With this little One

Every time this little guy visits us, all of us are so giddy and excited.

Our little prince always brings out the kid inside us.

In my case, I make sure I'll get to play with him and make him laugh.

At times he'll be all grumpy and cry, it's because he's either hungry or sleepy.

Every wink, sneeze, smile and even fart... it makes us laugh.

His grunts and shriek makes us all enthusiastic.

The simple sounds he makes is like a huge thing for us.

Our family's newest rock star is a joy to watch.

He'll be celebrating his 1 year old birthday come this June.

He'll be growing rapidly right after... but he will always be our little prince.

Summer 2013

My family's Summer for this year - 2013.

We planned this trip months ago.  Paid all the dues and confirmed everything 2 weeks prior to the planned date.  It was originally a pool party @ Island Cove Water Park but we thought, beach could be a better place to start Summer.  And so I searched the web and try to find an available resort and with a reasonable price.  In a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest, I'd say the resort is passing 3.  In the end, we still got to enjoy the sun, view, food and company.

We left Cavite at 3:00am embarking on a 4 hours travel to Batangas.  The beach strip is located at the outer most baranggay of San Juan.  It's at the edge of the town.  Even so, we got to appreciate the rising sun while we are in the van, excited to see the splashing waves on the shore.  2:00pm is the scheduled check-in.  But we opt to travel earlier because the sun will be scorching hot by the time the clock hits 9:00am.  And so leaving at the crack of the morning, makes us reach the destination early too.  We're at the resort at around 8:00am and we can't check-in because there are still guest inside the Villas.  We then started chatting and laughing.  We played with our baby nephew most of the time.  I found a sweet spot inside the van to rest my eyes a bit.  And some of us began appreciating the beach.  As soon as the guest left the Villas and the staffs cleaned the room and changed the mattresses, we immediately grabbed all our stuffs and settled in.  Lunch was ready shortly after we got in.  There was a minor hiccup with our lunch package but the staffs attend to it after I asked them politely that I have reserved a specific menu for our lunch.  And so the admin stated and assured me that they will provide the next meal which is dinner the Inihaw na Liempo that was originally part of our Lunch but some mishaps had happened.  In the end, lunch and dinner were a feast.  We had fun under the afternoon sun, as we head-off to the beach and swim.  We planned on having a banana boat ride that afternoon and ended up having it the next morning.  Before we went to bed, we still had hours to talked about other stuffs.  Having a few bottles of beer and fruit cocktail, we had a blast.  Bonding and laughing about everything.

The next morning, the sight of the beach and it's pristine water rolling over the sand is refreshing.  It's the simplicity of the life in the province that gives me the awe and appreciate life as it is.  Then we changed into our swim wears and off to the beach we go again.  It'll be the last swim we'll have that day since we'll be leaving by noon.  So we decided to have the banana boat ride this morning, and so we did.  It was fun and very tiring.  Riding it over the wakes is very exhilarating but right after the boat tipped to the sides and we are all in the water, getting back on it drained all my energy.  It may be tiring, but it was still fun and a day to remember.  After all the fun and pictures we got on the beach, we then head back to the Villa and took a bath one by one.  We we're just waiting for our driver to be back to pick us up when we decided to took pictures again.  We left the resort just minutes past noon.  We had late lunch in Lipa Grill.  We reached home at around 4:00 in the afternoon.

Just Keep Moving Forward

Me as today's Guest Speaker.

It's long overdue, but here's my speech for the Elementary Commencement Exercise I attended last April 3, 2013.

*****

Ilang taon narin ang nakalipas nung huli akong tumuntong sa entablado para magsalita sa harap ng maraming tao. Pero mas maraming taon pa ang nakalipas nung ako ay nagtapos ng elementarya. Kaya't ng matanggap ko ang imbitasyon ni Sir Ernie para maging Guest Speaker ngayon, “Yes Sir! Sure, no problem.”, yun agad ang sinabi ko. Right after the conversation, tsaka ko lang naisip... teka, ano nga bang theme. Tungkol saan ang dapat kong sabihin at ibahagi sa mga Gagraduate ngayon. Bakit ako? Tila may pagaalinlangan pa kung itutuloy ko.

It was year 1996 when I graduated Elementary. Noon ang usong game console ay Family Computer at Brick Game, usong laro with friends ay siato at agawan-base. Year 2013: Kayo naman ang magtatapos! Ngayon, hindi ka IN kapag wala kang Play Station or Xbox Kinect. Ang madalas na naririnig ko sa mga bata ay laro tayong DOTA or anong highest score mo sa Temple Run. Noong ako'y nasa elementary pa, kapapalabas palang ng unang Toy Story Film. Diba si Andy, bata palang at halos panay laro lang. Ngayon na kayo ang nasa elementary, Toy Story 3 na. At si Andy, magcocollege na.

