Sipin clan reunion

Tracing our roots, my mother's clan goes back to the late 19th century where a Seminarian named Juan Sipin married Aniceta Carino and had five children. After Aniceta died of Cholera Juan remarried and as all our ancestors say had other children from other women.  

But that was more than a century ago. I remember when we were kids we used to hold reunions in Paranaque to meet our relatives from the SIPIN clan. Unfortunately, a lot of them settled down in the USA while it was hard to find other relatives. Thanks to facebook we have traced a lot of our relatives and asked some of them to have a reunion. 

Our thanks to the family of Tita Purita "Pachot" Sipin-Mapa who together with Tito Toto Mapa hosted the reunion at the Penthouse of the Address condominium in Mandaluyong City. It was great seeing our relatives and meeting some more. 

After having a sumptuous lunch I started out the festivities by introducing the families through a list that my mom Maelotisea Mejia Sipin-Garrido prepared. It was fun knowing our relatives and the stories that my mom told me made it much more exciting.

As I have said this is just the start and we hope to hold another one during the Christmas break so that others who are in the United States who will be here in vacation can join us. Cant wait for December to come. 

Ms. Bikini Philippines 2016: Congrats Christine Orpiaza

Ms. Bikini Philippines 2016 

Ms. Christine Opiaza 

is flanked by her court 

1st Runner-up Ms. Regine Anillo (left) 

2nd Runner-up Ms. Ivy Tapic (right)

All the Candidates open the show 

with a grand dance number 

STI is the provider of computer and tabulations systems

STI made sure the results came out fast and accurate

Charice Pempengco wowed the crowd 

with her vocal prowess

Ms. Christine Orpiaza shows her winning form

GARDENS BY THE BAY

The Gardens by the Bay brings to life the National Parks Board Singapore's vision of creating a City in a Garden. This Garden makes Singapore a leading Global City, one that has a perfect environment. 

The Super Tree Grove - I feel like i'm gonna see a hobbit

In January 2006, an international master plan design competition was launched to seek world-class design ideas for the Gardens by the bay. The competition drew more than 70 entries submitted by 170 firms  from 24 countries including 35 from Singapore. Two teams were announced as winners who were both from the UK.

Flower Power 

In November 2007 Gardens by the Bay broke ground and was opened to the public in October 2011. A special preview of the Flower dome was held in November 2011 in conjunciotn with the World ORchid Conference. 

Travel Buddies together with Louie

It will be best if you can buy your tickets before going to the venue because there is a long queue of people lining up to get their tickets. You can check their website or book a tour with Klook.

The Lego Venus Fly Trap - what a nice sight

Cant get my camera off this one it seemed so nice

The Merlion

I thirst

At the back of the big Merlion there is also a small Merlion

Family Pic

"YOU SHOULD BE HERE!"

 

The Merlion and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Alyssa Valdez holds her skills camp at STI

The AV Camp in progress

 

Three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez is one of the best and gifted female volleyball players in the country. From her humble beginnings in San Juan, Batangas to her journey with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP she has shown that a simple girl from the provinces can make it big in the sport which has captivated the hearts of many Filipinos.

Alyssa training the next Valdez

 

Today she embarks on a new mission and that is to teach kids the basics and rudiments of volleyball. Alyssa’s love for volleyball is very evident as she spearheaded the Alyssa Valdez Skills Camp for the many volleyball enthusiasts from six (6) years old to eighteen (18) years old.   Open to everyone who has a knack for volleyball, the skills camp has three brackets namely 6 to 13 years old for beginners, 14 to 18 years old and an open session for those who simply want to learn volleyball.

 

Alyssa training the next Valdez

 

The camp opened today at the STI Academic Center in Calamba Laguna and will run through May 7, 2016. It will also feature Alyssa’s friends with Gretchel Soltones, Joyce Palad, EJ Laure, JV de Guzman, Amy Ahomiro, Jhoana Maraguinot, Bea de Leon and Ella de Jesus. The Alyssa Valdez Skills Camp will also be held at the STI Academic Center in Cubao from May 10 to 14 and at the STI Academic Center in Ortigas-Cainta on May 19 to 21.
 

Grethcel Soltones, Alyssa Valdez, STI College Calamba's Jei Isip, Yours truly, Joyce Palad

 

Alyssa’s love for volleyball is boundless that is why she opened the Alyssa Valdez skills camp this summer and this is her way of her paying back the sport she so dearly loves. Who knows that from these humble beginnings she can inspire the new generation of youngsters to become the next Alyssa Valdez. 

 

First batch of camp enrollees 6 to 13 years old with their parents