2010: Year-End Blog

Time checked 12:00AM ... it's officially 2011 already. I could hear the fireworks from my room, imagining as it beautifully paints the dark skies. I'm pretty sure the fireworks display is like a festive celebration in which people are applauding with wide-mouth saying "WOW".

Diverting to the main purpose of this post, instead of giving a summary of the whole events in 2010, I would like to share my learning and realization throughout the year.


1. Don't make rush decisions.

I was a bit anxious and stubborn in making things to happen quickly without proper planning. I was treating life like one snap of a finger then everything will happened according how i will it. But, NO! That is not how life works. Life is filled with enigmatic events. Everything is uncertain. The only certain thing is that you have to make decisions and take the consequences of it. Rushing is only applicable to childish, irrelevant and unimportant things but not to major issues/problems. A good decision is deliberated, weighed and most especially it is prayed sincerely.

2. No regrets only lesson learned.

In all the decisions I made in 2010, I want to simply accept it. If I made mistakes, I should have learned from it. I would say, I have truly learned from it. If I made a good decision, I want to congratulate myself for mobilizing my neurons to work. LIFE, WORK and LOVE are the major categories in making decision.

If I will check how I fair in these 3 areas:

LIFE -- Excellent. I have learned to be more focus, kind, patient and persevering.

WORK -- Excellent. I'm like a carabao who can work for long periods disregarding the idea of exhaustion.

LOVE -- NC (Not Competent). This is the area that needs a lot of hard work. I don't want to look back the past and blame others for causing trauma on me. I still trust someone so swiftly. I trust their words -- I choose to believe without doubts. Then I fall in love so deeply -- then they just break my heart.

3. Show appreciation to all the people who showed kindness to you.

Ever since I was a child, my parents have taught me to say thank you for every good deed someone has done to me. Living in Melbourne for 8 months was like living in a remote place of Africa in which you are starving to death. I was unemployed. No work. Plainly studying. Everyday, it feels like breaking my head to budget my money and think on what to do so that I will survive in the coming days. In this time, I realized to value everything in my life. Small or big things should be dealt with enthusiasm because you don't know when it is taken away from you. As they say, you will only appreciate the things you have right now, if you experience it to be gone from you. I would say, simple acts of kindness is highly appreciated. Everytime someone will give me food, it feels like heaven already. I am always glad if someone will invite me to a party because I can have free food and i'm confident they will ask me to bring some food home. Another experience was someone gave me 3 sausages and I made sure it last for 3 days to save money. And to drink milk for 3 days because you have nothing to eat is like walking in the desert under the scorching heat of the sun with your jar of water.

To all the people who helped me throughout the year: Bandalan Family, Casil Family, Ate Lonie, Paowee, Kuya Ron, Yeli, and May..My heartfelt thanks to you.

4. Pray harder and Trust God.

In everything I do or say -- I will never forget to bring back the glory to God. God is my fortress and my strength. His unconditional love and mercy has sustained my poor spirit and uplift my dying hope. God enables me to reach for my dreams and He bring forth people who are willing to share their blessing to me. As always I will say: God is good, all the time.


Indeed, 2010 is rough to me but it makes me better and stronger. I do hope and pray that 2011 is a far better year. A year that will not only bless me but will also strengthens the best attributes that I have.


Time checked 1:09AM ( 01 Jan 2011) ... my bed is calling me already. Happy New Year!

~*~manelle~*~

MY BEAUTIFUL YOU

Every time I could not find words to say, I always ended up with writing a poem. After several months, I finally made one in an unexpected circumstance. This poem is dedicated to someone who makes me truly happy this time. He is always with me because he is my shadow.

MY BEAUTIFUL YOU

An arrogant, air-head guy that's how I looked at you

A spoiled rich kid who doesn't know what to do

But when you talked about God, it made me change my view

You seem to have a good heart and you can be my friend, too.

So many things have happened between the two of us

We had conflicts and misunderstandings but I was confident

those things shall only pass

I thought our paths will never cross again

But God unknowingly brought us back together in 2010.

Today, we are living worlds apart

Unexpectedly, you have captivated my choosy heart

I don't know exactly what you have done

Now, I'm filled with fear that any time you will be gone.