Sabi ko nga kanina, Si Andy at si Woody...gaya niyo, naging parte din sila ng buhay ko noong ako ay nagaaral pa. Diba sabi ni Buzz Lightyear, “To Infinity & Beyond!”. Natatandaan ko, madalas yan ang sinasabi ko kapag maganda ang performance ko sa school. Kapag madami akong nakukuhang stars at checks galing sa teacher. Diba Very Good! Pero syempre, hindi sa lahat ng panahon ay very good ang nakukuha ko. May mga times din na makakakita ako ng X sa test papers ko. Bakit wrong??? Malulungkot ako, syempre. Minsan nga iniiyakan ko pa. I remember back in highschool, hirap na hirap ako sa isang subject. Mataas lahat ng grades ko except for that one particular subject: Physics. But that doesn't stop me to be on top. Mas lalo pa akong nag-aral at nagpursigi. Na challenge ako eh. Mas lalo ko pang ginalingan. I listened more kay teacher. In the end, nakuha ko din ang mataas na marka. I listened more and so I learned more. Parang Treasure Island lang yan eh. X marks the spot. Kung saan may X, nandun ang treasure. With every trials and failures, there's another key gained for success. Diba? Hindi ka dapat panghinaan ng loob dahil nagkamali ka. Ang pagkakamali ay nandyan hindi para bigyan lang tayo ng sad face. It's made to give us the lesson and that little push we need to be back up and try again. Ang sumubok ulit ay hindi sign ng pagkatalo. You never fail, until you stop trying. Kaya nga kayo nandito sa araw na 'to kasi hindi kayo tumigil sa pagsisikap. Kaya kayo nasa Graduation na ito kasi You did it! You guys deserve a pat on the back.

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” yan ang sabi ng Emperor sa Disney Film na Mulan. Ano nga ba yung adversity? Ayon sa Google...pero noon, Webster Dictionary lang, Adversity means difficulties and hardships. I was in highschool when I lost my father. Ako ay 2^nd year highschool sa St. John Fisher School-Camella Campus. It was so difficult, mahirap kasi my father was the bread winner. We had to cut our expenses. Lahat ng pwedeng tipirin, tinipid na namin. We don't live a lavish life nung buhay pa siya. Pero noon ko lang narealize yung madalas ibilin sa akin ng Mama ko, “Anak, mag-aral ka ng mabuti dahil yan lamang ang maari naming ipamana ni Papa mo sa inyong magkakapatid.” Nang mawala si Papa, si Mama ko na ang naging sole provider namin. May maliit kaming pwesto sa palengke, nagtitinda ng gulay at dry goods. Kapag weekend, kailangan naming tumulong kasi mas maraming namamalengke. Ang assignments and projects, magagawa lang namin sa hapon. Bihira ang summer vacation kasi nagtitinda during summer break. Mas naging mahirap at challenging nung ako'y nagkolehiyo. Halos dugo at pawis ng aking ina ang kapalit ng bawat tuition fee ko. Naalala ko pa noon, halos pamasahe lang ang ibibigay niyang baon sa akin. Pero dahil sa kagustuhan kong mag-aral at makatapos, papasok ako sa school ng may ngiti sa labi para Good Vibes. Di alintana na baka magutom ako. O kaya may kailangang bilhin para sa mga drawing plates sa school. Ngunit sa kabila ng kagipitan, nagawa kong makatapos dahil ganoon nalamang ang pagpapahalaga ko sa edukasyon na pinilit maibigay sa akin ng magulang ko. Sa kabila ng pagsubok, ginawa ko itong inspirasyon at dahilan para mas magsumikap na tulungan ang sarili. Apat kaming magkakapatid, lahat kami ay napagtapos ng college. Kaya ang araw na ito ay hindi lang para sa inyo na magtatapos ng Elementarya, kundi pati sa mga magulang na araw-araw nagtratrabaho para may pang enroll at pambaon tayo. Salamat kay Papa, Tatay, at Daddy. Salamat kay Mama, Nanay at Mommy.

