Claims for Business Losses due to Typhoon Ondoy

This is just to inform all taxpayers who were affected by typhoon Ondoy. In case you incurred business losses due to property destruction, inventory damage, including theft at the height of the calamity, please refer to screen cap below for documentation and procedures you have to perform. Click image for larger view:

THEME THURSDAY - BEGINNING

Imagine a living thing. How did it begin? Was it adulthood first, then came births for animals and human beings and seedlings for plants? There could be no end in discussing which came first.

Whenever I see the word "BEGINNING", I always think of GOD. This life will not make sense had it not been for the Great Creator Himself who made sure that His project MAN will have all parts of his body functional. That's the ideal specs. But some men were not created perfectly. I believe that this was intentional so that first, we will be thankful for what we are, and second, so that cures for the disabled and the sick will be discovered.

JOAQUIN, MY GRANDSON

As I see you on the net, I feel you're right beside me
I remember your moves when you were still two
I cried so hard when I couldn't find you
Oh, pretty little boy, lost control of you!

I did not imagine that you would hide from me
And made me feel like a careless grandma, didn't know what to do
Searching and calling you Joaquin, but God, no answer was uttered
How could you just be gone, my mind can not admit.

Maybe my tears frightened you to get out
That made me more nervous,
Casually, you walked in front of me, fine I had to be
Now, I know that I was over protective of you.

CORAZON COJUANGCO-AQUINO, My Idol

"I've reached a point in life where it's no longer necessary to try to impress. If they like me the way I am, that's good. If they don't, that's too bad.” Corazon Aquino quote.

I was carrying my 4-year-old son when the 20-year rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos was ended by the people power that took place at EDSA. Activist by heart, I failed to join any of the assemblies before that successful day. I had to follow the orders of my husband. Ding strictly gave his instructions never to leave my three children. From February 22 to 25, 1986, hubby was not able to come home. He was under the command of the Manila Police Superintendent as they were supposed to guard Channel 4 round-the-clock. He would only have 2 hard-boiled eggs and rice for lunch and alternate of one-piece chicken. According to them, what they were doing for the country was an advantage rather than performing their work. I remember the words that Ding told me in a telephone conversation that whatever happens to him, he was doing a heroic act. As I faced the boob-tube, I was trembling in fear seeing the army tanks. Hearing the accounts of the correspondents, I almost forgot that my husband was right inside the TV station. Split-seconds and I would become a widow. Thank God that the situation got better when the dictator left Malacanang.

I jumped for joy not because Ding was safe. Such display of emotions was the result of the perceived victory over the long revolt. As I was crying, Yang also cried with me. Mabel and Nini were inside the room and had very little knowledge that their Dad cheated life and that a new government was about to be installed.

When Ding went home, he told me that his group was recalled from the original assignment and was made to guard Malacanang near Arlegui. That, I only knew when he went home to tell his account of the stories behind the television.

My experience as a police officer's wife on February 22 to 25 in 1986 is an unwritten novel. How much more can a writer pen about the experiences of a wonderful woman who joined her husband in all of his political aspirations for the country? And after the loss of Ninoy, continue the unfinished mission?

I cry every time I see Cory in her triumphs and pains. She was my idol and would be my idol till my last breath. I have yet to see a woman who can surpass the love and patience she gave to her family and country. Now that she's gone, only her memories will be left as my guide.

And I will do the same for my husband. Only, in a smaller dimension.

BIYAHE

Maaga kami tumawid ng karagatan mula sa Calapan patungo sa Batangas. Kailangan naming mag RORO dahil marami akong dala at may meeting kami sa San Pablo. Alas tres ng umaga kami umalis pero aalis ang barko ng alas kuwatro. Hahabulin ko sana ang antok ko pero sa di kagandahang pangyayari, may tatlo kaming nakasakay na gising na gising. Walang kaantok-antok kaya ganadong ganadong magkwentuhan. Napag-alaman ko tuloy na di masyadong honest ang mga nakapaligid sa kanila dahil ultimo chocolate at tsinelas ay nawawala. May mga edad na sila kaya di ko inisip na nakashabu. Sandaling nawala ako sa takbo ng kwento. Marahil ay nakasalisi ako ng tulog. Balak pa sanang ulitin ng sekretarya ko ang kwento sa aming drayber. Mabuti at nagpapigil matapos kong bigyan ng isang masamang tingin. Hay, ayoko na ireplay ang mga kwento.

