Monday, October 14, 2013
fathers day/birthday greeting
Happy birthday to our Tatay, he doesn't have FB and I greeted him offline already... But I still wanna say thanks for being the first man that I ever loved! And to my bruvs! Manong Neil who is not only a great father but a man of great character - honest, intelligent and generous.. I cannot vouch on you're being a good husband but no doubt you are a great dad to Nicko and Niño..to jingle who has become a father recently, hopefully fatherhood could bring you joy and though you are an unconventional person
Friday, July 19, 2013
The bond of brothers (and sisters)
It's my greatest fear to lose any of my loved ones. Im pretty sure we all have that fear. Two out of my three brothers employs to a high risk job - one being a military a pilot and a pilot instructor and the other one a police officer . They have survived four years of military school, the other one another 2 years of flying school. Our eldest was assigned in Basilan at the wake of the abu sayaff crisis in Mindanao as his first assignment shortly after graduating from PMA in 1991. He also went to East Timor and Africa as a contingent of the UN peace corp for his career advancement and also to augment his income. My heart bleeds every time I see news of armed forces dying in battle because I would always think of my brothers. Im sure my parents have the same feeling especially my mother. My brothers job is in constant occupational hazard - Jumbo, my brother who is the pilot for the PAF chopper had 2 accidents involving these planes. Its a good thing hes now a pilot for the brand new Sokol choppers which is bigger and high tech acquired by the PAF recently. But nothing scared me more upon knowing that my other brother the one who is not in the military having a vehicle related accident. He was driving a motorcycle and having an idea about most situations of people involved in a motorcycle accident we had the scare of our lives. Manong, our eldest and Jingle are both in Manila so it was Manong who informed us about what happened to Jingle and he was the one who took him to the hospital and took responsibility over his younger sibling. Every time the phone rings and I would talk to him, I try to asses if there is stress in his voice, and every time my heart skipped a beat. Jingle had a car accident years ago and considering the the car was turned turtle no one would expect that the person involved was still alive but he was . At that time and I have to go to Manila and took care of the stuff that needed to be settled. I am the only girl and I felt responsible in coordinating the men of my life . Jingle, he is my favorite because we both went to UP and we have that kind of bond between us . A few months back he also had a broken bone because of same motor accident although not as bad as this latest one. I guess these boys are accident freak but they don't have to push their lucks. For now, our family are just so thankful that my brother has been blessed with a second life..I have to send both our parents to Manila so that they would personally see jingle and that to lessen their worries and also Nanay personally takes care of him in the hospital. It only proves that at the end of the day you have no one to turn to except your family because well, family is the the one constant in our lives .I would always hear mother's voice would crack each time I talk to her seeing his son hi through his pain especially after the operations. Tatay however would not stay in the hospital for long because he can't stand seeing his son through this but mother endures it all just to be with him in spite of her tears. But she is forever grateful that Jingle is alive considering the damaged in his hands and both feet and his facial bones. Thankfully as well there isn't any damage in his facial skin . As what mother wold always say, He is still gwapu...The damage is on his bones underneath his facial skin below the eye. He had some kind of face off operation on his face. As of late he's had 5 operations. The financial constraint our family has to go through, our eldest took it upon himself to finance almost all of the finances but thankfully with much help from some people. Like some of my brothers doctors are his friends. He decided to transfer him to the Camp Crame hospital so that he would be able to monitor him and also to lessen the cost. The operation for the face alone cost almost a hundred thousand pesos but theres just a lot of help that our Manong was able to make possible. He now works for the DILG and I could proudly say that whatever assignment or wherever he is , our brother is one with integrity. He has never abused his power and he was never corrupt. And maybe, a lot of his friends are willing to help because they know he's character.
