Ternos - A Filipina's Treasure

The Terno is the national attire for women in the Philippines. It has been called a masterpiece, a classic, a national treasure. Terno, from the Spanish word meaning “to match”. The Filipino Terno alludes to the matching of blouse and skirt, joined at the waist to form a one-piece creation, with both bodice and skirt made of the same material. It is known for its inventive feature: its upright sleeve, flat against the shoulders like clipped butterfly wings.

The national dress didn’t start the way it looks today. In fact, the elegant Terno was the coming together of the innovations of many. It is the product of craft and skill in design of the Filipina. It reveals the mind of the Filipina as she related to herself, to her society, to her times, and to the world. It speaks volumes of a heritage that spanned decades of multi-cultural influences and raw patriotism. The Terno is not just a style it is a legacy. The terno exude pride and dignity of Filipino women.

Source: Published in Nancy's Fashion and Jewelry

           

Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos  popularized the terno, the Philippine national dress for women with butterfly sleeves, when she became First Lady. 

Source:  Women in World History

In the recent celebration of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, 2012, after more than a year in the  office of presidency of Aquino, a lot of women attendees wore the ternos in different colors and designs showing that the ternos are still in great demand among our women elite. (Source of images: Inquirer).  A fashion show of some of our Filipina ternos has been shared in You Tube as follows:

But younger  women have developed a new trend for casual wear of ternos.

Source of Images: A wander girl

The Rose Within You

Inspiring love story - The Rose Within

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it.

He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and just before it was ready to bloom... it died.

So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth, grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.

We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.

Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns of another, and find the rose within them.

This is one of the characteristics of love... to look at a person, know his true faults and accept that person into your life... all the while recognizing the nobility in his soul. Help others to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the "rose" within themselves, they will conquer their thorns. Only then will they blossom many times over.

Source of Story:   Short Stories to Read

Source of Image:   Rosomanes Blogspot

Happy Birthday Kit

Some people no matter how old they get, they never lose their beauty.- they merely move it from their faces to their hearts.- Martin Buxbaum.  But as your friends say "Bakit ikaw hindi ka tumatanda?"  To which Mommy would reply "Secret..."

Time goes by but remember that the acts of yesterday become the habits of today and forge the character of your destiny! Stay young and be happy, you deserve it!

Being away in Disneyland, for your birthday which kind of breakfast would you prefer to have?  Le petit déjeuner, Monsier?  English breakfast, Sir?  Mag almusal po tayo, Boss?  or  Desayuno español, Señor?  Whatever you choose, spoil yourself and have a wonderful, special day!  Happy Birthday from all your family!  Hugs and kisses from across the miles and know that we love you.  

 

French Breakfast
English Breakfast
Filipino Breakfast
Spanish Breakfast
Birthday Images

Topiaries At Epcot Festival

I just love topiaries and I am including the ones that I liked most from what I have seen from the web site in the recent Epcot Flower Festival in Orlando, Florida.

Source of Images:  Inside the Magic

The Epcot International Flower Garden Festival  presented by HGTV ended last May with  a spring special event filled with Disney character topiaries, a colorful array of flowers and gardens.

There were  over 75 Disney character topiaries among the over 100 topiaries arranged throughout Epcot. Some truly delightful figures. For more amazing Epcot topiaries, you can visit the Disney website.

Funny Houses

Pictures speak more than words.

How Filipinos Live With Heavy Rain

NOEL CELIS (AFP) | 26-07-2011

Source:  El País

According to today's Madrid press,  typhoon Nock-ten (Juaning) caused 9 fatalities and 11 are missing  in the City of San Juan, east of Manila.

And this is how Filipinos cope with typhoons as disastrous as they may happen to be.

      

      

Filipinos belong to a strong race and they have a predisposition to cope with whatever obstacle that they may encounter. The Filipinos are gifted with the spirit of the will to survive. While  they  take advantage of whatever opportunity that may arise even in a tragic situation, they keep hoping and praying  that when they wake up in the morning  the next day the sun will shine again to bring a smiley day. Hoping.... and praying....

Source of Images:  El País, Malaysian Insider, Terra Noticias - July 26, 2011

A Culture That Reflects Spanish Culture

A Culture That Reflects Other Cultures

With the Spaniards having reigned in the Philippines for more than 3 centuries, it is normal to see some of the Spanish influences reflected in our Filipino culture.  To name some, there are common Spanish words that have been incorporated in our local language like:

Whenever we ride jeepneys (which are the national public mode of transport in the Philippines) and we want to get off the said vehicle, we always say the word "para,"  the Spanish word for "stop."

