Despidida Party Part 2

September 16, 2008

Yah, yah, I managed to report on work eventhough I only had 4 hours of sleep. I checked on the gurls and like me, they also reported to work. Wehehehehe. By the way, Anna invited me for a dinner tonight exclusively for her family and relatives only. I was really touched when she told me that she invited me because I'm part of their family. By 6PM, I immediately went home and proceeded directly to Anna's house where we feasted on crabs and fishes.

Later, the two of us shared some bonding time where we talked about her departure tomorrow. We were then joined by our newfound friends Junars, Rex and Ron and together, we sang songs and jammed the night away. We ended up again at 1AM. Whew! For two straight days, I slept for only 4-5 hours and still managed to report for work! Vital-C is really effective then.

Despidida Party Part 1

September 15, 2008

As mentioned, we had to postpone the mini-reunion / despidida party to give way to the PDA Grand Night yesterday. So for a Monday, it was very unusual for anybody to have a night-out, but we just did. We had no choice as my best buddy and high school classmate Anna is scheduled to leave on the 17th. Fortunately, the original cast we contacted also came along. Amidst the slight rainshower, me, Anna, Liv, Malyn and Jing went downtown to fetch Ynna and Erwin. We then proceeded to Jacksridge in Matina to eat dinner. Enteng, a good friend of Anna, met us there. After a sumptuous dinner, what followed was non-stop picture-taking initiated by our frustrated phographer, Liv.

At around 11PM, we unanimously decided to pass by Cynthia's Bajada (in front of McDonald's) to watch our very own Day 7 band play their gig. The lead vocalist, Edward, who happened to be our "silingan" and elementary classmate warmly welcomed us. We ended up staying at Cynthia's until the wee hours of the morning as we enjoyed the songs played by the band. But what the heck! It's been two years now since the last time we had this kind of fun so better make the most out of it.

But wait, it didn't ended there. By 1AM, we went back to Mandug where my girlfriends were treated to door-to-door deliveries. What happened next was a drinking spree with Erwin, Enteng, Anna and me at Enteng's house. And guess what, we returned home at around 3AM! And to think it's still Tuesday and I have work by 8AM...Zzzzzzz

PDA Season 2 Grand Dream Night

September 14, 2008

After 3 months of following this reality TV show in ABS-CBN, the end finally happened, and it's not just a one-night event, but a two-night event! Last Saturday, September 13, the grand performance night was held wherein the top 6 scholars namely Bugoy, Liezel, Laarni, Van, Miguel and Cris performed their last gala night. Obviously, I'm still rooting for Bugoy who sang Ligaya by the Eraserheads and Climb Every Mountain. But I must say, Liezel's performance was also impressive.

The following day, a Sunday, was the announcement of the Grand Dreamer. We had to cancel our supposedly mini-reunion of some highschool friends because of this. Almost all of my friends and colleagues were praying for Bugoy to win the show. And so, you could just imagine our dismay when Laarni was proclaimed the winner. We were sooooo dismayed that we ended up drinking beer! Grrrrr, personally, I really don't like Laarni as mentioned in my previous post. Moreover, how come Miguel got the 3rd spot and not Liezel? What the!

Anyhow, we still feel Bugoy and Liezel were robbed of their thrones, nevertheless, we also knew that they will be the first two to succeed among their batchmates. True enough, Bugoy's single, Paano na Kaya, composed by the maestro himself Ryan Cayabyab, was all over the local radio in Davao. We got another hit here man!

Dana Foundation Team in Action

September 11, 2008

I had a fun day today coz finally I was able to join the Dana foundation team in action! This was unplanned actually. Tired of driving alone due to last night's activity (we attended another wake in Mandug), I hitched with the group on their way to Sto. Tomas. They dropped me off at Pantaron coz I will be observing the extension program conducted by FSIA which is related to my next project with the company. But since the program ended earlier than expected, I had no choice but to go with the team to Semong Kapalong because that's my only ride home. But boy, I really was glad I did.

