Tuesday 28 May 2013

Dan Brown in Germany




                                           "I work very hard to make location very vibrant."

In his first and only reading in Germany, Dan Brown comes to Cologne on May 27, 2013 to present
his newest book, Inferno. The "Lesung" evening is a combination of interview with the author and the reading of his book in German. Attached is a short video of the interview about the author and his book.

Sunday 12 May 2013

Mother's Day



                    Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
                    Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
                    Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
                    But only one mother the wide world over.
                                                                George Cooper

Sunday 5 May 2013

Remembering dear Father Avel

We are saying goodbye to a dearly loved and respected friend and parish priest of the Filipino Community in Barcelona, Father Avel Sapida. A staunch supporter for the rights of migrants, he founded the Centro Filipino, a center for Filipino migrants in the capital city of Catalunya, Spain where migrants come looking for consultation, help and celebrate small gatherings. Courses and other info activities on the situation of migrants especially in Barcelona are offered in the Centro Filipino San Benito. 


Fr. Avel being given a recognition from Diwata, the women's network in Greece during Babaylan's 20th Year of Celebration in Barcelona in 2012.

Below is one of the hundreds of tribute to Father Avel.

As a priest, a friend, a brother, a father or a grandfather, what FR. AVEL had done will always be a significant part in the history of the Filipino Community in Barcelona. He will always be remembered as THE ONE WHO CAME, THE ONE WHO SEARCHED AND THE ONE WHO GATHERED.

To you Fr. Avel, thank you very much for unconditionally loving the Filipino community in Barcelona. For opening our eyes to the plight of our kababayans abroad. For defending, protecting and fighting for the rights of migrant workers.

I heartily thank you for touching my life, for showing and inspiring me to serve our Kababayans in my own little way. I will always remember you, Fr. Avel. The man I truly admire and look up to. Rest in peace and may you have a pleasant journey to a place where happiness is eternal and love is everlasting.

I join the whole Filipino community in Catalunya in praying for the eternal repose of Fr. Avel Sapida.
From Nats Sisma Villaluna.

 Today, May 5, Greece is celebrating Easter Sunday. I would like to share my video where Fr. Avel explained briefly the meaning of Easter. Video was taken during Easter Sunday celebration in Barcelona in 2011.



We found a home in Barcelona in his presence.

Babaylanes Women Honouring Father Avel

Such a loving host, spoiling us and even tolerating our "splurging" moods by driving us around. 



You will surely be missed, Fr. Avel.

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Queen's Day turns into Abdication and Investiture Day - Orange Day in Holland

 Queen's Day, the traditional celebration of the birthday of Queen Beatrix falling on April 30. Queen's Day means going to Holland, visit nice friends and go bargain hunting on the national day of flea markets. On this special day, everybody can put up a stall and sell stuffs from used clothes, vases and homemade cakes and cookies in all the big Dutch cities from Amsterdam to Utrecht.
Queen's Day this year is doubly special as it celebrates the abdication of Queen Beatrix (she is now called Princess Beatrix) and the investiture of the new king, Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, head of the Dutch Royal House and the House of Amberg. He became the first male monarch of the Netherlands since the death of William 111 in 1896. (Source:wiki)
The whole country is flooded with orange colors. Loyal cities and  villages have their own ways of celebrating April 30 with loud music not missing and beers flowing.
For this especial celebration, I was invited with another group of visitors to watch the "coronation" program in a Dutch bar/resto - first in the front row, so to say giving us "larger than life" taste of the ceremony. We had fun naming recognized faces among the VIPs and wanted to know one particular stunning beauty wearing a heavy necklace which competes with her radiance. We were also curious to know who has been invited from the home country to join the
ceremony. Fortunately or unfortunately, no Rajah nor Sultana could represent Filipinas. Sabah is still a hot issue I think to be able to send its own Sultan or Sultana. Below are some of my own photos taken during this special Queen's Day.

Quess who's coming to Queen's Day, from Milano to Portugal

How about lerning how to cook Tajine and Couscous?

Orange, orange everywhere

Siguro isip niya: Kailan kaya ako magiging King?

Celebrating the Day with Special Treat Courtesy of King George



She said it's okay to take her photo...thank you Little Princess

Selling your angel or your cups - wait for Queen's Day

Orange People posing willingly for souvenir shots

Did you ever play Marbles?

Cotton candies to pacify future princess-one could never know

Piyesta ng Orange

The older, the better

Non stop dancing orange queens

Can you guess their names and kingdoms? (Photo Source: dailymail.co.uk)
Signing of the Abdication Documents (Photo Source:dailymail.co.uk)

The First Family (Photo Source:dailymail.co.uk)
Will it still be celebrated as King's Day every year on  April 30? Will it be blue or orange?  We will know from King Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand. Wish you well and hope your people will be grateful to have you as the new King of The Netherlands. Hip, hip, hooray! (They actually said those words during the investiture.)