A day in Leila's life

Plane ride

2009-03-31T07:30:00.002+08:00

Finally - after 3 months of non-activity in this blog, am uploading some more pictures.
My camera went kaput during the Christmas break, thus the absence of pictures in our lives for the whole month of January and for the most part of February.

Here are some pictures taken with the new camera my hubby bought.
Isco enjoyed his plane ride - his first, according to his memory. Previous flights were taken when he was a wee little bit, thus could not remember most of it.

About to board the plane.

One of the pictures Isco took from the plane.
We wonder what islands are these?!
Definitely this is somewhere in the Visayas.

Christmastime 2008

2008-12-29T20:29:00.002+08:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2009 New Year! from the Flores family.

dog is still alive

2008-12-24T08:20:00.002+08:00

After 10 days of Isco's bite on the face - I am glad to say that the dog is still alive. Altho, we still have 4 more days to go for the full 14 days observation period.

Isco's bite mark has healed nicely and we can barely see it now. It was that scratch of a bite lang...

dog bite

2008-12-15T20:26:00.004+08:00

Isco was bitten by a neighbor's dog he was playing with for the first time.
Syempre pa, panic ako and brought him to an animal bite center (which was kilometerssss away - took us 2 hours to get there) for the necessary shots.

Here, the nurse is preparing the drugs.

Skin tests were done for ATS(anti tetanus serum) and ERIG (equine rabies immunoglobulin G) and we waited for 30 minutes for any reaction - there was none, before the full doses were given.

The empty vial of the ERIG.
This set us back 7,500 Philippine pesos.

sword man

2008-11-29T06:55:00.001+08:00

Hiyaaa!!!!

Isco trying out the sword I gave him... and imitating the child-Buddha's pose. :-)

i scream for ice cream!

2008-11-27T20:42:00.004+08:00

I SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!!!!

hONG kONG

2008-11-25T08:06:00.005+08:00

Elaine and Doc Joepet Laraya walking towards the Lantau Veterinary Services.

This is South Lantau Road on a typical day - no or very minimal traffic. :-) Buses ply this road though, going between
Mui Wo (where the ferry port to/from HK island is located)
and Tai'O (oldest fishing village in HK)
or Ngong Ping (site of the Big Buddha)
or Tung Chung (nearest community to the HK international airport).

Doc Joepet, a Filipino vet who owns and practices in that clinic, hosted us for a night.
The three other ladies are our graduating students doing externship with Doc Joepet for 5 weeks.
(Jerilee Penalba, Marinelle Barola and Christine Batol)

The Big Buddha... (the one on top of the hill ha....) :-)
This is Pui'O beach where we took 11 dogs for an early morning walk (5:30am)!
Can't see the dogs here - they were let loose and were running around, exploring the beach.

Below was taken on Pier 9, Hong Kong side.
Across the strait is the Tsim Sha Tsui area, where the sloping building of the
HK cultural center could be seen.

A ride in the Duk Ling - the junk boat. :-)
And a walk in the park (Victoria Park)... gotta have water on hand.
Another ride - this time the peak tram - only in HongKong!

View from the top:
And of course, the Ladies' Market...

Nga pala -
This was the reason I was in HK lately - to attend the 6th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology.
Elaine and I also presented a poster during the Congress (just so we have a reason that we HAVE to be there).
:-)

food I ate in Hong Kong

2008-11-25T07:21:00.008+08:00

Island Cove, Cavite

2008-11-13T08:25:00.004+08:00

where will we go?
This was at the Animal Island of the Island Cove, Cavite....

Isco was excited to see and meet his "cousins. :-)

In the background (photo below) are the Philippine crocodiles...
And there were red eared slider (turtles)...

And nanang as a butterfly?!

Giant butterfly...

VTH-LB transfer 1

2008-10-30T16:56:00.008+08:00

The Activity Board by the Animal Husbandry Arch proclaims the impending transfer of the Vet Teaching Hospital-Los Banos to Tabon-Maahas.

A close-up look of the same signage is placed by the entryway to the current VTH-LB.
M.Amparo peeking through the doorway.

Ms Yoly pointing out the gaping hole left by the viewing window that has been removed and transfered to the new location.

I asked M. Amparo and Ms Yoly to "man" the reception area for posterity's sake.

Doc Maan lords it over her record keeping duties, in the resident vet's office.

The record section of the VTH.
The folders with the new numerical filing system are in the wooden cabinet;
while the old alphabetical filing system are still in the filing cabinet/drawers.

at rest

2008-10-30T12:30:00.001+08:00

Isco, taking a rest from biking around the village... thought it's a nice pic...

2nd Radiographic Interpretation Workshop

2008-10-23T17:25:00.008+08:00

The Dept of Vet Clinical Sciences of UPCVM recently held the
2nd Radiographic Interpretation Workshop
to a group of veterinarians working in one of the Philippines' largest group of veterinary clinics
(sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health).

Seen here is Dean CValdez welcoming the veterinarians.

Participants doing their thoracic radiographic interpretation as part of the workshop.
Application of what they have (hopefully) learned during my short talk.

"Hmnnn.... may cardiac enlargement kaya to?"

That's Anne Concepcion -in deep thought;
and Roscia Masocol (forgot her married name?!) doing some explanation.
Sherry Yu is hidden between the two vets.

The participants with the faculty members
(find current Dean CValdez, Dr. JAcorda, Dr, ETorres, Dr. FRecuenco and yours truly)
and former Deans Topacio and Manuel.

UPLB campus

2008-10-21T04:52:00.010+08:00

This is the Botany lecture hall (memorable for Bior 30 classes, quiz shows, etc) now -
it has air conditioning,
ceiling-mounted LCD projector (mounted just beneath the wall clock),
new coat of paint - but still with the sturdy non-ergonomic wooden chairs,
painted glass windows to keep out noise and glaring light
(pano kaya kung mag-brown out?).

This is in the middle of BioSci building, just outside the Botany lecture room...

Rafael Palma Bridge...

Where is this, you say? Could you recognize it?

It's the Gazebo,
between Student Union Bldg and Umali Hall.

Si Maria na may banga... dumami ang mga banga - ginawang aesthetic posts to prevent vehicles from parking around the gazebo.

