Observing Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday (Linggo ng Palaspas) for the year 2009. This is a part of the Lenten Season were Jesus Christ came and entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. People of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus Christ by waving their Palm branches and laying their cloaks on the path that Jesus Christ is taking.

Palm Branches or Palaspas

In each country they have their own way of celebrating Palm Sunday. Here in the Philippines, before the Mass begins, people wave their palm branches as the priest enters the church and blesses the branches with holy water. Afterwards, the holy mass is celebrated. Palm branches or Palaspas are taken home after the mass and are hung in doorways or above the windows. It is belief that by doing this, the family that is staying in the home were the blessed palm branches hung are protected from evil spirits and thunders.

This morning I was able to attend the morning mass at the Immaculate Concepcion in Sta. Maria, Balibago, Angeles City. There are many people that attended the mass to celebrate Palm Sunday. It was very hot inside the church. But still people managed to listen to the homily and have their Palm branches be blessed.

The altar of the church

Interior of the Church

Glass Windows representing the stations of the cross

People going infront of the altar to have their Palm branches be blessed with Holy Water

As the priest said, this week is Holy Week starting today until next Sunday of Easter. We should repent from our sins and think of the sacrifices that Jesus Christ spent for us to live a life that we have today. I do hope that this week won't be a week of vacation or family outing but a week of prayers and remembering the life that God gave us.

I wish I could have Visita Iglesia or church visitations this Friday and visit the Pabasa (literally meaning reading or to read) where in the story of Jesus Christ from birth to death is told in narrative poetry.or in a poetic way. Also to watch the Flagellants this Thursday and Friday. Let's all pray for peace and serenity all over the world this Holy Week.

my BFF says...

Last day of the month of March 2009, how time flies huh. The heat of the sun, you cannot beat even if you will take a bath often or drink ice cold refreshments. Anyway, I am online and was able to catch my BFF online too. I miss her so much. We chat and catch up with each others lives. Then I came across these questions from let's say I got from another blog. Just to know and I got curious, I asked these questions to my BFF. Well actually, we took turns in asking these questions to one another. Here are the questions and my BFF's answers.

1. What is something Justkyut always say to you?
~~~you eat (even if I tell her that, she won't do it on time..grrr)

2. What makes Justkyut happy?
~~~~it makes you happy knowing that people you love, loves you unconditionally (what can I say?)

3. What makes Justkyut sad?
~~~it makes you sad knowing that the love and effort you give is not worth it/failed relationships (*sigh)

4. How does Justkyut makes you laugh?
~~~whenever u remind me how forgetful i am you make me laugh (bath 25 minutes, remember?)

5. What was Justkyut like as a child?
~~~a cute child. You didn't know i'm watching you from afar (I know she blushed even if I didn't see it coz she was caught red handed, ehe)

6. How old is Justkyut?
~~~25 (she really thought I was only 25. Well the looks can be deceiving hehehe)

7. How tall is Justkyut?
~~~(it's just between her and me, in short secret)

8. What is Justkyut's favorite thing to do?
~~~writing and photography, taking care of your dog, taking care of me and kids (nah i'm not a busy person)

9. What does Justkyut do when you're not around?
~~~blogging

10. If Justkyut becomes famous, what will it be for?
~~~famous in dancing

11. What is Justkyut really good at?
~~~dancing and in showing your love

12. What is Justkyut not very good at?
~~~not very good in handling an intimate relationship u pamper ur partner too much (huggies.. huggies...!!)

13. What does Justkyut do for her job?
~~~you are giving your best, not just for the incentives, but because u love what ur doing, and trying to enjoy every moment of it

14. What is Justkyut's favorite food?
~~~i remember u like baked macaroni... u like McDonalds (she's unsure but she says I eat a lot, LOLz!)

15. What makes you proud of Justkyut?
~~~i'm proud of you because you're the jack of all trade. (that's exactly what she said)

16. If Justkyut were a cartoon character, who would he be?
~~~winnie the pooh..hugable (do I need to say more?)

