St. Martha, My New Patron Saint

Power of Prayers

I have always believed in the power of prayers and novenas.  Out of desperation in the past,  I have gone to other churches, I've studied several religions and pardon me if I say that I am somewhat 'eclectic';  meaning I do what works for me.  I believe that I have a special and personal relationship with God our creator.  My God is always with me, and I quote from Psalm 23:    "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and staff they comfort me."   

I have a special relationship with God and  His angels and saints.  I believe that we have angels and saints whom God has sent to help us.  St. Jude Thadeus had helped and is still helping me in impossible and desperate cases and I have promised to encourage devotion and novena to him.

Lately, a friend sent a testimony for St. Martha:

"In one of the noontime masses I attended in Sta. Cruz Church, I stepped on a piece of paper which turned out to be a novena prayer to St. Martha which promises to grant petitions no matter how impossible on the 8th Tuesday. My discovery of St. Martha novena was a fortunate coincidence because it was about this time that my maiden family (the Guevaras, eleven of us, including my 70-year old father and my my 63-year old mother at the piano) became a weekly finalist in a nationwide search for a non-professional singing family in ABS-CBN's  "Clubhouse 9" hosted by Tito Pepe Pimentel. Our winning piece was a classical four-voiced rendition of 'Wedding of the Painted Doll' and 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'. As I have great faith in the miracle of prayer, and was dead serious in winning the contest, I was challenged to test the novena prayer. I dutifully complied with the conditions laid out for the efficacy of the prayer to the extent of just making copies of the prayer, I took extra effort to write many copies of the prayer to be left in the church. The basic requirement for the novena is to hear mass every Tuesday, light a candle, and leave some copies in the church to spread the devotion. Of course in any prayer petition, we should be in the state of grace and it should be accompanied by sacrifice. True to its promise, we won a brand new Torana car (this brand was in vogue in 1975). 

Another witnessing of the efficacy of the novena was when I applied in ADB. Using the same formula of counting the start of my novena to coincide with my scheduled test in ADB, certainly, I got the job. Prior to joining ADB, my boss learned how I relied on the intercession of St. Martha to win the grand prize. He asked for a copy of the prayer and promised to treat me should he get the managerial post he was applying in Citibank. And that he will invite me to his wedding if his petition was granted. YES, his prayers bore fruit and became an instant St. Martha devotee and complied with his promises to me. Also, the novena was used by my cousin who was married for ten years and was childless. She bore a son after a year of saying the novena. I could give many more accounts of the miracles but for now, these amazing accounts were the most prominent. I kept on witnessing the power of this novena with many ADB colleagues based on my continuing success stories, and I'm sure there were many of them who was helped by St. Martha. One thing for miracles to keep on happening is that we must give testimony of the goodness of God to draw others to Him and become active disciples by virtue of our baptism."

That's a testimony from my friend, Letty.  I need no further encouragement than this.  And since today is Tuesday, why don't we start our novena to St. Martha. 

Novena to St.  Martha

The prayer that follows must be recited for nine consecutive Tuesdays, lighting a candle on each Tuesday.This miraculous Saint has been known to grant anything, no matter how difficult it is, before the ninth Tuesday.

Prayer to Saint Martha

Saint Martha, I resort to thy protection and as proof of my affection and faith,
I offer the light which I shall burn every Tuesday.

Comfort me in my difficulties and through the great privilege you enjoyed
through lodging in the house of Thy Savior, intercede for my family that
we may always hold God in our hearts, and be provided for in our necessities.

I beseech thee to have infinite pity in regard to the favors I ask thee.
(Name favors.)
I ask thee, St. Martha, to overcome all difficulties as thou did'st
overcome the dragon thou hadst at thy feet. Amen.

(Pray The Lord's Prayer)
(Pray  the Hail Mary)
Glory be to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Stt Martha, pray for us that we might serve Jesus better. Help us to overcome our distractions and worries to listen to his words and be present to him this day. Amen

O blessed St. Martha, your faith led Jesus to proclaim, “I am the resurrection and the life”; and faith let you see beyond his humanity when you cried out, “Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” With firm hope you said, “I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him”, and Jesus called your brother Lazarus back from the dead. With pure love for Jesus you welcomed him into your home.
 

