Christmas in the Philippines

The Philippines is the only Asian country where Christians predominate. Majority of its people are Roman Catholic. Christmas, therefore, is an extremely important and revered holiday for most Filipinos. It is a time for family, for sharing, for giving, and a time for food, fun, and friendship.

Church bells resound to call the faithful to Simbang Gabi. The alarm clock is buzzing just as you have drifted merrily to sleep, the clock is telling you to get up as you have to start your day. But its 3 in the morning, and the sweet allure of your bed and the enchanting feel of your pillows are simply hard to resist. But then your senses start drumming up fast and the main reason why you had to wake up early had also started ringing in your mind: Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. While trying at best to stay awake amid the cool breeze and trying to listen to the Mass itself as it unfolds at so early in the morning, Simbang Gabi has become so much a part of our lives as it has been part of the Christian Family tradition.

In some provinces, brass bands play traditional Christmas music and parish priests would go as far as knocking on the doors of every home. After the nine-day Simbang Gabi, follows the Misa de Gallo (Mass of the Rooster). This is held midnight of December 24 to welcome the birth of the Savior. In some churches, the panunuluyan, depicting Mary and Joseph's efforts to find a suitable birthplace, is reenacted and the baby Jesus first makes his appearance in the manger of the Belen, the Nativity Scene.

Ofcourse simbang gabi is not complete without the unmistakable flavor of Christmas pinoy-style - Puto Bumbong and Bibingka are two native holiday treats that are bound to the pre-drawn mass. Even well-dressed matrons buy them dripping with melted butter and sprinkled with niyog (coconut) to get them going for the nine dawn Masses. The number of street stalls serving these delicacies has dwindled through the years, as has the number of church-goers during the Simbang Gabi.

It's the "ber" season

The "ber" season has begun and the past months are now memories. The promising Yule season is even more anticipated (only i was wondering if people can still celebrate that much due to the tragic events from the past months which are still haunting some of us).

In the Philippines, christmas is said to be one of the longest celebrations ever. It starts as soon as the month of BER begins, which is September. Why September? Well, September ends with "BER" just like December therefore the countdown to Christmas starts as soon as the month of BER begins. Radio stations begin to fill the air with Christmas songs. Anywhere you go, the famous "parol" is being lit. Streets, business establishments and houses all over the country is decorated with colorful lights. Everyone will start to linger on the thought of how fast days passed by and before you notice, here it is, Christmas just around the corner.

Long Time, No Blog

My, my... it's been a while since i have posted here in my blog. So many things to do for the past few months but now here i am blogging again. I don't know what to write in here, feels like i have just started again but well, the important thing is, i'm here and ready to blog the networld again. :-)

For $10,000, Woman Tattoos Ad on Forehead

A friend just forwarded this quiet interesting and bizzarre link to me and i thought of sharing it with you guys (that is if you haven't heard of this yet). If you were to offer your body parts for an ad, what part could it be?

"For $10,000, Kari Smith has gone ahead and had her forehead tattooed with the Web address of a gambling site."

I love blogexplosion!

Today i just love surfing in the members area of blogexplosion because i keep on winning credits! Unlike those previous days, i could't even get 10 creds for a day! Blogexplosion is hot! Luv's it! (uh-oh do i sound like those simple life gals?)

Because it's Friday

I am empty headed today... ah maybe because it's friday. All my strength and senses are used up after a long days of work. How i wish it's sunday so i can sleep for long hours and free from work and bosses!

Coconut - The Tree of Life

As the tall coconut tree sways, many of us expect to see these graceful palms or look forward to an authentic pina colada. Some of us took pictures and mail the coconuts to their snowbound relatives elsewhere. In reality, however, the coconut tree, cocos nucifera, doesn't thrive in Hawaii like it does on islands closer to the equator. The tree symbolizes life itself. Niu, as the palm was called in the Polynesian language, probably originated in prehistoric times in the Indo-Malaysia-Melanesia triangle.

The tree is considered the most useful tree in the tropics because it provides everything needed to sustain life. Besides drink, food and shade, coconuts "niu" offers the possibilities of housing, thatching, hats, baskets, furniture, mats, cordage, clothing, charcoal, brooms, fans, ornaments, musical instruments, shampoo, containers, implements and oil for fuel, light, ointments, margarine, soap and more.

Coconut trees are grown in tropical countries mainly for the high oil content of the endosperm (copra), which is widely used in both food and non-food industries. Large production areas, in particular, are found along the coastal regions in the wet tropical areas of Asia in the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. In these countries millions of people make a living from the coconut palm and its many products.

