Christmas Blessings 2013

December 25, 2013

Happy birthday to Our Savior Jesus Christ, who was born of Mary, wife of Joseph to show God's unconditional love for us all, sinners that we are. So grateful for the gift of Christmas!

2013 is a year full of challenges and things to be grateful for.

I visited New Zealand twice, in January and in June. I also visited Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and the Kampuchean capital of Phnom Penh over the All Saints Day break.

Formally received my PhD in Urban and Regional Planning from University of the Philippines, where I got elected to serve as President of the SURP-UP Alumni Association. Was given another term as National Executive Committee Member of the National Commission for Culture and Arts' SubCommission on Culture's National Committee on Architecture and Design Environment. Plus, I was appointed by President Benigno S Aquino III as a Trustee of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation.

I continue to teach at Ateneo Loyola Schools (Management, Humanities, and Government) as well as the Development Academy of the Philippines Graduate School of Public and Development Management. I have been serving as Supervising Fellow for the graduate programs on health and development.

Our nation has been hit by the worst calamities in 2013, especially the Central Visayas Earthquake, the Yolanda Super Typhoon and the Zamboanga City Siege. Am happy that I shall be helping out in some small projects to rehabilitate the destroyed areas.

We gratefully reflect on the very basic meaning of Christmas: God so loved the world that He gave His only Son Jesus to be born of Mary, wife of Joseph, to live and teach us the Way, the Truth and the Life, and to suffer and die and be resurrected for our salvation.

Maligayang Pasko! Feliz Pascua! Blessed Christmas! Joyeaux Noel!

Nov.27, 2013, School of Humanities

Now trying my new Dell laptop computer which got disabled for a few days because I spilled some water on the keyboard. Happy it's back to normal.

Have been so busy with many simultaneous projects. Must learn to just stop and relax.

Off to my next class.

Gabby

Long Time No Posts

Nov.16, 2013
Today is a Day of Mourning and Hope for all the departed and surviving Victims of the recent Philippine calamaties. We pray for all who suffer.
Managed to take a break Oct.31-Nov.3 to visit Siem Reap and Phnom Penh during the Alls Saints & Souls Holidays. Glad I did. Learned so much from the visits to Angkor Wat and Angkor Tom and the Killing Fields Memorial Site and the Genocide Museum.
So much work to do now. Must not be bothered by partisan politicking.
Turned 64 last Nov.7 very quietly. Just contributed to the fund campaign for disaster relief.
Godbless
Gabby

Happy Birthday Melba Bramble!

August 15, 2013
Remembering with prayers and loving memories Melba Hand Bramble on her birthday today.
Godbless and cheers,
Gabby

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

Sharing the pictures of the birthplace of President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos in Sarrat plus the Sta. Monica Church inSarrat.

Visit to Ilocos Norte

August 3, 2013

So wonderful to join the reachout and field trip of NCCA SubCommission on Architecture and the Built-up Environment to Ilocos Norte, July 30-Aug 2. Great members, mostly young professionals and experts in their fields. I had so much to learn from them. I just love Ilocos Nor

Easter and Passover Blessings, 2013

Sabado de Gloria, March 30, 2013

Godbless and cheers for Easter and Passover, my favorite liturgical feasts!

Happy & grateful for a Jesuit on-line retreat-recollection for the Paschal Triduum which I experienced. Wonderful quiet time w/God and my soul.

Visited this morning, together with my Yaya and her grandkids and my house assistant, our former library aide at National Defense College of the Philippines, Tess. She is terminally ill with diabetes complications. May she be strengthened and consoled during this critical transition.

Peace and love and joy! 

Spring Solstice 2013

March 21, 2013

30 years ago I met my departed best friend forever, Norman Bramble, at the opening of a contemporary Chinese Art Exhibit in a new Chinese Restaurant of the Midtown Hotel in Ermita.

Yesterday, my former Parish Priest and co-Josefino, Rev. Fr. Manny Suarez, died of a heart attack while doing his routing daily walking exercise around Quezon Circle. He is now waked at his current parish, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, in Project 6, Quezon City. His dear friend and co-priest, Fr. Resty, MSP, described him as passionate in building the faithful of the Church through formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities. He was a man who served the poor and disadvantaged. He truly was a Shepherd Servant. God grant him rest forever in eternal happiness. 

Habemus Papam Franciscum!

March 15,2013

So happy that after 2 days of waiting, we have a new Pope, Papa Franciscus (SJ) of Argentina. Awed by his simplicity, humility and caring love for the anawim. I pray for him and for our Mother Chruch.

God bless Papa Franciscus.

Peace
Gabby