Jandrea...so far

Have that luscious, sparkling drink All that you can get your hands on To intoxicate you, to take you to dizzying heights To make you laugh boisteriously To make you loud and proud To make you unafraid to love without measure Because... “No one ever knows  when it’s time to go!” *  Inspired by “Sip your tea, nice and slow” by Anne Lee Tzu Peng

In 2003, I submitted the following piece to the Phil. Daily Inquirer's contest for readers to write about new Christmas family traditions. Proud to say, this won first prize! (P20,000 worth of gift certificates redeemable at all Rustan's establishments.) I like reading it just before Christmas so that I am reminded of the true meaning of the holidays! This the original, unedited version,  prior to publication in the Christmas issue of the broadsheet.     "Rudolp the red nose reindeer,  Had a bery shiny nose  Olop, the oder reindeer  Use to lap and call him names…” The holidays in my childhood used to be signaled by such Christmas carols sung by the neighborhood kids outside our door. Whenever I would hear the first notes, it was as if a light inside me would be switched on. It was a time of anticipation of greater things to come! But as my world became a little less innocent, I began to hear their off-key strains of song. The musical notes wou...

2011 Commissioning of members of the Ministry of Lectors & Commentators Holy Family Parish      After wearing a white blouse and and a black skirt almost every Sunday for mass the last 25 years or so, I couldn't find anything suitable in my closet this morning when I could wear something else aside from my lector's uniform.  I was on leave from the ministry in order to attend to other concerns. I realized I had no appropriate Sunday wear. In my closet were only "teachery" stuff. Only week-end gear. I wonder what that says about me? That I am no fashion plate? That I am just being practical by not buying stuff that I wouldn't actually get to use often? Or that my Sunday duties have been so ingrained in my life that it was the only thing that I really cared to dress up for?        Hmmmm... all wrong on the fashion angle! But so right on lectoring being a vital part of my life. It all begun in 1985 when I applied to bec...

  I was in a rush that morning so I forgot to take my multi-vitamin right after breakfast. Coming out of the bathroom, I found a glass of water with the pill on the counter near our bed, courtesy of my hubby. Touched by his gesture, I saw once again that his kind of love comes in quiet, unspoken moments. Vitamin L(ove) really kept me going that day!

Day 6, Caceres: 14 August 2011                 The journey continues... so far, it has been both joyous and challenging. My children and I have been blessed by being given the chance to be here, together. It is an opportunity that may never come again and thus, I am determined to make the most out of this pilgrimage to strengthen not only our filial bonds but also our connection to our Catholic faith.                             Today, the Cubao pilgrims joined in the celebration of the Holy Mass with the community and the families from the Parish of Beato Spinola which hosted our group for the Days in the Diocese. We were asked to lead in the singing of some of the mass songs. Thus, we chose to sing “Purihin ang Panginoon” which we had learned to sing with parts in Spanish, English, and Fil...

For the story and more pictures ... http://mycubao.org/2011/10/07/cuatro-vientos-a-precious-privilege-wyd11-reflection/

Thanks to Maridol for the picture "This is diva therapy, it’s when you need grand gestures of fabulousness added with a high level of art doused with a bit of gossip and giggles to keep one’s mood buoyant."            I almost didn't buy this pair of slip-ons. While they appealed to my aesthetic sense, I wasn't sure if the excessive display of color and the intricate bead work belonged to something that would just shod my feet. But the "bongga" in me could not be contained. It was just struggling to get out!           I've always had trouble deciding between that which is subtle and understated and something that would be considered bright and flamboyant. Much as I believe in "less is more," I am also in awe of intricate and small details in designs. Whether these choices concern my wardrobe or home decor, I'm usually stumped when there are two equally active alternatives. Recently, w...

27 October 2005                                                                                   (Inspired by my dear friend, Chei) A rationalization in the first degree! For what I hope will be my reward for not putting physical attractiveness in the top of my list on how to have a meaningful life. But let's face it. Those who have external cutaneous superiority reap all the advantages in this world. Psychological studies attest to this. And I would be a traitor to my profession if I didn't agree with this assertion. Empirical data shows that they get higher grades. They get...

