Category Archives: world

WELCOMING 2016

30 Wednesday Dec 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

MANIGONG BAGONG TAON KABAYAN. (3)

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

REFLECTIONS

20 Sunday Dec 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

1501067_684547421577230_1451091490_o (3)

 

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

 

 

 

 

THE LAUNCHING

16 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by in home, joy, life, world

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

WOT_Murder in Desert Inn_Poster_10072015

Going back to writing is like coming home. To the joy of my being, the constellation where I once rotated became apparent to my heart; that I have to do what I am meant to. The world of Creative Writing is the sphere where my soul belongs and for the matter, I have to share with humankind the gift that the Almighty and the Universe had showered me. The stellar in heaven sparkle to the just of their longings; the meteorites are shooting in the prowess of the cosmic forces – rejoicing as my hands inscribe every molecule of words.

My first published novel – THE MURDER IN DESERT INN – is now at hand, bringing the readers to the world of the magical land and myth-like scenario of the main character. The dramatis personae became my friends. Thus, nourished my nous to the plethora of astrological configuration of the Shangrila.