Arroyo did not categorically tackle a transition to a new government in her SONA?

siyetehan, posted a comment that says PGMA "didn't confirm nor deny her plans after 2010." (see siyetehan's comment on my previous post).

Well, will the contents of the SONA really keep all of us waiting until 2010?

I searched for the statements that they said were the confirmation of former Presidents Aquino and Ramos and yeah, they were clear about it.

Mrs. Aquino in 1991 said "On June 30, 1992, the traditional ceremony of political succession will unfold at the Luneta. The last time it was done that way was in 1965. I shall be there with you to proudly witness the event,"

Mr. Ramos said "I will be working and governing -- you will all feel and hear and see me working and governing as your president -- until I turn over the presidency to the 13th president of the republic at high noon on 30 June 1998."

How about this for PGMA?
"At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state – to the very last day."

My term does not end until next year.

Anyway, we can only wait and see. Right?

You can read the SONA here.

9th SONA of PGMA

Will this really be President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's 9th and last State of the Nation Address? I don't listen a lot to SONAs; I'm just not interested. But being the Philippine President with the longest term second to Marcos, I thought that I'd listen to her SONA today to find out if she will really push for the Charter change to lengthen her service (like what people against her are saying) .

I bet by now, a lot of protesters are already marching to the venue... or maybe most of them have already populated the vicinity rallying around the place (and some other places around the country). We were at the UP Diliman Campus yesterday to do ocular visit of the exam room for the upcoming UPCAT exam of my niece; we already saw one banner... it says, NO TO Charter Change!

I'll listen to the SONA to find out if there's gonna be another SONA coming up from her. Let's be quiet, watch and listen.

It's a nice Sunday morning.

It's a nice Sunday morning. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping. After giving thanks, I'll have a nice walk with Gab again this morning. And we will play outside until were dripping wet with sweat. Playing is the fun exercise my baby and I share. We enjoy it a lot.

Happy Sunday! Hope you’ll have a fun-filled day too! 

on Real Property Management

Almost every family dream of owning their house; I dream of owning a multi-unit apartment property so that money will flow in my pocket. Having read on real estate investing and how it can be used as a tool in building wealth, I learned that there are companies who specialize in the management of single family homes, multi-unit apartment buildings, and homeowner’s associations. One of them is Real Property Management. It is important that when you choose a company, they should meet certain qualifications. Real Property Management received "Franchise of the Year Honorable Mention" award and they manage over 20,000 units nationwide. They should also have membership in reputable associations like National Association of Residential Property Managers to ensure that standards will be met and maintained. I really dream of owning a multi-unit apartment property. When that dream comes true, I’ll have a Real Property Management company handle it. When you have properties, I think it’s wise to be safe by entrusting it some place where they can provide the expertise.

32,617 out of 77,901 the nursing board exam

Wow! We're very happy that both my nephew and niece have passed the licensure examination for nurses already! I just checked it now and for every one else who wants to see the results, click on this link.

Congratulations to the 32,617 out of 77,901 who passed the Nurse Licensure Examination.

Choices: Samsung J800, Samsung U800 and Sony Ericsson S312

My Uncle asked me to search for the features of the following cellular phones: Samsung U800, J800 and Sony Ericsson S312. The company where he works for is giving him a postpaid line subscription for free. Those phones mentioned are the ones given for free when you get a Plan 800 from Globe.

Samsung U800
Here are the specifications: http://uk.samsungmobile.com/mobile-phones/samsung-u800-specification
Samsung J800
Here are the specs:http://au.samsungmobile.com/mobile-phone/SamsungJ800-spec
Sony Ericson S312
Specs can be found here: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/corporate/products/phoneportfolio/specification/s312



I hope you'll get the J800 Uncle! Happy choosing! :-)

Comfy house with attractive landscape designs? I love them!

