Monthly Archives: December 2015

WELCOMING 2016

30 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in joy, life, love, New Year, peace, Philippines, world

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcoming 2016 with brightness and optimism – love and peace to everyone. My profound jocundity, New Year is fast approaching. Another year nearly is done, and a new beginning awaits. What a joyful moment; my wish this year is the same as all the other years – for love and peace to prevail; success and high quality of life for everyone. My New Year’s Resolution in 2016 – I still have to think for one. Everywhere in the world, we welcome the New Year with bling, sunniness and wish that the year ahead will bring prosperity and good health.

In 2015, many had been lucky. Happy couples got married; children were born and most wishes granted. However, there were also sad events; war, accidents and sickness had taken lives. To live in the safe place is what everyone wants. To have the peace of the world is what every heart longs. We would never know how lucky we are until one can see others mishaps. While we think of what we are going to have on the table on New Year’s Eve, in war-torn countries, people hide to stay alive. It is sad but we can only move forward – hope and pray that the coming year, the whole world will live in comfort and peace.

New Year’s resolution – in previous years, I had plenty. Many New Year’s Eve passed, too long ago: to have good grades at school was the first in my list of which I held on. Oh! I should not forget. Also, I wished to get tall; this one did not happen. I jumped as high as I can every twelve midnights on the opening of the year. But, I am more than happy for what I have; a happy family and good health. God has showered me love and abundance of great friends.

The tradition in the Philippines, greeting the  New Year – what a beautiful realm! I believe that New Year is the extension of Christmas. My father made sure that we celebrate the great Eve with gladness and cheers. Every member of my clan must be present, and even extended family invited. Food and drinks overflow yet again just like Christmas. Relatives not present on the birthday of Jesus will have gifts from my parents. Firecrackers filled the whole neighbourhood. I miss the New Year’s Eve in the Philippines. But, I must admit that fireworks are dangerous and must always be taken care when handling one. Although, I have great memories of New Year every year in different parts of the world, my New Year’s Eve in the Philippines, still is the most magnificent and unbeatable. Fireworks on New Year’s Eve has been years of tradition in the Philippines, but accidents could happen. So please, take care and stay safe.

I WISH YOU A PROSPEROUS AND GREAT LIFE IN 2016. LET’S HOLD HANDS AND MAKE A JOYFUL PLACE TO LIVE – WITH OUR LOVE TO HUMANKIND.

ALL MY LOVE,

VIRGINIA CLOSE

EPIC MOMENT

24 Thursday Dec 2015

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CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS  PHILIPPINES, PIA WURTZBACK – MISS UNIVERSE 2015

As the Miss Universe 2015 is trending, I looked at the posts in Facebook, Twitter and the whole lot of media. To the honest truth, I did not watch the event that day as I was busy with my life and, therefore, did not have any idea how the contestants looked until I heard from a friend of what had happened. I watched the footage the next day and thought for a second of what it is all about. The camaraderie born and progressed among the contestants, no doubt. Those beautiful ladies are the crème of their countries represented to be the Ambassador of Goodwill. Steve Harvey proclaimed that Ms Columbia is the Miss Universe of 2015, two or so minutes, the host then came back on stage – rectified his mistake and talked to the pleonasm of the prism. It was an honourable thing to do. However, as a result, there was a commotion; the glamour of the account became the arena of a nightmare. No doubt, in front of the millions of people around the world watching via satellite – overwhelmed with confusion as well. Miss Columbia must be devastated for she already wore the crown walking and giving her full smiles to the crowd. I felt the sombreness in my heart as I continued to view. Miss Philippines appeared speechless and bowled over, and perhaps, felt the same as me and just wanted to give the title away. What good in the world this happenstance brought the Universe? Mistakes could happen in any ungiven forth in Eden that even the most experienced presenter could not imagine. Perhaps, out of excitement, Steve announced the wrong country. Miss Columbia was euphorically ambling to the Garden of Roses and suddenly pricked by its thorns. I had watched many beauty pageants on television when I was young. And the faces of the Filipina winners were different from the others. They seemed so shy with radiance and humbling about their triumphs. The subtle gestures of how a Filo (As what they are referred to in Australia) were gentle like the swaying of the wind.

After viewing the Miss Universe Pageant 2015, I also watched the bad opinion of Ms Germany who totally believes that it was Ms Columbia; deserving of the crown and later apologised. I do not wonder why Ms Germany was nowhere near the five finalists. In my younger years, Miss Universe Contest was one of my most awaited moments to happen. It was 1969 when I cried as I watched – Gloria Diaz won, the first Filipina to hold the crown of the most prestigious beauty contest Miss Universe, so graceful. Then, in 1973 in Greece, Margie Moran, utterly finesse and cool when she won over Miss USA. The Philippines, a tiny country in the Pacific has won many times in the beauty contests. Is it for the reason that the Pinays have such good genes? Is it the beauty alone that counts? I have not entered in the beauty pageant and for that matter, in real essence, I do not have a clue how it works on the judging. However, the presenter would say how and the categories mentioned but being a contestant is a different cattle of fish. As far I know, the talent and answers to the questions carry a lot of points. The Filipinos are brilliant and the wisdom – impeccable. I’m not saying this because I am a Filipina by birth although I acquired citizenship from Australia along the way. I heard many nationalities had said the same thing.

