Time went so fast and before we knew it, our little bundle of joy is here. He came out pretty quickly and is not giving his mommy a hard time. In fact, all he does is sleep most of time. More stories to come out soon once mommy have the time to recuperate…
Bryce Liam Jimenez, born on 16 August 2007 at 15:55 in St. Marien Hospital, Bonn, Germany. He weighed 3,030 grams and 50 cm. He’s a Leo and born on the year of the Golden Pig.
Recently, I was accused of being a perfectionist and taking things too seriously. I reflect on this "feedback" and see what drove this people to say such a thing. I guess they felt pressured by me and they did not want that, thus the label of Ms. Perfect & Ms. Serious.
I however beg to disagree. Cause one have to look at the situation where one is in to be able to say that I am overdoing it. If it is a big event and a lot of people are counting on you for it to be successful enough to reach the expectations and goals it was organised in the first place, then I am also pushed by this responsibility to give all that I can for the project.
I find it unfair that one is accused of being "perfect" and "too serious" when I have a responsibility that affects so many people. I just find that sometimes, people make decisions in their life that does not really fit on the work at hand and they try to find the justifications for themselves and others if the goal is not reached.
Don’t treat me as someone blind or stupid. Talk to me and explain in a proper manner, otherwise, think first before you throw those things at my feet. Don’t try to be subtle with me by telling hints here and there. Quit talking bullshit and finally take the bull by the horn and confront me. That’s all I ask of you.
Hi guys, es ist so weit… we’re almost at the end of our preparations for our big day at the church… so click on the link below to reminisce the good ole days and be one with us in our anticipation for this big event. a celebration of a "vie d’un couple". enjoy!
Click here.
The idea of creating a play has been brewing in my mind since Libay approached me for activities for the youth in 1999. At that time though, this kind of project was just unthinkable because the community was not ready for it. I think they even thought I was crazy in the first place when I suggested it at that time.
Then in 2005, came the celebration of the World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany. The youth all of a sudden had a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of sharing one’s faith with the other young people of the world. The Filipino community in the Archdiocese of Cologne was then fully mobilized and the Tropa ng Kabataang Pinoy sa Deutschland was born. For us, it was an unforgettable experience, particularly after handling a pre-WYD fund raising activity, the Fiesta ng Kabataang Pinoy. And the following days ferrying from Bonn to Cologne and meeting different youth from different parts of the world was so amazing and great until it culminated in Marienfeld together with Pope Benedict XVI.
After such intense activities, the youth started to mellow because they also had to face reality of going back to school, going back to normal routine but most specially preparing for the higher grade which entails more demanding study habits or even to start work. On top of it, they are becoming more assertive as a person and as such, more independent. The number of the group started to dwindle and the only activity left was the youth choir. But in December 2006, the youth re-assembled and tried to plan for their future activities.
Then the idea of a play was re-born. At that time, I already asked Landz Velasco if he would be interested to mount a play, which he graciously accepted. Even if some were not really ready to take this responsibility, still we kept the idea burning through theater workshops that Landz conducted. And by early May, a “writeshop” was started to draw the skeleton of the script of the play. The group was composed of Jaz, Ays, Mark, Ira, Libay and Landz. I was a “sabit” to monitor the discussions and for any added input but I had no intention to write at all at that time.
Through the month of May and June, the group tried to squeeze in their work and daily activities, sessions of the writeshop to advance on the play, but as two members, Jaz and Ira, left for Manila by end of May and with the hectic schedule at work of the group, the scriptwriting started to slow down. In the end, I also had to step in and write so that we can still consider the target date of the play, which is September. The initial play was long and taking into consideration the preparation and organization of the whole play, we decided to shorten it. And for the exact date, we had to consider the conferences scheduled for each UN organisation we were working for as we were already missing Tropa core group members.
But push it we did until by end of June, with three-fourths of the script finished, Landz decided to start with the production. Actors and actresses were approached to give their time for the practices. Venues were arranged; former hermanas and hermanos of San Lorenzo Ruiz were requested to provide food; materials were slowly gathered for the props, coordination was made for the theater, for the lights and for the sounds. Arrangements and fabrics were bought for the costumes. The photo shoot was organized including the make-up and hairstyles of the cast. Practices were organized and then eventually cancelled, depending on the availability of the cast. Telephone bills ran high, emotions ran higher and a lot of tears were shed literally.
the title
The production started without the play having a title. It took us a while to think of a good one for it that would capture the concept. Lando had to ask us again and again for the right one. It was only early in August that we were finally able to choose a few. The initial suggestions were bordering from comedy to heavy drama: Lorenzo at Laura, L na L, ang martir at ang biktima, maalaala mo kaya, maalaala kaya niya, ang manlalakbay, ang dayuhan, liwanag sa bukang-liwayway, sibol ng pag-asa, hamon sa gitna ng kadiliman, pangarap at tagumpay, piniling landas.
