i am bad(s)

Si Ninong Jay

2010-11-02T21:38:00.003+08:00

If there's someone in my life whom, I have spent half of my life with, I would say it's Jay. We were classmates, take note, "classmates" not just schoolmates from Day Care center up to 4th year of High School. We were never separated. When we went to college, we shared the same house for 2 or 3 more years, imagine that!

And so when yuan came I decided to make him "ninong", he might not be aware of it but even before I already said that he will be the ninong of my first born, though I'm pretty sure that when he'll have a baby of his own it would be rain in the list and not m

e. fine...nevermind :D

Anyhoo, i was browsing my old albums when I came across the photos of yuan and jay 4 or 5 years ago. They look so good together. Parang magkapatid, though yuan approached me one day with an innocent gesture: "parang nakakatakot si ninong jay, kasi ang lalaki ng ngipin nya."

Thank you ninong jay for loving our yuan. We miss you so much and hopefully we would be able to bond again and spend more time time together.

The City of Siem Reap

2010-08-10T23:16:00.009+08:00

Cambodia is the 5th Asian country I've visited and the fourth in South East Asia. The main purpose of the visit was to get away from Singapore during the long weekend for the celebration of the country's 45th birthday and of course to capture the scenery of the famous Angkor Wat.

We took Airasia flight from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia to Siem Reap in the morning of August 7th. It was a 2 hour trip. On our way to the hotel, I began to observe the people and the city; people talk like thais, Cambodia is a third-world country, and the place is much more like a common province in the Philippines. Angkor Wat might be the only reason why someone would spend dollars for a 3rd world country. That was my first impression.

We stayed in Hotel Lin Ratanak, 3star hotel situated 20 minutes away from the airport. After we secured our room and settled our things, we began touring the city of Siem Reap. First stop is the Tonlé Sap ("Tonlé" meaning "Large Fresh Water River," but more commonly translated as "Great Lake"). The floating village became an attraction for tourist, not really worth the prize of $12. The village is a reflection of how poor Cambodia is, I hate how children would swim near our boat and ask for dollars, some women use their babies to gain sympathy and some aged 7-10 hold a snake with them just to attract tourists' attention. It was for me a desperate measure.

We then headed to "the killing fields" where a collection of skulls from the war are being displayed in a giant glass container, which according to my research are the skulls of the warriors during the war with Siam, former name of Thailand. It was a short stop over, just fewphotos and a visit to a small shop then we hopped in our vans and proceeded to Angkor Wat to buy our visa for the next day. We had a buffet for dinner with a cultural Cambodian dance in the background. After dinner, the night was spent by the ladies shopping at night market while the boys treated themselves for a massage. Did I mention that we were 19?

The Killing Fields

The whole day of the second day was spent inside the Angkor Wat. It was huge, historical and religious. What pissed me thou were those Chinese who were so ignorant because they disrespected the temple by taking photos and touching the boobs of those carvings at the walls. Idiots! Pictures below will best describe Angkor Wat.

The people. The people of Cambodia are just like some Filipinos. They tend to take advantage of the tourist as much as possible. Take for example a flute which would be offered initially for a dollar each, then they would insist and would give it to you for 2 for a dollar and the bargaining would never end until they offer it for 5 for a dollar. The most stupid mistake a tourist can do is to buy a thing without haggling and once you buy something, vendors would flock around you. Cambodians are mixture of Malay and Chinese, most of them look like a typical Vietnamese. They speak so soft and these people also smile a lot.

The food. Cambodian food is very Asian. Not so much difference from the Philippines. One of the best that I've tried was their green mango and how they did the salt and spicy thingy which came with the mango. I also like the "amok" dish. A fish, or chicken or pork cooked with coconut milk and presented and served at a coconut shell. They are not good in cooking sweets and desserts.

Siem Reap might be famous to tourist but it's NOT one of those places that I would say " I’ll definitely go back" - bads ordenes

Once A Jolly Hangman

2010-07-25T13:20:00.003+08:00

the controversial book

the author, Alan Shadrake

the story (copied from www.british-weekly.com)

SHADRAKE: I’d do it all again

British Weekly Exclusive

SINGAPORE: Former British Weekly writer Alan Shadrake, who is facing

two years in jail for penning an expose of the Singapore justice system, was in defiant mood this week when we contacted him for an exclusive interview.

“I’d write that book again,” Alan told us on Thursday, after undergoing a ten-hour grilling from the city state’s Criminal Investigation Department into his book:Once a Jolly Hangman, Singapore Justice in the Dock

“I don’t believe in backing down from bullies,” Shadrake said, who is best known to BW readers as the author of the long-running and controversial column Shooting From The Lip.

“Everything I wrote (in the book) was true and when I go to court I intend to give as good as I get.”

The 75-year-old author was granted bail on Monday after 24 hours in jail following the high-profile launch of the new book. He could face two years in jail for defamation because of his allegations of institutionalised injustice in the Singapore’s legal system – specifically its application of the death penalty, which many international observers consider to be merciless and arbritary.

The country’s Attorney-General has now served Shadrake with a contempt of court order, saying that the book impugns the impartiality, integrity and independence of the judiciary.

Shadrake told reporters he was freed after a local activist posted bail of 10,000 Singapore dollars ($7,240) for him.

“I’m feeling pretty shaken at the moment,” said Shadrake, whose case is to be heard in court on July 30.

His passport has been impounded to prevent him from leaving Singapore until the case is resolved.

Shadrake revealed that he hade made the decision to go back to Singapore for the book’s launch after extensive consultation with famed legal scholar Francis Seow – himself a former Singapore Solicitor-General and now perhaps the country’s most famous dissident and opponent of Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew. Mr. Seow is now an American citizen and a visiting fellow at Harvard Law School.

“The legal advice I received was that provided I had extensive evidence to back up the claims I make in the book – which I do – then the CID here would have a very hard time making anything stick,” said Shadrake.

“Although they are giving me a very gruelling time here – every day I am interrogated for eight to ten hours, often covering the same ground - I would write the book again in a heartbeat. I am not allowed to have an attorney to be present when I am questioned. But I’m not going to be cowed. I’m looking forward to my day in court.

“I feel I am making history with this book. I have had messages of support from all over the world. I have the British government, Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists on my side and I’m hopeful I will prevail.

“Everything I have written is true. There is a wave of change coming in this country. It’s time for Lee Kwan Yew to stop running Singapore like his own private fiefdom.”

In his book, Shadrake examines the history of the death penalty in Singapore and exposes its unequal and frequently merciless aplication. The books alleges that foreigners and the wealthy are less likely to receive the death penalty. Perhaps most embarrassingly for the Singapore authorities, Shadrake scoops an interview with Singapore’s former chief executioner, Darshan Singh. In an article Shadrake wrote for The Australian newspaper in 2005 – but which has since been removed from its website – Singh is “credited with being the only executioner in the world to single-handedly hang 18 men in one day – three at a time”.

Amnesty International earlier urged Singapore’s government to immediately release the elderly author.

“Singapore uses criminal defamation laws to silence critics of government policies,” Donna Guest, Amnesty’s Asia Pacific Deputy Director, said in London.

“The Singapore government should release Shadrake at once.”

She added: “If Singapore aspires to be a global media city, it needs to respect global human rights standards for freedom of expression… Singapore should get rid of both its criminal defamation laws and the death penalty.”

Amnesty International said last year that Singapore was “estimated to have one of the highest per capita execution rates in the world.”

It said Singapore had executed at least 420 people since 1991, adding that the number was probably higher as “not all sentences and executions are reported publicly”. Singapore, which has one of the lowest crime rates in the world among its five million population, has retained the death penalty since its days as a British colony. Convicts are still executed by hanging.

Shadrake has enjoyed a rich and varied career in journalism, dating back to his days as a Fleet Street correspondent in West Berlin in the 1960s, where he numbered among his drinking buddies two giants of postwar American journalism, Harry Reasoner and Dan Schorr. His experiences in the spy-infested, cloak-and-dagger world of Berlin at the height of the Cold War gave him a lifelong taste for intrigue which served him well as he subsequently became a master of the Fleet Street scoop. In the 1970s he turned to writing books, scoring a spectacular success in writing the first authorized biography of Bruce Lee in cooperation with the martial art legend’s wife, Lynda.

He moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s and quickly became a fixture at Ye Olde King’s Head pub in Santa Monica and various karaoke bars in West LA, where his rendition of “Summertime” was often in great demand. He continued to write for US and UK publications including the Daily Mail, The Daily Express, The Mirror, the Globe and the National Inquirer.

Shadrake moved to Las Vegas in 1998, where he specialized in local showbusiness stories before moving on to Singapore after falling in love with a local woman who he met on a BW press junket. For the last couple of years he has divided his time between Singapore and Indonesia.

Post Published: 23 July 2010

A Jump for Kenzo

2010-07-21T21:59:00.002+08:00

Kenzo Verdadero is a 6 year old boy of a Filipino couple working here in Singapore. He was diagnosed with Leukemia in November 2009. Since then, the family was required to send him for chemotherapy. Twice a week, he needs a Full Blood Count, for chemotherapy treatments, he stays about 3 to 4 days in the hospital depending on the dosage of medicine. Everyday he takes the chemo drug, Imatinib tablet, that costs SGD40.00 per tablet and he is required to take 2 ½ tablets a day.

During the first three (3) months of the treatment, the used to be active and playful Ken-ken was bed ridden. He underwent blood and platelet transfusions to prevent the blasts from increasing rapidly. If left untreated, the surplus leukemic cells will overwhelm the bone marrow, enter the bloodstream, and will eventually invade other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and the brain, and spinal cord. These treatments made him suffer too much. His mouth ulcers are far from bearable that he cannot even stand to swallow food or water.

23rd of June, 2010, the BMT consultants informed the family that Kenzo needs to go to a Bone Marrow Transplant in order to have a 90% chance of relapse. Fortunately, the family found a donor for the transplant but would require large amount of money. They need to raise SGD60,000 for the donor alone and another SGD150,000 for the hospitalization. Time is running out and the family cannot find a way to make ends meet anymore.

Kenzo once asked his Mom why him, and why the Leukemia. His Mom couldn't help but cry and said to him in her most comforting words--“God knows that you are a strong and brave boy, that is why he gave it to you…". He's reply was even more heartbreaking-- "Yes, Mama, I am, because I don't want to see you crying”.

The Bundokeros Adventure Club, is now opening it's doors for those who wish to join and participate in our Rappel-for-a-Cause for KENZO on July 31 at Bukit Timah. The proceeds will be used to support Kenzo's continuous medication and his battle against cancer.

Let's help Kenzo in any way we can... help us save this little angel.

For inquiries, Please contact:

Aki : 93859438

Babes: 90720870

Bads: 90043488

How Are You?

2010-07-05T13:43:00.004+08:00

It's been a while since I last saw you..this is the longest that we haven't talked or seen each other. I cannot believe i still can endure the pain. I just do not know until when.

I always try to figure out why I am where I am right now. All my life I tried to be so good, to be helpful and the best person I can be, but I never been successful. So many things are coming my way, but then they just pass..nothing stayed. And that made me imune to losing something, i don't know if it made me stronger because everytime something's/someone's gone i still cry..If i am strong enough i shouldn't be moved by anything right? I cannot say i am numb coz i am living my life in pain everyday. I often dream about you, we were so happy in my dreams, we have a simple life, we rule the world, we were inseperable..but only in my dreams.

Years from now, you will have life of your own...you will be somebody someday. I know you will be good in everything you do, coz you are doing great now. And that's the reason why i don't deserve you because you are such a masterpiece and you deserve someone better. This song of Barbara Streisand will always be dedicated to you:

If I Could, I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes

give you courage in a world of compromise, yes I would

If I could, I would teach you all the things I've never learned

and I'd help you cross the bridges that I've burned, yes I would

if I could, I would try to shield your innocence from time

but the part of life I gave you isn't mine,I've watched you grow so I could let you go

if I could, I would help you make it through the hungry years

but I know that I can never cry your tears, but I would if I could,

if I live in a time and place where you don't want to be

you don't have to walk along this road with me
my yesterday won't have to be your way

if I knew how I'd try to change the world I brought you to

and there isn't very much that I can do but I would, if I could

I love you so much!

love,
mommy

Are You Really Filipino: 115 Ways To Find Out

2010-05-14T14:27:00.003+08:00

Taken from asianjokes.com, i can't help but to repost though some points can be insulting. heheheh

MANNERISMS & PERSONALITY TRAITS:

You point with your lips.
You eat using your hands and have it down to a technique!
Your other piece of luggage is a balikbayan box.
You nod your head upwards to greet someone.
You put your foot up on your chair and rest your elbow on your knee while eating.
You use a rock to scrub yourself in the bath or shower.
You have to kiss your relatives on the cheek as soon as you enter the room.
You're standing next to eight big boxes at the airport.
You collect items from hotels or restaurants "for souvenir's sake."
Your house has a distinctive aroma.
You smile for no reason.
You flirt by having a foolish grin on your face while raising your eyebrows repeatedly.
You go to a department store and try to bargain the prices.
You use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days.
You scratch your head when you don't know the answer.
You never eat the last morsel of food on the table.
You go bowling
You play pusoy & mah jong
You find dried up morsels of rice stuck to your shirt.
You prefer to sit in the shade instead of basking in the sun.
You add an unwarranted "H" to your name (i.e., "Jhun," "Bhoy," or "Rhon.")
You put your hands together in front of you as if to make a path and say "excuse, excuse" when you pass in between people or in front of the TV.
Your middle name is your mother's maiden name.
You like everything that's imported or "state-side."
You check the labels on clothes to see where it was made.
You hang your clothes out to dry.
You are perfectly comfortable in a squatting position with your elbows resting on your knees.
You consistently arrive 30 minutes late for all events.
You always offer food to all your visitors.

VOCABULARY:
You say "comfort room" instead of "bathroom."
You say "for take out" instead of "to go."
You "open" or "close" the lights.
You ask for "Colgate" instead of "toothpaste."
You ask for a "pentel pen" or a "ball pen" instead of just a pen.
You refer to the refrigerator as the "ref" or "pridyider."
You say kodakan instead of "take a picture."
You order a "McDonald's" instead of a "hamburger" (pronounced ham-boor-jer).
You say "Ha?" instead of "What?"
You say "Hoy!" to get someone's attention.
You answer when someone yells "Hoy!"
You turn around when someone says "Psst!"
You say "Cutex" instead of "nail polish."
You say "for a while" instead of "please hold" on the telephone.
You say "he" when you mean "she" and vice versa.
You say "aray!" instead of "ouch!"
Your sneeze sounds like "ahh-ching" instead of "ahh-choo."
You prefer to make acronyms for phrases such as "OA" for overacting, "DOM" for dirty old man and "TNT" for, well, you know.
You say "air con" instead of "a/c" or air conditioner.
You pronounce the following words:"hippopo-TA-mus," "com-FOR-table," "bro-CO-li," and "Mongo-mery Ward."
You say "brown-out" instead of "black-out."
You say "Uy!" instead of "Oops."

HOME FURNISHINGS:
You use a walis tambo and a walis ting-ting as opposed to a conventional broom.
You have a "Weapons of Moroland" shield hanging in your living room wall.
You have a portrait of "The Last Supper" hanging in your dining room wall.
You own a karaoke system.
You own a piano no one ever plays.
You have a tabo in the bathroom.
Your house is cluttered with burloloys.
You have two or three pairs of tsinelas at your doorstep.
Your house has ornate wrought iron gates in front of it.
You have a rose garden.
You display a laughing Buddha for good luck.
You have a shrine to the Santo Nino in your living room.
You own a "Barrel Man" (shwing!)
You have a parol hanging outside your house during the holidays.
You cover your living room furniture with bedsheets.
Your lampshades still have the plastic covers on them.
You have plastic runners to cover the carpets in your house.
You refer to your VCR as the "Beyta-Max."
You have a rice dispenser.
You own a turbo broiler.
You own one of those fiber-optic flower lamps.
You own a lamp with the oil that drips down the strings.
You have a giant wooden fork & spoon hanging in the dining room.
You have wooden tinikling dancers on the wall.
You own capiz shell chandeliers, lamps or placemats.