Similarly, we also commonly use the words mesa, "table" or misa "mass",  Dios "God", etc....


 


A lot of houses are also  in congruence with the Spanish architectural styles specially shown in some of our Filipino luxury houses.


Source of images:  Google

And yet, the Filipino culture is unique in its hospitality. "For Filipinos, serving other people the best of what they have leave them an honor and a promise of true friendship. Arriving at your host’s  house during mealtime may be awkward but if its in a Filipino house, you will be asked to sit down and share with what they have on the table. Because eating alone without asking others according to Filipino customs is considered rude. A form of hospitality that comes truly from the heart like how the country made its image as the land of true smiling people. Considering the struggling economy, political confusions and the rising poverty in the country, anyone will be surprised seeing how Filipinos handle such situations. It is like taking everything from them but not their love of joking. Joking and laughing at everything perhaps give them relief and make them see things more positively".

Source of quoted text:  Camperspoint

We Are Not Perfect But We Are Happy

Source of images:  Top Blog Posts

Two of them seem to be all dressed up and decided to celebrate the grand wedding. However, Daddy is not ready to go and unwilling to give his consent. What is going to happen then with the bottles of wine?  Will they be uncorked or just remain to be seen?

Ah! why is life so complicated and cannot be as simple as to celebrate a union between a happy couple whether they be the correct match or not in the eyes of many?

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme

This is dedicated to Simon, who I heard loves Mickey.  Sorry I had to remove the other video because it became unavailable.  Hope Simon enjoys watching this because it is simpler and all the main characters are introduced in a simple manner.

A Young Believer

This is a story that I have translated from one of the blogs that I have visited.

Being a believer has its advantages. I am a believer, and I believe in  God, and the everlasting life, and these beliefs come very handy under certain circumstances.

Here is one of them:

- “Mommy, how did the human race come about?”

- “God created man and woman and from there they came; they had children and then the human race started".

It seems that the girl was not very satisfied with the reply, because she asked her father:

- "Daddy, how did the human race come about?”

- "It has been a long time that the monkeys existed.  With the passing of the years, they have developed and were converted into men.  And that is how the human race was created".

And the girl, quite perplexed, turned to her mother and asked:

- “Mommy,  How come  that you told me that the human race was created by God and Dad told  me that they came from the monkeys?"

And the mother without hesitating said:
- ”My dear, I talked about the origin of my family and your Dad about his".

This is just a joke and not a real case (as far as I know). But it was just what I needed, whoo, whoo!

Source:  Un Baño de Espuma


Sometimes we have no better option than to believe specially in times when we are not in control of the situation. It gives us the positive energy to stay focus and provides us with the power to keep on going.   Here is a song from the movie "Shrek" to inspire you to regain your faith in case you have lost it.

Summer Baths

Bathing in the river

HAZIR REKA (REUTERS) | 19-07-2011

Two Albanian kids while they take a rest under the sun over a rock in the Beli Drim river, near  Djakovia, 80 kms. from the  Pristina capital.

Source:  El País

Bathing in algae

AFP | 18-07-2011

The bank of algae that invaded the Qingdao coasts, east of China, have not impeded bathers to go to the beach and enjoy a typical summer Sunday.
Source:  El País

Bathing in a pool

The world's most crowded swimming pool, located in Tokyo, Japan summerland. In  summer, there are too many people in the pool that there simply is no water to draw from. Call this socializing!
Source:  Hub Pages

Bathing in a Fountain

ULY MARTÍN | 26-06-2011

Due to the high temperature, some teens refresh themselves in the fountain of  Templo de Debod in Madrid.
Source:  El País
I am happy with my bath tub and my shower!

Moral Principle vs. Material Interest

Title: The Moral Principle And The Material Interest
Author: Ambrose Bierce

A Moral Principle met a Material Interest on a bridge wide enough for but one.

"Down, you base thing!" thundered the Moral Principle, "and let me pass over you!"

The Material Interest merely looked in the other's eyes without saying anything.

"Ah," said the Moral Principle, hesitatingly, "let us draw lots to see which shall retire till the other has crossed."

The Material Interest maintained an unbroken silence and an unwavering stare.

"In order to avoid a conflict," the Moral Principle resumed, somewhat uneasily, "I shall myself lie down and let you walk over me."

Then the Material Interest found a tongue, and by a strange coincidence it was its own tongue. "I don't think you are very good walking," it said. "I am a little particular about what I have underfoot. Suppose you get off into the water."

It occurred that way.

Source of Story: Read Book Online

But the story would have been different had both of them been in the bridge as shown hereunder.