Friend and servant of our Saviour, I too am “troubled about many things”. (mention your intentions) Pray for me that I may grow in faith, hope and love, and that Jesus, who sat at your table, will hear me and grant me a place at the banquet of eternal life. Amen.

 

(To be recited nine Tuesdays, lighting candles on each Tuesday.) This miraculous Saint grants everything, no matter how difficult, before the limitation of the 9th Tuesday.

Biography of St. Martha

Feastday: July 29

Patron Saint of cooks, waiters, waitresses, housekeepers, housewives

Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus. They lived in the little town of Bethany near Jerusalem. They were dear friends of Jesus, and he often came to visit them. In fact, the Gospel tells us: "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister Mary and Lazarus." It was St. Martha who lovingly served the Lord when he visited them. One day, she was preparing a meal for Jesus and his disciples. She realized that the task would be easier if her sister would help. She watched Mary sitting quietly at Jesus' feet, listening to him. "Lord, tell my sister to help me," Martha suggested. Jesus was very pleased with Martha's loving service. However, he wanted her to know that listening to God's Word and praying is even more important. So he said gently, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part."St. Martha's great faith in Jesus was seen when her brother Lazarus died. As soon as she heard that Jesus was coming to Bethany, Martha went to meet him. She trusted Jesus and felt the freedom to say: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Then Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise. He said, "He who believes in me, even if he die, shall live. Do you believe this?" And Martha answered, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world." Jesus worked a great miracle and raised Lazarus from the dead!

Later, Jesus came again to have supper with Lazarus, Martha and Mary. St. Martha served them at table as always. This time, though, Martha had a much more loving attitude. She served with a joyful heart.  Sometimes we don't like to do certain chores. They seem heavy and unpleasant. At those times, we can ask St. Martha to give us a joyful attitude. We can ask her to show us that the littlest thing we do becomes beautiful when we do it for Jesus.

We see her again when, at the tomb of her brother Lazarus, she pronounces those profound words of faith which have come into our funeral liturgy: "I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, he who is to come into the world."

According to medieval legend, Martha, Mary and Lazarus went to France after the death of Jesus. Martha evangelized Provence where she is credited with slaying "La Tarasque", the man-eating dragon (half-animal, half-fish) with horns and the tail of a serpent. This confrontation with a cross and holy water was in the Rhone valley. The story goes like this: The dragon was said to have traveled by sea from Asia. People pleaded with Martha to find someone, to rid their village of this foul creature. The dragon killed people and sank their boats. Martha sprinkled holy water and made the sign of the cross over him, then tied him up in her girdle. While he was weakened, the people slew him with spears and stones.

To this day she is venerated by Roman Catholics in Provence. Her feast day is July 29th. Because she took care of the hungry, followers of Jesus traditionally know her as the patroness of housewives, waiters, waitresses, and cooks. Let us follow her example in caring for our homeless, poor and needy among us! Let us pray also to her for the needs of the parish and for our own personal needs, material and spiritual.

Sources: http://www.stmarthaharvey.com/bio.html
             http://www.saintmarthachurch.org/saint_martha_biography.htm

 

Eulogy for Nanay

Nanay died in August 2009, and this is my eulogy in Tagalog.   A eulogy is a speech (or occasionally a piece of writing) which praises someone, or something, highly.  They are usually about someone who has recently died.

Our Nanay, Juliana Palis Cabrido, 1958

Sa lahat po ng nagmamahal kay Nanay at sa amin, maraming salamat po sa pagsama nyo sa amin sa paghatid kay Nanay sa huling hantungan.  Sa lahat po ng nagbigay ng tulong, marami pong salamat. 

Nakakalungkot isipin na hindi na namin makikita at makakapiling si Nanay, pero napanatag naman ang loob namin na tapos na ang paghihirap ng kanyang katawan na iginupo ng sakit.

