Spreading Pia's Art

My friend Pia is the mother of three charming and articulate children aged eight to sixteen. She left a promising career in advertising to devote more time to her family, choosing to work as a freelance writer instead. She wrote books, corporate shows, product launches, audio visuals and magazine articles among others. Two years ago, Pia dropped her pen completely, switched to painting and held two successful exhibits. Three months ago, Pia dropped her brush, and has not picked it up since.

It was March 18, 2007, a Saturday, when Pia's husband, Joppy, suffered a heart attack while driving to the golf course, and crashed his car on the wall of a school near Magallanes. Alert security guards brought him to Makati Medical Center. Sadly, his brain had gone 20 minutes without oxygen, causing severe damage and leaving him comatose.

These days, Pia and the kids spend all the time they can at the home of Joppy's father where he had been brought after his condition had stabilized. A room has been converted into a virtual hospital suite, where he gets round-the-clock care from nurses, as well as family. (In a cruel twist of fate, Joppy's mother died of a sudden heart attack three weeks ago, creating a bigger void in their world.)

Why am I writing this? I want Pia to continue to paint. I would love for more people to see her art and create a demand so Pia can continue doing what she loves. Sales from the paintings will bring in some cash, right, but that's only secondary. It is Pia's spirit I want to revive.

Just look at how these beautiful expressions of Pia's exuberance can cheer you up as well. Hers is a unique medium that combines acrylic or water color and ink on canvass or on tile. She paints solid backgrounds and textures them with crosshatched detail. She paints mostly flowers and trees, proof of her ability to nurture and make things bloom in her hands.

Painting more will not mean loving Joppy less. And knowing Joppy, he'd be happy to see Pia go on with her life. In her case, each brush stroke can heal a heart severely threatened by the uncertainty the future holds. You can count on each healing stroke to be calm and purposeful, because Pia is strong and composed, as evident in the way she has handled herself through this crisis.

Pia has several paintings on stock, some of them displayed at Piandre in Greenbelt. She is about to begin work on a new series on tile. More samples are posted in her blog.

The sooner the awareness for her art spreads in this caring community, the quicker Pia's healing can begin.

After all, Joppy's fate is in the hands of God and science. Pia's may be in ours.

Vatican's 10 Commandments for drivers

I got this email tonight:

Vatican's 10 Commandments for drivers

By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press

The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, telling motorists not to kill, not to drink and drive, and to help fellow travelers in case of accidents.

An unusual document from the Vatican's office for migrants and itinerant people also warned that cars can be "an occasion of sin" — particularly when they are used for dangerous passing or for prostitution.

It warned about the effects of road rage, saying driving can bring out "primitive" behavior in motorists, including "impoliteness, rude gestures, cursing, blasphemy, loss of sense of responsibility or deliberate infringement of the highway code."

It urged motorists to obey traffic regulations, drive with a moral sense, and to pray when behind the wheel.

Cardinal Renato Martino, who heads the office, told a news conference that the Vatican felt it necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life.

He noted that the Bible was full of people on the move, including Mary and Joseph, the parents of Jesus — and that his office is tasked with dealing with all "itinerant" people — including refugees, prostitutes, truck drivers and the homeless.

"We know that as a consequence of transgressions and negligence, 1.2 million people die each year on the roads," Martino said. "That's a sad reality, and at the same time, a great challenge for society and the church."

The document, "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road," extols the benefits of driving — family outings, getting the sick to the hospital, allowing people to see other cultures.

But it laments a host of ills associated with automobiles: drivers use their cars to show off; driving "provides an easy opportunity to dominate others" by speeding; drivers can kill themselves and others if they don't get their cars regular tuneups, if they drink, use drugs or fall asleep at the wheel.

It also pointed the finger at traffic problems particular to Rome: "Danger also derives from city cars, which are driven by youngsters and adults who do not have (full) driving licenses, and the reckless use of motorbikes and motorcycles."

It called for drivers to obey speed limits and to exercise a host of Christian virtues: charity to fellow drivers, prudence on the roads, hope of arriving safely and justice in the event of crashes.

And it suggested prayer might come in handy — making the sign of the cross before starting off and saying the rosary along the way. The rosary was particularly well suited to recitation by all in the car since its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention."

The document is intended for bishops conferences around the world, and as such offered recommendations for their pastoral workers, including setting up chapels along motorways and having "periodic celebration of liturgies" at major road hubs, truck stops and restaurants.

The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are:

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

How much of the Philippines have you visited?

My Lakbayan grade is C!

