Just Another Dumpsite.

Freelancer (Part One)

2012-01-18T11:40:00.000+08:00

Yeah, it's a not-one-of-those-food-posts-again post.

Bear with me. Being the ~~unemployed~~ freelancer that I am, I have all the time in the world to do the things that I was deprived of while slaving away like what I did in my previous job. Namely: sleep, sleep in, cook, eat, run. And because I'm saving what little I have by staying in and feeding myself with what's available in the fridge, I always try to make myself a decent meal that would last me a day (I have to be very careful with enjoying my food too much, the scales will suffer). For today I came up with this fare:

Buttered Peas and Corn Kernels - Boiled
Potato Strips - Potato cut in thin strips, sauteed in olive oil, garlic and onion
Fresh Orange
Cup of Tea (with milk)

I just realized that our fridge looked like the one we had at home because it's full of food that I forgot I even bought. The Potato was from the Green Chicken Curry I made G last week; the peas and corn kernels were from the English Dinner G prepared for me last weekend; the orange has been sitting in the chiller for weeks now and good thing it's still edible (oh GMOs); and of course, the tea which we have unlimited supply of here at home.

I've also (re)discovered some things that are far more enjoyable than working (not unless you don't have any more resources that you'd really have to work. Well that would be my case not too long now) which are:

Zumba - as a way to counter the unused calories/kgs. Way better than jogging, really
Super Mario 3D - depending on your computer skills, you can actually finish it in no time. Ask help from YouTube if you're stuck in one stage or you can't find the star coins. That's what I do. Not always.
Photoshop - I know I was knowledgeable with this software back in college (I remember how I earned a bit of money with video editing). But now, it's eating me alive. I don't know/can't remember how to work this thing. But slowly, it all comes back to me now. I'm relearning it again and I like it.
Blogging - yep, that's what I am doing right now.
Movie Marathon - who doesn't want to be fed with emotional porn?
Stalking - friends and families and acquaintances and celebs and people I just met and potential employers. Kidding on the potential employers bit.
Catching Up - with family and friends. That's what I really missed out on while I was working 7-8 days straight with one day just dedicating myself to a good long sleep.

But to be honest, I actually miss having something to do. Soo the universe, you know I won't enjoy being like this forever, so please do give me a job, I can do without these things! :) As long as I still have my weekends, and holidays, I am perfectly fine with working long hours.

Note: I am not even sure how many parts this kind of post will be.

My Proper English Dinner

2012-01-14T23:01:00.000+08:00

For dinner tonight, G ~~heated~~ prepared a proper English dinner. But before we go on to the ingredients and how-to's let me first define what his version of a 'proper English dinner' is.

2 Veg + 1 Meat English Dinner

This is the proper English dinner for a working class living in the northern part of England. According to G, the rationale between this meal is that: it's filling, it's affordable and it helps keep them warm. Also, there is no sharp taste as the English prefer their food bland.

What we had was a Two Veggie and One Meat type where there's the mixed veggies (Peas and Corn) and Chips or French Fries as vegetables (yeah, they do consider chips as a veg) and Beef Pie which served as the meat. This isn't a difficult meal to prepare as everything's ready made and available in most supermarkets.

Ingredients:

Corn Kernels
Frozen, Canned, Fresh whichever you prefer. What we had was frozen.

Green Peas
Frozen, Canned or Fresh. Again, we bought a frozen pack.

You can also add in carrots, cut it in small cubes. But I do not like carrots so we can do without it.

Chips (Fries)
Do get the thick ones. What we got was the pathetic thin ones but it's still ~~fries~~ chips and it is still love.

Pie
You can get different meat pies from the supermarket. But it would be best to get the Beef or Pork ones for it to be really flavourful. I insisted on the beef (not chicken, I feel that it's too safe of a choice).

Bread
Go for white for it to be really tasty. If you're a health bum then you may have the whole wheat and grain breads.

Others
Margarine to spread on the bread, salt to add taste to the mixed vegetables, vinegar (their type of vinegar) and the HP brown sauce.

Preparation:

The hardest bit in preparing this meal is to time the cooking of the ingredients perfectly so everything should be done at the same time so as to serve it all hot.

Baking the Chips
Make sure you do this one first as it's the longest to prepare. G chose to oven bake the chips (I didn't know that was possible until now. I always knew you have to deep fry the Fries). Best to follow the instructions on the pack, which is what he did. Preheat oven and put the chips in it for about 25 minutes or until brown. And it's best to cook the chips frozen so as to retain it's crispiness (that's my friend JC's advice).

Cooking the Veggies
Just follow the instructions on the bag. What G did was boil water with a dash of salt in it. When it's boiling, drop the corn and peas and cook until tender.

Heating the Pies
You can never go wrong when you follow the instructions on the paper. As for our pie, again it's ready made so he just had to put it in the microwave oven for 3.5 minutes. You have to do this when the Chips are nearly ready.

Buttering the Bread
Or in our case, we put in margarine. You may start with these when your pies are ready. Toast or heat it as preferred.

Plating
Their meal isn't the "Asian Sharing Type" as G put it so you have to put in equal amount of everything onto the plate.

Final Touch
Before diving in to the meal, the last and final touch would be pouring brown sauce and vinegar on your pie, chips and veggies. Put as much as preferred. As for me, I liked the vinegar more so I put more onto my chips and pie, margarine (or butter) on my veggies and the brown sauce on the side.


Left: Their Vinegar Right: the House of Parliamentary Brown Sauce

I did enjoy my first proper English dinner ~~heated~~ made by G. At first I thought the ~~fries~~ chips weren't enough and we would need more but I was wrong: one plateful had me really full.

And don't forget to wash the meal down with a cup of hot tea to complete the meal.

Note: This is what I get for NOT working on a Saturday. I so love it.

Make Your Own Crisp Sandwich

2012-01-10T18:37:00.000+08:00

Ingredients:

1. 2 Slices of White Bread
2. Salt and Vinegar Flavored Crisps
3. Margarine

How to Make:

1. Do NOT toast the bread. Leave it as is.
2. Spread the margarine on one side of both slices.
3. Place a sufficient amount of crisps on one of the bread slices, buttered side up.
4. Once satisfied with the amount of crisps on your bread, place the other bread slice on top of the mound of crisps, buttered side down.
5. Enjoy.

Americans:Chips::English:Crisps

When I was in elementary school I used to mix Nutri Star Red or Blue with my rice for lunch whenever I don't like my packed lunch. Lately I discovered that my favorite Sour Cream and Onion Lays is perfect with rice so that's what I usually have whenever I don't feel like eating our staff meal. So here's another 'dish' to add to my not-so-healthy meal. And due to my friend's raves on how great a Crisp Sandwich is, I've decided to try and make one for myself now (Well, I made one for him last night, I just didn't try because I was too full).

For it to be an authentic, English-style Crisp Sandwich, stick to these ingredients. Otherwise, you may use other ingredients according to your preference. You may substitute white bread with Wheat or Multi-grain for a healthier twist. Butter or mayonnaise instead of margarine. It's pretty hard to find a Salt and Vinegar flavored crisp here in SG unless you go to those Ang Moh (Caucasian) grocery stores in the city. Good thing Lays does not disappoint. I would prefer Sour Creme and Onion flavored crisps but I have this feeling I'd violate an unspoken English rule about replacing that Salt and Vinegar.

And of course, this meal is best enjoyed with a cup of tea.

I reckon it's worth posting as I just had one, my very first crisp sandwich, and it was lovely! :)

Kudos 2011!

2012-01-09T10:29:00.000+08:00

A little bit late but since I now have the all the time in the world (God-willing not for long!), I can now write blog posts as often as my mind and fingers can.

This post should remind me to count my blessings, name it one by one. I did, and having done this, I can conclude that 2011 wasn't as dark as 2010, definitely. It had more ups than downs. The only thing clouding it was my 'job' which finally, FINALLY, I got 'rid' off (though it left me jobless, but again, hopefully not for long!).

Germany postcards from Andi and Yvonne

February 2011 - I've been all over the world with all the postcards I got for my birthday.

It's never too late to receive a postcard from London. :)

Canada from Maxime

March 2011 - As a 25th birthday gift for myself, took one solo trip to a country not too far away from Singapore...

Barelang Bridge, Batam, Indonesia

April 2011 - Went home for a few days and witnessed the wedding of a childhood friend. It wasn't that long ago that we were playing house in our backyards, and now it's the real thing (and not play play).

Played freelance wedding photographer, photos unpublished of course, for the Fostanes-Baliong Nuptials. The couple is now based in London.

May 2011 - I was transferred to Orchard Central Fruit Paradise and was given the responsibility to 'manage' it. I must admit, I liked being in-charge, it's both fun and hardwork. No pay increase, too bad, only added responsibility. I loved this shop. But it was more of love-hate relationship.

It wasn't the place that made it good. It was the people: the Table 23 regular who always leaves give tip and stops for a while to chat; the two ladies from Exxe; watching the dancers make their move in the dance studio; Lylit, Nicole, Shu Yan, even Donald; my part-timers; all the cleaning and tidying up; making me lose 5kg in 3 months. :)

Friday the 13th May 2011

My favorite number ever.

July 2011 - Saw me in Phuket, Thailand. My first 'couple' holiday.

I haven't seen much of Phuket but from where I've been and what I saw, ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines. :)

Family and Friends visited. I think a visit from a family or a friend is one of the greatest joy in the life of an OFW. Well, apart from going home.

Mommy in SG for her 50th birthday - June 2011


The Pogoy Corporation - Grab Private Limited (October 2011)

August 2011 - Food trip month!

October 2011 - Moved to a new house, my sixth in five years. My new home - Stemei.

November & December 2011 - Christmas! Check out my SG Christmas Tree Photo Collection here. I have been moved from Orchard Central to Vivo City Fruit Paradise. It wasn't that bad but I didn't like it. Christmas Party at home which is a mix of Filipino and English Christmas. First Christmas holiday with G.

Best-est: And this is the part where it all gets cheesier as I consider This the highlight of my year: My Super G.

