Sunday, November 18, 2007

Continuing Saga of Tita Beth's Tribute

Back when I was younger, whenever it was Christmas, I don't usually think of Santa Claus or Noche Buena. What gets me excited is the number of presents Tita Beth will be giving me that year. It was usually 3 gifts and we usually get to open them close to New Year since the package arrives late. Seriously though, Tita Beth is like a 2nd mother to me, although she tops my mom when it comes to nagging me to wake up early or move faster or eat breakfast. That is why, I was glad that when I began to work, I did not have to wake up to eat breakfast early. That was when the early morning "Get up Get up!" calls ended.

Tita Beth taught me a lot of firsts too. She gave me my first "serious" books. Those were the 2 Hardy Boys. I remember her message in one of the books saying that she was proud that I started getting into reading and I should continue to do so. Of course, that was after the 4 Disney story books she sent which were really more of pictures rather than for reading. She taught me how to ride a jeep in Manila as well as taught me how to take the MRT when it first opened. She drove 5 hours++ from Los Banos to Mandaluyong for me when I moved to UPD from UPLB for a overrun bedding and a plastic pail that looked like it was at the end of its life. I really appreciated the help.

There are a lot of things I will definitely miss about Tita Beth. Her generosity and eagerness to help. Her kindness and helpfulness. Her discipline and being very hardworking. I mean, I realize that she did not get to where she is now in here life from just natural smarts and intelligence. She worked hard every day and was very disciplined. She taught me a lot of that when I stayed over her place during my internship in high school and during my first months of work.
Truth be told, Tita Beth has affected us all in more ways than one. I could have written a 12 page essay on each and every little thing that Tita Beth taught and inspired me but I guess an email that long would probably be hard to read.

Tita, I know that it’s hard not to feel resentful at times when being pushed a lot but know that we understand and realize that it’s not just that you are naturally bossy (hehehe…) but rather that you do see the whole picture; that you think of other people more than your self. That makes you special and that’s what would make me miss you most of all. A lot of my personal decisions in life was inspired and somehow affected by you and I believe that being able to do what I do now has been because of the way you live your life.

Tita, thank you for just being who you are. In so many ways, it makes all of us want to be more like you. I’ll miss you and I’ll see you when I see you. J God bless!

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Amber Pacific - Gone So Young

Wala lng... Nagustuhan ko eh...





Amber Pacific - Gone So Young

meet Inday...

Dahil sa tindi ng kahirapan sa probinsya, namasukan si Inday bilang katulong sa Maynila. Habang ini-interview ng amo…

Amo: Kelangan namin ng katulong para mag ayos ng bahay, magluto, maglaba, magplantsa, mamalengke, at magbantay ng mga bata. Kaya mo ba ang lahat ng ito?

Inday: I believe that my trained skills and expertise in management with the use of standard tools, and my discipline and experience will contribute significantly to the value of the work that you want, my creativity, productivity and work-efficiency and the high quality of outcomes I can offer will boost the work progress.

Amo: [nosebleed]

Nakaraan ang dalawang araw, umuwi ang amo, nakitang me bukol si junior.

Amo: Bakit me bukol si junior?

Inday: Compromising safety with useless aesthetics, the not-so-well engineered architectural design of our kitchen lavatory affected the boy's cranium with a slight boil at the left temple near the auditory organ.

Amo: [nosebleed ulit] Kinagabihan, habang naghahapunan.

Amo: Bakit maalat ang ulam?

Inday: The consistency was fine. But you see, it seems that the increased amount of sodium chloride (NaCl) affected the taste drastically and those actions are irreversible. I do apologize.

Amo: [nosebleed na naman]

Donya: Bakit tuwing paguwi ko, nadadatnan kitang nanunuod ng tv?!

Inday: Because I don't want you to see me doing absolutely nothing.

Donya: [hinimatay]

Kinabukasan, sinamahan ni Inday si junior sa principal's office dahil di makapunta ang amo at donya.

Principal: Sinuntok ni junior ang kanyang kaklase.

Inday: It's absurd! It was never a fact that he will inflict a fight. I can only imagine how you handle schizophrenic kids on this educational institution. Revise your policies because they suck!

Principal: [nag resign]

Pag dating sa bahay, nandun na ang amo, galit na galit.

Amo: Inday, bakit nagkalat ang basura sa likod ng bahay?!

Inday: A change in the weather patterns might have occurred wrecking havoc to the surroundings. The way the debris are scattered indicates that the gust of wind was going northeast causing damage to the path it was heading for.

Amo: [napatumbling!!]

Amo: Inday, bakit binenta mo ung sira na silya?!

Inday: I have computed the chair's fair value less cost to sell, and the value in use using the projections for 5 years and a pretax discount rate. Accordingly, the value in use is lower, so I decided to sell the chair. This is in accordance with PAS18 on Revenue, PAS16 on PPE, and PA36 on Impairment of Assets.

Amo: [nagsummersaultg!!! Accountant din pala si inday…]

Habang nagluluto si Inday ng hapunan, malikot si junior.

Inday: Stop your raucous behavior. It is bound to result in property damages and if that happens there will be corresponding punishment to be inflicted upon you!

Junior: [takbo sa CR, pinunasan ang nagdudugong ilong!!]

Pagkatapos magluto, nanood na ng TV si Inday. Nabalitaan nya umalis si Angel Locsin sa GMA 7.

Junior: Bakit kaya sya umalis?

Inday: Sometimes, people choose to leave not because of selfish reasons but because they just know that things will get worse if they'll stay. Leaving can be a tough act, and it's harder when people can't understand you for doing so.

Junior: [tuloy ang pagdugo ng ilong]

Nung gabing yon, me nag text ke Inday. Si Dodong, ang driver ng kapitbahay, gusto maki pag text-mate.

Inday: To forestall further hopes of acquaintance, my unfathomable statement to the denial of your request - Petition denied.

