So, we told them to sleep early and don’t worry about their things because we will be the one to prepare it…(you know, parents thingy). Below are some pictures taken before they go 5am in the morning of monday…watch out for more pictures and stories as they return…

Event Details:

• Time: October 19, 2009 at 6am to October 24, 2009 at 6pm
• Location: Adventist University of the Philippines
• City/Town: Silang, Cavite
• Event Type: Camporee
• Organized By: S.S.D. Youth Department

Event Description:

On October 19-24, 2009, the Southern-Asia Pacific Division Youth Department will host an International Pathfinder Camporee to be held at the Adventist University of the Philippines, Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite, Philippines.

The Camporee is represented by all Unions, Conferences, and Missions under SSD territory. This event will accommodate around 5,000 campers for quality and attainable objectives druing the program implementation. The hosting of International Pathfinder Camporee 2009 by the SSD Youth Department is believed to be the first of its kind in the Philippine history.

This event is designed to address the youth development needs, promote leadership skills, enabling and empowering the youth to become full partners in the mission of the SDA church in the proclamation of the Gospel. The showcase of talents and skills by the youth will enhance a unified spirit of commitment, confidence, love, and loyalty to the church they belong.

As the train continued with its travel, I glance at my watch again and tit says 7:30am while in Carriedo.  Yup! right on schedule.  Then as we were on our way to Pedro Gil station, the train slows down and stops.  We thought that this is just one of those regular stops in the middle of stations because there’s still another train on the next station.  As the minutes pass by, the driver announces that there’s a problem between the Pedro Gil and Quirino stations.  We’re all hoping that it’s just a minor prbblem that can be resolved immediately.  After some long minutes have passed, all of us passengers become worried and agitated, looking at our watches, texting or calling.  Then the driver announces that it is now code Yellow 1.  I don’t know what’s their color coding means coz I usually hear code red , but one thing for sure, that’s the first time in my entire LRT riding experience of hearing that code color.

I looked at my watch and it says 8:00am.  I know this is my PANIC time.  In my schedule, I should be at Buendia and already boarded a bus to Makati, but here I am, still in limbo between Pedro Gil and UN stations.  When the doors were opened, some passengers alighted the train and started to walk towards Pedro Gil.  I asked Jimer if we should follow them, but he says that its dangerous because the path on the side of the train has plenty of gaps.  Then the guard arrived in our coach and he informed us that we should leave the train because resuming operations would take some time.  The door on the left side were then opened, and that’s where we left the train.

There’s always first for everything, and this is first time to walk in the middle of the LRT train track.  It gives me that sense of pride because not everybody has this privilege, I just wish that this not happened on a regular working day.  So we walked on the track filled with rocks and you can notice some passengers documenting the said event with their cellphone and we did the same also for our souvenir.

We boarded a bus and started our time-consuming trip to Buendia.  I texted my boss that I will be definitely late, I just hope that it will be not that very late.  When I reached the office, my time-in was exactly 8:59am.  What a relief, I thought it will be around 10am.

So I started with my routine tasks and remembered that I have a 10am meeting, so there’s no time for me to eat my breakfast.  I just bought a Skyflakes and Milo from the vendo machine then proceeded with my meeting.  I thought that the meeting will be short since it’s just the continuation from the meeting last week, but I was mistaken.  We left the room around 12:30pm, all hungry and tired, to think that it’s just the middle of the day.

The rest of the day dragged on and I was lucky enough to leave the office early (when early that means before 6pm).  We decided to take the LRT because when we exited the LRT station, we did not went through the ticket booths so this means we still have spare trip.  When we reached the station, it was full of passengers, starting from the stairs on the entrance. Most of the people were passengers earlier and their tickets were being verified by the counter tellers.  And so we patiently squeezed our way through the counter and waited for some time before our turn for verification.

And so my day ended which should have been a good day.

When we arrived at their place, it was already teeming with people.  We were met by Nanay and Tatay Darang, both of whom I noticed seemed very tired, haggard and with bloodshot, puffy eyes.  We then went inside the house where she is being lain in a white coffin.  I prepared myself for this moment, but still no amount of preparation is enough to see a loved one in this situation.  We just couldn’t believe it… Until we saw her lying inside.  And it was the time that it finally sink in that she’s no longer with us anymore.  We will not be seeing her big, beautiful eyes which was one of her trademark, the other one is being an ‘Indian’ most of the time; we will not be  able to witness her endless bickerings with the boys.  She’s the only one who can compete with them in the ‘asaran’ department and the boys just couldn’t keep up with her.

