my side of the tapestry

A 'Till Death Do Us Part' Affair at St. James Parish in Ayala Alabang

2012-02-28T19:30:00.009+08:00

The St. James the Great Parish Church inside the plush Ayala Alabang Village

Mamma Mia! : The Perfect Valentine Date Night

2012-02-15T20:56:00.021+08:00

With Valentine’s Day 2012 fast approaching, Terence and I thought that spending pre-valentine moments by having a good time together in a theatre might offer a unique, ritzy effect to the occasion. And what better thing to do than watching a musical stage play. So, off we went to catch the play Mamma Mia! on its final extended run last Friday evening, February 10.

The full- length musical showcased the songs of the acclaimed Swedish Group ABBA which certainly have had a profound influence on us who are music lovers. We’re regaled with one hit after another of the group's excellent, chirpy and memorable music: ” I Have A Dream," " Honey, Honey," " Money, Money, Money," " Thank You for the Music," " Mamma Mia," "Chiquitita," " Super “Trouper," “Gimme!Gimme!," “Knowing Me, Knowing You," “Take a Chance On Me," ” Dancing Queen," “Waterloo, ” and more.

Beyond doubt, Mamma Mia! has put forward an up-beat show that sent me and my hubby swooning at the intros to familiar 70’s songs . ABBA’s music created visceral responses among the audience like feet-tapping, clapping or head-nodding. The songs have overwhelmed us – we all knew the lyrics by heart , we all clapped, raised our hands and moved our bodies to the beat.

The show may be a no sweat theatre piece in comparison to the previous musicals we have seen and watched - nothing really spectacular sets , fantastic special effects or vocal belting but it’s zestful, colourful, glittery and fascinationg. In particular, the finale number has driven the jubilant crowd to come forward dancing and swaying on the floor as their expression of approval.The stirring rendition of the song “Dancing Queen” – a fitting piece to wrap up the 2 ½ hour show brought the house down and stimulated the enthusiastic theatregoers to sing along and dance while giving the entire cast a rousing standing ovation. The cast’s final performance left everyone turned on to the music and put the crowd to strike a chord of collective nostalgia and recount the memories of the resurgence of ABBA performances some decades ago.

Of course, we didn't really mind if the admission ticket was a bit pricey as long as we're getting a load of ABBA songs and having a good time with the cast’s dazzling performance . Mamma Mia! is truly world- class entertainment - a real musical play marvel that deserved our plaudits and BRAVOES!!! It was worth a buck.

Indeed, we had a whale of a time and such a perfect pre-valentine date night. Like the rest, the ABBA songs got inextricably stuck in our heads - still running through our minds even as we all headed for home.

We had the time of our lives.And to ABBA – Thank you for the music .

Our 26th Wedding Anniversary

2012-01-21T18:49:00.014+08:00

On January 18, my husband Terence and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. This was yet another testament to God’s faithfulness to both our lives and our children’s.

We have looked at each additional marital year as a pure gift of God's love for us . By His grace we have dealt with trials and family life challenges like champions .We have had our share of problems in spades; we may have contrasting personalities yet we complemented the strengths and weaknesses of each other so that both of us have emerged as better husband and wife throughout the different stages of our marital relationship . We can see clearly that God is with us and that His will for us is to be together through thick and thin. We don’t hold the future in our hands. We cannot see where our path will lead but He will give us what we need to face that future.

I love my husband and I thank him for the gift of his love.
Here’s to a lifetime more blessings and joyful years of CFC-GK service together !

Wine, Cheese and Good Friends

2012-01-07T16:32:00.013+08:00

On January 3, Dr. Vic and his gorgeous wife Babsi hosted a "cheese and wine" evening at their charming house in BF Homes , QC . The coming together was more than just eating cheese and drinking fine wines – it was a fellowship of people who have stuck together through the years and bonded with each other beyond common interest, common goals , or common histories. What happened that night shaped a large part of personal updates and memories about joy in serving . Mostly, we reminisced about the many out of town services we did under Jun & Angie then our passionate household leaders. We created beautiful memories that reminded us about spiritual companionship and camaraderie we shared with each other as laborers in the Lord’s vineyard . We remembered them with delight and gratitude . This special moment stood out as vivid reminder of the good, old days in community.

Also, that night we learned something new about matching cheese and wine .Dr. Vic ( a renowned London trained Psychiatrist who has a passion for fine wine and good cheese ) took time to share and talk lengthily about the harmony existing between the two. According to him, both have a great deal in common. They should have similar intensities. There should always be a balance - cheese should be paired with similar wine and delicate cheese should be paired with lighter wine.

Undeniably, the affair was one opportunity to acknowledge the value of maintaining and strengthening ties . Like wine and cheese that exist in harmony, our relationship with one another can be compared to the friendship between the wine and cheese- sparkling, spirited and steadfast.

As for the delectable cheeses, fine wines and the wide variety of tasty finger foods and snacks, everyone enjoyed the night immensely.

Cheers to friendship ! Cheers to a lasting commitment to do God's service- be it great or be it small !

New Year 2012 Family Celebration at Eastwood

2012-01-02T20:11:00.011+08:00

The New Year’s Eve bash at Eastwood was another memorable opportunity for the Grana family along with the rest of the Ruales brood and their respective families to bid goodbye to year 2011 and welcome the start of 2012 .It was not only an occasion of thanksgiving but also a time to spend special bonding moments together with each other - something that makes us united, stronger and tightly knit to help us survive life’s challenges.Every family gathering is beyond laughter and pleasure-it always provide the venue whereby we go through heartrending relationships that would last forever and keep us rising above the contradictions of life. We call it family ties. It is deep - rooted that we can’t wait to bond some more.

We attended the New Year’s eve Eucharistic Mass at the Holy Family Church to thank God for all His favors in the past year and to implore His blessings for the new one.Then we proceeded straight to Choi Palace situated on the 3rd floor of the Eastwood Mall to enjoy each other's company while trying to satisfy our cravings for chinese cuisine ( compulsion or choice … food enthusiasts or fanatics ? I really don’t know . From there we had a the spectacular view of the festive Filipino version of the New Year countdown in Times Square in New York.

The Eastwood Style of New Year’s countdown : When the electonic clock struck twelve ,the pyrotechnics exploded and confetti rained down on Eastwood Mall Open Park as everyone waved their celebration hats and blasted and played their peacock and tooting horns and other noise makers . Certainly, it was and dt Manila’s answer to New York’s Times Square Countdown- but instead of the traditional ball dropping in a Times Square NY setting , a lighted star slowly dropped from the upper most portion of a building located right at the back of the concert stage as the last 60 seconds countdown commenced . Few hours prior to the countdown we were primed in for the big New Year’s Eve Star drop with live performance and music by Gary Valenciano, Billy Crawford ,The Dawn and others.

The 15- minute pyrotechnic display has brilliantly illuminated the sky above the Eastwood Mall Open Park. Bursts of custom-mixed colors glittered in the night sky which I would guess were computer-controlled and synchronized with the other special effects set up on the roof-top of a nearby building. The crowd went wild and excited and another year was ushered in.

