Dear John

Channing Tatum is John, a military man who is on vacation for 2 weeks. Amanda Seyfried is Savannah, a rich, beautiful, loving, sweet lady on school break. John was raised by his loving but uncommunciative father who is a coin collector and who cooks chicken on Saturdays and lasagna on Sundays. I might have missed it but there was no mention of John's mother. In a matter of few days, they fell in love and promised eternity to one another. Then it was time for John to go back to the army. The exchange of letters started (thus the title Dear John, but why not Dear Savannah???) and this is the part I enjoyed most since I am a stickler for nicely-composed writings. In movies, more than the visuals, I love love being expressed in words. Anyway...

9/11 happens and John re-enlists. And re-enlists again. Until one Dear John letter appears where Savannah informed him that she has been engaged to someone else (ah so THAT is the reason the title is Dear John...cool). The movie then continues to tell how John took the news, how he boldly faced danger by enlisting in dangerous missions, how he got shot, and why he needs to go home, not for Savannah, but for his father who had a stroke.

Now this is the part that somehow just connected to me, John's relationship with his father. Theirs is love unexpressed. My father is almost the same - quiet, unexpressive, calloused even. But I know in my heart that he loves his family so much to the point of cooking for us, cleaning after our mess figuratively and literally, even doing the laundry for my clothes. But I never heard him say any words of endearment. Once during high school our religion class had an assignment where we are to request our parents to write on a piece of paper what they love best about their child. I learned that he loves me for being God-fearing, responsible and kind. Small and simple words but big for me. And I will never forget when my mother told me he secretly cried when I passed the board exam. My father is 69 years old but still very sharp and strong. As much as I can, I spend quality time with him like joining him when he eats alone, treating him to a massage, watching a concert with him, bringing him to our company outing, anything - just so he won't feel sad and alone.

Moving on...

The story continued to tell how John buried his father and how he dealt with Savannah's new love. How could she fell for someone is something John found hard to accept, but WHO she fell in love with hurts him more. But the story tells how John's good heart overpowers his lover's heart and he did one act of kindness that is utterly too kind and selfless.

Then somebody must have pushed the fast forward button because the scenes that transpired next were so fast I was just beginning to get weepy and suddenly the credits appeared.

It was a tear-jerker alright but it lacks the kilig I expected to get. They say the book version is better.

My Photography Bucket List

I got interested in photography after seeing a number of beautiful photos, then telling myself I will learn how to capture similar shots. I thought it was just a matter of finding a nice spot and clicking the shutter release. Little did I know that finding the right spot is just the first step. I next have to consider the intensity and source of the light, composition, aperture, shutter speed, iso, and how all of these should work together to produce one beautiful picture. Sounds overwhelming initially but as they say, once you learn how these all play together, it is like driving, or biking, or even walking, where you will not plan your next moves, they just happen out of instinct.

Well, I have taken the first steps but I have a loooong way to go from being a newbie to becoming a full fledged photographer.

Yes I own a DSLR but that does not make me a photographer. Yes I got a few lenses but that does not assure me of a perfect photo everytime I take one.

But I know, with practice and dedication, I will be able to take those beautiful photos. For the meantime, here is a list of photos I want to take one day:

1. star trails - i have long wanted to do this but doing so means staying overnight at a high place somewhere in a rural area where there is less pollution and false light. Successful star trail photos sometimes take hours to capture.

photo credits: www.wunderground.com

2. traffic trails - i tried doing this but I am not satisfied with the results because I was at road-level. Best spot is at an overpass of a busy 2-way highway since the yellow lights of the incoming vehicles will give a nice contrast to the red lights of the vehicles going the other direction.

photo credits: www.jaaphotography .com


3. long exposure waterfalls - i was able to do this at Lake Caliraya but with the guidance of our instructor, Richard Larrios. I want to do it again on my own so I can test if I remember everything he taught us.


I want to shoot a tall, cascading falls. Even Wawa Dam is a good subject, problem is there are always many people taking a bath there and using long exposure is not an option.


photo credits: Jeff Howard

4. shooting bangui windmills - just getting near them is already a wish. A sunset shot would be great!


photo credits: diverdown

5. panning shots - the best panning shots require speed and space, so i think I must be in a sort of racing track, a road or playground to best do this.