Oo nga naman --- could you imagine kung may affair sa Umali Hall/ Auditorium?
- hay, ang gandang parking area neto!
Bright idea nga ang mga harang na 'to!!! :-)

UPLB field

2008-10-20T05:21:00.005+08:00

pathway leading from between Men's and Women's Dorm, cutting across the field towards Palma Bridge (or thereabouts)

The circular pathway in the middle is transformed into the UP seal with different and well-placed plants during special occasions (altho for now I could only think of graduation when they did it)

Behind Humanities Bldg - doing the much needed landscaping to beautify and keep the shoes free from dirt when going into the building...
malapit nang matapos

Kanin Club

2008-10-19T18:48:00.017+08:00

Some faculty members of the DVCS went to Kanin Club, Paseo de Sta Rosa last Friday, Oct 17, 2008 for dinner.

The parade of food started with the green mango with shrimp paste (bagoong), much to the great delight of Jessalyn, our pretty preggy companion. :-)

This was accompanied by crispy liempo with various condiments on the side:
vinegar, soy sauce and chili sauce...

And the appetizer was rounded off with this Thai green mango salad...
which was typically sour green mango with that peanut-y twist and Thai-distinctly sauce.

These were followed by...:

the "binukadkad na tilapia" ("butterflied" tilapia), which was really a good eat
--- to the fish's bones! [Sarap to the bones!]...

Then, pork binagoongan (fried pork with thick shrimp paste).

Again, I wouldn't know how it tasted like, as I don't eat pork.

Other food (not pictured) were tom yam goong soup and baked mussels.

The night wore on with lots of conversations, laughter and teasing...
We also received word around this time that Em's (far left) appointment has officially been approved by the UPLB's APB.
So, welcome aboard, Em! May you enjoy teaching as we do!

As I've said... laughter all around through the night...

Oh, did I mention? It was also Deo's birthday; seen here with his son, Nathan (who is now in 1st year college -taking up DVM course, thus is our future student!).
And of course, the ever-present Mernel's chocolate cake. Good thing that the restaurant did not ask for "corkage" fee for the bottles of wine and the cake we brought in and consumed there.

It was a great night and hope to do it again sometime soon.

Thank you, Dept Chair and birthday boy! :-)

Roxas City

2008-10-15T07:36:00.009+08:00

I have to take a picture of this - reminds me of Cagayan de Oro airport... probably, all minor domestic airports are the same all over the country? You can actually see your own luggage being unloaded from the plane, placed on a cart and wheeled to the building.

Elaine (with the ubiquitous -in-LB Mernel's chocolate cake white and red box - our pasalubong for our hosts) is waiting for the luggages to be placed in the carousel beside her.
Our hosts - Ms Rica and Doc Ricky Dimayuga - graciously shared their beautiful home, precious time and good food with us. There were lotsa talking and laughing too, thrown in for good measure.

They also proudly showed us, their laid-back and lovely adopted city (Roxas).

This is Flatrock Beach Resort at one end of Roxas City - where one can enjoy the seawater, albeit with pay for the attached amenities (i.e. shower).

But if you want to swim for free - just head down to the more accessible Baybay.

The beach is still very much popular with the local - of all ages which is for free!!!
Free for the people to swim in; and it is free of garbage!
One cannot see flotsam and jetsam that is a common in Manila Bay.

Baybay, akin to Roxas Blvd in Manila, has been spruced up lately with cemented boardwalk and railings, with numerous built-in cemented gangways that slope down to the beach.

This is one of the houses that is usually pointed out to new-comers. The beach house of the Roxas', which is just a stone's throw away from the beach (behind me).

And this is the other one -the birthplace of the former president.

Churches at Roxas City and Pan-ay, Capiz

2008-10-14T13:16:00.008+08:00

Have to have a picture taken in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Church of Roxas City.

In blue fondant color. :-) (for Marian color?)

Then, on to Pan-ay (8 km south of Roxas City) for the historical Pan-ay Church.

This is the replica of the bell hanging somewhere up in the bellfry.

Inside the church - which is typically cross-shaped. Unfortunately, most, if not all, of the original statues and statuettes have been stolen.

coffee, anyone?

2008-10-14T12:59:00.003+08:00

Brewed coffee, prepared by no less than the now-barista- Doc Ricky D!

Capuccino for breakfast...
And espresso for after-dinner...

If only I don't suffer from migraine with coffee, I could have asked for more cups!
Thanks, Doc!

Panay River, Roxas City

2008-10-14T11:44:00.005+08:00

Scenic Panay River, Roxas City...

Now, if only I could identify these "flying birds"

dogs to be spayed

2008-10-14T09:33:00.004+08:00

Storm (the 35-kg German Shepherd) and Aspen (another 35 kg dog - Rottweiler, this time)
about to go under the knife for a routine spay... one of our reasons in going to Roxas City.
Beautiful, healthy dogs...
And then, this was Storm - about 12 hours post-op - excited to see us and can't help jumping and circling around! parang walang nangyari. Of course, by then... the bandage was gone.

NAIA 3

2008-10-14T08:22:00.006+08:00

Was my first time at Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 - thus, just have to take pictures of it.
It was humongous, looks clean, cold(!) and typical chrome-tile-glass building.

The Cebu Pacific Airlines check in counter was also a breeze with lots of staff attending to you.

This was the second floor of the building, outside the departure area. Twas where the food arcade was, altho there's still a huge chunk of space that is yet to be filled up. We had a light breakfast here.

And this is the departure waiting area; with ALL chairs situated facing the glaring sunlight of the runway. It feels like, while waiting for your flight to be called, that you are waiting for a show to go on-stage somewhere.

This was the plane (being cargo-loaded) we will eventually ride to take us to Roxas City!

Seafood Capital of the Philippines

2008-10-14T07:50:00.007+08:00

Elaine and I went to Roxas City, Capiz - the seafood capital of the Philippines to visit a friend, spay his German Shepherd and his friend's Rottweiler, see the city and of course, sample their seafoods...

this is the sumptuous oyster ("talaba")...

the perfectly grilled squid stuffed with tomatoes and onions...

the broiled-just-right crabs...

the sizzling fish tanguigue...

And the butter-onion-ed shrimps...

More pictures at:
http://rickydmd.multiply.com/photos/album/94

Yum!!! Yum!!!
Thanks, Doc Ricky and Ms Rica!

molo? siomai? shanghai? wanton?

2008-10-07T14:28:00.004+08:00

Just love the symmetry of that lay-out. Kaya I took the picture. :-)

Not really sure what I was making here.

But just mashed some ground pork, chopped kinchai, grated carrots plus spices (pinch of pepper/ salt/ cayenne pepper, dash of dijon mustard/ Worcestershire sauce) together and envoloped a small mound into a wanton wrapper.

Then, using pork and chicken broth as base, dropped them into it, added a whisked egg and you've got a soup.

However, my youngest son wanted 'em fried. So I left some for him and fried that.

So what did I make? pancit molo? siomai? shanghai? wanton? not really sure.

