God is good, indeed

Just days after my entry complaining how hard it is to wait for the results of my interview. I’m so happy and proud to say that my visa was finally granted. God is so great, just 9 days after my interview and the decision to grant my visa was released. During the interview, the consul told me to wait for the decision in 15 to 30 days, and some applicants I asked before told me that their visa was released one month after the interview. More or less I was expecting mine to be released on November 17 because I was interviewed on the 17th of October. Much to my surprise, I received the notice way earlier than expected. The notice was dated October 26, 2011 and will be valid until January 25, 2012. This would mean I have to schedule my flight within the period. 

Ordeal of waiting…

I can’t believe I don’t even have a single entry this year. I must have been feeling too lazy to write about things that happened in the past months. It’s been 5 months since my contract at BSU has ended, and I’ve been unemployed since then. I guess its high time for me to leave my comfort zone and try my luck outside PI. I just had my interview at the embassy last week and I’m hoping that my visa application will be approved. Results will be released in 15 to 30 days, and its the waiting which is the hardest…not sure if my visa will be granted or denied….please help me God. I’m confident with my interview but i hope all my papers are in order.  If everything will go smoothly, then I wont be spending christmas season with my family. It’s a little sad but I guess one must make personal sacrifices for a greater good. 

Just not getting into the Christmas spirit

What’s with today? I don’t feel so good, I got a splitting headache this morning and now I feel queasy.  Three more days and it’s Christmas but it felt like an ordinary week for me.  I can’t fully blame it to the fact that for the first time in years I’m broke on Christmas day hahaha. And early this morning I received a  text from my boss informing yet again another bad news regarding our on-going project. Our request for facility development assistance was rejected, even after sending a letter of request for reconsideration. I guess the Director of the said division was not  feeling the true spirit of christmas. May God bless him. It’s bad enough that our last quarter budget was delayed which means delayed salary also for the project employees. What a great way to spend the holiday season. I’m literally crossing my fingers and praying hardly hardly though that our request for re-alignment will soon be approved. 

Last Sunday had been a memorable day for me though. Few days ago, I received a text message from my Aunt Glo asking me to go shopping with her because she found a cash gift inserted in one of her birthday cards. I Early Sunday morning I was really feeling so depressed because I just called my brother joey who was celebrating his 22^nd birthday and I can’t even send him his allowance for the week. Then I received a call from Aunt Glo that instantly cheered me up. We met in front of PNB at km. 5 then we took Bokawkan bound jeepney. We spent several hours buying things and pasalubong for her friends and coworkers.  She bought me a pair orfpearl earrings and a ring, she insisted that a lady ought to have a decent pair of earrings. Then at 2 pm we met with Tessie, Gen and their sons at Dunkin Donuts at Center Mall, I honestly thought they were coming with us to Buyagan after wards, but to my dismay they said they have an appointment later that day. Earlier that day I texted Tessie and informed her my itinerary with auntie, I convinced her to meet with us  later and she agreed, though with hesitation. Anyway, after we parted ways I called my cousin Ember and asked him to collect the other box that we forgot at Dunkin with Tessie and Gen. On  our way going home, Aunt Glo said she’d like to make it a tradition, for us to go shopping and just walking around the city whenever she’s home for vacation.  Well assuming that I’d still be here when she gets home next time (according to her hehe). Ember came later on at Red Fern where we talked a bit about his love life and plans for next year while we help auntie in packing her luggage. At 4pm Auntie Glo decided to go back to Baguio to see the much talked “ukay-ukay” along session road at night time. We brought Byron Mason with us and we had fun shopping clothes and things for him. It was already dark when we decided to just stroll along session road, we ate at Andoks and decided to go home at 7:30 pm. Auntie had to take some rest because they will have an early start Monday morning to catch her flight back to BC in the afternoon. 

Today however, my depression strikes again. I came to work one hour late and reports are already piling up but I can’t seem to get my momentum to start working. We have a sensory evaluation scheduled today and we still need 18 more respondents to complete our quota.

Life at its worst!

Only my second entry this year and still I don’t have any idea how to start. I guess life these past months had been so boring and rendundant, it all revolved around work that my life outside it was totally dead. Then all of a sudden I found myself hopelessly surrounded with a lifetime worth of drama and heart aches. I’m tired, really really tired…

NCIS addict?

