NO IFS, NO BUTS

It’s 2009! year after year, we celebrate christmas, birthdays, new year’s and all other significant events in our lives… Year after year, we are given the opportunity to look into the past and assess probably our progress, or the lack of it. After 30 years of the same anticipation for these events, I’ve come to terms with the idea that perhaps, that’s just the way it is. No matter how eloquent or philosophical your approach is to your existence, you may opt to do it with or without any complications, you might even base it on religious ideologies, it all goes down to just simply living it as it goes (no ifs, no buts).

Coming home (davao) for the holidays, a lot of things crossed into my mind. These are random thoughts that probably prompted me to better appreciate certain things in perspective. A friend recently told me that she no longer sees the fire in me. Is this a fair assumption? Perhaps, but not quite, for I am still fuelled enough to walk the path. A path that doesn’t have any particular direction (at least for now). I just simply wanna take my time and appreciate the things around me at the moment (no fuss).

Being home with my family, I was quite surprised that I found a deeper connection with them. There were times where I used to think that I go home only because I am compelled to meet a family obligation. Having a big family, I now found certain joy seeing my nieces and nephews getting older and even some with their own respective responsibilities, as well. That having conversations with my siblings (recalling the past), is quite amusing and calming, knowing that no matter the difficulties we had, we managed to do just fine.

So I guess, 2009 for me will not be any different from the previous years except that I welcome the coming year with much much more gratitude and anticipation. Cheers!

I’m 100% McCainian-Palinist!

What is it that more than half of Americans (at least from the polls) wanted to change about their country that they wanted to elect Barack Obama, the democratic presidential ticket, as the next president?

Coming from outside America who salutes the American dream, I can’t help but wonder, is America really that bad that they want it to change? Perhaps, there are glitches in the current system that can be improved but the kind of change that is not definitive and is merely a campaign slogan, I don’t see why Americans should buy it.

What kind of change does Obama want? It seems to me that he wanted it badly to change that the fundamentals of the American way of life is under threat!

Former NYC Mayor Giuliani coined it aptly, “change is not a destination, hope is not a strategy”.

Yes, the mess that the Americans made, which directed them and the world to the current financial crisis, is a tremendous lapse in its preceding administrations, but is it solely the fault of the republicans? There are a lot of admirable traits about the American political 2-party system (democratic/GOP), it provides room for debate, which is good for check and balance, but where was the democrats when the economic crisis was still boiling? They could have prevented it in the first place. And now, Obama have the advantage only because they see Barack more as the person who can handle this chaos properly? With his weapon as being only an illinois state senator and a merely 2-yr U.S. senate  member? I never thought that majority of the Americans have bought the robinhoodish kind of heroism!

If Obama would’ve been the presidential contender in the Philippines, I bet he would sweep the votes. With majority of the people living within and below the poverty line, certainly, Obama’s idea of spreading the wealth around will get the message across (an erap approach).

But I still believe that the Americans will decide well, and correctly at that! I still believe that most Americans are intelligent and are capable of making the right choice.

Since when did the Americans elect someone only because of his eloquence without fully scrutinizing his character? Being linked to Bill Ayers and Reverend Wright? I agree with John McCain that undoubtedly, there is a lack of judgment when he chose to be affiliated with these personalities, or better yet, a very poor judgment!

What about the war in Iraq? As I see it, majority of the Americans wanted to retaliate and wage war against terrorism after 9/11. And these people who are now saying otherwise (that they are losing the war in Iraq and was a mistake) are hypocritical - more so with Colin Powell!

Fox news channel have covered the current situation in Iraq. I don’t see why they think they’re losing when in fact; the streets in Baghdad are buzzing with life? Why would Barack accept that kind of defeat? McCain is right that they should bring home the soldiers with DIGNITY and PRIDE. A battle WON, and should be continually fought upon!

Undisputedly, the world as we see it now wouldn’t be what it is if not for the American interventions and its advocacy for DEMOCRACY.

I understand that Obama’s role in the democratic ticket is a history in progress. But are most americans that moron enough to elect him only to achieve that kind of history (electing the first U.S. African-American president)? The way I look at it, Obama is only reading a part fit enough for a Hollywood presidential role… BUT NOT THE WHITE HOUSE!

I believe that on the 4^th of November, Americans will FIGHT! McCain will win!

On bending rules

If there’s one thing that I value most about myself, it’s the fact that I always mean well. Each one of us holds our own set of ideals, beliefs, and values. Imagine waking up one day and you realize you have to bend some rule… In fact, you realize that if you deviate from some of these set of ideals; it will be your passport to becoming a better, happy person.  

Almost! Because as soon as you realize that it will give you a sense of being whole, you found out that the very reason that you bended your rule for have deceived you. How will you take it? What if despite the fact that you meant well, you were subjected to the opposite by the person you care(d) for?

These questions have troubled me for the recent weeks. For a certain event/circumstance, the persons involved will always have different stories to tell. It could be for or against those people involved. Or it could just be that in the story, people not involved in the plot are trying to retell the events according to the scenarios that suit most their need for spicy and juicier twists and turns.

Just a thought…

Bid you well, November!

November has been a sour month. Wanna put it all behind and start anew. Im one stupid nut case!

UAAP 2007 Halikinu

It's hard to talk about yesterday's game which left us everyone on the blue side stunned, but I'll let the pictures speak for itself…

It was a One Big Fight, 'Teneo!

Nice game Green Archers!

ODDLY GLAD!

One of the probable reasons why I haven’t visited this blog is because there’s nothing much to write about. It would be inspiring to write something new or big that transpired in the recent past, and even some unfortunate events would be something to rant about, BUT NO! It’s been a monotonous and uneventful moment for me. My only consolation, I guess, is that no untoward events have happened and that leading a boring daily routine is better than facing a bad one.

I’ve read several time in newspaper opinion columns how other journalists think negatively about blogs. Some think that the advent of this medium have proven to be misleading and there’s really nothing to read about but people’s rantings or some nonsensical composition of words not really worth the read- crap for short! I agree to a certain extent the bitter reality to it. There is no replacing reading the newspaper hard facts if you want serious guided news. However, I also believe that without information from the net, it wouldn’t be what it is today without everyone sharing information, thoughts and idea in the cyber universe. Newspaper, radio and tv which used to be “trimedia” is limited compared to the internet medium in its entirety. I wonder how they coin it now? Have somebody arrived to a new word to replace the “trimedia” yet? People should have already felt the weight and importance of internet that the word trimedia should already be passe. Blogs and other internet spaces have proven its worth in our world and just like the universe, it is expanding more than how we imagine it to be. Is it apt that they call it quadmedia?

Personally, I wouldn’t know much about other minority cultures without this medium. I wouldn’t learn about the top charts in the US and UK or the latest flick, have it not been for the information I’ve gotten from the webby. I wouldn’t have an insight of how other nationalities think about some issues or their personal take on certain matters that are of interest to me as well. 

Truth is, I’m looking forward for the next 10 years onwards. For a pessimist like me, it’s odd to look forward to anything. So I’m glad I discovered this optimism. I’m curious about how our world will be like. Are we nearing starwars era? Perhaps a notch closer!

The 256mb flashdisk which I bought in 2003 recently broke. So I had to buy a new one. Just imagine my dismay when I learnt that a 1gig imation flashdisk only costs PhP866 or roughly US$18 compared to the generic 256mb flashdisk I bought for PhP2200 (US$47) 4 years ago. And it is even a quarter smaller and slicker than the previous one I have. And see how this Sony VAIO I received from my sister in 2003 which is already awkward to flaunt outside the comfort of my room today.

Truth is, I’m not really into acquiring gadgets as I know it is an expense on the verge of obsolescence the moment .2versionesh goes out of the market. But I would love to own anything new (gadget related) except that I’m not willing to shell out a cent for it unless it’s really necessary to have one. I’m not even ready to dispatch my Nokia 6100 yet or my RCA MP3 only because I think that it still serves its purpose. But I’m craving for any new generation IPod! Tempting but I’m sure my contra-wanting-self will rise above the wanting-self.

Current Faves:

Bad Day by Daniel Powter

Jenny by The Click Five

Little Wonders by Rob Thomas

August Nonsense

August have passed and I just opened my blog. Was I really that busy? Perhaps I had my priorities. Missed blog surfing though…

Transforming to Relive the 80’s

This year proves to be one of the best for movie freaks, even when as of this writing, Harry Potter is yet going to be shown next week. I recently watched transformers and while I'm no movie guru (I've read blogs who've written nice movie reviews), I'd say this is my favourite movie for 2007 perhaps because I have a bias for it given that it's one of the cartoons I used to watch during my childhood days. Walang sinabi ang Spiderman 3 and 300 the movie!

While I couldn't recall a lot of the characters in transformers cartoons I watched during those days, when I watched the movie in the big screen, it was like the characters were all coming back in my mind, reacquainted with the autobots and decepticons, optimus prime and megatron. Probably how one feels when one has recovered from amnesia. Now I understood all the hype when the star wars was shown and the whole 70's kid’s saga have gone gaga over the release of the movie, falling in line days prior to the premiere date.

I remember during my childhood days in the early to mid 80's when we don't have the luxury of owning our television set (remember that I grew up in the province), my friends and I would pack in the well to do next kid neighbor who owns one and watch cartoons together. I am probably lucky to have been born to poverty stricken family in the 80's since life back then was simpler. Except watching my mom asking for credit from the store next door, I never really realized our state since there’s really no cellphone to compare to, or gameboy or psp to show off with the neighbors and classmates. It was a time when kids had to observe afternoon siestas, only to watch mom fall into sleep and sneak to play with the kids outside.

