Peace through Non-Violence

As one Church we must show the way of justice and love, in solidarity with all but particularly the poor and the weak, in the building of peace. The Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus is not a Kingdom to be imposed by the force of arms. It is a Kingdom to be built by love, the love of the suffering servant. Love bears peace by way of peace. Peace cannot be equated with the absence of war nor with a certain balance of power. It is a harmony in the human heart and in the social order brought about justice, requiring respect for human dignity and human rights, the promotion of the common good by one and all, and the constant practice of solidarity. Peace is likewise "the fruit of love which goes beyond what justice can provide." In the final analysis, the real peace we must seek is the Lord's  because He himself is our peace.

The context of our socio-economic and political situation today is partly one of violence and counter-violence, institutionalized or otherwise. In such a context it is easy to succumb to the temptation to use conflict as the means to liberation. But history teaches that "there are sources of progress other than conflict namely LOVE and RIGHT. This priority of love in history draws Christian to prefer the way of non-violent  action... Non-violence is a quality of love of Jesus Christ. So radically new was his love that he obliged his followers: "Love your Enemies."

Peaceful but persuasive rallies, assemblies, marches, demonstrations, strikes and acts of "passive resistance" to unjust laws can be very effective even if non-violent. A strategy of non-violence requires solidarity of spirit as well as of action. "The road to total liberation is not the way of love, class struggle or hate; it is the way of love, brotherhood and peaceful solidarity."

To remove social ills, active non-violence is our moral countersign to the ideologies of today that espouse armed violence to change status quo. It is likewise our moral countersign to the ideologies that institutionalize violence in order to preserve the status quo. We consider the peaceful alternative as a mandate of evangelical discipleship.

Sources: Acts and Decrees, 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines( 1991)

LOVE AND INSANITY DO THEY DIFFER?

What is Insanity?

I took the effort of trying to find a dictionary inside my drawer. Unfortunately, there was none. I couldn't define insanity for you then. Oh no, I can't, but I can set an example. I know that there is no dictionary inside my drawer but still I expected to find one. That's an example of insanity in its simplest form.

Love and Insanity

Within the few months of my being hooked-up with Tristan, one of the many things that I have learned is the parallelism of Love and Insanity. I came to realize that these two words are somewhat synonymous. This is manifested by the countless stories of experiences documented by different individuals here in Tristan. Love life with a plot a la telenovela, with a complete casting from supporting actors to the usual protagonists, peers, parents or classmates to name a few. What do I see? I see insanity in a broad daylight. Love life recycled from one generation to the next. Insanity inherited by yet another group of people in the same environment at a different time. I find it insane considering that our way of life has indeed made a giant leap into what we call the future and yet the same old pains, troubles or problems haunt people's love life.

Define Love. Love is this. Love is that. Love is here. Love is there. There isn't a consistent definition for love. Worst is, one definition conflicts with the other. No, conflict is an understatement, contradict would have been better. In binary, a "1" is never a "0" and vice versa. Treating one as the other is insanity. Love bringing either happiness or sorrow, or sometimes both, is insanity. Does insanity define love? Or, is insanity love, in a negative form?

Let us get back to my previous example. That is an analogy illustrating insanity. Now, let's take love. We know that our love will get to nowhere but we take the risk of gambling with love. The result is we get hurt. And that is insanity. Foreseeing darkness ahead but still taking the courage to step into the dark. The result is disaster. In real life, it's like you know he's married but what the hell. And that is love. You can feel she cares for somebody but still you convince yourself that she loves you, because you love her. And again, that is love. And what about this latest crap? When you love someone you gave that someone the opportunity to hurt you. Isn't that insanity to the max or just plain masochism?

Do I speak justly then when I say that those who love are insane? Would you still love?

I assume that answers to both questions are unanimously "yes". And again, that clearly manifests insanity.

We are used to saying the phase "falling in love" to mean "being in love"? Isn't it "to fall" connotes a negative meaning? Isn't it insanity then that we allow ourselves to "fall" in love? But wait, others say "high with love" to mean addicted with love. Just the same, and addiction is even worse. To let our selves get "high" with love is again an act of insanity. To fall is to go down contradicting the word high. With these two contradicting results associated with love, setting love in front of a well-polished mirror, love vividly reflects insanity.

