Bloggistas Attic

Back on Track

2011-08-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

It has been a long long time since the last I posted something on this site. A year or so ago. I may never have pictures to show or something to say that makes sense or is even worth reading. I may have stop taking pictures of life, but one thing is still definite, there is still something in life worth writing about.

For starters, life here in Cebu has taken a peculiar turn. One I was not expecting of. Been in a relationship for over a year now. I don't know how to see this particular scene in my life's tapestry. This is an area clouded by a lot of emotions. One I will be describing in my succeeding posts. On another light, my work is great. I just got promoted. I am taking in new responsibilities, seeing my self through challenges and more often triumphant than not.

My relationship is taking the lead in my state of affairs. It dictates which of option I should take. Whether I should climb another level in the corporate ladder, or not, will not be taken in to action if it would mean that by doing so I will be losing much of my time over to stressful decision making moments rather than spending quality time with the object of my affection. When I love, it is really hard to define myself outside of it. I love recklessly, I love with all my heart. The good thing is that I am sharing this same concept with the same person who shows me the same amount of care as that of what I am showing.

It has been a year since I've lost in love. The coming over here in Cebu primarily was governed by thoughts of career improvement. When I came here, what I have in mind was a shot in love ones more. That relationship, prior to the one I have right now, didn't work, there were two many differences. I was asked to move here so we could live together under one roof. But, I've seen too great of a difference between us that to cohabit will definitely bring out the worst of our character. Yes, there was a mismatch, so I shifted my attention from love to really making things work here in Cebu. I think there was an amount of "fixing" that needs to be done in me, a portion of my life dedicated to taking up challenges and furthering my experience, my expertise in the corporate world. So I traced my new career with a new outlook. I am no longer subject to my emotions, one thing that is so hard to contend with, but I've learned, I really learned a lot.

So on with the new career, a sales trainer. After a year I finally got promoted to another level within the organization. I never really applied for the promotion. It was more like being singled out and voted by my peers as someone fitting for such a role. There were reasons that pushed me back from taking a position higher than what was what I originally came here in Cebu for. When I signed the new contract for my promotion, I never really thought highly of myself. I was not thinking much of getting a higher pay than the really high pay I am getting prior to the move up. I never thought of the new POWER I had along with the new position. What was in my mind is the fact that my scope of subordinates expanded drastically, one I was scared of being not able to manage wisely. the question that reverberated through my thoughts was not all about money or power, but the question of being a good leader, a doubt and fear that has become a shadow to me. Will I be able to affect a positive change? One that will bring a positive effect to the people below me, more importantly to my superiors, the ones who believe that I have what it takes.

But way back, further into the history of my stay here. I finally met the person I have been in constant contact with for almost 3 or 4 years. The person I am loving dearly now. Who would have thought that after a failed relationship, one that was even prior to that previous affair I described above, I would still be able to find the person that will fit in perfectly to the void I have been carrying around. A perfect fit to my imperfections, to the kind of person I am, someone that loves fiercely.

Everything in our perspective matched accordingly. We both don't like smoking, loud music in bars and sipping on a vodka sprite is no longer a sight or feeling to behold. There is nothing worth doing than getting an 8 hours of sleep, watching nice movies on our flat screen, and cooking gourmet and Filipino dishes out of our little kitchen, malls, gadgets--it is all about us, in a life dominated by solitude that only a handful of few are able to navigate successfully. Yes, it is almost perfect.

to be continued...

Blah, blah, blah...

2010-11-23T18:26:00.000-08:00

Here in Cebu still. Figuring out how to fit everything I want to do for work, all of this cramped into an 8 hour shift, I am pressed down, but not complaining. Work can drive me nuts but I have to admit that it does sometimes provide an avenue so I can keep myself sane. I would have to admit that it feels relieving that every nerve in my brain is working, hard, so I can come up with a sound decision. And more terribly so, management is requiring me to do just that every time.

Fulfilling, that's just a term. In some ways I feel just that, especially when you get something good done and people starts to give you a pat in the back. But deep within, I am running hard so I can get myself lost in the midst of the praises. Knowing pretty well that the one, whose attention I am dying to get, is out there trying to figure out how to not let me know that I am no longer the subject of that affection. Sometimes, the intention behind why lies are told justifies the lie itself. I will try to drown myself in that lie as I seek vindication from the pain, from that sad feeling of being in the losing end. Worst of it all, I cant stop myself from not yielding.

Rant Mode

2010-04-03T20:03:00.001-07:00

I should quit blogging! That's what I feel out of being not able to update my posts. My schedule for next week will now change and I will soon be back doing grave yard shifts. I haven't pondered much on what will happen. The stress has not died down yet and it feels so degrading that I have to allow the company to squeeze me dry for every single penny they are paying me. O well, its the thing we go through to earn money, who says life can be easier? Life must be very happy looking down at me as it pours out tons and tons of lemon. excess lemonade! I wish there is a way where I can hurl all these lemons back at life! hah! lol!

I should stop forming a bad habit out of being with bad company. I should start thinking about what I will do to maximize most of my time here in cebu. I still have a mom to support so it is getting a bit challenging as the day goes by. I have to reshuffle my interests and priorities. Being single again is a lot easier knowing that I wouldnt have to mind sharing my time with someone. Though sometimes I get to miss those warm loving arms that engulfs me into a heaven like comfort. Well, I bet I am not remembered well for I know the person is just doing fine. I am happy with it, the things that is happenine in his life right now surely will make him a better person considering that he is up to new challenges and meeting new friends. :)

It really gets boring during the weekends. Right now, I am having the longest vacation so far for this year and it just sucks. I feel so lonely and lifeless. I wish there is another way to making my life better. Here is hoping for a more relax week.

Four Seasons of Loneliness

2010-03-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a full week of cramming, sleeplessness, anxiety, and loneliness, bordering the reality of not being noticed with the one you like and missing a not so distant past.

I just remembered It's been a year, I recollected those pieces. Checked my heart, noticed that the wound has healed. The scars are still there but it is beating perfectly, as if nothing happened. Recently I almost damaged it again, but all those aching moments I spent turned out to be a good way of strengthening me. 3 weeks ago I decided to end a relationship, the relationship that gave me the will to move out of Cagayan de Oro and back to Cebu just to be with my partner. Half smiling, I realized, not all those unbelieveable scenes that I think can only happen in overly, exagerated Telenovelas can also happen in real life, and the worst is that it happened in mine.

It is a new career in a city I once called my second Home. The hustle and bustle of a metropolitan lifestyle. Different people, different walks of life. All forming an intricate pattern too big for me to get along. Everything is difficult if you live alone. I feel so small and worthless. I landed a job that is asking too much in exchange of a big pay. I feel so inadequate and less equiped. It made me ask, what have I been doing for the last 4 years to improve myself? Sad, there used to be someone who saw the very best in me and in my worst that person carried me without even asking or grumbling. Time has changed everything, a lot.

It was a fine day, a couple of minutes more and then work will soon take over the crevices of my thoughts. Before I get lost in that limbo, I held on to myself as I boarded the elevator, without missing a beat, I pressed the number 6 button. I recalled the flight of stairs I used to go through and the warm smiles of the people I considered my second family. How are they doing now? I mused as I waited for the lift to reach the 6th floor. And, as the door opened, I reliquished my thoughts back to the reality; it's another day in the office.

Where am I really heading? That is a question I cant answer, I missed my mom so much and I am taking time in adjusting to eveything. Plus, falling in love in a big city like cebu is just different from Cagayan de Oro. People here can be so fiercely blunt and sometimes completely indifferent, even the person I am beginning to like. Some people doesnt have the balls to tell you the truth that they dont like you, and some just wants you to read between the lines.

The Making of a Call Center Diva

2010-03-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

I created this video for fun and was shown during our 3rd year Anniversary Celebration.

2010-02-10T21:50:00.001-08:00

I miss you like crazy, originally done by Miss Natalie Cole and now being covered by Erik Santos. I have always liked this song much more now that it has a guy's voice over it... sigh... :)

Once, there was a man named Larry Graham

2010-02-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Before people began drinking booze and singing this song in Karaoke pubs, there was once a man who sang this song beautifully. Here is the original voice behind the popular song, One in a Million (You)... :P

The Power of a Song

2010-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

There is something embedded in this song. The melody is so much in tune with what the lyrics is saying. The first time I heard this was way way way back before in college, at the time when the sitcom Ally Mcbeal was airing. I cant help but get teary eyed everytime... :)

LDRs, Crossroads., And That Weird Feeling

2010-01-13T21:22:00.000-08:00

First off, I don't want to start without even greeting everyone a Happy New Year. I am skipping my new year's resolution because I don't want to be excessive in being a control freak. I have already concurred to the fact that I cant control everything so I am just leaving it all up to pure instinct at this point.

I had a great holiday which I feel would be my last here in CDO if my plans would pursue this year. There has been a lot of movements of people around me lately, in the office, my friends, relatives and even my siblings. All these made me reconsider what I have been doing for the last 4 years here in CDO. Would this be enough for me to say that its about time to close the chapters of my life here and proceed to writing a new one somewhere? I am not worried at all of whats going to become, I am far more concern of making most of my time while I am considerably young. So the question of which I have not entertained for at least 2 years resurfaced again, "is it time for me to move?".

I have done the best I could in everything so far. Though I have seen so many down falls, still I was able to cope up and go on. Career wise I think there is much to explore, so much to consider. There are still other things which i have not taken into another level and as being a trainer that's how i feel. I have cast my gaze over the turfs of Cebu. My last visit there rekindled a lot of lost feelings, but somehow all the changes that happened in the city in the years of my absence made me a little alienated. "How about Manila?" I mused but I am too old to do major adjustments. I have lost the sense of adventure and that alone made me discount that thought.