And then my eldest sibling went to manila until she found her way to work in land of the rising sun in late 80's and finally our home nestled the electronics best produced by the japanese. I definitely am lucky to have been born as the youngest sibling, as my sisters have found themselves in Japan and Canada, I was provided with a good education that my parents can't provide. And so 90’s was a different story. By the way, there was a trailer shown for nancy drew, one of the books I’ve read during high school but it would’ve been better if they made a film for hardy boys instead. I’m not sure if I’m going to watch this film but it’s really something when you find the things you’re familiar during those days in the big screen.

I wish I have kept my transformers and voltes v toys given to me by my sister. I’ve heard of people who belong to my generation, the generation y, who are now falling in line to the toy store to buy, not for their kids but for themselves, transformers toys. This marketing ploy has really proven to be effective as the generation y are now part of the workforce and have the purchasing power to relive the childhood days. While watching the movie at the podium, I’ve seen fathers not far from my age that have flocked to the theatre with their kids, and yuppies like me bracing while the movie unfolds. 

Watching the movie was like being in a trance. I awed and gasped watching optimus prime transform itself. While it is no doubt that optimus prime’s character stood out, I equally love bumblebee’s character – it’s mechanical face full of emotion. Having a fully packed machinery action, I’ve also found myself laughing at hilarious remarks.

Can't wait for the sequel!

Nth Year Down the Road

I’m back! It’s not that I’ve been really busy, I mean, I never really understood what it meant when people would say “kung gusto, may paraan. Kung ayaw, maraming dahilan” (if there’s a will, there’s a way) until recently – without any reason, it suddenly just struck what it really entails. I guess, people really do set priorities… And for some apparent reasons, given the priorities I have now, I’ve come to accept and respect other people’s priorities (however bitter it might somehow personally mean). 

During one of the coffee sessions (and by coffee session it means, tall mocha frap and a whole pack of winstons lights) I had with one of my closest buddies (zhao, who is also from davao and working as well here in manila), she suddenly pointed out “remember after graduation –mostly during interviews, people would ask, how do you see yourself, say 5, 10 years from now”. Well, five years have gone down the drain without really feeling a great sense of accomplishment except exhausting one’s income to bar hops and those bizarre activities just to have all out fun. But 2 years from now will be 10 years of being a wage earner!

At that time, my usual answer to the question would be seeing myself as someone inching up one flight at a time to become a manager (or somebody), you know, parroting the article you just read from one of ‘em shallow magazines you’ve picked from out of nowhere! I was really clueless what my goals were while applying until I was employed with AIG. And seeing how the organization works, you tend to mold a framework on how you would want to become nth year down the road. And so I envisioned myself to be at least an AVP, hence, MBA and the works! 

I’d say during the early part of being a wage earner, seeing it the way I see it now, it wasn’t really that bad. In less than 2 years, I managed to become an officer with the company (believe me that’s a bit short – I’ve seen people in the staff position with a bank for more than 10 years!) – maybe I was just lucky to belong in an organization where they really see the employee’s potential. Being ungrateful and all – or to justify it – career driven, I transferred from one company to another. People would often ask why I keep on transferring, and being arrogant that I was (perhaps, still am), I’d often answer, because I can! Becoming more restless and impatient, I thought I was stagnant. I was so impatient (and arrogant) I managed to fight with some of my former dolt superiors. 

Believing that I reached a certain plateau, I decided to leave everything I’ve accomplished and pack for Dubai. I thought it would make me happy despite people’s insistence for me to stay, I left and thought I would never look back. As of this writing, although I insisted that I had no regrets, I felt that I was the biggest loser there is in the entire world. But then again, despite the negative turn of events, it’s something that I’m as well grateful for. It was one humbling experience that I’m able to appreciate my life better now. True, I’m still being visited by my greatest enemies (Mr and Mrs Anxiety Depression) but this time, I am aided and well prepared to fight against these villains.

There are a lot of well kept secrets and mysteries that this world holds. Imagine on top of the table, you’d find all sort of fruits. You’re eyeing for the apple because you thought it’s what you really want, but halfway through munching it, you feel like eating the bunch of grapes, until you ate all the fruits there is that you like, ending up having an upset stomach. Suddenly, you want to blow and throw up, or worst a diarrhea. I think that’s what happened to me.  I had a lot of opportunities that I thought I should grab everything that knocks (as we’re made to believe, an opportunity does not knock twice – or something to that effect). But seeing the cycle now, I must admit, I made certain mistakes that my body involuntarily took the toxins out of my system.

So what’s the way forward? I still want to rush things, of course, who wouldn’t want up the ladder while you’re still young. But I think this time, I am more cautious. Not with how people would perceive my actions (for the longest time, I’ve been really conscious about it), but rather in taking things rationally. For instance, I’ve written how I felt about the company that I’m with now and I really didn’t like the slow moving environment. But as time passed, I’m actually happier/at peace now. After dealing with an arab arse boss from hell, or working with some dimwitted, incompetent superiors with the other banks before, I am now working with, I guess, the humblest, kind, competent, low profile bosses I’ve encountered during my 7 years of working with different organizations. Imagine, with all those 4 previous companies that I was connected with, in some way I’ve fought and peeved with some Managers, AVP’s, and even a company owner (my employer in dubai). With this bank now, 6 calendar month page turns after, I still cannot think of anybody that annoys me. As I’d say, it’s like I’m having a paid vacation now.

Leading me to an update on my application with Standard Chartered Bank, I already went there last week for a job offer. Talking about being cautious, I’ve already made a background check as to what to expect in the organization. Based on the feedback, it’s the kind of environment that I want to work with –fast paced and on the go to maximize my energy while still young. However, given the possible trade-offs with my company now- relax and stress free, I was compelled to negotiate (monetary and rank) as I felt that if I would want to stay longer with an organization this time, I should be satisfied with the pay and the title, and in turn provide them the value-added services that I could offer.

As for expecting them to call if they can provide what I negotiated, unlike before where I tend to be so jittery and restless for a reply, I actually don’t expect anything now. At least this time, having turned down the offer myself, I don’t have any reason to whine about my current company as I’ve already been given the chance to leave, but opted to stay. 

So almost 10 years of working and how do I feel about it? I’m grateful for the comeback despite almost one year of doing an entirely different job (I considered it as a sabbatical year), and having this industry embraced me openly. Almost 10 years and almost midway to my goal which I originally planned to achieve by that time, and although less-likely, I might just succumb to extending it a bit further. 

Almost 10 years, although I still see the arrogance within me waiting for a spark to be awakened, this is a continuous battle within myself. Of being able to hold on a bit. Of patience. Of being happy and taking pleasure from mundane matters. I’d say I could only fool myself so much but until that day when I decide to quit and pack my things again, be ready to beat the guts out of me. I’ve learnt that despite how stronger the complexities and complications of life have become as you age, the harder it is that you struggle to win your battles.

My Top Picks for Emerging Influential Blogs in 2007

This blog doesn't only prove to be therapeutic but inspiring and flattering as well. Not just from the comments and messages I received but recently I was nominated by alohapenny and Jojie Alcantara (thank you  both) for the Project of Ms. Janette Toral's Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2007. Details and mechanics of the said Project can viewed here.

I decided to participate in the project and cites my Top Emerging Inflential Blogs in 2007 as well found below:

1. Dabawenya Jud by Jojie Alcantara

I’ve been routing for this blog since I discovered it given that it provides me with updates from my hometown. The photos posted here are superb and I look up to the author with her efforts in making a difference for Davao City. She’s a photojournalist for a local daily in Davao, as well.

2. The Exile of a Superstar by Wits Suzara

3. NONEED4INk by Maki Eduardo

4. The Truth of Simplicity by Janus Richard Ronimo

5. Penny for your Thoughts by Alohapenny

6. Behind the Shrubbery by Lizette

7. Ramblings of a Mad Virus by Ramblingvirus

8. What's on my Mind by Ceefive

9. Gunita at Galak by Kasiyahan

10. Spidey, King of the Games by Moises Alexies Lloveras

I've nominated the 2-10 blogs since they're all using the i.ph domain which is owned and administered by fellow filipinos - love our own! These are as well the sites I frequently visit and enjoy reading which can be proven by the messages and comments I made in these blogs. The contents of the abovementioned blogs varies from having made me laugh to being informative, inspiring, thought provoking, unique and creative. And of course, these are all qualified in accordance with the mechanics of the said project.

I still have more in my list, but unfortunately, they only need 10 choices. The project will end until August this year, so spread the word and pick your Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2007, as well!

Forgiving my Father by Forgiving Myself

It was sometime in June of 2002 or 2003 (I’m not sure about the date) when I received a call from my sister to fly immediately home to Davao since I was already working here in Manila and that I need to be there fast since my father who was suffering from colon cancer had only a week left to live according to the doctor. I was already able to write something similar to this in my previous blog but to clear it out here, my father and I never really had a father-son relationship except for some vague memory I had with him when I was a child. So going home at that time was more of an obligation than a concern or to put it more clearly, I had to drag myself and forced to pack my things up since I was already enjoying my job and my stay here in Manila. Still carrying a baggage full of hang-ups with him, staying in Davao and waiting for his death was such burden. I even sent an sms to one of my friends when after a week of still being alive, saying, “ang tagal naman mamatay ng tatay ko (it’s taking too long for my father to die *in a grouchy tone)”. I know a lot of people were saying how bad of a son I was when I relayed this incident. And I would always defend myself that he was never a father to me so how can I become a son to him other than being a biological father? But at that moment, it was the exact sentiment I was feeling - for him to die sooner and end his suffering as well as my suffering from boredom. No, he didn’t leave us for another family nor did I grow up without him around. In fact, he was always physically there but in my eyes he was invisible. He was a quiet man who took good care of his fighting cocks. Hell, he was even more affectionate to his roosters, grooming them every so often, but had never expressed some physical affection to his own children. So the gap between him and me grew and a huge wall was built until I found myself in his death bed trying to break a huge barrier asking that he’d be forgiven for whatever it was that he had done wrong. It was not a dramatic scene as you would’ve seen people dying in movies -fighting to utter the remaining words he has left in the world. While I could only feel pity for his suffering, I was indifferent but was trying really hard to understand him and gave my remark of forgiveness just so, you know, he would die in peace. 

