Sleepless

Christmas Wish List: 2010 Edition

2010-12-12T16:54:00.002+08:00

All I want for Christmas (and Birthday):

RayBan Shades

Beats by Dr. Dre

iPhone 4

subject to change without prior notice.

Histrionics and Dramatics

2010-10-20T00:25:00.003+08:00

Sometimes I do have a soft spot for the dramatics but only for impact, nothing more. I never was a fan of histrionics and the drama that goes with it. I do understand that some people make this their life's template. Not me. Not only I am averse to it I also don't know what's the appropriate response to people who have the penchant of making a scene.

I used to work in a company where people shout at each other. No, not people at my level but people in the senior management positions. Ok maybe that is a tad too generalized. Let me be more specific, in my previous company, the Indian bosses like to shout. They like to shout at their subordinates. The former global head of my account seems to find the day unproductive if he was not able to shout at his people. One poor Indian paper pusher was even told during a global meeting that he was not needed. Poor bloke, he was half sobbing answering the strafing of queries from the managers. The good thing about this boss is that he seems to recognized that shouting is not the best way to motivate the Pinoys. He was alone in this though. The Asia-Pacific boss shouts at our global account head, while the CEO does not mince words nor decibel level when showing his displeasure at the Asia-Pacific boss. It's funny sometimes but it's not a party when one is the recipient of the histrionics being pulled by the boss. My former boss was also a bombay and he is from the same mold. Although he has not shouted at me, he has been very liberal in pushing the decibel level up even on minute displeasure. Why, he even raises his voice when he's happy. Maybe with more than a billion people in the sub-continent, one has to shout to be heard. Just wondering.

This is one of the many reasons I left that company. It's just not my style.

Now, I am working with my mom. While she does not shout at me, she, too, is into histrionics and dramatics so much that her tears almost can fall on cue! It always leaves me confused when after a discussion the response is a river of tears. Emotional "blackmail" sucks! It is the worst feeling and of course I feel bad making my mom cry. Unfortunately I can't just resign from the family business.

I wish that histrionics and dramatics are left to the unoriginal soap operas. Or at the very least outside the workplace. Me, I do my dramatics and histrionics here in the blogosphere, in that way the person who may chance upon my blog can opt not to read histrionics and my poor writing style.

Lesson from a Razor

2010-10-04T22:42:00.004+08:00

I was having a light conversation with a co-worker in one of our break times one time when the topic of discussion went to shaving. He asked me how often I shave. I told him that I shave every other day. He was curious because he runs the razor over his face every day but still have a 6 o'clock shadow a few hours after shaving. We compared shaving styles and the basic difference was that I shave against the grain while he doesn't.

I told him that he must shave against the grain because it cuts deeper. I concluded that this is the reason why his hair grows faster than mine. He was hesitant at first but I encouraged him to do it if he wants a cleaner and closer shave. And so he did.

Big mistake.

My co-worker is actually a mestizo. While his mom is a Filipina, his dad was an Arab. The reason why his hair grows faster is genetics. Aside from the fact that going against the grain did not really work for him, he had cuts all over his face. All because of my advice.

I learned one important lesson that day and that is: what works for one may not work for another. Even for the same problem, solutions differ from one person to another for the simple reason that every human being is unique. Not just biologically but also in history and values. We should not insist on what we think is right because our biases can impede in the recognition that the other person is different.

* * *

Post Script: I did learn that lesson but the fact remains I still don't practice it. I still try to impose my idea of what is right. I am not perfect, I am a work in progress. I am working on it.

Send in The Clowns

2010-09-22T16:32:00.005+08:00

My dad's C has worsened. He is malnourished because he wouldn't eat. And this sudden turn of events have affected my mom very much. She has not been sleeping well because she is worried about my father. She checks up on him every now and then to see if he is alright and comfortable. And when she is able to get some sleep, my dad would sometimes also wake her up because he needs assistance. Be it for food, for medicine, to be comforted, etc. My mom is now my dad's rock. But this rock is not a strong rock. My mom is not a very healthy woman herself. She has hypertension and all these lack of sleep and stressful situations may trigger an attack. It is my duty now to make sure that I give enough support to my mom so that her stress levels will not elevate more than necessary.

While I can suppress sadness and all other "unnecessary" feelings, my mom can't. She's been crying on a daily basis now whenever we talk about my dad. She cries because she's tired. She cries because she is scared. Sometimes I want to cry, too, but for her sake I have to look like I am strong. I even indulge her talk about showbiz stuff (esp. Sarah G. and Marian R.) just so she can rest her mind from thinking about my dad's condition.

I just wish my dad gets better so that we can smile again.

Pilgrim's Theme

2010-09-15T00:26:00.004+08:00

In the past, I used to be a member of a chapel choir. This song is one of my favorite songs. It's very relevant to those among us who are getting tired of this journey... maybe it's time for us to recognize the One who's been there all along.

Bartender

2010-09-12T03:54:00.002+08:00

I really want to be a good cocktail mixer. I know how to make a margarita by heart. Today I learned how to make a Bacardi cocktail. Soon I will be a bartender.

Here are the recipes I follow:

Margarita

1 part tequila (better if it's the white one not the anejo, better quality of tequila better margarita. but the cheap ones will do)

1 part triple sec

2 parts sour juice (lime will do or lemon but it's best to just buy the Sour Mix or the margarita mix)

Lace the brim of the glass with fine iodized salt, but it's ok as well to not put any if you prefer it. You can serve this with crushed ice (or mix this with the ice in the blender).

Bacardi Cocktail

1 part grenadine (you can adjust the volume with the lime / lemon juice because this is sweet)

1 part lime or lemon juice

2 parts rum (again it would be better if you get the white one, it doesn't have to be a Bacardi but it would taste better if it is)

Unlike the margarita, mix the drink in a shaker (I improvised using a spill proof Starbucks mug) with the ice and pour the contents in a glass clean (without ice).

Constant Change

2010-09-11T03:26:00.002+08:00

I used to work in a bank for almost 8 years. Even though that it's been almost 7 years since I left UCPB, I always felt that I belong because a lot of my close friends are still working there. But steadily this is becoming untrue. In the very few occasions that I visit the very first company I worked with I am seeing less and less familiar faces. I don't feel I belong anymore. Even the guards and messengers have changed. I'm seeing strangers.