Its been months and my parents had been away since my brother is still in the hospital. I would talk to them everyday. Mother would tell me all the little details, like how accommodating the doctors and the nurses, who came by to visit, our relatives and jingle's friends, what food these people brought. She would talk endlessly about her conversation with Jingle, who is by now filled with all the lectures of Mother - like, how he should quit smoking already since its been months that he hasn't smoke because of his hospitalization, like how he should be a good father to his son, Nathaniel. Mother would also talk about the mother of Nathan, - how much she cares about Jingle and how Jingle loves his independence and that he is stilll unwilling to give up his being single and refuses to live with her and that he just bowed to be a good father to his son. I guess i could say for now, who knows? People change right?...( and i wont be talking about his being a non- conformist, non traditional kind of person - entirely a different story that needs a blog of its own ) so Mother said that she will just let him be. He just need to be thankful for the life he has to share with us his family his job and of course his own family - his little boy. We are especially thankful to the prayers of our friends in our church, our relatives and friends. Truly you would know the people who cares the most in times of need .
Manong's sport is tennis so he would play with some people who become his friends like the doctors of Jingle, or a congressman , Patrick Antonio who made a very substantial financial help thru DSWD. The brothers and sisters of Jingle in his fraternity the Kappa Epsilon in UP Diliman. I now understand the importance of brotherhood or sisterhood of a fraternity . Jingle has always been a frat man during his 8 years or more in UP. My parents would get worried each time because of news of frat men getting into frat wars especially in UP. Its a good thing the school would always send notice to parents that the son is a member of this fraternity and since their frat is acknowledge by the university. I remember spending summers in Diliman for my other courses and I would have a glimpse of the life of my brother, Jingle - how he would always go to their tambayan even sleeping in that little room and up until he graduated he would still maintain ties with his brods and sisters. He would at some points stay with them in one apartment when they were still in school even if he graduated and already working . He would spent some Christmases and New Years with friends if he can't go home to Iloilo. So it's understandable how much ties he has with his frat brothers and sisters who would lovingly call him "brother love". As of this time they have also given a very substantial amount for his hospitalization. Some are based abroad but send their support thru members who are in Manila.
As of late, Jingle is still on his hospital bed, mother and father stays with him. As I called today, mother said that she and tatay are both reading a book (she is constantly reading her Bible and also she is now reading Dan Brown's Inferno - how ironic is that? She is probably just bored so she read Tatays book ) she is actually asking me about my schedule of arrival in Manila. I told her dont worry we will go out and have a good time when I am there....and Jingle is in his laptop surfing the Internet. Weeks from now he will be released albeit with metals under his feet. He will be sitting in a wheel chair until his feet recovers and heals. Mother is hopeful, he quits smoking, he'd be more responsible but generally happy for all her answered prayers. She is truly proud about Manong, for stepping up and being the eldest he is a really great son and brother. I'd be there in a week to see them all and give them a little treat since they really haven't been going out much. Truly some of life's adversities just bring families together. Mine not exempted!...
That's my brother, Capt. Nomar Alinsangan of the the Philippine Air Force on the cockpit.. Photo grabbed fr the Facebook page of Tropang Air Force...
Its been months and my parents had been away since my brother is still in the hospital. I would talk to them everyday. Mother would tell me all the little details, like how accommodating the doctors and the nurses, who came by to visit, our relatives and jingle's friends, what food these people brought. She would talk endlessly about her conversation with Jingle, who is by now filled with all the lectures of Mother - like, how he should quit smoking already since its been months that he hasn't smoke because of his hospitalization, like how he should be a good father to his son, Nathaniel. Mother would also talk about the mother of Nathan, - how much she cares about Jingle and how Jingle loves his independence and that he is stilll unwilling to give up his being single and refuses to live with her and that he just bowed to be a good father to his son. I guess i could say for now, who knows? People change right?...( and i wont be talking about his being a non- conformist, non traditional kind of person - entirely a different story that needs a blog of its own ) so Mother said that she will just let him be. He just need to be thankful for the life he has to share with us his family his job and of course his own family - his little boy. We are especially thankful to the prayers of our friends in our church, our relatives and friends. Truly you would know the people who cares the most in times of need .