All I know is that my family enjoyed it. However, I wouldn't know how it tastes like, as I don't eat pork. hehehehe

Ultrasonography at VTH-LB

2008-10-07T13:42:00.004+08:00

The senior clinicians, under the guidance of Dr. J. Acorda did an ultrasound examination of our patient of the day - a very cooperative 12 y.o. intact female Maltese, who has renal cystolith and some floating hyperechogenic substances in its bladder.

From left to right - that's Ms.'s Areva Ella, Shiela Grona, Rachelle Crystal, Desiree del Mundo and Noemi Diloy.
That "big black orb" within the white ultrasonic ray of image is the urinary bladder.
Tama ba, Ms A.C.?

birds and cattle

2008-10-06T13:12:00.004+08:00

just took pictures outside the office. birds are there to peck ectoparasites off the cattle. nice... hope I had a longer lens to catch them on photo more close up.

IRRI

2008-10-02T06:46:00.005+08:00

This is the entrance to IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) where I just love their rice museum - probably the only one in the world?

This is the driveway that leads up to the "banners of the world" which at this day the picture was taken, the banners/ flags were nowhere to be found. Will try to chance upon the area when they are up and waving. :-) And you will see how fun it is to try to identify which flag goes with which country - my kids' favorite pasttime when we see them.

Notice the nicely done landscaped island where the hideous looking security guard house used to stand?

PAHA post-graduate course

2008-09-29T06:54:00.004+08:00

Just attended the Phil Animal Hosp Assoc's post-graduate course on Emergency and Critical Care with guest speakers Dr. Katrin Swindells (UMurdoch - in blue scrubs) and Dr. Sarah Haldane (UMelbourne - in green scrubs).

It was a very informative-filled two days with

confirming what we know [i.e. blood typing before transfusion, among others],
unlearning what we have learned [i.e. doxapram for neonates is a no-no now, among others],
actually seeing what we just read in books [i.e. CVP in dogs]
etc... etc... etc.

Here is Dr. Andrew, putting on the central venous catheter (in a just-euthanatized dog) - with Dr. Sarah guiding him.
That's Dr Sonny in the background (in brown) who is instrumental in bringing in the two guests from Australia. As Dr Katrin said - he did the "cajoling, pleading and urging" to get them here.

And Dr. Raymond being guided by Dr. Katrin on how to attach a thoracotomy tube (again, on the same just-euthanatized dog).

Other things we did on the poor dog: endotracheal entubation, urethral catheterization (this was a female dog), venous cut-down, abdominocentesis and gastric lavage.

cheesecake at Astoria Plaza

2008-09-29T06:31:00.002+08:00

This is the blueberry cheesecake of Astoria Plaza... Oooh, so good.

The twist in it that is different (at least from what I make) is the chocolate sprinkles on the side and the drizzle of chocolate syrup on the plate before it was placed there. The chocolate added the touch of bitterness that blends well and balances the sweetness of the blueberry dazzled on top.
The cheesecake itself is also exquisite with lots of creamcheese (not much gelatin).

However, the bummer in this is the hard-rock crust at the bottom.
A few minutes after this was served to the 100 or so guests in the conference room, you can hear the clink of the fork on to the ceramic plate resonating all over the room... corroborating what I have observed. :-S

friends

2008-09-23T16:56:00.003+08:00

Ima loves going to Lucena to be with her cousin, Marielle and the latter's friends. They just have fun being girls; with no boys in attendance. :-)

Happy Birthday, Mama!

2008-09-22T19:30:00.007+08:00

Ninang Nilda arrived with Tito Benny to surprise Mama for lunch. We all brought food.
(The apple pie shown in my previous post is actually the desert I brought for this occasion.

Mama can't seem to decide what to eat - the salad first?

or inihaw na tilapia?
or roasted chicken?
or deviled eggs?
or chicken-ala-king?
or the pancit palabok?
hmnnn....

Anyhows, Happy Birthday, ma-in-law dear! :-)

a male cat who can't pee (oliguric cat)

2008-09-22T19:01:00.002+08:00

We just had a case of a male, intact adult cat brought in on a Thursday who hasn't peed since Monday. He is on dry cat food and stays indoors most of the time.

Upon palpation of the abdomen, the bladder was fully distended and quite firm . Here, one can see the gloved hand, outlining the bladder.
A cystocentesis was done to relieve the cat from its discomfort.
Bloody urine was removed (about 25 mL at the start).

And finally, a Tom Cat catheter was inserted, bloody urine aspirated and the the bladder repeatedly irrigated with sterile saline.

This was one of the urthral plug dislodged from the cat. Poor thing.

(Follow-up: cat is doing good three weeks after the initial presentation.)

973 Carmen St. 3

2008-09-22T18:15:00.001+08:00

More of Mylene's house... forgot to post this. :-)

The view to the dining/kitchen.

And the dirty kitchen just outside the back door. With shades of blue, as the transparent overhead is of blue color.

apple pie

2008-09-22T17:36:00.004+08:00

The apple pie is something that I really enjoy making.

I just love the smell wafting from the oven while baking it.

But it is more gratifying to take a slice,
share it with family and friends...

and with vanilla ice cream to top it off...
ooohhhh.... delectable!
:-D

Want some?!

Isco's 7th birthday celebrations

2008-09-22T17:10:00.004+08:00

Isco had fun on his 7th birthday.
We celebrated it by bringing food to his class. Here, he is shown, playing asleep as the two seatmates, Teresa and Therese beamed beside him.

Then, we went to Oasis Hotel (Splash Mountain) for a night swim...

with just family in attendance.

And for the weekend, the birthday bash was continued with another swim at Ridgewood pool, Lucena City with cousins and cousins' friends...

Thank you for sharing the day(s) with me. :-)
-Isco

Frogs on cat food

2008-09-09T14:14:00.005+08:00

Everyday whenever my cat eats her meal, she gets visitors watching her eat...
waiting for her to finish...
And she senses them coming near...

See that frog? That's one of 'em...
And she leaves either because she is done (I hope!) or because they were getting too close for comfort.

And soon enough, they raid her bowl for the treats. I noticed that this "intensive-color patented formula" is really true - especially with these frogs. They used to be more on the greenish-brown hue. Now, they are of golden-brown color. :-)
(It was difficult for me to catch the frogs actually putting out their tongue to get a kibble of food... but trust me, they do eat these things.)

Royal Canin at VTH-LB

2008-09-08T20:07:00.002+08:00

Royal Canin had an RC Day held at the Vet Teaching Hospital-Los Banos last Sept 3, 2008.
It was a great way of learning about the company and their products for dogs and cats alike.

