Something new, something green...

 ...something beautiful and living!

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by PAM

'Mother and kids' - the green version.

The past months have been very busy.  I am happy though that despite this, there have been many opportunities that allowed me to work with my hands and with our natural environment.  It's 'grounding', very relaxing and truly satisfying.

A month ago, my sister trimmed one of our San Francisco plants (Codiaeum variegatum).  The name San Francisco is the common name in the Philippines of the plant (in many varieties, actually) pictured above.  Elsewhere, the plant is more commonly known as croton.  In our Home #2, we have four San Francisco plants of different varieties.  Three of them are located close to each other while the smallest one (the yellow and green variety) is located close to the gate, but they are all lined up at our open garage on one side of the house.  I am proud to have watered them for more

Colorful, vibrant, amazing!

than a year to become their 'mature' selves presently.  When a strong typhoon passed through our region last year, I thought the plants will not make it through all the rains and strong winds.  They did survive.  Now, they grew so big, so colorful... and yes, so beautiful!  

When the rainy season came in June, after a downpour, the thick leaves of the plants got soaked in rainwater.  This weighed them down, that their branches bent so much, they almost reached the ground.  I would usually shake the branches of the plants to rid them of rainwater.  When the sun heats up the atmosphere as the day progresses, causing the water to evaporate, the plants slowly regain their upright position.  However, when the rains came while I was at work, when I returned home, I would usually find the plants almost kissing the ground... and their branches almost breaking!  So, one weekend, when my sister came home and heard of the plants' 'ordeal', she decided to trim them.  I had mixed emotions about it.  So, I decided to pick up the trimmings.  I chose four that looked mature, and soaked them in water for a few days.  Once stable, I planted them on the ground on the opposite side of the house, and watered them 'religiously' twice a day for a few days. Although it's rainy season and it usually showered in the evening, it was quite hot during the day, and I wanted to make sure that the little 'clones' are given the fighting chance to survive.  

Two of the four clones kept their leaves although slightly drooping.  The other two looked struggling to survive - all their leaves browned and fell.  One showed shoots of leaves on its 'head' after a while.  The last one looked all dried out, I was resigned to seeing it perish.  After its leaves all fell, a couple of days later, green shoots showed, and I mean 'shoots' with an 's'... and it was happiness! 💚

Now, all four clones looked stable... and I feel that I have accomplished something.  It's a new nature of accomplishment.  These days, I understand why passionate plant growers and gardeners talk to their plants.  I found myself 'talking' to my San Francisco clones while coaxing them to 'drink up', and hold on to the ground... and live!  Fortunately, they did survive, and now, they look like they are on their way to flourish... and that's without the help of any inorganic fertilizer.  The 'mother' plant has bloomed so beautifully, too, with even brighter colors!  And it has become more resilient from the weight of rain water... its trunk and branches seemed thicker and stronger.     

As I care for our plants in our small garden plots around our home, I feel that I am extending my 'second parent' role with my students to our plants.  I feel responsible for their steady growth and beautiful flourishing.  Seeing the birds and the butterflies frequent our small garden plots with the former's cheerful tweets and the latter's pretty colors, invigorates me everyday.  I consider it my mission these days to see the plants, the birds and the butterflies thrive and flourish... and seeing them do so brings me so much happiness! 

Ah... God's creations... are, indeed, extremely beautiful, no matter how small and seeming insignificant!  They bring simple joys that fill my days with satisfaction and meaning.  I thank God that my simple heart remains tempered and content, and not desiring flattering gratification and over indulgence that corrupt.

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Image credit:  All the photos in this post belongs to me.  I took all of them and processed minimally for this post.  They may not be used by others for other purposes.

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Saturday photo

 by PAM

Nature... naturally!

