combine birthday surprise celebration for hubby and me.. :)

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Some pics taken on hubby`s 50th year birthday and my 52nd....

We did not planned (hubby and me) on anything for our birthday this month. (parehong month ang b-day namin). We talked about having it next year na lang. You know, after everything that have happened. Tatay elias, papa.....medyo gusto muna naming mag-slow down after the jubilee celebration. What we did`nt know was that the saints in our church threw this celebration for us. I will admit, i really felt good and happy. I`m sure hubby does too. It`s a nice feeling knowing that there are people who showed that they care and love you. I know it takes a lot, lalo na nagbigay sila ng mga gifts, may pagkain pa, cash and yes, the video presentation, the greeting episodes is so touching...... guys, thank you so much. We will never forget this....

Before, i forget, my dress here is from my sis. jean. I really like to wear this pagkatapos ng maraming comments na "bagay" daw sa akin at "pumayat" ako dito, hehehe!! Totoo naman kaya? Segi lang...

Marami pa itong pics, pero pinili ko na lang ang pi-nost ko.... ang bagal mag-download ang pc ni charis. Kahapon, marami na sana akong na-download, eh bigla ba namang nag-brown-out, hindi ko nai-save, so ulit na naman ngayon....tinamad na ng konti so heto na lang ang kinalalabasan!!

guys, i hope you enjoy looking at them....For my sake, please do!!....LOL I wish you were here to see their video presentation and one among those who greeted us there..
Basta kainan walang pakialam at kakilala... may cake dyan ah...bakit nawala? ganun kadali naubos? sobra kayo!! hehehe!!
They showered us with gifts...
The birthday "boy"...

uy.... may cash pa?

dave saying something nice to hear... hehehe!!
and a kiss for his dad...
pati si mader dear nakisali na rin.... may gift din siya.. naki-surprise din.
pagbungad ko sa church, ito ang bumulaga sa `kin... ang galing nilang gumawa ng surprise.. "Sana maulit muli"... :)
wow, gifts....inantok si pastor pagkatapos buksan lahat `to. Ang dami daw, di siya sanay.. (sssst... `wag maingay, binulgar ko siya!!)
"birthday "girl"...... ang ganda noh? (si miss chubby!)
uyy, masaya sila!!
Saan ba kayo nakatingin?
kids offering a song for the celebrants..
and offering their gifts too...
dagdagan n`yo pa.... hehehe!!

Si sis. wency.... Kasabay siyang naospital kay papa noon... pareho ang case nila. Ang tagal niya sa hospital. But she`s on her feet after many weeks. We were so happy to see her. First Sunday ito na nagsimba siya after na gumaling siya.... God is so good..
yan ang pinaka-favorite ni hubby....bundle of fruits....
Ang babaeng ito ang nag-organize nitong lahat.... Ang galing noh??? Si sis. cynthia.
uyy, ang daming gifts ni mama... pahuhuli ba naman yan?
of course, pahuhuli ba naman ako, siyempre meron ding galing sa akin... baka i-outside the kulambo ako eh..

So this is the story of our recent birthday......thanks again guys...

one night at baywalk -

sailing resto -


lonely hearts, hehehe!!




pattsclan at seafood island - Global city/ beautiful bunch

denial...

For a while, blogging is not enjoyable anymore... hardly in my mind this past month. Suddenly feeling that something is missing. Perhaps I am still in a state of denial that papa`s gone. I have to get used to the idea that he`s not around, anywhere in the world anymore. So many things have happened in a whirl this month. papa`s wake, lunch dates with siblings and the jubilee celebration. When it all ended, my body started to complain that it had had enough of all the hassles and busyness it could contain. For three days Mr. flu got hold of me and hubby. I just ached all over. From head down my spine... parang may sumasabog na bomba sa likod ko... I only get flu once in a while and now this.... ugh! But you know, we need to get sick sometimes. It teaches us many things. While only the bed and the solitude of my room my only companion.... realizations in all aspect just came clearly, and then a little bit of self-rededication to everything worthwhile that i am presently doing but sometimes being neglected and taken for granted. I thank God for "little" sickness.. once in a while, hehehe!!