Are you an NCIS addict? are you a certified TIVA fan? are you familiar with the term Semper fi?:D…..okei, do you love CSI-like tv series, but with much broader coverage since it involves espionage, international terrorism, serial killing, etc. Of course not to forget humorous and lovable characters…then I would recommend NCIS. I assure you, you will absoooluuutely love NCIS and these characters:

Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs - called Gibbs by his subordinates, ‘Probie’ by his former superior, and ‘Gunny’ by former colleagues, referring to his former post as a gunnery Sgt. Gibbs has this older Tom Cruise good looks that will definitely melt you with his smile. Gibbs is portrayed by the 80’s sexiest man alive by People Magazine —Mark Harmon. Harmon graduated in UCLA with BA in communication, and he graduated cum laude.

Agent Tony DiNozzo - I soooo love this guy! I assure you, Michael Weatherly’s character here will definitely make you go gaga over him. I can’t Imagine NCIS without DiNozzo. He displays juvenile behavior with his constant teasing and pranks towards his colleagues. He calls Agent McGee ‘Probie’ and ‘McGeek’  referring to McGee’s intelligence. Tony’s pranks completes every episode of NCIS, I tell you, without them it will be boring.

Ziva David - Another character that I love, she’s a Mossad–Israeli Agent trained to kill. She acts like a man and is constantly trying to outdo Tony. They look good together, Im an absolute TIVA fan.

Timothy McGee and Abby Sciuto - Im telling you there’s no one in the NCIS main cast who is boring. This two are a perfect pair. Abby’s a goth—the happiest goth you’ve ever seen, her numerous tattoo, black lipstick and weird get up is just adorable. Abby’s also a caffeine beverage addict, Gibbs would always bring her “Caf-Pow’, her favorite drink. I remember Abby as a hugger, she hugs everyone when she felt like it. Well, Mc Geek is a geek, often serious but sometimes Tony’s and Abby’s playfulness rubbs off him, which makes him all the more adorable.

Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard and Mr. Palmer - Ducky is the scottish medical examiner in the series. He’s a father figure to all the other characters. He’s old and still single and he still lives with his mother who has Alzheimer’s disease.He has a degree in psychology which is often put to use when dealing with a suspect, sometimes even with his colleagues. He was portrayed as someone who would always talk to a cadaver while doing autopsy. Palmer on the other hand is Ducky’s assistant.

 Season 7’s last ep will end this May.  Can’t wait to buy the complete season.

My first spelunking experience

O yeah… I love outdoor life but spelunking is totally new to me, and my first time was absoluuuteelyy amazing! (of course Sumaging is one of the best). I just love those stalagmites and stalactites, those large and smooth limestone formations, those natural paintings on the walls, even those steep and slippery  passages that would make your knees wobble, and the coooold underground pools where we had to wade or swim the deeper parts…it was really fun. Our guide “Omaweng” is really good, where other groups were able to keep their upper garments dry, our group on the other hand were wet like a puppy…brrrr…cold but worth the experience, its a part of the adventure. It was an experience that I would love to repeat…different route of course, I would love to try the cave connection next time.

Interested to try this adventure? SAGGAS can help you. For more info you may visit their website at:  http://sagadagenuineguides.blogspot.com/

Here are some of our pics.

  the pig pen…

Coffee? Anyone?

aaahh…heaven! How I wish life could be this simple…

My ZaNorte Experience

  Three days since we got back from our 8 days vacation and I finally found time to visit my blog and check my mails. Loads of work were already piling up (as expected) and deadlines were also set so I had to double my time doing my tasks.

It was a spur of the moment decision when we booked our Dipolog City trip last December 26, 2008. We were lucky enough to avail the promo of Cebu Pacific giving zero peso rate for a round trip ticket going to different parts of the country. At first we aimed for either Boracay or Palawan, unfortunately return flights were already fully booked. It was when Ate Jarz suggested going to her place instead (given no options), we were able to book February 3 to February 10, 2009. Same date last year, I was also in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A perfect travel date for me since my birthday is February 10.