It’s a bit warm but I still managed to bring my baby to sleep for his afternoon nap. I browsed online to check how hot it is and found on Weather in Philippines – Manila that it’s 86 degrees. In Singapore it’s around 87 degrees right now. If maybe in the future I’d live somewhere else, I want to go to a place with around the same temperature as our home. Why? Because I know the house setup can be the same. We can have the same comfy house with nice gardens and pathways and landscapes. In Arizona, the average temperature now is also warm. I think that if I’ll live in Arizona, I’d love to have my pathway landscape designed and maintained for me. Just like in the nice photos of houses with attractive landscape designs that I saw when I tried to browse about Arizona. Isn’t it relaxing when you have beautiful surroundings? I think I'd love to live or visit there someday.

Yummy and creamy Maja Blanca Recipe

I cooked Maja Blanca, and every one who ate said it's yummy!

Here are the ingredients and the instructions for cooking.

Ingredients:
1 cup thick coconut milk
1 small can evaporated milk (154ml)
1 small can condensed milk (168 ml)
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup corn kernels

grated cheeze

Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients except the grated cheeze. Make sure that the cornstarch is dissolved.
2. Cook over slow heat until the mixture is clear. Stir constantly to prevent lumps.
3. Pour in a container and sprinkle with grated cheeze on top.
4. Refrigerate and serve.

Yes, you are right. As easy as that!

To every one who's not familiar with Maja Blanca, I'm so sorry I haven't had my camera repaired yet. Next time I cook, I'll try to have a photo so that you can see my finished product.

Anyway, can you try the recipe, and tell me how you liked it? Happy eating!

I got Manny of Ice Age 3:Dawn of the Dinosaurs for Gab

I got the Manny toy from McDonald's Happy Meal few weeks ago (thanks JP for the treat!) and I'm planning to collect all eight.. I might overspend until I have the complete set (I just hope I can go to places to find McDonald's stores with available stocks). Gab likes Manny. I like the toy because it looks good and durable. I don't mind overspending a little to get Gab nice looking toys that will last.

Here's the McDonald's ad about these Happy Meal toys that I'm talking about.



Got to go! I've got seven more hamburgers to eat!

Tropicana Juicy Pulp

This is Judy Ann Santos' Tropicana Juicy Pulp commercial.

When I saw this the first time, I thought that the line "Ito ang sa iba, SAPAL" did not sound appealing. I don't know why, but I just thought that maybe there's a better way of saying this; particularly the word SAPAL.

When I was watching the TV earlier, I saw this new version of the same commercial. They changed the line! It was something like "Ito ang sa iba, pisa at halos walang laman."

I don't know what made them change the line. Was it because I did not like it the first time? LOL. Maybe there's just a better way of saying it...

By the way, I like Tropicana juice drink that’s why I wrote about this. ;-)

PS: I used Google's tool in translating SAPAL in English and got "PULP" for the translation. Maybe they changed it because it would make more sense to say that there's no juice in the pulp (halos pisa at walang laman) than saying SAPAL (which means pulp) and not be clear whether it's a juicy pulp or not... well, that's just a thought.

sometimes doing a lot is not enough (yet)

have you felt tired of doing a lot for a goal and yet achieving the goal never comes before you feel stressed? i've been trying to do a lot of things lately for something that i want to achieve. actually, i've been trying hard and really working hard...

i read somewhere that people who fail are those who gave up not knowing that achieving the goal is only one step away from that point where he/she let go.

i feel tired. so i guess i should rest.
i don't wanna give up. maybe i'm a hair strand away from reaching it, i don't know.... i guess no one knows.
i'll pursue the goal.
i just need a little rest.

i'm sure it's just not enough YET.. but i'll make it. :-)

Ginebra or San Miguel; who will win the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference crown?

I'm not really a basketball fan but I used to watch the summer games when I was in high school. Again, it's not because I'm a fan but I guess I just wanted to follow the trend when I was younger. Teenagers see cool guys and pretty girls when watching the games. I see cool guys... Cool guys see pretty girls (wink wink LOL!!!).

