Christmas

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY RUBEN

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. Yup, my nieces ( especially Chitchi) would call him Daddy Ruben. It's the second time we miss him (physically) on his birthday. There's still that pain inside and my throat right now is tightening a bit, I am trying to hold back my tears because I'm doing this blog right inside Jollibee.

I am sure Dad is happy with the Lord now. I just want to let him know I always whisper " I love you Dad" upon waking up, upon seeing his pictures in my house and everytime I remember him.

I want him to hear my greeting:Happy Birthday Daddy!

His name is Ruben Peralta Blanco.

Ooops, who's this I saw at the other table? Dad's good friend from Hawaii! Tata Greg! He came up to me to make sure I'm Ritchelle ( Dad's only princess). It felt good to talk with one of Dad's old old closest friends. After a few exchange of pleasantries, Tata Greg gave me a hug and he somehow represented my Dad (physically). Maybe it was God's way of letting me feel Dad's usual hug and display of concern and affection. It was a way of letting me know that Dad is always with me, keeping me her only princess forever.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!

Wow, it's my birthday! I thank God for my life, for all the blessings He always gives me and my husband, for the good health, for the people I hold special in my heart. I thank God for the relationship I have with Him. The past years may have been rough but I always look forward to better days. It's His love which keeps me afloat and which enables me to love others too.

Well, He has given Anthony and me to have the chance to bless Asian neighbors, particularly the Cambodians in Battambang. We were invited by Pstr. Samuel Raguingan (my former student...ok, don't start counting the years to find out my age). Pstr. Sam is the Country Director of LoHI (Legacy of Hope International) based in Cambodia. I will be teaching English as a Second Language while Anthony will be holding Bible classes. We will be visiting villages to share God's Word.

This will be our first mission trip outside the Philippines. Cambodia will be a different experience for me. I taught in New York in the 90's and now, I will be doing the same in Asia. The mission trip will surely give another sense of fulfillment for both of us.

Right now, we don't have enough funds, we are still processing our papers but we have faith that God will help us raise funds. He has opened the door for us, He will see us through.

We have set our mission from Oct. 1-9. Help us pray for our mission to be successful.

To all those who greeted me, THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU!
To all those who donated and blessed us for the mission trip...our sincere thanks and may God give back to you a hundredfold. Thanks to Marly Sevilla Gonzales and Ruben Domingo who were first to respond to our letters. We pray more will join us in our cause.

You really Think Noynoy Will Win?

Who honestly thinks this guy will win? Ok, I don't have anything against this man. He comes from a respected family, his name has not been tainted by any scandal. He is intelligent, God-fearing, etc....BUT can he really lead? Will he come up to our expectations? Does he have a mind of his own or will he always let his sisters get a hold on his life? Imagine him being told by his youngest sister on national television to stay single for some reason. Actually, it was not a plea, it sounded like a line from a dictator.

Do we need a leader like him?

I'm not done with this... but I gotta go.

Scream Myself Blue? Not A Piggy Fat Chance!

There are so many reasons why we get stressed up... unpaid loans, deadlines to beat, tons of household chores, the economic crunch, judgmental and evil people who project themselves to be holier-than-thou, tormentors ( like some bosses), backstabbers, high prices of goods, people who put words into your mouth, dreamers who don't act on their dreams, the unpredictable weather, irresponsible leaders, young people who don't respect their elders, usurers, power-grabbers, unreliable reporters, grammatical errors, flash floods, cancer and other diseases, terrorists, sham actors, sex maniacs, ....the list goes on. And if someone imagines some stupid, nonsense past which never existed, should you scream yourself blue? Not a piggy fat chance kiddo! GET A LIFE! The world is beautiful !!!

Quick Tour Up North ( Laoag to Pagudpud)

This is my fave , I took this shot( lying on the sand ) with Anthony posing infront of one of the windmills in Bangui. I just love this pic!

This was taken at Kapuluan Resort in Pagud pud.

This one too.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos

The long stretch of Patapat Bridge in Pagudpud

The Blue Lagoon with the two mysterious mounds in the background.

SkyBlue Talent Center Summer Treat

SkyBlue Talent Center has wrapped up its 2009 summer classes in Speech Improvement, Grammar, Reading, Theater Arts and Mathematics. SBTC classes were a blast! The students enjoyed the sessions and they surely learned a lot.

