Rizal Day 2012 and One Christmastime at Rizal Park (Luneta Park)

Today December 30, 2012, the Philippines is celebrating the 116th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal.  Flags and tarpaulins has been visible in the major areas in Metro Manila since the beginning of December.  There are also other significant activities but the highlight of course is happening today at the Rizal Monument at Rizal Park Manila (Luneta Park).  You may refer to this link for the activity details.

Coming from our morning run today while seeing the Rizal Day tarpaulins in the avenue where we passed by, I suddenly remember one Christmastime with my good old friends.  It was two years back then when we were planning our Christmas get together and we can’t decide the venue. I am the usual host for such celebration but I beg off to host that particular year because I was working from home then.  I want to give give myself a breather.  Also, we have been friends for decades and we’re celebrating annually that we are almost running out of ideas. We want something different that time.  Something that will take away our holiday stress.  Something that the adult can relax and the kids will enjoy at the same time.  Somebody suggested “Luneta!” and we unanimously agreed.  We haven't tried that one.

Here’s sharing to you our fun during our Christmas celebration done in Luneta. You might experience a photo overload here.

We went to the park early because we want to catch the light and fountain show scheduled at 8AM. We know that the show is better seen at night but our priority is for the kids to enjoy the park in the morning.  So   we explored the park first then watch the lights and fountain show.





Then we look for a place to settle. We choose a place near a tree because it was drizzling from time to time.

The good thing about being in a public park like Luneta is that almost everything you need can be bought or rented.  There’s also a variety of food from the roving vendors and they are not very expensive.  We brought our own things and food but we also buy some foods that fancy us.

Eating Time. We brought variety of simple foods. The kids are definitely enjoying the picnic.

Simply irresistible! PhP 20.00 each - not bad. So cruncy and so yummy with bagoong

There are also a lot of things that you can enjoy at the park by merely observing.

I've been seeing this group since the early times that I'm at Luneta and it's just amazing to know that after long years, this group still exist.

This vendor earned a lot from us. LOL

We made a day full activities that kids, teens, adults and even the dog enjoyed.

blowing bubble times - awesome

Carabao riding.
Luneta Park gave them the chance to enjoy things that they can not find in the mall or in their play room.

tree climbing

Badminton Time!
Competition time. kids vs. kids, adults vs. adults, families vs. families

Dry fountain is a great place to play :)

Ice Cream time!

This kid is not among us. Her parents are unmindful that she joined us the whole time that we were there lol.

The main event. "Exchange Gift sa Luneta"

Kids are enjoying the ice cream and exchange gift to the max.
The little baby at the edge of the mat is another instant guest.  His parents found an instant baby sitter among us  lol.

Exchange gift is now getting serious

We had sooo much fun! 

For most people, Luneta might not be the best place to celebrate special occasions.  But for us, this became one among our most unforgettable bonding time.  As the saying goes , "it is not about the place or the material things that makes a moment worthwhile and special, but the people who you are with." 

Our friendship is bonded with time filled with bad and good times shared together that we actually consider ourselves as family.  We always make sure that our moments together will be special and we did it at Luneta Park one Christmastime. 

We have a lot more photos that will speak about this enjoyable day, you might want to view it here.

Today, Luneta has more to offer to the public especially this season.  There is an on-going carnival and some free shows and a lot more stuff to enjoy.  I just hope that people will be responsible enough not to ruin its improving beauty and reputation.  Remember that it carries the name of our National Hero.  Let’s take care of it and be proud of it.

“All men are born equal, naked, without bonds.  God did not create man to be a slave; nor did he endow him with intelligence to have him hoodwinked, or adorn with reason to have him deceived by others.”
 (Letter to the Young Women of Malolos)  ~ Dr. Jose Rizal~

Happy Christmas Everyone! (Maligayang Pasko sa Lahat!)

I’d Miilad said oua sana saida (Arabic)

Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan (Chinese Mandarin)

Sretan Bozic (Croatian)

Glaedelig Jul (Danish)

Vrolijk Kersfeest (Dutch)

Maligayang Pasko (Filipino)

Hyvaa joulua (Finnish)

Joyeux Noël (French)

Fröhliche Weihnachten (German)

Kala Christouyenna! (Greek)

Selamat Hari Natal (Indonesia)

Nollaig Shona Dhuit (Irish)

Buon Natale! (Italian)

Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto (Japanese)

Sung Tan Chuk (Korean)

Natale hilare et Annum Faustum! (Latin)

IL-Milied It-tajjeb (Maltese)

Feliz Natal! (Portuguese)

Pozdravlyenie s Rozjdyestvom I s Novym Godom! (Russian)

God Jul (Swedish)

La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou (Samoan)

Feliz Navidad (Spanish)

Naya Saal Mubarak Ho (Urdu)

Chuc Mung Giang Sinh (Vietnamese)

Nadolig Llawen (Welsh)

God Jul or Gledelig Jul (Norwegian)

Wherever you are regardless of religion and belief, our sincerest wish for a HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Traditional Filipino Christmas Lantern

(Awesome “Balut Manila” blinking widget courtesy of blogger friend Maria.)