Of course in attendance were the senior clinicians who were on Extension Service duty; along with the vets from the College and Dr Joy of RC.

Natural Product Niche - UPLB

2008-09-08T10:23:00.005+08:00

Just realized, after three years of almost monthly meeting with these wonderful scientists that these three pictures are all I have of the group (the UPLB Committee on Natural Products Research and Development Extension under the OVCRE).

The above picture was during the preparation for the group's activity: "Functional Foods: Balik-tuklas sa mga pagkaing pangkalusugan" which was held 2 March 2007, 8:30 am at the New CAS Annex Bldg, UPLB.

It is great being a part of this diverse group. I have learned so many things but realized also that there is so much more to learn.
From different backgrounds but united in the research on indigenous natural products.
Here in the picture are Drs. Tans de Guzman (CSC), Eupy Marfori (BIOTECH), Evelyn Rodriquez (IC), Tony Laurena (IPB), Heidi Hernandez (IC) and Lou Cardenas (IBS).
We missed Drs Dee Maligalig (IBS) and Amie Estacio (CVM).

horse of a shadow? ... shadow of a horse?

2008-09-08T10:05:00.004+08:00

This was so eerie... I was doing the laundry in three batches. And while waiting for my third batch to be done in the washing machine [what did you think - I did it by hand?! no way! ;-P]

:-D Anyway... while waiting, I saw this shadow on the floor and thought that a horse was passing through my laundry area!
Only to see that it was my hanged laundry, making such pattern. Complete with eyes and flaring nares.
Come to think of it - if it was really a shadow of the real thing, there wouldn't be a hole for the eye now, aye?

Had to rush inside the house to grab my camera before the sun was hidden by the clouds or that its position in relation to the clothes will not be right...

Nice, huh?

kids in Tagaytay

2008-09-08T09:58:00.001+08:00

I scream.... Ice cream... I scream... Ice cream... :-)

Linggo ng Wika

2008-09-08T09:44:00.003+08:00

It is during Linggo ng Wika (Language Week) that school children are made aware of the importance of not only the Filipino language but the Filipino Heritage as well.
As a culminating event, the children are asked to put on their Filipino costume for one day, along with a presentation program in school, consumption of Filipino kakanin (finger foods) and the like.
My daughter, Ima, was excited to wear my colorful Bukidnon native costume - although, not excited enough to complete the outfit with the peacock-like headress and the numerous and weight-y beads accessories. (She was the only one in school wearing this costume - and am proud of her!)

Here is a picture of her, along with her school-and-shuttle-mates in their costumes. :-)

Boun Giorno again! for Chito's birthday this time

2008-09-08T09:06:00.005+08:00

We went to Tagaytay again for a lunch out for Chito's 37th birthday. Junie and family joined us for the tummy-filling luncheon.

While waiting for the food, we took pictures and so did the kids...
Finally the food arrived. The kids had the T-bone steak again.

I had my usual pasta marinara - much better than the "green pillow-pasta" I had previously.
For drinks, we had green iced tea and usual iced tea in their macho glass. Refreshing as always...

Kelan kaya ulit kami babalik? Sama ka? :-)

Ranchers' Club 86th Anniversary Ball

2008-09-08T08:42:00.013+08:00

August 24, 2008:
The 86th Anniversary of the Ranchers' Club started with - what else, but a preliminary gathering at Chito and Leila's house.
The famed Vietnamese cobra-in-a-bottle alcohol was absent. Naubos na ata (finally!).

So sa mga hindi dumating dahil nangangamba na makainom galing sa bote na yun, it was a relatively sedate gathering. :-)

Then, it was on to a Pansol resort for the night's dinner, program (of induction of new officers and members, Bro. Nap Dagdagan's speech), picture taking, karaoke singing, catching up on what's new and stuff...

It was great seeing friends and reminiscing... Til next year!

10 Commandments on how to speak the ultimate coño

2008-09-01T19:20:00.002+08:00

The 10 COMMANDMENTS ON HOW TO SPEAK THE ULTIMATE CONIO

I got this from a friend of my cousin. Have to repost here.
As she said, "Reminds me of some people sa paligid, you know!"

1. Thou shall make gamit "make + pandiwa".

ex.

"Let's make pasok na to our class!"

"Wait lang! I'm making kain pa!"

"Come on na, we can't make hintay anymore! It's in Andrew pa, you know?"

*****

2. Thou shall make kalat "noh", "diba" and "eh" in your pangungusap.

ex.

"I don't like to make lakad in the baha nga, no? Eh diba it's like, so eew, diba?"

"What ba? Stop nga being maarte noh?"

"Eh as if you want naman also, diba?"

*****

3. When making describe a whatever, always say "It's SO pang-uri!"

ex.

"It's so malaki, you know, and so mainit!"

"I know right? So sarap nga, eh!"

"You're making me inggit naman.. I'll make bili nga my own burger."

*****

4. When you are lalaki, make parang punctuation "dude", 'tsong" or "pare"

ex.

"Dude, ENGANAL is so hirap, pare."

"I know, tsong, I got bagsak nga in quiz one, eh"

*****

5. Thou shall know you know? I know right!

ex.

"My bag is so bigat today, you know"

"I know, right! We have to make dala pa kasi the jumbo Physics book eh!"

*****

6. Make gawa the plural of pangngalans like in English or Spanish*.

ex.

"I have so many tigyawats, oh!"

*****

7. Like, when you can make kaya, always use like. Like, I know right?

ex.

"Like, it's so init naman!"

"Yah! The aircon, it's, like sira!"

*****

8. Make yourself feel so galing by translating the last word of your sentence, you know, your pangungusap? *

ex.

"Kakainis naman in the LRT! How plenty tao, you know, people?"

"It's so tight nga there, eh, you know, masikip?"

*****

9. Make gamit of plenty abbreviations, you know, daglat?"

ex.

"Like, OMG! It's like traffic sa LRT"

"I know right? It's so kaka!"

"Kaka?"

"Kakaasar!"

*****

10. Make gamit the pinakamaarte voice and pronunciation you have para full effect!

ex.

"I'm, like, making aral at the Arrhneo!"

"Me naman, I'm from Lazzahl!"

Girls' Club

2008-08-22T06:03:00.007+08:00

My daughter, Ima, attends the Girls' Club (6-12 y.o.) once a month for an informal spiritual formation and an activity to help them find their talents (different per month).

She so looks forward to this every month and crosses her finger that no family affair is scheduled on the same day of the Girls' Club meeting (9-11am on a Saturday).

