A Picnic Must Have: Snug Fit Table Covers

Picnics and family gatherings are always something to look forward to. I loved it as a child, I love it even more as an adult. Every Christmas, me and my family all gather together in our grandmother's house for a potluck lunch. It is so much fun to be with my cousins and meet the new baby of the family or congratulate another who is expecting a child. 

We usually put out a long table in the garden for the sumptuous lunch. The biggest challenge, however  is finding a table cloth. With young kids running around, we have to make sure that no one trips over the table cloth.

This year, my cousins and I will be using a spandex stretch table cover. It fits snugly on our long table, which is one of its the best features. Made of 100% real spandex material, we can be assured that it won't rip at the seams. Functional, wrinkle free and reasonably priced. 

The color choices are tops too! With 20 different color choices, we can be assured of having the right color for the right occasion. I love the hunter colored 4 sided regular back closed style. I would love to have one in red color too. So Christmasey! 

Get yours too and have a worry free picnic or family gathering! Works well to for your child's crafting table!

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Centuries-old Churches in the Philippines

The Philippines is the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia. Colonized by the Spaniards for centuries, the friars built massive churches and schools to entice the natives to convert to Christianity. Most of the churches built during the 16th century are well preserved and stand witness to the steadfast faith of the Filipino people. Destructive earthquakes, world wars and natural calamities have come and gone, but these churches remain, thanks to the efforts of the locals who rebuilt the structures brick by brick.

Among the numerous churches worthy to visit in the Philippines, there are 4 that have been named World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO. These are the Sta. Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, the Saint Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo and the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila.

Sta. Maria Church, Ilocos Sur. Located in the northeastern part of the island of Luzon, the massive church sits on top of a hill, surrounded by a thick wall on all sides. To get to the church, one must climb an 85-step granite stairway that leads into the courtyard. The Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Church (Our Lady of the Assumption) or Sta. Maria Church as it is commonly known started as a chapel in 1567, where a statue of Our Lady of the Assumption was enthroned. It was originally located on the foot of the hill where the present church now stands. However, the image frequently disappeared and was found on a guava tree on top of the hill. The construction of the present church on top of the hill started in 1765 and was completed in 1810, together with its 4-story bell tower. The church is 325 ft (99 m) in length, 74 ft (22.7 m)  in width. It was designated a National Historical Landmark in 1982 and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Photolink

Photolink

St. Augustine Church, Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Commonly called "Paoay Church," located also in the northeastern part of the island of Luzon, the construction of the church was started by the Augustinian friars in 1686 and completed in 1710. The most striking feature is massive buttresses that support the wall of the church. The design is classified as "Earthquake Baroque," and was made so due to the seismic activity in the region. The walls of the church are 5.47 ft (1.67 m) thick. The materials used to make the massive structure are bricks, coral stones, lumber and tree sap. The 3-story bell tower is made of the same materials, and is detached from the church building to prevent damage to the church in the event of collapse during an earthquake. The church is 360 ft (110 m) in length, 130 ft. (40 m) wide. The Paoay church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.

Photolink

Photolink

Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church, Miag-ao, Iloilo. Located in the island of Iloilo in the Visayas Region, the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church is also known as the "Fortress Church." Its two differently designed belfries  used to serve as watch towers to defend the town against the frequent invasion of the moros or muslims. The church started as a visita in 1580, became an independent parish in 1731. Between 1741 to 1754, the town of Miag-ao experienced frequent moro invasion, forcing them to move to a more secure place. Construction of the church where it is presently located took 10 years, from 1787-1797. Its thick walls served to secure the church against invaders. The materials used to make the massive structure were adobe, coral, egg and limestone. The walls are 4.92 ft (1.5 m) thick, reinforced by flying buttresses 13.12 ft (4 m) thick. The Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Photolink

Photolink

San Agustin Church, Manila. The San Agustin Church in Manila has endured a lot of catastrophes - fire, wars, and earthquakes. The present church is the 3rd structure built on the site. From its humble beginnings as a church made of nipa and bamboo in 1571, the San Agustin Church was the first religious structure built by the Spaniards on the island of Luzon. In 1586, the Augustinian friars decided to build a structure made of stone. The church and adjacent monastery was completed in 1604. It survived the massive earthquakes that shook Manila, and it was the only one among the seven (7) churches in Intramuros that remained after the Battle of Manila. The interior of the church is jaw dropping. The ornate ceilings designed by Italian painters, the pulpit, grand pipe organ, hand carved choir seats, and 16 beautiful chandeliers from Paris are nothing but awesome. The huge edifice measures 220 ft (67.15 m) in length and 81.8 ft (24.93 m) in width. Together with three other churches mentioned, the San Agustin Church in Manila was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Photolink

Photolink

The pomp and splendor of these churches are just amazing. I do not need to travel to Europe to experience the beauty of Baroque architecture. I can have it right here, in the Philippines. In these islands I call HOME.

