A Look Back at 2008 and what we expect for 2009

For good or bad 2008 was a very memorable year. You can't get through to the end of the year without reflecting just a little bit on the past twelve (12) months. Barack Obama was elected President.

Gas topped $4.00 a gallon then the economy tanked. The economy immersed as the major issue in 2008 as most state suffered by a record number of foreclosures . The impact was felt right away as spending decrease, government budget deficit increase and companies started to cut back and people started losing job. What's going to happen in 2009 remained unseen but it doesn't looked good . Economist said be ready for there will be more lay-offs to come, but for us Filipinos, a country where obstacle never ceased, life goes on, with our families on our side and our strong faith in God, we pray and we hold on together and our resiliency will help us bounce back and move on. Let us all welcome the change and adapt to it and hope for the best for 2009.

THE YEAR OF THE OX
1/26/2009 - 2/13/2010 (Earth)

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2009 is the Year of the Ox. The Ox, or the Buffalo sign symbolizes prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Those born under the influence of the Ox or Buffalo are fortunate to be stable and persevering. The typical Ox is a tolerant person with strong character. Not many people could equal the resolution and fearlessness that the Ox exhibits when deciding to accomplish a task. Ox people work hard without complaints at work or at home. They know that they will succeed through hard work and sustained efforts, and do not believe in get-rich-quick schemes.

Famous Ox People: Catherine Freeman, Heather Locklear, Jane Fonda, Jack Nicholson, Juliette Lewis, Margaret Thatcher, Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Princess Diana, Vivien Leigh and George Clooney.

The Sign of the Ox : Invariably solid and dependable, Ox people are excellent organizers. Oxen are systematic in their approach to every task they undertake. They are not easily influenced by other's ideas. Loyalty is a part of their make-up, but if deceived they will not forget. Oxen do not appear to be imaginative though they are capable of good ideas. Although not demonstrative or the most exciting people romantically, they are entirely dependable, and make devoted parents. Oxen are renowned for their patience, but it has its limits - once roused, their temper is a sight to behold. People born under the sign of the Ox or Buffalo usually have strong codes and work ethics. This can lead to a tendency to be a workaholic, and they should make an effort to relax more. Ox people are usually strong and robust, and according to ancient wisdom, they should be blessed with long lives. The Ox home is his castle where he finds relaxation and peace from the everyday hustle and bustle of his career or responsibilities. He also enjoys spending much time in planting gardens and trees. He generally prefers to decorate his home comfortably with nature colors. Able, ethical and aware, co-workers of the Ox can depend on their eyes for details. Because they are so well-organized, they are better-suited for specialized positions and prefer to work in large companies. They work best when they work alone since they can be unhappy when participating in a large group.

Ox years: 1937-1949-1961-1973-1997-2009

Christmas Day Mass at St. Robert Bellarmine

Christmas Day Weather Forecast:THU DEC 25, 2008

Tonight...Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 30s to lower 40s. Northwest winds around 15 mph with local gusts to 40 mph. It's a wet day, with some drizzle - made it to the 12:30 p.m. mass at St. Robert's. It was the last scheduled mass this Christmas day .

As 2008 is winding to a close, we look back on a year that has brought challenges to so many people. The terrible economic crisis that has affected all of us, money we lost on stocks and other form of investments, Friends and neighbors who have lost their jobs lately and have a hard time finding one, Families who lost their homes through fires and foreclosures and are now struggling to survive on a daily basis. What else is there to come, we don't know. All we can do is pray that 2009 will be a year of hope, change, good health and a recovery for all.

Christmas in Buena Park

For the past 13 years or so, we have been celebrating Christmas either at the Flores residence in Cerritos or at the Santos residence in Buena Park. This Christmas, Val and wife Evelyn Santos hosted the pot luck party at their house in Buena Park. Their extended family now includes eldest daughter Mary Ann and her husband Paul Smith and their 2 sons Josh and Bryce plus second daughter Cheryl and her husband EJ Wilson. Unfortunately, we got in too late for the big group picture taking as we arrived at their house around 9:30 p.m. Daniel and Roseanne Pagilagan with their children were getting ready to leave to go to Daniel's parents for Christmas eve. The absence of Ed and Rose Flores family at this year's party was a big miss. They flew to New York last Friday, December 20 and will spend the holidays with their daughter Mariel & Janelle Pike. The regular attendees were there that includes Totoy and Minda Balanon, Boy and Minda Rosales including son Ian who flew from Vancouver, B.C. to spend the holidays with his parents here in L.A. Also present was the family of Val and Vicky Santos with their 3 boys as well as Marissa who we haven't seen in years was there too with her husband. And of course, the party won't be complete without the presence of the new retirees, Lienne and Sally Flores together with their children Dwayne, Dexter, Peach and son TJ. It was a happy occasion to be together with everyone this Christmas.

