BEAUTY AND FASHION 911 (in Manila Bulletin's Sense and Style December 2004 issue)

Got puffy eyes or a run in your stockings? Don’t panic. Beauty and fashion emergencies need not ruin your partying mood. Just take a deep breath and try these solutions:

EMERGENCY 1: Coming on too strong

Mop up the area where the fragrance is more prominent with alcohol-soaked cotton then smooth on unscented lotion to diffuse the scent and at the same time re-moisturize your skin. Keep in mind that it has always been advisable to spray before getting dressed because most perfumes stain fabric. Also, be very careful in choosing scents – oriental and floral scents like tuberose, jasmine and vanilla are stronger than green and citrus-based scents.

EMERGENCY 2: Over-blushing

Blushing over bare skin is a sin to make-up goddess. To balance the color of your blush with your skin tone, apply a good foundation as a base first before sweeping blush in a circular motion to achieve soft edges. If the damage is done, press a big powder puff onto your cheeks to lift excess color then apply a layer of loose powder on top with a clean puff.

EMERGENCY 3: Zit alors!

Cover the pimple with a concealer as close to your skin tone as possible followed by a dab of a matching powder. If necessary, add a second layer but remember not to overdo the procedure because it may fail your purpose to simply hide the pimple and end up calling itself more attention. Remember that you could not eliminate your pimple with a snap...what you can do is only de-emphasize it. Another option (if more time is left) is to visit your dermatologist for a quick cortisone injection.

EMERGENCY 4: Sticky situations

If you are already in the party, go to the nearest kitchen and drop some white vinegar to the sticky area and scrape the gum off using a butter knife. Be very careful as you might cut your own precious dress in the middle of the big event. Apply some loose powder to absorb the sour smell and spray the part with your favorite perfume.
If there is enough time left to fix your dress, place the garment in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer. Afterwards, scrape the gum with a butter knife and blot with a dry-cleaning solvent. You can also try loosening the gum by rubbing the clothing with egg white before washing.

EMERGENCY 5: For the birds

Allow the droppings to dry before scraping it off. Sponge with a weak vinegar and soap and water solution then dry the area with a soft tissue.

EMERGENCY 6: Not smudge-proof

Don’t ever rub! Press a little club soda onto the spot then sprinkle salt on top to soak up moisture then let dry. If the spot still remains, touch up with a chalk or talcum powder.

EMERGENCY 7: Monthly curse

Hydrogen peroxide works better especially during emergencies such as this. Simply drop a generous amount then mop with cotton. You also have the option of using table salt and ammonia if time permits. Table salt can take out even dried blood stain by just rubbing a liberal amount on the stained part, afterwards, wash as usual. Ammonia, on the other hand, would not discolor the fabric even if you let it sit in the fabric overnight before washing.
For simple pricks or punctures, an emergency solution to blood stain is your saliva! Sounds unbelievable but is true because the acid content of your saliva has the ability to break up the stain. Simply wet a cotton swab with your saliva then gently rub it on top of the blood. This procedure works best if the blood has not yet dried.

EMERGENCY 8: Oil control

Apply cornstarch or talcum powder in the area where oil is present using a cotton swab. The cornstarch or talcum powder will absorb the oil. Wait for about 15 minutes and dust off the powder with a clean towel. If oil remains, repeat the procedure.

EMERGENCY 9: Running ragged

Have you got any spare pairs of stockings with you? I would advise that you consider keeping some before attending a gathering. Spares always solve the problem! But if you were not able to remember to bring extra pairs, be sure to carry a bottle of clear nail polish (for light colored stockings) or black nail polish (for black and purple stockings) to abolish the runs. Just dab some on the end of the run, let dry and presto! You have a ladder-free stocking!

EMERGENCY 11: Heavy eyelids

After doing your important morning chores, lie down again for about an hour with your head partially elevated by a pillow. This position will drain the fluid from the blood vessels around your eyes. To relieve puffiness, have a wet and cold teabag around your eyes to help tighten the tissue. To treat redness, drop some Visine.

