I'm Back

I'm back again from out of town...hope to be in my writing form soon...travelling gives us a different perspective in life...we get the chance to see how other people live their lives...we see how there are many people going about their lives in a different way from our lives...we cannot help but think so much of our selves and our problems...we tend to be so myopic that we could only see our concerns and that this would eventually lead to our depression...but when we can think of the plight of others...we then realize that there are other people with more urgent concerns than ours...more problems than ours...more people who hope for the better in their daily struggle in their lives and in their environment...seeing other people about their own business give me a different view in life some may be inspiring and some depressing but each one of us have to see through their struggles...only people who are at the cemeteries have no problems...when one travels to the provincesby land trips one could see the rows and rows of crossess in the cemeteries as one passess each town each city...their struggles have ended...while the rest of the living have to live each day with the hope that a new day brings forth new hope for a better life...

Off to Negros

I'm going to Negros ...there are some matters that needs to be attended to there at the project wherein we were able to supply some...materials for this project which had some problems and has been a source of many concerns...the last time i was there was last year...now I have to go back there again and deal with the problem...hopefully with finality...I pray for God's protection...

Time stood still on Jan. 22

Time in the Philippines stood still when all hopes are pinned on the victory of manny the pacman pacquiao...the only shining light of positivity in the country wreck in havoc by so many problems...its so ironical that only such a sports event would bring everybody to gether united as one people because of this fight between morales and pacquiao...the streets were empty...the jeepney drivers were all glued to tv sets watching the event unfold...the more upper class people were at the cinema at the malls that also featured the event at a price of 300 pesos...while the creme of the crop were at their cable tvs who knew the result of the fight even before the others...it was payback time...many filipinos were really rooting for the pacman to do what he was expected to do...win at all cost...the pressure on him was really great...everybody heaved a sigh when the referree stop the fight at the 10th round...the fight was won in a very convincing manner...unlike split or unanimous decisions...it was decided in the ring itself...boxing in the philippines is one of the major sports that as a people we can really be proud of ....

A Powerful Prayer

Please take a moment to relax your mind and humble your heart to focus on Christ. Allow God to be the only person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc., we should give the same respect to this prayer. Friends, who pray together, stay together.

If you pray this prayer, change the number in the subject box before forwarding the message so people can SEE how many people have done so.

Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example -- to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those who are lost and can't find their way. I pray for

those who are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly..

This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Some more ways to cope with stress

Some more ways to cope with stress

1. "Get up earlier during the day"
2. "Prepare by planning ahead"
3. "Daydream for dreaming cost nothing"
4. "Avoid MSG or preservatives"
5. "Smell the day and Set up appointments"
6. "Write your thoughts and ideas down"
7. "Practice preventive maintenance for good health"
8. "Make extra back-up duplicate keys"
9. "Say No more often"
10. "Set up your priorities"
11. "Avoid negative people or bullies"
12. "Use your time wisely"
13. "Simplify your life's needs"
14. "Get a BJ"
15. "Anticipate your needs"
16. "Make home repairs"
17. "Get help with jobs you dislike"
18. "Break down large tasks"
19. "Remind yourself to Look at problems as challenges"
20. "Take a Look at challenges and treat them differently"
21. "Unclutter and simplify your life"
22. "Smile more often"
23. "Save and Prepare for rainy days"
24. "Have a healthy sex life"
25. "Play Doom 3 or battlefield vietnam"
26. "Remember You Don't know all the answers"
27. "Always Look for the silver lining not the dark clouds at bay"
28. "Say something nice and praise others"
29. "Different Folks Different Strokes"
30 "Walking in the rain with the one you love or take a bathe in the rain"
31. "Schedule play time on your PC"
32. "Talk less and listen more"
33. "Praise God and be prayerful and thankful for all that he’s done"
34. "Pamper yourself and give yourself a break"
35. "Be aware of your decisions"
36. "Believe in yourself no matter how difficult it may seem"
37. "Beware Stop Talking negatively"
38. "Visualize winning and being triumphant"
39. "Develop a sense of humor"
40. "Be Hopeful and Start thinking that tomorrow will be better"
41. "Always Be Gentle and Kind to others"
42. "Dance a hustle or do a dance step"
43. "Say hello to a stranger build new relationships"
44. "Give a Hug or Ask a friend for a hug"
45. "Gaze at a starry night and look at the stars"
46. "Close your eyes and Breathe slowly"
47. "Sing a happy tune"
48. "Playing my guitar"
49. "Listening to acoustic music"
50. "Watch a live band show"
51. "Take the time to Read, read. read"
52. "Do something new each day"
53. "Stop a bad habit"
54. "Buy a flower for your spouse or lover"
55. "Do a skip jump walk like a child does"
56. "Buy something for yourself"
57. "Find a confidant as a 'confession-partner'"
58. "Do it today"
59. "Be optimistic but not overly optimistic"
60. "Put safety first always"
61. "Do all things in moderation"
62. "Stretch your limits"
63. "Enjoy small pleasures"
64. "Hum a song"
65. "Maintain your weight to height ratio"
66. "Be happy with your life with others"
67. "Feed the chickens"
68. "Practice grace and humility always"
69. "Stretch your body from time to time"
70. "Have a plan 'B' for every situation"
71. "Go to hear mass more often"
72. "Learn a new joke"
73. "Be aware of your feelings and the feelings of others"
74. "Leave your place of work on the dot"
75. "Know your limits and capacity"
76. "Say have a good day to yourself every morning!"
77. "Think of all those good times you spent with your love ones“
78. "Find Away To Exercise"
79. "Learn a new song"
80. "Get up to work earlier"
81. "Do a task at home by doing Cleaning chores"
82. "Play with your children"
83. "Go on an outdoor picnic"
84. "Drive or take a different route to work"
85. "Take a leave of absence from work or leave the office earlier than you should"
86. "Put air freshener in your room"
87. "Watch a movie or DVD"
88. "Email a far away friend"
89. "Attend a Prayer Meeting"
90. "Eat a small meal by candlelight"
91. "Recognize the importance of unconditional love"
92. "Remember stress is an attitude"
93. "Keep a weblog and say your piece"
94. "Be humble and ro a good deed each day"
95. "Remember and look at your options"
96. "Build a support network of friends and relatives"
97. "Quit trying to fix other people’s concerns"
98. "Don’t stay up late, Get enough sleep"
99. Relax. Take each day a time... You have the rest of your life to live.
100. “Over sleep during weekends”