Typhoon Glenda: The Aftermath

16 July 2014. Typhoon Glenda (International name: "Rammasun") made landfall in the southern part of the island of Luzon. Packing 150 kph winds near the center with wind gusts of up to 195 kph, it left 54 people dead, P5.4 billion in damage to infrastructure and agriculture, and plunged the nation's capital and surrounding provinces in darkness.

I had to go to report for work on that day, since attendance compliance is such a big thing in the BPO industry. It was just starting to rain when I left home at 1:30 am. The weather started to get bad at around 6am. The wind was howling and that made it hard for me to concentrate on my work. The power fluctuated so many times until we eventually lost it.

The storm calmed down at a little past 11am. I started on my way home and what I saw really blew my mind. I work in the posh and beautiful Eastwood City and here are some pictures of the damage brought about by the storm.

The outdoor dining area in Eastwood Central Plaza

Even the heavy road signs did not stand a chance from the strong winds

Eastwood City Walk II

The outdoor dining area in Eastwood City Walk II

Tree branches and debris in front of TGI Fridays

My mom and my sister freaked out when a power transformer across their street blew up and sent sparks flying into my mom's garden. My sister called me at work and I told her to turn off the circuit breaker in the house. 

Here are some pictures I took around the neighborhood:

  

A big mango tree leaning on an old house in the street behind ours.

A broken tree branch hanging on a high tension wire. This is a on our street, 2 houses from where we live. 

Meralco workers were quick to respond and took the tree branch down

Here is a video I took while the storm was raging. This area is just outside our office building. 

My family and I are blessed that we weathered out the storm. My thoughts and prayers are with those who grieve the loss of a loved one, those whose homes were destroyed, and to those who are now living in evacuation centers. 

I am asking you too, my dear readers to pray for healing for my country.

Trivia: 24 years ago, on the same day, July 16, the island of Luzon was struck by a strong 7.7 earthquake that claimed thousands of lives.

Storm Season Is Here. How Prepared Are You?

In the Philippines, we only have two seasons - wet and dry. (eyes rolling). Good thing though, there are more dry months than wet months. We are currently in the wet season and that only means tropical storms and typhoons are going to be part of our daily lives.  

As I write, the country is bracing for Tropical Storm Glenda (International name: "Rammasun"), expected to make landfall Tuesday or Wednesday in the island of Luzon. Forecasts show the 400-km wide storm will cut across central Luzon, including Metro Manila. Wind gusts of up to 95kph and rainfall of 7.5-15 millimeters per hour are just a few of the things we expect. With every storm, there is always a risk of landslides, flooding, and of course, increase in prices of commodities brought about by damage to crops and the farm-to-market roads.

Photolink

National Geographic and Prudence Foundation has joined forces to come up with the website Safe Steps, with the slogan - "You Too Can Be A Survivor." The website contains information that people can refer to in preparation for an upcoming storm/typhoon. There are also guidelines for emergency situations in the event of an earthquake, flood or fire. The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making us vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters. Safe Steps is a great way to disseminate information even before disaster strikes. It is an easy-to-navigate website, which even children can learn a lot from.  

 

We can all do our part to avoid the loss of lives by spreading awareness. A simple task of disseminating infographics like the one shown above can do a lot. Stay Safe. Click here to get involved.

This is NOT a sponsored post. This is an act of kindness to spread awareness and to encourage safety and preparedness in the event of natural calamities.

Taal Volcano: The Batangas Chronicles Part 1

The majestic Taal Volcano is a sight to behold. It is the only one of its kind in the world. Aptly described as "An island (Vulcan Point) within a lake (the main crater lake) within an island (the volcano island), within a lake (Taal Lake) within an island (Luzon).

An aerial view of the volcano island and the main crater lake. Notice the tiny speck? That's Vulcan Point.

Photolink

Located in the Province of Batangas, around 70 kilometers from Manila. Taal Volcano is best viewed from Tagaytay City, an elevated area of the Taal Caldera. It is believed that the caldera itself was formed by a huge prehistoric volcanic eruption. Could it be that this entire province was once a super-volcano?

Taal Volcano has had 33 significant eruptions in history and is still active up to the present time. Forty-seven (47) cones and craters have been identified on the 8 square mile volcano island. Taal Volcano has been named a Decade Volcano, and the volcano island itself is a Permanent Danger Zone. Taal Volcano is the lowest lying volcano, its highest point is only 311 meters above sea level.

