13 Years of Ups and Down

I wanted to start my new blog by writing this article about our anniversary.

My husband and I celebrated our 13th anniversary last June 10, 2014.  Sometimes, I can't believe that we've come this far. Thirteen (13) years is no joke.

Ours is not a perfect relationship. We have our shares of ups and downs, good and bad, happy and sad and victories and defeat.  

We are two bodies with one soul, with one heart that beats as one and a couple full of hopes and dreams for our family.

I love my husband as much as I love my children.  They are my only priced possession.

I always look back at the years where we started.  It wasn't a smooth sailing relationship. We sailed on a stormy days and walked on a rocky road of struggles and hardships in life.  We argued, we fought from  petty to the biggest details of our relationship. At the end of the day, what truly matters is we admit our mistakes and we learn from it.

Our married life is never easy.  It entails responsibility and commitment.  It is showered with a little bit of pain and burden.  But it never runs out of love, happiness and joy.  There were times that I want to run, freak out and give up. But along the way when I recollect we've passed all the challenges that came our way.  There is no way that I am giving up.

I am not perfect and he is not perfect, too.  We both have our flaws, imperfections and mistakes. The good thing is we both accepted each other despite those negative traits.

It is a wonderful thing I have a family I can call my own. I have my husband and I have my children, too.  I thank the Lord for these precious gifts He gave to me.  They are the reason of my existence.

I pray to God that He will continue to guide our marriage and shower us His unending grace. Help us to be good parents to our children so that we can protect them and keep them away from harm.

I also pray to God to guide my children as they grow up and eventually take the road to the real world where they will be interacting with different kinds of people from all walks of life. May they imitate the deeds of Christ and follow His footsteps.

I ask the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to give me strength to be a loving wife to my husband and a caring mother to my children.

I am looking forward to growing old with my husband.  Like what I always say, I want to hold his hand and lie my head on his shoulder.  Together we'll watch the sun sets as we also take our turn during the twilight of our lives and eventually bid farewell to the world.

Kwento ng Isang Tomasino

Apat na taon akong paroo’t parito

nag-aral at naglakbay sa unibersidad na pinapangarap ko. 

Araw araw na tinatahak ang haba ng traffic sa España,
papasok, maglalakad papuntang AB building,
uuwi at tatawid sa overpass na ngayo’y may ilaw na.

Dito nagsimulang matupad ang ilang pangarap.

Bagong sapatos, bag, notebooks, ballpen
at maisuot ang isa sa pinakamagandang uniporme…
ang AB uniform!

Pagkatapos ay makapasa at makapasok sa minimithing major -
Ang AB Communication Arts.

Nakipaghalubilo, nakipagkaibigan sa mga kaklase
na di mahirap pakibagayan.

Noong first year, sila Nikki, Tessa, Orange , Fatima,
Michelle, H, Eldrick at Rochelle - 
sila ang una kong naging mga kaibigan.

Noong second year sila Elena, Maricar, Mike, Olga, Dona, Joan
at BFF na si Chona naman.

Noong third year nabuo ang Empire – sina Weng, Glezie, Marynelle, Elaine,
Jordinette, Celeste, Lolet, Ghe, Joseph, Sheryl, Russel, Audrey, H at Chona
hanggang 4^th year sila pa rin.  Kasama rin sina Lyna, Cla-Cla, Gay
at patuloy na nadagdagan.

Ang 1A8, 2A6, 3B2 at 4B2…naging bahagi sila ng buhay UST ko.

Na-late at pumasok sa klase habang nakatalikod ang Prof,
nag-cutting class, naglakwatsa, nanood ng sine.

Nagchikahan sa paboritong tambayan –
sa AB Pavillion, Tiniko at Colayco,
nag-almusal, nag-merienda, tanghalian at hapunan
sa Jollibee, McDO, Goldilocks, KFC, sizzlingan sa P. Noval
at wlang kamatayang Janets sa Dapitan.
Tambay sa corridor pag wala pang prof,
o di kaya palakad lakad,

paikut ikot sa loob ng campus
or dadaan kunyari sa Engineering para
sumulyap ng mga gwaping.