Pinoy ako tabs

Pinoy Ako by orange and lemons - PBB theme

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Keeping a Weblog

I have known since years ago about the popularity of creating a weblog or blogs on the internet...I just wasn't that keen then because I know that once you start to keep one there is the constant need to update your blog and post new entries...so its like a dependency that you are constantly aware and have to take good care of your blogsite like a baby...and feed it information by writing down your thoughts or experiences for other people to read and for you to have an outlet of publishing your own views whenever you can...I would normally write down my blogs at the office after I have checked my email accounts at the net (yahoo and hotmail)...my jobstreet account...and then I would login at blogspot to create a new post for my blogsite like what i'm doing now...it also forces me to think of new things to publish and keeps my own sanity in check...i hope those who read my rantings will find them ordinarily ok...

Profound Series of Events

We make a lot of decisions each day...and fate temps us to make such decisions that whether we like it or not affects all of our decisions down the line like a domino effect...a series of events will unfold because of just one decision that we make that starts the series of events....which brings me to my profound thoughts ...once when I was late for work...i really could not have thought that my decision to take a certain jeepney ride will start the events that followed...after 10 mins...i saw an accident caused by a motorcycle and a multi cab...which I flag down but passed by me because it was already full....while the one i was riding was caught in traffic caused by the accident...and lo and behold...the jeepney ride i took also had two ladies wearing short skirts...which to my amazement...could not resist a stolen glance ...at those legs....anyway as i arrive at the point wherein i had to go down from my ride...I took to the mercury drug store to buy some groceries...after some time and paying for the goods i took i walk out of the store and to my amazement right infront of me was an officemate in his car waving me to enter the service car....taking me to the office....i know that somewhere in this series of events one decision that i have taken brought forth various variables that could not repeat itself...and the thought of that just blows me away....

The Sinulog Parade

The sinulog parade went underway without any tragic eventuality that could have happened...thanks...to the Patron Santo Nino De Cebu...that the whole day was protected by his graces....I did not see the parade except on the t.v. but my wife and daughter would never miss the event...as usual...i begged off...because i really wasn't that that eager specially with crowds...or oggling at celebrities which my wife and daughter are really expecting and are quite happy each time they were able to meet and see such famous or near famous people or stars...anyway...they woke up early and were out of the house before 6:30 a.m.....the night before they also went to the concert of boyfriends (80's group) and Ms. Elizabeth Ramsey (famous comediene) at the waterfront hotel...which according to their retelling of their experiences to me was a very enjoyable evening for both of them sans me...because I opted to stay home rather than face the crowds...and the terrible traffic that comes with it...specially if you come along in a car...it would take you two hours in going and another 2 hrs in going out of the waterfron hotel...it's that terrible...before the concert they both came to the waterfron hotel and were surprised that PBB housemates were there...so they were very happy to see these PBB housemates and have their pictures taken with them using the cell phones...they really like oggling with these celebrities....which i am not so keen at...so i'd rather stay at home because if i have gone with them...we would just end up fighting because for sure...in less than 1 hr of traffic and crowds i'll be wanting to go home already and i would spoil their fum...they even brought food along with them so that the whole activity is like a picnic...anyway i hope that they are both happy and i could only thank god that no untoward incident has happened in the celebration...Pit Senyor santo Nino...Happy fiesta!!!

