Christian Family Organization Night

Our 2nd Annual CFO Night was awesome!  For those of you who took photos at the HOLLYWOOD backdrop, please check the locale Buklod Bulletin board and email me your request for your photo.  Unfortunately, I do not have the photos from the CFO NIGHT backdrop. However, when I get those files, I'll be sure to let you know.

Here are photos of me and my family at CFO Night... in Long Beach.. Long Beach... Long Beach ;)

Happy Birthday Johnson!

The Siblings: L-R: Ryan, me, Johnson, Janice and Jordan (Missing In Action = Benson)

My brother Johnson celebrated his birthday today, Sept 29th working on the Area 3 movie poster for the upcoming CFO Night.  It took him 5 hours to complete because he was using such an old laptop. The laptop was a hand-me-down... it came from me when Ryan arrived from PI bringing along with him a faster computer.

Today, Ryan and I decided to buy him the computer he's been hoping for. After work, we drove down to Best Buys in Downey, CA and got him a computer, a flat screen monitor, and a printer. We drove home and left it in front of his bedroom door. I told mom, papa, and jordan not to say anything to him because I wanted it to be a surprise :-D We were all going to the Area 3 taping that Johnson would be directing and editing.

During the taping, Johnson was working hard as director. Afterwards, he planned to go home and rest because his feet were hurting and he was tired.  I kept agreeing that he should so he can ;).  When he got home and saw the new computer, his sleepiness went away and so did his weariness...  He's at his room getting his computer all set up. I guess you can say that he loves his birthday gift :-D

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to Johnson.  You're a cool brother..... irritating at times... but you're cool.  You better enjoy the compliment, because you know me, I'm not good at giving them to you.  I know I'm hard on you at times, but know it's for your own good.  I know you'll be successful in life so you need to believe in yourself and most of all our Almighty God.

Seriously, you have so much talent... sometimes I think you don't know what to focus on because you have so much talent! But stay focus and you can accomplish anything you want. I'm thankful to have you as a brother and I hope and pray that your wishes in life come true as long as it is not against God's will.  Keep active always in the faith because you know that it is the only treasure, the only true wealth we have on earth.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS believe in what God can do for you... He is the only reason why we are still alive... and like what your Kuya Ryan told me... EVERY SINGLE BREATH is a GIFT from GOD.

Happy Birthday again! Oh and I need you to finish editing the video in a month please! ;-D

Love Ate Joan and Kuya Ryan

Jewel and Micah Wedding Video Summary

Kudos to Johnson and Gerard for being the videographers for this wedding. Gerard completed editing the video for Ka Jewel and Micah this evening! He did an awesome job editing! To view video, please click on the image below. Please be patient while video loads. It's worth it! :-D . For slower connections, please visit: http://www.vimeo.com/1806556 for the low res version.

Who's Engaged!?

HE'S ENGAGED!? 

I had heard through the grapevine that Kuya Richard De Castro got engaged but I didn't believe until I got an evite to an engagement party from him...It was hard to believe because Kuya Richard is always kidding around!  Sometimes I don't know if he's telling the truth!  So when I finally met his bride to be, it hit me! HE'S ENGAGED!!

L-R: Me, Mimi, Kuya Rich, Ate Yolleta, and Karen

Mimi and Kuya Rich are wonderful together!  They met through a friend he had visited in North Carolina.  I was asking Mimi so many questions, that I started to feel bad because it was as if I was giving her a job interview... Sorry Mimi!  I just wanted to know all the details... how they met, how he proposed, when the wedding would be, where the wedding would be, the color theme for their wedding... but she was sooooo nice and answered all my questions... 

I found out that Kuya Rich had set it up to propose to her during her birthday.  He gathered friends and coworkers to meet at her parents house.  When Kuya Rich and Mimi arrived to her parents house, she thought it was some sort of surprise birthday party. When they started singing the happy birthday song, he brought out a cake for her. However instead of the cake having the usual Happy Birthday greeting, it read, Will You Marry Me? It was sweeeet! ;)

This evening while we were watching the video, Kuya Mel and Ate Leni were asking Mimi to come over to the kitchen. There was another cake!  Mimi came out of the kitchen and she started to sing Happy Birthday... she brought the cake out to Kuya Rich.

The delicious cake from Kuya Mel and Ate Leni

They are so cute together!!!

You two are so right together! Congratulations! I can't wait till your wedding day! 

Welcome To The World Little One!!

