at the foot of the tallest building

Burj Dubai (Dubai Tower), which is still under construction and is expected to be completed by 2008 is now the world's tallest building in terms of height and number of floors.

On December 19, 2007, my family and I are privileged enough to have come near this historic icon of Dubai. Our friend bro. Patrick and sis. Shonie toured us around the downtown Dubai, where this tower is located.

image of Burj Dubai taken at approximately 300-400 meters away

While taking photos at about 300 to 400 meters away from the Burj Dubai, wanting an ultra wide angle lens just popped up my mind. I have to make do with my 24-70 mm lens.

Daddy Jun, Sis. Shonie & Bro. Kicks posing for a souvenir shot

my wife and kids souvenir pose...

How I wish santa claus would send me that 10-20 mm lens this christmas so that the next time I would be in downtown Dubai, clicking my camera for a full image of the Burj Dubai would be so easy.

I hope and pray that the moment Burj Dubai is completed, I already have my ultra wide angle lens.

holiday seasons + parties + foods = 3 kg

Holiday season has just started. Parties here and there are being held. When we speak of parties, foods abound--high calorie foods for that matter.

The foregoing facts made the study in the US of America reveals that after the holiday seasons most of the Americans gain at least 3 kilograms (approximately 7 lbs.).

healthy green salad with unhealthy high calorie dressing

I am not so sure if we Filipinos gain more or less kilograms after the holiday season than the Americans. Filipinos love to eat all year round.

bro. kicks & sis. shonie's treated us with a sumptuous dinner at moulin dior in dubai

I have listed below some points on how to avoid gaining extra kilos due to partying all throughout the holiday season:

1. Enjoy the fellowship with friends and new found friends at parties more than the food. Keep your food intake in moderation.

2. Drink more water. Research shows that water is one of the major catalyst for losing weight.

3. Keep a healthy sleeping habit.

4. Share your party spare foods to the less fortunate than bringing it home.

5. Exercise. If you have started this habit, keep it even on this holiday season. If you have not started to exercise, it is advisable that you join with friends and set a regular schedule to exercise.

6. Gift yourself with exercise equipment or apparel. These items must keep you safe while making you look and feel good while exercising.

7. Maintain a stress free life by keeping your daily devotional time with the Lord. Keep the word of God your everyday desserts. Please keep note that "STRESSED" spelled backwards is "DESSERTS".

Hope you enjoy the holiday season and stay fit.

Mercure Grand Hotel, Al Ain

In my 3.5-year stay in the United Arab Emirates, it was my first time to get inside the Mercure Grand Hotel in Al Ain City, UAE on December 15, 2007. Our friend, Bro. Patrick & Sister Shonie invited us to go to Mercure hotel and tour around its amenities. My wife and our eldest daughter is not available that time, so it was only me and my two other daughters who were able to heed the couple's invitation.

Annia, Bro. Kicks, Sis. Shonie, & Khloe at the Henna tent of Mercure Hotel

The place is beautiful and view from its panoramic deck is breathtaking. It has a two high-powered binoculars strategically located on both sides of the deck where you have a good view of Oman on one side and the City of Al Ain on the other.


At the deck, the pool and recreation area is visible. Here is what I mean...

View from the panoramic deck of the hotel overlooking the pool & Al Ain city

After an hour of touring the hotel and its amenities, we had lunch at the hotel's restaurant.
We feasted ourselves with the sumptuous food prepared at the buffet table.

Khloe & Annia could wait any longer the inviting waters of the swimming pool. Just right after they finished their food, they asked their tito kicks and tita Shonie the promise of letting them enjoy swimming. And so they did...

This Eid holidays, which starts on December 18 to 22, 2007 the hotel is 100% occupied. Well, every long holidays, people from other Emirates will come and enjoy the scenic places of the garden city of Al Ain.

early christmas present

"Nanay" is a term of endearment my kids call their aunt, the younger sister of my wife. Her name is Rowena Saavedra Laure.

She was so generous enough to give us as Christmas present a 32" LCD TV and a home theater.

It now hangs beautifully on the wall of our living room.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this present.

where is homer?

I am referring to the Cebuano sportswriter based in Chicago and chronicling for a spot of the sports section of Sunstar Daily in Cebu, Philippines. He is one of the best sportswriter that I admire. I am one of the millions reading his sports column.

Although away from my home country the Philippines, I am checking daily www.sunstar.com.ph. One of my favorites there is Mr. Homer's sports column, "Second Overtime."

