Dreams Travel Forever

Everyone of us might have heard what happened in Mindanao. It was only this past Friday night that "Sendong" hit Mindanao and some parts of Visayas, causing flash floods and landslides in surrounding cities including Cagayan De Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon and Negros Oriental. especially Cagayan and Iligan part..

Cagayan River before  and after the typhoon

Typhoon Sendong Killed 1000+ people and counting. Many people are still missing. Sendong" has left the country, but the loss and destruction it has left behind is just slowly becoming apparent. Thousands are residing at evacuation centers and are in need of immediate assistance. Some of their more urgent necessities include bottled water, food, blankets, mats, medicines, towels and clothes.

A father carrying the body of his angel.

After watching and surfing those news over the net, I felt sad because I realized that once people past away in certain ways, they can’t ever be fixed. I felt pity to those who survived and thinking how to cope up with the dilemma. But I'm pretty much sure that all is well.  Its Christmas Season and the people here are asking for your prayers and donations.  Any kind of help will surely go a long way. Let your generosity shine through and extend a helping hand in this season of giving.  

A family salvages what is left of their belongings Dec. 17, 2011, the morning after Typhoon Sendong hit Northern Mindanao. The village is situated just beside the Cagayan de Oro River. MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera

 PS: (DONATION for ILIGAN and CAGAYAN DE ORO) The Philippine Army is accepting any form of donations to help the victims of the disaster. For further inquiries, please contact MAJ GEORGE BERGONIA at phone nr: 09273502267 (globe) and 09202606146 (smart); and CPT ARBERN ROMMEL ABIVA at phone nr 09175622001. You can send your donation at Headquarters Civil Military Operations Group, Philippine Army, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City,

 

Philippine Red Cross

Online donations: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
Bank Deposits

All donations deposited should be made to the Philippine Red Cross

1. Banco De Oro
Peso: 00-453-0018647
Dollar: 10-453-0039482
SWIFT CODE: BNORPHMM
2. Metrobank
Peso: 151-3-041631228
Dollar: 151-2-15100218-2
SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM
3. Philippine National Bank
Peso: 3752 8350 0034
Dollar: 3752 8350 0042
SWIFT CODE: PNBMPHMM
4. Unionbank of the Philippines
Peso: 1015 4000 0201
Dollar: 1315 4000 0090
SWIFT CODE: UNPHPHMM

ABS-CBN Foundation

Online donations: http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/donate.html
Bank Deposits

All donations deposited should be made to ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya

1. Banco de Oro
Peso: 00-393-0114199
Dollar: 10-393-0081622
Swift Code: BNORPHMM
2. Philippine National Bank
Peso: 419-539-5000-13
Swift Code: PNBMPHMM
3. Bank of the Philippine Islands
Peso: 3051-1127-75
Dollar: 3054-0270-35
Branch: West Triangle, Quezon City
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

GMA Kapuso Foundation

Online donations: http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donate/credit
Bank Donations

All donations deposited should be made to GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.

1. Metrobank
Peso: 3-098-51034-7
Dollar: 2-098-00244-2
SWIFT CODE: MBTCPHMM
2. United Coconut Planters Bank
Dollar: 01-115-301177-9 or 01-160-300427-6
Peso: 115-184777-2 or 160-111277-7

           Yes! Life is full of struggle. We are like butterflies. We, as humans are not any different. There are times that we need to struggle, to rid ourselves of the acids that make up sadness, fear, and anger. It is only at this time when we are exhausted and still that we begin to hear the Universe whisper to us.

           As I began writing this article, I first think God.  How can he handle all the struggles he gave to the universe? It is true that God has some thing for everyone but it happens at the right time which he has fixed for us.  In times of my sad days, I know HE is always there... watching... listening...

            Sometimes life becomes so unbearable that you can't barely keep going and want to give it all up.   Despair takes over and whisper in your ear that life is meaningless and it is not worth the effort but I must not pay attention to it because I know where that path leads.

            I have my goal, and I want to pursue it. My life is not meaningless because I know, there are a lot of people I inspired most. They are those who believe in my capability, my talents, my determination and will. We can't blame life because of these struggles. These are part of our duty as a son of God. In Him, everything will work out in time. We need to be patient.

           I remember what my mama said "You must be strong to face all these trials and problems God given to you, He will not punish you but rather to test you how strong you are to overcome those rocky road in your life. Focus on your dreams and to the people who love you most. Make them as your inspirations and you will be surprise of the result."

           I believe that sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets, and don't forget the power in the struggle. 

                       I admit to myself that I am a food fanatic eventhough the food don't really like me. Hahaha :-)  I really enjoy eating. Or maybe I am blessed with a stronger sweet tooth. I love sweets that's the reason why I'm one of those few who belong to the world of tonsil free. I remembered the time when I was in my hospital bed waiting for my  doctor to do the operation of my tonsil, promising to myself not to eat sweets anymore. It sucks! Hahaha.

