“How deep is your love?” by the Beegees hit the airwaves in 1977 but it was the song of the season when Butch and I became steadies on March 7, 1978. I played the music on our way to our photo shoot with the best wedding photographers, Mimi and Karl. It was just natural that we chose the UP campus (where we met) for our silver anniversary photo shoot and the celebration of our 32 years as a couple on March 7. Dragging my two girls to join us, the two hour photo shoot was sweet and poignant. I love my husband for being such a good sport knowing he poses stiffly for photos. That’s how love works, I guess.

As he wrapped his arms around me, I loved how the soft breeze cooled the scorching sun hitting us between the branches of the tree. I clutch on to my heart-shaped pendant where a photo of our beloved Luijoe is engraved. “Luijoe is with us, too…in our hearts”. We smile at each other. We are a complete family as we pose, laugh, twirl around and smile for the cameras.

It is difficult enough to get a schedule with Mimi and Karl on weekends, the day my daughter is available. Fortunately, she resigned from work just recently and scheduling was easier on a week day. It helped that she is an avid fan of Mimi and Karl. You have no idea how difficult it is to coordinate activities with two busy girls. (Lauren writes on behind the scenes of the photo shoot.)

We both hold our daughters’ hands as we walk around the campus where their parents met 32 years ago.

They are a witness to our love, our pain and second (or third) wind in marriage.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

Not all is calm. Such is life. Things do not happen as planned but it does mean that the Christmas spirit will be affected. Today, I found out that Christmas truly reigns in my heart for all time.

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man. Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.

Despite the challenges, I honor Christmas in my heart. Never mind if the outside appeared chaotic.

I am gentle with myself and I take care of my tender heart.

The gift we give ourselves is a gift we give to our children what they would want for us: for us to find as much peace in whatever way that we possibly can. If I could give each of you a gift I would want to give you the gift of peace, as much peace as you can possibly find.

Let me share Christmas in Our Hearts (as sang by my two girls and the 1999 Manila Children’s Choir) so the message rings all throughout the year:

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”

To all the Christians, may the spirit of Christmas be always in your hearts. And to all, happy Holidays!

With love, peace and gentle thoughts this holiday season.

Yours truly
Noemi

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

How did you spend Christmas day?——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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During my stage mother days, I never tired of listening to my children sing over and over again. Singing is a tradition in my immediate family but sadly, I don’t have the voice yet I can tell if the singing is sharp.

Singing Christmas Carols has been a treasured family tradition. I remember the last Christmas I had with my mom. I was 18 years old then. All the 7 siblings gathered around the Yamaha organ as my late brother, Oscar played festive carols. Sometimes it was mom who accompanied the songs in the piano.

These days the two girls refuse to sing in front of me. Good thing Manila Children’s Choir recorded an album and with that I converted 3 Christmas Carols in mp3 format. Lauren was 12 while Marielle was 11 years old with another girl and 2 boys from the Manila Children Choir. The choir conductor chose only 5 children for this recording but with recent technology, it sounds like they are a big group of kids.

1. Hark The Herald Angel Sing (Click here to download- 2.9 MB) – Charles Wesley/Felix Mendelssohn , adapted by Jack North , Arranged by Jack North/John Wilson
2. Christmas in Our Hearts (Click here to download- 3.0 MB)- Jose Mari Chan , arranged by Carmina R. Cuya
3. Pasko Na Sinta Ko (Click here to download- 4.8 MB)- Aurelio Estanislao/Francis Dandan , Arranged by Bernadette de Leon

I created a video greeting for all of you to share our Christmas through the years in three different homes, starting in Pasig, then Makati then back to Pasig. I made a shorter one for facebook. The card template is a bit off-tangent with the music but it’s cute. Pasko na Sinta ko is actually a love song but the melody is very poignant . It reminds me that my love would not have been with me this Christmas due to marital conflict. Some of you may find that you can relate to the lyrics.