He talked to everyone of us who was present, and we were there at his last gasp of breath. And there he was, at peace! And there I was, as well, still alive at that moment trying to resolve all my hang-ups. It would’ve been hard for me to write these things if I have not forgiven him. But I think I’ve already outgrown the anger. Those were the growing pains that I had to endure. I don’t know if it comes with age and maturity but I could only look back… Now, I understood that he was also merely just a victim of himself and his fate. He might never really know how to show his affection and felt hopeless for not fully able to provide his obligations. As I recall now, he was actually playful and close to my nephews and nieces. Maybe, those were his ways to make up for his deficiencies with his own children. As I started to grasp deeper into my life and experience life’s realities and its brutal jests, somehow, I understood - perhaps, not fully, but one of those mysterious acceptance that suddenly runs through you. I’m writing this as recently my officemate reminded me that father’s day is approaching. I can’t recall greeting my father on a father’s day, but perhaps, this would be my way of remembering him. Something that may not be heard by someone who has long gone buried, but maybe this is something that I owe to myself and give it a full closure, that, I had forgiven myself for the lack of understanding, and that I too was merely just a victim of my own anger. 

Warning! This is a Self-Inflicted Virus

So, I'm not really fond of tagging and what's the other one? - meme (wonder what that means, been asking people and nobody has answered me yet), but I find this one I copied through aloha interesting! Probably my subconscious is telling me there's some mystical wonders it could lead me somewhere (haha believe me, I've never done one of those disgusting chain emails - mamatay na ang kung sino man!) and I'm choosing my favourite number which is 5 (thankfully, no one has owned it yet), so there you go! Feel free to copy it as well, ayt… I do hope that people will actually use these links to access random blogs, which I think the author has failed to promote in using it to lurk into other people's page. I mean this is the very essence of it, right? I also took the liberty of putting spaces in between the asterisks (and changed the color of the asterisks too to customize it in my page - can't use a black text to a black background) , as opposed to the original version (don't worry I was careful not to mess with the links of others)  given that it's tad hard to point at each dots. So, Here goes nothin'! 

———copy and paste the Viralink and instructions below this line———

Below is a matrix of 120 stars, I have already added a link to my blog onto one of the stars, all you need to do is copy and paste the grid into your blog and add your own link to one of the other spare stars, and tell others to do the same!

Viralink

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

New Addition:  Once you have added the Viralink to your site, please leave me a comment so I can add your link to this grid, and each person who copies the grid from here will also link to your site!

Rules
No Porn Sites
Only 1 link per person (i.e don’t hog the viralink!)
Please don’t tamper with other peoples url’s
Enjoy!

———copy and paste the Viralink and instructions above this line———

If you are still wondering how the thing works, dont ask me i cant explain it any clearer than the person who started it. Click here.

Goodluck!! Dont forget to comment once you've posted the viralink ok?

Of Celebrating a Milestone, Independence, and Democracy

It's been 3 months since I migrated here in i.ph from friendster blog. I used to tell myself not to write anything regarding my this blog but considering how it gives me therapeutic benefits, well here it is…

I never expected to get some comments or even just a shoutout in the message box as for a year of blogging with friendster, I only received a handful of them. But this i.ph blog and the boosters that I encrypted in my sidebar proved effective enough to get a minute share of the traffic. This for me is enough knowing that people are actually reading and lurking around. After 3 months, my sitemeter says I've reached a thousand hits. I'm celebrating this milestone and extending my gratitude to everyone who have left a message, made commentaries, and even just dropped by to read some of the entries I wrote here. This being said, I am making an effort to address all the comments left here even though it might seem too late of a reply. This, I guess, is the only way I could say thanks for the effort you made to react something. Yes, I'm euphoric everytime I receive reactions as most of you can relate to. Again, I really do appreciate the messages and Thank You for the time in dropping by…

Since a bulk of the people lost here are fellow flips, I intend to write something about working abroad in my future posts- some tips, do's and dont's perhaps, that will help some of you who are contemplating on finding or getting a job outside the country specifically in the middle east where my experience has taught me a lot. Or if you have anything in mind to ask, just leave a message. I'd be glad to answer them as much as I can.

So it's June! Month of Independence day for the Philippines. From what I heard, I think the President has moved the non-working holiday to June 11 instead of June 12 to have a long weekend. I haven't made any plans for the extended weekend yet but I think I might just stay in Manila and contemplate on our so called freedom. Freedom that we have achieved from our colonizers yet never really made  to good use. I could only wish that we are still colonized by the americans until now if the kind of freedom is that which we have now - alarming poverty rate, government plague by corruption, undisciplined citizens, continuing and unresolved problems in Mindanao, and what-have-you. Well, reading last friday's business headline in Inquirer, it says our gross domestic product rose by 6.9 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, way above market expectations of 5.7-5.8 percent and the fastest in 17 years. This is an applause for Arroyo's Leadership! I've been ambivalent about Arroyo's presidency but I was never against her. Heck, we have no choice but only her if we talk about credentials. I do hope that the politicking will stop and move on to work for the betterment of the government.

I never voted for the elections, having been passive about exercising the right to suffrage (I guess, I'm one of those who is to be blamed for our deteriorating system), but I wish Trillanes will win. I think we need this kind of person who can stand to his beliefs, as proven with the oakwood mutiny. As circulated in the emails, the continuous decay of our system cannot be only blamed to the government or whatever force there is that we could blame to. Perhaps, it is time for every single one of us to take accountability.  In relation to Trillanes, I hope he could bring his military discipline in the senate. We need not only good laws to be passed in the bills but also the proper implementation. What good is a law if none of which are being implemented and properly followed by the citizens? Discipline is everything. It's what makes a business grow. It's an ingredient for harmony. It's a substance that will drive us for growth. And wish that Trillanes among others will lead a strong leadership to properly implement the laws of our land.

Below is a feedback I've read in inquirer.net. All I could say is, while I have nothing against coexisting with these dimwit muslims, islam is not opposed to democracy, alright!?! In fact, they want democracy badly that they are fighting for an independent Mindanao - a separate entity, an entirely different country all for themselves (muslims). Hell, they are the very reason a lot of people in Mindanao are starving to death and threatened by terroristic attacks, obviously war is bad for business! And even the reason why the Philippines as a whole has been tagged as highly dangerous country when one of 'em western countries would release a travel advisory, which is again BAD for our economy.

Islam and democracy

06/01/07

Posted under Feedback

I AM happy that there are still a few journalists, like Manuel Quezon III, who have the ability to address an issue objectively and without bias. I agree with him when he said that Islam is not opposed to democracy.

While there may be interpretations of the Koran by various groups leading to the idea of anti-democracy, the fact that the Muslims themselves are the ones reporting the electoral fraud, albeit some are in hiding for fear of their safety, signals that Muslims also want to participate in Philippine democracy by having peaceful, credible and honest elections.

The proposal of the bishops for a different political set-up would result in marginalizing the Muslims in the Philippines and reinforce the longstanding claim of some of them for a separate Muslim Mindanao. This kind of thinking is a remnant of that of the Spanish colonizers. Note that there is an increasing number of Muslim professionals (including me) who are advocating for change in the Muslim areas although there names may be unheard of yet.

The act of giving credence to the opinions and decision of elders is shared by all Filipinos, be they Christians or Muslims. It is a Filipino tradition. It is a mistake to say that only Muslims are inclined to honor what their elders say. In the same vein that Muslim areas did not have the monopoly on cheating or violence during the elections. There were incidents of cheating and/or killings in Abra, Davao del Norte, Ilocos, Bukidnon, Cebu (Hello Garci!), Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Bacarra and everywhere else in the Philippines. So to focus on alleged cultural differences as the cause of fraud in Muslim Areas is beside the point.

What cannot be denied though is the apathy of most Muslims toward the election of officials to sit in the national positions, making their votes susceptible to fraud (most of them literally leave blank the space for senators). Most of them do not care, simply because they think that no one in Manila sincerely cares for them. But this is another story.

The point is whether Muslim or Christian, we all want a better country governed by better leaders for the future of our children. Let us address fairly and without bias the issues and not marginalize those who are already marginalized.

– Normina Musor-Datudacula, Quirino Avenue, Manila (via e-mail)

Restrictions

Due to the restrictions I applied to some of my entries here under privileged group, please add me in your dashboards: larrybored@yahoo.com. I've already added some of the people linked in my sidebar but failed to do so with the others, I don't know but there's a bit of error and can't find them after hitting search. To ease me with the tedious task, please add me if you have the time. It's not that I'm really posting steamy entries, just that there are "delicate" things that I posted in my previous entries that might be read by some. You'll figure it out as soon as you're added and given access to the privileged group. Thanks.

More Photos from HK

I'm posting more photos from HK. These are mainly from Disneyland, Ocean Park, Peak Tower, Victoria Harbour (see symphony of lights taking place nightly @8, amazing skyline and lights show!) and some streets in HK. Will just edit this posting for text narratives soon. A bit tired to write now. These thumbnails are all stored in my flickr account so when you click anyone of these photos, it will be redirected to my flickr for higher resolution photos.