A bigger city, a wider scope for opportunities. That's all I have in mind, but i can never discount the fact that a little bit earlier I thought of moving back in Cebu not because of these career chow chows. It was because i wanted to be with someone. I am in a relationship as of the moment and well it's just been 3 months. I have always said a lot of things such as not going back to one, but i know that's only when I get burned, when i hurt. So here i am again, armed with lessons of my past relationship I ventured into another. "This time", I thought, "would be different". It's nice to feel the rush of emotions when you think of the person, I'd better give my all than regret it in the end.

Because of this, I've already spoken to my mom about my plans. There's a lot of risks I am going to take but all these means nothing as long as I am pursuing it for happiness, for the one i love. And, should I fail in this relationship I would say that at least I loved and was loved in return to some extent. How about the pain? Well I should not forget that it's always been part and parcel of this relationship. I just want to love without any restrictions, without any conditions if I may say. I want to learn to become a better person, I think that's what a relationship should bring out of you and not your bad side. Above all I know things will be okay, as long as my partner loves me in the same way as i do, then things will be alright.

Still speaking of relationships, whatever got into me? Since before i could never imagine having a romantic relationship from a distance. But what about this time? Well, this is my second time so far when it comes to running a long distance affair. All the effort I exert is just so taxing. The good side about having a Long distance relationship is that you almost own all of your time. Yet, you would still have to give more in terms of everything. Because of the distance, relationships like this should have to be founded on trust. trust is the main key by far and both parties must be trustworthy.

Putting trust in the picture, I do have issues regarding that. I am not talking about third parties, no not that, at least I am too in love to entertain one. My issue really has something to do with trust but it's on another level and not about infidelity. The thing is, I have been bothered with this weird feeling that something is not right between me and my partner. I feel like I am not getting all the attention I need and that just ticks me off a bit. I had been trying to rule it all out to my paranoia because I act like a deranged lover sometimes (lol). But still that little voice called intuition makes you feel uncomfortable whenever it starts to chatter. My thinking is that my partner is not just so into me or at least that's how I feel. We've talked about this and I was assured that the feeling is still there and as a matter of fact my partner added that it has even intensified. I would like to mention also the help that all my friends have given in terms of giving me a sound advice that could knock me off my insanity, especially to Peter Paul who thinks that that "something's wrong" feeling I got is just a manifestation of my paranoia. That's all he said after I allowed him to listen to a conversation I had with my partner over the phone. Well I think all this is because i am not used to being that far away from my partner. I just need to loosen up a bit, anyway the big day to crack this big decision up is still about to come and I know that a lot of things can still happen somewhere in between. So until then I remain... happy New Year to everyone!

Ayala Terraces: A New Face, a New Phase

2009-12-11T20:59:00.000-08:00

The Ayala Terraces: A breath of fresh air and a sight for sore eye!

Boom, Boom, Pow! That's all I can say. Ayala has redefined the meaning of Malling. It has become more than what it can actually offer. Left alone, Ayala Center in Cebu has led the revolution of business districts in a City. With a space big enough to house the entire business district of Cebu, ayala has crafted a magnificent landscape combining luxury and business all together. It feels like being transported to another city when inside the area. Definitely the queen City of the south has ones again widen its gap from other booming cities in Visayas and Mindanao.

Ayala Terraces is like a another mall beside an existing one. The terraces feels like a hidden garden without the thought of being hidden of course, and the experience one can get when dinning in any of the restaurants in this mega structure feels like a breath of fresh air. Certainly, it doesn't feel like you are in a mall whenever you are trekking along with the "sight for sore eye" views.

The terraces houses a hub of restaurants that sits beside each other. The culinary haven of Ayala is being matched alongside with boutiques and a couple other stores that dot the veranda, unanimously adding to the wide choices that the ayala terraces is offering its mallers and shoppers. When visiting Cebu, Ayala is diffinitely an experience worth taking. :)

Cebu Food Tripping

2009-12-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Home grown pop-burger icon FLAME IT which boasts as one of Cebu's burger haven.
This half pounder 100% burger patty, grilled to mouth watering extents is a must visit for those who're tired of the common bland burgers that most fast chain serve.

It is far too impossible not crave for soul food, especially after going around a busy city. Cebu has a lot of choices when it comes to dining and enumerating them would at least take a month worth of blogging for me. However, let me mention a few of my favorites.

There is a lot of places when it comes to dining in Cebu. It would sometimes make me think if cebuanos include eating as one of their favorite pastimes. There's just so many dining havens that one cannot just find all of them stacked in one place, though there is a plenty of them in malls.

T.G.I. Friday's version of seafood pasta in white pesto sauce (TOP) and their famous Fisherman's Catch (BOTTOM). TGI Friday is an Amrican restaurant with branches inManila and at the Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu.

When in Cebu one can visit places such as Foodland where the famous La Tegola is. One can also visit A.S. Fortuna which is a street being shared by two barangays, Banilad and Talamban that hosts a couple of affordable restuarants, such as AA grill House, Coffee Beanery for delectable pastries, Japanese Fast Food and Cafe and a whole lot more.

Filipino Food Choices in one of the biggest Food Courts in all SM Branches, SM City Cebu FOOD Court.

When dining in Cebu, you can chose from among cuisines which might capture your craving for the day. In SM and Ayala alone, there is a whole lot of selections of Food and cuisines from different culture; Persian, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French, Indian, Turkish and of course Filipino. The sky is the limit for these and only your appetite and budget will be your main obstacle. So, experiencing Cebu is not only by sight or by smell but also through your tummies. Hope you enjoy Cebu as much as I did. =)

Cebu Reunited: Departure and Arrival

2009-12-01T18:44:00.000-08:00

Cagayan de Oro Port: A view from the deck of Cebu Ferries 1

I have always been planning to visit Cebu, but I was not expecting that it would be that soon. All this came just in time when I had the best reason to go there. I had always enjoyed traveling, if I had the resources and the time, I would love to go around the Philippines. It is great to know that our country is keeping within its borders some of the best scenery and places that cannot be found elsewhere. And, talking about best places to visit, I could not discount the beauty that is Cebu in my list.

It's been quite sometime since I visited Cebu. The last time was last year, at the time before my father's death. I had been holding back myself from being reunited with the City, I could only but think of living there again and this year is no different. Cebu has been like my second home and going back there for a visit and spending it with someone makes it more special.

Much has changed in Cebu. The city has improved so much and from this view alone, the skylines of the queen city of the south has changed a lot in over 5 years. Even this skyline is so different from the one I saw about a year or two ago.

Bajaos, waiting for the passengers on board to throw out coins to them
as the ship maneuvers itself to dock at the port.

It amazes me that Cebu is moving on in such a rate. The economy is well fed, high rise buildings chaning the Cebu City skylines, and the streets are getting busier. The Ayala Business Park along side with the Cebu City I.T. Park has been blossoming in the midst of an economic crisis. It is fascinating to note how much a resilient city is Cebu. A City just outside of Imperial Manila, asserting itself not only as a business destination but also a tourism Mecha of the Philippines.

Sweet November... :)

2009-11-13T01:31:00.000-08:00

I took this picture just to buy time while waiting for the chef as he finishes up our meal

Sometimes, something so ordinary can become extraordinary, all it needs is a little recognition.

This House fly provided me a good practice session for my budding skills.
Amazingly, I can't figure why such a small creature could fly around high altitudes like this...

Gazing around the restaurant as I marveled at such an ambiance and just outside the window I can't help but be slack-jawed at the panoramic picture of cdo...

Enjoying the view outside the glass window as we savored an excellent meal and a time to bond together.

I can never be exceedingly romantic, but thinking of things you can possibly do together to figure out your similarities and the things which differentiates both of you all seems to feel like exploring an unfamiliar territory. It makes things seems surreal, knowing that you can never change a person to love them but to embrace every single idiosyncrasies and appreciating their uniqueness. They will only become the best they can be if you help them realize their potential. I never expected for all of this to happen but I guess all relationships always starts out from something. Friends we've been for almost two years and we went through paths almost similar but uniquely different but never did I ever imagine that out of that friendship we can build something extraordinary. Just as I have always thought, surprises can sometimes be annoying but this one is something different from the rest... =)

Reel to Real: CUCC Custome Party

2009-11-09T05:17:00.000-08:00

Jandy of "Boys over Flowers" and Oprah Winfrey

Me and the Miss Universe of 2009

Francine striking a pose as she tore the night down with a glamorous entrance

I had another chance last time to rob elbows with the stars who visited the costume party at the Grand Caprice Convention Center last Saturday, November 7, 2009. I had stomach cramps and an almost worn out jaw after a heartily laugh from the stunning performances of Oprah, Jandy of "Boys over Flowers" and the recently crowned Miss Universe.

Birthday Blessing

2009-10-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

Just cant help but be amazed on what this cam can do...

A sea of watches: Two Tommy's and a Fossil

I would like to thank God and the the Lord Jesus Christ for all the blessing that was given to me, for being in control of my life as good things and bad things happened for the greater glory of my creator and my savior. I am thanking God for giving me my friends who remembered and celebrated my birthday with me as well as a loving family that is pushing me to become the person that I can be. To Jesus who is so patient, kind, merciful and loving. My Redeemer who does not give up on me no matter how many times I have been disobedient and rebellious. To God be all the glory and honor and power forever!