Today another change has happened. One of my closest friends from the bank is leaving for Canada. Jane has been my mentor when I started, now she too has left. There were a lot before her. Mia also migrated to the US, so has Cloy whom I totally lost contact with. One of my favorite bosses, Ma'am Myrna also went to the US. Bless moved to Manila just recently. Anne also left the bank and although she's just in Davao, I hardly get to see her anymore. Same story with Dyna and Noreen.

I guess that's how life is. We move on with our lives either for better opportunities or to start a family somewhere else. It is a little bit sad but we have to embrace change, it's the only thing that's been consistent in our lives. It's a melancholic realization but nevertheless real. There are a lot of wonderful memories that we've shared in our stint in the bank, I hope that it is enough to keep us as friends in the long haul.

A No is Better Than a Maybe When You Really Mean No

2010-09-07T23:59:00.002+08:00

A lot of us, me included, have a problem saying no. Some say it is cultural but after too many nights watching too many episodes of Oprah, the fear of saying no is not just a Filipino thing. I am sure that there are a million different reasons why we just can't say no. Some are scared to say no because they don't want to reject another person. We all have been rejected one time or another and we know how that feels, hence, we avoid saying no. We are scared of saying no because we don't want to offend.

However, saying yes or maybe when we really mean no in the long run is actually worse than saying no outright. When we withhold our no we lead on that other person to that non-existent glimmer of hope only to get heartbroken when the time that yes is most needed. I think not saying no is actually a sadistic way of hurting a person. If at all the pain of rejection is eminent due to the NO, at least it is easier to recover knowing that one was not disrespected with a lie.

Of course, we still need to know how to say no in the most humane way. We need to make sure that our no is just a no and not a rejection of the person himself or herself. But more than being nice, I think a dash of sincerity should always be of paramount consideration. After all, a man is only as good as his word. If you give your word, keep it, or else, say no.

"I'd rather get hurt with your truth than be deceived with your lies." - anonymous (or I think from a song that I can't remember now)

IPAD Aspirations... conclusion

2010-09-06T00:27:00.003+08:00

I finally have what I've been wanting... I can't post it in Facebook so I am posting it here. I'm sorry if I sound like I am bragging, I am just happy.

Short Musing

2010-08-18T01:51:00.004+08:00

How many times do I have to fall before I learn my lesson?

Searching for the Right ISP

2010-08-16T16:40:00.002+08:00

For the longest time (even when I was still based out of Cebu) my ISP has been PLDT. I really had a good experience with PLDT myDSL until we moved to Ecoland III. It has been a total ZERO connection except from 12 MidNight to 4 am. Totally unacceptable. We're currently eyeing the new Smart BRO WiMax. From what's written about the WiMax Technology (here's the link!), it seems like a good thing. Although the newest technology is the 4G LTE, WiMax is what's newest here in the Philippines. I am crossing my fingers. Oh by the way, BOO PLDT!!!

* * *

Because my experience with PLDT myDSL is horribly frustrating, I made sure that we don't get PLDT in our office. We got BayanTel instead. But sadly, I haven't been able to login to the internet since last Wednesday and all they have done so far is to call me and ask me if it's already ok or if I already reset my modem. Right now, I am not yet giving up on BayanTel. But my patience is wearing thin.

* * *

So right now, whenever I need to access the internet, I use Globe Tattoo. This time, I am the one effin' Globe because I am using my phone's SIM which has unlimited access to the internet. Beat that Globe! I mean, thank you Globe for this loop hole.

My iPad Aspirations

2010-08-12T16:11:00.008+08:00

Ever since i saw Steve Jobs introduced the new Apple iPad, I knew then that I want one of these. As days progressed I saw more and more applications being developed for the iPad which made me want this oversized iPod Touch more and more as well. As if to add insult to injury, the iPad is not available here in the Philippines (not officially anyway) and because of that, independent non-Apple accredited importers are selling the iPad at a prohibitively exorbitant price!

If one buys the 64gig iPad in Hong Kong, it would cost about Php32,000.00 but for the same unit, it's priced at Php45,000.00 here in Davao! That's a 40% mark-up! That's like highway robbery, tech style. I am not even thinking of the iPhone 4 which is also not available in the Philippines. When will the people in Apple realize that this country is filled with katkat people like me who, despite the lack of moolah, will still buy an iPad? Oh by the way, katkat is my term for social climber.

I am sure my mom and my wife will split their hairs at the thought of my iPad aspirations but I just can't help it. I am a gadget guy with a major streak of flashy-ness. Yes yes, I want an iPad because I want to show it off. But I also want one because I feel I want to be part of this technological maverick and applications like FlipBoard. My ass, I know.

And it doesn't help that every time I pass by a store that I think would have an iPad available I'd pause and check it out. So pardon me, I'm drooling.

Updates

2010-08-10T16:09:00.003+08:00

My recent post last March 7 says that I re-signed my contract. That was a few months back when i was promoted as Program Manager. I have since resigned from the BPO company. I am now officially a bum. My resignation was effective June 30, 2010. I've finally faced the fact that I really need to spend more time with my family. I am currently dying of boredom at my mom's office. I chided my mom that my journey from being a manager to a messenger isn't the best career decision anyone will ever make. She's very sport about it.

Now that I own my time, I don't know what to do with it. Oh yes, my mom actually is paying me to do something and not just sit and be bored in the office. Maybe I should start doing that.

* * *

Because of my status as a BUM, I've also accepted some online jobs like article writing. Now, I know that I am not the most creative of writers but I can safely say that I can make coherent sentences and string them together to create a logical paragraph. I can do that. But then the one reviewing my articles just said that she was confused with my sentences. Sweetheart, I may be a boring writer but my sentences make sense. Maybe it's you who need some checking, your bulbs might be getting dim.

I guess she was just lost in the midst of my long winded unimaginatively dull sentences.

* * *

The downside of being a bum is that the high 6-figure salary is gone. My mom now has replaced that with a mid 5-figure salary with a dash of guilt on the side. I am officially poverty-stricken, I hope this is not contagious and give it to my wife.

* * *

Here I am again, promising myself to write some more. I really do want to write because I feel that it is a form of catharsis for me.

Destiny

2010-03-15T05:23:00.002+08:00

I believe in destiny.

We all have the same destiny anyway. In the end, we all die. That's just how I see destiny. Destiny = death. Ok, so I really don't believe in destiny. I believe in death. And all the rest between birth and death is up to you.

The trouble with believing in destiny is that it boxes a person into what he or she can be. That's just not right. Anybody can be the best that he or she can be as long as there is hard work and perseverance. Of course, you have to use your head as well. Nobody is destined for something by sheer dumb luck. How many crown prince and princess were never crowned? A lot.