17. What do you and Justkyut do together?
~~~chatting (I miss talking to her in person)

18. How are you and Justkyut the same?
~~~same for being emotional

19. How are you and Justkyut different?
~~~you're tougher than i (she added that I'm makulit and she isn't *scratching my head*)

20. How do you know Justkyut loves you?
~~~immeasureable... it's felt... it's not to be known (blushing to the snow and a one....sing it I don't know the rest of the lyrics)

21. Where is Justkyut's favorite place to go?
~~~in front of his pc... mall... (thick glasses already, don't want contact lens.should I change the place to go?)

Thanks BFF for answering those questions honestly even though you have read my thoughts even if were far apart, I know you knew what I was thinking when I read the questions and answers coz you reacted, LOL! Well, you know me don't you. Thank you for your time today and I hope we can have the same chit-chat next time.

I won't tag anyone with this post cause I know everyone is busy planning for their long vacation and some are busy preparing for graduation. Congratulations to those who will be graduating this months of March and April. It's another chapter of your journey after graduation.

World Day for Water

In 1993 the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as World Day for Water (also known as World Water Day).

This day was first formally proposed in Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Observance began in 1993 and has grown significantly ever since.

In 2005, marked the start of the second UN International Decade for Action for Water. Also called Water for Life Decade 2005-2015. This is in coordination with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) coordinated the World Day of Water in 2006 with the theme: Water and Culture. While in 2007, the theme was "Coping with Water Scarcity" in coordination with FAO.

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) helps in promoting clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats. With this, they used World Day for Water to have the public be aware about the critical water issues of our era. NGO's and other agencies joined in getting the public be aware of issues like there are a billion people who have no access to safe water for drinking and the role of gender in family access to safe water.

Today, March 22, 2009 marks another World Day for Water. The ICRC calls the attention of the governments to ensure safe water and decent sanitation for civilians in conflict zones. It is said that many die because of diseases that is from unsafe water that people take in. We are lucky that we have safe drinking water. Whenever we do not use water properly, think of those people who don't have enough water to take in order to keep them hydrated and for those who are sick and dying due to not able to drink clean or fresh water. As they said, we cannot eat on bread alone, we need water to sustain our bodies and not be dehydrated especially now that we are having global warming.

Here are some photos I found on the internet.

Children carry home water collected from a roadside tap in an impoverished neighborhood of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, March 20, 2009. There is no direct supply of potable water at homes in most of the poor neighborhoods, and people residing there depend on regulated supply of water from public taps erected on roadsides, with a single tap catering to hundreds of households.

A boy drinks water from a roadside tap in Amritsar, India, Friday, March 20, 2009, ahead of World Water Day. There is no direct supply of potable water at homes in most of the poor neighborhoods and people have to depend on regulated supply of water from public taps erected on roadsides, with a single tap catering to hundreds of households.





A young girl fills a bucket with water from a public tap in Amritsar, India, Friday, March 20, 2009, ahead of World Water Day. There is no direct supply of potable water at homes in most of the poor neighborhoods and people have to depend on regulated supply of water from public taps erected on roadsides, with a single tap catering to hundreds of households.

People fill water from pipes on the outskirts of Ahmadabad, India, Saturday, March 21, 2009. World Water Day will be celebrated Sunday.

"Conserve Water!"

Sources: World Water Day , Wikipedia

Green refreshes me.... And Happy St. Paddy's Day!

I was trying to post this entry yesterday but my internet connection won't permit me. I don't know what was wrong with my internet connection yesterday, but I guess today it's working as designed..

I have wanted to take photos for the past few weeks but do not have the subject or inspiration to do so. Photography is one of my passion nowadays. But I don't know if I have the talent for it and don't have the proper camera to take the shots or photos I wanted due to tight budget. I guess everyone is on budget at this time of crisis.

Here are the photos I have taken



I hope you liked the photos...

And I hope I'm not yet late to greet everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day...


Myspace Graphics


Myspace Graphics

I wish my BFF shall be blessed, happy and be strong in these times. I also wish I could do something for her to lessen the burden, heart aches, saddness, and anger she is feeling right now. To my BFF, these are only obstacles that I know you can get through. Have faith and pray. All is going to be alright....

Not Goodbye... Until then Francis M.

Yesterday March 10, 2009 was the last public viewing for the remains of Master Rapper Francis "Kiko" Magalona at the Christ the King church in Green Meadows, Quezon City, Manila. Necrological service was held last night at 8:30pm and ended at past 10pm. Afterwards, Kiko's remains were removed from Christ the King church at 12:30am brought to Funeraria Paz for cremation. The remains reached Funeraria Paz at 1am then the family were given an hour to stay with the remains of Kiko. Cremation started at 2am and ended at 5am. Pia loving wife of the late FrancisM went back to Funeraria Paz at 8am to claim the ashes. This morning, March 11, as of 8:32am his remains are brought back to Christ the King church after being cremated and put on a metal brass urn for his final mass 9am before bringing his remains to final rest at Loyala Memorial Park in Markina. We will surely miss him with his music, funny attics, photography and his presence hosting a noon time show.