AUTOMOBILES:
You own a Mercedes Benz and call it "chedeng."
You own a huge van conversion.
Your car chirps like a bird or plays a tune when it's in reverse.
Your car horn can make three or more different sounds.
Your car has curb feelers on it.
You hang a rosary on your car's rear view mirror.
You have those air fresheners in a bottle.

FAMILY:
You have aunts and uncles named "Baby," "Girlie," or "Boy."
You were raised to believe that every Filipino is an aunt, uncle or cousin.
Your dad was in the navy.
Your mom or sister is a nurse.
You get smelling kisses from your grandma.
Your parents call each other "mommy" and "daddy."
You have a family member that has a nickname that repeats itself (i.e., "Deng-Deng," "Ling-Ling," "Jong-Jong" or "Bing-Bing.")
You put hot dogs in your spaghetti.
You consider dilis the Filipino equivalent to french fries.
You think that eating chocolate rice pudding and dried fish is a great morning meal.
You order things like tapsilog, longsilog, or tocilog at restaurants.
You instinctively grab a toothpick after a meal.
You order a "soft drink" instead of a "soda."
You dip bread in your morning coffee.
You refer to seasonings and all other forms of monosodium glutimate as "Ajinomoto."
Your cupboards are full of corned beef hash, Spam and Vienna Sausages.
"Goldilocks" means more to you than just a character in a fairy tale.
You appreciate a fresh pot of hot rice.
You bring baon to work every day.
Your baon is usually something over rice.
Your neighbors complain about the smell of tuyo on Sunday mornings.
You eat rice for breakfast.
You use your fingers to measure the water when cooking rice.
You wash and re-use plastic utensils and Styrofoam cups.
You have a supply of frozen lumpia in the freezer.
You have an ice-shaver for making halo-halo.
Your cloth tablecloths have tell-tale "toyo circles" on them.
You eat purple yam-flavored ice cream.
You gotta have a bottle of Jufran handy.
You fry Spam and hot dogs and eat them with rice.
You think half-hatched duck eggs are a delicacy.
You know that "chocolate meat" isn't really made with chocolate.

My Vice-President

2010-05-14T13:50:00.009+08:00

It's a Friday, I started my day with a cup of my white coffee and my home made chicken sandwich. As my daily routine goes, I'll be one of the first to arrive in the office, take my breakfast while checking my email in my office outlook, yahoo mail, gmail, plurk, myspace, and facebook. And then online streaming of DZMM, I have to admit my day is never complete at work if I don't listen to Ted Failon's views and commentaries, then of course I'll switch it to NU107 after.

Election fever in the Philippines has not ceased yet, obviously we have a new president, but the fight is tight on vice presidency. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Mar Roxas would make it. We need him and I do not have to argue or explain why I said so.

An interview with Ted Failon and Pinky Webb this morning made me admire Roxas more. He really got what it takes to be a good leader.After he garnered the highest votes in the Philippine election history when he ran as Senator, many people had already made him a potential presidential bet prior to his decision not to run for president anymore to give way for Noynoy on September 1, 2009 at the historic Club Filipino, in the hopes of being the epitome of his belief of "Bayan muna bago ang sarili". I thought he already secured the seat of vice presidency when he did that, but it turned otherwise. Nevertheless, Mar will still be winner, no matter what the results may be, because he gave it a good fight.

I remember telling my younger sister when I was 9 or 10 years old, that when I grow up I'd marry Mar Roxas (hahaha it's true). It never happened, but I am happy and proud to say that he is one of the men I looked up to when I was growing up along with Raul Roco and Gene Mendiola.

dreams and reality

2010-05-13T11:44:00.003+08:00

he is my dream, and you are my reality,

well i guess i prefer to slumber in to sleep than embrace and face the reality...

Bibong Bundokeros

2010-05-12T16:03:00.001+08:00

Dear Bibos,

Kumusta mga kasama?

Pinagmamasdan ko ang mga larawan mula sa “tambayan ni Kidlat”, napa-smile ako, naiisip ko nakakamiss pala kayo. Kaya itinigil ko muna ang aking trabaho para gawin ang munting liham na ito. Nakakatawang pagmasadan ang mga pictures, iba’t-ibang mukha..may kanya-kanyang story ng buhay, may action, comedy at drama. At bawa’t isa iba-iba ang tingin at turing sa bawa’t isa. Ganun pa man ang importante solido ang samahan di ba?

Napakaswerte ng bawa’t isa sa atin..kasi natagpuan natin ang bawa’t isa. Hindi lahat ng nangingibang bansa nararanasan ang ating mga biyaya. Mas makabuluhan ang ating samahan lalong lalo na sa katulad kong nangungulila at nag iisa. Di ko nga alam bakit ko kayo sinusulatan hehehe. Maybe this is my humble way of saying “THANK YOU” sa inyong lahat. May mga dumadating sa grupo..lumalaki tayo, may umaalis at nawawala pero naiiwan sila sa puso ng bawat isa.

Gagawa sana ako ng kanta kaso di ko masimulan kaya sumulat na lang ako. One year na ang bibong bundokeros sa YG, nakaranas na ba kayong mag celebrate ng thanksgiving? With Turkey and everything? Naisip ko lang naman J

Anyways tuloy tayo, kahit kinakalimutan ni libert lahat ng nangyayari sa ating mga partey, go! Kahit na taon ng kasalan ng mga bibo, go! Kahit na tuluyan ng magka bf si reah, go!

Kahit ano, basta tayo !

Love,
Ate Shawie

ELECTION 2010

2010-04-12T22:22:00.003+08:00

I exercised my right of suffrage at the Philippine Embassy Singapore today. Earlier than the usual May elections in the Philippines. It's my first time to vote as an absentee voter and also my first time to try that electronic voting machine.

Just wanna share my line-up with you guys...

I did my research and I can say that I voted wisely.

These are the people I trust:

President: NOYNOY AQUINO

V.President: MAR ROXAS

Senators:

SONIA ROCO

TOOTS OPLE

LIZA MASA

PIA CAYETANO

GWEN PIMENTEL

BONGBONG MARCOS

FRANKLIN DRILON

KIT TATAD

SERGS OSMENIA

SATUR OCAMPO

TEOFISTO GUINGONA

TITO SOTTO

Party List:

GABRIELA

i am back!

2010-04-07T11:40:00.001+08:00

I've been trying to live my life alone for some time now, quite good yet so sad. Good because I get to battle with life everyday. Yes, I might be defeated but at least I fought my own battle. After all, I can already feel that my end is near. There’ll be a lot of good things to happen between you and me beyond this lifetime. There we can be free and nobody will control our lives. Sooner or later, I'll be meeting all of you there...In God's time.

I'm back to blogging, I do not know why, I just feel that I should.
So you‘ll be reading more about me here... enjoy!

** i have friends yet no family
** i am married yet single
** i have so much wealth yet am broke
** I have a band yet am so alone

RAPPEL for a CAUSE for MARC

2010-02-07T13:43:00.001+08:00

BUNDOKEROS ADVENTURE CLUB,invites you once again for a RAPPEL for a CAUSE for MARC, please see posters for details or PM me for registration. Thank you!

rOckAway '09

2009-10-12T21:37:00.001+08:00

before you join a marathon....

2009-10-05T19:21:00.001+08:00

....watch this video, t'is will definitely inspire you.

To my fellow bundokeros who will be participating in the North Face 100km challenge, hope this video inspires all of you. Nothing is impossible!

Rappel for a Cause for the victims of typhoon Ondoy

2009-10-02T19:58:00.003+08:00

Rappel for a Cause for the victims of typhoon Ondoy (open letter)

2009-09-28T23:37:00.002+08:00

Bundokeros Adventure Club (BAC)
Singapore

Dear Kabayan,

As many of you already know, our country is facing an overwhelming tragedy brought about by Typhoon Ondoy. A great part of the National Capital Region -- the whole of Metro Manila and nearby Rizal province -- was submerged in flood waters reaching up to more than six feet high. A state of calamity has already been declared in those areas; and some victims are still on their rooftops crying for help and rescue. Some of us have families safe back home. A great majority is not as fortunate.

The Bundokeros Adventure Club has been actively involved in lending a helping hand whenever and wherever the need arise. This is one of those times. As our way to extend our help and sympathy, we have taken on the responsibility of conducting "Rappel for a Cause for the Victims of Typhoon Ondoy".

Details are as follow:
What: Rappel for A Cause for the Victims of Typhoon Ondoy
When: 3 October 2009, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Where: Clementi Old Railway, Singapore (meet up at Clementi MRT Station at 9 a.m.)
Registration Fee: SG$10/ head
What to Bring: There are no amenities nearby, so please bring your own food and necessities
(water, sunblock.. etc)
What to Wear: Comfortable top/shirt, running shoes/cross trainers, hiking boots, athletic shoes are the wisest choice, long pants are recommended, ponytail for those with long hair is necessary

Rappelling gear and equipment to be provided by BAC. Those who want to donate but could not make it to the activity, you may deposit donations in cash through the following accounts:

OCBC savings: 568-9-032075
POSB savings: 207-56912-7

If you are interested, RSVP on or before 2 October 2009. Email us at bundokeros_08@yahoo.com, kindly indicate your full name, mobile number, email address (if participant is not the mail sender) and your inquiries.

Donations will be collected during the event .We will be notifying you for any updates. During the assembly, you will be asked to sign a waiver of liability before the activity. For further queries and information please contact:

Bernadette - 91792763
Rhea - 90489393
Lerika – 83614822

All proceeds would be utilized for a noble cause, and we assure you that it would be for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Ondoy. You have always been a great supporter to our various activities and we look forward to your participation in this activity. It would help if you forward this invitation to your family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. We need your support in this effort.

kapatid and slapshock in Singapore!!

2009-09-17T12:40:00.000+08:00

A Touching Story Especially for OFWs

2009-09-09T13:10:00.000+08:00

This was posted in PinoySG website, it was Leika who first told me about the story but I was only half listening when she was telling me the story. A few days later, she forwarded the story to the Bundokeros Yahoo groups, and that's the only time I paid attention and took time off from my work hours and read the whole story. I was moved..well, all of us from the group because we all could relate and all of us are away from our parents. One friend even called his mother immediately while I sent an sms to my Tatay for I know Nanay was asleep because it's night time in the US.

Let me share this short story which will definitely give us pause and make us think on what really matters in life.

PARA SA LAHAT NG MAGULANG AT ANAK NA NAWALAY SA MAGULANG

by: ernie

Huwebes ng hapon noon, galing ako sa isang birthday party… pagkatapos tumunga ng dalawang bote ng beer ay nagpaalam na ako…. mukha kasing uulan, ayokong maabutan ng ulan sa daan. Anak ng pitong kamalasan, tumirik ang kotse ko sa daan… no choice kailangan kong bumaba para ayusin ang makina. Sobrang malas talaga at naiwan ko ang gamit ko, nag uumpisa ng pumatak ang ulan… kung bakit kasi hindi agad sinauli ng kumpare ko na nanghiram ang mga gamit ko sa pag-aayos ng kotse. May natanaw akong isang bahay, nagbakasakali akong tumawag… lumabas ang isang matandang lalaki, siguro mga 70 yrs old na… “ Magandang hapon po ‘tay, nasiraan po kasi ako eh, di ko po nadala ang gamit ko baka po may lyabe kayo ay pliers jan?” ngumiti sya sa akin, maya maya at bumalik at may bitbit na bag at dalawang payong, iniabot sa akin. Sumama pa sya sa akin sa aking kotse… malaki ang deperensya, mukhang tinamaan nga ako ng napakalaking malas. Inaya ako ng matandang magkape muna sa kanila, medyo malamig nga at basa na rin ako ng ulan kaya sumama ako. Pagpasok namin ng bahay ay nakita ko na hindi maayos iyon… sabi nya pasensya na daw ako kasi nag-iisa sya. Roman daw ang pangalan nya, dating dyipney driver. Umupo ako sa sala, maalikabok yun… pumunta sa kusina ang matanda siguro magtitimpla ng kape, ayoko na sana kasi iika-ika na sya, hindi na masyadong makalakad pero mapilit si mang Roman. Nakita ko sa dingding ang mga nakakwadrong larawan… siguro family picture nila yun, sa ibaba ay picture ng lalaking nakatoga katabi nito ang isang kwadro rin ng babaeng nakatoga din… siguro mga anak nya. Malinis ang mga kwadro, halatang kapupunas pa lang at parang ayaw maalikabukan man lang. Tama ako, sabi ni mang Roman anak nga daw nya yun. Inilapag nya ang kape, mejo hindi malinis yung mug pero nakakahiya naman kung tatangihan ko at isa pa nilalamig na rin ako at malakas ang ulan, gusto ko ring mainitan ang sikmura. “ kung gusto mo anak… ano nga ba uli pangalan mo? “ tanong nya sa akin, “ Jun po”, sagot ko naman. “ kung gusto mo Jun eh sayo na lang yang mga gamit ko, wala na rin namang gagamit nyan dito… gamit ko dati yan ng driver pa ako ng dyip pero mahina na ako ngayon Jun, di ko na kaya na magdrive pa uli.” “ naku wag na po, meron po ako nasa hiraman nga lang kaya di ko nadala, asan po mga anak nyo?” tanong ko “ Si Danny, Engineer ko yan… may pagmamalaking itinuro ang litrato sa ding-ding… nasa Saudi na ngayon, yan naman babae sa litrato si Juvie yan… nakapag asawa ng taga Davao at doon na nanirahan… yun naman asawa ko limang taon na akong iniwan, nag-iisa na lang ako dito eh… kahit nga mahirap kinakaya ko. Itong bahay na ito kasi ang kaisa-isang ala-ala ko ng aking pamilya, dito ko binuhay ang asawa ko at ang dalawa kong anak. Pinagbili ko na rin yung jeep ko, okay na naman napatapos ko na ang dalawa kong anak at may maganda na silang trabaho, may sarili na rin silang pamilya at bahay, maayos na ang buhay nila”. “ Hindi po ba sila dumadalaw dito, I mean po… sino pong tumitingin sa iyo dito, mahirap po ang mag-isa lalo na at may edad na kayo?” “ isang taon na siguro na walang dumadalaw sa akin dito, minsan tumatawag naman sila sa telepono… kahit nga di ko masyado ginagamit yang telepono eh ayaw ko ipaputol ang linya, araw-araw naghihintay ako sa tawag nila… yung kahit boses lang nila masaya na ako, basta maramdaman ko lang na naaalala nila ako. Mababait naman ang mga anak ko, buwan-buwan may natatangap akong pera sa bangko, pero di ko naman ginagalaw… pag-namatay ako kasama yun sa ipapamana ko sa mga apo ko. Yung kapitbahay jan sa kabila, tuwing umaga binibisita nila ako at dinadalhan ng pagkain, nagbibigay na lang ako sa kanila ng konting pera pamalengke”. “Hindi po ba kayo nahihirapan?” “ mahirap iho, lalo na pagnakakaramdam ako ng pananakit ng katawan… pero siguro ito ang buhay ko, pag may nasakit sa akin iniisip ko na lang na bunga ito ng walang tigil kong pagtratrabaho noon upang mapatapos ko ang mga anak ko tapos mawawala na ang sakit. Yung ala-ala ng masayang buhay namin noon ang gumagamot sa akin, sana nga lang minsan maalala naman nila akong dalawin dito, gustong-gusto ko na rin silang makita lalo na ang mga apo ko. Masarap siguro yung mga araw na kasama ko sila dito, alam mo ba si pareng kanor jan sa kabila, hindi nya napag-aral ang mga anak nya kaya hanggang ngayon sa kanya pa rin nakatira… kaya lagi nyang kasama yung mga anak nya at mga apo…. Mahirap yung buhay nila, minsan walang trabaho ang mga anak nya… yun ang ayaw kong mangyari sa mga anak ko, gusto ko maayos ang buhay nila… pero alam mo, Masaya si pareng kanor, lagi ko syang naririnig na tumatawa kalaro ang mga apo nya… minsan naiingit ako, iniisip ko na lang na mas masaya ang mga apo ko sa buhay nila ngayon”. “ paano po pag may sakit kayo, sino po ang tumitingin sa inyo?” “ kapitbahay jun, sa kanila na rin ako nagpapabili ng gamot… sapanahon na may sakit ako doon ako nakakaisip ng matinding depresyon at pangungulila, sa totoo lang ay nagtatampo ako sa mga anak ko, pagkatapos ko silang mahalin at bigyan ng magandang buhay ay hindi na nila ako naalala na dalawin dito… kahit dalaw lang o tawag sa telepono, yung marinig ko lang na…. o tatay buhay ka pa ba? masaya na ako nun… pero iniisip ko rin na responsibilidad ko na bigyan sila ng magandang buhay at papagtapusin ng pag-aaral at responsibilidad ko rin na maging mabuting ama sa kanila… alam ko hindi na magtatagal at magkakasama na rin kami ng asawa ko, hiling ko lang na sana bago mangyari yun ay makasama ko ang mga anak at apo ko.” “ ayaw nyo po bang tumira sa kanila?” “ magiging pabigat lang ako sa kanila, ayaw kong bigyan ng isipin ang ang mga anak ko, dito na lang ako sa lumang bahay namin, bibilangin ang mga patak ng ulan, siguro pagkatapos ng isang libong tag-ulan maalala na rin nila akong dalawin dito. Alam mo bang birthday ko ngayon jun? kaya matyaga akong naghihintay ng tawag nila. Kung hindi naman sila makatawag iisipin ko na lang na siguro ay busy sila sa kanilang buhay… mahirap kumita ngayon at kailangan nilang magtrabaho ng hindi naabala”. Napalunok ako saa king mga narinig, naawa ako sa kanya… “ Ikaw Jun, may magulang ka pa ba? “ Nanay ko na lang po, nasa bukidnon kasama ng isa niyang kapatid.” “ kailan mo sya huling dinalaw?” tanong nya… hindi ako nakapagsalita, huli akong pumunta sa bukidnon noong pasko… malapit na naman ang pasko hindi pa uli ako nakakapunta doon. “ sana madalaw mo uli ang iyong magulang Jun, sigurado ako… gustong-gusto ka na nyang makita katulad ng kagustuhan kong makita ang mga anak at apo ko… subukan mo, alam ko magiging maligaya sya” Tumila na ang ulan, nagpaalam na ako, nagpasalamat… nagpasalamat din sya sa akin, nakita ko sa mga mata nya na talagang sabik sya sa kausap, sabi nya ay magkwentuhan pa kami habang hinihintay ang tawag ng mga anak nya pero dumating na yung hihila sa kotse ko papunta sa talyer. Nangako na lang ako na dadalawin ko sya pag may libreng oras ako. Dalawang lingo ang dumaan at naisipan ko uling dalawin si mang Roman pero sarado na ang bahay… nagtanong ako sa kapitbahay nila at nalaman ko na namatay na si mang Roman tatlong araw ang nakakalipas, pagkatapos paglamayan ng dalawang araw ay dinala na ng mga anak nya si mang Roman at pina-cremate. Aalis na sana ako pero pinigilan ako ni mang Kanor, iniabot nya sa akin ang isang bag, yun ang bag na pinahiram sa akin ni mang Roman… “ bilin ni Roman ay ibigay ko raw syo kung sakaling babalik ka, kakailangan mo daw ito sa pagbalik mo sa Bukidnon, baka ka daw masiraan sa daan”. Hindi ko napigilan ang pagpatak ng luha ko, ramdam na ramdam ko ang pangungulila ni mang Roman sa kanyang mga anak at apo. Nagdesisyon ako, magfifile ako ng leave… uuwi ako sa Bukidnon para dalawin ang nanay ko, tama si mang Roman tiyak matutuwa yun pag nakita ako.
“Anak…kung nasaan ka man sana maalala mo ako. Sana dalawin mo ako kahit minsan lang. Sabik na akong makasama at makausap kang muli. Kung may pagkukulang man ako…patawad anak. Gusto kong malaman mo…mahal kita higit sa pagkakaalam mo. “