Destiny is just a word invented by the lazy people. One can change the course of his life if he / she tries hard.

I Re-Signed...

2010-03-07T07:38:00.000+08:00

It feels like I’m signing off my soul to the devil.

So finally, I got my confirmation to my new post. Honestly speaking, I am elated with the offer I got. Without hesitation, I signed. But now that the euphoria has died down, it feels like I am making a wrong decision here. I wanted out of the corporate world and be with the family for a time now. By virtue of this new contract, I am tying myself down for a year, at least. My mom won’t be happy.

I used to think that I am working hard for the money. Uhm, well, I still think that’s very important, but now that I have reached my goal, the pay does not seem to be as important as before.

I just hope that I made the right decision. I pray that the power that BE will help me make this a decision I won’t regret.

Calamity

2010-03-04T10:18:00.001+08:00

After the showing of the movie 2012, doomsday topics have been rife. Although most believe that the world will not end by 2012, at the back of our heads there is always the ‘what if’ thought. It doesn’t help that here in Davao, for the past few months, magnitude 5-ish quakes have been very frequent. The epicenter has always been either in the southern part of Davao Oriental or off the province’s Pacific shore. Davao Oriental is just across our city on the opposite shore of the Davao Gulf. This while Haiti faced a widespread devastation after the 7.0 earthquake there and Chile also had 8.8(!) earthshaker. Chile’s earthquake actually triggered a tsunami warning even here in Davao. (breaking news, a mild 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan... yikes getting near!)

I really can’t help but be scared at the thought that what happened in Haiti and Chile CAN happen in Davao. Our lives are entrenched in this city we call home. My family is here. I can’t imagine how it would be if such a calamity will befall us here. I am not a pessimist, but this is a realistic expectation being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

On the brighter side, our volcano here is extinct and we don’t get typhoons. Oh well, to each his own calamity.

My First in 2010

2010-01-31T06:45:00.002+08:00

It seems that I start my blogs explaining my absence very often. So let me just say I was busy and blogging did not seem to be important enough to fit in my schedule. All I do is just work and sleep. Although Mela and I went to Manila one weekend in December, that's about the only time that I was truly unwary of my responsibilities at work.

In my last entry, I announced that I tendered my immediate resignation. I eventually talked to my boss where I was talked out of an immediate resignation and instead tender a 30-day notice. I gave in primarily because I wanted a proper turn-over of responsibilities. But because of my position, I also had to talk to the director. Big mistake. So here I am still toiling in the same office. I was promoted (not yet confirmed though) and I have not heard the end of my close friends' ribbing about me always threatening to resign to get promoted (it happened twice already). I am not complaining anymore, though. Somehow the atmosphere at the office has changed and all the gripes I had about people were just temporary. I have adjusted well.

Well, that's that.

It seems it was just very recent that I was looking forward to the Christmas holidays, now January is almost done. How time flies. And here I go again, promising to blog more. I know I should. For my sake. For my sanity.

The Night was a Good, Good, Night

2009-10-03T05:29:00.005+08:00

For the first time since I went on leave I decided to go out. The new Bruce Willis movie, Surrogates, seemed interesting. I liked the film's concept. So I invited a friend to watch it with me (my wife was not interested). Trevor sounded enthusiastic when I told him about my plan and my invitation. Trevor has been one of the few friends who stuck with me despite my paranoia and crazy mood swings.

Before hitting the cinema, I told Trevor that I wanted to drop by National Bookstore to buy the new Dan Brown book, The Lost Symbol. Unfortunately, it was not yet available. So instead, I head to the Filipino section to check my other favorite author's new book, Bob Ong's Kapitan Sino. As I was looking for Kapitan sino, I glanced upon a book that made me gasp. There it was, in all its glory, a book I never knew existed, Tikman Ang Langit, an Anthology on the Eraserheads. I really don't know what the book was about but I grab it anyway. I don't even care what the critics think about it, all I know is that it has Eraserheads written on it and the face of the band members plastered on the cover. If you knew me, you've probably known that I am a big E-heads fan.

We headed to the cinema while I was still in euphoria with the new Eraserheads memorabilia in hand (I also bought the Bob Ong book). The cinema was not full so we were able to sit comfortably. I really like the concept of the movie. You experience life without going outside your house by controlling a robot from the comfort of your house. You can party or go to work with your robot (which looks realistically human) surrogate. I remember talking to one of my friends about how we wish that there was another "us" who would do our day-to-day responsibility, specially when we're just fed up or dead tired. This was a realization of that. As I said, good concept.

We decided to have dinner and afterwards hit a coffee shop to surf the net. While I was showing some interesting video to Trevor (like the amazing Black-Eyed Peas performance at the Oprah show), I received a PM in FB Chat. Morgan asked me if I was indeed leaving. I thought, the cat's finally out. Morgan and I chatted for a little bit and we decided to meet up and have some beer.

The entire night I was avoiding cold beverages and getting my body cold because I had a nasty cough but the prospect of catching up with a friend over Red Horse was just too hard to pass. Come hell or high water (or severe barking), we decided to meet up at Double Tap. Just when Trevor and I arrived (MOrgan arrived a few seconds later), we found out that Double Tap was already closed! so we proceeded to the new Bak Bak.

We had a couple of bottles each, I told Morgan what Trevor already knew. Indeed I resigned but I was giving a 30-day notice (which was not my original plan), I also told him that my director is convincing me to stay and move to another program (no updates on that). Morgan also shared to us his week with his mother and his English stepdad whose accent Morgan adored.

As we wind down to our last glass, a fight ensued. On one side, the employees of Bak Bak and on the other, a few drunk and rowdy folks. It was fun to watch although an unchoreographed fight scene is not really as appealing as the one in movies. What a way to bring the day and the night to an end. 'Til next time, Trevor and Morgan. Thanks for the company.

We Belong to The Working Class, Deal With It

2009-09-07T19:41:00.004+08:00

As usual, when I am online, I read through Facebook shoutouts. I can't help it. I shouldn't, I know. A number of them are just bitchin' about their work. I, too, quite a number of times made a pot shot at my job. But some are a tad too vulgar at it. It makes me cringe specially if it came from one of my office mates.

