Category: X-Archives

A tribute to the mothers of Gianna

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How I met Gianna is a story I would save for another time, but meeting these Filipino women artisans who are behind some of Gianna Fair Trade‘s eco-friendly products is my story for the day.

It was March 26—incidentally, my Dad‘s death anniversary—a date which, for the past 4 years since he passed away, I’ve made a point to devote to a special cause. Gianna couldn’t possibly have an idea of that little detail, hence there was no doubt in my heart that it was God who caused everything that lead me to that day.

And what a day it was, indeed. You see, it’s one thing seeing Gianna Fair Trade’s products in the website, it’s another thing being right in the heart of its mission. There I was in what they call their office-slash-production-site somewhere in an urban poor community along Boni Avenue, in awe of all the labor of love and women empowerment happening in such a small space!

And I got to do what I enjoy most—capture moments in photographs! :)

Nanay Norma showed us how she makes ipad cases out of recycled billboards/tarps.
Know more about Nanay Norma here. (Oh, and yes, that’s Gianna right there.)

Nanay Lorilai showed us a sample of her masterpiece, a backpack, also made of recycled tarp.
Know more about Nanay Lorilai here.

Filipino women artisans of Gianna

Meet Dahlia and her newborn Archie. A young mother at age 20, her dreams mostly revolve around the future of her son. Know more about Dahlia here.

Gianna Fair Trade’s mission is to empower underprivileged women artisans from developing countries through education and sustainable commerce, giving these women a better chance at providing for their family and their kids, and ultimately in reaching their dreams.

As Gianna talked to the mothers about a plethora of topics—from raising kids, to Filipino values, to new product ideas, to quality control—I could only imagine how hard these women work in hopes of making a difference in the lives of their children, their families, and their community. Each one of these mothers has a story to tell, and Gianna makes sure that building relationships with them is a priority.

Gianna’s dream of helping these women chase their dreams hits close to home and fits right into my bucket list. I’m more than honored to be part of such a worthy cause, and would like to invite you (if, for whatever reason, you find yourself on this page) to contribute also to these women’s dreams. Message me or email me at riz [at] chasingdreams.net to know how.

I’m keeping the twinkling lights

Rhiza1 Comment

So I finally boxed away my tiny Christmas tree three months after I put it up. I wouldn’t even bother, really, after all, I live in a country that self-proclaims itself to have the longest Christmas holiday in the world; but I woke up this morning with the collapsed tree on the floor, as if it resigned by itself and I was like, “okay okay I get it, it’s time to give you a break!”

And so I took away the tree, but I decided to keep the twinkling lights just because I like bright and pretty things, and just because I like the idea of keeping a little remnant of Christmas the whole year.

While it was a quick and uneventful experience, I have to admit that boxing up the Christmas tree had a subtle way of reminding me that life is softly (and swiftly) turning its pages, and everyday takes us a little closer to the life ahead of us and a little farther from what used to be, you know what I’m saying? Sometimes, in my self absorbed moments, I feel like the whole world is sighing with me.

Anyway, hello! It’s been a while, but for once I don’t feel so bad abandoning this blog for a couple of weeks because I was too busy actually living (and working!). I get tired easily, yes, but I love that God has given me so much that I never seem to run out of things to do!

I hope 2011 has so far been good to you as it has been to me. :)

Chika Minute with Joni & Mae

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Last Tuesday I met up with Joni and Mae, two of my most favorite people in the planet. It’s inevitable, that when I start talking about a list of people I’d like to see before I leave, somewhere on top of that list are Joni and Mae’s names. It may take a lot of effort to meet up since we live in three different cities and we don’t exactly work together, but it’s always worth the effort seeing these two.

Photo dump!

Meh. Joni‘s glowing and I look like trash beside her, haha.

Maemae, our most favorite Korean friend. The bangs, Mae, the bangs.

Note to self: never order pesto on a date, only when you’re with girlfriends. :P

Coffee Bean and Teal Leaf, Trinoma: We got the best seats, woot!

Perfect spot for a talk show.

And perfect spot to camp out :)

What I was wearing that night: Floral printed tank top – thrifted; Purple cardigan – some tiangge; Jeans – Folded & Hung; Bag – SM Dept Store; Shoes – Babo

My shoes are so pretty it deserves another shot :P

Thanks for the “movie”, ladies. I wish I could stash you in my suitcase and take you with meee!! :(

Too early for Christmas?