“Reach for the Sky!” yan naman ang sabi ni Woody sa Toy Story. Kaya sabi ko naman, “Sige I'll dream big!” Libre naman diba? Maganda nga yun na as early as now ay may naiisip na kayong maging pagtanda ninyo. Hindi magtatagal, lahat ng pangarap niyo ay susubukan niyo ng abutin. Bata palang ako marami na akong pinangarap na maging. Noon palang, pinangarap ko ng maging isang arkitekto. Mahilig na akong mag-drawing ng mga plano. Madalas ang laro ko noon ay ang gawan ng sariling doll house ang Barbie ko. It was actually my father who thought me how to appreciate drawing. Kaya kahit ano pang mga nagdaan na unos at pagsubok, hindi ko inalis sa puso at isip ko na darating ang panahon, magiging isa akong Arkitekto. Eyes on the Prize dapat. Pero katulad ng iba sa inyo, nangarap din ako na maging isang Guro. Nainspire kasi ako sa mga teachers ko noon, kung papaano sila naging isang malaking parte ng buhay ko. Ang mga guro na nagsilbing magulang natin sa loob ng paaralan. Sila na nagbigay linaw at explanasyon sa mga tanong natin sa mga aralin. Dahil kung wala ang mga teachers natin, wala rin naman tayo ngayon dito diba?

Pero hindi sapat na mangarap ka lang. Hindi natatapos ang lahat sa dreaming big. Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Sabi ko nga sa inyo, hindi naging madali ang buhay mag-aaral ko. It was never a smooth sail. Marami mang malalaking alon ang dumating. Nagawa ko paring makarating sa gusto kong puntahan. Ako'y naging isang guro at isang arkitekto.

As you received your diploma today and graduate from Elementary School, hindi ibig sabihin ay tapos na ang lahat. Ito lamang ang hudyat ng bagong simula. Sa pagtatapos niyong ito, ay siya namang simula ng panibago niyong adventures as High School Students. Mas maraming assignments, mas maraming researches. But look at the brighter side, more friends and more fun! More challenges, maybe more painstaking projects. But then again, these are the things that will help you reach all your dreams. Learning is a continous cycle. Even life after college, mas marami pang matututunan. Sabi nga sa animation film na Meet The Robinsons, “Keep Moving Forward!.” Our life as a student will never travel the concrete path for good. Madalas malubak at baku-bako ang daan. Hindi rin makalilipad ng walang bagyong susuungin. Tulad ko, naranasan ko rin ang tumawa at umiyak. I had been on the top of my game most of the time, and I must admit… I had landed short on some of it. I have gained a lot of new friends. I even lost my father on the way. But to sum it up, all the hardships and triumphs that I had… I was able to sew it all up together. Basta I always keep in mind to Just Keep Moving Forward!

Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit ninais kong tumayo dito sa inyong harapan at magsalita. Nung matanggap ko ang imbitasyon ni Sir Ernie para maging Guest Speaker ngayon, hindi ako nagdalawang isip. Bakit ako? Bakit hindi. Madaming beses na akong nakarinig ng speech ng isang Guest Speaker. Mahaba man o maikli, iisa lang ang ibig nilang ipahiwatig. Ang maging isang inspirasyon ang buhay nila sa mga nakikinig. At yun din ang siyang aking dahilan.

You guys have made a strong foundation right here. Alam ko, hindi biro ang mag-aral. Kaya binabati ko kayo, mga classmates. You did it! Muli, isang magandang umaga at Congratulations!!!

~ E N D ~

Araw ng Parangal: Isang talumpati

Thank You for this simple plaque of appreciation.  It was fun speaking in front of my fellow SJFS students.

Here's my speech for today's Elementary's Recognition Day.

*****

To the respected school administrators, our beloved principal Mr. Ernesto D. Rosales Jr., members of the faculty, friends, guests, proud parents and students. Good Morning!

Ngayon, I am feeling a bit nostalgic. I am once again on stage, to speak in front of the students of St. John Fisher School. Matagal na panahon na rin nung huli ko itong ginawa. Kaya hindi na ako nagdalawang isip pa na tanggapin ang imbitasyon sa akin. SJFS will always have a special place in my heart.  Dito ako ay sinanay na maging malikhain, matatag at masipag na mag-aaral. Dito na minsan rin gaya niyo ay nabigyan ng parangal dahil napagbuti ang pag-aaral.  But this time, it is different. Dahil ngayon, hindi ako ang pararangalan. Hindi ako ang nagmamay-ari ng entablado. Hindi ako ang bida ngayon. Kundi kayo, kayong mga estudyante na pinakanagsikap at nag-aral ng mabuti. Ang bida ngayon, ay kayo who excel among the rest of the class.

Hinahangaan ko kayo, dahil isa kayo sa mga batang nagbibigay halaga sa edukasyon. Edukasyon na pinaghihirapang ibigay sa atin ng ating mga magulang. Ang edukasyon na tutulong sa atin pagdating ng panahon. Kaya ganoon na lamang ang panghihinayang ko sa mga kabataang napapariwara ang buhay. Marami yan. Sa radyo, sa TV, sa dyaryo. Kaya mapapalad tayong mga nakapag-aral at may mga magulang tao na naka-agapay sa atin.