ZaNorte is okey I guess, I can rate my vacation there a score of 6 (from 1 to 10). The weather is too hot for someone who lives in Baguio, and I was never one who enjoys hot weather. Baguio still got the most ideal weather…in my opinion. Dipolog is ok, a little like Davao with its vegetations still preserved within the city, but still next to Baguio, Davao is one of the best cities in the country. In our 3rd day, we went to Dapitan City which is more or less 15 kms from Dipolog. So bad we were not able to get a peek of the famous Dakak and ride the habal-habal.

The highlight of my vacation was the time I set foot to the  place where Rizal lived in exile. The place was situated along the beach and the views are really beautiful, specially from the rock called the “Lover’s Rock”. Most of the structures (residence, clinic, etc) however, were only replicas since the original ones did not survive the lapse of time. On the other hand, hundred years trees can still be found in the area. My favorite site is the massive rock or what they call the Lover’s Rock where it is said he would often go to think or write, the view from there was absolutely gorgeous, it was late afternoon when we reached the rock so I was able to take nice pictures. I can just imagine how really beautiful it was hundred years ago when things were still unspoiled and untouched by modern civilization. After Rizal’s Shrine we set out for Gloria de Dapitan. Nothing’s really exciting there.

In Dipolog, there is this place they call “The Boulevard”, it was a long stretch of road along the beach lined with concrete  benches, street lamps and palm trees. Its a perfect place to go for jogging, strolling, or dating. I even saw some people with fishing poles, and families with little children running around. It’s best to go there early in the morning or late in the afternoon to enjoy the vista.

During my 1 week stay with the locals, I got used to hearing people called “‘day“, “dong“, and “doy“. Very much like “ambet” or “ambot” in our place. I was able to grasp a few words like “kasing-kasing“- heart, “mindot” - beautiful, “ambot sa imo” - ewan ko sa u, “gamay” - little, “daghan” - many, “lingkod” -sit down, “dili” - not, “naa” - with, “diri“- here, “mangkay/mangkoy” - old maid/bachelor, “bayot” - gay, and “gwapa/gwapo” which are pretty comprehensible. One thing that I just dont understand and I feel so sensitive about is the people’s absurd beliefs that Igorots are so inferior in every aspect. Jarz (my officemate) introduced me to her relatives as a pure blooded igorot, and you wont believe their curious stares when I said “yes, I’m an igorot, and I’m proud to be one”. Ate Jarz explained to me that the people’s perception has something to do with the IP’s in their area…the “Subanens“, and like the Igorots, Subanens were quite descriminated and treated as uneducated, ignorant and lowly people. I would say those people who thought that way are the ignorant ones, they dont know what they’re saying. Jarz said that Igorots were the only IP’s she know who were proud of their heritage.

Other than being stared at for being an Igorot ( on which I would just ignore and walk proudly), constantly being left out in the dark during conversations because I dont speak and can’t understand the visaya language, and specially the short stint we spent in Zambo City, I would say my vacation was moderately okey. Speaking of Zambo City, I guess without the news of rampant kidnapping circulating around, we might had fun in the Asia’s Latin City. Our host warned us that it wouldnt be a good time for us to go around the city because lately kidnappers had been getting sloppy in choosing their victims. I observed a lot of things that we dont normally experience here in the north. Transportation cost for instance, tricycle fare as compared to my beloved town and other towns I’ve visited before were quite expensive. You dont pay per head like we do here, they charge you “Kontrata“, and before getting inside the tricycle you have to make agreements first with the driver otherwise you’ll be paying much more than the usual. Porters in the bus stations were a little to persistent in rendering their services in carrying the baggages (with pay of course), less assertive passengers would easily fall victim to these people. Even a “konduktor” of a certain bus line asked us to pay P20.00 per box of the two small boxes of “bulad/tuyo” we brought from another city… Preposterous! I could only tsk tsk with disgust.

