The Spanish Invasion

Wallpaper pose from the pink sand of Sta. Cruz island

It has always been my wish to go out of the country and see the rest of the world. And I was able to get a first really good glimpse of it on my first travel. Although we can now get information about the world in just a click away, the actual experience of seeing it for yourself and meeting different people is priceless. I want that same experience with my family. But growing up in a HUGE family, it is almost impossible to bring everyone on board my travel. So, if you cannot bring them to the world, bring the world to them. I'm glad that we were able to welcome different people from all walks of life and nationality into our home. Last week was one of the best experience that we ever had welcoming strangers.

  

Jeepney Groupie!

A Spanish, in the name of Antonio, posted a request for a host. And as welcoming as I can be, I offer to host. However, he has already approved an offer from a fellow Zamboangueña. Instead, we end up exchanging information about our city. You see, it's not everyday that someone would want to visit our city given the image that we have to the rest of the world. But when one is interested, I can't help myself but offer a glimpse of our life here. We had an interesting conversation and end up him, and later his friend, Guille, actually staying with us for a couple of days.

Our version of dinner :)

We first met up on a Valentines day(!). It's funny because my innocent mind thought it was just like any other saturday (i.e. weekend.no work.) but my mind realized it after. It was actually the first time that I "went out" with a guy on a Valentines day. Anyways, whether it's a Vday or not, it's generally a nice day having a great conversation with the view of the sea... and we eventually end up in an actual Valentines party with my sisters and colleagues. Since then, I know that it will be an interesting couple of days with these Spanish guys at home.

One thing that is evident when you put together a Spanish and a Zambonagueño is the commonality in language. After all, Chavacano (the language in Zamboanga) came from the Spanish language. It's both funny and fascinating to see people converse in different languages and end up (more or less) still understanding each other. And my family loves it that they can freely converse in Chavacano and at the same time learn Spanish. I feel like this language is part of our culture, so with this I promise to learn this language in the future. :)

A day after, we met Guille. It was his first time in the Philippines. I have to say, I don't know what to expect. Unlike Antonio, who has been in the country before, I was thinking he might get culture shock. But soon we discovered that he is open, curious, and friendly which makes everything else easy and fun. And someone with a deep soul who explores life with his heart and soul.

Our cooks for the night... bring all the tomatoes in!

But more than the language, it is the carefree and fun attitude of Antonio and Guille that lets us enjoy their company. We were able to share our love for music and for food, in the usual Filipino way. And at the same time, we were able to get a taste... a mouthful of tastes of some Spanish dishes (i.e. salmorejo, balbacua, picadillo, and paella valenciana) which they so generously prepare for 30-40 people! As I have said, we have a huge family :) It's not easy but they did it anyways... and they did it with a happy heart that you can't help but appreciate and be in awe. They also freely share their experience of travelling to the rest of the family and not just bring the Spain but also the rest of the world into the table. And this is exactly why I choose to welcome them (and some other travelers) at home... for my family, the exchanges of experiences makes us discover our commonalities and helps us understand each other's differences without leaving our home.

Crazy funny shocked with the rascals!

The world knows that Filipinos are naturally hospitable but it's far more natural to be hospitable when you see the guests as not really guests but as part of the family. Now, they are no longer strangers to us. Maybe we look different (in color or race), but for my family, they are brothers at heart. Their visit makes me appreciate more the simple life here in this city, the rich and diverse culture, and most especially my family. In some instances, if not most, I took my family for granted because I wanted to see "better" things beyond. I sometimes forget that I already have most of the best things in life... that is, a family that is always there for me and cheers me up whether through music or just plain funny conversations. Antonio and Guille helped me appreciate this gift more. They helped me see clearly the things that I set aside because of my wish to see the world beyond. Yes, I still want to see the world beyond... but this time carrying with me the world that I know of in my heart.

To Antonio and Guille, I will tell you again how grateful we are of the warmheartedness that you have shown us. 

Muchisimas gracias otravez por el alegria ya deha ustedes na di amon maga corazon. Y ojala puede ustedes tambien encuntra el mas grande alegria na de ustedes biaje. Ojala man mirahan ta otravez, aqui, na Espana, o na otro man lugar. Nunca kame ulvida el maga istorya y risas ya deha. Mucho besos y fuerte abrazos! :)

P.S. Congratulations in advance, Antonio and Yoko! I hope I can be there to witness your union! Read Antonio's site to appreciate the world more through his eyes. ;)

Bundles of Joy

"For we are God's masterpiece" - Ephesians 2:10

This.Is.A.Joyous.Day!

Get ready, mga nengs, when these tiny feet start to run!

