Family fun (Part 3 – Holiday parties!)

…from Family fun (Part 2 – Sampaguita Gardens!)

From the last two weeks of December to the first two days of January, much partying inevitably took place. Having family reunions during the holidays is tradition in the first place.

Though, the first Christmas party slash get together I attended was not family-related, but work. Still exhausted from the Aklan trip, I had a day’s rest and then got on the red and white Baguio-bound bus for the Inquirer northern Luzon bureau Christmas lunch on 19 December.

Borrowing this photo from sir Richard Balonglong, Inquirer photojournalist.

The following day, me together with fellow Pangasinan correspondent ma’am Yolanda Sotelo, went to the western Pangasinan town of Bani. Our editor, sir Rolly Fernandez, and photojournalist sir EV Espiritu, joined us there later in the evening. A Read-Along was held the following day in the mountain village projected to be an eco-village.

The Old Woods by the Sea, residential house of mayor Marcelo Navarro, Jr., is one place most breathtakingly situated, with an amazing view of the cove below facing the stretch of the West Philippine Sea. It is also being developed to be a nook for artists and writers.

I lost all the photos I took because my dear laptop failed me before I could upload them. And I have deleted the copies from my camera’s memory card too. My laptop was only resurrected by my dear high school friend Angelo Lim a few days ago  after a month in peril, and all of my files were forever lost. So you just have to go there in Bani yourself to appreciate the beauty of the place.

Anyway, back to family matters… Come 23 December, the Cereno clan, my grandfather’s side of the family, had our reunion a few blocks from where I live.

Foursome cousins (me, malen, peps, and angeli) with the wacky kids

Next in the parties I attended was the birthday party of the guy who breathed life back to my laptop, Angelo Lim. Spending late afternoon until around 9 p.m. in his place is a yearly tradition for high school friends, which are like family to me now. It’s like a pre-Christmas midnight dinner and drinking spree, so you end up really awesome by the time you go back home and welcome the 25th of December with family.

Unfortunately, this year hold the record for the least number of attendees... the others have yet to explain their absence. Angelo is the one seated on the rightmost. His girlfriend took the picture.

Past 9 p.m., Angelo motored me back to my home, as usual, and then I had to wait with my family for the much prepared for Christmas dinner.

I hope that we get to celebrate Christmas together every year...

Christmas day was spent at home, with me nursing my head ache and sleepiness. Then on the 26th, it was time for another family reunion on my grandmother’s side of the family, the De Vera clan of Carael, Dagupan City.

My younger brother Froilan (in green) and cousin Jason (in blue) with our beautiful and generous Lola Lyn Chingcuanco (our Mamang Thelma's youngest sister)

27 December was spent swimming (or trying to swim, on my part) with Malen, Peps, and Angeli, at the Leisure Coast Resort, in Dagupan City.

They wanted to have a picture with the kiddie slides as background.

I’m getting tired now so I’m giving up trying to write with gusto and will just simply give a run down of the things I did…

The lazy afternoon of 29 December was spent hanging out with dear high school friends. Ayen and I visited Leah in Bonuan, Dagupan City, who recently gave birth to a baby boy, Flonne Richter.

The smallness and fragility of a baby never fails to scare me

Since Leah and baby Flonne couldn’t join us, Ayen and I went back to my hometown, Mangaldan, and met up with two others. We had iced cappuccinos courtesy of our software engineer, Eleasah, after strolling the town plaza and eating junk foods, just like high school days.

After turning down dude Rommel a few months ago, I was teasing him with Eleasah to lessen awkwardness. Lol

The next day, 30 December, was the de Guzman family reunion, my father’s side of the family, at far-flung barangay Sapinit in the outskirts of  San Carlos City.

Look at me, all friendly with the kids, for picture purposes only. Niyahaha

Finally, December ended, and so the Cereno-Viray family welcomed the year 2012! Happy New Year!

But of course, post New Year celebrations are in order. And my neighborhood organization made sure of that as we again participated in the annual New Year Costume Ball held on the eve of January 1, at the town plaza. Every year, we win the award for biggest delegation. Me and cousins also love to watch and critic the contenders for the Mr. and Ms. New Year.