Family

Mama Lita
Maghing
Manang Malou
Ate Liza
Mommy Rose
Uncle Jim
Aunt Sally
Manong Nene and Aunt Bebe

Friends

Marlo Canlas - Noki
Irl Dumalogdog - Irl
Joey Lecera - Wiwi
June Rey Bumanglag - JR
Dondie Distrito
Alexis Ebajay
Jay-R Tumulak
Vincent Miranda
Joan Librando
Christine Sevilla
Anabelle Janobas
Sharon Rose Galarpe
Glenn Dale Pobadora
Samantha Dungog
Anne Blessed Cañizares
Donald Pal
Cookie ERfe
Anthony Gaas - Dongki
Peter Paul Gil
Hope Dangacal- Marquez
Blues Marquez
Miss Nenete Abecia
DOnna Martinez
Maci Martinez
Prexie Gay Abainza
Ronald Baa
Charlene Maderse
Stephen Llarena
JOnas Llarena - hehehehehe
Chai Popera
Joey Melliza
Alstir Tira - Muscle Boy
Miko Hipolito
Khoking Labor
Frances Peachy Konopka
Kristina Catan
Gwendee Gemperoa
Ronald Baa
Apple Lumantas
Joyce GO
Daryl Requerme
Mark Anthony
d^zhn
Joy Bartolaba
Francis Grefiel
Tina Adle
Cath Libarnes
PJ Colina
O Ejercito
Will Cuyos
Annie Batisla-on
Ting Alcudia
Rosalyn Baal
Mark Baulo
Sean Medenilla
Uly CAtalan - My Former Supe
Hope Valenzuela

Church Mates - Symphony for Jesus

Ian Manrique
Joana Ty
John
Maggie
Linoy
Bing
Ate Givi
Randy
Jonie
Christylyn
Stephen
Kareen
Joyax
Jane
Ate Joy

CUCC Trainees

Farrah
Christian
Bon
Gen
Girlie
Ingrid
Paolo
Francis
Brylle
Doreen
Ma Erlinda
Mel
Andrew

P.S.

Just want to greet sid a happy birthday as well.. :)

Bahay Kubo

2009-10-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

Came across this video in youtube... cute!

Inspired

2009-09-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

I first saw this video in my friend, sam's facebook post. I was so deeply moved by such inspiring words coming from a pure innocent heart--that of a child's. Enjoy the video and lets all love unconditionally. :D

Finding the right note to sing again.

2009-09-20T00:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you - The kanitas

It's been a little while since I went out with friends. I got busy with things and my priority changed a little. A few weeks ago I was asked by my ministry's president to give out a special number during our Sunday service. I thought it's been a long while since I performed in public and singing for the Lord will be a new experience.

I accepted that assignment without any second thought. It was an open invitation given to me by the Lord so that I can glorify him. I was not able to record my performance because of the solemness of the moment but I was able to find a video in youtube which contained the song I sang. I have to give a kudos to Yan-yan, a talented son of the Lord, for bringing out a good acoustic accompaniment. You'd see right up this page the video I embedded here in this post by the Katinas entitled Thank You which is also the same song I performed. I thank the Lord that he brought back that passion that i lost, to sing and for using the gift He gave me for His glory.

I have to thank the Lord for keeping me. For bringing out the best in me, for loving me with that love that no one can give other than Him. I have to admit that i had been a disobedient and rebellious son a few weeks and months ago, but one thing I learned is that He alone can forgive me as long as I humble myself and seek him diligently. Just recently I went out dating, supposedly I shouldnt be doing it because in the first place I am still dating the wrong people. I am thanking the Lord that He is so full of grace and mercy for His gentle and sweet rebuke. Many times did I feel defeated or discouraged but the Lord redeemed me everytime, what a wonderful and beautiful savior He is. I am holding on to His word in Philippians 1:6 -

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

I am still a work in progress and the Lord is still not done with me, I still bear that sign: "Underconstruction, Sorry for the inconvenience". I dont know how the Lord will change me, but one thing is for sure that He will complete me in His time, in His own way.

This symphony sunday, october 25 of this year, will be my first time ever to lead the praise and worship for that special sunday service hosted by the young adults ministry of our church. I took the challenge by the Lord after a lot of people from the church prasied the Lord because of my performance. I thank the Lord again for letting me glory in Him. I am planning to pray and fast for this for the Lord's annointing. I am asking that He give me what I need to complete the job He has given. So up until then I would be busy and would have to cancel my planned trips and reschedule them this November right after mom will be back from her trip in Manila.

I would have to prepare for my up coming birthday also which will be this October, because I still don't know how to celebrate it. I hope I wont get stressed out, this entire month of October, God forbid.

Lastly, some pictures I posted below which I was unable to edit because I ran out of time. I have also been given a chance to go out with some of my friends last Friday night in a piano bar here in CDO. Thanks Jacky for the time you spent with me and to Carmel and Anna as well... and as for me, STOP DATING THE WRONG PEOPLE!

Carmel and Me

Anna, Me and Jacky

Funfair: When one loses poise and sanity

2009-08-15T00:40:00.000-07:00

A Sea of ight
Photo Courtesy of Blues Marquez

I was out with friends (Fonzi, Hope, Glenn, Sharon, and Paul) last Friday to check out this first class "perya" near a mall here in the city where I live. We took the time to bond together especially that we're about to face a busy week ahead of us, loaded with work.

It's amazing to note that the experience was one of the craziest and funniest ever. I've got first row seats in witnessing how respectable and well-behaved people could, in an instant, lose poise and bearing (LMAO). :)

But before we even get there let me start off with showing you the talents of Blues in capturing blog worthy pictures (with me throwing in my adobe antiques) below:

The death defying (though there's nothing new about it) stunt of scooters,
I mean motorcyles.

Motorcycles swirling inside a bowl-like structure which reminds me of a food processor. Seriously I was so tempted to throw in a couple of lettuce, cabbage, almonds and mayonnaise for some coleslaw.

A Human Meat grinder, I mean a rusty Ferry's Wheel
majestically trying to withstand the test of time.

This cranky Ferry's Wheel which is adorned with lights was about 3 to 4 stories tall. I was reminded of my childhood days when I took my first ride on this contraption in a barrio fiesta.

A minor's first hands-on epxerience with gambling, courtesy of his folks

I have mixed emotions about this, though this looks like harmless in some ways, still I cant help but wonder about what's this little boy's take on what's happening around him, as he sees flying 10 peso coins and a 20 peso bill in front of him.

----------------------

Sharon, clinging for her dear life (Though, seriously,
there is nothing in this ride that is life threathening)
and me laughing at such a scene.

A wheezing sound of death?

I keep on wondering, what on earth hit them? Paul, Sharon, Hope and Glenn all seemed convinced that they are having a near death experience while I was so busy thinking of happy thoughts

An unadulterated, purest form of fun.

Looking at their "I-don't-care-about-you-but-I-will-scream-me-heart-out" fit.

I was trying to catch them off guard, while at their worst-ever look. By their screams, I was pretty sure that Freddie Krueger was about to skin them alive while Sharon got the look of constipation printed all over her face, or was she trying to hit a high note?

The megastar in her award winning portrayal of Sadaku

Sharon, at the beginning of the ride. The air blowing on her hair was just really from a nearby electric fan and the fake screams around her added to her sold-out feeling that it is the end of the world.

Glad to be alive: Sharon my good old friend, after her gut wrenching
experience at the mary-go-round, always thankful of her second shot at life.

Over all, I was happy at a time well spent with friends. Nothing beats a good laugh before the start of an ardous journey ahead. What an amazing God given blessing, such an amazing grace.

When A Diamond Celebrates Her Birthday

2009-08-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

I cant help but notice the difference in that smile of yours Jo.
Am I missing something?

I had the opportunity to rob elbows with the illustrious yet illusive local celebrity (ahem!) Miss Joan in an exclusive restaurant to celebrate her 29th birthday.

I had been friends with Joan since 2006. Since then we grew closer, became more than friends, even to the extent that I've proposed marriage to her only to find out that I was never her type (lol).

I would like to take this chance to talk about this dear friend of mine. I've always had the highest respect for Joan, I've compared her to a diamond that shines even under extreme pressure. Hence I've only seen her all the more composed and elegant even in the face of utmost stress. She carries herself with a kind of class that befits her personality.

Joan is known for her humanitarian acts. I have seen her in her best philanthropic social work with the aim of annihilating poverty and hunger, plus not to mention bringing in world peace. Joan is compassionate, reasonably modest and extravagantly generous. I should know because I have been one of those whom she had given extravagantly both materially and emotionally (hmmm). She has listened to me ones or twice in the past about my ordeal of which would have been impossible for me to go through without her wisdom (ow?).

I love Joan so much that I would have had mistaken her as my great, great grandmother (joke lang jo). Kidding aside, Jo I just want to tell you that God has blessed me with a good friend and that is you. Hope you'll never change and I pray that you'll be all the more successful, happy and closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. Happy Birthday Jo... :)

Happy BIRTHDAY Mom!

2009-07-26T22:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanna greet my mom a HAPPY 64th birthday today!

Fireproof: A love story made to inspire.

2009-07-10T00:45:00.000-07:00

I just want to share a beautiful movie. I have always wanted to share this to all of my friends here. I watched this together with the Symphony for Jesus Ministry during our fellowship night a couple of months ago and I just got reminded about this just recently.

The film is about Love, Forgiveness, Change and Faith. While there's a whole lot of couples going through divorce, this movie surely will give you a better insight of how relationships should be handled. Alone we cannot run our lives or relationships, so we need an intervention that has been tested since the the earliest days of man. Divorce according to the bible is clearly stated, while for any reason a divorce becomes the only option, the couples separate but neither of them will marry or else they will commit adultery. Failed relationships almost always starts with miscommunication and a prideful and unforgiving spirit. This movie is a two thumbs-up for me, it really made see how love can open things up. Just remember Jesus wants us to love unexpectedly and unconditionally just like what He did to us and us Christians our goal in this earthly life is to practice our Christ-like character in preparation for the eternal citizenship that the Father will give us through His Son Jesus.

Watch this movie and you will never see love the same way again. Hope you guys enjoy it! Have a blessed weekend! :)

Just want to share some baby stuffs... :)

2009-07-08T00:24:00.002-07:00

A dose of Laughter for the weekend...

2009-06-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

These pictures might have been circulated around the world a couple of times already, through emails and social networking site accounts. Nevertheless I just want to share this to all the Pinoys out there whom I think could best relate to the pics... :)
Have a blessed great weekend all! :)

Hmmmm, I wonder who did this.

