Ready to go

I'm already done packing most of our stuff. Only left are the things we need to use today. We'll be moving to Shangri-La Mactan tomorrow morning. I'm very excited about it because I really need a breath of fresh air. Not literally.

My star says

On the left was my horoscope yesterday. I took it from Philippine Star newspaper. It was kinda creepy because there's something that's been holding me back to do something. Being a Libra myself, I'm indecisive when it comes to making big decisions. I asked for help and a sign from God a few days ago and this is what I got. And mind you, I don't read the horoscope of newspapers because I'd always look at the interesting pictures first then read the articles that could catch my eye. But yesterday, it gave me creeps and I even took a shot of it so I could read it over and over again. I'm gathering strength right now and I hope that whatever it is that I need to do will be done properly.

Viva Las Vegas!

An agent for Las Vegas entertainment wanted to get our band to play there. We forwarded it to our Boss Agent but he doesn't want to believe that it's for real. There are lots of bogus agents around, so he just set it aside. But the agent was really interested on us. It's not that we have a big chance to go to Las Vegas. We just want to maybe give it a shot.

So today, I went to Gaisano Mactan to have some of our band pics developed. I also have made a VCD of the band and the band's profile. Will submit it tomorrow by LBC, they have a Manila office luckily. There's no harm in trying.

Shower in the hotel lobby

We arrived at 6:30PM for work tonight only to find out most of the lights were turned off. There had been a major leak on the water pipe system so the water just poured down from the ceiling of the lobby, luckily just a bit in the lounge. It was a disaster because you'll never know whether you're gonna get drenched from where you're standing in the lobby. We even thought that we won't be able to perform (which we cheered about for a while) for the night. But luckily (and unluckily for us), they were able to fix it fast.

It was a rather busy and crazy night at the lounge tonight. A bunch of Korean couples which we call 'honeymooners' came as early as our 1st set. And we've had a good mix of entertaining crowd all through the night. It was indeed a fun night!

'Tis the season to be packing

We need to pack all our stuff this week. Contract finishing all of a sudden? Of course not! We are asked to transfer to Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort. Yes, they're providing us rooms since July 1st. That means it's time for some... TAN! Yeah baby! The only problem that I have there is the internet in the comfort of our room. I bet I wil have to go down to the lobby for the hotspot.

By the way, off-topic. It's almost every nite that I'd hit my teeth with a microphone while singing. Last night, I hit it once again, a bit hard that I thought I lost my front tooth. Luckily, no crack or chip. Thank goodness!

Nway, we don't have broadband internet for 3 days now. I'm blogging via Smart GPRS again.

Unexpected call

We were already here in the villa, just relaxing after our dinner, when I had a call from Brice. Apparently, she's calling from the hospital. Her pilot husband, Zaldy, who came to Cebu to visit her for a week, had an accident while commuting with her. I don't know the exact details but I guess she was still in shock so I suppose I'd rather not ask her lots of repetitive questions that might have been asked from her by the police & hospital staff.

She told me that they hailed a public utility multicab (see example photo). Brice went inside and Zaldy was about to follow when the taxi next to it bumped into the loading multicab. The taxi driver was said to be sleeping or sleepy or drowsy or whatever you call that state. She hung up the phone then I rushed to the living room to tell Marlou what happened. Marlou asked me which hospital and I remember hearing "...Doctors Hospital". There are two possible hospitals with "... Doctors" on its name: Cebu Doctors and Mactan Doctors. Mactan Doctors is just 5 minutes aways from ours so Marlou and I headed there to check. But they're not there. Then I realized I wasn't sure if I heard it right. Blaming my deaf ears, Marlou drove back to our villa.

After hanging up the fone, I finally realized how lucky Brice was. Imagine if it happened 3 seconds later? It could have been both of them or maybe just Brice. God is great. But we're still worried because we talked to Zaldy a few days ago and listened to his great hopes and plans for him and his wife, Brice. I just hope they won't be ruined.

