It's a little past two a.m. on the morning of December 25 and the house is already quiet. I've finished washing the dis after the Noche Buena and I'm also ready to catch my sleep.
I remember when I was a kid, the revelry would be reaching its peak just about this time. Back then, the midnight mass began (not ended) at midnight. We would be coming back home a little after one.
It was the job of the youngest member of the family to call out the recipients and hand out the gifts. That was my brother's job for several years. Our cousins who lived in the city would be spending the night at our house. So there was definitely a crowd in the house.
Things do change. My cousins have gone on with their own lives. They have started their own families and their own traditions. So too have we. People leave this life and so we make adjustments.
And life goes on
A Visit to Our Lady
An interesting thing happened to me yesterday.
I had long wanted to organize a pilgrimage trip to the town of Manaoag in Pangasinan. In the last quarter of the 20th century, it had become a popular pilgrimage town thanks to the frequent visits of the likes of the late President Cory Aquino. My reasons include the fact that it is my family's hometown and I wanted to contribute to the local economy.
Finally I got the right mix I think. The last element was the transportation and I met somebody who fitted my price nicely. So, yesterday morning I created an event in fb and issued the invite. i was hoping people would see it and respond positively.
Then I got ready for a meeting. I got to the office early and found a stack of newspapers. The other attendees of the meeting were not yet there so I began to go through the papers. On one page, there was an article on a new ad campaign to promote Pangasinan. It was entitled "I LOVE PANGASINAN"
What do you know? Perfect.
I had long wanted to organize a pilgrimage trip to the town of Manaoag in Pangasinan. In the last quarter of the 20th century, it had become a popular pilgrimage town thanks to the frequent visits of the likes of the late President Cory Aquino. My reasons include the fact that it is my family's hometown and I wanted to contribute to the local economy.
Finally I got the right mix I think. The last element was the transportation and I met somebody who fitted my price nicely. So, yesterday morning I created an event in fb and issued the invite. i was hoping people would see it and respond positively.
Then I got ready for a meeting. I got to the office early and found a stack of newspapers. The other attendees of the meeting were not yet there so I began to go through the papers. On one page, there was an article on a new ad campaign to promote Pangasinan. It was entitled "I LOVE PANGASINAN"
What do you know? Perfect.
The Little "Angel" Resort (continuation of last post)
It turns out the resort's name was Little Bridge. Or should I say current name because we learned from the staff that they were in the process of renaming the resort to Aplaya de Butong since it was under new management.
Anyway, we found ourselves staying at a quaint resort out of the usual transport path (jeeps don't pass this road). There was a hotel with its own pool and a balcony for each room. The room assigned to us just happened to be beside the chapel.
After settling in, we went down to do some exploring. We noticed that on the walls between rooms, peices of cloth were hung, probably local designs. Going down the stairs, the first thing you notice is the painting on the opposite wall in the lobby. It was a huge portrait of Mother Theresa meeting with Pope John Paul II, made more vibrant with a red background and their smiling faces.
There were several sets of furniture in the lobby, all made of hardwood. One set had wheels for armrests. Another seemed to be carved from large logs.
We made arrangements for dinner. It turns out that the food was all a la carte so it was a good thing we ordered early. We asked for a dish of mixed vegetables and a possible choice of simple meat dishes (breakfast fare actually which were easy to prepare) to be decided when we got to dinner.
It was drizzling softly so we thought we might be able to explore the resort. We walked down a path leading to the beach from the hotel. We found ourselves under a covered pavilion. We guessed it was an activity area. Beside it was a set of doors that led to a large hall, probably the function room.
The waves were fierce. It was after all a rainy afternoon.
(another continuation)
A Weekend Tour
I just got back from Batangas. What should have been a visit to a specific church turned out to be a pilgrimage tour.
The idea for the trip began last Saturday. I found myself at the LOJ Counseling Center with a couple of friends from the service. We were discussing what we could do during this long weekend when Violy remembered a church she was told to visit. She was not sure if the name was Casaysay or Casasay.
