www.littlenars.com | Dianne Peña

Red Ribbon never fails to surprise us because they have yet released 2 new cakes for the month of L-O-V-E. Presenting to you the chocolatiest cake that will surely suit your cravings:

Chocolate Heaven

As what its name entails, you will experience heaven as you indulge yourself with it because of its 4-layer combination of creamy of chocolate brownie, chocolate mousse, rich dark chocolate icing and chocolate shaven curls. It really suited my taste because I am a chocolate addict and I super love the classic Chocolate Mousse cake. Chocolate is my energy food. It gets me going. Therefore, Chocolate Heaven, really pumped me up during my late night duties. LOL!

It is up for grabs in all Red Ribbon stores and is available in junior size (P335) and regular size (P560).

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…

Since Red Ribbon is always present in all occasion as they claimed, they continue to prove it by giving us:

Roses and Kisses Cake

a heart-shaped chocolate pound cake designed with edible sugar roses and Hershey’s milk chocolate Kisses on top. Inside it is filled with layers of chocolate fudge filling coated with white icing.

It is now available for pre-order until February 9, 2009 and is available off the shelf in all Red Ribbon branches nationwide from Febraury 12-14, 2010. Roses and Kisses cake is six diameters in size that is worth P330. It is perfectly in time for Valentine’s Day.

The cake is just sweet and creamy enough to add spice to your “sugary” moment and what’s even delighting about it is you can have it personalized and make it extra special by giving a sweet message for a total of 14-character text before and after the “Happy Valentine’s Day”.

What are you waiting for? Try these very luscious cakes now or else….

Valentine’s day is fast approaching and I am sure most (but not including me. LOL) are planning for creative and unique surprises, parties, dates and what not to celebrate this “sugary” event.

Valentine’s day is celebrated just once in a year that is why lovers, “it’s complicated”, couples, partners, “friends” would try their best to make it extra special and worth remembering.

Whenever we think of Valentine’s Day, Roses and Chocolates always come first in our minds. Every girl has their own bouquet of flowers in different kind, style, color and sizes. I mean, if you are walking caught without even just a single flower on “V-Day” you will find yourself… well, let’s just say, out of place.

However, due to the law of supply and demand, we find prices of flowers and chocolates sky rocketing since many are purchasing it. Many would rush to “Dangwa” to buy fresh flowers of any kind.

Save yourself to the long queue of line, stress, time and effort in buying flowers for your “girl”. I found a perfect idea for you to try.

Island Rose is an online flower delivery in the Philippines which offers high quality roses that is straight from the farm with the freshest and widest selection of genuine Island Rose products at the fairest prices. They cater every flower that is suitable for your loved one.

www.islandrose.net is the official e-commerce site of the Philippine Cut Flower Corporation (PCFC) – the largest retailer and wholesaler of roses in the country.

All their flowers are imported from Europe and grown in their farm here in the Philippines. Flower bouquets are delivered in bud stage beautifully bunched and wrapped in Island Rose packaging with a personalized greeting card.

They deliver flowers to the Philippines via their partners, LBC, DHL, and Fedex (Air 21) so it is rest assured that it will arrive at your loved one safe and sound. This is a perfect surprise for those who are in a long distance relationship or even for those who can’t really make it that day even if you are not physically present. What’s great about Island Rose is that you can send gifts to the Philippines at anytime, anywhere and for every occasion.

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…

Interested buyers for Valentines Day can use this 10% discount code: VDAY022010

(This discount code is valid until February 20).

What are you waiting for? Just go to the website, click, then order.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

A total of 37, 527 out of 94,462 nursing graduates passed the November 2009 licensure examination

See full article here.

November 2009 Nursing Licensure Examination Results

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW RNs

Ok, so I was planning to do a WIN+FAIL list of the year 2009 and post it in this blog but yeah, procrastination and laziness corrupted my being and so I just ended up with the draft of it (just had it written in a yellow sheet of paper). Ok this counts in my FAIL list. I am thinking of just scanning my draft but I changed my mind. I just wanted for this year-ender post to be a WIN one. Yeah, this is my [LittleNars’] year-ender post.

Twenty-O-Nine was indeed my year, A Year of Life Changing Events.

[NSFW]  JK :]  Read through if you want to continue and want to know why…

—

2009 started filled with FUN at the same time TOXIC (really, that’s the “term”) moments— for the reason that I was a graduating student trying to spend every quality time with friends as much as possible while at the same time, meeting the deadlines and requirements for school.

Massive Case Studies… Dreaded Case Presentations… Thesis major revisions… Hypovolemia-causing Thesis defense (epistaxis=nose bleed!!!)… Tremors-causing revalidas/return demonstrations… Intracranial Pressure-rising Monthly Nursing Audit examination… (OK, I bet stop <<<– now.)

Lots of sleepovers due to above, Oh… did I mention sleep? It was rather, sleepLESS. On the bright side, lots of times to bond— gossip about school people, talk about anything we can’t talk about at school, or just doing school stuff while enjoying the company of each other… (Seriously, we really don’t have time to chitchat at school)

After all those tough, hardcore moments, (here’s the best part) I can’t believe we still had time to P-A-R-T-Y!