It's surprising that whenever you see a newborn child, you can't help yourself but smile and appreciate the beautiful mystery of life. The child doesn't even know your name and hasn't done anything yet but sleep, cry, poop, suck, and sleep more. But deep within there's a fire of happiness and of excitement... and it's not even have to be your own child. I believe that when God created humans, He must have the same feelings of joy and more.

Today, I will send my joyous congratulations to two of my best friends who have once again delivery bundles of joys into our lives (in just a month! record breaker! :D)... these bundles of joy will later be little firecrackers who will mess up the room once again... and play around with our 10 shots and whatnots (nice job, Pao!). The TG might need a bigger room on the next gathering! Whew! 

Congrats Marsh for the new baby girl... and Monira for the new baby boy! Let's try a big TG family picture next time... and dami ng juniors! :)

To the BlueGreen-Eyed German

To the BlueGreen-Eyed German,

Some time two years ago in Florence, I heard Thomas talking German on his phone. It was the first time that I heard him having a long conversation with someone in his language. I was told that it was your birthday. I knew so little about you then but knowing Thomas, I have more or less have an idea. The time I spent at your home has given me the privilege to get a glimpse of your life... who you were as a person and who you are to your family.

Beyond those blue-green eyes is an intelligent and heartwarming individual.. a loving father and husband. I enjoyed the moments when we played the game of flags... I discovered where your son got his love for history. I cherished the time when you cook us for dinner... I offer to help but you were insistent that I am a guest... your hospitality made me feel at home in a foreign land. I enjoyed helping decorate your Christmas Tree... it was my first real Christmas tree... looking at how much ornaments placed, you told us you could have bought another one. It was fun watching you and your family opened your gifts... even the terrible ones, your words... I still have some of those gifts including the little brown bear... and I cherish each and every one of them. Thank you for opening your home for me. It was, indeed, a pleasure meeting you.

I should have send a birthday greeting last year, if only I remembered. I promised then that I would do something this year... so I have pour my heart out remembering these sweet memories. Unfortunately, you will not be able to read this anymore. It is true that life can be taken away like a thief in the night. But in the end of one's time, we discover that he continuous to live within someone's heart. I hope this message will reach out those who have cherished your memories as much (or more) as I do.

I pray for my guardian angels to express send this message to wherever you are. And if you happen to meet a burly Filipino man with dark brown eyes, tell him that we miss him and never cease to love him.

From the Dark-Brown-Eyed Filipina

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."

Christmas List 2013

What's your wish?

It's a little more than a day to go before Christmas. And if we believe the story of Santa, he's probably already gathering his reindeers as he ready to sail through the skies with all his gifts from little kids' wishes. However as we grow up, our santas transform to our ninangs and ninongs. And as you grow older, our wishes are not anymore confined to toys or clothings.

As I look back in the past year, I was able to get one of my wishes, that is, to be out of the country and experience that part of the world. It wasn't as easy as showering a fairy dust to get there. I realized that somehow I've been like an elf, working with santa to wrap that gift. For this year, instead of wishful thinking, I just feel more grateful and blessed for what I have whether all my past wishes have come true or not.

So instead of thinking of what to wish for, I created a little project for my students. I've asked them to list their wishes. And if within a week, a month, a year, or years to come their wishes will come true, we will update this list and highlight it as done. This is also a way that santas of the world can have a look and maybe by chance or fate their wishes will be granted by them.

Tangible & Techie Treats

I wish to have a DLSR camera because I want to take pictures of events or happenings that I can see. And I can take pictures in our coming graduation on March.

- Killua

I wish to have a house & lot here in Zamboanga, so I could feel more comfortable. Staying in a boarding house is so difficult.

- Emomi<3

I am a Computer Science student and I'm really struggling to use my old model desktop, I wish someone would give me a new PC. Thank you! God bless!

- Stuck-With-PC

I am a simple man with full of hope. My wish is to have a better job and have the latest android mobile phone.

- Simple Man

I want to pass all of my last four(4) subjects especially “Thesis & Elective 2”.

- Love MMLS

My wish is to be able to buy and assemble my own gaming PC.

- The Giant Slayer

I wish I could have a brand new mobile phone (Android phone)

- MomondsterEatsyou

Career Stardom

My greatest dream is to land a job that suits my profession in the IT world and be a better programmer.

- The-girl-who-never-told-a-story

I wish to have a permanent job in the near future that is related to my course. And meet some of the greatest programmers that have the greatest contribution to IT.

- The Great Programmer

I wish for a job that earns enough for my parents' wants and needs. A job that can cater the knowledge I learn in my college years as a Computer Science student.

- Software Engineer in the Making

I wish if I graduate, if ever, I can work on a company and to be proud of what I achieve.