EMERGENCY 12: Seeing spots
All you have to do is to apply a touch of hairspray to a cotton swab then rub over the stain. Do not use any water or liquid cleaner because it could leave a blot and a smudge while bleaches can burn the fabric.

EMERGENCY 13: Mascara dilemma

Smear on a good make-up remover into your lashes and squeeze until almost dry. Comb lashes while they are still damp then bat your eyelid against a tissue to protect your face against smudges. Next time, use waterproof mascara instead of wash-off formulas because it has a finer consistency then the latter. Also, never use old mascara as it usually gets clumpy.

Problem solved?
REMEMBER: The best way to avoid a fashion and beauty emergency is to be prepared!

FASHION EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT

Even though you have planned for everything to go perfectly, you never know what might happen on your big day so a pack of fast-fix tools is really necessary.
As what was said earlier: “The best way to avoid a fashion and beauty emergency is to be prepared!” I recommend that you have your own fashion emergency survival kit with you. Who knows? This might just save your neck from terrible shame disasters might do. Listed below are the things your kit should have for a happy and worriless party day.

• antacid
• aspirin
• clear nail polish
• emery board
• extra earring backs
• extra pair of stockings
• eye drops
• hairspray
• needle and thread
• safety pins
• small scissors
• straight pins
• tissues
• white chalk (to cover any dirt or stains on your dress)
• masking tape (works like magic on a loose hem)
• tampon or pads (yes, even if you're not expecting your period; stress can cause your cycle to shift)
• wash cloth or hand towel
• breath mints
instant glue

CREEPY CRAWLIES: How to fend them off! (in Manila Bulletin's Sense and Style October 2004 issue)

There are over a million species of insects on Earth today. In fact, insects outnumber all other animals at a rate of 4 to 1, and most of them, which are also the most harmful ones, live with you in your very own house. Have you heard of “insect attack”? Sounds crazy but is undeniably true to many. If you experience the burden of having creepy crawlies and other insect pests inside your peaceful territory, then this article is definitely for you. It is important that you learn how to prevent, control and repel insect pests that ruin your peace and the comfort of your life. These tiny beasts enjoy your properties as much as you do, but in a way very unfriendly.

The most common method of pest control is by using chemical pesticides. True enough that pesticides kill insect pests in a very short time span but the risk of its being hazardous must also be taken into consideration. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 200,000 people die in poison and at least 3 million suffer from certain illnesses and diseases brought about by the use of pesticides. In the Philippines alone, 50 percent of rice farmers have suffered from sickness due to its use. Evidently, the pesticides are more harmful to your health and to the environment than to the pests you are trying to get rid off. A very good alternative is to first remove the attractants then use a natural pest control instead of a chemical cure.

Wondering how? Here are some of the most despicable creepy crawlies and other insect pests, and the most natural ways of controlling and repelling them:

Rats. Have you ever heard of Leptospirosis? This is a disease a person can get by dripping himself in flood or creeks, and it is caused by no other than the disgusting creatures called rats. They do not just cause serious diseases, but can also contaminate your food and destroy your properties. The fact that a female rat can conceive at least 84 young and have an incredible ability to survive (rats can survive a 50-feet fall), is indeed a big deal to house owners. So check if you have rat problem in your house and follow the steps to control and eliminate them:

• The best way to control rat problem is to give them no reason to come, and that is proper sanitation. Have rat-proof containers ready for your foodstuffs, garden or lawn seeds and pet food. Purchase a metal garbage can with a tight lid. If you feed you pets outside your house, be sure that no leftovers will be left behind. Clean-up spilled and unused food.
• Make sure that rats’ access to your homes will be impossible. Repair cracked openings like broken windows and seal construction holes, done for electric wires and sewer pipes, not larger than ¼ inch using metal sheet or concrete. Make sure that doors, windows and screens fit tightly.
• If you decide to use a mouse-trap, put it in places where there are manifestations of nesting rats – these are the places where rat droppings can be found. Baits can include peanut butter, peanuts, pieces of bread or cheese.
• A glue board is much more like flypaper wherein the pests get stuck upon crossing on it. The advantage of its use is that you personally would kill the rat and it gives no possibility that the rat would die somewhere where it will stink for days.
• If the number of rats lurking in your house seems to be unstoppable, you may need to use rat poison or toxic baits. Carefully follow the directions in the label and be cautious on the places where these chemicals would be placed. Remember...keep out of reach of children!

Cockroaches. Cockroaches are said to be the oldest group of insects, dating back 300 million years ago. But although they have an amazing record in world history, still thirteen out of twenty-five housewives believe that cockroaches are the most disgusting and the most unwanted insect in their own homes, especially for those who live in apartments. Cockroaches are also said to be the hardest to kill because: first, these pests reside in hidden areas; second, they multiply faster than everyone thought; and third, they are considered the fastest runners in the insect family – they can move almost a foot per second! Cockroaches are incidental carriers of microorganisms which can spread various human diseases, specifically intestinal disorders, allergies and asthma, and cause food spoilage and contamination. Health problems caused by these insects spread easier because the remnants of their excretions and dead bodies still produce biological dust of protein particles capable of being airborne. Once inhaled, it can cause life threatening diseases. How will you be able to control cockroaches?

• A clean kitchen and bathroom is the best defense against cockroaches. Always keep your sink and tables from dirty dishes and leftover foods. Keep foods sealed in a plastic bag or in a refrigerator. Wash areas where roaches are more prominent with a strong soap.
• Place one to two pieces of bread soaked thoroughly with beer in places known to have roach infestation. The strong scent of beer will prevent them from multiplying in the said area and its chemical content will surely repel their eggs.
• You can also place bay leaves, cucumber slices or garlic in other more sensitive location such as food cabinets as additional deterrents.
• Keep a spray bottle with soapy water on hand. Spraying soapy water directly on cockroaches will kill them.

Ants. Ants are classified as “nuisance” pests – the most common household problem of many people. Besides causing minor food spoilage, they also affect and threaten the human health. Almost 20 percent of house owners complain the existence of ants in their homes. And 13 percent claim that the threat of ‘ant-bite’ is always present to their children. Here are ways to control ants in your home:

• Clean up the food or the food counters that attracts the ants. Keep them away from terrible mess and sticky spots.
• Cover your sugar and honey container tightly or make use of sealed plastic bags.
• Soapy water in a spray bottle can also be helpful in repelling ants. You can try leaving cucumber slices in places where you have sprayed your soapy water for a more effective control.
• Put lemon juice, coffee grounds or cinnamon, citrus oil or pepper at the main entrance of the ant line.
• Slip a few cut garlic in between the cracks of the deck.
• Leave a small, low wattage night light on for a few nights in the area of most ant activity. The change in light can disrupt and discourage their foraging patterns.
• Take maintenance steps such as structural repair, sealing and screening of your house.

Fleas. Fleas enter your house through your pets, and not too long after that, it invades your couch, your carpet, and your clothes! It is an external parasite of people and animals, including rodents and birds. Remember the plague in the Old Testament? Thousands were killed by diseases known to have originated in fleas. Thousands other were killed in the sixth, fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. The said diseases were proved later on to be caused by fleas. Before reaching for pesticides, try these safer choices:

• Bathe and comb your pet regularly. Soapy water can kill fleas in an instant. Also try shampoo, oil and mat carefully made using cedar because the scent of cedar can easily repel most kinds of insects including fleas. These products are commercially available.
• Pour a cup of boiling water over a sliced lemon including the lemon skin and let it soak overnight. The lemon skin will release citrus oil which can be a very good flea deterrent. Sponge the mixture on your pet.
• Try to vacuum your carpet and couch. Put flea powder in the vacuum cleaner bag to kill the fleas you vacuumed up.
• In washing your clothes, add lemon juice and a little water and soak your clothing within one to two hours, one at a time. Lemon juice will kill the fleas in an instant.