My Poetic Rain Affair

I'm writing this in a starbucks tissue paper while waiting for the pouring of rain to stop. Being in a tropical country blessed by abundant rains, I never seem to get quite enough of it. It can ruin any person's day, even mine, but the welcoming cool and sound of rain gives me a feeling of ease and comfort.

I don't mind getting wet or stepping into a puddle. All I know is that rain provides me with pompous cataclysmic energy. I bid summer well. Finally, off with the intense heat! I don't know how I was able to endure my immersion in Middle East last year, but I'm glad to be back with the rains. Goodbye 40+ deg celcius heat! Goodbye sandstorms! Wonder when will I say goodbye to struggles and sufferings, though?!

In the meantime, I welcome the rainy season (even typhoons!) with much optimism, that despite its parallel image of gloom, it nourishes the flow of life and signifies abundance. In another light, I was able to read a poem while browsing one of my favourite blogs (thanks again Jack Rensimer for posting it!) that is truly inspiring. I am never really that fond of peotries but this one made my day.  I would like to repost it here and intends to read it everyday just to make a jumpstart in my usually dragging day.

IF by Rudyard Kipling

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Macau, Hong Kong Experience

What originally was planned as a travel to seek for opportunities in Macau turned out to be one of the ultimate vacation tours I’ve had. The intention my friend and I had in mind when we booked a ticket last February was to see for ourselves if Macau is a good place to work with if there’s any opportunities for us there. His dad is working in Macau and at the same time maintains a flat in Hong Kong as he also holds a residence card there, reason why I didn’t take a second thought for this tour, being cheapskate and all. Several weeks after Harold and I bought the tickets, the rest of his family decided to go to Macau as well. As time passed, since we booked it 3 months in advance, the excitement for job hunt in Macau waned. I didn’t realize that this plan had turned out to be a vacation for Harold and his family until we were at the airport going to Macau with his mom and 2 siblings anticipating to meet their dad - I almost wanted to back out, but hey, I was also with his grandparents when we went to Roxas, Iloilo and Boracay more than a year ago, so going with his family on vacation wasn’t something new. Sure is a great thing to have a best bud who trust you with his family!

I thought it would’ve been much exciting if I was with some few other friends, but being with my friend and his family was more than enough since they made me feel welcome and part of their family. I was at the convenience of being taken cared of by a foster family during that holiday tour. My friend's dad is well versed both in Macau and Hong Kong, reason why during our visit, he made sure we were able to maximize our stay and went to sought-out places in Macau and HK. It was a blast! I’ve never been to so much overwhelming places in a week’s time until this vacation.

Macau: The city was quite small but it’s a tidy urbanised place. We went to the Fisherman’s wharf and ruins of Saint Paul. The ruins of St. Paul have been burnt by fire sometime ago except the façade which have withstood the test of fire and time. The government has done a great deal by leaving it as it is and for making it a tourist destination instead of restoring it that would’ve only categorize it as plain church. Casinos and hotels are everywhere with prancing lights all over! It was a nifty tour. What’s fascinating about Macau is its blend of Chinese and Portuguese cultures. Every Chinese signage has Portuguese translations. The architectural design of establishments has Portuguese influences. The weather was cooler than ours considering that we went there on a summer. Harold and I had a few urban adventures too roaming some parts of the city without knowing where to go. We’ve discovered a place that sells macau specialty (food) which is nothing near the Chinese taste. During our last night, I went with my friend’s parents to the casino – crown plaza’s 6-star hotel was newly opened! Well, I lost a few HK$ bucks (HK$ are circulated in Macau and it is advised to use the currency in the city if you’re planning to visit HK as well), but it was fun! The casino is not even close to what we have here.

HongKong (Big Buddha): Taking a ferry boat from Macau to HK will only take you around an hour travel time and will roughly cost HK$150 one-way. The terminals in both cities were much cleaner than our very own NAIA, and it’s not even an airport! Upon arrival in HK, we went directly to the MTR – a subway rail system conveniently linking the city (Kowloon, Hongkong island and the new territory) to other transportation systems and stations –airport, KCR (another railway system), bus stands, and of course the ferry station where we arrived. The subway is a convenient and efficient way to go around the city – however, complicated it might seem as a first timer. The MTR took us to the Sky Rail station (Sky Rail costs around HK$50 one-way) a cable car mode of transpo that have taken us to the Big Buddha. I think Big Buddha is a destination for the Chinese pilgrims. According to harold’s dad some Chinese walk along a pathway on the way to Big Buddha which we could see from above that trails the cable car line. And it was a whopping 30minute ride passing several mountains! Pinching Harold to take his attention to something down below, he suddenly exclaimed, ‘O, bat nanlalamig ka?!’ Although acting coolly, my hands weren’t cooperating to show my fear of height with sweat and cold.

Have to go for now. Up ahead: Disney, Ocean Park, Peak Tower, Symphony of lights experience.

*This isn't in relation to the travel, but last night I was able to finish reading the entire book in one sitting of mitch albom's for one more day and I had made a lot of realizations from the book. hmmm

Back to Reality

After satiating my wanderlust, finally got home from Macau(3days) and HongKong(3days). Will hear from me more about it in my future entries. As for now, back to reality!

Morning Fury

I was on my usual morning way to the office when I heard the people's ranting through chico and del's the morning rush in MonsterRX93.1 regarding how these election candidates are causing chaos over edsa on both bounds with their convoy/motorcade (on a rush hour, at that). Well, well, well… This is the reason why all these vehicles are passing through c-5 inconviently causing traffic to my route, as well. The nerves with those imbecile donkeys! Traffic has become a bitter way of life, but come on people, do you really have to aggravate it?! Aren't those overspent money on your baloney adverts and what-have-you not enough for your exposure?

I wonder who these personalities are… On the second thought, I've grown this apathy way back reason why I'm not exercising my right to suffrage. So now I'm halting this passivity and campaign against these dimwits! Do you have any idea who these people are? Let me know and please don't cast a vote for them. What do you expect from these idiots when even prior to having won the elections have all the guts to show their real sloppy faces.

As chico had it in the show addressing all the angry listeners:

Inhale… *good thoughts*

Exhale…  *bad thoughts*

Long pause… *Ok, I'm still pissed!*

Exactly echoed to a lot of us, pissed and furious!

Mead Read for the Head

Below are some of my all-time Favourite Books. It was much more easier with friendster blog to posts these in the sidebar by pinging Amazon.com and just a matter of getting the ISBN. But hey, this domain is much better so I can do with posting them instead in the entry.

Will post some other time all the other books i've read. Mostly from Paolo Coelho, All of Dan Brown's Books, and Mitch Albom. Following are two of the current books I just bought which I still have to read.

Images copied from amazon.com

Horny Manatee, Whatever that is…

Ok, this would be quick coz I need to do some Sunday errands but I need to write this down now. I just watched a replay of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and guess who one of his guests were? CONAN O’BRIEN of the Late Night, for crying out loud! Oh my bloody gad! I’ve just had an extreme hearty laugh. Well, it’s not really that unusual as they’re both from NBC but seeing two great talk show hosts together in our present day is quite AMAZING!

One of the highlights in the show was when Conan was narrating about his tour to George Lucas’ studio in San Francisco since they will be there to air the Late Night for 1 week and curious as he was, managed to break one of the priceless collections from Lucas’ starwars film. He was saying, for a moment, he thought of denying it and tell them that it was broken when they arrived – but his cameras were rolling… Hilarious! – the mere fact that Conan was the one describing what happened! I could hold on without laughing for another week. Thinking about it, there’s an evil truth to this one. I guess at one point in our lives, we’ve made that kind of denying to something what we’ve actually done (heavy or not). That’s what makes it funny, I guess, being able to relate to the truth.

Speaking about truth, Leno’s other guest was a former Miss America and told Leno that she ran for office several times but never won. Imagine this being delivered by an 82-year old woman (explaining why she never won): “I tell the truth, it scared people to death!” Again, one of those reality bites thing. I could probably tell some stories regarding reality and truth, but maybe it’d just bore you, so moving on…

I wasn’t able to catch (telling about an incident with one of his shows) why he mentioned a certain website which he just invented, being spontaneous and all, and after the show he was being reprimanded in the office explaining that he just made a mistake: he mentioned a website called hornymanatee (hell, I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean – one of ‘em American humor, i guess) which doesn’t exist in the web yet. And the rule of NBC is, a host can’t mention any website (existing or not -and in this case a nonexistent site), because someone might create it – for the name of suing NBC and being profited from it since they have mentioned the site on air even if at that time it wasn’t created yet. To deter this, they bought the site hornymanatee, check it out thru this URL http://hornymanatee.com. Conan actually suggested that since they bought it, then, why not create anything in it. Open it to see what an out of this world idea Conan has. I find the site actually both baloney and funny.

On another note, I also just sent an sms to my friend telling him how I wasn’t really able to watch any series lately in relation to his CSI marathon today. I was able to watch Larry King Live recently and his guests were the casts of Heroes. I wonder where it’s being shown right now. I find it interesting. My friend mentioned RPN but not really sure about it. Heck I can’t stand watching local networks anymore with the long commercials, i'd rather read books. So I’d probably just ask the DEEBEEDEE people if they already have it. I think they already have. It’s just me who is not updated with these things at the moment. Yes, admittedly I’m guilty to this kind of crime, who isn’t?

Oh by the way, I just searched the web (google really is magic!) –Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully-aquatic marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. Quoted from Wikipees!

How Can I Make it Right?