But despite this shocking analogy, I would still say, "If to love is to be insane, please, take all my sanity away". It is with pride that I'll shout to the world, "Call me insane because I am in love!"

from: BABES

Travel Stop: Kabacan Buffalo Milk Products Sales Outlet

This is where you can buy fresh buffalo's milk

It was a sunny Monday and my body was perspiring.  I am craving for something cold and sweet to satisfy my quench. The road towards home was long way to go and I was looking for some store who sells cold fresh milk. I thought that cold milk products can help me revitalize and bring my temperature down to its normal level. I was with my mom, aunt, brother-in-law and 3 noisy and playful kids in the car. I was enjoying the scenery of green mountains, rice fields, farm animals and the hard working carabao taking its rest at the shed of a tree as we took the road from the town of President Roxas going to Kabacan, North Cotabato. Then I remembered a small store located at the University of Southern Mindanao Agricultural Research Center (USMARC) main entrance who has been selling fresh milk and some agricultural products. I hurriedly told my brother-in-law who was driving the car to stop at that sales outlet when we reached Kabacan.  

This is the menu to choose from

When we arrived to our target stop, I was kind of excited because I know I was going to eat and drink something fresh and healthy. So, I brought the kids and the rest of the group to Kabacan Buffalo Milk Product Sales Outlet and bought buffalo fresh milk, choco milk, ice cream with buffalo's milk, peanuts, and pastries. The price was very affordable compared to what you can buy in the super market. And this sales outlet was very accessible because it was just along the National Highway and few meters away from the downtown of Kabacan.

The group was interested in buying liters of fresh buffalo milk because of the nutrients the milk can give to human body. With regular drinking of this milk and eating products out of this will surely give you the following nutrients which based on PCC Dairy Buffalo Handbook in every 100 grams:

Nutrients                                                           Buffalo Milk

·         Protein (gm)                                                        4.3

·         Fats (gm)                                                            6.5

·         Carbohydrates  (gm)                                           5.0

·         Energy (kcal)                                                      117

·         Calcium (mg)                                                      210

·         Phosphorous (mg)                                              130

·         Iron (mg)                                                             0.2

·         Thiamine (gm)                                                     0.04

·         Riboflavin (mg)                                                    0.10

·         Vitamin C (mg)                                                   1.0

·         Vitamin B12 (mg)                                               0.14

So imagine giving our kids with these products rather than allowing them to indulge on Junk Foods (as the name suggests –junk, so therefore nutrients are junk too) makes us confident that we are giving them is not actually killing them on the process. And there are some interesting facts about buffalo’s milk too, and here they are:

1. ·        One of the best and nutritious milks like mother’s milk and goat’s milk
2. ·         It has low cholesterol content (0.65mg/g) so it can not lead to heart attack & high-blood pressure
3. ·         It has high calcium content (210 mg) which helps strengthen teeth and combats tooth-disease
4. ·         Regular drinking of buffalo’s milk can protect us from developing colon cancer and diabetes
5. ·         Vitamin B2 content helps in normal development
6. ·         It has lactalbumin and lactoferrin than help to fight cancer and allergy
7. ·         Helps to remove sores in the skin, mouth and tongue as well as can stop nausea
8. ·         Helps to maintain healthy and clean colon and intestines

So, let’s travel safely and healthy. When you travel from Kabacan going elsewhere or from elsewhere going to Kabacan, I suggest going to this travel stop. I am sure you want to keep you mind and body alert and comfortable while travelling and to attain that you need to try buffalo’s dairy products and surely you are going to love them!

Travel Destination: Greenhill Village, President Roxas, North Cotabato

The road to Greenhill Village

My second degree Aunt invited us to her house blessing at Greenhill Village geographically located at the meek town of President Roxas in the Province of North Cotabato. I always heard about the place from my brother-in-law who frequently visited the village for some reasons. I heed to the invitation of my aunt to celebrate with her family on her house blessing because I was so curious to set my feet in there since I heard a lot about her small village. I love travelling from urban to suburban, from unindustrialized municipalities to highly sophisticated cities, from one country to another, from critical area to a peaceful community, from a traffic congested town to a lonesome place. Bottom line here, simply I just love to travel because in travelling I discover myself too as I discover how beautiful this world is.