"My Life According to RAZORBACK"

2009-08-22T00:14:00.001+08:00

I was tagged by Elaine on my facebook account and then again by her genius bf libert. The excitement of connecting every song of my ultimate fave band to my life urged me to post this one as well to my multiply and blogspot. Trust me it's "astig", help yourselves and enjoy reposting.

READ THE RULE FIRST!

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It might be harder than you think.

Repost as "My Life According to (Artist)."

Pick your Artist:
RAZORBACK

Are you a male or female:
Diwata / Black-Heart Woman

How do you feel:
Giyang

Describe where you currently live:
Munting Paraiso / Tabi Ng Bulkan

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Sa Gitna Ng Lahat/Temple

Your favorite form of transportation:
War Pigs ( hahaha no choice)

Your best friend is:
Pepe the Hepe / Lunatic

You and your best friends are:
Summa Cum Laude / Walang Silbi

What's the weather like:
Tikamanangulan / Tie Dye Sky / Let It Rain

Favorite time of day:
Center Of The Sun

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
GOLDENTHROAT: THE ELECTRIC MISTRESS

What is life to you:
Riddle

Your relationship:
Inflatable Love Thing / Paghihintay

Your fear:
Op. Death Squad

What is the best advice you have to give:
Seer Of Visions

Thought for the Day:
Voodoo, Who Do?

How would you like to die:
As Spicy As It Gets

My soul's present condition:
Payaso

My motto:
We Gotta Move

Ninoy’s letter to his daughter Ballsy

2009-08-15T09:29:00.001+08:00

August 18, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
Makati, Rizal

Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino
25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,

I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to be with you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am no longer young and suddenly, I feel old.
An old poet gave this advice very long ago “when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December.” I want to send you bouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in fact they have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you a thicket of thorns on this memorable day!
I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible, even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like your mother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be the life vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else to do but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlac for your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. I planned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.
The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion, where lunch will be served by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the Santa Rita Elementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children of that public school where you were first enrolled.
I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days of happy memories, little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love. You are the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections.
From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entire cow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.
Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later a picnic-lunch on Uncle Tony’s Island. Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the many dreams I had in Laur.
Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I’ll ever be able to return to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors.

Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she is your sincerest friend.
Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them but am unable to do so.
Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all.
You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to our highest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable to Krissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.
Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office. I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.
I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I will finally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.

I love you,
Dad

Carlo and Carlo's beerday

2009-06-24T21:15:00.003+08:00

Carlo T. and Carlo M.'s birthday celebration last June 20.
Events were documented by joey's slr cam.
Every minute automatic shots for almost 14 hours.
Watch and enjoy!

da flag, da bundokeros and da tuk

2009-06-23T22:21:00.004+08:00

The Philippine National Mountaineering Society (PNMS) organized the biggest celebration of Independence Day for Filipino Mountaineers by simultaneously holding climbs last June 13. The 1st Annual Freedom Climb was originally intended to be mounted solely in various summits in the Philippines, but because there are also Filipino mountaineers outside the country who are more than willing to participate in this event, the organizers of the event deemed it best to accept registration and participation for international climbers. This decision paved the way for the China and Singapore contingent to be represented. I was part of this historical and one-of-a-kind event. We were informed less than ten days before the climb, yet despite the fact that we were pressed for time to prepare for such a big occasion, the bundokeros managed to plan everything smoothly and almost perfectly.

The highlight of the event was the simultaneous and synchronized raising of the Philippine Flag on The 13th of June at exactly 8:00 a.m. over almost 50 mountains in the Philippines plus one in China and one in Malaysia. Over 2,400 mountaineers participated in the event, needless to say it was a big success for PNMS and to all the Pinoy mountaineers.

1st Annual Freedom Climb’s International climbers

It took us two days to finally come to a decision which mountain to climb. Since we did not have enough time to prepare, we initially planned to climb the nearest mountain: Gunung Panti of Malaysia in Kota Tingi, an hour and half bus ride from Singapore. Restrictions of camping overnight the Gunung Panti made us decide to change it to Gunung Datuk, five hours away from Singapore.

Those who took their day off from work on June 12 made it to the first batch that left Singapore and I was with them. There were 12 of us and we left SG at around 7:30 a.m., unfortunately we missed the 8:30 bus to Mallaca, and so we settled for the next earliest bus at 11:30 a.m. Unfortunately, our itinerary didn't pan out according to plan. We made it to the jump-off point at around 4:00 p.m., had our lunch at 4:30 p.m. and started trekking around almost 6 p.m. It was my first time in Datuk and I already expected an exhausting climb, it was like a never-ending trek to the top of 2,900ft above sea level. After an hour, the sun began to set and we were embraced by darkness. We turned our headlights on, and thus started my first ever night trek. The only things visible along the trail were those that reached by the light from my lamp. After three hours, we finally reached the campsite. We pitched the tents, had dinner, and started the party while waiting for the next batch to arrive. I got so tired that I had no energy during socials, I was so beat, Datuk was so steep, fortunately I had toots, libert, kukuy and Derek as sweepers. Hey have I thanked you for your patience? Hahaha.

The next batch -- regie, kat and jilbert -- left Singapore at 2 p.m. by KTM train. It was bound for Tampin so they didn’t spend much traveling. The second batch arrived minutes before 12 midnight, just in time to join the night’s party. With reggae music from an itouch, the bundokeros started to dance and party like we just had our freedom.

At 4 a.m., the last batch that left Singapore by 7 p.m. finally reached the campsite. They completed the 1st Annual Freedom Climb’s International climber attendees. The party continued until dawn and some even stayed up all night.

The next day, no matter how tired we were the night before, we still managed to get up before 8 a.m. and climbed some more to reach the peak of the summit.

June 13, 2009, 8:00 a.m,. we started singing the Lupang Hinirang while we raised the Philippine Flag in the mountains of Malaysia. I don’t need to say more, we did what we have to do for our country and for our freedom. Photos below will say it all, no more elaborations needed.

Kami ay pumupugay sa watawat ng ating bansa, mabuhay Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang bawat Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Bundokeros Adventure Club!

sulat para kay tatay

2009-06-20T13:26:00.003+08:00

Tatay,

Where do I begin to even scratch the surface of the impact you've had on my life. I'm sorry for all the troubles I have brought to this family. Even in the midst of my success my problems (and there have been many) and my shortcomings, you have always accepted me as I am. I am in awe of your strength, your integrity, your intelligence and your painful endurance you deal with daily. I only ask God to keep you safe and pain-free for many, many years. You, Nanay, ate Lala, Rain and and Yuan are the biggest source of my strength, especially during the many troubled points in my life. And I pray too that with all I'm going through at this point in my life, I hope that I can somehow, someway come close to having your strength, your faith, your boldness and your wisdom to endure all!

I thought I hated you as a father, I thought there were people who had much better father than I did, but what I didn’t realize before was that I have the gift of life because of you. And I wouldn’t be able to write this letter now if I don’t have you.

I Love You!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

Love,
Bads

Bundokeros Adventure Club on frontpage of Balikas Newspaper in Batangas

2009-06-16T21:26:00.004+08:00

who said that distance is a hindrance?

Bundokeros Adventure Club of Singapore,raised the Philippine flag in Gunung Datuk Malaysia to celebrate our country's 111th Independence Day.

Special thanks to Mr. Walter L. Lingon, Editor-in-Chief of PAHAYAGANG BALIKAS.
The picture was published from their weekly newspaper from June 16-21, 2009.

freedom climb

2009-06-09T00:03:00.002+08:00

Sabay-sabay nating iwagayway ang bandila ng ating bansa...simbolo ng ating pagiging Malaya!

Nanay..

2009-05-10T09:25:00.005+08:00

In our life, the place that my nanay holds can never ever be taken over by anyone else. She is always there to love us, care for us and even make sacrifices for us. In fact, there is no other person in this world who would be willing to do all those things for us than my nanay does.

Happy Mother's day to the coolest nanay in the whole universe! I love you!

Mangyan at ang Kagubatan

2009-04-18T00:42:00.005+08:00

My very first composition in Singapore with Erwin de Rama. A friend I met through threads in PSG. Alay sa mga Mangyan ng aking bayang sinilangan.

chicken a la carte

2009-04-12T23:11:00.012+08:00

It isn't my first time to watch a short film or documentary featuring hunger in the Philippines. I've seen Jay Taruc's "Basurero" in iWitness two years ago. Last week a friend forwarded a message to our yahoo group with a link to the short story by Ferdinand Dimadura, said to have won the Berlin Short Story Film Festival and has basically the same story as that of Taruc's.

Synopsis of the film:

This film is about the hunger and poverty brought about by gobalization. There are 10,000 people dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition. This short film shows a forgotten portion of society: the people who live on the refuse of men to survive. What is inspiring is the hope and spirituality that never left this people.

This is a reality that our country's facing, an undeniable fact of hunger that our government should take seriously. It also calls for awareness for everyone of us, think of where you are now, and think of what these people deal with everyday. If you care enough, you will also think deeply how these children's laughter could break your heart terribly.

rappel for a cause

2009-04-07T22:38:00.006+08:00

Please help us to be an ANGEL to baby Jose and SAVE his life.

baby Jose Lorenzo Marasigan

An article posted on the homepage of PinoySG, the online community of Filipinos here in Singapore. Click here to read the full story.

Prior to this story being posted on the webpage, an email already circulated to some of us here. It was sent by Reginald to the email loop of Bundokeros, and I was in the loop that time. Everybody from BAC wanted to help, right there and then they planned to have a fund raising. Rappel for a Cause, and Kalasag was invited. Without any hesitation, I pledged to help not only because I wanted to experience rappelling but also because I wanted to do my part, in my own little way. I even invited some of my old friends who are working here but they had prior engagements.

The Rappel for a Cause by the Bundokeros Adventure Club was held at the Bukit Timah Dairy Farm on the 4th of April. The support from the Filipinos outdoor enthusiasts was overwhelming. It was a big success. The BAC was able to raise 300% of the amount they expected. Were it not for the hardwork and effort of BAC, it wouldn't be that succesful, plus of course the participants including me..kaya ng pinoy basta sama-sama!

the people who made it possible (Bundokeros Adventure Club)

Congratulations Bundokeros at Salamat sa lahat ng tumulong!

Jumping off was not an easy thing to do, it takes a lot of courage and determination. It was some hundred feet above the ground and for a person with acrophobia like me it was a fear factor, not to add the additional effort I did making it to the top. I conquered my phobia in the name of Baby Jose and now I can say that fear is definitely not a factor anymore. :0)

safety measures

going down and on they way up

1,2,3....

...i did it!

we all did it!

Another interesting part of the day was when I saw Sol and his son Gabby with a group of Singaporeans rappelling on the other side of the rock. I was introduced to her husband and while we waited for the first set to finish before lunch I played and talked to her adorable son gabby.

sol and gabby

Camping at Pulau Ubin

2009-03-31T21:34:00.009+08:00

While the PSG KALASAG climbed Gunung Datuk in Malaysia as part of our first year anniversary celebration, I went to camp Pulau Ubin with the troupers, or the Bundokeros -- another group of Filipino mountaineers here in Singapore. Issues, like lack of proper training and internal conflicts which I do not want to elaborate on, were some of the reasons why I wasn’t able to join KALASAG. Anyway I did find a way to enjoy and spend my weekend with other friends.

Pulau Ubin is an island located in north east of Singapore and its literal meaning is Granite Island. It is one of the last areas in Singapore that has been preserved from urban development, concrete buildings and tarmac roads. When you reach the island, the mobile network that will reflect on your phone is Maxis from Malaysia which auto-roam our network provider.