Amid the revelry, our hearts went for the victims of tropical storm Sendong that left hundreds dead in Northern Mindanao. We contiued to pray for all those who were affected by the calamity and pledged to support the rehabilitation projects that will give them hope to get back on their feet.

A blessed and hopeful New Year 2012 to all !

Family Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T10:00:00.009+08:00

Pre-Christmas Getaway at Club Punta Fuego

2011-12-16T21:51:00.010+08:00

On December 6, my hubby Terence and I went off to Club Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas, for an overnight junket. Terence just came back from a month-long ( job related ) trip to New Delhi, India and we thought this was a perfect occasion to go on a pre-Christmas weekday getaway to make up for the lost time….million thanks to our big-hearted, true -blue friends R & E who made it happened.

Really, Club Punta Fuego is too good a destination for R & R. We stayed at the Casita Seaview which was specifically booked for us. The furnished room was simply spacious and dainty. It opens out onto a balcony with table and lounge chairs set that provides a panorama of the South China Sea and awe-inspiring view of the sunset and landscape of the Punta Fuego Peninsula.. And wow ! it has an impressive T & B that features an all-mirrored sliding wall ( floor to the ceiling) on one side and the other side opens into a mini pebble garden. Of course, we made sure that the wall outside is high enough to give us peace of mind that no one would dare climb it and look pryingly to see us in a state of glory ! The intrinsic beauty of the surrounding scenery ; the magnificent sunset , the beach and infinity- edged pool ambience have taken our breath away. How we wish we could stay a little longer.

Here are some selectel pictures out of loads of shots taken using Nikon SLR D60 and Nikon CoolPix Digital Cameras.

Glimpse of Fabulous Las Vegas

2011-09-03T22:40:00.008+08:00

The 5 1/2 hour road trip from LA to Las Vegas was exciting. We drove off to the Entertainment Capital of the World “ with my sister and my very good friend Joy T as our daring and gutsy driver ! Truly, Vegas is a city in the middle of a desert that depicts pizazz and extravagance. As we made the entrance into the city aboard Joy's brand-new white Toyota Corolla Sedan, we caught site of an awesome cityscape and dramatic architecture. As we cruised the stretch of Las Vegas Blvd at night, I could only marvel the frenzied neon mirage everywhere. Las Vegas Blvd which is approximately 6 km. long stretch ( better known as The Strip ) is where all the action is. Walking on foot along The Strip to explore hotels and casinos was quite overwhelming.
And I must admit the stroll might be fascinating yet a bit exhausting for one nearing his/her senior years... a single night stroll is not ample to go through all the major hotels on The Strip to watch and appreciate the crowd drawing night spectacles .Undoubtedly, the night shows , the thousand-watt blinking neon lights lining the huge signages and billboards, swarm of tourists and holidaymakers including the food can stimulate some kind of electricity in the air . Also, the attractions put up by these establishments and all the night life activities are really outstanding and will never fail to amaze one who seeks fleeting pleasures.

The trip was not only fabulous as I got to meet up with long lost high school classmates who were gracious to accommodate me and company into their charming homes and invest time,energy ,utilities and other costs to make our Vegas visit truly special.

Getting Older ,Wiser and At Ease

2011-08-16T18:24:00.011+08:00

I always look forward to birthdays because I get perks and exhaustively get pampered for a day with nice stuffs and gratifying messages making my red- letter day all the more heartwarming , meaningful and special as well. Definitely, these are signs of my family’s and friends’ joy that I am part of their lives.

Yes, I just turned 57 last August 09 and together with my beloved husband and children quietly celebrated life as an opportunity to thank God for being alive and in the pink of health. And I want to thank everyone – family, relatives, friends, schoolmates, colleagues in the medical field, Couples for Christ and Gawad Kalinga brethren and APO/KAPPA brothers and sisters who have conveyed kind and generous wishes and messages through emails, FB, phone calls sent gifts and whatever for my birthday .

So, I have reached another milestone. I‘m excited as I move into a new threshold of my temporal existence. Allow me to share some of my personal insights about "getting older and wiser " :

Birthdays keep me childlike - a cause for a celebration and gratitude.These remind me that what is important is not what I do or accomplish, not what I have or who I know, but that I am , here and now.

I’m thankful that God has given me the best gift anyone can hope for : my precious family and friends who see beyond my imperfections and wish only the best for me.

I’m thankful for all the people around me who encourage my merits as well as accept me for what I am even if I failed to acknowledge their goodness and kindness .Thank you all for all the good times.

I’m thankful for my faults and shortcomings . These have enriched me and taught me how to strive harder.
I’m thankful for my trials and tribulations that could be very daunting yet challenging. Throughout my life I've done my share to endure the life-changing personal difficulties that left me breathless.

I’m thankful God allowed me to go through tremendously difficult times. I tried to go with the flow and believed that every cloud has a silver lining . I have done my best to be patient and persevering. It's during these times that I grow and mature. Life is half spent before we know what it is and who we are.

I‘m thankful for the wisdom God has granted me - to be able to fathom that abundance is not what we gather but what we scatter ; not what we keep but what we give away; not what we hold but what we share.Life has its seasons and seasons change. I learned to trust God that He will make all things work out eventually for my good. It’s just a matter of time.

I’m thankful for my family ( immediate and extended as well) for their staunch support and understanding whenever I failed to demonstrate how much I love and appreciate them for touching my life and being a segment of their lives, too.

I’m thankful I don’t have everything I desire because if I did what would there be to look forward to?. Life is a long lesson in humility.

I'm thankful for all for all the birthday messages and greetings sent by everyone, from everywhere. The gestures have touched me incredibly - the thoughtfulness knows no bounds and my appreciation is ever growing.

My 57 years of earthly life may not be a bed of roses. But one thing for sure, I have much more than I need to be contented and fulfilled ; to have risen beyond the contradictions of life .

To reiterate, I'm grateful for the gift of life. And I can proudly say, I’m fortunate and blessed .

And "I'm not getting old... just getting wiser!"

A Visit To The Big Apple

2011-07-27T18:46:00.014+08:00

New York is one of the world’s most lively and vibrant metropolis . It’s a busy and tough place to live – it can drive you crazy with its expensive cost of living, Nonetheless, as a tourist there is so much to see and do . To catch glimpses of Broadway, Times Square, Central Park, Grand Central, Central park, Chinatown , Little Italy, Rockyfeller Center,Empire Estate and Chrysller Bldgs,. Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty, bridges like George Washington,Brooklyn and other tourist spots and attractions are quite overwhelming.

Indeed , it’s the “ city that doesn’t sleep”.

Lower Manhattan skyine panorama

Yellow cabs in New York

getting a taste of NYC with Katz's Delicatessen. We feasted on its signature hand-sliced pastrami and other delectable sandwiches courtesy of our gracious host Baby G

Grand Central at night

The George Washington Bridge (known informally as the GW Bridge.It is a suspension bridge spanning the Hudson River connecting Manhattan to New Jersey The bridge has two levels – and here in the pic we are traversing the upper level heading for Manhattan.