Nov 28, 2009  8:53 AM      Didn't think so until yesterday morning.      That day, I finally found the the time to go to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) to have a mammogram done. Because I have postponed doing this for so long, I rushed to the hospital, mindless of the fact that I might not have enough money to pay for the medical procedure. This unfortunate situation, I realized only when I saw the ATM machine by the entrance of the hospital. But the anxious moment lasted only for a second because I thought I could always withdraw some money later.      So after having my request processed, I proceeded to the machine only to find out it was off-line. The guard advised me to go to the Lung Canter in the adjacent building as there was another ATM machine there. It was quite a walk but I didn't mind just so I could have the mammogram that hour. To my horror, it was also off-line! So...

Detail from Popo San Pascual painting Thursday, December 11, 2008 It was like a scene in movie that is usually shown in slow motion - long lost lovers, separated by distance or circumstance, are reunited after a long period. Except that this time, the characters in this scene were not lovers (well, not in the sappy sense) but a young nun dressed in a simple habit, her feet shod in slippers and a group of raggedy children. From afar, I first espied the nun pulling a trolley heavy with used bottles in crates hastily walking towards where I was. Then my eyes caught the small band of children excitedly running on the street. Nothing new about that until I realized that they were running towards the direction of the sister pulling the heavy load. I was fortunate to catch that very moment they would converge - the smiling children taking hold of the sister's hand and bringing it to their foreheads seeking blessing and the young sister, her face glowing with joy so pur...

Sunday, August 10, 2008 3:15 am Nagbago na siya! The phrase is neutral in meaning, I guess. But given a change of voice inflections, it can go either in the direction of delight or the way of panhihinayang. When one is in dire straits or demonstrating intolerable behavior, change is a much-awaited event. A turn-around in fortune and circumstance in that context is welcomed by all. But not when the situation is reversed. Safe to say, it is unfortunate only when change is in the direction from good to bad. Or , I have lately concluded, when it is towards a state that other people are not in agreement with or will adversely affect their own lives. And THAT is not necessarily bad for the CHANGEE! Twice in my life, I have been intensely disliked by some people mainly because I had exhibited behavior which was not usual for me. For many, my default mode is that of an agreeable and compliant person who has made it her mission to please people. In those two instances, I showed...

Wednesday, October 08, 2008 10:56 pm Madalas kong tanungin ito sa 'king sarili kapag ang dami ng gawain ng guro ay tila dumadagan na sa aking dibdib hanggang sa tunay na hindi na ako makahinga. May pagkakataon din na iniisip ko kung ang kakarimpot na suweldong tinatanggap ko ay sulit sa lahat ng oras at na inilalaan ko upang magampanan ang aking trabaho. Pinagmumuni-munihan ko rin kung minsan kung dapat ba akong manatiling titser samantalang di nakakarating sa aking kamalayan kung may saysay nga ba ang aking mga binabahagi sa mga estudyanteng labas-pumasok sa aking buhay? Kapag nababasa ko ang SET results, hindi ako nabubuhayan ng loob dahil sa mga nakukuha kong rating. Hindi naman mababa ngunit hindi rin naman kataasan. Para sa akin kasi, ang katamtaman lamang ay di tanda ng magaling na guro! Pagkatapos kong basahin ang mga nakasulat sa peyups.com at wala man lamang nagbabanggit sa akin bilang "most inspiring" o kahit na "most hated", naii...

Saturday, November 22, 2008 5:22 pm There comes a point in your life when you realize: who matters, who never did, who won't anymore... and who always will. So, don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future. Got this in my e-mail. Got to thinking about (AGAIN!) the friends who went away... the friends that were always there and suddenly had no desire to breathe the same air that sustained me. Too many blog entries have been written about them. Poems even! So many years asking why, why, why! Enough, I guess, even if it means not knowing the their reasons for their staying away. Too much time wasted grappling with the shadows. Too many negative emotions crowding out memories of warmth and laughter shared in days past. Too much wasted energy which should have been invested in celebrations of love and new friendship instead! The time for mourning is up!  Tapos na an...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 4:32 pm  "I am two women: one wants to have all the joy, passion and adventure that life can give me. The other wants to be a slave to routine, to family life, to the things that can be planned and achieved. I'm a housewife and a prostitute, both of us living in the same body and doing battle with each other." "The meeting of these two women is a game with serious risks. A divine dance. When we meet, we are two divine energies, two universes colliding. If the meeting is not carried out with due reverence, one universe destroys the other." - From "Eleven Minutes" by Paul Coehlo   This explains why we are the way we are, sister! Blame it on Mama who was anything but a simple schoolteacher and housewife. Blame it on our St. Jo education which taught us right and wrong but also brought out the Artist in us. Blame it on our liberal UP education which opened our eyes to the countless possibilities the worl...

