Friday, September 26, 2008
Let's learn French. Oui??
Break time muna. Let's try some language updates, he... he...
- From Bert
01. TURN - le coup
02. LITER - le true
03. BEHIND - le coud
04. ALMS - le mousse
05. FIVE - le ma
06 . FLY - le pad
07. DID NOT TAKE A BATH - le bag
08. CONFUSED - le tou
09. NO LONGER A VIRGIN - les pag
10. UNFAITHFUL HUSBAND - cou ma le wah
11. CITY - ce vou
12. DRUGS - sha vou
13. GOODBYE - va vou
14. MUSICAL BAND - com vou
15. BALD - cal vou
16. CAUGHT IN THE ACT - na vou coup, na coup!!
17. FEATHERS - valahe vou
18. UNCLEAR - ma la vou
19. SINK - lah va vou
20. COCONUT - vou coup
21. OPEN WIDE - vou camou
22. CIRCUMCISE - vou ratattoule
23. ALWAYS UP - va yagriah
24. YOU'RE HOT - le voug mou
25. WASHROOM - coup vaetta
26. JAIL - coup lou ngan
27. SUPER BOOBS - la que zõusõu
28. BUGER - cõup la ngõut
29. WOUNDS - va cõup cängh
30. BIG MOUTH - chez moussa
31. NAGGER - vou nga nguerrah
32. TADPOL - vou teiteh
33. JOSEPH ESTRADA - vou vou!! _____________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS to the ATENEO BLUE EAGLES for winning the 2008 UAAP Basketball Championship!
Congratulations to Rabeh Al Hussaini, this year's MVP.... at sa lahat ng mga kapanalig ng Iglesia ni Chris Tiu, Congratulations!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Growing Old
What do Joker Arroyo and Juan Ponce Enrile have in common, aside from being both pro-GMA senators? What about Dolphy and Eddie Garcia, both veteran actors and our local valentinos? I almost forgot Ramon Revilla, who has combined showbiz and politics and is notches ahead of Pidol and Manoy, having sired 60 or more kids. We also have educators Dra. Helena Benitez and Fr. James Reuter, actresses Anita Linda and Mona Lisa, highly revered Senator Jovito Salonga, entrepreneur Socorro Ramos (of the National Bookstore), multi-awarded director Eddie Romero, and until their very recent deaths – Tiya Dely Magpayo, the Queen of Radio, and artist Lucresia ‘King’ Kasilag of the Cultural Center. These achievers continue or continued to be productive beyond 80 years of age.
When I was assigned in Bicol in 1996, an uncle visited me in the Regional Office. He was 99 years old then and still traveled alone. He told me that in the Chinese calendar, he was already 100 years. My uncle smoked, loved to eat pork, and was rumored to be a womanizer. I recalled that when he was assigned as provincial auditor of Cam Norte during my elementary days, and was staying in our house (he was from Albay), his wife was a frequent unexpected visitor. Nang-dadakop baga, sabi sa Albay – ma-“imon’ daa. I could hear them argue/quarrel, I didn’t know what happened after that. But I did hear my uncle’s music. He loved to play violin. He did not reach the age of 100 though based on our Gregorian calendar as his pancreas gave up before his centennial birthday.
Glen’s mother just celebrated her 80th birthday last month, the reason why Glen and Robert came home. She’s still going strong.
What could be the formula for long life? Before I forget, this post is really about my reflections on our visit to Sor Victorina. Ed said that he couldn’t relate to the music I used in the video clip of the visit. He said that it is too dreary and pessimistic. Sounds melancholic but I don’t think it is pessimistic. “Panunumpa” is an acclamation to God. It is actually sang in masses. Perhaps, it captured what I felt that evening while looking at the pictures.