For the August 16, 2008 meeting, they had "Jazz up your bag"... which involved painting a cloth bag that Tita Malou Calapardo stitched for them. They enjoyed the activities with other big sisters (Tita Angie, T. Grace, T. Nora, T. Cel, T. Precy, T. Len and T. Malou).

On the picture above, the girls are showing off the bags they worked on - mostly with their own name painted on. Ima could only identify Alex and Pat (standing left and center), then kneeling (left to right) are Dani, Ima, Bianca, Em-em. Her apologies as she cannot remember the names of both girls on the rightmost

Cat Tree along Pili Drive, UPLB

2008-08-13T09:01:00.004+08:00

Along the Pili Drive, from IRRI to UPLB campus, there is this pili tree (Canarium sp.) with a trunk that is like the forelimbs of a cat in a typical pose - which reminds me of the Disney "cat-oon" of Aristocats.
Now, if only we could add a paper mache of it's head with a Cheshire cat grin... but then that would bring in an Alice of Wonderland twist to it :-)

A closer look at it. Now, don't you agree?!

VCLN 173 - SY 2008-09

2008-08-07T07:39:00.004+08:00

The VCLN 173 this schoolyear is a joy to attend. So far, the students have been reporting really well and one can see that they really prepared for their reports.

To commemorate one such day, we had a picture taken with the day's reporters plus a classmate (yang hindi naka uniform :-)) with Andrew (the course coordinator) and myself.

Good work, clinicians. Hopefully the rest of the schoolyear will bring forth the same dedication to the subject by everyone's willing and interactive participation. :-D

new UP CVM Tabon-Maahas Station

2008-08-06T18:24:00.005+08:00

This is the UP College of Veterinary Medicine's Tabon-Maahas Station that accomodates the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (2nd floor) and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Animal Diagnostic Disease Laboratory (1st floor).

The pictures below show the newly-constructed flood control half-wall of the 1st floor. This was brought about by the lesson learned from the 2006 Typhoon Milenyo that flooded the 1st floor up to two feet above the existing floor - making the electric outlets useless as it was reached by the flood waters.

To enter the building, one needs to go up 3 steps or up a ramp as seen here:

The main entrance boasts a footbath-like space between the existing floor area and the new step down.

leaves... leaves... more leaves...

2008-07-31T14:21:00.003+08:00

Am fascinated with leaves. Their color - veination (is there such a word?) - arrangement - hues...

Shake.... dance

2008-07-28T11:59:00.006+08:00

Mylene, with friends, had a dance number during the birthday party program.
Shake --- body, body dancer! Shake - body, body dancer!
(tama ba ang lyrics?!)
The bodies were shaken (and so were the adipose, they say...)

Kung saan-saan nakatingin habang sumasayaw!

Marielle's 7th birthday

2008-07-28T11:22:00.004+08:00

Marielle's 7th birthday. Very pretty little girl with her birthday cake and pink ballons.

See those white mini cakes around her double decker birthday cake?
It was the afternoon's creative highlight... as children-guests decorated it to their hearts' content for a grand prize of the day!
So the kids joined forces to create 6 groups for the 6 mini-cakes.

There was the group of Kira and friends...

Marielle and friends...

Ima and the boys...

Miguel and friends...

me and Auntie Myles?!!! (I took up one mini-cake as there were no takers for the last one...)
I was aiming for the consolation prize... age pa lang, disqualified na! :-)
And here they are during judgement hour:

And the winner was the mini-cake in the middle, with cupcake on top, chocolate cookie stuck on the sidewall - which was re-created by Miguel and friends! Surprise! Surprise! Didn't know the boys have the artistic streak in them. Congratulations!

973 Carmen St. 7

2008-07-28T09:24:00.002+08:00

Some pictures of the inside of the house.
In the picture below, the lighter colored wall is the extension of the existing wall to make a division of some sort between the living and dining areas.

973 Carmen St. 6

2008-07-28T09:07:00.004+08:00

The wall of one bedroom was transformed to accomodate a sliding door leading to small terrace (far end of the wall).Which is overlooking another nook for a nice cup of coffee or, for reading the day's newspaper or, for just plain talking-and-catching up with friends and family.

Nice and cozy, aye?
Note the half open front gate on the right side.
In the foreground is part of the plants sorrounding a small waterfall (waterfall not seen in picture).
Nice and cozy, aye?

973 Carmen St. 5

2008-07-28T08:46:00.004+08:00

This shows the new parking space and gate leading to the former main door which is now a side door.
That's Kira standing by the door.
By the door is a basketball ring thus, the parking space - when empty - is made into a mini half court; which Mario will not pass up at any time of day or night.

973 Carmen St. 4

2008-07-28T08:35:00.003+08:00

The corner of Carmen and West Triangle(?) Sts - showing the transformation.
Note the closure of the drive way on the Carmen St (right side)-fence which is just beside the palm tree and creation of a new, bigger parking area on the West Triangle (left side)-fence.

That is Ima buying taho (soya based drink) by the new gate - something my kids look forward to every morning in their aunt's place; as taho vendors do not ply our streets.

973 Carmen St. 3

2008-07-28T08:27:00.003+08:00

The facade of the house facing Carmen St. The couple opted to create a new entry way to the house. Notice change of roof and grills).

2006 graduation

2008-07-28T05:31:00.006+08:00

Just thought I'd post this - graduation group picture from UP Open University in Aug 2006 (Master of Hospital Administration).

If my memory serves me right:
Dr. Fidel Burgos of Lucena City
Dr. Peter George Tian Jr of Cagayan de Oro City (MPH),
Dr. Dionisio Claridad Jr of Baguio City
Dr. Bonaleth de Vera of Santiago City - my classmate since day 1
moi
Dr. Menandro A. Villadelgado of Sto Tomas, Batangas
Dr. Abundio A. Balgos of Mandaluyong City

what tree?

2008-07-22T22:51:00.002+08:00

As my camera is the type of point-and-shoot, that's just what I did when I saw the sky turning golden-yellow just outside my kitchen door.

Nice, aye?
Guess what tree this was?

clamber up the tree

2008-07-22T22:16:00.005+08:00

Here's Isco clambering up the rambutan tree for the heck of it.

Altho he didn't get too far up - as he lost grip on the trunk and ran out of footholds, he asked me "take a picture/s and post in the blog for the whole world to see!"

So, for posterity's sake... :-)

family tree (pero pie)

2008-07-16T07:24:00.003+08:00

This is our family tree in a pie shaped presentation (draft).

The middle of the "pie" are my maternal great-great grandparents (Paulino Abigania and Romana Rafanan), who fortunately, had only 4 children - thus the pie was easily divided into four.