Congratulations to Myke and Vanessa!  Maia Angeli Caasi was born on August 23, 2008.  She is so adorable! Every time I see her, I just want to eat her up!  She's so tiny and did I mention adorable!?  

Myke and Van: You two are going to be awesome parents!  We're so happy for you both!

Maia: Welcome to the world! I pray you grow up to be an active member of the church! When you grow up and happen to read this post, I hope you see how much your mom and dad loves you through the photos you will see below... oh and don't forget your aunties and uncles as well who were so excited to meet you! ;D

Here are some photos taken a day after she was born.

Poem Time: The Reason We Endure

I haven't written a poem in such a long time. I think the last time I wrote one was about 6 years ago.. I've written lyrics to songs with Ryan adding the magical effect with his music... and I guess that may count as poetry.. but it seems like it's been so long since I've sat down and have written poetry about my day to day life experiences...the kind without music attached.. ;-D

I've decided to write at least a poem ONCE a month... hopefully it'll help me get back into what I've enjoyed since my elementary years...

"The Reason We Endure" poem was written in the year 1998. I remember writing it at work when I used to work in Aerol Co., Inc. For some reason, I had the urge to pick up a pen and paper.. I just started to write... like I couldn't stop. Every word I wrote kept flowing freely like I had a purpose in writing it. It took about an hour to complete but hopefully it'll last for years to come for everyone to enjoy!

So I hope whoever reads this poem enjoys it and will find some inspiration and strength from it.

The Reason We Endure

Are you seeking for happiness

In a world that's full of pain?

In this place so many trials,

Hardships, sorrows still remain.

For every day that passes,

Your tears so easy to shed

For worries and troubles of this world

Are what's inside your head.

At times you even think

Of giving up this difficult race

Since sadness is always there

Right in front of your weary face.

Then you wonder how

You are able to endure.

You wonder what it is

That makes your life so sure.

You close your weary eyes

In prayer to God above

And there you feel his presence

As He embraces you with love.

A love that's everlasting

A comfort so secure

Now you've found the reason

Why you are able to endure.

In your heart you hear Him saying

"I will never leave your side.

I will give you strength that you will need,

For you are my loving child.

There's no reason to be frightened.

Why from Me should you ever hide?

I will always help you.

I will always be your guide."

Do you still seek for happiness?

Look real hard and you will find

It will truly be found only in

Our Father who is kind.

His love is everlasting.

His comfort is secure.

He is the only reason

Why we are able to endure.

Perfecto Family Photo Shoot

The day Ryan and I were suppose to return to Long Beach, CA from New York City, I received a text from my friend Apple.  She asked if I could take their family portraits because relatives from Canada were visiting. Who am I to say no??  Of course I would love to take their family photos!  

I remember during my sister's wedding, the girls in the family practiced the songs the band were to play during my sisters wedding reception.  The night before the wedding, they went to the hotel late at night, set up their instruments (drums, guitars, keyboard, mics, etc..) with kuya Rouel and were making sure the sound system sounded just right! They stayed their pretty late practicing their numbers. They are soooo awesome and so very talented! I am forever grateful to them for helping out Janice and Benson on their special day.

It was an honor to have been asked to take their photos! They were one of my first clients when I started this photography business taking photos of the Grand Opening of their dental office and until now, they continue to support me :-D.  So I would just like to thank them and let them know that I appreciate their faith in me.  

I hope you enjoy this slide show po. Please click on the photo below.

Cahigagan 15th Anniversary & Family Photo Shoot

Yesterday I met with Bro Asbel and Sis Beth from the locale of Henderson, NV. They plan to do their renewal of vows after 15 years of being married to one another. Ryan and I found out that they’re related to the Pamintuan/Dayrit/Arceo family here in Long Beach so that was cool to know brethren I know will be attending their renewal of vows on October 25 in Montclair locale. Thanks Jennalyn for the referral! :-D

Special thanks to Juliet Lozano (http://www.makeupbyjuliet.com/) for doing Sis Beth's make up! She looked beautiful!

We drove to Averille Park in San Pedro, CA to take their photos for their guestbook and to display on at the reception site. Here’s the slideshow! Please click on the photo below.


Bro. Asbel and Sis. Beth! We'll see you on October! Thank you for choosing us :-D

Jewel and Micah Wedding Slideshow

Ka Jewel and Micah, thank you very much for letting me, Ryan, Johnson, and Gerard capture your wedding day.  It was so touching that I couldn't help but cry during the ceremony... I got really into the ceremony that I had to remind myself that I needed to start clicking :).  The locale of Long Beach and National City miss you both a lot and can't wait to see you again here in Southern California when you get the chance to visit during CFO Night!!!!