08/12/2010 06:32 pm "A creation of importance can only be produced when its author isolates himself, it is a child of solitude." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe      I've never feared being by myself. Even as a child. Or at least I'm good at convincing myself that it's alright to be apart from people. At least some of the time.       Last year, I spent many days either in a a hotel or convent room in Tagaytay, by myself,  trying to meet deadlines. Those days have produced research reports or drafts for academic requirements.  Not exactly brilliant, earth-shaking outputs but one or two of them will lead me a step closer to a still unfulfilled dream.        But those days of isolation have produced something more valuable. I have had the luxury of looking deep into myself. Unencumbered by distractions of noise and senseless chatter, I have started conversations...

 01/30/2009 02:55 pm Every time I hear the dirty word 'exercise', I wash my mouth out with chocolate." "The advantage of exercising every day is so when you die, they'll say, 'Well, she looks good doesn't she." Ayan, ayan... kitang-kita ang dahilan kung bakit kailangang kong bumalik sa pageexercise! (Pansinin nyo na di ko sinabing kailangan na akong mag-diet!) Bakit nga ba kung kailan ko natuklasan ang kasarapan ng iba't-ibang klase ng pagkain ay tsaka naman bumagal na ang aking metabolism. Para bang ilang minuto lang pagkatapos kong kumain ng 2 French macaroons ay nasa baywang ko na ang ebidensiya! Kaya ang wardrobe, kailangan nang palitan dahil sa nagsisikipang pantalon at iba pa! Pero iniisip ko mga. Dapat ba akong mabahala, for aesthetic reasons, sa aking paglapad at pagbigat? Bakit pa e sa aking edad, dapat what you see is what you get! Anyway, I have...

10/10/2007 11:18 am   I read an entry in one blog which said that the Ego holds one back from expressing his creativity. That is probably true for me. I want to create art but I am always so afraid it will not pass the aesthetic standards of people . Well, most especially because I happen to have a sibling who is an artist! Like most things that I do and say, I am afraid I will be judged negatively. So, I always keep to the safe side of the road. Seldom venturing into the exciting but dangerous beyond-the-limit land. The ego, personified! But I have come to a point in my life that reacquainting myself with my Id seems like a good idea. No longer afraid of being ridiculed or criticized. No longer hostage to my high A score (After all, I also have a high O score!) No longer caring if my work pales in comparison to L's. And so the attempt to capture the flowers in Sonya's garden. And so the (so unlike me) vibrant colors. And so I unveil my art! "The...

  03/11/2007 02:28 pm Our childhood memories of this beautiful lake, cold and rushing through every bit of my being. Once again, a picture of a carefree youth when wild hair would not have mattered. When effortless smiles were easy to come by. Alas, they are no more. But with the lake behind us, my sister and I, we will always be young!

Sunday, July 13, 2003   LIFE's RULES Assume nothing. Expect little. Do more. Need less. Smile often. Dream big. Laugh a lot. Pray always. Cry once in a while. LIVE LIFE! This is the credo by which I'm trying to live by. They have made me appreciate the joys of life, making failures a little more tolerable. But I would like to add some more rules which have made my existence more worthwhile. Read a lot. Eat well. Dress in cotton, linen, & silk. Wink at kids. Cook. Have a regular Girls Night Out Wear matching underwear. Watch sunsets. Paint sunsets. Light scented candles. Have massages. Write poetry. Dress Filipiniana. Speak good Filipino. Hug long-lost friends. Inspire others. Put bullies in their place. Wear khakis and white. Wake up to kisses. Sleep in someone's arms. Take bubble baths. Swim in the rain. Put babies to sleep. Sing. Play the piano. Travel. Sleep late. Sleep outdoors. Use fresh white, cotton sh...