Wits and Ibyang have asked me why I haven’t posted a new entry recently, and while I have chosen to slack off and stalk other people’s blogs during the past week, I wasn’t really well to scribble some of my thoughts. Remember that I posted an entry “fitting for new jeans”, it’s still the same subject that has been causing me so much anxiety.

Let me put it this way. I feel like an ex-convict that has recently been freed from jail. Do you know how the world deals with criminals who have served their term in prison? We normally see them as rubbish which we consider as bad news and have no way that they could change. Thus, a chance for a job or acceptance from family and friends will always be in question. While I am far from being a criminal, I definitely am feeling like one who has recently been released from jail.

I’ve done my fair share of mistakes, yes. Professionally, I’ve taken steps which aren’t a norm from security-tenure-driven-people. I took negligible risks which I used to think were calculated risks. I’ve experimented and considered the road that I took as trial and error. But I’m at an age where chasing time is essential and more accurate decisions should be made.

I WANT TO MAKE IT RIGHT THIS TIME. I have no reason to despise the company that I’m with right now but I don’t personally think that this is the environment that will give me personal growth and satisfaction. And why do I feel like an ex-convict? I feel like someone who can’t be trusted no matter what I say because for the 5^th time, I want to leave my company, and have been applying for a job. As of the moment I have 2 pending applications. And the reactions of people around me were more of sheer disbelief and not-again kinda remarks.

I said I want to make it right this time. Right in a sense where I don’t want to waste my time, and find the environment that suits me as early as now, before I will say in the future that I made the wrong move to stay. I’m stating the obvious here with my own perspective. While I’m the only one who can answer more or less what it would take me to be satisfied with a company, there’s no denying that I consider what the people around me has to say. This time I know what I want and I certainly have identified the factors why I think I should leave, and that joining either of the 2 companies that I applied with will make me stay longer with them. I don’t want to narrate it here, but believe me; I’ve done my assignment in evaluating it. Time is the only thing where I can prove myself that I’m right to have decided to make it right. Why am I making the effort to search for opportunities if it’s not for my betterment? That, in the first place, is reason enough to say that I’m not out to ruin myself.

One of my friends said, “kung madami trabaho, reklamo. Kung wala naman trabaho, reklamo pa rin.” I beg to disagree. You can ask every person I’ve worked with and it has never really my habit to whine about the volume of work. Yes, when someone would ask, how my job is– certainly I’d reply, by fact, that we have high volume but it was never in a whining way. But now I’m whining about the lack of volume, because it is hard to kill time staring at the screen for 8 hours, and there’s no way that they could justify a promotion come appraisal because we don’t have a lot of work to substantiate that. I don't want to maintain this status quo and be comfortable - I don't operate well in this kind of environment - although I could still hold on to this mediocrity for a little more time. What kind of growth would I be expecting here people?

During the past week as well, I have been detached from the world. It’s one of those moments where I feel so disconnected and isolated from myself and the people around me. The irony is that (and I just observed it this week) it is when I am so disconnected that I am most aware of my surroundings. For instance, I was walking along my usual going home route and I could almost see myself as someone separate from me, walking and striding but isn’t really one with my being. It’s like I see myself as another person totally separate from my thoughts. But it is during these moments that I am sharp and keen to the point of being aware at the minute details around me. I was able to see the details of the pattern in the path walk. I was aware of the people I was crossing a path with, and add to that the music coming from my mp3 – everything was like in a surreal dream. Imagine watching a movie with a man on the scene walking his usual way home and with the music of My Chemical Romance’s I don’t love you as a soundtrack. That’s what I experienced one night this week as if I was watching myself walk but still is clearly aware of everything around me as a third person. It’s a creepy kind of “awareness”. What I’m trying to deduce here is that, it is when I feel isolated and detached that I am able to think clearly about my life. Given my current anxieties and detachment, I know that I am keen now at how to go about my life given my detachment from the world.

By the way the company I’ve mentioned in my previous entries already called. They were asking if I’m still interested because they have made some changes for the vacancy including the cancellation of sending the person to be hired to Australia as they would send a trainer from Australia instead to Manila. And oh, this other foreign bank I applied with is also located in Makati. I’ve already passed the exams and have done all the screening. I’m just waiting for a call for the next step. I don’t want to assume yet, but if ever both companies will offer me the job at the same time… hmmm lemme decide when I’m there. Until I haven’t signed any papers yet, anxiety will surely cripple me for the coming days.

Why I Love America

I don't know how we're supposed to call today's society, tell me if they have arrived for a new term yet, but we are at an era comparable to the renaissance time. This is a time where the revolutionary presence of technology has ballistically branched into different innovations giving us the spectacle of google at the magic of our fingertips. It might be apt to call this age "the googlenization era". If we look deeply into the dynamics of google, it is more than just a search engine. It has given empowerment to the greater fortunate mankind who has access to this technology. Where google is one of the non-negotiables when visiting the cyber universe, it has prompted innovators to create various sites and URLs that caters not just our need for information but also those that equips us with services. For instance, free domains for your blog and further creation of blog directories and boosters that never been thought of prior to the creation of PCs, and the like. Our need and hunger for information nevertheless creates burning desire to constantly search the web. I don't know if it's just me, but somehow, the fascination of probing for textual information as well as graphics will carry you at awe with the astounding data in the internet where it solemnly creates a universe of its own. Where chatrooms and forums have flooded our computer screens, letting us communicate literally around the globe, we have empowered ourselves to live in a borderless space. This macrocosm of cyberspace has reached and will probably reach a new unfamiliar territory far more than what our mind can comprehend at the moment.

So what am I trying to derive from this narration? We are at an age of boundless possibilities. The sad fact is, while the signs of time signify the coming of age, we watch CNN/BBC or read Time magazine, we are bombarded with news of war and chaos in the Middle Eastern region. Oftentimes, I read comments in internet forums regarding the matter, and I read satirical remarks against America. I am ambivalent with my stand on the worldwide campaign of the war on terrorism, as any other war, ever since I gained knowledge of what war is all about. And I am neither for nor against these battles in Afghanistan, Iraq and where else that America has retaliated from 9/11 incident. This maybe is America’s own battle that has been gainfully and strategically advocated by them for us to accept that war on terror is the world’s business. They could be wrong or right about it and long term consequences might be more hideous than the peace that they fight for. But I want to be forthright here. I salute America. I salute them because of their leadership in revolutionising the world that we are living now. Remember that there’s no single country infallible to committing mistake.  

Everyone can learn from the war. Vietnam, The Philippines and other countries affected by the 2^nd World War have all learnt from it. Slowly as it may seem, we have been trying to stand up (although we might still be fighting another battle - corruption) bringing with us the lessons of the war. Despite Japan’s tyranny, they too have learnt from it. Going back, the world’s inhabitants may fire continuous accusations of tyranny and conspiracy theories, and countless insidious branding of America, for American’s are more tolerant to these kinds of commentaries. Have we forgotten their contribution to the world? Democracy, free speech, science, technology, their battle for a better society, and basically every innovations that we see today, can all be accounted for their efforts in leading us to a world of progress and economic prosperity. We are indebted to them with much of the luxuries that we’re enjoying now. Being grateful to them is an understatement. This being said, after all the eddies of war in Middle East, I could only hope that it has finally reached its peak and starting to cool down to its ebb. I am sure that the lessons of war will be tattooed in the minds of the Middle Eastern people. Let’s not put to waste the lives from both camps who have braved their way in fighting their cause and the countless innocents that were stricken by it.

On the other hand, we are starting to see some light. Spearheaded by the GCC (Gulf Cooperating Council) countries, we are watching the unfolding of a new Middle East. Members of the GCC Countries have been opening up its doors in reforming their economies. Massive infrastructures and economic activities are taking place in these countries as a way forward to embrace a new way of life. Perhaps, some of our brothers in the Middle East should reformat the Jihad or Holy war as well. Instead to that of associating holy war to religion, together we could battle our way through hunger, diseases, and the more pressing issue on global warming. After all, not a single country is exempted from these problems.

Looking ahead, naïve as it may sound to dream of a utopian world, I hope that in the future, we will be able to mimic the cyber universe where a borderless society has been created, where easy connectivity will mean better understanding and harmonious relationship among races, and diversity means democracy, respect, empowerment and free speech.

This is why I love America!

Walk the Talk

I was browsing through the Sunday papers and found myself lost in the hundreds of wanted jobs in the classifieds. Come to think of it, there are thousands of unemployed professionals, yet weekly ads of jobs in the news keeps on coming. Not to mention those vacancies that’s only available by referral and hasn’t been published. My point here I guess is that we produce thousands of fresh graduates annually yet a lot of schools fail to produce caliber graduates that’ll technically be able to meet the demands of the industries. Is it the fault of CHED or related authorities for failing to identify key areas needed in the industries of our economy? That is not for me to answer. But say for the call center industry, which is still pointing to an upward scale and probably isn’t going to stay at equilibrium yet, they are only requiring a very basic requirement that ideally fresh graduates should’ve been armed already – Fluency in the English language. However, the sad state is that, a lot of these call center companies are rejecting hundreds of these applicants everyday solely because they find most applicants with poor command in the language. We, who’ve pride ourselves as among the top English speaking countries (a universal language), are regressing at the very least at arming the students with the proper command of the language, among others, the technical skills and key competencies that the companies are requiring.

