Litratong Pinoy#119 Lugar (Place)

Every Christmas, the Mana House is one of the popular places to visit in the city of Davao. The Manay House is actually an antique store located along J.P. Laurel Avenue but is now more known for its annual tradition of its lighted Christmas decorations. Every year, there are more and prettier Christmas lights which made this place more popular.

Pilipino:
Tuwing Pasko, isa sa pinakapopular na pinupuntahang lugar sa lungsod ng Dabaw ang Bahay Mana. Ang Bahay Mana ay isang tindahan ng mga lumang bagay sa may Daang J.P. Laurel ngunit ito ngayon ay naging mas kilala sa taunang tradisyon nitong paglalagay ng nagagandahang pampaskong dekorasyon. Taun-taon, dumarami at mas gumaganda ang mga pampaskong dekorasyon at ilaw na siya namang nagpadami ng mga taong bumibisita rito.



Every year, the theme for the Christmas lights at Bahay Mana changes. For this year, the theme is Fantasyland.

Pilipino:
Taun-taon ay iba ang tema ng mga ilaw pamasko sa Bahay Mana. Para sa taong ito, ang tema ay mala-pantasyang lugar.

Outdoor Wednesday#15 Christmas Star

A walking Christmas star during the 1st Davao Lights festival (Lamdag Dabaw).



This is my entry for Outdoor Wednesday. Go here for more.

Ruby Tuesday#80 Horny Men At Lamdag Dabaw

Yes, they were horny men. Men with horns, glittery and sparkly horns. Oh yeah, they were doing some horn blowing too. These guys were part of the Lamdag Dabaw festival floats. I wonder if they were firemen considering that they were standing atop a fireman's truck.



This is my entry for:

PhotoHunt#119 Circle

Fire dancers at Lamdag Dabaw. The 1st Lamdag Dabaw was held last December 19, 2010.  The fire dancers are part of the crew of the Crocodile Park float.





This is my entry for:

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Litratong Pinoy#118 Makulay (Colorful)

What I love about Christmas is the colorful lights and pretty Christmas decorations. Here're some of the photos I took last Sunday while watching the 1st Lamdag Dabaw (Davao Light Festival).

Pilipino:
Ang gusto ko tuwing Pasko ay ang mga makukulay na ilaw at magagandang Pamaskong dekorasyon. Ito ang mga litratong kinuha ko noong nakaraang linggo habang nanonood ng unang Lamdag Dabaw.



Marco Polo Davao's colorful facade...
Pilipino: Ang makulay na harapan ng Marco Polo Davao.

Outdoor Wednesday#14 Christmas Lights On The Streets

I took this photo while waiting for the participants of the first Lamdag Dabaw festival.  Nowadays, whenever my time allows, I go around the downtown area to take photos of the Christmas lights and so far, I am enjoying it.

This is my entry for Outdoor Wednesday. Go here for more.

2011 Philippine Holidays

At last, after so much speculation, Malacañang announced the holidays for 2011. Too bad though that there will be fewer long weekends next year as compared to this year. It will be an adjustment for the Filipinos who have gotten used to former President Gloria Arroyo's longer weekends.

According to Proclamation No. 84, the following regular holidays and special days for the year 2011 shall be observed in the country:

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day – January 1 (Saturday)
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Saturday)
Maundy Thursday – April 21
Good Friday – April 22
Labor Day – May 1 (Sunday)
Independence Day – June 12 (Sunday)
National Heroes Day – August 29 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Wednesday)
Christmas Day – December 25 (Sunday)
Rizal Day – December 30 (Friday)

B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Sunday)
All Saints Day – November 1 (Tuesday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Saturday) C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Friday)

"Proclamations declaring national holidays for the observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul AdhaHijra, or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient, will be issued after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar," Proclamation No. 84 says.

Even though Proclamation No. 84 cites Republic Act No. 9492—which moves holidays, except those religious in nature, to the nearest Monday—Proclamation No. 84 returns the commemoration of holidays back to their original dates.

Only at least three holidays will give the public long weekends: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; National Heroes' Day (August 29, the last Monday of August); and Rizal Day (December 30, Friday).

For students, there will be four long weekends after the EDSA Revolution Anniversary on February 25 (Friday) has been declared a special holiday for schools.

President Benigno Aquino III shall have the discretion whether or not to move holidays that are not religious in nature to the nearest Monday because RA 9492 says the said holidays can be moved "unless otherwise modified by law, and/or proclamation."

He said the legality of not moving holidays to the nearest Monday was settled when Aquino declared Aug. 23, 2010 (Monday) a regular working day even though former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had moved the commemoration of Ninoy Aquino Day from August 21, a Saturday, to the nearest Monday.

