Holy Week 2019 Celebration

     Faith is nourishment for our soul.  Although I've been a Catholic all my life, I was raised by my parents to be friends with everybody despite differences in culture, social status, and religion.  I've learned that religion is such a sensitive topic but when talking about it (I'd rather not if it can be helped), I do not focus on the differences but rather on the similarities.  I know that across all religion, there are certain things that can be agreed on such as kindness, respect, and love -- among other things.

A candid shot during my sister's wedding in Calaruega last October 2018. Photo by Myio Okamoto Photography.

     In our family, we have yearly traditions to celebrate our faith and our Christianity.  We used to have yearly "pasyon" or "pabasa" scheduled every Holy Mondays during the Holy Week --  but since my parents' stroke (dad in 2013 and my mom in 2016), we've decided not to do it anymore.  Here's an old video I found of our "pabasa" last March 2013.

     My mom was a dressmaker and she made clothes for St. Peter and Mater Dolorosa as her thanksgiving gesture for the graces we received.  After her stroke, since she can't make those dresses anymore, I've approached some of my good friends to help us go through with the tradition.  And so, despite the hardships we've endured this year, with our family and friends' help, we were able to express and celebrate our faith successfully.

Best Free Watch Faces for TicWatch Pro

     Watch is an essential part of our style and an accessory that is both fashionable and functional.  Here is a list I made of my favorite watch faces that I use for my TicWatch Pro.

Me and my TicWatch Pro showing off one of my favorite watch faces: Marine Commander.

     Although I can't afford expensive watches, I make sure that I have several pieces that goes well with my clothes (whether I'm in dress clothes, casual, or street style) and that the brands I chose will last for several years.  Many of us got excited when smart watches became popular because this means that we can customize and add more functionalities to the watches.  But just like any new technology, smart watches become obsolete after a few months, thus, not really a good investment unlike buying old-school analog watches.

     I spent at least two weeks before finally deciding which smart watch to buy because frankly, they don't come cheap.  In the end, I got myself a TicWatch Pro because I liked the layered display and the better performing battery.  I've been using it for a few months now and I can honestly say that I'm enjoying its performance.  I also bought a stainless metal strap that I interchange with it's default hybrid leather-silicon strap to suit my style for the day.  It's fun changing watch faces to suit my clothes and style.  I've scoured the Internet for watch faces to use but hardly found a list where I liked all the suggestions.  So in this post, I will list down 20 watch faces that are my favorite and looks great on my TicWatch Pro.

Here wearing one of my go-to watch faces: Cronosurf Wave Watch.

     A TicWatch Pro is a bit formal in appearance, thus, artistic or too colorful watch faces won't go well with it.  Here are a few things I've considered when choosing the right watch face for my TicWatch Pro. 

Fat Tummy Cakes: A Project

     Hey guys, what's up?  I've been away from blogging for quite some time, 3 years and 9 months to be more accurate, and a lot has happened since then.  After my dad's stroke in 2013 and while we were adjusting to a new lifestyle, my brother and I started a small business which took most of my time.  And then, just when things were beginning to look promising, in September 2016, my mom had a stroke too.  It drained me a lot emotionally, physically, and took a toll in our finances.  But with love, faith, and perseverance, we were able to survive.  From everything that has happened, we can learn that indeed health is wealth, and that we should teach ourselves to live a balanced life.  No matter what, life goes on and we should work harder for our goals.  Oftentimes, being passionate about something is what helps us cope.

This was the first order we received after our Fat Tummy page was launched on Facebook in December 2018.  Fat Tummy is our new baby.

     Since I am now responsible for the well-being of my parents, I have to continually look for ways to earn while having fun at the same time.  And so last December 2018, out of the blue, my brother decided that we start baking cakes.  He had some training at a culinary school in Resorts World Manila and a year experience as pastry chef for a cruise ship in the United States.  Me, on the other hand, I'm creative and a fast learner.  And so that's how our Fat Tummy project started.  

Quick Post About Hotel and Taxi Drivers

I'll be brief.

(1) It's sort of advisable to book hotels using sites like agoda.com. I was not able to book online because my laptop died on me while I was checking out my options yesterday. Typhoon Glenda brought down many trees in our area, specially in our backyard, and of course, damaged a few electricity lines -- so no power for almost two weeks now. I've decided I'll just go to the hotel and inquire about the affordable room I saw from agoda.com before my laptop's screen went black. Lo and behold for when I got there, the only available room for the day is worth P2300. Not convinced and refusing to be out of options, I went to the nearest Starbucks and charged my laptop. Look, I was able to find a cheaper room and it's a wayyy BETTER room than the ones they've offered me. I booked for 2 nights while I do my business in the city. I'll probably review my stay in the hotel through a future post.

I'm Loving The Province

     Hey guys, how are you all doing?

     I'm having my vacation here at home in the province and a bit busy with something that my brother and I are brewing -- thus my long absence from blogging. It's supposed to be just a few days visit at my parents' place but something came up and it needed my attention so I extended indefinitely.  Anyway, just wanna tell you all how much I miss blogging and while I'm picking some stuff in the city, I dropped by at a nearby coffee shop and said HI to all my blogger friends and loyal readers.

The Monsoon Flood Through The Lens Of My Camera

     A few more hours before I head home to my province for a short vacation, I found myself in my room with nothing much to do.  As I transfer images to the desktop to free some space on my camera, I saw the photos I took a week ago during the height of the monsoon flood.  Going through them, I can't help but silently admire how resilient we Filipinos are.  Surely we have other positive traits, but one prominent characteristic that surfaces at the most crucial of times is our ability to cope and survive -- and most of the time, with a smile.

A boy aboard his improvised vessel looks on as two men settles aboard a boat.
Third day of southwest monsoon flood, Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, August 9, 2012.

     Looking at the photos on this post, you can see how difficult the situation was for some of our fellow Filipinos.  Unlike other affected areas in Metro Manila where water have receded immediately, flood water in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig have stayed for at least a week.  Even worse was during the Ondoy flood back in 2009 when the flood lasted for almost a month.  The images below are plain proof that no matter how hard circumstances can become, people will always find a way to live through it and never lose hope.

Add ME on Facebook!

      Hey guys, what's up?

     It's been a busy weekend for The Pinoy Wanderer and I'm still trying to get my thoughts organized before I publish another post.  For the meantime, though it's absolutely not important, I'd like to let you know that I've made a new Facebook account specially reserved for new friends that I will meet through the Internet.  So, if you have Facebook and you would like us to be FRIENDS, don't hesitate to add me.

My FACEBOOK ACCOUNT.  Add me up!

     You can do it several ways:

1. Search for my account using my email:  mynameismyke@yahoo.com
2. Or go click this LINK and add me. 

      Easy, right?

     While you're at it and if it isn't too much to ask, do like my blog's Facebook page too.  I promise not to spam your timeline, will just be posting updates from my two blogs so my posts can get to you the soonest.  Here's the link to my blog's Facebook page:  http://facebook.com/yourlooktoday


     Hope to hear from you soon!

tags: The Pinoy Wanderer facebook page, Show Me Your Look Today facebook page