Christmas 2006 (Part 2)

This time from my other camera.

Christmas 2006

Christmas Eve with the The Great Chan Family!

VOSA Breakfast

It was after Misa de Gallo on December 22, 2006. So we all went for a tradition, an after mass VOSA Christmas breakfast. This one was at Pancake House, then, of course, good ol' Starbucks after.

Sunday Club - Misa de Gallo

Start:

Dec 24, '06

Wake up, Sunday Club! On Kuya Dondi's orders.

VOSA Misa de Gallo

Start:	Dec 22, '06 04:30a
Location:	Santuario de San Antonio

Hey VOSA! We're singing on this date. Then breakfast after! Like old times.

YouTube - Domino X Sinuca

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4EN6kQs6Y4
This guy must have really excelled in Physics. Whoever thought you can combine dominos and billiards.

Night Out with the Ayesa Brothers

12/08/06 - There was Wappy, Anna, Trey, Crissy, and myself with Billy and his cousins, Charles and Alfons (Mig Ayesa's brothers). We just spent the night in Absinth then hopped over to Masas. Thanks again, Billy!

One MiG Day!

12/07/06 - At 8:22 this morning I got a very surprising phone call, my caffeine fix for the day. It was Mig Ayesa with the cool cool voice to greet me "Good morning!" Thank you, Billy!

In the afternoon, Anna and I went to the promotion of MiG's new album at Megamall. We got pictures and I had my copy signed, and I even told him that I was Caren from this morning, in which he replied, "Oh, you're Caren from this morning! Nice to meet you!" I will be on QTV 11 on Dec. 21 by the way for a very short while. Thank you again, Billy!

And then we had merienda with Mig and his family at Italianni's. I'm such a nitwit, I was just so starstruck! But super, super, SUPER THANKS, Billy! I really REALLY appreciate it.

Tita Lou's Basketball Birthday

It was us us, with 3 special guests (Mama Vicky's and Tita Lou's Ateneo favorites) - JC Intal, Doug Kramer, Macky Escalona.

Sexy Rollerblade Chick. She's Good. - Yahoo! Video

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=090c3bbef175fe5d3025122dde3cd323.883932&cache=1
Galeng this girl ah! I miss rollerblading! I should rollerblade again one time... if I still can.

Toothpaste In Tagalog

After discussing what SCUBA stands for (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Aparatus) and what LASER stands for (Light Amplification by the Simulation of Emitted Radiation) over fruitshakes at Tiendesitas (Pau, fyi, the letters SOS do not refer to any words, however they can stand for "Save Our Ship" or "Survivors On Ship", basta these are just developments to remember the morse code SOS), Pau presented us with a question which, if we get the answer, he will pay P100. Hati kami ni Faye, pangkape-kape.

The question is "What is toothpaste in Tagalog?" Grabe naman, ang hirap!

As promised, I will find the translation of "toothpaste" in Tagalog, else I will prove in a blog entry why the answer is what I think it is, "tutpeyst" or "Colgate"! This is no longer about the money, it's about finding the answer so I can just peacefully go to sleep.

I conducted a text brigade and this is what people said: (Thank you to all those who answered!)
Bam - "Tootpeyst"
Wappy and Ate Boom - "Tutpeyst"
Mike - "Tut payst"
Ate Pebs - "Kolgeyt"
Mars (the pilosopo) - "ngiping pandikit" (as predicted); also said "Beam" and "Pepsodent"
Kuya Dondon (the dentist) - "there's no translation for toothpaste in Tagalog"
Kuya Dondi (the bolero) - "gawgaw"
Jay - "Sabon pangngipin" or "Kolgeyt"
Ton, Teng, Thomas, Ericka - "don't know"
Kuya Nicky and Willow - "Colgate"
Tita Desiree and Hope (a smart mother and daughter team who checked the dictionary before answering) - "Tutpeyst" or "Colgate"

According to http://www.bohol.ph/diksyunaryo.php, the Philippine Online Dictionary, "toothpaste" in Filipino is "tutpeyst" and in Cebuano is "Colgate".

I therefore conclude that there is no truly Filipino translation/term for toothpaste. Why?