So we got on the net and did a little research. We found out the proper name was Our Lady of Caysasay which was located in Taal, Batangas. We then tried to locate a small and affordable hotel for an overnight trip. We found some old houses whose rooms were being rented out to visitors. We went through the reviews and decided that we will look them over when we got to Taal before making a decision.
Ok so the plan was made. We asked some other people to join us but for their own reasons, they could not make it. Only four of us were on; Brenda, Cathy, Violy and myself.
Yesterday, we attended the Feast Ortigas which also served as our meeting place. It turns out we could ride a bus to Lipa right in front of the Edsa Shrine. We left after having lunch and buying some provisions.
At the Tambo exit in Lipa, we boarded a jeep bound for Lemery which would pass by Taal. I thought it would be a quick hop but the fare price told me it was going to be a long trip. It was still sunny when we left Lipa but it was drizzling when we got to Taal.
Instead of dropping us off in the middle of town, the jeepney driver let us off on the corner of the road leading to the Caysasay church. We began to ask the locals where those rooming houses were located. It turned out we should have gotten off closer to town. They suggested we try a nearby resort. They said its name was Little Angel. We got a tryke to take us there.
(to be continued)
The idea for the trip began last Saturday. I found myself at the LOJ Counseling Center with a couple of friends from the service. We were discussing what we could do during this long weekend when Violy remembered a church she was told to visit. She was not sure if the name was Casaysay or Casasay.
So we got on the net and did a little research. We found out the proper name was Our Lady of Caysasay which was located in Taal, Batangas. We then tried to locate a small and affordable hotel for an overnight trip. We found some old houses whose rooms were being rented out to visitors. We went through the reviews and decided that we will look them over when we got to Taal before making a decision.
Ok so the plan was made. We asked some other people to join us but for their own reasons, they could not make it. Only four of us were on; Brenda, Cathy, Violy and myself.
Yesterday, we attended the Feast Ortigas which also served as our meeting place. It turns out we could ride a bus to Lipa right in front of the Edsa Shrine. We left after having lunch and buying some provisions.
At the Tambo exit in Lipa, we boarded a jeep bound for Lemery which would pass by Taal. I thought it would be a quick hop but the fare price told me it was going to be a long trip. It was still sunny when we left Lipa but it was drizzling when we got to Taal.
Instead of dropping us off in the middle of town, the jeepney driver let us off on the corner of the road leading to the Caysasay church. We began to ask the locals where those rooming houses were located. It turned out we should have gotten off closer to town. They suggested we try a nearby resort. They said its name was Little Angel. We got a tryke to take us there.
(to be continued)
Limits
The Personality Puzzle is for real.
I recently had to let go of two projects. It's sad because I got them through people who thought I could deliver. I lost some degree of their trust (I hope not all of it). Not only that, I lost potential future business.
The thing is I had overstretched myself. I was not able to work well on the first project. I simply was not delivering what they had expected.
As for the second project, that's where personality typing comes in. It was a group thing. I had partners in that one. However, one partner was also busy doing other things. Result was that we did not finish at the time the client needed it.
I mention the Personality Puzzle because as I analyze the outcome of the second project, I see that had I taken note of it, I would have realized that my programmer was not the type who looked at deadlines.
But this is not just about personality types. It's simply that we both took on too much work. Much more than we can handle. We went way beyond our limits.
I am down to a couple of projects, one has been ongoing for a while and the other is just starting. Then there's my own website, my store (do visit it at www.getrealent.biz).
That is already a handful. Maybe I will lay off the marketing for a while.
I recently had to let go of two projects. It's sad because I got them through people who thought I could deliver. I lost some degree of their trust (I hope not all of it). Not only that, I lost potential future business.
The thing is I had overstretched myself. I was not able to work well on the first project. I simply was not delivering what they had expected.
As for the second project, that's where personality typing comes in. It was a group thing. I had partners in that one. However, one partner was also busy doing other things. Result was that we did not finish at the time the client needed it.