And travelling to Greenhill Village was not a disappointment. I got to enjoy the green scenery of the place. The road was smooth and every one can well traverse from it and you will get to enjoy a roller coaster ride in a positive slope. I say roller coaster because the zigzag snake-like road was build in a mountain. On your right you will see the greenly mountain with rice crops, fruits and many plants and on your left you will see a deep cliff which most likely 100+ meters  above sea-level. Any one false move and you will find yourself dismembered at the bottom of the mountain.  The breeze was cold and the weather was so fine. The picturesque view that captured my heart was when we arrived at the place. It seemed to be I was few meters away from heaven. From the hill, you can actually see the whole province wide of North Cotabato. You don’t need photoshop nor corelle draw to appreciate this picture-perfect panoramic site. The clouds, the blue sky, the mountains, the trees, the houses, the river, the colors of other things  all compliment each other that one will just simply grasps his breath upon seeing the wonderful scene.

A scenic view from Greenhill Village

The place was really cool because it is different from the hustle and bustle of a city life. I truly believe that there are still lots of things you can enjoy for free in this world. If you will live in Greenhill Village, you don’t need to buy a cooler or air condition to keep your self hydrated and cool because the place per se whether you are inside the house or outside you  will still enjoy a cold and gentle breeze which is not coupled with pollutants from factories, vehicles and others. In other words –it has free fresh air. You don’t need to buy fresh flowers from the shop to beautify your house or garden because one can plant any variety of flowers and vegetables.  The climate suits any plants. Standard of living is not so high because products and good are very much affordable. Fruits, vegetables, crops and spices are plenty, you can actually just ask from your neighbor a vegetable that you lack to be added on what you are cooking and you will get it for free. Status of living is neither sophisticated nor luxurious but mind you living in this place will give you a sense of belonging, peace of mind and healthy body that no amount of luxury or sophistication can equal too.

So if you are planning to settle to a well-sounded life, try Greenhill Village. You can have a vacation house as a scapegoat to the complexities of urban living. Or simply just visit the place, to enjoy a nature roller coaster ride and appreciate God’s perfect creation.

Things to do before June Ends

I love June because it’s my birth month. I can not afford to let it pass without trying or doing things that will make me happy. So I still have 6 days to go to finally end this month and start a new journey of my life in the month of July. These are the things that I will do to fulfill my whims.

June 25, Monday. Travel to a new place, meet new people. Learn new things from the people and new experiences from the place. Doing this will help me broaden my knowledge and understanding on people’s impact to a place or the place's somewhat influence on how people think and live. Its pretty exciting, right?

June 26, Tuesday. HUGGING DAY.  According to studies, hugs reduce blood pressure, stress hormone level and the risk of heart disease. My hubby is not around because he is working abroad and I don’t think he will able to reduce my blood pressure and stress hormone when I start nagging at him all day long. So will just hug my nephew and my chip & dale pillow, I guess they are harmless and cute so I better cuddle and snuggle them instead.

June 27, Wednesday. NO HOUSEWORK DAY.  I will get a manicure and pedicure so I will excuse myself from work. It feels good to pamper my hands and feet sometimes.

June 28, Thursday. I LOVE TO WRITE DAY.  I will express myself through letter, journal and blog (like this one) and this day I will write more on beauty tips and secrets.

JUNE 29, FRIDAY. CHEESEBURGER AND FRENCH FRIES DAY. I will munch a platter-full of French fries and dip them on ketchup. And my cheeseburger should have 2 slices of tomato, cucumber and coleslaw. Its indulgence day for me.

June 30, Saturday. CELEBRATE MOM’S BIRTHDAY! It’s my mom’s 52^nd birthday and I want her to be happy. I will thank her for all the years she is with me. I will cook a sumptuous food for the visitor and assists HER in entertaining guests -both invited and uninvited guests.

TRAVEL DESTINATION: BOHOL

Bohol is an enchanting place here in the Philippines. Its reserve, innocent but full of beauty. Love this place and the meekness of the surroundings. The tourist spot -CHOCOLATE HILLS, is really amazing. I was captivated by God's unique hands in molding this more the a thousand hills and putting them in the right place where His children will able to appreciate. Indeed, its really more fun here in the Philippines.