Sailboats seen in the Lower Hudson River as seen from Manhattan's Upper West Side

at the lobby of The Plaza

Times Square at night

In the background is Manhattan cityscape - a truly wonderful sight from the Ferry Boat heading to Ellis and Liberty Islands

aboard the Ferry Boat heading to Ellis Island. In the background in the Manhattan Cityescape

pose across Central Park main entrance

Outside Minskoff Theatre in Broadway - the heart of American Theatre Industry.

The museum exhibits chronicle Ellis Island's role in immigration history and view it in the context of its time and the still broader context of four centuries of immigration to America.

The Statue of Liberty's face.This is a replica of the statue's face, seen here as part of the exhibit in one of the corridors of the

Statue's base.

This is a replica of the statue's foot, seen here as part of the exhibit in one of the corridors of the Statue's base

The Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) wall pic. The statue has become an icon of freedom and of the United States.

The Splendor of San Francisco

2011-07-23T12:43:00.042+08:00

The world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge - one of the world's greatest suspension bridges. It's simply amazing !

I have been longing for a San Francisco( SFO) trip to see the celebrated Golden Gate Bridge and what the city is really like .The chance cropped up when my sister and sister-in-law proposed to squeeze SFO visit in our very tight US-West Coast travel itinerary. We cut short our LA stay and off we went via air before heading to Las Vegas and New York. Gee whiz! some things were just meant to be.
My fondness for LA took a backseat ( my apology to my relatives and friends in LA) the minute I set foot in San Francisco .The city’s landmarks, streets, bays and bridges were astonishing. San Francisco has a remarkable cityscape and the weather - oh it’s near perfect ! We had two bright and breezy days of clear skies that enabled us to explore the city proper, car ride across Golden Gate Bridge , enjoy good food at Pier 39 , shop at Gilroy Outlet , visit Pebble Beach and go around 17 mile Drive in Monterey.

We had a whale of a time . We journeyed. We learned. We discovered . We shopped. We dined. We connected with gracious, humble people like the couple Boyet and Ruby who welcomed us into their charming home in Livermore and willingly allowed us to encroached into their intimate family circle. In other words, we were fascinated and fell in love with San Francisco – the city by the bay.

We wish we could have had a longer stay !

with my sister Marilou

The Golden Gate Bridge is the most iconic landmark in San Francisco

South Tower seen from the car as we cruise along the Golden Gate Bridge towards Marin County

Our visit to SFO was just the right time of the year to see the spectacular GG bridge and to get great pictures

Golden Gate Bridge viewed from Marin County

View of Golden Gate Bridge from Marin Headlands

Fascinating sight of The Palace of Fine Arts and its adjacent lagoon in Marina District, San Francisco

Sea Lions Chilling at the Wharf

The Famous zigzag road at Lombard Street

the monument behind us is located in the middle of the Union Square at Downtown San Franscisco . The lower part of the post reads : dedicated to the brave soldier who fought at the Manila Bay, Philippines during the World War II

Standing at Point Joe : The rocks and currents around this area are a treacherous beauty as there have been numerous shipwrecks in the past near here.

Me and my sister Marilou posing in between the China Rock .One could hear the sound of waves crashing on the rocky shoreline and smell the air carried in from the sea .

Enjoying lunch at the Stillwater Bar & Grill at The Lodge , Pebble Beach,Ca.
Fr L -R : Thel, Marilou, Badette, Ruby and Boyet

In the background is The Lodge at Pebble Beach ,California

Part of the Montery Bay as viewed from the Stillwater Bar & Grill at The Lodge at Pebble Beach.
This is Famous 18th Hole of the Pebble Beach Golf course in Monterey,California

The Lone Cypress- Its a Cypress tree all on its own at the edge of a cliff.

Pose infront of The Ghost Tree- a bleached white Monterey Cypress that appears statuesque .This is one of the tourist attractions on the 17 Mile Drive

Touching a Chord of Nostalgia with McCoo & Davis's Live Performance

2011-07-14T20:25:00.018+08:00

Fr L-R: Terence and me, Chona and Gerry

When my hubby Terence and I learned that one of our all time favorite music groups is coming to town to do a live performance - we didn’t think twice about buying the high-priced tickets to the concert billed as "Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis,Jr. Live in Manila. " We went to watch the much anticipated show at the Big Dome last July 7. Along with us for the trip down memory lane were our good friends Gerry and Chona who graciously treated us to a dinner of classic Chinese cuisine at Gloria Maris prior to the show. This put the four of us in the same place to strike chord of collective nostalgia and recount the pleasurable soul memories of the resurgence of the 5th Dimension quintet some decades ago.

We were enthralled and blown away by the duo’s opening song "Up, Up And Away” and got entrapped in the sing-along outburst of the audience ( who for sure are Baby Boomers like us ). I would say, Marilyn McCoo still has the marvelous vocal range and power. Her vocal elegance remained remarkable and still looked slinky and graceful despite being in her mid 60s. On the other hand, I deduced Billy is in his early 70s with streaks of gray hair who displayed snail-paced moves but still sounded neat and vibrant. They rendered a number of original songs by the 5th Dimension like “Wedding Bells Blues “ and “Stoned Soul Picnic”. Marilyn’s rendition of the torch songs “If I Could Reach You” and the Burt Bacharach classic “ One Less Bell to Answer “ were definitely legendary. This is what music is supposed to be that we could listen over and over again. However, songs like “Working On A Groovy Thing”,"Ashes to Ashes"," The Two of Us "," Living Together,Growing Together" ,“Saving All My Love”,and “California Soul” to name a few were not included in their choice of repertoire - a real letdown for me. Of course, they also performed a myriad of non-5th Dimension songs.

Marilyn and Billy attempted to finish the show with the Broadway musical classic Hair song“ Aquarius/ Let The Sunshine In," that stirred the frenzied crowd to sing along while giving them standing ovation. The song left an emotionally touched audience to demand for an encore.The duo unleashed a stirring rendition of the song “How Do You Keep The Music Playing” – a fitting piece to close the 2-hour show. It held everyone spell-bound. How we wished they had the same vigor and energy just like in the good old days when they performed and sang loads of songs to the obvious satisfaction of the crowd.

Nevertheless, the concert showcased the old -fashioned yet marvelous vocal talents and style of the acclaimed duo as they sang their greatest hits and musical acts as former members of the celebrated 5th Dimension and as today’s solo performers. There’s no doubting that the charm of their music genre is loved by most Baby Boomers . It never fails to captivate and bring most if not all of these people to cloud nine – and caused especially me to burst into tears !

Aside from the superb performance by the duo, what struck us about them was their unwavering commitment to each other as husband and wife ; how they have maintained the marital bond over the years - an awe- inspiring achievement in the entertainment industry where longevity in marriage can be scarce and multitudes of marriages in our society end in divorce and separation.They have been married for 42 years and will be celebrating their wedding anniversary later this month. Here's a couple who acknowledges God as the center of their marriage and for them the music never ends.

The dazzling performance of the former 5th Dimension stars is worth every buck! Indeed, Marilyn and Billy were such a real musical marvel who deserved the crowd's BRAVOES and SALVOS !

