Typhoon Ondoy or "Ketsana"

I really thank GOD that the field trip of my Mycah was one day ahead when the Typhoon Ondoy struck the Luzon part of the Philippines.

If ever they were one day delayed perhaps they may be stranded in Manila or worst swept by the flashed flood and got drown.

Like some years ago, there was one bus loaded of student that passing by the bridge when suddenly their bus was swept to the river and lots of students got drown.

In more that 40 years passed, this Typhoon Ondoy or Ketsana international called poured the strongest rain that cause flash floods in short time.

Lots of places in Metro Manila and other provinces were floded' til the 2nd floor level of their houses. Lots of victims and casualties. Until now ther some places that still under water and no electricity.

May be tomorrow or the next day, the news report said that there's another stronger typhoon approaching.

So I better buy more candles and batteries and of course more stock foods.

These photos I lifted from Google , the first 2 was from ABS CBN News

From nerdoc posting

From ajay george

From burgoo009

From rembcc

From kibi journal

Next 2 photos from pmt2009

From yaoifest

From times news

Mycah Went To Their Field Trip

Yesterday, Sept. 25, 2009, my Mycah went and joined to their School Field Trip. Every year I went with her but since last year I let her alone because she's in High School already and I want her to grow confident.

I woke up so early to prepare her things and cook foods to bring.

I prepared her bento

And her drinks in a cooler(an iced water so that it will stay cool longer,
a cola, grape juice and blue Gatorade)

Extra 2 white shirts and cardigan 'coz it's cold inside the bus.

I Put all her bento and snacks, lollipops and extra shirts, and tissue in one bag.


Her gadgets in her sling bag - PSP with extra software, MP5 and headphone,
cellphone and wallet with pocket money. No need of extra camera ' coz all
of her gadgets have camera installed.

*Breakfast -- taken
*Toothbrush -- done
*P.E. Uniform -- checked
*I.D. -- checked
*Eyeglasses -- checked

Okay, time to go......

I went with her to the school where their buses were waiting for them. The assembly time was 5:30 and they must depart about 6:30 A.M.


I went inside the school to make sure what's her bus and sit number though she told me already. She belongs to bus number 3 and sit # 2. I interviewed a little the driver and the lady guide and asked their names.Mang Nards and Diane. But I didn't took pics of them 'coz they're shy.

The sit plan of the bus

There were 12 buses in all. All parked along the side road in front of the school, waiting for them.


I didn't went home 'til all the buses were gone, though the bus #3 where my child boarded was the very first one departed.

Every now and then my child sent me a message if what was happening inside the bus and where they were. And one time she said they saw some people rallying and protesting on the street and she even took a video on them.

Their first itinerary was in Phil. Air Force Museum - she took some photos where it was allowed.

Then the 2nd destination - To the Manila Ocean Park - took some photos too.
(except the first one , I lifted that from Google)

They manage to went to Mall of Asia (MOA), too, after they have taken their lunch though it's not included in their route. She said most of them requested it since it's just very near from where they took there lunch. The coordinator agreed but just give them and hour and half 'coz they will be late for their next appointment or destination...

And the 4th was in the Star City - an amusement park where
she enjoyed so much that she forgot or no time to take some photos.
The photos taken from Google too (thanks)

visit here to see what's in Star City and why my child enjoyed so much.

http://www.pinoylakwatsa.com/2008/10/star-city-manilas-premier-amusement.html

On their way back home, she sent me a message again telling me that they were already near to the school. So I fix myself 'coz I've got to pick her up there.

It's heavily raining when I arrived at the school..... Oh lots of vehicles and parents in their raincoats and umbrellas waiting and same as me worrying for our kids, 'coz there's a typhoon coming.

Came first the bus #4 then #10 and #2. I'd been tiptoeing and my neck stretches so much to look for my child. So worried 'coz it's heavily raining and in my thought , the driver might so tried so he'll drive as fast as he could on a slippery Hi way and an accident might happen. I can't contact my child anymore, why she didn't answer my calls.

Alas after 10 more minutes the forth bus that arrived was #3. I was so relieved when I saw my daughter coming down. And I rushed 'coz it's raining and I don't want her to get wet. I took her bagages and gave her an umbrella. My child looks so tried.

But she started to talk and talk and talk. Telling me what she has experienced. And she told me that she disobeyed me what I've told her before they went.

I told her not to take a ride in some dangerous rides in Star City, because just last week one of the rides there had an accident. But she disobeyed me... so instantly I pot her head (slight only) but she just said ..OUCH once and then laugh so loud and continued telling me stories of how thrilling and excited she was when riding those rides. Just imagine , she said that they rode on all rides over and over again in 4 hours.

