9 March MMXVI Partial Solar Eclipse

Celestial events for me, are really interesting. I see each of these occurences as a time when my existence on earth has a real relevance to rare astronomical phenomena that can happen every now and then. This morning, I took part in marveling at the view of yet another heavenly spectacle. Though not as great as the total solar eclipse, the partial blockage of solar disk view by the new moon phase is observable here in the Philippines today. Thanks to the help of my friends here in school, I took a shot of the partial solar eclipse using my smart phone with a 4-ply used X-ray film as filter. Cropping the picture zoomed in the low definition image of the astronomical event.

So they are secondhand. So what?

Sometimes, buying brand new shoes can be disappointing. After like a year, your shoes would probably look like the ones sold as "ukay ukay," a term used for places that sell secondhand goods (like clothing, shoes, bags, curtains, bed sheets, towels, etc.) at dirt cheap prices usually shipped from the US Salvation Army to the third world countries such as the Philippines (Urban Dictionary).

I have sorts of these items. From pillow cases to bed sheets, jersey shirts to shorts and jackets, I find having these secondhand products worth investing. Some of the items are unreasonably priced high, the fact that those are secondhand and are supposed to be a lot cheaper. Anyway, they will always be cheaper than the brand new ones.

So why not buy secondhand shoes? After all, with some good skill in bidding for a lower price (hangyo lubo in Cebuano), you can have the items with that hidden smile on your face. It could be as low as the last three digits you would settle for a brand new pair of shoes. Last February 25, I took the chance of shopping at an ukay ukay stand and bought two branded pair of items for only 750 pesos! I think the shoes looked descent enough. I soaked the shoes in Ariel Powder Color and Style for 4 hours and thereafter brushed them. I rinsed the items in Downy Fabric Conditioner to give them that better smell. Sun dried for 8 hours, the shoes looked clean and were ready to wear!

Black-Browning My Hair

Our hair, our crown of glory. But as we grow older, our bodies produce less melanin, which makes the hair appear black. But there is always a way to counter the appearance of gray hair.

I came to know this hair coloring product. It is a more practical brand since its unused contents can be further applied later.

First Time Cooking with a Glassware

When the Visions' glass cookware items were brought home, everyone was curious about using them for cooking on LPG stove. They were apprehensive whether or not it could withstand the heat when cooking. This morning, we put one of the glass wares to the test. I asked my brother to buy pork for Adobo (meat on vinegar and soy sauce reduction.) After mixing the ingredients (garlic, onions, banana blossom, pepper corn and seasonings) in the 2.25 L Visions' Cook Pot, the glass ware was placed on top of high heat stove. We were looking at the cooking process and we noticed that the boiling was a lot faster. We could see the food being cooked inside as the container is transparent. After around 45 minutes, the meat was already tender. Usually, when doing this recipe, the mixture would dry up. In this case, the sauce (reduction) was still there and the meat was kept moist.

St. Valentine's Date with the Choir

As usual, the school choir 2016 proceeded to MonMon's Bakeshoppe after the 3rd Mass on the first Sunday of Lent.

"Be with me, Lord," we sang during the communion. The prayer was also the celebration's psalm. As this day commemorates St. Valentine, everyone was talking about love matters.❤

Today, Ash Wednesday

Now, on this day of the opening of the Lenten season, I take this time to post something.

What's with having my forehead marked with ash? In this morning's mass, the priest had us told that it is the start of our journey in this season of Lent. The celebrant added that though it is marked with reflective and solemn mood, it is supposed to be also a time to be joyous about the assurance of Jesus of our salvation through his great love and mercy.

In the school, a fellow is apprehensive about having marked with ash for one might not be able to follow the "obligations" during Lent. Humans as we are, it is inevitable for us to commit sin, at any time of the year. For one thing, having the thought that one might find it difficult to do fasting and abstinence, is never an excuse not to attend to Holy Masses. On the other hand, one should not be comfortable about sinning, knowing that God is compassionate anyway.

