I haven’t seen one of my cousins for over a year now. She moved to the States along with her little boy. I missed meeting up with them and chatting non-stop.
Now, I only see/talk to them on Facebook. I was informed that they sent us stuff. And because it is Christmas I want to make my own “Alis-bayan” box to send to them. (Alis means to go away in Filipino, Bayan means country. So an alis-bayan box is basically a box of stuff that will be going away from the country.)
how do I make one alis-bayan box?
I have never made a alis-bayan box before. Honestly didn’t have much clue as to what my cousin and my nephew wants…
So, I am thinking of sending them some Pinoy favourites that wont easily be shaken up/ expire. My list consists of: a calendar and a memo pad I made, some pugad baboy comics, pili nuts, mango jam, dried mangoes, pastilas (candy made of milk and sugar), polvoron, chicharon, chocnut (peanut milk chocolate) and maybe some cashew nuts.
*Sigh* Is it possible to send a heart on a box?
“Because I miss them. Because I need them. Because I love them.” -Rebecca Wells
Bah Hambug. I might as well be the scrooge or the grinch.
I have always loved Christmas. But as I grow up I sort of hate it.
I mean, before as a kid Christmas is a time of great joy! Opening presents, vacation, good food and playing with other kids. I look forward to it every year.
But now, I have this fear of Christmas. Really.
I fear seeing my cousins/aunts/uncles. (Because of all the comparisons and side comments that I will have to endure on that day and after. And that I have to put up a front with them. )
I get paranoid looking for presents. (I might not have enough, or the recipient would not like/fit what I got. )
I dread the stress that comes with planning the holidays. (Every time I am part of the planning for the holiday festivities, I tend to be too obsessive compulsive.)
Might as well go to a far flung cave and hibernate.
And with the recent Yolanda/Haiyan tragedy. I don’t feel comfortable celebrating Christmas right now.
But, don’t get me wrong. I still love Christmas for the fact that God sent us our Savior Jesus Christ. Its just that at this time, It doesn’t seem to be the focal point anymore. Christmas has become about commercialism. (With all the santa, reindeer, elves, penguins and presents decked on all the store window display…) Sigh.
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” ― Bob Hope
Like the rest of the Philippines, I’m speechless and heartbroken at what happened last Friday (Nov 8, 2013).
It felt wrong for me to post on my own blog/social media as if nothing happened. So I kept silent for a few days.
Stronger. We will rise again.
With God’s grace, Manila is spared. Life goes on as usual. But I believe we should be actively doing our part to bring relief and comfort to those who are in need right now. Kei went to volunteer yesterday in DSWD-NROC National Resource Operations Center (Chapel Road, NAIA, Pasay City) to help pack relief goods for the typhoon victims. For now, I have already sorted out my clothes to donate and hopefully, after work tomorrow I can volunteer too.
Here are the details if you want to help/volunteer for DSWD:
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
Location: NAIA Chapel Road, Pasay City (at the back of CAAP)
DSWD accepts cash deposits through their Landbank of the Philippines account
The account numbers: Current-3122-1011-84 Savings-3124-0055-81
If you wish to volunteer in repacking relief goods you may call 852-8081, 851-2681 & 0918-930-2356 for schedule.
Interested volunteers may go to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) NAIA Chapel Road, Pasay City (beside Airport Police Department & back of Air Transportation Office). The Center is open 24-hours and volunteers may repack on shift.As per Kei’s experience in volunteering for DSWD here are a some reminders from him:1. You must register first, log in before you help and log out when you are done. -Age requirement of Volunteers – youngest age is 15, no max age.
2.This is harder than it looks– honestly when you see people repacking on the television it seems like a breeze, in reality it’s a lot of work, planning and coordination, you also have to jive well with people who you do not know. *Come in with “work appropriate” outfits- T-shirts and pants. Come in only with necessities – no need to bring your DSLR, di dito photoshoot…unless you are willing to risk your gadget getting lost.
3.There are people in the government who aren’t douchebags – although they are a rare breed, I’m glad that in my lifetime I’ve met people with actual hearts for the work they are doing.
4. There will always be douchebags in this country – there were people being caught, stealing relief goods…and stealing from volunteers, MAKE SURE YOU DONT BRING EXPENSIVE STUFF AND DONT PUT ON ACCESSORIES WHEN VOLUNTEERING.
