I’m a true blooded product of OFW my parents has been sending remittances for almost 30 years and after working for more than 25 years my father received his pension for just 1 year he suddenly died and he did not enjoyed the fruit of his labor so to speak and my mother did not received any compensation at all. The remittance we received went to college tuition and other expenses . We became degree holders, 3 engineers and 1 dentist but my mother sometimes complain why we followed their footsteps by working abroad when they sacrificed all those years away from us just to provide us a good future by finishing our education. I also asked myself that question why?

After college graduation we were very idealistic we don’t want to go abroad because we are working but after few years working hard just to pay our bills but we still depended on our parents remittances to make ends met, our salary can not provide us with life our parents gave us. My brother who has 2 children at that time blindly joined my parents and is working not as a dentist but in a restaurant although he has the possibility to practice over there he don’t have the time to go to the language school. Now he also go to the bank every month to send his hard earned money to his family and I asked him if he is happy with that, he said yes and no. He’s happy that he can send his children to college and can afford to buy what he wants. Thanks to the modern devices he can chat or talk with his family unlike during my parents time we only relied only by snail mail. But will his children will also follow suit yes maybe if the government will not improved.

I’ve been staying in the Philippines for almost 7 weeks now and I’m too sad to say it became worst pollution, undisciplined drivers, stop lights that don’t work, poverty anywhere, they say it’s cheap it wasn’t,  common commodities ar so expensive. Everywhere I go there is an SM (Shoe Mart Department store) why? because of millions OFW’s who’s family can now eat in Jollibee and buy in the department store. Excuse me, but having the biggest mall in Asia doesn’t mean we are the best or our economy is better. Because every hard earned money is spent without thinking of the future. Maybe you will say it provide jobs to degree holders who can not find any real job so they end up promo personnels in the department stores just ask how much they earn and we all know that the businessmen are profiting from the contractual basis employment.

This should only a short post but it’s really disappointing to see all the college graduates seeking  greener pasture abroad to the point that they are willing to work as a domestic helpers or au pairs or doctors studying to become nurse so they can work abroad speaking of brain drain. I don’t have anything against domestic helpers its a noble job we are losing valuable  resources now its the right time for the new goverment to act and reevaluate its policies and focus more on the long term. We can’t stop migration it’s embedded in our blood.

So I support and join fellow Overseas Filipino Worlwide in their plea to the incoming President.

Dear Sen. Aquino,
First and foremost, we extend our deepest and sincerest congratulations on your ascendancy to the highest-elected office of our beloved country through a democratic process that every Filipino can take pride in for many generations to come. The first step inherent in the process of transformation is recognizing the need for change – and our capacity to change for the better! Thus, from this point onward, we are hopeful that inspired by your convincing victory and leadership, every Filipino will assume his or her role and responsibility to change the status quo by initiating positive changes towards a better and brighter Philippines, no matter where he or she is, and regardless of what citizenship he or she now holds.
We, the Overseas Filipinos Worldwide (OFW), are a group of Filipinos based abroad and in the Philippines, representing various organizations implementing projects in the Philippines and in our host countries for many years now that are aimed to strategically harness the Philippines’ migration gains into mechanisms for the development of the motherland and our communities of origin.
Migration gains are mainly remittances by overseas Filipinos to their family members, which are now in the region of USD17 billion and are the primary source of livelihood for millions of Philippine households. At 10.8% of the country’s GDP, they are also the third biggest source of the country’s foreign currency reserves and act as primary driver for our economy, shielding us from bankruptcy during the financial crisis in 1997 and the current one. The Filipino diaspora, estimated now at about 10 million working or residing in 239 countries and territories worldwide, send back donations to various humanitarian causes, such as disaster–relief, medical missions, schoolhouses, and other infrastructure. These contributions supplement local and national government deficits and, as of 2003, have already amounted to USD218 million, per BSP figures in that year. We do not count here the investments made by OFWs in real estate and the education and health of their family members, and the money spent on various goods and services, as well as on construction, food, shelter, and other inflows that support sectors like the airlines, shopping centers, and banks. Yet, after more than three decades of overseas employment, we do not see genuine signs of poverty alleviation, and instead more and more of our countrymen leave for work abroad.

Ironically, the Philippine model of overseas migration has become a model of sorts, for other migrant-origin countries to emulate and even copy. This however does not tell the whole story or reveal the other face of migration that has escaped the serious attention of past administrations, specifically, the social costs that migration has bred since government-managed deployment started in the early 70s and up to the present, where we now see at least 3,000 of many of the best and brightest Filipinos leaving daily to take up jobs overseas, due to local employment deficits. Other nations like South Korea, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Taiwan, who once were labor exporting countries, have been able to get over their migration hump, as a result of their governments’ consciously harnessing their workers’ remittances and investing them to develop local infrastructure, shipyards, factories, and other industries. Convinced of the effectiveness of government programs and also trustful of their leaders’ sincerity, these countries’ expatriates and overseas workers, at great sacrifice, left their high-paying jobs overseas and returned to their home countries to lend their talents and acquired expertise in further helping their respective country’s leap towards developed status even working at low salaries. India, another migrant-sending country, is also now going in that direction. These examples serve to illustrate the dictum that migration should be temporary, that it must not be used as a substitute for development. The desirable goal of countries wishing to be strong and globally competitive must necessarily be self-sufficiency and the ability to provide its people with necessary components needed for their human development.
The advent of a new administration, especially one under your inspired leadership, is a good time to ask where the Philippines is going regarding migration, and to act accordingly. Shall we continue to send out our people and rely on remittances and without any development objectives in sight? Conversely, don’t we have the talent to formulate a road map towards self-sufficiency over a period of time, in order that the hemorrhage of talents could be stopped, that a crisis in our dysfunctional families and society at large could be averted, and so that our people do not have to take migration as a forced option? If long-term migration goals are set now, the government could in the meantime work on some basic but urgent deployment and migration issues in order to clear the way towards having a genuine and serious program on translating migration gains for use in human development. In view of this, we humbly suggest starting to look at the following:

• The government must send clear and strong signals that migration and remittances are only temporary measures to help the government prepare for a longer-term goal of self sufficiency, in which Filipinos no longer look at migration as a forced option. This must be integrated in Medium-Term Development Plans, which is currently being formulated by NEDA, and which should also include how in the meantime strategies, policies, and mechanisms for the productive use and investment of remittances could be harnessed to strengthen the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals.