Di nagla-on, dahil sa tyaga ni Dodong, nagging syota nya rin si Inday. Pero di tumagal ang kanilang relasyon, at nakipag-break si Inday ke Dodong.

Inday: The statute restricts me to love you but you have the provocations. The way you smile is the proximate cause why I love you. We have some rules to think of. We have no vested rights to love each other because the upper household dismissed my petition!

Dodong: Perhaps you are mistaken, what you seem to contrive as any affections for you are somewhat half-hearted. I was merely attempting to expand my network of interests by involving you in my daily recreation. Heretofor, you can expect an end to any verbal articulation from myself

Me dumaan na mamang basurero, at narinig ang usapan ni Inday at Dodong.

Basurero (sabi ke Inday): Be careful in letting go of the things you thought are just nothing because maybe someday you'll realize that the one you gave away is the very thing you've been wishing for to stay.

Narinig ang lahat ng eto ng amo ni inday.

Amo: { hinimatay sa sobrang nosebleed! Hanggang ngayon hindi pa nagkakamalay}

Si inday, sumulat sa kanyang inay ng mga hinaing sa buhay…

Inday: Dear mom, Had it been for the smelling salt, I must have collapsed moment ago. Junior has become a little monster me, Remember the head accident he had? As if it wasn't enough, he was summoned by the principal of his shabbily run academe. Oh, such an erudite bunch of baboons! I never thought being a governess can be such strenuous employ. Your daughter, Inday

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

The HK Trip

Got back from a trip to Hong Kong. Left at around 7pm August 9 and came back on August 12 at 4pm. I came back with the realization that HK was a wet and windy place to be... Must be raining every day... hehehe... Kidding aside, I did learned a lot from my experience.

1. From a practical sense, make sure that you check the forecasts before planning your travel; even if you plan it for more than 6 months ahead of your trip. :) Make sure also you spend your time well. When you book a flight, it's not just the PhP 1.00 that you should be looking at, you should also sometimes consider the time. It would have been better if you leave for HK in the morning and fly back to Manila at the evening, that way, the evening when you arrive and the morning before you return are spent on other things aside from packing and rushing to the airport.

2. When being a visitor in another country, we should learn to give some respect and appreciation of their culture. It is one thing to go and see the sites, and another to actually feel and be involved with everything else. One does not need to rush through every moment all the time. Sometimes, stopping to marvel at the difference is also an awesome experience.

3. You don't have to push yourself to much to get ahead. All you need is a little time and patience. You'll get there. Not as fast or as quick as you'd like but you'll arrive. What's most important is you get to help a couple of people along the way and never stepped on other people's toes to get ahead.

4. HK has an excellent emergency response system. When typhoon signal number 8 was hoisted, every store closed and every employee headed for home. Their MTR increased the frequency of trains to accomodate everyone, and their trains were at a 15 second interval. It was not a perfect system though, there were still long lines, but the point is that every body still got home much faster than what you'd expect some place else. :)

5. Filipinos are more tolerant and more hospitable with visitors than HKers. Important points for the Pinoys. Just my observation, in case some people might contest. :)

6. I liked Oceanpark a lot. Not because of The Abyss, which I was not able to ride even if that was the one thing I was really really really looking forward to, nor of any of the other rides which were all closed due to the typhoon, but rather it had much heart for really taking care of our oceans and seas, and everything else that lives in them. It felt great spending almost HKD 200 for something you know is worth it.

7. Disneyland, even if it is just the one in HK, is still A Whole New World! :p Brought out the kid in me...

Pictures and videos may be found on my Multiply. :)

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

The Middleman

When caught in between technical expertise and business drivers, it is frustrating getting caught in the middle of the chaos.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

56 % Nerd, 21% Geek, 17% Dork

This is why I am sure that Toffee is not a normal Joe. :)




Your Score: Pure Nerd


56 % Nerd, 21% Geek, 17% Dork



For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd.

The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful.

Congratulations!

Thanks Again! -- THE NERD? GEEK? OR DORK? TEST





Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test written by donathos on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Sunday, July 22, 2007

each player of this game starts with 6 weird thing...

each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about himself/herself. People who got tagged need to write a blog entry of their own 6 weird things. They should as well state the rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

1. When people ask me where I come from or what my hometown is, my usual is "NPA ako." No, I am not part of the New People's Army. NPA means, no permanent address. I have lived in Cotabato City, General Santos City, Davao City, Cebu City, Los Banos, Quezon City, and Makati. Let's not count the number of times we transferred from houses per city.

2. I started studying computer programming (yes, studying not playing with computers) at the age of 11. I first learned to program with GWBASIC and my first program was an employee record where the user is prompted for their details and displays them after. After GWBASIC, we did DBASE 4. I finished the top of my class. My classmates were twice or thrice my aged and copied from me during our final exam. :p hehehe...

3. I still have my gradeschool notebooks and quiz papers with me. I try to clean up once in a while but reading through them brings back old memories. I still have 4 boxes of them at home in Cebu. Im thinking of bring home the one big box of College memories but it's too heavy.

4. For weird, when I graduated high school, I unpurposefully found out my ranking in my class and in the batch. Out of 30 in our class, I was 15 and out of 90 in our batch, I was 45. Hahaha... Imagine being in the middle of everything. Coincidence? You decide.

5. People say, though I seriously doubt, that I look like Jackie Chan. Now they say I own an online Kanji translation website. See www.dsfy.com and you decide.

6. I'm not sure if this classifies as weird, but I have ran out of things to add. Anyway, I have been a stamp collector since the age to 12. I currently have 5 albums. One is a small album which I bring for show and tell. I expect to inherit my grandfather's stamp collection as well as my uncle's. I don't know how many they have but I'm sure its a lot. With the rise of the internal and email, I'm sure this will soon make me rich! hahaha... kidding. :)

Whew! Finally, 6 weird things is hard to reflect on. (Naks! Reflect tlga... hehehe...) Now, I'm tagging:

1. Alvin Uy (http://hellgod.blogspot.com)
2. Benito Ting (http://infernalmind.multiply.com)
3. Mhia Diola (http://miabaybeh.multiply.com)
4. Jan San Jose (http://breakofdawn.blogspot.com)
5. Alex Acapulco (http://alexdgreat.multiply.com)
6. BJ Torres (http://randmcnally.multiply.com)

Saturday, July 21, 2007

To undergo transformation, transition or substitution

Otherwise known as "change".