Noong bata pa po ako, maski wala pa akong kamuwang muwang sa mga tinatawag na fan's club, ay presidente na ako ng Fans Club ni Nanay.  Ang akala ko si Nanay at si Amalia Fuentes ay iisa.  Hindi dahil sa si Nanay ay may call slip sa pelikula kung di may larawan si Amalia  Fuentes sa cover ng aming family album,  at akala ko ay kay Nanay na larawan yun.  Si Nanay naman,  hindi  niya itinatwa na siya nga yun, bagama't hindi naman nya sinabing tahasan na  sya yun.

Actress Amalia Fuentes, 1958

Pero maski nga hindi si Amalia Fuentes ang nanay namin, para sa amin siya pa rin ang pinakamagandang nanay- ang aming Superstar Nanay, Nanay for all Seasons, at Mega Star Nanay, Diamond Star Nanay, etc..  Ang pinakaasam-asam naming marinig kapag may bumati sa aming 'kagandahan' ay ang sabihing kamukha namin si Nanay.  Sa maniwala kayo o hindi,  noon lamang namatay si Nanay nung mapagtanto ko na larawan pala ni Amalia Fuentes yung nasa pabalat ng aming family album.  Yung mapang-akit na ngiti ni Amalia Fuentes ang naging give-away.   Tulad ng lahat ng anak, mahirap isipin na ang iyong ina ay naging mapang-akit, at  sa lahat ng larawan ni Nanay, at hindi siya nagbigay ng ngiting  kahali halina tulad ni Amalia (siguro sa kanilang dalawa lang yun ni Tatay?)

At hindi lang sa ganda panalo si Nanay.  Para sa amin, si Nanay ang pinakamagaling magluto sa lahat ng Nanay.  Sa katunayan, siya nanalo siya sa recipe contest ng Procter and Gamble dahil sa kanyang Sarsiado Recipe.  Panahon pa noon ng radyo sa aming baryo, kaya doon nya ipinadala ang kanyang award-winning na recipe.  Kaya naman ang lahat ng lutuin ni Nanay ay nagiging favorite dish namin. Para sa akin, siya ang pinakamasarap magluto ng adobo, ginataang labong,  tinolang manok, sinigang na bangus at maski na pinamalhan (paksiw na isda).  Noong lumaki na kami at nakapunta na kung saan-saan, nakaranas nang dumulog sa Barrio Fiesta, sa Max's, sa Le Soufle, Via Mare, etc., medyo bumaba ang kinaroonang pedestal ni Nanay. 

Pero maliban sa kanyang kaanyuan, lagi kong maaalala si Nanay sa kanyang mga biro, sa kanyang sarcastic  comments (sa kanya  kami natutong mag insulto nang suwabe lang, bagama't mas maraming nakakahigit pala sa amin when we went  out in the big wide world).   Sa aming pagiging kikay, si Nanay ay very staunch supporter.  Kung anong usong damit at accessories, kung kaya din lang, meron kami noon.  Maski damit na pang dalaga (translation: plunging neckline, empire cut, fitted waist, mini mini skirt) nuong kami ay teenager pa lamang, oks lang sa kanya, kunsitidora baga.

Hindi naman perfect si Nanay, at doon nga kami natutong tumanggap ng pagkatao ng aming mga kaibigan, anak, maski ng aming mga  sarili.  Kaya, maski sino ka man, tanggap ka namin, dahil ikaw ay ikaw, huwag ka lang magkunwari na iba ka sa talagang ikaw (ummm ano daw?).  Si Nanay ay napaka prangka and she calls a spade a spade, alam nyo ba.

Maski noong may sakit na si Nanay, maayos pa rin siya at malinis at kahit anong oras mo sya dalawin, amoy baby powder pa rin sya.  At naging ibang level na rin - pwede na siyang sabihan ng kahit anung relasyon meron kami.  Kaya na nyang tanggapin ang modern romances, kung baga;  hindi na siya naging palasaway sa aming mga pasaway.  

Kaya 'Nay, maraming salamat sa pagiging totoong tao mo sa amin.  Magkikita na kayo ni Tatay at ni Cezar , regards na lang sa kanila, pati na kina Tita Charing, Tita Rosie (kaarawan ngayon), Lola at Lolo, etc.  Ma mimiss ka namin 'Nay pero nasa mabuti ka nang kalagayan, kaya masaya kami para sa iyo.  Paalam, 'Nay.