I know one cannot read from this, but it shows the distribution quite well... and it also shows in which branch of the family I still lack in information. So, more job for me then.

As this is just a draft, I plan to transfer this to make a blue print out of it for ease of reproduction for distribution (?) to interested family members.

Ristorante Pia y Damaso at Greenbelt 5

2008-07-09T10:03:00.004+08:00

One has to try the Guni-guni truffle from Ristorante Pia y Damaso at Greenbelt 5, Makati.
It is pure heaven! (it is the sugarless version of "Sisa's Dementia")...
They have other sinful desserts that I would try if and when I go back.

Their menu brings back memories of that high school required reading of Noli Me Tangere. :-)
Their plates are pieces of artwork themselves, that may be mounted for decor!
Had luncheon there a while back with vet-colleagues and Virbac managers... (thank you!)

stre------etch.... stre---------etch

2008-07-09T09:45:00.002+08:00

Father and son doing their morning stretching ritual. :-)

Belly-up Acacia tree

2008-07-09T09:28:00.004+08:00

Picture taken in June 2008 of Isco by a still-alive fallen acacia tree brought about by Typhoon Milenyo in 2006(?). This is located just inside the UPLB gateway. Beautiful!

"iskolar ng bayan" in the making

2008-07-09T09:17:00.002+08:00

Isco, ang future iskolar ng bayan...
(Isco, the future state scholar)

lecture series of Virbac (Atopic Dermatitis)

2008-07-03T22:11:00.005+08:00

This is us - the UP vets - with the speaker for the night, Dr. Peter Ihrke from UC Davis, who talked about Gentle Management of Atopic Dermatitis. The lecture series was sponsored by Virbac Animal Health-Philippines. And we learned alot!

ceiling of St Therese of the Child Jesus Chapel, UPLB

2008-07-03T21:01:00.005+08:00

This is the ceiling of St Therese of the Child Jesus Parish Chapel (STCJP) at Univ of the Phils Los Baños (UPLB), where we attend Sunday mass.
The first picture shows a panel of the ceiling that is yet to be renovated.

And the next picture, shows the renovated parts. Beautiful and worth it in a house of God.
(A choir loft was also added at the corner opposite the altar but wasn't able to take a picture of that...)

cycling home 2

2008-06-27T01:02:00.003+08:00

Here are more pictures of my views when cycling to work.
This is called Pili Drive at UPLB.
In between the pili trees, to the right, one can view Mt Makiling.

This street is a long stretch (can't really say exactly how far the distance is from one end to the other); and it is uphill when am on my way to work [this view].
On the other hand, when I am going back home, one push of the pedal at one end of the drive will get me to the other end in a leisurely pace. :-D

CVM coffeebook pictorial

2008-06-25T09:10:00.005+08:00

The College of Vet Med will have a coffeebook published sometime within the year, in time for UP's Centennial Celebration. The faculty members were asked to come to the semestral meeting in full Filipiniana regalia for a pictorial. And we did...

Here are the male faculty members:
Drs KB Gicana, RMarte, CAValdez, EFLandicho, EBTorres, WBaticados, ABombio, JAAcorda,
AMBernardo, JMasangkay, SLEduardo, RJDucusin, JOlarve, JHAbalos, DVUmali
[not in picture: RSanchez, DAlcantara, CMaala, BDivina]

Here is one with the lady faculty members present. (I still have to get a copy of everyone in it.)
And they are:
Drs BC Cruzana, DGC Patricio, GD deOcampo, MF Caraballe, MGV Paraso and FC Recuenco
moi, Drs AB Morales, VA Matawaran, HA Molina, MA Padilla, EP Manigbas and LR Baldrias
[ladies not in pic are: Drs MCT deLuna, MAC Estacio, HG Rovira, JML Constante and RL Maligaya]

And another informal one with classmates, Elaine and Doreen. The latter, btw, will be leaving for Canada soon (Sept 2008)...

cycling home

2008-06-24T16:29:00.006+08:00

This is my view everyday as I cycle (or drive) to and from work, on a bright sunny day. Nice, aye?

These pictures show Mt Makiling in her different "moods": bright and sunny, shrouded in clouds, peeking through...

Can't get enough of rice field views and mountainous landscape...

Typhoon Frank

2008-06-24T16:09:00.004+08:00

Over the weekend of june 21-22, typhoon Frank hit the Philippines. It was quite an experience, with gusty winds and strong rain. Although, Milenyo in 2006 was still the worst I have experienced so far.

Pictures here show what it did mostly to our rambutan. For sure, my family will be eating less of the fruit this year.

Later in the day of June 22, Chito and I went to a friend's house 3 towns away and I took pictures of the rice paddies/ fields that turned lake-like and as water rushed from one side of the street to the other side as it sought lower lands.

west side garden

2008-06-24T16:00:00.004+08:00

another view of the western portion of the back garden.. para bang ang laki-laki ng garden ko. hehehehe

west side garden 2

2008-06-24T15:43:00.006+08:00

the transformation of the western portion of the back garden:

south side garden

2008-06-24T15:34:00.004+08:00

Isco is shown here watering the plants, a picture "before the landscaping"...

"during the landscaping". The landscape artist in white cap:
This picture shows the majestic stature of the Hawaiian palms...

south side garden 2

2008-06-24T15:26:00.004+08:00

2004 (Max, the cat, lording it over the rocks) :-)

2005...

2008...

Need I say more?

east side garden

2008-06-24T15:06:00.007+08:00

Another take of that eastern/southern corner of my back garden. This picture was taken around 2005, around a year after moved into this house. So, this is definitely, a "before" picture of it.

The second picture shows the "during landscaping (2008)" of the same area...

And this is another "after landscaping" picture...

east side garden 2

2008-06-24T14:44:00.006+08:00

This is my little back garden... showing the eastern portion of it. The above picture is the "before landscaping".
The pictures below show the "during landscaping"...

still "during landscaping"...
(in between the two days the gardeners were working on it)

and the "after landscaping"... albeit this shows most of the plants under the shade of the chico tree.

a closer look at those plants (the chico tree, as point of reference, is the one on the left side of the picture)... was quite thankful that the landscape artist decided to use most of the existing plants. And he just disposed of a few of 'em.

front garden after landscaping

2008-06-24T14:30:00.004+08:00

These are the other pictures of our new front garden. The plants chosen for this part are those that could thrive under the shade as the two rambutan trees block the sunlight for most of the day year round.

Isco trying out the hammock....
and Max, the cat, checking out the repositioned stepping stones...

front garden 2

2008-06-19T20:06:00.005+08:00

The transformation of my front garden...

