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December 31, 2011

2012 – Year of the Yang Water Dragon


What kind of year will 2012 be?   Many expect 2012 to bring about the end of the world, perhaps because they mistakenly think of Mayan or Hindu cosmologies as linear rather than cyclical. From a Feng Shui standpoint 2012, the year of the Yang Water Dragon, brings many possibilities for good fortune.

Most people know that water covers 2/3 of our planet & comprises 95% of our bodies; we simply cannot live without it. In Chinese element theory, water produces wood, which signifies growth and is the natural element of the dragon. The dragon governs east/southeast, wealth accumulation & the hours of 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. Associated with thunder, lightning and arousal, the Water Dragon personifies creativity at its best.

Water Dragons occur every 60 years, so we have had Yang Water Dragons in 1952, 1892, 1832, 1772, 1712, 1652, 1592, etc. Too, the future holds more Water Dragons in the years beyond 2012, in 2072, 2132, 2192, 2252, etc.

In 2012 the Yang Water Dragon Year starts January 23, 2012 and ends February 9, 2013. The energetic high point of the year is the dragon moon, which is from May 20 to June 18 (new moon is May 20, full moon is June 4 and dragon moon is over June 18. June 19 begins the snake moon, which will set up the energy for the following year, 2013, year of the yin water snake.)

Embrace the upcoming 2012 Year of the Water Dragon! Also makes great gifts for people who are Water Dragons (born either between 1/27/1952 – 2/23/1953 OR between 1/23/2012 – 2/9/2013.)  There’s even something for the Water Dragon babies of 2012/2013.

Happy New Year to All !!!


With the holiday season upon us, here's a list of some greetings to be use. 

See how Happy New Year is pronounced around the world. Enjoy wonderful world !

Arabic
Kul 'aam u antum salimoun

Brazilian
Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo means "Good Parties and Happy New Year"

Chinese
Chu Shen Tan

Czechoslavakia
 Scastny Novy Rok

Dutch
 Gullukkig Niuw Jaar

Finnish
 Onnellista Uutta Vuotta

French
Bonne Annee

German
 Prosit Neujahr

Greek 
Eftecheezmaenos o Kaenooryos hronos

Hebrew 
L'Shannah Tovah Tikatevu

Hindi
Niya Saa Moobaarak

Irish (Gaelic)
 Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit

Italian
 Buon Capodanno

Khmer
 Sua Sdei tfnam tmei

Laotian
 Sabai dee pee mai

Polish
 Szczesliwego Nowego Roku

Portuguese
 Feliz Ano Novo

Russian
 S Novim Godom

Serbo-Croatian
 Scecna nova godina

Spanish
 Feliz Ano Neuvo or Prospero Ano Nuevo

Turkish
 Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun

Vietnamese
 Cung-Chuc Tan-Xuan

American
Happy New Year

Filipino
Manigong Bagong Taon! 
A Prosperous New Year!
                                                      (traditional greeting for the new year)

Maligayang Bagong Taon! (Happy New Year!)
    
Bikol
Mamura-way na Ba-gong Taon sa indo gabos!

Cebuano
Mabungahong Bag-ong Tuig kaninyong tanan!

Ilokano
Narang-ay a Baro a Tawen kadakayo amin!

Kapampangan
Masaplalang Bayung Banwa keko ngan!

Pangasinan
Maaligwas ya Balon Taon ed sikayon amin!

Waray-Waray
Mainuswagon nga Bag-ong Tuig ha iyo ngatanan!



Let us pray to God that new year will bring peace, happiness , prosperous and joy to whole world ! 
Wish you all a wonderful year 2012 !  Cheers!!! ✿◕‿◕✿



December 29, 2011

"My Last Farewell" (Mi Ultimo Adios)

The Philippines would be marking December 30, 2011, the 115th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. Jose Rizal’s full name was José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. He was known as a nationalist and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. Because of his beliefs and the changes he fought for, Rizal is considered the Philippines’ national hero. To celebrate Rizal Day, there are many festivals and parades to celebrate the man’s life and values. People observe this day to remember a man in the country’s history that has influenced the culture and values of the entire country.