I know there`s so much to tell about our jubilee year celebration, especially the last day at the Luneta park. But all i can say is.....it`s just awesome. Very much a success. So many people, christians gathered and almost filled the luneta grounds. The grandstand itself was packed even standing room. We managed to settle ourselves at the grandstand and wow, from there we could view the luneta grounds. Parang sardinas ang dami ng mga tao at dikit-dikit pa!!. So beautiful sight.. A 30-minute fireworks concluded the night... I won`t forget to mention how beautiful the choir is.. They can compete internationally. But this is not any competition, i don`t mean that. They just gave their all for Jesus! Selah band (my son`s band) was incharge of it all. (hay, proud mom again...) That occasion will truly be remembered. I hope I could post some pictures about the event. I know all my siblings had covered the week`s event in their own digicams, and my boys also. I need the help of my boys for some of it to be posted in my blog, but i hope they won`t be so busy to look my way...lol.

At this writing, my siblings and their families are having their so-called much needed " break" in the beautiful seashores of Boracay. I hope they enjoyed every bit of it, their money`s worth when coming to phil. Next week, they will all be going home to their respective homes ......... away from phils. It`s a lonely thought seeing them all gone again physically needless to say we don`t know when will be the next time for us to be together. But life has to go on....... it will continue to go on.

For me, our family`s normal functions is waiting for us the coming days. Picking up the pieces again... after papa...and from there even if I know how hard it is to start life without him, we have to continue moving on for there are so many things left undone and worth doing.

Can`t write anymore.. co`z of this stubborn headache.. I get nauseated too. `til next time..


ate gie

Papa is home to glory

while reminiscing the events of the sad past weeks, I saw him. Love, understanding and concern radiated from his face, He was an exceptional dad... I agonizingly miss him!! oh, how I miss you pang..

You taught us the ways of God. In your laughter, I find strenght and patience. In your tears, peace and courage.


While fearing that the whole world may sometimes be harsh on us your children, I know that your pleadings to God has keepsake and blessed us all. Your intuition and prayers has carried us through.

I remember my growing up years as if it`s only yesterday. You were always there in all the most important and special moments of my life. Your strong and loving hands guiding me. All that I have become now is because of who you are pang..

You were the best teacher that I ever had that sometimes I had wish that I would forever remain a child. In that way I will not lose my innocence and will continue to ask you things like, "why the sky is blue? and why the grass is green?" or where the dewdrops in our glass window pane comes from every morning. You knew all the answers, and in my frail mind it was all so amazing. You were just simply marvelous!

I have not always been an ideal daughter to you. For this pang, forgive me. but I always knew that in the moments that I have failed you, I failed myself too. For if there is a mission in my life where I give of my best, that is in trying to bring you happiness, a star to your name...... for you to be proud of me. You deserved it pang... you have made us all proud to have a father like you..

God has taken you home, with His angels in glory. But from where I am, I will not stop loving you. From up above, I know you continue watching and caring for us. I know I will constantly wish to hold you again, to touch your face (physically), like I did before they laid you in that "white box", and another chance to embrace you, papa.

I miss you pang. We will always remember you. For us your children, you are our whole world and much, much more.

For now, be calm in your slumber.......see you in glory!!

your loving daughter,
Virgie (you call me "bebe")

Note: papa was laid to rest in Manila Memorial Park, Dasmarinas, Cavite on January 29, 2007.
A great man, well respected - the late Reverend Bienvenido Patts Sr.

pics anyone? gensan visit, grandpa`s wake, new year...

my cousins.... dondon /inday grace
guapings family - my lolo`s wake - after the service -

cousin myrna, giving her testimony - relatives in gensan -
glo, auntie Puring, and my grandpa`s niece
mama and my youngest bro.....jeff

who else but my mom....
bee-ti-ful niece......renda
my bungisngis sis.... glo
A peek at Pacquiao`s mansion in gensan -

inside the aircraft bound for davao city - thank you Lord for another year!!