Caleruega, Nasugbu, Batangas

2008-06-19T18:41:00.004+08:00

We attended the wedding of Jessalyn and Michael Constante nee Lapitan.
It was beautiful, solemn but fun occasion for the couple and the guests. I have yet to get copies of the pictures from my friends' camera. So far, these posted were what I got from Karlo. At wala pang picture with the bride and groom!

DVCS, CVM was represented by the Chair, Andrew Bernardo [with necktie] and the Dean, Dr. Conrado Valdez (not in the pic). Plus us - Frances Recuenco, moi, Elaine Manigbas ("Mutya ng Kahayupan"), Frances Recuenco, Agnes Lapitan ("Diwata ng Tabon") and Karlo Gicana [in Barong]

Beautiful Transfiguration Chapel, esp at night.

My Labrador Retriever dogs

2008-06-19T18:30:00.002+08:00

Just wanted to share recent pictures of my Labrador Retriever dogs.

The black one is actually only 75% pure Lab. She is 4 y.o. spayed female Shawie.

While the yellow one is 7 y.o. intact male Rex. He is Shawie's "grandfather" with deep voiced barks; and howls when the train passes by.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-19T18:14:00.003+08:00

Happy Father's Day to Papa, Chito and Junie!

June 15th, Sunday, we had lunch at our home for the occasion.

Just us - plus Papa and Mama, Raymond, Junie, Ida, Rafael and Beatrice.

It was also my sister, Mylene's, birthday...

wedding of jessalyn and michael constante

2008-06-19T07:46:00.002+08:00

Check this site of my friend where I also appear in her pictures. :-)

http://docelaine.multiply.com/photos/album/25

Avocado shake

2008-06-19T07:24:00.005+08:00

avocado shake

I made this avocado shake with almost the same ingredients as with the other shakes....

The addition of honey made the shake taste like honey and avocado.
I re-did it with granulated sugar and it came out tasting like avocado. Which I liked better.

One cheek of the avocado was enough to make the one glass of the shake. :-)
Another option for this is to place it in ice cube rack and freeze it. Then, enjoy as an iced avocado treat. Especially great when the weather is hot and humid!

Comments? :-)

Tagaytay picture

2008-06-11T07:46:00.002+08:00

Forgot to post this in the previous entry.
Introducing (again) my family: Chito with 13 y.o. Mario, 6 y.o. Isco and 11 y.o. Ima...

apple iced tea

2008-06-09T17:37:00.002+08:00

apple iced tea is made much like the same as what I did with the pineapple shake. Except that instead of milk, i used iced tea.
That is, I blended 1 cup of iced tea, 1/2 cup apple, 15 ice cubes and a trinkle of honey.
Voila! refreshing drink in your hands! or rather, mine.... try it! :-)

lunch at Buon Giorno, Tagayatay City

2008-06-09T17:11:00.006+08:00

We ate at Bon Giourno Cafe and Bistro at Tagaytay City. The long wait for a table was worth the wait.

Mario and Ima loved their prime rib steak and even finished it off! Plus the succulent vegetable side dish. (Picture shows only half of the steak:)

Chito had rib eye steak which he ate even before I was able to take a picture of it! If I only eat beef, I would have ordered the same.

Isco had chicken with fries.

I had spinach and mushroom ravioli which was a bit lacking in presentation (thus I did not take a picture of it) and lacking also in amount of serving, probably because I found it so yummy that I could eat some more! The taste more than made up for its lackluster presentation.

For dessert, we headed to the nearby Fruits in Ice Cream where, although Ima and Isco had the dozen or so exotic flavors to choose from, they chose the all time favorite - Chocolate with sprinkles and marshmallow toppings!
(other flavors there were calamansi, avocado and mango to name a few.)

trip to Tagaytay Ciy - June 8, 2008

2008-06-09T16:53:00.006+08:00

A long weekend at home sounds great (June 9, Monday, was declared a holiday). But to break the monotony of facing the computer, TV and household chores, we decided to take the van into a spin - specifically to Tagaytay City.

We took the mandatory picture with the Taal Lake in the background. And since it has been a long long while since we brought the kids to the place, it seemed like their first time to see it. Definitely, Isco found it amazing that there is a lake within THAT small of a volcano!

He was just full of questions, like:
"if the volcano will erupt, will it reach us in our house in Bay?"; {Hope not!}
"when did it last erupt?" {I really don't know except that I remember it was spewing gas back in 1990's}
"was Manong alive then when it happened?" {not yet....}
"could we go there?" {not this time...}
etc etc etc

Then, the kids were asking - are we staying overnight in a hotel here? It is sooooo nice and cool! {Next time, kids....Ok? That is not something that we plan at the spur of the moment.}

Definitely, we will be back!

Ima and Isco's first day of school

2008-06-05T06:55:00.004+08:00

It's the kids' first day of school today - June 5, 2008, to Morning Star Montessori School, Inc.

Waiting for the shuttle ride.

Ima will be attending 5th grade while Isco will be attending 1st grade!

Rafael and Beatrice's 2nd birthday

2008-06-01T21:16:00.003+08:00

The twins, Rafael Antonio and Beatrice Anne B. Flores, just had their 2nd birthday celebration.

It was an intimate affair with immediate family in attendance.

"'Ma, Mayyo, and 'To" were there too, to wish them well and happiness.

acrobatic cat (Max)

2008-06-01T20:44:00.006+08:00

My 8 yr old female-spayed domestic short haired cat never ceases to amaze me with what she can do (and the rest of the feline world, most probably).

Usually, when she is out exploring the neighborhood and I call out to her for meals or just a cuddle, she would meow and leap up to the fence (from over the "bakod") and she gingerly places one paw at a time on the L-shaped steel on top of our fence, about 6 feet off the ground.
And all the while, meowwwing in answer to my call out to her. :-)

Then, she goes to the pomelo/ suha tree's branches before finally reaching ground...

Catch!

2008-06-01T00:48:00.000+08:00

While going through the kids' toys, Isco re-discovered his ball (actually a squeeze ball) and almost daily now has been asking his Tatang to play catch with him.
And I just took a couple of pictures to freeze this. For before long, he will outgrow the urge to play this particular game.

Radiology short course

2008-06-01T00:10:00.005+08:00

Finally, the Short Course/ Training on Radiographic Interpretation in Small Animals is finally over!

When this training was being conceptualized, it was around October 2007; and I was not in the original short list of trainors. Then, it was just Drs EBTorres, JAAcorda and GSEsguerra. Unfortunately, the great guro GSE passed away last Dec 22, 2007, thus the search for the replacement was on.

