Fundraising for Filipino flood victims

In just a six hours, on September 26, Typhoon Ondoy brought a month's worth of rainfall to the Metro Manila area causing severe flooding, loss of life, displacement of people and damage to property. Bert's sisters in the Philippines had water in their home up to the first floor ceiling and their families had to evacuate to the rooftop. A kind neighbour who helped Bert and Paul when they were in the Philippines passed away as a result of the typhoon.

In response to this disaster, PICPA Vancouver raised $1,200 at their annual dinner / dance and has sent the money to help flood victims. Photo (left) shows Bert explaining the fundraising challenge at the dinner/dance.

Bert and Pat also attended the Celebrity Tribute for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy where songs by Salve Dayao (Java Jazz) and Joey Albert (recording artist) moved many to tears. Also donating their time were "Donna Summers", "Tina Turner" "Abba" "Temptations." After the show, Bert met "Michael Jackson." Click here to see Kyle Toy dancing to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean .

Our thoughts and prayers go to everyone who is directly and indirectly affected by this catastrophe.

Proud Father

Bert and Robert remembering all the Obama "O-Zones" that we sought out and found in Oahu last August by using the book Obamaland as a guide.

Bert and Pat are proud of both of their son's accomplishments. Click on Robert to see and hear his interview about a publication that he was part of, New Voices: An Anthology: Art & Writing by Chinese Canadians of Post-1967 Diaspora in the Lower Mainland.

Robert is home! He's also posted on YouTube

Today, Robert arrived home from being away almost 3 years in Montreal. During that time he interviewed some local artists, including comedians. See some interviews at A Conversation with Five Comedians of Colour

Bert loves comedy and would love to have his own venue that would include comedy nights and discussions about politics.

Before picking up Robert from the airport, Bert enjoyed going to Spanish banks in Vancouver, playing beach volleyball, eating barbeque, and meeting new friends through our friend Marcus.

Basketball fever

Bert is eagerly anticipating the "Reunion Tour of PBA Greatest Rivalry: Crispa vs Toyota" basketball match in Vancouver this August.

Please let Bert know if you would like to join him to this great match!

Filipinos in Spain

VoiceThread is very cool! Try it!

I love to optimize!

Optimization is great! If either you or your spouse collects a superannuation (company) pension income that qualifies for income splitting (from your employer) and you are using a computer program to prepare your Canadian income tax return, be sure to hit the 'optimize' key - you could save big bucks. Neat huh?

Obama inauguration party

When Tito Bert and I were viewing Camino blogs, we found one that had many photos and links to Obama this and that. Of special interest was Viva Obama 2008 mariachi You Tube clip.

Bert requested that our Hawaiian themed Obama inauguration party, held on January 20, 2009 also be posted.

Consideration for the elderly

Now that Bert has started taking a "Housing Counsellor Training" program offered by the Seniors Services Society, he looks at senior citizens with more compassion. He is looking forward to working with seniors and helping them find suitable housing, and he is happy to already have been offered a temporary placement preparing income tax returns for the elderly at a local seniors home.

Support local entertainment

Bert enjoys supporting local entertainment. When the boys had their punk rock garage band, originally named Public Outcry, then Seven Ate Nine, then Point Five Zero we listened to them practice, as their practice location for years was a bedroom downstairs. We were groupies when they performed at various Battle of the Band competitions and other venues.

Now that the band has disbanded, we go to Java Jazz to hear Salve and Ed Dayao and other entertainers there.

Am I going to be energized like you?

Since last year I have been very interested in connecting with the BC branch of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims and last weekend had my first opportunity. Bert and I attended an author signing at a local bookstore and met some of the members and also met Arthur Paul Boers, author of The Way is Made by Walking: A Pilgrimage Along the Camino de Santiago. Bert watched and listened as I and other pilgrims enthusiastically exchanged stories about boots, albergues, backpack weight, etc. As he and another woman who had not yet walked the Camino were at the periphery of the conversation, he wondered if he would also be as energized in thinking about and discussing the Camino after he does his pilgrimage next year. I certainly hope so!

Every year better than the last

When we married, Bert often told me that every year would be better than the last. This is a good thing to say to a sweetheart.

Bert seldom mentions it any longer, but I hold on to that romantic notion and have never forgotten. Perhaps it is because I only see what I want to that I find the line to be true - every year gets better!

Desiderata

Desiderata is and has been one of Bert's favourite poems since 1974:

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann
©1927 (renewed) Bell & Son Publishing, LLC
Reprinted with permission.

from http://www.desiderata.com/

Exercise!

Tito Bert welcomes the Year of the Ox and is, as snake people are warned, being mindful of his health. We all support his goal to exercise more and hope that his enthusiasm will have longevity and will be a motivating factor for others in our family to follow suit.

Buy Lottery Tickets

Bert feels bad about being one number away from winning $250,000. Although he hasn't claimed his $250.00 winnings, he has already spent some of it on shampoo.