sightings

Circus Gatti, Turlock, CA

2005-09-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken at the parking lot of the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, where Circus Gatti was encamped for the weekend. You can see two orbs against my blue shirt, and two more orbs between Troy and the van.

What I find particularly striking about this picture is the fact that all of the orbs are positioned relatively low. If these orbs represent faces, could this low stature mean that these are younger orbs, perhaps children who were also there to watch the circus?

I guess we'll never know.

Yosemite National Forest

2005-09-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

I wasn't surprised that we were able to capture orbs while taking pictures in Yosemite National Forest. I didn't immediately notice the distinct one I caught below, which we shot on the garden behind Yosemite Lodge. However, upon reviewing the next photo I took (see above) just a few minutes later, I saw the orbs posing alongside my family at once.

Before this picture was taken, LORENZO said he could imagine an Indian tribe crossing the clearing right in front of us. Considering how many orbs we caught in this one shot alone, perhaps my husband was right after all.

Another Children's Party, Modesto, CA

2005-08-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken during the birthday party of our neighbor's son. While the big pictures above and below are awash with orbs, I find the series of smaller pictures more fascinating beause of the orb that is seen making its progression, moving farther along the wall until the last picture, where it can be seen against the window frame.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Check out the orb's progress by clicking on the thumbnails!

A Friend's Birthday Party, Modesto, CA

2005-08-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Lance and Troy went to the birthday party of their friend, Roberto. I caught a large orb during the blowing of the candles, visible against the black top of the girl behind the celebrant.

Once again, notice the orb's precise placing, as if it was actually posing for the camera. (Click on images to enlarge.)

I captured more orbs while Lance and Troy were dancing with their friend Nathalie. Notice the little one which looks like it's almost hiding under the rung of the ladder.

After their dance, Nathalie and her friend flocked over to Lance for this next picture. As you can see, they weren't the only ones mugging for this photo op!

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Milpitas, CA

2005-07-29T23:50:00.001-07:00

We celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary by checking into the Crowne Plaza Hotel in our old hometown, Milpitas, CA.

At first, we were checked in to Room 612, a standard room with two queen beds. We had requested for a crib prior to arriving, and we took these pictures while waiting for it to be delivered. Notice the presence of orbs posing among us. Click on any of the images to enlarge them.

Unfortunately, the staff failed to inform housekeeping of our request, and the cribs were locked in storage. To make up for the inconvenience, they upgraded us to a corner suite, Room 602.

As you can see, there aren't any orbs in the picture above, taken in our new room. None appeared in the other pictures I shot at the same time as well. However, when we went back to get our other belongings from Room 612, the orbs must have followed us from there because they started showing up in our pictures again upon our return. (Click on thumbnails.)

We ended up getting a crib after all, as they managed to locate one later that evening, so everyone, including Reanna, had a good night's sleep.

We all woke up refreshed the next morning, ready to jump into the pool on the third floor. I caught an orb on the very edge of the picture below. It seemed to be hiding from the camera. I guess it wasn't in the mood to pose for pictures so early in the morning!

I captured some more orbs with my camera before we finally made our way down to the hotel's swimming pool. Notice how they showed up quite distinctly against the dark curtains.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Troy's Fourth Birthday Party

2005-07-17T20:18:00.000-07:00

I was expecting to capture more orbs than I actually did today, which only proves that orb-hunting is an unpredictable business. However, the one picture I came up with turned out to be a real beauty. I had Lance and his kindergarten classmate, Michael, pose beside one of the tiki torches in my backyard during Troy's fourth birthday party.

Remarkably, when I was taking this shot, the thought on my mind was "Hmmm...I wonder if I'll be capturing an orb in this picture?"

Night Swimming

2005-07-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

Lorenzo took this picture of us swimming on the eve of Troy's fourth birthday. Upon reviewing his shot, he immediately told me he saw some orbs in it. Sure enough, I saw no less than four orbs when I uploaded this into my computer.

Lance's School Parking Lot, Modesto, CA

2005-07-07T23:40:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

These pictures were taken at the parking lot of Lance's school. We sometimes take the kids to go bike riding there after dark, when there are no more cars around.

If you look closely at the picture above, you'll notice a faint orb between Lance and Troy, just in front of Lance's handlebars.

The orb intensifies to a bright pinpoint of light in the next picture, as if to dispel any doubt about its presence.