Update: Brice sent me SMS and told me it's Cebu Doctors Hospital

Family oriented weekend

This weekend has been a family oriented one, with my in-laws, that is.

On Saturday, we got invited to a baptismal lunch by one of Marlou's cousins' daughter. Once again, it was like a family reunion of the Cabusas clan. Since we came all the way from Lapu-Lapu City, we just headed straight to the reception at the house. Couldn't get up early for the baptismal rites at the church. When I entered the gate, everyone's faces lit up and those who saw me during the past Cabusas Clan Reunion asked me "are you gonna dance today?". I said, "of course not", while wiggling my butt which made them laugh so hard. I haven't even got my own plate when they played "My Hump", but I pretended as if I didn't hear anything and just went on to get my food. An hour later, they were successful to let me "grind" a bit. I don't know what's in this clan. They're a bit conservative, just like most of Cebuanos, but they love to see me dance. And when I start to even sway my hips, they'd start cracking up. Maybe it's with my comic aura? Guess so.

It's our off today. And by lunchtime, we headed to SM Cebu City to meet Marlou's cousin. Remember when I published that we were looking for a replacement singer for Brice? It's been months since I did that and a lot of wannabes have contacted us. And yesterday, out of the blue, Marlou was referred to his cousin who's also a singer. And that's whom we met up with today. We met up with Stacy, Marlou's 20-year old cousin, to get her picture taken at Snapshack to submit to our boss. Afterwards, we went to Stacy's brother, also a cousin of Marlou, who's a musical arranger. We stayed there until 4PM and then we went back to SM Cebu City to pick up Stacy's photo.

When we arrived SM, we were only supposed to just unwind and stroll around. But we saw a taping of a local TV show on GMA, Oi! The host of the pop singing contest is Rizza Navales, a friend of ours. In fact, she's the niece of Marlou's bestfriend and that's how I met her. We stopped by there and got engrossed with the show and chit-chatting with Rizza's family until 7PM! The particular taped episode of Oi! will be aired on August 6 at 11AM on GMA.

Talking about Rizza Navales, she's a recording artist now. Don't know which company though. She has won Gold at the Voice Olympics held in the US recently, together with Jed Madela. She's a talent of Ronnie Henares, the talent manager who made Regine Velasquez famous. Rizza owes her success right now to her manager who has spent a lot of money on her "aesthetic transformation". She doesn't deny this, in fact, it was even shown on national TV what kind of surgeries she has undergone before her album was launched last year. And knowing who she is, she really has transformed magically - outside. She's still the same girl with a powerful voice & down to earth attitude. I'm so proud of her and I wish her all the luck!

It was definitely great hanging out with some of your kins. I haven't chilled out with my cousins for quite some time. Most of them, I haven't seen for 10 years and some have families now. But hopefully, we'll be able to organize a JIMENEZ Clan Reunion (Jimenez is my mom's side).

Working it out again!


Two months after my hernia surgery, I have resumed my Pilates and yoga workout again. Determined to be in shape, I do my workout every afternoon. I miss working out. Really.
KEYS ME - Very funny!

I've actually watched the actual performance of this on TV, although some people on youtube believe it's edited. Guess what, it's NOT!

Why I should wear shorts

This is the main reason why I should wear shorts when I perform. Click HERE.

Copycat

"You're nothing, but a second rate, trying hard, copycat"

If you're not familiar with the Philippine cinema or movies, then you wouldn't be familiar with this famous line. Used by Lavinia (Cherie Gil) in the movie "Bituing Walang Ningning" where she was a supporting actress to Dorina (Sharon Cuneta). The famous line was said after Lavinia, a superstar, confronted her biggest fan, Dorina, who is becoming to be the next superstar after her.

The successful movie of the 80's is now a very successful TV soap opera. And Lavinia is played by Angelika Dela Cruz while Dorina is played by a real teen superstar, Sarah Geronimo. And of course this catch line is used again on this soap opera.