5.Don’t go Volunteer just to get selfies – There were people who got kicked out for not helping and just taking selfies.
6.Bring H2O and your own water bottle – DSWD provides water and a drinking station, it’s going to be hot and sweaty in the warehouse, make sure you have your own waterbottle.
7.Be Organized – Come in with a buddy and don’t separate, it’s going to be easier if you come in organized, with a group, make sure you have a leader.
8.You can do amazing things if you put your heart into it – I just lugged around 8 sacks of rice on my own…until this minute, I still can’t believe I did it, although my back hurts right now.
Here are the details if you want to donate for Red Cross:
The Philippine Red Cross Manila Chapter: Gen. Luna cor. Victoria St., Intramuros, ManilaTelefax: 527-2161, 527-3595, 527-3594Mobile: 0917-806-8535E-mail: manila@redcross.org.ph
*You may donate through SMS by texting RED and send it to 2899 for Globe and 4143 for Smart. You can donate the following denominations: Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000 and for Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
For cash deposits:
Banco De Oro
Peso: 00-453-0018647
Dollar: 10-453-0039482
Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Metrobank
Peso: 151-3-041631228
Dollar: 151-2-15100218-2
Swift Code: MBTCPHMM
Philippine National Bank
Peso: 3752 8350 0034
Dollar: 3752 8350 0042
Swift Code: PNBMPHMM
Unionbank of the Philippines
Peso: 1015 4000 0201
Dollar: 1315 4000 0090
Swift code: UBPHPHMM
For in-kind donation you may send it to Philippine Red Cross – National Headquarters in Manila. You may also contact them to arrange donation pick-up.
Location: Aurora Blvd., Katipunan Valley, Loyola Heights Quezon City, Philippines
Office Hours: 10am-5pm, Mondays to Saturdays except holidays
Contact tel. # 475-1688 (office hours only)
Email philpaws@paws.org.ph
BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
USD Account No. 3944-0021-61
PHP Account No. 3943-0086-11
Swift no. BOPIPHMM
Philippine National Bank
Swift no. PNBM PHMM
PHP Account 37-826-380001-2
(old number 072-830174-0)
Banco de Oro Unibank (BDO)
PHP Account No. 6250058159
Account Name for all bank accounts: Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
and email us – philpaws@paws.org.ph a copy of the validated deposit slip with a note “for disaster-relief -Typhoon Yolanda victims”.
Although I am not attending, I think I need to spread the word about the change of schedule.
Photo of the typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda taken from the internet
When the oceans rise and thunders roar I will soar with You above the storm Father you are King over the flood I will be still, know You are God
–“Still” from Hillsong United
The last typhoon had really hit hard. It breaks my heart to see the devastation and deaths it caused… Pray for the typhoon victims and extend help if you can.
Do you read (or have at least tried to read) books in other formats aside from print? How was your experience with these different book formats?
photo from bookcoaching.com
I read e-books. Usually PDF or rich text format/s and I read them on my PC, laptop or mobile phone. I love that it leaves no clutter and that I don’t have to worry about yellowing/torn pages, shelf space and having to bring the book everywhere (saves me space in my bag). I can have more than five books in my mobile and read them wherever I go. I love that e-books are portable and can easily be shared to my friends. We can read the same book! No more waiting for one to finish before you can borrow! To add to that, I don’t have to worry about letting people borrow my books… the printed books are sometimes borrowed but never returned, or returned with a few pages folded, torn, cover falling apart, etc. I hate it when it happens. Now, I can just give them a copy of the e-book et viola, no more fear of non-returning books or damaged books.
Okay, so enough about the positives. here are the not so good stuff about e-books. You cannot read them unless you have electricity/battery. One cannot feel the pages of the book, or the scent of a new or old book. Once the file gets corrupted/deleted it has the chance to go bye-bye. And because I am living in the Philippines where a lot of muggers are up and about, you cant read in a public place, public transportation for fear that your gadget containing all your contacts, books, pictures and all the other stuff be grabbed from your hands. Another con will be, you cannot get an author to sign your e-book, an autograph will always be better on paper.
Overall, I love books. Printed or e-book formats is okay with me as long as I have a book.
A book is a fragile creature, it suffers the wear of time, it fears rodents, the elements and clumsy hands. so the librarian protects the books not only against mankind but also against nature and devotes his life to this war with the forces of oblivion. –Umberto Eco
life of a cuddlebit 