotel, I wondered why they did not park in the hotel entrance and instead stopped in the next street.

I had this gutfeel that they are going to trick me. True enough, when I looked at the meter, it was showing RMB450.00. What!?X%&* Earlier on my manager briefed me that the normal rate is only RMB150.00. Indeed! crooked people are everywhere.

With my friend Chern chern from Malaysia


This made my first trip to China really unforgettable. It's a good thing that I never tend to generalize people. I have good Chinese friends who upon hearing my sad experience sort of made up for me. I had a pretty hectic night life for the whole week. Shopping, or eating or just looking around....

Going back to St. Luke's Hospital

If I can have my way, I wouldn’t go back to St. Luke’s this soon. This is where my father was confined before he passed away about three months ago. However, my mother needed to undergo andiogram and this hospital is one of the bests, if not the best hospital in the country today. So here I am once more….

As I stepped on the main entrance of the hospital, I can’t help but recall the day we checked out my father to bring him home as the doctors said it was just a waiting game. I can still vividly remember how hard it was for the ambulance driver, nurses, my brothers Joey & Ryan, my nephews Mark & Junjun and my husband, Mulong to get my father inside the ambulance. Cars were already queueing at the driveway of the main entrance because it took them so long before they were finally able to do it.

During that time, I was kinda mesmerized…..I was just observing. I knew that father will be gone soon so it seemed that I was trying to instill in my memory all of the scenes before me. I looked at mother keeping her bravado, her motion sickness forgotten. My husband, Pam and Ditse followed in our car. The ambulance was so fast they were already home in Bulacan while we were still in Fairview. Q.C. I did not witness the events when they brought out father from the ambulance but I was told that it was hard as well. Father was already deadweight – but my auntie said he opened his eyes and he seemed to smile because he knew that he was home already. That was his wish – to be brought home whatever happens. He knew that we fulfilled his last wish-----

My daydreaming was disturbed by the ringing of my cellphone. It was my Ate telling me that they were nearing the hospital already. I gathered my things which were scattered in the cafeteria table where I spent the time waiting for them while having my breakfast. I occupied the same table that my sisters, and brothers and my father used when we had lunch there, one time, while waiting for the results of some laboratory exams.

It was a weird feeling walking on the same hallway, taking note of the familiar seats where my father and I sat…...It seems that it was only yesterday…...Looking at one of the benches, I remember that we accidentally left his CT scan results then and it was my father who noticed the big envelope on the bench......

Of course, I also visited the room where my father was confined. It was in the second floor. I looked at Room 218B’s closed door and opened it a little to peep and I felt that a part of me would always be there. This was where my family spent some of our last moments with Tatay. From the time when I first visited him when all he could do was cry as he had a hard time communicating with us – until finally he could not do it at all. We knew he could hear us and we talked to him a lot. I even sang to him one gospel song over and over again..”Have Thine Own Way Lord, have thine own way, Thou art the potter, I am the clay, mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting yielded and still......” and I am sure that my father heard me.

We also tried to check father's failing eyesight once in a while... we would always ask him to say the name of the person standing before him. We would ask Pam for instance to stand in front of Tatay and ask him to identify her. Sometimes, he could but most of the time, we believed that he was just basing his answers on the voice.

I will always remember his intense stares during his last days....while..he seemed to be slipping away from us....

It was in this room where I thanked Tatay for everything, for being a good father to all of us, for being a very loving grandpa to my daughter…..and for being a very understanding father to me and my husband.

It was here that his youngest daughter and his female version (that's me!)shed a lot of tears...

I have always felt this especial bond with my father..so much so that my siblings would always tease me for being the father's pet.

.... until finally.. .it was also here that I asked God to take my father away if it was according to His plan.

I will forever love my father and I will miss him for the rest of my life but I am glad that he is now with God!

St. Luke’s ...you're already a part of my life!

Music for Dads on Fathers' Day

Because you loved me
. . . . .
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
. . . . .
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
. . . . .
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
. . . . .
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
. . . . .
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
. . . . .
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
. . . . .
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
. . . . .
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
. . . . .
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
. . . . .
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
. . . . .
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
. . . . .
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
. . . . .
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
. . . . .
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
. . . . .
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
. . . . .
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith'coz you believed
. . . . .
Because you loved me
You were my strength when I was weak
. . . . .
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
. . . . .
You gave me faith'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
. . . . .
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me
. . . . .