We took a ferry from Changi port to the island. The boat ride was really exciting! It was as if I was back in Sablayan, my birthplace. The campsite was quite far from the port and according to Lem who has been there several times, the campsite is only accessible through walking for hours or riding a bike. It was raining cats and dogs and it was getting late so we decided to buy a poncho for $2 and we rented a bike for $6. I was hesitant at first because my backpack was fully packed with almost 3kg tent, two liters of drinking water as there are no potable water in the area and my personal stuff, plus the kare-kare I was carrying. But then again biking would be much faster than trekking, so with no choice at all we started to bike. It was a tough ride. Aside from slippery roads caused by the rain and the additional weight from my backpack, we also biked on a mountainous range. I almost gave up, but there was no turning back. After 30 minutes, we reached the campsite by the seashore. I was so exhausted by the bike ride, what made it worse was the information from Caloi and Gay who came in earlier with others that they made it to the camp by van for only $2 each. Waaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!

If not for a good dinner we shared (inihaw na talong, inihaw na pusit, liempo, chicken barbecue, manggang hilaw, kare-kare, and bagoong) I almost killed Lem..hahaha. After we pitched the tents, the socials began and it was again an experience to remember.

We stayed until noon the next day and we went back to the port by van. Thanks to Libert and Elaine who volunteered to take the bike ride back to the port.

sunset at Pulau Ubin

campers

caloi,annie,reggie,karen,bads,gay,lem,toots,libert,elaine,gea,olan

el bolso del regalo

2009-03-24T22:34:00.004+08:00

This bag has travelled from Maryland USA to NAIA Airport to Mindoro then back to Quezon city then to Clark and at last Singapore.

It was a gift from tita Armie who visited Sablayan last January, an unexpected pasalubong fom a tita I've known for years but I haven't met in person. Tatay handed it to me when he visited last February.

More than the present you've given me tita, it's the thought that really counts.Thank you for the note card with my name on it and a present on top of that! hehehehe

Maraming salamat po, God bless you and tito Larry!

Tragedy

2009-03-19T00:59:00.002+08:00

Part of my daily routine at work is to tune in to the local news in the Philippines over online streaming via the worldwide web. I start my day with Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez and then after I’ll switch to RMN Manila until my day at work ends.

When I started working here in Singapore, the idea of being left out on issues which concern my being a Filipino bothered me. And so I thought of a way to somehow be updated despite being overseas, and the best way aside from subscribing to TFC at home, is to listen to RMN DZXL. Well, aside from being a responsible media network, two of their newsmen are my kababayan: Buddy Oberas, the news director, is from Abra de Ilog and Michael Rogas, a field reporter, is from San Jose.

Last Tuesday, I was listening to Ted and Korina discuss Tony Calvento’s feature on the Dacer-Corbito case. After they interviewed the personalities concerned, Ted Failon suddenly went off topic. He extended his condolences to his friend Buddy Oberas, according to him a tragedy happened to his family in Abra de Ilog. Details were not given so I immediately switched to RMN and contacted one of their producers Leo Navarro who became my chat mate since she started hosting the Bantay OFW segment. Every time there is news flash I confirm it with her.

So here is the story:

Last Monday night, the father of Buddy had a stroke, the family rushed him to a hospital in Abra but he had to be transferred to the provincial hospital which is an hour away from their town. Buddy’s mother and three brothers decided to come along in an ambulance to Mamburao. On their way, the ambulance collided with a van. The father died, his eldest brother died as well, his mother and two brothers were seriously wounded.

That night, I received a message from Edelyn that his brother had an accident on the way to Manila. He was supposed to fly to Taiwan that day. She told me that three people from the van died. Fortunately her brother is safe. The van from Sablayan with people I know was the van which also caused the death of Buddy’s family members. My sincere condolences to your family Sir Buddy.

I was shocked hearing the sad story. These accidents happen almost twice or thrice a year in my province. Our province is situated just three hours away from Metro Manila and yet our national road is one of the worst in the country. These things could have been avoided if the powers that be, the TRAPOs who are in position now in the province, have done their job. Shame on you people.

Twenty years ago, when our Governor ran for the position for the first time, I was in her meeting de avance. My sisters and I looked up to her, she was like the hope of our province that time. She had many dreams for the province and Rain even memorized her speech, and I can still remember the dress she was wearing and the famous line “I dream of Occidental Mindoro with people not knowing the meaning of hunger….I dream of Occidental Mindoro with concrete road from Abra to Magsaysay..blah..blah..blah…”

After 20 years in power, seems that this lady is still fast asleep with her dreams. Where did her dreams bring our hopes to? Twenty years and we’re still the same province without progress. How many more lives will be at stake? How many more families will suffer the pain of losing their loved ones from senseless accidents that could be avoided?

Sobra na.Tama na. Palitan na.

westpoint

2009-03-12T19:40:00.004+08:00

The last batch of my visitors arrived on the 27th of February, three days after the Untalan's. Kiko suggested that I should put up a transient house here in SG since almost every week and every month, I have someone visit from Philippines...Unlikely, I'm not as rich as you are kikomeister.

Their flight left Manila around 9pm so I was expecting them by 1-2. And since It was a Friday, I decided to join my co-mountaineers at Lau pa Sat for dinner frst. JB and his wife Marivic were there before me and we were later joined by Tere, Marvin and Gitz. After almost 4 pitchers of beer and a platter of my favorite bbq chicken wings, I left the group and headed to the airport.

The flight landed earlier than expected, Cebu Pacific's really improving huh! Tatay was with his friends from San Jose-- Tita Remy and her daughter May and Tita Luz. They spent 1 full week with me here. I wasn't able to join most of their getaways, but I sure did enjoy with them. They were spending like there was no tomorrow, and they actually prepared financially for this trip. Yun lang, the day after they came, the famous Merlion in Splanade was struck by lightning. It was closed for public viewing and taking of photographs wasn't possible. If not for the statue in Sentosa, they wouldn't have any picture with Merlion.

One thing I cannot forget about their visit is the bonding I had with my tatay. For 30 years of my life, it was my first time to sleep with him. Para akong naging bata ulit. Something I never experienced when I was growing up. And this is one thing I think would never happen If I didn't work here in Singapore. He also bonded with uncle, the Muslim-chinese owner of the supermarket below our flat who visited for some chit chats and brought packs of chipster and pringles.

Anyways, they also visited Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia, and they've been to places which I haven't visited yet here in Singapore. Looking forward to tatay and yuan's summer vacation here.

La Familia Untalan

2009-03-10T02:31:00.010+08:00

Three days after yuan, ate lala and pen left, I had a new batch of visitors. My cousins Nates, Agie and Kaye visited me with tito Boy and tita Noli. They spent four days here and two days in Malaysia. Kiko already posted about their escapades here in SG, we missed his presence but he never missed to call almost twice a day. Thank you dear, if it's not for your effort and your money I wouldn't be able to bond with your family again.

I got to play my role as a tour guide only on my sat-sun off and every after work. It excites me whenever I act as a host and I know I'm good at it. It didn't matter if I got to sleep for 3 hours or I had to rush to the city after work to join them, all were worth the effort. I can't wait for May to come, for sure we will have a better and quality time in the Philippines, Kiko will fly home from UK and tita Siony will be coming from US and I will be joining them. See you soon bananaman!

The Untalan family minus kiko plus me

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The next generation....

My closest cousin among the girls---kikay machine!

little yuan in Singapore

2009-03-02T12:57:00.025+08:00

Friday, 13th of February was Yuan's first day here in Singapore . They arrived at around 12.30 am and were able to checkout of the airport half past 1. Yuan was so excited when he saw me, I still can picture how he peeked at me when they were still inside the immigration area. When they finally came out I got too excited about the reality that they finally came. Ate lala will surely blog about this so I’ll just post photos of our whereabouts during their four day stay.

1st day Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island has a lot to offer. Yuan enjoyed so much. While we’re up in sky ride he made a serious but funny comment “I hope I am old enough to appreciate rides like this” and then followed by “ I wish I am not experiencing this right now”… hahahahha, that is how you complicate simple words as “ I have a fear of heights”.

Ambiah Lookout and the Oceanarium

Inside the butterfly and bird park and up in the sky ride

The Dolphin show and the musical fountain

2nd day Trip to Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia

We left Singapore around 8 am, I booked the Super VIP coach to KL as early as January that’s why I managed to get the front seat for me and Yuan. It was a 5 hour trip but wasn’t boring at all, aside from the comfort of travelling on a coach, I was with yuan, plus the intermission of corny jokes from the soon to be chief legal counsel of POEA. When we passed across the town of Merlimau , Malaysia he cracked this funny joke:

Pen: Kung ang Singapore ay may merlion,mermaid na lion, ang Malaysia may merlimau.

Me: Anong Merlimau?

Pen: Mermaid na Halimaw

Wahahhahahah…corny!

We arrived around 3pm and checked in to Renaissance Hotel in KLCC. Lucky enough the receptionists were Pinoys and they gave us the best room to view the Petronas Tower . We visited the tower, took photos and enjoyed the rest of the day with whatever KL has to offer.

Konsortium Bus Express

The view of petronas tower fom our room

KLCC Malaysia

Terima Kasih! hotel's pool

Suria KLCC, petronas tower, the pinoy and the pana

3rd day from Malaysia to Singapura

We had a much better coach back to Singapore . Everybody has their own mini tv where you can choose your own movie, massage chair which I enjoyed the most and a video game. We went straight to East Coast where Jhong, pen’s cousin treated us for dinner with his wife and cute baby, then after we went to clark quay and watched people try the reverse bungee. Pen really wanted to try it but the wife did not permit him. Dismayed by his wife’s refusal, he began to get serious, but I know he will try it next time, when ate Lala is not around.harharhar.

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by Susuana VIP coach

w/ jong-jong's family little

4th day, last day in SG

The hardest part of being with yuan is saying goodbye. It was their last day and I tried to be as strong as I can. I tried to enjoy every single minute of the day. The last day was just a chill out day and shopping day where we had a tour around the city.

the bookworm

Science Park at Jurong and my present for his birthday

HERMES run, run baby run....

splanade mall and the Merlion

Boat Quay

books

2009-02-25T21:24:00.006+08:00

I am not a bookworm as my tatay, yuan and ate lala are. I have quite a few collections of books and most of them are history books particularly of the Philippines and asia and a few novels by Nicholas Sparks, one of my favorite writers. I read when i have time and only when ate Lala and rain have sensationalized reviews on what they have read. Some of those I finished and ended up agreeing with them were: the kite runner, da vinci code, nothing lasts forever, memories of midnights, the other side of midnight, the five people you meet in heaven, hope for the flowers and the little prince. Believe it or not, never did I become interested in Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings, I just think it's too boring, as for yuan he finished three books of J.K Rowling's masterpiece. Though i am very much interested in Spiderwick, but I haven't read the chronicles, in time I will.

Attention Kiko: 1 set for me from UK, ayt?

After the stormy times of my life, I got so overwhelmed by people who cared. Some would pm me,email me and sms me, and some gave me something to read. I am writing this post because I found myself reading the first book Jog gave me last year-- This is My Story: 31 lives, 31 stories and 31 miracles...when i finished the 7th story i realized that I have a collection of inspirational books already and all were given to me as gifts. I am the most unlikely person to read these kinds of books but to my surprise I have them and I am reading every page. Amazing, God really has His way!

Let me share some of my collections now, and I hope you find yourself inspired by these too:

Happy Birthday Yuan

2009-02-17T22:28:00.005+08:00

Yuan turns eight today and part of his birthday celebration was his 4-day visit here in Singapore and in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I'll be missing his birthday for the first time, they went back yesterday morning, so sad but he has to make it for their field trip. He will be celebrating his birthday at the Manila Ocean Park with his classmates at the Ateneo. Imagine how cool is that!

Cable car to Sentosa, Singapore

Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Eight years have passed in a dash, i can't imagine my family without yuan, he is a grace from heaven and nature's greatest miracle! He constantly make us all proud.

I love you honey! Happy birthday Pokeboy!!!!

Diez

2009-02-06T00:02:00.007+08:00

I've been tagged by three bloggers a month ago, and only got a chance to do it now. I am not really interested in doing this but because I have been sitting for almost 6 hours here in my office doing nothing, I decided to do it.

Here are the rules of this award:
1. Each blogger must post these rules.
2. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
3. Blogger that are tagged, need to write ten facts about themselves. You need to choose ten people to tag and list their names.

Here are the Ten Random Facts/Habits About Me:(FYI, I patterned this from rain's)

1. I am bads.And that's the exact description of who i really am depending on how you perceive my 4-letter name. My name was derived from the movie "The life of St. Bernadette" which my tatay saw in Manila while nanay was in labor. They blessed me with such a holy name, which only took them a short time to realise that i'll grow up exactly the opposite. Anyway, I am being called by different names, but of course bads is the most common to my family and to my close friends. I just cannot remember who started calling me "bads", either one of these people : ram, rain, ianne, agat, or mutya.

2. I'm mighty proud of my roots, to quote rain "two of the biggest clans in Mindoro". There are a lot of perks being a member of a prestigious family but there are disadvantages too. Everyone's watching what you do and where you go, one wrong move and you're the next day's headline...hahha feeling celebrity.

3. I'm the total opposite of my ate Lala. Until now I still wonder how two people from the same parents grew up to be as similar as night and day, as for rain, she has the lala and the bads in her, no wonder she is close to both of us but I can say she is closer to me.

4. I don't like sweets. I can live without chocolates because I don't enjoy the taste at all. I'd rather have a bar of Kraft Eden cheese and a sizzling spicy of anything for a meal. I like anything with cheese and anything spicy.

5. I'm the product of my mother and father's union. And for whatever reason, I acquired all their negative habits, attitude, and manners. This, I realized as I mature. This explains why I am the troublemaker in the family.

6. Two years ago, i did the most stupid thing i've ever done. Hoping to escape the harsh realities of life, i downed a bottle of alcohol. ISOPROPYL, that was STUPID. I was confused, alone, angry and stupid..hahaha. Help and rescue came after two hours but too late I threw up all the alcohol I consumed but I suffered for hours. Three days after I can still taste the alcohol which reminded me how stupid i was..It wasn't my time anyway!

7. I have more that 3 stitches in my head and one in my chin. I was prone to accident when i was young. I was being teased as "lampayatot" during my childhood. Unbelievable, but true!

8. At 12, I got into a vehicular accident. I was driving our first motorcycle when I accidentally ran over Menard. It was a shocker for me and my family because he had to go into operation and my parents paid for it. I was grounded from driving for two years, and the accident caused me many sleepless nights at a young age. It became the talk of the town for months.

9. I am a chess champion..and that i'm proud of to this day. I got to represent my province in the prestigious STRAA in 1994, an athletic event for the whole region 4. Were it not for lack of training and conflict with studies I could've played in Palarong Pambansa. Check mate!

10. I am a super emotional person. I'd rather cry than pretend to be strong. I used to have a problem with moving on and not looking back. After the biggest fall of my life, I survived and learned. Now I am strong and a better person, life is not a fairy tale at all, reality check, life is a learning experience, all you need to do is to live it to the fullest.

I'm tagging these bloggers:
1. Albert
2. Harriet
3. Vynes
4. Gena
5. tita Armie
6. Sigrid
7. Myk2ts
8. Karen
9. Caloy
10. Dennis

ganito kami noon....

2009-01-30T21:34:00.006+08:00

I found these photos at ate Lala's flickr account. Whenever I get lonely I would browse photos there. Each is a reminder of what life had been, and how it should be.

innocent minds

growing up years

Ganito kami noon... me and my sis rain, kiko and his brother nates. We literally grew up together, we are so close that we treat each other as brothers and sisters more than just cousins. I started viewing the photos with a smile, then I ended up longing for the three of them, so sad. A lot of good memories shared, memories that wouldn't fade eventhough by chance and by fate we're miles away from each other. I miss you guys! Just guess kung sino ang alin :)

... eto na kami ngayon!

saan na napunta ang panahon?