I have a few places at home where I enjoy working (WFH whenever needed), or spending some quiet time - 'me time'.  One of my biggest favorites is our lanai area - pictured above.  It's like an extension of our dining area with only the glass doors and metal rails separating them.  So, when the birds start to chirp in chorus loudly, invitingly, in the morning, I'd usually bring my coffee outside and enjoy listening to the birds while I think about the day ahead.  I have to admit though that, these days, my 'me time' at the lanai is quite limited due to ongoing construction at our next-door neighbor, making the place quite dusty... and the noise of their construction equipment overpowers the melodious chirps of the birds.  But on Sundays and holidays, when the construction is paused, I'd take advantage of the chance to enjoy the place.  My old phone probably didn't do justice in capturing the coziness of the space but I tell ya, it's plenty cozy. 🪴💚 

These days, as one of the most undeniable causes of floods and what-have-you in Metro-Manila that are detrimental to all aspects of human health becomes obvious - garbage (and, yes, corruption, which is... uhm, yeah, the most repulsive kind of garbage!) - I thank God for the opportunity to have an option even when our 'home #2' is so humble that the space it provides is 'tight' even for our daily living alone.  While 'home #1' can be considered green, given its location - right smack in the heart of Metro-Manila - we make conscious effort to maintain the green nature of 'home #2' if it were to become our better option.  It is not just about caring for our plants but also about waste minimization, waste segregation, recycling and reuse, and everything that simplifies life, lifestyle and living.  

I hope that we, as a people, can turn things around as far as environmental degradation is concerned... and yes, as far as massive corruption in the government is concerned as well since corruption does not only lead to natural environment degradation but also to the degradation of our moral fiber as a society.  The solution is in our hands, it is within our power... and  it begins with the ballot in 2028.  We deserve a better alternative, a better life, better living conditions, better health and well-being.  We deserve so much more than what the incompetent people in our government (and, I mean, all three branches) presently can offer, given their foolishness and, yes, their inclination to corrupt acts and actions!  

So, yes, we must demand better public service from our public servants.  Let's make it work, fellow Filipinos!!  Let's seize the moment... let's choose wisely in 2028!  Let's pray for guidance, wisdom and the courage to choose wisely.

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Image credit:  The featured photo belongs to me.  I took it and processed minimally for the purpose of this blog.  It may not be used elsewhere.

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Hello, July!

 It's the middle of 2026 and you're looking... uhm, exhausted, er, excited!

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by PAM

Ambient temperature, check.  Ground nutrient, check.  Special occasion, check!
Finally completed all the 'permissions' to bloom!

My favorite month has landed!  Welcome to 2026, July!  Woohoo, let's go!  

I have been waiting for our Vietnam Roses to bloom since April this year, just like last year and the year before last, but they haven't.  Well, until today, that is.  It's wonderful that the 'pretty little  

things' showed themselves on the day that I am celebrating the anniversary of my introduction to the world through God's love and goodness.  This year... uhm, I move an inch closer to 'dual citizenship', which is closer than I ever imagined. I have mixed  feelings, but most of it is gratitude, a big chunk is happiness, and, not surprisingly, a considerable amount is excitement.  I can't wait, actually!  

The last months have been so 'chaotic' in the Philippines.  People in the government kept hurling extremely stinky rubbish at each other, while the Filipino people run back and forth to avoid getting hit by rubbish in the face.  And yet, no matter how much we avoid it, we get hit anyway.  It's incredible how utterly useless people in our government are... well, most of them anyway, especially those who have no notion of decency or self-awareness, and those who are so unfortunately devoid of common sense and the ability to think - and think well and intelligently.  The word 'service' is not in their vocabulary and mission in life even if they occupy the 'seats of public service'.  They turn the 'seats' to a place for self-indulgence and personal gratification... and, yes, corruption - exercised in the most brazen and extremely shameless ways!  

Lately, the whole country is being pummeled, too, by nature's forced reaction to humanity's unmindful actions to try lording over nature.  Filipino people are reeling over earthquake, typhoon, and what have you.  But the biggest hardships are the man-made ones, and the most catastrophic are those caused by people in our own government.  It has become so frustrating to watch them unleash one foolishness after another as if they have no responsibility to... at the very least, avoid being foolish!  I guess, this is the biggest peril of democracy.  We get the foolish leaders that foolish citizens choose... and the whole nation suffer the consequences.  