Knights Ferry, CA

2005-07-04T23:11:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

We celebrated the Fourth of July with a picnic at Knights Ferry, CA.

Knights Ferry is a historic old town, so it's not surprising that we caught a few orbs on camera while wading in the Stanislaus River, in full view of the famous covered bridge, built to replace an older one in 1864. You can see a sprinkling of small orbs around Lance and Troy in the picture above.

I also caught a big yet faint orb on the upper left side of the picture below.

Later on, the kids and I took pictures by the bridge. You can see three orbs silhouetted against the dark interior, one right by Troy's head, one beside my watch, and a third one floating above Lance.

This shot below was the last one we took that day. Notice the large orb outlined on the upper edge of the picture.

Lance's Kindergarten Graduation

2005-06-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Lance's kindergarten graduation ceremony had a Hawaiian theme, with a luau after for parents and guests. The picture above was taken before the opening number, where Lance and his classmates danced the hula to the tune of "Pearly Shells". If you'll look closely, there is a faint but fairly large orb on the column beside the fish, visible against the netting.

Next, their Principal gave a little speech to welcome the parents to the ceremony. This time, the orbs weren't shy. I caught a lot of them on camera in this shot.

Finally Lance's teacher, Mrs. Ortega, took the stage. You can see that the orb in the first photo left its original perch on the column, but it was replaced by other orbs, visible on the upper part of this next picture. I counted at least four.

Can you see any more?

(Click on images to enlarge)

Micke Grove Zoo, Lodi, CA

2005-06-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

This picture was taken during Lance's kindergarten class field trip to Micke Grove Zoo in Lodi. Notice how tho orb subtly superimposed itself right on Lance's head, just like it did to Troy during Lance's field trip to the Pumpkin Patch last October?

Upon closer examination, my husband discovered another orb, slightly bigger than the first one, located between the goat's extended leash and the girl's pants.

Reanna's Birthday Weekend, Modesto, CA

2005-05-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

Some of Reanna's cousins stayed overnight after her birthday party, continuing the celebration with a pool party the next day. I caught this orb on camera, seen against the foliage in my backyard.

Reanna's First Birthday, Hopperz, Modesto, CA

2005-05-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

I had my daughter Reanna's first birthday party at Hopperz, an exclusive indoor playland that caters to private parties only. Considering you had to be invited in order to play there, they certainly had a number of invisible gate-crashers!

Indeed, on that day we were able to capture orbs, not just with my camera, but with my brother-in-law Simon's camera as well. In fact, the orb above was captured in the reception area by Simon's digicam.

Hopperz parties go through three different rooms. These next orbs were caught around the bungee gauntlet in the first room, Hopping Zone 1.

(Click on images to enlarge)

We captured even more orbs upon moving to Hopping Zone 2, mostly around the obstacle course, which seemed to be the favored hangout of both living and, well...orb.

Indeed, this picture is just teeming with them!

Our final stop was the VIP Party Pad, where my tired, thirsty and ravenous guests retired. I should've checked the head count. Why? Because my camera caught a couple of gate-crashers mingling with us!

I shot a total of twenty-one pictures with orbs in them that day, which made it deserving of its own entry in my Brag Book.

Come take a look!

Modesto Air Terminal, Modesto , CA

2005-05-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

It was time to say goodbye to my Mom and my sister, Haya, who were flying home to New York and Manila respectively. We took these pictures at the small municipal airport in Modesto, before they boarded the United flight to San Francisco. Notice the large orb above my sister's head, close to the top edge of the photograph.

The next picture shows Lance and Troy waving at their Auntie and Lola. A small but distinct orb may be seen against the wall on the upper left hand side.

(Click on images to enlarge)

Reanna's Dedication Ceremony

2005-04-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken during my daughter's baby dedication ceremony. It was held at St. John's Chapel of the Valley, here in downtown Modesto. Aside from the orbs which joined us in our pictures (like the two caught on camera above)...

We also captured some mysterious energy fields, visible over Reanna's head while we were praying over her.

(Click on images to enlarge)

I also caught this orb on camera during the reception. Notice the difference between the reflection of the flash on the left and the orb on the right.

After the reception, the party continued at my sister-in-law Selina's house, where I captured an orb high against the wall, right by the curtains in the background.

Visit my Brag Book to see all ten pictures of orbs and energy fields.