Listen how Selena delivered the line --- RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
I saved it on my mobile phone & used it as a ringtone! Enjoy! Hahaha!

Happy Fathers' Day

I wish I could spend this day with the men in my life - my fathers. Yes, in a plural form. Not all of you know tuhat I was fatherless when I grew up because my mom raised me as a single parent. I still kept in touch with my father but we weren't that close because he had his own family even before separating with my mom. So, I've been longing to have a father & I can still remember the loneliness
& pain I felt whenever I see my friends & classmates being cuddled by their fathers. I still keep in touch with my father even though I have a stepfather now.

That's when I started to look for a father figure. I even dated older men because I was longing to have a father figure in my life. I started to feel close to older men, some of them are still my good friends until now. That's why at the age of 15, older men swarmed around me. And by 'older', I meant almost double of my age.

And I never really like young men, I would always go out with somebody who's at least 8 years my senior. I don't feel secured, pampered and loved, and I feel they're very immature if they're at least 5 years my senior. Take for instance my 1st boyfriend who was 24 when I was 15. Marlou was also 24 when I started going out with him when I was 16. You can call them cradle-snatchers but hey, what about those men who were in their 40's when they were courting me when I was 15? Hmmm just looking at a brighter side, lolz, those were the days...

I also have a few 'father figures' in my life that I look up to right now - not in the same thinking as when I was 15. These are the people I respect and love. So to all the fathers in the world who are loved by the people around them, HAPPY FATHERS' DAY! And if you think no one loves you, come to me, nyahahaha! Just kidding!

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS IN THE WORLD!

Blogging tools

There are lots of ways to blog especially if one has an account with Blogger, like me. I use the web-based Blogger.com when I'm on my PC, which has the complete tools like uploading pictures and such. I also use Hello software from Picasa to upload some pictures, but now I'm more into web-based blogging when I'm on my PC.

When I'm mobile, I blog from my iPAQ Pocket PC which has PocketBlogger and AvantBlog. I use the Smart GPRS sometimes but mainly I upload my blogs when I'm at work where there is a WiFi hotspot. That makes it easy for me to blog anytime, anywhere. And whenever necessary.

There are lots of ways to blog especially if you live in the US. What I like about other blogs are the ability to post pics and videos from their mobile phones like MoBlog, thru MMS. There's also Audioblogger now which can post your audio blogs in an instant using just any kind of telephone.

Shangri-La GM's reshuffling

I learned from our agent that the General Manager of Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai, Mr. Philippe Caretti, will be transferred in the Philippines soon. He will be the General Manager of Shangri-La Makati and he will be the Area Manager for all Shangri-La Hotels in the Philippines.

On the other hand, our favorite General Manager of Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Richard Riley, whom we have worked for for the past 3 years, will also be transferred to Shangri-La Jakarta in Indonesia soon. He will also handle Shangri-La Surabaya, I heard. But of course, we're still going back to Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur even if he's not the GM there anymore. However, hope we can work with him again... who knows, right?

Unsafe road

From Shangri-La, it would usually take 20 minutes to go back to our villa, and vice versa. And there's only one road we're always taking, and it's not just an ordinary road because it's a "dark road". Not only literally, but there's a certain part on that road where lots of vehicular and motorcycle accidents occur every week.

Just last week, we have witnessed a motorcycle accident involving two motorcycles. 4 bodies were lying on the street and I even saw a woman who seemed to be lifeless. The ones involved weren't wearing their helmets. That's my first time to see dead or injured people at a closer distance.

Tonight, on the way back home, our service bumped into a wooden cross which was placed in the middle of the street, just a few yards away from last week's motorcycle accident. Our car swerved and all of us in the car were shocked, but thank God, nothing happened. Someone might have died there this evening as there was still no wooden cross there when we went for work at 6:30PM. It is in our local tradition (I don't know if it applies to other countries too) that if a life is taken on that part of the road, a wooden cross must be placed on that spot to remind motorists to take precaution or even say a little prayer.