The greatness of LORD to me this year have brought these blessings:

• College Graduation at the early part of the year…
• Passed the Nursing Licensure Exam and Oath Taking at the mid part of the year…
• —-INSERT BUMMER MODE HERE—– at the mid to the “almost” end part of the year… (Mostly, spent Facebook-ing)
• Enrolled myself on a “Teacher Certification Program” (Yes, you got it right. I haven’t blogged about that yet but hopefully soon) and Got in for a Nurse Training Program in one hospital at the end part of the year…

In between those “Life-Changing” events, I also have fulfilled simple/little things like attended some nursing seminars/trainings, registered for 2010 election, opened a savings account, gone hospital hopping/submitted resume, and earned something in my own little ways…

With all those achievements (not to brag), I also felt confused… I almost lose hope… I felt indecisive… I felt rejected… I felt my self-esteem has been drained out from me… I was depressed— the feeling of being useless ‘cause you’re unemployed and *insert all self-demeaning things here* …

But as each day passes, I realized that this was just a phase in my life that I have to surpass. As I rise, my family, friends and most especially, God, here I am now, facing my year 2010 with my chin up and a big smile. I realized that I shouldn’t rush things because there is a right time for everything in this world. Just believe. I believed.

2009 made me gain friends and miss some… made me “mature” (well, at least for me)… made me independent… made me more responsible…

I hope year 2010 will be an awesome and splendid year for everyone.

Thank you for being a part of my H-U-G-E 2009. I wouldn’t have finished living this year without you. :]

TIME REALLY IS MOVING FAST…
IT’S JUST NOW THAT IT REACHED MY SENSES…
THAT WAS A DECADE BACK THERE!

And Oh… If you want to check out my 2008 year-ender post click here, here, here and here. (yes, It’s 4 parts. LOL)

Let’s rock 2010!
May GOD Almighty Bless Us All!

2009—-Now Signing Off!

P.S
I actually am convinced not to make a year-ended post but this year definitely deserved one and I was inspired by my good friend’s year-ender post and so, there!:]

P.S Part II
Please don’t ask me of my 2010 wish. It’s still under construction. [Having troubles of envisioning my 2010. I really don’t know what’s going to happen] Let’s just all wish for God’s will to ensue! :]

With all hopes high,
Dianne Kristin G. Peña, R.N
(Feels sOOOOoooo good to type that… :])

P.S Part III
I stopped jumping already. LOL!

Simbang Gabi… Misa De Gallo… 9 Mornings… A tradition for Filipino Catholics where in group of friends, families, etc… attends all 9 consecutive dawn masses at 4 or 5AM starting December 16 to December 24, after completing Simbang Gabi, you can have your wish. Simbang Gabi is a time of the year where the Church overflows with people everyday that you wish it’s always Christmas.

I have completed Simbang Gabi 4 times including this year. I have started attending it since 2002. So far, all my wishes were granted. The awesome part was this year’s wish because it was granted even before I finished Simbang Gabi. God is reaaaaally GOOD. He truly never let me down.

My Misa De Gallo experience for year 2009 was different because I attended mass at four different churches. The first day was at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tagaytay City with my College friends, third day was at the Immaculate Conception Parish, Pateros also with my other College friends and a great way to end it was by attending the last stretch of Kraft Eden Cheese, Keso De Gallo— a nationwide event coinciding with the traditionally celebrated Misa de Gallo.

I, together with my mum and brother, Jeric had the privilege to attend our last day for Simbang gabi at San Guillermo Parish Church in Bacolor, Pampanga. The mass was in Kapampangan and I only followed through the mass because of the order, I even responded in Tagalog. (I was kind of worried if I were able to complete it because I didn’t understand the homily. Hihi). It was my first time to hear a Kapampangan mass and that was a splendid experience.

Parallel to the nine-day Simbang Gabi, Eden brought the goodness of Filipino dishes to Pinoys in nine different towns including Bacolod City, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Naga, Butuan City, Laoag and Pampanga.

After the mass, At least 300 “kabalens” enjoyed the “Cheesy Squash Puto” a recipe done by pupils from the San Matias Elementary School in Pampanga sponsored by Kraft Eden Cheese. I can see those pretty little smiles from them that brightened the whole event after tasting the YUMM-Y Cheesy Squash Puto. You’ll never notice that there was a veggie in it. It was some sort of an alternative for our famous Bibingka and Puto Bumbong every after a Simbang Gabi mass.

Everyone was happy eating, chatting, singing, playing and taking pictures… It was a peaceful, triumphant, and superb event. I felt the warmness of the event even though its really cold outside the Church because I was able to savor this experience with my family—the most important thing of all.

Keso De Gallo as it aims to will explore the wonders of our country’s cuisine while providing an extended feast that will bring joy and delight to as many families as possible, was indeed a great means of celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This event really brought out the true essence of Christmas. Nothing beats sharing, loving and togetherness in this season.

Thank You Kraft Eden Cheese for this wonderful experience.

