Back to Meycauayan.

Mi familia

It's been quite a while since I have gone home to Meycauayan, my hometown. It's Uncle T's surprise advanced birthday and despedida party. Felt so good to be with family again. I've been insanely busy with work and my new venture so I haven't spent quality time with them in the past few months.

As usual, so much food it was insane.

THE MENU:

Main Course:

1. Paella

2. Pancit

3. Steak

4. Lechon

5. Turkey

6. Blue Marlin

Sweets:
1. Decadent Chocolate Cake
2. Mango Torte
3. Strawberry Shortcake
4. Tiramisu
5. Sam's Mocha Cake

Little Angel Baker, Sammy
and her Mocha Cake
(So proud of you)

6. Butter Cake
7. Mini Leche Flan, Brownie and Apple Tarts

8. Buko Pandan
9. Sansrival
10. Dirty Ice Cream

After the sumptuous dinner, my cousins and I had gone for a swim. I loved the water! It's hella hot in Manila!!

Los Ninos having a good time!!!


I'm so ready to jump in!!!

Nothing beats time with family!!! I just love 'em all!!!

Miss Philippines Earth 2010

This Year, I decided to join another pageant, which is Miss Philippines Earth 2010 (organized by Carousel Production). Miss Philippines Earth is a pageant with a cause. It is held annually in search of "the" most beautiful and environmental friendly woman in the Philippines.

This experience to me was entirely something new. More then just the competing against all the beautiful girls, I found that my own competition was myself. It was definitely a challenge as I tried to become more aware of the environment. And of course constant and never ending action for the betterment of the environment.

MPE Events

I represented Meycauayan City which is my hometown.

With MPE friends and co-candidates

Ads!!!

I was so happy I found out that they made an ad out of my experience! Hahahaha

Greenhills along Wilson

An article written by Butch Francisco


SM (Thanks ate Shea for the photos. hahaha) :D

Struggle with Weight

Weight has always been an issue for me since I've been a really really big girl most of my life. I had no way of controlling my eating habits as I took pleasure in anything edible. It was my lack of control that lead me to such body and such weight, which indubitably caused obesity and total insecurity.

(First Two Pics: Theme parks in the US; Third Pic: December 2006, NYC; Fourth Picture: August 2008)

I linked such massive pain in this situation that I got so tired of the pity I brought upon my self. I decided to turn my world around by the realization that security can only be accomplished if I improve myself daily, and better the caliber of my person hood. If I had wanted to do that, then I should definitely start with my body.

Lucky enough, my mom had enrolled me in Slimmers several years ago (which I had never used) until that very moment. So, I got up and constantly went to the gym.

One day, one of the Slimmers World trainers came up to me and asked me to join a competition called Mr. and Miss Slimmers World (2008). It was to my astonishment that someone would ask me to join the pageant. I had low self esteem and I thought that I am not good enough to join such a pageant. From August 2008 (Picture above), I wasn't so sure if I could shed all the pounds so easily. After all, the competition was November of the same year.

SWI, Trafalgar Branch (the branch I represented) offered Free training and treatments. And so, I thought, what have I got to lose? Might as well give it a try.

Training began and it was absolutely difficult as I carried heavy, heavy weights. The more difficult part is I was on a strict diet. My nutrition from food was very little so I had supplements to keep me going.

After months of training and with all efforts, I had finally accomplished the body that I wanted. Sad enough I didn't win that year.

Mr. and Ms. Slimmers World 2008, Representing SWI Trafalgar

The battle wasn't over for me and so I joined Mr. and Miss Great Bodies 2009. VICTORY!!

Great Bodies 2009, Representing SWI Pasay Road

Extremely and most ardently elated, I am absolutely excited about living my life. I've come a long way!!! There is no stopping now!!! :D

With Dear Friends and Family

Song for Generosity

"Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous,
teach me to serve you as I should,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and ask not for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your most holy will."

by Christine Emilia Luz

Live for Passion, Live for Love: Live for LIFE.

The Invitation

Hey everyone! Haven't posted an entry in a long time! I haven't had the time to write. So for now, I will just be posting one of my favorite literary works. I'll be writing more soon! Enjoy!

The Invitation

by
Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; if you can be faithlessand therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes!”

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Untouchable

by Christine Emilia Luz

Quintessentially, all individuals need support from other individuals as to assure themselves that what they are doing is right (right in a sense that “it” is beneficial for the good of several beings and not just for the self). But what happens if that person (who has the primacy to transform) turns out to disappoint you? They abandon you at the time you need them the most.
Unexpectedly, the rationale that is given is quite superficial. This underlying principle happens to go against the spiritual growth of the being. They commence to compromise their values. So much so, they begin to dishearten others.

An individual is made to believe the definition of what is right is through societal norms and sometimes the written law. However, it is the duty of the person to ponder on such matter beyond what is orthodox. Realize, it is unnecessary for the affirmation of what is right or wrong from others. Disregard others’ skepticism. Stand strong for the values that are rooted in you. For this, you are untouchable. Amidst the voices that are heard, trust the voice within the self.

...

by Christine Emilia Luz

You dare to blame me for all the shortcomings
When its you, its me and all and sundry
But its you, first and foremost, who placed us in a crate
So the culpability is mostly yours to take

You leave us behind from time to time
And return with unfilled passion
With rhythm
But no Heart

I suffer with anger
I suffer with hurt
That you do not take your part of the answerability
When I had never disclaimed misdemeanor