And I'm just so thankful that nothing happened to us and our driver was able to regain control of the wheel. We didn't see the cross from afar because it's quite dark on that part of the road. I can't imagine what would have happened if our driver was panicky. That's the reason why I cannot drive. I'm a very panicky person and there were couple of times, when I was learning how to drive at the age of 15, when I stopped in the middle of the road and just screamed behind the wheel just because I saw a bicycle crossed suddenly. And I think my nervousness and panicky attitude just worsened through the years. But I really want to learn how to drive, maybe in a runway or a desert.

I realized how fast a life can be taken with a simple mistake or mishap. Since I entered the house this evening, I've been very quiet and can't help thinking what could have happened to us in that 2 seconds of swerving. What about our unfinished jobs on Earth? What about our loved ones who didn't have a chance to express their feelings to us? Only thing in my mind now is my daughter. And for that, I'm really thankful to God that He kept us safe.

Breezy and wet

It started raining 10 minutes ago. We're thankful that we'll have some breeze for the night. I just hope it will continue to rain till we finish because once it stops, I'm sure it'll be warm again.

California Garden Square photos

I'd like to share with you one of our investments, our little home at the California Garden Square in Mandaluyong City. Most pictures are taken by yours truly during our month-long holiday in Manila last April but some of it were from other condo unit owners, too.

CGS Condominium Photos
California Garden Square Official Site

CGS Condo Pictures

I'd like to share with you one of our investments, our little home at the California Garden Square. Most pictures are taken by yours truly but some of it were from other condo unit owners, too.

CGS Condominium

Selena's website up!

Phew!!! Just started Selena's website but it's fun doing it because it reminds me of wonderful memories and good reminiscing of the past. How time flies so fast! If you have time & patience, please visit my daughter's 1st site - which is unfinished yet. I'm making it as simple as I can. I'll be doing finishing touches tomorrow. It's late and my pillows are calling me...

Visit Selena's My 1st Site
(you can also download her song "Peng You" from there)

PS: Inset pic was Selena at 11 months :-)

Sports

I'm not into men's sports, especially ball games. I was a volleyball player back in high school but I hated the fact that players are aiming for that one small ball, even hurting somebody else just to get the damn ball (oops, that was me)! If I was the referee, I’d just give each of them a ball, in their preferred design and size! Hahaha!

Same goes with racing. Stupid cars running in circles! Why don't they just make a straight road from the starting line to finish?

How about boxing & wrestling? I know they are getting paid big time for being punched and tortured. But there are people like me who wouldn't want to see blood gushing from their lips & eyebrows.

But different people have different preferences. And people are striving in their own little way to compete in this life. Some may win while others just wait for their turn. And few have lost hope & given up. Those who win may have the time of their lives but they must also be prepared for the prices to be paid in return. I don't know what exactly I came up with, but the "sports" thing popped on my mind because the Fifa World Cup season...
Video: My hump

This is our performance at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in February 2006

Selena's webpage

I'm thinking of a webpage for Selena which she can maintain someday. It will include her photos from birth until present times. I will also upload our "mocking around" videos on it. Of course, I will upload her "online single" Peng You on it, too. So watch out for that!

PS: Been asking Marlou to gather his majestic photos so I can also make a website for him... and it's been 3 years now I guess! Hahahaha!

ZzzzZzzzZzzz

After a very tiring weekend, I went for a good therapeutic massage yesterday. It was for P200 (US$4) for an hour and it was really worth it. In fact, I dozed off on the massage table afterwarrds and had to be waken up by Marl. When we got home, I hit the bed before 11PM and only got up at 12noon today! Took lunch then went back to bed for a nap at 1PM and woke up at 5PM! So I had 15 hours sleep all in all! But the only downside of it was getting all sluggish the whole night. The energy was still there of course but since it was raining the whole evening, I felt like I wanted to get back to bed and tuck myself to sleep. Hmmm going back home now... all I can think of is... bed... hmm... pillows... ho-hummm... zzzzzz...