Need I say more?

Kudos 2011! You weren't that mean to me. In fact, I can honestly say that you have been one of the best years I've had. Hello 2012, I promise to make you better than 2011. :)

Christmas in Legoland

2011-11-24T19:53:00.001+08:00

Adding more photos on my Christmas Trees in SG Photo Collection:

Christmas Tree in Six Battery Road's Lobby. It's backdrop is Singapore's "Highest Vertical Garden".


Christmas Tree in UOB Building in the Central Business District. I love the red ribbons.


Mini-Tree on top of my Grandma's Lemon Pie at Paninis, 5th Level, One Raffles Place. So Cute. I had to keep the tree.

The tree that I put up in Fruit Paradise, Orchard Central. Thanks to the Kitchen staff for the gifts under the tree.

And of course, Stemei's Tree. :)

More photos of other Christmas Trees I found all over Singapore.

Christmas is in the Air in Singapore

2011-11-24T09:34:00.001+08:00

Unlike in the Philippines where Christmas starts on SeptemBER, the beginning of the 'ber' months, celebration of the season here in Singapore isn't felt until after mid-November. However, it doesn't stop SG from being bongga (Filipino slang for extravagant) in their Christmas decorations.

Apart from the Christmas Sale, Christmas Decors stalls being put up, thousands of people flocking to the mall doing their Christmas shopping, it's actually the lavish Christmas Trees in the malls, sparkly Christmas Lights on the streets, and elaborate decors everywhere that make me really feel that Christmas is really near. It gives me a warm and fuzzy-feeling inside (yes, I get kilig over this thing, being a true, blue, Christmas-loving Filipino that I am), every time I come across any one of these beautiful things that reminds me of Christmas. It makes me forget (just for a second) that I'm spending the holidays here (note spending and not celebrating) and just revel in the fact that it's CHRISTMAS!

So give you a hint of why the decors make me weak on the knees, I made it my task to take a photo of every Christmas Tree that I come across, every decoration that I find amazing, and post it here. As for the lights at night, I'm afraid I can't document it as I don't have a decent camera. :) So here's just a few...

Plaza Singapura Christmas Tree @ Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station

Raffles City Shopping Center - Viewable from North Bridge and Bras Basah Intersections. Their tree last year was better and more creative though.

Marina Bay Sands Shoppes - It's on the other side of the Marina Bay Theatres. I think it's best if they put a tree on top of the Skypark for all of Singapore to see. Just saying.


This is my favorite: Christmas with an OC Attitude. Orchard Central at Orchard Road. Their tree is small but you should see the lights at night: so Pretty in Pink.

I'll be updating this whenever there's a new photo. :) This is it for now!

I think I've used the word Christmas in this post a hundred times! :)

Christmas Is Still the Same This 2011 - An Early Christmas Post

2011-09-28T02:06:00.000+08:00

Just the thought of spending another Christmas away from home saddens me. What's worse is that I might be working the whole month of December (with my usual one day off a week, of course). Well the worst part of it all is that it might be the second year in a row and I'm not doing anything about it.

More like I can't do anything about it.

A cousin told me this earlier: In Germany twenty-five to thirty off days are common AND this is one of the reasons why employees are happy and powerful. So they should do the same. And he added: So maybe they will allow you to go... or you're FIRED.

I'm guessing it's the latter. No, I'm sure of it if I really insist on going home for Christmas. It's either that or I QUIT.

What is there to miss in this year's Christmas celebration? Apart from the usual dozen Christmas parties that I might be attending with families and friends, the precious gifts of 'lil nothings I might give and receive, the excuse of 'It's Christmas!' whenever I eat every five seconds or so, I would really miss the Once-In-A-Lifetime Family Reunion. Yes, families from the north of the country and from the land of Deutsche are coming over on December, everyone comfortably (I hope so) billeted in our tiny house.

Cooking, eating, gossiping, playing, karaoke-ing, gossiping, going places, and I don't think I've mentioned this yet, gossiping-I am gonna miss all of these (I am more concerned about them gossiping about me than anything else!)! All because I will be slaving away for a company that only concentrates on profit, profit and more profit and NOT on ensuring that their employees are 'happy and powerful'. Not to mention a mindset (as was told to me last year) of something that goes like this: Chinese can take their leave during the Chinese New Year, the Owner's Kind can definitely take New Year's off because they celebrate New Year, and Filipinos (which I think is a third of their staff), erm, 'what Filipinos?'.

They won't understand how Christmas for Filipinos, which begins on September and ends on January, is like Chinese New Year for the Chinese, Deepavali for the Indians, Ramadan for the Muslims, and, ok, New Year for the Hapons. It seems like they think of Filipinos as mere 'slaves' with no emotions who don't have any celebrations at all.

So I guess, if I really do want to go home this Christmas, I should either do any of the following: (1) Insist on taking a leave and if ever I do get into the nerves of the higher up, they're just gonna fire me; or (2) submit my resignation letter a little over a month before Christmas so I can still go home; or (3) stop whining, be a dutiful employee, work your ass off, and forget that there's such a thing as Christmas, I'll get over it by January anyway, and besides, it might not be Once-In-A-Lifetime Reunion, it might happen again next year, who knows. But in order for me to ensure that I celebrate the succeeding Christmases with the family maybe the best thing to do is go to Germany so I can get a twenty-five to thirty days vacation leave OR stay in the Philippines where everyone will understand, even the employers, that Christmas is meant to be celebrated with the family.

Have yourself a Merry Christmas everyone!

This post actually feels is a rant.

A Barrage of Stars

2011-09-19T21:04:00.000+08:00

Apart from the view of the city from the Marina Bays Sands Sky Park and the dizzying height of 1 Altitude Bar at One Raffles Place, there is one unexploited (well, unexploited by tourists) place in Singapore with a breathtaking view of the city's skyline: the Marina Barrage.

It is actually a dam with a park on it's rooftop. On any given day, it is a regular park full of families and youths having picnic and flying their kites. But I would think it's best to go there at night where you can see the city lights from afar.

Photo from http://news.gov.sg

Yes, the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and Singapore CBD-in all it's illuminated glory-is viewable from the 'roof park'. The lighted kites flying, the barrage of stars, accompanied by a perfectly round moon seem divine and yet unearthly as you stare at them. You can lie on the grass, soak in the view, spend QT with friends or that special someone all the night through as it's open twenty-four hours (I think!). Marina Barrage is one of the best and special places in Singapore that I've ever been to. Apart from the view and the place, it's the companion that made my visit here extraordinary. :)

Getting there: Best by taxi! Otherwise, you would have to catch the Bus #400 or a shuttle bus from the Marina Bay MRT Station (Red Line). It's hard to get out from here at night though, be warned!

Sribbles on Tattoo

2011-07-10T01:49:00.000+08:00

At last... Another nonsense post from me after all these months!

I just got back from my holiday in Phuket (I surely had a lot of firsts in this holiday) but getting a henna tattoo isn't one of it!

When I looked at my first beach henna tattoo, I realized what a typical, boring person I am as (1) I got a boring looking tattoo and (2) I had it done on the same part of my body-where no one will be able to see it, not unless i wear a tube or tank top all the time, which i rarely do.

So here is what a got then and now...

Got this one in my first Puerto Galera (Mindoro, Philippines) trip with the guys. 1st weekend of May 2007. I think I got this one for less than S$10 (Php 250 - I think)

Tinkerbell - Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand. July 2011. This tat I got for almost S$20 (B450).

So after looking at these, I had an inspiration on what my permanent tattoo will be (if I ever do get one) and I just need to get an artist to draw it nicely.

J to the Po. Or something similar to this.

Happy Valentine's Day 2011

2011-02-14T02:30:00.000+08:00

I was about to post a "single" quote on Facebook but decided against it as everyone on earth might see me as bitter and lonely and sad. I am not. I am in love with the idea of love (Yes, I'm a hopeless, really hopeless, romantic), I know I am loved and I am full of love. So I'll post it tomorrow and leave you all with this:

Sentosa Beach. Taken using my old-age Canon Digital Ixus i7.

Take your loved ones to the beach. Enjoy the sun (or even the moon), the sand, the sound of the waves lapping against the shore, the gentle breeze. Girls take this opportunity to snuggle in closer to your guy. Guys, tell her over and over again that you love her.

Husbands, prepare breakfast for you wife. Wives, stop nagging your hubby for once and remind him how much you love him.

Children, give your parents a hug and a kiss. This would mean a lot to them.

Just spread the love. Let's just not keep it contained on the 14th day of the second month every year.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! From the bottom of my heart. :)

That Lone Woman In The Movie House

2011-02-12T03:33:00.000+08:00

The (lonely) woman in the movie house.

Earlier she was wandering gingerly around the mall, not knowing what to do or where to go. She's done this before. Most of the time actually. Go to the mall, window shopping alone. Dine in a restaurant, enjoying a sumptuous meal (or so she thought) by herself. Watching movies in theaters, alone. Yeah, she has done that gazillion times. She's been doing that even if she has friends that she can call to go with her (or maybe none because she's frequently accompanied by friends Me, Myself and I).

She wonders why most people don't want to eat alone. She wonders why some need someone else to accompany them to go somewhere, do something. Doing things by herself makes her responsible only for herself, rely on herself, decided on things according to her liking and benefit and if something comes bad out of it, then she's the only one to blame, she's the only one who will suffer the consequences.

They may be looking at her in pity. They may be weirded out by the lone woman having dinner by herself. A funny look directed her way, a raised eyebrow over her lack of companion. Or maybe they don't really notice her. Don't give a damn to her existence.

"Table for how many?"

"How many tickets are you buying?"

"One"

She's comfortable with it. Never really bothered her at all. Well, there are fleeting moments that it sort of bothered her (maybe she was too paranoid, thinking about what people might think about her lone state) but that thought is blown away like a kiss in the wind.

She's now seated comfortably in her chair. Full because of that solitary meal she had earlier. She knows she's just here to pass time, enjoy herself, get her regular romcom/chick flick fix. The cinema lights turned dim, movie goers are slowly filling up the theater.