1. According to Bam the resident nerd, Toothpaste was not created in the Philippines. It was only introduced to us so no truly Filipino term was created for it. Only in the 90s was the term "toothpaste" or "tutpeyst" commonly used by Filipinos for the thing you put on your toothbrush to clean your teeth. Before that many would simply refer to it as Colgate, as some people would say (and this is based on a true experience in the late 80s), "Anong Colgate ang gamit mo? Kasi I use Pepsodent!"

2. Likewise, there are no exact English terms for words like "gigil" or "kilig". Just proving a point.

3. We learned in our Filipino wika classes in grade school that there are many words commonly used that have no truly Filipino translation because these have been adapted into our language through our own alphabet. Words such as:
Cake - "keyk"
Magazine - "magasin"
Taxi - "taksi"
Radio - "radyo"
Television - "telebisyon"
Camera - kamera (which, going back to point number 1, in the 80s was referred to as "Kodak", "taking a picture" as "pangongodak", "photo lab" as "kodakan")

Based on everyone's answers above and the points I raised, "toothpaste" in Tagalog is "tutpeyst" or "Colgate". While there is no authentic translation, everybody uses it, thinks it, and knows that "tutpeyst" and/or "Colgate" is the Tagalog translation of "toothpaste".

So Pau, being the drop that started the ripple, just smile and agree with me on this, because the fact that I racked my brain to write this thing only means boto ako sa'yo for Faye... so we're both satisfied and I can now go to sleep.

Ate Triccie's Birthday

Start:

Nov 17, '06

Cemetery day

Start:

Nov 1, '06

See you for Balderdash, cousins!

Trick or Treat at Valle 6

Took all these photos with my new Canon 350d.

Pros: I can shoot photos with full control of the settings like a machine gun.
Cons: I'm not in any of the pictures in this camera.

Matteo... The Ultimate Guapo Baby Boy

I think I sucked the soul out of him in this series. There's more from where these came from.

Bam's Birthday (Friends Edition)

This is long delayed.

A Tribute to Salem

Salem was our one week old kitten whom Ate claimed as hers. He lived such a short life that I haven't even been able to get his picture. So, this is a short poem I lifted from Grace Tolson to remember him by.

A Special Kind of People

Cats are a special kind of people, as we who love 
them know, though it's not their fur, or their throbbing
purr, or the whiskers along side their nose. It's not 
their tail, though they talk with that, it's just
something, somehow about being a cat.

It's hard to explain, I don't think you can, just give
the love they crave, no need to understand, how, be they 
kitten or cat, they make our house a home. What a wonderful
gift, from the Lord above, when he sends a cat to our door.

by Grace Tolson

The Best of Macie... so far

These are my favorite Macie photos.
About Macie as a model, she's what you call a directable baby. As for spontaneous portraits, just let her do whatever and you'll get a satisfying shot nonetheless.

Ellie at 4 months

This is Mikey's absolutely adorable niece. Took these photos during Mikey's birthday. Cute!

YouTube - 2006 UAAP Finals Game 1 Ateneo vs UST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33zvl9RDkdU
It's Pandemonium!

Old Girls' Day

Start:	Oct 15, '06 2:30p
End:	Oct 15, '06 6:00p
Location:	Mother Rose Auditorium, Assumption College, San Lorenzo Village, Makati

Time to go home again to our beloved Assumption and see women of all generations in their uniforms and costumes at a VELADA of sorts.

"My Sky"

This is a poem I lifted from page 78 of "Claire Voyant" by Saralee Rosenberg.

Sunrise pulls back the curtain on a sky full of hope
And the promise of brightness over yesterday's ash
When faith, nestled in its vast white sails
Is the dawn of your dreams, the breath of air divine.

The can snatch your bread, but not your patch of sky
They cannot take away what they did not create
They can break your heart but not your soul
Signs of life will never die.

God made the sky to give us reason to look up
To lift our head and feel hope
To find brightness day and night
There is always reason to believe.

Black Robbers - True Story

On a recent weekend in Atlantic City, a woman won a bucketful of quarters at a slot machine. She took a break from the slots for dinner with her husband in the hotel dining room. But first she wanted to stash the quarters in her room."I'll be right back and we'll go to eat," she told her husband and carried the coin-laden bucket to the elevator.

As she was about to walk into the elevator she noticed two men already aboard. Both were black. One of them was tall...very tall...an intimidating figure. The woman froze. Her first thought was: These two are going to rob me.

