Cebu Mactan - Hilton Hotel Cebu

My Sweet Micmay

It's been 5 years ago since the time my only child Micmay got sick. It was not an ordinary sickness- the symptoms were high fever, vomitting and nausea. We immediately brought her to the hospital (Calamba Doctors Hospital) since her fever was as high as 40 degrees Celsius. We got a private room and just an hour in the hospital she had a convulsion. I was really scared that time. She was brought to ICU, her Doctor said that she was in deep sleep and advised us to bring her to a better Hospital in Manila. We advised our pastor that time that Micmay was in ICU, Pastor Rex went to the Hospital and prayed for her. We arranged the ambulance going to Makati Medical Center. I was in the ambulance together with my husband. That was the longest trip I made in my life. In Makati Med, she was admitted and checked by a specialist. Dra. Fojas explained to us her condition and told us that it might be ADEM. She was brought to ICU, for a week, she was there, lying on a hospital bed, without any movement, her eyes closed, I can just hear a heartbeat. There were about 5 specialist doctors taking care of her. Friends, officemates, brethren and relatives came to the hospital to give us encouragement, support, prayers and to also donated blood. Miracles were happening every day with regards to her condition and our situation. It was our faith in GOD and lots of prayers that cured her...indeed, she is a living miracle that reminds us of God's great love for us. There were a lot of people who helped us and we would like to thank them all. Now, Micmay is already 10 years old and in Grade 4. When we left the hospital 5 years ago, she was like a baby again...she can't walk, can't see, can't talk, can't eat through her mouth...she undergone OT, PT and ST. Now, she is under her OT lessons once a week and she is doing good in school. A happy, cheerful, pre-teen girl who loves Hannah Montana and has big dreams!

Puerto Galera Adventure

San Juan, La Union

It was July of 2007, my best friend Leni Grace invited our family to join her in their resthouse in San Juan La Union. The beach was clean, a few minutes walk from their resthouse. The waves there are very good for surfing! We had fun there with my family.

I met my best friend when we were in 3rd year highschool in Perpetual Help College of Rizal in Las Pinas. Twenty five years have passed since then. After she graduated from College, she went back to US and worked there. But once a year, she visits our country, and when that time comes, we usually meet...to chat, to share our pains and joys, to catch things up... Funny, but my best friend and I have a lot of things in common. First, we were both born in the month of September. We both married a wonderful man almost 20 years older than us...hehehe... We both got pregnant same year 1997 with only one child, a daughter.

For twenty five years, we are the good of friends though sometimes we forget to communicate because of our busy schedules...but we both know that just like a star, though we can't see each often, we know that we are always there if one needs the other. ;) We have this saying when we were in high school...
Through thick and thin, through sick and sin, Leni and Yumi always together, forever!

Phuket Island, Thailand

I was in Phuket Island, Thailand mid of February 2008. This was another incentive trip sponsored by Microsoft for IT resellers. It was three years after the famous Tsunami that killed hundreds of people...to see the place again made me wonder, what if another tsunami will occur? Hehehehe...I was surprised that there were so many tourists there, mostly Europeans. We stayed at Millennium Resort, a ten minutes walk to Patong Beach. Since there was no direct flight from Manila, we changed plane in Bangkok going to Phuket. We arrived almost ten o'clock in the evening had a quick dinner in the resort. I enjoyed our dinner...I shared my order with Ghe, we ordered T Bone Steak and my favorite Tom Yum Koong (Thai Hot and Spicy Shrimp Soup) hmmmm...so delicious...I have visited Bangkok, Thailand for the past three consecutive years now and I always wanted to have a taste of this soup...so yummy! I wonder how can I cook it here in the Phils. Where can I find the special ingredient? Our first night in our room was unforgettable. I and my roommate Ghe were not able to have enough sleep. Strange things were happening as if someone was playing with us and making us wonder why the lights kept on flashing every ten or twenty minutes until we just turned it off and woke up in the morning with all lights turned on! I cant explain what happend, I know that it was not the bulb or the switch...it was something else. I requested that maybe we could transfer to another room and in the end, our whole group transferred to the other building which was nearer to the beach. Our first day was a city tour... I was so sleepy that our tour guide named May told us that we should not sleep....Wahhh...I was not ready for sightseeing at that time all I want was to get some more sleep. Heheheh. Btw, May is a gay...she had a sex transplant. She is very helpful and fun to be with. She even sang us a song entitled..."End of the world" wherein I silently enjoyed listening cause I remembered my husband who likes the song too. We had lunch near the beach...seafoods were served with fresh fruits as dessert! I totally forgot about my diet! hahaha! We also visited the Cashew Factory, I bought some pasalubongs... Then we visited the Honey Factory, I bought royal jelly, honey and bee pollen...Yes, I bought it for my husband, he likes honey and bee pollen. Second day was a swimming day! Honestly speaking, I like our El Nido more than Patong Beach...We enjoyed a few hours in the beach, saw a lot of topless women and all kinds of two piece...which I dont have the guts to wear. You will soon know why...hahaha! In the afternoon, a number of us went to May's massage parlor - we tried Thai Massage. It was painful, I promised...I kept on saying Ahhhhhh... cause it really hurts... but since I was wearing earphones, I did not know that I was shouting loud already. Heheheh. my companions informed me that I was so noisy as if I was being raped...heheheh. After that, a stroll in the beach and waited for the sunset. We had dinner in a restuarant near the beach, the food was very good...we had a few drinks and a good conversation with the rest of the group. We shared our views, experiences, opinions and a lot of laughters. We were serenaded by a violinist...a song entitled "smoke gets in your eyes" we had captured the moment in a videotape. It was a worthwhile experience. Another eye opener thing for me was when we were walking back to our hotel together with friends Preppie, Jerry and Mike at about 11pm and saw the night life in Phuket. I suddenly remembered Sodom and Gomorrah! A lot of women or gays dancing, a lot drinking and a lot of tourists enjoying the night...So tired and sleepy, thanked God for the new room... I slept soundly that night. Fourth day was spent mostly in the airport going back home..Hmmmmnn I missed my daughter and husband already! I missed work too! :)