• Create a position for a Special Presidential Adviser on Migration and Development, who will work with a technical working group (TWG) composed of qualified individuals who have a background in migration and development, including knowledgeable and committed migrant leaders. Among others, the TWG could conduct studies, consultations, and discussions, and come up with updated situationers and appropriate policy recommendations on how to effectively translate remittances and migrant resources to develop local economies; and to address social costs, facilitation of return migration, reintegration, mechanisms for the counterparting of funds between Filipino diaspora groups, LGUs, and development agencies for local and countryside development, incentives for OFW investments in agriculture, SME, infrastructure, microfinance, cooperatives, and other sectors that need stronger funding support. The work could take the form of draft legislation for study by Congress’s standing committee on OFWs or form the basis for an Executive or Administrative Order, whichever is appropriate or workable. The committee’s work shall be purely consultative and should not supplant the work of government migration agencies.

• Review and monitor the performance of government agencies in charge of migrant workers, such as the POEA, OWWA, CFO, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with a view to strengthening these institutions, reducing wasteful and ineffective programs or duplication of work, giving agencies needed resources and funds for effective implementation of programs, and strengthening the capacity of their overseas offices to become centers of service to migrant workers overseas.

• · Departing OFWs contribute USD25 each as a requirement for departure and membership in OWWA and entitlement of welfare benefits. The total corpus of this trust fund is already at the level of at least PHP10 billion. The disposition and administration of this fund has been subject of criticisms, as its use has not been transparent and shown susceptibility to mismanagement. Specifically, reforms in OWWA should (1) impose strict criteria in the process of selection of people who will sit in the Board of Trustees, such that only those qualified and are committed to work for their constituents are appointed, e.g., women OFWs, sea-based, land-based, etc. (2) OWWA proceedings should be made transparent and open to public scrutiny, particularly the investment of the trust funds. (3) the incoming administration, for the benefit of OFWs and through the working group, should require from the current OWWA board an accounting of OWWA funds and how they were invested/used. To this end, the most recent COA audit of migration agencies, like POEA, OWWA, DFA, and POLO offices overseas, must be consulted.

• The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) are two small agencies that are doing important work on mobilizing diaspora contributions for development and assistance to OFWs who are reintegrating to Philippine society after working abroad. The CFO, for instance, has submitted recommendations on how gaps and barriers to enhanced diaspora contributions could be addressed, but these have never been acted upon. The NRCO, in the three years it has been created, has given assistance and referrals on livelihood and employment to OFW returnees affected by the global crisis. Their work should be seriously looked into, and whenever necessary, the appropriate level of funds, resources, and support should be given to these agencies.

• Lack of financial literacy or of the ability to use resources and incomes productively and wisely has been highlighted as a major cultural barrier among not only OFWs but also for most Filipinos. It prevents our people from improving their socio-economic conditions, despite years of employment in the Philippines or overseas. This refers to lack of savings or investment mindset and excessive spending on non-essentials. No less than an institutionalized nationwide program on financial literacy will be able to address this and should include not only OFWs but also members of their family. The BSP has been the lead government agency that has conducted financial literacy seminars for OFWs and families since 2006 in more than 30 Philippine cities and 10 cities overseas. This program could be improved and expanded through an impact assessment of the campaign and which might include providing resources for enlisting the DECS to include financial literacy and migration as part of school curriculum, starting from grade school, or the LGUs, by including financial literacy and social costs of migration in the Pre-employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) conducted in their territories for intending migrants.

As a final note, while the recommendations above address specific OFW issues, the programs you had avowed to pursue in your electoral campaign on good governance—better access to health, education, employment and livelihood, and business opportunities for all—are all in the right track, constitute the basic elements for self-sufficiency, and provide viable options to our citizens to remain in the country and to devote their talents and resources to developing the homeland. On these, please be assured of our continued support.

Signed:

Doris Alfafara, Habagat Foundation, The Netherlands
Ren Arrieta, USA
Alex Veloso Bello, Saudi Arabia
Marvin Bionat, USA
Ding Bagasao, Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos (ERCOF), Philippines
Jack Catarata, Germany
Basco Fernandez, Damayang Pilipino sa Nederland, The Netherlands
Lorna Lardizabal Dietz
Cristina Liamzon, Italy
Judith Puyat-Magnaye, USA
Mariel Vincent Rapisura, SEDPI Philippines
Leila Rispens-Noel, Wimler Partnership for Social Progress, Hongkong/Contact Person
Dennis Yaun, Luxembourg
James Zamora, Philippines

This was posted in Facebook and in this website Overseas Filipinos Worldwide

February 25, 1986 I was at home in the province while my father was listening to the radio 24 hours a day hoping and praying that the revolution will turn into a peaceful one. I was 4th year high school student time at that time nearing the final exam  and graduation was set to end of March. There was some kind of uncertainty that something will bad will happened just seeing those battalion of soldiers being called for reinforcement and the tanks make you feel like there will be a lot of casualties but thank God it was peaceful, the Marcoses fled the country together with General Ver.  I used to think I belong to the People’s power generation entering the college with a pocketful of dream and hope for a better future.

I vaguely remember the martial law but there something about curfew so I’m glad that because of people power revolution I was able to go home late at night without any hassles after partying/disco opps no I usually took night classes.

