Breakfast in Bed

Rio woke up to a beautiful sunrise at the Nambus' attic, the morning after a sumptuous dinner and a night of fun, laughter, and warm friendship with this family. I said to whisper her prayers before coming down for breakfast. She came back to me with a throw pillow in hand, pointing at the Christmas wreath printed over it.

"Mama, this is my devotion today" and she explained away.


The big bow represents the Father (ribbon), Son (bells), and the Holy Spirit (tassels).
The green leaves around are symbols for nature and the whole creation of God.
The apples represent the fruits in the Garden where Adam and Eve were. The ones on the right they were allowed to eat. This on the upper left corner was forbidden but they ate it anyway so they sinned.
The ribbon circling all around is God's love embracing us even though we are sinners.
The red berries are symbols for the blood of Christ who died for our sins.
The lemons mean we are "cleaned" by God from our sins. (This came as an afterthought, one day later.)
In and around the long ribbon are dots -- those within the ribbon are persons who now belong to Jesus, those outside are people who still do not know Him.
The pine cones mean "Kahit na mahirap o maliit ang katayuan mo o dinadanas mo sa buhay at maraming problema, dapat hindi mo paniwalaang ganoon din ang relasyong ninyo ng Diyos. Mas malaki Siya kaysa sa iyong kinatatayuan ngayon."
Blue background means heaven.

My smile is now brighter than the sunlight flooding the room. No doubt, this is the best Christmas breakfast I ever had.

Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
Psalm 8:2

Aligando (Galikin!)

Masantos tan mablin oras
So inter na Diyos lawas
Umbangon tayon misalamat
Umbangon tayon misalamat
Ta inianac lay Dios Anac
Ta inianac lay Dios Anac

Galikin, galikin kapastoresan
Gali kayon, gali kayon manangigalang
Ed Ari ray, ed Ari ra'y catauaenan
Diad Belen so nianacan
Diad Belen so nianacan!

Last night a group of old folks (seven of them, between 50 to 70 in age) came by to sing this traditional Pangasinan Christmas carol (normally sung between January 2 to 6). It is something similar to the Pasyon chanted during lent, except that instead of telling about Jesus' life and suffering, it narrates in many stanzas the events surrounding and leading to Jesus' birth.

The chorus bids everyone to "come...to give respect...the King of Kings...born in a manger."

Regretfully I only know one verse and the famous chorus. I hope to teach Rio once I found the lyrics (wait...found it online, great!). She enjoyed listening to it (although she tugged my elbow after every line for translation)-- she even went to the next house to listen again!

The Colors of Blessing (7 in '07)

On Christmas day we decided to make an artwork as a thanksgiving for 2007. Rommel listed down what needed to go in the thing, Rio took care of the drawings and I, well, made the border (lil stick figures)-- fun, fun, fun! This colorful masterpiece actually represents seven of our major faith encounters for the year (the "minors" would number a million).

R.A.I.N.B.O.W. of blessings, indeed!

R - etreat: We were blessed to experience and enjoy the Caliraya Recreation Center in Laguna, the Peninsula de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas and Fort Ilocandia in Laoag City (for free)!


A - llergy-free. Rommel has recuperated from chronic allergy, just at the right time when we needed to cut on budget. More than the financial relief, we were grateful for the end of his painful ordeals with the needle everytime he visited the dermatologist.


I - t's a Party! Rio celebrated her 7th birthday this year. Family and friends are her greatest gifts from God!


N - ew school - Rio's transition into her new school (Neo-vision School) was easier that we imagined, thanks to friendly faculty and schoolmates! But before that, summer was doubly fun as she joined Trumpet's acting workshop, sponsored by Promil!


B - ack to school! I took the Sabbath year off work to get a master's degree at AIM --- the biggest leap of faith for us this year.


O - pportunities for growth! We are glad to have been involved in a study group for young couples, a weekly care group with the UP Diliman Navigators alumni, the DCBC Youth for my sister Matet, and continuous service opportunity as houseparents to the DCBC Student Center. Growing in faith through different communities have helped us go through a challenging year.


W - elcome to the family! The latest addition to the growing clan is PJ (Paul Jeremiah), who tied the knot with my sister Marjorie in December.


PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Lantern Parade (19.Dec.2007)

What did I get from watching this year's UP Lantern Parade?

-Aching muscles from walking, standing, tiptoe-ing and maneuvering to see the different gigantic creations;

-Aching heart for NOT being able to have a good vantage point;

-Aching neck for watching the amazing fireworks after the parade. AWESOME must be the right term, because it left me feeling "I had enough fireworks memory to last a year". (I heard the UP Centennial kickoff fireworks would even be better. Can't wait!);

-Aching tummy, because the food stalls were still a five-minute walk away, and I dare not lose my (by this time) already nice spot. Also, who would want to miss the next presentors - CFA! (Hahaha, obviously biased for College of Fine Arts. Initially I thought their obras this year are soooo simple compared to what they can do -- but hey, surprise, surprise: they still made my night, especially with oblation dancing the Papaya!);

-Finally, an aching head from thinking "I hope my classmates are enjoying this!" In the end I had to judge by their grouchiness, and they showed none! I therefore conclude they must have thought it was worth their trip. Thanks Murty, Aleem, and Pratap for coming all the way from the AIM campus!.

What an achy-breaky night. But hey, no pain, no gain! :)

Some photos (more at Murty's Flickr):

Sili, Balut, Durian at Lambanog

At the AIM Christmas party, I was "pushed" into joining an eating contest. For the sake of the MDM class, hokey! Besides, balut was there, no problem!

Or so I thought... in addition to the 2 yummy-looking baluts, there were 3 large, red siling labuyo, durian, and a glassful of lambanog (palm wine)!

I can never survive that combination. I would have wanted to, y'know. But (thankfully) I realize there can be limits to adventuring (hmmm...very famous word these days, thanks to Sen. Trillanes).

So anyway, the survival tip: I enjoyed the durian, while waiting for someone to win (what a cheat I was hehe). Finally this Indian from the MBA class wins! Great!

The question I have not answered: was I scared about the chili? or the lambanog?

Guess :)