                     So if you want to experience the life of a tonsil free being, like me, you'd naturally experiece all the gastronomy has to offer in terms of sweets, I dreamed to taste the most expensive dessert in the whole world. For a while, I don't want to settle for the chocolates and cakes that we find around the corner, I want to try something refined, exotic  and luxurious. After taking a look at the internet, searching for the most expensive dessert in the world, it's time for me to share to you what the rich and famous have for dessert. Forget about pie, pudding or fruits.

                    This one is for all those of you who cannot resist a deliciously blended scoop of cold delight.

                    The Frozen Haute Chocolate, made by New York City eatery, Serendipity 3 and priced at a mind-blowing $25,000 has claimed a spot in the Guiness World Records as The World’s Most Expensive Dessert.

                     Made from a blend of 28 cocoas from across the world, this decadent delicacy is infused with five grams of edible 23-karat gold and served in a goblet lined with edible gold. Serendipity 3 teamed up with jeweler Euphoria New York to create this amazing dessert.

                     Topped with whipped cream, more gold and a side of La Madeline au Truffle from Knipschildt Chocolatier, which sells for $2,600 a pound, the dessert comes with an 18K gold bracelet with a carat’s worth of diamonds that rests at the base of the goblet and a gold spoon set with white and chocolate-colored diamonds.

                      In claiming the “Most Expensive Dessert” title, the Frozen Haute Chocolate unseats another dessert, also by Serendipity 3, called Golden Opulence. And unseats it dramatically: Golden Opulence was priced at $1000, which seems measly when compared to the price of the Frozen Haute Chocolate.

                      Maybe a few of us should team up to make something new that would break this record, who wants to dare??! Any takers for this challenge??

                 
                My first travel features the place where my heart and mind truly belong- my hometown. But before going any further, let me share the history of my hometown and the various reasons why I keep coming back to the place which I call HOME.

               But aside for the historic treasure, Barotac Nuevo is also known as the Football Capital of the Philippines. Residents in my town are not going wild over basketball superstars like Shaquille O'Neal or Kobe Bryant or even follow the steps of People's Champ "Manny Pacquiao". Kids here instead dream of becoming football stars like Ronaldinho (Gaucho) and Ronaldo (Luiz Nazario da Silva) both of Brazil and David Beckham of England. And because Barotac Nuevo is the home of football, many football superstars became famous in this line of sports. You will be considered a true Barotacnon if you know these names: Chieffy Caligdong, Ian Araneta, Roel Gener and other players who are  members of the Philippine Azkals Team (they are true-blooded Barotacnon).

              Children in my town learn to play football many years before they get to wear football shoes. That's the reason why Barotacnon players are the best when it comes to football. It's in our culture.. and runs into our blood. The passion for football is the key recipe why Barotacnon emerged in this kind of sport. If we all exposed to this passion, our nation will be a genuine nation.

             When Barotac players play, games will always be intense. When Barotacnon score, cheers will always be loud. When Barotac players run, plays will always be exciting. As an Ilonggo, I am proud of Barotac Nuevo players for their strength and skill when it comes to playing football. The lack of uniforms, shoes and facilities give Barotac players the drive and determination to play every game like it’s their last. This underdog mentality can be our fighting chance on our way to becoming a genuine football nation.

Courtesy of jennipriceillustration.blogspot.com

"I feel about airplanes the way I feel about ice cream. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on."  

                  

              Rainbow has always amazed me since I was a kid. The sight of an airplane passing through the clouds where a rainbow's end is seen made me think that reaching the rainbow is really not far-fetched.

               Since then, traveling has always been my dream. The simple hikes along the mountain trails and in the wilds with my Father had always left a joy in my heart. I believed that whenever we move closer on top of the mountains, I'd be near enough to the clouds where the rainbow sits patiently- for I used to believe that reaching the rainbow can make your dreams and wishes come true.

                I could remember not spending my school allowances just to save for something I have been dying to buy- a toy airplane and a toy car which I saw at the small toy shop nearby. my parents were surprised when they saw me playing with my "dream toys" one day and asked me where did I get the money. Young as I was, I just smiled and told them: " I just bought these toys because I planned buying them from my savings". 

               Those were the exact lines I told my parents. I could vividly remember telling those words to them which made me realize one important lesson: that when you dream, you'd always find ways to make it real. 

                Yes, we all have been dreaming to travel the whole world and I, myself, is not an exemption. I feel about airplanes the way I feel about ice cream. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on. Sounds too impossible to accomplish but I truly believe that when you work hard for it, everything will just fall into place.

                 Now that I grow a bit older, I know I can reach greater heights with the many places I plan to travel. My younger days had made me the person I am today- positively ambitious and vigorously determined just like when I first bought and tasted ice cream-coated lollipops from all the savings I have kept at school.