2005 Bar Results

Hats off to Atty. Marcelino “Mars” C. Arias Jr.

Blockmate!!!

A round of applause for your outstanding achievement!

All I Need to Know About Life...

... I learned from drinking Coffee...

· I am productive! I am productive! I am productive!
· Better latte than never.
· A day without coffee is like night...you sleep through it.
· We all have to do the daily grind.
· Espresso yourself.
· Automatic drip defines most people's personalities.
· Stand your grounds.
· If the spoon doesn't dissolve, it isn't coffee.
· I love the caffeine; it's the rich taste I could do without.
· Don't stop till you're shaking.
· Impatience is a virtue.
· Take two cups and call me in the middle of the night.
· Who needs sleep when you've got coffee?
· There's no rest for the caffeinated.
· Decaf is for sissies.
· Man cannot live by coffee alone - donuts are pretty essential too.
· There is no such thing as a free refill.
· It's okay to be full of beans sometimes.

2006 Graduation

There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning.
~ Orrin Hatch

Sta. Catalina College at Biñan, Laguna
25 March 2006

Tita Ralline, Axel, Mama Rachelle, Kyla – The Valedictorian and Tita Mary Ann

8 Certificates and Five Medals

Axel (First Year High School – Top 10) and Kyla

The Bedia-Toletino Family

Mama, Kyla, Axel and Atty. Amador “Ador” Tolentino

Each One Counts

An old man was walking along the beach, when he came upon a part of the sand where thousands of starfish had washed ashore.

A little further down the beach he saw a young woman, who was picking up the starfish one at a time and tossing them back into the ocean.

"Oh you silly girl," he exclaimed. "You can't possibly save all of these starfish. There's too many."

The woman smiled and said, "I know. But I can save this one, " and she tossed another into the ocean, "and this one", toss, "and this one..."

Saving one life is equivalent to saving the world. Each act of caring, each act of kindness is critical. Never stop from doing what you know to be the "right thing" because you think you can't make a difference. Because in effect you are.

Spring is in the Air!

Laugh out loud with liveliness,
Smile a smile full of happiness,
Live your life with joyfulness!

Happy Spring!

Internet Addict Recovery Program

1. I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I used to, before the Internet.
2. I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.
3. I will get dressed before noon.
4. I will attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Internet.
5. I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Internet-deprived.
6. I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Internet.
7. I will read a book...if I still remember how.
8. I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Internet.
9. I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email.
10. I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.
11. I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Internet.
12. Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime ... and the Internet will always be there tomorrow!

Have a Lucky St. Patty's Day!

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
- An Irish Blessing

God bless you with the joy of His love on St. Patrick's Day and always.

Congratulations, Kyla!

Embark on a New Adventure
Unfurl your Wings
and Soar towards a Horizon of Hope.

Angelica Rossana Bedia Tolentino
Class Valedictorian,

Sta. Catalina College

San Antonio, Biñan, Laguna

It is nice to see good things happen to someone so deserving!

Tagged!

I have been tagged twice by April and Bunny!

Did you know…

Four Jobs I've Had In My Life
1. Information Analyst
2. Knowledge Officer
3. Tax Information Officer
4. Trainings and Tax Library Consultant

Four Movies I Could Watch Over And Over
1. 10 Things I Hate About You
2. Cutting Edge
3. Love Affair
4. Never Been Kissed

Four Places I've Lived
1. Makati City
2. Olongapo City
3. Montreal, Canada
4. Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, California

Four TV Shows I Love To Watch
1. Eat Bulaga
2. House, M.D.
3. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Las Vegas, Miami, New York)
4. Reality Shows (American Idol, Amazing Race)

Four Websites I Visit Daily
1. Yahoo!
2. Friendster
3. Tsinoy
4. Wizard News

Four of My Favorite Foods
1. Chicken (Yum!)
2. Dark and Belgian Chocolates (considered ba ito?)
3. Shrimps (Yum Yum!)
4. Sushi/Sashimi

Four Places I've Been On Vacation (fave vacation places na lang)
1. Canada
2. Hawaii
3. Thailand
4. The Netherlands

Four Places I'd Rather Be Right Now
1. Atlantis Paradise Resort, Bahamas
2. Florence, Italy
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
4. Panglao Nature Island Resort, Bohol

Four People I Wanna Tag
1. Agri
2. Jannice
3. Rachelle
4. Tuesday

Julian Lava Callao

From the Australian grapevine…

Jaja Lava (Jheannie’s sister) is very thrilled to announce the arrival of John and Jheannie’s pride and joy, Julian Lava Callao. Born on March 10, 2006.

For John and Jheannie... our congratulations for the new baby boy!

For Julian... we're very excited to meet you!