Short Hairstyle

I would like so much to change my hairstyle, but  would like to please the hubby who does not like short hair :(

I guess I could go with short but still 'hairy' style - long and thick bangs and maintain longish hair on the sides

I could go in-between like this, but I have baby-fine hair. 

 I've cut my own hair and this is how it looks now

This is how my hair looked before the hair cut.

           And just in case you'd like to know how to cut hair, I learned a lot from YouTube:

                                                                     

Balik Regional, My Alumni Homecoming Speech

Breakfast at Am Rei Hotel, Bacolod before we left for Isabela

At the Registration table with some of our classmates

Dear distinguished guests, beloved principal, teachers, classmates and fellow alumni of INHS, friends, and relatives, Maayo nga Adlaw sa inyo nga tanan

Introduction

• When Ma’am Remee Riza Coralde asked if she could recommend me as the guest speaker for today’s celebration, I could not believe it.   Why me,  I asked her.  Why not our handsome class valedictorian; why not the most glamorous one among our classmates; why not  the Pinaka madatung in our      group; but Ma’am Coralde answered that I don’t have to be the Valedictorian nor the most glamorous one nor the Pinakamadatung – as long as I am able to inspire and impart knowledge to others, I am the woman for the job. I was both flattered and humbled, and I told myself, why not, I’m not one to turn my back on challenges.  Kay bisan gamay man ni, matilaw man ni. In modern term, Adja! 

Our welcoming banner

• Kidding aside, why not?   This is payback time. Balik Regional na tayo.  Balik as in physically come back or we give her time and effort as she gave us those before. We give back to our Alma Mater for preparing us well for college; for preparing us to meet new people, for providing us new experiences, for preparing us for the rest of our lives.  Aside from God, and our parents and guardians, we have lots to thank our teachers, our coaches and mentors.  We also thank them for the solid, irreplaceable friendships that we developed while we were in this school.   Why don’t we give everyone a round of applause! 

Ma'am Remee Riza Coralde flanked by Welvic, Marlon, Sandy, JC and Mahong

• And thank you Batch ’86 for accommodating our wishes that this celebration happens today. Thank you for coordinating with us, Rema Joy Hechanova and Alma Teorima Garnica.    

Reminiscences:   39 years had passed since our graduation day in 1972. In these classrooms and corridors we had so much fun.  Who said that studying is no fun?  

Dante, Joy+ and Me

Charie as Mother Philippines

Jingh or JAGG with Gilda, during our JS Prom



• Discussion with our Biology teacher about the reproduction of flora and fauna made us respect how life seeks its own how the species preserve its own.  We learned well the law of reproduction, di ba, at least most of us…….   Our beloved History teacher, Mr. Fuertas (may he rest in peace) talked of history as if it happened the day before. We heard and learned the rise and fall of governments, the rape and glory of nations as if they were our neighbors in the barrio.  He told fascinating stories and our mind wandered from our next mischief to the streets of the country he was telling us about.  
• I so enjoyed our English Teacher’s wit, suabe lang talaga.   I looked forward to attend her classes each day as I enjoyed her wit so much.  I remember her telling a talkative classmate, Sophia Palomares, “I think you need fresh air, you may step outside and refresh yourself’.  And to Cesar Chin, a classmate who was rushing to class as he was already late, she asked, “Is there a fire, where’s the fire?”  During one of our graded oral recitation, she called a classmate and it so happened that classmate did not know the answer to her question.  Our classmate looked at us meaningfully, hoping to hear an answer.  One of us (that was me) dictated the answer and that classmate recited the answer one word after another, as  was dictated.  Ma’am Calvo asked, Is there a Hitler in our class”?  I looked around…thinking wala naman kaming classmate na Hitler ang apelyedo.   She asked again, Is there a dictator in our class.  Ah oks, ga dikta kasi ang answer….. Even with our childish monkey business with our classmates she showed us how to respect individuals and groups.  We have great respect coupled with love for our beloved 4^th year adviser, Mrs. Angelina Calvo.  Thank you Ma’am for your kind guidance.  And with Mr. Calvo at your side, you are an unbeatable team.