A BABY.. A BUNDLE OF JOY

I am now a proud aunt to Abby -the newest member of my clan. Its a wonderful feeling seeing as others have said a miniature creature. My niece really captured my heart awhile ago. She really looks like an angel-- innocent, tiny, bubbly and pretty. Now i know the true meaning of BUNDLE OF JOY. Its more than words. More than what the eyes meet. When you experience a BUNDLE OF JOY, it encompasses everything! Mixed emotions, contradicting spirits, happiness, attachment, care, tenderness and the eagerness of pinching the infant's nose and cheeks. I am not yet a mother, but i guess when that time comes, i will experience BUNDLE OF JOYS --lots of happiness and fun all in one bundle. lolz!

Many said, having a baby is a BLESSING. And sometimes, when we say BLESSING, it becomes subjective to some and objective to others. Well, we do have our individual perceptions, so i guess blessings depend on how we perceive them. But for me, LIFE is a blessing. Abby is a new life for the new chapter of her parents lives and she is a BLESSING, a Gift, and sacred creation of God. 

 Take a look at her pictures taken on her 2nd day of this world.

Abby is prettier than her mom (not in pic) but never to her aunt. Seniority matters here (hahaha!)

She has dimples (and my 2 sibs too), i don't have any and i felt its bias, huh!

A wacky aunt. Don't be so serious in this world Abby, just Laugh out Loud!

A pure innocence that makes a heart melt.

Father's Day Celebration 2012

My father proudly accompanied me on my grad day

The whole world is celebrating Father's Day today! Its June 17, 2012, 2nd Sunday of the Month. And i guess, some really have great time celebrating the day with the most respectable and hard working member of the family --the father.

Me and my brother had celebrated this day awhile ago in a dinner treat for our father along with mother and a nephew at Mokojo Bistro and Restaurant located in National Highway, Kabacan, North Cotabato. It was a cozy night for us. There onstage was an acoustic singer serenaded the crowd and strummed his guitar to some of the famous acoustic songs. Some of the diners i guess enjoyed their sumptuous food and while some others were busy talking and laughing and sand along with the singer. We were not VIP customers nor have known the owner very well. Our feet just led us to this place and we thought that our dad really did had a great dinner with us. 

It was just a simple way to show our father how grateful we are for having him in our lives. It was a way of saying thank you for the years he has been with us and never abandon us. He has been married to my mom for 33 years now, and i think reaching this number of years in marriage is quite a splendid achievement. Its one of the measurements how patient my dad has been for my mom's tantrums and moods for all this years. For those years he has been dedicated and loyal to his marriage vow, had worked hard for us to give us a good education and satisfied our whims and caprices. For all those years, he has been striving to be a good husband, generous provider and morally upright father.

Being a father is a source of pride and honor for a man. But nothing compares to the honor and happiness one can feel when a father sees his children successful, morally and spiritually stable and know how to respect and love him back. And i am pretty sure, my father felt that way too. I may say he is proud of us because he knows that he was able to instill in us the things, the values, and lessons every child should know from his/her father.

Kudos to all the father! cheers! Being a father is a tough job! But it is one of the noblest job in this whole wide world. I just hope, all the fathers should realize too that being a PROVIDER does not only mean giving a child what he/she needs and wants materially but rather satisfying the child with love, care and compassion to make a child a better person. A child who is well-loved and nourished mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically is a treasure of the society because he/she will become an ASSET rather than a LIABILITY to the community the child belongs.

Again, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

HOW TO CONVINCE MY NEPHEW TO DRINK HIS VITAMINS

 I serve as a good example to my toddler-nephew. Since kids love to imitate what adults do, so I drink my vitamins too in front of him and told him to drink his too so both of us will be strong and can play all afternoon.

Sometimes, verbal explanation can not be fully absorbed by toddlers because their cognitive abilities are still limited. And my nephew does not understand well the true meaning of the words “strong and healthy”. So I work on his visual-sensory skills and emotions so he can capture the things I want him to learn. If he refuses to drink his vitamins, I will hold his toys and cars and will only give them to him after taking the dose. I show pictures of his favorite Disney characters and will tell him, “drink your vitamins and be strong and playful like barney and pooh!” Sometimes, I give him a hug or a clap to make him feel appreciated. Kind words like “wow”, “good” and “thank you” are essentials to motivate him to drink his vitamins faithfully. 