Birthday Party

We went to the birthday party of the estranged wife of my brother at neoneo...the food was pancit canton...roasted pork chops...pinakbet...roasted native chicken or lechon bisaya...and calamares...the food was sumptuous in fact a second serving was delayed because there were to many guest...anyway...again I got to see the people (friends and relatives) of my sister in law who now lives in australia...old familiar faces...and some new one from the following generation x....

Sinulog in Cebu

The weekend in cebu will be filled with the annual sinulog festivities...this festival started in the early 80's and its in its 28th year I beleive so...this is one of the biggest festivals in the philippines, it showcases Cebu as a tourist destination....when it started a number of years ago...it started off as simple parade...and grew into a mardi gra type of street dancing with float contest and Higante or giant making props contest....from a very simple celebration it has evolved into something like a business or commercial..venture...this festival also spurred lots of copy cat festivals basically of the same genre...the Sinulog was not really the first of this mardi gras type of festival...in fact I believe the ati-atihan festival of kalibo was the first of such festivals...but the successful evolution of this festival was made here in cebu...every year celebrations ups the ante on next year's celebration until it has become a really grand event complete with all the works of a complete festival package as a tourist destination, festival hype, street dancing galore...or mania...which sometimes has over shadowed the true meaning of the Sinulog...The veneration of the Santo Nino De Cebu...For Cebuanos...they will always have a revere respect for the Hold Child and will always cherish this experience after having lived in Cebu...One time or another...Cebuanos have become a devotee of the Santo Nino....It is really a very moving spiritual experience to be a devotee and to do the Novena...I myself went through such a transformation before when I was a disrespectful, arrogant, addict, self loving black sheep of the family...when I turn to the Santo Nino...The Child Jesus change me....It was one of the difficult times in my life...and my petition then was that The Santo Nino guide me to transform me from my evil ways and lead me to change myself to have a better life...which I believe that I have succeeded in fact a lot of people have given up on my during those times...and they would always tell the story of how desperate I was then and how they have abandon all hope that I could change or mend my ways back to the righteous ways...but I did...It was an amazing transformation that I could only attribute to my devotion to the Santo Nino which change my life forever...Thank You Senor Santo Nino...Pit Senyor!!!!

Rules from God

Rules from God
1. Wake Up !!
Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance;
but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant
for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul."
Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!...
For what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything..
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."
Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!...
To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!...
For something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not unto your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him,
and He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!...
Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything;
instead PRAY ABOUT
EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

Fav recipes

SABAW SA POCHERO

1. ISULOD SA KALDERO ANG KARNE UNYA PABUKALAN UG TUNGA SA ORAS, HUMAN KUHA-AN SA BULA OR SALA-ON ANG SABAW PARA MATIN-AW.

2. KUNG MUTIN-AW NA ANG SABAW, BUTANGAN UG LUY-A UNYA LAT-AN UG BALIK ANG KARNE. KUNG HUMOK NA ANG KARNE TIMPLAHAN UG ASIN & VITSEN, HUMAN BUTANGAN UG GULAY (UTANON) , HULATA HANTUD MALUTO ANG UTANON....... UNYA SAKTO NA.

*** ADOBONG BABOY ***

(TIYAN - KAS-ING - PORK CHOP)

1. LAT-AN ANG KARNE, TIMPLAHAN UG AHOS, ASIN UG VITSEN. HULATA NGA MAHUMOK ANG KARNE UNYA HA-UNON.

2. MAG-INIT UG MANTIKA SA KAHA UNYA ILUNOD ANG KARNE, UNYA HULATA HANTUD MO-BROWN ANG KARNE.

3. KUNG BROWN NA ANG KARNE ... HA-ONA NA.

T O C I N O

Ingredients:

1 & 1/4 kls. pork
1 & 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup tuyo
1/4 cup chia & pi chiew
1/4 tsp. celitre
2 tsp. MSG
1 tbsp. salt
ahos
paminta

Mix all together.

*** MANGO FLOAT ***

cream:

3 packs all purpose cream
1 can condensed milk
3 knox melted
shreded mangoes
1 pack graham biscuit (honey flavor)

para ipamatong sa graham:

sliced mangoes
melted knox (3 pcs.)