Sunday Quote and Photograph: The Way, The Truth and The Life–Dawn Mass (Simbang Gabi 2012)

God sent a star to light the night for the

The Way, the Truth  and the Life – His Son.

He sent the Light of Life to prove His heart

so we would invite His son into our own.

God has given us all the light we’ll ever

need to find peace on earth, goodwill to men.

Pamela F. Dowd

Photo taken using my mobile phone while I’m approaching “The Shrine of Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Life” parish located at the Mall of Asia Complex , during my second day observance of Simbang Gabi (Dawn Mass) for this year.

I used to do church hopping each novena day from my previous years of Simbang Gabi observance but I can’t do it this year due to work and  other concerns.  Sadly, I also missed the first day of this year’s dawn mass but it did not stop me from celebrating the remaining eight days.

In an hour, I’m off to go to celebrate the 8th Day and then Run for Rescue!  Life is tough but really wonderful especially during Christmas.

All I Want for Christmas? Naah!

I’m quite hesitant to make this post because I never did make Christmas wish list for quite a long time.  Well not unless it’s necessary like for company exchange gift purposes.  But still, I don’t write it as Christmas wish list but I write it as “What I want to have even if it’s not Christmas.”  Probably by now some of you know the reason why I don’t write Christmas wishes.  As corny as it may sound but I really just have one wish after that Christmas.  Not that I’m still wishing for it. I don’t know but… I never outgrew that… It just stay that way…

Don’t get me wrong though.  It’s not that I do not enjoy the Christmas season.  I’m one passionate person when it comes to Christmas.  I do decorations, I send out personalized Christmas greetings, I shop for gifts, I go to parties… and of course I do answer to Christmas post tags from my awesome blogger friends like Joanne and Juicy Jay who tagged me in the Christmas meme called “All I want for Christmas”.  And even I’m not the kind who list down Christmas wishes, it is to my delight that I am tagged!  THANK YOU guys! Forgive me though cause I will be violating some rules here.

So here are the six things that I want to have even if it’s not Christmas.  They are actually in my “to buy” list but it’s either that I can’t find them yet or I miss to buy them.


Body Pillow
I just love to throw them anywhere and hug them after spending a lot of sitting time with my lappy while I’m alone at home.  Btw, I hate small pillows.

Miami Heat #6 Jersey Shirt with sleeves (Female Cut/Black or Red)
I’m a huge Lebron James fan (don’t even try to argue with this because I promised you it would be a war! LOL) I’ve been looking for this kind of shirt but what I usually find are  big sizes for male. Medium female cut will do for me.

Nike Running Socks Size 6
Yes I can’t get enough of this and I’m biased with the swoosh brand (forgive me).


Running Watch
It does not need to be extra-ordinary or expensive. I just simply love watches of all kind.  Running give me an extra reason to collect different watch designs (wink*).  I love them in shocking colors (orange, purple, green, yellow but NOT pink).

Baby Ruth Bars
I’m not a chocolate/sweet lover but there’s something with the Baby Ruth bar that takes away my bad mood or my hang-ups whenever I' have one.  I love biting the bar so I don’t like the bite size.

Cell Phone Holder with clip FOR Waist Belt.
It’s a bit the same in the photo but something that is designed for running.  I’m looking for a holder with belt but not a belt bag (it’s complicated I know, that’s why I can’t find it LOL).

There it is!  The six things I wanted to have even if it’s not Christmas.  And EVERYBODY is TAGGED!  so everybody can do their wish list.

As for my list - I made it simple and they can all be sent via post right?  I am sending you all my postal address (grinning).  Remember, you can send them to me even if it’s not Christmas! 

“Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas everyday”

~Helen Steiner Rice ~

Photo Source: Google Images

Sunday Memory and Photograph: A Mother for Christmas

It was the 9th of December,

A Thursday night,

15 Days before Christmas,

The Christmas lights were off

Lanterns and decors remain unhanged

Angels came and took the woman from the young girl’s arm,

And the young girl had never wish for anything,

But a MOTHER for Christmas.