Oh, they're coming in two's.

The movie's about to start. Seated beside her is a gay couple (she thinks so because no straight guy friends would go to watch a chick flick together). Ten minutes into the film a middle aged couple hurried into the two vacant seats to my right.

Credits roll. The film is over. She liked waiting in her seat until after most of them are gone as she likes to people-watch. Yeah, definitely most of them are couples. Or group of friends. There's no other lone person in the movie house.

Well, except for her.

It never bothered her at all. Until now.

That was brave of her to be alone. Indeed, very independent. It's quite liberating to be on your own. She doesn't have to answer to anyone but herself.

But right now, that lone woman in the movie house just feels... lonely.

Just out of the blue I just wanted to write. And this came out. Maybe it's because of what I read on thoughtcatalog.com

First Half of My Birthday Wishlist

2011-01-25T21:45:00.001+08:00

I was supposed to post this entry last January 22 so as to give ample time to the people who are mentioned here (and those who are generous enough to be my fairy godmothers/godfathers) to buy/make their gifts and send it to me. :)

Anyway, since I am entering my quarter-life, and yeah, along with it comes THE quarter-life crisis (which I have been experiencing since I entered 20's!) I think I have the right to make a birthday wish list and hopefully (I'm begging you, please) will get all 25 things in my list. I won't put all the mush and impossible stuff like getting a boyfriend or going home. Instead, (almost) everything here is quite obtainable by myself or by the universe, if it's lavish enough to indulge me.

1. Birthday Cake.

Who doesn't want one? The last birthday cake I got was when I turned 22 and it was a company gift. My 23rd was spent in HK and Macau with Guy so it's a different kind of cake, I had an Egg Tart. Last year was spent here, a newbie in SG, with KZ, Yayam and Miko, with fast food stuff. So now that I am settled, I expect to get one. A cupcake with a candle will suffice.

2. A Sketch of Me.

Attention Loathe: I know you make sketches of your "special ones" for their birthdays why not make one for me as well?

3. London Postcard.

I doubt I'll ever get to visit Guy there because he's coming back in the Philippines by summer so I think the closest thing to getting to London for me is through a postcard from him. Oh, not to mention the purse he bought me two years ago as a pasalubong but never had a chance to give it to me (even if we saw quite often in the last two years).

4. Flowers.

Just because the flower shop guy next door (our store) always passes in front of me with lovely bouquet of flowers for their clients. I always say "Thank You" jokingly but I got no reaction from him. LOL So, my wish for my birthday is that one of the flowers that he'll deliver that day is for me.

5. Reverse Bungee

Miko and I were planning to have a post-birthday celebration (maybe a month or so after my birth month thinking that we will get our first paycheck by then but apparently life played a harsh game on me) last year and go to Clark Quey for the Gmax Reverse Bungee. It never happened so I want to make it happen this year.

6. Full Body Massage.

It's been more than a year now since I had one. So I guess this will be a little treat for myself.

7. And I'm including Have My Nails Done in this list.

Yes, it's been a year also since I had my nails done "professionally". After arriving here in Singapore, I've been cleaning my nails myself.

8. Trip to Somewhere.

I'm planning a solo trip, somewhere, maybe a week after my birthday. I am still in the planning stage, so I'm still not sure where, how, what, when.

9. Another Sweet Surprise...

...from my sister. She never fails to surprise me. Read my previous entry.

10. Karaoke.

If you know me well, you know how I love to sing, sing out loud, and yes, even if I'm off key. My last trip to a karaoke place was last February 07 for my despedida with the gays. I would want a rockeoke but there isn't one here, I guess.

11. A decent Camera or A Smartphone.

I'm leaning towards a camera. Please take a good look at the recent photos I have taken using Pinky (My P&S Cannon Digital Ixus i7) and tell me honestly that I don't need to replace her???

12. Online E-Card

FROM JOEDI. Because she said so. And I want something one-of-a-kind, please.

13. Reach 25 SMS greetings and 25 FB greetings.

I keep all my SMS greetings from three years back in my old SIM card. And I'm collecting it until technology fails on me.

Whew, I realized how tiring it is to think of things you want to get. Well, I guess for me it's hard because most of my wishes are impossible to attain but I'm not posting them here. ^^

Until the next half of my list!

P.S.
Do you even know when my birthday is? Ooops, don't you dare look at my Facebook profile. Tsk. ^^

I Got A Love Letter Today

2011-01-18T00:06:00.000+08:00

I got a sweet surprise today. A love letter from my one and only sister.

Here is how I view my family:

My dad is my adviser.

Mommy keeps me grounded.

My big brother is my great example.

And the most important of it all, my sister makes me feel loved.

Forget Facebook, Twitter, or even email. There is nothing sweeter and more thoughtful than receiving a letter, the old fashion way. Reading my sister's card relieved me of the stress from a long and lousy day at work. It made me cry, and yes, a bit homesick, but it somehow removed me from my state of being perfectly lonely.

Here is the text in the card she sent me:

Whether they live near each other or far apart, sisters walk through life together. They’re there for each other no matter what… sharing everything.

Sisters are connected at the heart and in their blood, and their loyalty to one another is permanent. No one can ever break that bond. They don’t give up on each other easily. They have the utmost sensitivity and compassion for one another because they were born into the same family.

Sisters aren’t afraid to break rules for each other. They defend each other; they take chances for each other. They’ve cried together and laughed together. They know each other’s secrets. They forgive each other when they make mistakes, and they can almost read each other’s mind.

Sisters teach each other lessons as they stand by each other in life, and they are there for each other through everything that matters.

No on can ever take the place of a sister. Thank you for being mine. I carry you in my heart forever and always

~ Donna Fargo

Honestly, I think what preceded this letter was my telling her that she's ungrateful 'coz she didn't thank me during her party (I told her this after watching the video of her 18th birthday). I was just kidding but I guess she took it to heart and thought I was serious. If I were there, here's what I've got to say to you (if you're reading this then take heed):

You can always run to me when you need help. You can always depend on me, on your family, but remember, I (we) won't always be here. So you also need to learn how to be independent. I won't promise you unconditional love, humans aren't capable of that. Instead, I will promise to understand you but I won't tolerate your irrational ways. Make wise decisions and never compromise. Pray for it. Pray for everything. Don't let the glitters and glamour of the world pull you away from God's will. You are a strong and beautiful lady, I hope you know that. I envy you because at that age of yours you went to a lot of places, did a lot of things, made gazillion friends and retained them, and the most important, you're where God wants you to be. Don't compare yourself to me. Your achievements are far more greater than mine, with more substance, more value, in this world now and in the next life. Continue to be yourself, if not better.

The dark cloud that's been hovering above me for weeks has somehow brighten. And I thank my sister for that. :)

Sister bonding, August 2007

Merry Christmas! :)

2010-12-27T16:17:00.000+08:00

Christmas Tree Outside Ion Orchard, Orchard Road, Singapore

For Filipinos, it's not yet too late to greet everyone a Merry Christmas, even if it's two days past the 25th. :)

Merry Christmas everyone. And may you all have a grand New Year! :)

My Thoughts as a Server (Part I) - Customers, Please Think Twice

2010-09-01T02:07:00.000+08:00

Having worked for more than two months as a server, I feel the need to share some thoughts on what a server feels and thinks (or at least MY thoughts and feelings) in almost every customer interaction.

1. OPENING

Dear customer, if you see that the lights are still dim and the stanchions are still by the entry way, please assume that we're still closed. Check the signs by the door re our opening time. Asking the staff if they're already open annoys the hell out of us (ehem, me). Common sense, context clues, please. If we're already open, all lights should have been turned on and there will be nothing by the entrance to keep you from going in.

2. ORDERING 1.1

This is only applicable to restaurants with just a few staff. Please call the attention of the staff if you are really ready to order. Otherwise, stop waving your hands in the air. It's so irritating seeing you do that. It doesn't just hassle me but the rest of the diners too who are really, truly ready to give their order but can't because the lone staff is attending to you and laboriously waiting for you to make up your mind.

3. ORDERING 1.2

Never order what's not on the menu. Id you don't see Kiwi or Watermelon juice under the juice section, then we don't have it. Ordering a caramel banana cake without the caramel or chocolate banana without the banana is plain stupidity. No, we can't remove the caramel for you or take off the banana in your cake. If we were the type to customize based on every customer's wants, then we should have been charging you more, there would have been more staff in the store, and we wouldn't be tucked in a mall basement (we should have been in a 5-star hotel or we could have been a stand alone restaurant). There's a reason why we have fifteen cake varieties for you to choose from so that if you find caramel too sweet or if you don't eat bananas you can choose from the other fourteen cakes. But hey, don't get me wrong. We do customize sometimes, but only on a case-to-case basis. Only if you're a regular (you visit us at least 3x a week or you spend more than a hundred dollars in one bill once a week or if you're the big boss) we can whip up something for you. Otherwise, I can say there are plenty in the menu for you to choose from.

4. CANCELING ORDERS

If you think canceling orders is as easy as a finger snap, then, yes, it is. For the customers and not for the staff! If a customer cancels his or her order, it costs the staff effort, money and a good rating from the supervisor. Effort - the food you ordered could have already been prepared for you before you decide to cancel it. Money - because the food prepared, of course, will go to waste and will just be thrown away. And no, we don't recycle or eat it, if that's what you are thinking. Supervisor's rating - because it will be a void order under the staff's name and it won't good on the staff's performance if there's a void order under his/her name. Not to mention a mouthful of scolding from the manager. So please, take time to order and then don't be a biatch and be fickle-minded all of a sudden.

5. BILL / CHECK / PAYMENT

Be attentive. If you see others paying at the counter, please do the same. There are just some restaurants who have table service but come payment time, you have to stand up and go to the counter. So don't try to get the attention of the staff and signal for the bill anymore. It's a waste of our time attending to you just for that (although to be honest, there should be something written on the menu/table/walls saying "Please Pay at the Counter). If you're done, please stand up, pay at the counter and leave.