Naalala ko tuloy yung madalas ibilin sa akin ng Mama ko, “Anak, mag-aral ka ng mabuti dahil yan lamang ang maari naming ipamana ni Papa mo sa inyong magkakapatid.” 2^nd year highschool ako dito sa St. John nang mawala si Papa. After nun, si Mama ko na ang naging sole provider namin. May maliit kaming pwesto sa palengke, nagtitinda ng gulay at dry goods. Kapag weekend, kailangan naming tumulong kasi mas maraming namamalengke. Ang assignments and projects, magagawa lang namin sa hapon. Bihira ang summer vacation kasi nagtitinda during summer break. Nag-aral akong mabuti. Nagsumikap. Binigyang halaga ang bawat tuition fee na pinangeenroll ko. Mas naging mahirap at challenging nung ako'y nagkolehiyo. Halos dugo at pawis ng aking ina ang kapalit ng bawat tuition fee ko. Halos pamasahe lang ang ibibigay niyang baon sa akin. Pero dahil sa kagustuhan kong mag-aral at makatapos, papasok ako sa school ng may ngiti sa labi para Good Vibes. Di alintana na baka magutom ako. O kaya may kailangang bilhin para sa mga drawing plates sa school. Basta sige pa rin. Ngunit sa kabila ng kagipitan, nagawa kong makatapos dahil ganoon nalamang ang pagpapahalaga ko sa edukasyon na pinilit maibigay sa akin ng magulang ko. Sa kabila ng pagsubok, ginawa ko itong inspirasyon at dahilan para mas magsumikap na tulungan ang sarili. Apat kaming magkakapatid, lahat kami ay napagtapos ng college. Kaya sa araw na 'to, hindi lang kayo na mga tatanggap ng parangal ang bida. Sa araw na 'to, maging ang mga magulang natin... sila rin ay bida.

Ang buhay nating bilang mag-aaral ay hindi laging isang madaling paglalakbay. Maraming bumps and curves. Minsan nga may zigzag pa. Tulad niyo, naging isang estudyante din ako. Sumagot ng maraming assignments, gumawa ng gabundok na projects, hiningan ng madaming researches. Pumasa. Bumagsak. Nagpuyat karereview. Anu man ang pinagdaanan ko noong ako'y estudyante palamang, ginamit ko itong inspirasyon. Ito ang tumulong sa akin na mag-aral ng mabuti. Bilang estuyante, madami narin tayong naiisip na goals and dreams. Bata palang ako, I started dreaming na. Saying, “Pa, balang araw... magiging Arkitekto ako.” Pero syempre hindi sapat ang yung inisip mo lang. Hindi sapat yung i-dream mo lang. Thinking about it na kaya mong gawin is not enough. Hindi natatapos ang lahat sa dreaming big. Lahat naman ng pangarap pwedeng marating, you'll just have the believe in yourself and have the courage to pursue them and do something about it. Natatandaan ko nga, napanood ko nga minsan sa TV. Tinanong ni Nobita si Doraemon. “Doraemon, Bakit maski isipin ko na kaya ko gawin... hindi ko pa rin kaya?” Sagot ni Doraemon: “Simple lang yan! Kasi iniisip mo lang. Hindi ka naniniwala.” Si Nobita naman kasi, sumusuko na agad, hindi pa nga sinusubukan. Pero kayo, kayong mga narirto. Kayo na tatanggap ng mga parangal dahil nagsikap sa pag-aaral. Binabati ko kayo at hinahanggan dahil sa mura niyong mga edad... sinimulan niyo ng makuha ang mga pangarap niyo. Ngayon palang, you are starting to build the bridge to reach your dreams. And with the help of your parents and the school, you'll get there.

Muli, Congratulations to the proud parents. And to you students. Thank you.

At Uncle Cheffy's Restuarant

Dinner with siblings.
Thanks Ate for the libre ^___^
Pasta + Pizza + Grilled Tuna
YUMMY!!! Happy Tummy!

Garlic & Herb this time

March 11, 2013

Just needed something to do, meryenda for me and my siblings.

Ingredients:
* 1 can of Hunt's Pasta Sauce (Garlic & Herb)
* 1/4 kilogram of pasta noodles (cooked)
* 8 pcs. hotdog (cut into cubes)
* 4 cloves of garlic (minced)
* oil
* salt & pepper

Procedure:
1. Put oil in the pan, add garlic.  Saute until semi-brown.
2.  Add the hotdogs, semi fry it.
3.  Add the pasta sauce.  At this point, the hotdogs will continue cooking.
4.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

The sauce is ready!!!  Itadakimasu!!!