Manong's sport is tennis so he would play with some people who become his friends like the doctors of Jingle, or a congressman , Patrick Antonio who made a very substantial financial help thru DSWD. The brothers and sisters of Jingle in his fraternity the Kappa Epsilon in UP Diliman. I now understand the importance of brotherhood or sisterhood of a fraternity . Jingle has always been a frat man during his 8 years or more in UP. My parents would get worried each time because of news of frat men getting into frat wars especially in UP. Its a good thing the school would always send notice to parents that the son is a member of this fraternity and since their frat is acknowledge by the university. I remember spending summers in Diliman for my other courses and I would have a glimpse of the life of my brother, Jingle - how he would always go to their tambayan even sleeping in that little room and up until he graduated he would still maintain ties with his brods and sisters. He would at some points stay with them in one apartment when they were still in school even if he graduated and already working . He would spent some Christmases and New Years with friends if he can't go home to Iloilo. So it's understandable how much ties he has with his frat brothers and sisters who would lovingly call him "brother love". As of this time they have also given a very substantial amount for his hospitalization. Some are based abroad but send their support thru members who are in Manila.
As of late, Jingle is still on his hospital bed, mother and father stays with him. As I called today, mother said that she and tatay are both reading a book (she is constantly reading her Bible and also she is now reading Dan Brown's Inferno - how ironic is that? She is probably just bored so she read Tatays book ) she is actually asking me about my schedule of arrival in Manila. I told her dont worry we will go out and have a good time when I am there....and Jingle is in his laptop surfing the Internet. Weeks from now he will be released albeit with metals under his feet. He will be sitting in a wheel chair until his feet recovers and heals. Mother is hopeful, he quits smoking, he'd be more responsible but generally happy for all her answered prayers. She is truly proud about Manong, for stepping up and being the eldest he is a really great son and brother. I'd be there in a week to see them all and give them a little treat since they really haven't been going out much. Truly some of life's adversities just bring families together. Mine not exempted!...
That's my brother, Capt. Nomar Alinsangan of the the Philippine Air Force on the cockpit.. Photo grabbed fr the Facebook page of Tropang Air Force...
Sunday, June 30, 2013
An Anniversary greetings to my parents and the birthday greetings to my Father
My parents wedding anniv is on june 28th and my fathers bday is on the 29th. My parents were married in 1939 so they have been together for 43 years now..
Happy 43rd wedding anniversary to our parents Nestor and Aida... It's amazing how you stayed together thru thick & thin. I guess it's about mutual love and respect, it's about how you compliment each other, While Tatay is strong willed and stubborn, Mother is cool headed without being overly compliant and not sweating the small stuff! Its so great They both have the sense of humor... They still argue about the mundane stuff, about the game of scrabble or who's tv show they have to watch but I know they can't be without each other...so if this is not love! I don't know what is! Congrats you guys! I miss you both...
Dear Tatay,
You worked as an Ofw when I was little so you can give me this doll and all the toys for my bros we were kids. I was crying every time I got teased that my Tatay was "nal undo sa sabaw" when you were far away! Alas, you are unable to finish the two year contract you have to go home after a year so you could be with your family. My best childhood memories are the one I had with you how you brought me to Manila evertytime, how I spent my days playing with the other kids in your office and our lunches and dinners afer work. The time I was making my projects on my HS days, how you took good are of me when i was sick, how you have been with me while I was doing my thesis writing - you stayed late w me in the office so I could graduate in UP. How you cooked for us always, for allowing me to be far usually spending summers in Diliman even if I knew how worried you and mom are. And for in stilling in me hard work so that I could get the stuff I wanted but at the same time occasionally giving in to my caprices. How affectionate you are but also a disciplinarian . How you taught me respect for others and service to your country. How we learned fom giving us experience in independence, how you say thing mater of factly and not sugar coat how you love books and reading. I was exposed to all these cool authors because of your collection.Thank you. I will forever be a Tatay's girl.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Tick tock !
