Christmas Trees from around the World

The 12 Days and Christmas Trees From Around the World

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states. ******** The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city. ******** A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka. ******** Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic. ******** Venice's Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season. ******** Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir. ******** The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season. ******** 'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight. ******** Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. ******** In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk. ******** The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery. ******** A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947. ******** Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past. ******** Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown). The 12 Days of Christmas There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? This week, I found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. -The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. -The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. -Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. -The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. -The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. -The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. -The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.' Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY Arlington National Cemetery Rest easy, sleep well my brothers. Know the line has held, your job is done. Rest easy, sleep well. Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell. Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy.. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Mag-rehistro at Bumoto sa Halalan

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Summary of Requirements and Procedures for Voter Registration
Philippine National and Local Elections:
May 10, 2010
(Materials are from Comelec website. Click here to go there.)

For Overseas Pinoys and OFWs :
Deadline to register in nearest embassy or consulate: August 31, 2009

Procedures and Requirements:







































For Filipinos living in the Philippines
Deadline to register in your nearest Comelec office: October 31, 2009






















































































Read about voter registration and poll automation: Go to Comelec website.

Post your thoughts and questions on the Message Board. Click here.

A Nation Honors Her Daughter, Cory Aquino

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Pictures from the Days of Mourning;
The Philippines honors Cory and relives its finest hour.
(Pictures now updated to include burial at Manila Memorial.)

Come join in remembering and celebrating Cory:
(Click on small black arrow below to view pictures.)

(Click on small black arrow above to view the pictures.)


Makiramay sa burol sa La Salle:
(Click on small black arrow below for video.)

(Click on small black arrow above.)


Sumali sa paalam kay Cory sa Ninoy Corner, Ayala Avenue, Makati:

(Click on small black arrow below for video.)

(Click on small black arrow above for video.)

Post your thoughts and condolences on the Message Board. Click here.

Sangyaw Festival, Tacloban

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Sangyaw Festival
Tacloban, Leyte
June 27 - 29, 2009

The Sangyaw Festival honors the Santo Nino, the patron saint of Tacloban, with cultural presentations and a mardi gras-type parade. It draws contingents from surrounding areas and distant cities in the country to this beautiful town, located on the shores of Kankabatok Gulf and near the adjoining Leyte Gulf. The town was a favorite haunt of fishermen who used a bamboo contraption, known as "taklub", to catch fish. This resulted in it being called first "Tarakluban", the place where they use the taklub, then eventually "Tacloban".

See the interesting places nearby and take a side trip over the San Juanico Bridge to Samar all the way to Balangiga, where Filipino forces ambushed American troops in September 1901, resulting in several months of bloody reprisals and the taking, as war booty, of the church bells that gave the signal to attack. These are the Balangiga Bells, one of which is in a U.S. army base in South Korea, and two in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Philippines continues to press for the return of these bells.

(Click on small black arrow above to view pictures.)



Listen to "Dahil sa Iyo" as only Tacloban can sing it,
with a special guest appearance:

(Click on small black arrow above to hear the song.)

Thrill to the dance of the Tinikling:

(coming soon. Abangan!)

Join the Sangyaw Festival Parade:

(Click on the small black arrow below to view pictures.)

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Pahiyas Festival, Lucban, Quezon

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pahiyas Festival 2009
Lucban, Quezon
May 15, 2009

Celebrating harvest time and honoring San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers and rural communities, Lucban residents decorate their houses and parade floats with the fruits of the land and the work of their hands.




(Click on small black arrow for more pictures)


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Agawan Festival, Sariaya, Quezon

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Agawan Festival
Sariaya, Quezon

A feast with a twist. Residents decorate their houses with their harvest and handiwork, and put up pabitins (bamboo branches to which various gifts are tied).

Anyone can take the goods home but only after the statue of San Isidro Labrador passes in the procession. A mad scramble follows the saint, or people hang on to the items that they want, and wait for the saint to pass! Watch out for more gifts and goodies that fly out from the houses to the eager crowd on the street.

(Click on small black arrows above for more pictures and video.)

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Valentines' Greetings

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Sa Aking Mahal na Valentine!
(Online VALENTINE'S GREETINGS!)


1. From Brother Moises:

(Click on small black arrow above to watch the video greetings.)

***Happy Valentine's***

2. This is Chema Bautista, I live in San Carlos City, Pangasinan. I just want to greet my family in the Philippines, especially my mom and my dad and especially my two sons, Patrick and Quincy. I just want to say Happy Valentines to all of you! I love you!

