This video was taken 10 months ago before I left for Auckland.
I just chanced upon this video while looking at AccountMate’s 2008 Christmas Presentation that landed them another win for 2 years in a row now.
Thank you Elijah for putting this all together.
I am proud to have been a part of AccountMate.
This is the part where I get emotional and weep like a baby. I will never forget how my friends and family made me feel that day. My head is swollen and I am feeling cocky today.
the new sikatuna royalties: chan, cola and cali (mga apo ni auntie bing2x)
Sikatuna is the street in Cebu where I grew up. I stayed in my grandparent’s house after the Creek (sapa). The house was made of wood and nipa. We had a bayabas tree and kamunggay grown in the garden. The toilet was a separate shed outside the gate but was concrete. We washed using kabo and water, toilet paper was not in fashion then. We got drinking water from the tabay (deep well). And there was a water pump across the kitchen where we could watch neighbors get water, do the laundry and bathe.
It was in Sikatuna that I learned mahjong, scrabble & jai alai. We had carpenters, barbers, tailors, electricians, fortune tellers, magdalenas, public school teachers, manicuristas, witches, ex convicts, drunkards, butchers, gays, lesbians, very old sick people, lunatics and a frustrated lawyer as our neighbors.
And I was the creekside princess. =)
While the other kids would go to Zapatera public school and Abellana high school, I went to St. Theresa’s College (an exclusive girl school). We all walked to school, us Sikatuna kids. I think the reason why I love old houses is because I dreamt of living in one of those Sepulveda street houses I pass along my way to school.
We would string rubber bands together in a long strand of 24’s and sold it at 10 cents per strand on weekends. We would fill baskets with them. And in the evenings, played BINGO with our 10 cents.
Although I grew up among the lower half of the society, I grew up believing I was not like the other kids I played with. My grandmother did not allow me to play outside the house. The other kids would have to take a bath and smell good before they can come and play with me. And they had to dress clean as well.
My grandmother cooks VERY well and she served us delicious merienda food after playing. My playmates did not mind her strict rules for getting into the house.
We played in the garden or at the kayda. They never raised their voices. They never fought with me because they were very scared of my half spanish & half bisdak grandmother. She protected me and disciplined me like I was truly royalty.
My grandfather worked at Atlas mining. He would wake up at 3:30 am to ride the bus early so he gets to Toledo. He walks to the bus station to save his money. When he came home, he always brought back hot bread called Francis.
The old politicians of Cebu knew Lolo and would visit our Sikatuna payag. They would consult him and ask his opinions on some matters while he would ask them to make improvements in Sikatuna (as exchange deal for his advices). Street lights, so criminals from Lorega would not make Sikatuna an escape route. A concrete taytayan to replace the old wooden bridge. Cemented walkways so kids (including the apo) will not have mud on their shoes during rainy June. A kapilya so people would be able to hear mass on Sundays. He always asked for something that would benefit more people (never thinking of himself alone). The little payag looked the same but the taytayan was now cemented.
My grandfather could never be a politician and so would my grandmother. She could have lived with some comfort with land from her side of the family, the Casals & Tenazas, yet she chose not to. (I still could not comprehend the why)
Our neighbors had very high respect for my grandparents. I grew up understanding pride in hard work over owning material things, and to always think past oneself. I grew up with role models who lived to serve others without thinking of themselves. Though I always wished they would have. I also wish I was just like them. Unfortunately, I fail in comparison.
The Original Royals. Auntie Bingbing, Uncle Danny and Mom.
Every year, Christmas reunions would always be at Sto Nino Village hosted by my parents. But this year, my mother and sister did the celebrating at Sikatuna. My grandparents have long passed away and now Auntie Bingbing lives here with her kids and grandchildren together with my Uncle Danny (the only male sibling).
The house looked the same as I remembered except for improvements that Auntie Bingbing had to do. It is an old house but Lolo and Lola’s legacy lives on. It is now gated and cemented. The lives of people who live there have now changed for the better.
I remember Sikatuna today because one of my best memories of childhood were spent reading Tom Sawyer at the kayda & listening to Sergio Mendez played on a turn table.
Best of all, Sikatuna was were I grew up a princess.