The people on the otherhand are generally okey…except for some opportunists on which we can find almost anywhere, its just bad I was unfortunate to have met some during the trip. They accepted us in their homes and treated us okey. I could only say thank you for their efforts in making our visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. One thing that I appreciate in the place is the food, no matter how simple it seemed, it still look special for us who dont care much about spices, seasonings and herbs. I have this usual illness when I go to another place which is quite bothersome, I wouldnt be able to eliminate waste for a few days if I dont take laxative tea or tablet on which I became dependent with. But with the food, usually with “gata“? golly, that won’t be a problem. One time I had to visit the toilet twice in the middle of the night because of eating too much of the banana blossom cooked with “gata”. Just love the food.

A pic I took when I was sitting on top of the Rock, the site where you can see the setting sun is where Dakak resort is located.

A replica of Rizal’s House where he lived for three years. There was a small wishing fountain at the front where a young man would interpret the meaning of your name. He said that my name means I have the power of balancing..uh oh! I don’t think so.

Family

Late yesterday afternoon I received a txt message from Auntie Letty telling me that she’s at their house in Km. 3 and asked if I could go visit her because she’ll be going home early the following day. I told her I’ll proceed to their house right after my work, but while preparing to go to Km. 3 I received another message from her telling me to meet her at Km. 5 instead. I assumed they brought vegetables from Mt. Trail and decided to check on it so she decided to meet me there instead. I didn’t really expect Uncle Teddy to be with my Aunt because they seldom go out together. Auntie explained that there were no vegetables this time, just that she really intended to meet with me outside. And when she told Uncle Teddy about her plans, Uncle decided to go with her. I was really glad to see them both because it was quite sometime since I last saw them. For the past few years my family and my Aunt’s family spent either Christmas or New Year together. Last Christmas and New Year was not the same though, neither I nor my Aunt’s family went home to the province this time.

So after a few minutes “kamustahan”, we went for dinner and coffee at a restaurant in Trading Post. We talked about my work, my cousins, aunties and uncles, and everything that happened in the last few months. I told them about my sentiments on matters that concern our families. Auntie said she heard things too mainly from one person via phone call, with all the crying etc. I just shrugged and said nothing. Then they informed me that there will be a family reunion this coming Saturday at my grandfather’s house. I told them that I might not be able to attend the said occasion. I have my reasons but I kept them to myself. My main reason is because right now I’m not quite prepared to meet some people who thought the worst of me and my family, people who fabricates and exaggerates things just to gain sympathy and cover up negative deeds. Later on when we parted ways I txted Auntie telling her that I really won’t be going home for the reunion, she replied “It’s okey, I will tell you all about it next time we meet”. I was really really glad for her understanding.

Just before we parted, Auntie hugged me hard promising that we’ll meet again soon so we could have longer time for chikka. Uncle told me not to forget to go to church on Sundays. I thanked them both for their advices and for always helping me whenever I needed them, my Aunt specially who had been always there for me and mama.

Blooper of the week

Funny and embarassing! my major blunder this week, I mistakenly used floor cleaner as dishwashing liquid! ha ha ha…It was the only soap in the sink where we wash the dishes and it never occurred to me to read the labels before using it. Fortunately a co-worker noticed the smell which is much too fragrant for a dishwashing liquid…bloopers! bloopers!

Hell of a week!

With the university charter week ahead and so many deadlines to catch up, working during the weekend, family problems and all, its been a hell of a week. I was actually looking  forward for a stress free week this week, only to have it started with just another hellish news.

Last night I was shocked with the news with yet another young person’s untimely demise. I’ve known this young girl since her elementary days, a relative, a classmate and a close friend of my youngest brother from elementary to high school. Leslie or “Gumbi” or “Kabidong” as she was more known was a consistent honor student,  also a shy and sweet little girl. The past few years had been very very hard for her and her family, her Mom specially. With Gumbi’s growing health problems (Rheumatic Heart Disease) and astronomical bills for medication maintenance and check-ups, and the other kids’ needs, you can just imagine how hard it was for a single mom to provide for all her children. Gumbi was a victim of a broken home, her parents unfortunately had been separated for years.

As soon as I confirmed the news with Mng. Marlyn, I didn’t waste time going to the morgue of BeGH. Upon reaching the hospital, I was really really surprised with the number of people already there outside the hospital, at the hallways and inside the morgue. I was actually one of the last person who’ve heard of the news. So many “kakailians” were there, young and old, and people that I haven’t seen for years, and all were saddened by this loss. Everybody in the morgue looked grief stricken, specially the mom who just sat quietly and sometimes loudly talking with her already cold first-born. I symphatize with the mom who very much like my mom was also one of the bravest women I’ve known.