Yet again, I find myself in a middle of a change and to once again decide whether this is a good thing or a bad one will be my choice based on what will happen in the coming days. Frustration often plays long hours in the mind of those who experience change, and sometimes a sense of uneasiness due to known circumstances that may be forthcoming. We'll see what happens.

Three days with a fucked up system with resolution progrssing very slowly and not knowing what to do and the future at the hands of another person... Sometimes forces a feeling of hopelessness and despair. Seeing no end to a causeless case that sometimes makes one wonder what drives people to work on such worthless trash.

But then, its all a personal decision. Circle of life, I suppose.

----------

My apologies for the incoherence of this entry... every thing will clear up in the end anyway. As Loony Lovegood says, everything has its way of coming back in the end... it only happens when you least expect it.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Sprain pain

This post seems out of date but I'll post it anyway. Got back from a summer trip to Boracay a few weeks back and it was alright. People might start saying that I wasted some thousand pesos for a trip to beach with a lot rain. Just to clear things, I did not go their for the sun. I have a lot of that already here in Manila. I really just wanted to get to the beach, rain or shine. It really does not matter, for me at least.

Some highlights of the trip though:

1. It's always best to have a Piso fare ticket when you know you'll be missing your flight. I got to the Check-in counter 30 mins before the actual flight. With 3 seats left and 4 of us that needed to board, the lucky person who had to rebook and add an additional PhP 1008.00 was the late comer that had to travel all the way from Diliman at 6am and faced the daily commuter traffic.

2. Five shots of Baccardi 151 = 15 shots of what Boracay's Cocomanga's had to offer. Got a free shirt and, supposedly, my name engraved in their Hall of Fame. Didn't get to check that one out though due to highlight # 3.

3. Skimboard until around 7pm on the last day of your vacation and stop only when you get your right ankle sprained. Just be glad though that you still had to ride more times than the person who got sprained on his first ride (ei BJ! hehe...). :-) Also, be glad that it happened on the last night. You did not miss out on the pasalubong shopping and good eat-all-you-can dinner your vacation mates enjoyed while you were in your room with a cold compress.

4. Walking on a sprained ankle the next day and catching a flight in the next 2 hours is tough! At least I got to ride wheel chair when I reached the airport, great consolation prize for the work I had to do going up and down tricycle, banca and van.

All in all, it was a trip worth remembering. I still got the sprain though I was able to bowl a 121 game which is good enough for me. Reflecting on everything though, at least I now understand why some people are scared of getting hurt. It's painful. But to decide on whether you prefer to enjoy that short moment of bliss and suffer a great deal or remain unscath for the rest of your life but never really fully enjoying all blasts of emotion even for that short period, I'd rather prefer to go sprained for 3 weeks.

I will have to save up this July. August will definitely be much more heavier on the pocket plus I can't afford to be late on that flight! :-)

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Lakbayan: C+ Traveler

I always thought of myself as one of those few people who have travelled the Philippines the most, even if I werejust passing through, apparently I still have a third of the Philippines to discover! :-)




My Lakbayan grade is C+!


How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Three months!!!

It's been exactly three months since I've gone out riding the waves... I just realized that when I was checking my previous photos here. Damn! Has it been that long?! Do I still know how? Just when I started to be able to ride Stan's Fish from a long board, I get stuck with work, gone sick when Stan and Erwin gone to Daet to baptize Erwin's new board.

They are going to Zambales next weekend and I am required to attend a teambuilding activity with my immediate boss... It'd probably be a snorkling/diving outing in Anilao but I swear, I won't pass up the next weekend they will be going to Zambales, LU, Daet or Baler even if I am sick!

Sorry for this rant... I was looking at some blogs of the more experienced surfers and I am really really jealous with the pix and their rides and the waves... I will learn to get to do that some day! Jot even got to go to Siargao at the start of this month and he had a very cool pix! Waaahh!!!! F*ck work! I'll be paddling out soon! Season's coming up in the coming months and I can't wait! =D

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Reflections at a cliff's edge

What does it feel to simply let go? I finally discovered what it feels like to just jump off a cliff putting aside all hesitation, fears and anxiety that is human nature.


It was last week (see pictures here) that we went to Tali Beach in Batangas and the experience, though not exactly the kind were you have a lot of things can do, was rather a reflective one. The first time I jumped, which took around 5 minutes before I decided to really go for it, got me having flashes of my life mixed with feelings of panic, anticipation, and fear between the cliff and the sea water below. It is funny really, when you look back and think about it but the feeling of it was totally insane.


Looking back, I wondered whether that same feeling is what goes runs through the minds of those with suicidal tendencies, jumping off balconies. Do they, at some point in the middle of the fall, think back again and just realize that they are really falling and realize the mistake of trying to take their life?


I mean, during that first jump, those thoughts came into my mind. Thinking, "Shit! I'm really falling! I have nothing to hold on to nor am I standing on anything solid!" It was just you and the air molecules surrounding you. Even if it was only for a second, it also, at some point, feels like an eternity. In the end though, we were all cushioned by the cool sea waves and whatever panic we encountered in between quickly disappear. Unluckily, for the suicidal person, they land on solid concrete.


Scary to realize that the feeling is quite addicting and you would somehow understand what it feels to jump of a 37 storey building. The experience is an exhilarating one but not one that you'd try to replicate in the middle of the Makati business district. After all, no one from the group I came with (myself included) have any suicidal tendencies.