For myself, I came up with liwanag sa bukang-liwayway coz I wanted to have a sense of hope in the play that is so tragic. Meaning there was a sense from all their hardships. However, the selection still continued until five were finally short-listed: By then I was in Geneva and just following the discussion by e-mail, then I suggested a title mixing my title with Libay’s. Landas ng Liwanag, path of light. The group decided to include that last title in the short-list.
The group then decided to ask the community to choose which will be the best title. This was in the spirit of the Tropa activities where all the communities are always involved. The entries were also raffled and the person drawn was going to get a free ticket. The winning title? LANDAS NG LIWANAG.
The poster
This is another process that took us a while and took us in the Pasamba’s residence in Pech a lot of times. Gunter initially made a couple as draft until I was able to sit with him and brainstorm based on the feedback of Landz at the beginning. Since they wanted sunset, we took a picture with that and also the picture of the main characters: Lorenzo and Laura with the title at the top. Geez, it looked like a film poster from long ago although Gunter was saying it reminds him of Lion King. Hahaha. I guess its because of the color of the sunset.
Then a few days later after Landas ng Liwanag was chosen as a title, I thought of a picture with a path and there would be a source of light somewhere. So I came up a draft lay-out and sent it to the team for feedback. Then again another day was spent with Gunter and we found a photo taken by Gina in the forest near their place for the path. Then Gunter added a source of light. Libay wanted a photo with rosary because San Lorenzo’s life focused on his rosary. Luckily we found a shot of Ays wearing a rosary on one of the production photos and the lighting just fitted perfectly. Laura’s photo was trickier because we had to find the right expression and thank goodness for Photoshop, we were able to mix 2 photos together to get what we want. Then Libay wanted also Paul’s photo because he is also one of the main characters of the play, as Fr. Dominic connecting Laura and Lorenzo. We were able to add all these elements and voila! The new poster came out with a somber look, using sepia as a color theme and when we finally sent it to the production head, they were really happy with it. Another element of the play done. Whew!
Finally, we reached the first show on 8 September 2006. I took a day off to handle some other last minute details, buying missing props, arranging make-up, arranging transport of materials from Shalom Center to the Gesamtschule Aula. Organising the props there, preparing the notes, briefing my team, discussing last minute details, making the kids behave, the youth less fidgety, releasing the tension by making jokes and making faces. One of our miracle items that night were the new walkie-talkies that I bought just the night before that was going to help us enormously that night. And with butterflies in my stomach, the lights started to dim, the introductory remarks made and the play was to begin. As the curtains opened, I could not help but close my eyes and pray for God’s guidance. As I heard my husband utter his lines, I kept my eyes shut tighter as I pray for all the actors that night. Before long, we had to change the set for the next scene and shortly after I was banging the table, a tinny bit late, to imitate the banging of the door of Lorenzo of the church where he will find the Dominican priest, Fr. Domingo. During the whole play, I was like a soldier making sure that the backstage curtain does not move. That nobody was making any noise. That the curtains at the back were properly placed including the props we were changing while my ear was glued to the dialogue of the cast to check that they are still following their lines. All the while, the walkie-talkie was buzzing from time to time in my ear as we send and receive instructions from each other.
Unwittingly we reach the half of the play and everything felt like it was a breeze. All of the scenes were done without any problem until we reach the part where Lorenzo was tortured. I had to rush to the other part of the backstage and prepare the wet shirt that Ays was suppose to wear. Ays came rushing to me while I was holding the shirt, opening it wide where his head is suppose to go but we had problems with the sleeve. It was so wet, it was difficult to pull down, then we were also missing the other arm which was turned at the very back and while he was struggling with this other arm, I was tugging the other while Ate Loi was putting white make-up on him at the same time. I had to quickly say that we were almost ready in the walkie-talkie or they might open the lights prematurely for the next scene. Then thank goodness he was ready and he rushed out as he did the torture scene. When the lights went out, I immediately rushed to him, removed the cover of the bottle and poured water on him. He told me later he was so surprised coz the water was so cold. But out he went again for the final confrontation with Tokugawa and I tiptoed back to my part of the backstage.