- Angel's Love

I wish I'll have a permanent job one day so that I can save and can visit EUROPE!!!

- Euro

I really want to develop more and I wish that I could work in a company as a programmer.

- cxcx1122

A job after I graduate!! (a job releated to my course)

- BOSS.IT

Forever Fan

I'm an Asian fan of country singer, Taylor Swift. I always wanted to see her in person. I wish I could have an album of her, signed by her, and a guitar by Taylor Swift.

- Asian Taylor

I wish I could meet the Vampire Diaries cast and spend a day or week with them, especially Damon Salvatore a.ka. Ian Somerhalder. If not go to Disneyland with Ian.

- Stick-Oh

I was really and I am always an avid fan of a boyband group Westlife. I always wish that somehow I would be able to meet them in person and watch them in concert . Even though the group was defunct. I wish I could meet just one of them.

- Smashit

I wish to meet personally with One Direction and the cast of Vampire Diaries. And to travel around the world especially on my dream place New Zealand.

- Another Direction

Hope I can meet the Younghusband brothers and be able to get the Askals jerseys as a souvenir =) and also can watch a live game.

- zanebazan

See the World

To travel to Korea is my ambition. I wish I can travel to Korea with my family. =)

-Ash

When I was young. I really dream of experiencing winter in Christmas. I wish to go anywhere as long as there is SNOW. P.S. Please grant my wish.. please...

- nath0919

All I ever wanted is to visit South Korea... (that's my ultimate wish)

- Cycy

For the love of Family

For now, I am just working student and I have an 8-year old younger brother. He never had a birthday party. I wish that I can give him a birthday party like other kids and/or bring him to Disneyland with my parents of course. Thanks a lot.

- Sisterlove

I don't know what I will wish but I will give my wish to those children who need it more. =) like, dress, shoes, or toys.

- Generous Girl

My wish is for every second I will live in this world, to be happy, as a proud father, a son, and family.

- Rapeedo

I wish I can grant the wish of my parents to have their own comfortable house and give them a comfortable life. So that they don't need to work hard just to buy our needs.

- Cherry.Blossom

I am still a student and a son age 1 year and 11 months. I wish to have an educational plan for him from Elementary to College. Or any as long as it is for the education of my son. Thanks.

- The Father Student

I wish for a kitchen set for my mother because she really loves cooking and baking. Due to our financial problems, my Mother can't afford it. But I can see that she really dreams for it.

- My Mother's Son

If you wish to participate and grant any of the above wish, feel free to message and comment. May your wish come true as well. Merry Christmas! :)

Repost: Journey of a Friend

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” - Elizabeth Foley

At Mam Carpio's place preping for
HS Reunion (December 23, 2008)

It’s been 14 years (plus/minus months and days) since we’ve met on our first years in high school and maybe 12 to 13 years of just hanging around and experiencing true friendship. I don’t know exactly how we became close friends. But while I ponder on our beginnings, we indeed have a few common things that I believe have brought us together; first is the love of the PBA game (including the players) and second the admiration for BSB’s music (for those who don’t know BSB, it stands for Backstreet Boys). Yeah, I know it sounded very cheesy but that was the IN thing that time. I still continue to watch PBA (if I have time) and listen to BSB. 

RSHS reunion the girls Moni, M-ghee, Cherry, & Charm

Anyhow, more than the love of the game and music, we discovered friendship at its purest. I personally discovered that friendship is not built on looks nor faith but on genuine human connection, which is brought together by common characteristics and believes and strengthened by the acceptance of differences. Our friendship is not all laughter and joys. There were moments of doubts and desolation; doubts of how much you knew each other and desolation based on a decision that has to be made. I realized that it’s all part of growing up as individuals and the effort of rediscovering each other. We may not have all the secrets of each other, we may puke or be shocked on some revelations, we may even sometimes lift our eyebrows on weird actuations, but the bottom line is that your friend is already part of who you are and who you decided to be.

Dinner @ Greenfields with mam Mayci, Moni, & M-ghee

With this, I would like to send my deepest cheers to this friend of mine, Monira, who is preparing to embark on her journey with the man that she is destined to be with. You didn’t have my full confidence when you first decided to go this path, I couldn’t remember exactly why but I know that it’s mostly out of immaturity and I’m glad that you followed your heart. Rest assured that I will always be the other person on the line whom you can always count on bad, worse, or worst times. I may not always have an answer but I can always listen (and pretend to look like I’m thinking of an answer… hehehe). I believe that same goes to the rest of the gang (TG). God bless you always. And God bless your journey. =)

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I just remembered that I have created this post for a friend (posted last January 27, 2009 @ my Friendster account then). :D I am so thankful for the friends that I have. Happy Birthday to my girls, Monira & M-ghee! :)