Sa hirap na inabot ko sa maghapon, di na ako bumalik sa Calapan. Remote ko na lang pakikilusin ang mga tao. Kalulubog lang daw ng isang RORO sa Kabisayaan kahapon. Ito rin siguro ang nagpaandar ng takot blues ko sa tubig.Nagpahatid na lang ako sa Turbina. Sanay na ako sa Jam Transit sumasakay. Pero walang Jam. Napilitan akong lumarga sa Lucena Bus Lines. Ang layo ng kaibahan ng mga drayber nila. Sa Jam, para kang safe na safe ala Amerika. Sa bus stop lang humihinto at magalang ang tauhan. Suwabeng suwabe ang takbo ng bus ng Jam. Kabalintunaan naman ang Lucena Bus Lines, although, high-tech ang ticketing dahil naka POS, ang drayber naman ay may nakaaway pang kapwa drayber, nahuli ng MMDA police, at lahat ng pasahero ay ibinababa sa delikadong lugar. Hirit pa nya, huwag kang matakot, di ka nyan sasagasaan! Aba, marunong pang magpalakas ng loob! Promise, Jam for life na ako. Second room ko na kasi ang bus na ito. Para akong pinaghehele at gigising lang kapag may magtitinda sa Balagtas at Turbina. Sandali lang naman iyon. Close na kami ng mga konduktor. Alam na nila na tatayo muna ako bago dumating ng Santulan at kung hindi ay di ako makakalakad pababa.

Dalawa ang bayad ko sa FX pauwi sa Obando. Di kasi kasya ang wetpu ko pag apat kami. Minsan, nagtipid ako, isa lang binayad ko. Ang inabot ko, yung katabi ko pisik ng pisik. Di ko na lang pinansin. Pero minsan din, yung natipid kong 40 pesos ay kinulang pa para ipambili ko ng gamot sa sakit ng tuhod. Pag may pagkakataon, mag sa suggest ako sa mga kongresista na matapos nilang pahalagahan ang mga kababaihan, katandaan, kabataan, homosexual, at mga maysakit, ay pagtuunan naman nila ang kapakanan ng mga matataba. Dapat yung FX, gawing tatluhan lang o kaya naman, mas laparan para kasya ang apat. Di naman namin kasalanan ang maging malusog. Kaunti lang naman kumain ang matataba sa akala namin.

Para sa akin, ang bawat biyahe ay isang aral sa buhay. Mahirap mamasukan sa opisina. Ubos ang oras mo sa kalye. Pero ako, walang nasasayang na oras. Natutuhan kong matulog nang nakaupo. Natutuhan kong pagtiyagaan ang kwento ng buhay ng mga kasakay. At higit sa lahat, damang dama ko ang buhay pauwi sa tahanan.

THEME THURSDAY - STAGE

When I was young, I feared to be onstage. Mother taught me how not to be frightened. First, I must believe in my self. Second, everyone else has the same feelings. And third, she told me that the earth is the biggest stage where people act and speak. The audience will judge you. But the final judgment will come from the Chairman of the Board of Judges, GOD.

With this in mind, I was able to overcome my fear. I joined a lot of oratorical contests and won. I joined the Dramatics club in high school and I was applauded. I sang "The Greatest Performance of My Life" live at the Activity Center of an old mall in my middle age.

Now, I can be onstage anytime. Be it for the church, be it in Rotary, be it at the office. My career was moving gently towards the top because of the stage. The largest stage I am performing at is a risky one. The stage where people have various interests but one thing is common. Each actor wants what he likes. And that makes my life complicated.... especially if your role is like mine.

