I-CARE RELIEF OPERATIONS AT BAGONG SILANGAN, QUEZON CITY FOR THE TYPHOON ONDOY VICTIMS - October 5, 2009

Last October 5, 2009, the JIL International Pastors were able to participate at the relief operations being done by the JIL Compassion Ministry through its I-CARE Ministry. The first place we went to was in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, one of the barangays that was seriously affected by the floods. Before the gift-giving, the JIL International Pastors were able to share the message of hope to our kababayans while they are waiting in line for the arrival of the JIL truck containing the relief goods.

I saw the desperation in the faces of the people there and their need for assistance. They had to be in the line-up for 3 or more hours just to get the relief goods that will be given. The usual contents of the relief bag are 1 kilo of rice, 2 pcs. of sardines, 2 pcs. noodles and 4 pouches of coffee. Some bags contains used clothings, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.

Although I feel that what we have given is not enough, but I still thank the Lord, that He enabled us through the JIL Ministry to be of help to these people. I believed that we have shared to them the most important thing more than those relief goods, and that is, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Let us continue to pray for the Filipinos that through the crisis happening in our country they will come to know JESUS, the one who will give them HOPE and LIFE EVERLASTING.

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES !!!

FAMILY TRIP TO DISNEYLAND PARIS - Part 3

Hello again!

I just want to continue my blog regarding our family's vacation in Disneyland Paris on March 10-13.
















On the third day of our stay in Disneyland Paris, we went back to Disneyland Park during the early opening hours so that Jappy and Alyssa can take the rides that they missed especially those in Fantasyland. These rides always have long line-ups during regular hours.



They rode two of the most famous rides in Disneyland - Dumbo, The Flying Elephant and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups.

















We also went with them to the following rides: Peter Pan’s Flight, Le Carousel De Lancelot, and Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs.

At 10:00 a.m., the Disney characters are once again out at the park to greet the visitors and take photos with them. We had the chance to have a photo shoot with Mickey Mouse outside his house and Alyssa was able to get his autograph as well.













Then off we went to the other themed park, the Walt Disney Studios. At the entrance, you will see its landmark, the Earffel Tower. The weather isn’t that good coz it was raining a little bit and it’s quite windy and cold. But it’s a good thing that most of the shows and attractions we visited were indoors so everything worked together for good. Praise God!







The Walt Disney Studios has four parts, the Production Courtyard, Toon Studio, Backlot and Front Lot.






At the Front Lot, you will find the entry to Disney Studio 1, usually the Disney characters are here signing autographs and taking photos with the guests. As you enter the studio, you will find various restaurants and souvenir stores. We ate our lunch here before going to the different attractions.
















At the Production Courtyard, the attractions you will find are “Stitch Live!”, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Cinemagique and the Studio Tram Tours. We watched the show “Stitch Live!”, an interactive attraction where Stitch interacts with you through a real time animation. We also watched the show in Cinemagique where the main character went to the different settings of various classic movies.


At the Backlot, you will find the attractions “Moteurs . . . In Action! Stunt Show Spectacular”, “Armageddon Special Effects” and “Rock ‘n’ Roller starring Aerosmith”.


We were able to watch the stunt show “Moteurs . . . In Action! Stunt Show Spectacular”. This is one of the best shows in Disneyland, we got to sit in the grandstand and watched spectacular car and motorcycle stunts being filmed in a village setting.








Next we went to “Armageddon – The Special Effects” attraction where we got to enter a space craft’s control room to experience what the stars of the movie “Armageddon” felt while filming the movie when they were bombarded by rocks from an asteroid causing fire inside the space craft.

At Toon Studio, you will find the attractions “Crush’s Coaster”, “Cars Race Rally”, “Animagique”, “Art of Disney Animation”, and the “Flying Carpets Over Agrabah.” We enjoyed watching the show at “Animagique” where we saw Mickey and Donald and a lot of Disney characters live on stage singing and dancing through the different Disney classic songs in various settings of the classic Disney cartoons. Jappy and Alyssa also rode the Crush’s Coaster roller coaster ride which is inspired by the “Finding Nemo” movie. In the “Art of Disney Animation” you will be able to watch the history of animation and try in your own hand some animation techniques.