Here are some pics with teacher SkyBlue (or Ma'am Ritchie) and teachers Baby, Zeny and Lourdes.

See you again at SkyBlue Talent Center !!!!

SkyBlue Talent Center Heats Up This Summer With Workshops

Yes! SkyBlue Talent Center has lined up workshops for you this summer. Join us in any of the following learning areas:

SPEECH IMPROVEMENT

ACCENT TRAINING

READING
THEATER ARTS
IELTS REVIEW

MATHEMATICS

Watch out for our first  STORY TELLING SEMINAR !!!!

For more details, email us at skyblue92002@yahoo.com or just click on comments and type any inquiries. There are limited seats so contact us NOW!

It's Our Anniversary!

It's our 15th church wedding anniversary! Anthony and I will not have a fancy nor a grand celebration but we will attend the midweek service at COOS ( Church of Our Saviour, Laoag City).

It's been 15 years and our marriage is rock solid ( read: strong, very strong) thank God. We have gone through a lot of trials, mostly financial, but with God's help, we have managed to swim not sink.

Here are tips for a happy marriage:

Keep God FIRST!
Pray Together!
Respect and honor each other!
Encourage each other to grow together!
Read the Bible together as much as possible!
Be swift to hear & slow to speak!
Make time to communicate with each other!
Protect and honor your marriage vows!
Do not let others come between your marriage!
Have a "Mission Statement" for your Marriage & Family!
Thank God everyday for your Mate & the Life you have together!
Understand that "love" is a choice, not a feeling!(You must choose everyday to Love your mate)

The Mission Statement for our Marriage
To do our very best to put God first always.To be grateful everyday no matter what the day brings.To believe that every joy we experience is truly a gift from Him.To care for each other the way He cares for each of us.To choose everyday to be one in marriage, to choose everyday to love each other.
Amen!

Remember these Biblical lines about marriage:

"Therefore what God has joined together,let not man separate."(Mark 10:9)

For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother,and shall cleave to his wife;and they shall become one flesh.(Genesis 2:24)

For more lessons on marriage, go to Life Lines by Carolyn Esch

Happy Valentine Everyone

I am posting here some info re Valentine's Day. I hope you can add this to your memory bin.

Origins of Valentine's Day

Faunus, the Roman God of Animal Husbandry & Nature

Faunus, the Roman god of animal husbandry and the secrets of nature was central to the celebrations held on February 15th, called the Festival of Lupercalia that heralded the return of spring as well as fertility. During the festival, the Priests of Luperci, young Roman men of noble birth, sacrificed a goat for fertility and a dog for purity. Townspeople purified their homes, often stale after the long winter. In the streets of Rome, boys chased girls with strips of goat hide, slapping them in a way that was believed to improve fertility. Afterwards, the girls placed their names in an urn, and the boys chose, and sometimes marriage was the result.

The First Valentine

In the 3rd century AD, Claudius III, declaring that single soldiers fought better than married ones, tried to end the matchmaking portion of the festival, decreeing that young men could not get married. A Catholic Priest named Valentinius defied the order, marrying young couples in secret ceremonies. Claudius jailed the priest, and sentenced him to death. While in prison, Valentinius fell in love with his jailers blind daughter, and used his healing powers to restore her sight. The day before his beheading, on February 14th, 270 AD, Valentinuis sent his beloved the world’s first valentine in the form of a farewell note, which he signed, from your Valentinuis.

Valentine’s Day Becomes Official

In 498 AD, Pope Gelasius officially recognized Valentine’s Day on February 14th. In an effort to break with the holiday’s Pagan roots, Gelasius outlawed the Roman marriage lottery that had been part of the Festival of Lupercalia. By the Middle Ages, Valentinius had not only been sainted, but became example of the virtues most admired during those times.

Knights, Chaucer & Chickens

In the days of chivalry, St. Valentinuis was admired for the virtues that knights held dear-chivalry, honor, and courtly love that began with a written missive to the beloved. It was also believed that birds began their mating season in mid-February. Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, was possibly the first writer to mention a link between Valentine’s Day and mating season with his poem, Parliament of Fowls: "For this was St. Valentine’s Day/When every Fowl cometh to choose his mate".

