Hi Everyone!

Did you miss me?

I hope so as I have been on a “break” from DJ’s World to spend time with family. The past four days have been a wonderful time. We had a full house with many of my family relatives. So many of my cousins stayed at our house. Mama said that it was okay to not post the last four days as she said that it was important to spend time with my cousins.

Even though the weather was  really bad with so much wind and rain the last four days, we were able to play so many games, watch movies and talk together. We did get to play outside when it wasn’t raining. The whole extended family played tether ball and soccer. It was really fun. My older sisters with their girl cousins stayed up really late Saturday night to watch “crush” movies (that’s love movies) and do “girl gossip.” Sunday morning we all watched Mass services on television as we could not go outside because it was such bad weather. My baby girl cousin had a birthday party on Sunday as she is 2 years old. I don’t like being around her right now because she is always wanting her way and screaming when she doesn’t get it. I ask Mama if I was like that when I was 2 years old and she said “No.”

I really was sad when everyone left late Sunday. I really like having all the people in our house and, most importantly, I love to have all my cousins playing with me. Mama said that there may be a chance that some of my cousins will come back next weekend. I am looking forward to that!

How was your weekend?

Thanks for your visit.

Technorati Tags: cousins, family, Family Values, games, Mass, Movies

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Hi Everyone!

I hope that you had a great weekend. We had non-stop rain and wind due to a typhoon that was traveling along the northern part of the Philippines. The sky remained grey and dark, both, Saturday and Sunday.

During the last 3 days, the Hallmark Channel on television has been showing Christmas movies. It was a little strange but, in a way, it was really nice to have the “feel” of Christmas in July. I really like the movies about Santa Claus and Santa Claus Jr.

All this got me thinking; so I counted up the days. There are only 149 days left to Christmas! I guess I better start working on my Wish List and this year Mama is going to help me write a letter to Santa Claus.

Dada said that radio stations (here in the Philippines) have, already, starting playing Christmas songs. He told me that there is a story in the Philippines that the worst the economic situation is the earlier Christmas songs are played on the radio. Dada said this is done to get people’s mind off of the bad times. Well, times are bad in the Philippines just like the rest of the world so I guess the story makes sense.

I think that it is a great idea to think about Christmas all year long. It keeps the most important part of Christmas in our mind and that is the birth of Jesus. It allows us to think about the gift that God gave to each and everyone of us.

I think that it is just fine to greet people with a “Merry Christmas” greeting each and everyday. Maybe it will keep the spirit of Christmas alive during the whole year.

Thanks for your visit!

Technorati Tags: christmas, christmas movies, rainy days, typhoon

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Hi Everyone!

Tomorrow is Sunday and it is our day to take time to spend with God. Mama and Dada says that it doesn’t matter what your religion or faith is; it is important to practice it. Spending time with God in prayer is good because it reminds us who we are and where we come from and who our Father is.

Later in the day, our family will be celebrating my cousin’s birthday. Many family members will be here so there will be a lot of fun and plenty to eat.

I hope that you will have a wonderful Sunday with your family. I am including the cartoon of our Sunday church visit as so many people have said that they like it.

Bye for now!

Technorati Tags: Birthday Party, Church Services, family, God, Religion

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Hi Everyone!

Today is Filipino-American Friendship Day.

It is somewhat of an odd “holiday.” Filipino-American Friendship Day, July 4, is a day in the Philippines designated by then President Diosdado Macapagal to commemorate the liberation of the country by joint Filipino and American forces from the Japanese occupation at the end of World War II.

The Philippines was a U.S. territory from 1898 to 1942, when it was then occupied by Japanese forces, and again for a brief period after the war. The country gained complete independence on July 4, 1946.

Initially, the nation’s Independence Day holiday (Araw ng Kalayaan) was held on July 4. Former President Diosdado Macapagal moved it to June 12, the date on which the Philippines declared independence from Spain in 1898. Filipino-American Friendship Day was created in its place, and coincides with the United States’ July 4 Independence Day. Vivencio R. Jose, professor of comparative literature at the University of the Philippines, offered this perspective on Philippine independence: “We declared independence in 1898, established a republic in 1899, but in 1991, a certain part of the cycle was completed.” Jose insists that July 4, 1946, was also an important part of this cycle, but that the 1991Philippine Senate vote to remove the final control of the United States over its military bases in the Philippines demonstrated a sense of “self-determination” lacking in the U.S. grant of independence and has thus come to symbolize “the fulfillment of our national aspiration.”

In the Philippines, this day is celebrated in “mixed” ways. Many radical political groups protest against the United States in front of the US Embassy in Manila. By in large, the Filipino people are happy with their relationship with America and tend to celebrate the day with local American expat groups and remember the dead soldiers that fought in the Second World War side-by-side with Filipino soldiers. In the United States, there are parades in many cities that are heavily populated with Filipinos and Filipino-Americans. It is a day that all Filipinos remember America in their own way.

Have a happy Filipino-American Friendship Day and  for all our friends in the United States of America, have a very happy and safe Independence Day!

Technorati Tags: Filipino-American Friendship Day, Philippine Independence, Philippines

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Hi Everyone!

Today, Mama told me the story of Philippine Independence. It is a story that is, sometimes, sad but Mama said that people must struggle and sacrifice for things of value. She said that independence and freedom of speech and religion are the precious values that people must hold sacred.

One hundred and ten years ago, on June 12, 1898, in the town of Cavite, a newly commissioned general named Emilio Aguinaldo, then 29 years old, proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from three centuries of colonial rule by Spain.

 The month before, American Navy Rear Adm. George Dewey’s squadron had destroyed the antiquated Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay. Aguinaldo’s nationalist soldiers were already besieging the Spanish troops inside Manila in the climax of a three-year rebellion. After a visit from the rebels aboard his flagship, Dewey assured them that they could expect firm support from ”the cradle of genuine liberty,” the United States.

The declaration, however, was not recognized by the United States or Spain, as the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, in consideration for an indemnity for Spanish expenses and assets lost.

While the Philippines first celebrated its Independence Day on June 12, its independence was only recognized on July 4, 1946 by the United States. Henceforth, Independence Day was observed on July 4, but in the name of nationalism, and upon the advice of historians, Republic Act No. 4166 was signed into law by President Diosdado Macapagal in 1964, proclaiming June 12, which up to that time had been observed as Flag Day, as Independence Day.

We will continue with more history tomorrow. See you then!

Technorati Tags: Flag Day, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Philippine Independence Day, Spain, Treaty of Paris, United States

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