I mention the Personality Puzzle because as I analyze the outcome of the second project, I see that had I taken note of it, I would have realized that my programmer was not the type who looked at deadlines.
But this is not just about personality types. It's simply that we both took on too much work. Much more than we can handle. We went way beyond our limits.
I am down to a couple of projects, one has been ongoing for a while and the other is just starting. Then there's my own website, my store (do visit it at www.getrealent.biz).
That is already a handful. Maybe I will lay off the marketing for a while.
Toothpaste Tube
My sister remarked, "They say you can't return toothpaste into its tube."
She was holding a toothpaste tube that was almost empty in one hand and a newly bought sachet of toothpaste in the other. We were just finishing lunch which was being extended by lively conversation at the table.
She sat down in her usual place while her kids and I continued to banter. After a few minutes we noticed that she was already neatly transferring the paste from the sachet into the tube. A while longer and she was finished. She got rid of the sachet and returned the tube to the usual position.
So she disproved one old myth. Now she's looking for another project.
Now what?
She was holding a toothpaste tube that was almost empty in one hand and a newly bought sachet of toothpaste in the other. We were just finishing lunch which was being extended by lively conversation at the table.
She sat down in her usual place while her kids and I continued to banter. After a few minutes we noticed that she was already neatly transferring the paste from the sachet into the tube. A while longer and she was finished. She got rid of the sachet and returned the tube to the usual position.
So she disproved one old myth. Now she's looking for another project.
Now what?
So They Voted
The verdict is out. Renato Corona is Chief Justice of the Supreme Court no more.
How does this affect the man on the street? There should now be more confidence in our system of government. The result of the impeachment should raise the hope that graft and corruption can be battled and beaten.
This, for me is a turning point in our history. The system can work. The law can be upheld. Everybody can be made accountable to the law.
How does this affect the man on the street? There should now be more confidence in our system of government. The result of the impeachment should raise the hope that graft and corruption can be battled and beaten.
This, for me is a turning point in our history. The system can work. The law can be upheld. Everybody can be made accountable to the law.
Luk for Foo(d)
I went to a dinner meeting last night, actually an overdue meeting but we couldn't schedule it during the Holy Week.
Anyway, we had been talking about it but there had been no venue for weeks. Finally, yesterday morning, our coordinator Raymond announced that we would have at this place called Luk Foo at the Puregold building in Cubao. That was convenient for me so I volunteered to be the advance party.
When I got there before 5pm, the place was almost empty. It turns out they were quite new, just over a month old. Besides it was too early for dinner and too late for snacks. So I told the girl Amy that I was reserving for a party of 12 and that we would be arriving at 6:30. She pointed out an area near the back.
She also asked if I was ordering and she showed me their menu sets for 10. She insisted that the meal was big enough for 12. Well, I could not order because I wasn't in charge of that. Still, it was too early so I went off and did my own thing.
Amy prevailed. When the others arrived, we chose one of the sets. It turns out we had a small doggie bag when we left.
The food was great. There was just too much of it for our group. And yes, all 12 of us had full stomachs when we left.
Anyway, we had been talking about it but there had been no venue for weeks. Finally, yesterday morning, our coordinator Raymond announced that we would have at this place called Luk Foo at the Puregold building in Cubao. That was convenient for me so I volunteered to be the advance party.
When I got there before 5pm, the place was almost empty. It turns out they were quite new, just over a month old. Besides it was too early for dinner and too late for snacks. So I told the girl Amy that I was reserving for a party of 12 and that we would be arriving at 6:30. She pointed out an area near the back.
She also asked if I was ordering and she showed me their menu sets for 10. She insisted that the meal was big enough for 12. Well, I could not order because I wasn't in charge of that. Still, it was too early so I went off and did my own thing.
Amy prevailed. When the others arrived, we chose one of the sets. It turns out we had a small doggie bag when we left.
The food was great. There was just too much of it for our group. And yes, all 12 of us had full stomachs when we left.