The First Valentine Cards

In 1415, Charles, Duke of Orleans, was captured by the British at the Battle of Agincourt. Legend has it that, while imprisoned in the Tower of London, Charles sent his wife a love poem for Valentine’s Day. This potentially oldest surviving valentine is in a collection of manuscripts in the British Museum. By the early 17th century, the sending of Valentine’s Day cards was widespread throughout Britain. The earliest cards were usually handmade, but later, printed cards became available. The earliest cards usually consisted of original sentimental poetry, but as the holiday grew more popular, admirers borrowed from the poets, and Valentine Writers in the form of books full of sentiments specifically for use on Valentine cards appeared on the scene. Birds, especially doves, remained popular motifs, soon joined by Cupid, the ancient Roman god of love.

Source:

• Official Price Guide to Christmas and Other Holiday Collectiblesby Dawn Reno Langley published by House of Collectibles, 2006

Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the nation's first African-American president Tuesday. This is a transcript of his prepared speech.
In his speech Tuesday, President Obama said America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet. These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land -- a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted -- for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path toward prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.
Time and again, these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.


Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions -- who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them -- that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account -- to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day -- because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control -- and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort -- even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West: Know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment -- a moment that will define a generation -- it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive... that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back, nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Tracing My Roots

This internet thing has glued me unto my seat for hours. I have mixed feelings every time I chance upon the names or pictures of my relatives especially those who are closest to me. So , today, I am posting the first wave of those in my clan. I don't care what you think about this, but I just want them all in my own space.
On top of my list, of course, is my Dad, Ruben Peralta Blanco. I found this article from Ilocos Times. This was published when Dad succumbed to colon cancer on January 1, 2007.