Nakipila, nagpa-assess at nagbayad ng tuition
pag enrollment na.
Kinabahan kapag distribution na ng class cards.

Natuto ng Espanyol sa klase ni Prof. Josefina
at muntik ng maging avid fan ni Jose Rizal
sa subject na Rizal
at higit sa lahat problemado
sa subject na Math at Eco.

Muntik ng maligaw sa loob ng Main building,
nagpabunot at nagpa-cleaning ng mga ngpin
sa UST clinic at nagsimba sa UST Church.

Inabutan ng bagyo, natulog sa AVR,
naglakad sa baha sa España pauwi ng bahay
at kadalasan ay tuwang tuwa kapag suspendido
ang klase sa umaga.

Nag-P.E . sa gym at football field ng UST.

Gymnastic noong first sem ng first year
at Dancing naman nung second sem.

Basketball noong first sem ng second year
at volleyball naman ng second sem.

Nanood, nakisigaw pag may laban sa UAAP,
nakitili sa mga nag-gwa-gwapuhang players ng UST
lalo na ang small but terrible na si Bal David

at poging pogi na si Richard Yee.
Naki- cheer sa Araneta Coliseum
lalo na nung nag-4peat  ang UST basketball team.

Puyat kapag may exam lalo pag prelims at finals,
nag-research sa library,
nagpa-zerox ng libro,
nangopya ng notes,
nangodito, napagalita,

nangarag pag may report, projects at term papers,
na-stress sa paggawa ng thesis –
pero salamat sa mga kagrupong kong – sila Joy, H, Joseph at Chona.
“An audio video presentation showcasing the eco-tourism of
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority” -  yan ang title ng thesis namin
na nagkamit ng UNO.

Mas naging makulay, masaya at makahulugan
ang pag-aaral sa UST nang maging ganap na
AB Communication Arts student ako.

Gumawa ng application letter
at kumabog ang dibdib ko sa pag-undergo ng interview.
Pero sarap ng feeling - - - naging miyembro  ako ng CASA…
(Communication Arts Student Association).

Masaya  kapag may photography class ni Sir Jay-
naaala ko pa nag-photo shoot kami sa Fort Santiago
at parte ng project namin ay makagawa ng istorya
gamit ang camera.
Mga groupmates ko (Chona, Joy and H) - - - naaalala nyo pa ba?
nag-shoot tayo sa GQ Bar sa Quezon Avenue?
Ang hawla, ang make up at damit ng mga nagsasayaw doon?

Marami ring natutunan sa Radio class ni Sir Bolo.
paggawa ng script at higit sa lahat ang mga
SFX na talagang nakakaaliw at nakakabaliw.

Cool naman ang class ni Mam Sienna sa broadcasting.
Dami zerox na babasahin at
exciting ang PR class.
Ginawan naming ng PR campaign ang isa sa mga
resto sa West Ave – ang Jam Music Lounge.

Higit sa lahat, paborito ko ang advertising class ni Sir Bong.

Daming insights at dahil din dun
nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataon na makalabas sa totoong mundo.
Nakapag interview ng mga bigating personalidad
sa larangan ng advertising.

Ang DYR-Alcantara ang isa sa mga napuntahan naming.
Nakapag OJT sa 89.1 DMZ at The Big Idea at Video Post
na Post Prod.

Dahil dyan tuluyan ko nang nalaman ang
scenario sa paggawa ng isang commercial.
Remember Blue Ice Beer mga ka-empire?

Lalong Masaya kapag theater arts subject na ni Mam Faye.

Bukod sa insights at mga lessons,
daming humor kaya sarap kaming tumawa.
Dito nabuo ang project na  ipinagmamalaki ng 4B2..
ang “Huling Gabi sa Maragondon” – salamat kina Joey at Cesar
at sa lahat ng mga nagsipag -ganap.

At dahil dito, maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga prof
na taos pusong nagturo sa amin.

Pagod pero fulfilling naman kapag nagpra-practice
ang mga mahuhusay sa larangan ng sayawan - - ang CASA Footworks.
Si Albert, Grace, Nanette, Chona, Macel, Michelle,
Dez, Angeli, Myla at si Ampy - - -ito ang mga kasama ko na
performance level pag sumayaw - - - remember ang motto - - -

Break a leg!!!
Nagpe-perform kami sa ibat ibang colleges para
maipakita ang husay at galing ng mga Artlets sa pagsayaw.