Our former teacher, Mrs. Porter,  becomes friendly with us and even invited us to her house!

Sandy, Outstanding alumni with Mahong, Class Valedictorian, now successful businessman

Mr. Calvo flanked by Joe, Jingh, Charie, Jusimen, Sandy, JC, Cezar, Mahong Welvic and Marlon

• We learned glamor by example from Mrs. Porter. She is the picture of the modern, sophisticated and refined woman.   One disapproving look from her and we all behaved. She brought her magazines to our classroom and our imagination are richer for them.  Thank you, Mrs. Porter.
• I mentioned only a few of our teachers, but this does not mean that those not mentioned have contributed less to our progress.  Each and every teacher we had, left an indelible mark in our development and we are grateful for that. 
• We had many idols among our classmates too.  We have a classmate whom we call Ms. Coca Cola as she has beauty, body and brains, her nickname is coolness itself,  JAGG – Juhriza Ann Granada Granada.  We had our own Miss Philippines – Ada Tabunda, also Jusimen Garrido.  We had rock stars – the Geocaniga brothers who sang and serenaded us – also the Maninantans, the Dianalas.  There were  girls younger than us whom we admired greatly - how they were more gracious and lady-like than us – the likes of the Gayares sisters, Teorima sisters, Gatuteo sisters. 
• Our learning was not confined in the 4 walls of our classrooms.   We were lucky to join the camping of 4-H Club in Mambucal,  4H club -where youth are trained for leadership and life skills.  We competed in cooking, dancing, declamation, etc.  We had fun, we made friends and we thank you INHS for the opportunity.  These experiences gave us confidence to go wherever the opportunity leads us.  We are more resilient and adaptable and in fact we have gone global because of those qualities.   

Let me give you an classic yet a practical quotation:  Knowledge is power by Sir Francis Bacon

I remember that well for that is posted in front of us students, inside our classroom.  Only after we went out in the world to seek our fortune did I learn the full impact of that quotation. Yes, knowledge is power.

Knowledge is power, power is money, money is happiness...

or  Knowledge is power, power is control, control is freedom...

Sophie, our nurse classmate, now based in Chicago

I would like to give you life examples to illustrate that but I will not be mentioning names as we don’t seek fame, but I hope that my stories will inspire you. Classmates, you know who you are, we know who you are and for those who don’t know you may come and ask us personally who is who later.   I will mention their accomplishments for the inspirations that they provide us. 

Charie, with Sophie and Gilda, now based in Germany

• Let’s take for an example a classmate who became a nurse.  She knew she had to prepare well for the career she had chosen and she got her education from the best school available the family could afford. She pursued her dreams of working abroad, worked in several countries in Asia until she got her chance to work in the U.S. She became an immigrant and now a U.S. citizen.  She had been helping her family tremendously.  She helps them not only in sending them to school, she also nurtured their dreams.  She built several homes for her loved ones, provided capital for their businesses too.  And she keeps abreast of the new trends in her chosen field by attending conventions regularly.  She knew the value of keeping her knowledge updated and used it to her advantage. And di ba tax deductible din? For her, knowledge is Power is money, Money is happiness and love as manifested by enjoying what money could buy for her loved ones.

Charrie alighting from the van.

• Another classmate is now a business woman, with alkaline water distribution as her main line of business.  Thirty years before who would have thought of selling and buying water, especially alkaline water?  We drank tap water all over the country before.  Our classmate studied the market, and being health conscious herself found a product which has a marvelous effect one’s health and in balancing the body's pH – alkaline water!  Also, her working knowledge of supply and demand assured her of profitability of her business.  Needless to say she is a successful business woman.  To her, knowledge is Power, Power is money. money is happiness, as  she is able to help her family, relatives and friends.