Alright, enough of the cool guys and pretty girls stuff. I wrote about basketball because of the following reasons:

1. This was what I read a little earlier:
"And after 48 minutes of Game Seven tonight, there will only be one team to be toasted – either Ginebra or San Miguel."

2. I think I should start reading about basketball because it might become one of Gab's interests. When Gab was only one year old, we brought him to his cousin's basketball game. That's when Gab started to like basketball. He watches the basketball games on TV. He knows how to dribble. He throws the ball... not in the hoop... but just anywhere and he thinks every throw is a good shot! LOL.

3. Even if I'm not a fan, I dream of watching a PBA game... or, maybe an NBA game!!

I bet the PBA fans are all excited to watch tonight. I hope I can seat with you guys on one of the final games in the future. :-)

Fun Time at the Mall

I emailed Gab's recent photos to his dad. He was very happy looking at the pictures and he even changed his laptop's wall paper! I think my hubby misses our son more than he misses his wife. It's fine with me just as long as no one comes in between me and my son on the list of the people whom he misses. LOL!

I also showed Gab's photos to my friends. I enjoyed their comments. Some of them, who after not seeing Gab for more than a year, said that he's not a baby anymore. And that he'd be as tall as his mom when he turns 8.

Gab's Lolo and Lola (Filipino for Grandpa and Grandma) actually asked me to have his pictures printed so that they can put 'em in their wallets and show to anyone they meet outside. Can you say they are proud grandparents? LOL.

And so Gab and I went to the mall again to have his digital photos printed. We printed several copies in different sizes. (The mom also wants to have photos in her wallet. LOL.)

Gab and I spent a couple of hours walking, playing and eating today. It was tiring but full of fun!

P.S. Below are some of the photos that were printed in different sizes!!!

P.S.2. Hey are you kidding me? You're not supposed to notice it! I'm trying hard not to sound proud. LOL!

On Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe

If you ever will be in a situation wherein you have kids and you will be separated to your spouse, will you give up your parental rights for anything? I don't know much information about the King of Pop, his life, his love life, his stories, and any other thing about him. I'm not a fan. I can only recall that when we were kids, we were told to dance to the beat of MJ's music. But that's it.

Reading through the pages, I saw this one article Jackson's ex-wife denies giving up kids and it made me think about the scenario.

Basing on how much I love my family, I mean Gab and his dad, I will not worry about giving up the parental rights or the millions! I think I'd be busy finding ways on how I will be in a situation where I will not have to choose. I'd work hard to reconcile. I'll be attracted to the millions of course, I don't want to be a hypocrite. But I don't want to cease being a parent to my kid... and a wife to my husband.

How about you, would you choose?

DFA Passport Appointment System by Internet

Although we do not have plans of going abroad yet, my husband and I decided to get Gab a passport already.

Since I couldn't recall the requirements anymore because it's been years since I applied for my own passport, I checked the DFA website to see the checklist of requirements.

There are several ways of getting the passport.
1. Go to the DFA in Pasay City and apply personally on the spot! After all the requirements for the day, get your claim stub and either come back on the release date or have it mailed to your house/office (with extra cost of course).
2. Log on to the DFA Passport Appointment System, wait for the confirmation sent to your email and show up on the confirmed date and time. Get the claim stub and either come back or have it mailed to your home or office address.
3. Let an agency process the application for you and show up on the scheduled time and date. Then wait for the agency to deliver to you the passport.

Because I can't afford to wait on queue, spend the entire day and leave my baby for someone else to look after him, I decided to go for number 3. It's a little expensive for some. But when I computed the cost of my transportation going to the place and back home, cost of the food that I will eat and the time... it's cheaper actually.