It must be said that the second to the last scene where we showed a video of the canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz, we were only able to do that night due to the video that was only finished on that very day. Therefore, it was the only scene where we had a problem. The rope connecting the artificial well was not fully taken out so that when Lorenzo’s leg came down, the well, made of carton and some wood, kipped towards him but by that time, the audience was so immersed in the story that it was such a minor detail. But the video and sounds did not work very well so it was one of the low points but when we finally closed the curtains, we were happy.
However, I was still not fully rejoicing coz we still have another night to go so I immediately reviewed the scenes and made notes where we can still improve details and the flow of work. But celebrate we still did specially with the people who watched and who were so amazed with the outcome of the play. Nobody imagined that it would be so good and powerful. A friend even called me the next day and said that she was still speechless with the play. It was a success! The challenge now is to maintain the same quality and even improve it for the audience of the second show.
Early in the afternoon, Landz, Libay, Mark and I met to discuss the details missing yesterday and finally set-up the video as it should be done as well as exchanging reviews of the people. Mark, set up all his gadgets at the right side of the stage and made sure that the video was working including the sounds. Before long, the cast started arriving as well as the crew of the backstage. We slowly set up all the materials, making sure that they are well placed. The hair and make-up team, Ate Loi and Charry, started their work. Libay was setting up the foyer for the tickets and food. I felt that the emotions were tighter this evening and that my brains were not working as clearly as yesterday.
Then an hour before the play, we were having technical problems again with the video. The tension was palpable as the issue of continuing with it or not was again a hot discussion. I looked desperately for Libay to ease it but she was occupied with the arrangement of the ticket box that I just decided to move the set-up from the side of the stage to the front and connected all the cables as best as I could. This made my thoughts even more scattered as I seem to lose concentration on the work that we would be doing. But set-it up we did and it seems to be working while avoiding heated arguments and hurt feelings. Ah! The stress of it all!
After the new set-up, I went to my crew and briefed them again. I emphasized the fact that since the show was great yesterday, there was a danger that we would lose concentration and take things for granted. We had to be as good or even better than yesterday. As we threw last minute instructions to everyone at the backstage, the play started.
What can I say? As the show progressed, it was a night of “adlibs”. In the middle of a well-rehearsed, familiar lines, a phrase was uttered, exclamations put on parts that did not use to hold this emotion before, which of course made the play better but it also made my heart miss a beat because I was afraid that they would lose the thread and might end up without saying anything.
There was the scene where Ate Carmen included “Praise the Lord” on her lines that made everyone jump. Where she turned the chair she was holding and cleaning the part underneath just to emphasize her line of “work well done”. Richie asking someone to hit him on the chest to internalize and make his character come out as mean and hard as it should. He was also walking on the sidelines of the curtain and Landz always telling me on the walkie-talkie “Jang the curtain is moving, the curtain is moving!!!!” When Ate Carmen again uttered a line that was completely new and made me wanna cry coz they might lose the thread of the script. And finally when Paul started telling lines that he should have said at the beginning of the play and made me disoriented coz it was reacting to these lines and saying “What?!? We started again from the beginning?!?!”
But rallied they did and I was so proud of them and could not help but just mimic my surprise and my emotion in front of the crew and the cast at the backstage to their amusement.
But finally when the part of the video came, I started praying so hard like never before and asking God to make it work coz everything would depend on this now. Please make it work. Every breath of the head of production was held until the image came and from that point, I just started crying… crying out all the tensions, all the hardships we’ve gone through, all the sacrifices we’ve made to finish this play in 2 months, all the emotions that ran high, arguments, counter-arguments, making-up and working together again with camaraderie and laughter. And cried, I did, for this blessing from God, from gathering all these people for this play and making it work. For the youth who were there to become part of it.
And now, when we talk about the play, it is with reminiscing with pride and joy in our hearts. I just hope and pray that we would be able to continue such activities and share to the people the lives of other people who inspires us to do good. That despite all the hardships, there will always be a silver-lining in the horizon to keep our hope burning. Building bridges where there are none.
In celebration of the upcoming feast of our first Filipino saint, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Tropa ng Kabataang Pinoy sa Deutschland in cooperation with the Filipino Community in the Archdiocese of Cologne presents…
LANDAS NG LIWANAG
On 19 August 2006, two people courageously trekked the path of marriage, holding each other hands. Sarah and Hans Peter or HP, got married in St. Elizabeth Church in Bonn and celebrated the occasion at Avendi Hotel in Bad Honnef. It was a solemn, classy and seamless event, thanks to the combined efforts of trusted friends and family members. From the church ceremony to the reception, the couple were able to enjoy the day with comfort.