I say that Christmas is not over until the Sinulog celebration is over. The Sinulog had always been a part of our family tradition ever since it started in Cebu. We actively participate in SNV’s fiesta celebration and the city activities. I remember the time when people would bring charcoal and smudge the faces of people on the street. It was fun but turned maddening when some used grease instead of charcoal.
The SNV novenas would start as soon as the Christmas masses were over. We would have late night practices in hidden corners of the village because the other tribes might out do our choreography. It was controversial more than competitive.
The SNV fiesta culminating activity would be on the 2nd sunday of January, a week before the Cebu City one. Yellow, Blue, Red, Orange and Green tribes would stop being neighbors for one day and turn into fierce competitors. We had floats, Sinulog princesses and queens and props that were always better than the year before.
Relatives from Bohol always fill our rooms and sala. It is an extension of Christmas reunions.
This year, I am happy to find that Auckland had been celebrating Sinulog yearly as well. It is now on its 14th year. And for the first time, they will hold a Sinulog dance contest. I am excited more than ever to be a part of the festivities. It would seem a lot less pompous than the Cebu City one but for sure it will still be as festive and merry.
And even more excited to see the Sto Nino don his new clothes direct from Cebu.
Mommy and Micmic, your labor of love will make the 2009 festivities in Auckland glitter. And to Senyor Sto Nino. Thank you for blessing all of us.
And yes, we are singing the Gozos. Bato Balani sa Gugma…
What a good way to start 2009, don’t you think?
* “Hives — also known as urticaria — are raised, red, itchy welts (wheals) of various sizes that appear and disappear on your skin.”
I am definitely having hives. I am playing doctor this time and doctor me thinks this is nothing serious.
* Everytime I pass by the Westpac bank at Queen St, I always peep inside the glass door hoping to catch a glimpse of the dimpled beauty who works there. Then I automatically look to the right to see if I can catch the boy next door looking hub waiting to pick her up. But I keep forgetting she does not work there anymore. I will not be having the spur of the moment lunch and dinner invitations from her for some time. It is hard to let go of this habit. They are a sweet couple. Looking forward instead to occassions that we get to meet again. Missing David and Normita. Sila ra akong ka isturya ug binisaya sa downtown.
* It will be our department’s Christmas party tomorrow. Chin-jing gips they call Santa’s helpers here. They say there will be games and ass licking too. I hope I heard it right. I am not looking forward to the sandwich and wine medley. I should keep my expectations down. I know nothing can compare with the AccountMate and Ng Khai parties. Okay, people, amuse me tomorrow.
* Basti is making a list of NZ Towns, Cities or Suburbs from A to Z. I’m sure he made up some names, how do I know. Ambot oi! F for Foxtown? What!
Need to take a hot shower. My hives are getting itchy. Yaiks.
He bought me 2 pieces of hair accessories at a 2 dollar shop a week ago. And yesterday he bought me a head band. It was black with white polka dots. He said it would look good on me.
Head bands give me headaches. And I don’t know how to use hair accessories.
He knows that I am not into these things. I had to stop myself from starting on a litany on saving and not buying on things we did not need. I saw the sincerity of his gesture and I wondered if he really thought of me or he just bought it at an impulse.
Perhaps, he needed some loose change. Perhaps, I look too horrible, it was one way of telling me to fix my hair. Perhaps, he has turned gay on me. =)
Now my problem is – where will I keep them. I am not wearing it for sure. Maybe on Christmas eve, I will ask him to put them on for me. He is definitely far more artistic than I am.
Still it leaves me the question. The only answer I got was – ‘I wanted to.’
I should not fuss. Beggars are not choosy. I hope this is not yet my Christmas present from him.
I AM THANKFUL
* for dearest friends Adrian and Chelo who started the spirit of Christmas alive for our family. We all flipped over to find your present in our mail box. We love it and I wish London was a bus ride away…they brought HAPPY to our Christmas.
* for Roland’s 4?’nd birthday. Finally perfecting the pochero ala Linda was the best dinner we ever had. No gift giving, only comfort food and dreams and wishes and stories shared around the dinner table. It is our new definition of ‘BLISS’.