It was earlier decided that the body should be brought home to Bontoc. Relatives and some elders had a heated argument over the venue of the wake once the body reached Bontoc, this was on account to the parent’s current situation…separated that is, and in igorot culture per se, the body was not allowed to be brought home to the house of her parents, it’s considered “lawa” or a total no-no or a taboo for the old folks. This issue was later on resolved when the grandparents  (mother’s side) volunteered their own house in Dongyuwan. This was much to the disappoinment of the mom who said she was not even allowed to grieve for her own daughter in her own house. We stayed at the morgue until the convoy started at 1:00 AM. They were expected to reach Bontoc early in the morning. I was one of the last person who left the hospital morgue, and finally reached home at 1:30 am. Then I had to wake up earlier than usual because we have to be at the gymnasium to set up and distribute service copies before the Ecumenical Prayer Service starts at 8:00 AM. Whew!

So that was just the beginning of my week. I still dont know what fate has in store for me these coming days. Family issues and all, I just couldn’t say how things will work out. Hoping for the best….

House M.D. and Prison Break Marathon

    So What did I do during the loooong christmas break? Normally I would have spent the holidays with my family, but well lets just say things aren’t so normal these days. Without anything in mind to accomplish, pretty much I became a couch potato for more than a week.

I continued watching House M.D. Seasons 3-4 and again I was hooked with this arrogant, manipulative, and obnoxious but brilliant doctor’s antics. With his unusual way of dealing with patients, and unusual way of solving a case, often ordering his team to intrude a patient’s house and investigate for possible causes of the illness…which often works. I watched the first two seasons of the series a year ago and I got really hooked with it. I was just a little disappointed in season 4 with the less appearance of Chase and Cameron. It was not really clear why House would just fire Chase and let the other two resign from their work. The appearance of the forty competitors however made the season just as entertaining. Dr. Wilson’s involvement with one of the former competitors Amber provided a taste of enough drama in the season finale.

The constant innuendo between House and Cuddy are just one of my favorite scenes. Their constant clash and attemps to outwit the other over some issues were very entertaining. I just thought it will progress to romance in the coming seasons. Nobody can control House but Cuddy alone, atleast in several ocassions. Even Stacy, House’ former partner wasn’t so succesful in getting what she wanted from House. It was a funny love and hate relationship between two middle aged people.

I just love Chase and Cameron, their off and again relationship will soon become serious in Season four. Their chemistry on screen was ok, so bad it didnt work for them because they used   to be real life partners. Both connects well with their patients unlike House and Foreman. Among the three, Chase was considered to be the weakest link, which I found absurd since solved several cases on his own too. Usually his input in the differential diagnosis usually at the beginning of an episode is of different perspective, it was more or less due to his life experiences in his teens before he entered medical school. Among the three he was also the most religious being an ex seminarian, House and Cameron are both atheist as implied in some episodes. Cameron also tend to be very sympathetic towards a patient, and she finds it hard to deliver bad news to the family of a patient.

Foreman who Cuddy and Wilson said to be the most House like in the team was so serious who seemed not to have social life at all, well except for having two brief affairs, one with a med rep and another with a nurse. I dont think he was like House however. Well maybe in some aspect, they were both loners who doesnt have friends…House got one in Wilson though but Foreman doesnt have any. In several occassions he displayed unfriendliness towards Chase and Cameron, and even told the two that they were not his friends. At some point Foreman imitates House, he even bought shoes identical to House’. However, the friendship of the three former team mates improved in season four when they were all working in different departments.