I think writing this makes me look like a grouchy server. In reality, I'm not. Really. :) Just want to let it all out. I am still (two claps) happy to serve you. And as what I always say to customers after they have paid their bill, and with a big smile on my face, Thank You and Have a Great Day.

PNoy's State of the Nation Address - 26 July 2010

2010-07-26T17:22:00.000+08:00

From www.gov.ph.

State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III President of the Philippines to the Congress of the Philippines Session Hall of the House of Representatives

Date: July 26, 2010
Venue: Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City, Philippines

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay; Chief Justice Renato Corona; Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; my fellow workers in government;

Mga minamahal kong kababayan:

Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.

Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; ang pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.

Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.

Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.

Sa unang tatlong linggo ng aming panunungkulan, marami po kaming natuklasan. Nais ko pong ipahayag sa inyo ang iilan lamang sa mga namana nating suliranin at ang ginagawa naming hakbang para lutasin ang mga ito.

Sulyap lamang po ito; hindi pa ito ang lahat ng problemang haharapin natin. Inilihim at sadyang iniligaw ang sambayanan sa totoong kalagayan ng ating bansa.

Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, mas malaki ang ginastos ng gobyerno kaysa sa pumasok na kita. Lalong lumaki ang deficit natin, na umakyat na sa 196.7 billion pesos. Sa target na kuleksyon, kinapos tayo ng 23.8 billion pesos; ang tinataya namang gastos, nalagpasan natin ng 45.1 billion pesos.

Ang budget po sa 2010 ay 1.54 trillion pesos.

Nasa isandaang bilyong piso o anim at kalahating porsyento na lang ng kabuuan ang malaya nating magagamit para sa nalalabing anim na buwan ng taong ito.

Halos isang porsyento na lang po ng kabuuang budget ang natitira para sa bawat buwan.

Saan naman po dinala ang pera?

Naglaan ng dalawang bilyong piso na Calamity Fund bilang paghahanda para sa mga kalamidad na hindi pa nangyayari. Napakaliit na nga po ng pondong ito, ngunit kapapasok pa lang natin sa panahon ng baha at bagyo, 1.4 billion pesos o sitenta porsyento na ang nagastos.

Sa kabuuan ng 108 million pesos para sa lalawigan ng Pampanga, 105 million pesos nito ay napunta sa iisang distrito lamang. Samantala, ang lalawigan ng Pangasinan na sinalanta ng Pepeng ay nakatanggap ng limang milyong piso lamang para sa pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Cosme, na nangyari noong 2008 pa.

Ibinigay po ang pondo ng Pampanga sa buwan ng eleksyon, pitong buwan pagkatapos ng Ondoy at Pepeng. Paano kung bumagyo bukas? Inubos na ang pondo nito para sa bagyong nangyari noong isang taon pa. Pagbabayaran ng kinabukasan ang kasakiman ng nakaraan.

Ganyan din po ang nangyari sa pondo ng MWSS. Kamakailan lamang, pumipila ang mga tao para lang makakuha ng tubig. Sa kabila nito, minabuti pa ng liderato ng MWSS na magbigay ng gantimpala sa sarili kahit hindi pa nababayaran ang pensyon ng mga retiradong empleyado.

Noong 2009, ang buong payroll ng MWSS ay 51.4 million pesos. Pero hindi lang naman po ito ang sahod nila; may mga additional allowances at benefits pa sila na aabot sa 160.1 million pesos. Sa madaling sabi, nakatanggap sila ng 211.5 million pesos noong nakaraang taon. Beinte-kuwatro porsyento lang nito ang normal na sahod, at sitenta’y sais porsyento ang dagdag.

Ang karaniwang manggagawa hanggang 13^th month pay plus cash gift lang ang nakukuha. Sa MWSS, aabot sa katumbas ng mahigit sa tatlumpung buwan ang sahod kasama na ang lahat ng mga bonuses at allowances na nakuha nila.

Mas matindi po ang natuklasan natin sa pasahod ng kanilang Board of Trustees. Tingnan po natin ang mga allowances na tinatanggap nila:

Umupo ka lang sa Board of Trustees at Board Committee meeting, katorse mil na. Aabot ng nobenta’y otso mil ito kada buwan. May grocery incentive pa sila na otsenta mil kada taon.

Hindi lang iyon: may mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, at Financial Assistance. May Christmas bonus na, may Additional Christmas Package pa. Kada isa sa mga ito, nobenta’y otso mil.

Sa suma total po, aabot ang lahat ng dalawa’t kalahating milyong piso kada taon sa bawat miyembro ng Board maliban sa pakotse, technical assistance, at pautang. Uulitin ko po. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay nila sa kanilang mga sarili habang hindi pa nababayaran ang mga pensyon ng kanilang mga retirees.

Pati po ang La Mesa Watershed ay hindi nila pinatawad. Para magkaroon ng tamang supply ng tubig, kailangang alagaan ang mga watershed. Sa watershed, puno ang kailangan. Pati po iyon na dapat puno ang nakatayo, tinayuan nila ng bahay para sa matataas na opisyal ng MWSS.

Hindi naman sila agad maaalis sa puwesto dahil kabilang sila sa mga Midnight Appointees ni dating Pangulong Arroyo. Iniimbestigahan na natin ang lahat nang ito. Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira – sana kusa na lang silang magbitiw sa puwesto.

Pag-usapan naman po natin ang pondo para sa imprastruktura. Tumukoy ang DPWH ng dalawandaan apatnapu’t anim na priority safety projects na popondohan ng Motor Vehicle Users Charge. Mangangailangan po ito ng budget na 425 million pesos.

Ang pinondohan po, dalawampu’t walong proyekto lang. Kinalimutan po ang dalawandaan at labing walong proyekto at pinalitan ng pitumpung proyekto na wala naman sa plano. Ang hininging 425 million pesos, naging 480 million pesos pa, lumaki lalo dahil sa mga proyektong sa piling-piling mga benepisyaryo lang napunta.

Mga proyekto po itong walang saysay, hindi pinag-aralan at hindi pinaghandaan, kaya parang kabuteng sumusulpot.

Tapos na po ang panahon para dito. Sa administrasyon po natin, walang kota-kota, walang tongpats, ang pera ng taumbayan ay gagastusin para sa taumbayan lamang.

Meron pa po tayong natuklasan. Limang araw bago matapos ang termino ng nakaraang administrasyon, nagpautos silang maglabas ng 3.5 billion pesos para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nasalanta nina Ondoy at Pepeng.

Walumpu’t anim na proyekto ang paglalaanan dapat nito na hindi na sana idadaan sa public bidding. Labingsiyam sa mga ito na nagkakahalaga ng 981 million pesos ang muntik nang makalusot. Hindi pa nailalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order ay pirmado na ang mga kontrata.

Buti na lang po ay natuklasan at pinigilan ito ni Secretary Rogelio Singson ng DPWH. Ngayon po ay dadaan na ang kabuuan ng 3.5 billion pesos sa tapat na bidding, at magagamit na ang pondo na ito sa pagbibigay ng lingap sa mga nawalan ng tahanan dahil kina Ondoy at Pepeng.

Pag-usapan naman natin ang nangyari sa NAPOCOR. Noong 2001 hanggang 2004, pinilit ng gobyerno ang NAPOCOR na magbenta ng kuryente nang palugi para hindi tumaas ang presyo. Tila ang dahilan: pinaghahandaan na nila ang eleksyon.

Dahil dito, noong 2004, sumagad ang pagkakabaon sa utang ng NAPOCOR. Napilitan ang pambansang gobyerno na sagutin ang dalawandaang bilyong pisong utang nito.

Ang inakala ng taumbayan na natipid nila sa kuryente ay binabayaran din natin mula sa kaban ng bayan. May gastos na tayo sa kuryente, binabayaran pa natin ang dagdag na pagkakautang ng gobyerno.

Kung naging matino ang pag-utang, sana’y nadagdagan ang ating kasiguruhan sa supply ng kuryente. Pero ang desisyon ay ibinatay sa maling pulitika, at hindi sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan. Ang taumbayan, matapos pinagsakripisyo ay lalo pang pinahirapan.

Ganito rin po ang nangyari sa MRT. Sinubukan na namang bilhin ang ating pagmamahal. Pinilit ang operator na panatilihing mababa ang pamasahe.

Hindi tuloy nagampanan ang garantiyang ibinigay sa operator na mababawi nila ang kanilang puhunan. Dahil dito, inutusan ang Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines na bilhin ang MRT.

Ang pera ng taumbayan, ipinagpalit sa isang naluluging operasyon.

Dumako naman po tayo sa pondo ng NFA.

Noong 2004: 117,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply ng Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 900,000 metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit pitong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra pa rin ang binili nila.

Noong 2007: 589,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply sa Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 1.827 million metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit tatlong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra na naman ang binili nila.

Ang masakit nito, dahil sobra-sobra ang binibili nila taun-taon, nabubulok lang pala sa mga kamalig ang bigas, kagaya ng nangyari noong 2008.

Hindi po ba krimen ito, na hinahayaan nilang mabulok ang bigas, sa kabila ng apat na milyong Pilipinong hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw?

Ang resulta nito, umabot na sa 171.6 billion pesos ang utang ng NFA noong Mayo ng taong ito.

Ang tinapon na ito, halos puwede na sanang pondohan ang mga sumusunod:

Ang budget ng buong Hudikatura, na 12.7 billion pesos sa taong ito.

Ang Conditional Cash Transfers para sa susunod na taon, na nagkakahalaga ng 29.6 billion pesos.

Ang lahat ng classroom na kailangan ng ating bansa, na nagkakahalaga ng 130 billion pesos.

Kasuklam-suklam ang kalakarang ito. Pera na, naging bato pa.

Narinig po ninyo kung paano nilustay ang kaban ng bayan. Ang malinaw po sa ngayon: ang anumang pagbabago ay magmumula sa pagsiguro natin na magwawakas na ang pagiging maluho at pagwawaldas.

Kaya nga po mula ngayon: ititigil na natin ang paglulustay sa salapi ng bayan. Tatanggalin natin ang mga proyektong mali.