This is China's Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, 26 miles long and inaugurated June 30, 2011 and  is now the World's Longest Bridge. It took four-and-a-half years to build the bridge. The bridge took the "world's longest" title from the 38.35 kilometer Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in the United States.

Source of Information/images: International Business Times - July 6, 2011

How Dogs Imitate Human Activities

  

Dogs are  men's first pet and became our best friend because of their nature of being a sociable, loyal and protective companion.  Curious enough, their name is God spelled backwards, although the English word "dog" comes from the Middle English dogge.

Apparently,  the domestication of dogs started about 15,000 years ago.  In this long course of time they have tried to imitate human behaviour and lifestyle given  the proper training and domestication by pet owners.

Here are a few funny photographs of dogs imitating human lifestyle. Enjoy these great moments of your best friend.  Source:  Funny and Spicy                     
                                                                     

      

        

Some Flowers Are Edible

Source: The Flower Expert

Source: Organic Authority

Source:  Organic Authority

Flowers add color and fun to any food presentation and can brighten up any meal. Edible flowers abound, and there are countless ways to garnish your foods with flowers. However, when you go picking, avoid flowers treated with pesticides, and taste a small amount before dishing them out to friends!

I have not tried anyone of the flower menus, flowers look nice as decoration but to eat them? .... That is another story.

For Kate

Slice Of Life

by Felix LeRoy Perry

Take a taste of a new slice of life

Carve it with an aging knife

Taste it all both sweet and sour

Sometimes feel the lack of power

You may need to add some seasoning

Perhaps temper it with reasoning

Share it often with somebody

Wash it down with water muddy

Try not to choke on the bones

Watch out for them evil gnomes

Try not to let it all turn rotten

To become just trash soon forgotten

Not perfect is the changing recipe

So be prepared with sympathy

But more important then all above

Treasure your slice with all your love

      May you have a lucky, lucky, lucky full year ahead! ... and a beautiful birthday cake  with its candles to blow all your wishes to come true!

Source of images:  Image 1
                                 Image 2
                                 Image 3
Source of poem :   Authors' Den

On Fortune and Fame

Fortune's Smile

By Rosemarie Skaine

You looked back;

slowed your step.

Full with child

and a little wild,

fortune’s smile

crossed my face.

You look back;

slow your step.

Wet torrential rains

and undaunted restrain,

fortune’s smile

crosses my face.

The Weir couple celebrate their recent 180 Million Euros of Euromillion lottery winning, thereby equalling the fortune of David and Victoria Beckham, as published in today's press.

Like our Filipino saying "the one who says no never wins".  Does it sound like let us go buy a lottery ticket now?

Whereas, money did not bring happiness to JLo and Marc Anthony as today they have officially announced their separation.

Source of Poem:  Authors' Den
Press News        :  El Mundo

Sad But Brilliant

"He who listens is wiser.... than him who only believes in his own judgement".

Quino  or  Joaquín Salvador Lavado born in Mendoza  Argentina in 1932, is a famous cartoonist and author of Mafalda.  After being desillusioned with the way children of today are being educated,  he  expressed his views and concerns with the following sketches.

The children of today are the  pillars of tomorrow and how we educate them will make the difference. Contrary to the opinion of many, education should start from the time they are born.  We can help to create a better generation, by teaching through our good practices our children to be creative, to live in harmony, to be conscious of environmental protection and care, to LOVE, DREAM, ENJOY without prejudice of others, and most of all that the whole WORLD can be happy if WE JOIN HANDS....

Source:  Alicia Jordana Butticaz
         email of July 13, 2011 
Source of first image: Official web site of Quino
Source of last image:  De conceptos.com

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Title:      The Old Man and His Sons
Author:  Ambrose Bierce (USA 1842-1914)

AN Old Man, afflicted with a family of contentious Sons, brought in a bundle of sticks and asked the young men to break it. After repeated efforts they confessed that it could not be done. "Behold," said the Old Man, "the advantage of unity; as long as these sticks are in alliance they are invincible, but observe how feeble they are individually."
Pulling a single stick from the bundle, he broke it easily upon the head of the eldest Son, and this he repeated until all had been served.

-THE END-
Ambrose Bierce's short story/fable: The Old Man and His Sons

Image from: Tu amigo te tiene ganas

Happy Birthday Ivy

Family Graphics

Sonnet 18 - Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this and this gives life to thee.

[Glitterfy.com - *Glitter Photos*]

Sisters we two are as a gift and a blessing.  Enjoy your day Ivy and many happy returns of the day.  We love you!

Source and interpretation :  Sonnet 18
Image from :  Family Graphics
                        Glitterfly