Her next thought was: Don't be a bigot, they look like perfectly nice gentlemen. But racial stereotypes are powerful, and fear immobilized her. She stood and stared at the two men. She felt anxious, flustered, and ashamed. She hoped they didn't read her mind but, gosh, they had to know what she was thinking!!! Her hesitation about joining them in the elevator was all too obvious now. Her face was flushed. She couldn't just stand there, so with a mighty effort of will she picked up one foot and stepped forward and followed with the other foot and was on the elevator.

Avoiding eye contact, she turned around stiffly and faced the elevator doors as they closed. A second passed, and then another second.... Her fear increased! The elevator didn't move. Panic consumed her. Oh Dear God, she thought, I'm trapped and about to be robbed! Her heart plummeted. Perspiration poured from every pore.

Then one of the men said, "Hit the floor." SO SHE DID!!! The bucket of quarters flew up in the air as she threw up her arms and collapsed on the elevator floor. A shower of coins rained down on her. Take my money and spare me, she prayed. More seconds passed.

She heard one of the men say politely, "Ma'am, if you'll just tell us what floor you're going to, we'll push the button." The one who said it had a little trouble getting the words out. He was trying so hard not to laugh. The woman lifted her head and looked up at the two men. They reached down to help her up.

Confused, she struggled to her feet. "When I told my friend here to hit the floor," said the average-sized one, "I meant that he should hit the ELEVATOR BUTTON for our floor. I didn't mean for YOU to hit the floor!" He bit his lip. It was obvious he was having a hard time not laughing. The woman thought, my God, what a spectacle I've made of myself. She was too humiliated to speak. She wanted to blurt out an apology, but words failed her. How do you apologise to two perfectly respectable gentlemen for behaving as though they were going to rob you? She didn't know what to say. The three of them gathered up the strewn quarters and refilled her bucket.

When the elevator arrived at her floor, they insisted on walking her to her room. She seemed a little unsteady on her feet, and they were afraid she might not make it down the corridor. At her door they bid her a good evening. As she slipped into her room she could hear the echoes of laughter as they walked back to the elevator.

The woman, extremely embarrassed, pulled herself together and went downstairs for dinner with her husband. The next morning flowers were delivered to her room - a dozen roses. Attached to EACH rose was a crisp one hundred dollar bill. 

The card said:"Thanks for the best laugh we've had in years." It was signed; 

 

Eddie Murphy & Michael Jordan

Ninang's Birthday

Start:

Nov 26, '06

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Start:

Oct 31, '06

The Pianist

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the
mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on  the impressive Steinway on stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard,
innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part.  Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could
have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played.  Only the classic, " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God.  What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy.  We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there,
helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

Beautiful story! I should also remember that even if I can't play Minuet 2 on the violin properly, at least I CAN play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

Eid-Al-Fitr

Start:	Oct 23, '06
Location:	Starbucks

If you have a Starbucks planner, be sure to check your coupons at the back and treat yourself and a friend to a nice, venti, cup of Starbucks coffee.

Ate Char's Birthday

Start:

Oct 30, '06

Ate's Birthday

Start:

Oct 20, '06

Kuya Dondon's Birthday

Start:

Oct 13, '06

Kuya Ronnie's Birthday

Start:

Oct 14, '06

Kuya's Birthday

Start:

Oct 8, '06

Ate Boom's Birthday

Start:

Oct 11, '06

Mer's Birthday

Start:

Oct 7, '06

Maricris's Birthday

Start:

Oct 6, '06

The GREAT Chan Family

This was the turnover of donations for the Professorial Chairs of our 3 great Lolos. It was like a major family reunion.

Memo from God

Effective Immediately,
please be aware that

there are changes

YOU need to make in YOUR life.

 

These changes

need to be completed

in order that I may fulfill

My promises to you to grant you

peace, joy and happiness in this life.

 

I apologize for any inconvenience,
but after all that I am doing,

this seems very little to ask of you.

Please, follow these 10 guidelines

TEN GUIDELINES: 

1. QUIT WORRYING:

Life has dealt you a blow

and all you do is sit and worry.

 

Have you forgotten that I am here
to take all your burdens

and carry them for you?

Or do you just enjoy

fretting over every little thing

that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:

Something needs done or taken care of.

