Obama's Nobel Peace Prize

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win came as no big surprise for me after reading his book, The Audacity of Hope. It can be gleaned in that book that the guy is serious about bringing together the American people beyond racial prejudices and beyond personal, selfish interests. He encourages better tolerance, keeping the peace but is not afraid to stand up against what's wrong. I was amazed at his conviction and belief that the American people can achieve peace and unity and subsequently, transcend these to the world.

I was actually wishing that if only our local politicians or so-called "statesmen" have half of Obama's conviction and belief in living side by side with other human beings peacefully, cooperating together to eradicate poverty and to improve the quality of education for the betterment of their lives, I think, my country would achieve its great potential.

Litratong Pinoy#70 Tamad(Lazy)

I remember what my mother used to remind me before..

"Do not be lazy and always be hardworking especially that you're still young. Even if the job is simple, even if you're just a stevedore. If you do it well, God will bless you and you'll have a good life some day."

Pilipino:
Natatandaan ko pa ang laging paalala ng Nanay ko noon...

"Huwag kang tatamad-tamad at laging magsipag lalo pa't bata ka pa. Kahit simpleng trabaho, kahit kargador pa. Kapag inayos mo pasasaan ba't pagpapalain ka ng Diyos at aasenso ka balang araw."

(Picture was taken at the port of Guijalo, Caramoan, Camarines Sur. These are the stevedores that carried sacks of rice from Sabang town.

Pilipino: Kuha ang litrato sa pantalan ng Guijalo, Caramoan. Ito ay ang mga kargador na nagbubuhat ng sako ng bigas na galing sa bayan ng Sabang.)

Reminder that stayed in my mind until now, that always reminded me to work hard and to not be lazy. Reminder that taught me to respect any work no matter how simple as long as it is done well, honestly and diligently.

Paalalang lagi nasa utak ko magpahanggang ngayon, na laging nagpapaalala na magsipag at huwag maging tamad. Paalalang nagturo rin sa akin na rumespeto sa kahit gaano kasimpleng trabaho basta ba't ginawang maayos, matapat at pinagpaguran.

(Stevedore at Gen. Santos City Fishport Complex.

Pilipino: Kargador ng Gen. Santos City Fishport Complex)

Halloween Is Coming!

It seems like it was just yesterday that we were all busy preparing for our Halloween Children's Party at the office. Now, Halloween is just around the corner again and I am curious if we will still have the same party as what we had last year. It was so much fun putting up the Halloween decorations as we were trying to win the Best Halloween Decorated Department. It was also quite amazing to see the Halloween decorations made creatively by some of my co-workers.


I had more fun though with our Halloween Children's party as the kids came with their best Halloween costumes. The party was held at our training room which was decorated with beautiful Halloween decorations. Most of the decorations were made by hand by our creative co-workers.

These were the kids in their Halloween costumes while participating in the Halloween trick or treat games:

Ruby Tuesday#19 Emilio Aguinaldo in Barasoain

This is Emilio Aguinaldo's statue right in front of the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. Barasoain Church played a significant role in the Philippine history. Emilio Aguinaldo is the first president of the Philippines and made the church his residence during his term of office. For more about Barasoain Church, go here.


This is my entry for:

Go here for more..

Music Monday#23 Home by Michael Buble

I recently discovered this song and I really love it. I like Michael Buble's original version than others' so here it goes:

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.




PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Brave Aga

Aga Muhlach, the matinee idol of the 80s, has matured. I liked his baby face and his dancing prowess in Bagets and through the years, he has grown into a sensitive actor that made him win several awards but right now, Aga is in the limelight not for his acting nor dancing talent but for saying eloquently what a lot of our countrymen has been grumbling under their breaths but could not do so for fear of retaliation. Not Aga, he said it like it was and on national TV at that and for that, he got a lot of admiring "pogi" points from his countrymen. Here is the video:

Sunday Stealing#15

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger known as Starrlight from the blog Here Comes the Storm...In the Form of a Girl. She explains that she "Had this sent to me last night and now I have to share. Ah the Vedder." We really have no idea who she stole it from. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Starrlight Meme

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Glass of water

2. Where was your profile picture taken?
Caramoan Peninsula, Camarines Sur Province

3. Can you play Guitar Hero?
No.

4. Name someone who made you laugh today. What was it about?
It was Anne while we were on our way home. She was busy talking and talking and almost failed to get to her stop. She panicked when she realized it.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why?
I went to bed at 1 a.m. Hmm...well, am a late sleeper usually but last night, I got caught up watching youtube videos.

6. If you could move somewhere else where would you and why?
Hmm..anywhere were my loved ones are.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Nope. I wish.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Hm...it should be Anne. She also lives downtown.

