Thanksgiving Day: Special Holy Day!

28th of November--It’s Thanksgiving Day in the United States.

Why is there such celebration? The holiday speaks for itself, a day of giving thanks. Thanksgiving Day is a tradition of celebrating the harvest of the year. In the US, the celebration falls every fourth Thursday of November, as proclaimed by the US President Abraham Lincoln. Prior to that proclamation, Thanksgiving was observed, however the date varied from state to state.

When did it start? This historic American Christian tradition could be traced on the year 1623. After the harvest crops were gathered in November 1623, Governor William Bradford (1620 Pilgrim Colony), proclaimed:
"All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the meeting house, on the hill… there to listen to the pastor, and render thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings." This was done in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the “Plymouth Plantation”. However, prior to that year, it was believed that many Thanksgiving has been held, and considered as the “first Thanksgiving”.

Thanksgiving is also a time for coming together with the ones you love, including friends. This is really one good +holiday. However, this day is not just the typical no classes or a day when most people do not have work. Whether we have roasted turkey or none at all. Feast is not important. Thanksgiving Day is a day of giving thanks to the Almighty God for all the blessings people are receiving. This special day should be observed solemnly and gratefully, with one heart and soul. Let’s not forget how blessed we are in this world, and God is truly there guiding us and providing us what we need in our everyday lives. As long as we express our grateful soul to Him, I think that is the best way to celebrate this holy-day.

Let’s all observe a solemn thanksgiving day for our Lord God the creator, the Father… Amen!

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Photo Credits: chipandco.com

Yummy Embotido!!!

Hey guys, I thought of sharing this easy to do recipe called "Embotido". Eventually, can make a good business out of it, too. ;)

1/2 kilo ground pork
2 raw eggs beaten
1 onion chopped finely
1/2 cup raisins
5 pieces regular hotdog (steamed)
1 cup grated cheese
2 hard boiled eggs
1 cup grated carrots
3 tablespoon bread crumbs
1 1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon umami seasoning (MSG)
1/2 cup condensed milk
1 head garlic chopped finely
1/2 cup green peas
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup pineapple tidbits

COOKING PROCEDURES:

1. In a large bowl, put all the ingredients except for the hard boiled eggs and hotdog. Mix well until mixture is well-blended. Set aside.

2. Spread half of the mixture in an aluminum foil. (enough to make one roll)

3. Arrange the hotdog and hard boiled eggs on top.

4. Roll the mixture. Make sure you roll the foil tightly.

5. Wrapped in aluminum foil, seal both ends by just twisting the foil or you can use a string to seal it. Repeat with the remaining pork mixture. This mixture could make 5 rolls, depending on how big /small you want it.

6. Using a steamer, put the roll on a steamer for one hour. Then let it cool down.

7. Remove the foil before serving. (You can also try frying it.)

FEW GIFT IDEAS good for HIM and HER

Christmas is soon to come again!!! Well, we all are aware that this is the season where we spend more! But hey! Be wise enough in spending! Remember, its not the value of the gift, it's still the thought that counts. ;)

Christmas is giving and when we say giving, means we have to go shopping. I say before going to any of your preferred shopping places, I suggest if you get yourself a list of what you should buy for your loved-ones and friends. Of course, do not forget your godchildren! But here is the hard part, thinking of what to give as a gift! LOL..

Don't stress yourselves people! There are still a lot of time before Christmas day, and the first thing that you have to think of is your BUDGET!

Yes, budget. There are lots of gift ideas all throughout the shopping district that you can actually choose from. Or if you have no time at all, you can always go and try shopping online, which is also I think is very convenient since you don't have to huddle with the huge crowd on the market. (Well, that depends on you. I'm a bit lazy.. LOL!)

Okay, so you already have the budget. Now, still you can't decide of what to give. Rock on, fellas! Here are some of gift ideas you might want to give.

Bags -- there are lots of stylish bags that you can buy for a cheaper price. Price depends on style and brand. However, this is a good idea for most men/women especially the working ones.

Perfumes or Body Mist -- this is also a good gift idea for him/her. However, you should consider some factors, like if the person is allergic to perfumes, and/or what scent does he/she likes wearing. You can try to ask the person first before considering buying one as a gift.

Wrist Watch -- you may want to consider the style of the person.

Shirt/Dress -- very common indeed, but if you know the person's size and dressing style, you may consider this as a gift idea.

Accessory -- now this is also one good gift idea. You can choose of buying bracelet, pair of earrings, or a necklace.

Cosmetics -- okay, now basically this is only good for HER. But before considering buying one, make sure the cosmetic is hypo-allergenic to be sure. Or better yet, if you already know what's her usual brand and color, better follow that for safety.


FOR KIDS -- it is always toys for them, just make sure the toy is safe and according to their age. Or you can give something educational like books, an art set, or anything that they can use in school.

Next time, I'll try to check on cheap online shops that has great offers that you might want to try visiting.

Rock on, peeps!!! \m/

Rescue 161 Marikina: Responding at the quickiest time possible!

