7 Men and Women -- 7 Stories -- 7 Detours -- One Soul Searching

My mom was one of the fortunate people to be invited to reinvent one' s being. Yes! She always says she is fortunate... lucky... blessed because if you know who my mother is in real life form you would say "Oooowwww!!!!! how  is she  still alive as of now for both of us... Whatever she had shared in the boot camp is only 1/4 because as she says not all deserves to know who is the real Rissa. That 1/4 was just the dark side of her and the darker side and the darkest side are well kept even if Kuya David Ferro asked her "No more hiding... It is time..."  As a child she said she had followed everything my lola said. My mom said she wanted to be an engineer but my lola asked her to be a teacher. As an obedient first daughter, she did so. The only thing she had against my lola's will was when she married Jade... And that was the start of her unfortunate detours in her life... What she ever wanted before marriage were to become a professor, finished her doctorate degree and have a kid... NO HUSBAND INCLUDED. But then she had a drastic detour... her wants became having a house, a healthy family, a loving husband... be the coolest mom to me... but these things never came true as she waited for 12 years to come... All she had was just an apology for all the nightmares we had... Aimlessly, she just sat down a blank screen on most of the time... wasting what is left in her life. She said the only right thing that ever happened in her life since she got married is having me as her son. She never failed me as a mom even though most of the time she apologies for not being the best one...
My mom was invited to reinvent herself in Detour Boot Camp by Kuya David courtesy of Propel Mentoring Partnership Co. which leads people out of the box. She had herself absent for a day to be there for the first day and had me sent to Tita Joy's place to enjoy my Lola Viring's birthday. Yes! She had sacrificed a family gathering which happens only once in a year for the boot camp. She had sacrificed 3 days without seeing me for the first time in her life. Was it worth??? "Definitely", she said and here she shared to me what she had in the boot Camp.


Getting into places is her major goal nowadays. She never traveled alone  and this was her first time in an unfamiliar place like Boso Boso Hotel and Resort in Antipolo, Rizal last November 18, 19 and 20 of 2016. She brought lots of things and so I asked her "MAMA UUWI KA PA BA?". She brought too much and less too... she forgot her toothpaste, sanitary napkins, essential vitamins etc. She said that she waited for hours to wished she had come to school first. She hates absenteeism. She hates late. She hates sarcasm. She hates herself. She had hefty meals together with the other campers. There she met good people. She mentioned a lot like Tita Arlyn, Tita Bette, Tita Cherry, Tita Sol, Tita Mich, and more. Day 1 was the start of her new detour and that was giving life a chance. The first speaker, Andrew Cua, shared how he had his backlogs... sacrifices... swallowing his pride... He started as his classmates' servant in returning empty bottles in exchange of few peso coins from them to now a growing internet business tycoon. Don't be afraid to start up...  Then second one, which was Rochelle De Villa, talked about identifying the problems in far most in our society and how to help them solve these problems. And so she had the first farmer friendly association where farmers can have their start up. Overcome her own disability of being born that way, that never hindered her to help others as she help herself in helping others. My mom likes to help others and so she bets on the second one but I said to her "How can you help others if you don't know how to help yourself first?... You need to help yourself first before you can be in service to others." and so both speakers were valued to her on her first day in the boot camp... (by the way we constantly talked through texting and messenger. ) The third speaker was Rachel Harrison, a mom of Julian, who never gives up for her son. She had given so much hope to my mom as for my Tita Roselle, who have autism, who never had such special training to bring out the best in her for her 28 years of just sitting around. She is planning to have Tita Roselle go to Zambawood. It is not  too late for her to live her life even with autism. The fourth speaker was Dave Lim. The cool Dave Lim got sick of building dreams for the foreign brands and so he founded My|Phone Cellular Company. Patriotism is a form of loving yourself... believing that we are all created equal in a form good sense of leadership. Everyone should have a heart of not giving up. He promised my mom to REPLACED her phone, which she had own only last April and broke it last May, through Miss Sheryl. Anthony Pangilinan was the 5th one. He talked about the advantages and disadvantages of life and how to claim it. Taking a good look on the positive things in the detours... support comes own its way... open arms embrace those you add value to you... looking a deep thought of 1... 2... 3...  to accept the brutal fact... then to the new ways of moving forward but at the end don't ever forget to understand that at the end of the goal, it isn't always the destination you ever planned to have... FOCUS... the need of focus is a must in seeking for the real purpose in life... and the most important of all  is to LOVE YOURSELF... The sixth speaker was Mary Jane Vega. A fighter... a warrior... she is a great example that her faith... her God is bigger than cancer. She never let that dreadful disease controlled her life. She made sure giving up is not an option because she have a son to raise... and she knows no matter what his age he would always need her as his mom. ( I hope my mom realize that I need her for the rest of my life... I am very hopeful she WON'T quit living her life ). The last one was Flip Ruby of Zalora. He talked about when life gives you lemons you should squeeze them in your eyes... hahahahaha!!! It is very easy for some to talk negatively but is very hard to many to take the talk positively... Life is short... Life is hard... but it is up to you to live a life to the fullest in spite of tons of detours...