Together with sir John, Dale and Francis, we painted the water reservoir of AMSEFFPCO in Semong, the first of its kind in Davao del Norte. The reservoir is a big pot with a capacity of 5,000 liters good for 40 households. This was created as a joint project of the cooperative and Dana foundation. According to sir John, when they created the pot, other officials of the nearby barangays, local government officials and representatives of government agencies, were present to witness and observe it's making. Of course, Riza Calma, the coop manager was very proud of this.

Since I was unprepared, Francis was kind enough to lend his new shirt to me so that I can paint. I was happy coz this will be my first time to do such. We started at around 1:30PM and ended at around 3:30PM. Each one did their part, including officials and members of the coop. Never mind if our fingers had paint in it or if my shirt had paints, the end result of a half-green, half-yellow pot, was all worth it. The different sense of fulfillment and happiness led us to discuss other projects of the foundation. And I immediately told sir John that if I have time, I will definetly go with them.

The voluntary work that I did gave me a different kind of high and happiness. I was so overwhelmed that I was seriously thinking of doing this full-time, that is, if my resources permit. As of the moment, I will just grab whatever chances I have to help other people. It's just returning a favor from God when He blessed me with so many things!

Sulit.com.ph

September 07, 2008

I forgot to blog about my being a member in Sulit.com.ph Buy and Sell Philippines. I have been a regular visitor to this website since last year but never enrolled myself. It was only in August this year that I finally decided to become a member, first and foremost because I'm selling most of our stuff and secondly, to check on online businesses. I must say, the site did help a lot. And the good thing about it, it's FREE - membership is free and advertisements are also free. My very first ad in Sulit was the Encyclopedia I was selling (which I also blogged here). But I had to cancel the ad days later simply because it's already sold (lucky me!). Nevertheless, I continue to use the site in searching for additional income thru the internet (pay per click, pay per post, etc). Meeting new friends is a bonus here.

To know more about Sulit.com.ph, simply visit their site by clicking this link: http://www.sulit.com.ph/?ref=charma0378

Welcome back to Manila!

September 4, 2008

Yipee, can't wait to see my boys, RV and Aron! I arrived in Manila safe and sound at around 9PM, travelled to Pasig and reached our unit at around 9:30PM, and surprisingly, they are still awake. Upon seeing me, Aron immediately embraced me and innocently asked about my long absence. RV on the other hand, being the eldest, gave way to his brother and approached me later. I'm really, really happy that I felt like crying. I have never been away from my kids for this long (I think the longest was 1 day) and honestly, it's hard. While in Davao, there's no day that passed by without me calling and talking to them over the cellphone, frantically finding ways should they can't be reached. And hearing their angelic voices, is such a heaven. Now I can emphatize with my hubby and other OFWs who have to leave their families behind in pursuit of greener pasture....

Anyhow, since I only have three days to spend with my kids, I really ensured it'll be quality time. Because they still had classes on Friday, first on the list was helping them prepare for school. I was a bit surprised on how fast my kids have grown. They were wearing their PE uniforms on this day (RV the Shark wore a blue shirt and jogging pants, while Aron the Eagle wore a yellow shirt and jogging pants) and I immediately noticed the change (or maybe I just missed them so much). After school, we had swimming sessions at the pool. I bought swimming googles at Victoria Plaza for this activity and as expected, they were jumping with joy (such a wonder how kids appreciate simple gestures noh?). This was extended the following day, a Saturday. Next was the PS2 marathon, which I'm sure was another treat to them. Then of course, how can I forget the malling???

Sunday, we just stayed inside the house. While looking at the results of their first grading exams, RV andAron were also busy coloring their books with crayons I brought from Davao. In the afternoon, we attended mass at Sta. Clara and afterwards watched tv. But time flied so quickly and its already Monday. With a heavy heart, I have to return to Davao and once again leave my angels behind....

