Norman's 72nd Birthday

December 30, 2012, Rizal Day

Celebrated Norman Bramble's 72nd birthday with Mass and a breakfast fellowship among friends at Cafe France. Happy he continues to be a guardian angel to us.

Happy Birthday AngelOso.

Gabby

Visit with Inaanaks

December 29, 2012

Visited my godchildren Alan and Glenda Agrao in Batangas City this morning for Christmas and New Year greetings. Happy to see them as they expect their first baby, a girl, next month. I was one of their Ninongs during their wedding in Batangas City almost a year ago on 01/02/12.

Great fun to take off and take a comfortable bus from Cubao and back. Except, traffic was so bad this afternoon after it rained.

Happy weekend.

Gabby

Thanksgiving Day 2012
So much to be grateful for and be happy about: abundant blessings and graces. So happy to have completed my PhD in Urban and Regional Planning after 10 long challenging years. Fortunate to continue getting good breaks for teaching and consulting work to keep me busy and earn well to help my beneficiaries. In my senior years I can only return the gratitude through continuing happy service to those most in need. God is good and kind. Assalamu Alaykum.
Hugs and Love
Gabby

Palawan Workshop

November 18, 2012

Have been in the field most of the time these past weeks to serve in the programs of CHED-SUCs and the DoH Doctors to the Barrios. Am enjoying the moving around, but it is tiring at times.  I am grateful that this year is truly a year of grace for me.

AMDG
Gabby

September 29, 2012

Yesterday, my Compadre, Mike Novell and his sister-in-law Eli Libas joined me, Easter Dasmarinas and Gilda Martinez in remembering Estela (Mike's wife) who departed a few months ago and Norman (who departed 4 years ago) by celebrating their beautiful lives with us in an intimate lunch at home.

God rest them forever in peace and happiness.

Gabby

Ave atque Vale, Bayaning Jesse

August 27, 2012

Tomorrow, August 28, 2012, departed Interior Secretary BAYANING JESSE Robredo will be given a state burial in Naga City, which he served as Mayor for 4 terms. He was a true HEROIC SERVANT TSINELAS LEADER who loved his community and was greatly loved in return. May he enjoy God's happy presence forever in heaven.

Mabuhay BAYANING JESSE.

Peace
Gabby

August 27, 2012

Today we commemorated Norman's 4th death anniversary with Mass prayers and breakfast at Cafe France. We remember him fondly with loving memories. May he continue to pray for us in heaven.

Peace
Gabby

Hariraya Eid'l Fitr

August 20, 2012, End of Ramadan

Hari Raya Eid'l Fitr, Eid Mubarak! Blest to start my day with Mass at Quiapo Minor Basilica and prayers for peace inside the Golden Mosque. Enjoyed a simple halal breakfast of curried shrimps afterwards.

Godbless and Peace.

Assalamu Alaikum

Gabby a.k.a. Gibril

Papa's 40th Death Anniversary

July 16, 2012

Today is the 40th anniversary of Papa's death. We remember him with love and prayers. We pray that he intercedes for the family of Freddy whose daughter Grace has become a big problem.

Peace
Gabby

Workshop in Cagayan de Oro City

Now in Cagayan de Oro City to facilitate development planning workshop for District 1 represented by Congressman Pedro Unabia. Lots of poverty in the sub-province of Misamis Oriental. Feeling very tired because of the constant revisions in my dissertation. Lord please sustain me to the end. Mother of Perpetual Help, please be with me always.

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaang Pilipino

June 12, 2012

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang mga Pinoy.

God bless the Philippines and the Pilipinos.

Adelante Pilipinas.

Defended My Dissertation

May 23, 2012

A week ago I successfully defended my dissertation for my PHD in Urban and Regional Planning at UP School of Urban and Regional Planning. Am now revising the final version for submission. Thank You, Lord. It has taken some time.

Peace & serenity always
Gabby

Blest Easter

April 8, 2012

We thank God for the gift of Christ's passion, death and resurrection because we are redeemed from sin and damnation. May we remain faithful in walking in the Light of the Lord. Allelulia, Christ is risen. Hodie Christus resurrectus est.

Peace & Shalom for the Passover
Gabby

Passover

April 7, 2012, Quezon City, Philippines

As we celebrate Black Saturday in preparation for Easter in Christendom our Jewish brethren & friends all over the world celebrate the sacred feast of the Passover, Pesach. Mazel Tov, Shabaath Shalom!

Godbless
Gabby

Good Friday

April 6, 2012

Thank You God for sending Your Beloved Son Jesus Christ to become man and endure suffering, pain and an ignoble death to save us from our sins and make us worthy of salvation and eternal life.

We adore You Lord because by Your Cross You have redeemed us sinners.

Peace

Palm Sunday

March just breezed by. Attended meetings w/Cardinal Vidal in Cebu 2 weeks ago & this weekend w/Mindanao bishops and INC leaders to discuss how faith-based organizations can cooperate to influence leaders towards competent governance for a compassionate society. Have also been working on my dissertation paper due for submission soon. Prayers please for the continued healing and recovery of my Kumadre Estela Novell in Singapore. She just underwent a very delicate surgery.

Blest Holy Week as we commemorate the passion, suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

Busy Busy Weeks

March 12, 2012

Have been so busy w/classes and teaching the last 4 weeks in Manila and in Tagyatay. During the last month, had a visit from Mike & Estela Novell & her sister Eli Libas and Tonda & Ron Gillespie.

Godbless
Gabby

MAMINA'S 93RD BIRTHDAY

Feb. 5, 2012

Great celebration of Mama's 93rd birthday w/family & some friends. Thank God for Mama being with us. Yesterday, we also interred the ashes of Tita Luring Jacinto at Christ the King. She's now close to her husband Tito Alfred.

Godbless.

Lunar New Year Eve

One of the New Visitors' Inns

Spa under Construction

One of the Many Vegetable Gardens

GK Enchanted Farm Piggery

Grass Palace Conference Center under Construction

Tony Meloto with Visitors before Mass

Tony Meloto with Blue Eagles

January 22, 2012

Joined some Ateneo faculty to attend Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto's belated bday event at GK Enchanted Farm, Bulacan where he introduced its Village University to train aspiring social entrepreneurs from Philippines & overseas. The complex reminds me of a modern Chinese commune or Israel kibbutz. It has production areas for vegetables, herbs, handicrafts, processing of produce & meats & eggs. It also has an alfesco restaurant serving organic produced food items including fresh salads, meats, cheeses, breads, fruits & drinks. Tony said that the facilities are still being built up and expanded to accommodate some 100K of global interns. After the Mass where he was blessed by Fr Alex and the faithful he delivered a message, the highlight of which I share: LEARN TO LOVE & CARE FOR THE POOR & OUR FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT FOR GOD'S GLORY. One special guest who shared special greetings for him was Sec. Bebet Gozun, an avid GK supporter. T'was a wonderful tiring day. Tony flies to Davos to present this concept to world leaders tomorrow. Bravo Tony Meloto, ethical Heroic Servant Leader and esteemed batchmate in Class 71, Ateneo de Manila University College. Amazing that as 2 other prominent Ateneans are battling it out in PH government, Tony focuses his energies to create opportunites for making the poor earn decently and live comfortably. AMDG. KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!