During the volcano's "quiet" days, nature lovers and trekkers love exploring the volcano island. This gave rise to a lucrative business for the people living along the lake shore. Boatmen ferry the tourists to the volcano island where they can trek to view the main crater lake and the tiny island within it, named Vulcan Point.

The volcano island and the caldera

Photolink

The main crater lake showing a tiny island, Vulcan Point.

Photolink

My parents, grandparents and great grand parents are from the Province of Batangas. My fondest memories as a child would be spending weekends in my grandparents' house in Taal. My grandfather would take us to the lake shore where we would enjoy a feast of fresh grilled fish specially the "Maliputo," and "Tawilis," species of fish found only in the waters of Taal Lake. 

There are folk tales about the boat ride from the lake shore to the island. Some locals warn tourists not to mind or utter a word when they notice some strange creature riding in the boat with them halfway through the trip. The locals say that these are creatures from the spirit world, and that they live on the volcano island. They warn tourists that the spirits are easily angered by misbehavior and disrespect for nature. As it is, I think it is just a reminder for us to avoid littering, or trampling down on saplings and such.

Taal Volcano is just one of the beautiful places to visit in the Province of Batangas. Although I have not visited province for almost 10 years, I am still very proud of my heritage.

Lahing Batangueño. Dugong Pilipino.

Encourage Your Child To Love Reading With Early Moments

Reading to our children is one of the best bonding activities we can have with them. Reading to toddlers

will enhance their ability to learn the language by associating the sounds with the objects. Creative ideas come forth through reading too. Teaching them to love books is a good habit that they will take with them until they are grown adults.

In line with this wonderful time we parents share with our children, Early Moments is offering Disney Books for just 99¢ each plus free shipping! High quality, hard cover editions at 80% off the regular price. They are currently offering the Lion King and Sleeping Beauty for 99¢ each plus you get to choose two (2) more for the same price. Now which little girl would not want her very own copy of Frozen?

Check out #Early Moments here. See the smiles, love the hugs. Enjoy the priceless moments you and your child will share.

Viva La Liga El Tomasino!

Its that time of the year again... UAAP Season! Yay! On July 12, this year's host, the University of the East will be officially opening the 77th season. I am thrilled to have something worthwhile to watch on TV again. I would watch anything, actually, even re-runs of crime shows, soaps, or sit coms. No political news for me because it is so depressing.

Anyway.. I have to get my vocal chords ready for all the screaming I will be doing. Of course, I will be rooting for my Alma Mater, the University of Santo Tomas! I hope we bring home the trophy this year. (Fingers crossed!) My eldest son will be at all the games, beating the drums, getting the crowd all revved up, leading the cheer "Ganaremos Tigres El Campeon!" (Go Tigers, the Champions!)

My UST Yellow Jackets Drummer boy, Aton

Me and the center for the UST Tigers, Karim Abdul

I am writing this post to share with you my excitement. I am calling on all Thomasians worldwide to show your support to our Alma Mater this season. Go USTe, Go USTe, Go, go, go, go, GO USTe!!!

Asia's Mountain Roads

The Industrial Revolution has brought men to carve a route through mountains and cliffs to enable them to find work, sell produce and open trade relations with people on the other side of the mountain. With crude tools and meager resources, roads were cut through mountainsides for vehicles to pass through. Most of these mountain roads were built hundreds of years ago, some were rebuilt, others re-structured, while others still look the same as it did when it was first constructed. 

Take a look at some of Asia's mountain roads. Awe-inspiring, jaw dropping and outrageously dangerous. No novice drivers in these areas please.

1. Karakoram Highway

The highest paved road in the world with an elevation of over 15,000 ft above sea level, the Karakoram Highway stretches from Kashgar in China's Xinjian Province in the North, all the way to Hasan Abdal, Punjab, Pakistan in the South. Its total length of 808 miles (557 miles in Pakistan and 251 miles in China) snakes along the Karakoram Mountain Range. Construction of this road took 20 years (1959-1979), with over a thousand workers losing their lives to landslides and falls. Officially opened to the public in 1986, this mountain road goes by many names - KKH (Karakoram Highway), N-15 (Pakistan) and G314 (China).

Photo link

2. Halsema Highway (Baguio-Bontoc Road)

This 93 mile (150 km) mountain road located in Northern Luzon, Philippines is included in the list of the World's Most Dangerous Roads. At an elevation of 7,299 ft (2,225 meters) above sea level, the Halsema Highway is the highest altitude highway in the Philippines. During the Commonwealth, when the Philippines was under American rule, Eusebius Julius Halsema, an American Engineer and Mayor of Baguio City proposed this project to construct a road that would enable vegetable farmers to bring their crops into Baguio City. Unfortunately, the US government refused to fund the project forcing Halsema to seek the help of the local townsfolk. The tight hairpin turns, lack of guard rails in some areas are some of the factors that earned Halsema Highway a spot in the list of the World's Most Dangerous Roads. In this present time, despite rehabilitation efforts of the government, the slippery asphalt, thick fog, and the threat of rock falls, and landslides still pose a grave danger to motorists plying this route.