On my way home that evening, walking from Ortigas to Shaw Boulevard (yes, I can still walk long distances), I was thinking of Sor Victorina. In high school, I remember that she was a very strict principal/mother superior. She imposed punishment on the spot, such as asking a pupil/student to kneel on the sand in front of the flag pole or along the corridor. She also imposed a fine for speaking the dialect. (Probably, this was the reason I got an award for conduct. Dai na ako nagtaram mula kaidtu. Pero nagba-ta si hangaw ko ta napa-nos si laway. Yaks, gross!) Sor Victorina was with us only until our third year. On our fourth year, she was transferred to La Consolacion, Iriga. (She brought along Sis. Terry with her).
It was a different Sor Victorina that we saw last September 7. I was the last to arrive in the convent (but I wasn’t late, the others came early, including Lina and daughter princess. Alot and Marynat came much earlier with a bag of fruits, pansit and kakanin. Ric, Alot’s hubby, who came along with their son, drove for them.)
The group was already engaged in animated conversation at the Infirmary’s lanai when I arrived. But I noticed that Sor Victorina was just sitting there and watching us like a well-behaved child. Physically, she looks good. She can move around. According to Sister Terry, she can sit the whole day, reading or playing sungka. At night, when the weather is fine, they just walk and sit around the compound of the convent.
It is difficult to strike a conversation with Sor Victorina though. You have to speak close to her ears because she can’t hear from ordinary distance. Furthermore, she can’t remember the past. I played the VCD of the pictures from elementary to high school. There was a picture of Msgr. Reganit and Sister Estrella pointed at Mamo and asked Sor Victorina if she could recognize him. She indicated that she didn’t. But when she saw her picture in the VCD, she laughed (that was captured in the video clip). She must have recognized herself. Before we left, Sister Estrella asked her to say a few words. Sor Victorina thanked us (in English).
God has given Sor Victorina the gift of life. In less than six months, she’ll be 99 yrs. Another year and she’ll be a centenarian. Is she fortunate? Her Augustinian community obviously takes good care of her as we can see from her physical appearance. She has good food, shelter, and company. But obviously, her mental faculties are no longer the same. Like a child, she does not have to worry about rising prices, food shortage, rapid population growth, environmental degradation, climate change, and worsening corruption in government. But probably, she also no longer feels any sense of fulfillment in what she has done and what she does now. She probably does not even have a sense of time too. Siguro, dai na siya nalalangkag. One day, one month, one year, would probably not make any difference to her. I say probably, because the mind is mysterious. We don’t really know. If our conscious mind is not properly functioning, is there an inner mind (the soul perhaps) that is aware and understands everything that is happening.
Now, I seem to understand the reason why Sister Terry was too persistent to the point of being irritating in her wish that I should get married even at this age. My initial reaction was that she has a very limited view of life – either you raise a family or you stay single but if you do, you should be a priest or a nun. But I realize that it could be out of a sense of fear of what will happen when you grow old. Who will take care of you, if you don’t have your own family or a religious community? Oo nga naman. What will happen if Sor Victorina were not a nun? But it’s the choice one person makes but that’s another topic.
Going back to old age, we know that life is God’s gift, so it’s only Him who can take it back. But if he listens to our request, how long do we want to live? Ako, as long as I’m still productive and is able to contribute something to others. I do not wish to become a burden to others. Probably, I’m also afraid and I dismiss any thought that I would grow old requiring physical care. But then, it’s not really for us to decide.
Bert's European Travel
Greetings! Just back from euro trip. Hope everyone is doing well…
Reading the voluminous e-mails, seems like have a lot to catch –up: .
1) belated happy birthday to ningning and efren (our class historian, disciple of g. zaide, he..he.) May you both have many many more to come! .
2) welcome to my seat-mate, the one and only rey rafer. Hope to see you in your next trip to manila or in 2010 reunion, whichever comes first.
Attached are some photos from Antwerp, Brugge, Dusseldorf, and of course, Paris..
Cheers and very best rgds,
Bert
Read More......
Read more!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
What to do When There's an Earthquake
This is another post from Rudy. This is something new and different from the advice we use to get when there's an earthquake. What I learned before was that when one gets caught in earthquake inside a building, one should look for something which looks sturdy such as a table and go underneath. But the advice here is different.
Rudy said "I'm not sure how well this would work but you never know..... "
Tips During An Earthquake
My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries.
