FIDELITY

Being far away from your partner

Is not the reason of longing for loneliness?

Thus one is getting involved with another

It is just the way on how to discipline you.

Writing something or doing certain favor from to someone

Is just like letting someone to get closer to you

In which it is a way for them.

To make you be diverted which I reprimand before.

A reason for jealousy to the one who holds the authority

Is not a question of insanity and injustices?

Rather a question of sincerity and assurance

For the world nowadays is prone to all type of temptation.

My Favorite and Unforgettable Summer Holiday

When I was still a child I counted the days when the school is over so that I could have more time to go for swimming, playing outside the house with friends and to attend for  summer Catechism held in the Church which is usually the routine practice in our town. Really it was very exciting, lots of funs and adventure. I think it was really fantastic to live with the flow of life and enjoy with it as it goes.

Time moves on until I’ve reached the age of puberty then to adolescent. And finally my life changes to the fullest when I decided to enter the sanctity of marriage. My role was changed to a more mature and being responsible wife, mother, daughter and sister. But though life’s role changes but our mind still have to work, had to enjoy and makes things work for the best. Every year holiday was there and experienced but with all the holidays that we do have especially during summer time I couldn’t forget the one most wonderful and unforgettable holidays that I do have spend with my family. That holiday was been categorized as my most favorite summer holiday.

Since I was born in warm country thus we decided to spend our holiday back home, the Philippines. The climate is warm and very beautiful. Honestly nothing can compare the life back home. Home sweet home is what we usually called after landing to the airport of destination. Time travel to fast and we don’t want to leave the days that we didn’t have anything to do. What a hectic schedule we have.

"Tops"

On the very first day after our arrival we attended the graduation ceremony. Then after the rites we have dinner outside with friends and after nine o’clock in the evening we went to “tops”.  “Tops” is located in Busay, Lahug, Cebu City and the site is overlooking to the city. It is the top of the mountain but restaurant can be found there. The place is cold day and the night due to its location. We stayed there for how many hours. Same normal agenda we do have, picture taking here and there. The children were enjoying running and playing all over the place. You can see the beautiful picture of Cebu City at night. Watching falling stars can visible seen.

Basilica del Sto. Nino

The following day we went for Church visiting. We’ve started in the Basilica del Sto. Niño (a 16th century Church in Cebu City which was built purportedly on the spot where the image of the Santo Niño, a sculpture depicting the Holy Child Jesus found by Spanish explorers in 1565 preserved in a burned wooden box which was left behind during the 1521 Magellan expedition. It is located in Magallanes Street, Cebu City). Then we move to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Church (built in 1595' and was considered the first church which was firstly built by wood, bamboo and latch. It is located in Cebu City just a few walks away from Basilica del Sto. Niño). Then move again to Carmelite Monastery (it is a convent and chapel, founded in the mid 1900’s by the Carmelites and it is located in Mabolo, Cebu City). Then we proceed to Poor Clare Monastery (it is located in Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu and an hour drive from the heart of Cebu City). The day ends watching movie in the theater.

The next day we went to visit the shrine of the miraculous Mama Mary in  Lindogon, Simala which also known as the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist. After that we headed our way back to Minglanilla, Cebu wherein the Schoenstatt Shrine was located. Then we pass the Lourdes Church in Punta Princesa, Cebu City. After retiring for the day, the last Church visit we want to go is the San Lorenzo Church in San Jose Village, Tisa, Cebu City. It was a tiresome day but very satisfying and promising.

Kawasan Falls

The following day was a day out to “Kawasan Falls” (located in Matutinao, Badian and which is deemed to be one of the most popular getaway destinations in southern Cebu. It was full of fun. We brought with us mostly the native foods that Filipinos tends to enjoy. We are walking for 20 minutes with very rocky and narrow path before we arrived to our destination. Raft riding, swimming, exploring the three waterfalls and enjoying the nights with humming of the birds and running of the waterfalls is what you can hear. Awesome experienced.

After the two nights stay we headed our way to the city but dropping to take a look the “Inambakan Falls” located in Ginatilan, Cebu. We didn’t have a full stop over for we just want to take a look with the falls since we still want to see the virgin and hidden falls in the mountain of barangay Conalum, Argao, Cebu known as “Bugasok Falls”. It was really a horrible experience to have the four wheelers cab climbed on that forested cliffs and solid rock boulders since it was not fully developed yet at that time.

Kota Beach

After a day of rest and another preparation, we headed to the Northern part of Cebu. We ride a boat for 20 minutes from Hagnaya, Cebu so that we could arrive to Sta. Fe, Bantayan, Cebu. Bantayan Islands is considered as Cebu’s fishing ground and was known for its white beaches. We stayed at “Kota Beach”, one of the resorts in Sta. Fe. We enjoyed the day swimming and exploring the other days within the area. We have a side trip to “Doong, Bantayan, Cebu” (Doong is one of the islets of Bantayan). The beach is also purely white especially in barangay Silanga. I was imagining how many years from now if the places and the beaches I’ve visited will be the same.