Under RA 9492, holidays that are not religious in nature can be moved to the nearest Monday "unless otherwise modified by law, and/or proclamation."

While I don't like the idea of longer weekends due to holiday economics because it will somehow affect my travel plans, I agree in restoring the exact dates of the holidays especially those with historical and cultural nature. Somehow, former President Arroyo's holiday economics affected the Filipino psyche in recognizing the importance of our history as an important part of the Filipino heritage.

Ruby Tuesday#79 Christmas House

This was one of the lighted floats of the 1st Lamdag Dabaw festival which was held last Sunday evening. I was initially worried that the parade won't push through as it rained the whole Saturday night and Sunday morning. Thankfully, it slowed down as Sunday evening approached. A good thing really because it would have been a big worry for the lighted floats. As it went, I had so much fun with the parade with my niece tagging along while I took photos.



This is my entry for:

Sunday Stealing#74 The Ninja Meme Part Two

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named CV Rick from the blog named Ninja Writer. It's 50 questions so we will do it in two parts. He stated that he grabbed it from Wry Catcher. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Ninja Meme, Part Two

Cheers to all of us thieves!

26. Whose responses to Stealing do you want to read the most?
Harriet, Thom and pretty much all Sunday Stealers.

27. What color shirt are you wearing?
Brown.

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Yes.

29. Can you whistle?
Oh yes.

30. Favorite colors(s)?
Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange, Black.

31. Could you be a pirate?
I could:)

32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Anything that comes to mind.

33. Favorite girls name?
Alexandra, Maxine, Rafaella, Mikaela.

34. Favorite boy’s name?
Michael, Jonah, Angelo

35. What’s in your pocket right now?
None.

36. Last thing that made you laugh?
Somebody's photo.

37. Best bed sheets as a child?
Mosquito net. I used to love to rub on them while I was sleeping.

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
Burn on my both knees.

39. Do you love where you live?
No, not really. I would love to transfer residence if the opportunity comes.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? How many HDTVs?
Two TVs but no HDTV.

41. Who is your loudest friend?
There are two or three of them and am not mentioning their names.

42. How many dogs do you have?
We used to have three but there's only one now. Two died recently of old age.

43. Does anyone have a crush on you?
Not that I know of.

44. What are the most fun things you ever did?
Travel and some adventures.

45. What are your favorite books?
I have answered this question several times before. I like books by Jessica Zafra, Ambeth Ocampo, Stephenie Meyer, James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks and Dan Brown.

47. Favorite Team?
Team Philippines!

48. What songs do you want played at your funeral?
I haven't thought of that yet but I definitely don't want very sad songs.

49. What were you doing at 12 AM?
Last night, I was on Facebook looking at our Christmas party photos.

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Oh hoh, I didn't wake up early enough to attend the dawn mass.

PhotoHunt#118 Male

I thought the model was a male. The character being played was Takuma Ichijou. A male, blond-haired vampire in the anime world. Was I wrong! Because the model was a girl and she played the character quite well that it took me a while to realize that she was indeed a girl, a pretty one at that. The model was Zhel Guiral for a photoshoot for a cause that we did last month. Way to go, Zhel!

This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Christmas Parties Galore!

I won't be able to do all my memes for this week. Too much going on this week. We have our office's anniversary celebration and aside from that, I have about three Christmas parties to attend to. I am not done with my Christmas shopping yet but am trying to enjoy all of them. Through all these things going on, memories of my father sneak on me from time to time. Anyway, am enjoying all the things coming my way and also, am praying that my father's at peace wherever he is now.

Ruby Tuesday#78 Red Star On Christmas!

This was one of the Christmas star decorations scattered around the yard of the house we were doing a photoshoot on. I was hoping I could take a photo with its light on but I couldn't. So, here it is with its original unlighted color.

This is my entry for:

Sunday Stealing#73 The Ninja Meme Part One

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named CV Rick blog named Ninja Writer. It's 50 questions so we will do it in two parts. He stated that he grabbed it from Wry Catcher. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: The Ninja Meme, Part One

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. What do you add to your coffee?
Sugar and cream.

2. What are you reading now?
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.

3. Do you own a gun?
No.

4. Are you registered to vote?
Yes.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Sometimes.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
They're delicious but I don't eat them often as it's not good for the health.

7. Favorite Christmas Song?
Joy to the World.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Water before meal and coffee after meal.

9. Can you do push ups?
I used to not much anymore.

10. What was the name of your first boyfriend/girlfriend?
Michael.

11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelery?
Necklace.