I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something.
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that
the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.
TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.
10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'
In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul , University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in my
'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover.
There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and it was seen in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
Read More...... Read more!
Welcome Rey!
Welcome to our blog, Rey Rafer.
Thanks for calling me up yesterday from Vancouver, Canada and for spending 29 minutes to get updated about us, and likewise to provide updates about himself and his family.
Rey and his family left for Canada in 1997. His wife is from Camarines Sur, where he spent most of his working age in the Philippines. They have one kid, who's already a graduate and is now working in Canada. Like Marynat, he also worked with the Commission on Audit, longer than his stay with the Dept of Public Works and Highways. Sorry, I have forgotten that when I was assigned in the Regional Office of the Dept of Agrarian Reform in Legaspi City, Rey came to visit me.
Rey has visited our blog and read the posts and seen the pictures. But he's not a member yet of our e-group. He gave me his email address yesterday, but I guess I have a poor hearing. I sent an email Rey to the address: dodoy@pelus.net but it bounced back. So I must have gotten the wrong address.
so, please send an email to my address: gold50@gmail.com so I can include you in our egroup.
Again, welcome Rey, it was good to hear from you, and we hope to see your posts and pictures in the web.
Regards to your family.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Lucia reveals the 3rd secret of Fatima
Rudy posted this yesterday, which happened to be the birthday of Mama Mary. I was not able to write the news story of our visit to Sor Victorina, Sis Terry and Sis Estrella/Dalisay. I intend to write about my reflections on the life of a would-be centennarian, after watching Sor Victorina last Sunday. However, I worked on the Access Program I'm doing to further computerize our small office's monitoring and evaluation system. So, instead of it, I'm posting Rudy's contribution, which is a more important article to read. The news story will come sometime this week.
----------------
The Church has given permission to reveal to the people the last part of the message.
The Blessed Virgin appeared to three children in Fatima , Portugal , in 1917, this is a proven fact; one of these children is still alive, her name is Lucia, she is a cloistered nun and lives in a monastery in Portugal. Lucia disclosed the message for the first time to Pope Pius XII whom, after reading it, he sealed it and stored away without making it public. Later Pope John XXIII read it and, in the same manner as his predecessor, he kept it out of the public eye because he knew that once revealed; it will bring desperation and panic to human kind.
Now the time has come, and permission has been granted from Pope John Paul II to reveal it to the children of God, in order not to create panic but to make people aware of this important message so everybody can be prepared.
The Virgin told Lucia: 'Go my child and tell the world; what will come to pass during the 1950's - 2000's. Men are not practicing the Commandments that our Father has given us. Evil is governing the world and is harvesting hate and resentment all over. Men will fabricate mortal weapons that will destroy the world in minutes, half of the human race will be destroyed, the war will begin against Rome , and there will be conflicts amongst religious orders. God will allow all natural phenomenon's like smoke, hail, cold, water, fire, floods, earthquakes, winds and inclement weather to slowly batter the planet. These things will come to pass before the year 2010. 'Those who won't believe, this is the time,' your beloved mother told you, 'those lacking charity towards others and those who do not love thy neighbor like my beloved Son has loved you, all, cannot survive. They will wish to have died, millions are unimaginable, they will come, and there is no doubt our Lord God will punish severely those who do not believe in him, those who despise him and those who did not have time for him I call upon all of you to come to my son Jesus Christ, God helps the world but all of those who do not show fidelity and loyalty will be destroyed.'