Procedure:

Ang tray hapinan sa graham 2 ka patong , isunod ang gi-mix nga cream pagkahuman patungan na sad ug graham dayon butangan na sad ug sliced mango dayon i-freeze hangtud mo gahi gahi gamay.

Ang katapusan mag melt ug 3 pack nga knox unya butangan ug asukal para motam-is(5 tbsp.) unya ma-uy ipatong sa katapusang layer (sunod sa mangga), unya i-freeze. Human na dayon...

*** C H O R I Z O ***

Ingredients:

3 Kls. pork (unod)
2 Kls. pork (tambok)
5 tbsp. salt
4 cups white sugar
6 tbsp. accord
6 tbsp. black pepper
2½ tbsp. vetsin
garlic

Procedure:

Mix all together, roll with cutrite.

S I O M A I

Ingredients:

900 grams - pork cut in cubes
600 grams - small shrimp
pork fat - cut in cubes - 300 grams
6 tbsp. white sugar
2 tbsp. salt
4 tbsp. gaw-gaw
1½ tsp. vetsin
2 tsp. white pepper
2 tbsp. sesame oil

Procedure:

Soak shrimp for 1 hour in 1/4 tbsp. borax, 1/4 bottle lihia, 2 tbsp. all purpose flour, 2 tbsp. gaw-gaw.
Dry the shrimp with cloth and weigh.
Mix the pork im mixing bowl then add the shrimp, pork fats, sesame oil.
Steam for 12 minutes.

S I O B A

Ingredients:

2 kilos pork - kas-ing
2½ tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. pamienta
1½ tbsp. accord
8 tbsp. glucose syrup
1½ tbsp. sesame oil
1½ tbsp. vetsin
1 cup white sugar
1 cup wine
1 7 up 8 ounce

Procedure:

Mix all together.

*** BUKO LYCHEES GELATIN ***

1st layer:

* 3 boxes knox
/ 3/4 cup white sugar
/ 2 cups buko juice
* 1 cup boiled buko juice

2nd layer:

/ 1 can nestle cream
* 3 envelopes knox (unflavored gelatin)
/ 1/2 can condensed milk
/ 1 can lychees
/ 4 pcs. buko
* 1 cup lychees juice

Procedure:

1st layer:
* boil together
/ mix in bowl.

2nd layer:
/ mix in bowl
* boil together
then put together

*** FISH BALLS ***

Ingredients:

500 grams minced fish meat
1 1/2 cups cornstarch
4 tbsp. white sugar
1/4 tsp. MSG
4 tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
ice water

Procedure:

1. Add salt to minced fish for 20minutes or until mixture is translucent.
2. Add other ingredients alternately with ice water.
3. Continue mixing for 20 minutes to obtain homogenized mixture.
4. Form into balls and set at 40 degrees C for 20 minutes.
5. Cook in simmering water.
6. When balls float, continue cooking for 30 minutes.
7. Drain and cool before packing.
8. Store in freezer until used.
9. Deep fat fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
10. Drain.
11. Serve with sweet & sour sauce.

*SWEET & SOUR SAUCE FOR FISH BALLS*

1. Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/4 sugar & 3 tbsp. cornstarch.
2. Stir, Add to heated oil (2tbsp.) catsup (3 tbsp.) and 1 pc. siling labuyo. Continue cooking until mixture is translucent.

*** SQUID BALLS ***

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo minced squid meal
1 1/2 cup cornstarch
4 tbsp. sugar
8 tbsp. salt
4 tbsp. chopped white onion
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. MSG
3 tbsp. ice water

Procedure:

1. Grind minced meat in a fond cutter for 10 minutes.
2. Add salt and continue mixing until the paste is translucent. Follow with other ingredients such as cornstarch, sugar, garlic, onion, MSG and cold water. Continue mixing for another 20 minutes to obtain homegenized mixture.
3. Form into balls
4. Set the balls at 40 degrees C water for 20 minutes. Drain.
5. Cook balls at 20 degrees C water for 20 minutes. Drain and let cool before packing.
6. Store in freezer until use.
7. Fry in deep fat for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve with sweet & sour sauce.

*** FISH QUEKIAM ***

Ingredients:

1/2 kilo dalagang bukid meat
1/4 kilo shrimp meat
1 pc. egg (well beaten)
1/2 cup chopped singkamas
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. nguyong powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 tsp. salt

taupee wrapper

Procedure:

1. Separate fish from skin and balls.
2. Grind or chop fish meat and shrimp.
3. Grind all ingredients and mix thoroughly.
4. Wrap mixture in taupee wrapper. If aluminum foil or plastic is used, refrigerate for 5 minutes and remove from wrapper.
5. Fry in hot cooking oil.
6. Serve with sweet & sour sauce.

