Krissy's Digest...

Tropical storm Ondoy (international codename Ketsana) have devastated the whole nation. Images and videos of people stucked in the roofs of their houses, children swimming in muddy waters, cars thrown upside down and the death toll of 141 with 37 (as of this moment) reported cases of people missing. The search and rescue team are still looking for people stranded in their homes.

With this tragedy , the Filipino people are once again tested. Many have donated relief goods, food, clothes and money, thanks to the continues efforts of the celebrities, news anchors, private citizens and some politicians.




The rain came pouring last saturday. People in the Philippines are used to storms, but they have not anticipated whats to come. People just saw the danger when the flood came in their homes and later swept cars, shanty houses and the height of the water went up to 20 ft.

With the water coming flooding , some people went up to the roof and waited there to be rescued, while other braved the waters and went with the raging flash flood.

Women, Children, Babies, Old people are the most vulnerable and a lot of them were stranded for 2 days, as of this moment the search still continues as reports of other people stucked in their houses continue to pour.

The rescued are all placed in evacuation centers, schools, basketball courts and churches. They badly need food, clothes, mattress and medicine.

A lot of the victims, lost everything. Their house and their things that took years to accumulate. All is fair with the victims, both rich or poor have been affected.

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• Typhoon Ondoy's Devastating Effects in the Philippines x A Call for Help (cmablogs.com)
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President Corazon C. Aquino died of Cardiac Respiratory Arrest at the age of 76, from complications due to her Colon Cancer at the Makati Medical Center, August 1,2009, 3:18am.

Maria Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009) was a President of the Philippines and a world-renowned advocate of democracy, peace, women's empowerment, and religious piety. She served as the 11th president of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. She was the first female president of the Philippines and was Asia's first female president.

I was barely 6 years old when she became president. All I remember was my dad always plays this video of the Edsa Revolution and what sparked it all. As a young girl, I knew that She was the wife of the slain Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. . The one man who stood against the Marcos regime and paid a huge price.

We lived at Pasay City during this time and I remember the tense situation where there were fighter planes always circling around and you can see tanks outside. When I grew up, I understood the vital role that Mrs. Aquino played in the history of our country. If it weren't for her, our country would still be under Marcos regime, under dictatorship and martial law.

Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was the key element into destroying decades of the Marcos regime. And with his wife as the President, democracy prevailed. She was hailed as a modern day hero and the most admirable president so far. She was uncorrupt. She opted not to run for presidency the second time around, and instead wanted a peaceful transfer of government to the next President.

She always follows the rules and have been a great example for her constituents. She never abused her power as the President, not even using her traffic privileges as president.

I admire her strength and devotion to her country, most of all her love of God is legendary.

Children from the new generation should know how great a woman she is. They should know how lucky they are that a President like her ever came to office. And I am sure for years to come, her works will be remembered and also her legacy will remain forever...

We love you Mrs. President. God bless and May you Rest In Peace...

She is survived by her children, Maria Elena Aquino, Aurora Corazon, Victoria Eliza, Senator Benigno Aquino III, and Kristina Bernadette Cojuanco Aquino-Yap who is a television personality.

The King of Pop's funeral service took place at Staple's Center. Jackson's family held a private vigil at the Forest Lawn Cemetery last Monday( Tuesday local time).

The funeral at Staples were flocked by millions of fans who just stayed outside Staples Center. Only a few of the fans got the chance to be inside through the ticket drawing. Michael's Funeral, is so heart wrenching, but I am glad because people will finally see the true man behind the successful facade.

Close family members and friends have painted the real picture of the pop star, a loving father, loyal friend, humanitarian, and a good brother, making the loss even more painful for them to bear.

"I just wanted to say ... ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him — so much," said Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris-Michael, before dissolving into tears and falling into the embrace of her aunt Janet.

Magic Johnson have shared a funny memory with Jackson, when he visited him at his home to discuss a music video they were doing. Magic, ordered grilled chicken but when the chef came, he bought a bucket of KFC for Michael and the grilled chicken for Magic...

Mariah Carey performed the Jackson 5's hit " I'll be there". I cried when I saw Usher's rendition of "Gone too soon" which was originally intended for the child who died of AIDS. His brother Jermaine sang " Smile", also brought tears to the crowd.

Several other performers paid tribute and performed at the funeral, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Brooke Sheilds, Magic Johnson and others.

Queen Latifah also gave a a message...