After 24 years I still think that it was the best thing that happened in my home country because we will not her writing or expressing our opinions if we are under military government. The Philippines politics maybe had changed, from 2 party system to multi party system or the idealism but the politician are still the same or should I say the same political clans are still in the limelight even the Marcoses are back which maybe might hinder our dream of experiencing the true meaning democracy but we should not give up.

I’m proud to be a Filipino even though I live in Denmark because of this 1986 People’s Power Revolution was the inspiration behind the toppling down of communistic dictators in Eastern Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall and even the orange revolution in Ukraine.

Whenever I read news or forums the Filipinos are forever blaming the goverment for poverty because of corruption which I agree but let us not forget that once upon a time 24 years ago we were or I should say our parents at that time risked their lives against the dictator and by hearing and seeing it once again the oneness and the intensity of prayer and faith, we will think twice when we go to cast our vote in May.The Philippines is still young democracy compared to the European States even Denmark it took them several centuries before attaining what they have today. Thank you Ninoy, thank you Cory and the Filipinos who believed in miracles. God Bless the Philippines.

GODT NYT ÅR (Danish)

MALIGAYANG BAGONG TAON (Filipino)

¡Feliz año nuevo! (Spanish)

VIVAY BALUN TAON (Panggasinan)

Happy new year to all. When I was young we used to greet the new year by jumping when the clock turns to 0.00 hoping we will be taller but now when I turned 30 I lost hope I can’t grow taller anymore. In the Philippines we celebrate with new year with alot of superstitions and these are the ones I grew up with:

1. having 12 round fruits (round symbolizes coins means prosperity-money)
2. have a lot of coins in your pockets (again means prosperity)
3. make ube halaya- cake (kind of root crops with violet color)-(means prosperity because before the highest denomination is 100 pesos and it is violet)
4. Wear clothes with circles the bigger the better
5. We used to make a Palitaw (floating rice cakes)  kind of rice flour mixed with water and mold into ovals and put in the biling ixed of water,crushed sesamse seeds and sugar and when the clock strikes o:00 it should floats (it means luck and prosperity you are always on top )
6. Played the radio the loudest
7. Gathers all kind of metals like the covers of pots and tin pails and everything that can make noise (I think to drive bad vibes or spirits away)
8. We prepare a lot of foods for the noche buena (midnight dinner)
9. Go to mass before midnight around 10pm
10. Fireworks

And here it my collection of fireworks in my media collections.

Happy new year!!!!

I did not saw my grandfather my on my father’s side but I can clearly remember we used to  visit his grave every November 1 in the cemetery just beside the beach. That’s only the time to see my father’s relative and that’s the only time for us young ones to get to know them since they leave in other cities. We waited until the big dragon candles my uncle used to bring form Manila the one you can buy in the Chinatown. Before November 1 I barely can remeber that there are padasal or prayers by our parish priest who go around and ask for the names of the dead family members and sometime a group of elders who prayed in latin well I don’t know it anybody still can pray in latin on our place.

Now it my time to light a  candle for tatay, my inang, my amang , my lolo on my mother’s side , all my relatives and all the victims of the recent typhoons  and at the same say a prayer that their soul may rest in peace.

Dear Friends:

Babaylan is calling for your generous help and support for the victims of typhoon Ondoy (international code name: Ketsana), which recently hit vast areas of Central Luzon, Philippines, specifically, Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces..

A victim of floodings is rescued in Pasig City , east of Manila.

The typhoon has caused massive flooding, resulting in the death of over 200 people (a growing number), with many others injured or missing. The floods have also destroyed houses and other properties, forcing thousands of families to evacuate their homes.

The situation in the affected areas is desperate. Some people are still stranded on roofs of houses, without food and drinking water. Many others are living in evacuation centers and are dependent on the help extended to them by generous individuals. The victims need immediate help – cash donations, food supplies, clothing, blankets, medicine, etc.

Your support is badly needed and will be highly appreciated.

Please send your donation directly to any of the the following:

• Babaylan-Denmark – Accepting cash donations through its Denmark Bank Account: EIK BANK – 6610 2494890.You may also send your donation to any member of Babaylan Denmark.

• UNICEF – Accepting cash donations through its Metrobank (Philippines) account: UNICEF C/A 066-7-06631209-3 in response to the victims of tropical storm Ondoy.

You may also call the UNICEF hotlines at tel. nos.:

+632 758-1000 and
+632 758-1442

to find out more ways to send your donations.

• CAMILLIAN FATHERS – They are directly involved with the evacuees in Marikina City and Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines:

Tel nos.:

+632 4260031,
+632 4260031 or
+6324260032

There are many other institutions and non government organizations (NGOs) in the Philippines that are helping the victims. The above are just the nearer contacts. Please feel free to get in touch with any other institution or NGO, if deemed easier.

Your assistance will go a long way.

Thank you for your generosity.

Sincerely,

Babaylan Denmark

.

27 January 2009

We call on people like Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez of the Diocese of Kalookan, Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord Church, Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai, Executive Minister Eraño Manalo of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Engr. Jun Lozada and Mr. Joey De Venecia (who exposed the ZTE broadband scandal) to mobilize our fellow Filipinos in heeding the call to defend the Monumento.

I will teach my my son about the Philippine’s history especially the life of Jose Rizal. He was every mother’s dream just imagine that he studied Opthalmology in UST (University of Santo Thomas) upon learning that his mother is going to be blind. But because of the Spanish friars discrimination of Filipino students he went to study abroad particularly in Spain to study medicine when and later in Paris and Germany.

The Jose Rizal Monument in Madrid was erected during his centennial in 1996 and inaugurated 5th of December 2006. It is located in a busy street called Avenida de Filipinas ( The Phlippines Avenue) and near a Metro or Subway station called Islas de Filipinas.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal is the Philippine’s National Hero. He was born June 18, 1861 and died by firing squad at Luneta Bagumbayan in December 30, 1896. He is academician, a linguist, writer, historian,scientist and a doctor. He studied in Ateneo de Manila , University of Santo Thomas, Universidad Central de Madrid, Paris and Germany. He valued education so much that

He said;

Youth are the hope of the Nation

and he issued a manifesto before his execution that;

disavowing the revolution and declaring that the education of Filipinos and their achievement of a national identity were prerequisites to freedom

Just imagine if he is alive today he will sure be blogging.