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? With benefits?
No. I don't believe in going back to the past. It should be a clean break. Definitely, no benefits.

10. Do you like Dr. Pepper?
Nope. Too sweet for my taste.

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? Really hard as opposed to just sniveling?
Hm...just last month. Felt frustrated and disappointed and I could just not talk about it to anybody so I ended up crying hard.

12. Who took your profile picture?
Me. Moi. :D

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Some friends while we were attending a party.

14. Was yesterday better than today? Why?
The same as yesterday. It's a weekend and I always end up lazing around after finishing the things I have to do.

15. Can you live a day without TV?
Definitely, yes.

16. Are you upset about anything now?
Nope.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
It should be worth it because if not, it's a waste of time and effort and I end up not being true to myself.

18. Are you a bad influence?
Sometimes, as some friends said.

19. Night out or night in? Night in, nowadays. It used to be night out though.

20. What items could you not go without during the day? coin purse, comb, toothbrush with toothpaste, computer.

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
A friend who got sick.

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
"Where are u?"

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
It's ok. I just feel sometimes that I could do more.

24. Do you hate anyone?
Not hate, just dislike. Are they same? :D

25. If we were to look in your Facebook inbox, what would we find?
Just the usual pictures and messages.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Definitely.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?.
Yes, and I wondered if he was drunk. He wasn't.

28. What song is stuck in your head?
Nowadays, Fire by 2NE1 and Arisong by Hwangbo.

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2 a.m., whom do you want it to be?
Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise.

30. Do you (or did you) want to have grandkids before you’re 50?
Heck, no.

31. Tell us your Saturday night.
Saturday night was spent on doing groceries and looking for mooncakes for the Chinese Moon Festival. I took some pictures of the full moon as it was so bright and so round and big (it seems that what they say is true that the moon is at its roundest and biggest during the Chinese Moon Festival.

32. Do you think too much or too little?
I do both and it could give really bad headache.

33. Do you smile a lot?
There are times I do. There are times I don't.

PhotoHunt#58 Words

What would happen to the world if there are no words to communicate with? Sure, we can show by acting or sign language but it would take a long time and would be prone to misinterpretations. Words are very important in our daily lives and yet we take them for granted. They can inform and amuse, remind us of possible danger, and even tell us an interesting story.


This is the Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell) of our national hero, Jose P. Rizal. He did this poem on the eve of his execution on December 30, 1986. The poem talked beautifully about the national hero's love of his country and his willingness to die for it. It is a required reading for high school and college students in the Philippines. It was originally untitled when found inside the small alcohol stove that Dr. Rizal has been using while in jail. Eventually, it was entitled "Mi Ultimo Adios" by his friend, Mariano Ponce.

After the Spanish-American War, the poem was recited by then U.S. representative Henry Cooper who was lobbying for the Philippine's self-governance before the House of the U.S. Representatives (wikipedia).

This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) Changes Course

Thank goodness that Typhoon Pepeng (international name: Parma) is changing its course and showing signs of weakening. Earlier reports today indicated that it will make landfall in Aurora and Isabela but according to PAG-ASA report as of 11:00pm today, it is now moving towards Cagayan. I truly hope that it will continue changing its course so that it won't do much damage especially so that a lot of areas in Luzon are still submerged in floods caused by Typhoon Ondoy.

Mikey Wants to Regulate Facebook

After getting a lot of flak from a controversial picture of him posted in Facebook, Mikey Arroyo is proposing to regulate the popular social network, Facebook. I wonder how Mikey would go about regulating a site that has millions of user-members worldwide. Besides, if it is true that it was not him, why fuss? If it is true that he was in Malacañang helping the relief efforts for the Typhoon Ondoy victims at the time the controversial picture was taken, am sure a lot of witnesses would vouch for him.

Litratong Pinoy#69 Linis (Clean)

The street sweepers/cleaners caught my attention last year during the Kadayawan celebration. It was a hot day and there were a lot of people but look at them, they were having a blast watching the dancers of the streetdancing competition, right?

Pilipino: Napansin ko ang mga tagawalis at tagapaglinis ng kalsada noong nakaraang taon habang nagdiriwang ng Kadayawan. Mainit ang araw at maraming tao noon pero ayan, aliw na aliw sila sa kapapanood ng mga mananayaw ng patimpalak ng Indak-indak sa Kadalanan, hindi ba?


But, after each dance of every participant, they quickly swept and cleaned the streets and surroundings before the next participant would start again. I was really amazed at them. That is why it is no wonder that Davao City is known for being a clean city.

Pero, saan ka tuwing matatapos ang pagsasayaw ng bawat partisipante, mabilis nilang winawalis at nililinis ang kalsada at kapaligiran bago makapag-umpisa ang susunod na sasayaw. Napahanga talaga nila ako. Kataka-taka ba na kilala ang lungsod ng Dabaw sa pagiging malinis?