good looking bunch?
my family with dondon and Silas (malaysia)

new year`s feast
a pose with dear hubby-

papa`s sick

he stayed in Intensive care unit in a hospital in binan, Laguna for 4 days. Pneumonia. those cruel hard pleghms all over his lungs causes it all. They installed the oxegyn tube, at iba pa. things to monitor his heart, at tube para doon ipasok ang pagkain niya...Then we told his doctors we will take him out and transferred him in a private room so that we could be with him and he can see us everytime he opens his eyes. The doctor laid out options for us to choose. To put him in a machine called ventilator, the other one - butasan ang leeg niya para dun ipasok ang tubo na hihigop sa plema. My whole being rebelled to this. We can`t allow them to do that. We know of people who died of complications because of this, and they were younger than papa.

I have a God who knows everything. Our lives is in His hands. He knows what`s best for papa. And it`s only in Him that I trust. Seeing papa in his hospital bed everyday just make my heart seems to burst. Looking frail......can`t even utter a word to tell us his pain. If only he knows I have million pains inside of me..

If only i could take you home.........right now.... Away from this hospital.. :-(

Last night, he seems restless. Trying to say something i can`t comprehend, he took hold of my hand as if afraid to let me go. I could see the sufferings in his eyes...I rubbed his back with my other hand, stroking his brow ........crying as I sang trying to put him to sleep. can`t stop hot tears from flowing. I realize how much i love him. Can`t bear the thought of losing him... Not now Lord....please!!

But if only to stop his sufferings......thy will be done Lord!!

Papa, i want you to know - you`re the best father in the whole world. I am so proud i belong to you as your dear daughter..... I love you pang. You are a wonderful father to us all and I know you will understand if I tell you how much I really do, God knows!

helpful quotations for new year!!

It`s been a while......so much things keeping me. Isa na ang computer naming laging may sumpong!! The holidays was stressful pero masaya. I thank God for good health. One of the best messages I received in my text on new year`s day is this:

"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treats you right, forget and forgive about the ones who don`t. Believe that God let everything happens for a reason. Know a good thing when you see it, and don`t let it slip away. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy; they just said it`s worth it.

Here`s the quotations:

1) Sometimes life isn`t fair, but it still good.

2) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

3) Don`t take yourself so seriously, no one else does.

4) Pay off your credit cards every month.

5) You don`t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

6) Cry with someone. It`s more healing than crying alone.

7) It`s okay to let your children see you cry.

8) Don`t compare your life with others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

9) Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don`t worry, God never blinks.

10) A writer writes. If you desire to be a writer, write!!

11) Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don`t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

12) No one is incharge of your own happiness except you.

13) Forgive everyone everything.

14) What other people think of you is none of your business. Tell God about it.

15) If you don`t ask, you don`t get.

16) yield to God....

greetings!!

Wanna greet each one a very "HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR". May this year be a year of plentiful harvest from hard work in the previous year......

God help us.....

awesome!!

Our church service today was just awesome!! Such spirit-filled one. God moved in His very mighty way.. Remember my last entry about those people who were devastated from the recent typhoon?. Some of them attended our service today. Were blessed and encourage. Masaya sila noong binigay namin ang konting tulong sa kanila, clothings and etc.... So thankful that we could be a help to them even in a humble way. Siyempre yong makakaya lang namin....We had water baptism afterwards. One of those who were baptized is the wife of one of our faithful member. They have been married for a long time but he could never get her to be baptized. God`s time finally came for last night she just decided to get baptized. She was crying and raising her hands worshipping God in the baptistry.... such a wonderful sight!


We just had a long week behind us. We were with our church youth department in a three day camp in Antipolo. Dave had organized this one for the young people in our section but extended the invitation to other churches in different sections especially in Manila and Quezon City. Success po mga kapatid.... it was well attended and you could never see such move of the Holy Ghost anywhere else. It was there in that 3-day camp..The theme is E3...... to empower, equip and evangelize...... and it surely live up to its title. I could see, i assure you! We have 3 youths added through water baptism and four received the Holy Ghost in HCJC. But the camp in general 13 got water baptized and 9 rec`vd the H.G. Praise God!