She was my bet, but she didn't win. I don't know her name because despite how small our town is, it was the first time I saw her. So I guess she's only visiting.

Here is the graceful Zeniah with the dragon. She is the grand daughter of my mother's friend, who kept tugging me to join her in the dance floor. No way kiddo! ^^

Cultural dances were also performed during that night. They were actually very good and entertaining this year. haha

Eventually, all these holiday partying and activities have got to end. And ended it did with an awesome night of drinking spree, laughter, and serious girl talk with high school friends on the night of 2 January. It also served as Ayesah’s despedida. She is now in Singapore.

One tower surely ain't enough. We resumed our drinking spree at Ayesah's house after staying at Crabby Choy's

So that was my holidays, spent with family and friends. Someone dear is the only one missing, we had a rift. But we did see each other on 28 December, just a short chat… tried to clarify and clear things, but to no avail. I met up with his girl cousin earlier that day too.

Nonetheless, my holidays were filled with much happiness, foods, and alcohol. Cheers to that! ^^

Up next: Tennis is our family sport!

Family fun (Part 2 – Sampaguita Gardens!)

…from Family fun (Part 1 – Boracay!)

Sampaguita Gardens, New Washington, Aklan: 16-17 December 2011

It was drizzling when the family left Boracay on the afternoon of 16 December, and proceeded to Sampaguita Gardens, a wonderful resort I happen to have also visited about six years ago. It was my idea that we spend what is left of our time in this beautiful resort owned by Samuel J. Butcher, founder of Precious Moments brand of dolls.

The place was filled with bigger than life-size Precious Moments angel dolls.

After checking in and depositing our things in our room, we toured the place before night finally falls. First stop was the child-friendly Sammy’s Circus, built for Butcher’s grandson.

Because we're still kids. =)

Look at me! Admit it, I look like a little girl! haha

The butterfly garden was closed already since it was past 5 p.m., so we continued walking and found ourselves at the front yard garden of the owner’s mansion.

Riding the horse statue sideways was easy. It's the going down part that made me call daddy for help.

The mansion serves as a retirement home of Butcher. The maintenance and upkeep is done by the Samuel J. Butcher Foundation. The only change I noticed in this place is that visitors can now press the keys of the white grand piano.

exquisite dining room

Look at that umbrella! Also, behind that golden yellow tainted glass is the library.

Inside the mansion, is a statue which grants whispered wishes. Mine came true. =)

I wonder what my sister wished for...

After our tour of the mansion, we proceeded to Jojo’s Christmas Cottage. The first floor was filled with Precious Moments Dolls! My sister’s camera was clicking all the time.

 

The second floor of this candy cottage holds the Christmas Museum where Christmas is celebrated all-year round.

Since we came during the Christmas season, my mom immediately had these photos printed and hanged on the Christmas tree at home. =)

I guess our names were not on Santa's list

There were so many Christmas trees, I did not bother to count.

sitting pretty with the Christmas trees

miniature Christmas village

Here is Mommy and Daddy, doing what my sister tells them to. Ugh. Cheesy much!

Back in the hotel’s lobby, or reception area, are bigger Christmas trees adorned with Precious Moments angel dolls.

Christmas family portrait

We left the hotel 4 a.m. of 17 December, and waited for our 6 a.m. flight at Kalibo airport.

Despite our short stay there, and the pricey accommodation, it was all worth it because the place is truly enchanting.

yellowist

Up next: Holiday parties!

Family fun (Part 1 – Boracay!)

19 January 2012, Thursday — Today, Daddy leaves again for Saudi Arabia. He has been working there for more than 21 years, working various jobs, which includes being a tennis instructor to some teenagers, businessmen, and even Muslim princes, so he boasts.

He arrived here on 3 December last year, his second trip home since he was also here in March-April for my graduation in the university.

Mommy is with him now in the airport, at least I assume. I don’t know the particulars of Daddy’s flight, and Mommy only sent me a message this morning to not forget to feed Batman, my dog, whom I introduced in a previous blog post.