To enjoy the full potentials of vitamins, I do not mix them to my nephew’s drinks or juices. I am aware that the medicine might lose its potency and might sweep off potential benefits in achieving healthy body if I do so. Therefore, I let him drink the full dosage alone or the prescribe milligrams of tablet/capsule so the medicines will truly serve their purpose to my nephew’s physiological development. Sometimes, trying out different flavors of vitamins will help to break the monotony of taste. Toddlers love different flavors so I experiment and try what is the best taste to my nephew’s discrete taste buds.

As a general rule to win my nephew’s obedience, I display an open communication to him. I make him aware and understand that taking his vitamins is not a form of punishment like holding him down and forcibly open his mouth and shove in the tablet/syrup but rather it’s a pleasant reward that he should look forward too.  Since he is playful, I bring out too the childlike attitude within me to go down to his level. Thus, drinking his vitamins is just like having fun and an enjoyable thing to do rather than an obligation he is force to perform out of fear.

Note: This is my blog entry to TROPICEE Vitamin C blog writing contest.

CONTROVERSIAL FIGHT OF MANNY PACQUIAO

Pacquiao & Bradley before the controversial win

I love boxing! Its really a good and exciting sport. And one of the greatest boxing champions are coming from my country Philippines. The most renowned and well-respected is none other than MANNY 'the pacman' PACQUIAO. I was so excited awhile ago to watch his mega fight with TIMOTHY BRADLEY Jr. in Welterweight Division in MG Grand Arena, Las Vegas, NV. It was a real action fight, with lots of excitements and as i watched the game i can say that i was grasping my breath each time the fighter thrown punches to one another and i think the whole Philippines felt the same way too. The fight lasted for 12 rounds when actually we expected to finish it earlier than that as we used to seeing the PACMAN knocked-off his opponents that later that 5th round (as what he did to Ricky Hatton from England).

But to the great dismay, the decision was not really exciting at all. It was so controversial. Seemed our champion was robbed with the title he really deserved. If we will watch the fight over and over again, anyone will agree with me that winner should be Manny Pacquiao. He almost knocked-out Bradley with hard thrown punches and combinations. I can say that Bradley was a good fighter but to win the fight, i do not think he deserved it. 

According to  Kevin Iole, Award-winning veteran sportswriter the national boxing and mixed martial arts reporter for Yahoo Sports, Pacquiao landed 94 more punches than Bradley according to CompuBox. As quoted on Iole's article, Bob Arum-Pacquiao's prmoter said "This is a death knell for boxing, and I'm going to make a ton of money on the rematch," Pacquiao landed 253 of 751 punches, a connect rate of 34 percent. Bradley landed 159 of 839, a connect rate of just 19 percent. On top of that, Pacquiao seemed to land the more powerful shots. It was an action-paced battle fought at a furious pace for much of the event. Pacquiao showed little respect for Bradley's power and waded in with impunity, ripping straight left hands and hooks.

These were the 3 judges who scored the fight Judges C.J. Ross and Duane Ford had it for Bradley, 115-113. Jerry Roth had it for Pacquiao, 115-113. And all of the audience as well as those who watched LIVE on TV was shocked with the controversial decision. Let's take a look with other Sport's Analysts; Yahoo! Sports scored it 117-111 for Pacquiao, the same margin as Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press and Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Dan Rafael of ESPN had it 118-110 for Pacquiao. HBO's Harold Lederman had it 119-109, or 11 rounds to one, for Pacquiao.

The judges seemed really did not have some credibility. They must be kidding me. Rumors has it. Its not really rumor because Timothy Bradley Jr admitted it, he signed a contract that on November this year, he has a rematch with Pacquiao. And a rematch will not be push through if he lost with Pacquiao today. Do i make sense here? So it seems fight was half-baked, or already cooked before the fighters took the ring. Let's wait and see what's the next thing to happen with this controversial fight!

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE 31?

me and my nephew on my birthday dinner

I am no longer getting any younger, and that's for sure. Being in early 30's means a lot. In this age, gone are the days when you lament and burst out in tears in wounded knees. Gone are the days when you fight with your siblings over TV Channel to watch or clothes bought by your parents. Gone are the days when you just think about the present, your inner drive and ego, but rather you now think of your future. A realistic future that needs to be set with realistic goals. And i thanked GOD with the maturity i have as my age gets one notch higher each year.