Ito po ang punto ng tinatawag nating zero-based approach sa ating budget. Ang naging kalakaran po, taun-taon ay inuulit lamang ang budget na puno ng tagas. Dadagdagan lang nang konti, puwede na.

Sa susunod na buwan ay maghahain tayo ng budget na kumikilala nang tama sa mga problema, at magtutuon din ng pansin sa tamang solusyon.

Ilan lang ito sa mga natuklasan nating problema. Heto naman po ang ilang halimbawa ng mga hakbang na ginagawa natin.

Nandiyan po ang kaso ng isang may-ari ng sanglaan. Bumili siya ng sasakyang tinatayang nasa dalawampu’t anim na milyong piso ang halaga.

Kung kaya mong bumili ng Lamborghini, bakit hindi mo kayang magbayad ng buwis?

Nasampahan na po ito ng kaso. Sa pangunguna nina Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares at Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, bawat linggo po ay may bago tayong kasong isinasampa kontra sa mga smuggler at sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.

Natukoy na rin po ang salarin sa mga kaso nina Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio at Miguel Belen, tatlo sa anim na insidente ng extralegal killings mula nang umupo tayo.

Singkuwenta porsyento po ng mga insidente ng extralegal killings ang patungo na sa kanilang resolusyon.

Ang natitira pong kalahati ay hindi natin tatantanan ang pag-usig hanggang makamit ang katarungan.

Pananagutin natin ang mga mamamatay-tao. Pananagutin din natin ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno.

Nagsimula nang mabuo ang ating Truth Commission, sa pangunguna ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Hahanapin natin ang katotohanan sa mga nangyari diumanong katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon.

Sa loob ng linggong ito, pipirmahan ko ang kauna-unahang Executive Order na nagtatalaga sa pagbuo nitong Truth Commission.

Kung ang sagot sa kawalan ng katarungan ay pananagutan, ang sagot naman sa kakulangan natin sa pondo ay mga makabago at malikhaing paraan para tugunan ang mga pagkatagal-tagal nang problema.

Napakarami po ng ating pangangailangan: mula sa edukasyon, imprastruktura, pangkalusugan, pangangailangan ng militar at kapulisan, at marami pang iba. Hindi kakasya ang pondo para mapunan ang lahat ng ito.

Kahit gaano po kalaki ang kakulangan para mapunan ang mga listahan ng ating pangangailangan, ganado pa rin ako dahil marami nang nagpakita ng panibagong interes at kumpyansa sa Pilipinas.

Ito ang magiging solusyon: mga Public-Private Partnerships. Kahit wala pa pong pirmahang nangyayari dito, masasabi kong maganda ang magiging bunga ng maraming usapin ukol dito.

May mga nagpakita na po ng interes, gustong magtayo ng expressway na mula Maynila, tatahak ng Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, hanggang sa dulo ng Cagayan Valley nang hindi gugugol ang estado kahit na po piso.

Sa larangan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas:

Mayroon po tayong 36,000 nautical miles ng baybayin. Ang mayroon lamang tayo: tatlumpu’t dalawang barko. Itong mga barkong ito, panahon pa ni MacArthur.

May nagmungkahi sa atin, ito ang proposisyon: uupahan po nila ang headquarters ng Navy sa Roxas Boulevard at ang Naval Station sa Fort Bonifacio.

Sagot po nila ang paglipat ng Navy Headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo. Agaran, bibigyan tayo ng isandaang milyong dolyar. At dagdag pa sa lahat nang iyan, magsusubi pa sila sa atin ng kita mula sa mga negosyong itatayo nila sa uupahan nilang lupa.

Sa madali pong sabi: Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tatayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo.

Marami na pong nag-alok at nagmungkahi sa atin, mula lokal hanggang dayuhang negosyante, na magpuno ng iba’t ibang pangangailangan.

Mula sa mga public-private partnerships na ito, lalago ang ating ekonomiya, at bawat Pilipino makikinabang. Napakaraming sektor na matutulungan nito.

Maipapatayo na po ang imprastrukturang kailangan natin para palaguin ang turismo.

Sa agrikultura, makapagtatayo na tayo ng mga grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, maayos na road networks at post-harvest facilities.

Kung maisasaayos natin ang ating food supply chain sa tulong ng pribadong sektor, sa halip na mag-angkat tayo ay maari na sana tayong mangarap na mag-supply sa pandaigdigang merkado.

Kung maitatayo ang minumungkahi sa ating railway system, bababa ang presyo ng bilihin. Mas mura, mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at makakaiwas pa sa kotong cops at mga kumokotong na rebelde ang mga bumibiyahe.

Paalala lang po: una sa ating plataporma ang paglikha ng mga trabaho, at nanggagaling ang trabaho sa paglago ng industriya. Lalago lamang ang industriya kung gagawin nating mas malinis, mas mabilis, at mas maginhawa ang proseso para sa mga gustong magnegosyo.

Pabibilisin natin ang proseso ng mga proyektong sumasailalim sa Build-Operate-Transfer. Sa tulong ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan, pabababain natin sa anim na buwan ang proseso na noon ay inaabot ng taon kung hindi dekada.

May mga hakbang na rin pong sinisimulan ang DTI, sa pamumuno ni Secretary Gregory Domingo:

Ang walang-katapusang pabalik-balik sa proseso ng pagrehistro ng pangalan ng kumpanya, na kada dalaw ay umaabot ng apat hanggang walong oras, ibababa na natin sa labinlimang minuto.

Ang dating listahan ng tatlumpu’t anim na dokumento, ibababa natin sa anim. Ang dating walong pahinang application form, ibababa natin sa isang pahina.

Nananawagan ako sa ating mga LGUs. Habang naghahanap tayo ng paraan para gawing mas mabilis ang pagbubukas ng mga negosyo, pag-aralan din sana nila ang kanilang mga proseso. Kailangan itong gawing mas mabilis, at kailangan itong itugma sa mga sinisumulan nating reporma.

Negosyante, sundalo, rebelde, at karaniwang Pilipino, lahat po makikinabang dito. Basta po hindi dehado ang Pilipino, papasukin po natin lahat iyan. Kailangan na po nating simulan ang pagtutulungan para makamit ito. Huwag nating pahirapan ang isa’t isa.

Parating na po ang panahon na hindi na natin kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng seguridad ng ating mamamayan o sa kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak.

Oras na maipatupad ang public-private partnerships na ito, mapopondohan ang mga serbisyong panlipunan, alinsunod sa ating plataporma.

Magkakapondo na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon.

Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon.

Madadagdagan natin ang mga classroom. Mapopondohan natin ang service contracting sa ilalim ng GASTPE.

Pati ang conditional cash transfers, na magbabawas ng pabigat sa bulsa ng mga pamilya, madadagdan na rin ng pondo.

Maipapatupad ang plano natin sa PhilHealth.

Una, tutukuyin natin ang tunay na bilang ng mga nangangailangan nito. Sa ngayon, hindi magkakatugma ang datos. Sabi ng PhilHealth sa isang bibig, walumpu’t pitong porsyento na raw ang merong coverage. Sa kabilang bibig naman, singkuwenta’y tres porsyento naman. Ayon naman sa National Statistics Office, tatlumpu’t walong porsyento ang may coverage.

Ngayon pa lang, kumikilos na si Secretary Dinky Soliman at ang DSWD upang ipatupad ang National Household Targetting System, na magtutukoy sa mga pamilyang higit na nagangailangan ng tulong. Tinatayang siyam na bilyon ang kailangan para mabigyan ng PhilHealth ang limang milyong pinakamaralitang pamilyang Pilipino.

Napakaganda po ng hinaharap natin. Kasama na po natin ang pribadong sektor, at kasama na rin natin ang League of Provinces, sa pangunguna nina Governor Alfonso Umali kasama sina Governor L-Ray Villafuerte at Governor Icot Petilla. Handa na pong makipagtulungan para makibahagi sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin. Alam ko rin pong hindi magpapahuli ang League of Cities sa pangunguna ni Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Kung ang mga gobyernong lokal ay nakikiramay na sa ating mga adhikain, ang Kongreso namang pinanggalingan ko, siguro naman maasahan ko din.

Nagpakitang-gilas na po ang gabinete sa pagtukoy ng ating mga problema at sa paglulunsad ng mga solusyon sa loob lamang ng tatlong linggo.

Nang bagyo pong Basyang, ang sabi sa atin ng mga may prangkisa sa kuryente, apat na araw na walang kuryente. Dahil sa mabilis na pagkilos ni Secretary Rene Almendras at ng Department of Energy, naibalik ang kuryente sa halos lahat sa loob lamang ng beinte-kwatro oras.

Ito pong sinasabing kakulangan sa tubig sa Metro Manila, kinilusan agad ni Secretary Rogelio Singson at ng DPWH. Hindi na siya naghintay ng utos, kaya nabawasan ang perwisyo.

Nakita na rin natin ang gilas ng mga hinirang nating makatulong sa Gabinete. Makatuwiran naman po sigurong umasa na hindi na sila padadaanin sa butas ng karayom para makumpirma ng Commission on Appointments. Kung mangyayari po ito, marami pa sa mga mahuhusay na Pilipino ang maeengganyong magsilbi sa gobyerno.

Sa lalong madaling panahon po, uupo na tayo sa LEDAC at pag-uusapan ang mga mahahalagang batas na kailangan nating ipasa. Makakaasa kayo na mananatiling bukas ang aking isipan, at ang ating ugnayan ay mananatiling tapat.

Isinusulong po natin ang Fiscal Responsibility Bill, kung saan hindi tayo magpapasa ng batas na mangangailangan ng pondo kung hindi pa natukoy ang panggagalingan nito. May 104.1 billion pesos tayong kailangan para pondohan ang mga batas na naipasa na, ngunit hindi maipatupad.

Kailangan din nating isaayos ang mga insentibong piskal na ibinigay noong nakaraan. Ngayong naghihigpit tayo ng sinturon, kailangang balikan kung alin sa mga ito ang dapat manatili at kung ano ang dapat nang itigil.