Ric Maninantan in stripes, is now based in Brunei

Marlon Malapitan and Rev. James Carr Federico, our past 'heart throbs'

• Aside from nurses, and other health workers, we also have engineers who are now respected in their companies and by their peers.
• We have men and women who worked in government offices not only here in Isabela Municipal hall but in cities too.  
• We have classmates who became teachers, librarian, Records Analyst in an international organization, photographer, photo editor, video editor, call center agent, blogger,  ghost writer for E-zine articles and E-books.
• We have turned out OFWs who worked in the Middle East and the U.S., Canada, Europe, etc.
• We have seamen too and others got promoted to second mate, first mate, captain of their ships.
• There is one classmate, James Carr,  who used to be  quiet and shy in our class.  He is good-looking and was always teased for his choice of crushes.  To him “a thing of beauty is Joy forever”. Yes, he had Joy in his life.   He has regrets though, because he was not able to express himself well while in high school.  Na torpe daw sya eh. So when he was in college, he sought the university library for self-help books.  He studied public speaking,  how to exude more confidence, how to think positively, how to be a leader, how to overcome his shyness.  This knowledge enabled him to overcome his perceived limitations and helped him to be what he is now:  a leader, a persuasive and charismatic Pastor - living a happy life with his beautiful wife and children, and with his apos doing Apo stolate work.  To him, Knowledge is Power, Power is fulfillment, peace and love as he is able do his calling – that is to help the needy and to spread the word of God.

Conclusion: 

• In conclusion let me again stress that knowledge is power, and with the internet, new technologies constantly developed, it’s easier and more convenient to gain knowledge.  We don’t stop learning or we become stagnant or obsolete!  We should continue learning, and gain and share knowledge from our own experiences and other’s experiences too.    
• And for all the alumni gathered around here today, let me congratulate all of you, all of us, for we are all successful  because we did our best, no matter what life has handed us, no matter what cards we were dealt with, we survived and we are successful in our own way.  I proudly say that we all look successful.  We are all successful. We all look waffa, waffu!   Tama ba? 
• And even as we gather here and speak of our current successes, our journey in life has not ended yet, we are still in the running, success in the making, until they bury us 6 feet under the ground, it’s not the end until it’s the end. And even after that, some of us may have works and services that even after death will be remembered and appreciated.   For now, we don’t rest on our laurels, for our journey has not ended yet, we move on, we move forward.

 Thank you all and God bless.

A Blog Award: Laughing out Loud!

Wow, Bloggerang Pinay's first award!  I am so dumb I did not know about this award 'til today.  Thanks so much Jhengpot!

 

Yes I am now a member of the big teethed smiley.  

Let's abide by the rules of this noble (ahem)  award now :

1. Link to the person who gave you this award. (In a post, or in your sidebar, wherever you have this)
2. Pass the award along to seven other people who post about at least slightly amusing things and tell them. Either by emailing them or commenting on a post, etc.
3. Say seven things about yourself that no one knows. (Or at least you think no one knows.)
4. Pass these rules on.

And drum roll please, I  am passing this prestigious (oo daw) award to the following:

Mona Gonzales of Life in the Philippines for she is so smart and funny, her blog entries informative yet light, she always makes my day. 

Maria Paz Escobedo Palis of Work in Progress Pinay because her entries always have the fresh perspectives on the positive aspects of life.  

Mauie Flores of Mole on my Sole because she makes a good travel blog.

Edlyn Oroquiola Retucsan of Heart of Mind because we love the same things - food and love of learning among other things.

Momgen of  Life's Journey because she is such an enterprising and positive person.

Yham of  Veroniz of Veronizm ...Life in Bliss because she goes in places I would likely go and takes great pictures too. 

And now seven things about me:

1.  I aim to be a comedienne in my own way (just like my father who is a comic/comedian wherever he goes), in my sphere of friends: that's why 

2.  I am always attracted to comedians/comediennes or to anyone who could tickle  my funny bones.

3.  My hubby is a stand-up comedian, not professionally, though.

4.  I have a soft spot for the broken-hearted, being one for soooo many years.   I treat them like my own babies, make them smile/laugh, comfort them, take their pictures so they see themselves as the lovely creatures as they are :)

5.  And speaking of pictures, one of the reasons I learned photography is to be able to take better pictures of myself (oh I am vain).  I remember my ugliest picture taken at  Foto Me when I was in college:  my cousin stole found it and gave it to my aunt and both of them gleefully represented yours truly in our Lola's  grandchildren/family album with my ugliest picture ever. 

