… epitome of a beautiful woman? or man?
Author Archives: Hannah
The Holy Tunic
Mixing Tagalog and English (TagLish) in one sentence is quiet common for us Filipinos. We are familiar with the words and actually can understand each other still. But mixing Tagalog and German in a conversation, well, could actually cause confusion. At least for me.
My friends called me to ask if I wanted to join them on a road trip – to see “The Heiliger Rock”. I thought, well, why not? I mean, I am a Christian, I believe in God. I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was just 14 years old. I celebrate Easter and I believe in Jesus’ resurection. I do have my own personal relationship with the Lord. Period!
But to see a holy stone? Why not? The holy stone turned out to be a Tunic. I, silly me, literally translated “Rock” for “stone”. But “Rock” in Germanic language is actually “skirt” or “tunic”. It is believed to be the “Seamless Tunic” that Jesus’ wore before He was crucified. According to tradition, St. Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, brought the Holy Tunic to Trier when it was the capital of ancient Gaul.
The “Holy Robe” pilgrimage began in 1512. It is again available for viewing from April 13 till May 13 this year. The “Holy Robe” Pilrimage tradition is now 500 years old. I lined up with my firends inside the Cathedral in Trier for almost 20 minutes. The line was already long at 10:30 a.m. My friend, thinking ahead, knew that if we arrived later, it would probably have taken double the time just to see the Tunic inside the Cathedral.
Afterwards, we just walked around Trier which is Germany’s oldest city.
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Philippinen and the Filipino Way
Watch a video of Terra X 2DF channel presenting the Philippines and the Filipino sea nomads.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J28YooUf2NU
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4L5gSp69MU
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thgnFiniEn8
The Filipino Way
The whole crew woke up at 5 a.m. as scheduled. But the boaters came late, (as usual – the famous “Filipino time”). When the boaters finally came, it turned out that the whole crew and their equiptments would not go in the boat. So they had to order another boat. Mr. Dirk Steffens was already pessimistic if they would even make it out that day, hehehe. But eventually, they managed to get another boat and the crew could sail out in the end. I like this cut, showing the boys in shorts and goggles playing under water with the foreign guests in full diving gear, hehehe.
Just watching these clips make me want to shout out: “Here it is! The country where I hail from. The Paradise of the Southeast.”
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LP Challenge: Babasahin
Simula nung ako ay bata pa lamang ay nakahiligan ko na ang mag basa. Oo, simula sa mga Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Sweet valley High, Emilio Buto (Mills and Boon) hanggang sa mga Daniel Bakal (Daniel Steel) at iba pang Romance novels. Hanggang ngayon ay kinagigiliwan ko pa rin mag basa. Tulad ng Happy Rotter (este, Harry Potter) na akda ni J.K. Rowling at ng mga akda nila Dan Brown, John Grisham, James Patterson. Kasama na rin si Mary Clark Higgins. Pinag daanan ko din namang basahin ang mga bigating sina Leo Tolstoi, Anna K., At mga akda ni Jane Austen. Namuti ang bawat hibla ng mga buhok ko jan… kasi kinakailangan kong basahin para sa eskwela ang mga yan.
Ngayon naman, namumutla naman ang wallet ko, kasi ang mamahal na ng mga babasahin Ingles dito sa Alemanya. Mabuti nalang at doon sa dati kong pinag ta trabahuhan ay nakaka deilihensiya ako ng mga librong itinatapon na dahil hindi nabebenta. Mga top seller din naman sana, kaya lang bihira lang ang namimili ng English books nila. Kaya kesa gumastos sila sa pag mail nila ng sangkatutak ng libro, ay tinatapon nalang nila ito. Yun nga lang hubad sa likod ang mga binabasa ko kasi ang back cover ay tinatastas nila para isauli sa publishing house. Okay lang din. Ang mahalag ay libro ito at higit sa lahat, nakukuha ko pang ipagpatuloy ang kinagisnan kong “hobby” ang pag babasa.