My sister Franz might also be with them, if she left her office work from the National Commission on Women in the Malacanang compound early to see Daddy off, and guide Mommy back to the bus station bound back here in our small town six hours drive from Manila.

My younger brother Froilan might still be at school. But it’s way past his dismissal time so he probably went to the computer shop to play DOTA with his classmates. Or, I remember him mentioning of a dance rehearsal for their school’s foundation day soon.

Wherever they are, my point is that I am home, and alone, except for my dog of course, and my plants, which I should water later when it is shady enough.

Confined here in our comfortable abode, trying to set aside guilt of setting aside work for family matters, here is a narrative which attempts to explain my career absence. Or I can always admit to being lazy and distracted nowadays. pffff

 

White-sand pre-Christmas family trip: 14-16 December 2011

Puka Beach, Boracay Island tour

My sister had been planning for this trip for months. She had been to Boracay a few months earlier with work friends, but the weather was unfriendly then. That’s why she wanted to go there again, this time with family.

It was also my 2nd trip to this world-class island of fine white sand, pristine water, and lofty coconut trees. My first trip to Boracay was in 2007, when I was in 3rd year high school, as a delegate of the National Schools Press  Conference held in Kalibo. (See Amazing Aklan)

It was Mommy and Froi’s first time to ride an airplane. My younger brother, who is already 13 years old but looks and acts like 10, brought along Sergeant Keroro and Domo!

Now how could he be scared when they're present?

We arrived at Kalibo airport and rode a shuttle bus (SouthWest Travel is highly recommended but a little pricier than the usual van) to Caticlan. Then a motorboat which brought us to the jetty port, a motorcycle unlike what we have here in Luzon, and finally arriving in Station 2 where our hotel was.

We had a bad dinner at Andok’s along D’mall. The place wasn’t clean, the service was slow, and the food was not amusing. But setting that aside, we went to see Boracay at night with all it’s bars, music scene, and fire dancing.

Water activities made our stay in Boracay amazing, not that the place was not amazing itself. I enjoyed helmet diving so much. I loved feeding the fishes with the bread in my hand. I even found Nemo while ate was being guided to sit on an umbrella coral.

Helmet diving. Mommy was too nervous, I think, so she was up in the boat.

We also went island hopping, and I laughed how my younger brother felt scared and nauseous with the wavy boat ride.

He even brought Sergeant Keroro! ^^

…Especially with such awesome views!

I know this is not ideal, ruining the island landscape and all, but the view is nice.

We also went snorkeling, but I didn’t enjoy the experience since I cannot swim, and trying to float, looking below and finding myself above a very dark winding coral trench with unfriendly gray fishes is not my thing.

Just look at my sister, all smiling while mommy and I felt like drowning.

After the water activities, we went to watch the sun set while at Jonah’s Fruitshake and Snack bar.

(from lower center, clockwise direction) coffee, pineapple mango, choco mocha, mango banana, chocolate

bidding time, drinking shakes while waiting for the sunset...

...and there it was. ^^

Our last day in Boracay was spent swimming in the beach with some silvery fishes in the narrow waters that peck at your foot. I was mad because all four of them was against me going parasailing. They said it was too windy. Hands down ’cause it’s true enough. But still…

That's me, on my own. Tampururut. haha

We also went to buy some souvenirs such as shell bracelets, the mandatory shirt, and others.

Mommy eyeing these shell accessories

Can anyone guess my favorite color? ^^

My father, caught on cam, smoking on the beach front. haha

After which, we checked out of Boracay Holiday Resort.

And that concludes our three days and two nights stay in sunny Boracay.

Up next: Overnight stay at Sampaguita Gardens, New Washington, Aklan. =)

14th of February looms again

6 January 2012, Friday – People move on from holidays like wildfire burning down a forest from tree to tree.

It’s just the 6th of January and yet everyone has ceased talks of new year necessities already and is now in a whole new euphoria of romance. I haven’t even posted on Facebook all my photos during the holidays and now Valentine’s day comes waving ahead already!

Yes, the day of hearts, or of love, or of couples,  is next. But that is still a month away, people! Excited much, are we?

