Makes sense!

Can't wait for the next generations trend!

"V" stands for Vanessa!

Finally... I got this first solo CD album of Vanessa Hudgens!

It's awesome... this girl is very promising!

"Come Back To Me" by Vanessa

She can sing... dance and she's pretty!

SHINNENKAI 2007

OHISASHIBURI! I'm just around but can't find time to update this blog for various reasons. One of the reasons... is my terrible KAFUNSHOU (pollen allergy)! I hate this season of KAFUNSHOU... it drives me nuts (@_@)!
Anyway... here's some of my happy escapades with friends. Philippine NAKAMA group had SHIN NEN KAI (new year's gathering) last Feb 17th. This has nothing to do with Chinese New Year! It's just that our group held our first gathering for this year on February.
The gathering was held at Tambayan restaurant and it's "eat all you can" system! Of course... it's not for free but the price was reasonable... Y1,500 only! We enjoyed the foods... as much as we enjoyed Lilia's sexy dance! Lucky... her daughter wasn't around! LOL!

TABEHODAI! OISHII DA YO!

... now u see her ... now u don't?!! Hi Ana! Sorry for those who missed this group shot! For more photos... CLICK HERE

Be Blessed, Healthy and Happy!

Happiness keeps You Sweet,

Trials keep You Strong,

Sorrows keep You Human,

Failures keeps You Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But Only God keeps You Going!

-Arthur Ashe-

High School Musical

Disney Channel original movie

I watched this tv musical film of Disney Channel -- High School Musical-- for many times... the more I watch it, the more I love this film. This musical film is totally awesome! The plot was simple but it's very neat and clean. The choice of words and fashions were all modest. What amaze me most was the music... the songs were great and the dance choreography were brilliant! Kudos to their director Kenny Ortega. I've read he was the choreographer of this film... he really did a great job!

My family also loved this film. They actually dubbed it but still... we are waiting for the DVD that soon to be release here in Japan. Of course, my daughter did not miss to buy their best selling album-- the original soundtrack!

...and here's the film trivia especially for all my kababayan... the leading girl-- Vanessa Anne Hudgens has a Filipino blood! Yap... her mother is a Filipino, Chinese, Spanish descent and her father is an Irish and native American descent.

By the way... I also like her debut album... entitled "V" . I wonder if the CD is already out in the market here in Japan... ?! Wanna cheer for her... sana hindi s'ya mayabang!

I have also read about the sequel of this film -- the High School Musical 2 which is set for release this summer in America. Aside from that... on year 2008... High School Musical will be in big screen! The movie is entitled... Haunted High School Musical.

I hope the coming films will thrill and rock us again!!! o(^-^)o

Click for the site of the film: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Valentine's Day in Japan is unique!

Hello world! It's Valentine's day... so whaaat's up?! It's so sweet coz some friends and relatives sent me Valentine greetings! Iba na talaga ang generation ngayon. Noong araw, I used to received greetings thru Valentine's cards or phone calls ... now, by texts and emails na!
Mas lalong sweet pa rin kapag me natatanggap rin tayong roses or any Valentine gifts from our loved ones di ba?!
Well, the Valentine's day here in Japan is quite unique! They celebrate it on two dates. The Japanese girls are encouraged to express their love to the guys they like by giving chocolate on February 14th while guys return the favor to girls who gave them chocolate by giving cookies or other gifts on March 14th called White Day.
Actually, this gimmick started in 1958 as a marketing tool by chocolate companies in Japan and suddenly, the tradition was born!
Well... as for me, now-a-days, I don't think I give effort to this celebration... except I still buy something for my bosses, colleagues and students. That's what they called giri-choco or an obligatory chocolates! Take note: honmei or real choco are only given to loved ones!

But hey wait! Who says that Valentine's day in Japan is only devoted for men?! Well... I received some chocolates from friends... is that giri-choco (an obligatory chocolates)?

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones!

Kids and Dogs

It's raining hard today... anyway... I have something to share to all. This is a forward mail from my friend Marivic. I have no idea about it's origin but I was impressed to cute kids and dogs... and of course, the thoughts about friendship... so I decided to post it here... Hope you like it!

A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.

A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift ...

A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy, and grace.

And makes the world we live in a better and happier place.

There is a miracle called friendship, that dwells in the heart.

You do not know how it happens or when it gets it's start.

But you know the special lift it always brings.

You realize that friendship is the world's most precious gift!

Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends you never will.

"People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget how you made them feel"
-Maya Angelou-

Sarah's belated birthday gathering

My nephew-- Emil is celebrating his 3rd birthday today in the Philippines... and I missed it... however, I did not miss my dear friend Sarah's belated birthday gathering here! Actually her birthday was last Feb. 6.

Sarah keep saying that she turned 20 already... 20 of whaaat??? ... 20 years of stay in Japan... or perhaps... she was 20 years old when she came to Japan... hakkiri shinai kara naaaaah! hehehe!

Family and friends came over to Sarah's place for a celebration of Pinoy foods!