Since 1996 to 2013

March 9, 2013

Finally reunited with my dear High School Friends.  Since June 1996 and counting.  These are the friends I have that whenever I am with them, surely there will never be a dull moment.

Today, I laughed a thousand times.

I finally meet my new grandson, my friends' son.

We had coffee, and laugh more.

Then sing our hearts out doing the videoke.

Drank a couple bottle of beers.

But the most memorable done today is the partying after.

Thanks friends for this new experience.  ^_______^

Let's do it again!

Napapanahon (Isang talumpati)

Minsan, nung ako ay naglinis at nagligpit ng aking mga kagamiutan.  Nakita ko ang mga pahina ng talumpati na aking inihanda para sa araw ng pagbibigay parangal sa mga natatanging bata sa paaralang minsang nag gawad na din sa akin ng medalya.

Ito'y napapanahon sapagkay nalalapit na naman ang araw na pinakahihntay ng mga estudyante, gayundin ng mga magulang - Ang "School Year End".


Taong 2005:  Ako'y nagtratrabaho na bilang Junior Architect sa isang architectural firm.

"  To the respected administrators, our beloved principal, members of the faculty, parents and students, Good Morning!

I am feeling a little nostalgic, because the last I took the stage and had my speech was 5 years ago.  But this time, it is different.  For today, it is not I who owns the stage.  Hindi ako ang bida ngayon.  Kundi kayo na mga estudyante na nagsikap at naghirap mag-aral.  You who excel among the rest.

Ganoon na lamang ang paghanga ko sa mga batang pinahahalagahan ang pag-aaral.  Ganoon na lamang ang panghihinayang ko sa mga kabataang napapariwara ang buhay.  Marami niyan.  Makinig ka lang ng radyo o kaya naman manood ng TV.  Magbasa ka ng dyaro.  Kaya mapalad tayong mga nakakapag-aral.  May mga magulang tayo na laging naka-agapay.  Kaya sa araw na ito, hindi lang kayong mga tatanggap ng parangal ang bida sa araw na ito.  Maging ang mga magulang natin.

Naalala ko tuloy yung laging binabanggit sa akin ng Mama ko.  Medyo gasgas na nga lang.  Pero itong mensahe na ito ang tumulong sa aking mag sikap na makatapos ng pag-aaral.  Dagdag pa nito yung kalagayan namin sa buhay.  Sabi niya na tanging ang edukasyon lamang ang maaari nilang maipamana sa aming magkakapatid.  Kung kaya't ganoon na lamang ang pagsisikap nilang kami'y mapagtapos.  Naging mahirap sa amin ang lahat.  Halos dugo at pawis ng aking ina ang kapalit ng bawt tuition fee ko.  Naalala ko pa noon, halos pamasahe lang ang ibibigay niyang baon sa akin.  Pero dahil sa kagustuhan kong pumasok, sige pa rin.  Di alintana na baka magutom ako.  O kaya may kailangang bilhin.  Ngunit sa kabila ng kagipitan, nagawa kong makatapos dahil ganoon nalamang ang pagpapahalaga ko sa edukasyon.

Mahalagang mag-aral.  Di niyo pa siguro ito napapansin, pero mabuti iyong habang maaga palang ay namumulat na kayong pahalagahan ang edukasyon.  Kaya ako nandito, kaya ako narating ang mga pangarap ko dahil pinahalagahan ko ang edukasyon.

Ano nga ba ang ibig kong ipahiwatig?  Maganda yang nag-aaral kayong mabuti, kaya sana ay huway kayong magsasawang mag-aral.  Pero hindi niyo naman kailangan na i-pressure yang sarili ninyo.  Ibig kong sabihin, Just enjoy studying.  Huwag mapanghinaan ng loob kapag bumaba ang ranking.  Naranasan ko nayan.  Sa halip na malungkot at maglugmok, mas pinagbutihan ko pa ang pag-aaral.  Sa mga magulang naman, malaking bagay ang naitutulong ng suportang ibinibigay niyo sa inyong mga  anak.  At sana, huwag kayong magsasawa sa pagsuporta.

Muli, pahalagahan natin ang edukasyon.  Marami pong salamat.  At magandang araw. "

~ wakas ~

Ang talumpati ko'y maikli lamang, ngunit

nailahad ko naman ang nais kong 

ipabatid sa mga bata at magulang.

My Home made Waffles

March 7, 2013

Just want to try mom's old waffle maker.  It has been ages since I used it.  This time, I made some with hotdogs in it.  Successful!!! And they are tasty.  I made the waffle mixture from the pancake mix.