Father Agustin, who lives in Fatima, said that Pope Paul VI gave him permission to visit sister Lucia who is a cloistered nun (she does not leave the monastery nor is allowed to receive any visitors). Father Augustin said that she received him greatly overwhelmed and told him: 'Father, our lady is very sad because nobody is interested in her prophecy of 1917, though the righteous are walking through a narrow path, the evil ones are walking through an ample road that is leading them straight to their destruction, believe me father, the punishment will come very soon.' Many souls will be lost; many nations will disappear from the earth. But, in the middle of all these, if men reflect, pray and practice good deeds, the world can be saved. One of all these, if men persist with its evil, the world will be lost forever. The time has come for all to pass on the message of our Blessed Lady to their families, friends, and to the entire world. Start praying, to make penitence and sacrifices. We are at the last minute of the last day and the catastrophes are near. Due to this, many that were far from the church will return to the open arms of the Church of Jesus Christ . The joining of the churches will result in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church ; England , Russia , China , Jews, Muslims and Protestants. All will return believing and worshiping God our creator, in his beloved Son and in our Blessed Mother Virgin Mary'. WHAT AWAITS US??? Everywhere there will be 'Peace Talks', but punishment will come. A MAN IN A VERY IMPORTANT POSITION WILL BE ASSASSINATED AND THIS WILL PROVOKE THE WAR. A POWERFUL ARMY WILL DOMINATE ALL THROUGH EUROPEAN THE NUCLEAR WAR WILL COMMENCE. This war will destroy everything, darkness will fall over us for 72 hours (three days) and the one third of humanity that survives this obscurity and sacrifice, will commence to live a new era, they will be good people. In a very cold night, 10 minutes before midnight, A GREAT QUAKE will shake the earth for 8 hours. This will be the third signal that God is who governs the earth. The righteous and those who propagate the faith and the message of the Lady of Fatima SHOULD NOT FEAR, DO NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT TO DO???
Bow your heads, kneel down and ask God for forgiveness because, only what is good and is not under the power of evil will survive the catastrophe. In order for you to prepare and remain alive I will give you the following signs: ANGUISH........ AND IN A SHORT PERIOD THE EARTH QUAKE WILL COMMENCE... THE EARTH WILL SHAKE....The shake will be so violent that will move the earth 23 degrees and it will return it to its normal position. Then, total and absolute darkness will cover the entire planet... All evil spirits will be mingling around and free, doing harm to all those souls that did not want to listen to this message and those who did not want to repent. To the faithful souls, remember to light the blessed candles, prepare a sacred altar with a crucifix in order to communicate with GOD and implore for His infinite mercy.... All will be dark; IN THE SKY A GREAT MYSTIC CROSS will appear to remind us the price that his beloved Son had to pay for our redemption...In the house the only thing that can give light will be the HOLY CANDLES... Once lit, nothing will put them off until the three days of darkness are over. Also, you should have Holy water that should be sprinkled abundantly on windows and doors. The Lord will protect the property of the chosen ones.. Kneel down before the powerful cross of my beloved Son, pray the Rosary and after each Hail Mary you must pray the following: 'Oh God forgive us our sins, preserve us from the fire of hell, take all souls to heaven, especially those who are in more need of thy mercy. Blessed Virgin Mary protect us, we love you, save us and save the world'. Pray 5 Creeds and Rosary which is the secret to my Immaculate Heart. All those who believe in my words go and take the message to everyone.
DO NOT FEAR. FEAR NOTHING DURING THE LORD'S GREAT DAY.
Talk to all the souls. Now that there is time, those who keep quiet will be responsible for all those souls who will perish in ignorance.
All those who pray humbly the rosary will have the protection of heaven and those who are bound to die I will help them die in peace and they will be holy when they enter the other world. I wish all my children to attend mass every first Friday and every first Saturday of each month, to confess and receive Holy Communion and in doing so, save the world from its TOTAL DESTRUCTION. WHEN the earth shakes no more, those who still not believe in our Lord will perish in a horrible way. The wind will bring gas and it will disperse it everywhere, then the sun will rise. Maybe you will survive this catastrophe. Do not forget that God's punishment is holy and ONCE IT HAS STARTED YOU SHOULD NOT LOOK OUTSIDE, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE, GOD DOES NOT WANT ANY OF HIS CHILDREN TO SEE WHEN HE PUNISHES THE SINNERS....
All this encompasses with the writings of the Holy Scriptures..
Read on the New Testament: Luke: 21 - 5:121, 12:19 , 20:20 , 29:33 Letters of St Paul 3 - 8 - 14 Isaiah 40, 1:5:9. You must understand that God allows all this to happen.
