Singapore Lah!

Last June 16, my friends Blanca, Tiny, together with Tiny's friend Liza, and I boarded AirPhil Express' 3:20PM flight to Singapore from Cebu. We were to spend 6 days in Singapore for a holiday.

I must say, the immigration officers at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) are tough! They asked for a lot of documents from my friends (aside from the usual company ID that we know will be checked). After a few minutes of delay at the immigration counter, we breezed through the last security check before we settled in the waiting lounge.

When we got to Singapore's immigration counter, the only thing the immigration officer said to me was 'Good evening,' as a reply to my greeting. He did not even ask a single question!

Another college friend, Kirk, and his brother Don met us at the airport. Despite their suggestion, we chose to take the MRT instead of a taxi (or two taxis). Ha! We lugged our suitcases around as we moved from one train to the next, one station to the other.

We have already anticipated that we will be walking a lot around Singapore. In fact, I brought along some sneakers and flip flops just so I can go around Singapore comfortably.

For a Filipino earning in the Philippines, Singapore is just so expensive. But I had a lot of fun going around the different sights and attractions, meeting friends who have already called Singapore home, and just exploring a completely new place and culture with close friends.

We will definitely go back to Singapore. By then there will definitely be another new attraction to check out (Singapore Zoo's River Cruise, for one).

I'm sharing some pictures from our trip. Enjoy!

A Pushover

There has been some unneeded drama in my life recently. The highs of my recent Singapore trip were replaced by a lot of heartache and tears.

My closest of friends know the reason for the negativity in my life these days. In fact, I have always felt so helpless and trapped. I cannot even share these with the people we assume will always be there to support us for the reason that they are the cause.

I have cried buckets before and thought I have run out of tears. Boy was I wrong!

I was in the middle of my cry-a-thon when one of my good friends sent me a message on Facebook about a comment on one of our photos from our Singapore trip. She made me laugh. And for a while, I forgot about how down I was feeling. Even if I didn't want to unload my problems on her, she insisted that she can be a friend who'll listen. So I spilled my guts to her. At first, she didn't say much except to urge me along with my story. However, after I have told her everything, she told me that she'll be brutally honest and let me know that I have always been a martyr and pushover when it comes to my family. She apologized for being blunt, probably fearing I might get offended. I assured her that she shouldn't apologize because she just voiced what I had been feeling all along. And she was right, 101%.

Yes, I admit that I always accommodate the wishes and decisions of my family for me. Not anymore. From then on, I said to myself that I will have to stand up for myself. That day, my friend was just the person I needed. I didn't need another lecture on how I should think of my family, or that maybe they just care so much about me. Nor did I need a friend with the usual 'okay ra na' (it will be okay). I needed that wake-up call.

Getting My Barangay Clearance

I have been super, and I really mean super, busy for the past week. I had job interviews, meetings, appointments, and 60 essays to grade. Whew! Add to that, I had to secure some requirements for my agent's license. Yes, I've decided to take on a new career.

One of the requirements was to get either an NBI clearance or a barangay clearance. I already have my NBI clearance, which I already submitted to that one company I was supposed to start working for in July. I could get another, but that would mean another P115 for something I already have. So, I decided to get a barangay clearance. Easy enough, right?

The only obstacle I had though was finding the barangay hall of Barangay Calamba, where we belong. That is another story.

I called ahead to make sure there were still open since it was almost 10:30AM. I know offices close for lunch, but lunch can mean as early as 11AM for government offices. The lady I spoke with assured me that they will be open till noon. Good.

Requirements:
Nothing. Nothing except for the P20 for the clearance. The barangay secretary handed me a pen and a piece of paper and asked me to write down my name, address, and the purpose for the barangay clearance. I just wrote Employment as my purpose.

Total amount I spent? Twenty Pesos. Although, I must warn you that I am writing specifically only for my barangay, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City. Requirements and fees may differ from one barangay to another. I know this because I looked up some of the requirements online before I went to my barangay. It's better you call your own barangay hall ahead and inquire about requirements and fees before going there.

Too Much Hatred

A very unfortunate incident happened in Manila recently. This did not only involve the Philippines, but Hong Kong as well. An ex-policeman hijacked a tourist bus full of Hong Kong tourists. Along with the Hong Kong tourists were three Filipinos (photographers and a driver).

The hostage situation lasted for 12 hours, and tragically, eight of the Hong Kong tourists were killed. This isn't the first bus hijacking in Manila. Years back, a man also hijacked a bus full of children on an educational tour. The standoff should have made our police re-think their tactical approach to such situations. Should have, but didn't.