Di ko makakalimutan si Kite at si Bite
mga kaklase na nagpangiti at nagbigay
buhay sa aming klase.
Ang mga practices at paggawa ng props sa bahay nila Cyrus,
ang leadership ni Jonathan at Geneive,
at ang pangangaroling sa presence nila Cha, Cati, Jo-An, Lyna, Aileen,
Karen, Gay, Sheila, Faith, Madel, Badet, at ng iba pa.
Ang masisipag na sila AB, Danilo, Carlo, Bodick at mga
beauty na sila Anna May, Pia, Joey, Sheryl, Larry, Precious at marami pa.

Di ko rin malilimutan ang mga COFI AR ng CASA na
ginanap sa Studebaker at Hotel Intercon sa Makati.
Pabonggahan ng damit at lahat ay
gwapo’t magaganda.
Si Chona ang kasmaa ko bumili ng damit sa
SM North EDSA – sa Sari-Sari kung di ako nagkakamali.
Violet sa kanya black naman ang sa akin.

Pictorial na para sa grad pic.
Nagpaganda, pinaganda at gumanda.

Ganyan ang mga naging itsura namin.

Ilang araw na lang graduation na.

Baccalaureate Mass na sa Grandstand.
Pirmahan ng message sa uniform.

Bilihan na ng damit pang graduation.

Maraming nangyari…
dumaan ang taon…
naglakad ang panahon…

Graduation na nga!
Tapos na!

Kanya kanya na!

Magkahalong saya at lungkot.

Tapos na ang araw ng pag-aaral ng mga subjects
pero ang mga lessons sa pang araw araw
na buhay ay patuluyan na natututunan.

Marami na ngayon ang nagtagumpay sa kani-kanilang larangan.

Ang iba ay umukit na ng sarili nilang pangalan.

Ang ilan ay nag-iwan na ng bakas sa industriya.

May ilang kaibigang di nakita
pero meron pa ring ilan na kasama pa
at masasabing bahagi na ng buhay ko.

Matagal na panahon man ang lumipas
at bihira nang makapasyal sa aking alma matter,

kahit nagtratrabaho na at nagkaroon na ng pamilya,
nasa puso’t isip ko pa rin ang pagiging Tomasino.
Sabi nga - - - noon, ngayon at hanggang bukas
tatak Tomasino pa rin ako.

Sa mga magulang, maraming salamat sa lahat ng
tulong, suporta,pagkalinga sa kanilang mga anak.
Sila ang isa sa mga naging inspirasyon ng mga
matatagumpay na Tomasino.

Sa mga estudyanteng Tomasino,
suklian sana ang mga paghihirap ng  mga magulang
sa pamamagitan ng pagiging mabuting anak.

Ngayon 400 taon na ang Santo Tomas,
patuloy pa rin sila sa pagbigay ng dekalidad na
antas at uri ng edukasyon na pwedeng ipagmalaki
saan man sulok ng mundo.

At higit sa lahat,
sa walang sawang paghubog sa
espiritwal na aspeto ng mga estudyante
na maging mabuting tao sa pamamagitan ng
pagsasabuhay ng Salita ng Diyos.

Sa pamamagitan ng kwento na ito,
pasasalamat at pagbibigay pugay sa
lahat ng mga Tomasino, professors,
at bumubuo sa unibersidad na ito.

Dahil dyan…proud to be Thomasian ako!
Viva Santo Tomas!

Forgiveness comes from a humble heart

How many of us understand the meaning of forgiveness? How many of us know how to forgive? How many of us can let go of pain, grudges and revenge? How many of us can love the person who caused us pain, who hurt us, who let us suffer, who disappoints us? How many of us can love our enemies? How many of us can ask for forgiveness?

In today’s Gospel (June 17, 2008 - Mt 5:43-48), Jesus taught us about forgiveness. He speaks of gentleness, of compassion and happiness. When we ask for forgiveness, we should be sincere, real and true to ourselves. When we ask for forgiveness it should come from the heart. A person who asks for forgiveness just for the sake of being forgiven is not far from a devil who hides himself under the mask of an angel. And when we grant forgiveness our hearts should be free from anger and hatred.