Put it on the list.

 

No, not YOUR list.

Put it on MY to-do-list.

Let ME be the one

to take care of the problem.

 

I can't help you until

you turn it over to Me

and although My to-do-list is long,

I am after all... God.

 

I can take care of anything

you put into My hands.

 

In fact, if the truth were ever really known,

I takecare of a lot of things for you

that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME:

Once you've given your burdens to Me,
quit trying to take them back.

 

Trust in Me.

Have the faith that

I will take care of all your needs,

your problems and your trials.

Problems with the kids?

Put them on My list.

Problem with finances?

Put it on My list.

Problems with your emotional roller coaster?
For My sake, put it on My list.

 

I want to help you.

All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:

Don't wake up one morning and say,
"Well, I'm feeling much stronger now,

I think I can handle it from here."

 

Why do you think

you are feeling stronger now?

 

It's simple.
You gave Me your burdens

and I'm taking care of them.

 

I also renew your strength
and cover you in my peace.

 

Don't you know that

if I give you these problems back,
you will be right back where you started?

Leave them with Me

and forget about them.

Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME:

I want you to forget a lot of things.

Forget what was making you crazy.
Forget the worry and the fretting

because you know I'm in control.

 

But there's one thing I pray you never forget.

Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN!

I love YOU!

I want to hear your voice.

I want you to include Me in

on the things going on in your life.

I want to hear you talk

about your friends and family.

 

Prayer is simply

you having a conversation with Me.

I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:

I see a lot of things from up here

that you can't see from where you are.

 

Have faith in Me

that I know what I'm doing.

Trust Me;

you wouldn't want the view from My eyes.

I will continue to care for you,

watch over you,
and meet your needs.

You only have to trust Me.

Although I have

a much bigger task than you,
it seems as if you have

so much trouble just
doing your simple part.

How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:

You were taught to share

when you were only two years old.

When did you forget?
That rule still applies.

 

Share with those

who are less fortunate than you.

 

Share your joy with those

who need encouragement.

 

Share your laughter with those

who haven't heard any

in such a long time.

 

Share your tears with those

who have forgotten how to cry.

 

Share your faith with those

who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:

I managed to fix it

so in just one lifetime
you could have so many diverse experiences.

You grow from a child to an adult,

have children,
change jobs many times,

learn many trades,
travel to so many places,

meet thousands of people,

and experience so much.

 

How can you be so impatient then

when it takes Me a little longer than you expect

to handle something on My to-do-list?

 

Trust in My timing,

for My timing is perfect.

Just because I created

the entire universe in only six days,

everyone thinks I should always

rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:

Be kind to others,

for I love them just as much as I love you.

 

They may not dress like you,

or talk like you,

or live the same way you do,

but I still love you all.

 

Please try to get along,

for My sake.

 

I created each of you different in some way.

It would be too boring if you were all identical.
Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:

As much as I love you,

how can you not love yourself?

 

You were created by me

for one reason only --

to be loved,

and to love in return.

 

I am a God of Love.

Love Me.
Love your neighbors.

But also love yourself.

It makes My heart ache

when I see you so angry with yourself

when things go wrong.

You are very precious to me.
Don't ever forget.

Anna's Debut

My beautiful cousin turned 18.

Bangkok Sampler November 2005

The 1st Philippine Graphic/Fiction Awards

"Atha" by Ma. Michaela Atienza won 3rd Place! That and we met Arnold Arre.

My darling new nephew, MATTEO - June 9, 2006

Welcome to the family! Love, Ninang T.C.

Chris Lacdao's Debut

Lola's Birthday and Ate Char's Baby Shower

Ice Cream in Baguio with Mikey and Chris

Holy Week in Baguio: April 12-13

This is just the first part.

Sagada Trip Day 1

This is actually not IN Sagada yet. This is on the way there. And that's the view for about 7 hours (Trinidad Valley to Sagada).

CCC_089.AVI

Pampanga Off-Roading (March 19, 2006)

Kuya Nicky joined this race. I have a new-found respect for his white Samurai.

Pampanga Off-Roading (March 18, 2006)

Hong Kong - January 27-28

Hong Kong - January 22-25, 2006

First half of the trip... sort of.

Hong Kong Disneyland - January 26, 2006