For sure, God does not want us to live a miserable life. Every day, we struggle for living. What the Lord wills us to do is along the way of our living, we sow justice, make peace and give love. Doing these will surely give us that feeling of happiness. That when we close our eyes at night, we are joyed that on this day, we have seen the face of God in those whom we have extended our help and love.

Erica Nessa's 6th Birthday

John Ric, Angeline and Mamang pose with the celebrator.

A simple but "well attended by neighbors" dinner for In-in's 6th birthday is celebrated at home today. In-in's lola Bebing and aunt Joy from Zamboanga were also present.

The Rite of Opening of the Jubilee Door of Mercy

It was only on the night before the celebration of the opening of the Extraordinary Year of Mercy that we rehearsed with Bishop Julius Tonel, D.D. and I learned that the procession would be accompanied by the singing of the Litany of Saints. There would also be a hymn before the Door of Mercy is opened. I took my self charged of those parts since there was no time to practice some cantors.

December 14, 2015 - the day of the Opening of the Jubilee Door. The rite was well-attended since aside ftom some mass goers and Marian College students, the WMSU students were also there as it was their regular institutional mass schedule. The archbishop of Zamboanga concelebrated the mass and he was also the homilist. We sang at the procession "Misericordes sicut Pater," "Be Merciful as the Father is merciful" and "The Great Jubilee Hymn" as the recessional.

4th Death Anniversary of Papang

"Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him," is our prayer for Papang, who on this day breathed his last, four years ago. What consoles us is having realized that his union with the Creator ended his earthly pain. 

We truly miss you, Pang. Please pray for us too. We love you truly.

On Papang's tomb at Autumn Woods, Taway, Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay.

Simbang Gabi Goals

It's the 5th Night of Misa Aguinaldo (Anticipated Mass) and the school choir sang at the celebration.

After the mass, we dined at El Ronnie's Pizza. The night was still young so we strolled around rotunda and enjoyed the Christmas ambiance at the site.

The last JS Prom

K - 12 will have its grade 9 next year. The fourth year will be the only level outside the new curriculum. There would be no more JS then.

Niña gets married today

Just last month, Kuya Manny (Niña's father) told our choir that Niña was going to be wed, which was scheduled today. Our choir, the Interlude Family sang at the wedding liturgy. I did the responsorial psalm, Ps. 92: Lord, it is good to give you thanks. During the rite of marriage, I found it enjoying seeing Niña looking at her husband whenever he says his part. I thought she was so happy and I feel the same for her. I wish her all the joys and blessings that her new life could bring.

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Pamela Wooton

Today, the second day after Epiphany, is Papang's 2nd Death Anniversary

I woke up early and dressed in white polo. I was not supposed to be the cantor-organist but since the assigned group could not be present, I volunteered yesterday to take care of the mass hymns. I offered the mass for my father's eternal rest. Epiphany has always been linked to my father's death. He died January 7, 2012, the day before the Epiphany celebration. Before his death, I was praying with him to follow the star wherever it could go for it shall lead his way to the Savior's place. Last year, his first death anniversary, was the first day after Epiphany. I recalled the homily of Bishop Joy in last Sunday's Solemnity of Epiphany that says about emptying something from ourselves to offer to the LORD. I realized that it was the very life of my father that our family had to let go. It was indeed hefty to be given out. But just like the Magi, we felt the ease of pain and sorrow having seen the end of our father's suffering from his illness. We continue to pray that he may be given the greatest gift of all - eternal life.

A day with Spinolanian pioneering batch

Buluan island is truly mesmerizing. The island's cool, clean waters and the bright, cream sand continue to amaze me. Today, I was here with some of the first batch MSS (Marcelo Spinola School). As usual, we did funny things and talked nonsense stuffs. But it was worth spending my time. I enjoyed a lot and felt happy seeing my students succeed in life. The return trip wasn't good since it coincided with the low tide. We had to stop the pump boat at a distance offshore and walk through the muddy coast, around 200 m to get back to the mainland. The consolation was that the current wasn't that strong.