Overall, I had a good time...getting to visit Sarah and her very kind family ...meeting up with some close dear friends ... and gochisosamadeshita... the treat was totally good! By the way... what happen to the birthday cake?

buddy- buddy!

Happy birthday Sarah!

Yummy, yummy for our tummies!↓
Pinoy FOOD TO GO! ↓
↓Kids... who are you tryin to mimic... a Ninja? Abu Sayaf? dochi?! Yuta and Nao: Well, mama Mel... we are posing for Emil!

"hApI 3rd bIrThDaY ... EmiL ! MiSs U !" --- yuta and nao

Give Shizuoka ODEN a try!

One of Shizuoka's pride is their local ODEN-- a popular Japanese hot pot dish especially on cold seasons. Usually, various ingredients like hanpen and chikuwa or fish cakes, boiled eggs, daikon radish, konnyaku or yam cake, beef tendons and more are simmered in a kelp-based stock for many hours. Shizuoka Oden is something unique because the ingredients are all skewered in dark soy sauce and broth flavoured with beef stock.
Currently, an event-- named Shizuoka ODEN Fiesta is being held in Aoba Symbol Road wherein over 50 oden stalls are promoting their traditional, original and unique ODEN.

Shizuoka oden... ikaga desuka?!

Have you heard about banana or tomato oden? Quite unique desho?!

The event started yesterday-- 9th and will last on the 12th of this month. It's open from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Oden stall will also be operating in some areas in Gofukucho and Shichikencho on the 10th and 12th.

Oden stalls also sells various drinks... and take note... Oden goes good with beer!

A wonderful Valentine's greeting!

Yes... Valentine's Day is nearing! Here's the first Valentine's card I received with lots of pictures in it ... from my lovely nephew and niece in the Philippines... Emil and Kricel! (Of course... signed by mom!) I am so excited and happy about the pictures of the kids... 'lalaki na nila... and they are sooooo cute! Paano ba 'yan dumami na naman ang kahawig ko! (...for those who object... well folks... this is a free world... give me a break to flatter my self ... hehehe!!!)

Kids... thanks a lot to your thoughtfulness!↓

This is sweet and touching!↓

2 months old Kricel... the charming mouse!↓Kricel... the girl version of Emil! ...hey angel, what's up with your hair?! ↓

***Mama Mel: What's funny Kricel?

***Kricel: Kc po si Pooh... lumalaki na rin!↓

Emil with his living doll sister! ↓

Emil's Christmas 2006↓Hi Emil... advance happy 3rd birthday on Feb 11! Expect for my call! luv... ninang mama mel

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Mhwaah!

CLICK HERE for MORE PHOTOS!

The Japanese art of flower arranging

One of the wonderful culture of Japan is the flower arrangements... the Ikebana-- meaning living flowers. My friend Liza and I had this chance to visit the Shizuoka Ikebana Festival held in Isetan and it's absolutely incredible, gourgeous and elegant! Thanks to the compliment ticket from SIFA staff... we did appreciate the beautiful flowers and different styles of Ikebana!

Entrance of 10th Shizuoka Ikebana FestivalClick for more photos (part 1)Click for more photos (part 2)Click for more photos (part 3)The exhibit hall Valentine Ikebana's popular contest area'voted for this Ikebana... a Japanese Valentine image

Ginataang Kalabasa

Here's one of my fav Filipino dish. This is very simple, quick and yummeee!Ginataang Kalabasa... squash cooked in coconut milk

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

3 cups squash

string beans (optional)

1/8 k shrimps

1 thumbsize ginger

1 cups coconut milk

1 cloves garlic

1 medium onion

1 Broth Cube

cooking oil

salt and pepper

Instructions:
1. Heat 2 tbsps.oil and saute minced garlic, minced onions and shelled shrimps.

2. Add broth cubes, thinly sliced ginger and sliced squash.

3. Add string beans, cut in about 6 cm long.

4. Pour in coconut milk and simmer until squash is fork-tender.

5. Season with salt and pepper.

Out with the evil and in with fortune!

Today, Japan is celebrating the SETSUBUN-- coming of spring! Traditionally... on the night of Setsubun, many families opens the doors and windows of their houses and do MAME MAKI or bean-throwing ceremony. They toss the beans outside and inside the house while chanting "oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi"-- out with the evil and in with fortune. Bean-throwing believes to purify the home by driving away the evil or bad spirits that bring misfortune and bad health in the family. To bring the good luck, it is a custom to eat roasted beans that corresponds to your age.

Major temples and shrines across Japan commonly performed Setsubun ritual. Huge crowds gather with wild chants of "oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" while doing the MAME-MAKI.

Let's hope to start the spring with good fortune!

Every year, my family also do the ritual of Setsubun, the MAME MAKI... I remember when my daughter was a kid, her late grand pa used to wear this goblin mask and chase Sachan around while we throw beans to grand pa... Sachan was in mix feelings of crying becoz the goblin mask scared her and at the same time laughing becoz it's fun being chased!