Then after a week staying in Bantayan, Cebu we headed back to the city. We stayed there for couple of days roaming within the city. Went to explore restaurant from restaurant to name the few such as the Golden Cowrie (mostly liked by my children due to unlimited rice), “Kumbera” (the “kaldereta” is very tender and juicy), Jo’s Inato (we like for the “sisig”), Triple A (delicious native chicken and spicy barbeque), Neo Neo, Café Laguna (nice for its “kare-kare”), Marina Seafood’s, Chikaan,  Sunburst Fried Chicken, Maxx, Gerry’s Grill , Family Choice (bottomless drink), Royal Concourse, “Abuhan” (nice “pochero”) and so many things to mention. Window shopping, gaming zone and driving lesson was been done.

Chocolate Hills

The last week of our plan we headed to Bohol (the island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region and the capital is Tagbilaran City). We go there by land trip. We started in Cebu City early morning headed to Argao, Cebu then we crossed through “Ro-Ro” shipping and arrived at Loon, Bohol. From Loon, Bohol we headed to “Sagbayan Peak” (one of the tourist spot in Bohol). After, we went to Chocolate Hill wherein Bohol was noted worldwide. It is located in Carmen, Bohol. Then we went to the famous hanging bridge of Bohol  located in Sevilla, Bohol. Then we went to the floating restaurant located in Loboc, Bohol. Then after that we went to Alburquerque wherein the biggest python or known as the anaconda of Bohol stayed. (The snake measures 23 feet or 7 meters as of 2005 and weights 300 kg or 660 lbs). Then we headed to Baclayon Church, the second oldest church in the Philippines. Then before the day end we passed the Blood Compact Shrine (it is between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565, to seal their friendship as part of the tribal tradition. This is considered as the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos).

The experienced on my summer holiday is worth remembering. My whole family see and appreciate the beauty of our country wherein most of the time we could just only read and view in the books or in the internet. I was so thankful that everybody was very helpful, cooperative and more patience. Thanks to the Almighty.

Terms:

Kaldereta            - is a dish popular in the Philippines, especially in Luzon island. Its common ingredients are cuts of pork, beef or goat with tomato paste or tomato sauce with liver spread added to it.

Kare-kare            - is a Philippine stew. It is made from peanut sauce with a variety of vegetables, stewed oxtail, beef, and occasionally offal or tripe. Meat variants may include goat meat or (rarely) chicken. It is often eaten with bagoong (shrimp paste), sometimes spiced with chili, and sprinkled with calamansi juice. Traditionally, any Filipino fiesta (particularly in Pampanga region) is not complete without kare-kare. In some Filipino-American versions of the dish, oxtail is exclusively used as the meat.

Pochero               - a Filipino Stew similar to that of “Nilaga” (commonly known as boiled beef). This dish is complimented by the sweetness of the “Saba” (Cavendish banana) and a unique sour blend is brought-in by the tomato sauce. A very enticing dish that is worth craving for; beef pochero brings out the delightful taste of our Spanish influence

Sisig                       - is a traditional Filipino method of preparing meat. The meat is diced and sautéed with onions, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, jalapeños and seasoned.

YOU, ME AND OUR LOVE

Yourself was the only reason

I spoke love to you

And it was your smile

That made me sure.

Now, our alliance is like China

And that’s why I’m full of fear

That something will get broken

Which so fragile here within.

This was the first time around

That my feet touched

On this mossy love forest ground

To those places out of bound.

And when we walk on thorn

I hope we never end in turn

We should speak it out

Cause there is ways to meet.

When sometimes I give you pain

And my mind starts spinning again

Then appears the changing words were taking in

It seems to be perfect seems to win.

And I know the time

To start changing my mind

Then I know you stop to hate me

When I see you smile.

In you I saw the picture we run through

Seems to be perfect seems to be true

And all is quite forever

Especially staying together.

MISUNDERSTANDING

All are architects of hate

Working in these walls of time

Some with massive deed and great

Some with ornaments of rhyme.

Nothing useless or is low

Each thing in you is the best

And what seems but idle show

Strengthens and support the rest.

For the structure that we raise

Time is with materials filled

Our conflict of today

Are the blocks with which we build?

Keep the picture of days of art

Or burn wrought with greatest care

To satisfy each minute in your part

And for me missing the times you care.

My Children Hate Preschool

Now that my children were in the secondary level then I remember those days when in the stage of my children's life it came to their behavior that they do not want to go on preschool. Things which make me think why it happened and when in fact they were able to stop on that year after three months of schooling to the preschool. The year that my children stop going to school means a lot to me as a mother but nothing I could do for I do not want to force them for it would resulted to bad outcome when they will grow up. 