Unaccompanied minor

Selena has been travelling with us since she was an infant. She even has travelled with other people (with our consent) just to visit us in Malaysia. But today, it's her first time to travel alone, or as an unaccompanied minor.

I wasn't worried at all, neither was my little brave girl. In fact, she's really excited & wouldn't let go of her heavy backpack. At the check-in counter of Philippine Airlines, we were greeted by a friendly staff. The man next to us even offered to travel with Selena or to look after her on the plane. I was glad although she was already classified as an unaccompanied minor.

They let me stay before the terminal fee counter as a PAL staff ushered her to the boarding area. I felt mixed emotions. I was sad to let go off her, but I was also excited for her to go to school. She's been looking forward to it.

I stayed there until the flight time (ETD 1145 hrs) & until they confirmed that she's already seated and okay. I only waited for an hour until she reached Manila. My mom called me right away as soon as she saw Selena and I know that she has missed her beloved granddaughter. Selena's now safe with her... she's always been.

Selena to Manila

We are on the way to the Mactan International Airport now to send off Selena. Vacation is over. She's going back to Manila, school is starting on Tuesday. She will be travelling alone - for the first time. Our villa will be quiet again... :-(

Peng You Lyrics

Listen to Selena's 1st Recording "Peng You" (right-click to download)

::::::::LYRICS::::::::
with translation in English

Sa lahat ng luha, lagi kang may kasama
Through all the tears, somebody's always with you
Sa gitna ng ulan, karamay mo ako, kaibigan
Through the rain, I'm always there for you, friend
Tatahakin mong daan, di kita iiwan
On the road you're taking, I won't ever leave you
Di ka na mag-iisa, kaibigan
You are never alone, friend.

Chorus:
Peng you yi shen yi qi zou
Friends will always be with you
Na xie re zhi bu zhai you
These days are no longer here
Ating pagkakaibigan
Our friendship
Di magbabago kailanman
Will never change forevermore.

Peng you bu chang gu tan gou
Friend, we all have been lonely
Yi shen peng you ni hu dong
You will learn that our friendship will last
Kahit na magkalayo
Even when we're apart
Nandito ka sa king puso
You're always in my heart.

(Instrumental)
(Repeat All)
(Repeat Chorus 2x)

Yi ju hua, yi bei zhi

One word, one lifetime
Magkaibigan, kahit kailan
We'll be friends, forevermore.

Princessette's 1st recording

Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition has already come to its end last week. And everyone is still in a state of LSS - Last Song Syndrome. If you've been following the hit reality show, you might have been familiar with the Big Teen Winner Kim Chiu's friendship song called "Peng You" ("Friend"), which was sung by Taiwanese group Peng You (I know there's another version of this song by a Chinese solo artist - forgot his name).

Marlou used to sing this Chinese song a few years ago. And Selena has loved this song since the day she heard it from the show. She even wanted to practise the Chinese version. But the Big Teen Winner recorded this song with the hit acoustic duo, M.Y.M.P., and made a Chi-Galog (Chinese-Tagalog) version of it.

Today is Selena's last day in Cebu, she will be going back to Manila for the school opening. And as we have some cherished moments together this morning, we came up with recording this song. Selena has done an excellent job and you would agree with me, too!

Listen to Selena's 1st recording, Peng You
(right-click to download)
::::PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILIES::::

Video & audio plans

Lots of my friends have been requesting for video and audio clips to be uploaded. On the process, guys. So watch out for it!

PS: Watch out for Selena's recording clips, too!

By the Mactan shore

We went to the hotel early today, about 4:30PM. Marlou had a checkup on his month-long cough/asthma, so Brice and I also went for checkup. I complained about my throat, my voice has always been hoarse. And I was worried about my constant sweating that I might develop pneumonia or something like that. The doctor prescribed us some meds but also asked us to gargle with water and salt.

