What do we value as a family? ...

I saw this post from a Pastor in my FB and it made me think of this. What are the core values that we have as a family? Just like any organization which has a mission/vision statement, a family should also have something to live by that glues them together. I thought of asking my dad but somehow, never got to talk to him about it but I asked my siblings for their inputs. Here is what we came up with :

1. Unity - Dad always reminded us time and again that we should always be united in making major decisions concerning the family specifically. What should work should work for the good of all of us not just one of us. We are each others greatest ally, not enemies. We've got each others back covered. We are Team "V".

2. Loyalty - Our allegiance and devotion belong to each other first and foremost. We may not always agree on the same things but we know where our loyalties lie and we will stand by each other no matter what circumstance, good or bad. We draw strength from each other.

3. Time - No matter how our lives get busy and how far we are from each other, we give each other time. Giving time is another way of saying " You are valuable to me" and spending time equates to showing how important we are to each other, that we are a priority to one another and that we put a premium in family togetherness. We never miss out on occasions, Sunday dinners, spontaneous eat outs or malling, travelling, webcamming, text or a phone call.

4. Humor - The secret to enjoying each others company is our capacity to make each other laugh. We like being together even if we don't do anything special. It is always fun.

5. Generosity - Our dad is a generous dad and he gives the best gifts. He is also generous in extending help to those in need. He raised us not to be selfish and greedy. We are encouraged to share. Bawal madamot.

6. Love - We have so much love for each other that it overflows. This is where our security and affirmation comes from and we never let a chance pass that we are unable to express it in different forms. We are imperfect people, we all have our individual faults but its the love that makes us forgive and accept each other.

These are the things that I think we value as a family. We are blessed to have each other. Someday, when I have my own family to raise with thy beloved, I will impart these and more to my children ( the more has yet to be resolved... hehehe).

Note to self...

"I am protected, preserved and reserved. " - Wow! That was a great reminder from a friend and because of this, I know I am not waiting in vain because the matters of the heart is already settled and will come to pass soon.

The Real Man...

There is more to a man than just looks and muscles or anything that makes them " The Man ". Joe Ehrmann says there are three false ideas of Musculinity : athletic ability, sexual conquest and wealth accumulation. Instead, true musculinity is defined by two principles. One is relationship. To love and be loved by your family. The other is to live for a purpose bigger than yourself.


"Ladies: Dont settle for a man who can lift a barbel and a beer can, but cant lift a bible!" - Pastor L.A. Mumar

GHOST...

... of the past still comes back to visit me from time to time and leave a bitter taste. And when it does, I forget that I have already released forgiveness and I start getting angry, picking up the heavy luggage that I have dropped once again. Its such a pity that I cannot think of pleasant memories when I think about this person. If there is a legacy left by this ghost that I should be thankful for is that I don't ever want to be like her. Its only by the power of Gods Grace that I rely on to make the right choice to forget, let go and move on... and all is well again. =) Nothing spooky about this on All Souls Day.  

Circle of Life...

On the very same day that my granfather passed away, A friend of mine gave birth to a baby boy. Its all about endings and new beginnings. One life that just ended, another one just begun. The circle of life goes on...

To a Very Special Man

( "Daddy" - my paternal grandfather went home to the Creator last October 7, 2010. In my own way, I just want to honor him and write about him. For sure, He can read this in Heaven.=) )

Dad, your leaving was unexpected. I thought we would still have a few years left to spend together. I never thought that last Christmas would be last and Your birthday this year would be the last one you will have with us too. I'm sorry that the last time I saw you alive was six months ago. Our lives just got busy and you live far. But you were never far from my thoughts, I just didn't know how to get in touch with you but I always asked Tita Edna about you. In fact, the night before your stroke and we were having dinner, I asked how you were.

Its my privilege to be your Eldest grandchild. I may not be closest to you but we had our own moments and I am thankful. Grateful for every opportunity that I spent time with you during the last few years - Just talking about politics, religion, music and different things, you sharing stories of dad's childhood. I knew you would not live forever and time is of the essence. I have no regrets because I know you felt it and I've always told you that I Love You even that last time in Auntie Norma's party before we left, I made sure you knew.