Today, two videos of  marriage proposals managed to flood my Facebook newsfeed.
Wonderful couples, wonderful proposals, wonderful love stories. Just wonderful…

I have nothing against these, and I am happy for them, especially for the girls. Not every woman is bestowed with such wonderful (Okay I’ll stop using ‘wonderful’ now) men. I wish the couples all imaginable happiness.

I’m, well,  just admittedly not fond of Valentine’s day for some reason, and these videos are the first(s) to remind me of such looming mushy holiday for happy romantics. Eeeek…

Yes, I’m single. And I know that no matter how I give out reasons why I don’t anticipate and even in fact dread February 14, it all goes down to the truth that I don’t have much of a love life to speak of in the first place. Not that I’m complaining… really I’m not!

I may be single, but so what?

~Marla -_-

Meet my dog, Batman

It’s my first time to actually have a dog. We’ve always had dogs in the house before, but they were my grandfather’s, and my cousin’s.  Batman’s breed is not anything fancy (he is a son of Mico, my cousin Berna’s half-Japanese spitz, half aspin, and our neighbor’s aspin; My mom adopted Batman, for me, from a neighbor because we are moving to a new apartment, and a house without a dog is simply not complete.
So there, I now have a barking minion. ^^

Photographer: miss Franz Monique Cereno Viray

Location:  our new residence in Mangaldan, Pangasinan

Just look at his mask-like black spots around the eyes to the ears!

 

Twirling tail bite. Batman is a clean dog. My younger brother and I give him a bath every time we notice a stinky smell.

Here’s our cousins (or pamangkins already? I am not sure), cuddling Batman, with the younger girl even trying to kiss him, while he seems to object. Gwapitong aso.

 

Slipper as teether. haha Being his master, I am in-charge of feeding him at least twice a day, usually lunch and dinner. But he is such a spoiled dog that sometimes I catch my father feeding him fresh milk in the morning, and my younger brother shared his cake. He won’t eat the apple slices I offer though, and only eats loaf bread with the sides removed. He eats almost anything, even plays with the dried leaves when I am sweeping, but doesn’t eat hotdogs (kahit Tender Juicy pa yan). I guess he really thinks that it’s dog meat. haha

This reminds me, he hasn’t been injected with anti-rabies yet. He likes to follow us around while walking, licking and scratching our feet  or simply trying to get our attention. My tattoo above my ankle is never safe from his claws.

 I took this photo from my phone during the New Year countdown. Batman was all silent and behaved in our tennis ball hooper. We found him shivering under the car earlier because of the firecracker frenzy in our neighborhood. Scaredy dog.  >.<

~Marla ^^

New year necessities

1 January 2012, Sunday – The only thing new about today is the date. My life is still as stellar as I deemed it to be. Why change when all is going well? Or maybe some polishing can be employed… Yup, that’s certainly  it. =)

2011 was a year of resounding accomplishments, firsts, and gladly nothing remorsefully shattering took place.

Undergraduate degree, claimed. Diploma and transcript of records  still to be claimed. Journalism career, started, frustrated, grappling, like grasping for smoke, sometimes reaches a dead spot and goes astray, on the way. Travel, wandered (not aimlessly) in unfamiliar towns and villages all over Pangasinan, revisited Ilocos and Aklan. Social circle expanded by 1/6 (still needs to improve social skills, or maybe I’m really just not friendly). Moved to a better, more comfortable residence. Got a dog, his name is Batman. Fitness routine established… erm, what else? Ah! Tattoo! ^^

Anyway, so my 2011 bucket list was more than satisfactory accomplished in all accounts. Yes, including my not-much-of-a-love-life with someone dear. Nothing is ever stagnant. Embrace dynamism and level up! *wink

So I guess that’s that. See you in nostalgic remembrances, 2011, it’s 2012‘s turn now.

I put on record here in my blog that 2012 will be a year of establishing my career. It will be dedicated to professional productivity, and hopefully, financial alleviation. By the end of the year I must already be nearer to my goal of buying, with my own money, my own car (even 2nd hand as long as it runs good ^^).