It's when you meet people your age - the grade school or high school batch mate that you would realize your real age...Because most of them are married, some aren't anymore and most have kids. It's when these well meaning people worry about the state of your affairs - like when you would settle down and have kids yourself.. These friends talk about the real life - like buying houses, having a biz, sending kids to school - the works!..But I'm saying this in a good way. And since I am single I have less responsibility - in fact I don't have to worry about a lot of stuff but then i would assure myself, just because I am single doesn't make me less responsible because I felt responsible for myself and my parents my dog..I pay most of the bill and my being single is not for lack of trying, or lack of opportunity. There's just some factors that did not lead to that end or perhaps not yet.. Maybe, I'll settle down, become a single parent or there's also the option of preserving the egg for future use... That's the beauty of technology because women like us are given more options....For now, I won't feel guilty if I still listen to these pop and techno music, if I still wear the latest trend like my growing collection of wedge sneakers- for liking Rihanna, Rita Ora and Leighton Meester or watching Gossip Girl.I still go out and have younger set of friends from work and because I don't feel old doesn't make me less responsible... What can I do if I'm "cool"... I will get there God willing and I will be the coolest Lola if ever! Kidding...
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Prayer and a dose of thankfulness...( and some cool friends)
I have these priority realignment aka long talks with God lately... Not the Moses talking with God situation where there is burning fire and be overshadowed by his presence (before you think I'm having one of those schizo attack ) but just a simple me time talking to someone deemed as a higher being but feeling like having a close friend Listening to you ... I am not religious , not as religious as when I was younger . Because back then I would go to church every Saturday even on Wednesday's service or Fridays .. I am a seventh day Adventist . I am not saying that I have become a religious pariah but it's more of the practicality of life just took over... I mean the job, the time constraints and all the other stuff just consumed my time and energy... What I lack in time for church however I made up for giving offering whenever I can and I joined some organizations in which I will be able to contribute to helping the less fortunate in my own little way, my time, money and energy so to speak....I have questions like how come I am not successful in my career and and the seeming lack of a significant other - two of the most defining aspect a person if based on a societal standard. But well, I have a family I can turn to, I have the social support of friends and I am healthy ...Bottom line is we just have to find something to be able to be thankful everyday no matter how bleak the situation is.. Sometimes, we are bored like how I was last night and I told my bestfriend I'll visit her in Manila told her I'm bored she said me too "let's find a job abroad" and just when I thought she is having a kick ass career.. She also has this greener on the other side of the Fence thing going like me...
" I'm sorry I'm not there to change your mind Perhaps it is time for a change of environment. It might be the people you're around." this is the message of my other friend based in San Francisco when we last talk about me being bored with work and all...Because this friend think how lucky we are to be living here where we can afford to have helpers and chill out after a days work..So true indeed...which reminds me, I need to book a ticket to Manila spend a weekend with my BFF perhaps watch Avicci or this Wonderland 2013 a music festival they are talking about...where is my phone I need to call my friend from Globe who's sponsoring this show!....well, this job has it's perks.. I am no longer complaining...
