My college celebrates Oman's 42nd National Day

Yesterday, my college hosted a special program to commemorate the 42nd National Day of Oman. There were dignataries guests from the Ministry of Manpower and Royal Air Force of Oman as well as the administrators, staff, and students.


The inaugural function began from 11 AM to 12Noon. The National Anthem was aired for whom the audience showed their patriotism by singing loudly and joyfully. Then the reading of Quran followed.  There were speeches  and poets cited by students to express their gratitude to their His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said who brought glory and rennaisssance in Oman since 1970.


The two-hour event paved way for the whole college, especially the student body, to show off their loyalty to their beloved country through music and cultural performances. A video clip brought back the old times and golden years of Oman until how it was now in the modern days. There was also a drama and play as well as dance and musical presentation including live singing and playing of guitar by two talented students.

The entire celebration ended with the giving of token to the honored guest and a word of thanks by the students to the college and the whole Sultanate.

As i witnessed this kind of event, i can tell that these Omanis truly love and care for their country especially their ruler. I must have wish, Filipinos would have the same kind of spirit if only there's a CHANGE with the mind setting of the people especially those who are working in the government.

you can read more about this event in our college website.

My 32nd Birthday at Manumah Beach

Fortunately my birthday falls in between the Eid Al Adha holiday and we have family guests from Riyadh, KSA to celebrate with us. On one hand, our guest, Shaun, is also invited for an overnight camping in Manumah Beach by his former work colleague who works in an airline company in Oman. The schedule date happens to be my birthday. I’m happy because for me it’s like “hitting two birds with one stone”. We can go swimming and meet new friends all at the same time, on my birthday.

my melted birthday cake

Days before my guests’ arrival to Oman, Jesse and I scout the beach’s location in Seeb. We want to make sure that it can be perfectly fine and ideal for swimming especially we have little kids. The sand is not so refine compared to other beaches we have been to. But, gladly, it is near to a residential village called Manumah and very accessible to the city proper as well as to the highway. There are also gazebos readily provided for public use. I take several pictures of the beach and send to my friend Elle, Shaun’s wife, for her to see it beforehand. I also advise them to bring camping gear like tents, sleeping bags just in case they want to camp out.

the view of the beach

The morning of the 28^th, after breakfast, I cook food and I prepare some of our beach wears. However, just for no reason, I don’t feel like camping at that moment, all I want is to swim and stay there up to late evening. So I told Shaun, my kids and I will just go home later then Jesse will get back to join them for the overnight camping. And he agrees with me, because as much as he wants to, he prefers to sleep at home and get more rest for our adventure the next day. But he is bit ashamed to turn down his friend’s invitation and cannot do anything but to spend the night in the beach.

We arrive at 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon. We are warmly welcomed by Basti and his wife Patty along with their three adorable kids- a girl age 9, a boy age 4, and 3 months old baby boy. Another family, Mark with his wife and two daughters also joined with us. Mark, Basti, Shaun, and Elle are former workmates in Lufthansa Technik in Manila. But now, Mark and Basti are currently working in Oman Air while Shaun and Elle are now connected with Riyadh Aviation in KSA. It is a small world, indeed, for these fellows. They happen to meet up once again not Philippines but here in Oman instead.

my son and friend EJ swimming together

It is a fun and relaxing the whole afternoon. The kids are having their own good time in the beach, swimming, running, playing, and making sand castles. We grilled pork and chicken. Eating and Chatting. For mommies, the center of our chat is about raising kids and parenting style which we share our own personal funny experiences and nerve-wrecking moments. While daddies talk about their working environment and office colleagues. Then, Elle take out the ready-made birthday cake. She lit the birthday candle and asks me to make a wish. Anyah and I blow the candle together while everyone sing a birthday song. I’m so touched and happy. It feels like I am a young girl once again!

Not until 8:00 PM that Mark and his family bid goodbye. They will drive to Musannah (which is our place) and stay in the Millenium Hotel after they have availed the hotel promo of 75 Omani Rials for a family room per night. When they left, daddies begin to assemble the very big portable tent for Bas and his family. It takes them more than 30 minutes to put up the whole tent. Meanwhile, Shaun brings their small tent that can accommodate two persons only where kids love to play around, inside, and out.

our new found friends here in Oman

At about 10:00 in the evening, my kids and I along with Elle went home ahead and bid farewell to Bas and his family. I am so thankful for the warmness and friendliness of the couple and their little children. I hope to meet them once again and perhaps plan a camping trip for our family.

It’s another long holiday in Oman for Eid Al Adha

The news came out today from the radio and newspapers. It is officially declared that Oman will have a long holiday in celebration for the Eid Al Adha or “Feast of Sacrifice” on the 26th of October.

For those who would like to know what this Eid Al Adha all about, I ask my Omani officemate, Omar, across my table. He told me that this feast is a celebration of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) willingness to follow Allah’s (God’s) command to sacrifice his son Ishamael (well, I have heard that same story in Christianity when we have bible study during my childhood). But when he was prepared to kills his son, Allah revealed to him that his “sacrifice” had already been fulfilled. Ibrahim had shown great love for Allah superceded others that he would offer his own life or the lives of those he loves in order to follow God.

He further tells me that Muslims normally have this feast at the end of Hajj or the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and the celebration will last for three days. During the celebration, they slaughter animals like sheep, camel, or goat and shared the meat to those who poor and unfortunate. A true Muslim has strength of heart, purity of faith, and willingness to obey Allah’s commands.

Apart from this tradition, this also means that the people, those who are working, will be on a long stretch of vacation days. The holiday for private sector will begin on Wednesday, 24th to 30th of October while those in the government sector will start from the 25th of October to 2nd of November, whole 9 days! Yeppeyy!!

We are lucky to enjoy the 9 days leave. So now, we can push through with our escapades together with our guests from Saudi Arabia who will visit Oman on the 27th to 30th.

Happy Eid Al Adha everyone!