Our 33rd Wedding Anniversary

Last Saturday, 4th of July, was our 33rd wedding anniversary. Dep and I ran out of good idea where we could celebrate. We decided to have congee and a couple of side dish both of us like at NENA's in Panghulo. Our family is really fond of LUGAW! Then, we proceeded to Sangandaan to have the tarps and brochures printed out. These are the materials we need for the Sagip project. When we went home, I stayed at the garden for quite sometime. I was surprised to see the 12 red roses arranged in a flower vase given by Dep. That's how he gives flowers to me. Never face to face.

The day before our anniversary, we met the whole family except Gear. We had our snacks at Wendy's and proceeded to the computer stores at SM Annex to buy the much needed laptop. I was so excited to have another one after my first unit broke.

Thy Will Be Done

A group of men and women were gathered at Ysidro's Garden. That night, they were bound for a three-day trip to Puerto Galera. Target: Team Building to face a very big challenge of their lives - to become change agents in Obando.

Much is expected by the community when rich leaders came in but the HOPE that was introduced in our town broke into pieces when one promise after the other did not materialize. Another one is coming in who never had any chance to talk to the grassroot level. How could they relate?

The group I am referring is the team who was torn between a decision to run or not to run with Ding. First, the only weapon they have is a firm resolve that they can help the community. PERIOD. NO MONEY TO BUY hmnn. But they have all the pledges from friends who believe in their advocacy. Just like a chicken and egg question who is first. COMMITMENT then RESOURCES or RESOURCES then COMMITMENT? Hard to answer.

Thank God, the team realized that what they are doing was not for a single person and that person needs people to work with. This is really a work of the GOOD Creator. Here are the events that happened:

1. Signal No. 2 in Oriental Mindoro 2 days before the Team Building seminar. It stopped.
2. Daughter of the Resource Speaker had fever. She was healed the night before.
3. Members of the Team were being brainwashed by the evil that men do.
4. Misinformation that Ding will no longer run in the elections was being spread like a wildfire.
5. Chris was sick but recovered from feeling bad.
6. The absence of Cesar and Bening can be redeemed by communicating to them what happened.
7. All negative thoughts were wiped out.

The Team went home with high Spirits after a bloodless compact held on Saturday night.

THY WILL BE DONE!

My First Footprints on Mindoro

March 4, 2009, I was invited by my predecessor to attend their meeting with the employees assigned in the field. The office is very nice including the people I will be working with. I intend to stay in Mindoro even on weekends to concentrate on updating the records and revising the work assignments.

First steps in Mindoro, I figured out I will enjoy staying there. The environment is clean, fresh air, fresh vegetables, fresh thoughts. I will be finishing more books. I love to live in solitude. This is not work for me. I believe, this is a mission.

Dep accompanied me. RM and EO were also with me. That's the support I really need these days.

Kids Touch Our Lives

Last Saturday, February 21, 2009, The Rotary Daycare Center of Obando were on a field trip. About 35 students aged 21/2 to 4 and their mothers went to Manila Zoo, Museong Pambata, and Rizal Park. Cora and I joined the trip coz' we were responsible for that program.

While waiting for the children, I sat on a table near the cafeteria in Manila Zoo. I noticed a conversation between 2 children, about grade 3, who were discussing about the loss of the other girl's twenty pesos. This means, she could not have lunch since her allowance was exact. Her friend told the other that they just buy 2 orders of rice and just buy 1 dish that they both like. They were counting their money to make sure that their budget was enough. I was touched by the sincerity of the unselfish girl. She was making sure that the girl who lost the money will not be sad. I intentionally ignored to help because I wanted to ascertain the true virtues I was watching.

There were some children playing around the area where I was but their attitude were more of letting their classmates know what they have like food, toys, and some stuff but I did not notice an atmosphere of sharing like the girl in my story.

A Fraction of the Whole

This novel written by Australian Steve Toltz made me laugh most of the time. But in some parts, I couldn't help but change my mood and cry. A man of principle, Martin Dean was able to survive all trials from womb to tomb. His philosophy drives you crazy but thinking it twice, his reasons and beliefs are actually happening. The schemes used by his brother Terry to help him out were clueless to Marty in all episodes.