Nothing to be proud of really but pwede na. Passing grade :-) Been around Luzon and back, with occasional jaunts to the Visayas.

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out atLakbayan! Then come back here and share your score!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Tortillas

One of our family's supermarket staples is a pack of tortillas from Village Gourmet. A zip lock bag contains 12 small tortillas (about 6 inches in diameter), and at P64.50, costs a little over five pesos each. A fun, inexpensive palette for an assortment of ingredients resulting in a variety of tastes.

How do we love tortillas? Let us count the ways.

We love them for breakfast, smothered with peanut butter and smothered some more with strawberry jam. This is inspired by this post from Simply Recipes. My daughter makes a simpler, quicker, no fuss wrap simply by spreading butter and sprinkling sugar on a tortilla. Try honey instead of sugar to make it a teeny bit healthier.

Did I just say healthy? Here's one: Tortilla + arugula + lettuce + smoked maple ham + cheese + alfalfa sprouts (top photo). Fold on two ends and roll. Cut in half to see what's right inside.


One lazy afternoon, we brought out the panini grill and experimented with the same tortilla, sliced Spam and mozzarella. The result? A fun quesadilla the entire family enjoyed.

Tortillas make light and easy lunches, too. Many times I have packed a drained tin of light tuna, a few slices of tomatoes, lettuce, caesar dressing and two pieces of tortilla to work and enjoyed them while watching an NBA game.

We've had roll-your-own soft tacos for dinner, and one day, I'd like a quesadilla party.

A tortilla is fun and un-boring, it's a hip sandwich, a cool meal. Needless to say, the possibilities are endless, and so are the flavor combinations that come with every mouthful.

A Street Food Party

original image from Gettyimages

Ingredients:

Appetizers
5 kilos nilagang mani
1 boc Juicy Fruit
1 giant bag Halls Mentholyptus

Food Stalls
Dannylicious - 200 pcs. Isaw Manok, Isaw Baboy, Pork Barbecue, Tenga
Aysee's - 2 large bilaos Sisig
Aladdin's - 1 skewer beef shawarma and 60 wraps
JT's Manukan Grille – 80 pcs. Paa & Pecho inasal, 40 bowls Batchoy

Others:
3 bilaos Sotanghon
50 pcs Fresh Lumpia
1 bilao Bagoong Rice

Dessert
50 pcs Turon
1 gallon Buko Pandan
1 chocolate cake from Dexter's
1 chocolate mousse from Sugarhouse

Drinks
4 jugs gulaman
1 case Coke and Diet Coke
2 cases San Mig Light

Directions:
Two months before:
1. Have only son graduate from high school with honors, pass the ACET in the Director's List and pass the UPCAT.
2. Have same son turn 18 two months later.
3. Decide with family to hold an all-in-one celebration and thanksgiving with friends and family.

One month before:
1. Think of unique concept relevant to target market.
2. Determine budget for the occasion.
3. Reserve venue. Pay reservation fee.
4. Research. Ask friends for recommendations.
5. Get lucky when two Ninangs volunteer a Shawarma stall as gift.
6. Explore food kiosks around the city. Do food tastings.
7. Argue with husband on what to stuff order. Win some. Lose some.

Two weeks before:
1. Revise budget.
2. Conceptualize invitation. Argue with son who has another idea. Win argument. Email invites. Print a few for non-computer geeks.
3. Finalize arrangements with food stall owners. Get 5% discount from Joel Torre.
4. Pray that the weather cooperates.
5. Get feedback from friends who get excited about the concept.
6. Get supplementary caterer for extra food, drinks, dessert, plates, utensils, glasses and waiters.
7. Get HRM student niece's & her friends' services to assist at the party.

One week before:
1. Revise budget.
2. Give downpayments for caterer, chairs and tables, food. Pay fee for aircon use at venue.
3. Order chairs and tables.
4. Monitor guest confirmations and cancellations.
5. Make his & hers to-do list
6. Pester son for final music arrangements re classmates' bands.

One day before:
1. Revise budget.
2. Panic when informed that sound system at venue is not available.
3. Order soft drinks and beer.

D-day:
1. Wake up early. Print out directional signs.
2. Play Bookworm Adventures on the PFC to relax.
3. Pick up beer and soft drinks. Buy ice.
4. Pick up isaw and bbq
5. Go to venue to receive delivery of chairs and tables. Set up.
6. Ask brother in law to pick up sisig.
7. Go home to shower and dress up.
8. Go back to venue and greet early arrivals.

6-10pm:
1. PARTY!!!




(Sorry, no yummy food photos. Mother too busy attending to guests.)