Public outrage escalated in Hong Kong. Demonstrations were frequently made at the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong. There was even a Filipina domestic worker who was allegedly fired after and because of the incident. A lot of the Hong Kong people took to the social networking sites and posted their hateful messages, mostly to the Filipino people and the Philippines itself. Some cursed the Philippines and even vowed to never go to the Philippines and to forbid their family and friends from going to the country as well.

I tweeted my feelings about the whole outcome of the recent incident in Manila. And since twitter puts a limit on posts, I'll copy the tweet here, and explain more on it.

My tweet:

"I understand the Hong Kong people's sentiments and outrage for the Manila hostage-taking incident. I would also be angered if it happened to any innocent Filipino abroad. And I believe that the Filipinos are not exempt from such incidents. However, the way this is going, it seems like the only way for the HK people to feel "avenged" is for 8 Filipinos to die the same way. I don't think this is the way to go. The action of one individual, and the incompetence of some do not equate to the entire Philippine population. Yes, it's true that the situation could have been handled differently. And it's true that lives were lost. But there's just too much hatred. The Filipinos should still stand proud and stand by its country. Let us all stop blaming others. Our country needs us now more than ever. I don't want to start enumerating the incidents where innocent Filipinos were killed in other countries, and some are still awaiting justice. And I know there are so many. I hope the HK people won't take it against the Filipinos working in their country. I appreciate non-Filipinos saying good things about the Philippines. The Filipinos should do the same. Wherever we may be, we are FILIPINOS. It doesn't matter who the present leader is, we are still FILIPINOS. Be proud."

It is normal and expected for a country to feel what Hong Kong is feeling after having such a tragic incident happen to not one, but eight of their countrymen. The people came together to rally behind the loss of eight innocent lives in such a senseless way.

What is not normal is for the Filipinos to ridicule, laugh at, and curse its own nation, the Philippines. We should be the first to stand by our country. Yes, our police are ill-equipped to handle such critical situations, and yes, there are a lot of factors that contributed to the outcome of the hostage crisis, but we as a nation should work together to help the Philippines out of this situation. It is so easy to lay blame at the police or the President even, but this is not helping our country's current situation.

As a result of the incident, tourism will surely go down, especially from Hong Kong. One news report stated that there are about 500 canceled flights to the Philippines from Hong Kong. Tourism is one of the bigger source of jobs for our people in the country. When the industry goes down, the demand for tourism-related jobs goes down with it, and so will the jobs of many of the Filipinos. So, this is not the time to post anything in Facebook or Twitter that will degrade the integrity of the Philippines and the Filipino people.

Don't get me wrong. I was scared for the hostages and was glued to the TV almost the entire time. I prayed for the remaining hostages, and cried when I saw the bodies being carried out of the bus after. I got mad at the hostage-taker and for the means he carried out his cry for "help", by involving innocent people, including children! I felt embarrassed with the comments and the news reports on the "blunders" committed by the authorities in the situation. But I never wanted to badmouth the Philippines. I am still proud to be a Filipino.

I just hope and pray that the Hong Kong people do not take the Philippines and the Filipinos as their enemy. I also pray that we, the Filipinos come together as a nation in support of our country. There's just too much hatred that it breaks my heart to read Filipinos bashing fellow Filipinos in social networking sites.

Inactive SIM

I have two postpaid lines under my aunt's name. I have had my SMART Gold number for almost 4 years now, and my Sun Cell number for 2 years. My aunt got the former as a corporate deal with her airline, while the latter was her personal number, until she gave up due to Sun's unreliable network signal in Parañaque.

Just this March, my manager asked to borrow my phone so she can insert her SIM card. Her phone's battery was dead and she said she needed to reach our boss. I obliged and removed my SIM card myself. I had done this before, and I wasn't worried that I would lose any contacts. I had returned my SIM card when I got an 'Invalid SIM' error. I tried to enter my PIN code, but I still got the same error.

I went to SMART's wireless center and asked them what the problem was. The customer service rep said that the card is damaged and needs replacement. They told me that I had to pay P320.40 or something. The problem is, I would need my aunt's letter of authorization and a valid ID. Well, my chances of getting those was slim to none. My aunt hates my guts, as I hate hers. XD So I did not do anything, and for 2 months now, I have not had the chance to use my SMART number again.

Then, just this Saturday, my SUN number showed 'INACTIVE SIM'. OMG! I was hoping my line just got disconnected for going over my credit limit or something. Although, I know I didn't since I never got any warning message from Sun about it, but that can easily be fixed by paying my bill.