In any contest, be it sport or beauty, sportsmanship must prevail. The winner proclaimed by the judges – always correct. But in the 2015 saga, the presenter made a mistake but soon enough fixed. But, it did not finish there. And became the bombardment to the kernel of the brains from the audience – question asked, how did it happen? It was a big blow to Ms Columbia; no doubt. However, she handled the situation with grace, I thoroughly believe, it is painful. Adhering to the tangibility of the correctness of the judging, the truth, Miss Columbia is also a winner, first runner-up. For me: to enter that kind of competition, the young and beautiful ladies are already winners. The road that they passed by must be daunting but they have to give their best shot. Donald Trump said that; Ms Philippines and Ms Columbia should share the title? Well, that is his opinion but why? It was not the mistake of the judges. It was just announced wrongly. Where is the standpoint of the judges if this case would happen; that there are two title holders? Judges decision is always right – that’s the perfect answer to me. Therefore, there is only one Miss Universe in 2015 – Miss Philippines, Pia Wurtzback.

The Universe has a plan for everyone…the constellation aligned to the correctness manifested to humankind. A thing that seemed to be unbelievable can happen fast like a comet passing by. Nevertheless, whatever we do, humility goes a long way. Pia’s humbleness and gentleness – a gift from heaven. Miss Universe 2015 – Epic moment.

 

 

REFLECTIONS

20 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by in Christmas, Jesus Christ, joy, peace, Uncategorized, world

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In the moment of my reflections, I sat beside the glittering lights of the Christmas tree. As I recollect the many Christmases that I had in the Philippines, it made me feel nostalgic. The “Simbang Gabi” (Midnight Mass) that I used to go had been one of the most glorious days of my life as I knew that Christmas – just around the bend. The Christmas songs on the radio played made my heart cheery although I heard them so many times each year.

What is the actual meaning of Christmas to me?  When I was a kid – this is the way I spent Christmas. Aside from the birthday of Jesus Christ, as a child, Christmas also meant I will receive many presents from my godmothers, godfathers, and Santa Clause. A beautiful day, for I can eat as many lollies as I want to. The Christmas season also brought me closer to my friends. We sang Christmas carols in the neighbourhood from December 16 right through to the Christmas Eve. As far as I can recall, I made sure to attend the Midnight Mass, from the beginning, which also commenced on the 16th of December. A tradition of which my family practised and for that matter, I was awakened by my grandma as early as 3:00 o’clock in the morning to get ready. After the mass, the aroma of the food outside the church prevailed as vendors sold “Puto Bumbong” and “Bibingka” that made me hungry. As I grew the path of my youth, I continued to go to the Midnight Mass come 16 of December until the Christmas Eve, of which not many times that I had missed.

However, when I left my beloved country, Christmas had never been the same. I spent my first Christmas in Darwin, Australia with my family and friends many years ago but somehow, I longed to do the things that I was accustomed to. Thenceforth, my Christmas life had changed in so many ways. I celebrated the birthday of our King in other countries. I also brought my children to the Philippines for them to experience the wonderful atmosphere of Christmas, few times.

Ergo, as years passed by, Christmas has given me a different perspective. Albeit the day Jesus Christ was born – celebrated throughout the world, I must admit that I rejoice Him each and every day of the year. The customs and traditions still matter to me; the reason I spend Christmas in the Philippines whenever I could. The high in jig time I proclaimed whenever I see the illuminating lights everywhere I go. The cheers and the festive moods that my relatives, friends and neighbours shared with me – I sincerely missed so much. Christmas is the time to give our love not only to the people who are dear to our heart. It is also, the moment to forgive whoever wronged us. It is not how big the present and how many gifts I get anymore. The exactness of the scene: to love and to forgive. For the celebrant, Jesus Christ was born to shower love, joy and peace to the world.

In my total contemplation, I blinked and cheered that I only have a few more nights of sleep – Christmas is here. Then, I stood up, put on the stereo and played some Christmas songs. Oh! How splendid! My favourite time of the year is going to be a great one again! In my totality, it does not matter where I am, as long as I am with my loved ones, that’s the most important of all. I have the most memorable Christmas when I was a kid and no one can take that away from me. Love –  the greatest theme to me, everyday. CHRISTMAS is the time for me to cheer and rejoice the birthday of our KING, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS CHRIST. For without Him, perhaps, I won’t be able to know the true meaning of Love.

HAVE A BLESSED AND BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE. ALL MY LOVE, VIRGINIA CLOSE

 

 

 

 

PASSION HAS NO BARRIER

03 Thursday Dec 2015

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To dream and to hold the whimsical justification of your magical fantasy is an utmost importance. To believe that anything is possible – not a myth but a dashing realism. As the days gone by, I relish the exceptional brightness of each second when I was launching the novel, The Murder in Desert. Manila is dear to my heart, the charming but dense urban town. The so many happenstances at the same time in the week of my launching, it was a dream come true – the venue was full. A glorious moment that despite the traffic and the hardships of the media and guests to travel, they were able to attend.

The time for me to talk to my audience adhered, my voice seemed to crack at the very first sentence. It was nerve wrecking although I was well and truly ready. I was thoroughly thankful that despite all the ups and downs that I passed by, it became the truth. My hard work paid off. It was not the corporeality to the materialism but the fact that at my age, my passion for writing had been rewarded by the people who believe in me. In every trace of marvellous sparkles on the facial expressions that I had witnessed, I was euphoric that at long last –  the fruit from the vines that I nourished for a while; to be known.

The silence from the audience became the sonata to my ears. The frontal images of excitement from everyone were the thrill to my soul. My heart trembled with merriment as I read a part of the chapter. I wanted to stop talking, although I noticed the semblances of everyone were focused on me. I just longed to hug and thank the guests for the precious time they were spending with me. God showed me the path to the Avenue of Nirvana – to follow my passion.

There is so much beauty in life. There are so much joy and seventh heaven in this world that many aspire. To dream and to make it happen is paramount to one’s happiness. I am very passionate about writing. Passion has no barriers and definitely has no age limit. Regardless of the many places that I had been and the materials things that I have, without love, my life meant nothing. God showers me this gift that I must share with everyone – Creative Writing. I thank God for all my blessing.