Looking at the history, I taught Diagnostic Imaging (specifically Radiology) during the 2nd sem of 2005-06 when GSE was then on sabbatical leave and was in the US of A. At that time, my confidence in teaching the course was boosted by the internet presence of GSE whom I know I could contact anytime of the day or night if and when I have questions regarding the topic, plus an assurance of a quick reply.

Of course, upon his return from that leave, he took over the subject again, which I gladly relinquished.

Then, he passed away.
Then, this summer training course looming over our head.
And there is no other choice but to put me (and Frances Recuenco) in place for it. And what a big shoes to fill! Literally and figuratively. In a way, it is a good thing that we are two filling it up.

Frances, a new faculty member, was given two sections to handle Radiology part for the Diagnostic Imaging course this past 2nd semester. Dr GSE was given the other two sections. Unfortunately (again), the Radiology part did not start until January 2008! So, Frances really wasn't able to teach the course along with GSE; and their appointment to talk over how to handle the course, which of course, Frances should have been learning from GSE, never came into being!

So there... that is the situation leading up to the Radiology short course last May 28-29, 2008 at VTH-Diliman. The audience (24 pax) was composed of private practitioners mostly from Metro Manila area and a few from Mindanao and Visayas. It was intimidating at first, but got better after a while... esp since they were so kind as to listen to what I have to say (or at least pretend to).

My topic was Radiographic Interpretation of the Head, Neck and Thorax of Small Animals. Understandably, most of my time was taken up with radiographic characteristics of the cardiac sillhouette and the lungs (normal and abnormal). Hay, sana lang talaga, marami silang natutunan, either bago man o na-review sila ng tama!
[While Frances has the abdomen to tackle.]

Until now, I have yet to read the post-training feedback they wrote.... meron kaya? Abangan...

Enchanted Kingdom II

2008-05-31T09:11:00.009+08:00

The rest of the day went on with more rides, picture taking.
Unfortunately, the family was broken up as each one declared that s/he wants this and that ride but not that and those rides.
I ended up with the young ones, sans the youngest...

The kids after the small roller coaster, the "Roller Skater"

And near the end of our stay, we met up at the food center for a quick bite...

Thank you, Auntie 'Bong, for the wonderful and fun-filled day!
and, Happy 6th Birthday, Kira! :-)

Enchanted Kingdom

2008-05-31T08:18:00.008+08:00

A day in Enchanted Kingdom, as with any other same-kind-of-places, always begin with a picture of the whole family at the entrance way...

And thereafter, there are the snaking lines, queues, files, wait in line, get in line, stand in line, wait for your turn...

This first line that Ima (with hand on her chin), Isco (smiling for the camera) and Marielle (looking out at the "prize" for the wait) got into was for the bump car ["Dodgem"].

The waiting in line is nothing but a test for one's patience. However, the kids gamely followed the rules as the ride at the end of the line is all worth it. This time, the big boys (Martin, Roman and Mario) waited for the swan ride with the birthday girl, Kira.

Then, there was the Up, Up and Away ride which again, Ima, Isco and Marielle thoroughly enjoyed.

Immediately after the ride, the kids were all pumped up to go to the next one in the place had...

And they found the mini-go kart track. And quickly geared up for it.

Let's play on the hotel's hallway!

2008-05-31T00:46:00.004+08:00

The kids - playing on the hotel's hallway... probably to the glee of those monitoring the closed circuit video camera but to the dismay of other temporary residents of the 16th floor of Diamond Hotel, Manila during the night of May 23, 2008.

The game - Patentero - is quite simple really: one is made to guard an imaginary line "drawn" across the hallway and prevent other players to cross over. If and when another player will attempt to cross, the "guard" needs to tag this player and when successful, the other player is now the new "guard".

Then, just repeat the process over and over, until somebody or everybody tires of the game. And the winner is one who is the guard less times over.

The kids - Ima (11), Isco (6), Marielle (7) and Kira (turned 6 the following day) -played patentero as quitely as they could, but barely!

That's Kira wanting to have her closed up picture taken.

Marielle making known her strategy to Isco! What's the big secret?

plants at daytime

2008-05-22T19:12:00.005+08:00

the same madre de cacao plants in the previous blog (plants at night)...
see the difference?

plants at night

2008-05-21T21:08:00.005+08:00

these are the plants outside my home at night...
They look like silent witness to the darkness around them.

weird how only now that I notice that the madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) "closes" its leaves when it's night time.

the other is dama de noche (Cestrum nocturnum) - very fragrant at nighttime. Reminds me of my childhood days as there was a plant in our neighborhood. I still have yet to find the dama de dia (Cestrum diurnum) to have a within my fence. I wonder if it is also fragrant at daytime?

pineapple shake

2008-05-21T17:22:00.002+08:00

I made pineapple shake for breakfast today and it was yummy!

Mix the following ingredients:
15 ice cubes (of about 1 tablespoonful water each) already in blender jar
1/4 cup fresh milk
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
1 tablespoon of raw honey (may be varied depending on the degree of sweetness of the fruit used)

Then, blend for a minute or two...

Pour into glass (about 12 oz size) with or without ice cubes...
(see consistency - may be varied by adding fruit or ice)

ENJOY!!!!!
I know I did! :-)

Next up: apply slices with iced tea [will use Nestea iced tea] and ice cubes again (no sweetener this time)...

Palaisdaan sa Bay

2008-05-18T21:52:00.005+08:00

Standing: Miguel Redor, Isco Flores, Mario Flores
Sitting: Kira Santiago, Marielle Redor with Beatrice Flores and Ima Flores with Rafael Flores

OOOOHhhhhh.... what do you see, Isco? What are you up to now?

Mario with Isco on top of the slide

Ima - my pretty girl!

Play ground pictures at Palaisdaan sa Bay. Kids really enjoyed the slides and see-saw...

Confirmation Day for Mario

2008-05-18T21:16:00.005+08:00

It was a huge affair, as almost 100 Catholics were confirmed that day by the Bishop Leo M. Drona.
Started at 9, ended at 10:45 am.

Mario's cofirmation day - May 17, 2008 at the St Therese of the Child Jesus Church, UPLB.

The godparents were Frederick Flores (proxy: Junie Flores), Aleli S. Colon (proxy: Bebong Santiago) and John Paguia.

Lunch followed at Palaisdaan sa Bay, Bay, Laguna

folding T-shirts

2008-05-16T21:51:00.002+08:00

Was teaching Miguel how to fold a T-shirt properly...

And, yes! he did! success!!!! :-)