Grand pa was not around anymore... but we visited his tomb this afternoon... did some offering and likewise... prayed for guidance of good fortune and blessings! Then tonight... we did the MAME-MAKI at home! 　It was funny to see Lucky who was very delighted eating all the beans scattered around the house!　 "Luckyはうち"！ 'hope we all have good luck the whole year through!

p.s.: It's my brother Teddy's birthday today... Happy beer day brod! Nakikinita kong me hawak na naman kayong beer ng tropa mo tonight! Then later on... mukha ka ng goblins becoz of too much drink. Dapat ikaw ang binabato ng beans to drive away the bad spirit in you.... heheheh! Anyway... I visited to church today and I included you to my prayers. Maybe, our Lord above is already complaining coz... I am always asking too much! heheheh! Well... anyway... have a great day and God bless you! Mhwaaaaaaah!

Introducing... SORA kun!

Our sweet Okinawan friend, Natsumi san visited us at SAME office with her two months old precious baby... SORA kun! Oh Ahhh oooh my ... why are babies so cute?! He's still a baby but MOTE-MOTE (successful with girls!) DA YO!
SORA kun is trully charming and adorable!

We made it... we made it not!

Looook what i've found out today... the Jeepney Press copies for February issue arrived today at home... and I was surprised to see the Philippine NAKAMA group pictures during the last year Christmas Event and Utawit audition in Shizuoka featured at the snap shots column.Anyway... thanks to Irene Kaneko, publisher of Jeepney Press. (S'ya po ang may kinalaman ng lahat!) I've heard it's Jeepney Press 5th anniversary also... To Irene and the rest of the staff... Congratulations for the hard work and for the continuous support that you are rendering to all the Filipinos around Japan. MORE POWER!

Speaking of UTAWIT 2007... the semi-finals was held today at the Philippine Embassy Multi-purpose Hall in Tokyo. I was supposed to go with the group to cheer our three Shizuoka representatives but due to my scrambled sched... I did not made it! Liza was with them kaya panay na lang ang text namin ni tita Liza of what was happening around there! She said na magagaling daw talaga ang lahat!

(***pictures below are courtesy by Liza***)

↑The Executive Chairmen of UTAWIT, Sir Labat-- Rey Conferido and Ms. Irene Kaneko of Jeepney Press (Click picture for more photos)

↑Philippine NAKAMA representatives posing with the UTAWIT Execom, Sir Rey Conferido, Ma'am Lillibeth Pono and Olive. (Click picture for more photos)

Well... here's the result... I am very proud that Monaliza made it to top 10 for the final competition of Utawit to be held on April. Nakakapanghinayang si uncle Jo. Galing pa naman din sana n'ya... but he said... talaga namang marami ring magagaling. Anyway... basta... kuya Jo is still one of the best for us! What about Vida... uuuuhhhmmm... i've heard she did not made it too!
Anyway... OTSUKARESAMA DESHITA... and of course to Liza. Natapos rin (for the meantime!) ang KINCHOKAN blues namin!

SIFA 2007 International New Year's Party

I attended the SIFA's annual New Year's party that was held at the office of Awashima Shrine in Shimizu District with Liza and Belinda ...and we enjoyed it!
SIFA staff did a good job of hosting the party. It was well attended by friends from different countries like Chinese, Canadian, Nepal, Myanma, Brazilian, Indonesian, American, Filipinos like us and many more.
Thanks a lot to SIFA staff... for their good foods, exciting games and gifts, laughters and of course their warm receptions! Hurray to SIFA!

click here for more photos

Another great day!

Hello folks! Today was a fine day and I did had a wonderful day for many reasons! It started this morning when EGG facilatator, Ohashi san picked me up at home and we headed out to Shizuhata Chuu Elementary School wherein we had this lecture about Philippine culture. Thanks to the support of EGG staff, the cooperation of all the teachers and observers and the interest of the whole class... our lecture worked out well!

↓Greetings in Tagalog♪Sampung mga daliri♪↓I am actually teaching the basic balancing of the glass in Pandango sa Ilaw folkdance... I don't have any idea... what's the boy doing... hey boy...don't over react... ganbare!!! (LOL) ↓What's up with this crowd?!↓Let's take a closer look... a Jack stone game !↓Here's the boy who played best! So I gave him a set of Jack stone... Congratulations!↓Philippine snacks↓Masarap!?↓The amusing Grade 6 class 楽しかったよ!

After the class, Ohashi san treated me for lunch at a Japanese Restaurant. We enjoyed the delicious lunch as well as our conversations. I also promised Ohashi san that I'll gonna treat her for dinner at Philippine Restaurant next time before the end of February and hopefully... Kaneyama san, another friendly facilatator of EGG... can come with us... but I've heard she's a vegetarian f(^-^; !
Well... afterwards, I went at SAME to meet my other class and again I had a couple of laughs with Sugita san and Uno san while teaching them. Personally, I really like them... they are good listeners and likewise...I'm also learning from them especially with regards to JINSEI ... life! (^-^)d

As of now while blogging this... I am watching the Disneyland Story at Disney Channel. It's an old documentary film of Disneyland in Los Angeles during the 60's... it's quite amusing! No wonder why Disney is one of the most popular theme park in the world.

I better go now... I need to concentrate watching this one... happy week end guys! mwaaahhh!