Some who couldn't come simply sent representatives to read their message for the king of pop.
Nelson Mandela wrote a very touching condolence letter.
All in all it was a funeral fit for the King of Pop...


Here are the first 5 parts of the funeral, hosted at Youtube by AreYouConcerned...

This past week, I have done nothing but view different videos about Michael Jackson. Seen most of the interviews, documentaries, news articles about him. I just feel so bad that people judge him and make false accusations against him, when all he wanted was to relive his childhood over again.

He started working when he was 6 years old and never got to live the same childhood that most normal kids have. In one interview I saw online, he was asked, What he wants to say to his fans? About all the accusations and if they really knew him. He simply replied that in order for them to know him more, they should listen to a song he composed. He said it was the most truthful song he did and it basically explains who he is. The song is titled " Childhood"...

I have posted the video of the song here and also the lyrics. For you people who still criticize him up to this moment, this is for you... Michael Jackson, reaching out, explaining himself... Rest in peace, Michael Jackson...

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, 50, died in UCLA Medical Center of Cardiac Arrest. The Pop star was staging a string of comeback concerts in London. I was shocked when I heard about this. Fans from all over the world mourns the King of Pop, who made the hits like, Billy Jean, Thriller and Beat it.

Michael Jackson was also once married to Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley's daughter. They were together for 2 years and then got divorced. After Lisa Marie, he married, Deborah Jeanne Rowe, a dermatologist nurse. With Rowe, he fathered 2 children, Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr. (also known as "Prince"), and a daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. After the couple divorced in 1999, with Rowe giving full custody rights of the children to Jackson, they remained friends. He also had a third child, by a surrogate mother, through artificial insemination, Prince Michael Jackson II (also known as Blanket) was born in 2002.

Michael, is very famous around the world. His troubles began when he was accused of molesting children in his Neverland Ranch. He became a recluse and faded into the spotlight. News about him occasionally crop out. Like when he is in Dubai, staying with wealthy friends and the news about dangling his child Blanket at the balcony of his room...

He had been addicted with a lot of medications for stress and pain... His health began to deteriorate and he was also diagnosed with vitiligo, that caused his skin to whiten...

Although a lot of media hype had caused Jackson's fall to fame, he is still well respected and very much loved by his fans. Fans flooded his website with messages of condolences and grief causing it to crash at 9:00am... Radio stations have been playing his songs and people are blogging about him.

It is such a shame that he wasn't able to do his comeback... Tickets have been sold like hotcakes... It would have been his last comeback...

As a child, I grew up to his songs, fell in love with his ballads and adored his dance moves. I hope he finds the peace that he had been longing for all his life...

Just received an email from my hubby... He is so fond of sending me great forwarded messages. I just want to share this one to you guys...

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy. 25 in rural Iowa. For generations, kids have painted slogans, names,

and obscenities on this rock, changing its character many times. A few months back, the rock received its latest

paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed.It's quite an impressive sight. Be sure to scroll

down and check out the multiple photos.(all angles) of the rock.I thought the flag was draped over the rock,

but it's not. It's actually painted on the rock too.

A comment made by Actor Alec Baldwin had angered Philippine Senator Ramon Revilla Sr. . The actor had commented that he would just get a mail order bride from the Philippines or Russia. The Philippines is known for many interracial marriages, particularly men from the US.

I am a Filipina, I am also married to an American. Everyone has their own opinion. I just hope, people would not generalize their judgements to every filipino people. Not everyone in the Philippines share the same values and are of different characters.

This comment made by Mr. Baldwin somehow upsets me. Although I know he was only joking, but us as Filipinos are made as the butt of the joke again.

I hope the world would see us with all the great achievements we have done, not by all the negative publicity that have been plastered all over by the media...

Again this is just my own point of view....

On Saturday, we will do our first circumssision. It is a community outreach prpgram in which student nurses like us are given the chance to experience and learn everything on the spot. I just hope we do well... And do it right... I am quite extatic about it. More updates next time... Ciao!!!

I haven't blogged for a few weeks already. Been busy about a lot of things. Processing papers, going to the farm and accompanying mom to where she needed to go. Just last week, I went to Manila to process my birth certificate.

The main office of the NSO ( National Statistics Office) is located in Manila and I have to fix some errors made on my birth certificate, in order for me to proceed with my visa processing. While I was there, Mom and I stayed at The Kabayan Hotel. Kabayan Hotel is a budget hotel that has very nice rooms and also great service. It is greatly patronized by Filipinos who worked abroad and lately a large percentage of the hotels guests are foreigners.