The father of the bride walked halfway the aisle and waited for her in the middle. The door of the church was slowly opened for her and a soloist sang this song…
the groom was handsome, the bride was blooming and ecstatic, the entourage wore simple yet elegant gowns and the ceremony was very solemn. the filipino priest made a huge effort of giving the mass in german for the groom’s family and the choir sang magestically. the procession out of the church was smooth and well coordinated.
at the reception, the ballroom was very classy and intimate. just enough people that the couple were to able to entertain each and everyone while the videographer and the photographers were busy as bees covering the party. the whole programme in german and english ran according to schedule with as few stress as possible. at the very end, baloons with sparklers tied at the end were let loose by the guests twinkling in the dark skies.
and the party continued as they danced the night away… for photos, click here
Congratulations Sarah and HP!!!
PS. Unfortunately, early in the morning the next day, HP’s father passed away suddenly from heart attack. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and our prayers are with him.
this already appeared on karampot but here it is again to be shared with friendster peeps… enjoy!
once again we were watching Sharon’s show and they were talking about couples and love in general. there was one guy who got busted so many times. they were asking him how he courted the girls coz maybe there was something wrong with his strategy. so he showed them and they were laughing coz it was so lame. know why? coz he was starting with "your eyes are like stars in the sky…"
ngek! siguro it would work nung panahon nina Paraluman pero sa ngayon, as in sobrang luma na noon at payo nga nila sa guy, magbago sya ng strategy.
sabay tanong sa akin ni Pabs… "Do you have a map?"
and I said "Why?"
"Coz I’m lost in your eyes!"
ay pucha! nakana ako!!! ang corny!!!
You love me so much that you…
Used to stay with us all the time as part of the family, but when you had your new beau, we didn’t hear from you for a long time and when we saw you, you reprimanded us for not calling.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
You told us that we were the most important people in this city but you did not tell me that you were going out with your new beau for a couple of weeks and it was only when I asked him that I knew you were really an item. You never personally told me anything at all.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Told your beau I had a tiff with your mother and she would not be able to spend Christmas with all of us because of that. Only, I never had any tiff with your mother at all and you just used me as an alibi so that you don’t have to spend time with her.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Invited my mother and two of our adopted visiting choir members, who were living with me at that time, to your house and didn’t even utter an invitation to us even when you saw us at the Sunday mass.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Nag me because we do not go to your house when we never get any invitation anyway while knowing you complain when a person comes to your house uninvited.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Finally invited us at your house for a late party but it turned out that there were just a couple of people left and you slept while we were still there. You did that to us twice.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Complain that we never invite you but when we finally did for the birthday of our son, your godson, you never showed up.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Could not understand why I was not talking to you after the birthday incident and you even told me that if I continue doing this, you threatened that you would get fed up with us.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Complain that you tried calling us at home, but we were never there, when all the while you also have our cell phone numbers and we have it all the time.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Invited me once to go out but when I could not go because of church obligations, you complained that I never say yes to your invitations and hanged up on me.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Only texted me 5 days after that incident and only because I complained to your beau.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Said your cell went dead and wanted to text me about it but forgot. But all the while you were charging the batteries at home and you have a landline.
——————-
You love me so much that you…
Never think of the consequences of your actions to us and arrogantly declared that we will talk eventually anyway and we will welcome you back in our lives.
——————-
Let me tell you this… I’ll never love you as much…
this was originally posted on my other blog at blogspot but just wanted to spread this to the others here in friendster so they can put something on their blogs too… seven-eleven, seven dwarves, seven the movie, seven-up… all these reminds of this number and somebody thought of doing a tag-game and I got tagged by des… am tagging mervie and ira in return… enjoy…
Seven things that scare you:
1. Losing someone I love
2. Losing my faith
3. Ghost stories
4. Horror movies
5. Asong nangangagat – been bitten once
6. Beating red light – saw an accident once
7. Incurable diseases
Seven things you like the most:
1. Hubby and son
2. Great photos
3. Sex and the City
4. Good books
5. Good music
6. Chichiria
7. Great dance moves
Seven important things in your bedroom:
