I think we forgot someone…

Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan.

 Jose Rizal

Pambansang Bayani ng Pilipinas

June 19, 1861 - December 30, 1896

Consumatum Est!

(It is done!)

- last words of Jose Rizal

Happy Rizal Day everyone!

P.S. Know more about our national hero here.

Online Pets

According to Wiktionary, a pet is “an animal kept as a companion”. It can be any kind of animal - dogs, cats, birds, or even rodents which are kept in captivity. Some people just love to have them. And I happen to be one of them.

The first attempt to revolutionize pets happened in 1996. It was during this year when Bandai Co., Ltd. released “Tamagotchi”, a toy which allows one to have a digital pet. You need to take care of it just like a real pet. Since then, many became addicted to digital pets. And I also happen to be one of them.

For this, I want to share this website to  you: aBowman. This site happens to offer some online pets like fish, frogs (I don’t like them!), spiders, and hamsters (I love them). The online pets can be customized according to your favorite colors. Here are some of the examples:

Feed the Fish

Play with the Hamster

Aren’t they cute? Get them here.

Happy Holidays!

P.S. Don’t forget to read “The History of ‘Simbang Gabi’”.

History of "Simbang Gabi"

We cannot deny the fact that “Simbang Gabi” (also called Misa del Gallo) has been an indispensable part of the Filipino Christmas Tradition. Starting December 16, Filipinos, usually with their families and friends, rush through the nearest church to attend the mass which starts as early as 4:00 AM. This scene would continue for a total of nine days, until December 24. It has been said that if you completed the nine consecutive masses, your Christmas wish would be granted.

The origin of Simbang Gabi can be traced back in 1660, during the early years of Christianity in the Philippines. During the season of advent, missionary friars held masses for nine consecutive days as preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. In addtion, they decided to celebrate these masses at dawn, when the roosters (or gallo) announce the beginning of the day. Thus, the name Misa del Gallo (literally, Rooster’s Mass) was introduced.

The masses are celebrated early so that our Filipino ancestors, who are commonly farmers by occupation, can still manage to attend without abandoning their fields. It has been a routine that Filipinos would walk or ride their carretela (carabao sleds) and head to the nearest church at 4:00 AM. After the one hour mass, they would proceed to their fields and work. They follow this routine until the day before Christmas.

That is how Simbang Gabi or Misa del Gallo became a Filipino Christmas Tradition. Up to these days, it is still observed, as this tradition is passed from generation to generation. It may mean differently to different individuals but one thing remains true: Simbang Gabi is an indispensable part of the Filipino Culture and an important devotion to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

P.S. I have completed the Simbang Gabi this year!

Thanks to Trash Can, Ltd. for the information and diverdown for the picture.

Ten Facts About Rob

Rules:

• 1. Each blogger must post this rules.
• 2. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
• 3. Bloggers who are tagged needs to write ten things about themselves and post these rules. (You need to choose ten people to get tagged).
• 4. Tell them that they’ve been tagged and to read your blog.

Thanks to my online friend, lunaticduchess, for tagging me.

Ten Facts About Rob Jeremiah G. Nuguid

1. I am not a pure-blooded Filipino; both my paternal and maternal grandfathers are of Chinese descent.

2. My family members are fond of calling me “Pipoy” which has been my nickname since birth.

3. I’m an avid reader of different kinds of materials - books, magazines, newpapers, and the like. I have read all the titles in the Harry Potter Series, some of Dan Brown’s books, and many more. I’m also a monthly subscriber and reader of Reader’s Digest. I plan to read the Twilight Saga next month and FHM when I turn 18.

4. If liking - and loving - rock songs is being a rocker, then I’m a “Certified Rocker”. I love to fill my eardrums with rock songs especially those of My Chemical Romance, Simple Plan, All-American Rejects, Nickelback, Secondhand Serenade, Daughtry, and of OPM Bands like 6 Cycle Mind and Hale.

5. I am really a grade conscious student, and I wish I were not.

6. I  love my

• Friendster,
• Multiply,
• Plurk,
• and of course, my blog!

7. I easily get attracted to girls with long, soft, and good-smelling hair.

8. I’m a pet-lover. I feel this “special” kind of connection whenever I see cute, adorable pets during my frequent trips to pet shops. I love and miss my guinea pigs who already passed away.

9. I am fond of playing online games. Ragnarok is the first online game that got my attention four years ago. After that, I became less engaged in computer games. Then O2 Jam came which I played for a year. The strategy game Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) is my latest addiction. But as part of my New Year’s Resolution, I’ll refrain from playing it.

10. I believe I can fly. And I wish I could.

I’m passing this “Cute’s Blogger Award” to kg, mordsith, joice, jane, chazzel, emben, upto6only, thehusbandspeaks,  yeine, and jenn.