Our Family Valentine's Day :)

Nothing beats spending Valentine's Day with family <3

An Ateneo Student For A Day Under Professor Justin's Theology Class

A nerd is back in Ateneo and guess who's her teacher? 

We Could Be McDonald's Endorsers Now

There's only one word to describe last Friday: crazy. 

(photo courtesy of: youngdoo.net)

Extreme emotions were fluttering inside me all throughout the day: sadness, doubt, frustration, deep joy, excitement - all rolled in one day. It was a busy week and I constantly felt I was floundering to get on top of things. As the week was coming to an end, all I really wanted was to enjoy my event on Friday evening. My mind was dead set on having a great night. However, life doesn't always give you what you want on a silver platter. 

The Random Oreo Story

Back in 2nd year college, I shared a locker with a friend in school. If you've seen how many books I used carry in school, I'm sure you'll be more than willing to give me a locker. :P

 (photo courtesy of flickr.com)

A NAIA Terminal Proposal for a 10-10-10 Wedding

My friend Omi recently posted this tear jerker wedding proposal video of a fellow Atenean at the NAIA Terminal 2. This proposal was done last 2008 but I only saw this video recently. It made me cry so much and I thought of sharing it here as an end to the 10-10-10 blog series. I hope you like it as much I did. I watched it 3x on the same day. 


By the way, they got married last 10-10-10. :)

Boyet and Bernice (photo courtesy of newedition.org)

Ateneo Bonfire, Candle Room and a McDonald's McChicken Story

I just wanted to share 3 very quick stories about the small little sweet things last Sunday: the Candle Room story, McDonalds McChicken story and the Ateneo Bonfire story.


Last last week, RJ was pretty busy with a lot of hospital operations but he promised to make time for me on Sunday. On the day itself, RJ suddenly texted if I wanted to go to mass with him at 7:30 PM in a nearby Church. Of course I said yes. :)


When I arrived at the Church via jeep, all the Church goers were already heading out of the Chapel. Oops it turns out that the next mass will start at 8PM. I stood at the entrance looking for him but to no avail so I decided to text him. He told me he was near the Church's Candle Room. 

Candle Room (photo courtesy of digitaljournal.com)

Belated Happy Chinese Mooncake Festival: Mooncake Eating Time!

Last September 22 (I know this is such a late post!), we celebrated the Mooncake Festival or otherwise known as the Harvest Moon or Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu Jie). This day falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. It's basically the time when the moon is roundest and brightest. This signifies completeness and abundance. 


Honestly, I didn't grow up in a family that celebrated Chinese occasions. The only time I know it's Mooncake Festival is when we get Moon Cake. The same goes with Chinese New Year but we get Tikoy this time. Don't get me wrong, I love how my family raised me although I'd like to know more about the Chinese culture. :) So Chinese friends, I'm open to a crash course in Chinese culture. :)


Last Tuesday (Sept 28), my parents brought home lots of food from their club's own Mooncake Festival celebration.  One of which is the famous Mooncake. :) Yaaaay! 

The Kythe Real Love Shirt Contest: Fighting Cancer by Showing Real Love to Kids with Cancer

I think there's no one in this world who does not know a relative or a friend who has cancer. 


I never met an Uncle of mine because we lost him to leukemia at a very young age. He was just a few years younger than my dad. My dad remembers him as a very brilliant and affectionate brother. He was my dad's playmate but since he developed leukemia, he was bedridden and could no longer play. It was even more painful since both of their parents were doctors. At the age of five, my Uncle Erlando died of leukemia. Because of cancer, I never met him in person. I only see his very small grave in the cemetery at every visit. All I hear are stories about how wonderful he is and I can't help but wish that I met him as well.


I still can't imagine how hard it must have been to suffer from cancer especially at such a young age. One day you're full of dreams and so ecstatic about the world but then it all crashes down when you get diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly it becomes an everyday frightening battle to survive. You're forced to grow up as an adult and face painful treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Like my Uncle Erlando, these long term treatments have forced kids with cancer to stay at home rather than play outside like other kids. 


In honor of my dear Uncle Erlando, I decided to help out Ms. Janette Toral to promote Kythe Foundation, an organization that helps out children with cancer. Psychology students from Ateneo formed Kythe Foundation to provide psychosocial support for kids with cancer. 

I Love You in Red Balloons

Since my post a few days ago had something to do with high school, this real life story is another excerpt from my high school days. 


I was in third year at this time. All classes had Homeroom Teachers and Assistant Homeroom Teachers. In the middle of the year, the Homeroom Teacher of one of the sections suddenly had to leave. Her name, if I remember correctly, was Ms. Dana. She was also our class' English teacher and I really loved her. She was petite, friendly and she always wore a big lovely smile for everyone. 


On her last day in school, her partner Assistant Homeroom Teacher (Sir Andre) and her homeroom class organized a small surprise for her on the field. Our high school has a huge field in the middle and our classrooms were located on the 3rd floor of the building beside it. 