According to his last column, which I first thought was a joke as he has done that many times before, he will be on sabbatical from sports writing. For several months now, I missed his column. I bet the millions of followers felt the same way I am feeling.

My longing for Mr. Sayson's column was aggravated by the Mayweather-Hatton fight. He could have covered the events from the pre-fight happening few days before the d-day until the post-fight. His coverage diary made me feel as if I was actually present before, during and after the fight.

Now I know. Homer's sports writing is the missing ingredient why I felt that my sports IQ, specially in NBA and boxing dropped to below average. I missed the genius in Homer.

I hope and pray that he would soon get back to share his genius in sports by ending his sabbatical.

God bless you Homer and your family.

cherished moments

The image shown above is one of my cherished moments. I could not describe my feelings seeing my family wearing their smiles on their faces. They are not just smiling because they are in front of the camera, but because we we are all together as one family dining out celebrating the special day of my second daughter, Khloe. The photo was taken at the Golden Gate restaurant in Al Ain City on November 24, 2007, Khloe's 11th birthday.

I know this is a bit of a late entry to this blog. Yet, I am still posting this one since occasions like this sticks to my memory. I cherished every bit of moment when I am with my family. I grew up without experiencing these moments as I came from a broken family.

This is to show the world how I love my family--my wife Rose Marie and my three children Sophia, Katryna, and Adrianna.

recharged when almost drained

Office workload has eaten me up physically. A lot of things have to be done in such a short time. Most of the items on my desk the last couple of weeks are to be finished immediately...as if the deadline was yesterday.

Because of these office pressures, I started to sense that my body's strength is on the brink of being drained. As my body started to feel weakened and tired, so as my spiritual walk.

As I flipped my folio folder yesterday, a piece of paper dropped from it. In no time I found my self reading the prints of the paper as soon as I picked it up.

This piece of paper was handed to me by a fellow believer after our Worship service on November 30, 2007. Brother Frederico, who hails from India, has been in Al Ain City, UAE for the last 16 years. I have known him for the last couple of years as He was so active in our church fellowship activities. During our Church's family day on December 2, 2007, I learned that it was the last day of my Brother Frederico to have fellowship with us as he will be flying back to his hometown in India for good.

I will never forget this brother. He is used by God to inspire people. He has inspired me with this piece of paper that I was reading. At the right time when I was almost drained, this piece of paper which my brother handed me has recharged my battery. Physically and spiritually I was like gaining new strength.

I am now so excited to share the content of this paper, and here it is:

“WHO AM I IN CHRIST?”

I am born again, I am the child of God, God’s life is flowing in me.
I am a new creation in Christ Jesus all old is gone and I am made new. (2 Cor 5:17)
I have been rooted out from satan’s kingdom and planted in God’s Kingdom. (Col 1:13)
I am the salt of this earth and light of this world. (Mt 5:13-14)
I am the ambassador of Christ (Acts 1:8, 2Cor 5:20) and witness to the ends of the earth.
I am a victor and more than conqueror in Christ Jesus. (Rm 8:37)
I am born of God; sickness, diseases, failure, lack and death has no power over me.
I am sanctified, holey and incorruptible seed. I am divine as God is divine.
I am righteous of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21). Ia m bold as a lion (Prov 28:1).
I am a miracle creation, highly favored; wherever I go I see His victory.
I am a living testimony and a living epistle. (2 Cor 3:2)
I am the glory of God (Jn 17:22) that is why I can not be defeated nor destroyed.
I am beautifully made in the image of God, I am His perfect masterpiece. (Gen 1:27)
I am not ordinary, I am chosen from a million, His special treasure on this earth.
I am a most priced possession, most cherished and celebrated of all His creations.
I am first and the best, born to rule and reign.
I am a champion and a master over all life circumstances.
I am made king to reign over spiritual forces and I am master over demons, sickness, diseases, poverty, failure, death and the grave.
I am valuable and precious in His sight, an apple of His eyes.
I am a king and a priest to Him, to bring spiritual sacrifices.
I am His temple, His dwelling place, His residence, His living tabernacle, His living headquarters, his operating center, His deity.
I am an answer for every problem; I am His outstretched arm of help, healing deliverance, and salvation. He looks through my eyes and walks with my legs,
I am His carrying vessel.
I am a channel of God’s blessing to this generation.
I am God’s agent of salvation to the lost and dying world.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!!