Yesterday, I went to the Sun Shop to pay my bill and ask about my account's status at the same time. I waited for so long until a representative checked out my account and was told that it was 'Active'. Conclusion: My SIM's broken. I need to have it replaced and will have to pay P150. Again, they told me that I would need my aunt's letter of authorization and valid ID. BINGO! That's two-for-two.

So, as you may have guessed, I am without a phone. I will have to get my OWN line. It's just about time.

Watch Your Back

I have been working since summer of 2001. I started as a part-time waitress at this smart-casual restaurant. I have had a lot of different roles or work after that. I was once a sales clerk working at a wine store, a management trainee, a call center agent, a QA specialist, and now, a virtual personal assistant.

As you may have guessed, I have worked for different industries as well. Aside from food and beverage, I also worked for a prominent BPO, a global hotel chain, and even a startup company such as my present employer.

I have met different people with different personalities - good and bad. That's one thing I am grateful for: that I am able to determine a person's attitude/personality. I guess I have developed this skill over time.

Ever since I experienced my first conflict at work, I have experimented on ways to deal with it. I have tried ignoring the issue, confronting the issue and the other party, and quitting my job as soon as it got unhealthy.

In any company setting, people with varying personalities and background will surely clash one way or another. How you deal with it and prevent it is completely up to you.

I have learned to always watch my back. You always have to look out for yourself. Trust no one but yourself.

It angers me that some people go to great lengths to bring misery to others. Right now, I do not wish to involve myself with people who are too selfish to think of the welfare of others. But what hurts me more is the feeling of 'betrayal' I get from people I have considered my friends. I do not like the feeling of paranoia.

I'd like to think that I have done no harm to others to deserve this. If they are doing this to me because they'd like to get my job, then success wouldn't be as sweet to them. I have worked my butt off to get to where I am, without stepping on others and without deceiving anybody. Why couldn't they do the same?

Letter of Complaint

I got this as an attachment of a forwarded email. The addressee is a local hotel in Cebu and the sender of the email is one of the heads of a college in Butuan City. He seems very angry in the said email (as you can see for yourself), yet I find it very amusing. The grammar and spelling in his email does not match that of a person in the academe with several doctorate and masteral degrees under his belt. (Yes, he enumerated all his degrees in the letter. Even when it was not relevant to the subject of the complaint.)

Here's the mail (note: I replaced the email addresses with 'x'. The letter itself is in its original form, including capitalization and emphasis.)

From: Dennis Mxxxxxxxx

Subject: Complaints of a VERY VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

To: “XXX International Hotel”

Date: Sunday, February 14, 2010, 7:03PM

February 15, 2010

TO: THE MANAGEMENT OF XXX HOTEL

Being the Academic Director and Head of the Planning and Development Center of Sxxxx Xxxxxxx College of Xxxxxx, lead school of the 26 schools of the Diocese of Xxxxx in Xxxxxx Region, I am very much disappointed with the services and treatment given to us by your establishment. Let me say this in vernacular so that things and issues be more clear.

1.) We are your guests regardless they are students or not they must be treated with utmost respect and care.

2.) Your operations head is not professional when he called the attention of the student who trigger the fire alarm. It must be me who has the SOLE responsibility to call his attention not the HOTEL since you have no jurisdiction to them to discipline since they are NOT your students.

3.) I don’t care the amount of your carpet among others as what the owner said during our meeting. To hell with that amount. Ang tama sana if meron mang damage sa room then you bill us the damage prior to our check out. Other hotels do that. Pag meron damage

Then bill nyo sa guest but nyo pa ipaalam the rate amount sa gastos nyo. Nakatawa lang ko ninyo kay mura mo ug NATAGAW sa nyo ninyo nga hotel nga poor ang services.

4.) Yung mga staff nyo sa restaurant na naka white uniform pa gang aming students musakay sa elevator kataw an ug tan awn. UNSA man NAKA MINOS mo?

5.) During the orientation sa hotel nyo with my HRM students. A student of ours asked a question regarding your hotel’s vision and mission statement. Ang sagot nyo the “Vision and Mission of the Hotel is CONFIDENTIAL”. How come naging confidential

vision and mission na in management ruling kailangan yung vision and mission has to be posted in a place where it is visible to all Hindi po confidential yan correct lang po kayo kasi not nice to here na ang isang hotel like you dont know that.

6.) Hotels are part of the hospitality industry. I was one of the delegate in the Canada training for tourism industry representing our region in the academe sector and i know what dapat gawin in a hotel industry. I was sadden because napaka poor ng customer service nyo. it seems na yung comfort ng owner or heads and concern nyo not the comfort of the guests. Be reminded na the strategy to follow supposedly is that the guests must feel they are at home para naman balik balikan kayo. Yung ibang hotels nga kahit naiinis na sila sa guests nila smile pa rin kasi yun talaga ang customer service essence. Dapata yun ang treatment not na mura ta NAGKINTO kay masuko ang mga heads sa hotel.