“Dahil kay rami talgaga nating nagagawa pag may Eden Cheese”

P.S

My mum kept on repeating this experience to our relatives during our family Noche Buena.

And the Filipinos have done it once again.

Kraft Eden Cheese broke the record of the “Most Number on Display, In a Single Day” last December 14, 2009 at the Araneta Coliseum with………

*insert drum roll sound effects here*

5, 845 Palatable Dishes with CHEESE!!!

There were 500 Chefs and 5,000 dishes in the event. Premier culinary school Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA) contribute the most of the research and student manpower in the making of the event, with the added help of other schools such as Regina Carmeli, St. Paul University-Manila, Centro Escolar University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, La Consolacion College and Arellano University-Manila.

In the event, there were also contests that the following schools participated. The Grand winner for the Cheese Carving Contest is Centro Escolar University and Grand winner for the Noche Buena Cook-Off Contest is La Consolacion College.

There were a lot of YUMM-Y dishes and I wished I could taste them all! It was my first event with this kind of cause.

With that, I can say, Filipinos have the habit of making a HISTORY!

Here is my previous blogpost http://www.littlenars.com/2009/11/11/be-a-part-of-history-with-kraft-eden-cheese/

ABS-CBN, the Philippines biggest television network and Worldbex Services International, the country’s most successful exhibit organizer come together for the first time to present the longest-running and most successful Christmas bazaar in the country – the 9th World Bazaar Festival.

World Bazaar Festival will be open for shoppers from December 6 to December 14, 2009 at the World trade Center Manila. It has the best assortment of products and merchandise ranging from food, car accessories, fashion jewelry, toys, clothing, foot wear, plastic products and many more that paved way for upscale profits for long-time and first-time exhibitors in the yearly grand Christmas bazaar.

Since it is a joint project of ABS-CBN and Worldbex Services International, this 14-day event will feature a special Celebrity Village where shoppers can interact, meet and even buy items from their favorite stars. The village will feature artists and celebrities from ABS-CBN such as Judy Ann Santos, Ryan Agoncillo, Gladys Reyes, Christopher Roxas, Rica Peralejo and Donita Rose, G-Force Dancers Sheryn Regis, Cris Pastor, Miguel Mendoza, Phoemela Baranda, Gretchen Fullido, Mariel Rodriguez, Nene Tamayo, Bea Saw, Ruben Gonzaga, Jason Gainza, Pokwang, among many others.

(more…)

When we were a child, our school would engage us in educational field trips every year in various museums and historical walks to learn more about the world around us. Field trip was the happiest and most unforgettable moment of my grade school life. In addition to that, my family would also have side trips at different museums in different parts of Metro Manila and at times, outside it. It was some sort of family bonding at the same time enjoying that we were able to know more about our country’s culture and history.

Zero In Peripheral exhibit is a theme of 5 museums in Manila which is composed of Lopez Memorial Museum, Ayala Museum, Ateneo Art Gallery, Bahay Tsinoy and Museo Pambata. Zero in Periphery is one treasure of knowledge, history and black box of our past that is documented by ordinary people and unknown heroes of the old Philippines.

For most of the people, it is a connotation that museums are only for kids but Zero in Periphery caters also to the “young at hearts”. It is good to have some trivia or nice-to-know facts that you can share your friends that were not taught to us in our formative years in schools.

I salute Zero in Periphery for bringing the biggest crater of Philippine history that was forgotten for centuries. I have gone to Museum Pambata and Ayala Museum and will definitely visit the other 3 museums.

(more…)

Thankful people gathered to celebrate the second National Thank You day at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last November 20, 2009.

As a prelude to the excitement and anticipation of the results of the 1st National Thank You Day Awards, Toblerone revealed the winners of the Spread the Sweetness of Gratitude Photo Competition:

Remi Ann Sta. Cruz’s ‘My Best Playmate Ever‘
Jordana Quedding’s ‘Walang Iwanan’
Pat Lorico’s ‘Smooch & Pooch’

This year’s National Thank You Day aims for the Filipino people to go a step further than just asking to say thank you more often– by giving them a chance to vote and nominate their favorites through the website (www.thankyoudayphilippines.com) for about 2 months ago. From the nominees which were:
People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao fresh from his victory from Miguel Cotto
the late Francis M, who was part of the first National Thank You Day with daughter Maxene Magalona
Dolphy, Comedy King
Daniel Razon, broadcaster and public servant
Efren Peñaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year (2009)
former President Cory Aquino, one of the greatest leaders of all time for her fight for freedom and democracy

People casted their votes for someone whose talent, leadership, and vision has made them proud to be a Filipino and most thankful of.

The First National Thank You day award goes to…….

*Drum roll*

Former President CORAZON C. AQUINO

Well, she really deserved it. No words to express how Filipinos are thankful for her great deeds for our country.

The award was accepted by her daughter, Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee.

Yes, believe it or not, I was star struck. I didn’t expect anybody from the Aquino family to be present there. Being the photographer, I was the one who took this photo:

My bro, Jeric with Ms. Viel Aquino-Dee.

—For those who wants the National Thank You Day to be “officialized” (if there’s such a word. LOL) please sign up in this petition here.