It was only before 5PM when we finished our checkup, so Brice and I strolled along the wide property of Shangri-La Mactan and along the shore line. We took some photos and we just chilled out by the beach. We went to dinner at 6PM.

I checked out my ShoutOut box on the main page and laughed at what I have read. It looked more like an announcement board to me! Hahaha! But it's fun, so guys, keep sending your messages there.

Lots of updates

I've uploaded some new albums and pics on my PBase galleries:

I've updated my website with the new shout boxes that you can find on the main page & here on my blog corner. Shout Out boxes are for communicating with the site owner and/or visitors. Try it and let me know what you think about it.

Also I have put Word of the Day, In The News and Quotation of the Day on the main page for added learning information (in case you can't get enough of my blabbering).

Comments are very much appreciated so please leave your comments/suggestions. Thanks!

PS: I also have changed my front page pic, if you've noticed... :-)

Testing... 1... 2... 3...

Been having problems connecting to Blogger from my iPAQ since yesterday. I even thought I accidentally have deleted files. And we don't have internet at home right now, they said the server is down. I need to upload some pix as soon as I can. I’m blogging from my iPAQ right now thru GPRS. Lemme try if this will go through...

The Transformation of a Princessette

Today, I have witnessed a transformation that I will be proud forever. My princessette joined a Santacruzan or Flores de Mayo (Flower of May) for the first time. I was really glad that Marlou and I were there to support her, I know it meant so much for her.

Santacruzan is a traditional celebration all over the Philippines during the month of May. Chosen girls and boys from everywhere are being invited to parade on the streets to represent the different beautiful flowers of nature and the real beauty queens. Selena was chosen to represent the national flower of the Philippines, Sampaguita or Jasmine in English.

I woke up early today especially to go back to our house in Talisay to support our one and only princessette. I love preparing for our work everyday, but I was overly excited to make over my mini-me (oops, Daddy doesn't agree with that!). I first did her hair, put it a braded bun on top of her head. I fastened my infamous diamond hair accessory to make it look like a crown. I don't like her to wear the usual crown because I know most of the girls would be wearing almost the kind during the parade. She absolutely loved every minute of it, always asking me what's next. We of course had playtime in between and after, but I constantly reminded her not to sweat too much. I also made sure to just accentuate her beautiful face rather than changing it, using mostly pink & orange colors.

10 minutes before we left the house, time to wear her beautiful attire. It's an orange ball gown with a long train and a sexy back. She chose this by herself, very good taste! She looked soooo magically glamorous. It was something I wouldn't forget, how I was awestricken just by looking at my very own daughter. There she was, my playful and sweet baby, turned into a very beautiful young girl!

When we got to the starting point, we realized that tha parade has already moved and that we were a bit late. I was dragging my princessette carefully while Marlou carried the traditional arch or canopy, while the rest (Marlou's brother & family) tried to catch up on us. Almost halfway through the parade, it was me and Marlou who carried the arch/canopy! It was a rather funny situation for us because I have never carried an arch/canopy, ever in my life. So it was an overwhelming experience for us. But we passed it eventually to Marlou's sister-in-law and niece while Marlou and I took videos/photos. Of course, it's one big event we couldn't afford to miss among our photogprahic souvenirs.

The parade lasted for almost an hour. The parade was led by a marching band, angels, Flowers of May and the May queens. It led to the local parish Sto.Nino Church in Mohon, Talisay City. It was such a coincidence when it started drizzling just after the parade. My princessette was so hungry that she ate pandesals while hearing the mass.

We left for work (yes, it's still a working night!) at 6PM, brought along the wonderful memories of one of the greatest moments in our lives. Watch out for the beautiful photos on my PBase gallery!

Support for Santacruzan

We're on the way to Talisay to support Selena's 1st Flores De Mayo, or in English it's called Flowers of May. She was one of 4 chosen girls in our subdivision to go to the parade. Beautiful girls and young ladies will parade on the street as the assigned flower to them in their glamorous gowns and dresses to mark the tradition. Selena will represent the national flower of the Philippines, Sampaguita. She will be wearing an orange ball gown though, because we couldn't find a white gown. But her orange gown is so glamorous that I even want to make a gown like that! Watch out for the photos!