Damn, this entry got weird the moment I wrote about suicide. Going back to my thesis sentence, what does it feel to simply let go? To let go of one's self, one's emotion, one's personal lies, one's insecurities? I guess, it is a mix of many emotions, mostly on the side of fear and hesitation but the end result is a sense of accomplishment and pride. Come to think of it, it's much like death and life.


At the end of the day, when Toffee finally got to jump, he felt very proud. And somehow, we all did and we all will too.

Friday, May 18, 2007

To reflect on one's own thoughts and feelings

Leader. What does it take to be one? By definition, a leader should have the capacity to lead but in essence, a leader should inspire people to perform a task without having them to compromise their capacity for growth and enabling them to be able to lead as well.

It's a hot topic on what makes someone a leader that it often boils down to defining what qualities should a leader have. Ideas cross your mind about what a leader should be but when you are put into a position where you have the opportunity to do so, are you really willing to take that chance? Can you honestly say you have the make of a good leader? Is it possible to be ready to be one?

Can you put aside our personal goals in order to exceed team goals? Can you lay down your personal ego when you made a mistake? Can you have the guts to apologize after making your mistake? Can you take all of the blame for the sake of the people you lead? Can you raise your concerns firmly, quickly and demand immediate action to items that are most important for the team? Can you not be selfish and be mature enough and grow up faster so that the people you lead also grow? Can you overcome personal emotion, personal criticisms and take it constructively? Can you make people grow and mature?

So many expectations, in the end, are you really ready to take it on? But I guess the bottom line really more than anything else is if you will be inspired when the people you use to lead become better leaders than you? It’s more than because of you but because their potential grew with you.

Introspecting before judgment of others...

Sunday, May 13, 2007

My picks for May 2007

Tomorrow is election day for the Philippine Senatorial elections. Similar to the previous elections, I won't be able to vote. Again, this is not because of apathy or lack of interest to vote. I do want to vote. Unfortunately, I am registered in Cebu which is a plane ride and PhP6000 away. I have drafted my choices for the senatorial race though as seen below:

01. Chiz Escudero
02. Joker Arroyo
03. Kiko Pangilinan
04. Manny Villar
05. Loren Legarda
06. Alan Cayetano
07. Benigno Aquino
08. Martin Bautista
09. Koko Pimentel
10. Adrian Sison
11. Ralph Recto
(edited) 12. Edgar Angara (Mario Ongkiko) - I forgot Angara. He was UP President.

Of course, this is just my list and I am not endorsing you to vote for them or anything. Team Unity or Geniune Opppsition or whatever alliances do not really matter to me. I look for credentials and the idealism to serve. Gut feel and immeasurable, I know but let's see how these people do if ever they win. My bad if they do not turn out to be the shining ideal senators we expect them to be.

Again, I have always had my picks for every election since 1997 presidential elections and I usually have written reasons for each. Let's keep this list at that for now. You'll never know what new gossip I might hear today and might change my mind before tomorrow. :-)

Vote on the May 14 elections! It's not a privilege, it's your right!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Underwater Hockey - Introductory Course

Gone underwater hockey with Toffee today and it was a blast! Kian and Stan and Alda were suppose to join us but circumstances did not allow them to go. For pictures, please see Toffee's Multiply since I did not find the time or the energy to take pictures after.


Things you need:
1. Mask
2. Snorkel
3. Fins
4. Glove
5. Stick
6. Puck
7. A lot of air


Steps we did to learn:
1. Learn how to breathe and be comfortable with the snorkel.
2. Learn to "purge" the water from your mouth via the snorkel
3. Proper finning technique
4. BOGDAT once
5. BOGDAT many times
6. Swim slowly underwater
7. Swim fast underwater (You will feel the difference! Believe me!)
8. Pushing the puck
9. You can now play UH with the rest of the beginners!


The steps actually help you prepare for the actual game but playing it game can really tire you out fast! Aside from having to think about your breathing, you have to always look down to know where the game is and where the puck is. You'll probably get lost in the game even if you take just a moment to not look down. There are also a lot of times where you get to drink a lot of water by mistake but sometimes you wouldn't care since you need to push the puck! :p


I was part of the 2nd batch of newbies as I was not able to start with the rest of the batch since I had to grab a bite at a very far 7-11. Good thing too since the instructor that taught my batch was pretty patient and friendly (ei Ferdz!) and really guided us through the entire basic training. After doing the steps above (which is the suprt basic training), I was assigned center forward which was weird since I didn't know what to do and the other team has already been playing for sometime (not to mention that they were from Ateneo swim team). I did really perform well as a center forward since I don't reach the puck fast enough at the start and I can't steal it from the opposing team's center forward as well. My left and right forward were also from my batch of newbies...


It was cool though! I learned a lot and thought of new techniques that can help me more. Like, I shouldn't be moving back and steal the puck when it has already gone past me. That's why the center back is there. I should wait for them to pass it to me and I should be fast enough to dive and swim for the other goal. Also, I need to be a bit more aggressive even if you get hit by a lot of fins and people and snorkels and sticks... :p It felt like all that mattered was the puck and the goal. It was cool!


I met a lot of new people during the activity as well. A lot of really good and fast swimmers. It made me realize that I need to get back into shape (lung-wise). hehehe.. I am thinking of taking the basic class (10 sessions where the 10th is a tournament) but classes are on Monday and Thursday. Both are not good days in my calendar... :(


For those who are interested, let me know and I can refer you to one of the members of the Philippine Underwater Hockey Association. They are PSC and POC recognized. :)

Friday, April 20, 2007

How to Control Emotions

This would give you guides on how to control your emotions towards your better-half, friends, officemates and all the people around you, especially your "boss " . The rules of practicing " ugaling langit, ugaling kaaya-aya" :

#1 Ang naunang magalit ang may karapatang magalit. Pag naunahan ka na ng galit niya, tumahimik ka na lang muna.

#2 Walang taong nag-aaway mag-isa. Pag hindi kayo sumagot o pumatol, titigil din daw ang taong nakikipag- away sa inyo.