7.) WATER is one of the basic services in a hotel but sad to say from day 1 to day 3 the same problem. Yung mga students naligo on the middle biglang nawala water dami pa soap sa katawan. Yung iba nag cr hindi ma flush yung waste. napaka IRRESPONSIBLE and shameful for a hotel na walang tubig. You keep on looking the faults of our students but you never asked with regards to the quality of your services. Yung nag meeting tayo I waited na tanungin nyo ako HOWS are services pero walang nag ask sa akin. That means focus lang kayo sa self nyo where in fact maling mali kayo if you are a customer service centered hotel the first question nyo dapat is How’s our hotel? then the rest follows.

8.) I was shocked also when you told us na sana yung schedule namin sa tour ng students pag uwi sa hotel dapat pagod na students para sleep nalang sila no time to move na sa hotel. Napaka IRRESPONSIBLE naman na statement nay an. We all have the rights na gumamit sa hotel wt time we want ano paki alam nyo we are paying for it. If your concern baka meron masira or ma damage ang mga students sa room or sa hotel e di e bill nyo sa amin kailangan pa ba e inform kami sa gastos nyo nakakatawa naman kayo mura man gud mo NATAGAWAN sa inyo new kunohay nga hotel.

9.) Yes it is important na maganda ang facilities pero mas important ang customer service sana sa management nyo meron kayo training on how to deal with customers regardless of their color, status, religion, among others. Mura man gud ug naka MINOS mo namo. E remind tamo nga ang major nako sa Doctoral nako is Organizational Development and Transformation. I am a registered nurse and a master in nursing and master in organizational development and doctor in organizational development. My staff na sumama sa tour is a doctor in business administration, yung dalawa master in information technology at yung isa is a master in hotel and restaurant management. Kaya during our meeting after our talk last friday nakatawa me ninyo kay mura man tawn mo walay mga training sa management.

A piece of advice lang po, treat all your guests with utmost respect that is full of care and be hospitable because that is what is your business all about. You belong to hospitality industry and i believe you firmly understand what that means. Nice to have a new facilities wherein dapat naman talaga so dat you will be more competitive but first and foremost the way you treat and care your guests is the most important one. Water as a basic service, warm welcome and treatment and most of all sana ma feel namin na we are welcome and we are at home na we fill comfortable and ease while staying in your hotel. SANA GANUN KAYO!

Also, try to look your venue restaurant napaka walang privacy pag kakain ka daming tao na pass by. wrong placement sana meron inclusion naman while kakain tayo at least meron man lang privacy ng kunti. Also provide the rooms with directories like front desk, house keeping, etc, also provide menu in the room so that those who want to order food room service meron kami ma tingnan yan ginawa ng ibang hotels.

Next time also, if takot talaga kayo then wag na kayo accept students or better if put them in the garage or pull out the carpets kasi natatakot kayo ma damage sana di nalang mo nag carpet kay mura man mo ug tagaw. Makatawa man lang ta ninyo.

Hoping you will be more open to comments.

Thanks for a NOT NICE ACCOMMODATION to us we truly treasure it.

Dennis P. Mxxxxx, RN, MN, MAOD, DODT

Director for Academic Affairs and

Head, Planning and Development Center

Priorities

It's Good Friday and that means I have a long weekend ahead. Since my office follows the Australian holidays, we have Easter Monday off, too! Sweet!

Anyway, I just enjoyed some of the KFC Bucket Meal I had delivered to my home. I had ordered it for our lunch. Unfortunately, I had to eat it alone. My mom does not get off work until about 1 this afternoon, and my sister is somewhere out there, having drinks with her friend. Yes, at 11 in the morning, she is sober no more.

I did not really speak to my sister for about a week now since she blew me off for her friends. I hate it when that happens. I am always there for her when she needed me or needed my company, at least. Could she not do the same for me?

It all started when one afternoon, at around 3PM, she called me up on my cell. I was at work that time. I don't clock out till 4PM. She asked if I had a class to teach later that afternoon (I also teach English to a Korean from 5PM to 7PM). I had to tell her that I do have a class that afternoon. Of course I asked why she asked, and she replied that she wanted to eat dinner with me.

I told her that we can meet in Ayala since that would be in the middle of my student's house and our house, where she was. She told me that she would just text me after my class.

At 7PM, I was on my way to SM to buy supplies for the office. I asked her if she still wanted to meet and that maybe we can just meet at SM. She said that she didn't feel like going out anymore. In her words, she felt 'lazy'. I didn't push her and hung up.