My mom believes in angels...I have to thank Kuya David and Ate Shirley for this... and for her, she was then thanking God for giving her such good opportunity to think deeper that in every breath she takes their is hope... all she needs is to ask what she really needs... and she will receive...

Here are some pictures she had taken in her hostile self. :)

Andrew Cua

Rochelle De Villa

The Reflection Time together with her team.

Ms. Rachel Harrison as she speaks with full of heart and soul...

Mr. Lim as he promised my mom to replaced her phone. :)

The ever handsome no matter what Mr. Anthony Pangilinan

From the campers photos. Ms. Shirley and Ms. Jane

Mr Flip of Zalora

The peaceful over viewing the activity  area

She said she swam here...

The view in her assigned room

Her assigned room with her roommates... 

Her sleep deprived selfie outside the room...

Her first day selfie ( They thought she owed the place... hahahaha)

Morning selfie for her be like... I NEED TO LOVE MYSELF

The afternoon look ANGAS mode...

Her last day selfie

Thank you Propel Mentoring Group for Taking Good Care of My Mom...

--Justin

Malolos City -- A Heritage Tour

I will forever love to do things together with my son like eat good food, meet nice people, and of course! travel and see things and places in person. Malolos City in Bulacan is one of the cities you should not fail to visit in your life! Looking in the past is not that bad at all especially when it has something to do of what we have now -- FREEDOM.

Being invited to be part of The Heritage Tour of  Ms. Charmaine is a blessing because it made us both ( I and Justin) realized that we are very much in interest of modern life when it could more simpler. Yes I describe it simpler. The past is simpler than we have today.  The heritage in the Renaissance City of Malolos is the most interesting and amazing city we have visited so far. The gorgeous will designed houses filled with interesting heirloom from our ancestors really made me feel that I have missed a lot of what I should be amazed.








Our first stop was the the house of Dr. Luis Santos which showcased the grand elaborate architecture of the Renaissance Period. At the gate you would see signage that Dr. Luis Santos was a Medical Practitioner. The fences and the gates are not so high that you could see how majestic the house clinic as it stands facing the striking lights of the sun. Every details of the house will give you the WOW factor that even if you are not an art enthusiast you would much will say, "I want to live here!" The front yard is well groomed with carabao grass and few ornamental plants, Makopa and Mango Tree. The shade of the Mango tree makes the front yard a perfect pace to have an afternoon tea time outside the house beside the fountain which was made by the one who made the famous of oblation of University of the Philippines. The house will welcome you with such huge collection of books. Most of these books are Law and Medicine based. You could imagine how old and brittle these books that they tried to save and preserve for us to see at this present times. At the right part shows the patients'ward. The old hospital bed frames are still there to remind us that Dr. L. Santos had saved many lives in here. Then a huge part of the first floor of the house have this catering part where the visitors are entertained like us where we had our story telling of the history of Malolos. The pantry and the kitchen are very spacious. You could cook and prepare  feasts of the kings in here. There is there antic there too. This is where Dr. Santos used to play his violin. The right part of the first floor of the have this grand stair with a locked cupboard under it. The Oror Plata Mata stair is well fashioned with cravings. The well polished planks of the stairs can accommodate the largest skirts of the ladies during the old times. The upper part of the house have family enticing ambiance. The floor is very well polished with such great designs. This goes with the ceiling too. Definitely you will love to stare at the ceiling! The wood like antique smell of the house will surely enchant you to have the same living as they had. Such  fine pieces furniture will leave you wondering how grand every reunion and festivities did they had during their times. The best part of this house is the chapel. Yes! Their is a room for praying with life-size image of Mama Mary.