Prison Break on the other hand was a big surprise for me. For more than a year I had in my possession the first season of the series without even watching the pilot episode. I can’t believe I just left it lying around for a year. And now I just have to look for season 3 because I’m already in the season finale of season 2, its just so bad that the continuation of season 4 has yet to be shown in March or April (atleast according to Fox).  Haaayy…that would mean waiting for several months more before I can watch the whole season. A guy friend was also addicted to the series. I sooo love Michael Scofield, with his unusual intelligence combined with mysterious good looks (damn hooot). His daring plan to save his brother from impending death row not considering his own future (proved his total lack of self-worth which maybe is his only flaw) , his strong  moral sense, and his often cool and stoic way of controlling his dangerous and violent fellow prisoners. He was sometimes caught in unguarded moments where he showed moments of vulnerability, witnessing a violent death and specially having his newly found father die in his arms. The helplessness was projected brilliantly. Wentworth Miller’s portrayal of Michael Scofield was really amazing, he’s perfect for the role. 

Season One was shot mostly inside the prison, beginning from the pilot episode where Michael worked his way inside the prison by staging a bank robbery and pleading no contest to the surprise of the judge and his attorney. The season progressed with Michael’s careful planning and getting the confidence of some people inside the penitentiary who would play a vital role in the escape. Season Two was the start of the manhunt, Michael, his brother Lincoln and six others were already at large being hunted by authorities including a cunning and obsessed FBI agent who would soon prove to match Michael’s mind games. And soon former allies will become enemies and former enemies will become allies in this season. So many twists that would keep viewers glued to their seats for hours. I’m gonna start with Season 3 tonight and see how the story progress. I avoided reading spoilers so I had to see it myself first.

These two TV series are by far the best series I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen Lost, Charmed, Kyle XY, CSI-Las Vegas, and Grey’s Anatomy but if I were to rank them all, those two would definitely be on top. I just can’t wait for the next seasons to come out.

Darn!  I’ve gained extra pounds and disgusting pimples. Thats what I got from staying much too long infront of the TV, munching. And Im just too lazy to wake up early to attend taebo…plus its so cold in the morning that I’d rather stay in bed.

I weechuuu a Merry Christmas!

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la …

Two more days to go and its CHRISTMAS! Time for giving joy, love, and peace…or rather that is what Christmas is supposed to be for most people….but not for all. I’d say Christmas these last few years as compared to 5 or 10 years ago were way different. When you were younger, you have smaller responsibilities and less problems to face. Christmas then was a big deal for me, because it would mean presents, caroling, bonfire, fire works, etc. Now, Christmas time is just another normal day if not a reminder for those obligations or responsiblities that must be dealt with…

Anyhow, no matter how gloomy life is at the moment, it is also time to greet and wish everybody a…

         Happy Happy Christmas and      a Wonderful 2009 ahead!

A boy named "Buknoy"

Being a couch potato during the weekend has its advantage. No issues and news updates on the national TV no matter how major and trivial will escape your notice, you will hear almost everything that was said in the different talk shows, news reports, etc. etc.

What irks me is this never ending “patutsada” between the two major networks in the country. What’s even more maddening is the subject of this tiresome enmity……this time, it concerns this week’s talk of the town…the untimely demise of our very own “Buknoy”. The issue I guess is the violation of privacy of the Cielo family  by another channel who “allegedly” took pictures of Marky against the will of the family. If so, then that is blatant disprespect to the family and the dead but since I haven’t seen any pictures yet, then I really really hoped this is not true. This was according to GMA 7 on which The Buzz also gave their official statement denying the allegations but without addressing that specific issue. The issue here is not about getting a coverage of the wake because…clearly both networks  as members of the media are privileged to cover whatever there is to cover. But I guess it also involves who’s gonna get the inside info and all…this is so so disappointing, to drag Marky’s family in this long running competition between two rival stations.

Startalk last Saturday exclusively devoted their whole episode for Marky. We have to give credit for GMA 7 for giving enough news coverage and tribute to Marky, Startalk and SOP specially. Marky’s friends and colleagues in the show business were clearly devastated by this sudden  loss as evident in their  eulogies and interviews. But what I found really touching is Direk Dominic Zapata’s message to Marky’s Mom, praising her because Marky was brought up a good person, a fine young man who’s wholesomeness on-screen was also quite known off-screen. Kuya Germs’ announcement to put Marky’s name in his localized version of Holywood’s Walk of Fame however didnt sit well with me. I mean…it’s not that we’re not grateful and pleased with such  gesture but dont you think that’s a bit overkill? But maybe if we have such things here in the Cordillera then it would be fitting to include Marky there…with all the honor that he brought us Cordillerans. Just an opinion.