Feeling Nostalgic
I know I said I loved youAnd I really meant it then
But time has passed since
Now I won't say it again
Cause things have happened
That made me change my mind
Now all I want to do
Is leave that past behind
So goes the song that I began to write And in my head there's also a tune. But I can't make a refrain or another verse for it. I know it's unfinished. Right now I just can't come up with the tail part. I wonder if this is another one that will take me years to complete.
There's another poem that begins
I once had a love
...
Now I make peace with my heart
I know what I want to do with it but I can't fill the lines between the first and the last lines.
What triggered these thoughts? Usually I know the answer to what made me want to write something. This time, there were several. I was looking through old pictures the other day. A face popped up on facebook that I thought I recognized. I met with my old gang a few days ago.
So where's the love angle?
Any suggestions anyone? No, not the love angle, the poetry please.
So Random
HAPPY EASTER!!!
I am aware I have this blog. Sometimes I get the urge to post something but then I am nowhere near a computer or I don't have enough credits on my phone to connect.
Then when I am online, I start thinking that I should edit what I want to say. Controversies and even scandals have arisen from irresponsible posting on social forums and I don't want to be the one to start that. So I edit my thoughts until finally I don't feel like posting anymore.
I should discipline my writing some.
I am aware I have this blog. Sometimes I get the urge to post something but then I am nowhere near a computer or I don't have enough credits on my phone to connect.
Then when I am online, I start thinking that I should edit what I want to say. Controversies and even scandals have arisen from irresponsible posting on social forums and I don't want to be the one to start that. So I edit my thoughts until finally I don't feel like posting anymore.
I should discipline my writing some.
Deaths in the House
Under the watch of Sonny Belmonte as Speaker of the House, the Philippine Congress has already lost a couple of honorable gentlemen (at least as far as I know). Interestingly, both were last termers who would not be joining the race next year. The first one was Antonio Diaz of Zambales who died of complications last August. Now, Iggy Arroyo has also been visited by the grim reaper.
The gentleman from Zambales left before half of his term was completed. Thus, upon the petition of the provincial council of Zambales, COMELEC agreed to finding a replacement. Next Saturday, the voting population of the 2nd district of Zambales will be trooping to the polls to choose their representative in Congress.
And the lineup is interesting. Politics is in the family in this seaside province. Three of the top contenders just happen to be children of provincial stalwarts. There is Omar who is the provincial administrator appointed by his governor father who has served as cabinet secretary and high ranking policeman under the Arroyo administration.
Voters would be familiar with Sheryl who has thrice run and lost against Congressman Diaz. She just happens to be the daughter of the former governor, the one that the current one replaced.
Then there is the political newcomer, Rica. She is in the race because her father, the recently deceased congressman had indicated that she would be the best one for the job.
So it's looking like a three cornered fight for the privilege to take over Congressman Diaz's seat.
So, will the 5th district of Negros Occidental get the same privilege as the 2nd district of Zambales?
The gentleman from Zambales left before half of his term was completed. Thus, upon the petition of the provincial council of Zambales, COMELEC agreed to finding a replacement. Next Saturday, the voting population of the 2nd district of Zambales will be trooping to the polls to choose their representative in Congress.
And the lineup is interesting. Politics is in the family in this seaside province. Three of the top contenders just happen to be children of provincial stalwarts. There is Omar who is the provincial administrator appointed by his governor father who has served as cabinet secretary and high ranking policeman under the Arroyo administration.
Voters would be familiar with Sheryl who has thrice run and lost against Congressman Diaz. She just happens to be the daughter of the former governor, the one that the current one replaced.
Then there is the political newcomer, Rica. She is in the race because her father, the recently deceased congressman had indicated that she would be the best one for the job.
So it's looking like a three cornered fight for the privilege to take over Congressman Diaz's seat.
So, will the 5th district of Negros Occidental get the same privilege as the 2nd district of Zambales?