We all want to live a romantic life, where we can laze on white sand beaches, watch the sunset, set on a journey, climb mountains, pursue writing, back-pack through Europe... I could think of a million things that I'd rather do than work. I envy those people who can just drop all cares, quit their jobs and be a bum. Not that I want to be a bum, it's just that I never had the courage to be jobless. In this day and age, and in this recession, it must be crazy to think about quitting work.

But no matter how much we deny it, we need to toil. To earn a living, to eat, to pay bills, to clothe ourselves, to send a sibling to school, et cetera. To pursue our interests, we need money. To have money, we need a paying job. Reality kinda knocks our heads most of the time, specially when we go hungry and there is nothing in our purses. Some of us had to go through those lean times when money is scarce, me included. Terrible times. I don't want to be in that situation again, nor would I want that to happen on my son. So we toil, for the day to day and for the future. All romantic pursuits placed on hold.

If we try our best to appreciate the blessing of employment, we won't feel so bad and bitch about it. All is not lost anyway, we still can walk white sandy beaches on vacations and all other pursuits, as long as we continue to have jobs, we will have the means. We may not be as rich as the Waltons or the Zobels, but we will have reprieve somehow, but we have to work first.

Sailing (another pointless entry)

2009-09-07T03:26:00.009+08:00

Ever wondered why you sailed faster than others, Captain Cook? That's because the wind was constantly blowing on your sails. Now that you are in the Doldrums, the windless region of this vast ocean, you drift aimlessly. Will you still reach your destination?

History says that you'd reach New Zealand, that should count for something. Sure your intended destination was the Spice Island, at least you discovered the land of the Kiwis. Serendipitous or not, you will reach A destination. But is it really success if you did not see the port you want to see?

Maybe yes, maybe no. One thing I can advise to you, my cap'n. Pray hard to the god of the wind, for he alone can sail a boat. You can harness the power of the wind but what will you harness when the wind dies. My point, if your boat have sails, your patron should be the wind god. Make sure he is not upset with you, assuming it's not yet too late.

Explaining the Absence...

2009-07-26T04:31:00.002+08:00

And so it goes, I have been absent yet again for a long time from the blog-universe. It's just it has been quite a "good" read the comment of one previous post was, and I am a little apprehensive to cause another stir. At the risk of being tagged a drama queen, I do write about things that I am quite passionate about. Although I re-read all my post many times before I publish them, sometimes, I become hasty especially when the issue I am to tackle is fresh and so infuriating. As they say, haste makes waste, or in my case, a poorly thought through article.

I am not a pensive and introspective person. I don't keep my thoughts to myself, I blurt them out (or blog them, in this case). I was in the opinion that my blogs are my own personal private thoughts, hence I am entitled to say what I want to say. I know better now. My blogs are online evidence of how I can be immature and irate at times.

I don't know why I can't just be all sunny and blog about happy thoughts. Maybe there is true to the "drama queen" thing. I keep teasing some of my friends and close relatives that they are drama queens without me noticing that I am, too. At least in my blogs. But alas the question is, should I slow down and care? Slow down, maybe not. But I will care. This time instead of blogging when things are boiling, I will wait for the issue to simmer down, when the time has come that I have seen all sides and I am "sober" from the intoxicating anger, that's the time I will blog.

It's a deal.

You Gotta Like Me, Or Else...

2009-05-22T14:34:00.003+08:00

"And this is my life – getting dumped with no warning, or liking people who don’t like me back, or who don’t like me enough, or not as much as they like someone else."

That's a line I read somewhere in the internet. Do I relate to it? Yes and no. Let me explore the "no" first. I can't relate to it because I honestly believe that I have friends and loved ones who truly like (even love!) me back. I've made a decent number of friends (real friends) and i can't complain. I've been blessed. Now for the "yes".

Change is the only constant in life. So every now and then I get to be in a situation where I have to make friends. The problem with starting a new set of friends, the foundation is not there and the assurance that these new "friends" will be there and will remain true and loyal is also not there. So I tend to be insecure when it comes to new friends. Maybe because I lack the understanding or I made a mistake in choosing the new friends, whatever it is, this situation makes me relate to the quote above.

Shout Outs for No One

2009-05-22T14:23:00.002+08:00

I've been told in FB and in person that my shout outs in FB and Twitter are a little risque and sometimes a tad too dramatic and sentimental. Some of them are meant, mind you, but a lot are just ideas that I like. And because I don't have the talent to make an anthology and string them together, I thought of the next best thing: enumerate them whether they connect and make sense together or not. Some of these are original and mine, some are from the net. Here goes nothing...

1. Someone said that I might be making my own monster... maybe I am, but I wasn't concerned coz I thought we'll fight that make-believe behemoth together. Imagine my sadness when I have to fight it alone. My own monster vs. me.

2. My friend Maris says "I love you" to a lot of people that I chide her that "I love you" doesn't sound so special anymore.

3. I admit I can be shallow and petty, I just thought you won't mind. My bad.

4. In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. (not mine)

5. Friends come and go, a friend once said. I replied, if that is true, how come I have never walked out on any one of them?

6. Sometimes we spend too much time reading between the lines that we miss the obvious meaning.

7. Rhetorical questions need no answers.

8. If life gives you lemons, buy some tequila and have a party!!

9. Chaos, panic and disorder . . . my work here is done! (not mine)

10. I just want revenge. Is that so wrong? (not mine)

11. Ingnan bitaw nga bawal, tanawa... papatidpatid na lang ka'g lata sa kalsada. Inigkakita nimu'g trabaho, bayad nya ha!

12. One should regularly do general cleaning, you'll never know the trash that's left from your previous life and the treasure that's waiting to be found.

13. Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after. (not mine)

14. Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't gone to sleep yet. (not mine)

15. Finding love is like waiting for the train, you have to prepare and be on time, or else you will miss your train. The good thing though is that there are more than one trip.

16. One sure fire way to know if I am mad at you is when I don't talk to you anymore... as long as I talk, we're good. So lemme talk.

17. If I was a fool and you agreed with me, that makes us fools of the same feather. Someone should flush us together! Wait, somebody just did!! Weeeeh!!

18. Why would you blame the rain for being soaked when it's your fault you did not bring an umbrella?

19. Question: until when will you kick tin cans off the street before you admit that you have a serious prolbem?

20. When Humpty Dumpty broke, he never was one again. Ever.

Now before I go overdrive some more, I'll stop at 20. Maybe there will be a part 2 of this, definitely maybe.

marami ang namamatay sa maling akala...