Vintage Faire Mall, Modesto, CA

2005-04-01T21:11:00.000-08:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

My kids like hanging out at the play area whenever we go to Vintage Faire Mall. I caught this orb on camera during one such mall trip.

American Legion Hall, Ceres, CA

2005-02-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

I enrolled Lance and Troy in Kindergym earlier this year, so they can work out their excess energy safely indoors, away from winter's cold. The program was run by the nearby city of Ceres, and their classes were held at the American Legion Hall.

I really like the shot above, where an orb seems to be playing with Troy. In the picture below, Lance gets some help from Teacher Tenaia, who probably didn't know she had an orb directly beside her ear.

(Click on images to enlarge)

The class later moved to the open hall, which was awash with orbs! The kids took turns being lifted in the parachute. Tenaia chose Troy to go in the middle first.

Maybe the orbs were waiting their turn?

BatJay and BatJet's Recent U.S. Visit

2005-02-11T02:05:00.000-08:00

Not too many people know that husband-and-wife bloggers BatJay and BatJet are related to us. Actually, Jay is Don Lorenzo's first cousin. I took these pictures during their recent visit to the U.S.. We were at my brother-in-law Simon's house in nearby Ceres.

You can see a small but very distinct orb next to Jet's head above.

And if you click on picture below, you will see a bigger orb, almost playfully trying to hide behind the leaves of the plant in the background!

(Click on image to enlarge)

Alta Bates Summit, Oakland, CA

2005-01-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

My father-in-law underwent a quintuple heart bypass shortly after his 74th birthday. We visited him the night before his surgery, and I took this picture of him with his son and grandkids, unaware that there was an unseen presence among us.

You can see the orb against the wall to the left.

Opening presents at home

2004-12-29T22:58:00.000-08:00

We had just gotten home after our Disneyland holiday, and my boys were eager to open their Christmas presents. I took this picture of them cleaning up after. They were busily picking up torn bits of gift wrap, unaware of the many orbs watching them from behind.

Tandoori Hut, Anaheim, CA and Oakland Airport

2004-12-28T22:55:00.000-08:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

It was the end of our Christmas vacation, and we were having lunch before taking the long drive back home. Notice the little orb in the booth behind us?

We dropped off our rented minivan at Oakland Airport before picking up our own minivan, Vanna, at long term parking. The kids were excited to ride the rental shuttle and posed for pictures upon disembarking. I caught a large orb at the far right of this shot.

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA

2004-12-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

We captured the orbs above on our last day in Disneyland. The picture was taken during the "Fantasmic" show in the Rivers of America.

But that was nothing compared to the series of family pictures we took at New Orleans Square. It was after midnight, and the park was already closed for the day. A Filipina park worker was nice enough to snap these photos of my family. Notice the presence of an orb, who seemed to be posing with us.

Here it is, on top of my head.

(Click on images to enlarge)

And then it posed beside Lorenzo.

And finally, it becomes very distinct, as if it was moving towards the camera at fast speed.

Castle Inn Suites, Anaheim, CA

2004-12-26T23:47:00.000-08:00

It was the day after Christmas. It was also Auntie Olive's scheduled departure date since she had work the next day. So we posed for a round of pictures before my family left for Disneyland. A large orb joined us for our photo shoot, actually posing between my aunt and me!

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA

2004-12-26T12:34:00.000-08:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

Later that day, another orb would show up in our pictures. Look for the small but intense dot behind Daddy and Reanna.

Medieval Times Dinner Theater, Buena Park, CA

2004-12-24T23:43:00.000-08:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

We celebrated Christmas in Anaheim, CA last year, on a holiday trip to Disneyland. For our noche buena, we watched the dinner show at Medieval Times in Buena Park.

This picture was taken at the gift shop after the dinner show. An orb can be seen beside Lance, its distinct outline showing against the red curtain in the background

Castle Inn Suites, Anaheim, CA

2004-12-24T20:59:00.000-08:00

It was Christmas Eve. We were back in our hotel room, having just arrived from a filling dinner and show at Medieval Times in nearby Buena Park.

Lorenzo was helping the boys put on their new knight accessories (vest, shield, helmet and sword), while Auntie Olive tidied up.

Yet my family wasn't alone in that room. You can see the addition of a very intense orb, who obviously wanted to join us for the holidays.

Chuck E. Cheese's, Modesto, CA

2004-11-12T23:33:00.000-08:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

My son, Lance, celebrated his fifth birthday at Chuck E. Cheese's here in Modesto.

