Minasa!

We usually associate a town to its patron saint, food or festival.
When i was still young..Bustos was  popular for its Dam

 
But when u talk about Bustos now ....you immedietely say...MINASA!

Now on its second year... Bustosenyos  once again celebrated the Minasa festival ! It was held every third week of January.

It was a fun filled weeklong event prepared by the organizers lead by its town mayor. I looked forward to the day to day activities of the festival.

Opening ceremony was held last Monday followed by opening of booths showcasing products of its town from the popular "minasa", tilangit , cambaog bags, kakanin, embroideries, veggies, fuits or to anything that would sell. My siblings and I took delight in selling "pasalubong items" while our mom bet on her "scratch and win" card of PCSO.

I  met some artist from Bulacan who did on the spot drawing of beautiful places in our town. Mayor Arnel as we all know is a great supporter of arts in our town.  Once again Bustos culture and heritage will be revitalized  through his support.

Our town has its own version of "Bustos Got Talent" and its finals was held at the BMA Park. I admire the youth of Bustos for showcasing the their raw talents and potential.

Thursday was declared a  holiday in Bustos as all school and offices from this town participated in the streetdance.
The  students were so resourceful in their costume as they were made from
recycleable materials.  hows that for thinking green!

I heard a man from the crowd saying  Mayor Arnel made our town lively again. I had goosebumps when I saw the colorful parade passed by with an enthusiastic crowd.

Thursday was Seniors Citizen Night and I heartily  laughed cause they were so eager to perform on the stage as if there is no tomorrow.

Friday night was so exciting as younger beautiful crowds emerged at the Dr P. Mendoza Gym as they vied for the "Hari at Reyna ng Bustos".It was "SRO" crowd as spectators cheered for their favorite bets.

There was even a Barangay Police drill contest. Congratulations to the macho men of Bustos who march the ground and sun to give an excellent performance.

Saturday was medical mission with bone scanning and Job Fair.

In the evening I enjoyed the concert of Noel Cabangon esp his interpretation of "Kahit maputi na ang buhok ko".

Yesterday, thousand bikers joined in the Bike event from SM City to Bustos Dam followed by a Kayaking at the waters of Bustos Dam.  It was my first time to see Kayaking and Jetski roamed in the water of the dam. I could see great potential of this area...more like Cam sur water sports complex..and its only an hour away from Manila.

I think they spent a lot just to hold this event but I can say it was worth every cents as this was a successul festival in terms of participants and the impact it made to every Bustosenyo.

I could truly say that MINASA is BUSTOS.

If Baliwag has Buntal hat, Pulilan has kneeling carabaos, Obando has fertility dance....

Im glad we have Minasa Festival!

Bad hair day

I wonder how the sunflower seed which just spilled from the feeder of my birds could turn into a beautiful flower.

How I wish my only daughter would grow up to be a fine lady.  May she conquer the test and triumphs that would come her way.

The road maybe rough and dry but life goes on. Who said that life is fair...its how we handle rough times that we are put to test.

I don't know if I made sense.
It was really a bad hair day.

If only you were here...

...you could have seen your beloved town Bustos celebrate its 2nd MINASA festival

...you could have cut the ribbon of the MINASA exhibit at the SM event center last
   Saturday then we could have merienda at your favorite Max's restaurant and
   celebrated with us  the birthday of your daughter Mates.

...you could have witnessed the opening of the MINASA festival this morning at the BMA park.

...you  could have listened to your eldest son Arnel made his inspiring welcome speech
   with the
   presence of your whole family

...you could have enjoyed listening the "Bustos Hymn" being played by to the two groups of
   Sto. Nino Brass Band ...senior group that you founded and the junior by your son.

but i know that in spirit you were with us...

...to witness the unveiling of Bustos Gym as it is being named in your honor.

   but knowing you as my father and being a simple man at that... you could have rejected
   the idea of
   naming the gym after you..

   but the Bustosenyos wanted to commemorate your achievements and
   were so grateful for that structure you have built for them.

...it has been two years and it pains to remember that you were gone especially in
   celebrating an event such as this.

...you could have seen your beloved town Bustos alive in spirit once again.

...i miss you papa!

Tugyaw 2012

Tugyaw (Tugtugan at Sayaw) was celebrated today in honor of the feast of Sto. Nino.

A lot of people from all walks of life joined the celebration with dancing in the streets.

Since our hospital was named in honor of Sto. Nino we participated in the said event.

The hospital staff and members of our family joined in the celebration.

Its our way of expressing our gratitude to our patron saint whose guidance and blessing we continously
receive the whole year through.


Viva Sto. Nino!!

Bookish

i love books...

My love for books dates back when I was in high school. I enjoy reading Sweet dreams and Silhouette romance books.

My father influenced me in my love for reading. He used to subscribe to Readers digest and I would scan thru its pages. Same as my mother who  bought us Dr Seuss collection when we were young so we can develop our interest in reading.

Years passed and I concentrated on my academics that I almost forgot my love for books (meant for
leisure : )...it was only after my residency training that my passion is re-ignited.

With more freetime to spare I started reading again.

To this date I have a mini collection of books. I enjoy reading different types of books depending on my moods and likes at the moment. Through the years I have diversified my readings.

They say that with the outset  of ipad and kindles ...books will eventually be phased out. I  felt otherwise  cause nothing is more exciting than holding a book and smelling its pages!!!

With each passing of season I come to enjoy various kinds of books. I even go to second hand bookstores like Booksale and BooksFor Less to scout for  books  which are classic and hard to find.  A favorite pastime is browsing thru the racks of National Bookstore, Fullybooked and Powerbooks during weekends.




When am busy Im just contented reading  small books which are easy to read and carry . I love reading them to my kids. They are food for thoughts. I started with "Life's Little Instructions Book" till my collection grew bigger.

There was even a time when I was engrossed reading history books especially about World War II, Nazis and the Holocaust.

During trips abroad I make sure I buy books about the country I visited so I could know more about its history and culture. I also have travel books so I would know what to visit in a particular area. I jokingly say that if I were not a doctor I'd probably be a tourist agent .

Not to be outdone are some Filipino authors whose works are really classical to enigmatic...I do have a sizeable collection of them...from the popular and hilarious Bob Ong to the religious and charismatic Bo Sanchez to intellectual F. Sionil Jose.

And who wouldnt enjoy fictional books. I was enthralled reading the Twilight series and fell in love with Edward Cullen.

 Its exciting to read  suspense law stories of John Grisham as well as James Paterson.

Lately Id been reading books about the changes am going through...yes...there's even a book for middle- aged woman like me.  Books that would make me realize that age is just numbers.

I even encourage my children to read more. I am very generous in buying them books which they love to read. Rj has a collection of the Wimpy kid series. (true to its title)

Books bring me to places I have never been,  let  me glimpse in the world entirely different from my own, teach me things not learned from school and accompany me to avoid boredom.

A favorite "me" time  is a time spent reading my favorite books.