Yesterday was a typical rainy and traffic day for most of the Metro. Me and my husband were just wandering around for most of the morning. Just trying to relax from the stressful week that we had, especially that we were tending to my sick father for more than a week now. We accompanied my mother to the bus station in Cubao in the morning. She was to go back to our province because she needs to attend to her teaching duties in the school back in our province of Masbate. Afterwards, me and my husband were thinking of our next destination. And since there were some setbacks that were coming in our lives these couple of weeks now, we decided maybe its better to ask some additional blessing from Him, in order for us to be able to better face the low downs we are facing. The idea of Obando just popped on our heads. We just knew that it was in Bulacan and this church is especially famous for couples asking for a child through it, usually through the fertility dance during its feast day. Anyway, after our trip from Cubao, we researched in the internet on how to go to Obando, Bulacan. The best way are these:

by car: (1) Monumento -> (2) Samson Road -> (3) Sangandaan Market (Turn Right) -> (4) M.H. Del Pilar (Watch out for the Shell station and turn left) -> (5) Panghulo Road (You could now easily see San Pascual Baylon Church at this road).

by commute: (1) Go to Monumento either by bus or jeep (2) Take a jeepney to Sangandaan Market (3) Take a jeepney with the sign board Polo (this jeepney passes by Obando).

After a traffic laden trip towards Obando, we relaxed and wander about the Church. We were amazed by its majestic paintings and very intricate designs. We were expecting an old church with antiques in it. But instead the Church resembles a mansion house with nice chandelier and very rich altar, full of statues of the Holy Family, Mama Mary, San Pascual to name a few. After being taken in awe by the beauty of the Church, we proceed with our intention of offering a mass for the speedy recovery of my father and well with other intentions as well. We then proceed to go home after the strong rains. The road was quite flooded then but this is already expected since this part of Bulacan is near Navotas, Malabon, which are frequently flooded part of the Metro. Well, the trip was definitely worth it. I hope there are a lot of people from the Metro discover the Obando once again like us.

Just a day after declaring 'Iglesia ni Cristo Day' a holiday, Malacanang clarified that this is a 'Special Working Holiday'. Now this simply does not make any sense. People from the Palace, who are obviously sucking on the powerful religious bloc of Iglesia ni Cristo, are making another blunder of misleading the public. What is the use of declaring a holiday which is a 'Special Working Holiday'? Does this mean workers get some special rate for working on a 'Special Working Holiday'? The incumbent administration can not simply do anything correct. We should just look forward onto next year and make sure that we choose wisely our future leaders.

On July 27 Monday, the Iglesia ni Cristo will celebrate its 40th founding anniversary. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared this day a non-working holiday. This is a good news for students, teachers and workers (except those who are receiving daily wages). People could take some rest and enjoy a long weekend with their loved ones. President GMA has been known to declare religious holidays for Catholics and Muslims, but this is the first that she is announcing a holiday for a Christian sect, which is Iglesia ni Cristo. This religious organization has an estimated size of between 3 million and 10 million worldwide. It is said to be larger than the Jehovah's witnesses. But this powerful religious sect is also known for its culture of bloc voting during election time. It is said that is the only religious sect in the Philippines who command such influence over its members. And since the presidential elections is already nearing at 2010, this is strongly too coincidental perhaps. Is this another guise perhaps being pulled from the bag of tricks of a traditional politician?

On July 7, the whole world sendoff, for me and perhaps for millions around the world, the greatest entertainer that has ever lived. There were much anticipation as to what will transpire in his memorial service at Staples Center, the last site that witnessed him performed (it was here that Michael Jackson was rehearsing for his supposed to be final concert - This is it). 1.6 million people registered online for the lottery of the ticket for the memorial service, but only 8750 pairs of tickets were granted. During the memorial service, there was less of the songs and dancing that made Michael Jackson a legend, but it was more of a religious and solemn service that depicts another side of Michael that people around the world have never seen - the human side of the King of Pop. He was depicted as a deeply spiritual man, a loyal friend, innocent child who has the genuine laughter inside, and the best father that anyone could ever imagine. These testimonies by the people who were most closed to him touched the hearts of millions across the world. People from corners of the world responded with ways they can using the internet. Rates of visits and comments were fired off during the memorial service. This is indeed one of the largest sendoff for a celebrity. I for one would just like to finally thank Michael for the music and entertainment he shared with us. He inspired me and my generation in his music. His legacy will continue to live on and immortalize him as the only King of Pop.