12. Favorite hobby?
Reading, foremost.

13. Do you work with people who idolize you?
Nope.

14. Do you have ADD?
What's ADD?

15. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself?
My temper.

16. What’s your Middle name?
In Western, Teresa. In my country, it's my mother's maiden name.

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.
One, I need to get to bath. Two, I hope I can play tennis. Three, My room's a mess.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
Pillow, plastic box and children's books.

19. Name 3 beverages you regularly drink.
Coffee, coke and juice.

20. Current worry right now?
One, I need to check my Christmas shopping list.Two, I hope it won't rain today.

21. What side do you dress to?
Right.

22. Favorite place to be?
Nowadays, in front of the computer. In my mind, somewhere isolated and by the beach.

23. How did you bring in the New Year?
Prayed, banged some pots and pans as Chinese tradition believes that it drives away bad spirits and eat a lot of Media Noche food.

24. Where would you like to go?
Too many places to go, really. I want to go to Palawan, return to the Sistine Chapel of the Philippines in Pampanga, Petra in Jordan, etc. etc. All I need is the money to get there. LOL!

25. Name three people who will see today.
Anne, my tennis friend. Dan, my tennis trainor. Hopefully, my father (I want to visit him at the cemetery in the afternoon).

PhotoHunt#117 Funny

There was just one funny kid dancing on the TV all by himself.



Then two....



Then three...



And more...



Photos were taken inside Ocean Park, Hongkong.

This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

12 Little Things For Christmas

I have observed that there more Filipinos who are now more fixated on trivial even selfish things. Worse, it is more prevalent among the youth. They worry more about the latest fashion or what's the newest gadget to acquire. It's not even surprising that when we ask most of them about their future goals, their answers were commonly: to have the newest cellphone available or to have those newest shoe styles they saw on TV. Sadly, it's not only the youth who're guilty of this. It is just rare to even hear anybody say what they could give back to their parents much less to their country anymore.

So, am posting what the Philippine president said about "12 Little Things Our Youth Can Do To Help Our Country". It's a good reminder for us that there are more important things during Christmas or any time of the year than the latest gadget to have, the latest fashion to wear or even the latest material things to buy.

Here are 12 little things we can do for our country:

1. Be On Time, Honor Your Commitments. - "Filipino Time" as "on time, all the time."

2. Fall in Line, Respect Others.

3. Sing our national anthem with pride.

4. Study well. Give your best in everything you do. - Here, the President recalled his mother, the late President Cory Aquino, always telling him that "your obligation is to study well so you will do what's right in your generation," an advice, he said, that would be apt for today's youth.

5. Do not cheat or steal. Report any crime or illegal act. - Should I add premarital sex on this. That's also cheating on your parents or one's self especially if one knows that the responsibility that entails in having an accidental pregnancy is huge.

6. Conserve water, plant a tree and dispose your garbage properly.

7. Do not smoke, avoid drugs and stay away from vices.

8. Buy Pinoy. Do not buy fake or smuggled goods.

9. Save, invest and learn business early.

10. During elections, vote for and support the best candidate.

11. Respect our elders, practice 'mano po' - It is very important to keep this truly Filipino tradition going.

12. Pray for our country and our people. - The President enjoined the youth "not just to pray hard for the country and its people but also to do your share in nation building and in being part of the positive change." He also urged the youth to be active participants in discourses about helping the country move forward and project the positive.

Litratong Pinoy#117 Gitna (Middle)

Can you see what's lacking in the middle of the manger? The nativity scene is incomplete without the baby Jesus, right? It's because of him that we celebrate Christmas. Also, it's because we are amidst our family and loved ones that we feel that Christmas is complete and a happy season.

For me, Christmas will not always be complete without my father. It is his favorite day of the year. My only wish now is that he'd be happy this Christmas wherever he is. I miss him.

Pilipino:
May kulang sa gitna ng sabsaban, nakikita ninyo ba? Hindi kumpleto ang eksena ng isang Belen kapag wala ang sanggol na si Hesus, hindi ba? Atsaka, dahil sa kasa-kasama natin ang ating pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay na masaya at kumpleto ang ating pakiramdam tuwing Pasko.

Sa akin naman, kulang na palagi ang pasko dahil wala na ang tatay ko. Pinakapaboritong araw ng taon pa naman niya ito. Hiling ko na lang ngayon, masaya sana siya ngayong araw ng Pasko saan man siya naroroon. Miss ko na siya.

Outdoor Wednesday#13 Peak Tower, Hongkong

This is the Peak Tower of Victoria Peak, Hongkong on a foggy day. Perched at 396 meters above sea level, it boasts of a spectacular 360 degree view of Hongkong City. Inside the Peak Tower are restaurants, boutique stores, entertainment centers, the Peak Tram station and the Sky Terrace.

Go here for more entries.

This is my entry for:



Ruby Tuesday#77

The house was full of vintage and interesting things. We were just really lucky that the owner allowed us to take photos of his house. Oh, if only I could have a house like this....



This is my entry for:

Christmas Parties Are Coming

I am looking at Christmas parties almost everyday starting next week. I am trying to minimize them but some are just unavoidable. How can I lose some weight if I do them? I really need to. sigh..sigh... My resolution is to keep going to the gym and try not to eat too much. With that, I am keeping my fingers crossed. Christmas shopping could help with me sweating more but we have yet to get our Christmas bonus to get me starting with my shopping. oh well...off to the gym tomorrow after work again.

Sunday Stealing #72

Today we ripped this meme off not from a blogger but from a website that does (among other things) celebrity interviews. On Friday they asked 20 questions to recording artist Dwight Twilley. The site is called Pop Matters and you can read the original interview here. We enjoyed the questions so much that we decided to steal them! We only did very slight editing to make a couple of the questions more universal. We hope you enjoy latest our and greatest! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!


Sunday Stealing: The Dwight Twilley Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?
Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

2. The fictional character most like you?
hmm..a combination of fictional characters, that's what I am. Popeye, Pocahontas, Mulan and some more.

3. The greatest album, ever?
I love the Michael Jackson's and Queen's Greatest Hits.

4. Star Trek or Star Wars? Why?
Star Wars, just because.

5. Your ideal brain food?
Milk and nuts.

6. Everyone is proud of a certain accomplishment, which one for you??
I was able to graduate from college inspite of the odds. My own grandmother even thought I won't graduate but I did and I even went on to graduate studies.

7. You want to be remembered for ...?
Doing good to people and to my country.

8. Let's talk about recording artists. Who do you find the most inspirational?
Madonna, Jason Mraz, Freddie Mercury, Charice Pempengco, Arnel Pineda and a whole lot more. The world is full of inspirational people, you know.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?
The Spoliarium by Juan Luna and the Great Wall of China.

10. Your hidden talents . . .?
I started liking taking photographs but never thought about much of it until friends encouraged me to develop it as they said that I have the "eye" for it. As for the rest of the talents, they remain to be hidden and yet to be discovered.

11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?
Work hard and don't forget where you came from.

12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?
Nowadays, my Canon EOS 550D.

13. What is the most comfortable clothes that you wear?
Tees and shorts.

14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?
Angelina Jolie or Madonna or Obama.

15. Time travel: where, when and why?

16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation or Prozac?
Spa vacation. Massage, facial, the works..

17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or . . .?
Air, water and family.

18. Environment of choice: city or country, and where on the map?
My city, Davao City. Abroad, it would be Sydney, Australia.

19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?
Keep your promises and keep your stand.

20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now?
Am working on our Christmas decorations at home today. Hopefully, I'd be able to finish it today.

PhotoHunt#116 Hard To Find

We see him everywhere on display during Christmas time, anywhere and in almost every imaginable place. Kids like to line up to his impersonators during Christmas and some kids even check their chimneys for any trace of him. The young ones and even the young once, expect some gifts from him. Theories abound about the real Santa Claus but the real one is really hard to find.



This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Mailing Those Holiday Cards

I have yet to mail those Christmas holiday cards. I have yet to start my Christmas shopping. God knows, I need to finalize my Christmas list. Really, I need to start as soon as possible or I'll be in panic as Christmas day approaches. It's just that I'm just too busy right now with office work and photoshoots. Well, I promise myself I'll do the holiday cards this weekend. Fighting!

Litratong Pinoy#116 Bukas (Open)

The bird house was empty. I thought there was no bird left inside it as there were already a lot of birds outside flying about.

Pilipino:
Bukas ang bahay ng ibon. Akala ko wala naiwan sa loob dahil sa dami ng mga ibong nagliliparan sa labas ng bahay nila.



Oopps..there's still one more inside.

Pilipino:
Aba, meron pa palang isa sa loob.

Photos were taken inside Mt. Pinatubo Trek and Spa Adventure after we finished climbing Mt. Pinatubo.

Kuha ang mga litrato sa loob ng Mt. Pinatubo Trek and Spa Adventure pagkatapos naming maakyat ang bundok ng Pinatubo.

Outdoor Wednesday#12 Loleng's Mountain Resort

Photo was taken at Loleng's Mountain Resort while I was having my first photography workshop. The place has this spectacular view of Davao City.