For Jaja… thanks for the info and keeping touch.

May your home glow with the warmth and love of Julian. Congratulations!

Meatless Meals

Health experts have long been advising us to eat less animal protein as a way to lower their intake of saturated fats and avoid environmental toxins. If you need some simple ideas to get your family or yourself started on a lifestyle that reduces or eliminates animal protein, try the following:

1. Use meat as a side, not as the main dish.
2. Prepare meatless meals that you are familiar with, such as bean burritos and pasta salads.
3. Eat meat less frequently. Start with breakfasts that are meatless, then incorporate meatless lunches as well.
4. Substitute fresh vegetables for meat in recipes. Vegetarian chili can be just as delicious as the meat version.
5. Try meat substitutes. Many supermarkets carry a variety of soy and grain alternatives to hamburger, hot dogs and lunch meats.
6. Try new types of cuisine. Many ethnic cuisines offer meat-free dishes; you may not miss the meat when you have new flavors to entice you.

While they advocate less animal protein intake, they also recommend a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which come from sources such as salmon and sardines.

A healthy, varied, balanced diet that works with your lifestyle is what is most important. Remember you are what you eat...

Always Remember

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But don't forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that have passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

Happy Women's Day!

On March 8, it's the International Women's Day, and time to celebrate being a Woman! Well, importantly enough, it is not just about BEING a Woman; it's also about KNOWING a Woman! So then, whether you BE a Woman or you KNOW a Woman, you're licensed to celebrate International Women's Day and pay tribute to all those women who have through the ages stood courageously against all odds to elevate the status of women around the world- striving towards the goal that one day all women will stand on an equal footing with men.

Come to think of it-today, women have come a long way, but there's still ground to cover. Hope shines bright! Its flame burns stronger every March 8 on International Women's Day.

International Women's Day is a day for women to reflect upon and celebrate their struggles, their achievements and remember with pride all the women who helped bring women up the ladder to the stair they are on today. And what can be a better occasion to honor them, as much as you honor all the deserving others and make them feel special? None, in fact!

On International Women's Day, let each woman raise a toast to herself and to all the other women in this world, to their courage and determination. Woman-today's the day you and your sisters, the world over, take stock of your present position with regard to your equality with men. So be it. Appreciate the efforts, the sufferings and the glory of every small victory on her path to her goal. (Source)

Through The Eyes

The park bench was deserted
as I sat down to read,
beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.

Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
for the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
a young boy approached me,
all tired from play.

He stood right before me
with his head tilted down
and said with great excitement,
"Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower,
and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn –
not enough rain, or too little light.

Wanting him to take his dead flower
and go off to play,
I faked a small smile
and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating
he sat next to my side
And declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty
and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead,
not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.

But I knew I must take it,
or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied,
"Thanks, just what I need."
but instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
he held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed
for the very first time
that weed-toting boy could not see~
he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver,
tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking
the very best one.
"You're welcome,"
he smiled,
and then ran off to play,
unaware of the impact
he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know
of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart,
he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child,
at last I could see
The problem was not with the world;
the problem was me.
And for all of those times
I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life,
and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy,
another weed in his hand,
about to change the life
of an unsuspecting old man.

Thank Heaven for Friends

For all the little friendship things
between just you and me.
For the closeness way down deep that comes
with trust and honesty.

For the ordinary, everyday,
"just-called-to-say" surprises,
For promises you keep
and "cause-you-love-me" compromises.

For "I care so much about you",
and "I'll be there till the end."
For God who blessed my life with such special friends.

Julia Louise Labanda Foronda

Jomar and Leevhi are thrilled to announce the arrival of their pride and joy, Julia Louise Labanda Foronda.

Born last February 28, 2006 at 4pm at 6.1 lbs.

For Jomar and Leevhi... my congratulations for the new baby girl!

For Julia... Ninang Ralline is very excited to meet you!

Things to Remember

Twenty-Four Things to Always Remember and One Thing to Never Forget

Your presence is a present to the world
You're unique and one of a kind
Your life can be what you want it to be
Take the days just one at a time

Count your blessings, not your troubles
You'll make it through with whatever comes along
Within you are so many answers
Understand, have courage, be strong

Don't put limits on yourself
So many dreams are waiting to be realized
Decisions are too important to leave to chance
Reach for your peak, your goal, your prize

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying
The longer one carries a problem
The heavier it gets
Don't take things too seriously
Live a life of serenity
Not a life of regrets

Remember that a little love goes a long way
Remember that a lot goes forever
Remember that friendship is a wise investment
Life's treasures are people together

Realize that it's never too late
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way
Have health, hope and happiness
Take the time to wish upon a star

And don't ever forget
For even a day
How very special you are.