The other barkadas who were not in Manila were also informed about this sad news and they have the same reaction, they just couldn’t believe it.  Because she’s too young for this, and to think she still have 2 sons to take care of,  our hearts really were with them to be motherless at a very young age.  Our prayers are with them, as well to Jupiter her husband, and Nanay and Tatay Darang.

Jeannette was finally laid to rest last February 6.  Her temporary journey ended, and she’s now sleeping, waiting to be reunited once again with her loved one on the next coming of our Lord Jesus.

To Jeannette, thank you for sharing with us a part of you.  We’re very thankful for letting us know you and be one of your barkadas.  Eventhough we were not able to play word factory during your wake, the next time we have that opportunity, the first game will be for you.

Dec 26 – We visited Inday Phebe and Tito Roming at the Union’s guesthouse where they arrived earlier from Seattle.

Dec 28 – Around 10am, Jimer and I went to Pier 15 to meet with Tiyo’y Jesher and Manang Fe. In the afternoon, Samuel went to the airport to meet Manong Eman and his family. They all stayed for the night at our humble house and we were able to fit a total of 12 people inside!

Dec 29 – After last minute change of arrangement, it was agreed that we will meet with Manong Jun at NPUM around 9AM. So we all get ready early in the morning and took 3 cabs to fit us all, going to NPUM. When Manong Jun arrived, it was clear that we cannot fit in his Starex if we include our baggages. It was decided that Manong Eman and his family with Jeremy will stay and wait for Manong Leslie while the rest of us went ahead, destination SSD. Here are our pictures at NPUM.

I admit, I was looking forward in visiting SSD since I haven’t been inside the place. My impression, typical Adventist environment, but more spacious and more greenery (if there’s such a word). We went to one of the guest houses and immediately after leaving the van, the kids excitedly went to the mini playground.

When we went inside, new faces showed up: Alex, Manang Sharon and Tiyay, Dawn (whom I have seen for the first time), Manang Gina and her family who arrived the night before, Manang Sheilah’s sons and Inday since Tito Roming was out as well as Manang Sheilah and ‘Nong Nilo. After the SOP greetings and settled in, we had a quick lunch then made arrangement going to Silang. Since Alex will be having his “pamanhikan” in the afternoon also, our family ride along with them. So once were at Putingkahoy, Alex with the seniors (Tiyay, Inday, Nanay) and juniors (Manongs Nilo and Harry) proceeded to Ascel’s place and we were dropped off at Uncle’s place since Samuel and his family were already there waiting. We stayed for sometime at Uncle’s place until we got ready to go to AUP for the final rehearsal.  While waiting, we indulge ourselves with boiled corn for our merienda.

Since Lola Unsay’s (Pasig SDA Church matriarch) house is along the way, we decided to pay her a visit. But as we got near her place, we met Pastor Koch and Che as they are getting ready to go somewhere. They volunteered to drive us to Finster chapel since its a long walk from that place. And upon arrival, Pastor Koch gave each of our children P100 as their belated “pamasko.” We couldn’t be more lucky that day.

At the Finster, we found out that we were really very early since only Manongs Nilo and Harry were there (straight from pamanhikan). After sometime, participants started to arrived as well as other relatives also. The rehearsal finished around 9pm and we realized that our stomachs are growling because we haven’t eaten dinner yet. Uncle Jethro was kind enough to drop us off at Uncle Em’s place.

Click here fore more pics! [Album not found]

Upon arrival, we went straight to the dining table because we’re all famished then got ready for a good night’s sleep.

Dec 30 – the W day. We got up around 6am, with breakfast already waiting c/o our ever accommodating host, Noel, who was up before the sun shone on the horizon. After breakfast, I’ve decided to wash the clothes we wore yesterday because we still don’t know when we will be going home, so its better to have clean clothes ready. Around 11am, we started to get ready for the wedding since our call time is 2:30pm. Nancy have to do make up all five of us. Everyone is busy preparing themselves, however, Len-len is not yet sure if she’ll be able to make it to the wedding since she still has a high temperature since the day before. Then on the last minute, it was decided to let her visit the clinic to make sure that she’ll be alright, so Karen then will take her place as one of the bridesmaid. It’s just luck that they almost have the same body size to fit the gown as well.

We hurriedly went to the venue, and found that almost everybody is present already. After some final instructions, Manangs Sheilah and Gina, the ceremony coordinators, signaled for the start of the wedding, exactly 3pm. The wedding went on smoothly, and generally, almost perfect as rehearsed. I was not able to take pictures earlier because I left the camera in my bag that when I remember to use it, the ceremony is almost nearing the end.