We hope you enjoy this slideshow of your wedding with your requested song to be used to show them off... ;) We hope to post up your Wedding Video Summary soon as well!

Please click on the photo below to view your slideshow.

Isaac & Jane's Wedding Video Summary

This post is long overdue!! So, I'd like to personally apologize to Isaac and Jane for the long wait. We completed their wedding video and are excited to hand deliver the copies on Saturday to them :-D. However, that's still 2 days more of waiting.. so for now, here's the wedding video summary of their special day.

Thank you both for your kindness and understanding! You both are so sweet together! May God bless you and your families always!!

To view the video, please click on the photo below. :) (Please be patient while the video loads)

Statue of Liberty to South New Jersey

Our morning started at about 5:30 am. Ryan, ate Peachy, and I were running really late!  We were suppose to meet everyone at Battery Park by 7:30 a.m. but because of the traffic and overall craziness of NYC, we ended up meeting my brother, cousins, and friends from Long Beach, CA at around 8:45 a.m. They waited for us for over an hour so our apologies to you all and thank you for waiting for us as well as picking up our tickets!!

As soon as we got there and had our tickets in hand, we went directly to the ferry boat that takes us to the Statue of Liberty.  This was our view from the boat.

Since we were all rushing in the morning and did not get a bite to eat, we decided to get some brunch at the refreshment area when we arrived at the Statue of Liberty island.  Ryan, Johnson and I ended up sharing two orders of fish and chips! YUMMY!! Afterwards, we headed off to line up to go inside the statue... AND it took about an hour to an hour and a half!! 

There are so much more photos from our trip to the Statue of Liberty, so to view them, please click HERE. 

We were planning on eating some NY Pizza but we were running late and had to get to South New Jersey (SNJ) for the wedding rehearsal! So we ending up getting some fast foods at a service/rest area on the way...

Here is one photo of the couple during the rehearsal.  They are so cute!  I think...no... I know I'm going to get teary eyed when I see these two get married... I still CAN'T believe that my cousin is getting married! After years of seeing him grow up... I know I'm going to get emotional... Good thing I have the camera in front of my face... I can hide it ;)

Everyone from the rehearsal left for Natasha's house where food was prepared.  It was really nice to have met some of the brethren in SNJ.  They're soooo friendly!  It's really a blessing to be members of the INC! No matter how far we live from each other.. whenever we meet, it's like we've known one another for a long time.. because we share the same faith :-D

ANYWAYS... Natasha and Fred surprised me and Ryan with beautiful personalized/engraved gifts! Fred and Natasha, thank you for everything! We are sooooo happy for the two of you!

INC 94th/40th Anniversary Celebration

Ten years ago, during our 30th Year Anniversary for the INC in San Jose, CA... I walked around alone thinking how it would be so cool to one day have Ryan in the US to celebrate the church's anniversary.  I thought to myself and prayed silently that one day, he and I will have an opportunity to help the church to work on a big celebration..  It was always a dream... a prayer of mine that I kept to myself.  It "WAS" just between me and HIM above. 

When I found out that we were going to have a joint celebration with the District of Northern California, I was so EXCITED! All the more I kept asking, "please...please...please... I really want Ryan and I to be a part of it... somehow.. some way.. in any way.... HE definitely heard my prayers... 

- - -

It surely is a weekend to remember.  After all our efforts in practicing, all the meetings, emails, phone calls, sleepless nights, as well as the last minute request to compose the Parade of Flags song and orchestrate it as well as orchestrate the Voice of a Child song composed by sis Kate it was definitely worth it!  The day finally arrived! It was finally time to celebrate the INC Anniversary!  

I'll miss EVERYONE that I had the honor to work with.  From the CWS Children  to my fellow District Officers.  They are an inspiration and I can't wait to work with them again on our upcoming district activities! It's a blessing to be part of this District of Southern California. I'm so proud of us all for doing an AWESOME job! Above all, I'm so thankful to God for giving me and Ryan an opportunity...... an experience of a lifetime!

Click on picture to view larger version :-D.  When I get Socal's CWS Choral Group Photo, I plan on adding it on to this blog as well! :-D For now, this is all I have...

A picture of me and Ryan with our Staff Shirts and Badges ;-D

P.S. Another prayer answered...