Jun. 19, 1861 - Dec. 30, 1896
Doctor, Novelist, Filipino Patriot, Independence Movement Martyr

Here is the famous poem of Jose Rizal.

"My Last Farewell" (Mi Ultimo Adios)

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,
Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show
And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,
My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

My life's fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,
Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet 'tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, 'neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity!

If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,
A simple humble flow'r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.

Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,
Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o'er my site.

Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize
And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.

Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,
For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see your own redemption.

And when the dark night wraps the cemet'ry
And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don't disturb their repose, don't disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cittern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t'you intone.

And when my grave by all is no more remembered,
With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.

Then it doesn't matter that you should forget me:
Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I'll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.

My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,
Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, harken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I'll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.

Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,
Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.


(His friend Mariano Ponce gave it the title of MI ULTIMO ADIOS, as it originally had none)


Rizal's Famous Quotations

"Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang hayop at malansang isda."

"He who does not love his own language is worse than an animal and smelly fish."

"Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinangalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan."

"He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination."
  
"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice."

"While a people preserves its language; it preserves the marks of liberty."

"There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves."

"The youth is the hope of our future."




December 27, 2011

Symphony of Lights and Sounds show at the Ayala Triangle Gardens

Ayala Triangle Lights and Sounds Show (Personal Video, 
I uploaded at my Youtube Account)

The Symphony of Lights and Sounds  at the Ayala Triangle Gardens have watched and enjoyed by large crowd of people. 

Symphony of Lights and Sounds show everyday, every hour from 6 pm to 9 pm,  from November 16 to December 30 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati City. And lately, we were there the night of Christmas Day,  and they present it every 30 minutes. We really enjoyed and  dance with the stars, lights and many people.   


This is the Ayala Land's 3rd year in the lights and sounds show, now called Spectacular Spectrum. Here, they introduced for the first time inflatable stars and gobo lights along with the usual energy-saving LED string lights, meteor lights, laser lights and fog machines that gave the audience that distinct magical Christmas experience.









December 30 and 31, 2011 Are Non-Working Holidays

President Benigno Aquino III declares both December 30 and 31, 2011 as non-working holidays. 

December 30 is a national holiday, which means that all employees are entitled to receive their normal daily salary even if they choose not to work on the said date. Those who will report for work on December 30 should receive double their regular pay for every hour of work. This is true for both regular (or tenured and permanent) and non-regular (casual, non-permanent, contractual) employees. Once more, here are the pay rules specified by the Department of Labor and Employment:

If it is an employee’s regular workday
a. If unworked – 100%
b. If worked  -  1st 8 hours – 200% (double pay!)
     Excess of 8 hours – plus 30% of hourly rate on said day

If it is an employee’s rest day
a. If unworked – 100%
b. If worked
1st 8 hours – plus 30% of 200% of regular rate plus 30% (for the overtime)

Rizal day falls on a Friday, which in effect gives Filipino workers one last long weekend before 2011 ends.  This should be stressed: Malacanang has not stated yet whether December 24, a Saturday, December 26, a Monday, and January 2, a Monday, would be declared as special non-working days. Nevertheless, some companies can unilaterally declare these dates as no-work days, so better check this with your respective superiors this early so you can plan ahead. Also, don’t be absent on the work day immediately preceding a holiday (regardless if it’s a national holiday or just a special non-working one) since doing so will automatically disqualify you from getting any holiday premium, as per DOLE rules.

December 31, 2011 was also declared as special non-working holiday. The purpose of which is to give time for Filipinos to prepare for the festivities of New Year's Eve.

All those who will be required to work on these holidays shall receive additional compensation according to existing Philippines Labor rules.


The Office of the President has released this list of holidays in the country for 2011 thru Proclamation No. 84







December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


When a Child is Born

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; 
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.



John 3:16 
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


Let the spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes. 
In this loveliest of seasons may you find many reasons for happiness.



Hearing and Dancing with Christmas Songs


Waiting for Santa Clause 



"Delivered! OK" said Santa ! ! ! 

They"re under the Christmas Tree ! 


Chirstmas with the family and "kids"!!!