Last Tuesday, my Father was admitted to the hospital because of his complaints of pains in his stomach. He together with my mother flew from the province here in Manila in order to get better consultation with a hospital and undergo CT Scan for his abdomen. But aside from the pain in his stomach, the doctor also said that he has water in his lungs that are needed to be extracted soon. We kind of expected that he would contract a lot of ailments because he has been smoking a lot of cigarettes all his life. He has been a chain smoker ( consuming almost 3 packs per day ) since his teens. Our main concern right now is that the doctor from our province, Masbate, said that he has mass lump in either his liver or kidneys and this could be further detected when he undergoes CT Scan (Liver Cirrhosis). I really hope that my father could recover from all the sickness that he is facing right now. My family has been with him all throughout his confinement. We are praying for his fast and complete recovery. I hope it is not too late for a lifestyle change. Smoking could indeed cause a lot of problems to our health. We may not realize it while we are still young and enjoying the relaxation brought about by smoking, but sooner or later, our body will eventually let us pay the price. He is only 61 years old now, but he is already feeling the ill effects of smoking. I hope this blog will reach people out especially the smokers. Our family also needs your help through your prayers.

Jadranka Kosor of Croatia, who has been nominated as first woman prime minister of Croatia, joins a list of women empowered to lead nations worldwide. Like in our own country and other countries as well around the world, people have already placed their trust on capable women to lead them. Not long time ago, women were considered as second class citizens, not allowed to vote, participate in public discussions, and were restricted from a lot of different types of work. But this has changed a lot over the course of time, women have asserted their rights in society. They have even excelled in fields that only men were allowed to occupy. In the United States, Hillary Clinton was the staunch rival of Barrack Obama for the right to be the representative of the Democrat party for the presidential elections. She was narrowly beaten by Barrack Obama during their race for the Democrat presidential nomination. But later on, President Barrack Obama entrusted her with the powerful position of being the US State Secretary. In our own country, the Philippines, we have President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who has been in power for almost a decade. She replaced President Joseph Estrada in 2001 during People Power Revolution 2 in the Philippines. I hope that these women leaders would show the world that they could effectively lead countries around the world. They should stop corruption and lead the people around the world out of poverty.

Source: Inquirer

Heads of government:

- GERMANY: Angela Merkel became Germany's first woman chancellor when she was elected in November 2005.

- ICELAND: Social Democrat Johanna Sigurdardottir became Iceland's first female premier in February this year.

- BANGLADESH: Sheikh Hasina Wajed became prime minister in February. She had held the post between 1996 and 2001.

- HAITI: Michele Pierre-Louis became the country's second woman prime minister in July last year.

- MOLDOVA: Zinaida Greceanii in power since March 31, 2008.

- MOZAMBIQUE: Luisa Diogo holds prime ministerial office since February 2004.

- UKRAINE: Yulia Timoshenko held the prime minister's office from January to September 2005 and then assumed the post again on December 18, 2007.

ELECTED HEADS OF STATE:

- LITHUANIA: Dalia Grybauskaite elected on May 18, 2009.

- ARGENTINA: Cristina Kirchner, elected in October 2007.

- INDIA: Pratibha Patil elected in July 2007 as the country's first woman president.

- CHILE: Michelle Bachelet, elected in January 2006.

- LIBERIA: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first African woman president after her election in November 2005.

- PHILIPPINES: Vice president Gloria Arroyo replaced Joseph Estrada in 2001 after he was removed for corruption. She was elected in 2004.

- FINLAND: Tarja Halonen was elected in 2000 and then again in January 2006.

- IRELAND: Mary McAleese, succeeded another woman Mary Robinson in 1997. She was re-elected in October 2004.

The mother of democracy of the Philippines who has fought the mighty hands of steel of dictatorship during the 80's is now fighting for her own life. Corazon Aquino, the widow of Filipino hero Ninoy Aquino, has been reported to have opt out of the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and also taking her chemotherapy and other sorts of medications. She has been battling colon cancer for several years now and has said that the past one and a half year 'bonus' to her life has been a blessing already. She is now joined by her family and closest friends in a private room at the Makati Medical Center. Healing masses were offered by her priest-friends in various churches in Metro Manila. I too am joining the throngs of Filipino praying for her healing. The last time I heard of her was through her message against the charter change through constituent assembly, which is being pushed by the administration allies in the Congress. A message from her was read by her grandson Kiko Dy. She was feeling weak and can not attend the rally at Makati but I guess her spirit was with those who joined the rally against those who want to 'rape' the constitution just to stay in power. We all should join in prayer for her healing. She still has a lot to contribute for our country's democracy. It is still not yet fully restored. After 25 years, there are still those corrupt and dark politicians who curtail our freedom. Only recently there are still threats of no elections because of the backing out of the TIM (Total Information Management) on their partnership with SmartMatic in order to deliver the country's first fully automated polls in the presidential elections in 2010. I just hope that she could live longer to witness a fully freed Philippines, a country that could enjoy the fruits of sacrifices that her husband and other heroes of Filipino Democracy have fought and died for.