I See Your True Color

Finally I'm home! Whew!!!

I went straight to the polling station at Baesa (LRPMES) to cast my vote. I have indelible ink on my finger now after traveling from Cabiao - Clark Airport - Dau Terminal - Manila. Kapagod!

Today, almost everyone is excited to try the PCOS machines. That's why I insisted on going back to Manila though I had to travel alone. I don't want to miss this opportunity!

I was with Kuks when he voted this morning at Palasinan. He's a GREEN and an "accidental" PINK.

I'm a YELLOW and BLUE. I hope you are, too!


CREDIT:

FRAME by Ellie Lash

But the most important thing is, whatever your color is, you'll find time to go out and make a difference!

Tatay Rey at 65

A few weeks before Tatay's birthday, I was having this YM conversation with Ate Mi. She was telling me that she's feeling sad again, now that Tay's birthday is just a few winks away. I came to realize that I was not able to join any of Tatay's previous bday celebrations in the past years. Back then, I would just help Rellie find the perfect gift. I may be a little too late this year... but I hope Tatay enjoyed looking at the white flowers I brought him from Dangwa. I'm sure he is having a merry celebration up there with our Lord.

Happy Birthday Tay!!!

CREDIT:
PAPER from Emma Kit by Amy Watson

FRAME

After the 6AM mass, we went to visit Tay to offer flowers and prayers, and to simply just be with him though he can't be with us physically. Some of his Teacher friends were also there to celebrate with us. They also brought flowers for Tatay. It was really nice of them to still remember.

CREDIT:
PAPER by Rhonna Farrer

TAG by Rhonna Farrer

CREDIT:
FRAME by Hannah
WORDART by Choukette

Rellie has been putting up a strong front since Tatay died. Every now and then he would tell me he misses Tay and that there are time when he would just sit and think of him. I know how tough this is for him, being the favorite child... growing up close to both his parents... I know he hasn't healed yet.

That day when we visited Tay, he opened up to me about one of his dreams. One night, when we were still in Singapore, Rellie dreamt about Tatay Rey. The dream wasn't that clear but when he woke up, he started crying. Hearing this story really broke my heart. I remember that night, I was sleeping next to him. But I didn't know that he woke up in the middle of the night and cried.

Hang in there... everything will soon be alright.

CREDIT:
QUICKPAGE by Hannah

For now, all I can do is hold your hand...

In Memory of Maestro

If you live long enough, there will come a time when you will experience the loss of someone you love.

It's inevitable.

At such a time, the love and support of family and friends is absolutely invaluable.

It helps us to heal. And for that loving support, we are forever grateful.

Tatay Rey joined the Lord last May 7 at 6:30PM. He was finally laid to rest last May 13 at Cabiao, Nueva Ecija.





The family takes comfort in knowing how he was loved and admired by his coleagues, friends, and family members. We would like to take this opportunity to give our sincerest thank you to everyone who have expressed their sympathy, those who have sent beautiful flower arrangements, those who offered their services, those who gave their financial support, and to those who have thought and prayed for Tatay and the rest of the family in this time of sorrow.

We find healing in God's tender embrace, and in knowing that others remembered and cared. Please continue to pray for Tatay Rey's soul.

Reynaldo D. Gonzales
Sept 6, 1944 - May 7, 2009

Tay... you are a great loss to the family. You will be missed...

Galaw Galaw sa Tag Araw

In Cabiao, we usually wake up at 6AM. But last Saturday, I woke up at 8AM. Everyone is already busy with their own thing. Still in my jammies, I found myself in the kitchen with Nay. She's preparing the ingredients for our lunch. I told her I'd help her out, so she asked me to cut the sitaw for her. And I did. After that, I asked her what else I can do. That's when I saw the guavas and I blurted out, "Talaga po palang mag-sisigang kayo!" Nanay smiled and said, "Masarap yan!".

So I had my first taste of Sinigang sa Bayabas. It wasn't bad after all. And there's no amoy kili-kili smell that I've bee dreading. Nay attended a reunion so Rellie and I had to take an early lunch with Tay since he won't come with us (and the rest of the clan) to spend the afternoon at Inang's bukid.

After looking for a Vet for one of Rellie's fighting cocks, we're finally on our way to their farm!!! Warning: This is a picture heavy post.


CREDIT:
TAG from Farmhouse Collection Kit by Raspberry Road Designs
STAPLE WIRE by Anaflor Design
FONT ChurchwardBruDReg


CREDIT:
PAPER from Train Kit by June Schutrups (Cen's Stuff)
PAPER by Amanda Kay
FLOWER from Spring Sampler Kit by Kristin's ScrapDesign
FRAME from Spring Sampler Kit by Kristin's ScrapDesign
WORD ART by Bethany

You are now entering "Hacienda Elo". Welcome and enjoy your stay!


CREDIT:
PAPER from Bunny Trail Kit by Mandy Rae Designs
ENVELOPE by Aprilmouse
STRING BORDER from Vintage Winter Kit by Danielle Engebretson Designs
STAPLE WIRE from origami Kit by Akiloune

Every year, Rellie's family hold their Black Saturday family lunch here. What's more exciting this year is they have a newly constructed bahay kubo and I had the chance to be part of this family tradition.

CREDIT:
FONT ChurchwardBruDReg

Family time... bonding time Menu for the day is Sinampalukang Manok. There's also singkamas and pakwan for dessert. Plus minatamis na kamote. And RC cola. This is me loving the simple and laid back life! Bakit dito parang walang problema?