A man for others IIby Steve Barreiro Ilocos Times, January 21, 2007 The late Hon. Ruben Peralta Blanco was laid to rest last Monday, January 15. His passing ends a career of public service that spanned several decades. Tio Ruben, as he was fondly referred to, fought against the evils of corruption and willful disregard of the law, often alone and against all odds. Like “a voice in the wilderness,” the immortal passage describing St. John the Baptist in many ways described Tio Ruben back in the days when he alone stood against the entrenched powers that be, fighting for what he believed was right and good for the city and the people. And like the Baptist, Tio Ruben may have been the herald of the new era when the people may have realized the righteousness of his crusade by voting in an “opposition” dominated majority into the city council. In hindsight, Tio Ruben was right about a lot of things. The exposes concerning the Laoag City Central Terminal, flood control project, and the “sanitary” landfill have vindicated the veracity of TIo Ruben’s crusade all these years. In many ways he was an unsung hero, his fight for the people’s welfare largely unrecognized by the very same public he had always fought for. And yet, despite his lonely battle against the powers that be, he was consistently voted unto the council; perhaps the people had recognized his worthiness after all. It is only fitting that tribute be paid to the man if not when he was alive than in death. I would oft talk to him at the council or at his office. While I sometimes questioned him for what I perceived as pettiness on certain issues, I have always admired the man for his unstinting commitment to the principle of law. What may not have been a big deal for me was always a matter of supreme importance to Tio  Ruben especially when it concerned even the slightest transgression against the law. To him to defend the law was of paramount importance for the law was the foundation of our society, the standard upon which our conduct and actions must be judged. I will remember him not as an “oppositionist” but as a good man. To be labeled “opposition” is a misnomer that I have always unsubscribed to. Tio is more apt to remember him as the fiscalizer; the man who consistently and continually fought for the welfare of our city and people against a corruptive and abusive system. A good man. -o0o- According to reliable sources, Conchita, the widow of the late Hon. Ruben Blanco, has been endorsed by the political powers that be as his replacement for the remainder of his term. Party affiliations and endorsements have already been worked out according to our source. “Manang Chita” is a gentle and extremely intelligent woman. Perhaps her appearance on the political stage will bring about a measure of peace and moderation to the strife ridden council. Councilor Ruben P. Blanco, 68 THE MAN widely known in Laoag as “The Fiscalizer” in the Sangguniang Panlungsod has passed away.  Blanco was 68 years old. Blanco started public service in 1964 as Barangay Captain, where he served until 1968 before he became a secretary to the city board from 1970-71. After his stint at the city board, he became a technical assistant to the city from 1971-73, where he served under the Office of the City Mayor. In 1988, Blanco tried his luck for an elective post as he ran for a seat in the council which he handily won. In 1992, he vied for the vice mayoralty post but lost. Blanco’s political career was revived in 1998 where he ran again for a council seat. From here he won three straight terms. He was serving out his final term when he died. In his political career, Blanco had always been an opposition to the Fariñases, starting from former Laoag Mayor Roger C. Fariñas and until the present Fariñas in office, incumbent Mayor Michael V. Fariñas. Blanco went on a sick leave on September last year as he was confined at the Veterans’ Hospital in Quezon City. After four months of stay in the hospital, Blanco celebrated Christmas with his family at the hospital. From here, they decided to come home to Laoag to celebrate the New Year, to which his attending physicians agreed. However on January 1 at around 8 in the morning, the veteran councilor succumbed to colon cancer after also suffering from a stroke. In an interview with Blanco’s wife, Conchita De Leon-Blanco, she said her husband had been very strong and a fighter in whatever he did. “I never regret that Ruben came into my life. Nagsayaat nga asawa, ama, lolo ken lider,” Mrs. Blanco said. The couple was supposed to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on January 10. Unfortunately, the councilor did not make it to that date. Before he died, Mrs. Blanco told the councilor that they would celebrate their golden wedding anniversary even if it means pushing Blanco in a wheelchair to the altar. Interment had been scheduled on January 15. Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panlungsod secretary Enrico Aurelio expressed his deepest sympathy to the Blanco family as he described the late councilor as a good lawmaker and a principled fighter. “We need a city councilor like him. Ammu na nga ilaban iti pagtaktakderan na,” Aurelio said. The vacancy created by Blanco’s death at the council will be filled through an appointment of the governor. The replacement however should come from Blanco’s political party. The Laoag City mayor for his part also expressed his sympathy to the family but refused to comment on the possible replacement. “But if someone who would come into my office and ask for a recommendation, I will excuse myself and ask them for their indulgence. We also consult his family first baka adda met kayat da nga isukat,” Fariñas said. My Mom, Conchita de Leon Blanco, took Dad's position after Dad died. Here is a news article from Ilocos Times Online about Mom. February 11, 2007THE ILOCOS TIMES - TOP NEWS Blanco widow fills vacant city council seat delivers message of hope for Ilocanos THE WIDOW of the late Laoag City Councilor Ruben P. Blanco has been appointed by Ilocos Norte Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fill the vacancy in the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Conchita De Leon-Blanco attended her first regular session on February 7 after taking her oath of office before the governor in the morning of the same day. Ms Blanco hails from the same Reporma Party of her late husband, paving the way for her to claim the council seat vacated by the late councilor. On her first regular session, Blanco thanked her colleagues for welcoming her warmly. “Ababa unay daytoy a tiempo but I have knowledge of the projects of my husband ta ammuk met no anat arapaap na and some of them are slowly taking shape in the horizon, they are coming into view and slowly being realized and I’m glad about that and I will always support these projects and I will try to continue these even with the very short span of time,” Blanco said. According to her, her appointment to the council was a decision made by all members of her family as they said she should come out of the shadow in order for her to continue the vision of her late husband for the people of Laoag with the support of her colleagues. Among the issues she would pursue include the salary increase of city government employees, something, she said, her husband had been dreaming of for a long time. She added that she would confer with her fellow councilors on the matter. Aside from inheriting her husband seat at the council, Blanco was also automatically named chairperson of the committee on market. With this chairmanship post, she said she believes she can tackle the job as she is often at the market being a housewife and she knows the real situation there. From the time of her appointment, Blanco may still attend 13 regular sessions before the May midterm elections, provided council sessions would be conducted regularly. In view of this, she is hopeful that her colleagues, especially those in the legal profession, would not be selfish in advising, guiding and enlightening her relative to legislative measures. Blanco has also paid a courtesy call to Laoag Mayor Michael V. Fariñas upon her appointment. As for the coming elections, Blanco stressed that she has no plans of further entering politics as she only wants to complete the unexpired term of her husband. “I have yet to prove myself no anat mabalin ko nga itulong nga maituloy kadagitay ar-arapaap ket plano daydi asawak,” she added. Aside from her and her late husband, one of their sons also serves as barangay chairman. The late councilor passed away on January 1 due to colon cancer. Blanco, more popularly known as “The Fiscalizer” of the council, began public service in 1964 as barangay captain and has served as city councilor for multiple terms. Next, is my Dad's father, Guillermo J. Blanco , a Filipino ichthyologist who graduated from the University of Washington, author of more than 67 books and journals, former Chief of the Bureau of Fisheries in the Philippines and a member of the American Men of Science. He was also a poet with the pseudonym "Billy White". I grew up under his care with Grandma Rosario Peralta Blanco ( an English teacher). For those who are into fisheries or ichthyology, you can download titles of my grandpa's publications from the Science and Technology Information Institute database.

