LadyVi.net

It’s been 11 years since my husband and I got married and he has been telling me a lot of stories about his childhood. He’s been thinking and had been trying to convince me, that we (me and the kids), should be able to visit his hometown, Jolo, Sulu.

Now, after years of persuasion, I am sure a lot of people would understand why I have been reluctant, the family have finally visited
Jolo, Sulu.

Kids and I were able to meet lots of my husband’s relatives. My husband left Jolo 17 years ago, so you could just imagine how all of his aunts and uncles misses him so much. They were all accommodating and are very loving. We stayed at my in-laws’ house. Mommy Betty (my mother in-law) taught me a lot of things. The kids enjoyed their stay even though most of the time they were just running around in and outside the house and played cats chased. We were also able to taste different kinds of Jolo made food, although I can not remember all of their names, but they were all tasty and I love most of them.

Jolo is just a small town. Like what my husband had been telling me, you can walked around the town in just half a day. Although at first I didn’t know what to expect, turned out, our first Jolo vacation was not that bad after all. And when we asked the kids if they would like to come back, they both said “YES” in chorus, and they want it both soon….

It’s been a week since Ondoy left and I think most of the affected area that had flood water had already subsided. Some families had went back to their respective homes, but most definitely not back to their normal lives yet, especially those who had lost their loved ones.

Us had neither. My family are still living in a shop were we evacuated and so as the other 4 families that we are sharing it with. Water in our village is still above knee high, while the road that leads to it is still waist deep.

Yesterday morning when we went to the barangay hall to en-list ourselves as families that are affected by the flood and to receive relief goods, yes we do need and accept relief goods, I had asked one of the staff how long this stagnant flood water before it disappear, the guy who answered me said that they estimated it would be about three (3) months or maybe more? WOW! So, it’s true, this flood water will last that long, and they can not do anything about it. We had to wait for the flood water to subside by itself.

The guy told me that Napindan River/Channel is closed. This channel is the connection between Laguna Lake and Pasig River. This channel leads the overflowed water from Laguna Lake to Pasig River. I do not know if he was joking or not, but he said that ‘they’ do not like to open this channel because if they does, there will be flood in Binondo area, where the ‘rich Chinese businessman’ would be affected. So, my understanding was that, since we are not rich, they had to sacrifice us, poor people, and let us suffer from this flood water for four months? Now that’s discrimination.

On Thursday morning, we heard from the news that typhoon is coming to Manila and said to expect rainfall from Saturday to Monday. Rain started to fall by Friday night time and did not stop until late Sunday night.

On the early afternoon of Saturday, 26 Sept, we noticed that water started to rise in our garage. I thought it was ok, since this normally happens when rain really pours for 2 straight hours. It normally subside after the rain stops or just even slows down, but when the water started to rise in my laundry area, then to my kitchen, I thought this is not normal. So, we started to bring some of the small things and some appliances on the second floor of our house. In less than an hour, the water level in my receiving area already rise for about four inches, then another four inches for another hour and still rising. My husband was up almost the entire night to monitor the water level. Then on Sunday morning it was almost knee high and the flood water’s color is already brown and really dirty.

So, before noon on Sunday, my husband decided to evacuate the area. Although we can stay on the second floor of our house, but later on, the electric power will have to be cut-off, then by then it would be very difficult to move around especially with all our things scattered everywhere and the flooding downstairs. There was also advisory form the barangay hall, asking all the residence of the village to evacuate the area. We used the inflatable swimming
pool we bought for the kids, to transport Heaven and Louise and some other kids from the neighborhood.

When we came back this morning (Monday, 28 Sept) to get some more clothes and things, it was already sunny and yet the water is still rising. Heard from one of the the old folk who were also evacuating, last time this kind of flood happened in the area was in 1972 and took more than a month before the water dried up and typhoon was already loooong gone.

Although we are experiencing some inconvenience while staying here on the second floor of the net cafe, we are still lucky and very much thankful that we are dry and safe here compare to all others out there. Thank you God!

Now the question is, how long are we going to stay here?

It was half past ten in the evening and I was doing some work in the office. While working, I played some of the greatest hits of MJ as my background music. These files were stored in a centralized multimedia drive provided for the staff. Then one particular song played, in which I am not familiar with. Actually it was the first time I’ve heard the song. So, when I looked at the info I’ve learned that the tittle of the song is ‘Childhood’, and in more info provided, it was the theme from the movie “Free Willy’. The movie was about the friendship between a 12 year old boy and an orca whale. But if you listen to the lyrics of the song, it seems MJ was talking about his own childhood. Can’t help it but, I’ve listen to the song intently and stop working for a while, but, even before the song ended I was already teary eyed. MJ even sounded that he was crying by the end of the song. It’s a very very sad song…..