Next stop is the house of one of the Women of Malolos, Alberta U. Santos. It used to be a pharmacy too. We had some few pointers of how the Malolos Women fought for their rights for education and other things that they had contributed in our history. The best part of this is knowing how they kept the letter of Rizal. I once been in this house to honor the Women of Malolos.

The third stop is the Bahay na Bato of the ancestors of Epifanio Delos Santos. The house is far more different from the first two because it is more made of with concrete stone. You would loved to see the hand painted walls and the laces and crochet linen table covers and pillow cases. Their is also a piano in the wide grand room which tells us that a family gathering would never be completed with some music and singing







Our tour would never be completed without having a great taste of Malolos famous dishes. And we had that from Bistro Maloleno. Each dishes they had prepared were named with the heroes who fought for our freedom. I was very full and satisfied that time. You will love every dishes in here but the best in here is the "Pinaso", the best simple dessert ever had made of egg yolk. As our elders used the egg whites for building churches and establishments, they thought of how these yolks wouldn't go to waste and that was the birth of "Pinaso"







After our very satisfying lunch we headed to Barasoain Church and Malolos City Museum. The Museum showcases mainly of on the people and events  which are significant to us to know about the rise of the consciousness of the Filipino people on the founding of the First Philippine Republic as the first democratic constitution in Asia and Africa. You would loved reliving the history we have.

The church is so amazing to look up too. You may want to get married in here and wonder how they beautifully crafted the details of the church from inside to outside.




Our last stop was in one of the houses of Mayor Chirstian Natividad, who welcomed us with such great hospitality. It is a huge place homing lots of saved dogs from the streets of Malolos. After a simple meryenda, the mayor gave us some time to interview and know more of the city he has been taking good care with all his life. And I am so thankful he had catered everything we needed. He is the nicest and the humblest government server I ever met ( I mean it. I had been in the government service all my life and nobody comes close to how nice he is.  If ever be given another moment to visit Malolos City again, I would even in my own expense because everything is worth it especially knowing how we got our freedom today.

The Heritage Architecture Tour Rate is 1499/head for regular tour and 499/head for student tour.
You should not be content on what you had inside the classrooms or from the internet... The real beauty and richness of our history is much more be appreciated in real time and moment...
 --Rissa


  

Going Back To Our Heroic Roots - The Malolos Heritage Tour

One of the greatest thing that I am missing as a student is having the learning outside the four corners of my classroom... I was so happy... actually jumping for joy when when my mom told me that we are going on the Heritage TOUR IN MALOLOS, BULACAN... She has been telling me about the Women of Malolos all this time when they had their research in college...

We were very fortunate to be invited by Ms. Charmaine through Ms. Cindy to come and visit the roots of our freedom and heroic tales and our first stop was the Clinic of Dr. Luis D. Santos. Our tour guide had our toured inside the house so interesting through casual story telling of the Roots of Our Heritage.
The house of Dr. Luis Santos proves that Filipinos are very rich in existence where such lovely elaborated designs of furnitures and and interior and exterior designs were craftily justified

One of the earliest work of Anastascio Caedo, the renowned sculptor/maker of University of the Philippines' Oblation. The dramatic and well detailed craftsmanship of such famous Caedo can been easily be identified in this fountain. 