SIOPAO (filing)

100 grams pork fat
800 grams pork
1 onion
2 tbsp. Tianjin preserve vegetable (boiled)
1 tbsp. vetsin
1 & 1/2 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. gaw-gaw
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. toyo (Kimland sauce)
hard boiled egg

fry the onion until brown
mixed the pork, vetsin, salt, gaw-gaw, sugar, white pepper, toyo, tianjin, onion and pork fat(last).

DOUGH

1 tbsp. dry yeast (red star) soak with 3/4 cup water
500 grams cake flour
500 grams all purpose
200 grams sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 kls. water or 3 cups water
10 grams oil

- put flour, sugar, baking powder, water, yeast and oil. Disolve the sugar then mix.
- knead

HAKAW

Ingredients for filling:

500 grams small size shrimp
50 grams water chest nut
50 grams pork fat
1/2 salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vetsin
cornstarch (gaw-gaw)

Procedure:

1. Ilunod ang pasayan sa mixer mga 15 minutos hangtod nga mulapot.

2. Timplahan ug asin, vetsin, asukal, usa ka kutsara nga gaw-gaw ug usa kakutsara nga sesame

oil inig andar sa mixer for 17 minutes.

3. ihulog ang tambok sa baboy nga gi cubes ug water chest nut sa mixer for 2 minutes.

4. isulod ug container andam sa pag putos.

Ingredients for dough

2 cups taimen flour
asin
vetsin
2 cups gaw-gaw
2 cups hot water

Procedure:

Mix gawa-gaw and taimen, add hot water and mix manually, roll on the table, cut into desired size for putos, flatten then add fillings and fold the steam for 10 minutes.

Note: Spread oil on streamer to avoid hakaw from sticking.

Good Karma

I got this from the web

GOOD KARMA: INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE.

1. Take into account that great love and to do great things and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When at times you lose or fail, don’t lose the lessons to be learned from the experience.

3. Follow the three R’s

Ø Respect for self

Ø Respect for others and

Ø Responsibility for all your actions

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly

6. Don’t let a little dispute or misunderstanding injure a great relationship.

7. When you realize that you made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. A mistake cannot be corected by another mistake.

8. Spend some time alone every day, when we came to this world we were by ourself and when we leave this world we shall go by ourself, learning to be at home by ourself and to be alone and happy is also important.

9. Open your arms to change or new things, but don’t let go of your values, they keep you human.

10. Remember that silence sometimes is the best answer.

11. Live a good and honorable life. Follow the golden rule as much as you can, Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your hapiness in life.

13. In disagreements with love ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge, Don't be selfish (even recipes), it’s a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth for this is our home.

16. Take some time, Once a year or so, go someplace you’ve never been before travel is education.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

School's Out

It's been two weeks since I've been going to my daughter's school and I would be fetching her and my wife at the back gate afterwhich we would take a taxi ride going home...Normally my wife would handle this and pick up our only daughter at around 4:15 p.m. during school days...they would also get up early and my wife would take our daughter to school each day...they would even have early morning arguments between 4:00 - 5:30 a.m. ...while I was still dozing off...this is the normal routine of my wife and daughter during school days...well...I had so many things to do at the city because of my work...i had appointments with our insurance agents because of a recent accident, meetings with our legal counsel on various legal and labor related matters, meetings with the municipal mayor of consolacion because of the said accident that occurred.in that city...this gives me the opportunity.to go out of the office..to fetch my daughter and wife at school...this is the world of my wife's daily routine...in school i would notice that the mothers and fathers of children have informal groups barkadas or social organizations...wherein...small groups...of parents form a support group at school...the number of groups vary...sometimes they are formed because of socio-economic status...sometimes because of spatial relations...sometimes because their chiddren are classmates....or they may need to borrow homework or notebooks.... sometimes to coordinate with teachers and lessons....sometimes because they need to borrow money from other parents....one can also see that an underground economy is formed to supports the needs of other parents...or for financial needs...or because some parents are OFWs ...sometimes they are formed simply because of the human nature of needing other people which eventually leads to friendships and relationships that are made through the years ...they would watch out for the children of other parents as surrogates before the original parents will be arriving....you could also see parents changing the undershirts of their sons who were just busy running around and playing or clowning in the school grounds...there are also students munching their hearts out with junk food...cars parking...and cars zooming in and out at the gate...the banter of so many kids talking and teasing...at the same time...such scenes of course would take me to those years of one's childhood...elementary and high school years...of urban city life...one by one the crowd will slowly become smaller and smaller as all the kids are whisked by the parents....back to their homes...until tomorrow for another school day...