He will never be forgotten. He will remain in every Filipino's hearts either young or old, rich or poor. Sadly I was not able to catch a final glimpse of him. Nevertheless, his legacy will continue for he has put up a strong foundation ahead of him. His shirts are selling like hot cakes off the market even before and I know this will continue. Memories of him will not be set aside and will continue to be seen everywhere through his music and shirts. His passion to help others and is proud to be a full blooded Filipino will never be forgotten.

Whenever we will see someone wearing his shirts or see the logo he has made, he will be remembered. I hope they will pursue the idea of exhibiting his works on photography and I also hope that they will open it to the public. The National Commission for Culture and Arts (Philippines) might consider Kiko as one of the National Artist of the Philippines but as of this time, the nomination for 2009 is closed and the next nomination for National Artist will be opened after 3 years. With that, I hope that Kiko will be one of our National Artist in 2012. This is not the end of Francis Magalona, this is the beginning of a new life. We will remember you Kiko as long as we live. I know your reunited with your parents now up there. We will pray for you.

Remembering Francis "Kiko" Magalona

Kaleidoscope World - Francis Magalona

So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can't talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don't ask me how don't ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin' round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Kaleidoscope workd...
In this kaleidoscope world

In memories of the MASTER RAPPER

This is my 100th post here in my blog. Music has been a part of my life. Since I could stand on my own two feet, as a kid and child, I listened to any genre of music. I grew up with listening and dancing to music.

Today part of that music suddenly stopped for one of the icons of the music industry took an early final curtain call and left us in this world with his rich music at the age of 44. At 12 noon today Philippine time, Actor-Host and Master Rapper of the Philippines Francis "Kiko" Magalona finally laid to rest after struggling 7 months of Leukemia. Eventhough I knew he is struggling to cure himself from Leukemia, the news of his death did not easily sank in me. I was just sitting there watching Eat Bulaga the noontime show in GMA channel 7, where in Francis is also one of the host for 10 years. Everyone in my family was shocked as Vic Sotto one of the host of the longest running noontime show delivers the news. It is another lost in the entertainment industry and almost everyone is in mourn.

Francis "Kiko" Magalona 1964-2009

I have watched Kiko as far as I remembered from the movie Bagets (a story of the lives of a group of teenagers in the 80's) and Ninja Kids, he became part of That's Entertainment an afternoon show during the late 80's. He uplifted the music industry of the Philippines with his unique talent in singing rap songs and in performing on stage. The songs that I love to hear from him are Mga Kababayan ko (my countrymen), Kaleidoscope and Cold Summer Nights. He wrote and sang many songs for the Filipino people and for the world. He was recognized not only in the Philippines but around the world for he became one of the MTV Asia Videojock and has his own segment in MTV which is MTV talk. He received many awards left and right for his contribution in the music industry. He had helped many artist in the entertainment industry and he has his own brand of shirts or clothing line where he sells them in afordable prices in his store called 3 stars & a sun.



I know that this is not the end of Francis "Kiko" Magalona for this is the beginning of his lifelong legacy. A legacy that will live forever in every peoples mind and hearts. As one of his fans, I salute him for his legacy and thank you for the memories and songs.



To Mrs. Pia Arroyo-Magalona and family and friends, my sincerest condolence.



To know and read Kiko's journey in his life and struggles, visit http://happybattle.multiply.com/

and http://francismagalona.multiply.com/



I dedicate this 100th post on my blog to Francis. May his soul rest in peace. Let us pray for him.

It's Summer time in the Philippines!

Summer is filling the air. It's hot and humid. Wishing one can take a plunge to a nearby swimming pool or lake. Aside from that, drinking ice cold refreshments is one of the remedy to remove the heat feeling. Halo-halo is one of the prefect refreshments on the summer days here it has lots of ingredients in it like banana foster, topped with scoops of ice cream, coconut gel (nata de coco), coconut string, sweet ube, leche flan, sweet beans, palm fruit and jackfruit. All of these are packed beneath crushed ice and poured milk on it. Refreshing!



Aside from halo-halo and ofcourse wide variety of ice creams, for those health conscious but wants to refresh themselves, I suggest that you make yourselves fruit shakes or smoothies. When I have time or if there is a fruit available in the fridge, I make myself fruit shakes. You can turn one kind of fruit into a fruit shake by just using a blender and add milk and suger (if you prefer it to be sweet). But I always prefer two fruits in one fruit shake. What I observed is that not all fruits you can turn into a fruit shake. So here are the list you can use if you wish to make a fruit shake at your own home.




What are you waiting for, keep yourselves cool and prevent from dehydrating. Don't forget to put sunblock when you get out into the sun. Sunblock with SPF30 is the better than SPF15. It's best not to go anywhere between 10am to 4pm if you are not suppose to be going somewhere. Wear clothes that feels comfy to you and go to places well ventilated. Drink lots and lots of water. Keep it cool!