Pasko na sinta ko
Hanap-hanap kita
Bakit ka nagtampo
Iniwan ako

It’s Christmas, my love
I’m longing for you
What did I do

that made you leave me

Kung mawawala ka
Sa piling ko sinta
Paano ang Pasko
Inulila mo

If you’ll be gone
From my side, my love
What will happen to my Christmas
That you made so lonely

Refrain:
Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan
At pagtitinginang tunay
Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap
Ang ating suyuan at galak

Our promises have gone to waste, my love
And our love that was so true
Do you wish to forget everything
All our affection and joys

Kung mawawala ka
Sa piling ko sinta
Paano ang Paskong
Alay ko sa iyo.

If you’ll be gone
From my side, my love
What will happen to my Christmas
That I offer to you.

There is something about Christmas carols sang by children. Their innocence and eager spirit shows the true meaning of the Christmas season. It has been said that music can open a window to the soul. To anyone with a loss, music may either drive a knife into an already festering wound, or it my begin to soothe and bring comfort to a shattered and broken spirit.

Christmas Carols sang by my children keeps me happy even if my other child is no longer with us.

May you be blessed with peace and love during the holiday season.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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UP College Cebu , 1974

My mediocre grades in high school were not enough to qualify me to the UP Diliman Campus. I was determined to take up college in Manila to gain independence from my sheltered life in Cebu and of course, get the BS Food Technology that was only offered there. I studied in UP College Cebu (UPCC) in 1974 for one year before moving to UP DIliman campus in my sophomore year where I finally got a 1.75 grade to qualify. I look back to my freshman year with a smile and a soft spot in my heart. Indeed a memorable year for me because it was the first time I gained a little freedom to be with friends and to socialize with guys after graduating from an all-girls school since kindergarten. I felt I finally belonged to a group that truly cared and loved me and by fate (via Dicoy’s Cupid machinations), one of them became my (first) boyfriend, my first love for the next 3 years.

Reunions are inevitable and I declined the invitation just as I did with my high school reunions. My attitude towards reunions changed in the recent years after I evolved into a better person. I then became curious of my friends. What had become of them? I felt something missing in my life and wanted to reconnect with my past. This change of heart did not augur well with my husband. He didn’t understand why I needed to see my old friends (when he himself does not attend reunions) and in the process, “meet” my ex. Hugging my husband, I reassured him that it is all in the past. I cannot help it if he was my classmate, part of my barkada but I am there for my other friends. For goodness sake, it’s been like 31 years? I rolled my eyes as “Batman” retreated to his cave.

Freshman Year, UP College of Cebu 1974. Guess where I am?

I know it sounds like a cheesy Sharon Cuneta movie, but our group coined “Best Friends Forever” as the group name for the UP Cebu College 1974-1978 alumni.

From August 13 till August 15, I re-discovered friendships and the beauty of Cebu. I hated Cebu for many years because traveling there meant having to bury a family member. Yes, 5 family members. Even my son died there. Sometimes in life, we just have to let go of our demons to acquire inner peace. I can work right where I am , right within myself, because the more peace I have within my own life, the more I can reflect into the outer situation. One preparation of inner peace is the right attitude toward life. This meant – stop being an escapist!

I was excited as I checked in at homey Casa Escano Bed and Breakfast owned by Uding’s family.

August 13- Welcome Dinner

Click to enlarge

I cannot begin to describe the laughter and the shrieks of delight as we feasted on Cebu Lechon and danced (Tony did) to Michael Jackson songs at Robert’s house. The heavens seemed to be one with us, as not a single drop of rain fell on the outdoor patio. Just the day before, rains lashed upon this Queen City of the South. The stars stood out as if smiling along with us. Oh how I missed so many parties at Robert’s house because my parents were so strict back then. There I was, being teased to the ex but I smiled and shrugged like I always did when the gang did that in the past. Some quirks never die.

Once again , “Best Friends Forever” reunited and got lost in the frolic and fun just as if it was 1974.

August 14- Southern Exposure

But it was business first as the UPCC Dean presented Future Plans for the college. The college population was just 30 back then and now it’s 1,000. There is so much room for growth in this lovely campus.

It’s probably been more than 30 years since I ventured to Carcar- Argao- Dalagit- Sibunga but I felt this Southern Exposure was not just a fun outing but a symbol of our growing spirituality in our lives even if some of us are not Catholics. Passing through Talisay reminded me of the family beach house during my high school days.