Also, if the world doesn’t end by the 21st of December as most people idiotically dread, then I’ll be living independently by 2013.

2012 will be a year of utmost maturity. I’ll be getting myself some goldfishes for the still empty big aquarium in the living room, and will name two of them Rhett and Scarlet. Yups, of Gone with the Wind.

This year I will be fierce and will not hold back.  I’ll still be doing whatever makes me happy regardless of society, and this time, with more vigor. )

I’ll also be working more on my garden, despite limited space, and will buy a ladies’ cruiser bicycle as soon as my finances allow me. Now don’t ask me now what those have to do with maturity. It’s called randominity, or randomness. pffff

Much took place for the last three weeks during the span of the holidays and I will attempt to blog about them soon. Not now for I am still in a state of technological desolation

My laptop failed me. My dear Packard-Bell gave up on me just before Christmas. I’m now using/borrowing my younger brother’s Acer.

I have to purchase a replacement for my laptop’s hard disk but my finances as of this moment is a joke, but not a funny one.

Much shameless spending was done during the holidays leaving me in a state of fantastical debt. But nonetheless, I had so much fun that it was all worth it. Besides, I simply have to work to pay ‘em back. No fuss. I’m trying to think positive here..

Meanwhile, I started the year in work-mode, and I plan to keep this up. What better way to start the year by writing about a killing and blast and stray bullet victims, during the New Year’s revelry in my province?

So with all those out of the way, here’s to more challenges to conquer, frustrations to trash, people to meet and bid adieu, miles to jog, flowers to talk to, cats to scare away, handkerchiefs to be wet with tears, stories to share, sins to (not really) regret, secrets to keep hidden, slaps and punches to give, to giving up then embracing again, and awesome drunken nights of socialization that will never be remembered. Cheers, 2012!

~Marla ^^

2011 in review by WordPress.com

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,200 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 6 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

photo quotes: Flowers

8 December 2011, Thursday — Left with nothing much to do these past two days, after much exhaustion in moving to a new abode with my family, I found myself delighted with our new garden. I woke up to a windy day yesterday, got my camera, and fell more deeper in love with flowers.

I decided to put quotes on ‘em and here they are. =)

jasmine

water lily

bougainvilla

kalachuchi

purple bells

azalea

Chinese fortune plant flower

small yellow flowers

I hope they made you smile. =)

~Marla

The Girl with the DRAGONFLY Tattoo

2 December, Thursday – Yes, that’s right. I got myself inked, just two days ago.

What? You didn’t think I’m that kind of girl? You know, the ones that cause trouble and get themselves all messed up? That I’m just the plain, simple, ever so serious Marla?

Breaking free from stereotypes, yes, I’m still me. The very same Marla, only with an exquisite tattoo above the ankle of my right leg.

After all, tattoo is no longer frowned upon nowadays as a mark of bad people, but rather appreciated as an art form, and rightly so.

I simply wanted to mark this certain period of my life, when all is well, priority-wise.

To cut the chase, all I’m saying is that plotting and doing something to cause you harm make me a bad girl. Making your life hell makes me a bad girl. Burning your photos over candles while reciting chants, cursing you to some unknown deity, make me a crazy bad ass b*tch. But no, having a tattoo doesn’t make me a bad girl. ^^

Anyway, my tattoo artist is perhaps Dagupan City’s finest who calls himself Carlo Picasso, one of the initiators of Tataugupan or Dagupan Tattoo festival first held February last year. He took up Painting at UP Baguio but wouldn’t tell me his batch. He also said that he won’t be joining the alumni homecoming this month because that is not really his thing.

Maybe because my tattoo artist is that un-brutal, but I really didn’t find the process of tattooing excruciatingly painful as initially perceived. Yes, it is painful, fleetingly, but bearable. I have a high tolerance for pain, you see. (And I ask myself again if I am indeed masochistic… tsk tsk)

I chose a dragonfly with swirly vines as the design for my tattoo, because…

In my childhood, catching a dragonfly, the big yellow-orange ones which fly above ones reach, has always been my frustration. I can catch the usual small green and blue ones that hover and land on the grass, but the big ones pose much challenge! And again, we all know how I delight in challenges.

