Culture and Causes

Since years ago, I have always worn bracelets that would be recommended by Feng Shui experts to protect me from harm for each year. This year, for people born on the year of the Monkey, there are two stones that the Feng Shui Experts recommend. These are Citrine for Vitality and Aquamarine. I already bought the Citrine bracelet, but I did not buy the Aquamarine bracelet since it was way off my budget.

I took Ballet lessons when I was 5 years old. I loved it, even though I was a fat kid. I remember getting ready for my car ride to Metro Dance and Arts Studio with my sister and yaya. At that time, ballet was quite an "in" thing for kids our age. I think it still is, although I haven't been to any presentations or recitals recently. One of the ballet dancers I looked up to that time was Lisa Macuja (now an Elizalde). She was so graceful and loved so "light" every time she danced.

We attended the Chinese New Year 2012 Celebration at the Manila Hotel and to date, this has been the most enjoyable Kung Hei Fat Choi celebration I have attended. Their special guest was Maritess Allen, who has been known to be one of the Feng Shui experts here in the Philippines. To tell you honestly, we are not a Chinese family, but we have followed Maritess Allen's advice from way back.

Making a difference to make the world a better place is such a challenging feat. For VSO Bahaginan, a premier development organization in the Philippines, such goal is achievable by bringing people to work together. As a federation member of the international organization, VSO Bahaginan has a network of people who help them in addressing issues on poverty. It creates positive change by engaging volunteers and partners through its wide range of volunteer programs and development initiatives.

Oooh, exciting! We have a new video that promotes the beautiful places here in the Philippines. It's the new Pilipinas, Tara Na Video by the Department of Tourism.

We don't normally go to movie screenings, but if someone will invite us to watch this, I personally will drop everything, take a leave of absence and watch with my husband. I never got the chance to watch this. I just came across the You tube trailer of 6 Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, but didn't realize that it was shown at the Shangrila Theaters last November. The writer/director Antoinette Jadaone is looking for producers who can help her commercially release the film! Please... I really hope this post helps achieve this goal. You have fans here in Manila Reviews. I really want to watch it.

In my office, we had a competition between units to come up with the best Christmas tree design using recycled materials. I was amazed at how detailed and unique each Christmas tree was. I am sharing these pictures with you so that you can use them in the future if ever you want to create your own unique Christmas tree.

Christmas is the season of peace and happiness. It is the time of the year that we get to spend with our families. Time spent with our families this season is already a precious gift. When we compare our situation with our fellow Filipinos who are abroad, the decision to be with their families this holiday season is not something that they can just do. It is not readily available. But because of Coca-cola, three Filipinos abroad were given this precious gift.

OMG! The new commercials of Cebuana Lhuillier are so funny. I love the concept behind these commercials --- that we Filipinos will work our a$$3$ of to earn money. I think it is something most of us can relate to.

Balikbayans arriving at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Pampanga, will experience their warmest welcome yet with the opening of the Pinoy Homecoming Hospitality Center at the airport on November 29.

Ej and I, well, we're very meticulous when it comes to our Christmas gifts. Since the time we were engaged, we already made this excel sheet that contains the special people in lives. And get this, they are divided into different categories. For example, under "family" we have immediate relatives, cousin couples, single cousins, couple - adults, etc. Under friends, we again have other subcategories. Aside from the excel sheet, we also have certain themes per year. I remember last last year, our theme was sustainable development. Last year's theme was Pro-Filipino. Christmas shopping is actually a fun activity for us. The theme makes it more fun and 'meaningful'. It makes it more meaningful since you know that they gifts that you give, especially with themes such as these, serve more purpose that just 'gifts' for people you love. You are also giving 'gives' to the people who made them or to the country we live in.

It will be a fun and exciting day for all of us this afternoon. Kids will be roaming around to ask for candies, but parents and guardians, make sure that you keep these reminders in mind to keep your children safe from harm.