My Holidays Diary (part II)

2009-01-30T20:26:00.002+08:00

Rain asked yuan what he wanted for Christmas, he said he wants a pet, and he wants a turtle. We both knew that my father would disagree about the idea because for him, these species belong to their natural habitat, I did mention in my previous posts that he is a devout environmentalist. So rain asked yuan to ask for tatay’s permission who later agreed. When it comes to yuan he is the spoiler. So I went to bio research and bought a turtle, when yuan saw it he was very amazed and he called it goggles. The original plan was to put it in the aquarium with boom boom, our two year old dragon fin, but it didn’t materialize and so rain bought a separate aquarium for goggles and placed it to yuan’s room above his bookshelf.

I had prior plans of meeting with my hs batchmates that day, beth invited us over her newly -bought house in Rizal and they had a celebration for her brother’s birthday. Along with goggles I went to SM Marikina where I met up with beth’s family who fetched Helen and Zafia in Pasay. Their place is quite far but her house’s so big, I’m happy that she was able to buy something like that from her and her husband’s hardwork. Congratulations beth, you deserve it. We only stayed for few hours because len had to rush home for a graveyard shift in Makati, furthermore, I still had a date with my family.

I got a ticket for 5 at klownz quezon avenue. Tatay, who was hesitant at first, joined me, Pen and ate Lala. As usual the place was jammed but still we managed to get a table comfortable enough for the four of us. It was my first time to go out with the three of them on a place like that, it’s not their kind of thing yah know. I missed rain that night coz she’s my bar buddy but seeing the three of them enjoying the gags made my night.

December 31

The last day of 2008.

It was also the first time our family would celebrate New Year’s eve in Manila. If we were in Mindoro it would be really different. Mas masaya kasi mas marami. Asela came in the morning with her two sons Aaron and Paulo all the way from Muntinlupa. I haven’t seen her in a while. She changed a lot since I last saw her, and the good thing is I saw how she matured as a responsible mother. I am proud of my pretty pamangkin naman. For the whole time we were talking I can only see a strong and a happy lady who’s surviving life and living it to the fullest. Iba-iba talaga destiny ng tao.

Celebrating New Year in Manila was solemn for we only stayed in the house. We really don’t buy firecrackers during new year because we don’t enjoy it. Weird family kami eh, hehehhe. We just turned on the television, set the videoke and sang all our favorite songs along with the noise outside the subdivision. Two hours after midnight, the noise from the neighborhood stopped, they ran out of firecrackers and paputok. Ate Lala gave this funny comment which made us all laugh “ Ano sila wala na silang paputok, tayo nag-iingay pa…libre pa!”

My Holidays Diary (part I)

2009-01-18T01:45:00.004+08:00

December 27

I went to Circle C with yuan and rain for yuan’s dental cleaning and for his barber’s cut. Circle C’s one of our favorite shopping mall, it’s situated along congressional avenue which is in close proximity to our old house in Project 6. It is where I would go for foot spa, reflexology and body massage, facial cleaning and of course shopping! T’was also where yuan had his first Milo Taekwondo class in summer of 2007. Now that our house is 30-45 minutes away from Cirlcle C, we still find the place very convenient and I would pay a visit everytime I am in the country.

After getting our feet tired shopping for what we need, we took a break and had our favourite California maki , Yuan finished half of the box and had a pocket of cheese fries after. We took a cab home and stayed in the house with my family on a Saturday.

December 28

Ladies went on shopping with yuan and the big boys went to Araneta for Ginebra games. It was a Sunday, obviously the Christians didn’t go to church..hehehhe. I shopped for some blouses and bought tatay an ipod for his RAV 4. We finished shopping when almost all the stalls around closed. Ate Lala has this shopping cart where we put all of the stuff we bought, pulling it is better than carrying a bunch of plastic bags.

Later that night I went out with rain and carol(yuan’s ate). After trying 3 comedy bars which were all jam packed, we ended up in Klownz Quezon Avenue. I am not really a fanatic of Wally and Jose, but they were good. Rain and me enjoyed the night with beer and sisig and nachos, a bonding we never had for months.

December 29

Yuan told me that he missed playing at Kidz@work, it is his favourite play area since he started to learn socializing with stangers of his age. He also spent his 7^th birthday at this kid’s gym and he is known to some staff already. So we went to SM North after lunch and bought an all-day ticket for him to enjoy while I do some shopping. Yuan is adorable, as I watched him interact with other children I can see how far he would go years from now. He would crack jokes which can make your day and would give comments which would make you think and say “oo nga no?”.

Here’s what happened when it was time for us to leave:

I asked the receptionist to page yuan for it was late already:

Receptionist: Paging yuan Please proceed to the reception area! Yuan, Yuan reception are please.

Yuan: Is it time already?

Me: No but we have to go, it’s late.

Yuan: Ok then, let me out of here.

Then he turned to the receptionist and said:

Yuan: When you called my name over the microphone, you should wait for few minutes before calling it again di ba? Bye I love you!

The receptionist looked at me as if I humilate her, her cheeks turned red, she was speechless but had a smile on her face, I just smiled back at her without saying anything.

Ok then, so we had a dinner at KFC upon yuan’s request and headed back home.

Our Daily Bread

2009-01-03T10:48:00.007+08:00

December 26, 2008

I woke up later than usual today because I still have jet lag from my turbulent trip. Aside from the fact that this day would usually be the post Christmas celebration for most people who didn't manage to fit in all activities on Christmas day itself, it is also my fave cousin's birthday...but he celebrated it alone in UK.

Aynway, lunch was set when I woke up and we still had a lot to share because pen's mommy sent a 45 kg lechon from Mindanao on Christmas day. We usually start a meal with a prayer but this time pen decided to make it different. He asked yuan to read a verse from Our Daily Bread, yuan read it aloud and everybody listened. I didn't like the idea because i know i'll get emotional again and I don't want them to see me crying. But my brother-in-law had other plans, after yuan read the verse, he gave an additional insight about Christmas celebration and the reason for the season...it was brief but this time I burst into tears. I know they know what I am going through but nobody cared to ask, at least not on my second day here in the Philippines...but later they did.

I didn't let my emotions spoil the day, I managed to compose myself during lunch and get back to the normal me. Good thing my family has their own way of making somebody feel loved...kahit di nila sabihin, nararamdaman ko. One of them is to keep all of us busy with gimiks and activities. After dinner we visited the Marikina Riverbanks to shop for some cheap anik-anik, perya and barbeque sa turo-turo, yuan enjoyed the most and that's more important.

After Riverbanks we had some coffee at cofee Beanery in Capitol Hills Country Club. We could almost see the whole quezon city beneath our feet where we were seated.

After chilling out for an hour, we drove home, rain and I spent the rest of the night with a dvd marathon.

Pasko sa Pinas

2008-12-31T20:19:00.006+08:00

I arrived in the Philippines exactly on Christmas day. When we landed I started to get emotional when they played "I'll be coming home for Christmas", it brought me to the state of confusion once again. I am in the Philippines to spend my holidays with my family and I am so thankful coz I got this opportunity to spend it with them...i may say, it is one of the few good effects of recession--most offices in Singapore encouraged their employees to go on vacation leave this holidays for the reason of cost cutting.

I know everyone's excited about my arrival, at least my presence would somehow fill the absence of my mother who will spend her christmas in US again. Since I arrived on Christmas day, we didn't make it to the traditional Christmas day celebration on my mother's side in Mindoro where we would spend the whole day at my tito's beach resort, details on how we celebrate it is written on Kiko's site. He didn't make it as well for he is in UK now. Anyway, we spent the day at my tito ned's house in Tondo. First time in my life to celebrate Christmas with my Ordenes' family, because we usually would celebrate with them during new years and this time it's different again. Grabe andami talaga nabago ngayong 2008, well i learned that we should always be prepared for changes, though it would mean pain and heartaches..sometimes we just need to get used to it, as long as we don't cause any harm to others we will have a blessed life. me and yuan

my pamangkins in tondo with yuan

my nephew albey and my tita luding

It's time everyone flies

2008-12-28T00:58:00.006+08:00

It has been one of my habits to check air fares and promotions of different airlines almost every other day. As a matter of fact I got all my tickets back here by promotion. Before I left SG on the night of 24th, my housemates were browsing for air fare and promotions thru the website for there will be a long holiday in Sg on January for Chinese New Year and everybody's planning a holiday of their own. We all got excited and surprised when we came along the Cebu Pacific's zero fair promotion-- a round trip ticket to Singapore for $30 sgd only, all taxes and fares in.When I arrived here in Manila on the 25th, I immediately informed my family about the promotion and the first who got so excited was tatay. He has all the means to travel even as far Europe and US for he has the money, he'd been to some countries in Asia but not Singapore and he would prefer to travel only if it's free like to attend seminar overseas or if somebody would pay for his expenses... he is frugal errr thrifty?(whatever). He didn't stop bugging me about booking his ticket immediately when he heard about the promo, he was afraid that all seats would be taken and he wouldn't be able to make it to the end date. So I booked his ticket online for one week Singapore experience and got it for only 940.00PHP. Then after I booked my sister Lala, her husband Pen and yuan for an earlier visit to Singapore. It is also our birthday treat to yuan for his 8th birthday. The original plan was Hongkong Disneyland but to take advantage of the promotion we decided to postpone the Disneyland trip for the summer maybe. Rain is not going with them because she has work and she's been in Singapore already.

So I got my tatay, ate lala, pen and yuan booked for Singapore on February, all tickets were confirmed for less than 5,000.00 PHP, imagine that! So much cheaper than flying back to Dipolog or Cagayan de Oro. The best deal I had from Cebu Pacific.The story didn't stop on me booking for my family's ticket; late in the afternoon I got hold of Jay over the net and informed him about the promotion, he could not believe that an airline would offer such cheap air fare, last message I got from him was "mura nga kung 940.00 per pax".

Thirty minutes after I logged out, I got a call from Nates, he was asking if I can book his whole family online for Singapore. I didn't know that after I chatted with Jay he called his family and asked them to take advantage of the promotion and take a vacation to Singapore, he would be paying for the trip... I got so excited about the idea...it means that I would be expecting my cousins, and my family in February, all of the tickets were confirmed already so the next thing to do is to plan everything ahead. Though It would be hectic, I wouldn't mind at all, I cannot wait for this adventure.

caricature of the mountaineers

2008-12-22T18:52:00.004+08:00

This was drawn by Danny Racelis a.k.a. popony of the PSG Mountaineers, one of the best Pinoy Architects here in Singapore. I found it so cute and can't help but to post here in my blog.

FYI he made this in a dash kasi baka mahuli daw ni boss.Nice one popony!

PinoySG Mountaineers Christmas Party

2008-12-22T01:07:00.002+08:00

December 6, 2008

We decided to celebrate the party earlier than usual at Pasir Ris Park. It was triple celebration because of my birthday, jb & marivic’s 10^th year anniversary and of course our group’s Christmas Party. With tents set up beside the sea and a barbecue pit reserved exclusively for the mountaineers, we had a really wacky and hilarious celebration. We had a lot of food and drinks, all were pinoy dish. The highlight was the gift giving—rather than doing it the usual way we decided to make it different, we called it gift grabbing! The idea was either to open a gift or to grab someone else’s gift. Once you open a gift, your chance of grabbing will be forfeited, but a gift can only be grabbed twice. And it proved how sports were we…hahahha walang nagalit kasi walang choice. Though the first gift I opened was grabbed away, I am thankful for the bags(organizer) I received which will be useful for traveling or on our next climb.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

reunited with GOD

2008-12-19T16:28:00.002+08:00

Whilst everybody’s enjoying the spirit of Christmas and Holidays, I am currently in a state of despair and misery…and the hardest part of it is to pretend happy, to feel strong when I know I’m not and to endure the pain which is slowly killing me everyday. My friends here in Singapore are very supportive, they comfort me most of the times and I am very thankful of that but sad that I have to keep the situation from my best friends, good friends and my family. Do not ask me please…. Just wait for me on Christmas. I was weeping for days, I was so confused and had no hope at all. I couldn’t find answers to my questions even if I stay all night lying in bed thinking of what has been happening and why it is happening. I was literally lost.

Since Tuesday, I have been reading posts from the mountaineers on our Yahoo groups about the Simbang Gabi here in Singapore. For whatever reason, I just woke up from my 2-hour sleep yesterday wanting to go to church. I’ve never attended the Catholic mass for 3 years but yesterday I felt the urge to hear the Gospel and ask for God's forgiveness.

So I was at Christ the King Church last night with thousands of Filipinos celebrating the holy mass. It was a magical experience… my heart was pumping hard when I entered the church, though crowded, I felt I was given a special space, and when the choir started singing Christmas carol, I burst into tears. From the beginning until the end, I was asking forgiveness from God while my tears were overflowing my eyes.

It felt good to be back in HIS arms again. I may not be totally healed now but soon I will be ok and will be a better person. Life is good, Praise the Lord!

Gunung Panti Friendship Climb

2008-12-16T23:17:00.007+08:00

This is long overdue. I was supposed to write about our climb immediately after embarking from Malaysia but I couldn't find the time to do so; I’ve been so busy.

Friendship Climb @ Gunung Panti, Kota Tinggi Malaysia

The sole purpose of the climb was to raise funds and to extend our help to the Globe Adventure Club in the Philippines on their medical mission for our Aeta brothers and sisters. They coordinated with the Bundokeros Adventure Club and had our team, the PSG Mountaineering club, invited. The support was overwhelming and it united all the Filipino climbers here in Singapore, as well as those from Malaysia. For a registration fee of $20, we were given souvenir shirts, a one of a kind climb experience, and the chance to extend our help to the Aetas back home.

The call time was 6.30 am at Kranji MRT Station, the BAC hired a Malaysian bus which brought us directly to Kota Tinggi, Malaysia. An almost two hour travel including the queue in both Singapore immigration and Malaysian immigration, hmm... not bad. Upon reaching Kota Tinggi bus terminal we took a teksi (taxi) to the jump-off point where we were met by the Filipino climbers from Kuala Lumpur. We also had an early lunch there. After 30 minutes we were all set, we started the supposed two-hour trek to the summit of Gunung Panti, but it took me three hours or more hehhehe, no practice and physical preparation…as usual, the hard-headed me. Fortunately, the sweepers were Caloy, Olan and the drummer of DeadMacoys whose name slipped my memory. I tested and tried their patience and I appreciate it.

Anyway, aside from the experience of being sucked by two lematiks (leech) for the first time, the highlight of the climb was the giant rock which I had to hurdle to reach the summit. It was the most dangerous part of the climb, imagine yourself in a giant slippery rock situated at the edge of the mountain and one wrong move will bring you to your final destination. And I am proud to say I survived! I did it!

After setting up the tents, unpacking our things, and a short siesta, we all waited for the breathtaking view of the sunset. It was amazing! The sound of the wind blowing into the trees was like background music while we were watching the sun kissing the beautiful mountains of Malaysia

When the moon showed up, the socials started, everybody gathered and we all bonded. T’was a night of laughter and cheers!

It’s two-way, going to the summit is an option and going down is mandatory. So at around 10:30 am we were already trekking down the mountains . We took a different route down, and after 4 hours of trekking, only did our lead and sweeper realize that we were on the wrong way down. What should have been 2-3 hours of trekking down became 7 hours, without food and without water. Good thing it rained so we were not really that dehydrated.

Thanks to the hard work of the members of BAC who really tried everything to trace the trail. I admire them for their stamina and endurance--good job guys!

At last we were able to reach our destination at around 7pm. By 11pm we were home again, tired but fulfilled. The Gunung Panti Friendship climb is an experience worth all the time and effort.

Salamat po!