For Marky’s love ones, this is indeed a great blow for them, but just like anybody else grieving for a loved one…it may not look like it today… but there are still brighter days ahead… Life goes on.

Remembering Marky

 Three days after the devastating news about Marky’s demise, and its still very hard for the people who avidly followed this young actor’s career to accept the fact that he was gone…forever. I was one of those thousands of Igorots who felt very proud of this young man’s achievement three years ago and who just as closely followed his growing career since then. It’s so sad to realize that such a young man with such level of energy and such a bright future ahead was taken so early. I remember the time I saw him in Bontoc during the Lang-ay festival, that was 2 or 3 years ago. I still have his pictures that at a time were posted in his website. With his short stay in the showbiz world, Marky was well liked by his co workers and friends in the business, likewise he was well loved by the Igorots world wide when he braved the world and proudly announced his Igorot heritage. Marky will surely be missed and will forever be remembered.  

Marky’s remains is now at the  Cathedral of the Resurrection, Magsaysay Ave., Baguio City to give chance to his supporters, family, and friends based in the city. It was initially planned that he’ll be brought to Sinto, Bauko after lunch today but it soon became apparent that a few hours wouldnt be enough to accommodate them all, it was decided to extend the viewing until midnight. People who supported Marky would surely want to pay him their respect for the last time.  Burial date according to news was not yet disclosed. And what’s this we’re hearing that the real cause of his death was not yet confirmed since autopsy results has yet to be released, and the family refused to cooperate with the investigators. The family shouldnt be blamed with this, we cant just imagine the pain they’re feeling right now. Losing someone in your life could be that devastating, but what more if that loss would mean never again seeing that person in this lifetime? (uh! is there another lifetime?)

P.S. I’m feeling a little under the weather today. I dont know but I just dont feel well. I feel cold and weary, and felt like crying for no reason…or for so many reasons that if I cry I woudnt even know the main cause for doing so. I hope this will improve soon because I gotta finish our Annual report due this week, and I gotta organize my notes for my lecture on spss for beginners next Tuesday.  Wish I could go home early…

peaceful days

Its been a while since I last talked or complained about our notorious friend Epz. Maybe that’s because there’s no reason for me to talk about her in the past weeks. To give her credit, she seemed to be making effort in appearing inconspicuous these days which seemed to work well for everybody, for me specially. It certainly felt great to work peacefully in the office these days. She finally noticed that nobody  actually likes her, just a handful of her loyal friends maybe (one or maybe two that I know of). I hope she’ll continue to be nice and low key until March. On the contrary, one friendship seemed to have gone cold for a totally vague reason ( I honestly don’t understand the exact cause…what I’m only sure about is it involves one person…someone who reads this blog at random, I presume he he), and to make matters worst, this mind boggling differences were fueled by endless teasings from mutual friends. It saddens me to realize that bringing back those old friendships is doomed to failure.

Twilight film adaptation

Click  on the following to hear Edward Cullen’s song LULLABY

As one who simply loves to read and watch, I really didn’t know what to expect of the movie version because most of the film adaptations I’ve seen didn’t do justice to the book it was originally based from.  But this particular movie, in my opinion did well, it was way beyond my original expectation. The lack of action in the book was compensated by the character build ups of the three nomads in the movie. The movie was told in a way that viewers who did not read the book will easily understand the general story (but not down to the smallest detail that seemed to be lost in the movie). The book was okey of course, for a book, but those additional action scenes in the movie were okey, it still preserved the original story. Bella on the other hand was totally different from what I pictured when I read the book, there she was an awkward girl who seems to lack self-esteem, very clumsy and accident prone, thats not the Bella portrayed in the movie though. What I really liked best is that most the important dialogues in the book were there.  I really really hope the movie version of the second book will be this good. As I’ve mentioned in my previous post, the second book (New Moon) is really boring, I attributed that to the fact that the book was told in Bella’s POV, and that was the time when the Cullen family left Forks. So the story more or less revolved between Bella and Jacob (the werewolf), and without the presence of the vampires the story was way way boring and the characters annoying ( I love Edward and Alice Cullen that’s why he he he). I wouldnt know if the movie version is better than the book though, lets just wait and see.