Napaka-notorious po ang traffic ngayon. Seems that everyone is victim of the so-called holiday shopping rush and compulsive buying. Sa Divisoria ngayon parang imposible ang mamili. Sa mga kalsada pa lang hindi ka na makakilos at patagilid na lang ang lakad sa dami ng tao.... Paano pa kaya kung papasok ka pa sa mga tindahan!! Who could say na naghihirap ang mga pinoy? Last week nga, nagpasama si Verniel sa akin kasi bibili daw siya ng maong na pantalon... Umuwi po kaming walang dala. Hindi dahil walang mabili. Nagkalat nga sa dami pero sumakit ang ulo namin sa dami ng tao that we decided to just go home empty handed. Saka na lang kami babalik pagkatapos ng holidays... grabe talaga!! Paano sasabihin na ang pilipino ay naghihirap? Totoo na ang hirap ay nasa isip lang... Gusto ng tao na maabot lahat ng mga "gusto" at hindi lang ang mga pangangailangan.. (lalim ah..)

Thanks for all your greetings guys... For the holidays. I send you mine too. I know you all have your own way of making yours memorable and full of happiness.

This is just an update. Only trying to connect. To let you know I am just here and God`s been good and faithful. Today is the 24th of December. Please remember us when you gather tonight for your christmas eve feast, hehehe!! And how about when you give out the gifts? Will i be there with you even in spirit?
Things will just be normal for the cutar family tonight... if you know what i mean? (walang noche buena). The children are talking they`ll go the star city, will take this brother visitor, Silas,from Malaysia and take all those rides. Save all the cooking and other preparations next week. I`d like to welcome the coming year with glee and thanksgiving because God has brought us this far, healthy, happy and rejoicing. Oh, how could I tell you how good God has been to us this year. This has been a fruitful year. The ministry, life in particular...

So here`s a big grin for everyone....... :)

luv u all......

ate virgie

missing the point.....

Today is wednesday. I woke up to a very ideal climate. Sunny but cool, windless morning and our yard is clean from leaves that`s usually scattered around the house making everything in a mess. Sana laging ganito. Just the other day, was another stormy day while we drove dave to clark air base to catch his flight to Singapore. I prayed he would have a safe trip. Once more, i plead the blood of Jesus over my son. We were in a signal number 2, i didn`t bother to know the name of the typhoon anymore........Yong nakaraan ay grabe ang pinsala na iniwan sa Bicol province. Sunod sunod na silang dumadating and it just drive me nuts knowing that everytime they come, many lives, houses, and even barrios and some barangays are erased from where they usually are situated. As of this writings, people from devastated places are suffering in evacuation centers, without food, clothes, cold and sick. I can`t fully comprehend why these things had to happen to some people? Why pain and sufferings to some......... at kadalasan sa mga mahihirap pa? Bakit hindi doon sa mga mayayabang na mayayaman na walang ibang ginawa kundi manloko ng kapwa at mangurakot?

I really have mixed emotions concerning this. Why let the poor suffer? Bakit palaging sila? Samantalang ang mga tao na nasa kanila na lahat ay patuloy na namamayagpag sa buhay. They have all the material things in this world and still remained unharmed? I can`t believe i have all this questions welling up inside me. Am i just missing the whole point of what life and the will of God is all about?

This kind of thinking didn`t leave me as I go through our family`s wardrobe and sorting out things, anything that could be of help to our brethren in Bicol. Sa ngayon mga kapatid, wala po tayong UPC churches na nakatayo sa Bicol, na-wash out lahat......mabuti na lang nailigtas nila ang mga buhay nila but minus mga ari-arian. We have one member in our church that has all of his family live at the foot of mayon volcano. Two of his brothers were victim sa flash mud flood na galing sa bulkan. Ang isa namatay dahil nalibing ng buhay, at ang isa ay naanod sa baha. Marami pa siyang mga kamag-anak na missing hanggang ngayon. But i doubt if they`re still alive below the ground hanggang ngayon? Ang iba, fled with their lives, nothing but themselves and dala-dala nila. Ang munting barrio nila ay totally erased from the map.... napalitan ng ilog at tubig at lahar.. I often ask myself, what future awaits them? Lord, please comfort them.........