PAPA, CAN YOU HEAR ME?


PRAYER
Oh God-our heavenly Father.
Oh, God-and my father
Who is also in heaven.
May the light of this
Flickering candle
Illuminate the night the way
Your spirit illuminates my soul.

Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you see me?
Papa can you find me in the night?
Papa are you near me?
Papa, can you hear me?
Papa, can you help me not be frightened?
Looking at the skies I seem to see
A million eyes which ones are yours?
Where are you now that yesterday
Has waved goodbye
And closed its doors?
The night is so much darker;
The wind is so much colder;
The world I see is so much bigger
Now that I'm alone.
Papa, please forgive me.
Try to understand me;
Papa, don’t you know I had no choice?
Can you hear me praying,
Anything I'm saying
Even though the night is filled with voices?
I remember everything you taught me
Every book 1've ever read...
Can all the words in all the books
Help me to face what lies ahead?
The trees are so much taller
And I feel so much smaller;
The moon is twice as lonely
And the stars are half as bright...
Papa, how I love you...
Papa, how I need you.
Papa, how I miss you
Kissing me good night...

On Human Attachments

my immortal

i'm so tired of being here
suppressed by all of my childish fears
and if you have to leave
i wish that you would just leave
because your presence still lingers here
and it won't leave me alone

these wounds won't seem to heal
this pain is just too real
there's just too much that time cannot erase

when you cried i'd wipe away all of your tears
when you'd scream i'd fight away all of your fears
and i've held your hand through all of these years
but you still have all of me

you used to captivate me
by your resonating light
but now i'm bound by the life you left behind
your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
your voice it chased away all the sanity in me

these wounds won't seem to heal
this pain is just too real
there's just too much that time cannot erase

when you cried i'd wipe away all of your tears
when you'd scream i'd fight away all of your fears
and i've held your hand through all of these years
but you still have all of me

i've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
and though you're still with me
i've been alone all along

Ascended! April 20, 2005

June 14 is my late father's birthday. He should had been 71 years old if he were still alive today. It is my family's practice to visit him on his birthday, to celebrate and to give him simple gifts which he greatly appreciated.

Things are really different now in the house. This year, there's only my mother to welcome us home. My mother who has openly cried to say how much she misses my father. Looking at my mother's very frail body, it was so hard to leave her behind yet she is so adamant to stay in the house where we grew up. Clinging on the memories of so many wonderful years of being together, recalling our so many ups and downs ...

As I laid down on my father's death bed, I can almost hear my father's voice telling me that life has to go on..that he had a well lived life...that he felt the love of his sons and daughters, in laws and grandchildren..that he was sure that mother will be well taken care of...that someday we will all be together in our ultimate destination... and that there is no more pain, no more tears in the place where he is now....

With these thoughts in mind, I now say, Kudos! Tatay .... you had fufilled your mission on earth with flying colors... I couldn't thank God enough for giving you to me as my father...because God gave me the best...and I believe that you had already ascended to heaven (just like Jun, my brother when he died two years earlier)


Ascended

We are . . . well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 5:8

Joseph Parker (1830-1902) was a beloved English preacher. When his wife died, he didn’t have the customary wording inscribed on her gravestone. Instead of the word died followed by the date of her death, he chose the word ascended.

Parker found great comfort in being reminded that though his wife’s body had been placed in the grave, the "real" Mrs. Parker had been transported to heaven and into the presence of her Savior. When Parker himself died, his friends made sure that his gravestone read:

ASCENDED NOVEMBER 28, 1902

When a believing loved one dies, or when we ourselves face the process of dying, there’s great comfort in the fact that "to be absent from the body" is "to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Death for us is not a dark journey into the unknown. It is not a lonely walk into a strange and friendless place. Rather, it is a glorious transition from the trials of earth into the joys of heaven, where we will be reunited with our loved ones in Christ who have gone before. Best of all, we will enjoy the presence of our Lord forever.

Yes, when a believer dies, the body is buried but not the soul. It has ascended! – Richard De Haan

Oh, how blessed is the promise

When our spirit is set free:

To be absent from the body

Means to live, O Lord, with Thee! – Bosch

READ: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

For the Christian, death is the doorway to Glory.

Visiting Tagaytay one fine day!

Wonderful view of Taal Lake from Leslie's restaurant




A lake within a volcano within a lake...found only in the Philippines!