I saw my gifts !!! Thanks much !!!

Christmas dinner or lunch or snacks and all with the family, relatives, friends and all for always!!! 


December 23, 2011

When a Child is Born



A ray of hope flitters in the sky
A tiny star lights up way up high
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born

A silent wish sails the seven seas
The winds have changed whisper in the trees
And the walls of doubt crumble tossed and torn
This comes to pass when a child is born

A rosy hue settles all around
You've got the feel you're on solid ground
For a spell or two no-one seems forlorn
This comes to pass when a child is born

And all of this happened
Because the world is waiting
Waiting for one child
Black, white, yellow, no one knows
But a child that would grow up and turn tears to
laughter
Hate to love, war to peace
And everyone to everyone's neighbour
Misery and suffering would be forgotten forever

It's all a dream and illusion now
It must come true, sometimes soon somehow
All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born

All across the land dawns a brand new morn
This comes to pass when a child is born

When a child is born

Twelve Days of Christmas (hidden meaning)



Twelve Days of Christmas
By The Lettermen

The Twelve Days of Christmas is an English Christmas carol which a series of increasingly grandiose gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas. Although it was first published in England in 1780, textual evidence may indicate the song is French in origin.


On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree! 



The Song

This period is referred to in the song Twelve Days of Christmas. Twelve Days of Christmas is a traditional Christmas song, or Christmas Carol. The Twelve Days of Christmas are the days from December 25 to January 6 or the Twelfth Night. The date of the song's first performance is not known, though it was used in European and Scandinavia traditions as early as the 16th century. 

The 12 Days of Christmas" is in a sense an allegory. Each of the items in the song represents something significant to the teachings of the Catholic faith. The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help Catholic children learn their faith. The song goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me…" The "true love" mentioned in the song refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. i.e. the Church.



1st Day   ---
  The partridge in a pear tree is Christ Jesus upon the Cross.

2nd Day  ---  The "two turtle doves" refers to the Old and New Testaments. 

3rd Day  ---  The "three French hens" stand for faith, hope and love. 

4th Day   ---  The "four calling birds" refers to the four evangelists who wrote the Gospels-Matthew,                 Mark, Luke and John. 

5th Day   ---   The "five golden rings" represents the first five books of the Bible, also called the Jewish  Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. 

6th Day   ---    The "six geese a-laying" is the six days of creation. 

7th Day   ---    The "seven swans a-swimming" refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. 

8th Day   ---    The "eight maids a milking " reminded children of the eight beatitudes listed in the Sermon on the Mount. 

9th Day   ---    The "nine ladies dancing" were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

10th Day ---    The "ten lords a-leaping" represents the Ten Commandments.

11th Day ---   The "eleven pipers piping" refers to the eleven faithful apostles. 

12th Day ---    The 'twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of belief expressed in the Apostles' Creed: belief in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, made man, crucified, died and arose on the third day, that he sits at the right hand of the father and will come again, the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting.



December 22, 2011

New Year's Eve (2011) movie

"New Year's Eve" celebrates love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and fresh starts, in different stories  and promises of New York City on the most enjoyable night of the year.

It is the  romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall.  It depicts a series of holiday vignettes of the state of several romances.The lives of several couples and singles intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve.


Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) plays a secretary who realizes she's got a lot of unresolved New Year's resolutions. Time to make a list, check it twice and get cracking. Fortunately it's the handsome (and much younger) Paul (Zac Efron) to the rescue. 

Directed by         Garry Marshall
Produced by       Mike Karz, Wayne Allan Rice, Garry Marshall
Written by          Katherine Fugate

Cast:

Halle Berry
Jessica Biel
Jon Bon Jovi
Abigail Breslin
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges
Robert De Niro
Josh Duhamel
Zac Efron
Héctor Elizondo
Katherine Heigl
Ashton Kutcher
Seth Meyers
Lea Michele
Sarah Jessica Parker
Michelle Pfeiffer
Til Schweiger
Hilary Swank
Sofía Vergara






Here are my favorite quotations from the movie.