Nitong mga huling buwan, mas napapabilis ang pag tapos kong basahin ang isang libro dahil sa trabaho ko ngayon, may time ako mag basa. Pwedeng-pwede kami magbasa ng libro, huwag lang newspaper, magazine, or tablet. Bawal mag internet for personal use at bawal din mag telebabad. Kaya nag stock ako ng maraming libro. Tuwing may pagkakataon na makapag uwi ako ulit ng mga patapon na libro ay gina-grab ko. Madalas isang malaking shopping bag na puno ng libro ang nai uuwi ko. Oo, natatapos ko naman silang basahin. Pag tapos na ako ay pinamimigay ko na din sa mga interesado o kaya ay dinadala ko sa Brussels para naman sa mga kapatid ko. Sila din ay mahilig mag basa. Talagang nasa lahi na rin ata namin yun. O di kaya ay sa pagpapalaki sa amin ng aking mga auntie at Lola. Naalala ko pa, palitan kami ng librong binabasa. My Lola used to bring lots of books at home. Borrowed books lang from the library at sa book-swapping stores sa manila. Mabibili mo ang libro ng 2,50 pesos pataas, depende sa author at kung bago pa ito. Pagkatapos mong basahin pwede mo itong i swap for other books at same price or lower. Unahan kami ng pili kung ano ang gusto naming basahin at pagkatapos ay nagpapalitan naman kami. Kinagagalitan ang pinaka matagal matapos mag basa. Kasi, gusto pa namin itong i swap for other books nga. Maganda ang kinagisnan naming magkakapatid na hobby. At masaya ako na hanggang ngayon ay nagagawa ko pa ito. Thank goodness, libre na ang mga libro ko.
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LP challenge: Nakagisnan
Simple lang ang buhay na aking kinagisnan. Naninirahan lang kami noon sa isang apartment sa Maynila. May dalawang kuwarto man ito, pero dahil sa masyadong mabait ang mga magulang ko, palagi kaming puno. Palaging may bisita galing sa probinsiya. May mga pinsan na nakikitira habang nag aaral sa Maynila. Siksikan kami sa kuwarto at sa kama, pero masaya naman kahit nag mistulang sardinas kami. Mabuti pa nga siguro ang sardinas nakakahinga pa ata ng maayos kesa sa amin, hehehe. Kapag naiisip ko nga ngayon ang kinagisnan kong buhay, natutuwa ako na kahit siksikan kami noon, magkasama naman kami lahat. Masaya kahit isang latang sardinas lang ang ulam namin. Kahit nale-late kami sa eskwela sa kaka hintay para makapag banyo sa umaga.
Ngayon, ang kasama ko lang dito sa Alemanya ay ang aking asawa. Minsan, nangungulila ako sa aking nakagisnang buhay. Maingay, masikip, mahirap… pero masaya.
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Berlin again… this time with Bong
I visited Berlin again this time with my classmate way back during my I.S. days in MCFI and her family and some friends. Last time I was in Berlin, was with my niece Duday. It was a first for both of us. For her, the first time she travelled from Brussels alone via the ICE going to Frankfurt am Main then further on to Berlin with me. For me, the first time to visit Berlin, the capital city. We stayed two nights at one of the Hotels in Potsdamerplatz. We had a really nice time. For her, perhaps tiring, but anyway educational. That was in August last year.
Two weeks ago, I went back there with some friends.
It was also tiring since we tried to squeezed as much place as we could visit in one day. Anyway, I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. I got to spend sometime with Bong. Got to know her a bit more. Caught up with her life’s ventures… as wife, mother and a career woman all rolled into one. The Bong that I used to know is totally different now. I can’t imagine her being the successful Realty Broker and over protective mom of Sophie. You see, before, I thought Bong was a softie. Although a really beautiful personality inside, I thought that she was the type who would need someone to protect her. Someone to provide everything for her. I never thought that she would turn out to be a very independent, very reliable sophisticated woman like she is now… to top it all… successful in her chosen field of career.
My hats off to you Bong and it was really nice to see you again. Last time we were together in Zürich was 6 years ago. I hope it will not take that long till we see each other again. Hopefully, Mike and I can visit you and Leonick in your Villa in Antipolo next time we come home to visit.
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I like the new look
I like the new look of my blog. Simple and neat. Boring? yeah, perhaps to some.. but for me it’s a new look. Fresh and clean so to say. Hopefully, I can blog as often again as I used to before. Well, after some years, the zest to do it has paned, but I still do it. It’s an outlet for me…somehow, like a theraphy. I can write anything I want… if it’s just crap or informative… or just plain vanity it does not really matter to me.
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Protected: Windy Friday in my head
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LP Challenge: Mahirap… ang mag maintain
I hardly write or post something here anymore. Mahirap kasi, between work and social engagements, I hardly have time to sit and think of something to write or post here. Hahaha, as if napakarami kong invites anoh? I meant, mas nahihilig ako ngayon makipag meet-up kesa mag vegetate in front of the comp. Kaya, ayun, kahit walang nag iimbita sa a kin, iniimbita ko sarili ko, hehehe. But these last few weeks have been hectic again, dahil nagkaroon ako ng mga bisita aside from my short trips to see my family in Brussels. In my previous post i posted a shot of my eldest and youngest niece together. This time, I’m posting a photo of my college classmate, her family and friends. (I hope okay lang sa kanila…)
I enjoyed so much having you guys here. The kids were great. I do hope to see you again perhaps in the Philippines when I come back for a visit?
