Father's Day celebration

How did we celebrate Father's day?

Since it's Sunday, as we normally do and together with my mom, we went to my in-laws to have our lunch there and since it's Father's day, I offered to buy some ice cream for all of us to celebrate the occasion and for my husband, my father-in-law and my brother-in-law.

We stayed for an hour or so. As usual, our son played with his cousins. But today, he played more with his Lolo Alan, which caught our attention. He was so fond of his Lolo than usual, sitting on his lap, pulling a chair to sit in front of him, playing with his toy cars with his Lolo.

The sight made me think of my father. Had he be still alive today, they might be super buddies with my son, I good reason is my son is the only grandson in my family's side.

We then went to drop off my parents-in-law in one of the malls in Quezon City for their date. We then proceed to hear the 4pm mass at the St. Paul the Apostle Parish, also in Quezon City. I was personally glad to have heard mass there today. The priest not only greeted the fathers who were there but also requested them to go to the altar to receive his blessings. So today, my husband is again blessed.

From there we went to buy our gift for my husband...a pair of sneakers of his choice (that's how we are, we buy presents not to surprise each other but rather we buy presents that we want to remember that it was given to us by each other). As other men, my husband loves shoes but what makes him uniquely different from other men is that despite loving shoes, he only has a few pairs. Why? because, since he likes the shoes so much that he wears it till it tears. This new pair will replace his current fave pair - which lasted for a year!

And instead of dining out, my husband opted to go home early than usual to give him ample time to cook his favorite dish, tuna spaghetti!

Today wasn't really the perfect day for the father in our family...he even woke up early to have the transformer of the ref replaced and was "on call" in case my brother decides to be brought to the hospital due to his excruciating gallbladder-related pain.

So how did we spend Father's day? We spent it with my husband's loved ones - not so much of the extravagance but more of the quality time together and with the day's glitches, it makes it one Father's day to remember.

Leon's first

Last March 27, 2010 was the wedding of our friend Djop to his girlfriend Gaile. Both are my office mates and friends but Djop is more our friend since we started in Haribon almost at the same time. The wedding ceremony was held at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish, in UP Los Banos, Laguna, while the reception was at the Sarimanok Ballroom of the Art Center, also in UPLB.

I was supposed to be the wedding coordinator, unfortunately because of my condition, both parties decided not to. Beside, I guess, it will be difficult with me as our son Leon is one of the flower boys. His first time as a member of a wedding entourage.

Me and my husband was already having a difficult time making him wear a barong and black pants, we were thinking, what more making him march the aisle. Leon has only turned 3 also this March, for us, he was still a baby.

On the wedding day, it was still difficult to make him wear the barong and black pants, we were just fortunate that another officemate's son, who was also a flower boy, helped a bit in convincing Leon to wear the attire. My husband, had to wear his barong as well just to make sure that Leon will wear his - like father like son thing.

We overestimated our son though, come marching time even though it wasn't his time yet to march, he walked down the aisle when he saw the other kids marching.

With his beautiful "trade-mark" smile, our 3-year old Leon, came marching confidently down the aisle. Looking at him, made me quite teary-eyed...he was just a baby I was cuddling, now he's already had his first march as flower boy. I'm so proud of my Leon!

Million Hectare Walk 2009 (year 3)

The organizing team, lead by the Director for Organizational Sustainability met yesterday to discuss the details for this years Million Hectare Walk.



The 3rd Million Hectare Walk will be held on November 22, 2009 a Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City. It is a walk-for-a-cause activity initially for Haribon members but because of positive response even from non-members, the activity was open to all...members, non-members, young, old, single, couple and family.

How do we go about the activity: The activity aims to raise funds to support the ROAD to 2020 project. Each walker shall pay the registration fee, walkers are also encouraged to solicit pledges from their network for the number of walks or rounds they can make. There are 2 designated routes, one short and one long route. The walker will choose which route to take. They can either solicit a fix pledge or a per lap pledge. Example - I am a walker, and I decide to take the long route, I can also say that I can make 10 laps for the long route. Whoever wants to support me, will pledge a donation, let's say, 1,000 bucks for the 10 laps I can make. Or, they can pledge a donation of 200 per lap I can make. The more supporters I get, the more I am able to contribute to Haribon's program.

On the 1st year of the activity, my husband Lemuel joined as walker...though I can't remember how much he raised. Last year, our son Leon, registered as walker. He took the short route and was able to finish 3 laps. He was able to raise P900. A good sum for a 1 year and a half kid. He also bagged the "youngest walker award", received gift packs from Haribon and our sponsors, Coca-Cola, Smart and Aquabest.

Registrants will receive a kit for the walk, a katcha sling/shoe bag and a t-shirt with the activity design on it. For the last two years, we had additional freebees. I can't still say if we'll have the same now because we are still in the process of looking for sponsors for the event. Last year also we had some awards given to the participants, awards such as the Youngest and Oldest walkers, First to register, First family to register, Walker with the most laps made and some more...we hope we can give out the same awards this year.

On its third year now, the Million Hectare Walk is in support of Haribon's ROAD to 2020 project which aims to restore 1M hectares of denuded Philippine primary forest by year 2020. Proceeds of this activity goes to the planting of native tree species in Haribon identified sites and/or Haribon community project sites. Presently we have the Caliraya Watershed in Laguna as planting site.

Million Hectare Walk is open to all, families especially, that's why we have scheduled it on a Sunday so families can spend their time together while doing something for a cause. There will also be some activities for non walkers and guests. Haribon will likewise set up an exhibit and our merchandise booth so whether you are a walker or not, you can still make some donations in other forms during the event.