So, yeah, while July brings with it the freshness of our blooming Vietnam Roses, the country look exhausted, frustrated and ambivalent.  And yet, I believe that the very message of God in allowing our pretty little Vietnam Roses bloom at a time when I am beginning to feel disappointed is HOPE.  We must not lose hope.  There is hope... Jesus is hope, and He is alive!  He is in our midst, and our faith in Him shall see us through to this dark days in our country's politics.  One day, when the time is right, the Truth shall emerge from the darkness, and we, as a nation shall recognize it.  And the Truth shall unite us in hauling our country from the rut it's in, and we shall emerge victorious!

In the meantime, I shall celebrate this special day, rejoicing amid the colorful beauty of our Vietnam Roses.  I shall offer a prayer of thanks, and I shall allow God's grace to fill my heart with hope, faith and joy!

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Image credit:  All the photos in this post belong to me.  I took all of them, and processed them minimally for this post.  They may not be used for other purposes.

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Saturday photo

A burst of vibrant colors all day... every day - these days!

These days, my source of daily joy has increased in number.  As I look out of my window at our little house's receiving area while waiting for the kettle to whistle its announcement that it's ready to make coffee, I cannot help but smile as I see our fabulous Melendres plant through the sheer curtains.  The Melendres plant is a shrub that is usually referred to as the 'cherry blossoms of the Philippines'.  The round cherry-like pods of the plant turn brown by the month of April or May before bursting into colorful little flowers.  The beautiful red and bright pink flowers lined with sharp white color around their velvety petals seem to give a cheerful greeting as the plant sways gracefully with the gentle morning breeze.  It's like a

Seeing beauty through the window.

scene from animated movies for kids where every living thing around speaks merrily with the main character.  I cannot help but breathe "good morning" to our Melendres plant... and all our other plants, which are, uhm, a lot!   

In the afternoon, when I return from work, a few meters from our house, the vibrant burst of colors dangling out of our fence, swaying prettily, seems to greet me some meters from our house.  Butterflies and singing birds seem to dance with the flowers amid the equally vibrant colors of sunset... and it is, indeed, a scene to behold.  It seems to remind me of God's blessings everyday, and this, while very beautiful and joyful that it fills the soul with much amazement, is just one of the 'smallest' of blessings in the grand scheme of things where God is at the center.  It gives the most organic reason to stay still for a few minutes and cherish the many blessings of the day, and thank God for it all, through the Angelus at dusk. No wonder that Angelus is my late father's favorite prayer, and praying it was a practice that, I observed, was handed to him by my grandparents, and their parents before that.  I remember growing up watching my paternal grandmother light the candles at our altar, and gathered us around the altar as she led in praying the Angelus... and then the Rosary. 

These days, I am beginning to believe that letting one's self to be lost in admiration of the beauty of nature and paying homage to its Creator is prayer in itself. And, these days, it's the kind of prayer that I most enjoy.  I thank God for this opportunity to be in this phase in my life, and in the place where I am, to experience this daily sustenance of the soul.  Life is, indeed, beautiful; and God is, indeed, good... all the time!

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Image credit:  The featured photos in this post belong to me.  I took all of them.

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Saturday Photo

 by PAM

A burst of sunshine inside the house!

A few weeks (or is it months already) ago, I was talking about 'decluttering'... and finding, uhm, no, not finding but experiencing joy in it.  I also talked about using pieces of home decor that are beyond just 'pretty' but also functional and blend in with everything else in that decluttered space.  

Later, a few months after positing that piece, and just as soon as springtime came, and the flowers started to appear in our surroundings, I had the reason I need to re-dress our throw pillows in the TV room as well as at the receiving room of 'Home #2'.  My inspiration?  Simple.  It's 'texture'... once again.  The color is

The cosmos flowers outside our TV room
peep in with their 'silent giggles'
echoing in the room.