Note: Keep posted for my next feature about "Virgin Coconut Oil and it's Wonders"

and the verdict is... NOT GUILTY! (choke)

It has been three days since i have posted here in my blog, and with that a lot of juicy things happened that i don't know how to start with (as if you haven't heard of it) *lol*. For so many months of court trials,mixed emotions speculations(ramblings too!). I can't believe Michael Jackson pleaded NOT GUILTY!? -- "A verdict of not guilty on all counts was read in a Santa Maria, Calif. courtroom. Michael Jackson is a free man and has been acquitted of all charges in the child molestation trial."
... oh well that's how the cookie crumbles...

Thank God it's Friday! (TGIF)

At last another week has passed. It's Friday again though i have still halfday Saturday(darn!)work. Here come's my long week-end(no work on monday - phil. independence day offset from june 12). Woohoo! No monday blues at work! Can't wait to watch Mr. & Mrs Smith this week-end!. Does anyone of you guys watch it yet? So what's the verdict? Share me your reviews about it so i can still backout if it wasn't that good. ;-)

Anywayzzz, see ya'll when i'm not too lazy to open my computer and write something here! Have a great week-end beautiful ones! Be good ok?! Enjoy!

Rain, rain is here to stay, from june till november ( i think)

It's rainy season again... just this morning i was late for work because of the heavy rains. It's not that i am complaining but...umm... oh yes I am! Eventhough i experience this weather since birth i'm still not so happy about it because soon enough there will be floods, landslides, accidents, diseases, strong storms etc.. that no one could imagine how disastrous it will bring. I just hope this year, there will be no more untoward happenings that could hurt anyone or claim lives, but then again it is humans bahavior anyway why nature is destructing itself. This illegal loggers in the mountains, quarrying in the rivers, dumping of garbage where they are not supposed to be etc., etc.,- why can't just people compromise with nature and enjoy the beauty it offers and not destroying them? This way, everybody will be happy.:)

What's the story behind June Bride??

It's June obviously, but the fact that i can see lot of stuff in the magazines everywhere about wedding gowns, places to held the ceremonies, the best look for for the season etc. etc... i was curious about why women say it's good to be wed in the month of June. Enlighten me people? anyone?!

Antioxidant Activity of Black Tea vs. Green Tea

While thingking of what particular topic to post next in here, an idea came out when i read one comment (yes, i read your comments and i appreciate it, thank you!), she mentioned about black tea. Well folks, here i am again sharing with you, what i've learned about two of our favorite teas - mr. green tea and mr. black tea(i hope you don't mind their gender?).

Black Tea turns out to be just as healthful as Green Tea. Theaflavins in Black Tea and Catechins in Green Tea possess equally the same effective antioxidant potency. Hence it is also stated that one cup of black or green tea has more antioxidant power than a serving of broccoli, carrots, or spinach.

So friends, whether it is green or black tea, one thing is for sure, YoU are leading to a good and healthy life.

Your Green Tea for Good Health

For the love of green tea a lot ofl beverage brands today has their own version of green tea flavored products. To my curiousity I did some researching on the net as to why and what is this Green Tea phenomena all about. Is any other food or drink reported to have as many health benefits as green tea? Thrilled of what i've learned about green tea and it's benefits, I thought of sharing it here with you guys.

Widely recognized that the Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression, green tea has much more to offer.

I've learned from one among the many distributor(resensa) of this product that Green tea contains caffeine which has a strong stimulating effect. It has an advantage over coffee because green tea caffeine combines with catechin to produce a milder, more natural energizing effect.The catechins in green tea impede the action of angiotensin, a chemical in the blood, which are known to cause high blood pressure. Green tea mildly lowers total cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL "bad" cholesterol and increasing HDL "good" cholesterol. Green tea is rich in catechins which have been proven effective in reducing cancer risks.

Green tea also causes carbohydrates to be released slowly, preventing sharp increases in blood - insulin levels. This promotes the burning of fats. Green tea has the ability to kill certain bacteria. For instance, its strong sterilizing effect on bacteria is used in the treatment of diarrhea.
Daily consumption of green tea in sufficient amounts help prolong life. Experts believe that the powerful anti-oxidizing agents of green tea restrain aging.

To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.

Help Me If You Can

Ya know.. i am so lonely
But nobody can see
They think i'm in glee
But the truth is...
Deep inside me i am very gloomy

Can anyone help me?
Escape with my being grumpy?
Is there someone in thee...
Please get me out of this misery..