Flores De Mayo

Stop and smell the roses. During the month of May, in the tropical islands of the Philippines (where my roots are), we don't have to stop -- the fragrance of flowers floats in the air.

When the rains begin to pour after a long dry spell, flowers magically bloom overnight. And being predominantly Catholic, the Filipinos celebrate the beneficial rains by giving praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The townfolk gather the colorful flowers to decorate the Parish Church altars and aisles. They bundle the blooms in exotic arrangements for the many different festivities all together referred to as the "Flores De Mayo" (Flowers of May).

Many towns celebrate Flores De Mayo with the community congregating in the afternoons to pray the rosary, offer flowers to the Virgin Mary, and share homemade delicacies and snacks. Children and adults wearing their Sunday best, sing and dance to welcome the rains that will water the new crops.

In many parishes, these afternoon festivities culminate in an elaborate procession to the Church where an evening mass is celebrated. The procession is called "Santacruzan" (Festival of the Holy Cross), a commemoration of the finding of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem by Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great.

The townfolk choose pretty young ladies to represent the various characters of the commemoration: the "Accolades of Our Lady". Each one is dressed in an exquisite, colorful gown, looking as regal as the Reina (Queen) she portrays. Reina Fe (Faith), Reina Esperanza (Hope), Reina Caridad (Charity), Reina Mora (Muslim), Reina Banderada (Flag), and Reina Justicia (Justice) walk with their consorts under hand-carried bamboo arches decked with color-themed native flowers.

The highlight of the procession is the magestic Reina Elena (Queen Helena) who walks with her consort, Prinsipe Constantino, under a huge canopy of May flowers. Immediately behind her is a float carrying the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, followed by a brass band that lends the festive sounds to the procession.

As the pageant moves along the streets, devotees holding lit candles follow, and join in the rosary, novena, and songs of praise. Oftentimes, after the evening Mass, the town Mayor hosts a dinner party to cap the celebrations.

This Filipino tradition ("The Queen of May Festivities"), introduced by the Spanish conquerors, is more than 100 years old and lives on even in Europe and America. Filipino Communities and Associations all over the world celebrate the Santacruzan with the same pageantry and glamor as the townfolk in their homeland.

In the month of May, Filipinos don't need to stop to smell the flowers. The fragrance of sampaguitas (Philippines' National Flower), kalachuchis, roses and other blooms, floats in the air.

Source: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/TAGALOG/Cynthia/festivals/flores_de_mayo_at_santacruzan.htm

What is Santacruzan & Flores De Mayo?

Flores, from Spanish flores or "flowers," also known as Flores de Mayo (flowers of May), Flores de Maria (flowers of Mary) or alay (offering), may refer to the whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in honor of the Virgin Mary .

In the Tagalog region, this custom and celebration started after the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 and after the publication circa 1867 of Mariano Sevilla's translation of the devotional Flores de Maria or Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ay Inihahandog nang manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (The Flowers of Mary or the Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations During the Whole Month of May are Offered by Devotees to Mary the Holiest). (http://www.filipino.com.au/categ/culture/floresdemayo.htm)

A Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pagent held in many cities, towns and even smll villages throughout the Philippines during the month of May. One of the most colorful May-time festivals in the Philippines which depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. Many movie and television personalities participate in the events and are featured as major sagalas and escorts. (http://www.intas-travel.com/incentives/fiesta_floresdemayo.html)

The festivity commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena (Reina Elena) and her son, the newly converted emperor Constantine. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to rome, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.

Nine days of prayer (a novena) in honor of the Holy Cross precedes the Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan. This festival was introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love and romance.