Photo courtesy of Ivy Marie Panes

Photo courtesy of Ivy Marie Panes

Photo courtesy of Ivy Marie Panes

What does this year 2014 have for me?

Last year, I could say that I had a busier life. Teaching in the public high school and at an external studies unit of a university, training school choir, serving at St. Joseph's Cathedral parish through music ministry - all these highlighted the year that was. I would always jokingly sometimes ask my students, "what would you become after doing that thing?" Now, such question seriously follows after what I have been through 2013. What have I so far become? I should accept that I continue to gain insight in my teaching. I have become more compassionate although I really have to work hard on showing my concern for my students. There were still moments that I found it inevitable to become unfriendly with them. The choir in the school this past year has served in many events. There have been a lot of issues to tackle for the next batch. I would be more "choosy" to come up with a more improved choir. There were a lot of developments as to the church music ministry. Last month, all that serve in the music ministry were finally commissioned by our Bishop in the Diocese of Ipil.

Personally, I see myself to be as busy as last year. Yet there were a lot of times that I ask myself, "what other paths could I possibly trod? My life seemed to be programmed while my personality remained adventurous." There were a number of sacrifices that I have, just to serve the LORD. I wish I could just keep this to myself. Now this year begins already. God has blessed me at the start of the year through the prayers I participated with at the church on the first day of 2014. There are already lined up activities to be done. On January 5 is the Epiphany of our LORD. On the 6th, will be the opening of the school classes for 2014. My father's 2nd death anniversary will be on the 7th. I will be accompanying for a wedding liturgy on the 8th and it will be the Feast of the Black Nazarene on the 9th. Hopefully, January 10 is a holiday.

I look forward to a more adventurous year this time. I wish for some new things to unfold before me. I am not getting any younger; I pray that I will be situated somewhere here in the LORD's bounteous vineyard. For certain, it is the LORD who will guide me through the path I will follow this year.

Presents from Bishop Joy

I was shopping at NOVO when my younger sister Daylin sent a text message that I have a package from Bishop Tonel. It is something that makes me wonder specially that never have I received any gift from the church for the past 8 years of my service at the music ministry. On the way home, I was thinking what the package would be. I had in mind that it could be music books. As soon as I got home, I found out that it was a "noche buena" gift pack with Diocesan Ordo brought by the Bishop's scholars. It was truly a pleasant surprise. It made me feel happy knowing that the Parish office extended gestures to show their love for us.

With this wonderful gift, I think I would be spending a lot less for New Year's dinner.

My mother asked for the Ordo. Well, it is definitely hard to refuse our mother. Jesus did not even refuse the Blessed Virgin Mary. She also serves at our Chapel here in Sanito and she surely would need a copy of liturgical guide.

Angel tops again in her class

Angeline Louise certainly deserves a treat today. She once again obtained a rank in the top 10 (this second grading). I gave her a Jolibee treat last grading period since she was also in the top 10.

Mamang together with Joshua and Nonoy also joined in the snacks at Jolibee.

All souls' day

Happy Fiesta Señor San Jose, the Worker

     Photo courtesy of Pamela S. Wooton

My birthday this year

Falling on the day of the Easter Octave for 2013, I celebrated my birthday with my Interlude Family at St. Joseph's Cathedral. We sang for the celebration of the Divine Mercy Sunday's morning prayer and second and third Masses. My student-choir joined in the third mass. We then proceeded to the rectory's kitchen where we took our breakfast.

In the afternoon, some of my co-teachers came home and we enjoyed a simple dinner with lechon. Later some students and alumni of the school where I teach also came. My friends at WMSU - Ipil also arrived.

My young buddies, Efren, Royce and Fredrick and I roamed around Sanito until the break of dawn. We looked for a coffee stall. We found one at the Ipil Provincial Hospital. We took pictures there. When it was about 4 am, we went to the airport and there, we waited for the sunrise. We had another coffee break at Ma'am Tess's house then we parted our ways.