Ascel’s Tita Miriam who was the reception coordinator, left me with more instructions since she will be heading off to the reception to prepare the area in advance. So after the wedding, I have to make sure that I remember her instructions that’s why we were one of those few who left the Finster Chapel last. Upon arrival at the reception, everyone is almost seated, saved from the entourage since they will be acknowledged upon entrance. I seated myself at our designated table before the program starts. During the reception program, we tried to took as much pictures as we can of our relatives since this is just once in a lifetime opportunity to have them all here in one place.  But after the program, the fun begins.  We literally owned the stage and the newly weds presence, by taking pictures in every given opportunity.  We were such a big family that we couldn’t fit the camera in one sitting!
[Album not found]
Upon leaving the reception, we stopped by AUP’s clinic to visit Len-len who was confined early that day due to her high fever. At Uncle Em’s place, as we are preparing for bed, we heard the doorbell rang and Uncle Job’s voice echoed downstairs. Samuel told us that they were inviting us at Manong Leslie’s place to spend the night there. Nanay chose to stay behind since she’s too tired to travel while the rest of us packed our things headed for Silang. We were able to see at last the home of Manong Leslie, and it was large, for our standard. They were very accommodating and was able to make last minute arrangements for our stay.

Dec 31 – We woke up early and told the girls to take a bath already because we don’t know what will our activities for the day. So its better that they’re already finished with this task immediately. Then we heard Manong Leslie’s van and saw Manong Eman, Manangs Rejean and Sharon alighting the van. They were having their early morning stroll around the SSD compound and were met be Manong Leslie along the way, so he invited them to visit his home also. We worshipped together but before that, we had a sort of getting-to-know-you session since Jo was not familiar with all of us yet especially those from Negros.

After breakfast, they went to Manong Jun’s house to visit also. After sometime, we all got in the van to go to SSD. It’s been very cold in SSD not to mention experiencing a light drizzle of rain every now and then. When we reached the guesthouse, the kids immediately went to the mini playground while the rest of us went inside the house. We were served with some more food but I declined since I am still full from our heavy breakfast earlier. Since the weather is not suitable for a picnic at the Picnic Grove as originally planned, we’ll just have a pizza instead. So the Manongs went out to get the pizza. The relatives then come by batches. Uncle Asher and family brought some more food then the folks from Muzon, riding with Uncle Jethro arrived. Then the house were almost filled in every corner. With kids running here and there, others were interested on the one-on-one showdown of videogame with Naruto, chocolates being served every now and then, folks chatting and spontaneous laughter filled the room.

Click here fore more pics!

Then the pizzas arrived! As in P I Z Z A S! There were at least 30 boxes of them piled up on the table, all waiting to be eaten.  No need for second bidding, we immediately start consuming them to our heart’s content.  But it seems that we all have a bad syndrome of pizza overload, because after sometime, there’s still more pizza still waiting to be eaten but we cannot do it anymore.  I myself would not want to see another pizza for the meantime and the kids were of no help at all in defeating those slices.

Since its already mid-afternoon, Samuel’s and my family bid our goodbyes to everyone at the house. Samuel and his family have to go to Tiaong to catch-up with Nancy’s family new year reunion. And for our family, this would be our first new year at our house and we wouldn’t want to have it lonely and uninhibited. Manong Leslie and Uncle Job were kind enough to drop us off in front of AIIAS for our bus to Manila. It was a very memorable and happy experience for everyone. And I’m totally glad that Alex and Ascel had this wedding, or we would not be able to see each other once again. The next question now would be: When will be the next gathering? We’re looking forward to it in the very near future.

One of the most important thing for this celebration is exchanging gifts, or the monita-monito.  This tradition has been around since time immemorial and in this modern technology era, it still being practiced.  However, I noticed that although the thought is still there, variations have been applied maybe due to necessity or for practical reasons.  Given the present worldwide economic crisis, you couldn’t just let go that easily of your P500 worth of gift.  So to make sure that you will be getting what you really want, most people will openly tell to everyone what he wishes to have as a gift.  In this scenario, the giver wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of looking for the “perfect gift” which we all know will mostly be not, but will come up with the gift that his monito will surely appreciate.