2008-12-11T00:11:00.004+08:00

Finally after 6 days, it's my turn to thank all of those who remembered my 30th birthday:

Yuan- i miss you too and I love you so much!
Tatay and Nanay- salamat sa buhay
Ate Lala-thanks for my multiply's profile
Rain - dude, where's my gift?
Bong - rock on!
My cousins nates, kaye and agie
Freebayanpinoy- stay being aware.
My flatmates: Arvin,Ruel,Henry,Echo,Dennis,Jp,Claire and Corie-salamat sa paghanda.
PSG Mountaineers: Mabuhay tayong lahat!
Ali Boi
Kuya Obet de lemos
Lyka Argana
Helen Acosta- miss yah gal.
Kuya Ley and ate Amy-thanks for the effort.
Bhea Ramos
Eric
Yehlen Leido
Jhong Melendrez
Edy Bernardo- miss na rin kita, parang wala ka sa SG
Ton-ton
Ruschelle Verendia
Ram Aventurado
Vanessa Ventura-Espinar
Telki- I miss you too!
Aura Krishna Villena
Tita Armie Mercado
Joseph Lising
Ruby Anna V. Tolentino
Rache Ferrer
Caloy of Bundokeros- kahit di ka maniwala na bday ko weheheh
Olan of DeadMacoys and Bundokeros-salamat pare
Christina Andrew
Cecelia Tan
Rhaman Khaswan

And lastly I would like to thank Fanny Serrano for my hair and Make-up and Rene Salud for my gown :)

another year older

2008-12-04T22:46:00.005+08:00

In one hour i'll be turning 30 and will start a new path of my perplexed labyrinth. It will be my first birthday away from my family, not literally alone but I feel so melancholic. Sometimes I want to ask the world, why the hell am here? Is this really what I want to do? And or have I done something prudent in the past 29 years of my life? Pardon me for being so melodramatic but I have to vent. I feel so alone.

No matter what will happen on my 30^th birthday, I don’t think it will be a happy one….it’ll just be a Birthday!

Good thing there are comic strips of Cathy over the web to browse and read... at least something to cheer me up!

Giniyang na naman....

2008-11-27T22:57:00.008+08:00

When I heard from my sister rain that Razorback will perform here in Singapore, and then later confirmed it from the drummer of Popoy and Tao, I cleared my schedule for the day of the gig. The date was November 23.

Two days before the gig, during our pre-climb at Lau Pa Sat, I saw the whole band having drinks. I approached Louie and asked if Jamir gave him copies of Syalam's album, which he was supposed to give to me. Unfortunately, they left the Philippines earlier than expected and so Jam wasn't able to contact him anymore. After short kumustahan I said goodbye and assured him that i'll be watching the gig.

@ Lau Pa Sat

When I reached home I told Carrive that razorback's in town already, he is one of louie's best buddies and next thing I knew they were talking over the phone. We were supposed to meet louie again the next day but due to razorback's hectic schedule the plan didn't push through. Instead he gave Carrive three guest passes, unfortunately I had my tickets bought a week before they came. So Carrive invited Paul to join us, and so we were four.

@ the Arena after the show

Astig! The best gig I've seen here in Singapore...walang kupas!

We were joined by louie and manuel after the show...t'was nice to see carive and louie so happy seeing each other again.

Munting Paraiso

Payaso

And this is what you call a bass player....the best in the Philippines: Benjamin "Louie" Talan, taken from my digicam.

fully booked

2008-11-24T22:21:00.006+08:00

Thirty-three days before Christmas and my schedule is full. Aside from my weekdays being occupied with work, I also have my weekends fully-booked with extracurricular and social activities.

I don't know why, but it seems days fly so fast come November. It’s one of my favorite months of the year. December is fast approaching and I am excited, aside from the fact that I will be leaving my 20s a few days from now, I've committed to be with those who want my presence. Yun lng ang dami nila!

The sole purpose of this post is to give you guys my whereabouts in case you wanna book for my time, just pm me. Hahaha! My day is free, depending on the offer. *wink*

Let me start by sharing my November 21-23 weekends:

Nov. 21 Friday

I went to work as usual and spent the whole day pretending to be doing something. It was our month-end closing and all systems were down for accounting and auditing purposes. The hardest thing to do when you have an easy job is to pretend that you are busy. After work, I went directly to Lau Pa Sat at Raffles place for our pre-climb meeting. While waiting for the climbers, I joined Shiela and Caloi for a nice meal at Jolly-V, a Filipino-owned stall inside Lau Pa Sat. Grabe their chicken really tastes like chicken joy from Jollibee. I love it!

At around 9 p.m. we were joined by the mountaineers and the meeting started. The attendance was overwhelming that Caloi had to shout while explaining the itinerary for the climb. All were set for the Gunung Panti friendship climb, Bundokeros and PSG Mountaineers, yahoo!!!

PSG Mountaineers

November 22 Saturday

I slept until 2 p.m., it was Saturday and had to reward myself with a long and good sleep. If not for a tennis game at 4 p.m., I would be staying longer in bed. So I was at Sigrid’s place later in the afternoon for a round of tennis with my co-mountaineers. It’s been more than 10 years since I last played tennis and it felt as if I were a beginner again. I need more games and practice.

Avon Condo tennis court

After the game, I met up with Tata who accompanied me to Camper’s corner to check some of the mountaineering gears and equipment, we had dinner after. Halfway through my dinner, I received sms from Harriet inviting me to attend the Batanggenyo Christmas party at East Coast. At 11 p.m., I was with the Batanggenyos in Singapore enjoying the food and kwentong Batangas, and you won’t believe what our topic was---sinaing na isda.

Batanggenyos in Singapore

Nov. 23 Sunday

Beggar’s Moon, astig day.. a separate post needed, soon!

This whole week I will be busy with my work again. But for the next weekends here are the upcoming events:

Nov. 29-30 Friendship Climb,Gunung Panti, Malaysia

Dec 5 My birthday wahahahahhaha!

Dec 6-7 PSG Mountaineers Christmas Party, Pasir Ris Park

Dec 8 Hari Raya Haji

Dec 13-14 Blk 717 Christmas Party, Yishun

Dec 21-22 No plans yet

Dec-25 Kainan at Kantahan sa bahay

Dec 27 Home sweet home :)

Marcus Highway and Itchyworms in SIngapore

2008-11-16T17:11:00.002+08:00

One of the members of Bundokeros invited the PSg mountaineers for a benefit concert sponsored by his fraternity APO. The performers would be marcus Highway with Itchyworms at Orchard Tower, hmnnn am not really a fan of itchy worms but because Marcus will be playing I contacted Caloi and reserved tickets for two.

The orchard tower was not a cool venue as the "Arena" where Bamboo and Parokya had their gigs. For the benefit of those who do not know, Orchard tower lies in the center of the red light district where prostitution is rampant but legal. Well we're not affected because prostitutes here are mostly Thais and Chinese from mainland China, while we are proud as Filipinos because we are categorized as Professionals and Skilled workers in Singapore if not a domestic helper which is still a decent job.

Going back to my story, I met up with Carrive, my housemate at downtown Singapore around 6pm. I was advised that the event would start at 6pm. It actually started around 7.30 (Filipino time!). We were later joined by kisses who clocked out of work at 9pm.

w/ kisses

The first band to play was the DeadMacoys, they’re quite popular in the Filipino community here in SG because according to my source they won the 2007 battle of the bands beating all of the local bands here. I enjoyed the first three songs they played, a fusion of rock and reggae which were their original compositions, I suppose. I suddenly got confused when they started to play metal and pop, I don't like bands without a specific genre....hais!

For the effort I want to commend DeadMAcoys’ vocalist because he has the voice, he can sing very well and the bassist is even better.

DeadMacoys

Prior to Marcus performing on stage as a solo artist, I got a chance to talk to him in private. We talked about peachy, our common friend who already settled in Australia, and of course i didn't let him go without asking about the eraserheads' reunion concert. "Ganun talaga eh, pasensya na", his brief comment about the reunion, then he changed the topic by offering me the reunion concert album. Carrive is also a friend to Marcus, this time their topic was their surfing activities and wake boarding in La Union. Not so many of us know how good Marcus is as a singer, he can sing better than their vocalist Ely Buendia but I have to admit that ely has the "looks" which he doesn’t have. Peace dude! In fairness to Marcus, I like his compositions and he drove the crowd wild especially when he sang the Eheads' songs. FYI di memorize ni Marcus songs ng eheads, may kodigo sya.hahaha kainis!

Marcus Adoro a.k.a Freddie Aguilar..hehhe

Itchyworms backing up Marcus

Crowd gone wild...Marcus singing eheads' hits

Itchyworms deserved a clap for well-written songs. They are really performers and I can say that they are the new breed eraserheads. They may not be as popular as eheads but the lyrics and musicality are almost the same, something unnoticed which needs to be seen. They are good.

The Itchyworms

**thanks pareng Caloi for the invitation and tickets...Mabuhay ang Bundokeros at PSG Mountaineers!!

Post-climb, beerday, atbp.

2008-11-15T22:10:00.000+08:00

After the Hantu Besar climb of PSG Mountaineers last Nov. 1 and 2, at last the post-climb meeting!

It was supposed to be scheduled right away after the climb but since Trishe had an earlier reservation for a chalet at Costa Sands for her birthday she offered and suggested the place as the venue for the post-climb. It was held Friday night, the first day of her 3days beerday celebration.

Days before 14^th of November, everybody got so excited about the idea of a weekend celebration that the much awaited post-climb-trishe-andrew-birthday had been the topic of our yahoo forum everyday.

We had our food on potluck and everybody brought something for each to share. Well, if you are a Filipino who’s working here in Singapore all you look forward into every week are weekends.

With 3 acoustic guitars and alcohol of different variety, our post climb and triple beerday celebration made the group closer and even more bonded.

kainan na!!!

the celebrants

More photos on my friendster and multiply account soon!

Jog in Singapore

2008-11-11T00:25:00.008+08:00

Jog is my tita Cha's youngest brother and he visited SG. His first three days were spent with his college friends and when they left he spent quality time with me. He wanted to go to Malaysia so I met him after work on a Wednesday and we headed to woodlands checkpoint for a chop. There's nothing much to do in Johor Baru, Malaysia and as planned we just chilled and dined out and then went back to Singapore.There's a story behind our Johor's experience.... when we reached the woodlands immigration, we got so excited and took pictures behind the gigantic building of Woodlands Checkpoint Authority. While he was striking a pose in front of the camera I told him, "bawal magpapicture dito", being paranoid of singapore laws, he immediately packed his camera but had taken a few photos already. After a couple of minutes, an officer from the immigration approached us:

officer: did you just take pictures?

me: yeah but only a few

officer: it's not allowed here. May i see your camera. A filipino couple were held at the immigration last week for taking pictures

me: Oh really? I didn't know that, the last time we're here it's still allowed.

jog: ok sorry we will just erase it.....

Since it was his cam which captured the photos, the officer asked jog to show him the pics, I can see his face became so pale and his hands were shaking while deleting the photos from his cam. Hahaha it was so funny, good thing the officer was nice.. may i just say that all officers here are nice, so long as you give them valid reason.

When the officer left left I asked jog if he was ok, he just answered "grabe bads muntik na ako namutla" wahahahhaa and it was the best laugh I had for that day.

The next day after work, I treated JP and Jog to Chinese Garden and we had dinner at IMM which is one of the biggest malls in Singapore and which, according to locals here, is owned by Imelda Marcos.

Chinese Garden

statue of Mulan

@IMM (Imelda Marcos Mall?)

uwi na si jog sa Pinas :(

jp in Singapore

2008-11-03T00:34:00.005+08:00

JP is one of rain's best friends. She arrived this morning and she will be staying with me here in Singapore. At last I have someone to share my bed with again. It also translates to me being an "ate" again. A month ago when rain informed me of jp's plan of coming here to look for a job, I offered my room at once but she had other plans. One of their classmates from UST also offered her a place to stay. jp chose to stay there, only to find out just yesterday that her classmate's got a roommate already. Luckily I went online yesterday and jp told me what happened so I offered my place and now she is here. She brought me a box of dunkin donuts and a jar of "adobo na luto ng nanay nya" which we shared over lunch. After a short orientation of life here in SG we went to the mall and bought a set of comforter for our bed.

PinoySG Mountaineers

2008-10-29T22:09:00.004+08:00

Last Monday was a holiday because of Deepavali, Indian's New year. 'Twas one of the long weekends of Singapore. In preparation for the Hantu Besar climb in Malaysia on Nov. 1, the mountaineers organized a pre-climb drill at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and i was there. only few of us made it but then it was worth my time and effort. A big big effort.

A long and winding road

w/ gitz and stab

Though I am still suffering from muscle pain til now, and have to back out for the Hantu Besar climb, I know I have to work hard to prepare for the next one.It is so true that the mountains reveal extraordinary beauty which only those who make enough effort can perfectly see and appreciate.

setting up popony's brand new $420 tent
sobrang mahal!

It is only to those who seek that the mountains reveal its real beauty. I could have stayed in bed that day and sleep til noon with the comfort of a/c but i chose to join. And when I felt the caress of the soft wind on my sweaty face, it's proven once again that you can never be tired and lonely if nature's with you.And it's all worth choosing the heat of the sun over the comfort of a/c. and the muscle pain? nothing compared to the fulfillment i felt :)

We spent the night camping at the bay side of East Coast Park.

halloween

2008-10-26T20:38:00.006+08:00

When I was young, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because it's the time of year when my family would gather in the cemetery, it's also the time for a get-together with my high school batch. And when we were younger, time for “pangaluluwa.” Although my father didn’t approve of us loitering in the streets of Sablayan during night time, an excuse of sleeping over Ate Vic’s or Nanay Lucy’s house so we could join our older cousins always did the trick. Sablayan's version of trick-or-treating would be children going one house after another singing the staple "kaluluwang kambing kambing.”

I haven’t celebrated Nov.1 in Sablayan since 2003. One thing I miss most -- more than being with my relatives -- is visiting my grandparents' tomb, both on my father's and mother's side. Now, I still look forward to Halloweens, this time because of Yuan. We would attend trick-or-treat parties every year but unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to celebrate it now with him. If I were in `Pinas this time of year, we would have already chosen his outfit. Last year he won as best costume during Convergys’ trick or treat Halloween party. I can’t wait to see what would be his costume for this year…

face painted by bong

Halloween is not really big here in Singapore, wala sila pakialam dito. Last year we celebrated Halloween with syalam @ oneil’s place. This year I am supposed to join our climb in Hantu Besar, Malaysia, but because Jug-jug is coming over on Nov 1 and and i am not conditioned to 1500feet climb and 6hours of trekking i backed out.

Happy Halloween!!!!

bumisita si boss

2008-10-22T23:18:00.006+08:00

Mr. Goh is the boss of Arvin and Ruel who paid half of our house's deposit. So when we settled after a week, we invited him and his wife for a dinner over our new flat. It was supposed to be a small gathering only with simple dinner and quick chit chats but turned out otherwise.

He gave hundred something dollars for food and drinks and I did the budgeting and of course the cooking.

I prepared pansit bihon, fresh lumpia, steamed fish, and relyenong bangus, Mr. Goh's wife brought two packs of roasted chicken which added variety to our meal coz it was cooked the Chinese way. We were also joined by their company's sub contractor which is a Chinese Malaysian and whose name i cannot remember anymore. Mr. Goh's so bubbly, he has a sense of humor, the wife is nice too, they enjoyed the food and they commended me for a job well done. After finishing two cans of beer they left for a meeting.

The boss gave Arvin $500 which he decided to use to purchase a magic sing. . . dream come true! When the boss left, the party started. We invited our friends over and I invited Ron and Edy. Ron was joined by his officemates from Keppel. What was so funny was that everybody admired my voice. I am the best when it comes to singing in this flat, hahaha. When I told Rain about it here’s what she said “paano pala kung nandyan ako, e di dyosa na ako”.

We packed-up early because the next day was a monday and everybody had to go to work, but so true “basta’t may pinoy, may magic sing.

Blk 717 Yishun St. 71

2008-10-15T22:52:00.006+08:00

This is our family here in Singapore. 7 young guys trying our luck here in Singapore and surviving the plight of an OFW.

I was so alone before we moved into this block and before I decided to rent out a whole flat and share it with Filipinos. Of course with the help of Arvin and Ruel, we made it. And now we are enjoying each others' company, at home na at home kami. I manage everything, and they respect my decisions and rules, ganun naman dapat. I found my second home here in Singapore.