Marikina City, Philippines -
We were at home and watching a very good movie when my Tita called in telling us that her husband, our uncle, had an accident last night on the street near our house. She was explaining that after the accident, instead of rushing himself to the hospital, uncle insisted to go home. We asked who managed to bring Uncle home, and she told us that he actually visited a friend on the place the accident occured and that friend was the one who brought him home. However, tita said that uncle seems to be in a worst condition. We immediately went to their place and saw uncle lying on the bed, unable to move even his neck. The friend who brought him home was there and he explained what happened, based on the information he gathered from the witnesses on the street last night. It was merely a bicycle, but if you will see the injuries on his whole face and body, it was like he had a motorcycle accident. He can’t speak normally, just a few words in a very soft voice. Also, he can’t move his upper body, he needs assistance whenever he wants to get up, can’t swing his head as his neck has much pain. We really do not know what to do, however, I managed to suggest an ambulance, and let him have a check-up at the nearby hospital.

We immediately called an ambulance using Marikina 161 (since uncle lives in Parang, Marikina). The staff who answered the call asked necessary questions and told us to wait for the ambulance. We did not wait for long time. The ambulance arrived in just a couple of minutes after my call to the hotline. That was really fast. They were two people on the ambulance, the driver and a staff who is doing the first aid or something like that. His name is Mark Valledores. He immediately checked on our patient and asked us how and when. Then he concluded that he might have a fracture and he needs to be x-rayed as soon as possible. Right after, we were on our way to the hospital. At the hospital, Mark assisted me to the “Triage” section of the Emergency Room. Explained everything to the nurse on duty, then he have me filled-out some things on a form. Then he did not leave us until he was sure that everything is now under the hospital’s care.


On the side door of the ambulance, there is sign post that brought a smile to my face. The post said: "If this unit fails to reach you within 5 minutes upon call for assistance, report to Mayor Del de Guzman, call tel. xxx-xxxx." That is something very rare for an ambulance. You can report the ambulance or any vehicle of the Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, who failed to respond on time, directly to the city mayor!

On behalf of my family, I want to commend the driver of the ambulance of Rescue 161, the staffs over the phone answering immediately, and the guy who assisted us, Mr. Valledores. Kudos to Marikina City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Keep up the good work and maintain a good record of responding within 5 minutes! Kudos Mayor Del de Guzman… keep up the good governance, stay focus on helping your fellow Marikiños.

Emergency is like a matter of life and death. Every minute counts. Whatever the situation is, ambulances, fire trucks and police cars should be well-equipped and the staffs should be prepared to help people at all costs. I want to commend these people, who have been doing their jobs consistently all through these years. And hope, every city or town will have the same way of service as Marikina City government has for their townsmen.


Photo Credits: manilastandardtoday.com

Barangay Captain/Chairman: What Do You Really DO?

Barangay Election was successfully over throughout the Philippines last October 28, 2013. The Philippines, which consists of different municipalities/cities in every region, have lots of barangay. For those who are not Filipinos, you may ask what is a barangay?

Barangay is like a community in other term. Well, basically, this definition comes from Wikipedia: a barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward.

A barangay is headed or lead by what we call “Barangay Captain”. In some barangay, they call it “Barangay Chairman”. If we go back in history, before the Spanish came to our land, today’s barangay can be described as a tribe being ruled by a “datu” or the chief of the tribe, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Then what is the primary role of a Barangay Chairman/Captain? Actually, it seems easy to think that his duty is just to maintain peace and order of the community, however, if we’ll just go and research some information, you’ll surely be thinking if you really want to go and run as an official.

The following are the Roles of the Barangay Chairman/Captain in accordance to Department of Interior and Local Government.

CHAPTER 3 - THE Punong Barangay
SECTION 389. Chief Executive: Powers, Duties, and Functions. –

(a) The Punong Barangay,
as the chief executive of the Barangay government, shall exercise such powers and perform
such duties and functions, as provided by this Code and other laws.

(b) For efficient, effective and economical governance, the purpose of which is the general
welfare of the Barangay and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of this Code, the
Punong Barangay shall:

(a) Enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the Barangay;

(b) Negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts for and in behalf of the Barangay, upon
authorization of the Sangguniang Barangay (Council of the Barangay);

(c) Maintain public order in the Barangay and, in pursuance thereof, assist the city or
municipal mayor and the sanggunian (council) members in the performance of their duties and
functions;

(d) Call and preside over the sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay and the Barangay
assembly, and vote only to break a tie;

(e) Upon approval by a majority of all the members of the Sangguniang Barangay,
appoint or replace the Barangay treasurer, the Barangay secretary, and other
appointive Barangay officials;

(f) Organize and lead an emergency group whenever the same may be necessary for
the maintenance of peace and order or on occasions of emergency or calamity within
the Barangay;

(g) In coordination with the Barangay development council, prepare the annual executive
and supplemental budgets of the Barangay;

(h) Approve vouchers relating to the disbursement of Barangay funds;

(i) Enforce laws and regulations relating to pollution control and protection of the
environment;

(j) Administer the operation of the Katarungang PamBarangay in accordance with the
provisions of this Code;

(k) Exercise general supervision over the activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan;

(l) Ensure the delivery of basic services as mandated under Section 17 of this Code; (m) Conduct an annual palarong Barangay which shall feature traditional sports and
disciplines included in national and international games, in coordination with the
Department of Education;

(n) Promote the general welfare of the Barangay; and

(o) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be
prescribed by law or ordinance.

(c) In the performance of his peace and order functions, the Punong Barangay shall be
entitled to possess and carry the necessary firearm within his territorial jurisdiction,
subject to appropriate rules and regulations.




So, people of the Philippines, let's be aware of the duties and functions of the leader of our community. Let us all be concerned about some political aspect. You may never know, but maybe someday, YOU can make a better change to your community, ey?! :)