Hehehehe, this one sounds familiar

Who would ever think that the water in here would be safe for drinking?

I wonder if the bread is sold as a chair or as something that can be eaten

What the?

Hmmm, nude beach resort?

Ang kulit! hahahahaha.

Since when did stealing become an answer to our prayers? hahahaha

Okey, what if I'd see blood on the stone?

What do you exactly mean by an oben tooster?

I think this one is spanish... Quick I need an interpreter!

Another one done in spanish!

I never knew eggplants and string beans are dangerous

Witty but cute

Now now, since when did omelets and sandwiches became deadly?

Hmmm, I am speechless...

What again?

This is a witty and funny way of catching customers attention

They really are in need of a tutor... badly...

Just hat exactly does a wetress do?

Beware of speaking cellphones

Quick I need an interpreter...

An afternoon with myself

2009-06-22T03:10:00.000-07:00

Cookie's knees as she amuses herself with a cold beer
while I stare afar with my mug of Hot Calamansi to soothe my itching throat.

Trying not to smile as I play "pretending to be in pain"
with Sam as my photographer . :D

A quiet afternoon, supposedly. Relaxing from a week full of deadlines, reports and stress. My job can be unpredictable at times, but I am grateful for such a blessing. I sometimes get overwhelmed with what life throws at me, I acknowledge that, but it is not a measure of life itself. What I have in this world is temporary, what I am really aiming for is that eternal life that was promised to me.

It's awesome to know that life has a purpose for me. It has been a complete turnaround. I ones thought that better days are too far off, I even thought mine was over. But I was dead wrong. He proved to me that I am wrong. Life cant really be fully lived without you knowing your purpose. There's a whole lot of books that tells you how to live life and a lot more about what it really means to be happy. But, does that book really tell you about what it means to be happy and how and for whom should you live your life for? Happiness is certainly not measured with big houses and cars and branded clothes or how many friends or lovers you have. True happiness is when at the end of the day, as you climb your bed, you won't feel lonely.

It is good to know that we have people around us that will share our burdens. These are the people where we can draw our strength from. It's good to have a best friend who tirelessly listens to your rants but when we all go part ways and retreat back to the comfort of our beds we face our trials alone, whether we like it or not. We are created to be social and thus we need someone in our life to be happy. Someone that will inspire us or push us to the limits of our character. Someone that will keep us sane when we could no longer afford to. If people wont agree to this then why do we have friends in the first place if we really would like to push for the idea that one can be happy in permanent solitude? But is it really enough? Do we live our life for our friends and lovers alone?

I keep a lot of circles of friends. But I chose whom I would be confiding my secrets to and who has a sound mind for an advice. But my happiness right now is not really bound towards earthly friends which the Almighty Father has blessed me with. One thing I realized is knowing where my life is centered. If the center of my life is my career then it is not a strong foundation at all, because when for whatever reason I will lose my job, my life, which is founded on it would come crashing down as well. My job is important to me but it is not my all.

I have to build my life around a firm foundation, a foundation that cannot be shaken. When my life went crashing down, I thought I'm done and over with. I thought things will be difficult but all these things were nothing but a product of my worries, I just worry a lot. To shed a tear and worry about something in your life is a disservice to yourself because you have just robbed yourself an opportunity to bounce back.

So, how was I able to bounce back in no time? First I have to go back to that foundation I was talking about. If I can find a strong foundation, to which I can build my life on then I will be able to know the purpose of my life. I have other options around me and was sorting things out and realized that everything in this world will not last. Marriages don't last because of death, careers, friends come and go, hobbies loses its meaning over time. So how will I find a firm foundation on which I can build my life on? The answer is JESUS. Jesus wont pass away unlike the earthly things that we have around us. He has been, is and always will be as he had promised in the scriptures.

My life changed drastically. At the end of the day when I climb my bed I no longer feel that emptiness and loneliness that I would feel before. I started picking up the pace and I no longer see myself sulking over things which just weighs me down, in fact I can think of the past experiences I had and never shed a tear anymore because I found the perfect solution to it, the past is past and there is nothing I can do about it but I can certainly do something about the future. So how did Jesus changed my life by the way?

To answer that, let me start by saying, a Christian life is not a boring life. Nope, not at all. You can be a follower of Christ and never have to worry about the mundane, but it takes a lot of hard work of which you wont be able to do alone, and you wont be alone because CHRIST lives inside of you ones you invite Him in. He then becomes your foundation and the center of your life, hence you will never be alone.

Christ died for everyone of us. You and me, all of the people around the world. We are blessed with the abundant grace of the Almighty Father, that it only takes faith for us to be partakers of it, and that faith is to believe in Christ with all our heart that he died on the cross for our sins.

When you accept Christ as your personal savior, things wont change in an instant because Christ's purpose is to let you change in time. Consider this, if you give up a bad habit in an instant, there would be consequences that you would have to suffer. And more often than not the result is short lived and you will soon find yourself going back to the same habit. For instance, usually tomatoes are harvested while they are still green (not ripe) to avoid bruising when shipped. The suppliers will then spray Carbon Dioxide to it so that in an instant the tomatoes will ripen. The CO2 is not bad at all, but tomatoes who are ripened in haste will not even measure up to the taste of the tomatoes that were allowed to ripen in time. Christ is never in a hurry because He knows best time for you, but He has never been late, not a single second. Christ is interested in changing your character and not your personality.

He hates your sins but not you. Does this mean that we wont commit a sin anymore? Not really, given a chance we can commit a sin. But, Christ's conviction will be with us through the Holy Spirit which will reside in you ones you Have accepted Him as your personal savior. Therefore, it is clearer for you to distinguish what makes you commit a sin and how to handle temptations. The choice now lies in you, but definitely the Holy Spirit will guide you through when temptations arise. Remember, he will not allow things to happen to you if it is too much for you to handle.

Our real purpose in Life is to live for the one who created us. Whether we like it or not one day we would have to give a detailed account of our life ones it is over. Stop searching for something that will only give you temporal happiness, set your eyes on Jesus and soon you will stop seeing your fears, loneliness and sadness.

A makeover fit for a Princess

2009-06-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

The Francine before

...and the Francine today

Amazingly one can transform from a mere duckling in to a majestic swan. I used the materials on this post with the subject's consent.

Food Tripping at Bigby's

2009-06-09T01:18:00.000-07:00

A trip to CDO wont be complete without a Bigby's experience

I tried to sound not too excited. I was already trying to hold myself back from breaking into a delusion as my hunger out-weighed all the other emotions I had. All I could really focus on is the steak section of the menu, and slowly, all the noise from outside the car were nothing more like a deafening silence.

I've never been this hungry before. It's way past lunchtime and i can't help but wonder if I would still be able wait a bit longer when I got to Bigby's, but patience has always been a virtue. :)

A tribute to Prexie

2009-06-04T04:01:00.000-07:00

Before ---------------- After

First of, I just want to apologize for not being able to update my blog for almost a month. I had been so busy with work that I got sidetracked.

To appease all my friends and followers, I am posting a picture of a close friend of mine who formerly was my officemate. This actually was a birthday tribute for her.

What's the Catch?

2009-05-15T00:41:00.000-07:00

This is a not so common sight to behold. It's around 6 AM and it took a couple of minutes to have fully pushed the drowsiness down my throat. I liked the view but I did not like the smell, though before the boat came on the shore I savored the cool salty breeze and the warm sea water as it drenched my toes. The fish they caught were not really that plenty, or maybe the net was just too big for the catch?

The local townsfolk including my mom on the background has been doing this routine since they were still kids, with their parents. It's a custom for them to wait patiently on the shore for fishermen from an over night fishing campaign. The catch of the day will be circulated and marketed within the Sitio and will most like be traded with other commodities like soap, rice, coffee or sugar.

White Water Adrenaline

2009-05-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

Looks like the boat is sinking

Trying to beat the odds and ride on the waves as we paddle our way to safety. I can't help but grin all throughout as the strong current harassed the rubber raft. The water looked a little bit rusty but the feeling of euphoria is unmistakable. I tried to maneuver the raft out of the whirlpool but all my efforts are futile considering that all I could hear around me were shrieks, curses and swearing from my freaked out friends. Feels good to be alive. :)

A Curtain of Water

2009-05-08T01:50:00.000-07:00

Clinging for dear life

The backdrop of cascading water that somehow looked like a curtain to another dimension. The water cold and deep provides a drawback to tourists and most, if not all, are not allowed to bathe if not wearing the appropriate life vest which is provided upon entering the spot. No one has ever made an accurate measurement of the water's depth and until now it remains as an unanswered question.

Last Days

2009-05-06T21:46:00.000-07:00

Just having fun with my Call Center Trainees

After our last day of training, we decided to pose for what would be our last time together. :)

Me singing "Ako'y Sayo"

2009-05-03T21:37:00.000-07:00

Singing Ako'y Sayo on a boring Thursday night
(I'm caught under poor lighting, my apologies)

Here is the lyrics of the Song hope you all like it:
I translated this song myself so please forgive my mediocre output. :D

Ako'y Sayo

Ikaw na ang may sabi na ako’y mahal mo rin
(It was you who said that you love me too)

At sinabi mong ang pag-ibig mo'y 'di magbabago
(And you told me that your love won't change)

Ngunit bakit sa tuwing ako'y lumalapit ika'y lumalayo
(But why is it that everytime I try to draw, near you would turn away)

Puso'y laging nasasaktan pag may kasama kang iba
(My heart aches every time I see you with someone else)

'Di ba nila alam tayo'y nagsumpaan
(Don't they know that we had a promise)

Na ako'y sa iyo at ika'y akin lamang
(That I am yours and you are mine)

2nd Verse:

Kahit anong mangyari ang pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo pa rin
(Whatever happens, My love will only be for you)

At kahit ano pa ang sabihin nila'y ikaw pa rin ang mahal
(And I will not turn away from you whatever they might say)

Maghihintay ako kahit kailan
(I will wait for you forever)

Kahit na umabot pang ako'y nasa langit na
(I will wait for you even in heaven)

At kung 'di ka makita makikiusap ka'y Bathala
(and if I wont find you there, I will ask God)

Na ika'y hanapin at sabihin, Ipaalala sa iyo ang nakalimutang sumpaan
(That He finds you and remind you about that promise)

Na ako'y sa iyo at ika'y akin lamang
(That I am yours and you are mine)

Simply Amazing

2009-04-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

A Breathtaking beauty

It's so nice to note that such a big city is hiding breathtaking views like the one pictured above and another below. I hope you guys can visit this place because of its sheer beauty that is calming and relaxing, good for relieving stress and for the burned out hard working yuppies.