Holiday hugs across the miles

To all our families and friends that we have not seen in years or have spent christmas in the past. We hope this Christmas greeting brings a warm and special touch and shows you're thought of often because you mean so much to us ...And hope that you'll remember, when the Christmas season is gone, The thoughts of all of you - the wishes, too, will still go on and on. Happiness at Christmas and Always,

Rudy, Liza & Champ de Leon

Burbank, California USA

just 5 days before christmas

Konting tulugan na lang at pasko na naman ( For a few more night sleep and it's christmas once again). For this Christmas, let us pray that no child is left without food on the table and for those who lost their homes recently and all the homeless may they find a shelter to provide them food and warmth this cold winter nights. Also, let's pray for those who are struggling with chronic illness and those who were diagnosed with life threatening disease, may they make it through this holiday and hopefully overcome life challenges. And most of all, let us thank the Lord for all the blessings that we have received and let's find time to spend the holidays with our families and loved ones.


Prayer to Live With Grace

May we discover through pain and torment,
the strength to live with grace and humor.
May we discover through doubt and anguish,
the strength to live with dignity and holiness.
May we discover through suffering and fear,
the strength to move toward healing.
May it come to pass that we be restored to health and to vigor.
May Life grant us wellness of body, spirit, and mind.
And if this cannot be so, may we find in this transformation and passage moments of meaning, opportunities for love and the deep and gracious calm
that comes when we allow ourselves to move on.


--Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro

Liza's classic Leche Flan

Leche Flan is one of the many legacies of the Spanish colonialism in the Philippines. With all the holiday parties and "salo-salo " this Christmas, one of the most popular dessert on the table is leche flan. Having said that, Liza is busy taking orders for her Filipino version of " leche flan" for friends and relatives only since the start of the holiday season. In fact, I have some office mate that are willing to pay $ 5.00 for a " 7 " inch round dish with 3.5 deep flan. Most flan recipes call for egg yolks rather than whole eggs because of that distinct "eggy" flavor and aroma that is mainly found on the albumen or whites of the egg. A typical recipe includes egg, milk, sugar and vanilla. However, I still prefer Liza's own version of flan which is a bit denser, semi-sweet and full flavored than others. I could very well say that Liza' s flan is best served cold ( yummy sarap ) and worth waiting for. Try it for once!

Santa visited Bong today at Room 647

I took the day-off today from work to receive my first dosage of Xolair 150MG SDV ( Generic Name: OMALIZUMAB (oh-mal-ih-Zoo-mab) This medicine is anti-IgE monoclonal antibody used to treat moderate to severe asthma in adults and children over 12 years of age. It works by blocking your immune system's natural response to allergic triggers that can lead to an acute asthma attack. This medicine can only be administered at doctor's office, hospital or clinic. It is given as an injection under the skin. The closest infusion center was at City of Hope Medical Group Center at 50 Bellefontaine Street Suite 104 in Pasadena. I was asked to be there at 8:30 a.m. and after the 3 shots were given, they kept me for two (2) hours to make sure that I do not have an allergic reaction to any ingredient in this product. As a precaution, I was asked to bring a EPI-PEN ( Epinephrine ) Auto injectors 0.3 mg for Allergic Emergencies ( Anaphylaxis ) Thank God I did not have any signs of wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat. I was released at exactly 11:30 a.m. from the facility. Late in the afternoon, I hooked up with Vic and Ging Cagulada and we both arrived at Glendale Memorial Hospital to visit our friend Bong Canlas who was re-admitted last Sunday, Dec. 14, the day after we had a party in their house. Somehow, his fever did not go away so Emma decided to bring him back to the hospital as per Doctor orders. There they found out that his blood sugar dropped below 50 and Bong became so weak and even passed out. We met Bong's daughter Amanda who was the one watching him today at the hospital. Bong also received a surprised visit from Santa who brought smiles, candy canes and ringing bell. We talked and laughed for hours but after awhile he had to call the nurse as he could no longer bear the pain on his joints and his gout that still looked swollen. After the nurse gave him the anti-pain injection, it knocked him off quickly and the nurse asked us to leave to let him rest. Vic and I decided to visit him again this weekend. Should you want to give Bong a message please feel free to add your comments here. I will be happy to read them to Bong next time I see him.