2009-04-29T00:25:00.002+08:00

09298772596 texted: Naa pud us nahibaluan sup b na ma promote. Naay attndance issues ug dli man pud dat gud ang prformnce. but we hear ma promote na daw. Dat agent was supose to resign. Pde diay ma promote sup bsan naa DA? hay sup, i wil jst work n exceed wats xpctd for me to dliver. Bhala na lang

09082497800 replied: Tnx 4 ur feedbk bt allow me 2 raise some points: * top performance is not necessary 4 comms coach* HR s d 1 who decides dsqualfictions 4 DAs * i am not d hiring manager, jinji s yet to decide, y assume that d promotion s a done deal? * f u assumd coz i am close w/ dat person, dat means u dnt know me. I may seem 2 favor people close 2 me, but only wen day deserve it. again, d person u r referring 2 hs not been promoted and I dnt know if he will b as d decision is not mine 2 make. thank u 4 ur commitment 2 do ur bst despite of dis. It would be better f u tok 2 me n person so dat i can explain more in detail.

It's funny when people make assumptions and accusations based on what they hear through the grapevine. Not only has this person assumed that Gino (the person the texter is referring to) will be promoted, the texter insinuated that Gino is favored because we are friends. True, we are friends and I will help Gino move-up, but only if he deserved it. Gino has been asking if he could be an SME, but I've always begged off. Not only is there a process, I believe that there are far better candidates. He applied for communications coach, this time. Now that's a different story. For one, I know he is qualified. I can make recommendations. But alas, I am not the hiring manager but the C.O.L. Manager and Jinji (the hiring manager) is still in the process of interviewing people. She will then endorse this to HR. Now if HR indeed has records of disciplinary actions against Gino, I can't controvert that. While a good performance is important, in the position in question, it is not necessary. No matter if you are number one in performance but if you talk like you need a lesson on PREPOSITION 101, you won't be communications coach.

Unless you see the water droplets, don't shout that it's raining. I am but a simple person but don't get ahead of my actions because you might get disappointed.

I did not get the name of the texter, shame.

All About the S.O.F.A.

2009-04-15T14:25:00.003+08:00

I was reading an FB shoutout today when I read one who was complaining about the state of office affairs. I did not mind it, specially that I, myself, am not the model PR spin doctor for my company. I have a lot of complaints and frustrations with my moolah provider so I have nothing against these kinds of venting, specially that I do that, too. The bone I have to pick is with the people who shared their sentiments.

And share they really did. One nincompoop actually averred that the reason for his departure was the deplorable state of office affairs (which I am calling s.o.f.a. moving forward in this article). I can't really tell if his departure was untimely or unexpected but I don't think that the s.o.f.a. had anything to do with his much welcomed exit but as far as I can remember, he had a problem. A big attitude problem. He thinks that he is a deity’s gift to the corporate world. Although, I must admit he is not really a total dim bulb, but there were people with equal if not more talent and with more skills compared to him in the office. So when a series of promotions were opened, they were given to people who had a better work ethic and sunnier disposition. And much like most people with delusion of grandeur, he was deeply hurt with the snub. And true to form, together with his amazing attitude, he is still kicking tin cans off the street waiting for his OFW benefactor. As unemployed as a 70-year old clap-stricken professional stripper.

There were others who also blamed the s.o.f.a. for their (not so) graceful exits totally ignoring the fact that one had a different priority and the other was chased away due to sheer stupidity. Sometimes the tenacity of people to overlook certain truths to make them look better just amazes me.

to tweet or not to tweet...

2009-03-30T13:04:00.003+08:00

I've been getting a lot or request to join/add them in twitter. I am not really scared or anything, it's just I am doubtful if I have enough time to tweet since (1) I am not online all the time, and (2) I do not own a blackberry to update my twitter. As it is I have to regularly check Facebook, Multiply, my blogs, my emails, and even the not-so-in-nowadays Friendster and all these take a lot of my time. I don't even have the time to bloghop and surf. But I've heard about Twitter on CNN, read them in the national paper, and friends and it's bugging me like crazy.

So, should I tweet?

Here is my commitment (when I say it's a commitment, that's damn air tight!): I will creat an account. I will try it out. But if I don't get why all these fuss, I will drop it like a hot potato.

I just hate it when I am behind the bandwagon.

Hodgepodge Updates

2009-03-15T15:43:00.001+08:00

I've been absent in the blogging community for a long time, mainly because we transferred houses and the internet connection was not restored only until very recently. I almost gave up and switched DSL provider. All is well now.

I just came from a very short trip to Manila, just 2 nights. I was there for the Eraserheads reunion concert dubbed "the Final Set". It was worth it. It was worth the effort (I had gout attack the entire time) and the time and money spent. That concert was really for the FANS. Thank you guys!

As I've said, we're in our new house. It's a lovely house. Although complete, my wife and my mom-in-law are busy customizing it to become a home. A home where our new family can finally start and take root. A home where Jacob will grow up in. Hopefully, with other siblings. We are blessed to have such generous parents. We are deeply grateful.

I've now started my 11-hour work day (4 times a week) in the office as part of my "demand" and I've slowly begun doing work for our family biz. I'm still in a daze, though. The length of time I spent in Suth is looong and I am not yet 100% in PLDC. God give me strength.

I wonder when the other part of the bargain will take effect...

My highschool friends and I are starting a blog. We decided to use Tagalog as the main language to use, for a change because most blogs are in English. We were so used to writing in Tagalog back in High School in our formal theme writing and we want to revisit that. It is www.labintatlongmapanganib.blogspot.com (it's still under construction, though).

Negotiable Instruments

2009-02-05T01:16:00.006+08:00

It's been a while since I last posted for this blog. There are a lot of things going on but mostly about my kid. One non-kid related update is that I am rethinking my resignation. I already signified my intention to leave Sutherland because of the developments in my family. My dad's condition is making my mom extra stressed and she can't be 100% on top of things in our family biz. So I have to help out. Hence I resigned.

A few days ago, my boss told me that our site director would want to float some ideas so that I can stay on. I told them that I did not resign to negotiate because I really did not want to resign in the first place if the circumstance was different. I was told that they are willing to give me a more flexibile schedule so that I can also fulfill my family duties. I was thinking of having a 4x11 schedule, still 40 hours of work but 3 days off. I said that to optimize that, my rest days should be on a weekday. My boss was amenable to that. That made me cheerup a bit. But this schedule would mean that I will be working 7 days a week, 4 for Sutherland, and 3 for our family biz. With this much stress, I said I should at least be compensated comensurately for it. My only request is that if I am going to assume the role of team manager or assistant program manager for our program, I should have a higher salary than the highest paid supervisor, at least. Otherwise, I will not be working 7 days a week with the same pay. I know, the other 3 will be in my family but I am not negotiating, they are.