Simala’s Monastery of Holy Eucharist

I am not a devout Catholic but whenever I visit these old baroque churches, I feel suddenly so “holy” and at peace. The Monastery of the Holy Eucharist is home to the Lady Of Fatima which is known to shed tears and bring miracles. I was not there for a miracle though as I prayed and lighted candles for my own special intentions : Love , peace and prosperity in my life and for the Philippines.

St. Michael Archangel Church in Argao, the construction this beautiful rococo-baroque church structure started in 1734 and was completed in 1788

Coincidentally, the St. Michael Archangel happens to be my husband’s patron saint. St. Michael Archangel is depicted in the paintings and sculptures outside and inside this beautiful church. Ever since my son passed away, we think of him as an angel with God.

August 15- Pandanon Island Adventure

Pandanon island is far from Mactan resorts and its more accessible islands, It is part of the archipelago of North Bohol and is politically appended to Getafe.

There is nothing pretentious or fancy about this paradise in the middle of the sea, the Pandanon Island , pretty much the same description I’d give the “Best Friends Forever”. Traveling via a motorized banca from Mactan Island, we made use of the travel time to reminisce about our past..the out of town trips, the teachers, the cliques, the crushes, the unrequited love and so much more that will just have to remain within the confines of that short boat ride. (yes, too bad you were not there) Feasting on “puso” (rice boiled in coconut fronds), Lechon manok, kilawin, Sinugbang Nukos (grilled squid), a fiesta atmosphere on board our humble picnic area marked another celebration of our friendship that continues to be no-frills yet meaningful and deep.

I sat back and relaxed on the lounging chair at Pandanon Island and peered over at my friends, laughing and being child-like just the way we were. I reflected on the significance of this reunion to my life.

Being with my “Best Friends Forever” Group or old friends help nurture my inner child of the present which we all need to do the rest of our lives…the fun loving, happy, frivolous, joyful, humorous moments when I was once young and unsophisticated, even if replaced with a sophisticated, mature and more serious me. It exists in my memory or subconscious because of the poignant memories of my past that helped shape my present motivation and future drive.

There is more to be said of our reunion but must be left unspoken here because it is just between “Best Friends Forever” and myself. But I will leave you with some lessons learned from this memorable “Best Friends Forever” Reunion.

1. Take time to play and have fun each day.
2. Be honest with others about your thoughts and feelings.
3. Enjoy the fruits of your labor with no guilt feelings.
4. First love is only a little foolishness and a lot of curiosity.
5. Set limits on how you are going to relate to others.
6. Not to be so serious, intense and inflexible about life.
7. It is OK to make mistakes, laugh at them and carry on.
8. A friend can tell you things you don’t want to tell yourself.
9. Prayer helps us refine and affirm what we want out of life.

And most importantly, “A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart”.

Yesterday brought the beginning, tomorrow brings the end, and somewhere in the middle we became the best of friends. ~Author Unknown

PS. As soon as I arrived in Manila, the “batman” left his cave and gave me a loving hug. All is well. ——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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View of St. Theresa’s College (STC) Cebu grounds

Is there life after high school? Truth is, I hated high school and because I hated it so much, I made sure that I would turn my life around and be a better and confident person in college. I exuded negativity. Oh my gosh, I was ecstatic when the high school graduation ceremony ended. I jumped up with joy. I couldn’t wait to fly and spread my wings. In high school, I was painfully shy and a mediocre student with average grades ( as in 83 to 85). I felt intimidated by the mestizas and the smart and outspoken girls. You know how it is in high school, you find the popular clique and the invisible clique. I was basically invisible. Thanks to my best friend Teresa, Patsy, Linell and a few others, I think I belonged somehow to a group. Without them, high school would have been one hell of an experience. Thanks buddies.

Hugs to my bestest of friends in High School who took me in their clique: Patsy, Linell, me, Teresa

Now, I am not blaming the popular clique just because they were confident , pretty and smart girls. I was not a confident person and it took me years to grow out of my shell. I blossomed in UP Diliman. While in high school, I got 3 votes as a class officer much to my disappointment, but in my UP College of Home Economics, I garnered majority votes and ended up in the First UP Student Council after martial law. It baffled me why my high school peers never saw my potential through my timid shell. I guess I was already labeled as such and the popular girls were always looked up to. Of course, they didn’t know that because they were living in their own world like I did.

