WOW, I like that!

A message from my sister: Bruno Mars Grammy Winner Album of the year Record of the year Song of the year Mom is a Filipino 🤩 Really??? Read this Mars’ mom knew he was special the moment he was born. Aaawww … Continue reading →

Wretched Writers Welcome

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I am changing 3Ps to 3Ws (Wretched Writers Welcome) by joining Bulwer-Lytton since I am not much of a writer because English is my second language. In this site, maybe I might win the Dishonorable Mention Award should I join their contest. … Continue reading →

Mother’s Love

Photo taken from Fragrant Wood Gallery Window

A reminder of how much your Mother loves you.

A son wants to bring his Mother into the forest and leave her there to fend for herself because her Mother is terminally ill and he is too tired to take care of her.

Leading her through the thick of the forest, he noticed that his Mother breaks every branch that they passed by.

Curious, he ask his Mother why is she breaking the branches?

The Mother answered her son loving: “Son, I break the branches as a guide for you to follow so that you won’t get lost on the way out.”

Translated from Filipino story:

Isang paalala kung gaano kayo kamahal ng inyong ina..

May isang anak na gustong iligaw ang kanyang INA sa gubat dahil sa sakit nitong wala nang lunas at pagod na rin siyang mag-alaga dito, Ipinasan niya ang kanyang INA hanggang makarating sa kasuluksulukan ng Gubat, ngunit napansin niya na pinuputol ng kanyang INA ang bawat sanga ng Punong madaanan nila, tinanong nang Anak kung bakit niya ginagawa ito, sagot ng INA – ”Pinuputol ko ang sanga dahil ayaw kong maligaw ka sa pag uwi mo.

 

Best things in life.

It’s so funny to see it from Buzzfeed’s point of view and I can totally relate to this. One doesn’t have to be a Filipino-American, I’m sure other non Filipino-American can find similarities.

Oh, yes, I speak with my eyebrows, I point with my lips, I have a nickname, I eat with my hands, I have a huge family, related to a lot of people (I try to be anonymous and I deny my relationship with them), I use vinegar for saw-saw (dip), etcetera.

Science or conScience: On Donating

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Money cannot buy happiness but how you spend it differently will make you feel better and happier. Michael Norton experimented on making people spend money on others rather than on themselves and measure their happiness as shown at TED.  Michael went … Continue reading →

Philippine Independence Day

Since the beginning of June, the Filipino community is celebrating the Philippine Independence. 

A brief background:  The Filipinos revolted against the Spanish in 1896;  followed with an outbreak of  war between Spanish and American.  With the help of Americans, Philippine gained its independence on June 12, 1898. 

In Vancouver, several venues were going on: 

Raising of the Philippine flag at the Vancouver City Hall

Raising the Flag

  

Waterfront Party for two days 

North Shore Waterfront

 

Traditional Dancing 

Traditional Dancing

Traditional Dancing

 

Traditional clothing 

Traditional Clothing

 

Behind these pictures is the Paparazzi aka my brother and the mayor 

Paparazzi

Angel and Mayor

National Anthem – Filipino language with English translation 

Related articles

• 115 Years and Counting (valentingabutan.wordpress.com)
• Nation losing ‘First Flag’ to time and age (manilastandardtoday.com)
• Philippine Independence Day Parade Goes Along Madison Avenue (manhattan.ny1.com)

First name basis

The Filipino way, most people’s first name is Maria.  There are so many Maria’s in our family, me included.  However, we don’t use our first name.  I use my second name.  My only wish is I wish I wasn’t named Maria. 

The trouble started not in my childhood.  It started when I came to Canada.  

The officers saw how long my name is, they started using Maria.  Employers did the same thing, Maria.  Well, I felt there is no use in contradicting them since they are having a hard time pronouncing the name.  

When I say my second name, the common response is, Huh?  How do you spell that?  P as in Peter, E as in Eve, R as in Richard, P as in Peter (again), E as in Eve (again), T as in Tom, U as in Uranus, A as in Apple.  Perpetua.  What? Petula?  Never mind, call me Maria.  The names that I just called out, they understand, but not my name. 

As for being Maria, oh the trouble I go.  Maria seems to be a troubled name.  People started singing “How do you solve a problem like Maria”.  Sound’s familiar? 

It was only in 2010 that I decided once and for all, I will use my name that I am accustomed to hearing.  Perpetua it is.  Again, my colleagues of 13 years, they kept on calling me Maria.  Sorry, folks, I am not responding to that! 

So here I am, as a Canadian Maria, signing and dancing to the Sound of Music. 

 This is in response to Daily Prompt: Childhood.  Come and join us, it will make you sing.

Hello my name is

FLANGIPROP – A bold, earthy, and aromatic flavour of new Starbucks blend.  Coffee beans that is ethically grown and in a fair trade market, grown by the indigenous Filipino hill tribes.

 

The coffee of the future.

February Coffee Blend: Source Starbucks

 

This is in response to Daily Prompt: Flangiprop.  Come and join us, it’s fun.