And then she told me not to worry anymore 'coz she won't disobey me again..... hmmmm, I hope so.

I really felt that she was so happy and enjoyed so much with her classmates and friends. "Til we got home she keeps on telling stories to her "Kuya and Ate" (elder bro and sis). But she didn't know how worried I was.

An Article About K-Pop Invading Phils.

Kpop to invade the Philippines this November

(Many thanks to K bites as my source)

Sept. 19, 2009

Pinoys can finally meet their favorite Korean stars in November—but only if they demand it.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Philippines-Republic of Korea Diplomatic Relations, the Korean embassy is holding a cultural festival November this year.

The festival will also cap year 2009 as the “Philippines-Republic of Korea Friendship Year,” as stated by Proclamation No. 14298 signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last May 2008.

PEP had a chance to talk to Kiejoo Kim, Counselor for the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, last Thursday, Sept. 17, at Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 3 during the press screening for the upcoming Korean Film Festival in Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 3.

Kim said his Embassy is planning to bring Korean performers to the country.

“We are looking forward to a lot of events in November,” he said. “There will be a cultural event, and we are going to invite cultural performers from Korea so that we can share our cultural legacy.”

PEP asked Kim if the Korean Embassy is planning to include among the cultural performers the Korean pop (K-pop) stars currently making waves in the Philippine music scene today.

“I’m not in a position to guarantee who we can bring to the RP,” Kim answered. “We will try our very utmost to bring our well-renowned Korean stars so that we can really enjoy together with the Filipino people.”

But Kim quickly added that the plan can push through easily if Pinoys loudly voice out their demand, using surveys, blogs, signature drives, and other platforms.

“I think if there is a certain, a great number of audience, I think that should be a very convincing rationale that we really have to bring them here,” Kim affirmed.

Besides, Kim said, the cultural festival will be borne out of “gratitude” felt by the Koreans to the Filipinos, who helped them achieve democracy and freedom in their country 54 years ago.

In 1950, the Philippines sent 7,000 troops to the East Asian country to fight in the Korean war, which ended five years later. It was fought between the Republic of Korea (South) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North).

Kim added that this “sound” relationship made way for the two countries to forge close ties and enhance cooperation in other fields, like education.

Kim explained that similarities between the two cultures paved way for Koreans to migrate to the Philippines. This is why Pinoys enjoy Korean pop culture, he added.

“I think it’s because of cultural affinity, and the way we feel grateful for the Filipino people. I personally feel quite amazed how the Filipino people enjoy and appreciate telenovela from Korea. That is so impressive, we really appreciate that you enjoy the Korean culture so much.”

Examples of drama series that became hits in the Philippines are Autumn In My Heart, Jewel In the Palace, Full House, Stairway to Heaven, and Lovers In Paris—the last two currently being adapted by GMA-7 and ABS-CBN, respectively, as local versions.

And even if Korean songs are not played over the Philippine radio, legions of Pinoy fans are still using the Internet to enjoy music from K-pop stars like Wonder Girls, Rain, SNSD, Super Junior, DBSK, Se7en, BoA, TVXQ, 2PM, Big Bang and 2NE1’s Sandara Park.


K Bites Article Link

My Stephannie

Every year my Mycah always joined the extra curricular activities in their school like some competition, like poster making, and qiz bee in all subjects. Her favorite was poster making, science and math.

This year I was so surprised that she did not join in any of those. Especially poster making . Ever since she join in poster making contest , she always win,

What she said to me was that she wants to give others a chance to win. so I thought that mi child was so nice that she wanted to give others a chance. Well..... OK, OK... reason accepted.

But to my surprised again... it's my Stephannie who joined the contest in College level. I know her that she's so lazy joining in any activities in school. She said she was just forced by her professors to join.

Aside from winning in the school, she won also in the whole 3rd District of Bulacan Private School Association - competition. Unexpectedly, a Gold Medal.

Ever since she started going to school, unlike my Mycah, Stephannie just joined twice in competition. The first one was when she was still in Grade 2. She won the 2nd place that time. And now her 2nd time, she won the first place.

Her professors congratulate me too when I went to school the next day ('coz I'm not with them during the competition, my daughter just sent me a message). The professsrs said my daughter is very good..... ha ha ha ha, again ... I was a proud mommy.

She joined in essay contest too, but sad to say, she didn't win :( But it's okey, at least she tried and done her best.

The School Admin., Stephannie with her gold medal and her winning piece and the 2 judges .

The coach, Mrs. Vinas(administrator), Stephannie, The judge, the trainer and the other 2 judges.

Her certificate if partiicipation

Certificate of Recognition

And her Gold Medal

Her winning poster was not returned to her, the school kept it,
so I told her to draw again the replica so that I can post it her
but as I see it , it's not exactly the same...