Registration will soon be announced. We encourage early registration so you'll have more time to solicit pledges before the day of the walk, though Haribon will still set up a table for walk-in registrants during the event. We are also open for sponsorships - individuals, group and companies are welcome to do so.

For further details you may check on Haribon's website: www.haribon.org.ph

Hope to see you there and support the restoration of the Philippine forest.

"Ber" months are coming

The month of July is almost done, in 2 days time, August is already here. Next to come would be the "BER" months. Once September steps in, yuletide season is in the air. Before we even notice, 2009 will almost be done.

What's in it for me this August? It would be my sister's and niece's birthday. Not so much activity, but I guess the bad weather condition will hasten the days of the month.

September, we will remember my grandma's birthday (she took care of me, that's why she's extra special to me) and my other niece's birthday. It will also be on this month that we will start collecting gifts for the coming Christmas. I've been doing this for a few years now and I find it practical and less hassle once the Christmas buzz is around. Also for this month, I guess I'll be on track in terms of preparation for 2 weddings, 1 debut and 1 company activity for November and December.

Hustle bustle for all events will pour over until October. Plus, I'm anticipating for some halloween parties that may be decided upon. Bridal shower for the bride to-be will also be done on this month.

That's it, once November is in ---- I will be one of the most craziest person alive. 1st 2 days of November would be the days to honor the dead and as a true blooded Filipino, we do go around to visit all of our departed loved ones. Then we'll have the wedding. Immediately, the day after the organization to which I am working with will have our annual Million Hectare Walk. Towards the end of the month is the debut.

And December...though I still have a wedding to handle by the end of this month, the whole of December will be for the preparation of Christ's birth, celebrating it the traditional Filipino way... I'll try completing the novena mass! On the sides would be birthdays of my sis-in-law, a nephew and of my grandpa (the soul mate of my grandma who took care of me:))...

Last but not the least would be the welcoming of the new year...I guess, we'll do the what we did last year...join the countdown.

Haribon's R&R

It's been quite a time since I've posted my last blog. I've been busy with work lately...with lots of deadlines to beat especially for project related outputs.

This coming 2nd week of July, Haribon will be having our (long overdue) R & R (rest and recreation) activity. The last one was in Bohol in 2006...three years overdue! But this time, it's a budgeted R&R. Since we are a non-government organization (NGO) we're trying our best to prudently spend our resources yet also trying best to give our employees a fair share of fun.

We're having it at D' Farm Resort in Bacolor, Pampanga. It's a private resort with enough space to house a little bit more than 50 pax. This time too, we can bring along family members, of course at our personal costs.

D' Farm Resort is divided in two areas, the Mangoville and the Heroesville, since we are renting it as an organization, we occupied the whole resort. Both areas has its own adult and children's pool. One area has a basketball court. In between the 2 areas is the billards table which can be used free as well as a separate hall-type conference area to house us in case of rain...hoping though it won't so as not to spoil the "company outing" mood. There is also a videoke machine which can also be used for free. There are some arrangements though being made to complement the needs of the organization.

As early as last week, most of the staff are excited already of this R&R activity as most of the staff now were not yet aroung during the Bohol R&R.

I'm excited as well, since I'm part of the organizing committee, making sure all details are covered to ensure that this activity will be a successful one and meaningful for the staff despite the constraints in budget.

Wedding Organizer: Part2

As mentioned in my earlier blog, I've been tasked to organize the wedding of a couple-friend who are tying the knot March of 2010.

Just today, I received a confirmation for me to organize also the wedding of another couple-friend who are getting hitched November this year.

Great! isn't it???

True to the saying - "when it rains, it pours". I believe this is truly the beginning of a new career for me.

Love is in the air

Wedding Organizer

Wedding Organizer, I just got too excited about the idea! I've wanted to really concentrate on this task but it got sidetracked because of the load I have with my full-time job.

Just this weekend, I closed a deal with a couple-friend whose getting hitched early next year. Since both are close friends, the fee that I charged is way way too low as compared to other events organizers, wedding in particular.

This is actually my second wedding event. Technically, the first one was my wedding! Though there were some bloopers, the wedding went out just fine and as planned. Something I'm very proud of and to which these friends really are relying upon my "expertise" in handling such an event.

I'm still waiting for another couple-friend who are also in the planning stage but are still undecided...oh well...patience is (still) a virtue...

Crossing my fingers, hoping that this will be the beginning of the realization of something I was just dreaming of some years back.

Holy week vacation

April 6, actually a holiday but our boss gave out directives to move the holiday to Wednesday so instead of a sandwiched workdays, we're having it today and tomorrow :).

Any plans...as much as we want to go out of town, we decided not to. Why? Almost everyone from Manila are spending the holidays out-of-town! It's the time of the year that we can freely drive within Metro Manila without the hassle of traffic and too much people around.

We'll be going Visita Iglesia on Holy Thursday, with my mom and my mom-in-law. Where to? no clear plans yet, my husband wants to go east while I want to explore more churches in Metro Manila. We've been to the most common but more relevant churches in Manila and I know there are more to go to.

On Friday, maybe we'll just stay at home, spend time with our son and do some reflections about the message of the holy week. I'm still quite old fashioned regarding beliefs esp on Holy Week...don't want to break them...better safe than sorry.

Saturday...I really don't know yet if my sis-in-law's plan for an overnight out-of-town will push through as almost all resorts and beaches are fully booked.

Easter Sunday - we can try Easter Egg Hunt, since our son is bigger and thougher this year...He'll be able to go through the search with much bigger kids - it'll be his first if ever.

just a reminder, though this may be a long week off from work, I hope everyone finds time reflecting on the real meaning of Christ's death. Have a Happy Easter as well!