Posts Tagged ‘Philippines’

Thoughts On Tita Cory’s Happy Death

The whole nation was shocked yesterday morning when they learned about former President Cory Aquino's death at the age of 76. Although we knew that former President Aquino was suffering from colorectal cancer also known as colon cancer, we are still surprised because deep in our heart, we want her to be there during our battle against Con-Ass. But her time is up, all we can do is pay respect and offer prayers for her good soul. May she continue praying for us in heaven.

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Wedding In Time Of Global Recession

Many issues happened in the past few weeks, I almost forgot that the month of June is also the favorite wedding month in the Philippines. Since we are also terribly affected by global recession, many pinoys are having a second thought to get married or not this year or wait until recession is over.

My only brother who lives in Bicol with my mom, works as a waiter in luxury cruise company will be getting married on June 25, a Thursday. Their love story will surely touch your heart. To make story short, they are childhood sweethearts, a relationship started as best friends. They already have a 4 year old daughter and living together when she got pregnant. They want to get married years ago, I guess it will not be postponed again because everything was prepared already. They were my house guests last week. That’s why I seldom blog.

Their entourage consists of their daughter as the flower girl, a nephew as ring bearer, a maid of honor and best man (that are also for the cord, candle and veil).

There’s no invitation because guests only godparents, immediate families and close friends. The reception is for 50 persons only, the number of estimated guests. Printing jobs mostly accept a minimum of 100 invitations and since we don’t have that 100 guests, they decided not to make one.

Souvenir is for godparents only bought at regalong pambahay, wind chime in a see through sinamay/abaka box. We bought 16 pieces only, php 120 per piece and 30% discount on the 2nd item. Wind chime is also a unique giveaway, a lucky gift to the receiver and the giver.

The wedding will be held in a small chapel baroque style. According to my brother, the ambiance is like Ilocos (php 3,000). The souvenir box is also perfect for the occasion. The reception place is also Ilocos inspired although they are in Bicol, they will serve food at php 300 per head buffet style.

They were supposed to hire a wedding gown maker (mananahi) for php 10,000. Its cheap already and I suggested to try on ready made wedding gowns for as low as 2,500. They’re beautiful naman, I know there also cheaper for as low as php 1,000 in Divisoria. We end up for custom made wedding gown, also from my suki for only php 4,000 including veil, pillow, tiara, aras etc. Its cheap and she can choose the design she want, the gown will be ready in one week. We will be picking it up within the week.

My brother tried looking for a barong tagalog in a known shop in SM MOA, he was shocked when he was told that it costs php 14,000. To my suki, he got his piña barong (combined with other thread) for only 1,200, they normally offer it for 1,500-2,000.

The supposed to be budget of php 10,000 for the wedding gown only went to a complete set of wedding gown, groom’s barong, another 2 barong tagalog, kamisa tsino (barong tagalog’s undershirt), gown for flower girl and a dress for my mom.

We canvassed for wedding ring at known shops in SM MOA, a pair of wedding ring is php 10,000-15,000. That’s okay but when I asked the carat, its only 14K so I told my brother to go to mom’s suki. They choose 18K standard and costs 4,000, I made tawad and we get it for php 2,500 only, free engraving. Its a two tone white gold with 3 small stones. They use other money for the complete set of gold and pearl jewelries for the bride 1,000 from the original price of 2,500. 2 necklaces were also bought for php 1,000 each which they offer for php 2,000 each. FYI, when buying gold jewelries ask if its standard or commercial. If its commercial, the 18k is actually 16k only.

All of these can be found in Baclaran and my suki except for bride’s wedding shoes. I recommend Landmark, they have hard to find wedding shoes for the June brides and all of the pinay brides.

Barat ba ako? I’m just being reasonable for the worth of the items we bought. You can do that also. Best wishes.

1st A(H1N1) Community Outbreak Declared In Nueva Ecija

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque had declared in Sunday the first Community Level Outbreak in Hilera, Nueva Ecija after 11 cases were positive of A(H1N1) wherein 10 are students of Hilera Elementary School and another 4 year old girl. National Epidemiology Center confirmed the report.

Contact tracing of the 11 positive cases turned out that 92 contacts are showing symptoms of A(H1N1) virus. Local Health officers are monitoring 57 other students who also exhibited symptoms of the A(H1N1).

Class suspension is set for another 10 days. Since its the first community level outbreak, it would be better if everyone in the community should wear face masks.

Actually, I’m getting paranoid already of this influenza outbreak. As of this writing, the number of 111 had climbed again to 147 positive A(H1N1) cases in the Philippines.

Wordless Wednesday: 110th Independence Day

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National Flag Day

I went to Manila City Hall and Pag-Ibig Office in Lawton, Manila upon my mother’s request. I noticed some Philippine flags on the way and also saw banners placed on public walls. Too bad that it was impossible for me to took snapshots of those banners for security reasons. Anyway, the words “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” was printed inside the flag, on the lower right side of the flag, an estimated font size of 35% of the size of the flag. I did have negative impression seeing those banners. Whose behind this? “Makabayan” (nationalistic)? Or OA (over acting)?

Tomorrow is May 28, National Flag Day in the Philippines. At my age, I still remember my Social Studies lesson in elementary and high school regarding respect to our flag. According to wikipedia, here are the prohibited acts:

It is prohibited to deface or ridicule the flag, to dip the flag as a salute, or to add additional marks of any nature on the flag. It may not be used as a drapery, festoon, tablecloth, as a covering for objects, or as part as a costume or uniform.

Several commercial uses of the flag are prohibited, including using the flag as a trademark or for commercial labels or designs. It is forbidden to use the image of the flag on merchandise, or in any advertisement. It also may not be used as a pennant in the hood, side, back and top of motor vehicles;

The flag may not be displayed horizontally face-up, or under any painting, picture or platform. It may not be displayed in “places of frivolity”, defined in the Flag Code as marked by “boisterous merriment or recreation”.

How come Lito Atienza forgot it by placing the words “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” in the flag banners. Makabayan or OA? Whatever explanation he have, it is still a bad example to young filipinos. Good thing that my 7 year old son didn’t saw the banners. Year 2010 election is near, I won’t forgot that. They should clear all those banners with “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” print immediately and the hard earned money of Filipinos gone to waste again.