Thursday, February 23, 2006

news from home

I don't normally post anything political, but this is a sad day for the Philippines and the Filipino people. I never liked GMA, mainly because I could not believe anything that she says. My disbelief is further reinforced by what she said in her proclamation.
I know that we can still recover from this, I just hope we don't have to pay too much of a price.

What follows is the full text of Proclamation 1017 declaring a state of national emergency:

MALACANANG PALACE MANILA
PROCLAMATION NO. 1017

PROCLAMATION DECLARING A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY

WHEREAS, over these past months, elements in the political opposition have conspired with authoritarians of the extreme Left represented by the NDF-CPP-NPA and the extreme Right, represented by military adventurists-- the historical enemies of the democratic Philippine State-who are now in tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, over a broad front, to bring down the duly constituted Government elected in May 2004.

WHEREAS, these conspirators have repeatedly tried to bring down the President;

WHEREAS, the claims of these elements have been recklessly magnified by certain segments of the national media;

WHEREAS, this series of actions is hurting the Philippine State--by obstructing governance including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people's confidence in government and their faith in the future of this country;

WHEREAS, these actions are adversely affecting the economy;

WHEREAS, these activities give totalitarian forces of both the extreme Left and extreme Right the opening to intensity their avowed aims to bring down the democratic Philippine State;

WHEREAS, Article 2, Section 4 of our Constitution makes the defense and preservation of the democratic institutions and the State the primary duty of Government;

WHEREAS, the activities above-described, their consequences, ramifications and collateral effects constitute a clear and present danger to the safety and the integrity of the Philippine State and of the Filipino people;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested upon me by Section 18, Article 7 of the Philippine Constitution which states that: "The President... whenever it becomes necessary, ...may call out (the) armed forces to prevent or suppress... rebellion..., "and in my capacity as their Commander-in-Chief, do hereby command the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well any act of insurrection or rebellion and to enforce obedience to all the laws and to all decrees, orders and regulations promulgated by me personally or upon my direction; and as provided in Section 17, Article 12 of the Constitution do hereby declare a State of National Emergency.

IN WITNESS HEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 24th day of February, in the year of Our Lord, two thousand and six.

GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
PresidentRepublic of the Philippines

more from my last trip home

Smile!




How sweet!

from my last trip home...


Mom

Clowning around...


My dad, always looking serious...

Mom and Dad

forgot to post...

If only I could bring them with me...

At the airport...



Last meal together... McDonald's what else?

Monday, February 20, 2006

test run

testing a new addition to my blog...


missthing.mid
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Friday, February 17, 2006

San Francisco Valentine Trip


a trip back in time...



Zeny's first trip to San Francisco



Three's a crowd. Where's your partner Zeny?



Can I take you home too?



Enjoying some spring flowers.



Hang on!



Gotta find you a live one!



Enjoying some free time with a friend.



Posing with my favorite flower.



Feeling like a debutante

Sunday, February 12, 2006

An end towards a beginning...



My very own Princess


May I have this dance?

Junior-Senior Prom


Lady Kyla







Kyla & Adrian

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Congratulations!!!


Congratulations
- to my daughter Kyla for winning first place in the LACASA Poem Writing Contest. The Theme: LACASA: Ten years of Christian Youth Leadership. The mechanics are: 5 stanzas, 4 lines, free verse, english. This is her winning piece.


NEVER FALL...
Darkness, violence and injustice, are the sights we all can see
In this evil world of today, it seems all of us aren't free
Leaders, they are the hope, the way and the light
But it seems like they're the ones who start the fight

The youth of today, they're the hope for tomorrow
The ones who should take away all the nation's sorrow
They already made a step, ten years ago
Until now, they still have a long way to go

The Laguna Catholic Schools Association as we all know
Develops leadership and make the youth grow
Never been apart, together they serve God
Continuing the mission of service to others that they had

The LACASA activities are rooted in God's Word
Develops faith in the youth which can be stronger than a sword
Their souls, they nourish and nurture
To prepare the leaders of the future

Ten years of trials, one decade of pain
Didn't even tear apart what these youth leaders gain
Holding on together, standing tall
They hold on to God and never did they fall...


Thursday, February 02, 2006

The History of Valentine's Day


Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

- The History Channel