Yes i am so bored
Longing for an arms to hold
Got nobody....yes anybody?
I need someone to save me..

I'm trying to survive my self
I'm trying to stand alone..
It's hard and i bet i can't...
So Help me if u can!
poem by: nievamarie

Letting Go...

I know i can't please everybody
Sorting out things as i wanted them to be
Even begging You to stay with me...
Tears falling, seeing you go

But deep inside me telling You not to...
Just like a bird who needs to fly
In a brlliant cage,I will let you go
Though it's not so easy ...

But someday if i will be lucky
You will come back maybe....
poem by: nievamarie

Black Coffee, Smooth Tea for Simply Me

Welcome to the coffee and tea generation! Nowadays folks of all ages can be mostly seen at different well-known coffee and tea spots all around the Metro. Numerous shops have been mushrooming all over the town. When I was kid my old folks told me not to drink coffee because it’s unhealthy for a growing kid – but now … who say’s coffee is just for old people? Well now I can say that coffee and tea is for all ages! Coffee and Tea houses now offers various selections of Tea (before I am only familiar with Lipton tea! hehe..) such as classic, black, green, oolong herbal etc., there are also coffee offerings of decaf or caffeine free, calorie free, sugar free, fat free etc., but of course the cost is not FREE!

I myself have my fare share of the coffee fever everyone used to go to in town. When I was first introduced to coffee shops I am delighted to hear the name StarBucks Coffee! (I thought it was the coolest coffee planet where you can get real coffee or a not so coffee, coffee!) My first to order, Cappuccino (well yeah curious and all with the French name!) but not my best since I hate anything with cinnamon (sorry guys, I just hate the smell of it! ulk!) And so I switch to café latte’ (another French! *giggle*) but whose gonna beat my Starbucks Coffee fav’: Mocha Frappuccino!

My other coffee stops were to name a few, Seattle’s Best Coffee where I order my (take note of my description) tall, decaf, one shot ice cold or hot Breve with there friendly and accommodating staff. Figaro Coffee Company to get my Figaro frost at my favorite place at Figaro Brittany – so cool and relaxing place! And lastly but not the least to my latest (and coolest for now) discoveries, the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Yes I have my Pink Card!) at Ayala Town Center where I spend the most lately with my Ice Blended Green Tea and Yes! They serve breakfast too!

A Blog of Inspiration

Here you can find collection of my favorite quotes and sayings that touches the hearts of many including myself. Do what you can, with what you have, where you

One kind word can warm three winter months- Japanese Proverb
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly,
what is essential is invisible to the eye- Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The diamond cannot be polished without friction,
nor the man perfected without trials- Chinese Proverbs
Experience is not what happens to a man,
It is what a man does with what happens to him- Ana A. Huxley
Sometimes, things are not what you imagine them to be.
Sometimes, it’s even better.- Anonymous
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress;
Working together is success.- Henry Ford
You are about as happy as you make up your mind to be.- Abraham Lincoln
Our lives improve only when we take chances- and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.- Walter Anderson
Destiny is not a matter of chance it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.- William Jennings Bryant
Happiness is like a butterfly- the more you chase it, the more it will elude you.
But if you turn your attention to other things, it comes and softly sits on your shoulder.-Anonymous
Everything comes to him who waits.- Old English Proverb
Love conquers all.- Virgil
What is the use of living if it be not to make this world a better place for those who live in it after we are gone.- Winston Churchill

Visit here for more Quotable Quotes

Sunday - day of obligation

It's Sunday again and as usual, my schedule is to attend the sunday mass. Yes i do go to church are you?? :) Well it is my way of thanking him for all His patience, forgiveness, blessings and guidance throughout my every day life. After the mass well, can't help it but to go malling!. Yes it's healthy to go window shopping too, you get to torture yourself if you like somethings but sad to say you got no money to spend! It's a literal window shopping!!! ;-)

Is Summer Over Yet?

MAY is almost over but i don't think summer is! If you live or familiar with the weather in the Philippines probably you know what i am talking about. Usually end of May is already the start of rainy season - but where's the rain? It seams like summer won't leave and i can't stand it anymore! I know i can't complain because it's the way nature goes. I envy those living in cold countries but still i love the Phippines!! :)

Bloggers mood

Don't know what to say, don't know what to do - just want to create my own blog! Well this is my first so pardon my skills! Any words of welcome, comments, suggestions on how i can improve my blog or even a simple hi from you is very much appreciated for now! he-he..