1. Bed – kasi di bedroom kung ala yon… hehehe pilosopo ba daw!
2. Bed-side lamp
3. Books
4. Nice pillow
5. Nice bed sheets
6. Mirror
7. Hubby and son
Seven random facts about you:
1. MATARAY
2. Matapang
3. May topak
4. Makahiya – i.e. sensitive
5. Masarap tumawa
6. Malakas ang sense of humor
7. at marami pang MA… kaya nga MA ang tawag ng anak ko eh
Seven things you plan to do before you die:
1. Say sorry to people I need to say sorry to
2. Ask God’s forgiveness
3. Say I love you to all who counts
4. Plan how to divide my stuff
5. Go to Cape Town
6. Try sky-diving
7. Visit Jerusalem
Seven things you can do:
1. Scare someone just by giving her my big eye look with flared nose
2. Organize a Fiesta… hehehe
3. Think philosophically of life till my head hurts
4. Be faithful and loyal to a friend
5. Make face to make someone smile
6. Stretch my patience only for my child
7. Be fickle
Seven things you can’t do:
1. Be artificial
2. Stand injustice
3. Play billiards
4. Not love my own
5. Sing like Regine Velasquez
6. Stop kissing my love ones
7. Fight my laziness sometimes
Seven things that attract you to the opposite sex:
1. Torso
2. Nice legs
3. Eyes
4. Personality
5. Kindness
6. Humor
7. Great dancers – aie! Sobra!!
Seven things you say the most:
1. Linchak
2. Ang cute mo talaga!
3. Ang bright mo talaga!
4. My goodness!
5. Nein! (Especially to Aidan)
6. Ganon?!?
7. Talaga naman!
Seven celeb crushes (whether local or foreign):
1. Ricky Martin (kesihodang bi sya)
2. Josh Hartnett
3. Brendan Fraser (when he was younger)
4. Hugh Dancy
5. Robert Downey Jr. (in Heart and Soul)
6. Leonardo di Caprio
7. Rico Yan (kc ala naman sinabi kung andito pa o hindi)
Right-o! Just turned 30 before Christmas and man that was something! I just feel different altogether somehow and just can’t pinpoint what it is… But not in a negative sense, don’t get me wrong. Just different. I feel the 3 decades past me and at this point, for such an important number, I can’t help but reflect on what I’ve accomplished and where I’m heading. The big-0 is such a threshold and somehow I could remember them better…
At 10, I was moving house. It was the time that I was leaving my mom’s family in Laguna and I was going to live with my auntie Ronnie in Makati first before moving to Pasig to join my auntie Dell. I can’t remember how my birthday was but I remember that I was in Benitez School. My baon was 2 pesos a week and I was constantly visited by my classmates knocking at our gate asking if Katheryn was in, much to the amusement of my uncle Tazar. At this time, my accomplishment was learning to ride a bicycle and skipping the Chinese garter way up past my head. Man! Was I nimble or what!!!
At 20, I just finished college and was starting my French lessons in Geneva. It was tough coz I was adjusting to the European culture AND climate. I missed my barkadas in Pinas and the hustle and bustle of our youth group. It was tough and I had just my auntie Dell and uncle Charles who were really precious and supportive but I missed my own age group and just the fun and laughter of young people. It was time of introspection and learning to live as an individual again, independent of any group. Eventually, I adjusted to my new life and Geneva became my HOME in the real sense of the word. I grew up so much in every way possible when I was there.
Now at 30, I’m in Germany, with a wonderful husband and a charming two-year old son. I have a cool job, still helping the local church, organizing activities for the youth and enjoying a comfortable, laid-back life, thru God’s help. I have traveled fairly well and met both great and horrible people. My French is doing well and I can converse a bit more in German while I completely revel in English and Filipino plus starting with Spanish seriously this time. I was no longer the baby of the group in the office coz I’m now 30 so I sort of check my behavior and see if I’m acting my age… I feel stronger and capable of running my life and have been blessed with a wonderful new family. But I also noticed that my elders were growing old and slowly but surely I was taking their place, i.e. instead of taking care of me, I’m slowly taking care of them.
Somehow I became more aware of growing old when I reached this age. But this is how life is… Ainsi va la vie… like they say in French. Being 30 is a threshold of maturity and a step forward to more responsibilities in life. I sometimes feel apprehension for my future but I don’t want to wallow in imaginings so like I always say to myself “I’ll cross the river when I get there.” Somehow, one way or another, things in life just arranges itself according to where its headed sooner or later anyway, so…
At 30, I am grateful. Because my life has been showered with blessings and almost all my wishes came true so I can never ask for more. I just have to remember to keep strong in times of trouble and be happy.
That’s where I am at 30… wonder where I’ll be at 40?!?
PS: My wonderful husband threw a big party for my 30th and here are some photos. I’d like to thank all my family, friends, office mates and acquaintances for being there! Touched ako promise!!! and to my one and only I LOVE YOU SCHATZ, bis zum Mond und zurück…