An amazing relief for stress and a wonderful getaway for the burned-out yuppies

The clear cool waters which are actually a couple of meters deep is perfect for the raging heat of the summer sun. It's nice to contemplate around the shady areas of the water falls as the mist continually refreshes your skin and nourishes the growing vegetation of ferns and moss on the rocks and trunks of the trees. I marveled all day long on these scenes, a good testament to a very crafty and skillful Creator. :)

Before the Ship sails

2009-04-26T18:46:00.001-07:00

It's a good feeling to travel again

There is nothing much on this picture, I just cant help but be amazed at this ship behind me. Trans Asia is a passenger shipping line that serves Cagay-anon and Cebuano passengers for quite a while now. I would have to give them a Kudos for buying a new one.

Waiting...

2009-04-23T19:48:00.000-07:00

Faithfully waiting for You

I just want to thank You for everything You gave to me even though I cant repay the debt I owe You. You promised me life and You never hid Your face for long. When I sought for you, I did it with all my heart. You added so much to me even if I only asked for a few. I will serve You until I could no longer do it in this earthly body. As I await Your coming I praise You more and more. Thank you for being faithful. My Redeemer, my Friend, My Victory.

The Mark of an Old Capital

2009-04-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

In 1982, a large cross was built on the solidified lava to mark the site
that became the graves of the ancestors of the Camiguin people.

This cross marks the spot where the former capital of Camiguin together with its cemetery lies. It is now popularly known as the sunken cemetery.I took this picture a couple of hours before the west swallowed the sun... :)

Who is your Redeemer?

2009-04-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

Who is your Redeemer?

I took this picture sometime before I went on a vacation. What I really had in mind is to paint a thousand words on this picture. It made me reflect a little bit, man's effort is not his salvation but by faith. Forgiveness is for free but the only way we can take advantage of it is when we accept it sincerely. Let us not rely on ourselves but to the one who died on that cross. The champion that defeated death that we may be saved by HIM. Take action now while HIS love is over flowing. Be partakers of HIS love and not HIS wrath. :) Have a blessed Sunday all!

Back to our Roots 2: Searching for Grandma

2009-04-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

Trekking would be a nice way to bond together on a not so sunny day, the weather has been trying all its might to calm its mood as the clouds overhead constantly teases the sun's gaze.

Altogether we decided to take a detour to places we most likely dont visit that often since there would be too many people around the island especially in the tourists spots.

When I was a kid, I would rarely see carabaos, cows nor horses in the city. In place of them were trucks and automobiles running around from here to there. I caught this horse who's picture is on the left, grazing at a lawn just outside a cemetery. This horse doesn't resemble any particular breed or pedigree, not that I am an expert of it, but still the feeling of standing next to an animal bigger than me is fascinating especially when I'm only used to standing next to dogs.

A lost cemetery where my Great great Grandma is buried

It took us a couple of hours to search for this cemetery. The tombs are all old and graves could date back as far as the spanish colonial days. My great great grandma who was buried here witnessed an entire different Camiguin. It was at the time when the ruling class of Hispanic-Filipino families were all over camiguin and when Mount hibok-hibok almost had the entire barangay Agoho buried during its erruption.

A century old Balete Tree Stands in the middle of the cemetery

This Balete tree could be a hundred years old. It has grown to be a witness to different families as they mourn over their love ones during funeral rites. This parasitic tree still has spared its host which is an Acacia tree. The Acacia trunk can be clearly seen on the back of the balete as it reminice its golden days when it was still at its full display before the balete took over.

Finally, we've located my great great grandma's
grave after a couple of ours of looking around

After a couple of hours of navigating through the tombs, we finally located my great great grandma's grave. There were a whole lot of tree litter around, leaves, branches and plastic lie across the cemetery which only gets to its cleanest during all soul souls day.

The deafening silence one can hear inside the cemetery with cicadas and crickets serenading in the background, in broad daylight, gives me the creeps. I thought of the feeling of being left alone here at night imagining the possible things that could happen. At the edge of the cemetery, I can hear the raging sea as it hits the rocks below the cliff. There is definitely no sign of any civilization within a 1 mile radius I think because I could hear nothing but silence.

The last thing on my mind when we left the cemetery is to bury something here, I couldnt just find the right spot. :)

Back to our Roots

2009-04-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

I spent the long holidays (Maunday Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday) at Camiguin. The last time I went there was 10 years ago with a special someone. It has always been a family destination since I was a kid so I have grown accustomed to the places and tourists spots the island has to offer.

There is a lot in Camiguin that I appreciate and in the course of time, some of those things have remained almost untouched... unchanged. The picture of the woman on the left is actually a beloved "Nanay" not only of mine but to all the people that knows her in our clan.

Ya Man! - I would love to think that Nanay is smoking pot. :)

I caught her smoking tobacco (Philippine tobacco leaf fashioned in a way that it would look like a Cuban cigar only that at this point she uses a pipe for it) at that moment as this was the favorite past time of most locals in the sitio of Upper Cogon in the Barangay of Agoho which is a couple of miles away from the capital of Camiguin.

We decided not to roam much in Camiguin but visit some of the places we frequent when we're there. Most of the time I would love to sit down below the canopy of a mango tree outside the porch which is facing a road (check the picture on the right side). that leads to one of the famous tourist spots in Camiguin which is Ardent hot spring.

I used to hear Cicadas and crickets that chorally serenade the deafening silence of the night. There was no electricity in those days and there was no any other forms of recreation that most of the locals would usually sleep early.

The picture on the right side is a road that serves as an entry point which starts in Sitio Banlas and passes through Sition Upper Cogon of Barangay Agoho which leads to Mount Hibok- Hibok and Ardent Hot Springs. The road that leads to this tourist spot was once rugged but is now made of concrete.

My biological mother, sister and Nanay Columba (the same person from the picture above) during a mid-afternoon siesta outside the house where we're staying in Sitio Cogon. and my aunt and cousin preparing our midafternoon merienda as pictured below.

I love the tranquility of the place, it's like a refuge for the tired, a getaway for the burned out. Mostly, we stayed in Sitio Cogon to do nothing but lax out, listen to music, chit-chat with our folks and laugh our hearts out.

Though much of the neighborhood now already depends on the sitio's electricity, I would still miss the kerosene lamps and the ghost stories my Nanay Columba have. I asked her to give me a little dose of it to help me reminice the old times and gladly so we started a little trip back to old memory lane.

The picture on the left is of a flower I saw in the garden at the back of my aunt's house, I was halfway to taking a nap on the hammock when it's beauty caught up with me. It was really a good way of bonding together for my family. I enjoyed the trip so much and I hope to be back there soon. :)

360* and no turning back...

2009-04-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the Sunday afternoon as I dwell in His presence

An interview with a "Call Boy"

2009-03-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

Tofer, enlighteing us with his experience as a Call Center Agent

Third World version of a Rolce Royce

2009-03-25T02:10:00.000-07:00

an environment friendly answer to global warming and crazy oil price hikes

Who would have thought that the famous "Kalesa" would still be operating these days sharing the highways with cars, jeeps and trucks? I was amazed at the sight of the horses and their drivers as I went past them. I cant help but let the ecstatic feeling take me away after seeing a not so common view from what I'd usually see in the streets. I cant get over praising the Kalesa considering that everyone, even a permanent pedestrian, is suffering from oil price hikes and the world wide economic crisis?

I want to see more of this in the streets of CDO than the noisy smoke belching motorelas that we have there. Wait till I get back... lol :)

Off Beat

2009-03-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

I am at a loss for words. There is so much going on in my head that even controlling my fingers to search for the right letters on my keyboard is an ordeal. When was the last time I acted like this?

I was listening to people talking as they freely verbalized their thoughts. Both of them clinging lightly to their cigarettes, and briefly I recalled the last time I held a stick, the aroma of the smoke trying to find the access to my nostrils, and its figure making the things around me look like I am perched on a cloud.

I have stopped smoking, since the time I found that there is nothing addictive in it. But before all of this, in the days when I was puffing smoke in and out, it wasn't the nicotine that I was after, it was the idea of keeping my fingers and my mouth busy, grounded to reality, as I get lost in my thoughts. I was not addicted, I was comforted.

As I went back from the euphoria of my memories, I was confronted with the situation I have been trying to run away from. And I felt pain as it cuddled me into a subtle sob. I lost balance in my chair as my heart started to send tremors to my body. I was about to give-in to my tears, but logic got the best of me - "your milk has been spilled, just wait for your next glass". I stood up, left their company and headed to my table inside the office to get lost in the nothingness of my insatiable qualms.

I don't want to start a bad habit, not smoking. Not in the comfort of alcohol, maybe just a little dose over the weekend to ease up my restlessness. All this feels strange, freedom should not be like this at all, not that i know of. This new found liberty is just too much to supervise. In this the impression of freedom, I realize that the only company I have is loneliness.

I started to feel cold, I have never felt this weird before, not when the things outside are scalding under the ruthlessness of the summer sun. I rubbed my palm over my arms and felt the warmth of my fingers. In the bliss of the moment, I was imagining. The fingers who ones knew the landscape of my body, sensitive to my brewing emotions inside, latching itself to the fingers of my own. Those arms were my comfort amidst the harshness of the world outside. I am protected, I am loved. And abruptly as it seemed I fell back in to reality that my life for almost 2 years, is gone.