Imagine my surprise, and disappointment, when I got a text from her saying that she was going out with some friends. This was just some 10 minutes after I spoke with her! I called her after an hour and asked if she was going home anytime soon, thinking that we could go together. She said that she had no idea what time they will be going home and that they were probably going to the beach.

She was not yet home when I left for the office early the next morning. If her priorities are her friends, then fine. Go drinking with them all night if that's what you want to do. Don't come crying to me because you're sick of pneumonia or something else due to your late night drinking sessions. I will no longer be your nurse and I will no longer be there at your beck and call. I had counted on you to be the only rational and logical reason for me to come back to Cebu. Not anymore.

Food Delivery Numbers

I know, it's not healthy to always eat fast food. But sometimes, I crave for pizza or my favorite sundae and I don't want to get out of the house for it.

Here are the contact details of some of the restaurants or fast food chains that offer delivery:

McDonald's

Delivery Numbers: (02) 8-6236 (Metro Manila); (032) 348-6236 (Metro Cebu)

Delivery Website: http://www.mcdelivery.com.ph

Note: 24-Hour Delivery for Metro Manila only

No more minimum order required, but a fixed delivery charge of P40 applies

Yellow Cab Pizza

Delivery Numbers: (032) 254-1111 (Cebu Mango - Open 24 hours); (032) 345-2222 (Banilad Town Center Cebu)

Jollibee

Delivery Numbers: (02) 8-7000 (Metro Manila); (032) 238-7000 (Metro Cebu)

Note: 24-Hour Delivery in selected stores only

Minimum food purchase required is P200.

Chowking

Delivery Numbers:

For Metro Manila Residents: Landline: (02) 9-8888

Globe Subscribers: (02) 9-8888

Smart Subscribers: 9-8888

Sun Subscribers: (02) 988-8888

For Metro Cebu Residents: Cebu Fuente: (032) 253-4643

KFC

Delivery Numbers: (032) 254-9435 / (032) 254-9436 (Cebu - Redemptorist Branch)

Minimum food purchase required is P300 (at least for me here in B. Rodriguez St, Cebu City)

Happy Father's Day!

Dad, Daddy, Papa, Pops, 爸爸, パパ, 아빠... However you call him, he will still be the same FATHER.

To all the fathers, your role in a child's life is as important as that of a mother. You deserve the love and respect for the hard work, the protection and the love you give to your family. Thank you.

My grandfather was like my father to me. So Papa, wherever you may be, THANK YOU. I miss you.

While surfing, I found these modified logos of a few search engines:

AOL


GOOGLE


YAHOO


YAHOO PHILIPPINES

Shanghai

I'm looking forward to my trip next month. I will finally get to see a very good friend whom I have not seen in almost a year. I will be traveling to Shanghai where Joan is currently a resident, studying Mandarin.

Ooohh, I can't wait! I honestly want to talk about my upcoming trip to everyone. But of course I don't do that. Hahaha! I just hope I can get to all the wonderful attractions Shanghai has to offer. And my officemates and manager are excited too! They can't wait for me to come back with pasalubong! =)

Even the Influenza A(H1N1) doesn't seem to scare me into canceling this trip. So far, I've been told that there has not been any case of such in my Joan's area. I hope it continues to stay that way until we come back to the Philippines. I just have to buy some surgical mask and alcohol to bring on my trip. Even though I'm not scared (I live with an international FLIGHT ATTENDANT, for crying out loud!) of A(H1N1), it still pays to be cautious.

So, Shanghai, here I come!

Happy 111th Philippine Independence Day!

I'm free to enjoy the long weekend...
I'm free to sight-see with my visitors from Cebu...
I'm free to wake up late! hehehe

I also saw these logos from two search engines that commemorate this occasion.

Google (Philippines)

and

Yahoo! (Philippines)

Francis M Succumbs to Leukemia

Friday, March 6, 2009 - I was at work on my computer when an email came in from my friend, Ares.  He sent me a screenshot of a news article online stating that Francis M died at The Medical City.  He lost his battle with leukemia after bravely fighting it for so long.  He was 44.

I relayed the news of his death to my officemate right beside me, and everyone within earshot gathered around my PC to see the news.  The news of his passing literally sent chills down my spine as I thought of how young he was and how he was like someone I know personally, although I don’t, because I grew up knowing him as an artist and entertainer.

His song, Mga Kababayan, was one of the first few songs that I was proud to have known when I was a kid.  My friends and I would sing the chorus.

Aside from Mga Kababayan, I also like Kaleidoscope World.  The mellow melody and the wonderful lyrics never fail to warm my heart.  It represents the different people in the world and that together, we make it beautiful - just like the colors in a kaleidoscope.