Looking For Opportunities

Its the second week of the new year and when I woke up last sunday...I immediately went to read the newspaper...looking for the classified ads section where there might be companies looking for a H.R. Manager...it was quite thick but there was no such ad....tough luck i could not find any ad that fits my qualifications...I just have to keep my mindset on a certain level and be positive ...no matter how difficult the times may be in...I have also accepted the fact that my chances of course of getting myself employed with a new job are getting slimmer and slimmer because of my age...I need to land a job that provides premium for my vast work experiences which in management is a distinct advantage over young guns.... but then again that just what I think about it...I just hope that a breakthrough is in store for me....

Responses to my applications in 2005

I started my campaign to get a new job at around April of 2005....after having postpone my search because I really thought I could do something to change the management of my place of work...But I have come to realize that management was only faking it when giving the impression that it does want to change and improve itself... I was brought along for the ride ...because the truth of the matter is that it really doesn't want to...and that's it....I sent a number of my application and resume to various firms and I was interview by the following: Gesalem-Huang Group of companies (Dunkin donuts, my interview with the Fil-Chinese General Manager was not really extra ordinary because during the interview there were lots of interruptions, that a cohesive interview was not possible, the guy was just up to his neck with his jobs obviously very centralized wherein responsibilities are not delegated) May 2005, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (This was a panel interview of three people, I feel that the interview went well but because of the nature of my work, I never had any relevant experience as an Executive director which may have disqualified me for the position) of executive director July 2005, Prifood Corporation September 2005 ( a manufacturing firm wherein I do believe I gave a good impression but I was given the impression that the General Manager really doesn't know what type of person they were looking for and I heard from various sources that they were having lots of labor related problems because they were not adhering to labor standards), Dedon October 2005 (My Application to this company gave me a very good chance when I was interviewed by the German General Manager I could feel the positive vibrations as if the job was the one for me and in fact I was called again for another interview in less than a week, while my next interview was done by a Filipina Manager from Manila who was the VP for accounting and administration (Grace Cabradilla, the impression of the interview was quite flat with no remarkable feedback, so so quite ordinary, just average) who told me that they were just waiting for their German President to arrive and will call me for another interview once he comes over but the promised panel interview never push through quite strange, & Cebu Pacific International Language Services (CPILs) December 2005 (This is a Korean manage company who is in the business of teaching ESL while their students are house in a dormitory/hotel facility), at Jobstreet.com I have almost 50 online applications using the net...I almost landed a job at Cagayan de Oro City with Linksys July 2005 (Interviewed for 3 times) but the job was never offered to me.... Online applications were quite numerous but I believe that my credentials were not really given such attention because most of the openings were based in Manila and most are call center i..t. related industries....and some were recruitment or head hunting firms with positions based in Manila.

Outliving your usefullness

I told my dad that you have to be very extra careful this year because your age is in the line of nine...you have to surpass this year for a new cycle of 0-9 will have to start...he just looked at me in a gaze that i could only described as something like the star struck gaze of puppy who could not understand a thing or two of what I was talking about...I told him to be very extra careful at the bathroom because older people with fragile bones could not bear havings falls of any sort to their bodies...I also told my dad that you need to be accompanied by somebody anywhere you want to go...but he's so stubborn and down right uncooperative at times...I guess he doesn't want to feel that he has outlive his usefulness...because since he has retired from work he always seems to be looking for things to do...places to go...and all other things to attend to...I told him that retirement means you don't have to do a single thing...you are retired...years before he insist to drive a vehicle even when his eyes are already failing him...I believe that He is going into one of the most difficult transitions in life that we all will experience when you go into retirement... from being the bread winner of the family...to somebody who waits for dole outs from his family ...from being the solid post or wall that everyone can lean on...to somebody who needs to grab your arms to steady his posture and keep his balance...from being the giver of material things or money to your family...to somebody who feels that his sons or daughters owe them money for they were the one's who brought them into this world, clothe and feed them, paid for their education, etc...and for children who tell them that all those things that you have done for us as parents were your responsibility and obligation to your children..and your childrem might say we don't owe you any single thing for bring us up in this world...It is truly difficult from being the giver where everyone use to depend on you...to becoming somebody waiting for your children to send you some money or things...from being the padre de pamilya...into somebody who has a frail body...who needs to take his medicines and watch what he eats...becoming a senior citizen...he is in the twilight of his years...if we are at the airport...he is someone who is in the pre-departure area...to the place or destination way beyond the sky...its really one of the opposite roles in life the we play...the cycle of life as it is for all of us becoming children...depending on our parents...to becoming parents...having our own children...to becoming grand parents depending on our children...the irony of life as our parents were once carefree as children and responsible as young adults and parents...and as they become wiser and older as grand parents and are now dependent on their children...