Tourist getting ready for the group photo under the mango tree

Gathering around for the story telling in the first floor of Dr. Luis Santos's house. Notice how many tables are available. They are meant for the social gathering, huge meeting and dining experiences for colleagues and patients as well. 

I removed my clogs because the floor is so polished and clean. The antique mirror dressers in these area puzzled me for its purpose. My mom said Filipinos during the old times were fond of looking themselves in the mirrors and they also used them to see others inside the room with being rude of glaring of staring at the person.

And the story telling took me back to the past making me realized I missed this kind of learning. Casual no pressure learning is more of a fun and relaxing thing to do for me as a student.

The ceiling speaks a thousand words... It is very beautiful... more of majestic in every details...

Even the walls and the floor speak how well off Dr.Luis Santos. See how amazing are the details... Well kept smooth and shiny floor...

and the social gathering will never be completed without a musical instrument such as a piano like this. (oh I wished I have one of this at home. 

Amazingly, the house have this huge room for praying. 

My mom loves bathrooms and this one amazed her that much she wanted to have the same elegant features at home. They have bathtubs during the old times... What i was thinking before was they take thier soaking in a huge round wooden tubs.

Old clinic beds no longer in use.... I wonder how many patients of Dr. Santos died in this room. I hope only a few then.

The round table with such simple but simple but well kept wooden chair with rattan woven back rest 

The symmetrical design really shows how we should pay attention to details. It is like my doodle:)

This part I think is where the food that will be served were being put for standby... 

The whole clan of the Santos' in one picture. They are all lovely people

The Dr. Luis Santos...

Looking upward as you go up and down the stairs, you would see this... both sharp and soft edges in one picture...

Flowers and birds sculpted in wood... What a huge labor of love!

The dramatic playful thing of my mom contrasting the color of the walls and chair. The smell of the well polished wooden planks of the floor and walls lingered everywhere which became her subject of this pose.  

Lovely ORO PLATA MATA stair is wide enough for ten persons would go up and down. This stair was especially designed for the ballgown like skirts of the well-off women of Malolos, Bulacan and their guest.

My mom, Tita Cherry and Tita Cindy posed looking at the sun. Even the exterior design of the house tells how laborious the craftsmanship of the people behind this beautiful house and how rich the family of Dr. Santos... really beautiful indeed.

The fences and the front view of the house are work of art.

The word MEDICO means medical practitioner

Next stop is the house of Alberta Santos, who  was one of the Malolos Women who fought their rights of learning how to speak and right Spanish language. Mr. Vicente Santiago Enriquez gave us such insightful knowledge about the 21 Women of Malolos. Women during the Spanish times in the Philippines were deprived such education. The Women of Malolos unbelievable demand their rights and they won. How? better come here an learn for Mr. Enriquez. Everything seemed so new to hear and listened when he does the story telling like a grandfather to his grandchildren...

The Home of Alberta Santos, wh is one of the 21 Women of Malolos is also the home of The Knights of Columbus here in Malolos.

There is a well besides the house, which of course gave me a good laugh because it reminds me of Sadako.

Farmacia means "drug store". The home across Dr. Santos' house served as a drug store which is a good thing so that sick people won't go further and farther seeking for drugs they need for the patients.

This post reminds us how the Women of Malolos should be remember all the times even outside the house.

And Mr. Enriquez gladly had us that afternoon for such wonderful time knowing the Women of Malolos... Because of his talk I had bought a book from him to learn more of our heritage. 

The list of sponsors who help to preserve the legacy of the house of Alberta U. Santos

Immortalized through pictures...

The fine antique furniture which are hands;off to the public 

The Women of Malolos also were known for their culinary expertise...

This is what my mom told me before... Pastillas wrapped with very meticulous paper art. They don't know what kind of pair of scissor was used for making this kind of works of art.

