A New Brand of Work

Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.

                                                                                                                   William Butler Yeats

It is not something I concealed nor denied. My retrenchment was a matter I have been openly discussing to the world sporadically. It has become an inevitable subject among family and friends. I politely told my brothers I will "rest" for two months before I hunt for another job. For the nth time, even before the expiration of my rest materialized, God made a way for me to wear my white uniform again.He didn't agree too for depression and sob nights to occur for my planned drama episode.:)

I was somehow giddily excited for this new adventure. I work now as a member of RN HEALS, PNoy's program for unemployed nurses like me.:) It stands for Registered Nurse-Health Enhancement and Local Services. Curious to know where my area is? Too far and I am still adjusting with the distance I need to travel- Sta Ana landia!Kidding!!:)

Havin' a Meetin'

Five of the six RN Heals who welcomed me were my former students.Isn't that nice? Tables have turned, they're the ones giving me the orientation, and their experiences so far, as nurses of our town plus their assigned barangays. The municipal health officers, public health nurse,the midwives and my good buddy Peng, the Medtech, made me feel at ease and eager right away.

Almuchow

Community Health Team Seminar with Barangay Health Workers (BHWs)

Say a little prayer.

My BHW team.



With Ma'am Nilda,our PHN.

There is no enormous effort for adjustment in this line of work if I may say so because the programs and tasks including the planning and implementation are similar with the Community Health Nursing subjects I have had in my clinical instructor era.I am in gratuity for that. I still miss my previous work,truth be told, yet I am in a happy state right now for this gift of hope for a brighter page in my little world. I am looking forward with zeal and zest in working hand in hand with my townmates and ka-barangays. :) More posts definitely on this whole brand of work.

Dream. Hope.Pray.

STA CRUZAN 2012

On the eve night of the Karagulan, I had a casual chat with Apung Fely (Simon) regarding the Sta Cruzan. She wasn't sure of some matters but here's a number of information she shared. I think it is essential that the members and movers ought to know the point at which this annual May festive celebration began its course.

• There were nine original members of Cruzada Social- the organization behind the Sta Cruzan. Amongst them were Apung Guitang Cunanan Fajardo and Apung Joving Cunanan Fuertez,Mamang's aunts,my grandmothers.
• Apung Fely cannot exactly recall the specific origination of Sta Cruzan. I can't blame her. She was only 8 years old then. The event is on its 72nd year this 2012.
• "Dios De Salve" and "Sta Maria" were not the songs sang decades ago,rather a Marian Kapampangan song.
• The crosses carried by the elenas are archaic. If Apung Fely is not mistaken, they are the original ones used from Day 1 of Sta Cruzan.All of us,form the oldest member of the group down to the littlest sagala carefully handle them knowing how precious they are.
This year's Karagulan began in the traditional manner. A Thanksgiving mass was officiated by Most Rev.Fr. Francisco "Pax" Lansang. He's already retired yet still full of vigor and dash. He was the Sta Ana parish priest in my secondary and college years and I'm humbled he still remembers me. "Saguli, ika i Mitzi, anak ng Curasing?" "Opu, Among,Metwa na ku ne." "Hmm, metwang bagya pero mas melagu." Thanks Among Pax.:)

I like the fact that everyone makes an effort to be a part of this annual festive. It has become sort of a reunion for all.It is also an opportuned day to linger and recall traces and roots.

2nd & 3rd gen members

As has been in the previous years, a morning cavalcade followed after mass. Mother Hen is the Reyna Flores with a crown and flowers at that.:)

Reyna Flores si Madam.

Lunch prior to games.

2. PARLOR GAMES

Calamansi relay.

Eto talaga,sa tindi ng sikat at init ni Sun, kids and adults still revved up for the parlor games. Our street's closed for vehicles on this day,monetary prizes await the games's winners.Seryoso kami sa bente pesos.

Coke drinking contest.

Putukan Ladies

Spot & Catch the Egg.