#3 Ang taong galit, 'bingi.' If someone is angry, wala raw pinakikinggan, so, don't try to explain and fight back. Hindi ka niya iintindihin dahil wala siyang naririnig kundi ang sarili nya.

#4 Ang taong galit, 'abnoy.' Ayon sa pastor, Biblical daw ito? because the Lord said when He was crucified, "Father, patawarin mo sila dahil hindi nila alam ang kanilang ginagawa." Modern term for these kinds of people are abnoys, so you better not get angry para huwag kang matawag na abnoy.

You should also know and realize that the persons who make your day bad are jewel s, because you need them for you to mature. Hangga't andyan daw sila at kinaiinisan mo, ibig sabihin, immature ka pa. God will not take away those people; it's for you to take away your bad feelings towards them. You'll know na mature ka na pag dumating 'yung time na hindi ka na naiinis sa mga taong ito because you have learned to accept them and to have patience with them.

#5 Finally, the best part of this is to tell yourself na, because of this person, "I will grow mature," and that DAHIL SA CONTRIBUTION NIYA SA MATURITY MO, KUKUNIN DIN SYA NI LORD. .

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Card Deck

Three things I was known for during college was 1) being able to eat almost anything edible, 2) being able to sleep even at the most inconvenient circumstances, and 3) being one of our organization's card players. For this blog entry, I find the 3rd most relevant.

Playing your hand is about strategy. You are given your cards at random. You have no choice in that but what makes you win is how you play your hand. You may have a good hand but still lose in the end. You can not regret the kind of cards you are given but you will regret not being able to adapt to the circumstances of play you are in. Interestingly though, this is pretty much how I was analyzing my current career and life goals.

I was in a conversation with some of my officemates with them saying they feel they have made a wrong decision when they took our company as their first job. I had to agree with them on some points but not entirely. Most probably it'd be because I never want to regret any decision that I have already made. As with your cards at hand, you have been dealt with your hand that is your company, it is matter of playing it right; to hold off some cards when you think later on you can use them to move forward or be a go getter by dropping everything in one go. It's a game between you and your manager wherein you have to make sure that the round is going as how you plan it to be. Otherwise, you are sure to lose in the end. I know I made a good decision with my current company. It’s the small details or the crappy single cards that’s the problem.

My aunt from Toronto told my mom who told me that she thinks that I am suited to be working in a corporate setting because I am not a very readable person. I am not sure about that though. I may play my cards right but I also make sure that I enjoy the game with those I play it with. The relationship between players is important as well. You'll never know when you'll be playing a different card game in the future. Besides though, I don't really see myself in living, breathing and dying in the corporate world. It's just to suffocating. It's a good experience and it can surely build your character but it’s just not what I want.

Some of my other officemates talk about their batch mates from high school and college saying that they are now at this level and at this pay range while they are stuck at the same level and not too high pay range. It's a measure for me if I think about my career as an IT professional but as a player in the real world, it’s just not my thing. I feel more jealous of people who work in NGOs or in environmental organizations. Those sort of jobs have more meaning and contribution to the world.

I sometimes think if I am really suited for any kind of work. I don't feel I am much of a go-getter type of person to survive the corporate, city dweller lifestyle but at the same time I don't fit the laid back kind of guy who can survive being a free lance anything. I thought of being a writer before I entered college but that seems a bit far off from what I am doing or where I am now. I mean, I like my climbs/surfing/trekking activities to be part of the work that I do but I feel that I am not strong or fit to be able to do that every day for the rest of my life.

I was reading about corporate social responsibility in the Philippines earlier and it’s pretty inspiring to find some companies really do spend and make an effort to really make a difference for this country. Come to think of it, the reason why I joined the company was not because of its compensation or career path but due to its track record of corporate citizenship. What's disappointing is that it does not seem to happen for this particular site.

Hay, you get sucky cards sometimes and you have to learn when you need fold in order to save up your chips for the next round of play...

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Anti Pisay Watchlist Signature Campaign

For those who have not yet signed up against the travel watchlist being imposed on alumni of the Pisay Southern Mindanao Campus, here is the link to the online signature drive.

This is a wrong, illegal and unconstitutional way implementing a track down of the alumni and of those who have supposedly "violated" the Pisay contract.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Single Status

Grabbed this from Multiply buddy Ash who grabbed it from somewhere else... Some of you guys might be able to relate... hehehe...

Bakit Single ang Status Mo (Reasons Why You Are Still Single)

11. Destiny Adik Eto yung mga naghihintay kay "Destiny" na gumawa ng paraan para pagtagpuin sila ng kanilang mga "partner in life"... Ayannn... Kapapanood nyo ng "Serendipity" eh feeling nila ang nangyari sa movie eh mangyayari rin sa kanila... Such a cliche... Hindi ba nila alam na kung walang effort, destiny is useless...

10. Perfectionist/ Mapili Yes, isang taong perpeksiyonista. .. Yung tipong dapat ganito ang magiging kapartner ko... Pag may nakilala, nakita lang na pangit ang kuko o may dumi lang, turn-off na agad... O kaya ang daming ayaw. Ayaw sa mabait - boring daw, gusto ng bad boy/pilya pero kapag pinaiyak ka, tatanungin ka bakit ang sama mo at bakit mo nagawa yun! Adik ka ba?! Ayaw sa cute, ayaw din naman sa panget. Meron dyan gusto ka ayaw mo naman. Ung gusto mo eh halos magtambling ka pero deadma pa rin yang stunts mo sa kanya! Pasaway ka rin e! Ano ba talaga kuya?

9. Busy-busyhan Opo, eto yung ang mundo e gumagalaw lang sa libro at ballpen kung estudyante ka o kaya naman sa computer at files kung office staff ka. Yung tipong aalis ng bahay ng alas 6 o alas 7 ng umaga at uuwi ng bahay ng 6 hanggang alas 8 ng gabi [baligtad naman para sa mga nag tratrabaho sa call center].. Sabay tulog na.. Kapag Sabado masaya na sila sa Internet (o sa Multiply), sa pagkain na niluluto ni mama at sa Linggo naman sisimba at maghahanda na ng kelangan para sa lunes hanggang byernes.. Pssssst.. Pause for awhile..