Dr. Jose P.Rizal

Another view of the monument

Mi Ultimo Adios

Avenida de Filipinas

Know more about our hero at the following links:

http://www.joserizal.ph

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Rizal

We will learn a lot from his life and his writings about peaceful means of reform he did not believe in violence. But to achieve total reformation we as a Filipinos should learn to know about our heritage and be proud to a Filipino no matter who are doctor or domestic helper anywhere in the world. Like Dr. Jose Rizal a citizen of the world but his heart still belongs to his Motherland the Philippines.

Do you know Jose Rizal? I’m proud to be a Filipino. Are You?

The Madrid Subway system is one of the largest in the world. It is the best and cheapest way to get around the Greater Madrid. It only cost 1 euro for a single ticket inside the Zone A or the Madrid center an you can change trains while still inside the subway. So far I could say it is reasonably clean especially the new stations and they are in the process of renovating the old ones. The train schedules are very efficient unlike the danish train systems. It is cheaper to buy a 10 trips clip card it cost only 7.40 euros and they also have something for tourist me which is no limit rides for min.of 1 and maximum of 7 days.

In comparison to Denmark Madrid train system is not child or baby friendly because of the absence of elevator in most of the stations. It always a nightmare for me when I travel with my son on his pushchair or stroller just imagine the Station near my parent’s apartment is several levels down I thinks it is 6 escalators down. Its very typical that parents navigating the escalators with their children strollers and sometimes people are willing to help you carry the strollers with the baby. Yesterday I went to visit my father alone and I thought I can manage but still I’m not that brave I have to carry to umbrella stroller and hold my son’s hand but I back out when I saw it is 10-15 meters deep. We just used the stairs and everybody thought we are so dumb but maybe they’re right because my leg were shaking while I’m hoping we will reach the last steps. The next flight of escalators I just asked someone to carry the stroller and they’re happy to obliged. Thank God we arrived home safely but I took the bus on the way home.

It so funny there is even a sign in the train platform as to where the handicaps should wait but hey how can those with wheelchair go down? Did they fly, crawl or somebody carried them down? I used the Metro or the train i Madrid several times but I haven’t seen anybody in a wheelchair used the subway. For that I Spanish subway thumbs down.

Here’s the commercial.

What do you think? Are you offended? In my opinion they just recognize the Philippines as you know there are hundreds thousands of Filipinos here.

Father's love

It is the same here in Denmark many years ago when the men are the working while the women are the one who stayed home and doing the housework. Now the men wanted more equality in the family life. They became more visible, they change diapers, do housework, take the children to the park or just push strollers, attend PTA (Parents Teachers Asso.) meetings and alot more. Just a few years or a year ago I don’t remember exactly the law recognized the important of father figure in the life of a child that is the parents have equal right when they separate and file for divorce it’s not automatic that the mother will get full custody and the father just have to pay the alimony but it will be shared by both parents.

My father is typical Pinoy Father he is so authoritative we were afraid to break his rules like just hearing his pssssst then we will rush home (that was because he forbids us to join or even watch the barn dance you know sayawan but today it will be like a disco or party where the girls just sits and wait for the boys who will dance with them you get the point why it was forbidden). It was so typical in the old times to spank your children when they get naughty and I tell you I experienced quiet a lot. But he never slapped our face or hit any parts of the body but our bottoms which sometimes we put some cloth so as not to feel the pain. Many will not understand this but that was the way they discipline children in old time but it will stop when you reach puberty age there is another way like house arrest or other ways. I not hitting or spanking my son but for sure I always think twice when I was young I have to do against the will of my father and even now when I have to do something I always think if it according to the teachings of my father.

Mano po

Source: downloaded from www.deviant art.com

When I was young I seldom see my father kiss or hug us but he showed in many ways how he took care of especially when my mother left us to work abroad he was both our mather and father and thats a tough job. How he provided us with a roof over our head and food in the table and took care of us is enoug to know how much he loves us. When we take his hand in our forehead or Mano po and lovingly he answers back that’s love. Mano po is a Filipino tradition of giving respect to older persons especially parents usually when you see them in the evening you say Good Evening Father and take the right hand and put it in you head you also do that when you arrive home. But his answer is already a sign of love he answer back Good evening also and may God bless you anak.

My father teachings:

• Respect your elders
• eat only what you can just think about those children who don’t have anything to eat
• Study hard
• he hates young people who flirts at a very young age so we have to focus on our friends and studying (luckily there was no internet and cellphone at that time)
• Although he doesn’t regularly go to church it’s my mother who is so religious he still encourage us to go to church on Sundays.
• be kind and helpful to the needy.
• don’t lie or steal
• an there’s a lot more

Life is not perfect I brought joy and honor to my parents but one time in my life I also brought tears to them when I made a bad decision and I know I broke my father’s teaching but I’m just human who is capable to make some mistakes. The other relatives maybe were talking behind my back condemning me but not my father. He did not say anything but I knew then its like a code in the family that he did not approved it. Same with my other siblings we did not heard any harsh word which made us realize that we have to choice what is right. Later on all those trials made us so strong and see things in more brighter way.

When he live in Spain he became more understanding maybe he see the way the young ones lives in the west but still he wants us not to be westernized in our way of living. Instead of mano, we still do it sometimes but we kiss ecah other checks like beso beso. But we also talk alot before maybe I got this talent from him about my interest in Social Studies and current events and I can you that we can talk for hours. He loves to hear the news and The Desperate Housewives (wow I don’t follow it). But I wanted him to know that he may not be the perfect Father in the world but for me and my siblings he is the best father and TATAY WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.