Ingredients:
* 250 grams Pancake Mix
* 1 medium size egg
* 2 tbsp. oil
* 3/4 cup water
* Hotdogs
* sticks

Procedure:
1.  In a bowl, put the pancake mix, egg, oil, and water.  Mix all together.  Avoid over beating as it may loosen the consistency of the batter.  Set aside.
2.  Make 2 cuts on each hotdog, so as to cook it through.  You may fry it the usual way.  In my case, I heat it in the microwave oven, a minute each side.
3.  Put each hotdog on a stick.
4.  With a waffle maker, put the pancake batter on each mold half-way.  Add the hotdogs.  Place more of the mixture on the hotdogs.
5.  Let the waffle maker do it's magic.  The waffle is cooked when the light turns off.

Mom's old waffle maker in the upper left picture.

Nail Art

March 01, 2013

Today is Muntinlupa Day.  No-work-day for my youngest brother.  And since he's been having the dry coughs and runny nose for the past few weeks, he decided to had his check-up today.  We went to The District Mall at Dasmariñas, Cavite.  It is just 10 minutes drive from our place.  While waiting for the doctor, my sister and I decided to have our nails done in Nail-a-holics while brother had his haircut.

Check out my nails!!!

Ate's polish on the left, while mine's on the right side.

On-going Nail Art.  First time I had my nails done with dark
colors.  I usually have it French Tipped or in Skin Tone.

Finish Product.  Nice diba?

Here's me with my nail art ^___^
And check-out my brother's new haircut.  Cool!

The taste of Baguio's Panagbenga Festival 2013

February 24, 2013

From the Hot Air Festival, my friends and I went straight to Baguio.  We traveled for another 7 hours, inclusive of an hour long drive in a zigzag road (Marcos Highway).

We reached the city proper of Baguio just about time for the concert @ Melvin Jones Park.  There we enjoyed taking pictures, fooling around and bought several street foods.  We had dinner @ Savory, SM Baguio then had waffles and ice cream after.  Just enjoying the cold breeze, over-looking the city.  After a lot of talking and laughing, we went home at The Granary, a guest house of Cathedral of the Resurrection along Magsaysay Avenue.  It was still 9:30pm (a bit early for my usual sleeping time) when I hit the sack.  I usually go to bed at the crack of dawn.  But maybe with the long hour of travel and extreme heat, I ended up snoozing early.

Sleeping earlier than ever, I woke up earlier too.  It was just 4 hours past midnight when I woke up.  Bad tummy had to do with it.  Water is cold, no heater available.  But I manage to do my morning ritual then took a shower.  The gang is ready by 7:00 am, and off to Session Road for the annual grand float parade.  Thousands of people from all-over are scattered along the parade path and we are not that lucky to be situated in front of the pack.  Even so, we still happened to get a good look on the amazing floats.  Actors and actresses on the floats are bonuses.  It was fun dancing with the several marching bands who played funky tunes along side the dancing crew.  We enjoyed the parade.  We enjoyed the ambiance.  And the feel of the festival was so giddy.

After the parade, we went to Camp John Hay for our lunch @ Dencio's Restaurant.  We had adobo rice, bangus sisig, sinigang na hipon and lechon kawali.  Then we walked a few steps to The Manor, a luxurious hotel in the heart of the Base.  The cozy ambiance of the hotel is a perfect place to relax.  But I assure you, it'll cost a fortune too.  We had several pictures taken here.  Enjoyed the beautiful pine trees and natural landscape of the luscious forestry of Baguio.

We then grabbed our daily doze of whip cream and caffeine at Starbucks-Technohub, which is just inside the base also.  Glazed and Chocolate donuts are our desserts, thanks to Tyron.  But I guess this time, we're lucky and was able to watch a street dance parade for the Panagbenga Festival up-close.  Check out some of our pics, if you want to know what I mean.

We left Baguio at around 4:00 pm and off to the Metro.  I was able to reached home at 1:00 am the next day (February 25, 2013 Monday).  Tired but had another weekend to remember.  This time, with my friends.

Concert at the Park and food trip!!!

Grand Float Parade

A weekend of everything that flies

February 23, 2013

A week long preparation for a quick weekend road trip with my college friends is finally here!  First part of our weekend get-away from the busyness of the metro is here at Omni Aviation Complex in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.  The location is a vast open field - no trees just plain rays of the scorching sun.

The ticket costs 250.00php.  You'll be able to see the hot air balloons up-close.  Although in our case, we're a tad late so we only captured few of the hot air balloons on ground.  Others are already way up high!  Anyway, it was still a blast since we have seen the daredevil paragliders, not-so-dangerous kite flying and the aerobatics of the aircrafts that all of us left in awe.  It was fun even with the extreme heat of the sun.