8. Friendship Theory Ano naman ito? Eto yung ang buhay ay kay bestfriend o kaya kay special friend na hindi masasabi-sabi sa friendship nya sa loob ng kanilang mahabang panahon na pagsasama dahil baka daw maapektuhan ang pakikipagkaibigan at iwasan sya.. Yung tipong pag may kasama si friendship na iba, nagseselos na wala naman sa lugar, pero syempre wag pahalata, kunyari happy sya for friendship.. Aba! Oi lakasan mo ang loob at baka mamaya forever mong pagsisihan yan kaw rin. Minsan pa naman pareho kayong naghihintayan. . Hmmp!

7. Born-to-be-one (Autistic) Eto yung nasa palad na ang pagiging single daw.. Walang reasons.. Basta lang nabuhay sya sa mundo na mag-isa at feeling nya mamatay sya sa mundo ng mag-isa.. Kesyo magmamadre o magpapari na lang.. Asa kang tatanggapin ka pa noh!

6. Happy-go-lucky Eto yung taong walang alam kundi kasiyahan at trippings.. Kahit sino nalang basta no strings attached.. For fun lang daw.. Walang halong seryosohan.. Aba hoy! Yang init ng katawan mo e ikiskis mo nalang sa pader.. Makakahanap ka rin ng katapat mo!!!

5. Wrong Place May nakaranas na ba nito? Yung pakiramdam mo nasa ibang mundo ka. Yung ang nakakaharap mo e yung mga hindi mo gusto, yung mga hindi mo hinahanap. Alam mo yun? Halimbawa nasa ibang bansa ka, pero ang hinahanap mo e yung amoy ng nasa sariling bayan mo. O kaya naman e nasa sarili mong bayan ka, nasa normal na lipunan, pero ikaw ang abnormal at hindi mo kayang sabihin na abnormal din ang hanap mo kung ayaw mong ibitin ka nila ng patiwarik.

4. Wrong Time Eto yung mga tao na sinasabi na "hindi pa ako ready e, bata pa kasi ako" o kaya naman "hindi pa ako handa sa panahong ito, wala pa ako kayang ipagmalaki.. " Yes meron pong ganyan.. Yung feeling nila may tamang panahon para sa love.. Awwwwwww.. Aba kelan yun? Pag uugod ugod ka na at yung time mo e bitin na? O baka naman pag pang out of time ka na? Oist, sugod lang ng sugod..

3. Si parents kasi! Yes, factor din ang komunidad na ginagalawan mo.. Una, ayaw pa ni mader o pader na magkaron ka kahit 22 anyos ka na at kelangan umabot ka muna raw ng 40 bago magkaroon ng gf/bf.. O kaya naman ikaw mismo! Takot sa sasabihin ni parents at ni kapitbahay na tsismosa sa magiging kasama mo.. Aba ikaw ba naman ang sabihan na "Alam mo hindi kayo bagay.. Langit at lupa kayo.." Awwwww.. Payo ko sayo, Pakialam nila diba? Palibhasa inggit!

2. Traumatic Experience Eto kalimitan ang reason ng marami. Ayaw ko na! Takot na ako mangyari pa ang nangyari dati! O diba ang drama ng layp? Yes, tama ka.. Eto yung dahil sa past relationship mo, e until na ayaw mo ng magkaroon at sinumpa mo na ata ang magmahal.. Dahil sa pinagpalit ka sa mas pangit, o kaya naman iniwan ka ng walang word na bye-bye, o dahil binugbog ka! Ano pa ba? Madami yan. wag na nating isa isahin at baka tumulo si tears.. Heheh! Gayunpaman, eto lang masasabi ko mga hija at hijo.. Iba't-iba ang lasa ng pag-ibig.. May mapait, may mapakla, may matamis at may maasim.. Aba mapalad ka at natikman mo ang iba't-ibang lasa nito.. Kaya ikaw, do not be afraid to fall in love again.. Malay mo sweetiness na ang malasahin mo next time.. E di panalo ka sa lotto.. Yan ang nagpapalakas sayo, yan ang bumubuhay sayo, ang pag-ibig.. Tsk! Drama!

1. EX to the nth power Oi aminin!!! LOVE parin si ex kahit 1 or 2 yrs na ang nakakalipas. . May ganito naman.. Yung tipong ilang taon ang nakakalipas, hindi parin makalimutan si ex.. Yung pinagsamahan, yung tawanan, yung iyakan, at lahat ng nangyari sa inyo nung kayo pa.. Malungkot man at sa kung anumang kadahilanan, maganda man o masama ito, kelangan nyong magpaalam sa isa't isa.. YES, after a year sasabihin natin, im over him/her na, pero pag-usapan natin ang love at ang nangyari sa ating relastionship from the past, TADANNNNNNNNNNNNN, eto na, sya agad ang naalala mo.. At habang nagkukwento ka, ouch may kirot, o kaya may ngiti at may bumabagabag sa ating kalooban.. Ano kaya yun? AMININ mo na kasi MAHAL mo pa si EX.. Isa lang ang masasabi ko, well mahirap sya kalimutan, alam ko yan, pero open your heart and makipagdate ka, lumabas ka, at try to entertain someone.. Wag mo ikumpara si ex sa iba.. At give urself a Kitkat, take a break..

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Reassessment

Ok, in exactly a month, I'll be turning 2@HP. Imagine that! 2 years and I am unsure of where I am or if I am on track of where I want to be. Everything that's happening seems to be going against the plans I laid out. Not that I am disappointed that I am not moving as how I wanted, its just that I am dropping a lot of other priorities in order to cope up with the way things are going. I know, this entry is a bit vague but that's how I feel about my career right now.