The show in ABS-CBN Showbiz News Ngayon (SNN) presented a short tribute to the life of Francis M, in lieu of its usual programming.  He was shown to be a very cool dad to his eight kids, a very loving husband to wife Pia, a great artist, producer, director, photographer, and Filipino.  He was always proud to be a Filipino.  Why else do you think he wrote his big hit Mga Kababayan?  

I personally usually do not watch shows on GMA 7, but I decided to watch Eat Bulaga, as they paid tribute to the Master Rapper Francis M.  Everyone was moved to tears as each performer (like Gary V and Raymond Lauchenco) sang for their good friend.  Clips of his previous concerts, TV appearances, performances, movies (remember Bagets?) and music videos were shown.  It’s nice to see the people smile as they remember Francis, or Kiko as he was known.

His Multiply account was flooded with messages of condolences to the family.  They also expressed how they will always remember him as the Master Rapper he was.

Francis M may be gone, but he will forever live in our hearts, and will live through his beautiful music he left us with.

Wherever you are, I hope you know how many are saddened by your sudden passing.  You will definitely be missed.  Farewell.

Francis M - Kaleidoscope World

This is a video for the song performed by one of my favorites, Akafellas.

So many faces, so many races
Different voices, different choices
Some are mad, while others laugh
Some live alone with no better half
Others grieve while others curse
And others mourn behind a big black hearse
Some are pure and some half-bred
Some are sober and some are wasted
Some are rich because of fate and
Some are poor with no food on their plate
Some stand out while others blend
Some are fat and stout while some are thin
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

[chorus]
Every color and every hue
Is represented by me and you
Take a slide in the slope
Take a look in the kaleidoscope
Spinnin’ round, make it twirl
In this kaleidoscope world

Some are great and some are few
Others lie while some tell the truth
Some say poems and some do sing
Others sing through their guitar strings
Some know it all while some act dumb
Let the bassline strum to the bang of the drum
Some can swim while some will sink
And some will find their minds and think
Others walk while others run
You can’t talk peace and have a gun
Some are hurt and start to cry
Don’t ask me how don’t ask me why
Some are friends and some are foes
Some have some while some have most

[repeat chorus]

Kaleidoscope world
In this kaleidoscope world

Source: tintinnabulation of YouTube for the video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRhbxB7UTNk>

Lyrics! for the song lyrics<http://lyrics.rebelpixel.com/2006/03/kaleidoscope-world/>

Where to Watch You Changed My Life

TGIF!  In my previous post, I was looking forward to today because we were supposed to watch the Sarah-John Lloyd film You Changed My Life.  We did our research by checking on the schedules online this afternoon.

We found out that in the Makati area, where our office is, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 1 and 3, and Power Plant Mall cinemas show the said movie.  Since we get off at 7PM, we figured that we wouldn't be able to make the 7:20PM showing in Greenbelt, while Glorietta's 7:40PM was viable.  If we won't be able to make it, the next showing was at 8:30PM.  So we thought, no biggie.  Right?

WRONG!  When we got to Glorietta 4 (since there were more cinemas here showing the movie), we could barely move because of the people lining up to purchase tickets to YCML.  OMG!  That was all we could say.

We waited in line, hoping to be able to catch at least the 8:30 showing.  Unfortunately, by the time we got to the counter, the earliest we could get seats in would be at 10:10PM!  OMG again!  My officemates each have a child, so they could not do the 10PM show.  We had to admit defeat and retreat.

I was so disappointed.  I never thought there would be this much people now as it was already the third day of showing.  Well, there's always tomorrow.  I hope.  

For those wanting to check the show times in your area, visit ClicktheCity.com.

A Bad Dream

Today was a very lousy day for me.  I woke up 30 minutes later than I should.  Probably because I didn’t get to sleep till 1AM. 

I did wake up when my two alarm clocks went off at 6:30, but was too sleepy that I just hit the snooze button and went back to sleep.  I saw that my Mom had called twice while I was sleeping.  I checked the time and the call came in at 2:30 AM.  

Since I was almost running late, I decided to call her back after I ate breakfast.  It wasn’t like my Mom to call unless she heard something in the news that wasn’t good.  One example is the fatal explosion in Glorietta 2, which also happened to be very near the shuttle terminal where I get a ride home from work.

When she picked up, her first words were, “Okay ra ka?” (Are you okay?)  I asked her why she asked that and she just said that she had a very bad dream.  It’s no ordinary bad dream.  What made it alarming was that even if she woke up several times, when she went back to sleep, the dream picked up where it left off.