So with that in mind, I negotiate. We'll see come Monday how things will shape up. For those who are reading this, I hope that we keep it to ourselves for now.

My Sinulog Story

2009-01-19T00:25:00.003+08:00

Pit Señor! It's that time of the year again when the entire Cebu goes berserk and drunk to celebrate Sinulog. Too bad I can't be there this year but I am dead sure my friends are celebrating it there like they used to... drunk and wet. Wet, whether it's raining or not!

The difference with Sinulog and the Kadayawan here in Davao is that Sinulog is primarily a religious feast while Kadayawan is a harvest festival. When it's Sinulog time, the entire Cebu is in thanksgiving mode. Even the big establishments. So the big bars celebrate Sinulog with a drink-all-you-can "gimmick", that's why the entire Cebu is drunk during the Sinulog Sunday.

My Sinulog story began with a drink-all-you-can in Club Vudu. I love Vodka so I had my fill of Vodka the entire night I was there in Vudu. Unfortunately, Vodka is also popular so they run out of it fast. The next best thing was Bailey's. The problem is that mixing one's drink is not really good. It makes the stomach go awry.

So there I was, drunk with Vodka and Bailey's. The entire club was having a blast partying while my stomach was also having a different party inside. The party was so wild that I can't take it anymore. I have to let it out. Puke. I seldom really vomit while I drink but this time, I just can't control it. I was having a dilemma if I should go down the stairs and puke in the men's room because I know I won't reach that far. So I decided not to walk the eternity that separated me and the men's room and just barf where I was. The ledge. i was thinking that if I walk, I'd puke at the stairs and people will notice. At the ledge, nobody noticed that I barfed unless someone smelled me.

The first time I celebrated Sinulog, I had a terrible hangover. I never want to drink again after that. Well, for a few days anyway. Those were the days.

If You Seek Amy and Other Things

2009-01-15T17:29:00.006+08:00

Britney Spears has done it again. As if controversy behind her personal life is not enough, Britney is causing stir again with her new song, If You Seek Amy. You ask what's the controversy about? Nope, it's not the video, it's the title itself. What you say is wrong with looking for a girl named amy? Nothing except that the title is a play on words, look closely, "if you seek amy" is just like f-u-c-k-me! Fuck me!!! Oh well, if there's anybody who deserved to say "fuck me!", it's Britney for sure. Check the lyrics below and judge for yourself if indeed it should be banned.

I cause a stir myself to some of my colleagues when I announced my impending departure by end of February. Some suggested that I can juggle working as a call center supervisor and helping out in the family business but most resigned to the fact that I really have to. I have to help my mom in the family business because she will not be able to be 100% because of my dad's illness. Sigh.

The American Idol season has begun yesterday. I'm excited about that. I became a big fan starting season 6 (my bet was the eventual runner-up to Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis) and I can't wait to see how season 8 will turn out.

I've finally figured out what my new year's resolution (or new year promise that I could break) will be. And that is to tone down my outspoken-ness. I am mean and I don't hesitate to make a comment. And I don't mince words. I say it as I see it. This year, I will try to shut my pie hole more often than I want to.

Survey: 45 Qs

2009-01-08T16:51:00.009+08:00

I had a good cry today over the result of the biopsy so let me rest from serious things by answering a survey posted by my friend Diane T. in Friendster.

1. Were you smiling when you woke up this morning? *No matter what time of day I wake up, I never smile. I just frown and shake sleep away.

2. When was the last time you met someone new? *I think Jacob Alan Carlos H. Reyes counts here. I first met him (in person) when the nurse at the San Pedro Hospital showed him to me and she said that the tiny little thing was my son, Jacob.

3. When did you last ate pizza? *My mother-in-law brought a pizza from the new Italian resto in Davao, Spirale last Saturday, January 3, 2009. The day Jacob was born.

4. Do you drink beer? *I'd be lying to my teeth if I said no and all people who know me will gang up on me and call me a liar. Last drinking session was January 1. I was RH positive for the first day of the year.

5. Do you wash your own clothes? *I used to but then I made more money, enough to pay someone to do it for me. Shocks, my mom's going to kick me because I never paid her when she washed my dirties way back then.

6. Are you any good at poker? *I can strip but I can't do poker. I can poke, though, does that count? Big grin.

7. What do you want more than anything? *Ooooh, I better be careful with this one. Good health for my son and my dad. I think I am going to get an award for this LOLz.

8. Are you tired? *I am tired of a lot of things but physically, I am not YET tired, ask me 3 hours from now.

9. Besides your bed, what is your favorite thing in your room? *I would assume that this meant inanimate objects, if that is the case, then it's my laptop. My MacBook goes wherever I go (except the LOO).

10. Pepsi or Coke? *Coke, Coke Zero to be precise.

11. Would you ever take someone back if they cheated on you? *If I am allowed to hurt them as much as they have hurt me, maybe after I will consider.

12. Do you enjoy piercings and tattoos? *Not if it's too much. I want to have a tattoo someday. I do have a piercing, my left lobe. Does that matter?

13. Taco Bell or McDonald's? *So this survey did not come from the Philippines. But let me answer this with a question, do I like to stay on the throne and take lots of dunks? Big Mac please.

14. Are you restless? *Restless meaning wanderlust? Yes. I like to travel. Restless meaning idle hands? Yes. So bottomline, I am always restless in whatever context.

15. Is your computer a desktop or a laptop? *Both, I use my MacBook to download stuff since there is not that much viruses (if any) for Mac OS. The PC is here because it came first. But since it's working, why not use it every now and then.

16. How many Friendster views do you have? *As of January 7, I have 92 views month-to-date. I am not famous, sorry.

17. Want to be a prince/princess? *No, I just want to be plain rich and powerful. No need for blue blood, my B+ is just fine, thank you.

18. Do you believe dreams come true? *I am living my dream. I have a wife who is beautiful inside and out and I just became a dad to a handsome and healthy baby boy.

19. Last song you heard? *Viva La Vida, the version by Boyce Avenue.

20. Do you like Batman? *I love the cartoon version. Although, I like Bruce Wayne more than Batman.

21. What are you wearing on your foot? *As in right now? Nothing coz I am in my room. But normally I am comfy with my Havs and my Croc shoes. On formal occasions I love wearing my Pab Der leathers.