I wrote this post because I’m on my way to join and visit him again in Madrid hospital where he just underwent a head surgery where they removed a big tumor he is stable but suddenly when they move him from the ICU to his room he became weak and doesn’t say so much. So I decided to take my son and visit him. Upon hearing that we will come he tried his best to stand up and I hope that he will soon be back to his old self.

I also applaud another father who is there to support his wife and daughter who are in the hospital because of dengue fever. I read his blog regarding family matters. I will make a small donation thru my cousin in the Philippines . You can not believe the power of Bayanihan spirit among the the Filipino Blogger who give donations and supported other bloggers call to help Angel Father Blogger

Angel Cuala aka Father Blogger

Please go to the Mel of Filipino Bloggers Unite site who requested me to repost regarding the details of this call But I was so busy and stressed these past few days and I thought it was late na but the father blogger still accepts assistance just visit his site where you can contact to give assistance an support at www.blogcomplaint.blogspot.com

The Filipino father will do whatever he can do protect and provide for his family they may be as showy as we wanted to be but they will show their love and commitment when the safety and health of their family is threatened.

My prayers for the full recovery of your wife and daughter Father Blogger.

I also ask you to join me and say a prayer for my Father’s fast recovery and hope that the tumor is not malignant.

Instructions:

This is a prayer tag and link for the Philippines and the Filipinos. You are enjoined to utter this prayer for nine (9) consecutive days and to tag as many bloggers as you can with preference for Filipinos. But only bona fide Filipinos shall be included in the official registry of Filipino bloggers in this blog. Each time a new blogger makes a link, be sure to send me an email of the entire link through melalarilla@gmail.com so that the official list will be consolidated in a master list in this blog. For our Muslim brothers, you may make your own special prayer formula but you must never deviate from the formula of this entire post.

Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, we consecrate to you our beloved country- the Philippines and all the Filipinos around the world. We acknowledge Father that apart from You, we can do nothing and it is only your divine providence and grace that can unite all Filipinos as one nation. We therefore humble ourselves before your throne. We confess all our sins to you individually and collectively as a nation. Forgive us our sins Father and wash us clean by the precious blood of Your beloved Son- Jesus Christ. Mend our wicked ways and let us experience a strong and genuine spiritual revival for ourselves and for our country. Let the Holy Spirit imbibe us with power, love and wisdom to return to Your path of holiness and righteousness. Bless our country, heavenly father. Bless all Filipinos wherever they maybe. Let progress, unity, harmony, stability, justice, peace and prosperity reign in our country.

Bless our leaders, from the President down to the lowest Barangay official. Touch their hearts that they may serve our country with all honesty and with love and integrity. Bless our children and our future generation. And bless us all Father in all aspects of our lives. This we pray to You heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Name Address Name of Blog URL