Shenzen, China Adventure

I was in Shenzen China October 2007, a trip incentive given by Emerson. I was with my bosses and also with other IT Resellers.

We visited Windows of the World. It is an interesting place wherein all the significant landmark of some countries can be found there in there miniature verison like the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, Pyramids in Egypt, Niagara Falls, Taj Mahal, etc. The show we watched was also fantastic, the costumes, the side effects...it was really a magnificent sight.

We also visited Emerson Factory site. We saw how the UPS are being assembled. We were required to wear white gowns as if we are doctors! heheheh...

We also did some shopping! Oh, I remembered strolling around the a four storey building with so many stalls of bags, clothes, shoes, gift items, electronic products... I bought some items like bags, t-shirts and disney princess shirts for my daughter.. ;) We passed through two immigrations, hongkong and senzhen. In hongkong, we did another shopping. I just went to Giordano and Esprit and bought a few pants. :)

Picasa Web Albums - mayumi

Picasa Web Albums - mayumi

What is LOVE?

LOVE is so difficult to define because it is a powerful word. I will try to describe it, based on my readings and experiences. But I believe that the best way to know what love is - is to experience it. After that you will be able to explain it a bit. A friend asked me this question…what is love?


LOVE is SACRIFICE. The best example of LOVE is John 3:16 - For GOD so loved the world that He gave is His only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Because of God's love for us, His only Son became a sacrifcial lamb so we can be free from sins.

LOVE is GIVING of yourself until it HURTS. It is love when you give the best part of the CHICKEN to your partner eventhough it is also your FAVORITE.

LOVE is UNDERSTANDING your partner’s weaknesses and shortcomings by ACCEPTING that you cannot change him/her and REALIZING that you can only change yourself.

LOVE is not DIFFICULT to show, it comes NATURALLY, it is FREE from worries, fears and doubts and it is a free flowing emotions and feelings.

LOVE is FORGIVING your partner for his/her mistakes and giving him/her SECOND CHANCES. It does not keep a record of WRONGDOINGS. It can forget past sins and move on without placing some RULES, therefore it is unconditional.

LOVE is a lifetime COMMITMENT to each other. It can stand the test of time. It can overcome trials and temptations with flying colors.

LOVE is LOYAL. It stays within your reach even when you are far. It is deep inside your HEART every second, every moment of the DAY. No one can take it AWAY if you will NOT ALLOW it.

LOVE is a CONSCIOUS DECISION. It is not something that you decide today and forget about it TOMORROW. It is for KEEPS and not a temporary thing.

LOVE knows how to APPRECIATE. It is LOVE when you tell your wife “thank you sweetheart” - eventhough there is a burned toast in the table and still you can eat it silently or for eating breakfast food at dinner time.

LOVE is SHOWY. When you love someone, you should be PROUD of him/her and you can freely show your FEELINGS towards the person you love. You can hug, kiss and embrace even in crowded places. It is not love when it stays a SECRET.

Beautiful El Nido Palawan

Another adventure for me at the start of the year 2008. It was a very little work and lots of play at the same time since it was sponsored by Intel and I was there to enjoy the place - never been there, it was my first time to visit Palawan and at the same time attend an Intel Roundtable Meeting Q108. I was with my boss, Ms. Cristy Wong. We stayed in Miniloc Island together with the Intel's group and other Intel Premier Partners. We stayed there for 4 days and 3 nights. There were many activities to choose from but I only joined a number of activities like Kayak in the small Lagoon, Snorkel at Miniloc House Reef and Snake Island, Introductory Dive, Island hopping and explored the Cudugnon Cave. The introductory dive was one of the highlights in my stay to the island... I was there....under the sea for about 8 minutes and I saw a completely another world...different colors of fish, corals, starfish, etc. The kayak ride going to the Small Lagoon was fun though it was so hot at that time 11:00 AM? Only 3 of us (Len, Cristy and I with the guide explored the Cudugnon Cave, a very small hole for the entrance only one person at a time can enter the hole. Then you will see the stalagmites and stalagtites rock formations inside...it was amazing! There was also a story narrated to us by the guide that the first dwellers were the Chinese people...bones and skulls were found inside the cave and they found some treasures too! I saw the big hole where the guide pointed out as the place where gold bars were dug. And it was part of the Yamashita Treasure? Oooops...secret? hehehe Snorkelling in the Snake Island for 30 minutes was a very tiring but amazing experience. We were being pulled by the diver so it would be easier for us to snorkle...less effort, saved time...I saw a big yellow cabbage corral...so beautiful, different kinds of fish, school of fishes and other marine creatures I cannot recognized... The food was great, seafood, pasta, anything you like...all the sinful foods were there...So difficult to maintain your diet... The group games were fun and exciting too. Though our team never won any of the games, we shared some fun memories together.