My Trip to Historic Philadelphia

2011-07-03T15:45:00.054+08:00

When one is a first-time Philadelphia sightseer he/she has to carry out the five top must-dos : visit Independence Hall and National Historical Park, take a peek at the Liberty Bell , explore the Philadelphia Museums, make a tour around Hershey's Chocolate World and feast on the famous Philly cheese steak.

behind me is the Independence Hall - a U.S. national landmark .It is a red brick building built between 1932 and 1953 known primarily as the location where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted.

The Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most prominent symbols of the American Revolutionary War. It is a familiar symbol of independence within the United States and has been described as an icon of liberty and justice.It has an inscription on it that reads as follows:" Proclaim LIBERTY throughout allthe Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof. " The Independence Hall is seen in the background

At the farthest right is my sister Marilou (in a green and black stripes) queuing up at Pat's Steak corner to grab the famous Philly Steak

Philadelphia Landmarks : Pat's and Geno's Steaks are two South Philly Icons. We're brought to Pat's King of Steak located just across the street and feasted the famous Philly food - it was great !

My sister Marilou displays the famous Cheesesteak at Pat's King of Steak .This is the food Philly is known for

Presenting the famous, delectable Philly cheesesteak up close - the sandwich made from thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll. It has its roots in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania .Of course, if one is a healthy food buff , this is not a healthy eat indeed but this is just so darn good - this is a Philly Cheesesteak that one can't resist to take a bite. My only dismay: the food outlet doesn't serve COKE !

in the middle of the Philadelphia National Historical Park

Marilou and Badette

Pose with a character dressed up like Revolutionary war symbol at Independence Visitor Center

   Pose at the top most step leading to thePhiladelphia Museum of Art . Philadelphia skyline is in the
           background

The bronze statue of Rocky situated just northeast of the steps infront of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

with my sister Marilou and Sis-in-law Badette

pic taken at a gazebo located at the back of the Philadelphia Museum of Art overlooking the banks of the

Schuylkill River

Water Works along the banks of the Schuylkill River as viewed from the back area of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

outside Dr.Vic Grana's house and beside a white Cadillac Escalade truck

infront of a Maple Tree leading to the entrance of Dr. Grana's house

with my nephew Lee

at the beautiful and cozy home of Dr. Vic and Auring Grana in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylavia

Infront of the Main Entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The building's facade is a classical Greek style, typically surmounting a portico of columns.

The triangular upper part of the the building front is adorned with sculptures depicting Greek gods and goddesses

Aboard the HERSHEY'S GREAT AMERICAN CHOCOLATE TOUR Ride with Marilou,Badette and our gracious hosts my nephews Herb and Lee. This is a free 10-min dark ride tour showing a simulation of the chocolate making process. The tour concludes with a free sample of a yummy Hershey's product !

About to ride the Hershey Trolley Works - the fern green, old-fashioned trolley with singing conductors. The entertaining 60- minute round-trip tour of Hershey compound that points out historical and cultural observations along the way

enjoying the company of my Fil-Am nephews Lee and Herb at the Hershey's food court

The Commemoration of Mom's 1st Death Anniversary: A Celebration of Life

2011-06-28T21:06:00.021+08:00

When relatives and friends who have tirelessly shown their love and affection for a dear departed once more gathered together to hold a memorial celebration of her first death anniversary and remember her as she was … alive and vibrant then it must be a special day and she must be a very special person.

June 19 marked the 1^st anniversary of our Mom’s demise. She was 87 years old and has lived a robust and active life almost until the end. We the surviving siblings and the rest of the family members found ourselves looking back the details of her unexpected medical condition leading up to that fateful day. We felt off-stride and overcame by sadness. We're all thinking the same thing : one year ago we were celebrating Mom’s 87th birthday right here at this very same clubhouse or one year ago a week from today we learned of her devastating neurological condition that left us in a deep sense of shock. With such thoughts we shall overcome again by intense, painful grief that we thought was over. At times it probably seemed like forever since we last saw, embraced, touched and talked to that special person – our Mom. On the other hand, it seemed like only yesterday. We may be dreading the first anniversary and so anxious for today to turn up knowing that we have been able to make it this far. Whatever our anticipation, today will certainly be one with a flood of memories. Although it brings to mind the sorrow of our dear Mother’s passing but it is also an opportunity to revisit some wonderful memories of her.

We have faced many challenges in coping with the impact of the loss of a beloved family member. This is a good time to see how far we have come – where we are now – and where we would like to go from here:

We have come to recognize that God in His goodness has filled us with peace and hope that
enabled us to go through these extremely difficult times in our lives.

We have come to recognize that grief is a process with no particular timetable. Each person
      goes through this process at his or her own pace. And when we think back over the past 12
      months we realize we have come a long way.
We have come to recognize that our loss has caused us to look at ourselves and our lives
      differently.

Indeed, grief does not end with the first anniversary, hopefully we can assert that we have learned a number of teachings this past one year:

We have come to learn never, never take for granted the gift of life.

We have come to learn that we can never make up the lost time. We have realized that we
       have to make every minute count, fix broken relationships, and never forget that it’s always
       the little thoughtful things that matter to the people we love. We only get one chance to
     use those boxes of time as they pass us by. We need to make the most of every moment
     because we don’t get a second chance ever again. Life is too short to leave kind
      words unsaid.

We have come to learn that the tears in our eyes will eventually run-out and the memories which
hurt so much can become a healing bridge from the past to the future.

We have come to learn to get used to a life just like the orphans struggling to find joy in
      rebuilding their lives.
We have come to learn to receive and accept the love and support of those around us.
We have come to learn that the pain of loss is transient and the essence of family life is to

remain as one close- knit family that will grow deeper, stronger and livelier. Family must

always stick to each other and lend a helping hand when any of the family member

is facing difficulties in life.

We will keep on thinking upon our parents with fondness .Their love and compassion will

remain with us forever and we will treasure each day the legacy they left behind for us

to pass on to our children and our children's children.

Certainly, our Mom’s first death anniversary is a significant milestone. And today we congratulate ourselves for the notable achievement of coming this far – we can now look ahead to more opportunities and occasions of family activities that will further strengthen family ties and solidarity.

In behalf of my family and siblings, I want to express our sincerest gratitude to all of you who came and joined us including those who confirmed their presence but failed to show up due to inevitable circumstances ( yet who were with us in spirit ) in the commemoration of our Mom’s first death anniversary. Truly, you have brightened up the atmosphere and lifted our moods in one way or another. You have been our refuge in coming to terms with our loss. Being surrounded by people like you was a large part of our Mom’s mortal life. Many of you expressed such beautiful sentiments that we have no trouble figuring out why Mom enjoyed her life here on earth. I’m sure if she could see us now gathered together celebrating life in her memory she would have explicitly expressed her approval and appreciation.