I wept silently as I reasoned with my emotions, its over. The companionship that I've seen through the thickest and the thinnest, that one solace I enjoyed that is totally different from the ones I have known. I have never loved like this, not in the open. Not in the midst of my imperfections. I have given all I have got and proved that somehow, once in a mortal life I found someone that is my perfect fit. YOU were my perfect fit, and for embracing me for who I am and for who I cannot become, I will be forever in your debt.

Now, you are gone. My world will no longer be the same. I've never regretted having met you. even if I die a million times over, I would always find ways to get back to the days we were one. As I console myself alone, I ones more ran back to your arms where I used to belong. Forever etched, in my thought, you are with me...

Office Hooplas: Family Picture

2009-03-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

La Familia Zaragoza: Team CUCC

This picture was featured on the Office Yearbook as a testament of the "family-like bond" that we celebrate inside our little office. Our Crew consist of the following people who have made a strong contribution to the growth of our organization.

Standing behind couch, from left to right were; Cookie (Quality Analyst and Trainer), Andrew (Technical Support Guru), Dona (Team Lead Supervisor), Eve (Quality Analyst), McNeil (Technical Support Staff), Chriselle (Former Team Lead).

The people seated on the couch, from left to right were; Me of course (Head Trainer), Prexie (now former Business Development Officer), Nenetter (Managing Director), HM Joan (Team lead, Quality Analyst, Trainer, lover), Francine (Team Lead, Quality Analyst)

Office Hooplas: Candid

2009-03-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

Team CUCC

This is another version of the things we did the last time we celebrated valentines day together. :) I miss some of the people I had been friends with in this picture.

Valentines day is different if you spend it with people close to your heart. We were supposed to wear something pink but I figured it's much better if I go with the color of the day which is red.

We were asked to impersonate a character that we could just think of in a snap, and before putting in the captions, I was able to ask them who they were really thinking by the time flash went off.

Office Hooplas

2009-03-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

Team CUCC
Standing behind the couch were (left to right):
Francine, Eve, Cookie, Chrisselle, HM Joan, Dona, Maci.
Seated on the couch were (left to right):
Me of course, Bing, my boss Nenette, Andrew our IT genius and McNeil.

This picture was taken the last time we celebrated valentines in the office. This was right before some of my officemates left for greener pastures.

A View from the Top

2009-03-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

Over the skies of Cagayan de Oro as I looked out the window... not a sight for a sore eye

It was early in the morning and the smogs over the skylines of Manila are visible from the windows of NAIA 3 terminal. The skies outside is promising a sunny day and the cars' windshields on the highway leading to the airport are reflecting off the sun's rays into where I am.

The skylines of Makati, a promising sunny weather for Metro Manila,
as I peaked out NAIA 3's window in the departure lounge

My mom was eyeing me while I was restlessly murmuring to myself that things will be okay and nothing bad will happen. I kept on visualizing the places I've been and how much fun I had during my stay in Angeles City and in Pasay just to keep my mind off wandering from unnecessary thoughts. I matched the sunny weather outside with a relaxing Bosa from my ipods playlist, to take the jitters away somehow. I have to make sure that I avoid the ice cold metal parts of the bench from touching my skin as I wait for our flight. It was just too cold inside the departure lounge. The idea of taking off to the skies to get back home to the south is not comforting, anything but that.

The view from the top, as we rose high into the skies of Manila

I have been boarding planes for many times over, but still nothing has ever changed the way I perceive flying. Even if its the flag carrier or the second flag carrier which wants to put every Juan into the skies, going up to the skies still creeps me out.

Our flight back to the south according to my boarding ticket is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. with an expected arrival around 10:30 a.m. There were news of how bad the weather in the south is because of the cold front's tail. Some of the streets near the river have flooded over and some families has to head to shelters after the government asked them to vacate their houses. As per NAIA, no notice of any cancellation of flights has been issued yet and by far nothing is considerably alarming.

When we boarded the plane, my hands were still ice cold. I was shaking off the weariness a little bit by trying to reach out and stack up or luggages in the cabinets overhead. The plane, an Airbus 320 is newly leased with fly by wire features to ensure safety, technically so to speak. The seats were inconveniently spaced with trays that can be folded into the back of the seat in front of you when not in use. It was not easy reading out the emergency guide as we waited for the plane to taxi down the runway. I was supposed to relax during the flight but I cant help myself from from peaking out the window.

Somewhere in the skies over Visayas as we head straight to Cagayan de Oro

National Geographic Air Crash Investigation. Too much of it, just too much of that bloody program. That could be the culprit, besides I am boarding a newly leased plane whose model is known for safety, so I shouldn't worry that much. But there is also another thing that bothers me. If there is one weird airport in the world, it could be the Cagayan de Oro domestic airport where our flight is expected to land.

The airport's runway as it sits on top of a hill, makes it difficult for pilots to manuver when it's cloudy, especially in a bad weather condition like this cold front. More often, in weather conditions such as this, flights going to Cagayan gets rerouted to other airports or worse, canceled. The mystery behind this airport is so much that even when the weather forecast is good, some of the flights needs to be redirected to airports in Cebu or in Davao just because clouds over the hill makes it difficult for any planes to make a touch down on the runway. Sometimes, the plane is forced to circle up the skies around the city to wait for the skies over the airport to clear up.

Just right above the city but the clouds make it difficult to see
the Cagayan de Oro landscape down below

As we got near Cagayan de Oro, I cant help but look out at my window into the dark clouds. The pilot has announced zero visibility and is waiting on queue behind 3 other aircrafts requesting for a green light to land from the Air traffic Control Tower. We are circling around the skies above the city which is completely covered under a blanket of thick clouds. After 15 minutes of gliding across the hopeless invisible airport somewhere down below, the pilot decided that we'll land in Cebu Mactan International Airport for a pit stop to refuel and to wait out the bad weather, before trying a second attempt on landing the plane on Cagayan de Oro's domestic airport. If worse comes to worst the plane would have to go back to Manila and we'd be stranded, waiting, in the airport to for further announcements from the office of Cebu Pacific.

Cebu Mactan International Airport as we remained parked on its grounds
waiting for any hopes from Cagayan de Oro's Air Traffic Control Tower.

The pilot came out of the cockpit a couple of minutes after landing in the Cebu Mactan International Airport.
Consoling and explaining to the aigtated passengers the weather conditions and
the dangers of landing the aircraft in such conditions.

A Boeing 747 as it taxis into the run way at the Cebu Mactan International Airport

After almost two hours of waiting the Pilot receives a go signal from Cagayan de Oro's Air Traffic Control Tower. This would be our last attempt to land on the airport of the city before the pilot will be forced to head the plane back to Manila.

After hours in the sky and a pit stop, finally we made it to the
wet runway of the Cagayan de Oro domestic airport, safe and sound.

Detour: An Escape to Luneta

2009-02-26T01:03:00.000-08:00

I cant help but feel sorry that Rizal has to die early without seeing how much the Philippines has changed over the years. But even if he didnt die out of the execution he cant live that long to witness the philippines today. I hope he is watching somewhere, pleased or displeased, with heavenly made popcorns on his lap.

----------

I can do a lot of things in one day. My trip to Luneta was my first all my life. I have been going to Manila for the Nth time but never have I thought of setting foot on Luneta Park until my mom decided that it's a perfect gloomy day to experience an adventure most Filipinos might have already experienced, exccept us of course.

The pictures I've posted were taken from inside the Park a couple of yards away from the monument. I've forgotten the name of this portion of the park as I was amazed at how much the dioramas were able to capture part of Rizal's life story from the time he wrote his novels to the moments just before he was executed, until the moment he was taken to his last stand.

Conversing in Spanish is difficult but thanks to the friar interpreter in front of me.
I hope that the Philippine government would seriously consider
putting back Spanish as part of the educational curriculum.

I was trying to convince Rizal that most of the youth today can not
understand nor speak Spanish so he better write some of his novels in Tagalog.

I was caught in a heated discussion while having coffee with Rizal, the blends the
friars were serving in those days are way better than the 3 in 1's of today,
I think even better than the brewed coffees of Starbucks. :)

I couldnt help but again be amazed at how much greeneries one can see from a metropolitan city that is quite smogy. The gloom of the day matched my weird feeling of how much different it feels to spend a sunday in Manila than in my home city in the south. Adding up to the weirdness that consumed me were the sight of Korean tourists. I heard someone making side comments about the disturbing increase in their numbers here in the philippines. You can find them anywhere from Apari perhaps to Julo, malls, beaches and villages in Cebu and I've seen quite a small seemingly large enough place to be called a barangay that's beeing occupied by them in Angeles City, its like a small china town. I hope they enjoy their visits though.

Best Buddies

2009-02-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

With my best bud Dondie (in black) as we stroll along the the greeneries of Luneta

Don: It's really nice seeing you again. I missed the south so much. Am, just so drained from work, I can even barely relax.

Rey: Things change Dons and we have bigger roles to play now. You've got a wonderful career and I think you wouldn't be anywhere else than in your work right now.

Don: Still feels like the old times. Has things changed a lot since the time I went to the south?

Rey: Change is inevitable I believe that, but I never thought of the south changing rapidly. Remember those big trees that provide a lot of shade on our front yard? Those were already gone and in place of them now are tenants and their stores.

Don: So our childhood memories are gone with those trees? I surely miss those midday games we play after we get back from school and how your mom would cook us chocolate porridge for snacks. How's your mom by the way? I see she always dress up in black?

Rey: Mom's fine, I think spending the holidays here made it easier for her to move on. This is our first Christmas without dad so its a little bit difficult for us both. The vacation made it easier. She's still mourning secretly and silently, she'll be wearing black until dads first death anniversary. Mom's a little bit traditional and she wants to show the people that she is still in the grieving process with that ensemble she's wearing.