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Duds and Lulé
Next to clouds my next favorite photo subjects are the kids of my siblings. No need to rub it in that I don’t have kids of my own. Well, others prefer to pour their affection on their pets, I prefer to focus on my Nieces and Nephew.
I became an auntie since 1997… I think. If I am not mistaken, Duday is my eldest Niece. Then came Trish, Matthew and now very recently Lulé… Come July there will be the another addition to the family from Tex and Gina, another nephew for me. On top of that, I also have some Nieces and Nephews from my cousins. I lost count already how many there are now. I love these kids. Their sweet, loving, gifted and very, very smart. Well, what else can I say? I am their aunt.
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I can’t make up my mind… Lito ako ‘teh!
It has been announced that the Phil. General Consulate in Frankfurt am Main will close for good at the end of July 2012. However, Filipinos here in Germany can still contact/visit either the Philippine embassy in Berlin or through their website Philippine Embassy Berlin.
The General Consulate in Frankfurt am Main was established during the time of ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in June 2008. Consequently, the Bonn extension office and the Consulate General in Hamburg was closed down. Repectively, the jurisdiction of the honorary Consulate General in Stuttgart was redefined.
“Under DFA Department Order no. 12-08 dated 18 September 2008, the territorial jurisdiction of the Consulate General was defined as covering the six (6) German federal states of: Baden Württemburg, Hessen, Nordrhein Westfalen, Rheinland Pfalz, Saarland and Thüringen.”
History of the Consulate General
Preparations and administrative formalities followed and the Consulate General officially opened its doors to the public on 02 March 2009 at a temporary office on Friedrichstrasse 10-12, in the Westend district of Frankfurt am Main. A few months later, on August 15, 2010 the Consulate General transferred to its definitive office on Mainzer Landstrasse 15-17 at the heart of Frankfurt’s banking district.
Apparently, it is getting more expensive for the Government to maintain the General Consulate here in Frankfurt, hence the closure. Of course the Filipino community here in Frankfurt and its neighboring cities are against the closure. It would mean that they would have to travel extra to Berlin to have their documentation requests processed. It would take more time investment to have a passport renewed in example, etc.
So, as a reaction to the said closure, the Filipinos are united is voicing out their wish against the said closure. A petition letter addressed to President Noy (pls. click on the PDF files below.) has been circulating around Frankfurt.
Copies has been furnished to:
* The Vice-President Jejomar Binay
* The Philippine Senate
* The Philippine House of Representatives
* The Secretary of DFA Albert Del Rosario
* Various Philippine Newspapers
* Key columnists and journalists of the Philippine Media.
But is this really going to keep the government from closing down the Gen. Consulate? Yes, we can voice out our ideas as to why we are against the closure, but would the government listen or even consider our cries? That I am pessimistic about.
Come to think of it, do we really need them here? If you check out the services they offer to the Filipinos here in Frankfurt area and its vicinity, well, those can actually be processed per post or electronically, so why bother? Why waste tax payers money on the enormous rent and maintenance fees for the (whole entourage) foreign service staff working at the Consulate?
In my humble opinion, the consulate did not really do much for the Filipinos here anyway. Because, honestly, those who are documented have basically very minimal need for the consulate. If they need help, as a documented person, one can go to the local social welfare or local government for help. But NOT the undocumented ones. Definitely not! for the undocumented ones who need their help most. The best thing that they can do to those undocumented Filipinos is issue a travel document for them so that they can be deported ASAP. And of course we should not forget the ever ready reply: “We are bound by the local law. We cannot do anything about the detained undocumented person/s except shorten their suffering at the detention facility.” AMEN!
With these in my mind and heart, I’d like to note the President’s “motto” at his Inaugural speech: “Kayo ang Boss ko” .
If we are indeed, is there a chance that our cries against the closure of the Consulate General be heard?
AND…
…If indeed the closure would not push through, because for some reason, the cries are heard: what can the consulate promise for us Filipinos here in Hessen and neighboring areas to do aside from the clerical jobs that they are very much willing to help us with?
Yes, I know, that’ having the cake and eating it too, but hey, I’m only human. I prefer having the best of both worlds…that is if I can of course!
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LP Challenge: MADAMI / PLENTY
Madami, madami ako nakita clouds playing on the mountains noong papunta kami sa Banaue…ang ganda! Parang napaka habang cotton candy. Para din siyang bula (foam) ng alon na naglalaro sa may tabing dagat…
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WHICH BIRTHDAY ARE YOU IN ?