Huwag po tayong pumayag na magkaroon ng isa pang NBN-ZTE. Sa lokal man o dayuhan manggagaling ang pondo, dapat dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Hinihingi ko po ang tulong ninyo upang amiyendahan ang ating Procurement Law.

Ayon po sa Saligang Batas, tungkulin ng estado ang siguruhing walang lamangan sa merkado. Bawal ang monopolya, bawal ang mga cartel na sasakal sa kumpetisyon. Kailangan po natin ng isang Anti-Trust Law na magbibigay-buhay sa mga prinsipyong ito. Ito ang magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga Small- at Medium-scale Enterprises na makilahok at tumulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya.

Ipasa na po natin ang National Land Use Bill.

Una rin pong naging batas ng Commonwealth ang National Defense Act, na ipinasa noon pang 1935. Kailangan nang palitan ito ng batas na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng pambansang seguridad sa kasalukuyan.

Nakikiusap po akong isulong ang Whistleblower’s Bill upang patuloy nang iwaksi ang kultura ng takot at pananahimik.

Palalakasin pa lalo ang Witness Protection Program. Alalahanin po natin na noong taong 2009 hanggang 2010, may nahatulan sa 95% ng mga kaso kung saan may witness na sumailalim sa programang ito.

Kailangang repasuhin ang ating mga batas. Nanawagan po akong umpisahan na ang rekodipikasyon ng ating mga batas, upang siguruhing magkakatugma sila at hindi salu-salungat.

Ito pong mga batas na ito ang batayan ng kaayusan, ngunit ang pundasyon ng lahat ng ginagawa natin ay ang prinsipyong wala tayong mararating kung walang kapayapaan at katahimikan.

Dalawa ang hinaharap nating suliranin sa usapin ng kapayapaan: ang situwasyon sa Mindanao, at ang patuloy na pag-aaklas ng CPP-NPA-NDF.

Tungkol sa situwasyon sa Mindanao: Hindi po nagbabago ang ating pananaw. Mararating lamang ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kung mag-uusap ang lahat ng apektado: Moro, Lumad, at Kristiyano. Inatasan na natin si Dean Marvic Leonen na mangasiwa sa ginagawa nating pakikipag-usap sa MILF.

Iiwasan natin ang mga pagkakamaling nangyari sa nakaraang administrasyon, kung saan binulaga na lang ang mga mamamayan ng Mindanao. Hindi tayo puwedeng magbulag-bulagan sa mga dudang may kulay ng pulitika ang proseso, at hindi ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang tanging interes.

Kinikilala natin ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng MILF sa pamamagitan ng pagdidisplina sa kanilang hanay. Inaasahan natin na muling magsisimula ang negosasyon pagkatapos ng Ramadan.

Tungkol naman po sa CPP-NPA-NDF: handa na ba kayong maglaan ng kongkretong mungkahi, sa halip na pawang batikos lamang?

Kung kapayapaan din ang hangad ninyo, handa po kami sa malawakang tigil-putukan. Mag-usap tayo.

Mahirap magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang amoy ng pulbura sa hangin. Nananawagan ako: huwag po natin hayaang masayang ang napakagandang pagkakataong ito upang magtipon sa ilalim ng iisang adhikain.

Kapayapaan at katahimikan po ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran. Habang nagpapatuloy ang barilan, patuloy din ang pagkakagapos natin sa kahirapan.

Dapat din po nating mabatid: ito ay panahon ng sakripisyo. At ang sakripisyong ito ay magiging puhunan para sa ating kinabukasan. Kaakibat ng ating mga karapatan at kalayaan ay ang tungkulin natin sa kapwa at sa bayan.

Inaasahan ko po ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, lalo na sa radyo at sa print, sa mga nagbablock-time, at sa community newspapers, kayo na po mismo ang magbantay sa inyong hanay.

Mabigyang-buhay sana ang mga batayang prinsipyo ng inyong bokasyon: ang magbigay-linaw sa mahahalagang isyu; ang maging patas at makatotohanan, at ang itaas ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso.

Tungkulin po ng bawat Pilipino na tutukan ang mga pinunong tayo rin naman ang nagluklok sa puwesto. Humakbang mula sa pakikialam tungo sa pakikilahok. Dahil ang nakikialam, walang-hanggan ang reklamo. Ang nakikilahok, nakikibahagi sa solusyon.

Napakatagal na pong namamayani ang pananaw na ang susi sa asenso ay ang intindihin ang sarili kaysa intindihin ang kapwa. Malinaw po sa akin: paano tayo aasenso habang nilalamangan ang kapwa?

Ang hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral, paanong makakakuha ng trabaho? Kung walang trabaho, paanong magiging konsumer? Paanong mag-iimpok sa bangko?

Ngunit kung babaliktarin natin ang pananaw—kung iisipin nating “Dadagdagan ko ang kakayahan ng aking kapwa”—magbubunga po ito, at ang lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon.

Maganda na po ang nasimulan natin. At mas lalong maganda po ang mararating natin. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na mayroong mga nagnanasang hindi tayo magtagumpay. Dahil kapag hindi tayo nagtagumpay, makakabalik na naman sila sa kapangyarihan, at sa pagsasamantala sa taumbayan.

Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin?

Ang mandato nating nakuha sa huling eleksyon ay patunay na umaasa pa rin ang Pilipino sa pagbabago. Iba na talaga ang situwasyon. Puwede na muling mangarap. Tayo nang tumungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pinangarap.

Maraming salamat po.

My Photos on Lonely Planet's Mosaic

2010-07-19T14:55:00.000+08:00

I am a frustrated photographer. I don't have the right 'gear' for it. I only have my Canon Ixus i7 (in pink) which I bought three years ago. Yes, it was one of the best ones that time but now, it's one of the oldies already. But it did not stop me from taking a few "ok" (but great according to me) shots.

Just a sample. A pathetic attempt on fashion photography and won a Php 5,000 worth of hotel GC's for this. Photo of Anika Punzalan at Sitio Remedios, Ilocos, May 2009. Taken using my Canon Ixus i7.

I subscribed in Lonely Planet updates and read about their photo contest. I decided to submit two of my photos: my Camiguin Photo and photo of an airplane that I took from NAIA 3's ramp (it's my banner photo). Winning the contest didn't cross my mind, not in a century, but just the thought of having my photos posted on Lonely Planet along with million other photos (which are better than mine) makes me feel proud of myself and gives me the right to pat myself on the back. That's how shallow my happiness is. :)

I've been meaning to buy DSLR but my situation keeps me from purchasing one: lost my Ipod back in December 2008 and opted to buy a new one with my savings that was meant for a DSLR and lost my blackberry last December 2009 and have to buy a replacement for that because it's office issued. Oh well, I'd have to do with my Canon Oldie for now.

You can check out Iamjoycee's Travel Photos on Lonely Planet here.

You can easily submit your photos as well. Just go to the site of Lonely Planet and read about the contest there. There are only ten days to go before the contest ends so you better post your photos, NOW! :)

Sunset in Camiguin

2010-06-25T15:31:00.000+08:00

Sometimes you don't need a companion to travel. A view like this is great company and enough to give you one memorable trip.

I was blessed to go to one of the best travel destinations in the Philippines last year (for free thanks to my Dad), the Province of Camiguin, an island born of fire. I went there alone on my first day to be joined by my dad and his officemates the next.

I won't discuss it's history and all that sh*t here. I just want to share what I my most unforgettable experience there. To be honest, I was quite disappointed to find out that the only best thing in Camiguin is the White Island. Unless of course you have a lot of money to spend diving in Mantigue Island, then go visit there. We went to almost all of Camiguin's falls and springs (hot and cold) as you can easily go around the main island in a day.

The best part of my travel to Camiguin is capturing my first ever sunset. It happened on my first day alone on the island. It's so dramatic and almost perfect that I was swearing at myself for being ill-equipped at photography that I can't capture it right. But hey, since it's my first, for me it's perfect. :)

My Top 105 Reading List

2010-06-12T21:30:00.000+08:00

I think I've been reading a lot of Chick Lit lately that's why I am kinda sick and tired of all happy endings. Although what I wanted was just a light read, it did not do me any good to continue devouring such too-good-to-be-true plots because I won't take it as it is, too good to be true. I'll just end up day dreaming to become one of the Chick Lit's heroines, and that some modern-day prince will come to sweep me off my feet. Which I know is completely bollocks. So, with the help of Camilla Morton and BBC's Top 100 Big Read, I promised to teach myself to love socially relevant, book-for-the-smart-uns, read. So here's a list of the books that I need to get and I'll update this post every time I have finished one.

This was taken last December 2007 with, just one fourth of my collection... But most of them Chick Lits!

1. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien - DONE
2. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
3. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling - DONE
6. To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee - DONE
7. Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne
8. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, CS Lewis - DONE
10. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë
11. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
12. Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë
13. Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks
14. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
15. The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger
16. The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame
17. Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
18. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott - DONE
19. Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres
20. War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy
21. Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell
22. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, JK Rowling - DONE
23. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, JK Rowling - DONE
24. Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, JK Rowling - DONE
25. The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien - DONE
26. Tess Of The D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
27. Middlemarch, George Eliot
28. A Prayer For Owen Meany, John Irving
29. The Grapes Of Wrath, John Steinbeck
30. Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
31. The Story Of Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson
32. One Hundred Years Of Solitude, Gabriel García Márquez
33. The Pillars Of The Earth, Ken Follett
34. David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
35. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
36. Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
37. A Town Like Alice, Nevil Shute
38. Persuasion, Jane Austen
39. Dune, Frank Herbert
40. Emma, Jane Austen
41. Anne Of Green Gables, LM Montgomery
42. Watership Down, Richard Adams
43. The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald
44. The Count Of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas
45. Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh
46. Animal Farm, George Orwell -DONE
47. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
48. Far From The Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy
49. Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian
50. The Shell Seekers, Rosamunde Pilcher
51. The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
52. Of Mice And Men, John Steinbeck
53. The Stand, Stephen King
54. Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
55. A Suitable Boy, Vikram Seth
56. The BFG, Roald Dahl
57. Swallows And Amazons, Arthur Ransome
58. Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
59. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer - DONE
60. Crime And Punishment, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
61. Noughts And Crosses, Malorie Blackman
62. Memoirs Of A Geisha, Arthur Golden
63. A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
64. The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCollough
65. Mort, Terry Pratchett
66. The Magic Faraway Tree, Enid Blyton
67. The Magus, John Fowles
68. Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
69. Guards! Guards!, Terry Pratchett
70. Lord Of The Flies, William Golding
71. Perfume, Patrick Süskind
72. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Robert Tressell
73. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
74. Matilda, Roald Dahl
75. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding - DONE
76. The Secret History, Donna Tartt
77. The Woman In White, Wilkie Collins
78. Ulysses, James Joyce
79. Bleak House, Charles Dickens
80. Double Act, Jacqueline Wilson
81. The Twits, Roald Dahl
82. I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith
83. Holes, Louis Sachar
84. Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake
85. The God Of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
86. Vicky Angel, Jacqueline Wilson
87. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
88. Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons
89. Magician, Raymond E Feist
90. On The Road, Jack Kerouac
91. The Godfather, Mario Puzo
92. The Clan Of The Cave Bear, Jean M Auel
93. The Colour Of Magic, Terry Pratchett
94. The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho - DONE
95. Katherine, Anya Seton
96. Kane And Abel, Jeffrey Archer
97. Love In The Time Of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez
98. Girls In Love, Jacqueline Wilson
99. The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot - DONE
100. Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie

I am adding the following:
John Steinbeck, Tortilla Flat
Truman Capote, Breakfast at Tiffany's
Neil Gaiman, Good Omens, M is for Magic, Smoke and Mirrors
The Bible, King James Version 1611
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Novena Church - SG Job Seeker's Shrine

2010-03-02T12:38:00.000+08:00

They say that if you come to SG looking for a job, attend a mass in Novena Church and for sure you’ll get one soon. It just so happened that Miko and I went to the Novena area yesterday to submit our resume to some PR companies who hold office there and so we’ve decided to drop by the church.

Facade of the Novena Church; Located near Novena MRT, NS (Red) Line

There’s nothing great about it really. It’s not even a well-designed church like the one that we visited in Vietnam. There are no elaborate designs on the walls, no impressive architecture and fixtures. It’s just a medium sized, relatively newly built, catholic church. Nonetheless, it is believed to be a job-giver by the Filipino’s that I’ve met here. (Well, actually, two Filipino friends said so. They said their friends said so. And so on… ^_^) One Filipino guy who I met while waiting for a bus strongly advised that I should go to Novena, attend a mass and for sure I'll get a job. That's what he did. Now, he'll be working as a manager in a mall somewhere (He came here just last February 02).

Novena Church Interior

To be honest, I'm not a believer. Why? Because I believe praying can be done anywhere and anytime. Limiting yourself to one church to give you the best chance of getting a job here is quite... limiting. (haha I don't know what word to put in) And, if you think about being practical, traveling "this far" from downtown will cost you additional fare money which you can spend one something else more important, like a bread when you're hungry, water when you're thirsty or it can bring you to someplace else to look for a job.

I don't want to be rude to those who believe. I know that sometimes, we have to believe in something for us to be able to move on and go on living our lives. Just yesterday, I believe God said NO and WAIT to me. Maybe some of you will say that it's just me convincing myself that it isn't for me. Yes, maybe. Believing that made me hold my head high and keep me moving on. And I believe that God is preparing the best for me out there. And I am willing to wait, coupled with a silent prayer to God: Lord, 'wag naman sanang matagal.... :)

Miko Praying. Pray and God shall supply all your needs. :)

As I was reading my Bible last night, I came across this verse and I would like to share it to you: The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. Lamentations 3:24-25

Today's another day. :)

My 24th - February 22, 2010

2010-02-24T17:51:00.000+08:00

It's February 22, so what?

It's a working holiday in the Philippnes today, there's work for the adults (working class) but no school for the kids. For Miko and I? We declared it a Holiday, just for the two of us, here in Singapore as well-a job hunting-free day-because it's my birthday.

What I did to celebrate my birthday: Nothin extraordinary, really. Had a late lunch with KZ, Cheenee and Miko at Orchard...

Meet Mr. Grin, my new pal, KZ's gift to me. Para may kausap ka naman, she said. :) Now, it's just not me who has a new compani0n, Booger and Donkey (say it like DHONG-KEY) have a new playment too! Miko gave me a socket/converter/adapter. Really useful! :)

We, Miko and I, bummed in the library after lunch, supposedly to do some job hunting online but I think most of my time spent was checking my FB account and replying to everyone who left me a wall post. When we were shooed away from the library, coz it's about to close, we went to Raffles Places for some Yogurt. We've decided to make the reverse bundgee a post-birthday and hopefully pre-employment celebration... and soon!

Thanks Kitoy and Cheenee for spending time with me on my birthday. Kizay, can't wait for the photos! Tag me or CROP me , please...

Honestly, I won't say that my 24th birthday was a blast, but it's more than enough. And I am more than thankful to God that I have my Friends to be with, my family's "virtual presence", money to spend, loved ones who I know never cease to pray for me and people who still think that I exist. Thank you guys... a million thanks!

Now, I command the universe to make my 24 years of existence, going on 25, be a blast!

My birthday last year was spent with Guy in Hongkong in the morning (Guy and I went shopping at H&M) and Macau in the afternoon and evening (visited Venetian, nice). Here's my entry about it: 23rd Birthday Trip Itinerary and 23rd Birthday Trip Budget

Just Another Nonsense Entry

2010-02-20T16:53:00.000+08:00

Our first week here in Singapore has passed. So far, we’ve been to different offices that are on top of our list: AXN, Discvoery Networks Asia, Google, Yahoo!, WWF. These are big names, I know. Landing a job here given my experience and background is a long shot but I’m still taking my chances. There’s nothing wrong with hoping. The only downside to it is the feeling of disappointment when after a month they won’t call back or you get an email that they have no vacancy whatsoever. Still, I lose no hope. Again, it has only been just a week. And at least they have my resume if ever there’s one opening available, maybe they’ll look it up and consider me for whatever position that’s vacant (that is if they haven’t shred my resume to pieces already. I hope they don’t and keep it in file, as promised.haha).

A friend asked me if I went around already. I say, no, not yet. Not until I get a job or just a job interview. Maybe that’s the time I’ll go around and see Singapore. But for now, I would have to do with seeing the city while visiting offices. No more touristy stuff for me, not yet. Maybe I’ll do so one place at a time and not all in one go. I’m making tipid my money and I’m guessing I have a whole lot of time for that pa. Because I’m not leaving, not yet. Not until I’ll prove to Singapore that it needs me and she’ll be seeing a lot of me pa.

This entry is nonsense. I have nothing interesting to share. I just want to write and get it all out. Maybe this isn’t all but at least writing this entry relieved me of something. I have released my tension and worry through this entry.

So my birthday’s on Monday. Hopefully, I have something interesting to blog about by then. I’m really expecting a surprise because Mom asked me if there’s DHL or LBC here. Talk about being obvious. I might go reverse bungee-ing with kizay or miko. Or go job hunting. Whatever. Praying for a blessed day for me that day. :)

Happy Birthday to me. :)

One learning while going through some emails and all... people do move on. I don't. haha

P.S. I neither edited nor re-read this entry. I wrote it because I want to. Enjoy. And ‘til my next entry.

Laundry 101

2010-02-16T14:05:00.000+08:00

Ang washing machine na 'to ay nangangain ng tanga. If these words were true, I'd be long dead by now!

Because I had all the time in the world yesterday, I decided to wash my clothes. So here's Jpo's version of doing the laundry:

1. Dump Soiled Clothes (light colored clothes first) and detergent powder into the washing machine (WM).

2. Look for the hose connecting the WM to the faucet.

3. Turn the faucet on.

4. If no water comes out, get the pail from the bathroom. Use pail to fill the WM with water.

5. Once water is up to your desired level, in my case it's 20 bucketfull of water, close the lid, tinkle with the buttons (it says there: how many minutes to wash, how many times to rinse, and how long to spin), and press start.

6. Now I wait.

Because I forgot I was doing my laundry, when I got back to "finish" it after an hour or so, I was surpirsed that it's done and ready for hanging! When I started filling the pail for my second batch of clothes (the dark colored ones), Ang Kong came out of the room and started telling me something. Gesturing towards the washing machine, my pail, the buttons and my clothes, I firgured that he was trying to teach me how to work the WM properly. Here is how Ang Kong does his laundry in two (2) easy steps (he frantically makes the peace/two sign to tell me that it's just two-freaking-easy-steps):

1. Dump soiled clothes into the WM and close the lid.

2. Press ON button and Start button.

And voila! let the WM work it's magic on your clothes. Since everything is automatic, the WM is automatically filled with water depending on the volume of the clothes inside it (no need to make-igib for water from the bathroom and going back and forth twenty times!). It is already pre-programmed that it washes, rinses and spins without tinkering with the buttons. Ang Kong tells me to wait for the ZERO to know that I'm done with the laundry (I think I can figure that out myself, thanks Lolo). He's gesturing that I don't need to use the pail to get water (he's rubbing it in, I know) and I don't need to handwash my clothes (well, those were my undies, I don't want to put it in the WM!) because I can use the WM for everything. And to prove his point, he got their laundry basket full of dirty clothes, bed sheets and undies, dumped everything in the WM, pressed power ON and START, and, with a smug look on his face, looked at me with an expression, See, that wasn't so hard, was it? Yeah, it wasn't. And yeah, I just died of humiliation but with a lesson learned. :) Next time I do the laundry, I am an Automatic-Washing-Machine-Pro!