My Dad's 79th Birthday

My dad celebrated his 79^th birthday last night where we had a small family party because the estranged wife of my eldest brother was in the country with her son Clifford they have been living in Australia for quite sometime and do come to the country for visits. My other brother who lives in Busay was also in the house with his family. The food that was prepared for the dinner was Humba, Pancit Sotanghon Guisado, Lechon baboy, Lechon Manok, Lambay, Beef Steak Pinoy Style, Chop Suey, Fruit Salad, chiffon cakes, and lumpia shanghai. The visitors were mostly from family and friends from Australia and Cebu. Well anyway, I really had a very bad case of tonsils that I could hardly eat, our visitors also brought along a special pancit named Palabok from red ribbon. It was just a very small party and We just got to talk with some of our childhood neighbors (arlene, ronnie, siblings of ate ningning) where we used to live before in Highway, Mandaue City in Maguikay)…My sister-in-law with her brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces were our visitors…Although my sister-in-law separated from my brother for some years now they have always been our family friends and no matter what happened between them is long been regarded as history…our relationship with her was always there…She is a part of our family in spite of what has transpired…it brings back memories of one’s innocence and childhood…how times have come to passed…how the years have separated us…once we were teenagers in puberty…now we have grown to have families of our own…nephews and nieces, sister in laws…brother in laws…30 years ago we could not have known…I guess its like that when you meet old family and childhood friends or high school friends… you immediately can smile and remember the good feeling of reminiscing old memories…too much memories spend with them that you could never know where to begin to talk because of your common experiences…time stood still each time such eras or spaces in one life time is frozen and brought back when you see old friends or family…I got my cell phone and called my brother in Manila…When he answered I said ”Hello Kuya This is Eddie…Your son’s here at the house do you want to talk to him? Sure! So I just passed the phone to my nephew and told him its your dad…so they talk for quite sometime…I just went around and talk with the other guests…I guess it’s the least I could do to let a father and son talk with each other…They have long been separated also since my sister in law brought their son to Australia also … my nephew is the eldest son of my brother…although he does have another family now with four other children from another wife of some previous years…it does makes my nephew a little confuse as to who’s who or who’s the son of who because he lives out of the country…He, my nephew also brought along a digital camera and was taking pictures of everyone at the party…He's carrying our family name and I could feel that each time that he gets to be with us who have the same family name…he really feels at home and could relate to his family tree that I’m with Family…I guess no matter where we may be in this part of the world…we always look back to where we come from…our roots…our family…it gives meaning and life to our existence in this world…I could always remember what my mother who has passed away for quite some time use to tell us brothers “Remember those times that you spend with each other whether you were fighting or playing because when you all will have grown up you will be living separate lives and will be far away from each other…so make the best of those times when you are still young and together as a family these bonds are the only one that will be left once you have all gone your separate ways.” My mom was angry at us brothers during those times that she is trying her best to referee fights and misunderstanding between and among brothers and during those days we never understood how true and correct her words to us will ever be…it was for us to find out once we have grown apart from each other…When I talked with my Ate NingNing I Told her You'll be going back to Australia by Jan. 20, anyway ate you'll be back naman every year to the country diba...but she whispered that hopefully because at her age she is sick with cancer of the cervix and thyroid...for both sickness she is getting medical treatment...when I heard these words I couldn't help not to be speechless...what could you say to somebody you care about even though you're physically far apart from them that they have cancer? I just told her don't loose hope...we'll still see each other again next year...I just couldn't bear the thought that it could be the last time that I'll be spending a moment with her...life does bring about a series of events that one could never tell where it would lead to...

When somethings are brought upon us

Accidents whether man-made or brought about by nature are somethings that are brought upon us and sometimes for no reason at all, no logic at all, nobody knows why...what a mystery such events are here for...the very least we sometimes could say that the most wonderful thing that could come out of such matters is that no tragic loss of life has occured....then then again nobody really wants to get involved in one...It is fate???or just the unpredictableness of life...time...decisions....this is the main reason why there is such a business such as insurance...will always thrive on that...people will be inconvenience...people will raise their voices in anger at the antagonist and protagonist...people who have not know each other or have crossed paths are brought together by such tragic events...there is no possibility of any party getting the upper hand....because such things are not those type that we can be proud of that has happened to us....we might be even involve in the matter but because of our jobs...we are exposed to such events...which are very very difficult to grasp and understand...i'm off to the weekend...i hope god protect me and my family from such events from happening...