The dream: According to my Mom, she was walking and took the overpass/foot bridge.  I was a baby, she said, and she was carrying me.  All of a sudden, she felt that I had become lighter.  When she looked at the baby (me), she knew I was dead.  This was when she first woke up.

When she went back to sleep, she was frantically shouting for help and administering CPR/mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the baby.  This went on until she couldn’t go back to sleep.  Thus, the early morning wakeup call.

She advised me to be careful, even instructing me to pray as  I leave the house, make the sign of the cross.  

I really don’t believe in such things, but I know how my Mom must have felt when I didn’t answer my phone.  I also had the same dream of my brother.  When I didn’t get a reply from my SMS, I called him up to make sure he was alright.

The day is over, but does that mean I’m really safe?  Is there an expiry date on bad dreams?  One thing I’m sure of, I don’t want to die yet.

You Changed My Life

I'm so excited!  In fact, I can't wait for this Friday so I can finally watch this movie.

You Changed My Life is the sequel to the first ever movie teamup of Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz.  The first movie drew some doubts from the people as this was the first time the two were paired for a movie.  The first project they had together was for a drama special episode for Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK).  No one seemed to think that the loveteam would ever work.  But it did!  In fact, A Very Special Love, their first movie was a blockbuster hit.

I did not get to see A Very Special Love when it played in the cinemas.  When news got out that a sequel was in the works, my officemates urged me to watch it before You Changed My Life hit cinemas.  And I did, courtesy of YouTube!  

I loved the first movie, and I can't wait for the next one.  I laughed so hard and cried as hard.  I mean, who could ever forget the Sun Dance?!  Even AiAi used it in her movie!  Hahahaha!

My officemates and I have made a date this Friday to head straight to the nearest cinemas.  Oooohhhh.... I'm super excited!

Photo courtesy of Star Cinema @ <http://starcinema.multiply.com>

Tribute (Written 2 years ago)

School’s out. Finally!

Before we actually part ways, allow me to give credit to the people who have made my stay in Peyups unique, enjoyable, fun and memorable.

BS Management ‘06 Block A –> Guys, thank you soooooo much for welcoming me into your block.  As a shiftee, it’s difficult for me to actually find a place I can say that I belong.  THANK YOU ALL! MISS YOU!

Honey Fe –> Thanks for the friendship, the times we hang out together either in school or in Ayala.  Remember the trips to the fitting room?  Imagining which top goes with which skirt/pants?  Hahaha… Those were fun moments.  Thank you also for the stories, the singing sessions we had, and the laughter we shared.  You are a strong person, Hon, and for that I salute you!

Jackie Capin –> Mommy Jackie, a.k.a. Kumare!  Thank you for the direct criticisms and the compliments I got from you.  I enjoyed every moment I shared with you… Those were our "bonding" moments, aight?  :D  Thank you for the laughter, stories, and the fun times.  Thank you also for the friendship and the trust you gave me by having me as the godmother of baby Adie (correct ba spelling?).  You are the strongest person I’ve known, Jack, and I hope you won’t hesitate to call on me for just about anything (lisod kung financial. tee-hee) when you feel like the problem is just way too big for you to handle alone.

Joan Balbin –> Thank you for welcoming me into your circle of friends.  Thank you for the invitations for a night out (POD5!) or just hanging out at your house.  I really appreciate that you don’t hesitate to say what you don’t want.  It makes me get to know you better faster and easier… heheh…   Sorry if I have caused you inconvenience in the past.  I love our chika-sessions together with Choi and Tiny coz I find out lots of new things from you… Remember Wong Fu Productions, Backdorm Boys, and YouTube?  (Philip Wang, the best! hehehe)  Thanks also for making me sane during the 19th Philippine Ad Congress. haha..  Your presence there was very reassuring.

Choi –> Jessica Soho?  Hehe… Thanks for the memories I had with you and Gemma starting from our OJT sa Cebu Chamber of Commerce.  I had a blast!  I didn’t know you personally then, but thanks to the summer practicum I gained not only two friends (you and Gemma P.) but more pa.  I’d like to thank you for the friendship, the stories and the fun times we had.

Tiny –> Can’t wait to thank you, actually.  Thank you for saying, "Gi-adopt na jud ka namo sa Block A, Ceej."  Whew!  You don’t know how great that felt when I heard you say it.  Just writing about it now got me misty-eyed.  *Char! but true.  I guess Maslow was right when he said that everyone has the need to belong.  You just fulfilled that need for me.  Thank you for bearing with me when I was in my ka-dramahan mood, or in my talkative mood coz I don’t think anyone would have been as patient with me as you have been, Tin.  Thank you, thank you and thank YOU.