Spiders. Spider are not considered insects but are classified as arachnids. Some people have considered them pests because of the webs they produce in house corners and their habit of wandering in walls in search for food. Some also believe the harm venomous spiders can do. But the truth is, most of them are beneficial to both the people and their house because they help in man’s pursuit for insect control. Because majority of them are beneficial and not really harmful, most do not need to be controlled. Only allergic responses of some people to spiders would trigger to their desire to eliminate the said crawly pet. If you are one of them, then control spiders using these options:

• Identify first the kind of spider your house has. It is important that you have the knowledge to be able to identify spiders with or without venom. The “black widow’, the ‘brown recluse’ and the ‘aggressive house spider’ are the ones capable of biting people.
• Remove all potential hiding places of spiders and eliminate long-time storages of unused baggage especially those placed in boxes not carefully sealed.
• Use soapy water in a spray bottle instead of chemical pesticides in deterring spiders. Spray it all over the area where webs were found because it is possible that the repelled spider would come back in the area at any moment.
• Destroy webs in walls regularly. This way would certainly prevent spiders from settling in your house.
Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are the most dangerous of the insect family. They can easily transmit serious, potentially fatal organisms to humans and animals. One mosquito can cause major illnesses such as dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever and certain types of encephalitis which kill a million people a year. According to the World Health Organization, 300 to 500 million people are affected by mosquito-borne diseases and 1.5 to 2.5 million, mostly children, are killed annually. In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 4,026 dengue cases nationwide as of June 2, 2003 – 61% higher compared to the same period last year. Fifty-four died in the said illness. The regions with the highest number of cases were National Capital Region (875), Central Visayas (752), and Northern Mindanao (634).
Want to defend your homes from annoying and health-threatening mosquitoes? Try these ways:

• Close the windows and doors opposite which are opposite the breeze. Mosquitoes never wanted to get close to the movement of air because they become vulnerable against breeze.
• Remove stagnant water sources in your house. Mosquitoes are more likely to multiply in still water.
• Mix one part of garlic juice in five parts of water and put in a spray bottle. Apply it on body parts exposed to mosquito bites. You can also hang strips of cloth dipped in garlic juice in areas with mosquitoes. Garlic juice can be a very good mosquito repellent and deterrent.
• Try using oregano oil or Vick’s Vaporub as alternate repellents.
• If possible, always use mosquito nets over beds, strollers and cribs to avoid complete contact of your skin or your children’s skin to mosquitoes.

Houseflies. Houseflies are the most annoying of all insects, most especially if you have the luxury of time to enjoy your food. Flies have been known for their habit of lurking in garbage, sewage and fecal matter; therefore they can easily transmit organisms and parasitic worms such as pinworms, roundworms and hookworms using their leg or mouth and contaminate people’s foods. Annoyed of flies? Send them away!

• Clean your sink, tables, counters and all other areas attracting flies. Do not leave food uncovered.
• Soapy water in a spray bottle can also help in repelling flies.
• Light traps and electrically charged devices can help reduce the number of flies in localized areas.
• Since flies could not be easily deterred in natural control because of their possible immunity in the dirtiest places, sprays can be useful. Follow the directions written very carefully and cautiously

If none of the most natural and chemical-free methods failed, you may begin choosing another option which is to use pesticides or chemical sprays. Personal repellents can be applied directly to skin or clothes depending on the instruction. Aerosol sprays and borox or boric acid may help in dealing with the pests, but be sure to keep it away from children. Use the appropriate and right repellent for the type of activity and location. Learn to read and follow product label directions and caution carefully. This can either save or kill you! For the safest choice, consult the product to a health professional for proper identification.