Following were the requirements that we prepared:
1. 3 pcs passport size photo, with royal blue background
2. NSO authenticated birth certificate
3. Accomplished application form
4. Since my baby is a minor, I prepared the marriage certificate
5. I also attached my passport

I paid Php 1500 for the following:
1. Pick up of the documents from my home address.
2. Submission of the application and documents and arrangement of schedule when I will personally appear at the DFA.
3. Delivery of the passport at my home address.

Again, it may be expensive to some. But I did my math and it turned out that it's actually cheaper. And, I don't have to leave my baby. And, I don't have to sweat all day and wait on queue.

If you're also a mom who don't want to burn time in processing this important document or you're simply a single person who'd rather go shopping than spend long hours at that government office, go for the third option.

P.S. There are a lot of agencies providing this service. Just be sure you do some background check or your documents (or worst, your identity) might be stolen. My sister already had several transactions with the agency that's why I'm not worried.

We Are The World Tag

Thanks ALF of My Careless Whispers for this Tag!

Here goes the rules for this tag:

*Start Copy Here
*You do not have to be tagged to play along. The game is simple and so are the rules.1. Copy from *Start Copy Here* through *End Copy Here*2. Add your site(s) to the list. Just be sure to post at each site you add.3. Tag as many bloggers as you like so the list keeps on growing.4. Let me know your blog’s name and url by leaving me a comment HERE. I will add you to the master list.5. Come back and copy the master list back to your site, often. This process will allow late-comers to get as much link benefit as the first ones in.

We Are The World Bloggers Master List:
1. Emila Yusof 2. The Other Side of Emila 3. Mariuca 4. Mariuca’s Perfume Gallery 5. Meow Diaries 11. Unlisted One 7. Spiff, the Spaceman 8. My Sweet Escape 9. Nota Nurul 10. Life’s Tapestry 11. Spontaneous Insignificancy 12. LadyJava 13. Miss Igorota 14. AnnyBoo 15. Yoon See 16. Jia’s Life 17. Nessa’s Mumblings 18. Also Mommy 19. The Walk of Life 20.Pretty Firefly 21. Untouchable EARTH 22. Baterya 23. Comedy Plus 24. Bain Cardin 25. Strawberry Milkshake 26. Turn-U-Off 27. Jom Heboh Di Sini 28. Notes by Marvic 29. Memoir Mez 30.Origena 31.Walking Newspaper 32. Nurul Aqilah 33. Bluedreamer 34. Breaking the Boundaries 35. Life According to Me 36. A Great Pleasure 37. Time Goes By 38. Kancing itu Butang 39. In my Kitchen 41. Fyzal’s Territory 40. Wiggy’s World 40. A Simple Life 41. A Taxi Ride 42. Single Life of Me 43. Little Bits of Info 44. Ode to Adrienne 45. KMP 46. Simple Happy Life 47. Chuchie's Hideaway 48.Seiko's Diary49.Her and History 50.PLACES, PEOPLE, EVENTS, GOOD FOOD AND MY LIFE!50. My Careless Whispers 51. Gab's Mom of Full Time Mom 52. YOU!
*End Copy Here*

I would like to pass this tag to the following bloggers:

Sexy Jessie
Rosemarie of My Journey
Analou of Me and My Dog

Thanks again ALF for this Tag!

Passport size, royal blue background, ID photo

Since Gab and I missed our target of having his ID picture taken last weekend, we went to the mall this morning to have it accomplished.

As I ordered a “passport size, royal blue background, ID photo”, Gab started to be all over the place. Every face behind the glass divider in that studio was smiling… they all looked entertained by my baby’s exercise (he was walking, and running and reaching for the photo frames hanging on the wall). Then in my mind, I started guessing who among them will be the lucky photographer. I wondered if he’s going to have the same sweet smile when he deals with the (tough, I bet) photo shoot.

My pick for the lucky photographer was wrong, but my bet was right. It was a tough one! The first challenge was to let Gab sit on the chair and stay put. We were not successful. I ended up grabbing another chair so that I can sit beside him and pretend that I was also included in the picture.