So do people ever recover from that intense high school social experience? Some don’t, they spend the rest of their lives trying to justify what they were, or were not, in high school. This is why high school reunions are so emotional, especially the first one. I refused to attend the 25th High School reunion because I was not ready to face that dreaded high school experience once again. Coupled with five deaths in Cebu, I felt Cebu was just bad news for me and going home was not an option at that point.

Then the 35th Coral Reunion was announced. As usual, I shrugged with indifference. But hey, I reflected. What is there to gain by not attending? I am more confident now. I smile more. I feel beautiful inside and out. I am in control of my attitude. I feel like I am on top of the world. Go,go, my conscience egged on. Sure, I have no control over the past, people’s quirks and the place (Cebu).. I looked forward to seeing my old buddies and the popular girls and hearing their life stories.

I went and I have no regrets. I finally understood that it was not high school that made it a sad experience for me. It was just me, my attitude. I didn’t realize my potential in high school. My time came in my late forties. Yes, a late bloomer.

There I was with my high school classmates who I have avoided for years. Not feeling like an outcast anymore. I was no longer invisible. That is because I believed in myself. It is the first time that I saw some classmates after 35 years. From all the antics and fun fare of hugging everybody, to all the endless beso-beso, the non stop posing for all the photo-ops, squeals of laughter and merry making, and mirth, to the loud and raucous laughter of classmates, I felt glad to be there and embrace this momentous affair. My gosh, I let my hair down. I danced to the tune of Dancing Queen, sashaying to the macarena beat, wearing plunging necklines or simply being game with all the wackiness and antics thrown here and there.

My classmates gave the most memorable reunion activities. Kudos to them all. Take note of the wacky and creative ideas that we enjoyed. Allow me to borrow some of the words of Tess as she describes the people behind the success of the reunion.

1. To our congresswoman classmate, Neri Soon-Ruiz for the for the first night accommodation and dinner, the yummy bibingka, suman, and masi, and the crazy beauty pageant complete with a “surprise number”.

2. To Rose for sponsoring the Shabu-Way lunch.

Photo Credits to Marget Fernan-Villarica

3. Ada, our dear classy fashionista with such pizzazz and like magic (at such short notice) presented us the tote bag to GLOAT

4. Paz, the knighted Chief of Staff, with the cute betty boop lips, magically made it possible to let us live out our one biggest fantasy even just for a few hours with our femme fatale body in bikini t-shirts;

See, I will never ever have this body but the illusion helps

5. ENA MARQUEZ for the “WE HAVE ARRIVED” look and body flattering (meaning natago and mga bilbil) drape cardigan with the free classy brooch to match and a 185 song compilation of 70’s music in a CD

6. Tess, our Class President then Ada and Marget for Ways and Means. They were very busy running here and there.

7. Dorothy (Dodo) for the song composition which I used for the Video Compilation of Photos

Dodo composed the “Saying Goodbye” song for our 1974 High School graduation . Her brother (Ray An Fuentes) liked it so much and converted it to a jazz version which became a hit in the mid-seventies. Imagine that.

She even composed a follow-up song for this reunion “Song of Friendship”.

8. Sorry, I am sure I missed out a lot so I am just going to give my thanks to all . Thank you to my dear classmates for making each lunch or dinner celebration possible. My heart is full of treasured memories to look back and future reunions to look forward to.

The four-day weekend whirl of fun activities just made me so giddy that I have been dancing every night since then with my hubby to the tune of the seventies music. I feel exhilarated .. high, happy, in tune.

Yes, I have let go of any pain from my past especially the high school experience. My past was neither an accident nor a mistake. I have been where I needed to be, with the necessary people. I embrace my history, its pain, its imperfections, its mistakes and even its tragedies. It is uniquely mine and intended for me.

I changed because I made it happen. What I think about and THANK about is what I bring about. I’m so happy and grateful now that I have made peace with my past. The secret of our gorgeous class president, a single mother is basically simple “Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting”.