6. water droplet shot - this shot requires patience, patience and more patience



7. macro shots


This will be a bit of a challenge because firstly, i need a macro lens which costs an arm and a leg (calling on the universe...). Secondly, I need to be around flora and fauna, the best subjects for macro shots. Best place would be a park or a garden and going down on all fours is somehow needed to get the best shots. My dream shot would be that of an ant carrying a leaf or food. Just no frogs shots please.

photo credits: Licht

Apple's iPad

Steve Jobs did it again! After months of anticipation and tons of rumors on what will be THE announcement in January, the iPad was finally revealed.

It is a cross between a smartphone and a macbook. It is tablet-shaped, looks like the cover of the macbook pro, allows users to access Safari browser, email, and Iphone/Ipod Touch apps. The large 9.7" glass top (for reduced smearing) touch screen makes it a lot easier to browse thru the web, photos, videos and apps. It boasts of a 10-hr battery life, a built-in wi-fi and bluetooth connectivity and just a half-inch thick.

Basic iPad (16 gigabytes) sells for $499 and the most expensive is the $829 64 gigabytes running on 3G.

On of the newest features of iPad is the iBook and the iBookstore. iBook is an ebook reader app which Apple created to match against Kindle. In tall orientation (or portrait as we know it), you can use your fingers to to turn a page and preview the next page or just tap the screen to go the next page. The paper-like texture of the screen gives the iPad a real book feel.

The iBookstore is like Amazon to Kindle where you can buy new books to appear in your virtual bookshelf.

Personally, the iPad is nice to have but not a must-have. I will choose the macbook and ipod touch over it anytime. When your work is mostly software-oriented, then this is not for you. This is perfect for someone who travels or someone who is always out of the house or office. But I will certainly appreciate having it for casual browsing, reading the online newspaper while lying down, playing games in bed (perfect for plants vs. zombies!) and ebook reading.

iPad will be out in the market in 60 days.

Still don't like the name though. iSlate is better.

Other info on the iPad:

Specs:
0.5 inches thin

1.5 pounds

9.7 inch IPS display

full capacitive multi-touch screen

1Ghz custom Apple chip. (called A4)

Can have 16, 32, or 64 GB of SSD

802.11n Wi-Fi

Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR

accelerometer

compass

speaker

microphone

30 pin connector

10-hour battery life

Price:
Wifi only - available in 60 days (march 2010)

16GB - $499

32GB - $599

64GB - $699

Wifi and 3G (micro SIM - unit is unlocked) - available in 90 days (april 2010)16GB - $629

32GB - $729

64GB - $829

Extremes

When I attended the funeral mass for our relative who died on Christmas Day, I was struck by what the priest said. He told the family that Jesus Christ also came to their household on Christmas, but not as a cute and cuddly baby, but as a crucified and dying man. Yet, still the same God who became man to save us from sins. What a realization. I've always associated Christmas as fun, happy, festive but not gloomy and dark. As if death could never ever come and has no right to come on this supposedly happy day. And yet it did. Actually it can come anytime.

My bestfriend is celebrating her birthday today but how can we be happy and celebrate when her aunt is presently lying in state? It is hard to celebrate the gift of life during a time of mourning. I remember years back when my grandmother died 3 days prior to her birthday so during her birthday, there was a cake on top of her coffin.

Talking about extremes at its finest.

What is beyond?

In just 3 days I have already attended 2 wakes. In each time, I am almost always tempted to tell the relatives the cliche "it's ok, he/she is in a better place now" but I know it won't offer (yet) any solace to them because the need to grieve is present and unavoidable.

Deaths always affect me. Who won't be? In my mortal mind, it is the finality, the end, the consummation of life. When I was younger, I've always thought of death as really the end, then darkness follows. After learning a few things from school, the church and the community, I began to believe that death is just a phase someone need to pass through in order to reach the other side. But I know I have to go to a step higher in understanding and reasoning that death is just a beginning. Papa told me that in their community, when someone dies, they say "Congratulations!" instead of "Condolence" to the family of the dead. I might get a knock on the head if I say that but when you think about it deeply, death is really just the beginning of eternal life.

For the meantime, I should make it a point to work as if it is my first day on earth, learn as if I were to live forever, and live as if it is my last day.

Sounds like a tall order but I will try.

2010 is here!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that

you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover."