When friends get together during the holiday season

Dear Friends,

Carla & Randy Villanueva

Vic & Ging Cagulada

Melle & Oca Calderon

Rene & Marivic Padolina

Ed & Lucy Bernardo

Rading Cariasa

Julito & Gundy Cruz

Arnel Pineda

I felt I just wanted to send everyone my very best wishes for the holidays and, given our different circumstances, and with the current economic conditions, I hope everyone to have the best Christmas possible with their families and loved ones. As we gather for the holiday season, many of us will be thinking of Bong who is afflicted with cancer and every one closed to him is touched by the disease. Today is no different among us....only a week ago when we heard the news ....it's just too depressing. During the Thanksgiving weekend, Bong was hospitalized at the Glendale Memorial Hospital and and the news did not reach us until after he had gone home. No one did not have a chance to visit him at the hospital but we understand considering that Bong have to go through a series of test and more. Thanks to Carla for initiating and calling everyone for this so called " reunion " - it only took a quick phone call and everyone responded and showed up this Saturday, December 13 at Bong's residence at 3939 Brunswick Avenue in Atwater Village . It's been awhile since we all got together, but the camaraderie never fails..... as you say the first " hello " or gave the first hug or embrace, the time lost was instantly reconnected. The smiles are noticeable in every one's faces...for all, it was a time to relive old memories, reconnect with old friends and rekindle friendships. For Bong's friends and family, all we need is to be open to allow our ailing friend to talk freely about his illness, his options and his fears and of course, he needs our powerful prayers for his recovery. I won't forget to thank Emma, Bong's better half for sharing him to us and welcoming everyone to their home and I could sense how Bong was so happy to get together again. Before we parted, the group planned for another party for the Super Bowl XLIII celebration at Bong's place ( same time ) . So for those who did not make the first one, you guys can plan ahead for the upcoming get together on the first Sunday of February 1st, 2009. For those who will be celebrating their birthdays in January, you can join me there since mine is January 30. Wait for the email from Carla and hope to see you again ! Rudy & Liza de Leon

Bell-Jeff Open House

St. Robert Bellarmine church started celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe this sunday as well as several other parishes. The official feast date is Friday, Dec. 12, the 477th anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s third and final appearance to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtaloatzin on a hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City from December 9, 1531 through December 12, 1531. The celebration includes traditional mananitas and the choir that performed during the mass have amazing voices. On the other hand, Bell-Jeff High School hosted an Open House for the incoming Eight Grade students at St. Eleanor's Hall. With the help of some Parent Advisory members, Luisa, Daisy, Griselda, Marianne and Lita, everyone had an opportunity to speak and share their experiences at Bell-Jeff during the tour rotation. Theology teacher Mr. Bud Phillips was our moderator and myself being the President of the Parent Advisory Board and Joyce Aiello, who is the President of the Booster Board, we took turns in sharing our roles and the activities that we support for the school. We also have some student volunteers including my son Randall, ASB Social Director, Jennifer Cruz, ASB President and Joyce Aiello's son, Anthony who is a Sophomore who talked about their roles and what make them enjoy their student life at Bellarmine-Jefferson High School. We hope that we convinced these attendees to consider Bell-Jeff as their choice for the Freshmen next school year.

The Mexicutioner delivers after De La Hoya quit on 8th round

Another proud moment for all Filipinos anywhere in the world. Manny Pacquiao proved again that he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the boxing world. Manny won big inside-out. Pacquiao dominated his bigger and more famous opponent from the opening bell Saturday night, giving De La Hoya a beating and closing his left eye before De La Hoya declined to come out of his corner after the eighth round. To all the Filipinos who threw a party and paid $ 54.95 for the pay-per-view, it was all worth it. Manny shined again and all were celebrating this huge win. The latest buzz is bring Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton, a british boxer next.