MALLS GALORE!

@ THE TRINOMA

@ THE NEW SM ANNEX (NORTH EDSA)

Sometimes I wonder why other countries would think that the Philippines is THIRD WORLD! When Shopping malls of all shapes and sizes emerge here like mushrooms! Some display of patriotism, I know. But amidst all the hardships we Filipinos experience all this time, it's a good thing malls are here to stay to somehow help to unwind the Filipinos' tired minds thinking how to make ends meet!

And whenever a new mall opens, MSC is always there to check it out and splurge in it like there's no tomorrow.

WITWI: JHE & HER ORGAN

It's not what you think... I'm talking about a Church Organ

Jhe, has been a familiar face at the OLRP church for as long as I can remember. I would always see her on the musician's chair playing the organ during the evening masses almost everyday.

Her generosity and commitment to OLRP goes beyond the barriers of MSC. She makes time to lend her services in Masses no matter what choir was singing. How can you top that?

Now, she works as a nurse in the US with her husband Jhun (Bass, MSC member) and three beautiful children!

I remember her being silent and serious, yet i remember her at her wackiest as well. I remember her as a debutante, a bride and a mother.
And I remember her simply as a friend who was willing to stand beside you in your time of need.

COMMUNICATION INTOXICATION

Remember the time when MSC used to walk around the neighborhood just to convey messages with one another? Even the town of Maysan hasn't had any telephone lines yet. What a drag right? Come to think of it, the other members who were willing to do the task of going from house to house just to announce something before, is very much admirable.

Thanks to the birth of the CELLPHONE, communication has gotten a lot easier, by a mile! No more enduring the hot sun, the rain and other hard stuff that our first members used to experience. Only a few presses on the keypad and you're good to go!

This photo was taken using a camera phone. When MSC was still going "gaga" about the cellphone and it's perks and features! And while the cellphones have gone a long way from its first models, MSC is right there to adjust and conform with it!

NHEY + GUITAR = GOOD MUSIC

The guitar is a musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles. It typically has six strings, but 4, 7, 8,10, 11,12, 13 and 18 string guitars so exist.

Guitars are recognized as one of the primary instruments in jazz, blue, country, flamenco, rock music etc.and many forms of pop. They can also be a solo classical instrument. Guitars may be played acoustically, where the tone is produced by vibration of the strings and modulated by the hollow body, or they may rely on an amplifier that can electronically manipulate tone.

For MSC, after Jeanette Cruz, MSC member and organist left for the US for a more promising career in the field of nursing, MSC would have to depend on Kuya Arnel alone for musical accompaniment. And he gladly took the challenge now, without an organist by his side. He has been doing it for MSC for years long after Jeanette had gone. His ever-reliable guitar never fails to come into the scene during jammings, engagements and parties too.

TRIP TO BATAAN

SCTEX to Dinalupihan, Bataan exit

Last March 15, Tatay Boyet, Tita Melody and I went to Balanga, Bataan. It was to attend a christening of Nelda (Lucas)'s youngest kid Andrei Chino. Nelda MSC alumni, after she got married, her family needed to transfer to Bataan. But her heart still remains with MSC that she even chose me and Tatay Boyet to be Godfathers of her child. MSC alumni couple, Larry and Cherie de Guzman were also present there as Godparents as well.

We got to use the SCTEX route for the first time to get there. And it was an experience indeed! It felt like being in a different country.

Another first for us was seeing a bonsai tamarind tree with fruits ripe for the picking!
We enjoyed a sumptuous feast at a local Restaurant following the baptismal rites at the Holy Cross Church. Parlor games also livened up the occasion which are not only intended for the kids but for the adult attendees as well!!!

After a nice banquet and the socializing with the hosts and other guests, we went home grateful for the honor to be chosen as Godfathers and happy for the opportunity to be reunited with old, close friends.

March 15 was also Ate Lulu's Birthday. But celebration will be next Sunday. Weekly rehearsals will resume on that day too.