simple - the color of sunshine.  It's cheerful, pretty, and quite stunning.  I see these pieces in the morning after I say my morning prayers with my eyes still closed, and as I grope my way to the kitchen with my eyes half closed.  The sunny color makes me feel that the day is promising me something good and happy... and that helps start my day right.  And even when the day falls short in fulfilling its promise, when I get home, these cheerful pieces restore good vibes.  They make me feel like I am basking in sunshine inside my home even when it's actually the moon that's shining outside. They remind me of the great blessings that I am so fortunate to enjoy, and that I am so privileged to share with others.  In fact, these pieces and the positive vibes that they invoke are part of those many blessings.  In the end, my determination to continue hoping for the best is renewed.  Indeed, the blessings of the Lord does not stop pouring in every single day.  We can continue enjoying them if we are only faithful enough to keep paying attention and to keep our hearts open to recognize and to be grateful for these blessing.  I know that for the skeptics, it's odd that I am talking elaborately about simple throw pillows... as manifestations of God's love and blessings.      

These days, the 'sunny' throw pillows are accompanied by matching new curtains.  However, this is not the only one that makes the whole scene lovely.  There's the fact that the pretty cosmos flowers of similar colors as the throw pillows and curtains seem to peep inside the TV room from outside.  They simply lighten the mood everyday as I listen to terrible news after terrible news at breakfast time, and they bring sunshine in and the 'laughter of the grounds'.   

So, yes... our home can be designed in a way that reminds us of God's love and blessings every single day.

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Image credit:  All photos used in this post are all mine.  I took them all.

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Wednesday Nostalgia...

...on the 78th Foundation Anniversary of PAEF.

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by PAM

 

Reconnecting with friends and fellow Fulbright Scholars and Humphrey Fellows under PAEF, Inc.
Among them are: Hon. Shirley Agrupis, Ph.D. (Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education), Tony Lambino, Ph.D. (President, Ayala Foundation, Inc.) and Karol Mark Yee, Ph.D. (Executive Director of EDCOM 2).

I have a feeling that the 24th day of March in the year 2026 will be etched in my mind... and heart, and shall be remembered with much fondness, indeed, for a long time.  I participated in the celebration of the 78th anniversary of the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) - the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines.  

It was a joyful and quite emotional occasion for me.  So many memories - very good ones, came rushing in, and it was overwhelming.  I received a Fulbright Scholarship under the Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program (FPASP) in 2002 to study for my Ph.D. degree at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, USA.  The FPASP gave me a very generous five-year scholarship, and I am forever grateful.  The experience was, indeed, life-changing - to say the least.  It opened so many doors of opportunities for me... as well as my loved ones, and the Institution that I now serve.  I returned to the Philippines (and to the University of Santo Tomas, or "UST") in 2007 where I became the 2nd woman Dean of the first Engineering School in the Philippines, the UST Faculty of Engineering, in November 2012.  I served in this capacity for nearly one decade, which were some of the best and most productive years of my life.  I will let history account the ups and downs, and the tremendous gains of the Faculty in those years that now became a 'norm' in its daily pursuits.  For these rare opportunities, I am, indeed, grateful to God.

In Academic Year (AY) 2021-2022, I became a recipient of the Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Fellowship, also under PAEF.  As a Humphrey Fellow, I spent nearly a year at the Pennsylvania State University ("Penn State") where I held my local Professional Affiliation (PA) at their Innovation Park at Penn State.  It also gave me the opportunity to return to Cornell for my non-local PA and work with former professors and colleagues for six weeks.  I also got to spend another six weeks at the Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, specifically at their Engineering Innovation Studio.  That gave me the opportunity to take a step back after a tremendous ride as Dean of UST Faculty of Engineering... and determine my next 'mission', especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.  In 2022, I returned to UST to lead the newly launched "Office of the Assistant to the Rector for UST Santa Rosa".  Four years later, we have reached milestone after milestone... and I am very grateful to God.

PAEF's March 24, 2026 event has given me the opportunity to take stack of the highlights of my professional and personal journey since the day I became a Fulbright Scholar for the first time in 2002, joining the likes of Tony Lambino that year, who is now the President of the Ayala Foundation, Inc., among others.  And, in 2021, after a grueling screening process, I was chosen by PAEF's Selection Committee to become one of the five nominees of the Philippines for a Humphrey Fellowship.  A few weeks later, in a world competition at the Washington, D.C., I emerged as one of the two Filipinos chosen by Washington, D.C. to finally receive the Humphrey Fellowship for AY 2021-2022. It felt extremely surreal that time.  I don't think I have gotten over the thrill of receiving that good news.