JANUARY=CHATTER
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to cont…rol emotions. Unpredictable. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them MFE.
FEBRUARY=THUG
Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. sexiest out of everyone.A real speed demon. Has more than one best friend. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.
MARCH=GORGEOUS
Drop dead gorgeous!!! Attractive personality. Very sexy!! Affectionate & Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Chatterbox! Loves to talk alot! Loves to get their way! . Unbelievable kisser! Easily angered. Very stubborn in the most way possible! Loves to get noticed! Willing to take risks for others. Makes good choices. Has a great fashion sense! Maybe a little too popular with others . Outgoing and crazy at times! Intelligent. Can sometimes be a heartbreaker! Can love as much as possible! Hates insults. Loves compliments! and quiet the charmer. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. The best in bed out of the other 11 months!! Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others.likes to keep theyre crushes kinda secret.pretty much flawless.
APRIL=SEXY
Suave and compromising.. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very confident. Sensitive.. Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able to cheer everyone up and/or make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and travelling. Systematic.. Hot but has brains.
MAY=LOVER
Hella sexy, loves sex n making luv, tends to be SOOOOO hott!! Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.
JUNE =FINEASS
Fun to be with. Loves to try new things. Boy/girls LOVE you. You are very hott. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takesrep pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly.spazzy at times.Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.
JULY=GANGSTA
You’ve got the best personality and are an absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make new friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt and more than likely have a very attractive partner, a wicked hottie. Like somebody with a JUNE brithday. It is also more likely than that you have a massive record collection. When it comes to films, you know how to pick them and may one day become a famous actor/actress yourself – heck, you’ve got the looks for it!!!
AUGUST=ATTITUDE
Outgoing personality. takes risks. feeds on attention. self control. kind hearted. Self confident. loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. easy to get along with and talk to. has an “every thing’s peachy” attitude. likes talking and singing. loves music. daydreamer. easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. loves to be loved. hates studying. in need of “that someone”. longs for freedom. rebellious when withheld or restricted. lives by “no pain no gain” caring. always a suspect. playful. mysterious. “charming” or “beautiful” to everyone. stubborn. curious.. independent. strong willed. a fighter..
SEPTEMBER=IMP
Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the center. Great in bed. Inner and physical beauty. Doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. A meaningful love life partner. Makes right choices. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Does not harm others. It is all about love and fairness. Easily hurt and hard to recover. Daydreamer and does fullfill. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Knows what to do, to have fun. Unpredictable. Someone to have close to you. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all.
OCTOBER=HOTTIE
Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because their one of a kind.
NOVEMBER=SWEETIE
Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck.. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves travelling. Dislike being at home. Restless. having many children. Hardworking. High spirited.
DECEMBER=BEAUTY
This straight-up means ur the most good-looking Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Loves freedom. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves travelling. Dislikebeing at home. Restless. having many children. Hardworking. High spirited .
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Friendship uncertainties
“I resign! I resign from being your friend”!
“I wish it were that easy? Perhaps it is. I just don’t know the trick yet how to just NOT care anymore…” my ex colleague told me just the other day.
Friendship is not just something one can buy. It does not happen overnight. Nor does it happen in just some days or several hours. It cannot be attained just by shaking the hands of another person. Nor can it be gained just by being introduced or by meeting someone along the street or from the other side of the road.
It has to be worked on. It takes years to earn a friend. When it is stablished, it could get painful to just ruin the friendship that was build on trust, honesty and loyalty through the years.
My question is: Are the factors TRUST, LOYALTY, HONESTY and LONGEVITY enough to consider to count someone as a REAL friend?
An acquaintance talked to me about these things. Unfortunately, I couldn’t give her the right answer, that’s of course considering that there really is a RIGHT answer.
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Look what the storck delivered: 2 bundles of Joy!
Well, here I am again… back to my blog home. Yes, I was away for a while. Yes I was on vacation. Before that I was really busy with work. And after that, well, I was not only busy with work but also with some other extra curricular activities.
To top it all off, last January, we welcomed two wonderful beautiful angels in our family… in our clan. My sister gave birth to Lucibelle (January 11, 2012) and eleven days later my dear cousin Feena also gave birth to another beautiful angel, Jamie “Nikay” Miel (January 22, 2012). Both blessings came in perfect health condition. Both of course are now slowly getting spoiled, hehehe. Two bundles of joy to start the year, hoooorah!
Baby Lucibelle
Baby Jamie "nikay" Miel Perilla-Encarnacion