Photolink

3. He Huan Shan Road

The east and west coast of the island of Taiwan is separated by a mountain range that runs from the north to the southern tip of the island. This was a hindrance to the movement of goods and people as they had to go around the mountains to get to the other side. The destruction of the Central Cross Island Highway in 1999 by a strong earthquake followed by a strong typhoon in 2004 rendered it to be closed indefinitely. At present, the He Huan Shan Road is the only access road connecting the province of Taichung (West-Central Taiwan) and Hualien (East-Central Taiwan). He Huan Shan Road is dangerously curvy, located 19,744 ft (3,275 meters) above sea level and winds around the narrow Taroko Gorge.

Photolink

4. Rohtang Pass

Situated at a height of 13,051 ft (3,978 meters) above sea level, the Rohtang Pass in India is a dangerous road to take. Closed to traffic for several months in a year due to heavy snowfall, mudslides and rockfalls, the Rohtang Pass is exactly what its name represents. In the Bhoti dialect, "Rohtang" means "pile of corpses" due to the numerous deaths of people trying to cross the pass.

Rohtang is of economic and strategic importance to India because this road provides access to people in both sides of the Pir Panjal mountain range. Rich cash crops from the valleys are transported through this route to the business districts.  

Photolink

I would love to see the views from these mountainside roads. However, I don't think I have a heart that strong to travel there by road. Maybe when I get rich, I'd charter a helicopter and view it from the top. That would be an experience of a lifetime. Chalk that up to my bucket list! 

Created With Love, Filled with Hope

I find fulfillment in sharing my time and talent to help others in need. We have brothers and sisters in other lands that are trying their best to make a living for themselves with the raw materials they have at hand. I applaud the people who support these livelihood projects and provide them a chance to market their products on a global scale.

This is exactly why I am supporting ApiHappi. This group of individuals are doing their best to support native residents of Sri Lanka who produce wonderful hand loom materials that they use to make trendy, stringy bags. 

What exactly is hand loom? By definition, it is a manually operated apparatus used to create or weave fabric. Women in Sri Lanka use this to make an authentic piece of fabric that ApiHappi purchases. The designs and colors of the fabric the Sri Lankan women weave are just amazing!

The company, ApiHappi believes that providing the hand loomers with a steady income is better than charity. A market for their products would ensure a sustainable livelihood for Sri Lankan women. Another commendable project of ApiHappi is that they donate one (1) school bag to a child in rural Sri Lanka for every purchase of their product!

If you want to have a one of a kind stringy bag made from authentic hand loom fabric, make sure to check them out For only $29.99, you not only get the chance to own a cute, trendy bag, you also help bring livelihood to the women of Sri Lanka plus you get to help them donate a school bag to a child in the rural areas. Livelihood and support for education can go a long way. 

They have also partnered with Cohado in Baltimore, Maryland to give the youth an opportunity to sell Sri Lankan products. They aim to create an east-west connection that would continually benefit both the local producers and their partners in Baltimore.

Click here to check out their website and grab this chance to support our drive to make this world a better place for everyone.

Love Knows No Boundaries

Recently, I have come across a very heartwarming video. It touched my soul and brought me to tears. It is a wedding video of a young couple. You may ask yourself, "What's so special about a wedding video?"

The location was in the Philippine General Hospital. Preparations were done in 12 hours. The couple had planned a wedding for July 8 however, they had to move it to an earlier date.

The reason? It was the groom's dying wish - to marry his girlfriend. Please watch this very touching short video.

Despite the circumstances, this couple showed so much love for each other that made me wish they'd have more time together in this world. They had their whole lives again of them, however, it was not supposed to be that way. On June 11, 2014, 10 hours after the wedding, the groom passed away. He was 29.

This video was a wake up call for me. That life is too short to spend it on worldly things. It taught me to value each and every sunrise and sunset, to love unconditionally, to share my blessings, to give thanks to the Lord for His Providence.

Never let a day pass without reassuring your family of your love for them. Hug them, kiss them, hold their hand.

Can't write much. I am crying again as I watch the video.

Wishing you all Peace, Love and Happiness.

Photo credits: http://www.wilsonisland.com/images/header_weddings.jpg

Video credits:
Uploaded by Hasset Go (the groom's brother)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVocnNIgKwY