8 posts tagged “family”
Event : OtakonEK 2009
Date : October 18, 2009
Venue : Enchanted Kingdom
Last year, I said that OtakonEK will be my pilgrimage because Azrael confirmed that this will happen every September. OtakonEK was a bit postponed this year due to typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) [link, viewable by family & friends only], which hit the country a day before its actual date. I also thought that I won't be able to attend because of my work's schedule. As if luck was really on my side, I had an acute laryngitis which became my excuse for skipping our shift. Even without a voice, I can still have fun!!! Dada was against it at first but when I explained to him that I have been planning this for the longest, he then allowed me to go. Wheee!!!
Jeiro and Lora went to EK wearing Pirate costumes while Leidi and I were just wearing casual clothes. I planned on donning the Scarlet gown [link], but I realized that it would be too cumbersome and I don't want to pose for pictures there (yeah, I have issues).
Leidi and I missed both the 10:30AM and 12:30NN shuttles so we had to commute going to Sta.Rosa, Laguna. I was thinking that if something else goes wrong or if we get lost, we might not make it to EK! During those times, I realized that people can either be complete @$$h073S or be very helpful to the needy. Some people took advantage of the situation and charged us too high for fares, while some are very kind to point us the fastest routes and tell us the actual rates.
We arrived in EK around 1:30PM and immediately stashed our bags in the locker area. Leidi was a bit reminiscing because she said that the last time she's been there was when she was ten. It was time for her to feel the thrills of the rides she missed during her elementary years! LOL!
1) Roller Skater (mini roller coaster) -- Leidi wanted to try Dodgem (bump cars) but I told her that it's too boring so as an appetizer, I took her here. I think she had fun. Hehe~
2) Anchor's Away (swaying pirate ship) -- The line was pretty long and we waited for about 10 minutes before our turn. While standing in line, Leidi felt scared as she heard the screams and wanted to back out. I firmly told her "NO! We are going to take the topmost seats! You see blood everyday [you're a nurse-to-be!] and you can't handle this?!" Hehehe~ Of course, people go to EK to experience the thrills and I want nothing less. While the ship was swaying back and forth, Leidi got really scared at tinawag na niya ang lahat ng mga santo! LoL! She screamed "OH MY GOD -TAMA NA - SHET - ANG PUSO KO - LORD - OPERATOR - STOP - AAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!" all in one breath! LoL!
3) Grand Carousel - no lines, I wonder why? LoL!
4) Flying Fiesta (wave swinger) - Leidi said that if she survived Anchor's Away, she can survive anything! LoL!
5) Wheel of Fate (giant ferris wheel) - it was our time to relax a bit and enjoy the view.
6) Rialto (motion sim theater - feat. Speed Racer) - if my reaction to Sponge Bob was "That was it?!" for Speed Racer it was "What the fn(K"?!"
7) Jungle Log Jam (log flumes) - We didn't get wet. It was still cold, though.
8) Rio Grande Rapids (river rafting) - We were VEERRRRYYYYYY WET! LoL!
Despite the fact that we arrived late, we still managed to try out eight rides. This is my best record as of late. LoL! The Space Shuttle is undergoing maintenance so Leidi wasn't able to feel what it's like being the signature ride of EK. Nonetheless, we're able to watch the Sky Wizard fireworks display contest. The entry that we liked was #11.
We got home around 12:30MN. Cold and tired, but we had fun. LOL!
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Other trips to EK that I put in my blog:
2) OtakonEK 2008 [link]
3) Trip to Enchanted Kingdom - February 2009 [link]
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Event: Ozine Fest 2009
Date: April 5, 2009
Venue: SM Megatrade Hall 2, SM MEgamall
Photos: [click here]
Jeiro invited me to get the role of the ACE OF HEARTS for this event. Since Leidi (my younger sister) was going there with her friends, then I decided to come along too. I brought Popay (my youngest sister) as well. This is the first time my siblings attended a convent and I know they had fun because we were talking about what transpired there while on the way home. Hehehe~
Popay joined us as the QUEEN OF HEARTS and she wore my Irene (BJD) costume while Leidi wore my FFXIII-Agito costume. Leidi's friends borrowed some of my clothes to complete their get-ups.
We didn't bother entering the Hall since most of the cosplayers were outside. It was great seeing a lot of my buddies there.
Event : Popay's Fieldtrip 2008
Date : November 27, 2008
Venues :
Philippine Science Centrum (Marikina) [link]
Jollibee Commissary (Laguna) [link]
Manila Coconut Palace [link]
Manila Ocean Park (Pasay) [link]
PHOTOS: [link]
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Several weeks ago, Popay (my youngest sibling) asked me to be her chaperon during her field-trip. I was hesitant at first (because the fee was P1,200!!) but since it falls on my day-off, I eventually agreed. Besides, I thought that it would be a great way for me to relieve stress and forget about my problems.
Popay woke me up 10 minutes before 5AM and she was very excited about the whole thing. I only had 5 hours of sleep since I updated some of my websites last night. Groan~ Mom prepared warm water for our bath and she also drove us to FEU-FERN.
We reached FEU-FERN at exactly 6AM, just in time for the roll-call. It's been years since I last stepped inside any campus and it's getting a bit nostalgic and annoying at the same time because it's very noisy. The bus left around 6:45AM and our first stop was the Philippine Science Centrum.
The tour-guide on that bus was "Kuya Rich". I can safely say that he's a lively fellow and he knows how to prevent boredom while waiting for the next pitstop. He played Q&A's with the kids and gave them prizes whenever they give a correct response. Popay got a Disney Princess pencil and an eraser from him. Haha!
En route to PSC, Kuya Rich gave us some facts about the city of Marikina. Well, I am no stranger to that city since I spent my toddler years there. Marikina is known as the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines" [link] since it has a lot of quality shoe factories. My Tita used to work in one during her younger years. Recently, it's also been dubbed as "Little Singapore" [link] since it's the cleanest city in the country today (thanks to Bayani Fernando [link]).
When I was in grade school, we also got to visit PSC but I can no longer remember the venue. PSC has changed a lot and some of the experiments I remember were no longer part of their exhibit. They've been replaced with some electronic contraptions and thingamajigs. One stayed, though.. The classic "Finger Tingler" [link]. LoL! Popay asked me to buy her a rainbow spring and she played with it the whole day! Haha!
The next place we went to was the Jollibee Commissary, which is a large "kitchen" where they cut, grind, process and pack the goods that would be delivered to Jollibee stores across the country and the globe. We gathered in the A.V.R. to watch an overview presentation of the commissary before they let use view through the "looking glass" how things are done. I have never seen so many patties and buns in my entire life!!! LoL! Too bad they didn't allow cameras within the comissary so I wasn't able to take any shots. This is the most boring part of the field trip.
Since we're late, Kuya Rich told us that we're just gonna take our lunch aboard the bus while we head to the Coconut Palace. I got very worried because the "porcelain goddess" (as Dada coins it) was calling me. My bladder wasn't that strong against long trips. Good thing some guardians needed to buy food so we had a brief stop-over and I was able to relieve the need. GAAAHH!!!
Two of Popay's Korean classmates (Min and Steve) sat beside us and played DJMAX-2. These kids are waaaaaayyyyy better than me! They beat my high score in one of the hard songs! Min shared with us his bento, a Tupperware-full of Korean riceballs he called "yabachuba".
We reached Pasay after another hour and it was raining hard. Good thing there were so many things to look at inside the Coconut Palace so by the time we got out, the rain already stopped. The building was like a huge hotel with different Filipino motifs for each room. The most noticeable designs in the palace are the hexagons and octagons within doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floorings, the swimming pool and even the building itself! I think they got the idea from cut-coconut-shells.
Kuya Rich gave us a trivia about the Cultural Center of the Philippines [link], one of the notable landmarks we saw (aside from Star City [link]), on our way to the Manila Ocean Park. He told us how we'd know if a play is being held either on the main theater or on the mini-theater inside CCP. There are two fountains in CCP, one larger than the other. If the smaller fountain is visible, then there's a play going on in the mini-theater. If it's the larger fountain, then there's a play in the main theater. He also joked that CCP is known as the "Largest toilet bowl in the Philippines" because CCP looks like the porcelain goddess on a bird's eye view. LoL!
We reached MOP at 3:46PM. Kuya Rich gave us our tickets and told us that we can proceed on our own so long as we return to the bus at 5PM. I told Popay to walk slowly since we're not allowed to look back once we enter the Oceanarium.
My trusted P&S digicam (Canon IXUS 850-IS) ran out of battery during the first few minutes of our trip in MOP so I got disappointed and I panicked - A LOT! My options are either to use my N70's main camera or take no pictures at all! I can't afford going home with no souvenir photos! NOOOOOOO!!!! T____T Alas, I decided to use my N70 and hope that I can salvage some shots using ADOBE. it was a really hard task for a novice photographer like me to shoot with so-so equipment (the 2-megapixel main camera of N70), little lighting (FLASH photography is taboo in that area) and models who won't stay put (the sea critters a.k.a. 'fishes'). Since we can't use the flash of the camera and the fishes swim here and there, most of the photos I took are blurry. I had to take 4-6 shots of every aquarium and hope that at least one from each group is good enough for post-processing.
Popay and I bought some souvenirs before we boarded the bus at exactly 5PM. We're the first ones to arrive and it brings back the classic "Filipino-time" attitude. I really hate it when people make me wait! The last guardian-and-student pair arrived 45 minutes later! We could've gone to the fish-spa or did more shopping if we only knew that they'd be super late! Darnit ... ¬_¬
We got back in FEU-FERN around 8PM. I called up mom so she could fetch us but she said she couldn't. It turns out that there's another screening of PIETA [link] going on in Robin Padilla's house (yes, he's our neighbor [link]) and she cannot maneuver her car properly because of the other cars parked on our side of the street. Groan~ We took the trike going home instead.
I began editing some photos and had a chit-chat with Dada before I went to bed.
Sigh, long day... but it was fun!
It's time for us to pay last respects to Mama and she will be taken to the Manila Chinese Cemetery.
I reached Loyola Memorial around 8:15 AM and they were just about to start the mass. Everyone was dressed semi-casually, with their white shirts matched with black pants. I was wearing my one-and-only white t-shirt and my black lolita skirt. I hugged Dada as if no arguments happened yesterday. I wanted to set my pride aside and focus on Mama's last day with us. We sat beside the priest and I felt really uneasy.
The priest who conducted the mass today was different and we all liked him. Not only that he's nice, his homily was also meaningful. A part of his message was three important things : gratefulness, forgiveness and love. He said that we should set aside the small arguments and learn to forgive one another so we can have a better outlook in life. That struck me really hard. Dada and his cousin, Ate Leslie, also started crying. I hugged Dada but I didn't know what to say. "She is in a better place now." is what came to my mind but that's too cliché so I just kept silent as I wiped his tears. I looked around and noticed that Kuya Ricky, Kuya Sonny, Ate Ella, Ate Lanie (also Dada's cousins) and Ate Christine (wife of Tito Jimboy) were in tears as well. Lorraine and the rest of Mama's grandchildren also started crying. I worried about Tita Star, Dada's mom, too since she's the daughter of Mama and I know she's the most vulnerable person in that room. I was also feeling uneasy but Dada held my right hand, kissed my forehead and said "Peace be with you." I hugged him really tight and I smiled. It's as if all those ill-feelings went away.
Mama's casket was opened and each of them blessed her with Holy Water. Dada began crying again but I stayed in our seat because his family was there naman to comfort him. When he got back, I wiped his tears with the hanky he gave me. It's really weird because I don't know what to do that time.
Dada asked me if I still remember what Mama told me the first time I met her. Tears just fell from my eyes and I wasn't able to control them. Mama told me before to take good care of her grandson and I should give him the same amount of love that she has given. I promised her that I will do just that. It's ironic that when Sempai James (my schoolmate and mentor) died a few years ago, I promised him that I'd take good care of Paolo (my ex-boyfriend) ... but I never got to fulfill that promise. I hope Sempai forgives me ... This time, I want to fulfill my promise to Mama.
After the mass, we went outside the room and ate champorado and stockfish (tuyo). We also played DJ Max 2 and I often lost but it's okay because the important thing is that I saw Dada smiling again.
Around 10AM, we left Loyola Memorial and proceeded to the Manila Chinese Cemetery. A few minutes after we got off the car, the cremation started. All the family members entered the cremation room and some became hysterical, especially Tita Star. she almost fainted so everyone attended to her and calmed her down. Kuya Sonny sat beside me and I saw him crying so I tapped his shoulder and smiled. It's so rare for me to see men crying and that really shows how much they love her.
While we're waiting for the cremation to finish, Jollibee meals were distributed by Mama's grandchildren. Jacinta, Ate Leslie's daughter, gave me one. I waited for Dada so we could eat together. I didn't want to touch my food unless the commotion is finished.
Mama's remains were finally taken to her resting place around 2:30 PM and her ashes were buried beside Lolo Papa, her husband. It's Chinese tradition to burn Joss papers to ensure that the dead will have money in the afterlife so Dada gave me a few pieces and taught me how to roll them up properly. Ate Leslie also gave me four incense sticks and Tita Star taught me how to use them. I was really nervous during the whole process! Colorful talismans also surrounded Mama's coffin but I don't know if those're used to ward off evil spirits or contain them. We were also advised not to go home directly as the bad omen may follow us so Ate Leslie offered an early-dinner in Aristocrat. The traffic was severe in Manila so Dada and I got back in the condo around 8PM already.
********** I granted Dada's wish not to have any photos of Mama shown.
Pixel Artwork from [link]
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My Friendster Horoscope only tells about money so I'm not gonna paste it here.
Anyway ...
It's been a rollercoaster ride this month; sometimes I feel happy and sometimes I don't. Overall, I guess it's been okay.
During the first week, Dada (my boyfriend) and I underwent that "unpleasant phase" [link]. I was really worried and I am thankful because I had my friends and buddies who cheered me up that time. It's the first time I cried inside the company premises and whenever I recall it, I feel really embarassed. I'm glad that's over. Hahaha!
On the second week, we had the company Christmas party [link]. It was a tad bit early but I had fun. I got to know people better and I saw Bamboo perform live. He sang one of my all-time fave songs - 214. *sigh*
Dec.10 ... Dada and I met to have a long talk. I thought he would break up with me so I took the advice of my office-buddy - she said I should look my best so I wouldn't feel too bad when that time comes. I felt really happy when Dada hugged me. When I asked him, "Does this mean we're back to normal again?" he said "Yes."
There were a lot more things that happened during the third week ... I got sick for almost five days, but I still had to go to work because I can't be absent during the 6-month long training and probationary period. Yes, I (along with 3 of my teammates and some other agents) was transferred to the DELL account by force by our Operations Manager [link]. I was not able to go with my mom and siblings to fetch dad from NAIA as well because of this.
Dec.22 ... My parents, siblings and I went to MoA during the weekend to do some shopping. I was able to buy a couple of clothes and accessories (which are all either black or white). Oh yesh, I love these colors! I was hoping to have lunch in the TokyoCafe but they don't serve fish so we went to Congo Grille instead.
Dec.23 ... I gave Dada my gift, a grey Skechers™ backpack - with lots of pockets (just as he wanted). I thought he would not accept it because I purchased it from a girlie store, but I'm so glad because he did like my gift. ^_^ We were not able to go shopping for clothes and gifts this week (yet again) because we ran out of time. Sigh, next week we can't go out because our days off are different. Oh well. @_@;
Dec.24 ... Well,
I just stayed home with my family. There was a bit of a commotion
because my Dad got upset when he found out that we don't have any "handa" for the Noche Buena.
I told him I can't stay up late as well because I have work tomorrow.
We're really not used to preparing stuff during Christmas time and it's
always just a regular day for me and my siblings... but since Dad's
here, he was expecting more - which he did not get. So as not to make him more disappointed, I told him that I'd be treating them all out for dinner tomorrow. ^_^;
Golly, so many things happened this month!
Despite all the bad stuff that happened, I'M STILL ALIVE!!! Hahaha!
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!!
My mom, my siblings and I went to SM-Fairview and had lunch in Jollibee. It was cramped with people and all of them are assholes, sitting on the chairs I reserved for my family whenever they get the chance. One guy even got angry at us because we placed the trays on the table next to where he's sitting and I told him, "You steal our place and you made my sisters move to the dirty table. I'm just transferring the trash that's supposed to be yours. Ya gotta problem with that, buddy?" I didn't plan on acting bitchy in front of my sisters but when I get irritated, I bite. He didn't complain anymore and his wife just called one of the crew members to remove the dirty trays. That's what I hate about people ... they do something bad to you and when you try to get even, they freak out.
I hurried to the FX terminal and headed to SM-Megamall after we had lunch. I felt so ashamed making my boyfriend wait for me for two long hours... but I was so hungry and that was the only time I get to spend lunch with my family so... *sniff* I told him I am sorry and I hugged him tight as we headed to the movie house. We got tickets for the Transformers movie. Since the next showing will be at 4:50PM, I asked Dada to come with me to the department store and buy some clothes first. I bought two blouses, one of which was hand-picked by Dada himself, and I love it! It's been a while since I last went shopping. ^__^
So what can I say about the Transformers? Hmmm ... I did watch the cartoons (even Beast Wars) but I'm not a fan so I didn't understand what each of the robot's role is. All I know is, the story is kinda cheesy but not as cheesy as Spiderman 3, with a few funny moments - thanks to Bumblebee, cinematography is so-so... NAKAKAHILO! Starscream looks like an Evangelion unit. Mecha all over the place - rolling, flying, swinging from one building to another as if they're just monkey bars... and yet Sam Witwicky's parents didn't notice 'em in their backyard! They're so oblivious! It's IMPOSSIBLE!!! The special effects are cool, though! Ah, I didn't know that Linkin Park's song "Make A Move" was part of the film's OST too.
I give it : 
After the movie, Dada and I bought elastic strings that we'll use to repair our bracelets. Then, we had dinner in Komoro Soba around 8:30 PM already. Then, we had a little chit-chat again about
how we're gonna manage our time if ever our schedules do not match. I
told him I'm just worried about us not seeing each other, and I told
him I don't want another virtual-relationship and I don't want things
to end like what happened to my previous one. He was thinking that
maybe I'm worried bcause he might meet another girl and I said "no" because I already know that he's faithful (even though he likes to make me jealous from time to time).... Bah, pessimism really drains my spirit... I'll try not to think negatively anymore. I'll believe in his motto "Kapag gusto, maraming paraan ... Kapag ayaw, maraming dahilan."
Last time I remember going to Grotto was when I was in 6th Grade and that was when my playmates from Bagong Silang invited me over to join them. I recall that it was 2 AM when we rode a trike going there so it was still dark. When we did the Station of the Cross, we just followed a white flag with a torch on it so we wouldn't get lost.
After 13 years, I return to this solemn place with Dada and his relatives. It's not really my thing to do this yearly pilgrimage as I am agnostic, but I am thankful to Dada's parents for inviting me over. I got a chance to take pictures using my sister's Premier DS-3087S and my Nokia N70. It's another great experience for me and I will treasure this forever.
It's like I'm back in Mindoro, with all the towering tress and grasses. The Stations of the Cross were also a good sight. Tita Bituin and Tito Oscar (Dada's parents) asked me to read the contents of the 8th Station... I was really nervous! Thank goodness it didn't rain or everything will be ruined! The weather was relatively hot and I was really sweating. Dada constantly wiped my face with his towel and offered me food and drinks. He also carried my bag. ^_^
Planning to Step on the Next Level ...
After the Station of the Cross, we headed back to the Picnic Area to rest and have something to drink. Dada and I had a little talk too.
He said that we should always resist temptations because he does not want to end up like his brother. I have no qualms with that because it's for our own good naman e.
He told me that he wants us to plan our future carefully now that he's graduating. We decided to save enough money so we can settle down. I told him that it's okay if we just have a civil wedding as long as we can have a house of our own. He smiled when he remembered about his promise to me a few years back -- that we'll get married once I'm 25. Hahaha! It's a nice thought, but I'm in no hurry like I always tell him.
A few days more and it'll be our 3rd Year Anniversary. Weeee!!!
I finally calmed down when I got enough sleep. I brought aside the fact that Cosplay Panic has a pool party and I focused on aiding my mom in the hospital... I'm the only one she can count on at that moment. She was admitted in the hospital at 3 PM but she was asked to rest up until 6 PM, when the doctor told us that it's time for her Dilatation and Curretage. I was required to stay until the operation's over.
The Ward's room had 6 beds in it, and there were two other patients resting. It was quiet so I took this chance to get more sleep (and let the day pass by quickly). Two hours went and my mom's still in the E.R.. It was a really jaded afternoon and there was nothing much to do but listen to the unfaltering silence. Around 8 PM, I asked the nurses how much longer the D&C is going to take. They informed me that my mom's in the Recovery room and will be brought back to the Ward's room when she's ready. Much blood was lost so her body needed enough rest.
The hospital cafeteria was closed so I had to go outside and look for a nearby canteen. It was 10 PM when I had dinner at Janet's food joint. As if fate wanted it, my former officemate saw and greeted me there. She said she just came home from Japan and she's spending the night at her friend's place. She told me I was "suplada" because I snobbed her when she waved her hands at me. It's been two years since we last saw each other and I barely remember faces of people I only met four-five times in my entire life. After eating, I bought barbecue and lumpiang ubod for my mom.
11 PM... Mom was sent back to the Ward's Room and I helped her get dressed. She said she's okay - as if nothing has happened. We called Dad to tell him of the good news. Mom also got permission for me to go home. I can't stay in the hospital because I, too, needed more sleep and the Ward's Room now has 5 patients (together with their families) so it's getting crowded. I asked mom if she's gonna be okay and she said she can take it from there. She said she'll just ride a taxi going home the following day.
It's late. The streets of Novaliches get more and more dangerous as the night progresses and I don't want to take chances. I decided to ride a taxi instead of commuting because I know it's safer. I got home shortly before midnight and I called Dada to tell him everything. Bah... So glad to be home again.
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