Gone were the days where the tourists stay at a very high priced five star hotels... Kabayan is jammed packed with people. Every room is full...

It is also specially great if you are on a tight budget. They offer dormitory rooms where there are 6 people in one room. Each of you have your own key and own locker. The room also has its own bathroom... Only for 600 a day... Free breakfast and at some accomodation also have free lunch...

Kabayan hotel has 2 branches, one is Cubao and the other one in Pasay Rotonda...


There are lots of changes in infrastructure one thing hasn't changed though, the traffic...:) Also the crooks are still alive and kicking, looking for innocent people to con...

Mom and I went to Divisoria on 168. She bought a lot of stuff there at a really cheap price... You can find anything from clothes, bags, accessories, house decors, electronics and many more. You can also ask for a discount... There is no such thing as a fixed price.

processing papers in government office is quite a hassle... You have to fall in line for hours. And there are a lot of fixers hounding you. Thats the only thing I don't like.

We also went to Bonifacio Global City and strolled along High street... Bought 2 books from Fully Booked and drink my coffee at Strabucks... Mom bought krispy Kreme's for pasalubong.

Will upload pictures soon... So busy...

The New Ipod Shuffle is another revolutionary device from apple. It is by far the smallest model of the Ipod family and full packed with features that have just been developed by Apple. Don't be fooled by its size. It is 1.8"x0.3" thin to be exact. Smaller than your average house keys. But its got 4gb of memory which stores up to 1000 songs.

Unlike the previous versions of the Ipod shuffle, the control center of this one is conveniently located at the right ear bud, which is very easy to access. Just clip it on your sleeves and you're good to go.

This Ipod shuffle also has voice over capabilities, where you could press it to know which song is playing, what's the next song and if your ipod needs to be charged. You could also create playlists so you could listen to music depending on your mood. No need for a screen to browse songs, because voice over will take care of it.

A great accessory that you'll love to carry around wherever you go. The New ipod shuffle, definitely is a stunner. It costs just $79 in the states and P4,190.00 in the Philippines. There are 2 colors available, black and white. If you buy it online, you can choose to have it personalized by having a message engraved on it. Also offers free shipping if bought on apple online stores worldwide...

I have been assisting my daughter in doing her school project. It has something to do about Filipino Heroes and Greatest Achievers, in the process of doing this, I have recently renewed mtyinterest in some of the great Filipino people of our history and one of them is Fernando Amorsolo, The first Filipino National Artist...

Let me begin by telling something about the great painter. He was born on May 30, 1892 at Paco Manila as the 3rd in the family of 4 boys. As a young boy he had been tutored at home and was also an apprentice to his Uncle, a painter. He had painted sceneries for postcards and sold it to a local bookstore to make ends meet. He entered the School of Fine Arts in the University of the Philippines in 1909 and was one of the first graduates in 1914. He had went to study further in Spain through the sponsorship of a prominent Filipino, Don Enrique Zobel. Amorsolo have also worked as a draftsman at the Department of Public Works and had taught at his Alma mater and later became the Director of Fine Arts of University of the Philippines until his retirement.



His “Rice Planting” (1922) was a staple of tourist brochures and his style became most sought-after by American soldiers who wanted something uniquely Filipino to bring back home to the United States.




One such client, Capt. Robert Kennedy, brought home a few Amorsolo pieces and had them framed at the Art Center Gallery in New York. The gallery owners inquired about the artist which led to Amorsolo’s first one-man show in New York. Of the 40 pieces, 24 were immediately purchased.

Amorsolo often uses his family members to pose for his paintings. Mostly his wife and his daughters. At one time, he had made his house helpers pose for him, after posing he had paid them. His daughter asked why did he have to pay them when he is already paying for their salary? He replied, "We have hired them to do housework and not to pose for me, therefore, they should be compensated for posing for my painting".

It is said that he had made over 10,000 pieces in his lifetime. Every painting reflects his mastery in the use of light and his craftsmanship evident in every stroke in his canvasses that describes day to day life of people in the Philippines.

Women are painted with such detail that one could see the love he has for his wife and daughters. His sketches are done randomly of no particular subject. He just draws what he sees. May it be Philippine scenery like the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Pagsanjan Falls, the Rice Harvests and Ladies doing laundry by the lake or the war torn country that he had agonizingly depicted in his drawings.