Dragonflies signify many things too — strength despite fragility, ability to adapt in changing winds, intricate beauty which can only be seen up close, and that of freedom in letting go…

The design was based from some tattoo I found on some website. Sir Carlo added more details and suggested to shade the wings for it not to look like a simple henna tattoo. He says the yellow orange shade makes it mysterious. I couldn’t disagree with that. ^^

My friends pointed out that I can no longer donate blood. But as much as I love donating blood, I did so every six months since I turned 18, I think I’ve donated my fair share of type O blood already (seven times, or seven bags of blood, each 450 cc since June 2009). Don’t you think so? It’s not like my blood is rare or anything.

So there, no regrets ever. I am now the girl with the dragonfly tattoo. =)

~Marla

P.S. Much thanks to Ryan Carino, a friend from elementary private school (Cherished Moments School) who introduced me to the tattoo artist, and Ayen Valena, for accompanying and tolerating me every time I’m up to something, good or bad. haha ^^

keepsakes

17 November, Thursday — I like to keep memories in tact, for me to be able to look back. This attitude doesn’t end on me having a journal alone.

I have lots of keepsakes in my treasure boxes (yes, boxes). I’ll be featuring them in my posts here  whenever I feel like it. But for now, let me share to you these particular mementos.

My family is moving to a new apartment in town by the end of the month, so in an effort to organize my things,  two days ago, I was rummaging through some of the things I accumulated over the past years, and found these accessories:

The ethnic bead necklace in the middle, the one with the butterfly, is my first lucky charm. I bought it in a school fair when I was in first year high school. I made sure I wore it whenever I joined journalism competitions from first year to 3rd year high school. It never failed me.

But sadly, when I reached my senior year, I stopped wearing it. It has become so fragile and I didn’t want it to be destroyed. I still brought it along with me during competitions, but it doesn’t work that way I guess. For me, that is one of the reasons why I lost and failed myself. and everyone looking up to me, that year. (Read my campus journalism downfall at http://fmarla.wordpress.com/2010/09/26/chasing-the-rainbow/)

The necklace with the circle wood-sewn pendant in the left side was a souvenir from Surigao City during the NSPC 2005. I wore it only during the event’s opening parade.

The dark brown bracelet on the right side, above the flower bracelets, was given to me by a fellow delegate in the NSPC 2006 in Kalibo, Aklan. I wore that for almost a year without taking it off, until my mom noticed and forced it out of my hand. It is self adjusting so it doesn’t fall off your hand, and gets tighter when wet.

I got the wooden bead flower bracelets also in a trade fair, in my senior year in high school. I wore my watch in between them in my left wrist.

The fancy necklace on the upper right, with the bronze beads placed on the Capiz shell pendant, is something I bought when I was in 2nd year college, during Session in Bloom, Panagbenga Festival in dear Baguio City.

I don’t know why I bought it because I don’t like necklaces with big pendants in the first place. I think I wore it only once, in a family day.

The last item, the wooden bead necklace on the left, is from a former instructor in college. I remember that she was wearing this necklace on a plain white rightly fitting shirt, and the class admired it. Then she asked the class if anyone wanted it, and I replied first, so I got it.  She said it was a gift from her grandmother or mother or aunt or someone I can’t seem to remember. I wear it over a plain white shirt too. Thank you ma’am. =)

So there they are, not just mere belongings, but keepsakes. Yes, keeping keepsakes makes me a very visual person indeed.   

On a more colorful note, I also found these in my boxes.

These colorful beads are not mine but my sister’s.  They look like the candy necklaces my playmates used to buy and wear, then eat while wearing it, back in my childhood. I never liked candies. Too sweet.

I also found a container full of beads from broken bracelets and other small stuffs from ruined belongings.

 D is for distraction/destruction

Maybe, if I have much free time, and have the will to reawaken my creative side again, I will make use of these beads and make new accessories. But then again, I’m not really fond of accessories.

Yes, I am plain.

~Marla