2009 has generally been very good to me and my family (because we looked at the blessings, not the negatives). I am sure the coming years will be doubly better for us and for everyone.

To live a "better life", I will be doing the following this year:

1. sleep eight hours a day

2. eat more greens and less junk

3. keep my room uncluttered (like it is today, Jan.1)

4. hit the gym 3x a week and lose those unwanted bulges

5. return to blogging

6. pass by the adoration chapel more often

7. live within my means

8. think positive and observe the law of attraction

9. join project 365

10. be a better friend

11. master photo-editing

12. manage my digital photos effectively

13. spend more time with the family and take care of the oldies

14. travel

15. drink more water

16. shoot more and better photos

17. give more

18. ..and i need to earn more

19. buy either a book or a blouse every payday (i want the first but i need the 2nd)

20. live, laugh and love

There you go, my 20 to-do list this year.

Happy 2010 everyone!

YugaTech Great Gadget Giveaway

Starting this week, Yugatech will be doing a series of different contests for his “YugaTech Great Gadget Giveaway” with a major theme around it. It will be really simple and have easy mechanics. The contest for this week is called “Merry Tweetmas”.
Round 1: The theme for this week will be Twitter. Here’s the mechanics:
1) Follow @abeolandres and @talk2globe on Twitter.
2) Post a tweet “Just entered to win a Modu Phone. Quick! Go follow @abeolandres and @talk2globe and retweet: http://bit.ly/6e2q7O #thanks2yugatech”

He is giving away a Modu phone, 10 Globe Tattoo and 20 Php500 prepaid call cards randomly. That’s 31 winners in all for the Twitter giveaway.

Join now and win beautiful prizes!

Coney Island Ice Cream is Back!

Coney Island Ice Cream is back! But under the name "Go Nuts Ice Cream". I have always thought that Coney Island Ice Cream is owned by an American Company. Little did I know that it is 100% Filipino-owned. The Trillanas are also the owners of Go Nuts Donuts and Whammos.

Back in college, there is a Coney Island Ice Cream kiosk across Miriam College and Ateneo. I can still vividly remember that every July 4, me and my friends would troop to that area along Katipunan to avail of the ice cream at 50% discount! I cannot remember any other ice cream flavor because I always get the bubblegum flavor every time.

I also have childhood memories of mama and I going to Rustan's Cubao and I always ask her to buy me a cone of the bubblegum flavored ice cream. I remember the bubble gum pieces (big square ones!) infused in the ice cream and I will not spit out any of the chewed gum until I finished the whole cup, and my mouth will be full of this gum that i had trouble chewing with a closed mouth.

When I passed by the Gonuts Donuts at Megamall awhile ago, I saw that they already have the Go Nuts Ice Cream and I did not pass the chance - I gotta get my bubble gum ice cream! And the experience had this happy nostalgic effect. The taste is the same but the color has changed. I remember it was blue before, now it is pink. And the main difference: it has fewer bubble gum bits which are frozen. Upside is, I had no trouble chewing =)

Flavors available:
belgian chocolate, french vanilla, cafe mocca, pastillas de leche, rocky road, choco hazelnut, pistachio, ito's macadamia,strawberry, ozark black walnut,new york new york.

Prices: Favorites/Premium

single scoop P60.00 / P80.00

double scoop P100.00 / P135.00

tub P185.00 / P215.00

Cancelled: World Pyro Olympics 2009

Due to varying weather conditions of late, the Executive Committee of the World Pyro Olympics 2009 announces the postponement of the event to a later date next year.

The November 28 opening was marred by strong rains during Team China's performance. (read Lagalog's onsite reporting here)

Purchased tickets will be honored on the new dates. For more info, contact WPO at 568-6908 or 384-0239 or log on to http://www.worldpyroolympics.com/ for details.

photo courtesy of atlas shrugs

Plants vs Zombies

My current favorite computer game now is Plants vs Zombies by Popcap. It is a tower defense game but I will put it under the genre of Diner Dash and Wedding Dash in such a way that I get stressed (but in a nice way) to act fast and multi-task in order to win. Spent not so few hours with this game that I even dreamt about zombies-eating-plants!

Thought at first it is just a child's game but eventually, I began to enjoy playing it. It tests your patience, strategy skills and planning.