Now, my kids LOVE Chuck E. Cheese's, and it seems they're not alone. Indeed, I must've taken about a dozen pictures with orbs in them. My head swims at the sheer number of orbs I captured in this next shot!

My favorite of all is this one of Lance and his friends playing air hockey. I would like to think that this orb, which seems to be benevolently looking over my son's shoulder, is his Lolo Joel.

I actually created a special entry in my Brag Book just to accommodate all the pictures I took with orbs in them in Lance's party alone. You can view all twelve of them by clicking here.

Halloween 2004, Ceres, CA

2004-10-31T23:15:00.000-08:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

I didn't take many pictures while trick-or-treating last Halloween. It was too difficult to compose my shots in pitch darkness, and mistakes like the ones below just added to the frustration.

I did, however, capture some orbs in these shots I took in my brother-in-law's street in Ceres, CA. Notice the orb to the right of Lance's head in the picture above?

There is a bigger but fainter orb to the left and slightly above this man's head as he bends to give my little boys their treats.

And finally, I wouldn't have posted this next picture if it weren't for the three orbs visible against the window. Like I said, it was pitch black out there!

Nice shot of my finger, don't you think?

Farmer Woody's Pumpkin Patch, Salida, CA

2004-10-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

These pictures were taken during Lance's kindergarten field trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It took place on the day of my Dad's fifth death anniversary, so I was hoping to feel his presence somehow.

Sure enough, I saw the orb above immediately after taking the picture above. It was so distinctly superimposed on Troy's head, there was no way I could miss it on my camera's view screen. Surprisingly however, I missed the next orb, which was just as distinct. I didn't notice it until I uploaded the picture below:

Adam and Sovanna's Wedding Reception

2004-09-11T23:30:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

These pictures were taken during the wedding reception of my nephew. It was held at a Cambodian Hall here in Modesto. Lorenzo and I had a picture taken under the arch. Notice the orb located diagonally between the balloon and the light in the background?

Our camera captured a bigger, more distinct orb at the upper right of this group picture:

Lake Elsinore, CA

2004-09-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

These pictures were taken during the 20th High School Reunion of UPIS Batch '84. It was held at the residence of a couple of classmates of ours who had gotten married. I was amazed at the number of orbs visible in this picture. Another picture taken within seconds of this also showed some very distinct orbs floating above us.

The orbs went on to pose with us as individual pictures were being taken. You can clearly see two orbs above my head in this shot:

After the group photo was taken, we broke down into smaller groups, some planning tomorrow's activity, some just catching up on each other's lives. The orbs seemed very interested in what we had to say.

My family stayed over that weekend, as guests in my classmates' casita. An orb seems to have stayed along with us. This picture was taken before we left, two days after the party. Notice the orb posing beside the kids?

Manchester, NH and Chicago, IL

2004-08-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

My husband took a couple of business trips to New Hampshire last year. Based on these pictures, an orb was tailing him closely the whole time. It even joined him in the cockpit of the plane he boarded! (See picture above.)

It certainly seems like that orb followed him everywhere. He took this picture of his hotel room at the Best Western in Manchester, NH. Notice the orb superimposed on the wallpaper border, close to the ceiling?

He ended up staying overnight in Chicago on his way home. Guess who joined him in his hotel room there...

Stanislaus County Fair, Turlock, CA

2004-07-31T23:50:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

My head swims at the number of orbs visible in the picture above, taken by the horse stalls at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock, CA.

It was our fourth wedding anniversary, and we took Anthony, the son of our friend, April, along with us. From the looks of it, Anthony wasn't the only one who hitched a ride. See the orb against the red wall on the top edge of the picture, partly hidden behind the green sign?

Galaxy 12, Riverbank, CA

2004-07-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

Troy celebrated his third birthday with a "Spiderman 2" Movie Party at the Galaxy 12 Theaters in Riverbank, CA. The first orb I noticed was the one against the door in the background, which seems to be posing behind Lance. It joined us in a tour of the Projection Room too, distinctly showing up against my husband's black shirt.

At the end of the party, we posed for a final picture outside the Party Room, where three indistinct orbs can be seen to the right of my stepson, Chris, in the first picture below.

The orb followed us home too. You can see it on the leftmost edge of the middle picture, taken in my backyard as Lance and his friend, Darlena were playing. And when the kids came back in, the orb settled into the couch to join the family, where you can see it distinctly in the last picture, right beside Lance's foot.