***Mahal Kita, Valentine***

3. Ako ay si Harold Jasmin na taga Urdaneta. Binabati ko ang pinakamamahal kong asawa at mga anak. Happy Valentine’s sa inyo!

***Happy Valentine, Jocelyn***

4. Hello po sa lahat ng nasa Urdaneta lalong lao na si Jocelyn Panganiban, ang pinakamamahal kong asawa. Happy Valentine’s Day sa iyo, mahal ko! At sa mga magulang ko diyan, ingat po lagi!

***Mabuhay at Happy Valentine's Day***

5. Ako ay si Czarjeff Laban taga Calamba Laguna. Binabati ko ngayon ang mga magulang ko, ang mga kapatid ko at ang mga kaibigan ko diyan sa Pilipinas ng Happy Valentines’ day! Sana sa araw ng mga puso huwag nyong makalimutang batiin ang mga magulang ninyo mga kapatid ninyo at mga mahal ninyo sa buhay, at ipadama ninyo sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng oras at atensyon sa mismong araw ng mga puso. Tatandaan natin lagi na ang pinakamahalagang bagay na maari nating gawin sa mundo ay ang magmahal at ang pag-ibig ay siyang bumubuhay sa ating lahat! Mabuhay ang lahat ng mga Pilipino!

***Ikaw Lang Ang Aking Valentine***

6. Ako po ay si Ray from South Korea. I want to greet my beloved wife, my one and only…. Happy Valentine’s and also to my 2 kids, sana’y marining o mabasa ninyo ito through internet, at sana’y nasa mabuti lagging kalagayan kayo, na wala akong masyadong iniintindi rito, at kung ako naman ay inyong tatanungin, mabuti naman ako. Happy Valentine’s uli sa lahat sa inyo diyan, sa Mommy, sa mga utol ko diyan, at sa lahat ng nag-mamahal sa akin at yung hindi rin nag mamahal! Maligayang kaarawan ng puso sa inyong lahat diyan.

***Happy Valentine's***

7. Message from Lynn:

(Click on small black arrow above to watch the video greetings.)

***Happy Valentine's, mga Kapwang Pinoy***

8. Ako si Gil Jison, taga Anggat,Bulacan. Hi sa ating mga kasamahan diyan, mga kapwa Pilipino, Happy Valentine’s Day!

***Mahal Ko Kayo!***

9. Ako ay si Ana Mercado, taga Pangasinan. Kinakamusta ko lahat ng pamilya ko sa Pilipinas, sa Pangasinan. Sana mabuti kayo, at lagi kayong mag-iingat! Mahal ko kayo! Happy Valentines!

***Happy Valentine's***

10. Ako si Mabel Mayuga, taga Batangas. Binabati ko ang pamilya ko, nanay ko, tatay ko, mga kapatid ko at higit sa lahat ang kaisaisa kong anak, ang pinakamamahal kong anak. Sana magpakabait ka! At huwag matigas ang ulo kina Nanay.

***Happy Valentine's, Jenalyn***

11. Hi sa inyong lahat diyan sa Pilipinas. Ako ay si Angel taga Iloilo, Binabati ko yung anak kong si Jenalyn na kasalukuyan nag-aaral diyan sa Ospital. Sana pag butihin mo yung pag-trabaho mo diyan. At sa mga kapatid ko diyan sa Bulacan, sa Cebu ….Happy Valentine sa inyong lahat!

***Masayang Valentine's Day Sa Inyo***

12. From Emely Abagat

(Click on small black arrow above to watch the video greetings.)

***Mahal Kita, Anak***

13. Hello, kamusta na kayo diyan, pinakamamahal kong kapamilya? Ingat kayo diyan sa Pilipinas. Sa anak ko, mahal na mahal kita. Ako si Karen Alejandrino taga Laguna, Sta. Cruz, sa baby ko, ingat ka palagi! Mahal na mahal kita! Kaya ako nandito, para sa iyo!

***Happy Valentine's***

14. Ako ay si Arnold Mangampat. Happy Valentine sa mga magulang ko na nasa Guam, ang nanay ko ay nasa Pilipinas. Ang ate ko pauwi sa Pilipinas. Sana maligaya kayo sa Pilipinas. Ok pa naman ako rito, hindi pa naman nababaldado! Happy Valentines to all who see this message and God Bless to all!

