GottaLoveMom

Just like any other third world countries, the Philippines has not reached it’s economic potential to the fullest. Poverty is its most significant problem and I can point out corruption in government, income inequalities, lower levels of education and huge population as culprits! The Philippines just elected a new president, President P-Noy (Noynoy Aquino). The current polls show that approximately 84 percent of the Filipino people trust the new president. I pray and hope that he maintains to walk the “straight path” as opposed to the “crooked path”. There are a lot of people who can give back to the community. Some live close by and some live continents away. Some will always consider Philippines "home" no matter where they'll be. In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), he pointed out the many challenges he has in front of him. The one thing that stood out for me was : “ The time when we will no longer be made to c...

I attended a dear friend’s wedding on Saturday. And as one of the sponsors said, it’s one of the sincerest weddings we’ve attended! Faith, hope and love linger. ( Reminds me of mine!) I want to share with you something what the priest had said that day: C-A-S-H : that’s the secret to a lasting marriage: CASH ( financial)  helps but what’s essential are the following: C – communication. Don’t assume what your husband or wife expects. A – acceptance. S – support H – humor. I don't think I need to expand on it... Wishing my dear friend  ( and everyone ) endless happiness, joy, peace - faith, hope and love , and understanding in their marriage. Until next time. Big hugs and kisses. Keep smiling . ( The trip to take the SISBA scholars to Ocean Park was cancelled because two of the kids are sick. Hopefully before I head back to the US, I'll be able to take the kids to see the aquarium, etc...)

Namaste… Good morning Manila ! Well, to be exact, good morning, Quezon City (QC)! It’s 5:30 in the morning, and I have been up since four o’clock. What are the odds of me being wide awake early in the morning?  Who would have thought that I’ll be on the rooftop enjoying the morning fresh air and some “me” time to reflect, sing-a-long with my iTouch playlists all decked in sneakers, bug bracelet and the drive and energy to stretch, run, kick box, walk and jog for an hour. (if you know me, you know that I always manage to squeeze-in a little dance here and there depending on what’s playing on my iTouch playlist) My four crumbcatchers, especially my littlest one, always reminds me that every day is an adventure, and witnessing the sunrise was a great way to start my day! I paused as I noticed as I see the sun rises slowly – a reminder that there’s beauty in life that God created. Magnifico! Bellisimo! Maganda! ...

I grew up in Manila and it’s been my home for the first twenty years of my life. Philippines will always be “home”. In the next three weeks, I was blessed to be given another chance to be with my families and friends here in Manila . Except for the thunderstorm, the flight was uneventful until I landed in Shanghai (my stop-over). The past few times I’ve travelled, I just change planes but this time to my surprise (a big one!) I had to check-in a total of 200 pounds of  luggage, go through immigration and then check-in again to the airlines that’s flying me from Shanghai to Manila . Needless to say I was frazzled because I don’t like surprises and I don’t enjoy crunch-time in a foreign country! In the next three weeks, I was blessed to be given another chance to be with my families and friends here in Manila . Except for the thunderstorm, the flight was uneventful until I landed in Shanghai (my stop-over). The past few times I’ve travelled, I jus...

Do you ever have a plan in mind but then afraid of going through it because you’re afraid that your actions will lead to failure? Do you make excuses completing a project because you’re scared of the criticisms people might have on the finish product? Do you ever procrastinate just because you’re not sure what the end result might be? Do you ever wonder how come the others seem so confident? Do you ever wonder how artists manage to capture an emotion or an event? Do you ever wonder how some people are living their dreams? Are you hang-up on the “ everything happens for a reason” that you postpone doing anything because stuff will happen anyway? The road will take you there somehow? The sun sets only to rise again the next day, so why hurry? Anything important always takes time, so you have to make time to accomplish the task. You see, if you really think it’s that important, you’ll find ways to make it a priority and make time fo...