The Pope and Bishops are now awaiting another message that speaks about repentance and prayer. Remember that Gods words are not a threat, but good news...Please reproduce these pages and send them to all you know so we all can have the opportunity to repent and be saved. We do not know if those receiving this message believe or not in GOD, but think that if you are receiving this message is for a reason!! Maybe the Creator is giving us the chance to be saved, no matter what religion or creed. If you don't believe in this message at least send it to others, it costs you nothing. To all those receiving it, they can have the opportunity to judge for themselves. Remember, we can avoid a great deal if we practice the Commandments that our Father God left us. There are 10 simple things, that if we all put in practice we can obtain God's pardon.
*LAST SECRET OF FATIMA *
Monday, September 8, 2008
Visit to Sor Victorina and two other Augustinian Sisters
Above this post, you can watch the video clip of our visit to Sor Victorina, which I uploaded to our YouTube channel. The storyline will be posted tonight. I spent most of the time last night looking for an appropriate background music. I was tempted to use Umbrella, ella, ellla... eh... eh.. because Ate Marynat left her umbrella at the Lanai of the Infirmary and I had to go back to get it. But I finally opted for Panunumpa sang by the Philippine Madrigal Singers.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Mini-Reunion in San Francisco, USA with guest, Susan
August 30, 2008
From Fechie,
Attached are the pics taken during our mini reunion with Susan at Marybeth's and Willy's place. We had such a great time and enjoyed every moment of it. We would have much more fun with Men's presence but she could't make it yet. The gathering was hosted by Marybeth and Willy at their gorgeous place in Benicia. In attendance were Joe Sales, Norma (Joe's wife), Fechie and Dante, Beth and Willy and the special guest, Susan. As usual the reunion lasted until the wee hours reminiscing the good old times. We miss you all.
God bless.
Fechie (Fe) Alarcon
Monday, September 1, 2008
History of Daet Parochial School
I found this from the Wikipedia:
The school was founded in 1948 as Daet Parochial School by Monsignor Antonio O. Reganit, the then parish priest of St. John the Baptist Parish. The founder’s dream of putting up a Catholic co-education institution in the parish was made a reality by the generosity and co-operation of the Daet Parishioners and the moral and financial support extended by Msgr. Pedro P. Santos, Bishop of Nueva Caceres, and the then governor of the province, Hon. Governor Wilfredo Panotes.
It was in July 5, 1948 when 220 young children first entered this Catholic school. Named Daet Parochial School, the school went on forward, providing the much needed Catholic education of young parishioners of Daet and graduating its first elementary pupils on April 11, 1949 of the same school year, 1948-1949 and its first high school students on April 15, 1953.
The school’s operation and management was turned over to the Augustinian Sisters of the Philippines (ASP) in SY 1949-1950 with Sr. Ambrosia as first Directress/ Principal and Sr. Juana as the first Mother Superior. Provided with the much needed boost for effective and efficient school operation by the Augustinian Sisters, the Daet Parochial School was able to establish a name congruent to quality education, distinguishing itself in the field of education.
The conversion of Daet Parochial School to La Consolacion School of Daet came in SY 1970-1971 at the advent of Vatican II and in keeping with the modern sense of fellowship. From then on, the Family Council (FC), an organization of parents and teachers in school, and the Board of Trustees had been made functional.
The La Consolacion School of Daet, realizing the importance of systemizing school operations, opted to adopt the Catholic Schools-Systems Development (CS-SD) Program and the Social Orientation-Education Program (SO-EP CIP) in 1983. The school went through a series of Congregational Evaluation Visits (CEV) with the aim, in view, of accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). While in evaluation stage, the La Consolacion School of Daet worked for the offering of collegiate courses and was successfully granted permits and recognition for the operation of the Liberal Arts, Commerce and Education courses. As La Consolacion College – Daet since 1986, the school, today, continue to work for providing meaningful and relevant experiences for the young generation, now numbering 2,284 students. Read More...... Read more!
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