I have no idea what breeches are. So I referred to an online dictionary and learned that they are trousers extending to the knee or just below, worn for riding, mountaineering, etc. The most common are riding breeches. Riding breeches are purposely designed for equestrian activities. Traditionally, they were tight in the legs, stopping about halfway down the calf, with buckles or laces in the calf section, and had a pronounced flare through the thighs that allowed freedom of movement for the rider. However, modern breeches have no flare and fit skin-tight. These laces and buckles at the calves were replaced with zippers and velcro fastenings as well. Thanks to the internet because I can easily search for any word that I am not familiar with. That’s the power of the internet.

Source: Wiki

Four days to go before the Great Samsung Sale promo ends. Samsung has this great sale of up to 50% off on its cell phones that started on October 17 and will end on November 30. It is really great! Haay, sayang! I haven’t visited any of the participating malls yet. The nearest mall to my place is SM North Edsa, but due to my busy schedule, I haven’t gone there yet, and I don’t I think I will be able to go there because there are only 4 days left. I hope there would be an extension for this sale so that I can purchase a new phone at a lower price. If you still have time, you might want to visit SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM North Edsa. Take advantage of the following deals they have:

Enjoy shopping!

It really feels good to share the blessings we receive, especially to those people who are in need. I and my officemates decided to do some charity work. We searched in the internet for an orphanage in Tagaytay City and discovered the Augustinian Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary (ASJM), which has an apostolate with abandoned and neglected children. They are an institution called “Mother Teresa Spinelli’s Treasures”, which is accredited by the DSWD. At present, there are 24 abandoned children under their custody. We chose Tagaytay City because we are also having our early Christmas party celebration at Balay Indang that is only 30 minutes away from Tagaytay. It was a double purpose.

So we called ASJM and scheduled our visit last weekend. We asked them their needs for us to be able to know what to bring. They told us that they need toiletries, diapers, bath soaps, and milk for the kids. With the help of my kind-hearted officemates, we were able to raise funds for the charity work and were able to purchase their needs. So, last weekend, my officemates together with Abeth and Andre, went to ASJM for the said outreach program. We were able to meet the sisters and the children. We brought them food and had simple games during our visit.

Andre played with the kids without knowing that these kids were abandoned by their parents. I am trying to explain it to him to be good to these children because they’re “kawaka”, but he can’t understand it yet. I told him that these children had no mom and dad. Andre asked me why, and told me, “Are they dead?” I wasn’t able to answer him back quickly because I don’t know what to say. I just told him that these children were abandoned by their parents and some were dead, too. Then, he stopped asking me questions anymore. I know he didn’t understand it yet, but, I know in time, he’ll understand it and would want him to realize how fortunate he is to have us as his parents. We also like him to be exposed in this kind of deed so that he’ll be able to appreciate all the blessings we receive.

It really feels good being able to share our wonderful blessings through these children. It’s a mixed feeling. It was a heart-warming experience knowing that we were able to make them happy in our very simple way and in just a little time. It was also disappointing to know that there are parents who can easily abandon and neglect their children. These children were found by the Augustinian Sisters in the field, in the garbage, and the streets. I really feel sorry for these kids, but am also partly happy knowing that there are NGO Institutions like ASJM that are willing to take care of them. Still, these kids are luckier compared to street children in Manila because they have no shelter and no food to eat.

One of ASJM’s goals is to trace the parents of these kids and return them to their respective parents because they believe that finding their parents will have an impact in building a child’s self-esteem. This will help a child to function successfully in life.

Here are some of the photos during our visit:

Our gifts to the children

The orphans with the Augustinian Sisters and my officemates

The abandoned children

The youngest among the orphans

It’s play time!

Andre hugging one of the orphans

the kids enjoying their meal

So for those people who want to help instead of having expensive myrtle beach vacation rentals, here are their contact numbers and location:

Augustinian Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary.
Mo. Teresa Spinelli Novitiate House,
Kabangaan Road, Iruhin West,
4120, Tagaytay City.
Philippines.
Tel:- 046-413-39-45
Fax:- 046-860-00-16
Cellphone:- 09192658058
E mail address:   srcarmenborg@yahoo.com

You can also visit their website.

That’s it for now. May the good Lord bless us always!

Andre is now 3 years and 6 months old. I thinks he is now more mature and more behave in school. We sent him to school because, being the only kid in our house and the only grandson, we want him to learn to interact with other kids. During his first months at the Daycare, he does not focus on the lessons being taught by his teacher. All he wanted was to play, walk around, and even bully his classmates.  He does not answer the workbooks and does not read his textbooks.  It did came to a point that we want to stop him from going to school because of his behavior and realized that he is too young to go to school. He is the youngest among his classmates. Almost everyday sya nang-aaway. Being the President of the PTA, syempre I feel embarrassed by his behavior. However, other parents told me that it’s just okay because he’s still young. So we continued to bring him to school everyday. Now, he has improved a lot. He now listens to his teacher and does not walk around the classroom anymore. I can say that he is more mature now. He has learned a lot from school. He can sing the National Anthem  with his “bulol” lyrics.

Typhoon Ondoy has caused lots of damage to our countrymen. Many cars have been submerged to flood including the car of my officemate. It was very depressing for her part because she just purchased it a day before Typhoon Ondoy flooded most of Metro Manila. What is more depressing is the repair cost because the car wasn’t insured yet. Thus, she decided to avail a comprehensive insurance for her car that covers “Acts of nature”, a vehicle insurance from natural calamities such as typhoon, earthquake and flood. I wonder if there is a mechanical breakdown insurance being offered by insurance companies here in the Philippines. I learned that under mechanical breakdown insurance, the company will cover repairs to your car´s mechanical parts. It is a nice offer diba? This type of insurance is designed to help cover the repair costs you have as a result of mechanical, electrical or electronic breakdown. However, they do not cover repairs on worn out components. The most common elements in this type of insurance include engine, manual transmission, carburetor, and starter motor. Sounds good diba? If ever we will be availing our own car’s insurance, we will consider this one.

It was just last week, during the holiday, wherein we were able to finally fix and clean the other room. Imagine 5 typhoons in 2 months! Grabe! We have fixed the living room and the dining room but placed only few furniture and appliances that are used regularly. We placed other appliances that are occasionally used in the second floor. Our dining chairs, which were all submerged in water, were still waiting to be assembled. Andre’s toys were all placed in the other room. He has lots of toys and I am planning to give some of them as well as some his old baby clothes to less-fortunate kids.

We really thank God that the typhoon didn’t cause too much damage on us. We are also thankful that our house in Cavite wasn’t flooded because my sister was all alone there during the typhoon. We’re glad that the flood water only reached the garage floor and the dirty kitchen. There are so many things to be thankful of talaga! God has been so good to us. Thank you Lord!