OILY HAIR NO MORE! The Answer To Your Worst Hair Nightmare (in Manila Bulletin's Sense and Style October 2004 issue)

Imagine running into your ex at the end of the day and your hair is – horror of horrors – lifeless and oily! Before the nightmare becomes a reality, find out how you can turn your hair into the mane attraction, and say goodbye to bad hair days!

An approximate number of 150,000 strands of hair in your head may look lump into masses that would appear to only be in several thousands when your hair is oily. This condition is called seborrhea – a state where too much sebum (fatty substance that covers oily hair) is restored in the hair, even after washing. The process of seborrhea includes an overproduction of oil secreted by the sebaceous glands which is commonly caused by hormonal disorders brought about by high stress, pregnancy, nursing, menopause and sometimes birth control medications.

Oily hair is more difficult to cure than dry hair because what we deal with in this type of hair is oil or grease. We have to take necessary precautions in controlling this situation. Presented below are some tips and tricks on how to manage your oily hair.

1. Choose the right shampoo. One key to a successful battle against oily hair is a right shampoo that fits you well. Choose shampoos with a higher percentage of soap and with no oily substances such as creams and conditioners. Try to avoid products containing silicone, oils and lanolin, as well as those two-in-one products you see on television. If your hair craves for conditioners, apply it only on the ends of your hair and wash it thoroughly. It is also advisable to use shampoos labeled “clarifying” because it leaves the least amount of residue in your hair.

2. Blow-dry and brush. This is more applicable to more serious cases. Sprinkle a little amount of water in your hair and blow-dry it while brushing or combing your hair to remove and redistribute oil. The heat produced by the hair dryer will make the oil more liquid therefore giving your hair easier manipulation during brushing.

3. Avoid excessive brushing of your hair. The old saying about brushing your hair a hundred strokes a day is no longer applicable nowadays. Most hairstylists say that brushing must only be for arranging and styling your hair, and not for a hobby. Excessive brushing can only make your hair oilier because of the damage it can possibly do to your hair after your comb or brush had scraped your hair cuticles. It is very important to choose the right brush for your hair type. For medium to fine hair, plastic brushes are usually the best. If you want a smooth finish, natural soft bristles will give you the look.

4. Pamper your scalp with a good massage. Massaging the scalp helps keep your hair healthy while promoting proper circulation of the blood to your scalp. It nourishes the capillary vessels in hair papillae to activate the hair cells, thus, also supports hair growth. A very easy step of massaging your scalp is to start from the forehead hairline, while making circular motions with your fingertips, towards the front, side, and back of the head and back to the top of the head. It will be beneficial to practice making it your everyday habit to massage your hair/scalp ten minutes, twice a day.

5. Follow natural recipes for oily hair. The natural recipes encourage you to use the right natural resources out of your kitchen! As it was always believed, nature provides everything, including the possible cure for your oily hair. Absolutely natural, economical and are 100% safe. Here are some of the said natural recipes that can cure or control your greasy and oily hair:

• Take one tablespoon of lemon juice in a mug or glass of water and pour on your head after the final rinse for conditioning. If you prefer to formulate your own natural shampoo using lemon juice with aloe vera, simply blend the said ingredients in ¼ cup of your regular shampoo then use it to wash your hair. You can either refrigerate the formula or keep it in a shelf for approximately one week only.
• Mix together two eggs and four tablespoons of rum or brandy and apply it on hair. Wrap a hot towel around your head and leave it to cool. Afterwards rinse your hair thoroughly. You can do the process twice a month for extra conditioning.
• Combine a tablespoon of vinegar and a pinch of baking soda in one cup of water and use it as an after shampoo rinse by rubbing it into your hair for one minute, then rinse.
• Drink 10-12 glasses of water and a glass of lemon juice everyday.

6. Take the prescribed vitamin A supplements. Supplements are the most common way to treat oiliness in hair. Drugs are usually used to treat hormonal disorders (as I said earlier, the cause of seborrhea). But then, you would expect negative side effects in some drugs you take therefore, an advise by a physician is necessary.