Better to have a Bad job than to have No Job at All

We had a nice conversation with my old german friend who was formerly our consultant at the firm i'm now working for...after exchanging pleasantries ...he was surprise to see that I was still with this company...anyway I told him that as of now I'm on the lookout for another job or company but I just haven't got the break I needed...which is why i'm still here...he was quite aware that I was not happy with my present job and the management and he just told me its Better to have a bad job than no job at all... i guess in terms of practicality wise he was right... but during those times of my present job frustrations I really almost just quit my job..I ask myself do I really have to go through with this humiliating experience...Specially when you are reprimanded for no reason at all because he is just angry??? .i had the feeling that with the present stressful bullying being done to me i would rather have no job at all than to experience all this negative shit and during those times i would just like to go home and sleep it all off...my wife would notice instantly that i was having problems at work since i would be very silent at home...i don't want my family to know my problems but again my wife knows no matter what i do to conceal these things...there was a time a told her i wanted to give everything up and just quit...then she told me surprisingly o.k. fine do what ever makes you happy...but i know that she was telling me to be practical...when you get the chance or opportunity that another job awaits you then go...but if theres no opportunity waiting yet then try to maintain the status quo...which is why pulling myself from the bed and dragging my self to work gets harder each day....in my desperation I tell my wife and ask her doesn't she want to see me happy in my job? then again ...i just have to keep my cool and wait for that sweet moment wherein i would personally hand in my resignation letter and see the facial expression on my boss that's the time wherein I could say its my payback time...

Hoping Against Hope

Hoping against Hope...That's how I feel about my quest for a new job...a new hope,,,a new beginning...a new start...Yesterday I talked with the person who hired me for this company I'm working for right now...its been eight years since we worked together...he was the business consultant then when I was hired...He called up the office and inquired If I was still working here and when he knew that I was still connected he requested that we talk over the phone....To my surprise....It was my old german friend ....I still remembered when we last had a conversation about the company that we worked in almost eight years ago...he even advised me to look for a better company because he knew then that I was too eager and gung-ho with my new job then...realizing then the type of management we had that He told me that my talents and skills would still be better of use with another company and that I could even be even more compensated compared with my present job...well I told him then that I would slowly look for a new job as he had advised me but since I was new then I really did thought or I have made myself to believe that I could do something to change our management and that the owner and manager is a progressive, young, and agressive enough to will himself to change but after almost eight long years with the company...nothing has change...in terms of the major changes needed to be made by management to develop itself...there were some changes indeed based on my efforts and on his part but it is just too small concessions but never the less significant impact and changes i was still able to make in the work environment...but I couldn't do any substantive changes to the way management is which is the main obstacle to organizational development, management was, and will be confined to its own dereliction...its still largely autocratic and centralized, personality based management by anger (MBA), influence peddling, sycophants based on patronage, and boot and ass licking employees who only want to get ahead of others not by their inherent skills or capabilities but by largely influencing the owner by telling him want he wants to hear and back biting those employees who do not want to join their caravan of sycophants or those that are in the way of the promotion of their goals and hidden agenda ...which i would never be ever be a part of...which is why i have found myself out of the loop....depressed...bullied....I am quite a candidate for the state of learned helplessness...

New Year... New Job???

With the advent of the new year...my hopes are up again...maybe this year my chances of getting a new job or landing a dream job will be fulfilled...i would not want to put my hopes up...but i need something to look forward to and this is another daunting task...another daunting challenge for me...will this year be a more fruitful hunt for me?I really do hope so that lady luck looks my way this time...

My First day at Work 2006

It was quite a long vacation but no matter how long it feels from December 24-Jan. 1, 2006 it always feels so short as if time is so short...I spent it all with my family and I wanted to take a break by going to the provinces but I again decided to put it off...I guess i'm just too burned out to psych myself up and report to work...its my eighth (8th) year on this same job...and I feel Lost....I have made up my mind last March 2005....That I was going to get myself a new job...At first I really did thought that I wanted to keep my present job until I would retire with this company....but recent events have overtaken me and I have given up, First I thought management was willing ti change...but then again I was fooled to believe that is so ... I have lost faith in my boss...my company...its management....it is painful to wake up one day that after all the years I have spent on my company...one comes face to face with reality that...I no longer feel that I belong to the organization... I no longer want to exert more effort on my job...I have lost my zest ...no fires are burning inside me...as part of management...I cannot be a part of something I have lost faith in....i'm dead on the water....