And so to celebrate the special day, me and my mom cooked Filipino food to serve to small group of friends and relatives. WE have sotanghon guisado, fried chicken, pork humba, macaroni and cassava cake. Though, i do not have the abundance to host a lavish party, but celebrating the day with close friends and relatives over a simple dinner is already a celebration thanking the people around me and of course GOD for blessing my 31 years in this earth with laughter, care, love and support.

I know that the reason why i still wake up everyday because i still need to define and do my purpose in this world. God gives me another day with another opportunity to enjoy life, live life and share life. Maturity is an innate abilities that simply cannot be acquired. I am so glad that as i mature i come to realize to be responsible in my words and actions. I may not be a perfect and profound person full of knowledge and skills but i can say that my values are still intact and so as my family. 

Being in this globally competitive world with high-tech technologies and gadgets, i still keep in tune with my values and morals in life. I use internet responsibly. I talk to parents on my cellular phone with tact and care. I watch inspiring movies instead of violent ones. I communicate with people to their level and do not regard myself as superior over inferior people.

That's it. Being 31 means more defined maturity couple with essential responsibility. Being 31, i should not forget the good things that define me as a person because WHAT I AM NOW IS GOD'S GIFT TO ME, WHAT I WILL BECOME IS MY GIFT TO GOD. 

BEADWORKS FOR FUN!

My first project--fashion bling you can wear it in your neck or hand

I was really eager to learn therapeutic ways to spend my free time that is why i came a crossed with a training & workshop provided by private individuals that aimed to teach young entrepreneur or anyone to be creative and earn out of creativity.

When i learned through facebook.com that Fundynamics (the name of company) will have its training in Davao City, I hurriedly make my reservation and took a first passenger van in the wee hours of June 2, 2012 just to arrive in the city and in time for the training. Davao City is like 3-4 hours away from my town so I really need to be early so I will not missed out the beginning of the seminar.

All my efforts were indeed compensated. Em- the speaker was really jolly and accommodating. I really had a great time learning the basics and intricacies of bead working. We were more than 20 participants but he was able to manage us all.

Tiny yet colorful materials for bead working

At first, learning the basic technique of bead works was quite difficult because the materials were so tiny and if you did not have a 20/20 vision then you really need to use your glasses. But once you have seen the finish product/s then it was all paid-off.  Seeing those beads and tiny links put together as one to create one fashionable accessories was so awesome. You will able to learn to design in your own concept because the trainer will give you guidelines and comprehensive lectures on the mixing and matching of colors. You can design accessories that reflect your personality.

Now that I already learned the skill, I don’t usually buy accessories from any other stores because I know that the price I see is three to four times higher than the original cost. Well anyway, when It comes to fashion accessories, its not the materials that you really buy, but the creativity of the designer. You will buy it because that creativity comes up with something that reflects who you are. There is a sense of attachment and belongings to the accessories. Unlike car and gadgets, you will buy them because of the quality of materials. But with accessories, you buy them to keep in touch with emotional and psychological worth as a person. Beadworks for fun, try for yourself!

Dressing-Up a Princess

It was my niece 3rd birthday and we were some kind of excited for that big day. Since we have been doing a gown business, my mom wanted her granddaughter to wear the best gown that really suited her. The gown that  was brand new and will give her an oozing innocent and appeal. Angela is a toddler who is vibrant and bubbly. She is fast learner and meticulous too on clothes. So we decided to give her the best dress available in our shop. Mom, chose a red bridal satin gown with patches on the upper part and on the edges. But Angela's dad- Rasty disliked it. He wanted a pink gown. Pink for a girl and blue for a boy. What an obsolete concept! We had few arguments on the gown color, because me and mom would still insisted on the red gown. We thought it would be a perfect color for Angela since she has a porcelain skin. Cinderella and Snow White did not wear pink gown but they both fabulous and feminine. So, pink is no longer a symbol of femininity then. Its just a stereotyping in our culture that is why some still adapt this concept. But nowadays, as the world revolves and so the tastes of people too. We have variety of colors and we can always find one that is perfect for our skin color and stature.

Since my brother can no longer argued with us, so then he was forced to agree with us. When my niece wore the gown, she really look great and pretty and had great time wearing her simple red gown. This red gown has a ruffled bottom and and upper cape with center flower. Check it out below.