When Gab was already convinced that someone’s going to take a shot, he started showing us his “happy smile”. Mr. Photographer’s lines were as funny.

No lips!
No eyes!
Looking at the lizard (when he was caught looking up at the ceiling on one shot).
Not looking at the lens!

There were a lot more. But as my temper was starting to eat me and as my list of his lines grew longer, I thought that it’s my lucky day! It (maybe) is not Mr. Photographer’s lucky day but to me it was. Why? Because despite all the tricks that Gab showed him, he managed to stay patient and nice to my baby.

After more or less twenty shots, this is the most decent that we got. Thanks to Mr. Photographer. No smile was caught, but this one is acceptable.

Oh, I think I used the wrong word.. or maybe I should add.. I also think that one decent and acceptable shot is really presentable. :-)

Photo Tag

I received a tag from Analou few days ago but i wasn't able to grab it immediately. The reason is because I wanted to post the tenth photo from a recently saved photo folder. :-) Oh, I realized just now that perhaps this is the reason why I thought of going out with my baby... to actually have new photos taken!!! Thanks again Analou for inspiring me to really go out and have fun time with my kid.

So here goes the tenth photo from my recently saved photo folder!

That is Gab's way of showing us his "happy smile". We normally have difficulties taking his picture because he moves a lot. So every time we want to take a real nice shot, we have to say "Smile for the camera!"

This photo was taken at the Children's Activity Area. A lot of kids were lined up to have their photos taken on this Dry Diving Suit (I'm just guessing, because it looks like a space suit but with an underwater background). This is an advertisement board of Bibbo cheesedog. (By the way, I buy Bibbo Cheesedog because aside from being affordable, Gab likes it also.)

There goes my tenth photo on the recently saved photo folder!!!

I'd like to invite the following friends to grab this tag and also post the tenth photo on their photo folder. We'll be happy to read what you have to say!

S-H-Y of ChitChat About Entertainment
SAM.AE of Book.Girl
CARMS of Carm's Page
and to everyone who will read this post!

Additional 256MB RAM plugged in.

My brother gave me a 256MB RAM today. I just finished installing it. At first I thought that there's a problem with the card because the system did not detect the additional memory. It was still reading the old RAM size when i went to the "My Computer>>Properties". I then opened the CPU again and unplugged the card. I used a bond paper to clean the pins just in any case there's corrosion already. When I tried to install it the second time, I realized I wasn't doing it right. I did not plug it all the way in the slot the last time that's why it was not detected. I had difficulty pushing the card in the slot and locking it, but I managed to do it. Now the system is reading the additional memory.

I know a little about computers, maybe enough to manage adding software and hardware and a little troubleshooting when something's not working. But, I was used to not doing it myself because my hubby does this sorts of stuff for me. Now I have to do it on my own. I miss my husband a lot but having to do these sorts of things by myself encourages me that there's a lot more things to learn.

P.S. I hope I don't have to do this a lot because of problems though... but, upgrades. :-)

Manila Ocean Park Adventure part2

Sharing to you more photos of the ocean creatures.

Manila Ocean Park Adventure

I was supposed to bring Gab to the studio to have his ID picture taken when my niece and I decided to go for a fun walk instead. We went to the Manila Ocean Park!!!

We were five in the group when we went there. All of us have never been to the place. We were all excited. As always, I was excited because I knew it was going to be a very fun learning adventure for Gab.

I'm sharing the photos below!!!

Gab enjoyed a lot. He was so tired when we arrived home. But when he woke up the next morning and I asked him if he had a good night's sleep... he smiled and showed me how a fish swims. As if he was still savoring the experience. When I asked if he wants to go back with his Dad, he nodded his head several times as if he wanted to go right there and then.

As a mom, I find it very delighting to see my son enjoy trips like that. And more than just the fun, I enjoy the learning that he gains. I'm sure he enjoyed the colors, the creatures, the people and the place. I hope to bring Gab more learning somewhere else, soon! ;-)