Happy Thanksgiving!

Wake-uppers:

Scene: ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya Giveaways/Relief Goods was held last Friday in Booy District, Tagbilaran City.  Kapamilya Stars who were there were Julia Barretto, Jovit Baldivino (who sang Pagsubok and Pusong Bato), Ryan Bang, Sam Milby, Kian Cepriano, Empress, John Prats, John Lapus and Direk Loren Dyogi. Re-elected Booy barangay Captain Jun Telmo was also busy manning the event.

Scene: Panglao Mayor Leonila Paredes-Montero was giving raffles for the affected families in the Bohol Airport project in Panglao for their homes in the resettlement area allocated by the provincial government and the preparations for the sustainable livelihood projects.

Kapamilya stars Ryan Bang, John Prats, John Lapus, et al during the Sagip Kapamilya Giveaways/Relief Goods held in Booy, Tagbilaran City. Courtesy: Marcel Quibol-Arabejo

Scene: It’s goodbye for this teacher who was terminated by the school admin. “Students filed complaints against this teacher for act of lasciviousness and corruption,” says the unimpeachable VRS codenamed EP (Welcome back!- LPU). “The teacher was caught in the act giving “job” with the students inside the classroom,” adds VRS. “Nagkagubot jud ang tibuok school! The students accused the teacher that they were advised to buy aircon and other stuffs in order to pass the subject.” Leaving school, the teacher can see the world free!

Scene: From PIA-Bohol: Bohol Light Company Inc. says it is still impossible to have a definite schedule of power rationing as of this time while power transmission pattern from NGCP is still unstable.

Scene: Youth leader John Maraguinot posted on Facebook: Help! Next week, Bangon Bohol Relief Drive and the rest of the member organizations of ONE BOHOL will be in the Eastern Visayas to spearhead the Balik Bohol Reintegration Program and Leyte Relief Operation. The program will bring medical, debriefing, mass feeding, and evacuation services to the survivors (evacuation service will be limited to Boholanos only). Right now, we are still short of the needed supplies like rice, biscuits, candies, bottled water, sackoline, coffee, milo, and sugar. For this I appeal for support and assistance to all of my family members, relatives, and friends. Please PM me for inquiries or text at 09179985410.

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Believe it or not, the holiday season is almost here.

Last week, many of us gathered with family and friends sharing a Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving Day is usually celebrated in the US. We, Filipinos, don’t have a specific date for a Thanksgiving celebration because we always like to celebrate if we want to.

In New York, fashion icon EJ Relampagos had witnessed for the first time the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last Thursday (Friday in Phl).

Fashion icon EJ Relampagos has experienced his first Thanksgiving Day in the US. Courtesy: EJ Relampagos

Macy's Famed Giant Helium balloons took flight despite a windy day in New York City.

“The sun does not after all guarantee a warm ambience... still the show must go on! Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was a huge success,” said EJ. “It lasted for 3 hours and I have to say it made me feel like watching my first Cinderella movie! Everything looked magical. I never thought a parade could be that grand and fabulous!!! Oh New York...”

At Macy’s, making their debut this year were Adventure Time with Finn and Jake, Snoopy with his pal Woodstock, Toothless from "How to Train Your Dragon", The Wizard of Oz and Happy Hippo. With Hanukkah falling on Thanksgiving this year a special spinning Dreidel balloon made its way down the parade route.

Eye-catching were the regular balloons like Spider Man, Buzz Lightyear, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hello Kitty, Sonic along with clowns, bands and floats.

After the parade, EJ had a dinner in NYC streetfood Halal and he slept early to gain energy for the Black Friday Sale at the 5th Avenue. (How about EJ’s date in NYC? Globetrotting VRS in New York is asking.)

In Los Angeles, California, Mikey Gatal celebrated Thanksgiving Day by watching a movie with Kevin.

Last week, Mikey had a successful “slippers and apple drive” outreach program in Booy Kindergarten schools. More than 100 kids were given slippers and 100 apples.

US-based Boholano socialite Mikey Gatal bringing his “pink box” with Miss Universe 2012 1st runner-up Janine Tugonon during the Haiyan charity event.  Courtesy: Mikey Gatal

“ So glad to see happy faces all over the place,” said Mikey. “The ‘Apple Drive’ in Bohol Philippines was a success, big thanks to Anciro Romana, Atty Sandy Roxas and to the OMG Hunks and Babes for this effort Pham Marzon, Nikki Gatal Quintia, Marjo Gatal-Duma, Mayen Gatal, Filipina Castillon-Rio, Wardiflex Eduardo and Rj Garcia (the ‘apple boy’ in the Philippines) for the inspiration to do more.”

Mikey who was bringing his “pink box” to spread awareness that Bohol earthquake victims also need help also joined the Haiyan Relief Project Free Benefit Concert which was attended by Miss Universe 2012 1st runner-up Janine Tugonon. Vincent Kinne, a Thai actor (in Dragonwolf movie) also attended the event.

After Thanksgiving Day, we will celebrate our Savior’s birth and then ring in the New Year.

I encourage everyone to thank God for all that He’s done-both big and small. There is so much for us to be thankful for, and Thanksgiving Day should be every day. 

As the great psalmist says in Psalm 100:4-5, “Be thankful and say to him, bless and affectionately praise His name! For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

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2013: Your best moment

What was your Best Moment of 2013?  As 2013 draws to a close, many of us will be looking back to our most memorable, extraordinary moments of the year.

VRS want to hear from you: What’s the one picture that truly captures your 2013 highlight? What will you remember most?  

Share it with VRS, alongside a short description why it was so special for you. E-mail leoudtohan@yahoo.com.  The most compelling stories will be featured in VRS.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.