The authorities, whoever they are, needs to address the graduate’s lack of proper skills and identify which industries need which courses, and work with the colleges and universities in reforming its curricula. This is perhaps one of the reasons most top corporations of our country knows only of employing from a handful of top universities and colleges. And we hear people coming from never-heard-schools whining and crying foul over companies that are school biased. Come on, I really do understand why. Most of the unknown private schools we have now are only profit-oriented colleges that miserably fail to potently aid their alumni with proper knowledge and text-based trainings that are needed in the corporate arena. For instance, from the university where I came from, at that time, we are only paying a quarter of tuition fees from what our counterparts in Ateneo De Manila are paying, yet, the university produced top accountants, lawyers and engineers with passing rates comparable to that of the top schools in Metro Manila. It must be with the syllabus and the standard. Schools need not collect high tuition fees in order to produce top rated students. There must be something that the Jesuits in Davao are able to cost effectively meet the demands of the students. One time I went to a school that has consistently produced top engineers here in metro manila where I’ve heard heavily charges on tuition fees, and I was aghast by the physical state of their campus. I don’t know how they were able to produce engineers there (must be with the curriculum) but I tell you, the campus’ environment really is not conducive for learning. Where are they appropriating the bloated fees they’re charging from the students? The list goes on, I could only pity those students enrolling in schools where their parents’ hard earned money is not worth the spend.

The way forward is a reform in our educational system, not just aiding our youth to become competent employees that can offer better services for local and international pooling in the future but also enhance awareness that there is a better way beyond being a wage earner- spark their interest in business and arm them with entrepreneurial skills which will be beneficial to our economy.  We know this for a fact, for those who are cynical out there, and Filipino as we are- contented at maintaining status quo, we are really far behind the emerging markets in Asia now. If we boast ourselves, as Filipinos, of being competitive and “magaling”, then why not walk the talk as well?

Wanted: Iranian Bride (Help me find my Sabrina)

I’m looking for an Iranian Bride. Yes, this is an incredulous call! For some, perhaps you’d find it pathetic and out of this world-punch in the moon (suntok sa buwan – LOL) desperate attempt to end my single blessedness but I’m really serious here people! I’m taking my chances, slim as it may sound. I’ll tell you why I came up with this search.

Having been able to visit an Iranian territory, Kish Island in particular, I was able to have a general glimpse of how Iranians are, not just with the physical attributes (but I tell you this itself will suffice!), I was given a chance to see how they are with their families down the streets, malls and beach in Kish. I have observed how submissive the women are and the way they take care of the kids, seeing a strong family values deeply rooted by their culture. The biggest hurdle there is, I guess, is geographically, I’m already too far off after having left the Middle East and back in the Philippines. Another thing is that religion and cultural differences will be a big setback for the woman who might be interested although I am as open to every possibility, I, being flexible enough to adjust for the possible for the cultural barrier. It will only take an open mind and will power. I am looking for a Sabrina like bride – the saleslady in Paradise Mall in Kish Island, Iran, selling handkerchiefs and textile items. Following conversation transpired:

Me: Hello, what’s your name?

Sabrina: I’m Sabrina.

Me: Can I take a photo of you, Sabrina?

Sabrina: No, we are not allowed to be taken photos especially from a stranger. *uttered sheepishly, blushing with a shy smile*

Me: I’ll buy one handkerchief if you let me take your photo, please ms…

Sabrina: I’m sorry, you really couldn’t do that.

Me: What will it take me for you to agree?

Sabrina: Nothing. Please, I’m already angry. *still smiling, with her face solemnly accentuated by the lining of a black veil covering her hair.

Me: Ok, but I wanna tell you this, you are very beautiful sabrina. *with a face more than qualified to be a model in manila, her being reserved and refined all the more enhances her total attributes.*

Sabrina: Thank you, welcome to our country.

While I wasn’t successful in my attempt to encapsulate her in a photo, my mind has not failed me. I could still vividly picture her hypnotising smile in my mind.

Blog Directory

Filipinos the nicest people I’ve met

Below is a comment from a Dubai publication that I wanna share. This is a bit old but here it is anyway:

http://www.7days.ae/2007/01/14/filipinos-the-nicest-people-ive-met.html 

I read ‘Cool Hand Luke’s’ letter about Filipinos being Dubai’s nicest people and it really struck a cord. I have no idea what Filipino’s do (or eat!) to retain such a sunny disposition while suffering hardship (as many of them do) but they are indeed a truly fantastic bunch of people.

In four years of being in Dubai I think of all the drivers who have cut me up on the roads and none of them have been Filipino. I think of all the people who have tried to rip me off in some way and none of them have been Filipino. I think of all the disgusting people who spit and pick their nose in public and none of them have been Filipino.

Filipinos have a dignity, pride and code of living that they can truly be proud of and which the rest of the world can look up to.

Nigel Whittaker
Umm Suqeim

Amazing Project to Take Place in Dubai:

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Finish, Insha’allah!

• Scene: Dubai Media City office, boss Mr. Toes speaking with a service provider representative few days after Sheikh Zayed’s first day with the company.

• Boss: Assalam alaikum!

• Representative: Walaikum assalam!

• Boss: Kaifa haaluka!

• Representative: Alhamdulilah

• Boss: How’s everything?

• *even more warm greetings*

• Represetative: Fine. I’m here to collect the check for…

• Boss: No! I told you, call me first before coming here! I haven’t prepared the check yet. &$&^@^ Bukrah! $@*$@^$ Dirham!

• Representative: But this has been overdue… blah blah blah … *interrupted

• Boss: Are you finish?

• Boss: Are you finish? Are you finish!? Are you finish?! Are you finish?! Are you finish?! Are you finish?! Are you finish?!! Are you finish?!!! Are you finish?!!!!!!?

• Representative: Shukran! Insha’allah i’ll be back some other time.

• Boss: And call before you come over!

• Sheikh Zayed: Lowers head in shame for the representative. *mind speaking* what a nice way to start day hearing long exchange of warm greetings and ends up fighting. Mr. Toes sure is full of surprises. <Apprehensive that boss will do the same to him>.

Ripple Effect in the Mid East

• Scene: Global insurer holding a hotel press conference in Dubai.

• American CEO Speaker: The history of our company existing within MENA can be traced several decades ago, but we’re expanding our coverage by establishing a regional head quarters here in Dubai because we believe in the great potential that this market can give… A***** Takaful have a committee to guarantee that we are indeed sharia’h compliant.

• Press: But where did you get the funding for the incorporation of this Takaful?

• Speaker: From the mother company…

• Press: So how can you guarantee that these funds coming from the mother company is sharia’h compliant?

• Sheikh Zayed: *mind speaking* Company deals with insurance that earns on interest fees by investing and lending funds from profit generating industries like banking, real estate, stock market. These people are way utopian thinking these funds could be coming from a sharia’h compliant fund. Oh well, bravo Dubai for revolutionising its country by opening up to the global market. It’s about time our arab brothers start to commercialise and maximise its oil money. With UAE starting the economic boom, I could only hope that it will have a ripple effect to the Middle East region as a whole and focus on the economic reforms than political wager.

• <takaful- is a non-traditional insurance availed mostly by our muslim brothers given that it is sharia’h compliant. Sharia’h is a muslim code, law that rejects transactions involving interests and the like.>

Stinky DVD’s, anyone?

• Scene: Pirated DVD sold in one of those tiangge malls. Stalls half empty of DVD merchandise

• Sheikh Zayed: I need to exchange this DVD for another movie. It doesn’t work well.

• Vendor: Sir, you have to come back. Authorities are here to catch vendors selling pirated DVDs. We kept the DVD’s and if we change that now, they might be here again soon.

• Sheikh Zayed: *mind speaking* It’s obvious that the tenants of the stalls are selling Pirated DVD’s and they might have caught people selling when they arrived. Why not catch every vendor on a stand by in the area or fine the mall owner for allowing these vendors to sell their illegal merchandise if they’re really serious about eliminating this kind of crime?

—–>

• Scene: Manila office. Boss talking to an expatriate Indian outsourced for system maintenance and upgrade.

• Boss: Good morning Rakesh!

• Rakesh: Good morning!

• Boss: I see you’re early today, huh?

• Rakesh: All smiles approaching boss.

• Boss: Well, go home and take a bath first!

• Sheikh Zayed: Naughty Grins.

SZ Road Violation

• Scene: FX being pulled over for violating something (unclear violation) in Ortigas center.

• Driver: Chief, what’s my violation?

• Police: You displayed your signage while picking up passengers. You have to do it discreetly. Flaunt the sign with your other hand while picking passengers, don’t hang it.

• Sheikh Zayed: *mind speaking* What the fuck! How’s he supposed to pick up passengers if he won’t hang it in the windshield?! If it’s illegal to pick up passengers in the area, why would he teach to post the signage discreetly? Isn’t it the same banana after all - violating a rule! These freaking regulators and their goddamn rules! We all know that these FX are there for business. And this dumb, hamar police, if it’s a violation then it should be a violation regardless of flaunting it or discreetly picking passengers. And by the way, it’s a hazard driving with just one hand on the wheel. Our country is doomed if our system continues to work this way!

Sheikh Zayed Invades Space

I am creating a character in this blog. Given my ability to be biased and prejudiced at different issues and ideas, Sheikh Zayed will be my alter ego, everything and anything that I am and I am not. He will be every Filipino, Tagalog, Bisaya, Ilonggo, Ilocano, Kapampangan; Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Atheist, Agnostic; Educated, illiterate, professional, employed, unemployed, subordinate, colleague, superior; marginalized, rich, middle class, etc. Sheikh Zayed will speak, talk, hear, listen, watch, feel and observe the daily conversations and activities of people in the streets, public transportation, office building, malls and everything there is that he will encounter. He will recall past experiences in his local travels and the limited sights he has seen abroad.