3. Lavern Tan Las Pinas City, Philippines Pinoy Ambisyoso url- http://pinoyambisyoso.com

5. Snow Philippines Dear Bloggery url- http://dearbloggery.com/
6. Bloggista – Marikina, Philippines – Bloggista – url- http://www.bloggista.com/
7. Chris A. – Cavite, Philippines – CMAQuest – url- http://cmaquest.blogspot.com/
8. Aisha – Eugene, Oregon, USA – The Holley Herald – url – http://www.theholleyherald.com/
9. Rowena – Davao City, Philippines – All Out My Naked Truth- Rowena – url – http://rowenabongabong.blogspot.com/
10. Icymar Tagimacruz – Cebu, Philippines – Kreative Myndz – url- http://www.icymartagimacruz.blogspot.com/
11. Pat Mangubat – Philippines – New Philippine Revolution – url- http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/
12. Empress – Cebu, Philippines – Empress of Drac.Com – url- http://www.empressofdrac.com/
13. Marilou Domingo – Philippines – Ibanag in the City – url- http://ibanaginthecity.blogspot.com/
14. Ester Besmonde – Canada – Walk Through Money Online Journal – url- http://www.teyonlinejournal.com/
15. Ramon Paulino – Quezon City, Philippines – FatherlYours.com – u rl- http://www.fatherlyours.com/
16. Mindanaoan – Mindanao, Philippines – Mindanaoan – url- http://www.maindaoan.com/
17. Bloggie – Davao City, Philippines – Davao Bloggers Network – url- http://www.davaoblogs.net/
18. Xerendipity – Dumaguete City, Philippines – Obnoxious Queer – url- http://obnoxiousqueer.com/
19. Viviene C. (Bingkee) – Connecticut, USA – I Love/Hate America – url- http://www.fliploveusa.typepad.com/
20. Roy – Angeles City, Philippines – The Struggling Blogger – url- http://thestrugglingblogger.168center.com/
21. Janette Toral (Ada) – Marikina City, Philippines – Blogging From Home – url- http://www.bloggingfromhome.com/
22. Milton Coyne III (Bluedreamer27) – Cavite City, Philippines – Bluedreamer’s Top Five – url- http://bluedreamer27.blogspot.com/
23. Marites dlR – Davao City, Philippines – Me, the islands and the world – url- http://www.pinaylighterside.com/
24. Mauie Flores – Cainta, Rizal, Philippines – Living a Sugar-free Sweet Life! – url- http://www.maureenflores.com/
25. MsRay – Bacolod City, Philippines – Woman on a Journey – url- http://www.msray2008.com/
26. Pia Go Olano – Philippines – My Life’s Journey – url- http://myblog2002.blogspot.com/
27. Jena Isle – Pampanga, Philippines – Random Thoughts – url- http://jenaisle-candidthoughts.blogspot.com/
28. Caca – Mindanao, Philippines – Mood Swings – url- http://blogecca.blogspot.com/
29. Pinoy Apache – Cebu City, Philippines – Pinoy Apache – url- http://pinoyapache.blogspot.com/
30. Jessie Simbulan – Philippines – The Reporter – url- http://www.jessie-simbulan.com/
31. Tony Roda – Manila, Philippines – MENstream – url- http://www.menstream.blogspot.com/
32. Fingertalks – Philippines – Fingertalks – url- http://www.fingetalks.com/
33. Wendy Lopez-Redaon – Quezon City, Philippines – From The Eyes of My Heart – url – http://wenlopred.blogspot.com/
34. Marlene – Davao City, Philippines – Potpourri of Ramblings – url – http://www.lemback.com/
35. Liza Cochico – Quezon City, Philippines – A Simple Life – url – http://mlizcochico.com/
36. Tricia Mazo-Galvez – Las Pinas City, Philippines – Proud Mommy – url- http://monliam.blogspot.com/
37. Wayne – New Zealand – Affiliate Crunch – url- http://www.affiliatecrunch.com/
38. Shiera Delusa – Osaka, Japan – Bisdak Babbles – url – http://bisdakbabbles.com/
39. Madz – Lunda Norte, Angola – Things I Did Not Know Before – url – http://madzlifesknowledge.blogspot.com/
40. Kcee – Makati City, Philippines – Barefooted Me – url – http://www.barefootedme.com/
41. Yani – Davao City, Philippines – Banicmanic – url- http://www.banicmanic.blogspot.com/
42. Rodaflip – Ontario, Canada – FlipAntasticWeb – url- http://flipantasticweb.blogspot.com/
43. Ramvie Santiago – Philippines – Philippine Blog For All – url – http://pinoyblogko.wordpress.com/
44. Russell Bravo – Caloocan City, Philippines – Russell Dot Com – url – http://www.russelldotcom.com/
45. Michelle Valenzuela – San Francisco, California, USA – Tumawa K Kabayan – url – http://twangpinoy.blogspot.com/
46. Pinay Wife – Cambodia – Pinay Wife Speaks – url – http://pinaywifespeaks.com/
47. Lei – Pasig City, Philippines – Moon Goddess Lae – url – http://moongoddesslae.com/
48. Shawie Gick – Orange County, California, USA – A Grateful Heart – url – http://anemptycup.blogspot.com/
49. Hariette Wendam – Iloilo City, Philippines – Praning’s Shoutout – url – http://www.praningshoutout.com/
50. Joan Joyce Absalon – Navotas City, Philippines – Joan Joyce dot com – url – http://joanjoyce.com/blog/
51. Rashieka Estelle Absalon – Navotas City, Philippines – My Name Is Rashieka – url – http://rashieka.com/
52. Darlyn – Gen. Santos City, Philippines – Touched By An Angel With Love – url – http://darlyngemwords.blogs.com/
53. Kate Cancio – Marikina City, Philippines – Becoming Kate Cancio – url – http://katecancio.blogspot.com/
54. Ria – United Kingdom – Continental Fairy – url – http://www.continentalfairy.com/
55. Ginoray – Cainta, Rizal, Philippines – Profound Matters – url – http://profoundmatters.wordpress.com/
56. Penlighted – New York, USA – Light It Up (Blogging for Jesus) – url – http://lightedpen.blogspot.com/
57. Lyn (Moccalyn) – Manila, Philippines – Life Spices – url – http//moccalyn.blogspot.com/
58. Ana Lindenhann – Denmark – The Filipina Mom in Denmark – url – http://www.filipinamom.com/
59. Chris Red – Philippines – Christinchen’s Soapbox – url – http://christinchen184.blogspot.com/
60. Richies 2Ts Inspires – Stockholm, Sweden – Richies Inspirational Designs – url – http://simchieinspires.blogspot.com/
61. Island Angel – Davao City, Philippines – Seashells Of Island Angel – url – http://seashellsofislandangel.blogspot.com/
62. Manilyn Tingcang – Iligan City, Philippines – LinGZ.spot – url – http://lingzspot.blogspot.com/
63. Joyoz Obsioma – Melbourne, Australia – Everyday Life…Generally Speaking – url – http://www.joydob.com/
64. Gladita – Bacolod City, Philippines – PromdiLiving – url – http://promdiliving.com/
65. Lesley Cucal – Tarlac City, Philippines – Bottomless Coffee – url – http://men-tality.blogspot.com/
66. Rose Cottrill – West Virginia, USA – Rose’s Obstacles and Glory – url – http://www.obstaclesandglories.com/
67. Mys Lyke Meeh – Toronto, Canada – Mys Lyke Meeh – url – http://myslykemeeh.blogspot.com/
68. Gloria (Goyz) – Calamba City, Philippines – Good Health – url – http://goyz-greenapple.blogspot.com/
69. Mitch (Annay Butakal) – Cebu, Philippines – Ramble Baboy – url – http://annaybutakal.blogspot.com/
70. Ria Coleto – Cervantes – Dubai, UAE – It’s My Party – url – http://www.riablahgs.com/
71. Luna Miranda – Makati City, Philippines – Miranda – url – http://bilogangbuwanniluna.blogspot.com/
72. Kit (Suplado) – Makati City, Philippines – Suplado Reviews – url – http://supladoonline.blogspot.com/
73. Rachel – Philippines – Heart of Rachel – url – http://mysoulfulthoughts.blogspot.com/
74. Josie Santos – Sydney, Australia – Fragments of My Soul – url – http://josie-santos.blogspot.com/
75. Wella Jane – Misamis Occidental, Philippines – Thinking Pen- Blogging For A Cause – url – http://thinkingpen.freeo.net/
76. Kelvin Requiroso (Kebelle) – Quezon City, Philippines – Spirituality Page – url – http://spirituality-page.blogspot.com/
77. Pusang Gala – Mandaluyong City, Philippines – Pusang – Gala – url – http://pakaleklalawak.blogspot.com/
78. Jason – Paranaque, Philippines – Pinoy Updates – url – http://www.pinoyupdates.com/
79. Onatdonuts – Taguig City, Philippines – OnatDonuts – url – http://www.onatdonuts.blogspot.com/
80. Ibyang – NSW, Australia – A Wife’s Charmed Life – url – http://awifescharmedlife.blogspot.com/
81. Mike Avenue – Philippines – Mga Tagalog Na Tula Sa Filipinas – url – http://tagalog-tula-pilipinas.blogspot.com/
82.Jhay Gamba – Cainta, Rizal, Philippines – I Blog Mo! – url -http://jdesignzwww.jdesignz.blogspot.com/