He had done numerous art exhibits both locally and abroad and always with such a critical acclaim. Due to his popularity, he had sold almost all of his creations and it is very expensive to own one of his works. Those who own Amorsolo pieces are the rich and famous art collectors.

One of his works, the Markang Demonyo, is still used up to this day. It is the design to one of the most popular gin in the Philippines, Ginebra San Miguel Gin.



He had died in 1972 at the age of 79. His sketches and some of his works were divided among his wife and children. He is truly one of the Philippines pride. We are proud of him...

The Aspire M5641, a new consumer desktop computer that is offered by Acer. This computer boasts of great specifications and is said to be very fast and very efficient. Having the Core 2 Quad Intel processor, 18.5 LCD widescreen monitor, a roomy 320 Gb SATA Hdd, 2 Gb DDR2 Memory, Nvidia Graphics and a very sleek design, its definitely one great PC to have.


The only flaw I have seen in the unit is the installation of the Operating System. We installed windows vista starter edition in it. I am actually new to using windows vista and a Core 2 Quad PC unit. The guys at the computer shop almost took the whole 3 hours trying to install windows vista to the computer... Unlike the previous versions where you just put the installation disk at the drive bay and then it automatically starts. Here they went through a complex way in installing the OS. That I am afraid to even reformat the pc because I think I wouldn't know how to install the OS back to the machine again...

I think I have to study that and blog about it separately in another entry.

After the installation, tried the unit and it is so fast... You can do multi-tasking in it. Write your blog entry, listen to internet radio, watch youtube videos, download torrent files, play a favorite PC game at the same time and it won't budge... A powerhouse computer...

Will try to use it a few more days and would be back blogging more about this amazing PC... So far, it is worth the price tag of almost 35,000 Php... Definitely recommend it to other pc enthusthiasts out there.

And if you don't know a thing on how to install the operating system, better leave it to the experts. Have the computer shop technicians install it for you, or else, you'll have a real big problem installing the OS.

It is of no secret that I have been a fan of the Beatles since I was in high school. I still do follow some news about the 2 remaining Beatles namely Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. But it seems like Sir Paul McCartney is always the one who is in the hot seat as always. From losing his beloved wife Linda McCartney to breast cancer, marrying Heather Mills, who turned out to be a monster and now being engaged to his current love interest Miss Nancy Shevell, who is also divorced from her equally rich husband, lawyer Bruce Blakeman.





Sir Paul McCartney and Miss Shevell have been together since the post divorce hearings of Sir Paul to his estranged ex-wife, Heather Mills. Since then, Miss Shevell have been photographed a lot and been followed by paparazzi. The once private life she had, is not so private now, because she is with Paul McCartney.




News broke that they are also engaged, which Sir Paul brushed off as lies, all lies. There is absolutely nothing wrong if they do get married. They look so happy. And I haven't seen Paul McCartney so happy, not since his wife, Linda McCartney.



Sir Paul McCartney deserves to be happy. He is a good man with a good heart. What happened to him with Heather Mills is unfortunate which cost him $50 Million in divorced settlements. But I am glad that he got rid of her... She's not good for him... :)

Before Linda Eastman McCartney, Paul McCartney is also engaged to his long time girlfriend Jane Asher. Maybe they are not just meant to be...



What matters now is, Sir Paul is Happy.... And we will probably be waiting for some wedding bells to ring, in the future that is.... Good luck to you Sir Paul...

I am a huge lover of the arts. From music, poetry and paintings. God only gave me the gift of music. So I can't really draw great pictures and write romantic poetry, although I did try in my younger years. Everyone could be a good poet, depending on what they feel inside the moment they write something for that someone or anything particular.

There are many forms of art and one of this is drawing. But can you ever imagine drawing a picture using crayons and could still look lifelike? At first I was skeptical but when I saw the works of Don Marco, I was stunned. The pictures are absolutely flawless.



Don Marco or Mr. Crayola as popularly called is a master of this medium. He uses common crayons to do his art work. He was born on Northern Minnesota in the late 1920's. He served in the Army Air Corp when he was a young adult and then began his life long career in Air Traffic Control. He does his art works on his spare time.

Before retirement, he have mastered a technique of using crayons for his artworks. He became in demand and is sought after by the likes of Burt Reynolds and other famous people.

Here are some of his artworks from his website.



Burt Reynolds



Tom Selleck



Apache Warrior


Clint Eastwood

View more of his amazing works at his website.

Great works done in crayons. Enjoy and share with everyone...