Let’s take an example from my husband’s office exchange gift tradition.  One night he arrived with a brand-new laptop heating pad.  I asked if the one that we own is broken, but he told me that it is for his monito because it’s what his monito asked for.  For him, he requested his monito for a wireless LAN USB Adapter with access point function so that he can share internet access from anywhere.  And this made me wonder why don’t they just buy whatever they want and go away with this tradition once and for all!  They use this tradition as an excuse to get the things that they want, which they cannot buy under normal situation.  I still remember one of our company exchange gift 6 or 7 years ago.  I requested for P200 worth of disposable diapers for my kids.  At least I was able to fully realize my money’s worth, not just one of those displays that will accumulate dust overtime.  That’s practicality!

As I reviewed the mistakes to make sure that they are legitimate ones. One of her mistake in English was from part I where the students should supply a proper noun for the given common noun. For the common noun ‘hero,’ she supplied the proper noun, Supergirl. Well, this just shows how much DC Kids comics she have been reading lately.

Gabi went down the stairs hurriedly as if someone or something is following her. I thought she was just playing with Bambam but when I saw her shocked face, I know something is not right. She immediately went to me and cried that there was this hairy caterpillar on the window beside the clock. I was confused as to what she had seen so I went upstairs to their room and checked the windows but found none. So I asked her again where and she pointed to the window in our room. She does not want to go near it because it gives her the creeps. When I checked on the window, I found that there is a little brown higad (hairy caterpillar) on the window. I was surprised to find it there, of all the places, so I sprayed with an insecticide.

The incident was already forgotten and we had our dinner of sinigang na bangus which was requested by Bambam. As I was doing the dishes, I’ve noticed in the corner of my eye that there is something crawling up the wall beside the stove. When I closely looked at it, I discovered that it is another higad. I went to get the spray and aimed it to the higad. So we now have two higads in our house and they were located on unusual places. Then as I was finishing the dishes, I’ve heard that there’s some commotion upstairs and Bambam is calling me for help. I quickly ran up and found her and nanay looking at the bottom of a monoblock chair. Yup, there’s another higad there! They’re all very edgy and does not want to sleep on their room because there might be another higad in there. So we fully inspect around and assured them that hopefully that would be the last for the day.

Jimer asked me if I checked on the roof and around the house to see if there are higads. I told him that I checked the plants on the roof and there’s none. They might come from the Avocado tree from our neighbor which now has plenty of leaves after it was cut months ago. So tomorrow, my assignment is to look for the source of this mayhem and stop them once and for all. I am not planning to test the effect of those hairy creatures on any part of my skin as long as I can stop it.

Yesterday, I removed the three plump caterpillars from our flower plants on the roof. My Nanay do not want me to remove it because it will become a butterfly later on. But when I looked at the plants, almost all the leaves were gone, so I decided to remove them before they cause anymore trouble. I place the three caterpillars in a box and filled them with leaves and stems for their sustenance.

Today, when the kids arrived from school, they inspected the box and there’s only two caterpillars left. We do not know where the other one is. Bambam noticed that one of the caterpillar is colored brown while the other one is green. We thought it is already done but when she touched it, it moved so we assume it might be turning into butterfly that’s why its changing the colors. So I told her to put the caterpillars on one of the plants outside the house so that they have something to cling on. She has second thoughts on doing it because the passing children may harm them so I told her to put them somewhere between the plants very well hidden. She’s checking on them every now and then making sure that they’re still there.

I was in the kitchen preparing our lunch when suddenly she rushed to me with eyes swelling with tears. She whispered to me that the caterpillars were gone. I asked her who did it and she told me that our neighbor’s father squished them on the ground. I went with her outside hoping that she’s just joking me but when she showed me the caterpillars, I felt sad for her. Then she started to cry and I don’t know why would some shed a tear for mere caterpillars, but when I looked at her, I realized that you need no reason to feel attached onto something or someone because it’s been so long ago since they last had a pet so maybe she’s missing the thought of taking care of something. The sobbing last for sometime and I reassured her that there are still more caterpillars to come to her life so we just have to patiently wait for the next batch to come to our plants.

During lunch, as usual Bambam is very concerned about what food were served on the table. She’s not fond of eating vege-foods (synthetic) that’s why she requested for alternative dish. I told her to eat whatever is served, she don’t have to picky. So this irritated her much and started to make a scene. She requested for noodles instead, but I would not give in. Rantings are heard from her up to the point that she pick on her sister who is quietly eating her lunch. Another round of bickerings were exchanged and I have to step in to quiet them down. With tears in her eyes, she pleads for her noodles so I asked nanay to prepare one for her. While waiting for her request, she then starts to eat the vege-tapa and vegemeat. And as usual, they did not agree as to who gets what and starts another round of confrontation. Kids! I’m sure that this bickerings will last for a long time and I’m just patient as to when the time it will cease.