The Book, “The Secret” would ask “Are your thoughts worthy of you? If not – NOW is the time to change them. You can begin right were you are right now. Nothing matters but this moment and what you are focusing your attention on.”

Happy feelings towards the Coral Reunion indeed attracted a happy experience.——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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I often wonder how he would look like today. Would he have been taller than my husband? Would he have the same gleaming smile? Would he have many girlfriends? Would he be close to his two sisters? Would he have a messy room? Will he still give me a bunch of flowers with an “I love you” note? I can’t imagine because I will always remember him as an innocent and beautiful 6 year old boy whose death changed my life in positive ways I never could imagine.

I know some of you might be uncomfortable seeing this video. Remembering a loved one even if many years have passed by does not mean one is not moving on. It means you continue to love even after their death. Some of you may know others out there hurting from a loss of a loved one. Maybe one’s beloved spouse, father, mother, sister, brother, child, relative or friend. I want them to know that there are creative ways on handling grief. Creating a video tribute is my creative activity to process grief on difficult days.

Creative activity following a loss can be very therapeutic and works on several different levels. Creativity encourages us to find ways to express our deepest feelings and helps us to focus on what may be very confused emotions, so that we understand them better. In grief we often feel as if we have lost control over our lives, and the satisfaction gained from the creative process gives us back a sense of achievement and self-worth.

Those with artistic talents find their own peace and fulfillment in painting , or sketching in the countryside. The total absorption required for artistic endeavors is a welcome break from the strenuous business of grieving. Art can be combined with craftsmanship too to produce special anniversary cards, in much the same way as for example candles, bookmarks, or picture frames. Those with a special skill could use this talent to produce something of lasting significance in their child’s memory, for example a bookbinder may bind their collection of poems, both as a tribute to the child and a symbol of the passage of that stage of their grief.

I created this video to show that death cannot take away the love and memories in my heart.

Death ended Luijoe’s life but not his relationship with my family. Even if there is no birthday boy to celebrate his 16th birthday with, a spiritual bond exists between us. He is alive and well in my heart and mind.

The cliché is true; that with time, the wound is not as raw as the day he died. I stare at little boys running around, and I see my son in them. I smile at the sweet memories, of his hugs which came with a bunch of flowers as a surprise. “I love you so very much, Mama,” he’d cry out.

Today, we are celebrating the joy of Luijoe’s life, rather than the pain of his death.——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

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You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the dancing queen

I have been having the time of my life since I turned 50 and will continue to have the time of my life even beyond 52 years old.

Anyway, I could not blog the past two days because of technical issues.

My birthday started off with a brunch with my family before I headed off to Singapore for the Nokia Connection 2009 upon the invitation of Nokia Philippines. My dear husband was supposed to go along with me so we could meet up with his sister there after the Nokia event only to find out that they were coming over to the Philippines for a vacation. So it was just me who left for Singapore.

As soon as I checked in, I discovered to my dismay that internet connection in my hotel room costs $SG 28 a day. Now I don’t mind paying $28 because I need internet access for my online business but if it conks out on me every 10 minutes, it gets annoying especially if an online transaction billed me twice. Not about to ruin my day, I summoned my bitch powers for a refund and got it! The birthday blog entry will have to wait.

Today as I woke up, I walk over to the balcony and smile at the glorious weather. An adventure awaits me today. I turned on my macbook hoping that I could try one more paid connection. Lo and behold, I get 1 hour complimentary use. Then it became two hours. Maybe luck is on my side so I decided to write this birthday post before my complimentary connection gets cut off.

I am still here in Singapore and I should be getting dressed for that adventure then head off to some retail therapy.

Nokia Ovi Adventure (Amazing Race)

Remember how I survived an amazing race at Island Cove? Today, I experienced another amazing race aka Nokia Ovi Adventure using cellphones like the Nokia N97 . I wrote a more detailed entry of my Ovi Adventure by Nokia in Singapore.

The 8 member Philippines delegation was divided into two groups.

Our team needed to create an ovi email account and show the text confirmation to our Clue master.

And we ran off to the Marina Square across our hotel, The Swissotel The Stamford. It was quite a distance and fortunately I wore rubber shoes. We were supposed to show a video to the Clue Master at the Golden Village Marina.