Thank you all for your love, friendship and relationship you shared with our Mom; Thank you for your sympathy and truehearted support you have generously given out to us as we cope with our bereavement. Knowing that you will miss her too, makes our burden a bit easier to bear. All these, meant a great deal to the family. Finally, allow me to quote a passage by Dr. Elizabeth Ross - a distinguished Psychiatrist from Switzerland who has written a book on Death and Dying and I quote:

"People in mourning have to come to grip with death before they can live again. Mourning can go on for years and years. It doesn’t end after a year; that’s a false fantasy. It usually ends when people realize that they can live again, that they can concentrate their energies on their lives as a whole, and not on their hurt, and guilt, and pain."

Celebrating Father's Day 2011

2011-06-26T21:47:00.022+08:00

Nowadays , it is easy to brush aside Father's Day as yet another commercial rip-off and simply the day when enterprising people make a big deal of something we attempt to do each and every day. For our family, it is a special day that cannot be taken for granted and calls for a celebration. Dads are remembered on this day for the contributions they made in our lives and who made a difference in our children’s lives. It is a celebration honoring not only our fathers but the guys in our lives- celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds and their influence in the family and society as well.

On that account, we had a candid family gathering to celebrate Father’s Day last June 19, Sunday. First, we paid a visit to the graves of our Dad, Mom and niece/cousin Golda Mizue at the Holy Cross Memorial Park. It was not only an occasion of prayer and reverent remembrance for our beloved departed but also a time for strengthening family ties and spent moments together. Then, together with our sons Ino, Akim, Mari and Jombo and my brother ( Dr. Allan ) and sister Marilou toasted Terence ( my hubby) at My Thai Kitchen in Eton Centris Walk - a new hangout in Q.C. strategically located at the corner of EDSA and Quezon Avenue. We started with Yam So Oo (Pomelo and shrimp salad), Power Piet Tod Gai (Fried spring roll with chicken and noodle) . We then went on to the main course. We ordered the authentic Thai cuisine of Yang Goong (Shrimps in hot sour soup), plates of Khau Klurk Gapi (Bagoong rice with sweet pork and green mangoes), Gal Yang (Thai style grilled boneless chicken), Pla Krapong Pad Prik (Crispy tilapia with spicy green chili sauce , Hoi Lai Pad Nam Prik Pao (Sauteed clams with chilies and Thai basil), Pad Phak Boong Moo Yang (Grilled pork with kangkong and Cha Yen (Thai iced milk tea). We spent the remaining half of the day enjoying each other's company while trying to satisfy our cravings for peppery foods as we pretty much devoured everything on our plates.We also had fun availing free treats like digital photo ops with a life-size "Transformers Robot" of the " Transformers -The Movie.

It was a gratifying day for all of us - most notably Terence who would always cherish every single bonding moments spent together with his children. He recognizes the importance of being in the lives of his children for him to be in his children’s memories tomorrow.

And I guess in some way or another, every day really is a Father’s Day – a day on which we honor and revere our earthly fathers and the Almighty Father in Heaven.

So on Father's Day and everyday let us honor not just our dads and the fathers to our children but all the men who have made a positive impact on their family's life.

Hail to the fathers !

Summer Thrills in Bohol: Suislide and Plunge

2011-04-27T18:22:00.086+08:00

The fearless young and the not so young members of the Ruales-Grana 'tribe' (with the exception of my sister-in-law Badette and me who have post-spinal cord trauma and acrophobia respectively) dared to experience an outrageous and soaring extreme rides like Suislide and Plunge above a deep canyon, trees and across the Wahig River of Danao, Bohol.

For the adrenaline hunters like them it was an adventure of a lifetime - I say it's thrill-seeking, gutsy and downright crazy ! Their freebies? If they were able to keep their eyes open during the thrill ride, they would have caught a glimpse of God's majestic and breathtaking handiwork. For a moment, watching our husbands and children doing such daring acts was extremely scary and petrifying - it was the most heart stopping scene we've ever seen. They're really that adrenaline junkie to have tried that kind of extreme activity. OMG! We couldn't believe they went through with the plunge - believe you me, the thrill ride is not for the faint of heart !

The Suislide

The Suislide is the local version for zipline - consisting of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an inclined cliff. It has two lines, going forth and back. It traverses the Wahig river at an altitude of 200 meters and 450 meters long.It’s an exciting cross mountain zipline that will definitely shoot one’s adrenaline up in the air.

No Fear Posture : Our sons at the Suislide launching pad getting ready for the extreme ride of a lifetime

The rugged Wahig River landscape below that awaits the adventurous who will brave the scary Suislide and Plunge. This is a stunning view from the launching pad.

The fearlessGRANA-RUALES Family

The True Adrenaline Hunters

Akim : The Adventure Seeker who can't live without his Samsumg mobile phone

Cheerio, here comes Akim on his way to see the breathtaking view from above

The Grana Family patriach is known to be so much petrified with heights but this time he put his scardey-cat feelings aside and tried this extreme sky ride - and yes ! he did survive the zip. Way to go Dad !

Trying to fly like Superman ?

HBR and Gabby : Father and Son Tandem Suislide

Father & Son holding on together as they approach the end of the Suislide Flight

Jombo makes gesture to tame his hidden fears ?... LOL

Jombo is ready to zip down

Ino : Zipline is a pure adrenaline packed fun

Ino is up for the extreme adrenaline rush of a lifetime

Tin and Pat try to loosen themselves up by making faces before the Suislide flight

The Dual Zipline : Tin and Pat

Bombs away !

SUISLIDE VIDEO CLIPS

Video Clip # 1

Video Clip # 2

Video Clip # 3

Video Clip # 4

Video Clip # 5

Video Clip # 6

The Plunge

On the other hand, the Plunge ( Bungee Swing ) is a canyon swing adventure mounted over a 200 meter high and 300 meter wide gorge. A rider would have to do a 70 meters free fall before being launched on a pendulum swing measuring to a hundred meter diameter.One has to literally plunge to an open air. In the duration of the swing, the plunger is treated to the experience of being alone withe nature where about two seconds, he/she will all be defenseless, feel nothing and left all alone.

The zip lining and bungee swing have really generated fun, thrill and action among the thrill seekers in the family – that allowed them to unleash their wild !

And I guess for all the people out there who are planning to come to Bohol and explore their insatiable quest for extreme adventures - then Danao Adventure Park experience is something that they must not definitely miss out.

The ground crews prepare the harness for Mari's safety at the Plunge Launching Pad

The Head First Position - a far more daunting jump

Mari spreads his arms like wings and flies like a bird .....whooooah !

Tin makes the 200 meters free fall toward the rugged Wahig river landscape

Tintin plummets toward the ground before going in a pendulum swing about 100
meters in a diameter above the stunning landscape.

Hugely liberating and utterly terrifying sky ride

PLUNGE VIDEO CLIPS
Watching our son Mari took the daring PLUNGE( head first position) was the most heart-stopping and petrifying sight we've ever seen.We couldn't believe he along with his female cousins ( Tintin and Pat ) went through with the extreme sky ride.And they even got certificates for having survived the challenge ! You did it kiddos!!!