Running Race for $100

Oh mygoshhh!!! Hirap kumita ng pera!LOL! We ran for like 300 meters on this competition. No warm up,just Fitflops on my feet, sige takbo! The race was actually an extension of the jovial activities after lunch. I really wanted to win because in the past years, I was always the cause of loss.I could hear the strident voices of my cousins,nakakahabol na kalaban ko.No,please!!Yayyy!!We won,we won!!

The boys ran barefooted. Totoo pala $100.Hahaha!Thanks Ate Baybee for the $200 moolah.:)

Legs wobbled,oxygen vanished.

3. KARAGULAN PROPER

Mamang & Bea

Baby Beih has grown up bonny and beautiful.

John Medina aka "James" in Walang Hanggan

The Sta Cruzan is one puissant tie that binds the members and families of Cruzada Social.Thank you to everyone who did their share in making this year's Karagulan a success. The merry celebration is a way of thanking God for all His gifts. We are indeed blessed. Till next year.

To God Be The Glory.

 

stella rosa

I sometimes conclude I have a weird fam bam.You see, my oldest brother Mark,religiously sends me alcoholic beverages. Name it, I had/have it here at home. Tequila,vodka, margarita,red wine.He happily describes each bottle to me. (Di na kasi s'ya peding uminom.Ako na representative ng pamilya.:)) My family is insanely supportive of my whims. They love me too much.:) The latest to be introduced to me is....Stella Rosa. Oh mmyy!! It has a luscious taste, that one can consume 1 bottle in few minutes.It almost happened to me in Game 6 of B-Meg finals, I was soo sad that night.

Stella Rosa is a product of Italy with 5.5% alcohol by volume. It is not too much to cause you to educe secrets even after a glass or two.:)

No,I'm not an alcoholic.Not yet.Kidding!!:)

Eat.Drink.Dance.

Manaoag and Monasterio Moments

Early dawn yesterday my cousins and I traveled farther north to visit two places. First was Our Lady of Manaoag Church in Pangasinan followed by Monasterio de Tarlac at the province of Krisy.

Jollibee brekkie.

I

I am always looking forward for each opportunity to be here. I pray the novena here at home every now and then. Each visit is considered special. I give my thanks  for all the blessings I receive especially in the recent.I did pray as well for my heart's intentions.

It was all's first time to set steps at Monasterio de Tarlac except for Ate  Helen. What a beautiful chance we had. The blessed relic's exposed soon as we arrived that's why we were able to have a touch of it.I read on Star it was the relic of the True Cross of Jesus Christ. It was soothingly quiet, a seminarian orchestrating the organ provided religious songs. He has such a beautiful voice, I lingered inside the chapel to listen some more.

Blessed relic.

I believe there is no such thing as too much praying. It feels good to pray with my family and create fun moments as well. My 2 apos, AC and Andrew were with us. Ate Baybee was the manager. Thanks for the Jollibee and Chowking meals.:) May GOD continue to shower us with His abundant love and grace.

Eat. Pray. Love.

Just When I Needed It

An update I learned a few days ago surprised me in quite a sad manner. I allowed myself to feel the loss of something special. Just when I needed an affirmation comes this message from my parish priest,Father Josel. God's perfect timing telling me I am alright.

And The Best Comedy Actress and Glam Awards Go To...

Now that I am officially without work, I am contemplating on career-swing, that of a stand-up comedienne. I goof around close friends and relatives and I am able to manage LOLs from them with muh stories. I may have a good sense of humor and the credit goes to my mother,Cor.

Mamang suffered from stroke in 1998 which brought about physical and neurologic adverse effects in her. She still has intact comprehension however she sometimes has difficulty finding the right words to express what she wants. Damn aphasia!

Mother Hen has maintenance medications for her condition. She barely gets affected with a high blood pressure reading and glucose level.What catches her worry and attention are these two integral ingredients of her existence:

• Make-up cosmetics
• Clothes

She cannot imagine breathing without make-up. She requires two applications per day. One ordinary time, I noticed she's sad, I asked her why. Her lipstick was pale. She wanted red. When she does her stationary bicycle exercises, a mirror is in one hand to scrutinize her eyebrows and hair. She has her own sets of kikay kit here at home. Her vanity is one for the books. She regularly dyes her hair. She hates to see zits on my face.She checks my "look" before I step out of the house.