Tsunami In Samoa

Let us all pray for the victims of tsunami in Samoa and surrounding islands. An 8.3 intensity earthquake off American Samoa in Pacific triggered the tsunami. I also pray that this disaster would not affect the Philippines being located at the western part of the Pacific Ocean.

We are still reeling from the effects of Typhoon Ondoy and it will take a long time to recover for the affected areas. Further, another typhoon (local name: Pepeng) is being watched closely as it is getting near the Philippines.

There are more calls for donations (in cash or in kind) for the Typhoon Ondoy victims. So, please help thru here:

National Disaster Coordinating Council
http://ndcc.gov.ph/home/

Philippine National Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx

ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/donate.php

GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
(Thru credit card)
http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donate

(thru cash or cheque)
http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donatecashcheque

Gawad Kalinga
http://www.gk1world.com/ketsana-ondoy/

There are also links to my previous posts on how to help the Typhoon Ondoy victims, just scroll down below.

Ruby Tuesday#18 Scout Island, Hundred Islands National Park, Alaminos, Pangasinan

The rains that dumped almost boundless this weekend in the northern part of the Philippines had me wishing for sunny days. The kind of sunny days that we had when we were in Hundred Islands National Park, Alaminos, Pangasinan.

The islands looked mystical from afar, mostly sparkling green but when we got near they are more beautiful with clear, pristine and sugary-powder sand like the ones I showed in the pictures below. Yeah, that's me wearing something red!



The above pictures was taken in Scout Island, one of the 124 islands in Hundred Islands National Park, Alaminos, Pangasinan. We had the island for ourselves for hours! Love it!

This is my entry for:

Go here for more..

How To Help Typhoon Ondoy Victims

Major Philippine TV networks are helping tremendously in the relief and rescue operations for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. They are also accepting donations in cash or in kind. Here are their contact numbers and links:

ABS-CBN HOTLINE
416-36-41

SAGIP KAPAMILYA
413-2667 / 416-0387
No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon
Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111
Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

Donate thru Credit Card:
http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com/donate.php

ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820

Negros Navigation
from Mr. Edmund Gawchua, Manager
Negros Navigation is now accepting the transfer of relief goods from Mindanao to Manila for free for aid to victims of Ondoy.

Donations can be sent to Negros Navigation stations and offices nationwide.

GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION, INC.
How to Place Donations: (Monetary and Material)
The Foundation exists mainly because of the overflowing generosity that is entrusted to us by concerned and kindhearted people to be given to our disadvantaged brothers and sisters. For all types of donations, it could be handed over in the GMA Kapuso Foundation office from 9am to 6pm.

o Material donations can be delivered to the GMA Kapuso Foundation office from 9am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays. We accept old clothes, food and hygiene products, mats, medicines, medical equipments, toys as well as other items which could be generously given to our brothers and sisters in need.

o For monetary donations, the foundation accepts cash or check donations. It could be given to our finance officer personally from Mondays to Fridays 9am to 6pm or your donations could be coursed through our GMA Kapuso Foundation Saving account numbers in the following banks:

§ METROBANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
o PESO Savings Account # (3-098-510347)
o DOLLAR Savings Account # (2-098-00244-2)
Code: MBTC PH MM

§ UNITED COCUNUT PLANTERS BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
o PESO Savings Account # (160-111277-7)
(115-184777-2)
o DOLLAR Savings Account # (01-160-300427-6)
(01-115-301177-9)
Code: UCPB PH MM

§ EQUITABLE-PCI BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER
o PESO Savings Account # (1383-07544-7)

Donate thru credit card:
http://www.kapusofoundation.com/donate

More links here.

Music Monday#22 Open Arms by Journey with Arnel Pineda

I love this song when Steve Perry sang it and I love it more when a Pinoy, Arnel Pineda, sings it now with the Journey.This video was Arnel Pineda's first concert with the Journey held in Chile last year. Way to go, Arnel!




credit: Emoisgay4, youtube

Help Typhoon Ondoy Victims

A lot of people have lost not only their homes and belongings but also their loved ones. Let us all help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy by donating to Philippine National Red Cross, here’s the link.

In the meantime, here’s the Typhoon Ondoy situation map for Metro Manila for those who want to know or keep track of what’s going on.

Let us also pray not only for the victims but also for the rescuers who are also risking their lives because there are still a lot of areas in Luzon and Visayas that are inundated by floods.

UPDATE:
Drop-off places for relief good donations are listed here

GMA news' list of verified relief centers here.