Then a creative shot with the Merlion at the Esplanade.

The problem was that it took a long time for our photo to upload to ovi share so it took some time for us to get our next clue.

Next stop was Dempsey Hill. We were given money for a cab ride.

At the Dempsey Hill, we were supposed to buy a latte and get our next clue at Jones The Grocer.

Getting our latte and it was quite a refreshing drink since we were all sweaty after the run.

But first a mystery task before proceeding to our last stop. Solve a mathematical equation in the Nokia N97.

Our last stop is a restaurant in Dempsey Hill called the Au Petit Salut which was just a few meters down Jones the Grocer. And off my team mates took off as fast as they could.

They were all just waiting for me. I couldn’t run any faster anymore at this point but still….

We made it to third place. Not bad at all.

And finally lunch with the rest of the Philippine team.

It felt good to win third place out of the eleven teams composed of media delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia. My feet and knees are aching but no worries….I had the time of my life today.

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You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

In 2007, I drew up my top 10 list of Influential Emerging blogs. Today, 8 out of 10 continue to be influential bloggers except for two blogs that are now gone. Not a bad forecast, right? This year, I continue to support the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 Writing Project. Let me just tell you that my choice of the top 10 is based on blog-hopping from fellow bloggers’ suggestion in social media, friendships and my belief that these blogs will emerge as Influential blogs not just for 2009 but in the years to come.

1. Ukay Manila

I know I am biased because the blog owner is my daughter. Disclosure now in the open, let me move on. See, in the light of the current economic situation, one should find means to diversify income and become prudent in consumer spending. Lauren hits both objectives when she launched this blog on December 2008.

I believe ukay shopping is a way of resisting the consumerist logic of today. People don’t really need a top that costs P800 or a pair of jeans that cost P3,000, but we buy them anyway. Why? Because we are all advertising targets who are led to think that filling up our wardrobes with overpriced (but mass-produced!) clothes is the only way we can feel good and go about “expressing our individuality and style”.

2. New Media Philippines

Carlo Ople struck a nerve when he classified bloggers for PR practitioners. I believe he became influential because, his name crops up when mentioned in blog conferences or round table discussions. It spurred discussion on encouraging bloggers to create quality content. Other blog topics bore fruit that contradict Carlo’s classification of bloggers.

3. Filipino Mom Blog

Founded by seven of my mom-blogger friends, this is a blog to watch for. The group’s shared vision among seven mothers…seven friends….all partners in a journey will bring Filipino mothers into the world stage. Mom bloggers are influential- to reach out to other moms to indeed rule the world by raising the next generation of good citizens for our country. Well, we already know moms are running the world, because they’re are the ones who nurture us, every child to their adulthood, our presidents, CEOs, another set of mothers and more.

4. Patay Gutom

I’ve known this food blog even before the Patay Gutom Bloggers became controversial in Carlo Ople’s entry on 4 Types of Bloggers: Value, Hobby, Journal, and Google. They are anything but patay gutom, by the way. They are influential because I feel they are inspiring bloggers to start a blog out of passion and fun! Lovely photos in their entries too.

5. Hay! Men! Ang Blog ng Tunay na Lalake

See family members laughing? The Tunay na Lalake blog is an alternative to Home entertainment.

Influential because the humor is very contagious and we can take a moment to laugh it off instead of dwelling on negativity.

6. The Struggling Blogger

I believe most of us are struggling bloggers. Even I look at myself as a work in progress. One point in our little lives as bloggers, we struggle to achieve something, no matter how small or big the goals are. When I started this blog, I felt exactly like Roy, Struggles aren’t new to me, I don’t even know why I still exist and how I survived. and slowly, I started a new life.

7. Dilis Media

Who doesn’t know Juned? Well, he’s not a newbie when it comes to blogging. But…I love the magazine blog format. That is something I have never done. I know a lot of bloggers have one or two blogs and even more. Reading diverse topics is akin to munching on dilis . As Juned aptly says One cannot survive on a single Dilis. One can but it will not be satisfactory. It will not appease the hunger and provide one with the needed energy. One needs to eat more than one. As such this blog came about.. Juned is also a brilliant writer and I want to write like him but that would make me a copycat, right? That would be taboo, too.