Video Clip # 1: Mari's Plunge

Video Clip # 2: Tintin's Plunge

Video Clip # 3: Pat's Plunge

Bohol Jaunt :Family Summer Adventure 2011

2011-04-21T15:47:00.075+08:00

We had a super fun week in Bohol packed with visits to lots of tourist spots, islands, beaches and assortment of activities that have certainly pumped up the entire family's adrenaline.

Everyone was blown away by the charm of Bohol - all its fresh seafood treats as well as the unique organic foodies served in Bohol Bee Farm; the educational and informative tours around century old churches, historical sites and caves; the exciting island hopping that included boating, dolphin watching, snorkeling at the marine sanctuary in Balicasag Island; basking out in the sun along the fine, white sandy beaches in Panglao and the sandbar off Virgin Island; the magnificent Chocolate Hills watched atop the Sagbayan Peak; the personalized tour inside an Oil Palm Factory and saw the processing of oil from oil palm fruits; the daring and challenging outdoor activities such as the Suislide (Zipline) and Plunge (bungee swing) in Danao Adventure Park; the remarkable house owned by my cousins in Dauis where we had the privilege to stay and use a good medium-sized swimming pool with adjacent wading pool and spa overlooking the breathless view of Tagbilaran Bay during daytime and the panoramic spectacle of colorful lights from buildings and landmarks on the side of the Tagbilaran harbor during night time (local version of the Victoria Harbor in HK sans the Symphony of Lights) .

Truly, the Bohol trip was a family vacation’s non-stop pleasure and amusement - a real blast!

Panoramic view of the Chocolate Hills viewed from the Sagbayan Peak viewing deck

My hubby Terence and me appreciating the landscape of God's grand creation from atop the Sagbayan Peak viewing deck. Sagbayan Peak is a mountain resort and recreation center located in the town of Sagbayan, about 45 miles northwest of Tagbilaran City. Offering a 360-degree perspective view of the famed Chocolate Hills plus the distant blue sea separating Bohol from the island of Cebu

Panoramic view of the Sandbar off Virgin Island,Panglao,Bohol

My son Akim and his cousin Pat strolling down the sandbar of Virgin Island unmindful of the scorching sun. By far it is the most breathtaking beach on earth. The pristine, blue waters and the more or less a kilometer long curved stretch of powder-like white sandbar connecting to the main island. is simply AWESOME!

Organic Garden Salad served at Bohol Bee Farm
(Fresh picked assorted romaine lettuce, radish, turnips, mustard greens and indigenous flowers served with honeyed mustard salad dressing)

Dauis Coastal View

Chocolate Hills view at the Sagbayan Peak

Beachfront of Balicasag Island

Th stone structure of the Old Bell Tower of Baclayon Church - one of the oldest church in the Philippines built by the first Spanish missionaries in the 18th century. It is located in the town of Baclayon,Bohol

The Suislide
Terence who is known to be so much petrified with heights put his scaredy-cat feelings aside and tried this extreme sky ride - and just did it. Way to go Dad!

The high bell tower of Dauis church (Our Lady of the Assumption ) that looks dignified, rising tall and straight with its narrow vertical openings bearing a Gothic influence.One will find in the tower one of the oldest bells in Bohol.

Ino, Akim and Jombo getting ready for the extreme SUISLIDE ride at Danao Adventure Park

The Philippines Tarsier is one of the smallest primates on earth

meet the big-eyed tarsier found in Bohol Tarsier Sanctuary

Hinagdanan Cave - the large underground cavern found in Dauis,Panglao. It is one of the many Limestone Caves in Bohol
It boasts of a large number of stalactites and stalagmites inside. The cave leads to a large underground pond as seen in the photo. The body of water looks dark yet deep and alluring. the water is icy cool and fresh.

Stalactite - a deposit of calcium carbonate resembling an icicle hanging from the ceilings of the Hinagdanan cave.

Akim approves of his foam water float

The GRANA brothers at the Oil Palm Oil Factory Observatory area. In the background is the Sagbayan mountain ranges.

The GRANAS display their snorkeling gear

The amazing Chocolate Hills !

The Beachfront in Virgin Island

The elusive dolphins !

The swimming pool overlooking the breathless view of the Tagbilaran cityscape Tagbilaran bay

At the back of the house is a good medium-sized swimming pool that never fails to entice the family to take a refreshing plunge into the water after spending a long day of touring around Bohol. At far center is the wading pool with spa. The children spend leisure time in the pool just having fun now with foam poolfloats. It is overlooking the breathless view of the Tagbilaran cityscape facing the Tagbilaran Bay

The Cruise on Loboc River

The hour long river cruise consisted of an all-you-can-eat buffet, live music, and an abundance of stellar views along the winding Loboc river. The visitors are treated to a vista of lush tropical vegetation such as nipa palms, coconut trees, banana broves, and bushes.

Busay Falls

The Loboc river cruise ends here. The falls is about one a half meter high and it marks the point where the floating restaurant cannot go any further. The boat stops at this point for a while to allow the tourists to appreciate the scenic river and landscape.

playfully splashing in the wading/spa pool

The Grana Family at the scenic viewpoint at Oil Palm Oil Factory in Sagbayan

huge oil tank inside the Oil Palm Oil Factory in Sagbayan

The Sandugo Shrine located at Boo, Bohol is usually the first stop of the tour being near Tagbilaran port, airport and resorts. The Shrine displays life size bronze statues depicting the blood compact between Datu Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi

inside the Sagbayan Peak park

Getting set for a farm tour at Bohol Bee Farm

The "Bees" part of the Farm Tour at Bohol Bee Farm

The other side of the Sagbayan Park

Picturesque Lake Mainit

2011-02-12T21:45:00.172+08:00

Captivating view of Lake Mainit aboard the outrigger boat

In December of 2010, my family traveled to Jabonga, Agusan del Norte to visit my hubby’s family and the rest of his kinsfolk. Initially, our children had expected the trip to be another lackluster post-Christmas holiday in a sleepy rural town. But, lo and behold, it catered to their abbreviated attention spans and found the trip really exciting - a blockbuster! For the first time in the history of our various Jabonga jaunts, we took time one early morning to take an exciting three-hour cruise around Lake Mainit aboard a huge outrigger boat.

Lake Mainit is the fourth largest lake and the deepest in the country. It is located in the northeastern part of Mindanao and shared between the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte. Aside from Jabonga, the municipalities bordering the lake are Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte, Alegria and Mainit in Surigao del Norte. The lake derives its name from a Cebuano word “ mainit”, which means hot.

The lake's placid,crystalline and greenish waters took center stage and the cruise was memorable for the family to appreciate the majestic scenes and setting. The vantage point from the water gave us breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, mountains, hills, shorelines and other geographic highlights. The children particularly were overwhelmed by the lake's bountiful beauty that's brought before their eyes. It was an experience that they will never forget.

We’re all living demanding, metropolitan lives and the cruise such as the one we had was one great occasion to recharge - spend some time to de-stress ; to bask and be in awe for God’s amazing creations found in our treasured native province. There's no place like home!

Obviously, the Lake Mainit cruise turned out to be the highlight of our Jabonga trip. It's kinda retreat to nature and we truly had a great time- simply awesome!

All set to go lake cruising - whooah !