6.  One reason I became a professional photographer (aside from being financially needy) is that I lost my first  'Point-and-shoot camera' and had to buy a second hand DSL camera to take pictures of my first baby.  The DSL camera enabled me to have a little sideline (took passport pictures!)  in an international organization where I was employed until I resigned and did photography professionally.

7)    I befriend ghosts wherever we live.  The first time I do upon moving into a house is to 'speak' to ghosts, telling them that I would like to be a friend, that I don't like to be scared, that I'd like them to help me, hehehe.

Almost always they respond by appearing in my dreams and answering my requests too.  True to their form, a ghost in Saudi Arabia kissed me and another one made love to me, lol.  

That's all folks :)

Look Years Younger Through Colors!

Have you heard about cool and warm colors, or cool and warm skin tones? I've heard that, researched on that since I became aware of presenting myself favorably especially during job interviews. 

When one is young,  foolish and carefree, one is not concerned at all with this bullshit information.  Who cares of the warm and cool tones,  I thought I look good in purple, so I wear purple. I  even put on a purple lipstick and violet eyeshadow, and my friends  told me how good I look;  that I am the only one who get away with that kind of (bizarre) colors.  I guess when one is young, you could experiment on your appearance and not think that your choice of colors and style of clothing  ages you.  I guess subconsciously, we'd like to look older, to project sophistication.  An 18 year old girl  does not think of 'ageing' colors at all!  Now that I am turning 56, I do care!  I do care but the stubborn streak in me would still wear purple blouse, eyeshadow  and lipstick up to these days....until I saw someone transformed by her choice of  wrong colors.

When I first saw her in our hiking club, she wore a white shirt and dark short shorts, her hair tied in a pony tail.  I could not tell her age. She was bubbly, she was funny, she was ageless!  I gather she could be in her early 40s or late 30's.  When I saw her again at a more formal atmosphere (in a restaurant for a despedida party of a friend) she had dyed her hair light blond (she used to have blond streaks in her brunette hair) and she wore a flowery blouse of orange red and beige.  I did not recognize her.  She looked sixtyish!  She should not have dyed her hair.  She's a Caucasian, and yes, a Caucasian could be warm-toned or cool- toned.  I gather now, she's cool toned as she looked washed-out in warm-toned clothes and make-up.  Let's be clear about these colors for now.