The detials that you will never get enough... priceless piece of our history...

The face of Alberta U. Santos... a very lovely smile indeed

The glamour never faded as the ballgown downsized... The vintage luggage is a must... 

Women of Malolos were also famous through their choice fashion. 

A powder container and a vial of oil perfume... Women of Malolos were fond of these tings too...

My mom together with the rest of the Heritage Tour. On their background are the 21 Women of Malolos... Each were identified and painted accordingly to their real image except for the 5 women who were not identified in spite of the meticulous searching...

Our third stop was the Bahay na Bato of the forefathers of Efipanio Delos Santos. Unlike the two previous houses, this was made of solid stone with of course elaborated yet majestic indeed for me to be fascinated with...

The gate of the Bahay na Bato is very high and had sharp edges

Books in the glass cabinet and a round table with white lace table cover upon entering the house is a great sign that the people who had lived here loves education and learning...

This long table is a must have in any huge family gathering. I totally love this because it matches my mom's eyelet dress

Art on a solid wall... an over looking window through the other room...

Seems to be comfortable twin beds with woven rattan... it must be cold yet comfy to sleep in these beds.

Like their famous dishes Bistro Maloleno is an event place and restaurant with a twist
of something new and old... modern and traditional

Although our minds were still hungry for such wonderful architectural and historical viewing, we needed to stop for a while a replenished a bit. and so we stopped by Bistro Maloleno Event Place and Restaurant. They had prepared a huge feast! Everything with the twisted of what I know. Like the Hamon na Pinaso, Tinola with Kalabasa, Rebosadong Hipon and more... All named after our heroes because they had loved these dishes... And here some pictures of what I had on my plate. :)

Bistro Maloleno gave us a feast of unforgettable heroes's favorites..
with some twist...

You must try everything on this feast... Promise!They are all worth the travel... 

And then we continued our tour to the Town City Museum or well known as The Bulacan Musuem. The following picture will much more than I can say. This is one pace in Malolos you should not miss because the whole tour will tell what leis beneath the impossible in Filipinos... in Our Heritage...

The entrance to the museum 

As the lights lits and fades our authentic stories come alive...

and the congress is in session...

You could imagine how our forefathers brought our freedom today...

Our museum tour guide had us all amazed of what inside Malolos' well kept musuem

The corridors with the original antique seats

My mom found this awesome!

We should also have this in our school...

And this part of the museum  tells me to stop and appreciate what was left for us to know.

They are like tarot cards... only bigger...

Original hand writings can be hard to read... but they are very interesting!

And this section shows the true images of our heroes. 

The Exit 

This is what is inside the famous Barasiain Church. My mom said that this is the church which graced the 10 peso paper we used to have. Built in 1888, this Roman Catholic Church in Malolos, Bulacan cradled the loveof freedom and patriotism of the ancestors... You better visit this solemn church our better have you wedding here... Can you imagine that this has been here for more than a century built and made of some egg white...

This is one huge elaborately designed church!

This such art would give you the wow!

The famous door with the carved images of our culture.

The church stand like an emperor against the son.

Our whole Heritage Tour would never be completed without meeting the man behind the strongest town I ever visited -- Mayor Chirstian Natividad..  He had us in his yard full of rescued dogs. He had prepared a very simple yet satisfying meryeinda of our traditional kakanin and pansit. Then later part... He allowed us to ask questions and give suggestions... He is one cool guy to meet in person... I would loved to see him someday in the our senate to fight for the importance of our traditions and heritage...

The whole yard is full of rescued dogs, which can roam freely around. With that slides on the other hand tells me that this is a  child friend yard for everyone... I would loved to ran with these dogs next time.

They were very accommodating indeed. 

Our dear Mayor Chirstian Natividad in a very simple and casual attire made us relax that we are part of the Malolos Family indeed...

The feast and the interview time done at the same time... 

Our beloved mayor had everything covered and he said that he would loved to have us again soon... I would always say yes to Malolos, Bulacan!

--Justin