Our bonding time is always every dinner. We decided to contribute $10 each for a week's budget, and so we share a sumptuous meal every night and as usual I am the cook and i am enjoying it a lot. I do not feel alone anymore, no more crying nights for me...sometimes nights are never enough for all of the stories shared by everyone..magic sing na lang ang kulang and they're planning to contribute to buy one...hahaha pinoy nga naman.

cosmic love's music video

2008-10-14T22:10:00.002+08:00

The music video of one of my tenant's band in the Philippines. Their vocalist's amazingly sings like Karl Roy. Astig!

Go carrive!

guess who skyped me?

2008-10-13T00:54:00.005+08:00

I worked at the House of Representatives on my last year in college. My dilemma back then had something to do with what my future would be after college. I was not satisfied with my education; I thought that it was not enough and that I didn’t learn a lot.

So I then thought of continuing my studies in a graduate school in US. While scouting around for an organization that will sponsor my study in the US I came across the website of LLI (Lubang-Looc Incorporated). It is an organization of US-based Looc and Lubang natives. Looc and Lubang are two of the municipalities of Occ. Mindoro. I sent a message to their president Fred Tesalona who later became my email buddy. Unfortunately, they have no such program as scholarship grant for students who want to study in the US but the good thing was he forwarded my email to one of their members, tita Armi Martinez Mercado who came from Sablayan but originally from Looc and she knows my parents. After a year of exchanging emails, I lost contact with her. My old email account expired and I couldn’t retrieve her address anymore.

Meanwhile, my high school alma mater had its Grand Alumni Homecoming last December. It was highlighted by an audio visual presentation of the alumni, and I almost fell off my seat when I heard that the presentation was made by Ms. Armi Mercado from Maryland. I so much wanted to approach her and introduce myself but was hesitant if she would recognize me plus the fact that I do not know who the Armi is amongst all the Martinezes siblings.

Last week I got this message from my blog’s message board:

4 Oct 08, 18:40
guesswho: tess-look-alike si rain.

5 Oct 08, 01:41
rain to guesswho: yup, replica. hehehe. sino si guess who?

5 Oct 08, 22:25
guesswho: from maryland.

7 Oct 08, 07:03
guesswho-mii: yes i'm from sby. i (mii) sent a note to your skype acct. hope that's you.

I didn’t receive the message on my skype but after two days I received an email from tita Armi. I was so excited and I really appreciated the fact that she still remembered me. After almost 10 years, imagine that! Thanks to the power of technology and skype….but tita how did you know that I used the pen name “nekupenda”?

Anyways, last night while I was updating my multiply account, my skype rang and saw tita Armie was calling, we had a video call and I was really surprised when I saw her. She looks exactly like Agatha(one of my favorite nieces who just gave birth last January). The similarity was unbelievable, there’s actually no difference at all. I saw the evolution of Agat 15 years from now…hmnnn or maybe 30? Peace tita!

I also met her groovy husband who told me that he was a friend to my tatay. We talked about places and people we know, her family and my family. Our conversation was cut short because they had to go shop some stuff and so we bid goodbye and regards.

Keeping in touch with people is so possible now because of the power of the Internet. I’m happy that I am reunited with an old pal. The couple is so accommodating and I’m sure this will be the start of a long-time friendship. Distance and generation gap don’t matter at all, as long as the blood of a true Mindoreno runs in our veins there’s still a lot more to share and talk about.

Racial slur in BBC comedy show

2008-10-10T22:12:00.005+08:00

I'm pretty sure that most of us have seen the controversial skit aired in the September 26 episode of "Harry and Paul" which showed comedian Harry Enfield telling a postman that he is ordering his Filipino maid to mate with his friend Paul Whitehouse. The racist portrayal of a Filipino domestic worker by British Broadcasting Corp is not the first in history. The skit was done in bad taste, and it contributes further in creating more negative stereotype impression for the whole world, which is degrading and so not fair especially for "us" Filipinos working abroad also referred to as "bagong bayani". Is this how the world see Filipinos?

We have the right to feel angry, we should demand an apology from BBC, every Filipino has his or her own opinion about the issue, even politicians and social civic group in the Philippines have expressed their opinion, but none of these people ever think of the reason why Filipinos are perceived this way.

Reality check, and being an observant person that I am, I witnessed some of the “irregularities” here in Singapore. With due respect to those who really work decently here for their family. Prostitution is legal in Singapore, and along with Chinese from mainland china and thais, Filipinos are known to be one of hottest prostitutes here in Singapore. Some of them work as DH and during offs they will do monkey business. I won’t blame them for they have their own reason but something needs to be done. The plight of millions of Filipinos working overseas should be given full attention by the administration. If the government will not act on this we will never regain the respect we Filipinos truly deserve.

ABANSE PINAY!!

double celebration year 3

2008-10-07T22:43:00.007+08:00

T'is my gift to my little sister rain...she's 28 which means i'll be turning 30 in two months' time.

My older sis lala is also celebrating her 2nd year wedding anniversary with her husband stephen a.k.a attorney pen. Happy anniversary!

departure

2008-10-06T00:51:00.005+08:00

After ten days of her visit here in Singapore rain has to go back home. She's still in the airport while i am writing this post, cebu pacific's flight was delayed again for 1 hour. I felt very emotional when she kissed me and bid goodbye. I wanted to fly with her home, but I have to stay.

I will sure miss her.

I'm back to normal, alone.

hays life so....so lungkot!

the mirror has two faces

2008-10-01T12:41:00.004+08:00

Rain is here for a ten-day holiday/moving-on visit. After being so alone for two months, I'm back to being accompanied not by solitude but my sistah. It felt good. I had good and big laughs since she arrived.

The pics below were taken in the middle of clarke quay, we just sat at the river side and enjoyed watching how the Europeans screamed for fear and excitement while taking the great Bungy Ride. Rain didn't give it a try though she's dying to, not only because it was so expensive, but also because it's impossible for me to join her.

Good thing after too much excitement her hesitations ended up with two crazy heads taking crazy pictures.

4 days from now, i will be alone again.. i'll sure miss everything we've shared here. sigh! :(

back to kuala lumpur

2008-09-29T23:48:00.005+08:00

I went back to Kuala Lumpur, this time with rain. Three days before the much awaited Hari Raya, KL is busier now compared to my last visit almost two months ago. Rain already posted the details on her blog, so for more information and photos click the link below:

SELAMAT DETANG KUALA LUMPUR!!!

go USTe!!!!

2008-09-26T20:18:00.013+08:00

" We are the tigers, the mighty, mighty tigers. We came to cheer and to win it with no fear!"

After I saw my sister's blog about Yuan's first UAAP experience, I got so excited. Hahahahahah, the UAAP fever...probably one of the most exciting parts of my college life.

I don't know if Lala was into it when she was in UP, but what i know is she's an avid fan of Benjie Paras who became popular during his UAAP days and who contributed one of those very few championship trophies of the University of the Philippines.

My UST days were the glorious days for the Tigers. We got three sweeps both in basketball and cheer leading. I even befriended some of the growling tigers like henry ong, dale singson, lato, and gelo velasco, they are playing with PBA now and some in PBL. Kiko and I sometimes skip classes just to watch in Araneta or in Philsports arena.

Two years after Rain became a Thomasian, unfortunately we didn't win anymore. Nates had the loudest cheer in our apartment back in the day when the FEU Tamaraws got into the championship match with dela Salle University. It was later followed by kaye and Agie who both enrolled in Far Eastern University. Imagine how the rats and cockroaches in our prudencio street apartment got irritated by our voices every UAAP season..hayyy those were the days.

Now it's yuan's time. "Go Ateneo Fight!", the trademark cheer of Ateneo. It didn't even cross my mind that one day somebody from our family would be cheering for the blue eagles---the youngest member of our Midland family.Well they say "once a thomasian, always a Thomasian" that is so true but between the fight of Ateneo and La Salle i'll sure cheer and go for Ateneo, and they made it. Congratulations Blue Eagles!

noreen's bday!

2008-09-22T20:27:00.004+08:00

The birthday bash was held yesterday at noreen's flat. It was a typical filipino "handaan" celebrated with lots of pinoy bog-chi and of course a sing along videoke machine. Noreen's JIL churchmates were there but they left early so we had the whole night singing along songs of different genre. We ended the night at exactly 12mn, and i sure had a great time!

batch '96 in sg w/ rachel

Happy Birthday Noreen!

A big dream for a little one

2008-09-11T19:04:00.008+08:00

While the Democratic Convention is fading from memory, it is clearly instilled in my mind what have been said and what I witnessed on that day, 28th of August(29th in the Philippines). It was the time when Senator Barack "The American Promise" Obama took center stage and delivered his speech in front of 80,000 democrats at Denver's Pepsi Arena.

Thousand miles away from Denver, Colorado, my family tuned in to watch the live telecast of Obama's speech. After breakfast, everybody positioned themselves comfortably in front of our living room television...thanks to the power of Sky cable that we were able to watch it live via CNN. I wasn't too interested in listening coz i prefer Hillary Clinton over Barack but what surprised me was the interest yuan manifested. He listened and focused on the words of Obama, I became so overwhelmed on what I saw that I took photos of him which took my attention away from Obama's speech.When yuan was 4 he wanted to become a lawyer, then changed his mind and wanted to become a doctor instead... then changed his mind again to becoming a chef someday....

Days before Obama's speech, abs-cbn aired Beyond Conspiracy: 25 Years after the Aquino Assassination, i watched it inside yuan's room. He was so interested about the story and about Ninoy and was even asking questions, unfortunately the documentary was shown late night that at the middle of the story yuan fell asleep. The day after that, while bonding with rain and yuan I asked yuan a question:

Me: Yuan, do you want to be a great artist like papa bong?

Yuan: No. I want to be the President of the Philippines.

Rain: why?

Yuan: I want to replace Gloria. She is our president but she's taking the people's money and putting it in her own pocket.

Rain and I was struck by these words of yuan. I swear nobody taught him these words. Rain couldn't help herself, she gave yuan a kiss and a hug..then she turned to me and asked "sa'n nya nakukuha mga idea na yun?"

I honestly didn't know what to answer, what is clear though is that it's not unusual that yuan manifests interest in political matters. We came from a family of politicians er, public servants, but we don't do politics...As young as 5 or 6 we were already involved in politics especially during election times.

Whatever it is that yuan may become years from now, we will support him all the way, but he is too good to become the president of the Philippines, we might not deserve a good man as our president.. mahihiya ang mga corrupt..hehehe.

Anyway yuan had accomplished something and proven himself this early, just take a look at the photo below:

Plus his Certificates of Excellence in Math, Language, Reading, Filipino, and Music. Not bad for the next president of the Philippines ha!

I ate Doraemon!!!

2008-09-09T23:35:00.004+08:00

Toshi, our regional director for Asia-pacific operations arrived from Japan yesterday for a meeting with our managing director. He gave us one of Japan's delicacies and two set of doraemon moulded mini cake. It was so cute that I had a second thought if i'll eat it or not. After 30 minutes...my mind power was defeated by my curious taste buds and forced my hand to take the small piece and immediately put it inside my mouth which my tongue. Damn it was delicious! What made it more tasteful to me is the cheese filling inside... I love cheese so much that i can take half bar of kraft cheese as meryenda...

**doraemon cakes**

Anyways i was left with the bigger doraemon, yummm t'was more exciting, i could imagine more cheese inside this cake and couldn't wait to take a bite to this classical manga character. Doraemon's large pouch-like compartment in his stomach from which he produces many gadgets from the future was nothing compared to my large luggage stomach...hahaha. After another 30 minutes I finally decided to eat the bigger doraemon and as expected, it had more cheese and it's more delicious. hahahhahaha nonsense post...epekto ng pagiging ofw....hahahah.

At my office, pics were taken using my viewty camphone

with a smile...

2008-09-07T20:19:00.004+08:00

I'm a great fan of eraserheads, that's why when kiko informed me about the rumored reunion concert I got so excited and promised myself that I will be there no matter what and I made it. I was one of those who witnessed the biggest event in the Philippine music industry this year.

Months before the reunion I contacted peach to ask for a ticket or pass from Marcus, but because of uncertainties and the issue of Philip Morris' sponsorship plus the fact the peach is in Australia, I wasn't able to get the pass from Marcus. Rain monitored on updates about the concert, and when Raymund confirmed the venue and how to purchase the ticket I bought 2 for me and rain, my treat for my little sister.

w/ lena, we saw her and eugene during th 30 minute break

We arrived at the fort around 8pm, as expected the venue was jam packed. Too good we didnt bring our car and lala, yuan and pen gave us a lift instead. I cannot describe how i felt when the countdown started and when I saw Ely and the band, especially buddy on the stage I became emotional that tears came falling down my check.. i've waited for this for so long, astig talaga eheads!

The Ultrelectromagnetic pop circus

We all know what happened to ely, and even if the concert was cut short, to me it doesn't matter. I just want them back together badly........

After the announcement of ely's condition, we decided to watch razorback's gig. I called jamir to check the venue and he informed me that they will be playing at checkpoint taguig. We searched all over the fort area but unfortunately after an hour di namin nakita...swerte ng taxi driver. The next day I found out that checkpoint bar is in bicutan..hahahah. Our frustrations brought us hard rock cafe in Makati and nates,rain and I decided to dine at Spicy Fingers at greenbelt after.

d' Midland Family

2008-08-27T21:40:00.001+08:00

Nates called early in the morning to inform us that they going to our place for dinner. This has been practiced by my family on my mother's side and it became a tradition already. Everytime there's someone coming home from abroad we share a dinner together and it happens almost every year. This year 4 of us came home as balikbayans. Boni, my mother's youngest brother took time out for being a doctor in US for a month vacation in Pinas. It was followed by Nates who gave up his profession as the Physical Therapist of the prince of abu dabi, then Ketty--kiko's gf who went home for 2 weeks vacation from UK. Now it's my time and I am home hosting the dinner for my Midland family. Unfortunately i didn't have time to cook the menus they requested because I got something to process in POEA.

My cousins patiently waited for me and rain, we were stuck in the traffic jam along edsa and made it home around 8pm. While we were parking the car, I heard my cousins screaming already, it was not because they were excited to see me but because they're already starving to death. Imagine they travelled from their condo at Hampstead all the way to batasan hills and they waited for us for almost two hours...my apologies.

The night was never enough for my midland family, they stayed until dawn and I heard Obee, didn't even sleep and went straight to her class the next day. Too bad Ian didn't make it for some reason. I went to bed with yuan around 1am, i was so tired that i didn't even know what happened next but i'm pretty sure I was hearing their voices in my dreams.

Thanks nates for the 3 pcs of whole roasted chicken....I love you guys!

tong-its....

the magical mystery show

2008-08-26T22:57:00.000+08:00

I was there and i am now back in Singapore. There's so much to write about my10 days vacation in the Philippines but i'll post them later, a lot of things happened and i know i have to post this one first. It was written by raymund days before the much awaited reunion concert of eraserheads. A lot of rumors circulated over the papers, the web and the internet and after what happened to Ely I can't wait to read the next part of his story...

----Original Message-----
From: raymund marasigan <asmatik88@...>
To: subsandwich
Sent: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 8:39 pm
Subject: [subsandwich] the magical mystery show

a few months ago:

you asked me to wake the creature up. you tried to convince me that it was time. you said the people needed it. i said its not a good idea to wake a sleeping beast. you dont know what will happen when it rises. you tried to convince me that it will all be good. you have everything under control. we argued til the rooster shook and you had an answer to all my fears. i still dont share your feelings but i will do it for you my old friend.but be prepared and beware.

now:

the 4 headed hydra is awake. all is not well. the dementors are in pursuit. the people are restless.promises have been broken. im kept in the dark but i warned you. it is changing peoples lives. its changing you right at this very moment. too many people want a piece of it. lives, work, and feelings had been put on hold for this circus. i have done my part. you must keep your word and get this thing under control. keep the dark at bay. take us to the promised land on the time that was appointed and give the people what they want.

isaw at UP

2008-08-25T21:00:00.000+08:00

It was a monday and a holiday! It's the celebration of the National Heroes day and it's my third day in the Philippines. At least I have a day to rest after all the celebrations and the date with yuan and bong. Everybody's a couch potato, lala,pen and rain were all surfing the net with 3 laptops @ work and yuan is playing online game using my lappy.