Pretty Smile in a Red Gown

Angela and the party goers in costume

Angela with Mom and Dad

HONG KONG TRAVEL GUIDE FOR FIRST TIMER

Welcome to Disneyland

When you heard Hong Kong, what comes to your mind? Is it Ocean Park, Disneyland, Sumptuous Dimsum? Or what? I guess, all of the above. When my then boyfriend turned out my husband asked me what I would like to receive from him since it was Christmas, then I guess a Hong Kong vacation was not too bad to ask. Since I have been already to different theme parks here in the Philippines like Star City and Enchanted Kingdom so I was wondering how it is like to be in the world’s renowned DISNEYLAND RESORT? Is it twice the fun? Will I bring out more the childish or child-like attitude in me when I am already there? Well, I was so glad and blessed that he agreed to have a vacation instead since he wanted to go to Disneyland too.

So what are the things you need to do especially if you are a first timer on travelling abroad or first timer to Hong Kong. This country is in Asia-Pacific and this is one of the countries that Filipino can  go to without having a visa. I will share some things that you need to prepare and do so you will enjoy a hassle-free vacation. Check these things below:

1.   VALID PASSPORT. This is a primary document you need to have since you can not go to any country without this. The validity of your passport should be six (6) months prior your scheduled vacation.

2.      TRAVEL AGENCY. Since it will be your first time, a help from travel agency will do to iron out things and prepare the necessary hotel and flight bookings. Good thing about travel agency is that they will provide you the tourist guide when you are there. So your tour is scheduled and you can visit Hong Kong’s primary tourist spots within a time frame. It’s quite expensive but I guess it is worth it. You don’t need to cram or confuse on what place to visit, your guide will help you on that.

3.      WATCH OUT FOR PROMO. When you plan to book your vacation through promo ads, you need to ask the details of the promo being advertise since there is always a catch as part of the marketing strategy. Usually, travel agency advertisement about lowest package deal to Hong Kong for 3 days and 2 nights but sometimes it does not include plane fare and airline tax. So, if you already selected an agency to handle your vacation get-away better ask them other options. Or you can tell them your budget so they will be the one to look for promo within your budget. Just to give you an idea, just budget your money ranging from twenty-five thousand to thirty-five thousand (P25,000 to P35, 000) will do. This budget is good for two which includes hotel with breakfast, plane tickets, tour and other fees.

4.       AIRPORT. Go to the airport 3 hours prior to your flight because you need to pass different section prior to boarding.

Ø  CHECK-IN COUNTER – check in your luggage to your assigned counter. Counter has signage on top, so you can check that it’s your assigned counter by comparing to your ticket on flight details. Check your airline carrier for maximum allowance of baggage to hand carry and to check in. While falling in line to the counter, an officer will give a small immigration form. You need to fill it out and present it to the immigration officer later. This form has to copies. Give one copy to the immigration officer here in the Philippines. And the other copy to the officer in Hong Kong

Ø  PAY YOUR TRAVEL TAX- This is another counter few step from check in counter. If you can not find it you can ask any airport officer or the person in the counter as to where to the counter for paying travel tax. You can actually pay your travel tax first before checking in your luggage or vice versa.

Ø  TERMINAL FEE- after checking in and paying the travel tax you need to pass in this section. Hong Kong terminal fee is around five hundred pesos (P500). So include this in your list of expenses. Travel tax and terminal fee are fees you need to personally pay in the airport and not through your travel agency.

Ø   IMMIGRATION – After paying the terminal fee you need to go to your boarding area but before reaching it you need to pass in this section. All of the passengers who will have international flight will flock here. So expect that there are many of you in queue.  The officer will go through your documents for validity. You need to bring out your plane ticket, passport, immigration form, hotel accommodation receipt or transmittal provided by the travel agency for verification. You can smile at the Immigration officer but do not expect them to smile back at you. I guess that’s there protocol. They are avoiding close contact with the passengers so as to avoid bias judgment.

Ø  BOARDING AREA - This is the waiting area. A lounge that you can use to wait for you plane. Just refer to your ticket as to what GATE you need to go and wait for there are many gates for different flights. The waiting are is usually surrounded with stalls selling food and drinks. I would suggest you buy bubble gum, lots of it. Since you will be travelling for 3 hours, so you need to chew something to avoid hissing sound stays in your ears.