Rhiza11 Comments

I had this on my list of things to do before the trip. I didn’t plan on doing it this morning though, until I found myself unable to go on with work stuff because my brain’s too drained out after an all-nighter, and I thought I needed to do something that didn’t require too much brain power.

True enough, the twinkling lights, fake poinsettias, and instax photographs made a whole lot of difference to my mood. I took the old Christmas tree from out of its box, and put up the embellishments in less than an hour. Instant pick-me-upper! :)

Notice the difference from last year’s Christmas tree? :) Here’s something you can do with your instax this Christmas!

Photo dump:

The sight of the twinkling lights, and my loved ones, is sooo making me tear up! *sigh*

I’ll watch the night turn light blue

Rhiza

Hello, this is my room. Well, parts of it. Only the good parts. And by “good” I mean the ones that are photogenic, those areas that have some semblance of order. Photo dump!

I work here *sometimes*. (Haha, I think I spend more time working in bed, or in the couch.)

My mirror is duuurrty, but it’s like, one of my most favorite things. Ever.

It was Mom’s idea to have my bed built in, totally saves up space! Love it!

This is what I wore to Bible Study last Thursday.

OTD: Sundress – Some tiangge, Robinsons Timog; Leggings – Kate Torralba’s Leg Love; Cardigan – Nui Clothing; Bag – Girbaud; Shoes – Payless; Necklace – arbored from a friend’s mom

+ + +

Two months ago, I took this photo while he was getting ready to serenade me with one of his love songs. <3

THIS ROOM IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU, YOU HEAR??

+ + +

Vanilla Twilight is playing on loop, first on my iTunes, now in my head. I wish I thought of writing these lines first.

The silence isn’t so bad
‘Til I look at my hands and feel sad
‘Cause the spaces between my fingers
Are right where yours fit perfectly

But drenched in vanilla twilight
I’ll sit on the front porch all night
Waist-deep in thought because
When I think of you I don’t feel so alone

Owl City is seriously making me want to paint stars and clouds on my wall.

Okay that’s it. Mornings are, without a doubt, not the best time for me to blog. :))

Happy Sunday, y’all!

Tuesdate with Normi

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So much to do, things to buy, and people to see before my big trip. I realized I would be gone for a while and won’t get to see everyone ’til next year. So I made a list (ok, that’s a lie, I’m actually just making one up as I go haha) of people I want to catch up with one last time before the year ends, and Normi‘s first.

Tuesday, October 26. Trinoma: Dinner at Bigoli where we devoured platefuls of pasta and bread sticks, and after-dinner coffee at Starbucks where she miserably watched me enjoy my Macchiato because she’s been prescribed to stay away from coffee by her doctor until further notice. Poor Meemai. :p~

Normi has played so many roles in my life: friend, housemate, churchmate, “Ate” (even though I’m older by a month), *almost* sister-in-law haha (sorry I just had to add that one lol), and now.. well now she’s like my wedding soul sister, us being engaged two weeks apart from each other, and choosing wedding dates that are also two weeks apart! <3

So we spent the night the way two 27-year-old females about to take a huge leap in their lives would: hours of chika about dreams (big, small, old and new), answered prayers, steps that brought us where we are, and things that we’re *cough* marrying ourselves into. Exchanging notes on wedding preps was also inevitable, and who can blame us? :)

Daniel joined us later in the night, after giving us an ample time to girltalk by ourselves first. I told him that he looks so much like Atom Araullo! He does, right?? And now that I think of it, Normi does have some resemblance to Patty Laurel too, don’t you think? Haha so showbiz, these love birds. :))

OAN, I’m in the mood to post an outfit shot, something I’d probably do more often starting today, just because I can. :P This is what I was wearing Tuesday night:

OTD: Vintage floral tunic – Trunk Show; Jacket – Nui Clothing;
Jeans – Red, SM Dept Store; Oxfords – Staccato; Necklace: Forever21

It was kindof funny because the top I was wearing is from Trunk Show, and I dropped by their store while waiting for Normi, and the attendant recognized my top and told me that it was the second time I dropped by wearing the same top. Dyahee. It’s one of my favorites, all right!! Oh well.

As the night ended, I couldn’t be more thankful to know that love is at work, dreams are coming true, and we are all being constantly changed by Someone bigger than ourselves.

What a relief to be assured of these.