Thank you series: Family day at Sonya's garden

Two days before our flight back to China, my hubby and I decided to take a trip to Sonya's Garden with my dad and stepmom. I just love this place - the food, garden, everything! :) It's such a beautiful place; simply picture perfect! (For more photos, you can also visit my photo blog)

We also visited a nearby church to give thanks!

Thank you series: Back in Manila

I'm sorry for the lull in my posts. I just arrived in Manila on the eve of January 17.

The flight was short but I was quite tired waiting for my flight in the Hong Kong airport. I arrived in the airport at 12noon and had to wait 5 hours. I spent my time reading a book while eating at Popeye's. I boarded at 5:20pm and arrived 8:00pm in Manila. Felt just like yesterday when we left for China.

I'll post more stories when I find the time. I'm just happy to be here with a tight schedule with friends and family! :)

Thank you series: Will be on vacation in Manila

Although I dread the traffic and pollution in Manila, I am soooo excited to go back and visit my home town. I can't wait to:

• see my family
• meet my friends
• eat in Jollibee, Gerry's grill and The Old Spaghetti House
  
• play with my dogs and new puppies
• feel warmth. I need weather that averages 20 - 30 degrees.
  
• watch cable and local TV shows that use the two languages I can understand - Filipino and English
• take a road trip to Tagaytay, Quezon or Batangas

Before I left I took this photo that shows our gate, the street village and my two dogs (posed like gargolyes hahaha)

We are flying tomorrow so please expect a temporary lull in my blog. Since I will be on vacation, wahoo! :)

Thank you series: More old friends from Manila

I had a blast last week. Why?

1. Because I felt Christmas and had a pre-celebration
2. Because I got to spend 5 great days with one of my bestest-bestest friends
3. Because I found a community

It's just 3 months since I left Manila and I'm pleased to see one of them here. It's also funny how my friends never got to meet each other since I left. Isn't it ironic that I met one of them first, in Macau, when all of them are based in Manila. :) Gosh these girls!

Anyway this was truly a blessing from God. Last month, I was chatting with my friend Jill. She was saying how she wished she could go to Macau while I was saying I wished to have a community ( a way to serve God). Guess what about three weeks after our chat she buzzed me again to say she had to go to Macau for an event. Even better, she asked me to help her. What a blessing! Truly God's ear and heart is BIG to hear us always :)

So there we were, serving God while enjoying the time together with our husbands and a community.

Here are some of our photos during their visit.

BFF's


BFF's near a Temple


Pretty Jillie :)


Jill and Jon (cable ride)


Kuya Obet and I (Cable ride)

Surfing!!!

Jill, Jon and an ... anchor

Me with my baby on event night.


Christmas Tree of Pledges


Group Picture :)

Paskuhan sa GK: The Pinoy Spirit

Amidst hard times and uncertainty, when recession and job loss is happening everywhere, Filipinos always remain jubilant, hopeful and resilient. They persevere and survive.

When I attended the Gawad Kalinga Paskuhan event in Macau, Dec 5 and 6, I was awed by the camaraderie and hardwork that my fellowmen exuded. And as I travel and see more of my fellowmen spread across the globe, an intense feeling of admiration and pride grows in me.

Tired from work or even out of work themselves, they took the time to spread the word for our poverty stricken fellowmen in the Philippines. I witnessed firsthand how they shared their time and talents to support a great cause - Gawad Kalinga.

Filipinos based in Macau, work late at night to build a sample of a Gawad Kalinga (GK) home.


With The CFC Community of Macau. These are the "Tito's or Uncle's" who lead this community. Working hard to build another GK village in the Philippines.


The Single for Christ members who shared their time and talents for the cause.


The CFC community celebrating Christmas with a cause - Paskuhan (Christmas) the Gawad Kalinga way.

Now you may be asking, what is Gawad Kalinga? It is a movement/program that uplifts the lives of the poor in the Philippines. More than just providing them with houses, this program rebuilds their lives and their spirit. This is a program that allows those who are more enabled to help and share their blessings. Watch this video to see how this program changed and touched lives.

Gawad Kalinga, is being supported by corporations, private citizens, as well as non-Filipinos who believe in the vision. One of them is GK Champion Dylan Wilk, one of the richest men in UK under the age of 30. Listen to a podcast where he explains his passion to fight poverty.

Also here is another video compilation of GK champions/GK heroes.

Sunnysideup photography: In Intramuros with a photography enthusiast

Intramuros, 'Manila's walled City', is a historical place in Manila that showcases the memories left by Spain during it's 300 plus years of stay in the Philippines. Within its walls are museums, churches, universities and several picture perfect gates or "Puertas." Most of which have been restored or rebuilt.

The gates are Baluarte de San Diego, Baluarte de San Francisco de Dilao, Baluarte de San Gabriel, Baluarte de Sta. Barbara, Baluarte de San Andres; Puerta Real, Puerta Isabel II, Puerta del Parian, Puerta Almacenes, Postigo del Palacio, Puerta Sta. Lucia.

Here's my photos for Casa Manila Museum, Casa Blanca and San Agustin Church.

Sunnysideup photography: In Boracay with a photography enthusiast

I'm beginning to miss my travels in the Philippines. It's only been a few months since we've relocated here in China and I'm beginning to miss the familiarity of it all. Maybe its just because of the nearing Christmas holidays.

Anyway, my next few blogs will be a collection of the photos I've taken in the different places of my homeland, the Philippines.