For the empty stomach, a lot of food stalls are available inside the event venue.  From burrito to fried chicken, pizza and pasta.  It's like food porn, a festivity of food for health conscious spectator to i-do-not-mind-what-i-eat people.

For the car enthusiasts, there are a couple brand new models on display around the venue.  There are also pimped and customized ones.  I happened to grab a photo of some of it.  Bumble Bee of the transformers was even there (*wink).  And it's beside Iron Man!

For the kids and young-at-heart- there are several activities you can do aside from the kite flying.  There is this booth where you can win festival goodies when you pop balloons using a dart pin.  I didn't tried it though, not in the mood to aim and pop.  By the way, this costs 50.00php.

Several people had brought there own tents.  Some had bought mats in the venue.  In our case, we've just been dodging the sun by trying to sneak in one of the tents provided for the sponsors.  And we even had a chair.

My friends and I had an early lunch and left the place for Baguio at 10:30 am.  As much as the sun enjoyed shining, we had enjoyed the weather too.  It's better to be sunny than it's raining like the weather that was back in Cavite when we left.

Check out my next blog for my Baguio Trip.  ^____^

Do-It-Yourself Cebu City Tour

When:  February 13, 2013
Where:  Cebu City
What:  Do-It-Yourself Half day City Tour

A pre-booked city tour with a tour guide costs Php3,000.00 (good for 4pax) or Php1,600.00 (per pax) as per my inquiry with a friend who owns a travel agency and the hotel's tour desk, respectively.  With a newly unemployed person like me, everything that involves large amount of money is a No-No.  So I decided it for a DIY city tour.

Taxi Cab fare from Hotel to Sto.Niño Basilica                 Php   90.00
Entrance Fee @ Basilica                                                     FREE
Entrance Fee @ Magellan's Cross                                      FREE
Candle Offering                                                              Php 100.00
Entrance Fee @ Fort San Pedro                                     Php    30.00
Tip to Fort San Pedro's Volunteer Tour Guide                Php    50.00
Lunch @ Jollibee                                                            Php   200.00
Taxi Cab fare from Basilica to Ayala Mall                       Php     85.00
                                                                                      Php   555.00

          What to do: 1) Pray. Since it is a basilica, what better thing to do is to say grace and offer a 
                                  prayer.
                              2) Learn.  With the religious figures in the right wing of the Basilica, you'll know a 
                                  lot about the saints' martyrdom and good deeds.  While on the left wing, you'll 
                                  learn about the history of the Sto.Niño and the city.
                             3) Picture Taking. 

Sto.Niño Basilica's Grand Altar

Basilica's marker

Painting of the first five Augustinian Missionaries.

The Sto.Niño Basilica and it's grandeur.

Open field right in front of the basilica.

Me @ the Magellan's Cross.

The lady who danced and prayed @ the Magellan's Cross.
This costs Php 100.00.

Signage of Fort San Pedro @ the right side of the entrance  gate.

                               

The author before leaving Fort San Pedro.

In a life of a part-time bum

* bum = a term which is referring to a lazy person.
* Part-time = a form of employment that carries fewer hours per week than a full-time job.

"Today, I begin a new life."

It has been three days today since I left my work as a Junior Architect in a company based in Binondo.  It has been three days that my life has been a little less chaotic and peaceful.  I have nothing against my work as an architect back then, but the adrenalin rush and the headaches it has caused is different from what I am in now.

Within three days, I happened to do the following:

1.  Clean my closet.  Newly dried clothes had been sitting in the chair for a week now since me and my sister hasn't been home early for the past week to put all the new clean clothes in the closet.  Finally, I was able to set hers and my clothes aside and begin putting it in the cabinets.

2.  Clean the WACU.  The bedroom's window air conditioning unit (WACU) needed the cleaning months ago.  But every time I scheduled it's cleaning time on a weekend, I always forgot until it's too late to do the cleaning.  Finally, yesterday I was able to wash the enclosure and vacuumed the dusts in it.  Now, it's all clean and ready for a winter experience in the bedroom.

3.  Lessen the shoes.  My sister and I are both shoe lovers.  We tend to buy shoes every now and then.  Although she buys more than I am because she's a shopaholic :P.  Anyways, I was able to put all the cluttered shoes on the floor in their boxes and placed it under the bed.  Later, I'll start cleaning up the shoes on the rack above sis' bed.

4.  Check all the CDs.  There are a lot of compact discs on my computer table, and I needed to check all of it to know which are blank cds, needed to keep, and for disposal.  Started last Monday, until now I am not half way thru.