Childhood
by: Michael Jackson

Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for the world that I come from
‘Cause I’ve been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart…
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities…
‘Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me…

People say I’m not okay
‘Cause I love such elementary things…
It’s been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood I’ve never known…

Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates and adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne…

Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?
People say I’m strange that way
‘Cause I love such elementary things,
It’s been my fate to compensate,
For the Childhood I’ve never known…

Have you seen my Childhood?
I’m searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
The dreams I would dare, watch me fly…

Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I’ve had

Have you seen my Childhood….

I was browsing some of my personal files yesterday when I saw the photos of our recent visit in Enchanted Kindom. Then remembered that I had written something for my blog that was supposedly due for posting.

Anyways, we went there with my in-laws. My husband’s parents, two sisters-in-law, my husband’s youngest aunt and a nephew and niece. Really one big happy family ey! As expected, we had rode most of the rides available, although the nephew and niece are too young to be allowed to some of the rides. While Heaven, who is now 8 years old was brave enough to try the ‘Flying Fiesta’ and ‘Anchor’s Away’, in which Daddy did not dared to. He also tried the kiddie version of Kart Trak (Go-Kart Race Track)

One of the ride that Louise and Heaven most love was called ‘wild river’. I know it used to be called like that but now they’ve changed it to ‘Jungle Log Jam’. I can’t help but smile when I remembered how Louise and Heaven love the wild ride. In fact they love the ride so much that we had to fall in line for the ride four times.

Some of the rides we’ve tried were Anchors Away (Pirate Ship Ride), Roller Skaters (Mini Roller Coaster), Jungle Log Jam (Jungle-themed flume ride), Flying Fiesta (Giant swing ride), Grand Carousel (Carousel), Swan Lake, Dodgem (Bumper Cars), Wheel of Fate (Ferris wheel), Up, up and Away (Balloon Ride), Bumbling Boulders (Teacups-Type Ride), Boulderville Express (Train ride).

Say hello to the sun! Finally, after more than 3 weeks of continuous rain, the sun shone today. Although we welcome the rain every now and then, but please not the entire summer. Were the kids are supposedly enjoying their vacation, playing by the beach or pool, under the summer sun.

Last week, my family and my sisters-in-law and her kids went to Splash Island. The eldest sister-in-law is in town for vacation for few weeks. She’s been working as a nurse for years, in one of the hospital in UK. So, the Splash Island trip is one of her treat for her nieces and nephews. Actually, they’ve (my youngest sister-in-law, her kids, my husband and Heaven and Louise) already went shopping day after she arrived. I have to work that day so, I was not able to join them.

Anyways, the time we arrived in Splash Island which was around 11am, people were gathered in ticketing area and there was an announcement that the place is temporarily close because of lightning due to thunderstorm. According to this site “even indoor pools are not safe during a thunderstorm. Lightning can create massive ground currents which can travel through the ground for considerable distances from where the bolt hits. These ground currents can be an electrocution hazard even if you’re in an indoor pool. If there’s lightning around, don’t go swimming”. After an hour of waiting, well almost, they’ve finally let us in. But then again once in the middle of the afternoon, they’ve again asked everyone to get our of the water for the same reason.

In the end when it’s time to go home, Heaven and Louise were crying, they don’t want to get out of the pool yet. They were still enjoying, and were not ready to go yet, even after almost 5 hours of being in the water. Well, blame it on thunderstorm. So, daddy ended up making a promise, that we will again come back very soon, but this time we’ll time it just right after it’s opening hour, by then Heaven and Louise stop crying.

Here are some of the photos taken:

It’s summer time once again. Although it has been raining for couple of days now, nevertheless, people goes everywhere for their summer swimming.

On Wednesday, April 22, our company had our annual summer outing @ Palm Beach resort (La Frondosa) . The resort is located at Barrio Hugom, San Juan Batangas. Our company had been doing this annually for couple of years now. We’ve been to different places like, Bulacan, Laguna, Nasugbu Batangas, but for the past 3 years we have been going to San Juan Batangas. Two years ago we went to La Luz Beach Resort . Last year was in Sigayan Bay and this year was in Palm Beach . Out of the three resorts, I’d say Palm Beach goes to the top spot, although food was better in La Luz, but in over-all ranking, Palm Beach is the best. I will just let the photos speak for themselves. Some were borrowed from officemates.

Whenever I bring my kids somewhere, either to go to supermarket, to go malling, or just for a drive somewhere nearby, I see to it that I bring along my creative mp3 player and plugged it to our car’s stereo system. While I drive, they normally sing-a-long with their favorite music.

Their most favorite music recently is the song written and sang by Rico Blanco called Yugto. They love it very much that whenever they sing-a-long with Rico, they see to it that they yell on the part that says ‘oohh hoo… ho! ho! ho!’ and they re-play the song over and over again.