Fr. Josel paid Mother an early morning surprise visit once.With no make-up and unkempt hair, our priest kiddingly chided her, "Eka pala masyadung malagu pag abak pa." Mamang was distressed for about 3 days . From then on, soon after brekkie, Mayet would apply blush-on and lipstick on her. This occurs every day. Even in those two times when she was hospitalized.

On Satuday evenings, she and Mayet would have  serious discussions as to what Mamang's outfit will be for the Sunday mass. Mayet will pick a number of items from the closet so Chicken may choose what she would like to wear. She was once overheard blurting that she has no new clothes anymore. It was an emergent case I had to call my sisters-in-law and Tita Bue to please send her some. Every time boxes abroad arrive, my mom gets giddily tickled with Johnson's baby powder, perfume, and of course clothes and cosmetic what-have-yous.

Mother Hen is  wheelchair-bound and requires assistance with daily tasks. Beyond that, she continues to be the funniest girl on this side of the universe.

Me: Ma, ninung pekamalagu kekayu reng kapatad mu?

Mamang: Syempre aku, saka sila baduy.(No offense meant,my Titas).

Dinner time with her paborito, hipon, on the table:

Ma: Isa pa...(she had 4 already).

Me: Ma, tama na..sobra na.

Ma: Sobra ba ang isa?

ASAP viewing- John Lloyd and Piolo on screen:

Ma: O ren, ren ring crush ku.

Bath times- dito madaming teleserye scenes with Madam Curasing.

Mayet: Madam, take a bath today.

Ma: (with an oh-so lonely face) Kakaligo ko lang(2 days past).Mawawala na ing buak ku.

I shall never forget that rainy day she was supposed to take a bath. She didn't want to."Please,please,eyu na ku pa didiluan." Oh mmm geeee! Were there tears!!!The ever loyal Mayet pitied her with matching eye drops as well, I had to call Koyang Mark coz I just couldn't stop laughing.

Her other "valid" excuses:

• Bawal maligo pag Lunes saka Friday.
• Meg-dry na ku balat keng kakadilu.

On Crush:

Me: Mang, mas maputi pa si Crush sa aten.

Mang:( thinking... )Bakla ya siguru.

Oucchhhhh!!!

Me: Ma,nakita ko car ni Crush.Pero sya di ko nakita.

Mang: (overheard her whispering to Mayet), Pota ene man bisang pakit i Crush kaya.

Mamang plastic.:)

"Kutnan me. Crush, atin na kang girlfriend?" ROFL.

When she sees Kadie and Mykee singing and dancing, "Mana la kakung graceful."

She tells our neighbors," Reng atlu kung anak lalaki,mangaganaka la." I say, "O aku?" She responds nonchalantly,"O sige,pati ika."

I may be mothering my Mamang now. I know,however, that even a lifetime of five will never equate or match the love and care Mother Hen has given me. She has personified in million and one ways the definition of unconditional love. What more could I ask for?

Happy Mother's Day, Chicken. And the Best Comedy Actress and Glam Awards go to.....(drum rolls) MAMANG!!!

Staycation with Friends

It is nice that beautiful places for rest and relaxation are conveniently reachable from our place. Last month, my Villa friends and I stayed for 2 nights at Clark, Fontana and Mimosa respectively.Birthday celebrations of Sha and Nico were held there plus the welcome party of Glenn.



AC kong

Tammy Girl

Lovely night

 A few of us opted for a night-out since it has been a longgg time of hiatus.:) This is at Island Grill beside Fontana Leisure Park. Acoustic music's played. It is relativelt quiet,convenient for conversations.What I like about the place is the open-air ambience so it's not mausok.



Bhanie,me,Kei and EJ

Margarita & beer night.

Our Mimosa villa.