Then, my Dad's grandfather ,( therefore, my great grandpa) Celestino Peralta ( Mayor, gobernadorcillo, author of Spanish books).

Next are my Dad's first cousins, Justice Diosdado Peralta ( son of Judge Elviro Peralta) and who was recently appointed by President Gloria Arroyo as the newest member of the Supreme Court; Renato Peralta ( a Board Member of Ilocos Norte).
Wait, someone just popped out on one site....Homer Blanco ( connected with Loyola Life plans and Prudential Life). Homer is my Dad's younger brother who almost became a priest . He was an orator-debater at Ateneo.
And here is another...my first cousin! Alistair Troy Blanco Lacsamana. Troy is the son of Aunt Conchita Blanco-Lacsamana ( Dad's eldest sister) Let me post some about Troy which I'm scooping out from different sites.

Librarian Among Top 5 Volunteers

A librarian was chosen recently as one of the 2005 Top 5 HSBC Faces of Volunteerism by Hands On Manila, which desires "to seek and salute those who take time out to help others without expectation or fanfare." Alistair Troy Lacsamana (BLIS 1995), project coordinator of Aklatang Pambata, was cited for "his vision and perseverance to create a library and reading center in Quezon City that is accessible to all children."Lacsamana works full time at the UP College of Engineering Library, but spends the rest of his time at Aklatang Pambata, which is based in Paltok, Quezon City. He did not keep the P20,000 cash prize that went with the award, but spent it on—what else?— Aklatang Pambata. If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please visit their website. Alistair Troy Blanco Lacsamana is the Executive Director of Aklatang Pambata

I gotta pause now and grab some food. I will post more kin's names ( just those really close to me) tomorrow.

Read This

Two days ago, I came across an article ( "Signs that we're not a thinking nation") of William M. Esposo in his column "As I Wreck This Chair". I was enjoying my burger at a fastfood center when the following lines struck me:"We are all engrossed with strengthening our English proficiency when in fact our people will learn better when taught in the language they are familiar with. We don’t even have teachers who can speak passable English so you must wonder what kind of lessons they can teach our children." That is a SWEEPING statement ! Who is this Esposo? Does this being really know what he is blabbing about? Where did he get the stupid idea that "we don't even have teachers who can speak passable English so you must wonder what kind of lessons they are teaching our children"? Does he know that here in the North, there are English teachers who can even beat those who are in Metro Manila? In Laoag City alone, we have 2 outstanding teachers in English awarded by Metro Bank. Let him know that I am a Teacher-Mentor in English and I have travelled to hold seminars on Mentoring which focuses on English Proficiency, I have taught in New York, I have worked as a newscaster and radio presenter in Honolulu while I was studying at HPU, I was a columnist in a Fil-American Newsmagazine in the Bay Area, particularly in Hayward, I have worked as a script translator for "Unsolved Mysteries" for ABC in CA BUT I decided to come home to teach English to my own people. I grew up here in the Philippines. I have been speaking English since I was a kid. My grandma was an English teacher, I have a number of relatives who are English teachers. I am sure the name of Avelina Juan Gil is familiar. She has authored books in English and American Literature. Aunt Ching Juan Chee Kee of Ateneo hails from Laoag City. My grandpa, Guillermo J. Blanco ( an ichthyologist)) was an author of a lot of Science books. He was also a poet with the pseudonym, Billy White. I have been teaching English for 25 years and I don't want to be included in the pool of teachers who will "idiotize the nation" as Esposo wrote in one of his articles. We use English at home. I am sorry if I sound full of braggadocio now but Esposo ought to know that THERE ARE teachers who speak passable, if not, excellent English! NO TEACHER SPEAKS PASSABLE ENGLISH? Are you kidding?