Anyways, would like to share with you the lyrics of the song….

YUGTO
by: Rico Blanco

Hooo oh… ho! ho! ho!
Hooo oh…. ho! ho! ho!
Sa gitna ng kagubatan may ahas na hahalik
Tatawagin kang kaibigan na pinakamatalik
Pupulupot sa leeg mo’t sisipsip ng iyong dugo
Ipapako ka sa krus kapag ikaw ay natuyo

Sa gitna ng kaguluhan may kumukulong bulkan
Di ma pigil ang yabang at sakdal na kasakiman
Susubukang angkinin ang lahat ng hindi kanya
Kung kaya kang paikutin tiyak paiikutin ka

Ngunit hindi nila kayang baliin ang iyong loob
Ang pag-ibig na hawak mo’y hindi malulubog

Lumiyab ka!! Ah ha ha ha ha… Lumiyab!

Hooo oh… ho! ho! ho!
Hooo oh…. ho! ho! ho!
Sa gitna ng kadiliman may buwitreng nagmamasid
May magbabato ng putik ngunit walang mayayanig
Iiyak ang mga batang nahulugan ng kendi
Lahat ng mga problema sa iba sinisisi

Sa gitna ng kagubatan may ahas na hahalik
Itinuring mong kaibigan na pinakamatalik
Leeg mo’y pupuluputan dugo mo’y sisipsipin
Pag wala ka nang pakinabang ending mo’y sa bangin

Ngunit hindi nila kayang baliin ang iyong loob
Ang pag-ibig na hawak mo’y hindi malulubog

Lumiyab ka ah ah ah ah haaa… lumiyab! lumiyab!

Tuwing hating gabi maririnig mo ang huni
Ng mga kaluluwang naliligaw
Lahat ng pera sa mundo hindi kayang gawing ginto
Ang huwad na tao..

Ang mga tinig palakas ng palakas, hanggang gumuho ang mga hadlang (2x)

Instrumental
Saksi ang langit sa lahat ng…. naganap
Saksi ang langit sa ikalawang…. yugto…

Lumiyab ka ah ha ha ha ha…Lumiyab ka

Sa ngalan ng katotohanan (lumiyab ka)
Sa ngalan ng iyong dangal
Ang puso at iyong isipan (lumiyab, lumiyab)
Ialay mo sa Maykapal (lumiyab)

Last 2 Sundays ago, my youngest child Louise has an accident while playing with her Kuya Heaven. She accidentally bumped her forehead on the wall of our bedroom and had a hole in her forehead that could fit a 1 peso coin.

I was then taking my power nap in a sofa downstairs when I heard Louise’ cry.

You know when you become a parent you will learn to sleep very lightly that you tend to hear every noise around even when you are sleeping.

Anyways, so I heard Louise’ cry but did not pay much attention to it. I thought she and her Kuya must have had a disagreement on one thing and the reason for her crying. It was then until her Atete (that’s how she call her Ate Nelle), called for me from upstairs yelling and at the same time crying, and with that, I knew something bad had happened.

My husband and I hurriedly run upstairs and saw Louise’ forehead full of blood. We were shocked and was terrified looking at her with that state. I was hysterical and was in panicky mode. Did not know what to do, whether to get something to wipe the blood or to run down stairs to get some ice cubes. When we were finally able to stop the blood from flowing, we brought her to the nearest hospital.

She had 3 stitches in her forehead and while the doctor was doing the stitching, we had not heard even a single cry, that’s how brave my little girl is. Then after the ER doctor was done with her, she still managed to show her sweet little smile to us.

That was actually the second time it happened, first time was while she was at school and was in her left eyebrow. I just hope that there will be no third.

Last week, I’ve received a sad text message from a kumare and a friend, informing me that one of our common friend died early this month. His name is Mars Gelvoligaya. He passed away due to a severe asthma attack that occurred during work on 03 November.

I met Mars 11 years ago through IRC chat at Dalnet, him from #filipino and me from #pag-ibig. We first met in person when my group from my channel had our first eye ball ‘EB’ in Chillis Makati. It was actually a celebration for my birthday. Everybody had a blast and for most of us, it was our first eb.

Since then, we’ve almost always seen each other in every EB’s we’ve attended. We were one of the core group who masterminded Dalnet’s Grand Eye Ball ‘GEB.’ He is the kind of guy that you will never hesitate to ask for help whenever you need one.

Last Saturday, me and some old Dalnet friends met-up at the Watering Hole, EDSA Shangri-la Mall. In our own small way to help Mars’ family, we managed to pool some funds that night.

Mars’ coming home for good tomorrow. His burial will be in Candelaria, Quezon on Saturday.

Farewell Mars, our friend. You will surely be missed.