On Losing Weight
I've been reading a little on weight loss since I started the Life Enzyme program. Actually, I'm reviewing Readers Digest copies because of a research I'm doing and the weight loss articles just catch my eye.
To be honest, I have not followed the program strictly but I can say the supplement was responsible for the lost weight. That's because I did not really change my eating habits. Besides, I began to take the Life enzyme supplement and continued to take it during the holidays.
Progress report: Since December 20, I have lost a total of 9 pounds. No kidding! I started at a high of 125 pounds and on Saturday morning, I registered 116 pounds.
Want me to help you? Just give me a note and I will tell you the secret.
To be honest, I have not followed the program strictly but I can say the supplement was responsible for the lost weight. That's because I did not really change my eating habits. Besides, I began to take the Life enzyme supplement and continued to take it during the holidays.
Progress report: Since December 20, I have lost a total of 9 pounds. No kidding! I started at a high of 125 pounds and on Saturday morning, I registered 116 pounds.
Want me to help you? Just give me a note and I will tell you the secret.
Kiong Hee Huat Tsai
A friend (I don't remember if it was Fely Co or Rowena Co Ting Keh but I am sure Lance was present) once told me that this is the correct way to say Happy New Year.
So Chinese new year is now a holiday. Why not? As we recognize that we have a large Muslim community by marking the beginning and end of Ramadan, so too must we see that there are many Filipino Chinese who adhere to the traditions that their ancestors brought from the mainland.
Making this day a holiday also serves to remind us of the influence of Chinese culture on the Filipino way of life beyond pansit and hopia. For instance, we call elder siblings as ate and kuya. Many Tagalo families go as far as addressing the second boy and girl as diko and ditse while the third ones are sangko and sanse. Feng shui is a common practice in house construction and interior design.
The Philippines is a melting pot. The Filipino culture is a mix of many different influences. A lot of people from different nations will recognize something from their own homes in the Filipino way of life.
That's what makes it more fun in the Philippines.
Have a happy Chinese New Year.
So Chinese new year is now a holiday. Why not? As we recognize that we have a large Muslim community by marking the beginning and end of Ramadan, so too must we see that there are many Filipino Chinese who adhere to the traditions that their ancestors brought from the mainland.
Making this day a holiday also serves to remind us of the influence of Chinese culture on the Filipino way of life beyond pansit and hopia. For instance, we call elder siblings as ate and kuya. Many Tagalo families go as far as addressing the second boy and girl as diko and ditse while the third ones are sangko and sanse. Feng shui is a common practice in house construction and interior design.
The Philippines is a melting pot. The Filipino culture is a mix of many different influences. A lot of people from different nations will recognize something from their own homes in the Filipino way of life.
That's what makes it more fun in the Philippines.
Have a happy Chinese New Year.
Enzymes Work!
Two weeks ago, I made an attempt to see if I could not catch my 2011 New Year's resolution of losing an average of 1 kilo per month. You'd think it would be silly to try and lose over 10 kilos in two weeks. Well, I was just trying.
So I started taking this Life Enzyme product. Supposedly, it helps you digest your food better so that you don't need to eat so much. But of course, the holiday party season has just begun so you really expect to be served up a lot of food.
Anyway, I took one sachet in the morning and then another in the evening before meals. I did not really change anything else in my diet. I still ate the usual food which included generous amounts of meat.
I weighed myself on Christmas day and the weight did not change. I thought to myself that that was a small success. Even with the midnight meal, I did not gain any pounds.
A week later, I got on the scale again. Now, it gave me a number that was one kilo less than my starting weight.
What do you know? It's working!
Anyway, I took one sachet in the morning and then another in the evening before meals. I did not really change anything else in my diet. I still ate the usual food which included generous amounts of meat.
I weighed myself on Christmas day and the weight did not change. I thought to myself that that was a small success. Even with the midnight meal, I did not gain any pounds.
A week later, I got on the scale again. Now, it gave me a number that was one kilo less than my starting weight.
What do you know? It's working!
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