The huge white outrigger boat we used for lake cruising

The featured photos in the ensuing pages will give one brief glimpses of what the two provinces of Agusan and Surigao have to bare. I guess there are more reasons why we should be buoyed up to go see the local tourist spots more often. We don’t have to go elsewhere to find these charming tourist destinations. There is raw beauty and wonder right in the countryside and around the regions. There are lots of unheard of hideaways in the Philippines one could ever imagine. And pursuing a fascinating journey on a local tour - never mind the amenities - will acquaint one with the colorful and lively Philippine culture and further one's appreciation of his motherland.

Most of us has yet to see the rest of the Philippines and appreciate the pleasure of leisurely discovering our islands and enjoy what is truly Filipino! I enjoin everyone out there to embark to what promises to be R & R trips and experiences that will allow not only to discover amazing diversity of local scenery and culture but to get lessons from it.

No one should feel like strangers in our own country.

Terence strikes a pose infront of a huge white outrigger boat moored in a nearby dock. Seen across the lake is part of Surigao del Norte's mountainous terrain.

The author flanked by her husband and son,Jombo

The Grana Siblings :
Fr L - R : Ino, Jombo, Mari and Akim

a fisherman paddles his banca past an islet on his way to catch fresh fish

An uninhabited islet lying offshore composed of rock with vegetation

The GRANA Family

Wild ducks in flight

Akim - the 2nd of the Grana Siblings ( a Fine Arts Student )

a beautiful and breathtaking scene: mountains enshrouded in fog and mists

The outrigger boat - an iconic colorful boat in the Philippine seascape powered by an engine, row or sail.

Mari marvels at the awe-inspiring sight of the stunning view of Lake Mainit

twin-peaked mountain as seen from the boat

The Grana Family aboard the huge trigger boat ( pump-boat )


Flock of wild ducks flying to the sun

Fishermen on bancas catching fish using the traditional fish traps

Ino - the eldest of the siblings

The traditional banca as a means of transportation to carry goods,produce and merchandise to far-flung areas

mountain range along the western side of Lake Mainit .It's surrounding areas are the ancestral lands of the Mamanwa tribe

a beautiful cloud-capped mountain scenery

The Shutterbug

a hundred year old or so Acacia tree near lake bank viewed from the boat


Jombo - The youngest of the 4 siblings

The conventional Fishpen

Stunning view seen from the Jabonga Fishport

Our third son - Luis Mari ( an ex-seminarian )

the mountains covered by mist and fog,

Akim rests on prone position on the outtrigger area while basking Lake Mainit's serenity

The Honeymooners


Photo shoot with the frolicsome GRANA siblings near the lake bank after the cruise

Hongkong Disneyland Fireworks Display

2011-02-05T22:23:00.071+08:00

Check out this10 1/2 minute original video ( posted at the bottom of this page ) featuring the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Hongkong Disneyland. The castle is the centerpiece standing majestically at the gateway to Fantasyland . It serves as the arena for a spectacular and breathtaking pyrotechnics display, "Disney in the Stars," that stamps its walls and towers with vivid colors as fireworks explode while lighting up the sky. The fireworks are synchronized to music and theme songs from Disney musical classics.

For the Ruales - Grana tribe, the fireworks display ( a different brand of blazing pyrotechnics in comparison to LA Disneyland ) was a spectacle to behold - eliciting from us a chorus of " wows -ohs – ahs - Oh my God " utterances and cheers. Indeed, it was a dazzling highlight to our 5-day family getaway in HK Disneyland .

The pyrotechnics marvel was captured by my beguiling niece - TINTIN using a Sony Digital Camera without the aid of a tripod. It was A - W - E - S -O- M - E !

Addendum :

The RUALES-GRANA family is wishing everyone a very happy Chinese New Year 2011 : a great year, good health, bounty all year round, unity and love to last the ages.

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI !

The Grana Family poses infront of the Sleeping Beauty Castle
Fr L - R : Ino, Mari, me , Terence, Akim and Jombo

The RUALES - GRANA Family
one big , close-knit family that went on a journey together - and you bet it was a knockout !

The joyful 25-minute NgongPing Cable Car ride

The Grana Siblings coming together with the Beatles at Madame Tussauds's Wax Museum inside The Peak Tower in Hongkong Island ( Fr L - R : Ino, Jombo, Akim, and Mari )

The Choice We Make

2011-01-17T17:20:00.067+08:00

Bolting out of Couples for Christ (CFC Global) and moving to Gawad Kalinga (CFC-GK) is undeniably a tough choice to make.

In July 1991, we have committed ourselves and our children to do work in God’s vineyard through Couples for Christ (CFC) and its Family Ministries. For twenty (20) solid years, we have strived to be faithful CFC servants .We tried to touch people for God every way we could. But somehow, somewhere and sometime in our service, we’ve been put to the test… we got wounded… we faltered and missed the mark… we got adrift. Yet, God in His goodness and mercy never fails to lend a hand and help us to stand up strong time and again and mend our brokenness. For months, we relentlessly prayed for guidance and discernment to come up with a clear, firm and spirit-led pronouncement to make a difference in our journey towards holiness. We prayed for patience and wait for the right moment to declare our certitude to align our spirituality with the work with the poor through Gawad Kalinga (GK). We prayed for boldness to choose a course of action in moving forward and the courage to survive the storms we will encounter if ever we go over the other side of the fence.

For a time, we’ve been so perplexed about what’s going on between the top echelons of leaders in community. Even as we assumed a higher service in the sector, we have been insulated and hardly knew the real score that prompted the CFC-GK mess. So, what is the use of hanging around in a community if we start to doubt its leadership and governance; if we start getting hypercritical and judgmental about community’s strategies and plans; if we could no longer get inspiration to keep going; if we could no longer fathom the rationale in unceremoniously removing dedicated leaders from the CFC roster because they’re perceived to be antagonistic to the CFC mission and vision; if we could no longer sense the community’s acceptance that nation-building is one component of innovative evangelization ; if we could no longer get the heightened spiritual enrichment and empowerment as we seek to fulfill our destiny as children and servants of God.

Though we see eye to eye with the life and activities of CFC , there is one area where we differ in viewpoint with the IC - it's not about being right or wrong rather it's about arriving at a decision after exploring the “benefit of Solomonic wisdom and Jesus’ compassion,” so goes the words of an esteemed brethren.

In Philippians 1:9-10, St.Paul reminds us to make “excellent” choice – a choice that emanates from a heart fully committed to the Lord. Here, we are being taught that when love abounds in knowledge and discernment, we’re able to understand what is best so that we may “approve the things that are excellent.”

The Lord’s message to us: The recognition that we have to decide with our hearts, to be strong, and believe that what lies ahead is an opportunity to celebrate that elusive springtime in our journey of faith.

We guess it’s time to make a personal choice - to hit the road that leads us on doing what we can do not what we want to do. We cannot underestimate the impact of one’s choice. It can produce lifelong consequences, for good or bad. Of course, it comes with a price - responsibility. And when one is ready to accept and carry out that responsibility, then the reward is true greatness. The reward is timeless. Choosing a community in favor of the other will not always be an easy task. But it is a choice that brings the kind of consequence we can live with. We do not know where God will lead us, we only know that for those who love Him, all things turn out for the best.