Blanca –> Thanks for having me as a group member sa HRM.  Thanks for the moral support we gave to each other during our S-Video times.  *wink-wink!  Thanks for the dedication you put into making sure we get our yearbook pics.  Thanks for the stories, the fun times, the cooking sessions, the eating sessions, and the chika sessions we had when we’re not cramming to go get the interview for our HRM paper.  Thanks a whole bunch for your patience and for understanding that sometimes mo-gawas jud ang fact that we are people, we commit mistakes.  Thank you!

Lucy –> Thanks for the encouragement and the compliment(s) you have given me.  I know that coming from you it means a lot.  Rare ra jud ka kahatag ug compliment because you say what you feel.  If you feel na I looked like a matrona, you say it.  But don’t worry, I’m not taking that against you.  It just made me realize it was not for me. Thanks for making me/us laugh with your jokes or stories.  Thanks for texting me those quotes on friendship when you are on Globe Unlimitxt and I’m using Sun!  (Plugging!  Attn: Globe and Sun)  It’s those little gestures that you might think have gone unnoticed but I notice everything.  Thank you for the friendship and for the fun we had sa Sinulog ‘06.

Loi –> Thanks for sharing a portion of your life story with me.  I know it’s not easy.  Thanks for the friendship and the company especially during the Chinabank interview.  Bisan cguro la nimo g.tuyo na mo-wait thank you ghapon.

Joy Loar –> Thank you for the help you extended not only to me but to my family as well.  you know what I mean, right?  Thanks to both you and Ralph for taking me home safely.  Thanks for the fun times we had at McDonald’s or at the Maze, Metro Ayala, or just strolling around the mall.  Thanks for the stories and for being there with me during the prom bisan nabya-an ta!  Thanks for being such a good sport.   

Helene V. –> My ka-buddy during Tuesdays and Fridays sa IT 152.  Thanks for sharing some stories bout you.  Thanks for sharing your fries with me sad diay!  Thanks for eating with me either sa Siomayan or sa Quibs.  Thanks sad sa nice testi you gave.  Thanks for the shopping trips we had when we had nothing to do kay walay lab sa IT!  Thanks for being there when I had my ears pierced.  You didn’t know but I really needed that moral support. haha…  Thank you!

Lira –> I don’t know if you’ll get to read this, but I would like to thank you for a lot of things.  One of which is for the fact that you made me your friend.  Thanks sad to you and Rodel for the pasalubongs.  Remember The Dog, the chocolates, the chocolates, and the chocolates?  Hahaha… I enjoyed NSTP because naa mo nila Ritchel and Aben.  You’re a great person, wife, mom and friend.  Remember that always. 

Aben –> Thanks sa Sbarro Aben!  Hahaha… By the way, I’m so sorry bout your mom.  I really don’t know how it feels, but I’m sure you are pretty down about it.  Anyway, I’d like to thank you for the Sbarro, first of all, then for the food trips we had during NSTP Sundays, for the information about NSTP and for just being there. 

Ritchel –> Mam, thanks for the texts every Sunday reminding me na mag NSTP… hahaha… Thanks sad for calling me to hurry up already kay naa na si Portia…  Thank you for sharing with me the journal entries para maka pass tawn ko.  Thank you…

Devanne –> One of the first friends I had from the Management program.  Thank you for the group studies, the term paper-making sessions sa McDo, the friendship and for allowing me to be a part of your group once upon a time.  Thanks, Devs, our friendship means so much to me.

Glaiza Pintor –> Bossing, thank you for the fun we had sa atong SOTA, and for the friendship.  Along with Devs and Vance, you were my first friends sa Management.  Thanks also for telling Kirby off when he wanted to be the leader of the group. Hahaha… I can only imagine that whole thing…  Thanks

Vance –> Thanks for the times we spent when I was still having classes with Block B.  I’ll never forget our manita-manita every Christmas.  Thanks for having me around. 

Special Mention:

Sir Cinco –> Thank you for motivating us to learn more and not to accept anything less because we are UPians.  Thank you for the words of encouragement and the words of wisdom you gave us.  I really hope I am deserving of that diploma as you say we should be when we get it.  Thank you for the lessons, not only the ones in the syllabus, but also the lessons on life.  Your subjects weren’t easy, but I wouldn’t want it any other way because I learned a whole lot from it.

*Disclaimer: For the people who don’t see their names up there, it doesn’t mean that you haven’t been an important part of my UP-Management life.  You all are!  Believe me.  Each one of you has left a footprint in my heart.  I would like to thank you all for the friendship and for letting me be a part of your life. Again, THANK YOU!