I tried to ponder things, events and classmates that might trigger them to hate to go to preschool. When I gathered the information one by one then I was able to formulate a conclusion why my children abruptly changed from very energetic and enthusiastic to go to school hated to go to school. My children who were all boys and whose age gap was just one year went to preschool together. We send them to school together because they will stay, protect and help each other which probably would lessen their feelings of inferiority or insecurity or being alone. Going together to school means having same classmate, same teacher, same schedule and same foods in the school. They look like a twin for those who doesn't knew them. They are very attentive, very interactive and well-praised in school but in one incident they hated to go back to preschool. 

One Monday morning after the flag ceremony and playground demonstration which is usually the routine in their school, my children’s behavior who is very hyper active try to tease and hit one of their classmates just because of the popsicle. Their classmates saw the incident since it happened outside their classroom. Classmates gathered around them and others shouted help thus teachers come to clear the situations. The teacher just separated them (my children and their classmate) and they just been told that their action was not acceptable. The teacher did not give any punishment towards them but they were informed that what happened would reach to their parents. The teacher called our attention thus we have to come to see the teacher on that same day so that everything will be sorted out. When everything was done we go home talked their unacceptable action and telling them not to do it again for they can have the punishment if it would happened again such as staying at home during the weekend, no swimming or any other extra-curricular activities. 

The next day my children went back to school but I’ve noticed that there is no life on their face. They are seems so quiet and restless when I took them to school. They keep asking me when I am going to fetch them which are very unusual since every day they will tell me that “Mama would you come late in fetching us to school, please” and now the phrase has changed. I thought have I heard it right or I was just having an auditory hallucination? It is very unbelievable behavior that my children possess this time. Are they feel unwell? Or is that natural for children is always noted to be unpredictable. Mother is always a mother who cannot think of answering the first question but still proceeds to the next question. 

Thus I took my children to school and leave them there and came back after couple of hours to fetch them. When on our way home I asked them what were the activities in school that day and as a routine they narrated everything to me. But in the course of the interaction between them I could see that they are not happy. The attitude and behavior that they showed to me denotes a big question mark. When everything was narrated to me the last line that they told me is about their teacher. They told me that their teacher did not even bring up the topic about the trouble the previous day. Everybody was been treated as nothing happens.

 Unfortunately the following day my children hesitate to go to school. They were crying on high pitch mark and even if I will tell them that I will give them punishment they heartily agree to take punishment. On that certain day they were marked absent from their school. I am being a mother whose heart was so fragile give time to my children to give a break hoping that everything would be on that day only. Sad to say it happens the next day then the next day until it last for a week and then to months. I was totally heartbroken about what happened. It took me time to accept it. I tried my very best to manage what happened so that I could find an alternate solution which could help my children not hate to go further schooling again. Their supposedly first year of schooling on their lives should create a positive impact but for me it makes a stigma to my children. 

After a year staying at home, my children were able to cope up hating preschool together with our guidance, perseverance and endless prayers. I was so thankful that I was able to look for alternatives even though I have to sacrifice things and spend too much. We need to move to the city so that my children could start all over again. They've been to preschool wherein they have to stay on different schools, with different set of classmate. It is very hard to my part being the one responsible in sending and fetching them at school but it needs to be done this way so that they could pursue their schooling and obtain a degree which they could boast their confidence when they need to stay on their own and making me proud as a mother and being a parent.

Love or Lust

Love is patient and kind. It is happy with the Truth. Every time I think about it I can’t keep thinking why so many broken families, unwanted pregnancies, abortion and drug addicts exist in our society? Well, is it the result of love?

There were so many instances that keep pondering on my mind how these situations have been triggered. One is unfaithfulness or infidelity. We’ve noticed that anywhere we go we can see men or women who’ve been apart from their partners could have been involved with someone else. And if we are going to ask each one of them why and who started with this unfaithfulness both will blame each other. We really don’t know who is telling the truth. But for some they will say that they met the right man or woman. If you are married are you still telling that you’ve met the right one for you? This is stupidity. Why did I say these? It is because that how can you be married with someone else but still you’re still longing for another one. Anyway, we can’t blame that there are some who get married because for security reason especially with regards to financial aspect.

Even though it is somewhat like that but we can’t deny the fact that there were some who was giving motives and took the opportunity to know one’s weakness even though it’s means ruining one’s friendship. But why? It is because of one’s personal interest.

If one is having an affair such as a married man to unmarried woman or vice versa or both of them were married, is that what you call love? For me it wasn’t, because love for me is respecting and loving your partner until the last breathe of your life. Even though how strong the temptation is but still we have faith and love within ourselves and to our partners then we can resist the temptation. What can you say then, is it love or lust?