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A close friend of mine is getting married on the 28th of April so me and the rest of my high school classmates travelled all the way to Los Banos last Saturday to send her off. Let's just say its suppose to be a bridal shower with boys scheduled for the 31st of March but instead was moved to the 24th since my good friend was leaving for Kalinga on the 25th. We did not know those were her plans until the 23rd during the afternoon. Imagine the stress of the person who communicated the whole thing. Guess who, as well. :p

Anyway, we had a good chat as well as a good few rounds of Starcraft. I'm improving! I'm just glad that she is happy with her decision and that she is convinced that this is the path she wants to proceed. Make's you think of where you want to be in coming years. Quarter life crisis mode again.

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Arrived from Los Banos early Sunday morning and I was not able to get a decent amount of sleep when my roommate needed to pack up the bed, the ref, the TV, and the other household appliances. He is moving out to join his sisters. Not that we were not told ahead of time, it's just that I have been in denial for the past month that I really urgently need to find a new place to stay. Tonight, I'll be sleeping on the coach, again.

What hurts the most though, I can watch my shows anymore!!!

Monday, March 05, 2007

WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD LIFE?

by Jim Rohn


The ultimate expression of life is not a paycheck.
The ultimate expression of life is not a Mercedes.
The ultimate expression of life is not a million dollars or a bank account or a home.


Here's the ultimate expression of life in my opinion, and that is living a good life.


Here's what we must ask constantly, "What for me would be a good life?"


And you have to keep going over and over the list.


A list including areas such as spirituality, economics, health, relationships and recreation.


What would constitute a good life?
I've got a short list.


1) Productivity.
You won't be happy if you don't produce. The game of life is not rest. We must rest, but only long enough
to gather strength to get back to productivity.
What's the reason for the seasons and the seeds, the soil and the sunshine, the rain and the miracle of life?


It's to see what you can do with it. To try your hand, other people have tried their hand; here's what they did. You try your hand to see what you can do. So part of life is productivity.


2) Good friends.
Friendship is probably the greatest support system in the world. Don't deny yourself the time to develop this support system. Nothing can match it. It's extraordinary in its benefit. Friends are those wonderful people who know all about you and still like you.


A few years ago I lost one of my dearest friends. He died at age 53 - heart attack. David is gone, but he was one of my very special friends. I used to say of David that if I was stuck in a foreign jail somewhere accused unduly and if they would allow me one phone call, I would call David. Why? He would come and get me. That's a friend. Somebody who would come and
get you. Now we've all got casual friends. And if you called them they would say, "Hey, if you get back, call me we'll have a party." So you've got to have both, real friends and casual friends.


3) Your culture.
Your language, your music, the ceremonies, the traditions, the dress. All of that is so vitally important that you must keep it alive. In fact it is the uniqueness of all of us that when blended together brings vitality, energy, power, influence,
uniqueness and rightness to the world.


4) Spirituality.
It helps to form the foundation of the family that builds the nation. And make sure you study, practice and teach. Don't be careless about the spiritual part of your nature; it's what makes us who we are, different from animal, dogs, cats, birds and mice. Spirituality.


5) Don't miss anything.
My parents taught me not to miss anything.
Don't miss the game.
Don't miss the performance,
don't miss the movie,
don't miss the show,
don't miss the dance.
Go to everything you possible can. Buy a ticket to everything you possibly can.
Go see everything and experience all you possibly can. This has served me so well to this day. Just before my father died at age 93 if you were to call him at 10:30 or 11:00 at night, he wouldn't be home.
He was at the rodeo, he was watching the kids play softball, he was listening to the concert, he was at church, he was somewhere every night.


Live a vital life.
Here's one of the reasons why.
If you live well, you will earn well.
If you live well it will show in your face, it will show in the texture of your voice.
There will be something unique and magical about you if you live well.
It will infuse not only your personal life but also your business life. And it will give you a vitality
nothing else can give.


6) Your family and the inner circle.
Invest in them and they'll invest in you. Inspire them and they'll inspire you. With your inner circle take care of the details. When my father was still alive, I used to call him when I traveled. He'd have breakfast most every morning with the farmers. Little place called The Decoy Inn out in the country where we lived in Southwest Idaho .


So Papa would go there and have breakfast and I'd call him just to give him a special day. Now if I
was in Israel I'd have to get up in the middle of the night, but it only took five minutes, ten minutes.
So I'd call Papa and they'd bring him the phone. I'd say, "Papa I'm in Israel." He'd say, " Israel ! Son, how are things in Israel?" He'd talk real loud so everybody could hear - my son's calling me from Israel. I'd say, "Papa last night they gave me a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean." He'd say, "Son, a reception on the rooftop underneath the stars overlooking the Mediterranean" Now everybody knows the story. It only took 5 - 10 minutes, but what a special day for my father, age 93.


If a father walks out of the house and he can still feel his daughter's kiss on his face all day, he's a
powerful man.
If a husband walks out of the house and he can still feel the imprint of his wife's arms around his body he's invincible all day.
It's the special stuff with the inner circle that makes you strong and powerful and influential.
So don't miss that opportunity.


Here's the greatest value.
The prophet said,
"There are many virtues and values, but here's the greatest, one person caring for another."
There is no greater value than love.
Better to live in a tent on the beach with someone you love than to live in a mansion by yourself.
One person caring for another, that's one of life's greatest expressions.


So make sure in your busy day to remember the true purpose and the reasons you do what you do.


May you truly live the kind of life that will bring the fruit and rewards that you desire.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Sleepless Nights

Recently, my team leader announced his plans to resign in order to finally help out with their family business. It's a sad moment as we, though not unexpected, were caught off guard as we did not it to realize that he was really serious about it. He also owns a lot a big bulk the work that we do including being problem manager, continuous improvement owner for our team, and being an global application owner for one of our most heavily used applications (WebOSA), and the most problematic one. And guess who will be taking over that application owner role... ME!