Lance's Preschool Graduation

2004-06-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

This picture was taken during Lance's graduation from Fairview Preschool. At first I wasn't sure if that was the bottom half an orb caught on the top edge of the picture above, so I looked at the other graduation pictures more closely and saw this:

A small but very distinct orb by the ceiling.

Reanna's Homecoming

2004-05-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

This picture was taken the day after we took Reanna home from the hospital. Among her early visitors was an orb, which you can see against the wall beside Daddy's handmade welcome banner.

Was it the same orb we captured on camera in Doctors Medical Center?

Doctors Medical Center

2004-05-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

This is the first orb captured by my camera, which was just a week old when this picture was taken. It was shot in my hospital room while family members were visiting the day after I had given birth to Reanna.

Celebrating in Spirit

2004-05-07T14:14:00.000-07:00

"I'll be celebrating with you in spirit, Sweetheart!"

I used to hear these words a lot from my DADDY, especially when we were still oceans away and he couldn't join us for special occasions.

Uncannily, now that he's passed on, that expression seems to have taken on a new literal meaning.

These past few days I've been feverishly working round-the-clock, trying to finish a labor of love in time for Father's Day. It is a new offering called "SIGHTINGS", a gallery of pictures I've taken of my family with mysterious orbs in them.

It all began when we bought our digital camera, in time for our daughter's birth a little more than a year ago. It wasn't anything fancy. Just a little Kodak CX6330 which we bought because it came with a little printing dock which, ironically, we have never used to this day.

We couldn't even afford this little thingamajig when we bought it because LORENZO was JOBLESS at the time, but, at the prodding of someone who promised to give it to us as a gift for the coming baby...

(but could we please pay for it first, and she would pay us back in the next two paydays?)

...we got it on a zero-down/zero-percent interest payment plan, against my better judgment.

Needless to say, she never paid us for it and now my Circuit City Card is maxed out, but that's another story.

So anyway, we were now stuck with a digital camera, and we lost no time using it to full advantage. Sure enough, just six days after we bought it, I gave BIRTH to Reanna. And the precious pictures we took of that unforgettable DAY made that whole Circuit City thing worth it.

I was unaware of it at the time, but a giant orb was captured among visiting family members in a photograph that we shot in my hospital room at DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER.

And in fact, orbs continued surfacing in our pictures after that, but I didn't notice them until I saw an unmistakeable orb in my camera's display screen upon reviewing a shot I took of Troy, immediately after taking the PICTURE.

We were at the pumpkin patch for a kindergarten FIELD TRIP. It also happened to be my Dad's fifth death anniversary that day. I would later discover another distinct orb among the day's pictures, this time in a SHOT I took of Lance.

Well, just recently, we went on another kindergarten FIELD TRIP with Lance, his last one of the year. And guess what we would catch on camera again?

You got it. Another ORB.

How very much like my DADDY, who used to follow each of his girls on their field trips. When I went on my very first Girl Scout weekend camping trip to Liliw, Laguna, he went there. A year later, I would be crowned Miss International Night during our Girl Scout camping trip to Baguio. He followed me there too.

That last picture inspired me to start another blog, specifically to showcase the many mysterious orbs which seemed to turn up in our pictures around birthdays and special occasions. As I was toying with the idea, I was drawn to the simple black template being used by CERRIDWEN and NOTSQUARE, which would've been a good background for a blog with such a spooky subject.

I was looking it up in in Blogger when another sample template caught my eye. It was almost black, but not quite, and peppered with a lot of uniform floating dots. It was the PERFECT template for a blog about orbs! I decided to call it "SIGHTINGS".

"Sightings" officially debuted on June 19, in a post I made to my HUSBAND in our matrimonial BLOG, "Serenity". Since then I have been scanning all the pictures in my collection, adding a new entry whenever I would find another orb in them. And yesterday, I officially ended my search, which yielded no less than twenty-six entries in "SIGHTINGS".

I will be updating my latst blog as each new orb sighting comes along. So far, I've had at least one entry for each month after May 2004, with the exception of March this year. It is ironic that March also happens to be when DADDY and I were born, but I guess I didn't really take too many pictures that month.

I have a sneaking suspicion, however, that there is an elusive picture out there just waiting to be found, both with an orb in it and a time stamp bearing March 2005.

And when I find it, I'll let you know.