It's David's and KJ's first visit in the country. CV PCG(Boyet, Leah & myself) treated them to a sumptuous lunch at Leslie's Tagaytay. Our visitors were delighted to see Taal Lake and promised to come back to see it again. Of course, they also enjoyed the food served.

Our Pam is moving on to high school!

Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflower
Blossoming even as we gaze!



With Papa and Mama
Tagaytay International Convention Center
March 18, 2005



Our pride, Pam is a consistent honor student
(Took after Mama, sorry, Papa!)



A whacky class picture, indeed!
Grade VI-Hope (BATCH 2005)
Philippine Christian University
Dasmarinas, Cavite

Our darling baby Shaun!

This is my nephew David Shaun. Born Sept. 23, 2002. Son of my late brother, PO3Jun Caramol who passed away last March 21, 2003 in a fatal encounter in Nasugbu, Batangas. He was a member of the Special Action Force, PNP.

That encounter left my nephew fatherless at 6 months old. So innocent...so young...a chance to grow with a father forever gone.

I know that life will not be too easy for you, my little, young man..life is hard enough as it is..much more without a father around. Nevertheless, remember that we are here for you, no matter what.... We love you sooo much!

Mi Unica Hija Pamela Joy

All I Ever Want

I think of you from the moment I wake up
I think of you till the time I close my eyes,
I start to dream of you
You’re the only thought I’ll ever have

I think of you even as the morning starts to wane
I think of you till the sun begins to hide behind
the distant paint all thru the night
Until the little star has left the sky

In my wildest dreams I dream about you
Every face I see I see only you
In my most quiet moments I hear only you
All I ever wanna do is to say, I love you!

I think of you…
Everytime I hear the raindrops, I think of you
Everytime I see a moonlit sky with velvet clouds passing by
Just thinking of you makes me wanna fly…

From the moment you walked into my life
There came happiness and sunshine to my life
You don’t know how good I feel inside
That someday you’ll step right into my life.

Tatay & Jun - You will always be special part of me!

MOMENTS IN LIFE

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much
that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!

When the door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one,which has been opened for us.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.

Go for someone who makes you smile,because it takes only a smile to
make a dark day seem bright.Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Dream what you want to dream;
go where you want to go;
be what you want to be,
because you have only one life
and one chance to do all the things
you want to do.May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human and
enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily
have the best of everything;they just make the most of
everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past;
you can't go forward in life untilyou let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying
and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end,you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.


ONE SWEET DAY

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say
And now it's too late to hold you
'cause you've flown away
So far away

Never had I imagined
Living without your smile
Feeling and knowing you hear me
It keeps me alive
Alive

CHORUS:
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day
[Eventually we'll sing in heaven]

Darling I never showed you
Assumed you'd always be there
And I took your presence for granted
But I always cared
And I miss the love we shared

CHORUS

Although the sun will never shine the same
I'll always look to a brighter day
Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
You will always listen as I pray
CHORUS

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say


WHAT MATTERS MOST

It's not how long we held each other's hand
What matters is how well we loved each other
It's not how far we travelled on our way
Of what we found to say
It's not the spring you see, but all the shades of green

It's not how long I held you in my arms
What matters is how sweet the years together
It's not how many summertimes we had to give to fall
The early morning smiles we tearfully recall
What matters most is that we loved at all.

It's not how many summertimes we had to give to fall
The early morning smiles we tearfully recall
What matters most is that we loved at all.
What matters most is that we loved at all.


PAGLISAN
Color It Red


Kung ang buhay ay isang umagang nakangiti
At ikaw ay ang lupang sinusuyo ng bituin
Di mo man silip ang langit
Di mo man silip ito'y nandirito pa rin
Kung ang lahat ay may katapusan
Itong paglalakbay ay makakarating din sa paroroonan
At sa `yong paglisan Ang tanging pabaon ko
Ay pag-ibig
Hmmm

Sa pagbuhos ng ulan Sa haplos ng hangin
Alaala mo ay nakaukit sa pisngi ng langit
Di man umihip ang hangin ahhh
Di man umihip ika'y nandirito pa rin
Kung ang lahat ay may katapusan
Itong paglalakbay ay makakarating din sa paroroonan
At sa `yong paglisan Ang tanging pabaon ko
Ay pag-ibig
Ay pag-ibig
Ay pag-ibig
Ooh ooh ooh ooh