• Scene: Call center employees chatting, unmindful of the people in the fully loaded lift.
• Boy Employee: How much salary did you get for this month?
• Girl Officemate: I’ve gotten enough; too bad I didn’t render much over time.
• Gay Officemate2: Well, ako malaki sweldo ko ngayon, PhP15K! <Mine is very high, I received $300 (roughly)>
• Sheikh Zayed: *Mind Speaking* Ibn Sharmutah! PhP15K lang, at pinagmamayabang na sa buong mundo. (Son of a Bleap@! For just $300, it’s (neither he or she) talking as if it’s too big to be proud of for people in the world to know!>

Gory Reality

As I was articulating through my thoughts, halfway through my composition, the PC suddenly shunned itself without warning! Bummer! So I have to write again ruining the sunny disposition I had when I woke up this morning. I was about to narrate about how I feel with the application I have. I think, although still hoping, the position has been filled by another candidate and I have to move on keeping an eye for another opportunities that will come along. This is the first time I have been rejected with my application, well, here in the Philippines, at least (and I'm saying this with humility). This is one of those, you know, things where you really want it so bad that as you thought you almost got it, then comes the reality - I didn't get it (denied, rejected, lost, sucked)! And the feeling of frustration is so intense, however I might rationalise that I lost nothing - besides, I still have a job. But no, I lost a great opportunity here and I am mourning the loss. I need to move on, really have to move on.

Where was I during the long holidays? With bob's insistent invitation to go with them to his wife's (Agnes) province in Nueva Ecija, I went with them last thursday and left the next day coz I didn't want to stay there until Monday and that I don't wanna take a bus either and it so happened that my friend who is also from there was going back to Manila, so I found myself a ride the next day. It was relaxing. There's nothing like a life in the province. I grew up from the province as well, remember? Although now, I couldn't imagine myself going back and work in my hometown perhaps, until I get tired of this fast paced environment and ready to embrace the laidback life once again. Had sumptuous hearty meals during my stay there- fresh fish, appetizing veggies, couldn't remember when the last time I had such healthy food.

It was also the first time I witnessed one of those rituals they practise, mostly I think in north Luzon, during holy week - people having a so called penitence, walking barefooted in the intense heat of the sun, and hitting their backs with one of those (i dont know what it's called) wooden sticks attached to a string. I tell you it was GORY! I have nothing against it but I found it a bit pathetic. For entertainment purposes, it was something that I was ill prepared for. I’ve seen people doing it in the television, but seeing it live- there’s something poignantly tragic with the scene. I overheard one of the locals pointing at one of the participants who have the bloodiest back, "Siguro malaki kasalanan niya". Say what? If it is one of the morbid ways of justifying and doing away with the things we’ve done wrong, I would’ve been the first to inflict one-time pain and kill myself! Just so you know, I can end this game after having been satiated and fed up with everything there is, or isn’t, in my life now. Which had me thinking, why do people engage in penitence while life itself is already it? Another thing I observed while there, a house was hosting a pabasa (chanting/or is it singing a prayer for the passion of christ) over and over and beside those old locals praying, another table was drinking beer. Such are the oddities and ironies of our culture. Oh well, so long as it makes our country diverse and colorful, I’m up for it, partly for entertainment. Overall, Nueva experience was relaxing and it was great spending it with my friends (foster parents, if you may).

The rest of the holidays, I spent it at home watching TV, swimming -with the number of kids going to the pool, I could only squirm at what’s in the water, but it was hot, so it was next to nothing that could cool me through while in the condo. And now am back to reality. I’m stuck in the office doing nothing- not my fault having less work to do. I am waiting for my task to arrive. Glad blog’s here to occupy me, reading other people’s journals. As bob coins it, it’s a way of stalking. True, but that’s one of the reasons we’re blogging, right? To release whatever it is to pour out and hoping people will read it that can relate to our daily undertakings.

Monkey See, Monkey Do (a Self Inflicted Threat)

March 19 (Monday 11pm)

I knew waking up at 4:30 in the morning and dozing back to sleep for another one and one half hours to no avail; something was going on in my head. True enough, I’m having one of those anxiety attacks. I’ve long acknowledged that this thing I have (anxiety) is chronic and I just couldn’t do anything about it. Even when I’ve been trying hard enough to brush it off, it just wouldn’t stop to visit me every now and then. I even listen to Michael Buble’s rendition of what a beautiful world every time I’m having this anxiety attack, but nothing really helps at all. I’ve been having a healthy diet, took organic meds – something about brain vitamin but it just won’t leave me, no sir, and it lurks around ready to attack me even when things are quite a-ok.

So what am I talking about? I think this has got something to do with the way things are even when I already thought that I’ve passed the quarter life crisis and that was what 2 or 3 years ago? I guess until I resolve what I really want to do with my life – something about doing what I ought to be doing, I will be stuck with it. And looking at how things are now, I could only hope that I’ll figure it out soon before I’ll do something STU P-I-D to myself. I’ve already had my fair share of mistakes and I know somehow, I’ve learnt from it. But why am I in this shit again? - This evil self asking me to claim my life (or the lack of it), the ultimate end to all my misery!

The irony upon contemplating this whole thing is that I still look forward to something. May it be dragging myself to work or amusing myself to anything mundane, still leads to living it the way I should be dealing with it. I entertain the idea yet I cringe over it at the same time. When I come to think of it, perhaps, I really don’t want to end it. It’s just one of those cruel intentions to delight the other side of my life. Lacking as it may seem, this self threat probably is one of those mechanism to contrast what I don’t appreciate at the moment and in the process learn to embrace it altogether even when it means hating it, but still translates to feeling the flow of life. And it isn’t that numb enough to have that conviction to do something I won’t even have the chance to regret if done successfully.

I hope they come up with one of those dummy/idiot books that goes: ENDING IT THE RIGHT WAY FOR DUMMIES! Where, you know, they’d articulate it and narrate a step by step easy way of doing it and you’ll be such in a trance that it’s as easy as Monkey see, Monkey do approach…

But hey, I’m writing it here, so don’t worry about it! It goes to show that I’m done with it for the day and after I sleep over it tonight – I’ll post this tomorrow and that literally means I survived tomorrow’s yesterday (couldn’t even count how many times I survived it)… I see skies of blue, clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night, and I think to myself WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD…

Dream Granted

I kinda miss my job as an editor in dubai. A job that i only thought possible in my dreams but dubai has given me the opportunity to experience it at least for a while. I was afraid at the beginning that I might not be able to do it as my experience is totally different from being an english editor and matter of fact is, I'm not even a journalism graduate. What are the odds of getting the same kinda job if I applied here in the Phils with its highly critical readers?  But as it turned out, arabs were easy to please (in terms of the way i write) and doesn't have a clue that there is a style in writing for public-consumption-reading more than the grammar.  

It's not that I was given the chance to write interesting stories or opinion- the publication i was connected with caters to the insurance industry of the entire middle east region and who reads insurance magazine? But I miss the feel of it! It was a total hell when I was working in the office with my arab boss around, but as soon as i get out on field attending press conferences, seminars/fora/symposia, and what-have-you, i was awed with my interaction with other nationalities during those events. Met a lot of different people and most of them executives from insurance companies in the middle east and some were from france, japan, us and where-else. I felt how it was like being a journalist-conducting interviews, promoting the magazine, and to my surprise I actually find the conferences interesting even when all they talked about was insurance.

I also liked the fact that while having these events, I had to wear coat and tie as if it was a normal thing for me to wear and being with people who means business. I couldn't forget the first ever interview i've conducted and it was with a powerful man from AIG -President & CEO American International Underwriters (AIU), Nicholas Walsh. I was like in a panic and at the same time trying to sort my questions without even listening to what he has to say - well, i had my recorder- but wasnt able to make follow up questions only because I was overwhelmed and at the same time intimidated by this influential man. What was also good about it were the hotels where they held the events. Shangrila (Dubai and Oman-palace like shangrila), Dusit, Al Murooj Rotana, Fairmont and its hotel food -was quite an experience I would say. I missed the chance to go to Burj Al Arab though (the 7 star hotel) since this egyptian (my supervisor) picked a fight with me on the day that we're supposed to attend a press conference in that hotel - that pig!

I wish I could write better! I wish I can transcribe my train of thought into a competent-journalist-style of writing. And if that happens, i would love to make a career shift here in manila. But that's far from reality so I'll probably just stick to the job that I have now. I'm just glad to have been given the chance to work with something I'm passionate about even when it meant that i went through hell during those miserable months working with idiots.

Coffee Bean Incident

I’m a coffee turned tea lover. Back when I was addicted with starbucks, injecting myself a daily dose of hot mocha/mocha frap to satisfy my starbucks stricken caffeine craving or the plain strong bitterness of Figaro brewed coffee to dilate my viens, I had to wane myself from it last year as a mug of starbucks cost utterly insane in dubai. I had to settle to Micky Dees Dhs5 brewed coffee or around PhP70 in our currency. Then, one time I got a sip of Moroccan tea and instantly fell in love with it and eventually my buds learnt to appreciate every tea there is. Besides, dubai is more of a tea country than coffee as most people prefers tea over coffee and served in offices more often than not.

So when I came back, I stumbled upon Coffee Bean in Ortigas park which is near Union Bank Plaza and occasionally, I’d treat myself with a Moroccan Tea. So I figured, with a great smoker-friendly ambiance and the authentic taste of its Moroccan tea and the refreshing Swedish Berry tea, I turned my back from starbucks altogether and agreed with myself that Coffee Bean would be my new favorite coffee shop while still patronizing Mc Donald’s Brewed coffee on common days. The difference I noticed though was that the barista were quite unfriendly and bland but heck, with its great teas I kept coming back in Coffee Bean Ortigas Park (the only shop I’ve been to) – until last Friday, that is.