We forgive because it is what our hearts say. We do not forgive and afterwards give condition telling him/her “I forgive you but do not do it again.” There is no guarantee that the person will not do it again and again. We forgive because that is what the Lord taught us. And even up to this day, we are still being taught of forgiveness.

It is through forgiving that we can have inner peace and happiness. I know it is not easy to forgive and forget, but a person who knows how to forgive have often experienced how to be forgiven most especially by the Lord.

We are capable of forgiving because the Lord always forgives our sins and wrong doings. There is no other reason why we forgive but the Lord God. He alone is the reason that is why we are called to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

In his homily, Fr. Genie Diwa said, “only a humble heart knows how to forgive.” I always believe that humility is a virtue. A person who humbles himself/herself and is willing to admit that he/she is wrong is a person who symbolize

When Nanay said Goodbye

There are things in our life that we can’t do anything but to accept. Sometimes we have to let go of someone even though it is painful. This is the rule of life and we have to submit ourselves to it in order to live normally.

There are people in our lives that occupy big space in our hearts because they play significant roles. Some became part of our growing up while some became an important ingredient of who we are and what we are now.

Nanay is one big part of me. She has a special place here in my heart. She was close to me. She was close to us. I go to her house once in a while but she is the one who often visits us at home. We live in the same street. My mom takes care of Nanay. She cooks and prepares food for her and attends to every need of Nanay. Nanay will sometimes knock at our door saying, “Minda, Minda kakain na ba?” She would sit on the chair and sings her favorite Ilocano songs and every now and then she gives pieces of advice. She always tells the story of her life, her struggles, her pains, her difficulties, her victories and her joys. She constantly reminds us about our health telling us “basa ang likod mo, magpalit ka ng dami baka ubuhin ka.” “O, ang lalamig ng mga paa mo, halika at hilutin natin ng langis.” “Wag ka masyado malapit sa TV, lalabo ang mata mo.” “Magpagupit ka na nga ang haba haba na ng buhok mo mukha ka ng matanda.” Those were some of Nanay’s reminders to me.

She goes to our house whenever one of us is sick, despite her age, she insists on helping in the household chores. She exercises regularly. She attends Mass at the Sto. Cristo Chapel in Sto. Tomas. She is a fortune teller. I remember what she always tells me every time she holds my hands and sees the lines in my palms. She will say, “Oi, ikaw sumpungin ka pero maya maya wala na. Matipid ka, marunong ka sa buhay. Oi, pataas lahat, paakyat ang pera. Haba ng buhay mo. Matutupad mga pangarap mo. Makakpagpatayo ka ng sarili mong bahay. Yung balak mong mag-abroad matutupad.” Those were the things she constantly tells me. She is brave. She is tough but she is unselfish. She loves to eat vegetable and her all time favorite, Banana!!!

During my college days, I always accompany Nanay in getting her pension at PNB, España and afterwards we will eat at Jollibee. I also accompany her at the UST hospital for eye check up with Dr. Javate. We were walking along Gov. Forbes and exchanged stories while heading for a jeep in España. There are many things Nanay shared to me as well as to my family.

How I wish I could turn back time. As her apo, I know I have my share of shortcomings to her but I know she understands. It is so hard to bid farewell to someone who has become a part of you. It’s so hard to let go of Nanay.

Four weeks ago she was with us. Four weeks ago, she started to be weak. It was sudden. She was brought to the hospital thrice but the doctor refuse to confine her instead offered that Nanay should have home medication. She ate less and refuses to take her medicines. Day after day she gets weak. On June 1, she gets different. She no longer eats, speaks and she barely open her eyes. She was just lying in bed. All of us were there. Her children, my mom, Tita Babes and Tito Boy and all her grandchildren were there up to her last breathe. We were all there by her side.

On June 2, at around 2 in the morning, we surrounded her. We’re crying for we know she will leave any time. She was running after her breathe. I was holding her hand and felt that she was already cold. Her heart stops beating. We cried hard. We all held her and kissed her for the last time.