The objective of the game is to protect your house from being invaded by zombies who come in different costumes, different strenghts and weaknesses, different skills and issues in life (the michael jackson zombie is one cool dude). To protect your house from being invaded and your brain from being eaten raw, an arsenal of different plants are available. You need to plant these floras and arrange them in such a way that their different capabilities and toughness will be fully maximized. Best choice of plants depends on the types of zombies you will encounter per level.

In order to purchase different kinds of plants, you're required to gather sunshine while in game play. During daytime levels, sunshine falls from the sky periodically; however this isn't enough to fuel the needed army. Thankfully, sun flowers can be planted to make sunpower come faster.

During night levels, different strategy is needed to gather sources of light since sunflowers produce sunpower oh so slowly and the friendly mushrooms will come handy.

There's a very comic-like feel to things (maybe to compensate for the gore and ugly-looking zombies), but the gameplay is incredibly addictive. I just can't stop playing.

There are 5 games modes: Adventure, Mini-games, Puzzle, Survival plus the relaxing Zen Garden. I am done with the Adventure mode (day, night, fog, swimming pool and roof). Im still trying to finish the rest.

There is a free download good for an hour at www.popcap.com

I love the Sesame Street Google Doodles!

I've been checking Google first thing in the morning to see if there is a new google doodle. Still waiting for Kermit...

2009 Pyromusical Competition in the Philippines

Dubbed as the first in the Philippines because previous years' competitions were without music. Secondly, it will be land-based firing, so you can expect low-level fireworks this time! La Mancha, the organizer of this event, did a 13-minute teaser during the last Pyrolympics for this.

I am sure, like the other Pyrolympics, this Musical Pyrolympics is worth watching.

Here are the schedules:

November 14, 2009
South Korea and United States of America

November 21, 2009
Germany and China

November 28, 2009
Japan and Australia

December 05, 2009
Canada and Italy

December 12, 2009
Hightlights from the Participants and Philippines

Bring the kids and watch this spectacular event!

Venue:
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. near MC Home Depot and Bonifacio High Street. Tickets will be available this October!

Lake Caliraya

Had the chance to shoot at Caliraya Lake last month. I have been hearing a lot about this place but this is the first time i was finally able to see the place for myself.

It is a man-made lake situated in the towns of Lumban, Cavinti and Kalayaan, Laguna.


We rode a speed boat and were transported to the other side of the lake. It is a sanctuary owned by Mr. Peter Wallace. I was surprised to see so many animals in the small island. Not to mention many places calling for some photo ops.






We also had the chance to shoot at the Japanese Garden...

For the first time, i had the chance to try Infrared Photography. This is where i got burned! Because to maximize the full effect of the IR, shooting time must be between 10am - 3pm. I was shooting from 12nn to 2pm. Dehydrated, burned, soaked with sweat - but i still nudged myself to learn how this IR works. Here is the result:

The next day, we visited the Kalayaan Twin Falls. We arrived at 6am, purposely early to avoid the early swimmers.

Last stop is an old tower at the entrance of Lagos del Sol. It appears ordinary, i almost did not notice it the first time we passed but when we came back during sunset, it exposed its beauty under the orange/blue-tinged sky.

It was a very tiring shoot. But very worth it.

Monasterio De Tarlac

Situated on top of a mountain is the Monasterio De Tarlac. It houses the relic of the True Cross of Jesus.




The spacious property offers a panoramic view of Tarlac. The noticeable silence in the place is a sure welcome from the noisy city.

There are two sets of the Stations of the Cross. One is for the less agile and the other is for those who are ready to go up and down the hills under the searing heat of the sun.

I love the peace and serenity the place gives. Up there, it is easier to be "holy" and "follow" Jesus' steps. But reality has to take over and I eventually need to go down to the real world.

The relic of the true cross is exposed only twice a year. On January 30 and on September 14, the feast of the Holy Cross. A mass is being offered at 10:30am every Saturday and Sunday.

How to go there:

Take the NLEX, exit at St. Ines, Mabalacat, Pampanga. Just follow the road going to Tarlac. At Brgy. San Sebastian, look for Hon Kee Tea House (right side) and turn left. At the end of the 36-kilometer scenic road is Brgy. Lubigan where the Monasterio is located. Various signages are posted along the way.