5.  Start on my working drawings.  I'd soon start working on the Mechanical Plans and Structural Plans needed for my part-time job, hence, I am just a part-time bum.

Confession of a Binondo Girl

I was a fresh graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology when I got my first job here.  Binondo is not a stranger to me anymore.  I have been a frequent visitor of Quintin Paredes, a busy street in China Town every time I claim my scholarship fund at RCBC Tower.  Back then, I am already a fan of the busyness of the old Manila.  Every trip to Binondo has been like a picturesque stroll admiring the old architecture of the Binondo Church and the PhilTrust Building that had survived through the years.  Never did it occur that soon after I got my diploma, I'll be travelling the same roads to my 1st ever workplace.

A fellow Mapuan (brother of my sister's best friend), got my resume and submitted it to this company.  During those time, I have no idea about GGGP.  All I know is that it is an architectural firm located in Binondo.  I got a call from the secretary, asked me to come by at their office for an interview.  I was still working as a drafting instructor in my former school when I got the call.  I went there, had my actual cad exam.  The manager told me that they'll try me for a week.  If things would work out, we'll talk again, then might hire me for good.  It was January of 2005 when I started to be a Binondo Girl.

Days passed....weeks....months....and years....I have traveled the same road, experienced the same traffic jams, dodge a few men in big bikes (whom you know us the Anti-Colorum Policemen) and used the same elevator going to the office.  My manager never talked to me again, nor confirmed if I am officially hired.  I know that it's understandable that I am, of course, an official employee already.  With all the remittances and taxes deducted, benefits and bonuses that adds to my regular pay, not to mention the several salary increase through-out the years.  My daily job has been fulfilling because I get to do what I love the most and get paid.

Cost of living here is minimal.  You need not to have a huge amount of money just to satisfy your craving for a good food.  There's a lot of restaurants to choose from, even before Lucky China Town Mall was built.  Here's a few from the list that you have to check out when your wandering feet decided to bring you here. 1) Tasty Dumpling - try their Pork Chop Rice that 2 more extra rice can accommodate. 2) Sincerity - Their chicken is so tasty, a fair match for Bon Chon's. 3) Estero - a restaurant right beside the estero, thus the name.  Their dishes are superb and affordable too, never mind the location. Lol! 4) Presidents Restaurant - This is the richer version of Estero.  Brace yourself to dine under a huge and elegant chandelier.  And eat on a huge table with a traditional lazy susan.  The food:  Oh so yummy!  Politicians and celebrities are seen here.  We dined here once and we saw Mayor Fred Lim, and he even shake hands with our boss.  5) McDonald's (in front of Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz) - The food here are not that special compared to other McDonald's Branch.  It's the ambiance that makes it more special.  Try eating your Mcnuggets or Twister Fries at the 2nd Floor Area of this chain, and you'll experience what I am saying.  You will have the view of the whole plaza, and might even think that you're probably in HongKong or Mainland China with the signage of all establishments here having a Chinese Character beside it.  6) Wai Ying Resturant - Their fried dumplings are the best!!! You can munch a dozen of it all by yourself.

Mini Stop, 7-11 and Finds are nothing compared to Binondo's own One Stop Shop, the Shopper's Mart.  From toiletries to quick snacks, they even got Ferrero Rocher for sale.  Your Tikoys and Mooncakes are always abundant in this place.  Located along the infamous street in Binondo, the Ongpin Street.

During Christmas Season and Back-To-School Time, the streets of Juan Luna serves as a shopping center.  With a keen eye and long patience of searching best  finds, you'll be able to buy something that would cost more if you'll buy it in the mall.  Divisioria Mall, Tutuban Mall and 168 Mall are some of the shopping malls near Binondo.  Just a few blocks away from the plaza, you'll get to have a full wardrobe complete with a blouse,pants, and shoes for less than a thousand bucks.

Kuligligs (motorized pedicabs) rule the streets of Binondo.  But the kalesas are still visible and can be used as public transport.  The tourists visiting China Town prefers this mode of transportation so as to experience the Chinoy's (Chinese-Filipino) old ways.

Banks are everywhere!  Can you believe it, there are 2 MetroBanks in Plaza Cervantes and 2 BDOs along Quintin Parades.  Not to mention the other branches just a few walks from the other.  I guess it's best to say that Binondo is really a rich Town.  Not just by the monetary aspect of it, but with the cultural side of it.

After 8 long years, being a Binondo Girl here is my confession.  Working in Binondo is extraordinaire!

"If you're brave to say goodbye, life will reward you with a sweet hello." - Paolo Coelho