* for good marks on Basti’s year end report. He told me one morning, ‘Mom, I hope you can come to our school? I am singing a song. NZ’s got talent will be there. Told him I won’t be able to make it (i know, i am a useless parent a lot of times) but I will send my personal angel Gabriel to be with him that day. He came home and told me he did a mime instead of a song and that my angel brought home his report card. It says he has a spelling age of a 13.5 year old (yet he just turned 10).
* for a new project at work that is keeping me busy. Now I don’t have to do idiotic ways to preoccupy myself and look busy.
* for a talented and expectant friend Liza who has finally created her own photo blog. http://monkeyseye.blogspot.com/ . Visit her site and comment. She would love that. She has an equally talented cousin who dreams of unicorns. <hint hint>
* for a chance to dance the Sinulog next year. I have signed up to join the Liturgical Dance to open the 9 days novena. I will do my best to please Him up there.
* for Christmas parties that allow me to meet new friends. Lechon, line dancing, new friends, must go. And meeting May and Lester (friends of Deebangs). must Multiply.
* for finally taking the wheel. Roland’s driver’s license expired yesterday and he has yet to get NZ license. Meanwhile, I drive. He navigates. New adventures. Bag-ong lalis. =)
* for internet connection that is back to speed. Gods of Telecom. Thank you.
* for lazy Saturdays that allow me to catch up on blog updates. Yehey.
Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmas and a New Year filled with Hopes and Dreams fulfilled and Adventures to conquer. Thank you for the gift of friendship.
Our telecom internet connection have reverted to dial up speed. We have just exceeded our 10G per month limit. Blame it on Dragon Fable & Imeem. Darn Kids!
I can’t pull my hair enough to take me out of this misery. It takes forever to even bring up a blog page. I have missed on a lot.
Not until Dec 14 will I get back the speed. Bummer 5 days to go. I’m helpless. I can’t afford an upgrade.
Calling on the Gods of Telecom, have mercy. Better yet, give out extra gigs in multiples of 10. =) Christmas na bitaw! Please pretty Telecom please.
Christmas in Auckland will be H O T !
Picture barbecues on the beach in a bikini. That is how Christmas is celebrated here. December is the start of the summer season.
Kids will be on holidays starting next week and they return to school by February.
Santa Claus will have to exchange his red belted top with a light pink sleeveless one. The nights have started to warm up too.
NZ’s pohutukawa with its scarlet flowers overpowers the season’s pine tree reminders.
Can’t wait to wear my green havaianas. Magamit na gyud intawn after 10 long months.
Hope the summer stays forever. I just love warm sweaty days over cold nights.
I look forward to a very meaningful 1st Christmas here.
Going forward to Christmas, the days at the office have turned to ho hum. So I decided to pick a time to raid the candy machine.
The automat is next to the copier. Most everyone was out for lunch. I didn’t want to look “blonde” being in IT and yet I couldn’t get the machine to work. How easy would it be to put in the coins and hit the buttons for the chocolate of my choice, huh?
Excuse #1: “UHH, It was my first time to use this machine?”
Excuse #2: “I hope I didn’t break it, I am known to break things, you see.”
Excuse #3: “Okay, I am an idiot.”
I hate to admit it but there are moments like this when I wish I had a chummy chum at work so I can drag her along (hahaha) to the vending machine. Yes, I can be very stupid and dumb. And this is one of those days.
So, off I went. Acting like I knew what to do. Confident kuno. Pushed C7 for the Whitaker’s Peanut bar. Put in my $2 and waited. No change and no bar. Read how to retrieve my money. Pushed the button, took my $2 and restarted. This required logic. My head just didn’t have light bulbs popping. Pretty much, I was about to give up. Tried thrice and looked back and swear that someone was looking. Na praning. Tried again and this time with a prayer na. Tried some more. Lost track of the count.
I pushed C7 again. Angels helped. (because for sure, this was not on the instruction steps). 50 cents came dropping and the machine sounded a bell that dropped the bar to the plate. My ureka moment for the day.
I enjoyed every bit of the peanut bar. Even picked up the crumbs that fell on my lap. That is how the idiot me created excitement on a lifeless day.
Luckily for me, the boss found a way to keep my busy in the afternoon or else, I would have brave the coffee machine. That will need a manual and a novena.