I noticed at 9pm, they were understaffed, only two barista in the counter but usually starbucks also does often employs 2 during night shift. And for no reason, whatsoever, this staff and by the way, they’re alien to name tags, so I didn’t get this girl’s name – started slamming the cabinet and prepared my tea with a heavy hand. To my surprise, she took a teabag from the jar and just deliberately threw it on top of the side counter without placing it on a saucer or anything that is sanitized, placed it on a cup and poured hot water in it as if it was coming from the faucet of hell. So I stared at her with an elaborate grimace thinking that I didn’t ignite anything that would make her act the way she did when I was paying at the counter or maybe she noticed my frowns and I have every reason to, as it takes very long for them to take orders and payments, the works even when they see that the queue is piling up and I’ve already experienced this several times. Compare it to starbucks and people there have so much energy and drive where the alternate barista would take orders before your turn and prepares the drink even when you haven’t made payment to the cashier yet.

I didn’t say anything and took the tea to savor my last taste of it. I don’t intend to come back, unless the urgency is really there to drip my bud with that Moroccan tea, and I’m looking for a replacement so let me know if you know any alternative, or when I have my complaint coursed to the customer service to report the incident. Perhaps, she just had the one-of-those-days mood. And I do understand that since I am often attacked by such mood even without any reason – JUST-ONE-OF-THOSE-FREAKIN-DAYS! But the thing is, my work is not associated with customer service and that’s the primary reason why I chose to be a banker (not in the frontline) but in the shadows of the head office because I don’t want to deal with customers – NO sir, I just can’t! I’m no people pleaser that’s why I’m better off in the backstage than doing the front act. So for this unhappy employee of coffee bean who was serving last February 9 at around 9:30 pm ortigas park outlet, better put your acts together, my friend, or find another job. You might as well be better off as dishwasher or something that does backdoor operations! To the coffee bean and tea leaf phils inc management, it’s not that you have the monopoly of the industry – remember that customer satisfaction goes beyond product satisfaction. So, starbucks – I’m back! Baristas in the podium (used to go daily there as it is right in front of my former office – and would often greet me by name and readily puts a warm smile which quite affects my mood during my one-of-those-days visits) are the best.

300 The movie.

I just watched the last full show of 300 the movie at the podium. What can I say, Great stunts, reverberating sound effects, awesome animation and editing, cinematic at its best! ASTIG! The film inspired me to want to become a Spartan… While watching the trailer, I got excited as there are a handful of much awaited movies for the coming months. Transformers – wow, reliving my cartoon days in the 80’s –while watching the clip, I had my childhood coming back and it’s reincarnating transformers in the present time. Ocean’s 13 is also something to look forward to while I’m still thinking if I would watch shrek something in the big screen or watch it in the DVD instead – wasn’t really into shrek thing but the trailer looks interesting- same thing with simpsons the movie in 2D.

Filipino movie goers are finally becoming more intelligent and civilized. Back when I had a taste of THX in glorietta when I first came here in manila and that was what 2000, I have refused to watch in shoemart unless of course if I’m in Davao as it has the only nice theatre there is in that part of the city. But during those THX days in glorietta, you’d still occasionally hear mobiles beeping or people blatantly talking to the whole movie goers and often witness people shhhsng or cussing other people because of their behavior where such behavior is common only in SM cinemas or the same quality type of movie houses. And there comes powerplant and greenbelt and all those nice theatres and people are finally acting the way they should be. I noticed earlier in podium, there was no unnecessary distraction except for one person who came in the middle of the movie and one old man who can’t hold his bladder any longer. Perhaps it was because people were fixated in the movie as it was jaw-dropping, but I’d like to think that people have finally learnt to respect other movie goers. Oh by the way, I should stop thinking lowly of SM as it already houses the only IMAX in the Philippines in MOA although that I have to try yet – perhaps when angels and demons will be shown (are they making the movie already?) or another spiderman or x-men or superman or what have you, give it to us HOLLYWOOD!

Ok till my next blog… still have a book to finish reading for this weekend.

Way of Life

It's friday and the week passed without much incident except the daily monotone of my miserable pathetic life. I feel miserable yet I don't find much wrong about my current state… I'd rather have a defined problem than one that is only formed in my mind and not knowing what exactly is wrong, for that matter.

What I know of is that there is something in me, something lacking, that I am trying to figure out what. Purpose? Come on, I don't wanna start being philosophical now. It's friday for chrisakes! See, I even argue with myself. It happens —–> a lot of times. Crazy yet I have succumbed to the fact that this is how i operate. I tried different approaches in dealing with things or say, conditioning my mind to a certain perspective, but I tend to find myself back from where I started. Thus, anxiety cripples me and takes my sanity away. I sound like some lunatic blogger - please don't creep out on me. Sometimes, I say/write things at my own amusement yet, a lot of people misunderstands it - probably i was born with an out of this world humor of some sort.

As I said, it's friday and in this part of the world, it's but normal to hang out or wind up somewhere to relax and take the whole stressful week out of the system. But i don't have a plan. For the 2 months of being back in manila, i seem to have become aloof to people to a certain extent  although i still try to keep in touch but nothing like before I left where hanging out with friends even on a weekday is but normal.

I used to admire people who follows strict routine. Time, budget, activities, etc. - some people are just afraid to pick random activities without planning ahead, nay, even when they don't have plans at the moment where a random possible activity is coming there way. However creepy i might  find it, i still admire the discipline. This my friend, is what i'm trying to do with my life now. I am trying to follow a routine, effortful, but i'm hoping that it will be habit forming that will totally become a way of life.

But the fact is, i find it dull and BORING! I don't know until when i can hold on to this way of life that i'm trying to acquire, but wish me luck here… It's 5pm and I'm preparing my way out the office! Have a nice weekend.

Gloom

There's nothing like a gloomy morning! Just the way I like it- gloomy without the rain. I don't know, maybe it comes with my personality- the pessimist negative thinker trying deeply hard to look at the bright side of things. Today I AM ALIVE! Hope the weather stays that way for a long time…

Half of the day passed and I'm almost done with my work - low volume today… Will have reason again to think whatever it is to think about. For the recent days, i've been on a wanderlust. Suddenly, I feel the urgency to go anywhere but here in my heating chair now. I'm thinking of boracay and the crisp breeze, or even just tagaytay and starbucks (great combination). My mind's floating somewhere in Jumeirah Beach watching people fishing. I'm recollecting the feel of being in Kish Island (Iran) biking and smoking sheesha under the tree, in front of the beach. I'm revisiting the memories of being in Muscat, Oman with its breathtaking mountains and it's palace-like Shangrila Hotel. I could go on and on and even daydream of being in a place where i've never been to.

 I've always been fascinated and amazed with the foreign places. I remember during my early age, I'd often read an atlas that i have with it's maps sideprinted with photos of people, colorful things, breath taking sites of nature, and gigantic buildings of each countries. During those days, I'd totally be lost in the places narrated in the book and often wonder of  how it would be like living in each countries. I could remember having United Kingdom as my favorite place in that atlas because it talked of queens and monarchy and shit about UK/Great Britain.

 This and my restless, adventurous nature made me fell in love with Dubai as it is, because it is multi-cultural -being hospitable enough to host, i guess, all nationalities in the world. And the sites and sounds -exotic and modern rolled in one. I could dream on and on, and wish of not ever coming back to my senses…

Start working, damn it!

I'm creating another blog. Not that i'm being evicted from friendster or something, just happens that i don't have easy access to that site as it is being blocked here in the office. So i figured, why not open an account where i could have a daily access and probably write something that comes out of my thoughts,  and when it happens, i could capture it accurately as it flows. It's tad hard sometimes, you know, having the kind of mind that i have. At times, it gets so restless that even the minute of things, i can draw a lot of ideas out of it. On the other hand, i don't have a point of comparisson as i have this brain with me since birth, so i don't know. Perhaps, it's better to dwell on the idea that maybe, all the others operate the way my brain does so i won't get to see myself weird and creep the hell out from myself.

My other account, just to record it here, is ****. I haven't memorized the URL for the blog itself but the link for my friendster blog is there. Sometimes, i recollect at the previous entries I've written there for the past year and i get to see myself arguing with my own ideas and stuff.

So what have I been up to… I'm back in manila already for 2 months and 4 days. And I have been employed with unionbank for 1 month and 18 days. Glad i got a job that soon, as I would've caused havoc over the world with my lunacy and depression after coming back from dubai still with a bit of frustration for not being able to hold on that long. I've kept in touch with my syrian office friend (the only one i have in the office), and still we wonder how awful our employer was (is on his part as he is still connected there). They were able to hire an indian editor for the magazine i used to write and edit for and didn't even last for a week as the local abdulrahman has fired him that soon. According to mohammad, he hears abdulrahman admitting that i was the best editor he ever had (i'm not bragging) but what i couldn't understand is that the way he treated me during my entire employment with this monkey was way way terrible. I was treated like a rubbish, reason for me to leave the company without making formal cancellation of my visa, and the works because i had to fight him- I JUST HAD TO. It's like escaping from a prison of some sort and here I am somewhat having some regrets thinking that if I only extended my patience a lil bit more, i would've been enjoying the privilege of living in Dubai until  now.

Oh well, here I am again with my narrations. Seriously, I appreciated that country so much only when I was back here in the pitiful living condition of my homeland. Sad, but something that has ticked a certain realization somewhere in the realms of my mind that I consider submitting myself into overhauling. Will talk more about it with my next visit here. In the meantime, it's 8:40am. Work damn it!