An obituary for my Aunt...(she passed away April 2 years ago)
-an obituary for Lilia Alinsangan pawita , paw,
Born Lilia Jino-o Alinsangan on June 29, 1932 to parents ramon Alinsangan of alimodian and consolation Alinsangan Leganes , the 3rd child among 7 siblings. Hernane, deceased letecia, nelda, Nestor my father, renzto doods deceased, evenia, and loida... She has lived together with Lola ebing her aunt rebeccca jinoo up to the time that she passed away. Together they would tend to a sarisari store ..she also lived with another cousin auntie bopeep now based in Canada , who is like her sister... Auntie pawit would wake up every morning to go market to buy stuff para sa tyange nila until such time na medyo mahina na sya she would gave up that task to her sister loida... Auntie paw it to us her niece and nephews , or paw to some of us and to her grandchildren is an intense woman. She doesn't hide her emotions" kun akig or when she's happy she's laughing all out... She is god fearing and religious who would go to church every sabbath unless may ginabatyag sya.. Her passion is cooking, keeping the house , eating , her love for music ...she has learned to play the organ on her own... As far as I could remember since gamay pa kami si auntie paw llives with Lola ebing and together they would have a worship time every eveninG and sometimes she would play the little musical instrument the small organ na battery operated... auntie paw has a sweet tooth, that's why she has contracted the diabetes , she loves ice cream , candies , soft drinks .. It's not unusual na may dal a gid sya sa iya bag na sweets every time she leaves... And she would readily share to everyone .. Maalwan pala Luto every Saturday back then we would wait for her to share her Utan na mongo na may gata, she is single and never married and dedicated her life to Lola ebing and their little biz... But she is a loving aunt to us who is always generous....She is very meticulous , even nag pambalay na clothes nya gina plantsa... She loves plants, ,
Indi sya gusto mag upod sa mga sosyalan , she is a homebody... but at least she was able to go to boracay when auntie bop pep had vacation last November 2009 together with her apos and sisters...
Last march this year she had a heart attack , our cousin inday razel brought her to wvmc in mandurraio and she was rushed to the icu and she would stay there for two months... Nag abbot si auntie bopeep to see her last april and assist to her financially as well as to see her get well... Media magasto man since for almost 3 months that she needs to stay in an icu and evntually in a private room because her ailments needs her to he isolated from other patients... We tried to get her out of the hospital since sya mismo wantd to go out already ga hibi na sya na wanted to go home na gid... we went out last may and she was recuperating sa balay na Lang she was bed ridden for a while but eventually she was able to get up and walk around the compound and play the organ... But last June again she had a stroke and was bed ridden again and this time she was already weak.. We wanted to bring her back to the hospital but we decided against it since media we are stripped off of our financial resources and at the same time Indi sya gusto mag pa hospital - we just provided her needs , we would sometimes indulge her sa iya craving occasionally for ice cream, juices, she was bed ridden and auntie loud and nanny would take care of her and clean her up every day together with flor... She was already suffering from diabetes , affected na ang iya feet and we couldn't bear seeing her in that situation and we prayed and dedicated her life to the guy up there... Last September 28, Sila sa Blay day auntie Arding and the people in our calle 7. Had an evening worship and prayed for her And eventually at midnight the lord took her life and made her rest. Auntie pawit rested At the age of 79 ... Auntie paw we will miss you...
Born Lilia Jino-o Alinsangan on June 29, 1932 to parents ramon Alinsangan of alimodian and consolation Alinsangan Leganes , the 3rd child among 7 siblings. Hernane, deceased letecia, nelda, Nestor my father, renzto doods deceased, evenia, and loida... She has lived together with Lola ebing her aunt rebeccca jinoo up to the time that she passed away. Together they would tend to a sarisari store ..she also lived with another cousin auntie bopeep now based in Canada , who is like her sister... Auntie pawit would wake up every morning to go market to buy stuff para sa tyange nila until such time na medyo mahina na sya she would gave up that task to her sister loida... Auntie paw it to us her niece and nephews , or paw to some of us and to her grandchildren is an intense woman. She doesn't hide her emotions" kun akig or when she's happy she's laughing all out... She is god fearing and religious who would go to church every sabbath unless may ginabatyag sya.. Her passion is cooking, keeping the house , eating , her love for music ...she has learned to play the organ on her own... As far as I could remember since gamay pa kami si auntie paw llives with Lola ebing and together they would have a worship time every eveninG and sometimes she would play the little musical instrument the small organ na battery operated... auntie paw has a sweet tooth, that's why she has contracted the diabetes , she loves ice cream , candies , soft drinks .. It's not unusual na may dal a gid sya sa iya bag na sweets every time she leaves... And she would readily share to everyone .. Maalwan pala Luto every Saturday back then we would wait for her to share her Utan na mongo na may gata, she is single and never married and dedicated her life to Lola ebing and their little biz... But she is a loving aunt to us who is always generous....She is very meticulous , even nag pambalay na clothes nya gina plantsa... She loves plants, ,
Indi sya gusto mag upod sa mga sosyalan , she is a homebody... but at least she was able to go to boracay when auntie bop pep had vacation last November 2009 together with her apos and sisters...