Don: Your being here takes away half of the burden I carry. What can I do? You know I've got bills to pay and a nephew to support.

Rey: Dons I think finding happiness in life is not dependent on how much often you can stop by to smell the flowers or enjoy the scenery around you, it depends on how much you can make other people happy. Enjoying the scene doesn't mean that you have to stop and look around. Try picking up those flowers along the way and enjoy their smell while you journey on your life. There's a whole lot of people out there who doesn't even have a definite path to journey on. yours is quite fascinating. :) You're a blessing Dons, to your friends and to your family. It's your calling so be happy about it. The more you complain about how heavy the burdens you carry the more you wont enjoy life.

Don: Thanks...

Rey: Anytime Dons, I've consider you as that brother I never had. I just want you to be happy.

Don: Right! This calls for a celebration. Lets go to the fort and grab some krispy Cremes!

Rey: That's the spirit! :)

Rediscovering Luneta

2009-02-23T04:15:00.000-08:00

Luneta Park (officially Rizal Park in tribute to the Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal) can be found in the heart of Manila city. It is at the north end side of Roxas boulevard looking over the famous bay of Manila.

Luneta’s first days began sometime around the year 1800 during the Spanish colonial rule. It was known to the people at that time as Bagumbayan or New Town in the English translation and was then later known as Luneta. As to history, the park's shape was that of a small moon, Lunette (French Lunette, meaning “little moon”), hence the name Luneta.

A place where one of the significant moments of the Philippines happened, Luneta is quite a popular site for local and international tourists to see. Rizal Park is like Manhattan Park to NYC, though maybe in size and scenery the two parks completely differ, but both are such a symbol respectively, a landmark.

The Monument is also serving as the “point of origin” or KILOMETRO ZERO to all other cities in the Philippines.

The site is guarded 24 hours a day for 7 days a week by ceremonial Soldiers, known as the “Kabalyeros de Rizal” (Knights of Rizal).

The Monument in the park is not a product of a Filipino sculptor but by a Swiss named Richard Kissling who was then only the second placer in the international art competition held between 1905 – 1907 for the design of the monument.

These are the events that happened in Luneta Park during the Spanish Colonial days:

1. Execution of Gomburza (Filipino priests; Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Apolonio Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora) on February 17, 1872.

2. The execution of Dr. Jose Rizal on December 30, 1896 and whose martyred death earned him the title of National Hero of the Philippines Revolution.

The lawns of Rizal Park,
just a little further is the Rizal monument blending well in the background

workers cleaning out the front area of the park, this side is facing Roxas Boulevard
with the monument blending well in the background.

Post Spanish Colonial Events:

1. The declaration of Philippine Independence from American Rule on June 4, 1946

2. Political rallies for former presidents Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino.

3. A Mass was held here by Pope John Paul II for the World Youth Day on January 15, 1995.

4. The venue of the opening ceremony for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games at the Quirino Grandstand on 27 November 2005. It was held at an open-air park instead of a stadium, a historic first for a Southeast Asian games' opening ceremonyand was again used on December 5, 2005 for the games' closing ceremony.

Source: wikipedia
For further readings visit www.wikipedia .com

Manila Ocean Park

2009-02-19T23:37:00.001-08:00

My two moms in the background

Manila Ocean Park is the Philippines' first state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall (where one can buy a lot of souvenirs), restaurants serving great meals and function facilities that are all located in one big complex just right at the back of Quirino Grandstand.

Click on the images above for a larger view

Above are some of the scenes that one can see upon entering the complex. Upon publishing this post, the establishment's construction is still half way though the oceanarium is already open to the public as well as the souvenir shops and the restaurants within the complex.

Henna Tattoo: One fine day at the beach

2009-01-29T00:22:00.000-08:00

One fine day at the beach for a henna tattoo. The people behind me were my boss and my colleagues also enjoying the sun during the company outing we had last year.

Blog worthy pictures from Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo

2009-01-25T23:19:00.000-08:00

My visit to Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo is not just about a few snapshots of the sights one can see there but rather a collage of historical and cultural eye candies.

The piano on the left is an antique dated from the time of Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo during the Spanish colonial days.

Further below is another antique, an old Tricycle from the same period.

It is still not clear though if these were the possessions of the late Philippine national hero Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, however these artifacts were inside the houses that were labeled as replicas of Jose Rizal's house in Laguna and Emilio Aguinaldo's in Cavite.

Nayong Pilipino also has a lot of souviner shops where tourists can buy ornaments, wood carvings and different indigenous native woodcrafts that are beautifully exotic and endemic only to the Filipino culture.
There are also picnic spots and cozy Filipino inspired cottages to accomodate guests and tourists for an over night stay. Also, there are function rooms and party venues for different occassions that are readily available upon reservation.

If you want to experience Nayong Pilipino sa Clark expo you can visit their site by clicking here for more information.

Something Fishy: Play-time with Sid

2009-01-19T01:15:00.000-08:00

A lot of a lot of people would think that Flowerhorns dont get to socialize as much other than when mating, but there are some Flowerhorn owners that would think differently about it.

I was having a good time in my room just watching Sid play around with his new toy. I bought him a plastic fish just to see how well he can tolerate the possibility of putting a live one in the future. I was amazed with how Sid playfully approached the toy. He playfully bit the side of the toy to see if it would react. A couple of minutes after, he then started pushing the toy around. It was such a cute sight to behold.

I have been thinking of adding a "janitor fish" (as people would call it) so that I can get rid of algae and other growing hazy organisms on the sides of my tank but my previous attempts yielded negative results. The story was, I attempted to add another fish into his tank when Sid was smaller. Though that new addition is just about Sid's size, Sid still thought of the other fish as food and before the other fish could die from Sid's bullying, I have to remove it from the tank.

Sid is growing fast, and together with that growth spurt he poops a lot. It has always been my dilemma since the time I noticed of Sid's poops. I have to think of some ways on how to keep his tank clean without having to literally drain out the water just to clean it. I also considered looking into forums for an advice and nothing has helped me as of yet. Maybe buying a new bigger tank and installing a powerful filtering system would solve everything up. I am still open to suggestions though...

Travel log: Nayong Pilipino sa Clark

2009-01-16T03:46:00.000-08:00

I was trying to be all around Luzon when I visited the island. After a nerve wracking plane trip, I found myself enjoying the sceneries in Clark (Angles City, Pampanga) the day after. The trip going to Angeles City from Manila is a 2 to 3 hours drive via NLEX.

Clark Field forms part of Angeles City and is home to a lot of sights and sceneries, duty free shops, Clark EXPO, SM City Clark, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and Express Ways galore going to different municipalities and cities such as Tarlac, Subic Olongapo, Pangasinan and many others.

Nayong Pilipino gives its tourists a glipse of the Filipino Culture (if you want to visit the site you can click here). Below are some of the pictures I took from my last visit to the place.

A replica of the Barasoain Church

A replica of Jose Rizals house

A picture of an old theater with my mom on it

Traveling in Style

2009-01-13T21:29:00.000-08:00

Clad in Puma as I was waiting for our flight back to Cagayan de Oro City...

On our way to our christmas vacation...

2009-01-12T00:03:00.000-08:00

I was looking out through the window when I took this photo. I feel a little bit uneasy whenever it comes to traveling by plane. I was trying to dismiss the horrors I got from watching too much National Geographic's Air Crash Investigation.

Trying to tune out some of my thoughts as my mind is being swamped with a lot of things good and bad, the worsening weather outside the plane aggravated my discomfort. The streak of gray clouds made the mid day look like it's dusk. When I took this photo, it might still have been half past 9 in the morning and the flight is scheduled to leave at exactly 9:40 a.m. and already it looks like the sun is about to set.

Aside from the weather, I was a little bit apprehensive with the idea of not choosing Philippine Airlines for this travel. Austerity measures might have been what my mom reasoned when she booked our flights, after all it was her credit card that she used and not mine to process the reservations online.

I envied the people boarding the other plane pictured above, the plane touted as Asia's sunniest.

Mid flight, PAL is known to serve snacks to their passengers, while Cebu pacific is known for its mid flight games and give aways, and a grumbling tummy (my tummy). Out of rebellion (because I wont be able to satiate my hunger while in transit) and boredom, I joined and won a smelly Cebu Pacific Pouch from one of their Mid Flight "show me game".

The last thing I was wishing to find while I was fidgeting on my seat is a good old suggestion box. Maybe I can shed a light on Cebu Pacific's quest to dominate the domestic aviation market. I could perhaps suggest that, in exchange of free meals, they can beat out PAL by stepping up their amusement section and have their own version of "Deal or No deal" on board with one of the co-pilots as the banker. The lucky winner should get to own one of the company's Airbus A320.

Cebu Pacific used to come in as a second class next to PAL (Philippines Airlines). "Used to" because currently its no longer the case as CEBU PACIFIC is proving to be every bit a competition to PAL. PAL accommodates it's passengers in Ninoy Aquino International Airport when in Manila (NAIA), while Cebu Pacific would have to just settle with the old Domestic Airport adjacent to NAIA. As the situation for Cebu pacific is improving unexpectedly, about last year the Ninoy Aquino Terminal 3 (adjacent to the old domestic airport and the international airport) already started its operations. This new terminal brought about something like a "HOME COURT" advantage for Cebu Pacific as the company banks on the beautifully constructed terminal.

Terminal 3 is big and quite clean, a class to reckon. There are 20 gates that can accommodate medium sized jets like the Airbus A320. The hall way is clean and is filled with escalators to ease out the long walks from the arrival area to the lobby of the airport.

The passengers wouldn't have to suffer congestion in the hallways and waiting lounges because the departure area is a floor separate from the arrival area.

The Terminal 3 windows are facing towards the skylines of Pasay which provides a nice scenery for the passengers on the waiting lounge in the departure area while the other side of the building shows off the runway and the international Airport right across.