I had my own trip, I was in the singing mode so I decided to break the silence in the subdivision and started singing in our videoke. Haha mmmmmm one thing i missed in my 6 months stay in Singapore is singing in videoke and it was my time to push it to the limit i almost finish the whole song book. At 4pm, i asked rain if we can drive to UP and have an isaw, without batting an eyelash she replied "tara". So after 30 minutes we were on our way to UP with lala, pen and yuan. We decided to bring 1 car to save gas and to bond as well.

A lot of students were already in the isawan when we arrived, but because pen is a friend to the owner we had a special treatment. One of the benefits we get for having a kuya who's famous in UP, an imbestigador legal counsel and a malacanang lawyer...o pen pa-burger ka naman!

Anyway the isaw was great! I had more than 20 sticks, and i also bought fishball and kikiam c"_,). While we were enjoying every single stick of the isaw, yuan asked me for a stick which he gave to the boy who's selling ponytails for 5 pesos each. Aww how sweet of yuan! He already knows the value of giving and sharing.

We then proceed to bahay ng alumni and ordered a Devil's food cake in Chocolate Kiss. It's the best chocolate cake I ever tasted though I don't really like chocolate, I finished a slice of it. Oh well just for a day i gained a lot of weight again. I honestly don't mind as long as I am happy and I am enjoying my time with my family.

When we got home, we were back to being couch potatoes again.....living life to the fullest!

a date with two men

2008-08-24T21:08:00.000+08:00

Yuan requested for the movie wall-e, so Bong and I decided to leave earlier than the rest of my cousins in Bulacan. With two hours of sleep and a slight hang over I fulfilled my promise to yuan. Our original plan was to watch in Eastwood so that we can visit fun ranch after, it was changed to podium for our convenience, then to Shangrila plaza. The last full show was 5:20 p.m.and it's already past 3, we have not taken our lunch and we were stuck in jam along san miguel avenue in ortigas, so I told bong that we might as well go back and settle to Robinson's Galleria....nyehehehe.

Anyway yuan enjoyed the movie so much, he understood the story very well that when we arrived home he told her ate carol the full details of the movie. The story was good and it was worth watching.

time to bond again.....

homecoming (kuya chav's birthday)

2008-08-23T23:50:00.001+08:00

The celebration was originally set sunday, so i thought i have a night to rest from my jet lag, but my cousins got so excited about the idea of getting together for cases of beer that they drove to bulacan earlier than planned. I had no choice but to travel again to San Rafael Bulacan with bong, rj, and tito boy. Like any other family gathering I had with my cousins, It was a hell of celebration. Not even a second of silence or a dull moment, t’was really a night to remember.

more than just a bottle of beer

tin, the soon to be part of O family

1 whole lechon for breakfast...solid bagong luto

pugad baboy... kuya chav has more than hundred of them

with mother lucy, the californian tita :)

Who would think of them as police ranking officers?

yihaaaa!!!!!

homecoming

2008-08-23T23:00:00.000+08:00

I'm here in Pinas for a 1 week holiday from work. I arrived this morning via Cebu Pacific Air bound to NAIA from Singapore. The trip was turbulent and i didn't like the feeling of my stomach's summer saulting because of nervousness. Anyway, we arrived safe and on time, maybe it's not my time to die yet..harhar...what caused the delay was the long queue in the immigration.

I was welcomed by pen, lala and yuan who was very surprised to see me. It was 5am and he didn't believe seeing me seated beside him in the car. Here's what he said:

Lala: "Yuan why are you not talking?"

Yuan: " this is not true..maybe i'm just dreaming"

Lala: "do you want me to pinch you?"

Yuan: "no, no, no..im already awake!"

After a couple of minutes when he realized that he's not dreaming he started asking me questions about life in Singapore. He also asked me if I can go with him watch wall-e so i set a date immediately coz i know i'll have a hell of hectic schedule. He is so cute and so adorable.

On our way to Northview we passed by Jollibee drive-thru in philcoa for breakfast, i personaly requested it because i missed jollibee so much, though my favorite jolly hotdog's not yet available, it did matter.

It felt so good to be back home. My favorite ninang and her family arrived from Batangas and brought her specialty dinuguan and sinaing na isda. ..sobrang nabusog ako. My ninang and the kids stayed with us the whole day, with them were two of our hotel's maintenance people who installed our water pump here and who fixed some pipe lines.

I haven't gotten any good rest from my trip since I arrived. Today is also kuya chav's birthday and I promised him that i will not miss it so I was on my way to San Rafael bulacan at 8.30 pm ....

to be continued..... Reading volume 6 of Pokemon

To hand carry a toy robot is worth the effort when you see how it's being appreciated

Basket ball at the clubhouse with pen and kuya Justin

Yuan in his own room, so cute!

Bittersweet Symphony (just read between the lines)

2008-08-22T22:39:00.000+08:00

Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony this life...
Try to make ends meet , you're a slave to the money then you die.
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down...
You know the one that takes you to the places where all the things meet, yeah.

No change, I can change, I can change, I can change,
but I'm here in my mould , I am here in my mould.
But I'm a million different people from one day to the next...
I can't change my mould , no,no,no,no,no,no,no

Well I've never prayed,
But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah.
I need to hear some sounds that recognise the pain in me, yeah.
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind , I feel free now.
But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now.

No change, I can change, I can change, I can change,
but I'm here in my mould , I am here in my mould.
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next
I can't change my mould, no,no,no,no,no,no,no

Have you ever been down?
I can change, I can change...

Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life.
Trying to make ends meet, try to find somebody then you die.
You know I can change, I can change, I can change,
but I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould.
And I'm a million different people from one day to the next.
I can't change my mould, no,no,no,no,no,no,no

We've got ya sex and violence melody and silence
(Have you ever been down)
(I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down)

all-out war

2008-08-20T19:51:00.003+08:00

Commander Bravo, the man behind deadly raids in the Lanao declared an "all-out war" against the government, saying his fighters were willing to die in battle. The commander was interviewed by doris and erwin this morning at RMN and i was so pestered by the commander's statements. I have been to Mindanao and i'm quiet familiar how peaceful Iligan, Ozamis and Pagadian were, but when I saw the damage done by the break away group of MILF, I was terrified. I felt so fortunate that i do not have to worry so much about it personally because obviously my family resides in the northern part of the country.President Gloria Arroyo had also condemned the attacks as "sneaky and treacherous" and ordered government forces to crush the MILF units of Kato and Bravo. Yeah right gloria, your words against hundreds of those who died. We cannot solely blame MILF and the two commanders, they have their reasons. The government caused the raging grievances of the Muslims.

There's always two sides of the story.

I heard a lot from the government's side and i want to hear more, i want to hear the other side of the story and for issues like this especially those which involves BangsaMoro and Muslims in Mindanao i used to share my opinions with the Abbas brothers (Aldin and Jihad) and sometimes with Jamir. Aldin and Jihad came from a very prominent family in Mindanao particularly in Marawi, for sure they have a strong argument about the war in Mindanao right now, and i would love to hear from them. I remember the last time we talked about the conflict of Christian and Muslims, Aldin and I spent almost 5 hours of uninterrupted intelligent conversation. In the end we stick to our principles but have gained a lot of knowledge from both sides.

Respect. I think that's what we need now. People are left homeless, they are now living in fear. How many more lives of innocent people will be taken for granted before this senseless war ends?

how have you been?

2008-08-19T21:23:00.003+08:00

A simple question uncomplicated enough to think of the answer. Most of the time my response is, "not much," which always seems right when I say it, but I guess in reality, it's not true at all. Well it depends on my mood swings and depends on the person who's asking. It's just sometimes we do not have time to go on details and also feel like when people ask me questions like that, I don't really have anything new to report; that my life, in general, is pretty mundane.

I'm fortunate i have this site where i can document my perplexed life as it happens.

I met up with Ron-ron last Saturday at Causeway point woodlands. He's a friend from Sablayan who belongs to a batch 1 year ahead of mine. True enough one can never tell what the future would bring. Never did i imagine that this guy from pobs will make it big as an engineer at Keppel. We spend the day talking about places in sablayan, updates on our common friends and of course intrigues and politics in Sablayan. We headed to edy's pad after for a visit.

I went to Philippine embassy last sunday to collect my OWWA membership. The place is so much different than what i expected. It's an old house unwieldy situated in the heart of the city. Perfect mirror of poverty in the Philippines and how poor our government is compared to that of Singapore. There are numbers of Filipinos already on queue when i arrived, obviously red tape is also being practiced by pinoys here. After an hour of waiting i finally got my card.

Today I got into an accident. Our business manager called for a meeting this afternoon which consumed 2 hours of my working day. There are a lot of works to be done left pending because of the meeting, so much so that after our meeting i had a hell of workloads to do. I was scanning a document when i heard my direct line was ringing, in order not to miss the call i hurried to my station and the unexpected happened--- i slipped and had a great fall. It was scandalous, everybody were shocked including me. After 10 seconds of silence, we all burst out into laughter. I heard my boss laughed so hard as well...hahahaha. Although I injured my waist and i know something's wrong because i can still feel the pain, i still laugh alone up to this moment.

Anyways, I am now living a very normal life. So, yeah, I’ve been busy. I am focusing on my work now and i know i am on my way to the top, other than that there's not much blow-me-out-of-the-water exciting experience.

Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko.

I'm proud of you

2008-08-11T20:47:00.004+08:00

I caught kiko online 2am today and chatted with him until 5 in the morning. We missed each other so bad that time isn't always enough to talk about what's been happening about our family and around the world. By the way Kiko is my cousin but more than that he's like a brother to me and rain. He has a movie coming soon in theaters(?) and is now working as a manager in UK. Ok, tama na, i know while you're reading this post there's a wide grin on your face which will show off your big teeth.

In lieu of Singapore's National day last Saturday, Monday is declared as holiday...yipee! A day to celebrate for the Singaporeans but i have my own reasons to celebrate this day. I.E. i got news which made me very very proud.

First is Arnel Pineda's fame as Journey's lead vocalist. Every time i watch him sing "Faithfully" it really makes me proud to be a Filipino, he's one of those few who bring glory to our country. As ellen deGeneres would say it " there are talented people in the Philippines...", after Charise surprised her with a powerful performance, and the Journey's lead vocalist amazed her, I wonder who'll be the next pinoy on ellen's guests list.

My kikay cousin kaye also made me proud when Kiko told me that she's already a team leader in the hospital where she work for as a registered nurse. Setting aside her dreams of becoming a recording artist, she made it big as a RN professional. Her photo shows how bad she wants an album. attagirl kikay machine!

While watching uploaded video clips of the Journey on you tube, i received an sms from tatay.When I opened the inbox of my handy phone the message made my whole day.

" Yuan got perfect score in all his exams except for language, he got 3 mistakes because of bad handwriting."

I am so happy hearing the accomplishments of yuan. I mean, it's not that he got perfect scores in all his exams from Sablayan Central School or Colegio de San Sebastian, he is doing big in Ateneo de Manila Grade School. Ever since i gave life to this boy,he never fails to bring pride to our family. Hayy ang sarap ng feeling! I am so proud of you yuan!

***i noticed that one of my posts is missing....i wonder how it has been deleted..hmnnn!***

Moving on

2008-08-07T22:59:00.004+08:00

So much to tell with my so little time. A lot of things are changing nowadays, and as the saying goes “the only permanent thing in this world is change.” Well he who lives must be prepared for changes and when you’re in such a situation where everything seems to be changing, nothing you can do but to move on. One thing I learned in life is whatever it is that we’ve lost we can never gain back. Sabi nga ni Jaafar “..time for, cool change..i know that it’s time for a coohoool change..” Hi papa jaff I miss our videoke times.

Before my great leap forward, I just want to share some of my experiences these past few days which will forever be part of my past.

Last Friday, the Managing Director of the company called up all the staff to gather at the entrance of the production department. It was the 1^st of August and I had no idea what was going on. I learned later that August is the “ghost month” for Chinese and we were asked to pray to avoid the ghosts around the vicinity of our office, we did it the Buddhist way. It was a whole new experience for me, and it felt so good.

A few days ago three of Sabrina’s multiplying hamsters escaped from their cage. The moment she saw me at the gate of the house she told me about the hamsters and asked if I can help her search for her hamsters. Her family helped her with the hamster-hunting but they only found one, poor Sabrina. I saw the sadness in her eyes and how the situation affected her but there was nothing I could do to help her. Fortunately, the next morning, another hamster was found dying to get into the cage again. hahahaha.

18^th of July I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I was so busy the days after the trip that I wasn’t able to blog about the KL adventure. I had a great time in KL, after so many months I was able to watch a gig again. I met up with Jeffrey, he was Jamir’s former band mate in Malaysia and I got a copy of their album. I had a chance to watch 7 collar t-shirt’s live performance, and oh man they’re so good. Astig! Bad thing though, I didn’t know that Kaisa’s also in KL, I thought all the while she’s in Finland, I just learned from rache that she’s there the day after I left KL.

KL’s adventure would never be complete without even a glace of Petronas Tower. Of course I didn’t settle for less, I took the opportunity to explore the inside and outside of Petronas tower. I was so fascinated by the beauty of this obra, it’s like a crystal glass standing in the heart of KL from afar and its beauty can be most appreciated when darkness already embraces the night.

Majulah Singapura

2008-08-03T14:58:00.008+08:00

Singapore’s very busy these days preparing for its 43rd National Day. When I heard about this big event, I inquired immediately about how to avail the tickets, but to my disappointment, I was informed that there were no available tickets left since June of this year. It's actually a free event and is limited only for those who will book online and it's a “first come first served basis”. Had known about it before, I would have gotten a ticket for myself and my friends. hmmp!

I thought I would just settle on watching it over the television until Mandy invited me last Thursday. She had two tickets for the national day preview and she asked me if I would like to go. With no hesitation, I immediately said yes.

So yesterday I was there—celebrating the Singapore Spirit. Thousands of people were already lined up to the entrance of the stadium when we arrived. Security was very tight, they had scanners and x-rays for bags and lots of security officers were deployed. It was very well-organized that it only took us 10 minutes to make it inside the stadium and be seated considering the number of people who were queuing up. The mood was very festive, everybody was in high spirits and excited. At the entrance gate, we were handed a bag of freebies with pack of snacks, drinks, free cap, flag, discount coupon, umbrella, etc.
A three-tiered stage was formed along the bay facing the stadium and the event was hosted by 5 celebrities, again all races were represented. The pre-parade started with a dazzling display of motorized paragliders, wakeboard, jetski and kite stunts, culminating in powerboats roaring towards the floating platform. It was followed by 12 skydivers who performed aerial formation in the sky and landed in the floating stage, just in front of us! I was really overwhelmed seeing all of these for the first time. My personal favorite was the Black Nights exhibition. Roaring jets performed a breathtaking exhibition on the beautiful city skyline of Marina Bay

The Parade and Ceremony followed immediately. This time it was already telecast live over Channel News Asia. The parade anchored on the 5 pillars of Singapore’s Total Defense. It’s basically like a battalion formation. The audience participated by waving their flags which I didn’t do and I didn’t have any intentions of doing. Mandy asked me why I didn’t wanna do it, I just said “I am a Filipino” and that is not our flag. She just replied “I agree with you.”

The third part of the ceremony was the presentation of different sectors, the floating stage came alive with water, light, and audio-visual spectacle. It was fabulous! The three-hour celebration was concluded by a 15-minute fireworks display....

...and photos of me. MAJULAH SINGAPURA!