Nanay was 92. She lived long and had a wonderful life. It’s time for her to rest for she already accomplished her mission here on earth. Yes, I am still holding on to her memories but I (we) have to let her go so that she can journey well with her new life with God in heaven.

She was buried at the Nacional Funerary in Araneta, Avenue and was laid to rest at Loyola Memorial park in Marikina on June 7, 2008 at 10 a.m. We also would like to express our deepest gratitude to those people who were with us during our grieve. Thank you very much.

"Nay, your body will soon perish but the wisdom you shared with us will be cherished forever here in our hearts. We love you and 

Joan won the Yummy Cook-Off at Shangrila

Joan Manalang, the Art Director and the Artist Chef won the first ever Yummy Cooking Competition in the Blogger Category on September 30, 2007, at Shangrila Mall at 3 p.m.

 The competition was divided into three categories namely: Moms, Blogger and Chef division.

It was presented by Summit Media and Yummy Magazine. The YUMMY is a modern food magazine for anyone who loves to cook and eat. The YUMMY magazine gives inspiration readers to be creative about their home menus even with time and budget constraints. The magazine is also packed with useful and practical content for only P95.00.

Every issue of the magazine has more than 40 doable and delicious recipes, with ingredients available in the supermarket. It also has beautiful food images, styling and overall layout. It is useful for cooking and food shopping tips, instructionals, and of course, exciting food features and dining-out articles.

The show was hosted by Ruby Rodriguez and Chef Jun.



Here are some of the photos.

The ARTIST CHEF at CONDO CENTRAL Magazine

My sister JOAN who is an ART DIRECTOR on weekdays and an ARTIST CHEF on weekends is featured in the JULY issue of the CONDO CENTRAL Magazine. The article is entitled JUST FOR TWO. Discover how she came up with a business like this one - a romantic dinner date for two with an affordable prize of P1,800.00. Here she narrates how she blends her ideas in the arts and her passion for food.


The Artist Chef




The Work Place




The Ambiance




The Arrangements

JOAN MANALANG...the Artist Chef

JOAN MANALANG, a name known to the advertising industry, is a name attached to the word ART. That is how exactly I would describe this lady. A woman who exemplifies not just beauty but a woman holding tight to determination, perseverance, wisdom, goal and dreams.

This is how she wants her future to be. Since our childhood days, she never loses hope of being somebody someday. She has a vision and she works hard toward that vision. At 28, being an ART DIRECTOR, I believe she is halfway through her dreams. She harvests the fruits of her labors. A proud woman whose head is up high when she walks down the streets in Makati and as she mingles with the society's high profiles.

A Fine Arts graduate majoring in Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas, Joan has done many print ads for Smart (SMART Buddy and SMART Gold) and TV commercials like SKIN WHITE, ANLENE, UCARE 1,2,3, (Biyenan and Balae), STRESSTABS (with Tuesday Vargas), LEWIS AND PEARL powder, GREEN CROSS SOAP (with Maricel Soriano), CHOWKING nai cha, black gulaman and mongo pao, and the recent is the DUTCHMILL Yoghurt drink. Apart from these, she has also been into modeling, photography and painting, and most of her works became finalists in some prestigious art contests.

She has also done various posters, brochures, flyers, etc. relevant to her field. But her inclination toward the arts never hinders her passion for cooking. As a matter of fact, cooking has become an added income for her. She is branded as the ARTIST CHEF of the people who know her and of course, those people who have been acquainted with her. To her family, she is the kitchen queen. She has a condo unit in Makati which serves as the place for a romantic and cozy dinner for two. The place is simply decorated with white curtains, white tables and chairs, and white plates. The walls are also painted white and Joan's works of Art are spread throughout the place. You can tell her beforehand if you want to have your personal style during the dinner. A menu will also be given to you beforehand to allow you which food you want to be served.

You may also request her to have the food you like if it is not on the menu. Aside from the white atmosphere that brings a positive aura, a selection of amorous songs from Jazz Cappuccino CD will light up and stir the romance in the place.

For the amount of P1,800, a unique and heartwarming experience will be added to your library of memories of course, with the special person in your life.

By the way, Joan Manalang is my sister and I am very proud!