This colorful pageant parade is arranged in this order:

1. Methuselah - he is bearded, bent with age, riding a cart looking preoccupied with toasting some grains of sand in a pan over a fire. This is a reminder that all that glitters will end up as dust like what he
is toasting.

2. Reyna Banderada - a young lady dressed in a long red gown carrying a yellow triangular flag. She represents the coming of Christianity.

3. Aetas - represent the state of the country before the coming of Christianity. These are the unconverted Filipino pagans.

4. Reyna Mora - represents the dominant religion before Christianity (feminine of Moro from the Moslem religion).

5. Reyna Fe - symbolizes the virtue of faith - the first of the theological virtues. She carries a cross.

6. Reyna Esperanza - symbolizes the virtue of hope - the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor.

7. Reyna Caridad - symbolizes the virtue of charity - the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart.

8. Reyna Abogada - the defender of the poor and the oppressed. She wears a black graduation cap (toga) and gown and she carries a big book.

9. Reyna Sentenciada - has her slim hands bound by a rope. She is the symbol of the innocents who have been convicted. She is accompanied by two Roman soldiers.

10. Reyna Justicia - a personification of the "mirror of justice". She carries a weighing scale and a sword.

11. Reyna Judith - representing Judith of Pethulia who saved her city from the Assyrians after she beheaded the cruel holoferns. She carries the head of the beheaded man on one hand and a sword on the other.

12. Reyna Sheba - who visited the famed King Solomon and was overwhelmed by his wisdom, power and richess. She carries a jewelry box.

13. Reyna Esther - the biblical Jewish who spared her countrymen from death and destruction through timely intervention with the King Xerxes. She carries a scepter.

14. Samaritana - the woman who Christ spoke to at the well. She carries a jug on her shoulder.

15. Veronica - the woman who wiped the face of Jesus. She carries a bandana imprinted with the three faces of Jesus.

16. Tres Marias: Mary of Magdala - she carries a bottle of perfume; Mary, Mother of Christ - she carries a handkerchief; Mary, mother of James - she carries a bottle of oil.

17. Marian - celebrating the many titles of the Virgin Mary.

a. A-v-e--M-a-r-i-a -- represented by eight (8) girls all Wearing long white dressess with wings to make them look like angels. Each one carries a letter to complete the word "AVE MARIA."

b. Divina pastora (Divine Shepherdess) - she carries a shepherdess' staff.

c. Reyna de las Estrellas (Queen of Stars) - she carries a wand with a star.

d. Rosa Mystica - she carries a bouquet of roses.

e. Reyna Paz (queen of peace) - she carries the symbol of peace.

f. Reyna de las Propetas - she carries a hour glass.

g. Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) she carries a flower. She has two (2) angels.

h. Reyna de las Virgines - she carries a rosary and is surrounded by two (2) little angels.

i. Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) - she carries a bouquet of flowers.

18. Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) - the legendary founder of the true Cross, represented by the small cross she carries. She is escorted by her son, Constantine.

The procession is followed by the steady beat of rondalla, playing and singing "Dios Te Salve". The devotees walking with the procession hold lighted candles in their hands and singing the prayer.

After the procession there is a pabitin that serves as a culminating activity for all the children to enjoy. Pabitin is a square trellis where goodies (candies, fruits, etc.) are hung by strings. This trellis in turn is tied to a rope and is suspended on a strong branch or pole. The children gather under the trellis and they jump as high as they can to try to pick the goodies as the trellis gets lowered to them while someone pulls it up and down repeatedly until the goodies are gone.

For the Santacruzan to be more exciting, the chosen Reina Elena is kept a secret until the day of the parade to surprise the people.

It is requested that male members attending the Santacruzan wear Barong Tagalog and the women wear any Filipino costumes, if available.

It's June!

Yes it is. That means we've been away from Kuala Lumpur for 2 months now, I had my surgery 7 weeks ago, and been working very hard for a month now. I have gained and lost weight. I have met lots of new friends from different places, fields and of different kinds. Best of all, I'm doing all these and getting paid for it! What a life!