I want to help. But how? Words of encouragement seems not suitable at this moment. I want to give them some warm. The point is, i hope people feels the same way that I do and extend a helping hand....`wag magkibit balikat at parang walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa paligid nila. Here`s an opportunity to serve....... please don`t just exist!!

Speaking of missing the point na naman..... Just now, our neighbor`s helpers knock at our gate saying their "amo" is asking for our phone number. Magrereklamo na naman ito tungkol sa ingay natin every church service. The last time na nagreklamo siya, we explain that we would not tone down our voices in worship because we believe in shouting and making loud noise when we worship God. I don`t know if she understands........some people only consider things if it concern them, their culture and nothing more. I again wonder, what would be her end if she`ll continue to persecute God`s people?

I often like to read halfway through a book and then take a quick peek at the last chapter to find out how the story i am reading would end. I can`t wait to know whether or not the book ends happily. To us who reads and know the contents of the Bible...... we know that its not always happily ended to everyone. Some gain the blessedness of the holy city, others into eternal damnation. Others receive the gift, others receive the curse....... It`s only our belief in Jesus Christ that would make the difference.

About that neighbor, I want to tell her this is an issue about life and God and she`s missing the whole point...

ok, i`m going further and further. I still have sorting outs to do. And I again have this nasty allergy. Hinihika na naman ako!! Namumula at masakit na ang ilong ko sa kapupunas!! But now is the time to let go of my favorite clothes that`s been in its hiding place for so long.... At least, they now have its purpose......

Lord, me too, help me live my life with a purpose. Please don`t ever make me miss the point why you have created me, and why I am here.... pls. pls. Lord!!

so, that`s exactly the point guys!!!

ate gie

paramdam lang....

at last, i have this computer for myself..... at least for now, lols. The boys are out today to take their friend ( from Malaysia) to lunch at siguro mamayang gabi na sila uuwi, dalhin daw nila sa filipino restaurant itong kaibigan na `to at ipapasyal din. It`s his first time in pinas and want to see what we have here. Of course ang pinaka-una niyang nakita ay ang pagiging hospitable nating mga pinoy. We just want to intertain, give and share our time and all just so he will be comfortable with us. I realized its not even an effort to do so because we love these people from Malaysia.
Dave and charis just came back from that place (malaysia) about 3 days ago. With them are inspiring reports about what God has done in their youth retreat there. It was such a success spiritually...Praise God. Kahit wala silang boses pareho, sama-sama na - pagod, kulang sa tulog and all, but everything is worth it, mission accomplished!!

dave is going back in two weeks time to singapore to attend another conference, charis, on the other hand have a lot of catching up to do in his lessons and exams in bible school...

This week as you know, another typhoon hit pinas. we were waiting for it to hit Manila yesterday morning......classes and work in the city were all suspended as the weather bureau said it is stronger than the melenyo. Said the eye of the typhoon is sure coming straight the path to Manila. Naghanda kami..... namili ng stock na pagkain at maraming kandila....at least nakahanda na pagdating ng bagyo!! But during the night, amazingly it changed direction, lumihis, at hindi na dumaan ng Manila. We thanked the Lord but sadly other areas like the bicol region especially albay were totally devastated... maraming bahay ang nailibing kasama ang mga taong nakatira sa flash mud flood na galing sa bulkan..... talagang nakakaawa. Ang dami na namang namatay... Sunod sunod na yata ang mga catastrophe na nangyayari sa bansang ito?

Maliban sa nagdaang bagyo, life here is normal. Only when you walk out the streets one could not deny that christmas is in the air. Could feel it everywhere. Kapag nagpadala ka pa, malulungkot ka lalo na kapag naiisip mo na wala ka na namang kapera-pera.. Nagkalat ang mga pwedeng bibilhin. Kung impulsive buyer ka, aandar yan sa ganitong klaseng panahon, hehehe!!. In my part, i`m not getting any younger or richer either. Kung hindi lang dahil sa Panginoon and the church, i could say that life is just so achingly boring....

see you guys around... *******GRIN****** paramdam lang po. hihihihi!!!

ate gie