(By the way, I am forever grateful to my mother and father for so many things, particularly for watching my kids while I'm away. My mother temporarily sacrificed her barangay functions to be in Manila, while my father without hesitations, let my mother go. Thank you pa and ma and we love you very much!)

I'm Back

September 06, 2008

Whoa! After a long absence (or was it that long???), I'm back. So sorry for not posting anyting for the last week, got tied up with work assignments that had me up until wee hours. But I will make it up by updating recent happenings last week:

August 30 - Anna's grandmother was buried this day. It was really touching for Uncle Raul, Anna's father, to kneel on the ground and ask for forgiveness to his mother for not giving her a better life when she was alive. Nobody can blame him really. Financially the family might have constraints, but emotionally, they're very rich. For a short period, I witnessed how each and every household member treated Nanay with tender loving care. And I think this matters most in the end. To Nanay, may you rest in peace as you join our mighty Creator and our Lord Jesus Christ..

August 31 - Originally, we're supposed to join the trail ride of the Mandug Riders Club in Maragusan but because of a more important event, we decided to back-out. Me and my brother Ninoy did a general house cleaning instead and later on took the usual afternoon siesta. I went to Victoria Plaza at around 3pm to buy some goods and groceries. It was a quick visit at the plaza maybe because I'm still tired of the cleaning chores we did earlier. By the way, evening news reported that Ely Buendia of the Eraserheads had a minor heart attack during their reunion concert the day before and had to be rushed to Makati Med, cutting the concert short. I was really shocked. As you all know, I am a certified Eraserheads fanatic and could have been present in their reunion concert if not for a lot of glitches which left me no tickets in the end (Marlboro backed out as sponsor, concert is floating, last minute selling of tickets, etc). Hope Ely can recover, he's too young...I'l be praying for you...

September 1 - Gosh, I couldnt believe it, time flies by so quickly and now it's September. And for most Filipinos, this signalled the start of Christmas season! True enough, radio stations played Christmas songs on air just like what our neighbours did. Inspired, I also played Christmas songs in the office much to the delight of my co-workers. But I missed someone - my hubby Jerry. It's been a year now since he left for work to Canada. He's still unsure whether he can go home for the holidays this December since our PR is still on-process. Whatever God's will is, thy will be done...

September 2 - I fetched Anna in Cabaguio after office hours today and together, we went to Gaisano mall to meet Liv. There, we also texted Malyn to meet us so we could have dinner at Penongs. I haven't been to GM for a long time now so I didnt know that the famous Penongs already put up another branch at the back of the mall fronting Chinese school. Because of its strategic location, a lot of people, mostly students were waiting outside for empty tables. Good that we used our charms to our advantage and managed to get a table without even waiting. Hehehehe. Anyhow, we had a fun time taking pictures, talking and eating. It was really fun that we decided to extend the gathering at Liv's house. We had another series of photo-ops at Liv's and talked and laughed, much to the dismay I guess of the neighbours.

September 3 - Our company is playing tonight in the basketball tournament organized by Agway. As I dont want to watch the game alone, I coaxed my best buddy Anna and my brother Ninoy to join me. Expectedly, if Ninoy is joining, Tata and Loloy will be there also (they are the 3 musketeers actually). So off we went downtown to Montana building where the game is being held. We had to ask for directions since the place is new and obviously I dont know the way and had to climb series of stairs before finally reaching the court. And afterall the effort that we exerted? Our team lost! Hay naku!

September 4 - I'm very excited coz today is my scheduled trip to Manila where I'll be spending 3 days of quality time with my kids. It's been almost a month now since I last saw them and frankly speaking, I really missed RV and Aron (as any parent would feel of course). I'll be flying tonight and will arrive Manila at 9:20Pm. Hopefully my kids are still awake by that time. I didn't tell them I'll be home coz I wanted to surprise them. Brought with me their favorites: pomelo and durian candies and some old toys. Can't wait :-) ....

So that's all folks, in my next blog, I''ll update you of my stay in Manila. Ciao for now.