Last march this year she had a heart attack , our cousin inday razel brought her to wvmc in mandurraio and she was rushed to the icu and she would stay there for two months... Nag abbot si auntie bopeep to see her last april and assist to her financially as well as to see her get well... Media magasto man since for almost 3 months that she needs to stay in an icu and evntually in a private room because her ailments needs her to he isolated from other patients... We tried to get her out of the hospital since sya mismo wantd to go out already ga hibi na sya na wanted to go home na gid... we went out last may and she was recuperating sa balay na Lang she was bed ridden for a while but eventually she was able to get up and walk around the compound and play the organ... But last June again she had a stroke and was bed ridden again and this time she was already weak.. We wanted to bring her back to the hospital but we decided against it since media we are stripped off of our financial resources and at the same time Indi sya gusto mag pa hospital - we just provided her needs , we would sometimes indulge her sa iya craving occasionally for ice cream, juices, she was bed ridden and auntie loud and nanny would take care of her and clean her up every day together with flor... She was already suffering from diabetes , affected na ang iya feet and we couldn't bear seeing her in that situation and we prayed and dedicated her life to the guy up there... Last September 28, Sila sa Blay day auntie Arding and the people in our calle 7. Had an evening worship and prayed for her And eventually at midnight the lord took her life and made her rest. Auntie pawit rested At the age of 79 ... Auntie paw we will miss you...
Oh to be a woman in the 21st century...
the womens month has just made some reminder how we have come a long way fighting for equality and how worthy we are of it and of course the perks of being a woman at this age...
More than ever the 21st century is the best time and place to be a woman. We have equal opportunities , in the work place, politics, family life, religion, education and virtually all aspects with that of men.
March being the womens month the last week we had a basic training for self defense. We were taught to handle situations like sexual harassment, instances of physical assault from strangers. The bottom line is that you should always be prepared, have the presence of mind and a healthy dose of paranoia.... Which reminds me I also need to take that training from my friends from the red cross or the pcga plus I need to get my gift from my friend mr Lenard tirol - the Taser. I also had a situation where we were almost chased by some drunk guy just outside the place of my friend we have to run to her gate. I thought that if only I have a taser I would not run away from that guy but then again, the trainer emphasized that knowing self defense is really avoiding trouble and not to fight...
As women it is such basic necessity that we know how to drive which reminds me I just really need to practice my parking and If we know a thing or two about firing a gun that would be such an ego boost!
Below is my women's day greeting!
History is replete of women who ruled and lead and like Cleopatra, Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth 1, Mother Teresa and my personal favorite our feisty and adorable Sen Miriam , and even the fictional character like Helen of Troy , Wonder Woman, Lara croft, Lisa Simpson and Blair Waldorf . I could go on talking about cool things about this women who's kickass ways are an inspiration if not worthy of emulation. They have somehow made an impact to the world and to us ordinary women..suffice to say the world would be a miserable place without us women so today and the
whole month of March let us hug all our sisters, girlfriends and mothers and this also goes to the men - hug the wives , your mothers and sisters and tell them how much you love them how much we look up to them and how they inspire us in our daily lives
To all the women truly we have come a long way! Happy women's day...