For things are still uncertain; our purposes unrevealed

But I'm looking forward to a future with you to build

I want to wake up each morning, seeing you in my side

Having you as my partner, companion, lover and friend will

be my greatest pride.

This time no matter what will happen I want you to know

Each day as I live, I will cherish the treasure of you

If it is not me who is entrusted to take care of you

Please keep in mind, you're special in my heart because

you have become "MY BEAUTIFUL YOU".

Perth Royal Show 2010

Yesterday (September 28, 2010) was a day full of excitement and fun. Me and Paowee decided to attend this much awaited annual event in WA, the Perth Royal Show. This is a week long event held in the Showground of Claremont. Heaps of people flocked the area to enjoy the rides (kiddie and speed adrenaline), games (pay to play = a chance to win a stuff toy), free shows (dog show, cattle show, live entertainment), different variety of foods, and the highlight is the fireworks display.

an array of stuff toy is at stake for winning

top: haunted house bottom (L-R): Superbowl, Gavitron

left: megadrop top: claws bottom: space ranger

the devil side of me

paowee enjoying his fairy floss and he also won a cutie pup

Til' next year again...showbags and rides = woot*woot

A Birthday Greeting

Me and Paowee decided to make a video birthday greeting for our dearest friend, Yeli. We may be oceans and continents away but our friendship will remain beyond infinity. Happy birthday, Yeli! Have a blast....*kisses*

Singing my HEART Out!

As they say, whatever type of music we sing reflects the current condition of our hearts. Somehow I agree to this statement. However, it doesn't holds true to me all the time. Whatever my mood of the day, I only sing to one type of music and that is mellow. Actually, I don't sing professionally. I'm not even a good singer but what I can do best is follow a tune. Let me share to you, some fond memories in my life as a "singer"..hehe!

The first song I memorized was the theme song of my parents entitled Gaano Ko Ikaw Ka Mahal popularized by Celeste Legazpi. I was in kindergarten when my teacher, Sister Marilyn heard me singing this song. She asked me to sing it again in front of her and so I did. (I never realized I was confident in doing that..haha!)

It never occur to me that some people will think that I can sing. Now came my experience in 6th Grade. In our English class, we were asked to sing a song individually. I sang You Made Me Live Again. And boom! My teacher was impressed with my voice...what??? haha! She asked me to have a duet with my classmate, Climaco in our Christmas Party. Some of our teachers were present in class just to witness it. (Now as I recall it, i'm ashame of myself..haha!) Me and Climaco sang My Love Will See You Through by Chard Borja. I thought that foolishness as a singer ended there. However, in our PSYSC Camp I was requested to have an intermission number. This time I know I don't have the courage to face a crowd. Though I practiced the song My Heart Will Go On by Celion Dion but I truly knew that singing is not my forte. I'd rather give a speech than sing a song at that point. So because I don't wanna put my self on a big shame. I was shouting the night before the actual presentation. Yes, I was successful with my plan to make sure I don't have a voice on the following day. Because of that my teacher didn't force me to do the number. (Smart kid! haha!)

I thought singing would no longer knock on my door during my high school. In Sophomore Year, our class presented a chorus during the Christmas Party. We sang Sa Araw ng Pasko and I was chosen to have a solo part. On the other hand, during my Senior Year in High School, my Filipino teacher encouraged me to join a Singing Contest. Obviously, I declined the offer. I'm known in school and I don't want to be a laughing stock by my schoolmates. However, she bargained with me. You want to know what is it?? Well, she said if I join the contest as a representative in my class, win or lose, I won't be submitting the final project and I won't be taking the final exam. Automatically, I'll have a perfect score in my project and final exam. I was weighing things and because I was starting to be lazy, I accepted the deal. My contest piece was Panunumpa by Carol Banawa. The first few lines I sound good. However, when almost all of my teachers were watching me already, my voice began to be shaky and I could no longer hit the right notes. After my presentation, I said to myself I will never do something I'm not excellent. I don't want to give a half-baked and unsure performance of any kind. I thought that was it, however, opportunities to sing was running after me. I forgot the title of the event but my friend, Urly was playing the piano and I sang "Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin" in front of the entire high school student body. (I don't know why I indulge myself to that..I guess I have a fighting spirit then..haha!)