CREDIT:
FLOWER from Some Bunny Kit by Kim Broedelet (Kimb's designs)
FONT Murray Bold


CREDIT:
PAPER from Douceur d'Automne Kit by Fran
PAPER from Spring Sampler Kit by Kristin's ScrapDesign
FLOWER from My Little Bug Kit by Hannah
RIBBON from My Little Bug Kit by Hannah

They have 9 mango trees in this farm. Last Thursday, 35 crates of mangoes were harvested here and they were able to sell it for Php15/kilo and Php12/kilo depending on the size of the mangoes. My eyes really lit up when I saw the crates. And yes... I've been eating mangoes since I arrived in Cabiao as in one to sawa! We're lucky that there's still some left today. I can never get tired of eating hilaw na mangga!!! Oh, this place is a real heaven for me. Nanay also packed mangoes for me to bring home to Manila. Kahit mabigat... inuwi ko talaga!

CREDIT:
FONT NimbusMonL


CREDIT:
PAPER from Birthday Bash Kit by Neverland Scraps of Pixie Treasure

Drool over these mangoes! After the simo't sarap singkamas, hindi namin pinalampas ang mangga. Kung walang bagoong... mag-Patis. Love it! Love it! Love it!

CREDIT:
PAPER from Emma Kit by Amy Watson (Amy W. Design)
FRAME from Spring Garden Kit by Mira Designs

After all the food trip, photo-op na!!! We started to goof around in the rice fields. The palays were already harvested so it's safe na to run around and play and be like kids again.


CREDIT:
BUTTERFLY from Gap Summer Morning Kit by Barb Derksen
FLOWER from Gap Summer Morning Kit by Barb Derksen
FONT StentorT

CREDIT:
PAPER from Starburst Kit by K Lewis
FRAME from Spring Garden Kit by Mira Designs
FLOWER from Delightful Kit by Amelie Scrap
RIBBON by Anja Jahn
WORD ART by Bethany


CREDIT:
BEE from Yellow Glurpee Kit by Suzanne C. Walker
FONT Cheryl Hand


CREDIT:
BUTTON from Flowers 'N Buttons Kit by Ellie Lash
RIC RAC by Amanda Kay
RIBBON by Kim Broedelet (Kimb's Designs)
FONT Hand Of Sean

Good Friday Procession

Months before the Holy Week, I was planning to spend the long break in Bicol and enjoy the sands of CamSur and Caramoan. I don't know what exactly happened, I was told some people backed out from the said trip. So it was canceled.

Weeks before the Holy Week, Mels sent me an SMS asking if I want to go with her in Manaoag then go to a beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan afterwards for a little R&R. She even emailed me pictures of the resort where we're gonna stay. I said yes. But that too was canceled.

Rellie was asking, "Bakit aalis ka pa? Bakit hindi ka na lang umuwi sa Cabiao?" And he started telling me stories about how they spend the Cuaresma in Nueva Ecija. The Visita Iglesia, the procession, the bukid lunch, his "panata", and the Php120 special halo-halo that he said he'd buy me one if I go with him. That did the trick.

We joined the solemn Good Friday procession which made it's way around the streets around 5PM. It was my first time to see the parade of antique images of saints bigger than me. This is something which tourists should see as well. Imagine how many people carried the whole set of "The Last Supper". There were a lot of people watching so it's hard to get a good angle for photo taking.

CREDIT:
PAPER from The Colurs of Tuscany by Chaos Lounge
FLOWERS from Brise Marine Kit by Petit Moineaux

I uploaded more photos in my facebook account. It was a long procession. Sabi nga ni Rellie, "Magdasal ka ha... 'wag ka puro picture jan!" Here's the list of what we saw:

1. San Pedro
2. Ang Mabuting Samaritana
3. Nasalubong ni Jesus si Magdalena
4. Pagpasok sa Jerusalem
5. Pagpapahid ng Pabango ni Magdalena sa Paa ni Jesus
6. Huling Hapunan
7. Pananalangin sa Getsemane
8. Apong Nakagapos
9. Si Jesus sa Harap ni Pilato
10. Senor dela Pacencia
11. Nazareno
12. Tres Caida
13. La Pieta
14. Virgen dela Soledad
15. Santa Marta
16. Santa Veronica
17. Maria Jacobe
18. Maria Salome
19. Maria Magdalena
20. Santo Entierro
21. La Dolorosa
22. San Juan Evangelista

The center of attention is the "Santo Entierro" (Holy Internment). Right after the procession, the locals will then get all the flower decors of the Santo Entierro as they believe these are miraculous or blessed. Nanay was able to give me some and she told me to keep it in my wallet. I also learned that Rellie's family mixes the dried flowers and leaves from the Santo Entierro with the fertilizers for their farm. Everything for good harvest.

Another interesting thing is that part of Rellie and his Nanay's Good Friday "panata" is to help carry the Santo Entierro as it is being brought back inside the Cabiao Church.

CREDIT:
PAPER from Purple Addict by Kawouette
RIBBON by Anja Jahn

Once laid in the altar, people then line up and they are given a few minutes to say their prayers. Some even wipe their handkerchief in the Santo Entierro.

After prayers have been said, they carry back the Santo Entierro to its glass cabinet.

CREDIT:
PAPER from Fall Fever

Despite the heat of the sun, the fact that it's hard to move around, and the long walk... I'd say that this is quite an interesting experience for me. I was amazed by the sheer volume of people who join the Good Friday procession. Add to that the many grand heirloom carrozas and santos. This really is a nice sight to behold. You should try this sometime.