It only happens once a year: New Year's Eve. It's a time when hopeless can be romantic, and a resolution can become a revelation. And when one night can change everything.

Hailey: I want to go to Times Square tonight.
Kim: That's highly doubtful.
Hailey: You know I'm fifteen mom! This is not a training bra!
Kim: And this is not girls gone wild!

Randy: New Year's is the worst night of all to go out. People who don't drink or party all year suddenly going all Kanye on you...

Ingrid: My New Year's resolutions: If you can make these come true by midnight, you get these...

Tess: My water just broke!
Griffin: All of it?

Jensen: You look beautiful
Laura: I've been splotting that slap for years. It wasn't nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be. That was closer.

Claire: This is the biggest night of my career and if I screw this up...
Brendan: You won't.

Stan Harris: Nothing beats New York on New Year's Eve.

Grandpa Jed: So you went out for a slice of pizza, right? And you may have just run into the one. You know what that is?
Sam: Insanity?
Grandpa Jed: Serendipity. You don't mess with serendipity.




December 21, 2011

Always - Jon Bon Jovi


There  are internet rumors spread like wildfire Monday that rock star Jon Bon Jovi had died. Bon Jovi is  one of the most famous singers I like.

But thanks God that Jon Bon Jovi disproved rumors of his death at the Hope Concert  V at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank.

I’m now assured and happy to know that the singer, actor and philanthropist is alive and well.
 

This “Always” is one of my favorite Bon Jovi songs. The song was originally written for the soundtrack to the film Romeo Is Bleeding. "Always" is the single by Bon Jovi from the album Cross Road.
This Romeo is bleeding
But you can't see his blood
It's nothing but some feelings
That this old dog kicked up

It's been raining since you left me
Now I'm drowning in the flood
You see I've always been a fighter
But without you I give up

Now I can't sing a love song
Like the way it's meant to be
Well, I guess I'm not that good anymore
But baby, that's just me

And I will love you, baby - Always
And I'll be there forever and a day - Always
I'll be there till the stars don't shine
Till the heavens burst and
The words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you - Always
]
Now your pictures that you left behind
Are just memories of a different life
Some that made us laugh, some that made us cry
One that made you have to say goodbye
What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair
To touch your lips, to hold you near
When you say your prayers try to understand
I've made mistakes, I'm just a man

When he holds you close, when he pulls you near
When he says the words you've been needing to hear
I'll wish I was him that those words were mine
To say to you till the end of time

Yeah, I will love you baby - Always
And I'll be there forever and a day - Always

If you told me to cry for you
I could
If you told me to die for you
I would
Take a look at my face
There's no price I won't pay
To say these words to you

Well, there ain't no luck
In these loaded dice
But baby if you give me just one more try
We can pack up our old dreams
And our old lives
We'll find a place where the sun still shines

And I will love you, baby - Always
And I'll be there forever and a day - Always
I'll be there till the stars don't shine
Till the heavens burst and
The words don't rhyme
And I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I'll love you - Always


✿◕‿◕✿

My New Addicting Friend - BonChon Chicken!

This holidays , I spend time for our shopping for the Christmas, with my family.  One  Saturday night we were in Trinoma Mall Quezon City. Mall crowded, but that’s really holidays shopping and Christmas gifts and many more things are the main functions of all. Not was done with everything we want to do and wish to have, but feel hungry. That time I want to eat dinner, we walk around and look for something new. All restaurants , fast food  and  coffee shops , all are full!

We saw this new,  Bonchon Chicken. Ambiance is nice for a fast food. There were lots of people dining in and we need to be wait to be seated.

But after few minutes, we had our place. We grab a simple and easy to serve to us, a pack of medium chicken wings 12 pieces and rice. And wow! Chicken are yummy! And we have Ice tea.

The chicken is super crispy and not greasy and delicious.

BonChon  has addicting chicken, crispy, light, with hot juicy meat flavored with your choice of soy garlic or the hot and spicy glaze.

I think It’s the original highly-addicting formula that keeps people coming back for more. They’re affordable. 

I read their menu fliers , "Best Chicken in America," "The original Korean fried chicken secret." 

We'll definitely be back next time to try more offerings.