7. Change hairstyle. Because oily hair would look like flat masses in your head it is better to choose a hairstyle that would not have you mistaken to be “minantikang losyang” or “basing sisiw” by other people. I advise that you have your hair cut with added layers to maximize your hair’s volume.


TRIVIA


• The average person has up to 150,000 hairs on her or his head.

• A single strand can support 100 grams in weight. That means, a whole head of hair could (in theory) support the weight of two elephants.

• African hair grows more slowly and is more fragile than European hair.

• Asian hair grows the fastest and has the greatest elasticity.

• Africans and Europeans are more prone than Asians to balding.

• There is one thing about you that your hair cannot reveal: Your gender

The Day I Finished School...

Do you have any idea on how good it felt?

It has already been two years, but the feeling still remains the same...


After I took my "precious"...


With Bro. Rolando Dizon, the foundation of De La Salle University System


Actually, I can't remember who took this picture and where exactly am I here during the shot...basta sa loob lang ng PICC...:)

Just sharing memories of my graduation last March 2003...

PLACE: PICC
DATE: March 17, 2003
COURSE: Bachelor of Arts in Communication

A Closer Look at Faith and the Universe

The universe is a very complicated study. Scientists up to date are fascinated by the great art of the galaxy... how planets are held into a certain orbit, or how a milky way originated, and the like. But there seems to be an obscure wall on the near perfection of their study. A fact commonly disregarded by astronomers and planetologists is that the universe doesn't always speak of beauty and a positive mystery. All the years, they have not established a clear conclusion on the universe's threat to Earth. In June 2002, a 10-kilometer asteroid missed the Earth in a matter of only 120,000 kilometers. The "hitting"ocurs every milion years and this time, God saved his people from a sure doom. This same catastrophe, which almost transpired, happened 62 million years ago when an asteroid in the same size of the asteroid of 2002 landed in Mexico and started the extinction of the dinosaurs and other living organisms on the era. It is really surprising to know that even the elements of the universe can lead to an extensive destruction. Nothing tangible can save us humans when the time of cleansing comes.

It is only through FAITH that we save our souls. Let's not think about the pain of death... All our bodies will decay, but our faith can lead us into eternity. Who knows? The Lord may let us take a peek of the outer space and the universe once we become His angels....

Scandal Dito, Scandal Doon

Before, it is Pamela Anderson and Tomy Lee's sexcapade in a personal yatch. Now, it is Ethel Booba, Michelle Estevez, Diana Zubiri and even Mahal... que horror!

I was so shocked to see how the human body - considering that it is the temple of the Holy Spirit for the religious - is abused and harassed for the sake of pleasure, fun and most of the time, money. Some say that because human beings are too intelligent, they engage themselves into creations that would enhance their knowledge regardless of what it would cost them, thus , the birth of technology and science. But the question is: "Is technology the real culprit?"

It is from my own judgment when I once said that humans are the ones responsible for this immorality. We were gifted with brain and conscience to be able to depict whatever is righteous. Technology works under human manipulation and not by themselves alone. As the wise men say: you are accountable in whatever you do! Once you took a picture or video of yourself in a demoralizing state, better expect the worst... nothing in this world will keep secrets.

Ang mga alam ni Wimpy ngayong 1 taon at 2 buwan na sya!

1. alam ni Wimpy na siya si Wimpy!
2. kilala na niya ang mga tao sa paligid niya at kaya niyang ituro isa-isa. Kaya, mapa-picture man o sa personal....kilala ka niya!

• si Papa
• si Mommy
• si Lola
• si Lolo
• si Mommy Lala
• si Lola Lou... La-Lou La-Lou La-Ley
  
• si Nong-Nong Jabeng
• si Tito Lukan
• si Tito Rain
• si Nanay
• si Ninang Tetet
• si Tita Camae
• si Tita Jing
• si Tita Azel
• si Lola Nen
• si Ysiad
• si Kuya Ram
• si Satoshi

3. Parts of the body

• hair
• eyes
• nose
• tongue
• ears
• hands
• feet
• pati puwet!