When you thought i wasn't looking

Just thought of sharing this. A message every adult should read because children are watching us and doing as we do, not as we say.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I le arned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

In Memory of Amiel Alcantara

Any death is tragedy in itself, but the death of a child is tragedy multiplied by the hundreds.

Julian Carlo Miguel (Amiel) Alcantara, a 10 year old student of the Ateneo de Manila University got fatally hit by a van on the afternoon of February 24.

Here is what happened:

According to initial reports, Amiel and his older brother were dismissed from school at past 3pm. The boys were already in their car when Amiel got hungry and so he and his yaya decided to go to the Ateneo grade school canteen to buy something.

Meanwhile, inside a gray hi-ace van, a 30something mom had instructed her driver to go and get her young son. She said she would just take care of moving the vehicle if need be.

One mom (whose son is the classmate of Amiel) was right there and witnessed the horrible, horrible accident. When the driver went out of the van, he left it idling. The cars in front of the van moved already, a big gap was left in front of the van, so the cars behind the van began blowing their horns to make the van move. The mom went down to move the van. That's when she accidentally stepped on the gas, instead of the brakes, rear-ending the car in front of her, which in turn, hit the car in front of it. The impact was strong, but that wasn't when Amiel was hit.

The mom, in her panic, then reversed very quickly. She didn't see Amiel and his yaya who were on their way from the canteen, crossing behind her van, looking for their own car. That's when she hit the boy and the yaya. She didn't even realize that she had hit two people, she kept going in reverse, even if the other drivers and bystanders were screaming for her to stop. They had to extricate poor Amiel from under the van. The mom who witnessed all these has asked her driver to help carry him. When she saw Amiel, she knew at once that he was gone. She saw his things scattered on the ground, even the hotdog he was eating right before the accident.

My prayer goes to the family of Amiel, to his parents, his yaya and especially to his brother. My prayer also goes to the driver of the van and her family. Numerous reports are on the loose about her indifferent attitude towards the accident, about how a cellphone was involved, about the insensitive way she responded to inquiries, but before the official reports are out, let us not add to her burdens. She has suffered enough.

Grasping at reality amidst this surreal event, I realized it could actually be anybody at the shoes of anyone involved in the accident, at anytime.

Schedule of Masses (Makati and Ortigas District)

This list might be of help for those on the look-out for a Eucharistic mass especially this coming Lenten season. To be sure, try to check first and let us know of any changes so we can also update the list.


MAKATI BUSINESS DISTRICT MASS SCHEDULES

Asian Institute of Management
Paseo de Roxas
Monday - Friday - 1230PM
First Friday, Saturday - 6:00PM
Sunday - 9:30AM

Ateneo Law School
Rockwell Center
Monday - Friday - 12:15PM, 6:00PM
Saturday - 5:15PM

25F Ayala Tower 1
Ayala Avenue
Monday to Friday, 11:30 AM to 12:00 NN

Bank of Commerce
Ayala Avenue
Wednesday, Friday - 12:15PM

Builder's Centre
Ground Floor
Salcedo St., Legaspi Village
Monday - Friday - 12:00NN

88 Corporate Center
Suite 905 (subject to change)
Sedeno St. corner Valero St.
First Friday: 12:15 PM
(Ash Wednesday Mass is also normally celebrated)

Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)
Sen Gil Puyat Avenue
Monday - Friday: 12:00 NN

Eastern Telecoms Plaza Penthouse
Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue
Monday - Friday - 12:00NN

Equitable PCIBank (now Banco de Oro)
Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel
Makati Avenue
Monday - Friday - 7:45AM, 12:15PM, 5:30PM

Greenbelt Park
Monday - Friday - 7:30AM, 12:15PM 5:45PM, 7:00PM
Saturday - 12:15PM, 4:30PM, 6:00PM
Sunday - 7:15AM, 9:00AM, 10:30AM, 1200NN,
3:00PM, 4:30PM, 6:00PM, 730PM

Glorietta Ayala Center
Wednesday, Saturday - 5:00PM
Sunday - 10:30AM

Makati Medical Center
9th floor Chapel or Ledesma Hall
Monday - Sunday - 7:30AM, 12:00NN, 4:00PM

Metrobank Plaza
Penthouse Annex Building
Sen Gil Puyat Avenue
Monday - Friday - 7:45 AM