CONTACT NUMBERS OF RESCUE OPERATIONS:
Red Cross: 143, 527-0000. Centers for relief: Red Cross chapters in Rizal, QC, Valenzuela, Bulacan. Phil. Nat’l. Red Cross Rizal Chapter operations center hotline: 635-0922, 634-7824. Send full address of stranded friends/family to Sen. Dick Gordon 09178997898/0938444BOYS

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Emergency Numbers: 912-5668, 911-1406, 912-2665, 911-5061. Help hotlines: 734-2118, 734-2120.

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA): 136

Philippine Coast Guard: 527-6136

Bureau of Fire Protection Region III (Central Luzon) Hotline: (045) 9634376

San Juan City Hall Command Post: 468-1697

MERALCO hotlines: 0917-5592824, 0920-9292824

Contact NCRPO 838-3203, 838-3354 for rubber boat requests. You can also text 0917-422-6800 or 0927-675-1981 for rescue dump trucks. Appeal for those able, to lend 4×4 trucks for rescue: Pls. send truck to Greenhills Shoppng Center Unimart Grocery to await deployment, tel. 09209072902.

505 Rescue needs life-vests & rubber boats for their rescue operations. Please bring to Villamor Air Base.

Office of Sen Villar to rescue stranded people: 0917-4226800, 0917-2414864, 0927-6751981

Please go to GMA Facebook page & post addresses of people in need of immediate help.

For all Ateneo de Manila students who are stranded/ those who need help (as well as those who know of other students who need help), please TEXT your/their name/s, location and contact number to 0908-8877166. The MVP Building (HQ)is open to all those who have difficulty going home tonight.

Sunday Stealing#14 A Fall Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger called Bikramyogachick from the blog 60 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge. She explains that this meme was written by the Restaurant Refugee. Hannah posted it on her blog, which is where she discovered it. So we have another relatively "virgin" meme. So we have no need to even explain that we don't trace back origins of a meme! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

Sunday Stealing: A Fall Meme

It’s not really fall in until...the colors of the leaves change from green to gold.

What did you need to do in the waning days of summer for it to feel complete?
To get tanned and to be at the beach as much as I can.

A person I know was wrong for me but about whom I frequently thought after a break-up was...
Nobody. I was careful with people I get involved with.

If you could only attend one major sporting event what would it be?
Olympics, track and field event.

Assuming that you write an anonymous or partially anonymous blog, by what non-physically identifying characteristics might you be identified in a bar?
Hmm...I don't this get this.

Most blogs cover some sort of niche – personal, political, dating, culinary, etc. What topic, if any, would you like to address on your blog but doesn’t fit into your niche?
Housing issues or education.

If you could manipulate the time space continuum and give as many as three pieces of advice to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give and to what age of you?
At 15, go for the scholarship. At 16, go for the scholarship. At 25, start your own small business.

Who among your friends do you really wish had a blog because their stories, or perspective on something ought to be shared?
All of them especially the ones that I haven't seen and talked for a long while. At least, if they have a blog, I would know what's going on with them.

If you were to take an e-cation (vacation from the trappings of our electronic world,) and assuming that employment obligations would allow it, how long of a break could you take? What would you miss the most, the least?
One day? More than that, I'd be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Anyway, I'd miss most updating my blogs and the bloghopping.

On September 11th of this year, I attended a couple of parties and was somewhat conflicted by the fact that this ignoble anniversary shall pass with it being just another day in the eyes of many (and in some ways my own eyes as well.) Thoughts?
No matter how horrible things have been, life moves on whether we like it or not. We can only strive to do better and hope that these horrible things won't happen again.

How high are your walls? Who was the last person to scale them? What tools should would-be climbers have on their belt?
About 100 or more feet. LOL! Spiderman web, hands and feet.

The sexiest thing a man or a woman can say to you (or has said to you) is:
Say "you are in my heart and thoughts always." and actually mean it.

PhotoHunt#57 Twisted

This is the painted ceiling of Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. The center of the painting has a flower adorned around with a twisted knot.

The church plays a significant role in the Philippine history. Why? See here..


This is my entry for:

For more photohunters, go here.

Quezon Island, Hundred Islands

This is Quezon Island. One of the three developed islands in Hundred Islands National Park, Alaminos, Pangasinan. The island just like the other two is being maintained by the local government. It is quite popular among beachgoers for its pristine waters and white sand beach. On its highest point is a statue of the former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon, of which the island was named after.

Pregnant Woman, Pregnant Again

How can it be? A pregnant woman, pregnant again? Just saw this from yahoo news that an Arkansas couple was shocked to find out that the woman named Julie Grovenburg who is already pregnant and scheduled to give birth sometime December 2009 is pregnant again with a second baby who is estimated to be given birth on January 2010. Surely, doctors and scientists are already agog with this rare phenomenon. Personally, I just wish the mother and the babies good health and easy childbirth.

Oh, by the way, the term for conceiving while still pregnant is superfetation.