There comes a time in a person’s life when he has to pack one’s bag and come to a parting of ways with a place, person or otherwise. Indeed, breaking up is one hard thing to do. It may not be the ultimate life crisis but it requires a special coping and adjusting. Just how does one say "good-bye" to a life of serving, sharing, loving, caring and friendship? Confidently, God in His kindness and compassion will guarantee us with the ability to let go, move on, depart with a smile and take along a handful of great memories. He will provide us with just enough light to see the next step - enjoy what we can see and not grumble about what remains in the dark.

And yes, who could ever discount the role of a community that has introduced us to God’s work and taught us how to live in it – Couples for Christ, the community that has become a powerful channel for personal and family renewal; the community that has firstly provided us and our children spiritual enrichment and brought us to where we are now in our spiritual journey. Be that as it may, still with a heavy heart, we shall leave CFC – the community we have long regarded as a family, co-worker, companion and friend whom we shared great love, passion, and joy in service. We will carry on the CFC mission as a family in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth. Our CFC identity will remain forever and no one can take that away from us.

We will persevere to be God’s humble and zealous laborers who will do whatever it takes to respond to His call to serve the least of our brothers and sisters. Indeed, it is always a great privilege to become a servant when God calls one to it.

As we are about to cross deeper into the heart of God and our own selves, we will be facing a significant and different perspective of service that determines how we respond to the full revelation of His glory and majesty.

And by God’s grace we’ll be filled with a lively, renewed faith and find comfort in His promise to restore us back to vibrant spiritual undertakings to help us nurture our hope and grow in our relationship with Him.

God bless us all.

Terence and Thel Grana

A Tribute to our beloved Mom, Luz Bollozos Ruales

2010-10-30T17:54:00.024+08:00

April 29, 1923 - June 19, 2010

Mom, this is one sole occasion

To give you a tribute

To express all that’s in our hearts

But failed to verbalize when you’re still full of life

We want to offer you homage

To your remarkable journey here on earth

We want to pay you great honor and respect

And acknowledge the meaning of your earthly existence

We’re your privileged children

We're abundantly blessed by your maternal passion

By your sacrifice and perseverance

You've have given us hope and touched our lives

You have always been a refuge

Our strength, our stronghold

Our light and source of inspiration

Everything a devoted mother should be

We have been blessed

By your commitment and dedication

By your loyalty and faithfulness

You've lavished us with your unconditional love

You have always been there for us

A considerate and doting mommy

A mother who chose to take our side

Come hell or high water

You showed us that caring heart

Compassionate, thoughtful and staunch

The qualities more precious

Than any treasures we may uncover

You're truly a mensch

Who have dealt life's intricacies head-on

A petite yet brave and tough woman

Who've spent years tending to our needs

And, Yes, “You are Timeless!”

Your beauty, charm and grace

The epitome of elegance

Transcends all time and space

You’re God’s precious gift to us

And to this day within our lives

We will cherish the gift

As long as we live

This is also an occasion of thanksgiving

For your steadfast patronage and fervent care

Thank you for all the treasured memories

and for taking the journey with us over all these years

Thank you for giving us the zeal

To bond us together in ardor and love

You’re the Heart of hearts

In greater ways than ever before

Thank you for giving moral or practical support

For extending a helping hand to guide our steps

To spread our wings and fly

To ultimately mature and blossom

We thank you and Dad for impressing upon us

A solid and sure foundation

Upon which to raise our own families

A lasting legacy to pass on to the next generation

Thank you for instilling in us God’s enduring principles

The precepts on how to live

This, too, is another lasting legacy

For your children, grandchildren, siblings ...

We're overflowing with gratitude

You became our own priceless gem

You’re the best partner our departed Dad could ever have

The greatest mother and lola God has bestowed us

Your dedication to family was incomparable

You've left with us

A strong chain of love that can never be broken

And you will be desperately missed by us all.

Know that your love and devotion will keep on

Forever binding and uniting us together

As God’s goodness and mercy flow

In rivers of living water

We shall keep in mind

The key role you have played

In jovial get-together and bonding moments

That never failed to give a sense of family solidarity

We shall always remember

The happy bygone days

The joys of spring you've brought about

In oh so many ways

We've learned so much from you

You will always remain our guiding light

We'll endlessly proclaim that you're our dearly beloved mother

Who've constantly filled us with so much pride

Mom, don’t worry about us - Time will heal our wounds

We'll have peace and comfort knowing in great faith

You are now dancing a new dance; singing a new song up there

Reunited with Dad and home in heaven with God

You may be gone from this earth

But far from gone from our lives

Your principles, Your memory

Will be an eternal flame

One day we’ll be together again
To talk about all the places we’ve been
Until such time we’ll always treasure
You as our great Mom & and the Lola of our children

So dear Mom please accept our accolades

Heartfelt, sincere and true

We are forwarding these direct to the Heavens

Straight from our hearts to you

Rest now in the loving arms of our Almighty Father

Take our love with you on your journey

Our warmest regards to Dad

We'll desperately miss both of you

Godspeed

Rationale behind the blog’s title

2010-10-30T17:50:00.051+08:00

Back in the early 70’s when I was then a naive college student at Silliman University, I became a huge fan of Carol King, an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She rose to fame with her album entitled “Tapestry.” Not only had she found success as a songwriter for various artists, but, with this album, she achieved considerable critical acclaim in her own right. In fact, Rolling Stone Magazine , a U.S.- based magazine devoted to music and pop culture has listed and ranked the album as one of the greatest albums of all time.

One of the featured songs in the said album was similarly entitled “Tapestry" that has a message about the grasp of life and its significance. The song lyrics that goes, "My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hue, an everlasting vision of the ever-changing view” has struck me exceedingly.

What is a tapestry?

Dictionary defines it as a hand-woven fabric of plain weave which may use any kind and number of textiles and may come in a wide range of sizes and colors. Its design of weft threads is being threaded into the warp with fingers or a bobbin.

When one looks at the back side of a finished woven fabric, undeniably one will not appreciate the outward picture of tangles of thread – loose and left hanging, jumbled, frayed, occasionally knotted and seemingly random. It’s only when it’s turned over to the front side that one can see its artistic value: ornate and rich colors, texture, patterns that can make it a thing of bewildering charm.

At that particular instance, I came to the realization that my mundane encounters were compared to a tapestry – on which God precisely has woven into the fabric of my earthly life. All of a sudden, I saw the splendor of my life’s journey and recognized how much I have to be immensely grateful to God for the abounding, meaningful and blessed life He has given me. Certainly, my journey was never been that easy and stress-free. I had my share of challenges. I, too went through difficult, trying, and heartbreaking times. But God in His goodness, made me reached this far and showed me the way to confront and surmount adversities along the way. He endowed me with supportive family and friends who saw beyond my imperfections and helped me pulled through dark moments.

The ensuing entries posted here will lay bare part of my innermost being ... the side of my life's tapestry.