22. What was the last thing you ate? *Mrs. Fields soft and chewy cookie. Just one. Coz I am on a diet.... NOT!

23. What were you doing before this? *I entertained my parents who visited their grandkid.

24. What is the closest item near you that is blue? *The curtain is blue. The bed that I am on is covered in blue. The baby an arm's length away is wearing blue. Blue is part of my life. And just an FYI, so is green although my wife is yet to admit that it's her favorite color.

25. In your opinion what is the weirdest thing listed on goofysicons.com? *Know what's weirder though? That goofysicons.com is in this survey. Makes me want to ask why? Why? There.

26. What instant messaging service do you use? *Is there any other IM provider that's worth my while than Yahoo! Messenger? So for faster and more reliable instant messages, choose what 9 out of 10 bloggers use, Yahoo! Messenger. There, now let me email the Yahoo! people for my fee.

27. What is your favorite website? *There are five sites that I visit on a regular basis, if not daily: Friendster, Multiply, Facebook, Blogger/Blogspot, and Yahoo. But aside from websites that I have a personal account, then that would be the best site in the entire world wide web and that is Wikipedia. Wooot for Wiki!!! I have to email Jimmy Wales for this.

28. Whose house were you at last night? *Just the house that we are renting. Where else?

29. What do you wear more, jeans and sweatpants? *Not just jeans sweetheart, Levi's.

30. What was the last movie you watched? *The last one I saw at the movie house was Twilight and I abhorred it. I am currently finishing La Vita e Bella (Life is Beautiful) right now. I did not have the time to finish it.

31. What do you currently hear right now? *The movement of my wifey in the room and my fingers doing wonders on the keyboard.

32. When did you last buy a new pair of pants? *Does this mean my own money? Can't remember but I did twist my wife's arms for a Bossini slacks in Cebu for my friend Luigi's wedding sometime in October of '08.

33. Where's your favorite place to be? *I like to catch the sunrise near David's Statue here in Davao. I also like the afternoon view of Talomo bay from Felis Resort. I love the wind on my face in TOPs in Cebu.

34. Have you ever heard of the band Our Lady Peace? *For cool points I wish I did, but I only know of Mary, Our Lady of Peace.

35. Where do you sleep? *On our bed. It's the best place to sleep.

36. Where do you shop the most? *I hardly shop. For clothes I love Mossimo and Giordano (nowadays). I love gadgets so I window shop at the Apple iStore. For Malls, at the risk of sounding too stuck up, I do like Chimes. Simply because there is not much of a queue when paying.

37. Where did you get the shirt you're wearing? *Before I changed to this tattered Jockey sando, I was wearing a polo shirt from Marks and Spencer (Ayala Cebu).

38. Coach Purse or NFL game tickets? *Neither, I want a new watch... TAG or Philip Stein please. (note to my wife: no hon, I am not making a hint for you. In 2010 perhaps?)

39. Where was your default pic taken? *I think this question pertains to the Friendster pic, well that was taken at the Nursery of San Pedro Hospital. Now as for this blog's profile pic, it was taken at the Waterfront Insular Hotel before my wedding.

40. Why did you pick your background? *Again, for Friendster, I am not really familiar with the Zelda Wii game but I find it cool. For this blog, I like the utter simplicity.

41. Are you happy with where you are? *If not for my dad's illness, I am extremely happy with where this life has lead me.

42. Do you believe that love at first sight exists? *I used to not really believe it but it happend twice to me. The first time I saw an Audi TT Quattro and the first time I saw my son.

43. Do you believe in celebrating anniversaries? *Yes! But celebrating month-aversaries is altogether a different matter.

44. Do you believe that you can change someone? *No. I believe that I can change myself because of someone. Change should always come from within.

45. What are you going to do after you do this survey? *Dinner time!

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T17:16:00.007+08:00

I always think of myself as not-so-serious. Not because I have a non-serious disposition but more because I think my head throbs when I am being serious. So I try to make things lite in my life. But nothing unheavy is coming my way and it's all about fatherhood and fathers. So at the risk of a splitting head ache, I need to face this with all seriousness.

The year 2009 will be a year of great expectations starting with the first few days. My baby boy is due January 8. I am going to be a father soon. And depending on the doctor's availability, I will be getting the result of my father's biopsy of his tumor right about the same time.

If one is in my position which should be the feelings to entertain first? The joy and excitement of becoming a father or that sadness and grief of having to face the illness of my father. It's not unlike a sweet and sour dish, except that I'd rather just have the sweet part.

So 2009 matter-of-factly will be about my being a father and my father. Sans emotions, that's that. The women in my life (my wife and my mom) will be there, thank God. And they probably will be the key to help all of us survive this year.

So my friends (who are able to read this blog at this point), to me, 2009 will be a lesson on the circle of life. There will be no need for pity or grief for me. But I definitely will need the prayers. For strength (for me and my family) to face this tumor (which I hope is benign) and strength (for me and my wife) to be great parents to our future son.

Lot's of changes in my life this year. Major ones. I don't know how to go about it but I guess there's always the cliche of starting it with a single step. One day at a time. Promise, I won't forget to breathe.

Happy new year!

Christmas Morning

2008-12-26T14:37:00.010+08:00

Wake up little darling

it's Christmas morning

the sun is up, it's time to open

all the gifts that you've been given

You had been dreaming

angels are singing

but now they're gone

and once again it's time

to go on with our lives

Lets hope that the next year

will be better than the last year

and somehow we’d all get by

and maybe the time will come

when we wont need to pretend

to be happy for just a while

World keeps on turning

fools keep on wishing

and when you wake

you’ll find that everything

is not what we dreamed them to be

Wake up little darling

it's Christmas morning

so rise and shine

lets make the most of happy holidays

or maybe i should just

let you dream for a while longer

wherever's a better place than here.

**This is a cut from the Eraserheads' Christmas album, Fruitcake. It is a shame that not many songs became famous from that album because I believe that Fruitcake is the best album from the Eraserheads. I love this song because it paints a realistic picture of the morning after Christmas. That of melancholy. Where we don't need to pretend that all is jolly and happy and we have to face the world yet again, this time without the numbing Christmas euphoria yet still hopeful that there's a better place out there, even if it can only exist in our dreams.**

Can I Cry Now?