We decided to go back to the hotel at around 6 p.m. But we ate dinner first at McDonald’s and had some picture-taking at the vicinity of our hotel where you will see the other Disney hotels and the Hot Air Balloon, that serves as a landmark for Disneyland Paris.






What a day! Whew . . . . But it was another fun day. We truly enjoyed all the attractions in Walt Disney Studios.

Until my next blog . . . . Thanks for visiting! God bless you. . . . . .

FAMILY TRIP TO DISNEYLAND PARIS - PART 2

Our second day in Disneyland Paris was much better because we were able to rest the night before and the weather was much better 'coz the rain stopped and it was a bit sunny. Although it’s still quite cold and windy at times, but being used to a cold place, it’s fair enough for us.

We had an opportunity to have a photo with Minnie Mouse at the lobby of our hotel during breakfast time. After breakfast, we proceeded immediately to Disneyland Park to enjoy the two-hour early opening exclusive for Disney’s hotel guests. We were able to enjoy some of the rides for two hours before it opens to the general public at 10:00 a.m.


Disneyland Park is divided into five major parts - Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland. It is not as big as the Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California so it's easier to explore.





Jappy requested that we explore Discoveryland first, so for our first ride we went to Star Tours, a spaceflight simulator based on the film Star Wars. For our next ride, Pastor Aldrin forced me to join them on the Space Mountain: Mission 2 ride, not knowing how thrilling it was! Huh...... At least, we survived it, although I spent most of the time in it closing my eyes. We all felt dizzy and shaken after the ride but it was our most unforgettable one. Then Jappy and Alyssa rode the Orbitron, a ride inspired by the sketches of a solar system where you pretend piloting a spaceship.






At 10 a.m., the park was opened to the general public and the Disney characters went out to the main plaza to greet people and sign autographs. There was Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Pinocchio, Winnie the Pooh, and a whole lot more. . . . . Alyssa was able to get an autograph and photo from Pluto.










Next we went to Adventureland, we entered into a replica of an old Arabian town and visited Le Passage Enchante d’ Aladdin where you can discover the story of The Arabian Nights. In this area you will be able to explore different adventures like crossing a swaying suspension bridge, jumping across waterfalls and climbing a tree house called the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse.



There was also a replica of a pirate land where we saw a pirate ship and a Skull Rock. We also boarded and enjoyed the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride where the pirates’ life and a pirate battle were relived.

Then off we went to Fantasyland. You will be welcomed in this land of fantasy by the majestic pink and blue “Sleeping Beauty’s Castle,” standing out against the sky.
Inside the castle, the romantic tale of Sleeping Beauty was told through the manuscripts and sketches on the stained glass windows.







We also explored and tried to find our way out of Alice in Wonderland’s “The Curious Labyrinth” and entered the Queen of Hearts’ castle.






Next, we sailed around the world through the “It’s a Small World” cruise, where you will see a replica of children from around the world dancing, dressed in their national costumes.






Alyssa was also able to get an autograph and a photo from princess Ariel, Prince Charming and Cinderella, and one of Cinderella’s mouse assistants.











Our next stop is at Frontierland, which has a Wild West setting.



The first thing we did here is we went on board the Mark Twain and Molly Brown’s steam boat, where we enjoyed a tranquil ride around a river.







We also visited Woody’s Roundup Village in the setting of the Toy Story.















Then we went to Thunder Mesa where Pastor Aldrin, Jappy and Alyssa rode the Big Thunder Mountain, a roller coaster ride, which eventually became their most favourite ride in Disneyland Paris.











Our 2nd day in Disneyland Paris ended by watching Disney’s ”Once Upon a Dream Parade” where we had the opportunity to see most of the Disney characters in their beautiful floats. It was truly an awesome parade and Alyssa and Jappy enjoyed it so much.


Whew . . . what a day!!! We went back to our hotel at around 7:00 p.m. and due to our tiredness we went straight to our room and dozed off to sleep to get ready for the next day’s activities.

Until next time . . . . I will be giving more updates on my next post.

Thank you for reading this blog.

God bless you all!