I am not sure if I have done enough to deserve the honor of being a two-time PAEF scholarship recipient.  I am certainly been trying very hard.  Some days I feel that, perhaps, I should spread my wings wider and try a different avenue, and see how else I can serve my country and the world in a way that befits the honor and recognition that I received from PAEF, the Philippine government, and the USA.  These days, I feel that this contemplation is turning the tide... and I cannot wait what awaits me elsewhere.  I give my full trust to the Lord, and I surrender all the days of my life to Him and in service to Him.

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Image credit:  All photos in this post belong to me.

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Saturday Photo

 by PAM

Blooming... again.

The new season of Spring is about to commence. I say this because our ever reliable cosmos plants have started revealing the ground's pretty and lively 'smiles'.  

To be honest, we have uprooted our cosmos plants after the string of typhoons that either bent them to the ground or split their trunks. So sad. We threw the plants at our open field for garden waste. A few weeks later, the cosmos plants started to spring to life... and a few weeks ago, they started sprouting colorful flowers.

A promise to flourish, a reason to hope.

Meanwhile, the new cosmos plants in our garden started doing the same a few days ago. Bulb of flowers started sprouting, and yesterday, one of the bulbs bloomed beautifully. It made our weekend morning happy and colorful. 

We are grateful to God for this reminder that, yes, 'life's typhoons' can throw us off sometimes... but God also sends healing, and such healing does not only renew our resolve to live life to the fullest in service to God but it also directly brings us joy.  With God's grace, we can bloom where life takes us for as long as we allow God to nourish us with his blessings by trusting in Him and by surrendering our lives to Him. 

These days, the chirping of the birds are louder in the morning, and we have many more colorful butterflies frequent our little garden merrily as the flowers begin to raise their beautiful faces towards the sun, and to cheerfully greet us, too. 

Yes, life is beautiful, indeed!

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Image credit: The photos featured here are my own. I took them.

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Saturday Photo

 by PAM

At Dove Dr., Ithaca, NY; East of Cornell University campus in Ithaca

I feel like I only took this photo a few days back. It's incredible that it's been almost four years already since I took this photo! That's right, four and I am seeing it again only just now.  

I once vacationed at my sister's place in the US. She and her husband took me with them in their winter vacation around The Rockies. We went on a long drive, stopping here and there... and it was exhilarating! I remember my brother-in-law commenting about the 'tons' of photos that I took wherever we went. I just can't help myself... I felt the need to document the experience, and the quickest way to do that is through photos. After taking 'tons' of photos, I usually get so overwhelmed that I am unable to make up my mind about which ones to keep and which ones to discard. I end up keeping all! And in our trip around The Rockies, it drove my sister and her husband crazy! 

Ithaca, NY is an extremely beautiful place! Well, the Fingerlakes Region where Ithaca is located is, indeed, a beautiful place! And whenever I come for a visit after graduation, I usually stay at the Eastern part of the campus where Filipino friends lived. I usually stay with a family whose house is located up a hill, right next to the Equestrian facilities of Cornell, overlooking the planes of Cayuga... and where the sunset is mesmerizing! 

The skies seem to be just a few meters above your head, and the clouds make a dramatic transition as the sun sets in the horizon, and the skies begin to darken... but only after it explodes in countless colors of utter beauty.  It takes my breath each time. And it makes praying the Angelus all that meaningful and all that impassioned. 

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Image credit: The photo in this post belongs to me. I took it.

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It's the most wonderful time...

 ...of the year!

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by PAM

'The Tree' is up, and it radiates warmth and coziness. 💖

And so, here we are... well, almost there, anyway.  We are closing in, almost locking it in - locking in the holidays.  First, 'the Angel' took its rightful place at the receiving area of our home, and so did the deers.  