83. Carla Farnesyl Fundales Idago – Malabon City, Philippines – Heterotripper: Anong Maskara Mo Today – url – http://lacarotica.blogspot.com/
84. Tet Garchitorena – Naga City, Philippines – The Life Of An Oregano Addict – url – http://www.piebuko.blogspot.com/
85. Rael Denoman – Imus, Cavite, Philippines – Manikang Papel – url – http://myblogjazzryl.blogspot.com/
86. Liezl F. – Valenzuela City, Philippines – Breezing My Confined Emotions – url – http://microporetape.blogspot.com/
87. Kengkay – Germany – Kwentong Kengkay – url – http://kengkay.wordpress.com/
88. Earthlingorgeous – Manila, Philippines – Earthlingorgeous.com – url – http://www.earthlingorgeous.com/
89. Pinay Key Point – Tarlac City, Philippines – PinayKeyPoint – url – http://pinaykeypoint.wordpress.com/
90. Ria Stevenson – Texas, USA – Live Love Laugh – url – http://www.riastevenson.com/
91. Pajay – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Klasrum Ni Pajay – url – http://propesorpa-jay.blogspot.com/
92. Texas Sweetie – Texas, USA – My Virtual Diary – url – http://www.texas-sweetie.blogspot.com/
93. Aquamarine – Hongkong – Aquamarine – url – http://jhole22.blogspot.com/
94. Shemistry – Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines – Foolishly Overacting – url- http://shemshemistry.blogspot.com/
95. Dines – Winona, Minnesotta, USA – Kalei Dines Scope – url – http://paul-dina-kaleidoscope.blogspot.com/
96. Che (Chorva) – Philippines – Chorva Entertainment Blog – url – http://www.chorva.net/
97. Arnel Gara Artes – Cebu City, Philippines – A Hunter – url – http://www.arnelgaraartes.blogspot.com/
98. Donald Pal (Dhon) – Cebu, Philippines – Life Love Lust – url – http://dhonpal.blogspot.com/
99. Fermin Absalon – Navotas, Metro Manila, Philippines – Beyond Feron Dot Com – url – http://www.beyondferon.com/
100. Dzerom – Calamba, Laguna, Philippines – Blogging Without A Cause – url – http://blogging-without-a-cause.blogspot.com/
101. K (Knoizki) – Hongkong – A Dialogue With K – url – http://www.knoizki.net/
102 Orville Hitadle – Cebu City, Philippines – Downloader’s Stuffs and Freebies for All – url – http://www.iamdownloader.com/
103. Cindyrella – Hongkong – Cindyrella From Hongkong – url – http://cindyrella-stories.blogspot.com/
104. Rimewire – Cavite, Philippines – Disproving the Genius – url – http://rimewire.wordpress.com/
105. Edelweiza Mabalay – Manila, Philippines – The Life of a Breadwinner – url – http://www.edelweiza.com/
106. Manolito Montala – Philippines – The Filipino Enterpreneur – url – http://www.thefilipinoenterpreneur.com/
107. Leona Khan – Pasig City, Philippines – Vanidosang Panda – url – http://ms-panda.blogspot.com/
108. Pepe Mckunat – Philippines – Life is Tough, but prove You are Tougher – url – http://katchupoy.wordpress.com/
109. Batopik – Taguig City, Philippines – Batopik – url – http://batopik.wordpress.com/
110. Gin E – Manila, Philippines – Mommy in Manila – url – http://mommyinmanila.blogspot.com/
111. B’ley Villones (Dyosa) – Paranaque City, Philippines – Blagalag – url – http://www.bl;agalag.com/
112. Donald Serrano (don_ser) – Philippines – don_ser The Feeling ProBlogger – url – http://www.doanldserrano.com/donser/
113. Love Lot – San Francisco, California, USA – Lov-A-Lot – url – http://lov-a-lot.blogspot.com/
114. Enchie – Manila, Philippines – Sweet Nothings – url – http//xtraordinarymom.blogspot.com/
115. Iceah Marie – Gen. Santos City, Philippines – Chicken Heart – url – http://www.pinay-chicken-heart.com/
116. Mee*I Velasco – Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines – Waiting On The World To Change – url – http://mekinudolsoup.blogspot.com/
117. Kuyanin – Philippines – Kuyanin: Starting Afresh – url – http://www.kuyanin.com/
118. Chyng Reyes – Manila, Philippines – No Spam, No Virus, No Kiddin’! – url – http://riandrew.blogspot.com/
119. JuanDerPul – Philippines – JuanDerPul Pinoy – url – http://juanderpulpinoy.com/
120. Kenneth Mendoza – Laguna, Philippines – Kenneth Mendoza- Speaking Out, Blogging, Ranting and Fooling Around – url – http://www.kmendoza.net/
121. Grace – Michigan, USA – We Live To Tell God’s “Amazing Grace” – url – http://grace1331.blogspot.com/
122. Carnation – Antique, Philippines – Carnation – url – http://sweetcarnation.blogspot.com/
123. Jed Chua – Mandaluyong City, Philippines – Reel Advice – url – http://reeladvice.blogspot.com/
124. Pammyboo83 – Dumaguete City, Philippines – Filipino Lifestyle – url – http://filipinotaste.blogspot.com/
125. Sagada- Igorot – Mountain Province, Philippines/Chicago, USA – Blog of The Sagada- Igorot – url – http://blog.sagada-igorot.com/
126. Bai Maleiha Candao – Cotabato City, Philippines – Soulful Images – url – http://princessmaleiha.blogspot.com/
127. Jehzeel Laurente – Philippines – Jehzlau Concepts – url – Http://www.jehzlau-concepts.com/]
128. Poohgahk – Philippines – Shout Out – Url – http://poohgahk.blogspot.com/
129. Norman Novio – Occidental Mindoro, Philippines – Pamatok – url – http:///nanovio.blogspot.com/
130. Bien Nillos – Negros Occidental, Philippines – The Freudian Slip – url – http://bayenn.blogspot.com/
131. Madelyn Basalo-Sells – Cafunfo, Lunda Norte, Angola – “The Pride of Hingotanan, Bohol”- My Life’s Journey To Success – url – http://madzlifesdiary.blogspot.com/
132. Jannesse – Las Pinas City, Philippines – The Wifey Diaries – url – http://thewifeydiaries.blogspot.com/
133. Willa Stock – Ontario, Canada – Fickle Minded- A Life That Is Less Ordinary – url – http://fickleminded.net/
134. Aihara (Tessah) Ramintessah Sanchez – Japan – The Economics of Life – url – http://lifesmatterandeconomics.blogspot.com/
135. Ron Albert – Quezon City, Philippines – A Slice of Turon – url – http://ron-turon.blogspot.com/
136. Elyong – Davao City, Philippines – Elyong – url – http://elyong.blogspot.com/
137. Kokoi – Baguio City, Philippines – Blog ni Kokoi – url – http://blognikokoi.blogspot.com/
138. Fat – Japan – Anything Goes – url – http://247diary.blogspot.com/
139. Mye De Leon – Rizal, Philippines – Blog Appetite – url – http://blogappetite.blogspot.com/
140. Jan Geronimo – Oriental Mindoro, Philippines – salabasngmandaluyong (Rx For A Better Life) – url – http://salabasngmandaluyong.blogspot.com/
141. Chuva – Philippines – Chizmizan With Chuva – url – http://chuvachienes.com/
142. E. J. Bautista – Quezon City, Philippines – Bogcess – url – http://bogcess.blogspot.com/
143. Maree Tee – Philippines – I Am Mrs. Tee – url – http://mareetee.blogspot.com/
144. Alma Cafe – Davao oriental, Philippines – Reach Beyond Your Limits – url – http://luponfirehouse.blogspot.com/
145. Arlene Collado – Philippines – Joys in Life – url – http://sunshineleneforlife.com/
146. Juvy – Philippines – Pinoy Portals – url – http://pinoyportals.blogspot.com/
147. Jan Mckingley Hilado – Cebu City, Philippines – The Ultralife of Student Nurses – url – http://nursester.blogspot.com/
148. Carlos – Davao City, Philippines – Carlos Ideas – url – http://carlos-ideas.blogspot.com/
149. Mentor – Cebu, Philippines – The Image of Cebu – url – http://cebuimage.blogspot.com/
150. Emma Ballada – Laguna, Philippines – Life Momento – url – http://lifemomento.blogspot.com/
151. Darkspark – Philippines – Papermills – url – http://papermills.blogspot.com/
152. Jes – Philippines – My Little Angels – url – http://ishiethan.blogspot.com/
153. Mike Pamero – Laguna, Philippines – Such were some of you – url – http://www.mikepamero.blogspot.com/
154. Jerome – Calamba, Laguna, Philippines – Pinoy Blogger Online – url – http://blogging-without-a-cause.blogspot.com/
155. Mary Grace – Tennessee, USA – My World is My Family – url – http://graceodraper.blogspot.com/
156. Luzviminda Gadon (Vhing F) – Israel – Survivor: the Reality of my Life – url – http://vhing4all-il-ph.blogspot.com/
157. Marlon Celso – Manila, Philippines – Marlon of Manila – url – http://marlonofmanila.blogspot.com/
158. Your name,address, Name of Blog and its url

