Send Hope

An appeal to your kind hearts. Please help my beautiful Philippines.

Post by Its More Fun In The Philippines.

Typhoon Yolanda: How she snuffed the life out of countless innocents

Recently I published a post about my beautiful country, the Philippines. Today, despite the havoc brought about by the super typhoon Yolanda, my Philippines is still beautiful. It is the pure heart and compassion of everyone to help each other to start anew. There has been pictures going around and the best that I like is - "The Filipino Spirit is stronger than any typhoon." Very true. 

"Haiyan" is the international name of the typhoon that hit my Philippines. The irony of it is that the name "Haiyan" sounds the same as the Filipino word "Hayan" which means "There it is."

I am sharing you some pictures of the devastation of the storm that ravaged central Philippines. With over 10,000 feared dead, my beautiful Philippines has now been placed under a state of calamity. 

 

View more pictures here: http://news.ph.msn.com/aftermath-of-typhoon-haiyan-in-the-philippines-9

We appeal for your help. Filipinos, let us stand together and rebuild the homes and lives of our brothers in Central Philippines, most specially, those in Tacloban, Leyte. Give the poor children a Christmas to look forward to. 

To my friends and readers in other countries, please pray for us.

Music, Leisure and Sports

Music player technology has improved so much in the past few years. Music and leisure always go hand in hand. People walk around with headsets listening to their personal playlists. But how about those who live a more active lifestyle? The ancient practice of fitness enthusiasts was to do their routines to the beat of gym owner's music of choice or use regular in-ear headsets if they want to listen to their own music. Sports and outdoor folks who want to take their music with them have to be content with using bulky headphones. The only drawback was the risk of  these headsets slipping off or sweat damaging the device itself.
 

Today, we say goodbye to such problems. Jaybird has introduced Bluebuds X with Liquipel. Its Sweat Repellant Nano Technology provides a lifetime warranty against damage due to sweat. It has a patented secure fit for the active lifestyle. Bluebuds X is the MVP of secure fit wireless buds. Reasonably priced, Bluebuds X is a wise investment for sports, outdoor and fitness enthusiasts. With this new technology, we can engage in our favorite sport without having to part with our music.

As a mother of three music lovers actively engaged in their own sport, Jaybird's Bluebuds X is just the right headset for them. And its for made for me too! Now I can wash the dishes, do the laundry, vacuum, mop and do other tasks without listening to the drone of those household appliances. What is more exciting is I can now do my dance exercise routines without my kids complaining about me playing "ancient jurassic" music.

Oh and did I mention that Jaybird is giving away one free headset everyday? Join now and you might be the next recipient of this wonderful product!

It time to get into those sweat pants and cross trainers, ladies!

This is a sponsored post. I have been compensated for my time. All opinions are my own.

My Lovely Philippines

Sharing pictures of my lovely country, the Philippines, a tiny archipelago of 7,107 islands. We are descendants of the Malay race, colonized by the Chinese, Spanish, Dutch, Americans, British, and Japanese to name a few. I have to admit, I am a tourist in my own country, however, I do not consider that as a hindrance to share the beauty of these islands I call HOME. Happy viewing!

Boracay Island

The crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo

The Filipino custom of "Bayanihan" (Brotherhood)

A house in the Metro beautifully decorated with Christmas lights

Beach fun!

A boat ride to explore the underground river in Palawan

Beautiful sunsets

The cobblestone road and old Spanish houses in Ilocos

Swim with the gentle whale shark

Centuries old structure

Traffic is never boring when you get to watch the famous "Dancing Policeman"

I have found these pictures on the web and would want to thank the owners for giving me a chance to share them in my blog. Their watermarks have remained intact.

Mabuhay, Pilipinas!

The Two Faces of a Clown

I am always the jolly person, ready with a smile, a joke, a funny sarcastic remark. Most of my friends tell me that I am the funniest person they have met.

Not exactly true. I am just good at hiding my emotions. 

Truth of the matter is, I am dead tired. I have belly pain that I worry about. I occasionally feel numbness in my hands and feet. I have weird headaches crawling down to my nape followed by short stabbing pains to my chest. I may be sick, but who cares? 

There are more important things that need my immediate attention.There's my 9 hour night shift job, a house to keep tidy, a family to look after. I worry about a husband who is constantly in pain. I worry about finances. I am sad that my sons do not take their studies seriously. One enrolls only in 3-4 subjects per semester because of the conflict with his extra-curricular activities. One rarely stays home to study, although he does not have any failures. I miss my daughter. We rarely see each other. Wonder if she misses me too? 

I cry when no one sees me. I need to see my endocrinologist but I do not have time. I wish my sons would be done with school before I die. I wish for my husband to be well. I miss having to be able to go places with him. 

I pray for health and happiness for my family. I wish all the good things for them. 

One day, I will have a chance to be served breakfast in bed - - as I lay in a hospital bed, perhaps?

That will be the day when the clown will have to hang up the mask and reveal its sad, sad face.

A Filipino Tradition

Flowers on every grave at the Loyola Memorial Park

Every 1st and 2nd day of November, we Filipinos honor our dearly departed. It is a tradition that shows how much we love and respect those who have gone before us.

Earlier this morning, as I was looking for a pretty flower bouquet to take to my father's grave, I heard a voice inside my head saying.. "Don't spend your money on flowers for me. Feed a hungry child instead." All I could think of is "Daddy, is that you?"

I will be going to the cemetery tomorrow. I will still bring flowers, but I will remember to feed a hungry child, just as I was instructed.

Sharing this poem with you.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Missing you Daddy.

My daddy