Good thing when I reached college that foolishness was over already. Singing is just something that can lighten up my mood. I still sing but not in a school affair. My friends and I would go to videoke bar to have a showdown. Singing is now a way to bond and to unwind with friends. It is no longer a serious part of me.

Finally, I moved to Sydney, Australia last year. Fortunately or unfortunately, Ate Janeth dragged me to be part of a choir. Shocks! This couldn't be happening. I don't wanna put myself on shame again. But because I was too shy to say NO so I joined a multi-cultural choir at St. Joachim's Church, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia. We also sing at St. Peter Chanel Church at Berala. Here are some photos of us.

with Kuya Elmer..He is our guitarist and the over-all head of the choir.














Ate Chat , Ate Janeth and Mark

Ate Chat-- after practice or after the service she used to cook for us.










this was take at Berrima, NSW, Australia.

with Margaret (woman with a hat), Theresa (woman with a white top).

I could finally say that the chance to sing even if I was not a singer was memorable. I realized that I may not have a singing prowess but I have a heart to sing especially if it is for God. I may either run out of tune or I may not hit the right note but if it is for God, I don't care at all coz I know God would judge me based on the sincerity of my heart rather than my ability to sing. Good night everyone!

~*~ manelle ~*~

A New Beginning

May 25, 2009 - 5:00 A.M. (Cebu - Manila) This was the day that marked a new beginning for me. A new place to stay, new people to mingle with and new work to enjoy. My brother, Reymar and Reyn together with my cousin, Ate Marilyn sent me to Mactan Domestic Airport for my early flight. I wasn't apprehensive about the changes that will happen in a day. I was more concerned of not getting into emotional state as I bid goodbye to my loved ones. Personally, I was containing my emotions. I was setting an excitement mode as soon as I woke up that day. Bravo to me! I didn't cry at all but I know my heart was terribly in pain. My brothers and cousin embraced me before I checked-in and I didn't looking back at them when I entered the check-in area.

I arrived in Manila around 6:00 A.M. I made my way going to NAIA for my flight transfer. I looked for a place to have my brekky and a security instructed me where to go.

While waiting for my flight, I decided to use up my phone calls to inform some of my friends. I called up Edan, Edilyn, Ate Luisa, Maritz, April, Chan2x, Debbie and Urly but they were not able to answer my call. It was only Ma'am Menette who just arrived from a night duty whom I was able to say goodbye. Luckily, my parents called me up to check my condition. I was trying hard to be bubbly so that they won't worry about me. My mother was already crying over the other line. However, I embodied still a cheerful persona. On the other hand, when I was already talking to my father, that was the time it sank into my consciousness that I'm not going to see them for a while. Hearing my father cried was such an excruciating pain. I put my music to the loudest volume so that I won't feel the sadness.

At 9:00 A.M. -Philippine Airlines PR 211 was bound to Sydney, Australia. When I walked towards the plane, I suddenly stopped and looked back the door I entered. I smiled and gave out a big sigh before I turned my back again. When the plane finally departed, I closed my eyes and said a brief prayer: Lord, thank you. Finally I'm starting anew. You take care of him. Someday we will still see each other. Hopefully we will learn to smile like nothing happens.

At 7:00 P.M. I arrived at Sydney International Airport. My good and ever-trusted friend, Paolo was there to welcome me. When I saw him in a black jacket with a big black umbrella, I couldn't help but screamed out his name. It was a reunion for both of us after a year of not seeing each other. Obviously, we talked and talked and talked like there is no tomorrow. We laughed so hard like without bothering if someone will be annoyed by us.

We had our dinner at Mackers (McDonalds). This is the first time I had to talk with a pure Aussie teenager who got a very strong Aussie accent. The funny thing is that it took me a while to comprehend her question. She asked me (this it how it sounded to me), "e he o t way". I said "HUH??" 3 times. On the 4th attempt, thanks to my common sense, I knew what she meant. The actual question was Eat Here or Take away? Paolo and I were laughing at my bloopers. (hahaha! charge to experience) After which, we finally arrived home and I got to meet new friends, namely: Ate Janeth, Ate Arlene, Ruby, Shine, Sanju, Sunit, Geli and Allan.

leftmost: Paowee, top: Ate Arlene

bottom: Ate Janeth

~*~manelle~*~