At this time of the year, there’s no sweeter word for a worker like me than the word “Christmas Bonus.”

Fortunately for us, our bonus is usually given every November. For most of us who need to buy gifts for godchildren and others, it’s a major advantage that we get to shop early. The disadvantage though is that it’s a long way to go before Christmas which means come Christmas day, I’d be as good as broke.

Usually, we already have plans on how to spend our bonus even before it is given. For parents like us, our top priority is buying our child new outfit or what we call pamasko. The remains of our budget goes to buying gifts for our godchildren and our nephews and nieces and of course, gifts for our dear parents. Oh yeah, I now believe that Christmas is for kids if you’ll look at it in a financial perspective.

Two days more to go and it’s Christmas Day! My friends and I made a pact that from now on until the dawn of the new year, we would strive very hard to stay happy and be at peace with the world.

There are so much to worry about but I decided I would make this holiday a merry one for my son and the rest of the family. Fortunately, if there are mishaps along the way, God always make sure that it clears somehow.

Another Catholic Christmas tradition started yesterday, the simbang gabi which lasts for nine days starting from December 16 of every year.

These days, many prefer attending the mass in malls so they can do their stuff — shopping, dining, etc. — right after the mass. To those who prefer this, the Marquinton Residences and Blue Wave Mall located along Sumulong Avenue set a simbang gabi for their patrons.

The venue is the Perfect Stage at the Blue Wave Strip Mall. It started last December 15 and would run until December 23, 2008. The mass starts at 6:30 PM. If you want to ask more information on this simbang gabi, please call the Marquinton Mall at 681-0111 or 857-9652.

Today is the grand launching of Marikina City’s first Best Business Plan Search for 2009, a project of Marikina City Government under its Local Economic Development Council (LED-C). The theme for the search is “developing the city’s future entrepreneurs.”

It was an exciting concept that may be joined by a group of students or even community-based groups like cooperatives. After the launching, I was fortunate to sit down with the think-tank behind the event including the head of the local college in the city and known businessmen from the Marikina Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MVCCi).

After brainstorming for the contest specifics, the business people from the group shared their experiences in business dealings including government processes and what is called informal business transactions that usually happens in golf courses.

In preschool, my son’s class already discussed the beautiful places in the Philippines. He was very fascinated with the chocolate hills of Bohol. I am too since I was young and more so now because the beaches of Bohol are now getting more popular than that of Boracay.

Since then, our family has been discussing the possibility of a trip to this place. Just last week, my friend and his family, all four of them, went to Bohol. My friend fell in love with the place when he went there some time ago and made true with his promise of bringing his family back with him.

The official seal of the city of Marikina bears the inscription Lungsod ng Marikina, Pilipinas, 1630 corresponding to the date of founding of the municipality, and 1996 as the year of approval of the city charter. The two mountains represent the Cordillera and Sierra Madre that form the Marikina Valley, transgressed by the Marikina River.

It’s not surprising that another member of our family went to another country to seek greener pastures for her family. With economic turnaround that is felt even in our city, more and more people will now take their chances by working overseas.

I can’t blame her or them. I myself wished of working abroad too. No opportunities yet but I definitely have plans. I love this country and loved living in it, just like any OFW. In my youth, I have declared that I would not get out of this country except to spend vacations. When I became an adult, many of my plans changed and although I remained patriotic, I changed into something more practical. Somewhat gone was the dreamy and idealistic girl I used to be with.

Last week, I heard from the news that the Commission on Election already opened voting registration. It is a good news for me since one of the requirements for the free training program that the Center for Excellence offers Marikeños requires voter’s ID or COMELEC certification.

My friend Rizza saved me time on research for this registration, she had all the information needed on her blog for anyone wishing to go to COMELEC to become an official voter of the Republic of the Philippines.

So here, I am just reposting Rizza’s article to guide you with COMELEC REGISTRATION:

I went to the Commission on Elections Office this morning to accompany a friend who is going to register as a voter for the first time. We arrived at around 10:15 in the morning bringing with him a valid Identification Card (ID) showing his present address and a photocopy of said ID. Since he is already 24 years old, he was not required to bring a birth certificate anymore.

We spent exactly an hour for the registration. We started out by submitting a photocopy of the required ID and in return the staff gave my friend some forms to fill out. After filling out the form, we returned it to the staff and waited for his name to be called for verification of the details on the form. The last step was for his biometrics and his picture to be taken.

The registration started on December 2, 2008 and will end on December 15, 2008. But don’t fret, that’s just a Christmas break… they will be accepting registrations again starting January 5, 2009 until December 15, 2009.

For registrants who are 18 years old and below, you must bring a copy of your birth certificate and one (1) valid Identification Card (showing your present address) with its photocopy. Birth certificates are not required for registrants aged 19 and above.

Aaargghh… there are a lot of things I wanted to share to you dear readers. There are so much activity going around that should be posted here here but my schedule wasn’t too kind on me. I was on hiatus oh yes, I tried so much not to but I was bombarded with deadlines and was dead tired at night to even open my slow computer.

Recap of some of the important events that transpired during the weekend until today. Manny Pacquiao won over Golden Boy dela Hoya and I was not only happy for the Philippines and its glory but I was also rewarded with some money for winning the bet. Monday was a busy week for Marikeños because of the celebration of Marikina’s 12th cityhood anniversary (which I would feature in another article) and also the date for the annual Rehiyon Rehiyon Festival. This celebrations made the traffic in the city horrible but the presentations and the street dancing were marvelous. Will try to feature this in a different article.

A sad news from showbusiness dampened the spirits of many including my son who just declared that Marcky Cielo was his idol. His passing away at a very young age was depressing. I am a Kapuso fan and I’ve always thought Marcky was a good and nice person.

Everyone’s feeling the fever of the dream fight of the Filipino pride Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and the Mexican Golden Boy Oscar dela Hoya. Both are on the peak of their boxing career and their fight is dubbed the “dream match” that would make Pinoys, once again, forget poverty and all other national issues while watching the big fight of our national sports hero.

Manny’s name is on everyone’s lips not only here in the Philippines. News all over the world covers their fight and our hero has his face and name on promotional products and memorabilia for his fans. Tomorrow, the whole nation would stop working again to watch the much-awaited fight and that would include me.