Here's a vey informative article
http://www.aromaleigh.com/whatcolarewa.html

What colors are warm? cool? The following chart displays the difference between warm and cool colors. Warm colors are based on yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish greens, orangish reds, and the like. Cool colors are based on blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds. This simple chart will help you to determine what colors are what, once you learn the basic differences between warm and cool color tones. Once you have a basic understanding, you can then differentiate between for example, a "warm pink" and a "cool pink". A warm pink is a peachy pink. A cool pink would be a purplish pink. A warm green would be a yellowish green. A cool green would be more blue. A warm toned foundation powder is more yellow based. A cool toned one is more pink. When you hear someone say "I am an autumn" or "I am a spring", this means that they look best in warm tones. In contrast, "summers" and "winters" look best in cool tones. (this is based on the Color Me Beautiful method of skin typing). Looking at blushes? As a rule, any blush with a brown or peach undertone is warm. Any blush with a purple or pink undertone is cool. Some colors can work for both skintones, such as a peachy pink or a pinkish brown. This is why we offer samples, so you can try before you buy full sizes. Keep in mind that computer monitors all vary in how they display colors. The best best is to try a few samples and see how they compare. We offer samples of all of our loose powder cosmetic line. If you do not know your skintone, you can estimate it by referring to the following chart: Cool: Eyes are typically blue or grey. Haircolor typically blonde, brown or black. Skin has definite blue and pinkish undertones. Cool-toned people look best in colors such as blue, red, pink and purple, or "gem-tones". Usually look best in silver jewelry. In natural light, the color of the veins on the underside of your wrist are bluish. You can wear a white shirt and it is flattering on you. Neutral: Eyes may be any color. Hair may be any color. Skin has unspecifiable undertones, such as pink, olive or yellow. Those with neutral coloring can wear just about any color clothing and look good. Can wear gold or silver jewelry (no preference as to which looks better) Warm: Eyes are typically brown, green or hazel. Haircolor typically brown, black, red, auburn, blonde or strawberry blonde. Skin has yellow/orange or olive undertones. Warm-toned people look best in earthy-toned clothing, such as browns, yellows, oranges, yellowish green and ecru. Look best in gold jewelry. In natural light, the color of the veins on the underside of your wrist are greenish. You are most flattered by an off-white, cream or ecru shirt (i.e. pure white makes you look washed out) If you aren't sure if you have Cool or Warm Skin Tones, these comparisons should help:   (http://www.mineral-makeup-reviews.com/Cool-or-Warm-Skin-Tone.html) Cool Warm You look best in these colors: You look best in these colors: Includes "jewel tones" - blues, greens, pinks, purples, blue-greens, magentas, and blue-based reds. Includes "earth tones" - yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish greens and orange-based reds. Foundation is pink based Foundation is yellow based Looks better in pure white than ivory Looks better in ivory than pure white Can easily wear black Looks washed out with black worn close to the face My skin is: Very dark brown with reddish or blue undertones Brown with pink undertone True olive (most Asians and Latinos) Medium with no color in cheeks Medium with faint pink cheeks Pale with no color in cheeks Pale with pink undertones Ruddy-pinkish red Brown or bronze when I tan My skin is: Very dark brown with golden undertones Brown with golden undertone Medium with golden undertones Pale with peach or gold undertones Golden brown, when I tan Notable examples - Elizabeth Taylor, Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Courtney Cox, Sandra Bullock, Terri Hatcher, Kirstin Davis, America Fererra, Keira Knightley, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Hudson, Liv Tyler, Alexis Bledel, Megan Fox, Jennifer Connelly, Shania Twain, Brooke Shields Sophia Bush, Penelope Cruz, Candace Bergen, Sarah Chalke, Hillary Clinton, Heather Locklear, Britney Spears, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christy Brinkley, Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeri Ryan, Jennifer Aniston, Ellen Pompano Notable examples - Nicole Kidman, Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reba McIntyre, Julianne Hough, Sarah Ferguson, Marcia Cross, Calista Flockhart, Rebecca Romjin, Tara Reid, Renee Zellweger, Ellen Degeneres, Diane Sawyer, Amy Adams, Jillian Anderson, Amanda Bynes, Becki Newton, Nicole Richie, Kim Raver, Kristen Johnston, Leona Lewis

Here's Madonna using wrong make-up colors:

I don't know if the blue eyes are Madonna's natural eye color......but she is definitely cool-toned. The color of the dress is right (although the style is questionable), but the make-up and the lipstick are wrong;  these colors are for the warm-toned. She could have used pinkish lipstick instead, she could still maintain the 'light' make-up look. 

And here's a classic beauty, Joan Collins,  who always know how to sizzle:

She is cool-toned and her dress is the right color. Her lipstick sets off her skin and as usual her eye make-up suits her.

Let's try the younger  celebrities. Justin Bieber and Selena Lopez:

Justin could get away with anything, being 16, rich and famous.  I think that he is warm-toned though, and  when he gets older he should wear warm-toned colors to project his youthful image always.  Selena is warm-toned and looks so ravishing in this hue of red.  The lipstick is a bit too bright, her eye make-up and overall makeup is so 80's and if she's older it may look garish, but with her youth and fame, Selena is a bomb.

Anne Hathaway wears superb colors:

Here's a local Actress, Toni Gonzaga, glowing with the right  warm colors:
http://effyeahfilipina.tumblr.com/ 

Wat say you of Marian Rivera's sexiness?

Look at Angel Locsin with her right colors, absolutely gorgeous:

Ok, I have warned you enough.  Be selective of your colors, especially colors near your face, like your blouse, your blouse's collar, your necklace, etc.

snopes.com: Cartoon Character As Facebook Profile Picture

snopes.com: Cartoon Character As Facebook Profile Picture

Whatever the truth behind the origins of  changing  Facebook  profile to a cartoon character, we have all  united against violence against children and that is enough.