Leap of faith

It started as  a common vision, a common dream - to  kick start a business and  "be my own boss."  And so, one day we - three of my college best friends and I - decided to meet the challenge head on and embrace the promise of new opportunities, of countless possibilities.  It was a leap of faith, launching a business amid the rising competition thinking, nay, believing we will make it out there.  We knew it wasn't easy  but  motivation and inspiration fired us to act and to  get on our feet, to take the plunge and to  be doers not just dreamers. 

Onemind is a reality. There's a long way to go but we have built the momentum, started to make baby steps and there's no turning back. This is it!

Onemind is a seminar and events company that aims to provide relevant and practical information and skills to organizations, would-be entrepreneur and individuals to maintain corporate  advantage, reach personal growth and increase their entrepreneurial skills, among others.

Very soon, we will get our feet wet with this FIRST SEMINAR! Aptly titled Writing an effective resume and acing a job interview, this one is for  new graduates or anyone who wants to learn more about writing an impressive resume.  Let our seasoned speaker, Mr. Sebastian Olaivar, Jr. guide you through writing a resume that will lead you to potential employers and to that dream job of yours. The early bird gets a special gift so register NOW!

Our website www.onemindsem.com is underway.  Meantime, you may visit our facebook page Onemind Seminars for more information/updates about this upcoming seminar on November 30, 2013.

Around the fun farm on a weekend

T'was a weekend well-spent. Along with hubby and two bosom buddies, I set to The Fun Farm at Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club Estate in Sta. Rosa, Laguna  to check it out and sample some of its organic produce.

Away from the bustling metro and into the countryside.

Well, hello fun farm!

Oh, to be a child again!

Balik Bukid! A call to experience life on the farm. 

Haven of peace.

Hello, sir!

Holy carabao! for a healthy and sustainable living 

My stash of organic fresh vegetables harvested

upon order: half kilo of basil, two pieces (kundol) white gourd or winter melon, half a kilo of camote tops and alugbati or Malabar spinach, two kilos of eggplants, three kilos of white corn on the cob all for a total P500. I planned to buy organic red rice but was told that such had to be pre-ordered(sigh!)

The Fun Farm at Sta. Elena hosts a Balik Bukid country fair twice a year ( it started last year) which gathers merchants selling local products. Spearheading the event is no less than the farm owner herself, Hindy Weber-.Tantoco. I missed the event early this year but glad to know there's one more coming up late this year.

Photo from Balik Bukid  FB page

Click here for directions to the farm.
Photos by DSanti and DSS

It's Mama Mary's birthday!

Today, we celebrate the nativity of the Blessed Mother.  Thank you, Mama Mary for keeping us under your maternal protection.

New beginnings

The promise of a new beginning: 

On another note: I saw this during a visit to a mentor's office this morning. I was intrigued by the leaves. Never seen something quite like it. A quick research yielded this info

Peeking at Christmas

There was a tinge of sadness when I first saw my favorite Christmas decor shop opening earlier than usual last month.  I would normally get excited and think of the visual spectacle that await me inside the store ( the abundance of  wreaths and floral centerpieces, Christmas tree baubles, the selection of  garlands and much more) . This year is different though ... my shopping buddy, my dearest BFF Malou, is not around to share the excitement with me. But I know, I know. she's taking a peek, too, and could be telling me, " Hold it! Breathe in, breathe out! "

Tamilee, San Juan City

Hello, September!

The countdown begins this early ....

Early start for Christmas: Greenhills COD

When church bells ring ... in Ilocos Norte

Churches dot  the towns  of  Ilocos Norte. Four rise high in  the towns of  Batac 

( Immaculate Concepcion Church), Badoc ( La Virgen Milagrosa Shrine of Badoc),  Paoay  (Paoay Church) and San Nicolas  (San Nicholas Catholic Church). There are others found in the  towns of Sarrat  ( St. Monica church) and Dingras  (ruins of Dingras  church) then there’s   one in the northern side of the province, the Bacarra church . Two more churhces are  in Laoag:  the Carmelite Monastery Chapel (or Carmel Church) and  the St. William Cathedral.   

Such a pity we were not able to visit all the historic churches  because of the erratic weather during our three-day stay in Ilocos.  But glad that we were able to see at least two of the most impressive pilgrim sites in the said province.

Paoay Church and belltower

The imposing Paoay Church, also known as  St. Augustine Church, is one of the oldest churches in the country.  The Augustinian friars led by Fr. Antonio Estavillo  started construction in 1694 completing it in 1710 and rededicating the same in 1894. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Paoay church a.k.a. the Earthquake Baroque church in the Philippines. 

Postcard pretty.

A total of 24  thick and massive buttresses extend from the body to support the structure and survive earthquakes. The upper portion of the buttresses are made of  bricks while coral stones were used for the lower part and a mixture of both for the walls.

Photo by BB

Photo by BB

A three-storey belltower made of coral stone stands meters away from the main building. It was. designed that way to keep the church safe in case of collapse. Katipuneros during the 1896 revolution used this belltower as their observation post  It was used yet again by Filipino guerillas during the WW II Japanese occupation

The belltower of Paoay: jutting out into the sky Photo by DSanti

Inside the church: the long walk.

Santa Monica Parish Church 

The church was  closed that afternoon we headed for a visit. Nevertheless, it was such an experience to see the neo-classical Santa Monica Church ( in the municipality of Sarrat ) on the outside. 

Santa Monica Church was the venue for the wedding of  the late President Ferdinand Marcos' daughter Irene to Gregorio Araneta in June 1983.

Like the Paoay church, this has a belltower beside the edifice built in 1669.

Santa Monica Parish Museum built in 1993 preserves the cultural and historical heritage of  

  the Ilocos townfolks.

Owl mania

These stocky, feathery wide-eyed  nocturnals  seem to tease me. I see them  in every nook -- of a  craft store, a flea market or a department store  And the timing couldn't be more  perfect! Just when I promised myself I would refrain from "hauling"  ( for the time-being, at least )  more of these  whimsical  creatures of the night,  I see them everywhere these days. They are in all forms and sizes. their colors fun and  vibrant.  How can I resist? As long as these cuties  are pocket-friendly, of course, they find their way to my home.

My obsession for all things owl started more than twenty years ago.  It began with a ceramic judge owl figure that made its way to my dresser.  At first, I'd  haul figures in wood, metal and ceramic and later segued into other selections like candle holders, jars and what-not. The collection swelled one owl at a time. And the story continues to this day.

The other day,  I was feeling out- of- sync and decided to swing by the new Heima store after dropping off my daughter to her appointment in Pasig. I wasn't meaning to buy anything. I wanted to just check out the store, have a look-see.  I love the concept of Heima's furniture ( very pricey though ) and have been admiring most of its pieces in  home magazines.  I sure had my fill  ... and more! 

For starters, this wall art greeted me as I parked by the entrance of the store. It changed my mood instantly!

See what I mean? 

Casual chic

 What lovely table lamps! Exactly my color scheme.

 Hoot! A pleasant surprise!

Settled with  this in the meantime. 

four pins for P100

up close!

And as if the visit  to Heima wasn't enough, my good friend L.C sent me this photo on FB and said she saw this cuff bracelet in a shopping mall ...

Promise, my next post would be the continuation of our Ilocos journey.