Hi there! Sorry for the late post. I recently found out we were featured on Scrapscene! What an honor. Thanks Angie for your interest in scrapbooking in our country. And congratulations to you and Todd for welcoming a baby girl! 
Anj
I was supposed to go to Glorietta2 around lunchtime, the day of the blast. I was invited by a foreigner-friend to check out the stocks of her soon to be opened (new) scrapbooking store at the second (or was it third floor) of G2 a few days before the blast. Her store was set to be launched next month and I agreed to help her out. I got held up on my computer with a rush job for a client and I had to move going to G2 after 5. I could have been there. Right there on the very wing the bomb went off. I could have died. I haven’t stopped praying and giving thanks since then…
Mavis sent this to me.(Thank you so much for this).Spend a few minutes reading. It’s worth the time. It’s an email circulating in several e-groups
-Mabelle
*****
Good day everyone, I wish I were writing under different circumstances.
I would like to inform you that my wife Leslie Cruz was part of the casualties in the Glorietta 2 Mall bombing in Makati City , Philippines . She was supposed to have a minor out patient surgery at Makati Medical Center at 230pm.
I had taken a leave from work to accompany her there. We dropped off our daughter, Amber, at my parents place in QC to babysit at around 10am. We then proceeded to Makati and was there at 1230pm. Since she had been fasting in preparation for her procedure, she wanted to move around and listen to some music while I grabbed a bite to eat. We parked at the basement of Park Square 2, and headed for the Glorietta 2 entrance. We parted at the top of the escalator, she turned right towards Filbar’s while I went left towards the restaurants. That was the last time I would see her.
Around 120pm, she had called me so that we can meet at the Glorietta 2 exit just in time to make her appointment. As I made my way there from Glorietta 1 through the connecting hallways, and was about to turn the corner, I heard 2 deep thumps and the shock-wave from the blast hit me. At that moment my heart dropped as I knew that the origin of the blast came from the same place where we were supposed to meet.
I tried getting to where my wife was, but the dust was too much and it was as if I was staring at a white wall. I still tried to convince myself that she was able to make it out, and that after ringing her mobile without a response only meant that she dropped it in the confusion. After 6 hours of searching from Makati Med. to Ospital ng Makati , the blast site, and back again to MMC - with the help of all the people I could get hold of, that I was able to get confirmation in what the state of my wife was.
My Dad and Uncle signaled me in from the ER of MMC. My Uncle (who’s a doctor) asked me to describe Leslie’s appearance to another group of doctors. I saw in the eyes of one that the description made sense. Instead of confirming it to me, they huddled together, then brought me to a small examination room. It was only through a digital camera that I was able to confirm (and deny) that she was indeed gone.
I have so many regrets. I should have met her sooner. I should have ran instead of a brisk walk. I should have not chose to park where I did. I should have braved the dust and went in the blast site. I should have …
Today’s the 4th day. It is still terribly difficult to breathe, let alone wake up realizing that your source of strength, your best friend doesn’t lie beside you on your bed. That my deepest worry is when Amber starts asking for her Mama.
I am glad that Amber’s too young to understand the loss and pain. In time I would like to tell her the details of how her mother died, but more importantly I would like to raise her as how her mother lived - a loving person, strong willed, decisive, caring, and nurturing. She has always cared for her family and friends, and sacrfied her career for being a full time mom and home maker.
As with all couples we had our ups and downs - none of which I regret not going through. The sweet is never as sweet without the sour. For almost 4 years of marriage, we’ve finally hit our balance in life only to be taken away in an instant. I have no regrets about our marriage. She has loved me and Amber beyond her capacity. I will always love her.
It is my first time to write to egroup as I’ve lurked and watched emails being sent to and fro. All I want now is that for each of the couples here is to cherish each moment that we spend with our loved ones. Pretty simple to say, very easy to take for granted.
Thank you all for the prayers. I would still like to ask you to please include Leslie in them until her 40th day so that the path to God’s kingdom is well lit and she is no longer in the dark.
Sincerely,
Carlo Cruz
Calling all scrappers!
I got an email from Mitch Sy, owner of Visual Creations a few days ago telling me about a new and exciting challenge involving one of my newest favorites - Hambly Screen Prints.
I first heard about Hambly from kababayan Ana Cabrera when I featured her in my Inspiration Series. At that time, I didn’t know what the heck it was and only got curious about it when Ana said Hambly was one of her favorite manufacturers. I am happy to say that Hambly Screen Prints products are now available locally through Visual Creations. I swear, the overlays are to die for! Compared to other brands, Hambly’s overlays are hand-silkscreened using metallic inks. And I’m telling you, when you see them you will go loco over them just like me! 
Naturally, I had to get practically all the designs that Mitch sold in her store. You also have to check out Hambly’s patterned papers and rub-ons.
So hurry and get your own stash of Hambly Screen Prints products and join Visual Creations’ first ever challenge!
For more information on the challenge, click here.
Here you go Mar, a picture of the birthday card sans the huge background. LOL!
Hi there, I came home this afternoon to see a snail mail addressed to me. The moment I saw it, I knew it was from Valerie Salmon. Woo hoo! It’s what I’ve been waiting for the past 2 weeks. Val posted the birthday card she made for me in her blog
What a great way to end the week. A beautiful card from one of the most talented artists in the scrapping industry. Thanks again Val!
P.S.
The picture doesn’t do justice to the card. When you see it up close, it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Hey folks, it’s been a while since my last entry here. I went on a self-imposed leave. It was my personal way of paying final respects to my maternal grandmother. Bless her soul.
It’s good to be back and I can’t wait for you all to see our next upload. The MSW team is currently working on their respective articles. As I always like to say, it’s going to be another kick a** upload! 
I don’t want to say anything more about the upload, but let me give you a teensy weensy bit of a clue as to what I will write about. Here’s a pic:
And before you get the wrong idea - NO, I didn’t get AI5 finalist Elliott Yamin into scrapbooking. Just wait for my feature in the coming upload.
Later,
Anj