8. Absolute Cousins

I like family blogs and a group of cousins that chronicle their adventures (or misadventures) seem like fun. My own adventures with my cousins during my teen years would have made it to a blog post if only blogs were in existence then. I believe we should encourage more group blogs that chronicle family bonding experience.

9. Regnard Raquedan: Self-Titled

08-08-08. The date that Regnard started his blog. Yes, an auspicious day to start a blog. I have always known Regnard as a Web & Usability Consultant, very influential in web development and internet marketing and that’s about it. Finally, through his personal blog, I get to peek a bit into his personal life. Not that I want to stalk him, but it is always good to know the person behind all that techie know-how.

10. The Accidental Teacher

I love Ria’s enthusiam towards making the most out of teaching and learning.. inside and outside the four walls of the classroom. I hold a high respect for teachers as they help shape the future of our country through education.

There are tons of new blogs out there but I am limited to listing down ten blogs only. It is my hope that most of them make it to the final top 10 but even if not, I believe my top 10 will evolve as the influential blogs that make things happen.

You too can nominate your choices for Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009 and check out their official site.

Thanks to the sponsors: Absolute Traders, My Brute Cheats, and Business Summaries.

Join the Top 10 Influential Emerging Blogs for 2009 Writing Project. ——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. Tenneva Jordan

Mother’s day spent with the kids has been a long-time tradition. At first I felt bad that I’d be spending it with mommy bloggers because it meant breaking tradition. Then I realized, Mother’s Day is my day and I can choose how to spend my day. And yes, I chose to spend it at the Expo Mom 2009 from 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM. Mommy Matters Janice Villanueva gave us a free booth which we used to promote mommy blogging. How time flies when you’re with mommies.

With all the kids out of college, I reached a new mommy milestone, another joyful phase of motherhood, more relaxed and laid back. A mom with more free time to expand her horizons and utilizing her blogging experience to create a greater impact to other moms… to reach out to other moms to indeed rule the world by raising the next generation of good citizens for our country. Well, we already know moms are running the world, because they’re are the ones who nurture us, every child to their adulthood, our presidents, CEOs, another set of mothers and more.

If you’re looking for the best advice about anything under the sun, a mother is the best source of this information. Mothers make terrific bloggers because they tend to be experts on almost everything under the sun. It is not surprising anymore that there is a rapid growth of mommy blogs. There are a variety of mommy blogs out there as there are different mommy styles but it’s pretty obvious that the cream of the content will rise to the top. The power of words should never be underestimated. As mothers, we continually prove on our resourcefulness, intelligence, and determination every single day.

More and more moms discover daily the world of mom blogs help them feel connected to other women. My Mother’s day spent with mommy bloggers spurred an idea to reach out to more mommies to start a blog and to do more for the country through sharing of parenting information via the blogs.

There is no doubt in my mind that mommy blogs will be a force to reckon with – and rightfully so.

Watch out for the Filipino Mom Bloggers! Happy Mother’s Day.

How did you spend Mother’s Day?

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado

“An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow. ”

As Mignon McLaughlin would say, ” A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Falling in love is not easy especially when that person can get annoying. But at the same time, it is so gratifying to find that one special person I want to annoy for the rest of my life.

It is also endearing to be married to a man who never fails to say I still am the most beautiful woman in the world. (naks!, yeah I know flattery) The saying that “Love may be blind but marriage is a real eye-opener” does not seem to be applicable to my husband. It must be the hopeless romantics in us that keeps us together. I credit my husband for never giving up on me during those times I gave up on him.

Mark Twain said,” No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.”

We are almost there! Cheers to love and sweet nothings.

23rd wedding anniversary

22nd wedding anniversary

21st wedding anniversary

“Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day.” ~Gene Perret——————————-
You might also want to read Positive Mental Energy and Affirmations and my other blogs like Free Filipino Food Recipes, Shopping Finds, Pinoy Food Photo Blog and Techie Gadgets.

How about visiting my daughter’s ukay-ukay blog at ukaymanila.com?

Hope you can drop by! Thanks for visiting…Noemi Lardizabal-Dado.

Add me in Facebook by introducing yourself. My facebook is at facebook.com/noemidado