PhilamLife Tower
Paseo de Roxas
9th Floor
Monday - Friday 12:15PM

Prudential Bank
3F Ayala Avenue
Wednesday - 12:00NN

4F RCBC Plaza
Ayala Avenue cor. Buendia
Monday - Friday - 12:00 NN to 1:00 PM


ORTIGAS BUSINESS DISTRICT MASS SCHEDULES

Chateau Verde Condo
Lobby
Valle Verde 1
First Friday Masses - 6:00PM
Sunday - 11:00AM

EDSA Shrine
Monday - Saturday - 6:30AM, 12:15NN, 5:30PM, 7:00PM
Sunday - 8:00AM, 9:30AM, 11:00AM, 12:15NN
3:00PM, 4:30PM, 6:00PM, 7:30PM

Meralco Chapel
Meralco Compound
Meralco Avenue
Monday - Friday - 7:00AM, 12:00NN

RFM Auditorium
RFM Corporate Center
Pioneer cor. Sheridan Sts., Mandaluyong City
Monday - Friday - 12:00 NN

SM Megamall
Julia Vargas Avenue
Monday - Friday - 1215, 6PM
Saturday - 5:00PM, 7:00PM
Sunday - 9, 11AM, 1230, 2PM, 330PM, 5PM, 630PM

Stella Orientis Chapel
University of Asia and the Pacific
Josemaria Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center
Monday - Friday - 7:45AM, 12:05PM
Saturday - 12:05PM

Tektite Chapel
West Tower
Emerald Avenue
Monday - Friday - 12:15PM, 5:30PM

Thanks to the The MabutingBalita.net Team for compiling the schedules

My Funeral Planner

I once attended a program some years ago and at the end there was a raffle draw. One of the grand prizes is a memorial plan. The audience laughed, especially when the host said the winner has to claim the non-transferrable prize within a year :)

The deadline given is of course laughable, but the idea of having a memorial plan or to be more large-scale, a funeral planner, is not.

We always say that death comes like a thief in the night, we don't know the time nor the day when the Lord will say our time on earth is up. When that time comes, being ready spiritually is winning 3/4 of the battle. But the other 1/4 is being ready with all the other necessary stuff emanating from death.

Fr. Larry Tan from Don Bosco is the author of the booklet My Homebound Planner. It has some To Do lists and also has lots of practical guides on one's funeral (no matter how morbid a thought it can be). There is a part where one can prepare his living will and a list of personal documents as well as legal, financial and educational-related documents. "My Last Will" is a page where one can put into words all the sentiments he/she feels. "My Loose ends" page contains the lists of one's debts, collectibles, borrowed items and things others borrowed. A page is even reserved for one's letter to the Lord.

I bought the booklet from Fr. Larry when he said mass at the office a few months ago. My father saw the booklet in my room a few days after and as soon as he read the title, he quickly gave me a call and inquired about it, admitting he found the booklet disconcerting. After assuring him that I'm not dying yet, he finally conceded that being prepared also in that aspect is practical.

I remember when my mother died almost 10 years ago. Im convinced she was ready both spiritually and otherwise. She knew that when she dies, we will look for her memorial plan and wise as she is, she also put there a letter to us with all the detailed instructions for her funeral, she even included the phone number of the funeral parlor and the name of the person we will contact.

Honestly, I found it overwhelming to fill out the booklet. There were some questions I am not prepared to be asked. But if it is hard for me, how much more it will be for my family who will be left behind.

So casting those morbid and overwhelming thoughts aside, I know I should start filling it out soon...

The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord

SM Megamall has opened this week its new and spacious chapel, the Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord. Dubbed as a megachapel by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, the new chapel can sit up to 1,000 people, has a Crying Room for the bawling babies and has a cellphone blocker that will surely avoid the instances where a cellphone will sound off at the middle of a mass.

The old, smaller chapel will now be an Adoration Chapel which is open during mall hours for those who want to spend some quiet moments with the Lord.

The new chapel is located at the 5th floor of SM Megamall's Mega Atrium area. It's chaplain is Fr. Joe Yu.

I would like to commend the efforts of the Sy Family particularly Mrs. Sy for putting up Philippine's largest chapel in a shopping mall. SM is the first shopping mall to hold regular masses when in 1985, SM North Edsa started its first mass. Families since then have started their Sunday get-togethers with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Photos courtesy of Bro. Mon Velasquez