Ø  ON THE PLANE –As a rule, turn off your cellular phone please. Put your hand carry on the overhead carrier and then just relax and reserve your energy for your tour.

5.    ARRIVING AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Finally, you are in Hong Kong. Upon arrival to the airport you need to secure your documents and hand carry luggage, you might forget them due to over excitement. When you are finally off the plane you need to follow the crowd or your fellow passengers. Hong Kong International Airport is twice as big as the one we have here in Philippines you might get lost if you will not able to keep on track to your destination. Before getting you check in luggage, you need to pass again to the immigration.  There are lots of immigration counter, DO NOT choose the one for HONG KONG RESIDENTS because you are a tourist and not a resident. Prepare your passport and relevant documents for checking.  After passing the counter, there is an ARROW or SIGNAGE that will lead you to the conveyor where you can find your luggage. Please, please, please read the signage if you get lost or better ask any officer you see to help you out. They can understand ENGLISH, but you need to slow down when speaking so they can understand you fully. Go out to the WAITING AREA of the airport where you can find your tourist guide waiting for you.

6.     INSIDE THE HOTEL- Your guide will bring you to your hotel to unload your things. And reminder, Hong Kong electric outlet is not the same as ours. They are using 3-hole rounded adapter to the socket of every appliances. You therefore, you can not recharge your cellular phone, camera or any gadget to their outlet. What you will do is go to the FRONT DESK tell them you will buy the ADAPTER for your devices and they will give one and charge you more or less 20 to 25 Hong Kong Dollars. Take it or leave it.

Well, so far just follow those simply things above and you will never go wrong when you will be in Hong Kong. Enjoy Hong Kong’s scenic views and learn how to speak BASIC CANTONESE. This will be relevant when you are shopping and want to ask for discounts.  Enjoy your grandiose vacation!

TIPS FOR YOUR PRE-NUPTIAL SHOOT

Picture Perfect Shoot in the Beach

Every woman who dreams of a wonderful wedding should consider many factors to plan a perfect wedding in her lifetime. A tips on pre-nuptial video or pictures is one of the highlights of one's memoirs of her wedding. With this, couples will able to have great time posing in front of camera showing their inhibitions perhaps or simply depicting great time with each others' arms. It is essential that one should plan on what to do or what to wear on the actual day of the shoot. You can hire professionals too to help you up in deciding what you want to do or what you want to project in the video or photo.

Here are some tips that you can consider when you decide to have a prenuptial video.

In-town pictorial. If both partners are busy before the shoot, you do not need to go elsewhere to find a perfect location. With this world of hybrid computers, your photographer can turn out an ordinary scene into a fantastic one. You can choose the park, your school, town market, harvesting farm or your local church. Since your birth town play vital role in you or your partner’s life, I think any scene from your town will greatly contributes your development as a person and its worth including that scene in your wedding album.

Photo Taken at the School Field

Out of town Pictorial. You can consider going to the beach and drawing your name in the sand or running along the seashore. These depict a romantic scene. You can go hiking too if you still have the energy to go to the forest or mountain. This scene brings a naturalist appeal and vibrant to your pictures.

Pack 2-3 Clothes. Changing clothes is important so as to avoid redundancy or monotony of the scene. As you change your poise, smile and posture, you need to change your clothes too for creative photo shooting. Better yet, wear a bridal dress other than your final wedding dress or simply a white decent dress. If you are wearing white then you are insinuating about your upcoming wedding day and not your college JS Prom.

Bring the things you gave to each other. If your man gave you teddy some years ago then bring it. You can bring all the things he gave you if you want. The logic is simply you are showing to each other how you value each other’s generosity and you want that to be included in your photo album.

Bring accessories. Well, this one for the sake of fantastic photo shoot other than a wonderful background. I suggest you bring balloons, 2 pieces of umbrella, a laptop, shades, sneakers, books and others. Anything cute and colorful I guess. Out of these things you can create a wonderful pose.


Well, apart from the material things you need to prepare for a candid shoot, a stress- free face and wonderful smile will compliment all the things you put in to have that unique, personalize and romantic picture-perfect photo. So, do not forget those factors too. Don't get stress, chill out and flash you winning smiles! Happy Wedding!

  

Prenuptial Shoot at the School Park with Japanese inspired umbrellas