***Sa Lahat na Nagmamahalan***

15. Ang pangalan ko po ay Orly Tunggala. A native of Cabanatuan City. Dito po sa Korea sa Sangmun. Binabati ko po ang mga minamahal sa buhay, ang nanay at mga kapatid aking mga pamangkin, aking mga anak at siyempre ang aking mahal sa buhay! Binabati ko kayo ng Happy Valentine sa inyong lahat. Sa lahat ng mga nagmamahalan at maging sa lahat na hindi nagmamahalan ay binabati ko kayo ng Maligayang Araw ng mga Puso!

***I Love You, Maureen!***

16. Ako ay si Lorie, taga Tarlac. Binabati ko ang aking mga mahal sa buhay. Happy Valentines po! At sa aking anak na si Maureen, mag-aral ka ng mabuti anak…I love you!!

***Happy Valentine's Day***

17. From Johnny:

(Click on small black arrow above to watch the video greetings.)

***Sa Pinakamamahal kong Pamilya***

18. Ako ay si Arnel Gamosa, taga Quezon province. Kasama ko ang asawa ko rito. Happy Valentines sa anak naming at mga pamilya sa Pilipinas.

***Happy Valentine's at God Bless, Hana Lisa***

19. Ako ay si Arnel ng Batangas, Pascual, Laurel Batangas. Binabati ko ang pamilya ko diyan, ang aking anak na si Hana Lisa at sa inyong lahat Happy Valentines at God Bless!!

***I Love You, My Beloved Family***

20. I’m Roger Ambory, from Batangas City. I want to greet my beloved family, this coming February 14, a Happy Valentine,s Day. I wish I could….anyway Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you….I Love You!

*** Ingat Kayo Please***

21. Ako ay si Mercy Vidallo, taga Bulacan. Binabati ko ang aking mga magulang, mga kapatid, kamag-anak, mga anak, lalong lalo na ang aking mga apo. O mag-ingat kayo ha? Tulad ng lagi ninyong sinasabi sa akin…bawal magkasakit…kayo ganoon din…bawal din mag-kasakit, Sherlly, yung mga anak mo alagaan mong mabuti. Sheryll, Sherwin, Shiela…ingat kayo ha take care of yourself ha? Happy Valentine ha? O sige….I love you!!

***Happy Valentine's Day***

22. Ako ay si Joben at ang aking pamilya ay nasa Pangasinan, sa Urdaneta. Sa aking pamilya, mag-ingat kayong lagi diyan, mahal na mahal ko kayo lahat diyan. Sa itong Valentines, Happy Valentine’s Day sa inyong lahat diyan!

***Happy Valentine's***

23. From Norma de Guzman:

(Click on small black arrow above to watch the video greetings.)

***Kumusta Kayo?***

24. Ako ay si Melanie, galing sa Pasay. Yung anak ko, yung nanay ko, mga kapatid ko, kumusta sa inyong lahat!

***Happy Valentine's at Mabuhay***

25. Ako ay si Martel Wagas. Gusto kong kumustahin ang aking pamilya diyan sa Waho. Happy Valentines at Mabuhya kayong lahat diyan!

***Taos Pusong Happy Valentines!!***

26. Ako ay si Lorna de Mateo nakatira sa Taytay. Binabati ko aking mga magulang, ang aking mga kapatid mga kaibigan, kamaganak. Binabati ko po kayo ng Happy Valentine’s sa darating na Valentine’s Day. Ok naman ako. Binabati ko kayong lahat ng taos pusong Happy Valentine’s Day!

***Gabayan kayo ng Paginoong Diyos***

27. Ako ay si Lily Kabala tiga Bulacan, Happy Valentine’s sa aking mga anak, manugang, sa aking mga apo, sa aking asawa…Happy Valentine! At sa aking ina, sa mga kapatid, hipag at bayaw. Sana gabayan kayo ng Panginoong Diyos sa pang araw araw na pamumuhay, at bigyan kayo ng magandang kalusugan sa araw araw.

***Happy Valentine's***

28. From Rogie Domingo:

(Click on small black arrow above to watch the video greetings.)

***Aking Minamahal***

29. Ako si Mila taga Roxas City Iloilo. Binabati ko ang aking mga mahal sa buhay. Ang aking anak, ang aking nanay, ang aking mga kapatid, binabati ko sila ng Happy Valentine sa darating na Valentine’s day. Nawa’y maging maayos at maging maganda ang kanilang mga kalagayan sa araw-araw. At nawa’y gabayan sila ng Maykapal sa araw araw ng kanilang pamumuhay sa Pilipinas.