The brothers are atheists. This, for me, made them easier to be indicted in crimes and harder to get out of the mess. They did not realize directly but come to think of some of their testimonies and you'd realize that indeed, they knew a power from nowhere was available.

Martin's son, Jasper, though he hated his father for being difficult to live with, appreciated what the father has done to his whole being. His father did not die in vain.

Similar situations happen in our daily lives but not of the same intensity. These experiences give us better learning, and light acceptance of realities.

First Major Blessing for 2009

Dep and I were into contracts with a bank to buy 2 properties. Due to business losses, we were unable to meet our monthly installments for quite some time. For me, it would have been less of a headache if we just let go of those properties. A number of discussions were made and we settled to retain one property and apply some payments for the other property to the retained lot. Ownership of the lot needs additional payment of 420K but can still be loaned from the bank.
Delaying tactics were done by Dep and I to really make a decision. The properties have good marketability. In fact, we could have earned 2M had we finalize the sale of the lot along the road. But we disregarded the offer years back. Now that we finally made up our minds to sell it before bank action, nobody has the instant money.

Last Friday, we talked to the bank President and after 30 minutes of discussions, he was convinced that we no longer have to pay the additional 420k for the interior lot that we are retaining. That's how prayers work. I believe that what happened had a Divine intervention. I consider this a major blessing on a very special day of the year, my birthday on the 24th, the day following the good news. For this, I plan to share my blessings through an apostolate work once I have the money.

Sanpa Farms

Dep and I aren't farm whiz but we make sure that we learn how to take care of our mango trees. Saturdays are meant for the farm, the tilapia pond, the hogs, and the chickens. Oh, no, the past 2 months, we failed to attend to its requirements. So many occasions. I have a guilty feeling for our "katiwala". They must be very much in need of funds.

Staying in the farm refuels my energy. Clean air! For once a week, I veg out and just listen to the sound of nature. How I wish we could have a rest house there. To attain that, got to earn megabucks. Who knows?

Jewelries are for keeps

Before buying jewelries, make sure that you are not buying it for investment. Most agents would convince you that it's better to invest on jewelries 'coz it appreciates fast. That's true if you appraise the jewelries at the buyer's point of view. To all ladies who are fascinated by the glow of these small pieces of asset, a piece of advice. Buy your diamonds on the intention that you'll keep it for life. It really appreciates fast. But don't you sell them. You'll be losing a lot contrary to the sale's talk that it is an investment. I learned my lesson.

Wazzup for 2009

As I usually tell my children, we have to extend our hands to other people using not the excess of what we have but the resources that we also need. I want to continue that mission but now, we have to be more choosy in helping. We need to help ourselves also.

Christmas 2008

T'was a long holiday. I was expecting that I could read at least two books and improve my blogspot. I realized that Christmas holidays aren't for Moms. Our two "kasambahays" had their vacation in their province. I took their word they'd be here on January 3. But the ride back to work was not that easy, according to them. So, I took charge of the household chores to the last day of vacation. I am too zapped to work tomorrow.

I figured out how hard it is to stay home with all the kids and Christmas visitors. I will no longer get steamed up for petty errors committed by my ward. It is better to have somebody do some chores than doing these all by myself.

The family had dinner at Greenbelt in Makati on the 24th. Then we attended Misa de Aguinaldo at Mary the Queen Parish in Green Hills with Ayie and husband Dong. The weather wasn't that cold contrary to what I expected. Then we shared the Noche Buena at home. This time, we did not exchange gifts. We postponed this tradition due to belt tightening. Ayie is about to have their baby in early part of January. She'll be the 2nd apo and the first female apo. I am so excited to see her.

On New year's eve, we stayed in the nearby hometown. It was raining so less fireworks were lighted by the neighborhood. It was still fun to celebrate with the usual food I prepare: Sotanghon soup, ham, cheese, fruit salad, round fruits, and the latest addition to menu, original glazed doughnut by Krispy Kreme. When Yann bought that new addition, Aragon's tire exploded. Too early for new year's noise. It's good that they were at the drive-thru when it happened.