Chinese New Year and Valentines Day have passed. I did not really went out last weekend. I found out that the thrill and excitement of exploring the unknown has its limit. It ends when after exploring everything, you come home to an empty room (not even a home) and you have no one to share your stories with (just here). You say that I should be used to living alone and away from family by now, but this is a different kind of "alone". Homesickness is starting to kick in. Maybe it's just me, the holidays, being alone during the holidays and my upcoming birthday that make me sad. Maybe. Hopefully, I'll start getting busy tomorrow going around town, begging the companies to hire me. haha I wish to work in Google, or Discovery Channel, or Lonely Planet (but they don't have an office here), or Bloomberg, or CNN, or WHO, or WWF, or whatever. My only prayer for now is to find a job that I will like and love and SOON.

My birthday is fast approaching. I'll be turning 24 already. What have I done this past 23-soon-to-be-24 years that will make me say I am contented with my life right now? Well, I guess nothing yet. Is it too much to ask for a cake for my birthday? I guess it is, but there's no harm in wishful thinking, aye? :)

Wish us luck (Miko and I) as we start our job hunt tomorrow! :)

Cheers to a (New) Beginning!

2010-02-13T14:12:00.000+08:00

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Chinese New Year is big in Singapore. You would say it's obvious because most of them living here are Chinese! ^_^ But my indication? Long weekend (no work last Friday, Monday and Tuesday), Mall Super Sale (% signs plastered everywhere!), Shoppers doing their last minute shopping (I can feel the last-minute-shopping-vibe from everyone whenever I'm in a mall) and roads leading to Chinatown are closed for the weekend. I am looking forward to the Chinese New Year: the fireworks, the lion dance, the frenzy and the overflowing food! (Matet asked if there are pabuto (firecrackers) already, but so far I haven't heard a single firecracker... maybe later in the evening.) But I think am gonna spend it alone though because Miko's off to a reunion and Pixie has work. Of course, am half-thrilled, half-sad. Sad, because of the obvious, I'm alone but more thrilled because I'll go around the city (I am now near City hall and off to the National Library in a bit) and explore the unknown! I have always loved that feeling! :)

I think I found a new place where I can spend the whole day: The Library! The moment I first stepped on the Library, I fell in love with it! Imagine, rows and rows and rows of books that you can read, FOR FREE! And it's not a crappy library, mind you. It's better than my college library, CMC-UPD, and even Econ (I think they have the best library in UPD). It's just a community library but it still has the best book selection. They even have a large collection of Ficiton books and even Chicklit! Now, this is love... palaboys here in Singapore (there's not a lot, ha). Tomorrow, I shall look for a Baptist church near my place (Already found some). And tomorrow, I shall try to forget that it's Single Awareness Day (haha kailangan isingit) but I think it's not that hard to not think about it because Chinese New Year is bigger than St. Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day to all. Happy Chinese New Year! And Cheers to several new beginnings! :)

P.S. I took photos of my new place but as I have no laptop and internet connection at home, posting photos is out of the question.

My First Day in Singapura - 02.11.10

2010-02-11T14:55:00.000+08:00

I am overwhelmed with things that I wanted to write. And since I'm just in an internet cafe with little to no money to spend on internet, here goes my ramblings. :)

I am so grateful of our family friend for super helping me in everything. From looking for a place to stay, picking me up at the airport, to giving me EZ Link card and a "starting money". I somewhat feel ashamed for accepting the help, my pride is eating me whole. But times like these, who cares about pride, right? As long as the help will not be forgotten. I tell that to myself to stop feeling guilty...

I'm now staying at a hotel near chinatown waiting for the 6:30pm to arrive. We (my friend and i) will be going to Anchorvale to check out the room that I will be renting out. So to kill time, I've decided to go around downtown first, have my peso changed to sgd and buy a Singtel sim. (I now have my Sing# but wont't be posting it here, not that I am assuming you're interested. ^_^)

One interesting observation here (well, it IS obvious) is that even good English speakers like the Pinoys succumb to the "national language": Singlese. My friend warned me that once in Singapore, you'll forget your tenses, and everything that you've learned from English 101, and retain just plain basic English with an added "lah" and some other Singlese expressions (or whatever you may call it). I find myself laughing deep inside hearing my friend talk that way knowing full well that she's a fluent English speaker. I laugh because I know soon, I'll sound exactly like that. I'm practicing my Singlese at the same time my Pinoy-English so that I won't forget my English 101. :P

It rained after lunch today. Yes, it's true, it's is sweltering hot (very hot hot. lol) here. Even if it's raining, i was sweating from just walking a hundred meters or so. It's either the heat OR my being physically UNfit. haha I'm thinking of jogging this week. Evan, haha, I hope this time i get to finally do it.

So now I'm here in lucky plaza, wasting my money on internet just to post this blog, and yeah, doing some job hunting. And waiting for Miko to arrive. There are a lot of you-will-know-whos here, i observed. Being the racist that I am, I always brace myself for the worst kind of BO every time I come across a lot of them (now i assume you know the you-know-whos that I am referring to) . But my stereotyping was proved wrong as not all of them stinks. A few, but not each and everyone of them.

General feeling for today: A different kind of scared. Scared of thinking "What if I don't get a job here?" and of failing those who have believed in me and supported me and wished me nothing but success. My friend asked me what I'll do if ever I can't find a job within 3 months time and i answered here that it ISN'T an option. This is a different kind of adventure. What I felt as a tourist before (when I first went here and visiting other countries as well) and now is different. Now, I no longer had that security that in a few days or so I'll be back in the real world, that my being here is for leisure's sake. Now, it's not. There is that nagging fear in me that I might be caught jay walking, loading/unloading on the wrong bus stop or for simply by being here. This is and will be my real world. I no longer had that feeling of security that I can go home anytime I want to. I am forced to make this my home and to make it here, period. I am expected to do good, be good, make good.

But I am forever thankful to God for simply helping me reach this place, to where I am now. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for His help through my family and friends. For forever supplying all my needs despite my being pasaway. I am forever grateful for my family, loved ones and friends, everyone who wished me nothing but success.

So until my next blog. Wish me God's will and blessings in our (Miko and I) job hunting :)

Aja, Aja, Fighting!

15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

2010-01-12T09:44:00.000+08:00

And this is it! For all balloon enthusiasts like me (who dreams of flying one day. lol), here's a great news for you!

The 2010 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, now on it's 15th years, will be on February 11, Thursday to February 14, Sunday na!

Still held at the Clark Freeport Zone, Clark Field, Pampanga, expect 25 to 30 balloons to blow your mind away! ^_^

Unfortunately, I won't be here anymore to see this once-a-year event or spend one whole day with my friends lounging around, taking photos of the balloons (and of ourselves) and "sight-seeing", and no chance to be admitted as and be one of the "serious photographers". :( (Emo moment... pause and look for photos of last year's Hot Air Balloon Fiest). You may check out my Hot Air Balloon Fiesta album last year.

But I assure you, you don't wanna miss this event! :) To see the complete list of the events, you may visit Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta site.

Photos were taken using my blackberry handphone. (talk about being a photographer)

So fly, fly away... to Clark Field Pampanga on February 11 to 14 for the 15th International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! :)

New Krispy Kreme Mini Doughnuts

2010-01-08T18:27:00.000+08:00

I was to be one of the firsts to taste the new Krispy Kreme Mini Doughnuts!

There are eleven (11) doughnut flavors to choose from. My favorite was the blueberry doughnut (I am a big blueberry fan) and the Striped white chocolate doughnut! You can buy 20 pieces in a box for only Php 290 lang, perfect for flavor-freaks like me! :) Starting today, Krispy Kreme Mini Doughnuts is available but only in their Greenhills Shopping Center branch. It's just their soft launch so bear with them first.

I think they are cooking something big, so better watch our for more surprises from Krispy Kreme! :)

2010 Non-Working/Public Holidays

2010-01-04T11:53:00.000+08:00

It is of my personal interest that I make it a point to know Philippine Non-working holidays so I can plan my trips way ahead of time.

I have been fortunate enough to come across a post from a friend on Plurk who posted 2010 Philippine Holidays as issued by Madame President GMA. Here are the holidays of 2010 in the Philippines:

However, my dear friend Miko reminded me if Philippine holidays are still applicable to us since we're supposed to be moving to Singapore. So I search and I found this from the Ministry of Manpower site of Singapore:

So mark you calendars, plan ahead guy, watch out for cheap fares, save for your next trip and enjoy 2010 everyone! :)

Dec. 26, 2009

2009-12-27T02:06:00.000+08:00

It's the day after christmas.

Everyone in the family were happy with their gifts. What I got this christmas from my Family are:

1. From my sister - Framed photo of me
I've always wanted to get a framed photo of me. I wouldn't want to buy a frame for myself and have a photo of mine processed because it will feel too narcissistic. I will surely bring this photo with me wherever I may be.

2. From my dad - A little Black Bag
Perfect for different occasions. Especially now, I can bring purse with me because I will soon get rid of my crackberry. Happiness!

3. From my kuya - A Kamiseta Shirt
That won't fit me because I'm too fat. Now, that'll be my goal for January-Fit into that shirt to make me and everybody happy!

4. From my mom - Of course, the noche buena
Talk about losing weight huh? And there I was grabbing food every time I pass by the dinner table.

Spent the day in bed today, finishing the book Her Fearful Symmetry (bought at Fully Booked as a Christmas Gift to myself) and watching my downloaded movie The Box starring James Marsden and Cameron Diaz. And I thought the movie was good (because of the stars) but I was wrong. I fell asleep right from the start.

The book, however, is interesting. boredom ate at me in the first few chapters but as you go along, you'll see how Niffenegger can catch your interest. It has a bittersweet ending... And same as her first book, The Time Traveler's Wife, this book is about love, commitment, identity and out-of-this-world happenings.

Anyway, my cousins, sister and I tried to fly a kite, but to no avail. The attempt to fly a kite just gave me a good exercise. We'll try it again next time, i still have a week or so here in Davao, plenty of time to do a lot of things.

Countdown for my last day as a slave: 36 days
Countdown before my next adventure: still unknown (haven't booked my ticket yet)