***Happy Valentine's***

30. I’m Benny Intem from Sevilla, Bohol. Binabati ko ang aking kamag-anak sa Sevilla, lalong lala na sa Lubog, yung pinsang kong nasa Norway si Fe Banisa, at si Abel at saka si Marian at saka yung mga kaibigan ko dito sa Korea, si Wilma Marapao at saka yung mga kaibigan ko rin sa Inchon, Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m turning 6 years here in Korea at sana matagal pa kami rito, tinitiis namin, ang lamig at saka init. Kaya maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng tumutulong sa amin. Binabati ko po ang lahat ng Boholano, especially in our place in Sevilla. Grenigreet ko sa amin ng Happy Valentines to my mother!

***Sarang Hai Yo!***

31. Ako ay si Isidro Akaduroy, binabati ko yung family ko sa Philippines, sa Cebu at Bacolod. Anyo Ha Sae Yo from South Korea, Sarang Hai Yo sa lahat ng kapamilya ko sa company ko at sa family ko sa Negros Occidental: Nay, Tay, Jason, Mida, Mira, Happy Valentine’s to all! God bless you and I love you all!

***We Miss you!!***

32. From Mario:
Happy Valentine's Mama, Papa! Ed magpakabait ka, ok? We miss all of you!

***Sending You My Deepest Love Valentine's Day Kiss***

33. From Yola:
Hi to all my family in the Philippines. I miss everyone of you. To all my sisters and brothers, to all my in laws, friends, relatives, specially to my one and only lovely ISSA....I feel very happy to have you as my very own. More than anything else, I wish I could be with you this coming Valentine's day. But since I can't, I want to take this opportunity to send you my deepest love valentine's day kiss...I LOVE YOU AND I MISS YOU! Take Care Always!

***Sending you hugs and kisses***

34. From Marimar:
Hello to my loved ones in the Philippines. Happy Valentines Day! Please take care of each other today and everyday. I love you all and miss you all very, very much. It's still cold here but when I think of you, I feel warm all over. Right now I'm giving all of you hugs and kisses and I'm waiting for the day when I can do this in person!

***Mahal Ko Kayong Lahat***

35. From Elly Torres:
Para po sa mga mahal ko sa buhay na nasa Pilipinas, sa aking mga anak, at asawa ganon din sa aking mga kapatid, bayaw, hipag at mga in laws. At sa anak kong naging isang ama na rin, sa bago kong apo, at sa mga kaibigan ko na hanggang sa ngayon ay nakakaalala pa rin sa akin. Binabati ko kayong lahat ng isang Happy happy Valentine sa darating na kaarawan ng mga puso....Ingat sa lahat kong mga anak d'yan...Palagi nyong iisipin na palagi kayong nasa aking alaala at sa aking puso...Mahal ko kayong lahat! Salamat po!

*** To my grandchildren***

36. From Carmela:
Happy Valentine's to my family, especially my grandchildren! Take care and hoping to see you all very soon!

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Magpadala ng Valentine's message sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay. Click here, and we will post it up on this board. Include the email address of your Valentine, and we will inform them to check this board for your important message.

Happy Valentine's sa lahat na OFW at Filipino expats! Mahal namin kayong lahat. God bless you at ang inyong mga minamahal!

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Sinulog Festival: Santo Nino de Cebu

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Viva Pit Senyor! (Sinulog Fiesta: Santo Nino, Cebu, January 17 & 18, 2009)
Captions below are from the Novena to the Santo Nino.

O Senor Santo Nino, you are our king and our God, we worship you.

You are our strong defender, we turn to you.

You are the patron of Cebu,

the Philippines and the world,
we come to you;

You have made extraordinary wonders through your miraculous image in those chosen islands, remember us.


















Look down at this poor soul
that comes to you for help.


































The Procession (January 17, 2009):

Lead us with Your wisdom;


discipline us with your truth; console us with your tenderness,

















protect us with your might.

(Click small arrow above for pictures of the procession.)

(Click small arrow above to see "Sa Paligid Ng Fiesta".)

The Parade (January 18, 2009):

We consecrate today our thoughts of you,

only with you shall they be occupied; our words, only of you shall they speak;
our sufferings, that we may endure them for your sake.

(Click small arrow above for video of 3 performances.)

(Click arrow above for pictures of Dancers & Watchers.)

We beg you Senor Santo Nino,
illumine our understanding,
kindle our will, cleanse our body,
sanctify our soul.

We wish what you wish, because you wish, as you wish, as long as you wish.

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Nagustuhan ba ninyo itong mga retrato ng Sinulog Festival 2009? Tell us what you think about this by simply clicking on the word "comments" just below. Ask questions. Click on Magtanong sa Doktor or Magtanong sa Psychologist. Share your thoughts, feelings and experiences. Stay in touch!

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