Dada is who he is partly because of you, of how you and mommy raised him up. Thank You for the values you have taught them which are now passed on to us. The value of keeping our name and reputation unblemished, of keeping our word when we give it and to treat the people who have less with compassion and understanding. Thank you for the sense of humor and the gift of laughter that you have bestowed on your children that has been passed on to us, your grandchildren as well which makes life's burdens much easier. Thank you for your gift of service. That is your love language and it means a lot. Its the little things, the simple random acts of kindness that you will be remembered for - How you take your children to school and pick them up without fail, how you would drive us to the park to go biking or SM when we were younger when we wanted to go and we were in Visayas. Drove Karen and Joe around to their honeymoon in Baguio. That's my ultimate memory of you dad, our bonding moment going to Baguio and back when you first started talking to me as an adult, when you told me everything that happened in the past and I understood. Thank you for always being present for every holiday/occasion, for valuing family, for valuing us.

I would like to quote what dad said in his Eulogy, one of your words of wisdom that someday will be passed on:

" Kung hindi mo naman ikasakit, kung ikaw ay sinamang-palad na maloko sa buhay, pasalamat ka nalang na mas mapalad ka sa kanila, sapagkat hindi mo kailangan manloko o mang-lamang upang mabuhay. "

Another one to quote you - I think you got this from Newsweek :

"Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor."

I will always remember you fondly daddy as a simple man, gentle and kind, very patient, kakampi ka ng mga naapi. You have a good, big heart.  I will never forget you as I hear those classical music and even Yanni's, how your driving speed will depend on the music you play in the car and whenever I see a Newsweek or Time Magazine lying around for I know you love reading them. Wala ng iipunin si Tita Marie para ibigay kasi wala ka na. I will think about what you might have to say when there is a new political issue that I will hear on the news. I will remember you everytime I see a Red Poinsettia plant because I know you liked them, its almost christmas pa naman. I won't be buying you flower seeds coz you won't be around to plant them but I'm glad you enjoyed that gift. I will think of you whenever we eat good cheese, nuts and your mango cake because I know you love them. I will never enjoy my crab fat/aligue the way I enjoy it whenever we ate crab (wala na akong ka-share eh) together. Thank you for the memories that I will look back to. You lived a full life. Its time to rest and go home to the place that was prepared for you since the beginning of time.

But you will live on dad. Your legacy shall go on. What you have imparted to your children has been imparted to us and I guarantee that it will be imparted to the next generation.  I Love You Daddy! Till we meet again someday. Please watch over us. Cheers!

Just for Laughs... =)

There are new entries with the old entries in circulation in the past on the amusing names of businesses here in RP.



• A parlor in San Juan: Cut & Face

• A wholesaler of balut in Sto. Tomas, Batangas:  Starduck  

• A small Internet café:  Cafe Pindot

• A laundry in Manila:  Summa Cum Laundry

• A noodle restaurant in Pampanga: Mekeni Rogers

• A restaurant in Pasig:  Johnny’s Fried Chicken, The “Fried” of Marikina

• A boxing gym in Taguig:       Blow Jab

• A tombstone maker in Antipolo:  Lito Lapida

• A copy center in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City:  Pakopya ni Edgar

• A kambingan:  Sa Goat Kita

• A salon somewhere:  Curl Up And Dye

• A store selling feeds for chicken along Sucat Road:   Robocock

• A shoe repair in Marikina:  Dr. Shoe-Bago

• A shoe repair shop along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City: SHOEPERMAN (We will HEEL you, save your SOLE, and even DYE for you)

• A petshop:  Petness First 

• A flower shop: Susan’s Roses

• A taxicab: Income Taxi

• A second-hand watch store: 2nd Time Around

• A squid stall in a wet market: Pusit to the Limit

• A lawyer’s extension office: Nota Republic

• A ceiling installer: Kisame Street

• A car-repair shop: Bangga ka ‘day!

• An aquatic pet store in Malolos: Fish Be With You

• A fishball cart along P. Campa St., near UST:  Eat MyBalls

• A barber shop in Cagayan de Oro:  Pinoy Big Barber

• A resto in Baclaran: The Last Supper

• A party-needs business: Balloon-Balloonan

• A Chinese restaurant in Pasig: Lah-Fang

• A store selling fresh chicken, apparently owned by a woman named Dina: Dina Fresh Chicken

• A Hair Salon in Makati: Hair We Go Again          

*  A beauty  shop  at  Global  City  specializing  in  manicure  &  pedicure services : Papa Foot Spa  Ka                                        

* A  skin &  face-care  saloon  in  Pasay  City :  Doble-Cara Skin Care          

Iba talaga mag-isip ang pinoy - very creative! =)