I don’t have so many in my blog roll yet which reminds me thatI have to check and add bloggers and other site that I love reading. I chose 6 people which visited and I considered my friend somewhere around the globe and give a little description and here they are:

1. Cielo- www. brownpinay.com – From the Philippines wife of OFW and mother of 2. I admire her because she is a working mom and still find time manage a sideline or a business which she loves by the way, still find time to be a doting mother and still manage to blog about the hardships and joys and raising kids being married to an OFW. I find inspirations and I can relate to her life experiences and she always reciprocates comments and also visits your blogs in her hectic schedule.
2. Caryn in Tokyo http://gandarynako.livejournal.com/- she writes about her life in Tokyo together with her husband. She’s an architect that’s why I like her photo’s and her opinion or descriptions about her photos and life in Japan. She reminded me when I was so fascinated with the Nihongo I spend a little time learning the Japanese language an it’s still fascinates me.
3. Maricris at Zenventures- she’s a very talented lady living in Charlotte USA and I like her sense of humor even though she was writing about the effects of financial crisis which affected her family and even when they were under the wrath of tornado she still manage to write and inject humor in it. I always laugh when I’m reading her post. I feel like I’m talking to her directly I just wish I coud write like her. She makes very fantastic and elegant jewelries visit her site you might find something. I’m so proud of her because we came from the same place the city of Bangus , Dagupan City
4. Hotmomma – http://www.matheubaniaga.com/- She another wonderful proud pinay mommy living in England and she writes bout her life as a mommy and life and news in England.
   
5. Mommy Ruby- Pinaymommyonline- Here another proud pinay mommy she writes bout her life as a mommy and making money online I just wish I can maybe in the future.
6. Desperatebogger- pinaymomblogs.com- She is fantastic writer, architect by profession but she writes mostly about her experience as mother and whatever caught her fancy. Don’t be fooled by moinicker, she’s not a desperate blogger no more because she writes fantastic and she will celebrate her 1 year anniversary but hey she already posted alot and a lot follows her blog. I’m honored and flattered whenever she visit my site and comments she’s a star blogger.

Ok that’s my contribution Happy Blogging and don’t forget to pray.