2008-12-23T11:55:00.004+08:00

First, it was the pulmonary mass in the x-ray result, it's inconclusive, they say. The realist in me wants to scream the big C but the eternally-hopeful-all-rainbows-and-butterflies me wants to reject it. Besides, it's too early to tell. So we followed the family doctor's in-denial advice to check for other pulmonary diseases. There was a slight improvement but the second x-ray is still showing the mass. Now we go for the more reliable CT Scan.

The result still screams pulmonary mass and the doctor is asking for a biopsy.

How can that be when two years ago your lungs were clear? I can't help but remember the benign mass in your thyroid. Which makes me hopeful that this is benign, too. It could be your incessant smoking since high school, no matter if you already stopped more than a decade ago (note to self: stop smoking). I remember you always complaining about back pains. All these trivial things that I did not mind.

Sigh.

Yours were the strong arms that held me. Now you are so skinny, although not quite skin and bones yet. Your face is now gaunt but that doesn't distort how I see you, you were always handsome. Why do you ask for me before you go for any major medical decision? Why do I have to share that burden? Why do you show me that you are weak and need me to be by your side? It's sweet, I know. It makes me love you more, you always showed me your love.

Sigh.

Papang, be strong. I know you are. That's why I am strong, too. Ever since I was a little boy, you made me feel physically secure. Now that you are fearful, I am too. But I will make you feel secure. With our prayers. With my love. Our love for you will help calm you. The only thing that needs to be done is to say it out loud. I still am hoping that it's not the big C. But I can't help it, I want to cry.

Can I cry now?

All About A Hectic XMAS and GGBs...

2008-12-19T13:03:00.005+08:00

I am currently sitting in a coffee shop waiting for the final shift in the office to end. I had already ended my shift 8 hours ago but I am going back yet again. To think I am supposed to be on RD today. After the last folks' shift will end, I will see to it that the practice for the Christmas chorale will push through. It's quite a hectic week and we're not yet half-way through the activities. Everything about the office is quite frenzied, I don't have any time to think about anything outside my office. I am therefore, amazed how people in the office can afford to have a GGB (that's short for gulo-gulong buhay).

GGB is basically a crazy LOVE life. I will, in the future, discuss about the people who have GGB in detail. But just to give an example here's one, I have a friend who has more than one girlfriend. When both his GFs found out, they both confronted him and made him choose. So choose he did. Problem solved? Not really. A week after, they found out that the girl he did not choose got pregnant. Crazy isn't it? Guess what's more crazy? I think because of the pregnancy he and the girl he chose broke up. No, that's not what is crazier. The crazy thing is that after he continued hovering the girl he got knocked up after he broke up with the girl he chose (which should've solved his problem) he again had another girlfriend. Crazy dude.

I was browsing through some of the past blogs of some people I know. The trouble with reading past blogs, you get to somehow read on some things people wrote before you became friends or got to know each other. In one of 'em past blogs, I read something who I think was about me and referred to as an APE. I did not know that I look like one although I am not sure that it was me, it could be my boss. It's either him or me, that's for sure. I was surprised that I got affected by the statement somehow. This was no close friend and I have always fancied myself as someone who do not care about what other people think so I was really shocked that the allusion hit me somehow. Of course I recovered after 15 seconds from reading the sentence. However, it disappointed me that I did not coolly respond to it as I thought I would.

Should I ignore or should I get back at the blogger? Hmnnnn.... LOLZ.

Misnomer

2008-12-17T09:12:00.005+08:00

If blogs should be named according to it's content then this blog's name is a misnomer. This blog will be about me. Yes, the tag line (insomniac by choice) is the hint but the picture says it all. It's not about being sleepless at all but about ME. After all, vanity is my favorite sin. Well, sometimes maybe I may write about about people I know, things I like, and things I like to do (that societal norms would allow to be published).

Sleepless is the title because that is how I am. I hardly get enough sleep. But even if I sleep for 12 hours straight, I would still be sleepy. I am perennially yawning. Although, most of the time, when it's time for me to sleep, I'd rather not. I either want to hang out with friends drinking (and smoking) or watcing TV or surfing the net.

So basically, this blog will just be an avenue for me to be heard and understood. It's about me and the world as seen by my extemely handsome eyes. Did I forget to say that not only am I vain, I also am yet to know the meaning of humilty?

And before I make your eyes roll, my friend, let me stop and allow me to thank you for dropping by this vanity blurbs. You come back now, ya hear!

Malapascua on My Mind

2008-12-12T11:12:00.005+08:00

It was a very long arduous 3-hour trip from Cebu City to the village of Maya in the town of Daan Bantayan. We were on a rustic bus that can barely hold itself together and barely protected us from the elements. The trip was excruciatingly uneventful punctuated only by a bulldozer hitting a tree. That should've been really funny except that it was an accident that could cost the bulldozer driver his job, but that didn't prevent us to chuckle (a little).

Finally, we arrived in Maya all in one piece. Although shaken and stirred, we still manage to be upbeat, after all, this was our team outing. We boarded a motorized banca which was more rickety that our bus. Unlike our bus ride, the boat ride was filled with anticipation. We can see numerous islets and the silhouette of the islands of Leyte and Masbate. In the distance beckoned our destination, Malapascua Island.

Malapascua has been featured on television many times before. It was on Explorer, Travel Time, and the Probe Team to name a few. The island is known for it's "inhabitants". The thresher shark, know for its long tail, the white tip shark that are found on the shallow waters nearby, and the sea snake that are abundant on the rocky islets near the island.

We docked on the shore at around mid-afternoon. Malapascua was all people say it was and more. It was rustic. In spite its proximity to Cebu, the island is relatively unspoilt. The beach is as fine as powder and the sea, blue as can be. The lack of electricity after midnight adds to the romance of Malapascua. We only had the moon as our light. We had a bonfire, it was quite small but enough to warm our hearts and allow us to have a good time while we share stories about our urban life, worlds away from the tranquility of the borrowed island life we were having. Only the sound of the wind blowing, the splash of the sea as it breaks surf and our laughter fill the air.

We had a hearty breakfast. After that we boarded a banca and explored the waters off the island's shoreline. We had a full view of how beautiful the island was. How I wish we had enough time to explore the island and see the remote beaches upclose. We only had two stops, the first was to check the parola or lighthouse which was powered by solar pannels, and second was to dip in the water in full view of the island's cemetery. After we had our fill, we prepared to leave the island.

The trip back to Cebu City was still long and arduous but the memory of Malapascua was still so fresh that we just can't complain.

note: This is a repost from an old blog. This trip took place in 2004.