4. Animals. Alam niya yung sound at actions... pati kung paano dapat tawagin ang mga ito!

• dog
• cat
• frog
• fish
• duck
• snake
• giraffe
• monkey

5. Alam niya kung paano mag-sign of the cross (kahit hindi perfect)

6. Kilala niya si Jesus kahit na ano pa ang itsura ng mga pictures Niya.
7. The Basics:

• clap
• kiss
• embrace
  
• smile
• jump
• close-open
• a line

8. Alam niya at kilala ang mga bagay at pets sa paligid niya

• clouds
• teddy bear
• diaper
• bag
• chicken ni Nong-Nong sa farm
  
• mga dogs na si Lakki, Douglas at Snoop

9. Alam niya kung paano mag-sorry (lapit kay Papa at hug)
10. Hindi kumakain ng ibang almusal kundi KANIN. Ok lang ang bread kaya lang hindi nakukuntento!
11. Alam niya kung paano magtapon ng basura sa trash can... Nagtatapon siya kahit mga gamit mo basta nakakalat, so better be neat, clean and always in order!
12. Nauutusan nang mag-abot-abot ng mga gamit kung kani-kanino. "Give Papa this...Give Mommy that..."
13. Knows where her shoes and slippers were placed, kaya pag-aalis ka, bitbit na yung shoes/slippers niya sa pinto.

All I can say is that I am very, very, very proud of my little girl!
Every mother feels the same way towards their child...

Witty Little Wimpy!

FACT OR FICTION?

Mermaid found at the Marina Beach after the Indian Ocean Tsunami

This is the picture of the said "mermaid" carcass found in the 2004 Indian tsunami....

BELIEVE IT OR NOT?

front view...


the back...


a whole body shot!

STATUS: False!

This "mermaid" was said to be found last after the Indian Ocean tsunami. The founder claimed that it was washed away by the water and brought to the seashore. But, two years ago, these same pictures appeared on the net as "Mermaid found in the Philippines".

History proves that centuries ago, "false" mermaids are created to entertain people. They bring corpses of "mummified mermaids" - often a combination of dessicated body of a monkey and a large fish- to carnivals, circuses, and the like.

Sayang... I thought this is another history! Mukha namang totoo di ba?

Who is First in God's eyes?

It was very disappointing to know that even Mass participants have their own common flaws when it comes to disciplining themselves during the Holy Celebration. Just when everybody thought that they are like holy angels and saints who indulges themselves to spiritual reflection, many are still quite uncontrollable in terms of dealing with chismis. Kung sino pa ang akala ng tao na totoong maka-Diyos at makatao, siya pa pala ang pabaya sa espiritu niya. Worse, they are not even aware of it! I do not speak in general, ok?

I went to Mass this afternoon with my husband and my baby. Our town church has an inside terrace which separates the choir participants from the crowd of Mass attendees. Since my Tita sings for the choir assigned today, she suggested that we go with her in their area. My daughter, who is only turning one year and two months on the 26th, shouted "Pa!" (a word commonly says) while the priest reads the Gospel. To my surprise, the pianist, who happened to be our "kamag-anak" or a relative, immediately made an angry face toward the child. Sinitsitan pa n'ya! as if my daughter understands why she reacted that way. Then she went beside a choir member and made chismis, opened her cellphone and read her messages.

Who do you think sinned more? My one year old child who doesn't understand the sanctity of the Holy Mass, or the lady (who i guess is in her early 60s) who makes the most chismis while the priest-celebrant finishes his homily? It is too much unfair for the child to receive comments on a thing she is ignorant about. Who can know more but an old woman spending her last years going to Church and participating in Mass?