Across them, stood our 'mini' Nativity Scene.  And then, amid the twinkling lights, the recreation of the Christmas Star that led the Three Wise Men to the Manger where the King was born shone by our door, illuminating the little Nativity.  Then the Advent Wreath took its place. At this point, all the major spiritual aspects of the celebration were taken care of.  So, it was time to put up the symbol of 'merrymaking'.  It was time to put up the Christmas Tree!

Just like last year, I was in-charge of Christmas decorations in our 2nd home.  I like this 'assignment'.  Therefore, I accepted it with open arms and with much delight.  And, when it was time to put up the Christmas Tree, I took my sweet time.  I decided to string the lights first and maneuvered them around the Tree.  Then, all the usual ornaments that define the theme of our family's merrymaking took their place around the Tree followed.  They are followed by the 'special' ornaments, which have deeper meaning for the family, slowly dotted the Tree.  And then the gifts started to appear at the foot of the Tree... which heralded the spirit of giving, and receiving, too, in this Season of Joy, Hope and Love.  I hope to post something regarding Christmas gift-giving one of these days.

I really love the warmth and coziness that Christmas as a family-centered occasion brings.  For our family, it's an occasion where seeing and being with family members is guaranteed.  I always look forward to it.  And, in challenging times through the year, I have Christmas to hope for and to inspire to keep going.  Of course, we are aware of the 'commercialization' of the occasion... and, ironically, this is connected with

gift-giving, which is a major basis of the spirit of Christmas:  love... giving love, that is.  I do believe that how we design our Christmas decorations can set the tone of our desire to celebrate the birth of Christ, our Savior - the greatest gift of all to humanity.  And this is why, no matter how challenging in terms of finding time to carry out decorating tasks, I always do my best... and I always enjoy, too!

This year, to add to memories of Christmas, I added Christmas Tree ornaments from one of my favorite stores: Flying Tiger (FT).  I am happy that there is one FT store close to our home.  And, I have to confess that one of my favorite 'me time' is spending long periods just browsing the cute but practical items that they have. It's fascinating!  So, naturally, FT becomes a part of our Christmas this year in terms of our Christmas decor.  I am sure that it will add to how wonderful this season is for all of us!

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Image credit:  All photos featured in this post belong to me.  I took them all using my own camera.

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Sunday Foodie

 by PAM

'Hacienda style' arroz caldo at Arroz Ecija

Sunday is the day of putting faith front and center. Sunday is the day when we spend at least an hour in the Church to partake of the Word for the sustenance of our souls. And after that soulful celebration of the Word of God, it's time to nurture the body with healthy and delicious food. 

This Sunday, I 'feasted' with a bowl of traditional Filipino comfort food: the arroz caldo. This has many versions. What I had was that warm soupy rice porridge cooked in rich chicken broth with onion and powdered black pepper. The rich porridge was topped with pulled lean chicken meat, halved egg, chopped fresh spring onion, and crunchy browned garlic. A halved calamansi was provided on the side to render citrus flavor to the mix, which heightens the already mouth-watering combination of flavors and aroma. 

Each spoonful of Arroz Ecija's version of the arroz caldo tasted not only of that familiar Filipino mindfulness of carefully measured flavors with nutrition, and the intentional joy of eating, but also of nostalgia. As a child, the arroz caldo was my Lola and Mama's warm embrace and love, expressed in delicious food, whenever we were sick. We were spoon-fed with that rich rice porridge, cooked with thinly sliced ginger

A mix of goodness, crunch and freshness

and ground black pepper, and the very tender chicken meat, freshly pulled from the bone - absolutely delicious! It was their 'magic potion' of getting well and feeling loved. Ah, love... we had so much of that as children. And that shaped us into what we are today, and we are grateful.

The 'feast' this Sunday did not end with that tasteful lunch but continued on with another nutritious bowl of goodness but this time a homey concoction of mine: green-and-lean and many more in between.  It is my salad bowl for dinner. It has lots of greens, fresh fruits, nuts and slices of smoked ham, tied together by a drizzle of my own version of the Thousand Island dressing. It was delicious: salty and sweet, lots of crunch, colorful and flavorful, interesting and refreshing.

Ah, to be a foodie... on a Sunday - what a joy! 

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Image credit: All the photos in this post belongs to me. I took them all.

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