Surprisingly, or so because all of my phobia was just merely a product of my paranoia, my trip to manila wasnt as bad as I though of. At the airport, Me and my two moms were greeted by my uncle who had just flown in from the US to spend christmas with us.

Sid

2009-01-07T23:19:00.000-08:00

I know through research and from experience that FLOWER HORNS are solitary animals, though it doesn't mean that they are anti-social. I have seen quite a few Flower horns swimming together with other big fishes like Arowana's, red Oscars and sometimes other flower horns and they get along pretty well with each other.

Anyway, my tanks is big but with Sid swimming all over, I am slowly resigning to buying a larger one, perhaps fifty to a hundred gallons or so.

Putting him on a bigger tank would mean that I wouldn't have to worry about Sid's poop. As Sid grows on a daily bases, so does his fervor for eating which also translates to a lot of poop. Sid's tank right now requires a little bit of attention as compared to having swords tails and goldfishes. I have to make sure that the water in his tank is filtered every night with activated carbon to prevent the water from keeping high levels of nitrate and ammonia which is bad for Sid.

Even if I have a good filtering system, still I would have to scrape out Sid's poop manually. The poop he produces is big for the filer's pump to suck out as it sinks down to the bottom of the tank.

I have some snap shots of Sid, these were all taken before I left for my Christmas vacation to Manila. I only have a point and shoot so I invested much on finding the right angles and lighting to come up with the effects I needed.

I still feed Sid with Ocean Free Ever Red. I tried varying his diet but the problem with live or fresh food is that it gives Sid a hard time pooping. What usually takes a minute when he poops after feeding him fresh or live food would only take seconds when he is on an Ever Red diet. I would suggest that before even feeding your flower horn try to check the contents and see if it is all packed with the necessary nutrients for the fish' growth so that you wouldn't have to go through the hassles of checking whether the live food your giving is good for them.

Flower horns in general are hardy types of fish. They thrive well on perhaps any conditions but however careful watch of the waters Ph levels is a must do. They eat almost anything but again caution must be observed. I have seen people feeding their flower horns with house lizards and even cockroaches, but i guess that's gory and gross for me to do. Just don't over feed and don't starve your Flower horns after all a happy and healthy flower horn is a good view to watch...

A Christmas with Francine

2009-01-06T19:32:00.000-08:00

I had the chance to celebrate Christmas last year with some good friends before I flew to manila for a vacation. I was especially thrilled to note that I brought with me my point and shoot just in case I don't want to miss some important snap shots.

As expected I was able to mingle with Francine as she strutted her way during our Christmas party last year.

Forgive me for being inactive

2008-12-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

well I am here in manila, arrived here on the 24th and I am not in front of my PC so I cant upload pictures. I have taken my point and shoot with me so I wont be missing much on the things I will be doing here. I have decided to go around and find some interesting things to blog on and i have a lot going on already in my camera. :) I promise to post everything when I get back home. Until then, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

How do I breathe - Mario Barrett

2008-12-12T22:18:00.000-08:00

Below is the lyric of the Song how do I breathe which was done by Mario Barrett... Since youtube won't let me embed the video the least thing I can do is post the lyrics and his picture...

Lyrics:

It feels so different being here,
I was so used to being next to you,
Life for me is not the same,
There's no one to turn to.
I don't know why I let it go too far,
Starting over - it's so hard.
Seems like everywhere I try to go,
I keep thinking of you.

[Hook:]
I just had a wake up call,
Wishing that I never let you fall,
Baby you are not to blame at all.
Remember when I pushed you away.
Baby if you knew I cared,
You'd have never went nowhere (nowhere),
Girl I should've been right there.

[Chorus:]
How do I breathe
Without you here by my side?
How will I see
When your love brought me to the light?
Where do I go
When your heart's where I lay my head?
When you're not with me,
How do I breathe?
How do I breathe?

[Verse:]
Girl I'm losin' my mind.
Yes I made a mistake.
I thought that you would be mine.
Guess the joke was on me.
I miss you so bad, I can't sleep.
I wish I knew where you could be.
Another dude is replacing me,
But this can't be happening.

(Repeat HOOK and CHORUS)

[Verse:]
I can't get over you no (ooh)
Baby I don't wanna let go.
Girl you need to come home,
Back to me
'Cause girl you made it hard to breathe
When you're not with me.

(Repeat Chorus)

How do I breathe?
[Some speaking starts]
Without you here by my side?
How will I see (how will I see)
When your love brought me to the light (baby, baby)?
Where do I go (where do)
When your heart's where I lay my head?
When you're not with me (you're not with me),
How do I breathe (how do I breathe)?
How do I breathe?

Could you be Messiah

2008-12-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

Thank you lord for blessing us with such a talent. I will record my version of this and will have boashtful Shwimpf do the piano for me... I will soon post it up here... :) Enjoy this live performance of Gary V. I may not be able to equal this performance but just all the same, I am a fan of Gary... I will post some tagalog songs that he did here in the future. For the mean time here is his performance.

Reminiscing...

2008-12-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

I was listening to some of my old CD's and came across this lovely song done by Jennifer love Hewitt. I thought I'd just share this out. I was close to tears when I heard this one. It made me recall my high school days.

There is a little story behind this, and I dont know what got into me today. I think its just the gloomy weather and lack of sleep. Last night, I had a little bit of a hard time catching sleep because whenever I drift to unconsciousness another bolt of emotions would hit me and keep me awake. That's really a strange feeling.

This used to be my break-up song. I was dating someone for almost 2 years and that was also for almost 2 years ago. It's been a long time since i last talked to my Ex exlcuding the casual Hi and Hellos we exchanged a couple of weeks back and i consider that illigitimate. I was on my way from a mall when I found myself seatted in front of my EX in a jeepney. That strange feeling of having known someone for a long time and because of circumstances we'd have to part ways. I used to be so attached to my ex before. That one person who taught me so many things from boosting my self confidence, handling my job and pimping my clothes. Such was this person as a driving force in my life. I would be to where I am perhaps if not for those meaningful inputs I considered to be a life saver.

I was just breezing through memory lane... Thats a melancholic way of spending my last night of the weekend before waking up the next day and going back to work.

Dont you wish your girlfriend is not like Bebang

2008-12-06T04:41:00.000-08:00

I deliberated on this for a couple of days. I went through a whole lot of soul searching just so I can decide whether I should post this here. I had talked with boashtful Shwimpf about this and I was given the blessing to show off this stuff.

I found this picture in my friends profile. At first I thought of this as a joke made by him but then after a couple of minutes of staring, I figured that it doesn't look like it is.

Originally, the girl on this picture should have been Jessica Alba. After combining good technology and creativity(if you can consider this as something that's creative), I was surprised how well my friend's face fitted to replace Jessica's. I would have to say that the imposition made is clean, if not for the disagreeing skin tone of the my friends face and that of the Jessica's arm things would have looked natural. But I guess nature would have its way of setting things to its proper proportion.

Gastronomic Sunday (scene 1)

2008-12-03T23:36:00.000-08:00

I spent last Sunday with my two moms. We went malling and searched the boutiques to get ahead of the Christmas Shopping Season. We proceeded to buy a Cellphone as a present for a relative all three of us love.

I took a picture of them candidly doing their catching up. My Biological mom is wearing a purple shirt and my foster mom is wearing an all black ensemble from one of her favorite designers, herself.

I noticed that the mall itself, despite of it being far from the city proper, is still well received by the Cagayanons. I thought maybe there's a lot of people like me that would love to diversify their malling experience. Right down below I also took some pictures of the things I found amusing and weird. After we bought that present for my foster moms sister, all three of us agreed to go downstairs to check on some furnitures that both my moms are planning to buy for their respective houses. I got a little bit sidetracked with the candles that cost quite a lot for their purposes but I figured that aesthecally speaking they really should at least cost more than the usual.

We proceeded to the other side of the mall where we can also shop for shirts and stuff that cost less than what they were when the mall is not on a mallwide sale. I took a picture of a signage that is supposed to attract a lot of onlookers. I thought this signage is funny because at first glance I mistakenly read it as "fashion for the less fortunate".

After a couple of hours of going back and forth from one boutique to another. All three of us decided that what better way of enjoying this moment of bonding together is to try out BIGBY'S.

I've had been a constant patron of this restaurant. As a matter of fact (so to speak) I dined out with my "Boashtful Shwimpf" the day before I went malling with my moms.

I was a little excited because this would be the first time in so many years that I'd be able to enjoy my time with my moms. I realized how I missed my dad after he passed away. Things are no longer the same for me as my foster mom would have to cry at times because she misses him so badly. I am quite relieved that she has always been keeping an open mind about her situation and tries a lot to cope with it.

I took some pictures of the orders we took out from their menu.
I had always been a pasta lover and ever since I have always delighted myself with Bigby's Ocean Harvest Pasta. I have always thought that being healthy and eating jives well together. This pasta looks okay and tastes more than how it looks, but I cant simply ignore the fact that the cream used as its dressing is packed with more calories than I could imagine.

Both of moms thought of having been meat lovers for the past few weeks and because they are a little bit worried about their health, I suggested they try the following fish based meals in the restaurants menu.

My Foster Mom thought she'd be better off with the Singaporean Fish Bowl that looked so inviting, only that she never knew it would be a little bit spicier than what she hoped for.

Bio-Mom helped herself with a serving of fish fillets and rice (Buttered Dory Fish Fillets). But she couldn't take her eyes off my Pasta and started regretting her choice but after a couple of mouthfuls she loved the taste on her palate.

Something Fishy

2008-12-03T01:15:00.001-08:00

I have taken a couple of pictures, last Sunday, of my FLOWERHORN. I named him SID after a month of deciding. I thought ISIDRO is nice but someone protested...

I fed him fresh shrimps off the market and then switch to Ocean Free after a month. Since then he had been growing a couple of centimeters almost everyday.