High School Field

Ateneo Back-to-Back-to-Back UAAP Basketball Champion!!!

Yesterday I made sure I will be at home to watch Game 2 of the Ateneo vs FEU UAAP Basketball Finals. I was barely able to watch Game 1 last Saturday because I so busy hopping from one place to another. My mom was texting me the whole time to keep my updated. Thanks mom :) Ateneo won by a landslide in Game 1: 72-49.


I was finally able to watch Game 2 with my mom at home. It's always fun watching UAAP with her because we scream and cheer like crazy! You'll see what I mean when you watch the video below. :P I was texting RJ and Gian the whole time to keep them updated since they didn't have access to a television. 

Remembering Typhoon Ondoy

Yesterday marked the anniversary of Typhoon Ondoy which hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces last year. I went around today and raw red ribbons and signs along Marcos Highway. 

There were several protests held yesterday to remember the horrible tragedy last year. Our house wasn't spared from the massive flooding last year as well. There were rescue operations inside the village because the flood reached the roofs or the third floors of the houses in some streets. Good thing everyone our family was safe. Other families lost pets and even family members. :(

Got Beat Up Before The Most Kilig "Happy Birthday" On Air

How would you feel if your birthday falls on the exact day of your sparring finals? I guess we'll be singing happy birthday with a black eye. :P


It was back in 2006 in my 1st year of college and my birthday was also the day of my Arnis sparring finals. (Arnis is a Philippine Martial Art that was used as self-defense by pre-Spanish Filipinos.) What the hell, I get to be beaten up on my birthday! 

photo courtesy of mobfunda.net

The Danny and Annie Love Story: Love at a Time of Cancer

My friend Fid posted another great video clip on Facebook, "Danny and Annie."

It's a short clip about the love story of two couples: from their very first date, their marriage and until they died. 


It moved me to tears. Maybe I'm really such a crybaby. It's such an awww video clip but really sad as well. I want to share it with you guys. This is the kind of love that really amazes me.

Writing Fiction Again?

During our monthsary last Friday, RJ handed me a paper bag. Of course I got excited, I love opening presents! There were two books and a letter inside. Here's the picture:

Yaaay! He got me two fiction books: Politically Correct Bedtime Stories & 41 Stories. I'm already done reading the first one and it was really hilarious! I still have to read the other one. 

My Professors Changed My Life Too :)

My friend Paul posted this video last Sunday and it made me tear up. Awww I suddenly miss my professors. These are the types of stories that make you want to become a teacher. :) I remember when I was so disillusioned after my first job, I went to my past professors to seek advice. Teachers do make a difference in their students' lives. 


The video is about a student, Teddy Stallard, and his professor. This video came from www.makeadifference.com, an organization created by Mary Robinsons Reynolds, that provides life coaching, seminars and books for self growth. Here's the Teddy Stallard story:

Meet the Parents

Last Sunday, RJ texted me that his mom just arrived. He further added that she brought something for me and that she wanted to meet me for dinner. *insert scary sound effects* Ten ten teeeeeeen! I swear, the first image that came to mind was the movie poster of Ben Stiller's "Meet the Parents." 

The Search for the Green M&M's

This post is dedicated to my former internship boss, Alfie, who is celebrating his birthday today! Happy birthday!


Two years ago, my partner intern, Paolo, and I wanted to surprise Alfie on his birthday. We decided to meet up in school and brainstorm possible gift ideas. We then remembered one of his shirts, the green M&M's shirt. He really likes the color green despite being an Atenean. With this inspiration, we decided to give Alfie a jar filled with green M&M's! 

Alfie's shirt though was a guy green M&M's

Sick? Treating Food Poisoning

After accomplishing work related stuff yesterday, I was supposed to visit my friend Andrea in Ateneo and borrow her copy of "Got to Believe" and "One More Chance." Some of my Filipino film collection drowned in the Ondoy swimming mud pool. :(

Ondoy 2009

After texting Andrea to confirm our meeting, we had to change plans because she's visiting Gigi in the hospital. It turns out that Gigi is suffering from amoebiasis! Oh no :(

Marriage: Carrying the Bride

I saw this on Facebook and I thought it was a beautiful read. I'd like to share it to you :) Feel free to pass it on. Plus, I added a fun fact at the bottom of this article to explain a certain wedding tradition. :)

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Marriage

by Ramon E Mendoza

Thursday, August 5, 2010

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

The Bonding Food Magic of Steamed Crabs!

Just got back from a six day trip in Aklan! Six days in Aklan = six days of crabs in every meal! YUUUUM!

Before going to the airport for our flight back to Manila, we had hearty lunch at my Tito's place - crabs, panga ng tuna, grilled chicken, ginataang manok (chicken) and my cousin's chopsuey! I had such a great lunch that I was the last one to finish eating. I only had to stop eating because we already had to go to the airport. Haha! I eat too much :P

Before heading to the airport, my Tita urged me to bring home the remaining crabs on the table so that I could share a piece of my Aklan trip with RJ. Awwww.. my Tita's so sweet :)