I also am a global application owner of a web application. It is bigger than WebOSA because it is an end to end application from data input all the way the reporting part. My problems revolve around data quality and the amount of changes that come into production almost every week. However, it is a different case for WebOSA. It has a lot of issues in terms of capacity considering the amount of data as well as the number of users are huge! And the visibility and the focus there is in that area is very high. I am not yet sure if I am that ready for that kind of pressure. This, of course, aside from the pressure for additional roles that would be added into my plate.

I am having a lot of sleepless nights, a lot of thoughts creeping into my head that has keeping me so worried of what will happen in the coming months. Will I actually be able to survive? What do I have to do so that some of that pressure will come off? I have been up late a lot of times, just not getting to be able to sleep. I can smoke more than a pack in a week. I could not pass a weekend without getting to drink a lot. Good thing Embassy girls were pretty that I was able to enjoy the drinks.

Ahh! I need to learn to handle more of the pressure... Advice advice anyone?

Thursday, January 25, 2007

DCS Blog Network

Calling all members of the UP Diliman Department of Computer Science community: students, alumni, and faculty alike! You are cordially invited to join the DCS Blog Network ( http://upparser.com/dcs/), a site that brings together all blogs from its DCS members. The purpose of the DCS Blog Network is to bring together everyone who is, has, and will be part of the Department, and what better way to do that than through the Internet?

Procedure:

1. Visit the DCS Blog Network website. (http://upparser.com/dcs/) (or http://blogs.upcompsci.net/)

2. Go the Contact page. ( http://upparser.com/dcs/contact/)

3. Fill out your details---don' t worry, we won't give them to stalkersor spammers---and include your blog URL. And make sure you answer the challenge question!

4. If you have several blogs, indicate them in the message box. (We hope they aren't too many, though!)

5. Your blog(s) will be added as soon as possible.

6. Spread the word and urge them to join too!

7. If you have any other questions, we may have already answered themin the About page. ( http://upparser.com/dcs/about/)

8. If we haven't, use the Contact form (http://upparser.com/dcs/contact/) for your specific troubles.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Announcement!!!

The UP Department of Computer Science Holds Its First Alumni Homecoming

The CS Firefox Coat of Arms


Twenty-six years since its creation, the UP Diliman Department of Computer Science (DCS) is finally holding an alumni homecoming on the 24th of February 2007 at its new home, the College of Engineering Library and Computer Science Building. (FYI, that building is right in front of National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) and the College of Science Library and Administration building.) Registration starts at 3, while the program will begin at 4pm.


You can read the invitation letter from Prof. Evangel Quiwa that’s been passed around to the alumni in Sir Rom’s blog. Actually, there are two more versions of the invitation letter: one reiterated by the Department Chair, Dr. Cedric Festin, and another detailing of a very special surprise for the Department’s most-loved teacher—guess who! (I’ve already mentioned him here!)


If you haven’t registered yet, better do it soon! Here are the latest details on registration and payment for the event (dated January 5):

P 400.00 if reserved by the end of the year and paid by the end of January 2007;

P 500.00 if bought by the end of January 2007;

P 600.00 if bought in February.

All you have to do is to reserve and to get the discounted rates (before February) is to send an e-mail to homecoming.register@updcsaa.com

…The tickets for the homecoming will be out late next week. For those who would like to pay prior to the release of the tickets, you have two options:


(1) Direct payment to Mila Ramos at the CS Department

(2) Bank deposit to Philippine National Bank

Account Number: 275-830501-8

Account Name: Diliman Computer Science Foundation

Please email your name, number of tickets, date, amount and transaction number (first line of the machine validation) of the deposit slip to homecoming.register@updcsaa.com

Upon availability, tickets may be claimed from Mila Ramos during office hours at the CS Department. Alternatively, you can get it on the homecoming itself. In any case, you need to show the receipt for option (1) and deposit slip containing the transaction number for option (2).

For registration inquiries, please email homecoming.register@updcsaa.com



Note: Got a copy of this announcement from Ia Lucero. I hope she does not mind me copying almost all the content. :)

Monday, January 15, 2007

Surf's up

Just got back from a weekend in La Union where me and some office friends took the time off to learn about life as a surfer. Thanks to Stan and Kian, we got pretty good accommodations, an excellent surf instructor and okay waves to help us learn.

Like any beginner, I was not able to stand on the board (we got the long boards) even if I have kept on trying for 30 mins with Kian. Jan had the instructor first. When it was my turn, I was able to ride my first wave all the way to the end!!! It was so cool and I couldn't hide the smile. I was able to ride a couple more times and I also fell a lot more times too but it was so much fun!! I guess I had the instructor for 30 mins as well.

At the afternoon, Stan broad his short board (which is easier to paddle but harder to balance). We all tried it out but none ever got to stand up while riding. I think I almost did but only up to a kneeling position. Of course, Stan and Kian got to ride well. At night, we formed a new SWAT love team, :p had some Boracay mix and did some star gazing as well. I was pretty tired that day so I did not last long gazing the black abyss.

The next day we rented 2 long boards but the waves were fierce. Getting out to the sea was tough enough and riding the waves was rare and hard! I was able to ride one but did not get to stand. I stood up too late. I also got a heavy beating when I hit the sand under the sea and I thought I heard my neck crack a bit but I ended okay. I just home my brain functions well this week as I am on night shift.

All in all, it was a pretty swell weekend. I am definitely going back! I just need to earn back more money. To those who might be thinking of going out to surf, my total spending was PhP2,500 and it was all worth it!

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Math

For every given problem, there always has to be an equation, set of equations or a number of fundamental laws or theories that would summarize and define a definte solution to that problem. It would take a couple of analysis here and there, and a sequence of derivations to get to where you want. In the end, you get a definte number, oftentimes with a margin for error, but nonetheless an approximate to the right answer.

Wouldn't life be so much easier if all problems can be translated to equations?