Season’s greetings

Here’s wishing one and all: 

Merry, happy and blessed Christmas

 and have a safe, prosperous and peaceful 2025!!!

Destileria Limtuaco Museum, Intramuros

March 4, 2023, D and I visited the Destileria Limtuaco Museum. Founded in 1852 by Chinese immigrant Lim Tua Co (later known as Don Bonifacio Limtuaco) Destilera Limtuaco & Co, Inc. is the oldest existing distillery in the Philippines. The company now sells more than 40 spirits, wines and liquors and is headed by fifth generation master distiller Olivia Limpe-Aw.

*5 days later, I was in St. Luke's Hospital in QC for my scheduled full hysterectomy surgery.*

 

In 1979, Julius Limpe (Olivia's father) acquired the archetypal Bahay na Bato to specifically enshrine the museum. It was a private space for the Limtuaco family to preserve their company's history. The museum located within the confines of the Intramuros area was formally opened to the public in 2018.

The museum is divided into several sections which include a small distillery that showcases the processes of producing rum from sugar cane and whisky from yellow corn, all are made from 100 % local raw materials.

On the second floor of the museum is a trove of the Limtuaco family's personal belongings throughout the decades.

An intensive collection of liquors acquired from the Spanish period as gifts as well as their current line of whiskeys, liquors and wines are prominentl displayed. They are famous for producing the classic White Castle whiskey with its iconic commercial ad featuring a woman riding a white horse.

White Castle Whiskey calendars featuring a model in a
red bikini on a white horse commercial ad

original sketch of the now famous commercial ad

Distileria Limtuaco also developed "Sioktong", the classic Chinese medicinal wine, a concoction of Chinese herbs said to have many health benefits.

Entrance fee: ₱100.00

Address: 481 San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila
Best to leave your vehicle at any paid parking area, then walk to the museum.

"Is he happy?"

December 1 marked the start of the Advent season. It is the start of a new liturgical year for the Catholic church. Four Sundays which we observe before Christmas. Each Sunday represents the virtues of Christ such as hope, love, joy and peace. 

At the start of the mass during the 4 Advent Sundays, a candle on the Advent wreath is lighted. The First Sunday of Advent symbolizes hope and anticipation as we prepare for the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In his homily, the priest recounted a story of someone interviewing a couple who have been married for 16 years. After asking how they met, what makes their marriage work, the wife was asked "is he happy?"  The wife couldn't reply. 

Father Mark further explains that that was the wrong question to ask of a married couple. In fact, it was a silly question. Fr. Mark said that once married, a couple become one and even though we're entirely different persons, it is a lifelong commitment and we must stay true to our vows in front of God and society, itself.  

The wife couldn't outright answer the question because regardless of her answer, it would reflect on their ability or inability to ensure your partner is happy, or sad. It takes two people to make a marriage work so if one of them is not happy, then it means you are not faithful to your vows and you are not fully committed to the sacrament of marriage.

All are really valid points but it got me reflective.

I come from a generation where women were taught to be obedient towards their husbands. We must put their needs over and above our own whims. Now the younger generation would say that your happiness or sadness should not depend on your partner. We need to find the right balance between being a wife or a mother (whatever the case may be) yet still be our own person. In short, one should not give up one's dreams or aspirations just because one is married. But we also do know that sometimes it is easier said than done.

My personal opinion - there is no 100% formula to a successful marriage. Everyone is different. We don't all go through the same struggles or hardships (which are integral parts of any marriage), but it is how we handle those obstacles individually or together that define how strong or weak the marriage is.  It definitely takes TWO people to make it work. Don't focus too much on the negative BUT learn to appreciate and celebrate the small victories, too.

Now if I was asked that question: Is your husband happy?

My answer: Ask him, yourself. LOL

Because my idea of happiness might be different from his. Even though we have been married for 16 years, I still cannot for the life of me read his mind. If this means, we are total opposites, maybe we are but we made a conscious effort, and life long decision to commit to each other, and I intend to stick to my vows. So far, so has he. 

Amen.

Health update

 

Taken at the Flower Dome in Singapore

Yesterday was my last check-up for the year 2024. My usual blood test and urinalysis to check my fbs, lipid profile, cbc and of course my thyroid levels as I have hyperthyroidism.

To prepare for these every.3.months.blood tests, I would go on a strict diet regimen with regular exercise.  

Aerobics is my go to exercise. The Leslie Sansone walk from home program was recommended by my endocrinologist when I was first diagnosed in April 2021 with Graves disease. I would do the 3 miles walk from home regimen - that is 45 minutes daily for 5 days. I rest during weekends.

I watch what I eat - less carbs, more protein and veggies. I am NOT allowed to have junk food, canned goods, processed food, oily and salty dishes. Nothing much left to eat, really. A rather tasteless, and very miserable way of life because I like to eat and eat a lot. LOL

I have to really be motivated to keep a healthy lifestyle because honestly medicines are not cheap! Daily, I take pills for my hyperthyroidism, my high cholesterol, my trigylcerides, my hypertension aside from my vitamin and supplements.

When I saw the results of my blood chem last Monday, I was pleasantly surprised that all my misery and suffering paid off. Even though my levels are still over the range, it has gone down quite significantly.  More importantly, my thyroid levels are now within the range. I still have diffuse toxic goiter (hyperthyroidism) but it is now controlled. 

Thank God. ♥️💝❤️

My next check up is in June 2025 or in 7 months. This gives me ample time to diet and exercise. In the meantime, I will try to get in the Christmas spirit. Although truth be told, ever since my parents passed away,  the Yuletide season isn't as merry as it used to be. We miss them, terribly. 

On another note,  I am really excited about my month long vacay with sister dearest in January. =)

Paco Park

In 2007 when D and I were scouting for a suitable church for our wedding (May 2008), Paco Church was one of our few options. We ended up getting married somewhere else because Paco Church was way over our budget LOL

I've always wanted to explore Paco Park and cemetery, mostly for its historical significance. Sister dearest and I had the time to do so two years ago, May 2022. 

Chapel of St. Pancratius which was closed

After his execution in Luneta on December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal's body was buried (without a coffin) in an unmarked grave in Paco Cemetery to prevent his fellow revolutionaries to use it as a rallying point. His sister Narcisa found his grave after days of searching for his remains. She placed a marble slab engraved with his initials in reverse R.P.J.

In 1898, she had his body exhumed and placed in an ivory urn at her residence in Binondo until 1912, when our national hero was interred in his final resting place at Rizal Park, Luneta.

This is the original site of Jose Rizal's burial after his execution

Cemeterio de Paco located within the walls of the park was originally meant for the affluent and aristocratic Spanish who resided in Intramuros. There are still 65 people buried there even though burials ceased in 1912. Most of the niches are now empty and the lapidas are in Spanish.

Paco Park is the final resting place of the three Filipino Catholic priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora who were executed in 1871 for alleged sedition by the Spanish authorities. Jose Rizal dedicated his second novel, "El Filibusterismo" to the memory of the three priests, Gomburza.