I heard mixed reviews from people who watched the movie, people who read the book first and people who had absolutely no idea of what the movie was all about before going to the cinemas. I’d say it was more that what I had expected for a film adaptation. As I understand, film adaptations were made in a way to meet the viewers expectations, so that would either be sticking to the book with very minor alterations, or sticking to the story but with some major alterations. Either way could work for the viewers depending on the original story (that is of course for viewers who like to read the books first)…but with one catch…people have varied tastes as we know, and sticking closer to the book seemed to be the best way yet.

Adopted Son of the Cordillera Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri named DUCAYAG

 The CINDEWOLL (Cordillera Indigenous Elected Women Leaders League) held their 5th General Assembly today at the Benguet State University closed gym, La Trinidad, Benguet. As one of the comtemporary leaders of the country who have extended unsolicited services to the Region specially in the field of legislation for economic development activities, Hon. Juan Miguel Zubiri was invited as the keynote speaker for the said activity.

The senator arrived shortly before 10 AM. Before the senator’s lengthy inspirational speech,  Gov. F. Diazen of Kalinga announced the organization’s resolution adopting Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as the Son of the Cordillera and be named “Ducayag“. Senator Zubiri indulged the request of the group to have his clothings changed at the backstage. Garbed in a traditional ethnic wear (g-string), the senator went back to the stage where Usec. Dominguez together with Mayor C. Balao of Atok (CINDEWOLL President), and other politicians present helped him in wearing the head gear and other accessories that goes with the costume. The senator took the podium and delivered his speech barefooted and in a traditional Igorot man costume.

“Ducayag“ was one of the great tribal leaders of Kalinga who was known for his leadership potential that gained him the title “Pangat”, a Kalinga title bestowed only to one with proven leadership.

During the organization’s General Assembly in 2007, Senator Loren Legarda was also given the same recognition, giving her the name “Tokwifi“, a local term for a star.   

Free ebooks by your favorite authors

Wow! I practically went gaga when I stumbled across this blog with hundreds or maybe thousands of ebooks by famous authors. The blog owner was even encouraging readers to request for authors or books they have in mind that are not found in her collection…Fully Book’s a blessing to people like me…

Visit the blog at Fullybook’s weblog Name it and you’ll have it: Dan Brown, John Grisham, Sidney Sheldon, Ludlum, Sparks, Clancy, McNaught, Garwood…and everyone in the New York Times bestseller list, can’t believe it myself but they’re all there! I had been scouring the net for for free ebooks by these authors to no avail until quite accidentally I found this site. Then voila! some of the books that are lacking in my paperback collection were there, and some of which the owner promised to upload. Fullybook said that she’s got thousands more of ebooks that are yet to be uploaded. Go now! download and start reading, Enjoy!

PS…you can also ask Fullyboook directly to include you in her list by sending your requests via her facebook account: http://www.facebook.com/privatelib

Aimless walking and musings

Walking aimlessly, without focus, with no definite agenda in mind has it’s certain charm. Along the way we meet people from different walks of life, we see places, we notice things, and do things spontaneously that we may not be able to do if there were some agenda at hand. Random thoughts enter the mind and we muse over almost everything that comes across our wandering minds, major or trivialities that had been a part of our life.

For a time I really enjoyed just walking up and down Session Road, alone, and without specific agenda in mind. I would occasionally glance at the goodies spread out on the sidewalk, “wagwag”, accessories, and pirated CDs and DVDs. Oftentimes I would even buy something that was totally out of my budget, call that impulsiveness or spontaneity, whatever. It’s only when my feet start protesting that I would go to either Ionic Café or Dunkin Donuts for one of my addictions…coffee. I would just sit there for hours enjoying the coffee while watching people coming in and out and passing through the café. Nothing can beat the effect of going home late though, feeling tired and sleepy, I would soon fall into oblivion, without the usual restlessness. I stopped doing this nocturnal activity several months ago when again I found myself drawn back to my oldest and most trusted friends…books, but I really missed those times in the café. Losing yourself in books has it’s own charm too, when you get your hands on a really good book and you will find yourself totally captivated with the story, temporarily you will forget all your worries. Either way, it was  a great progress compared to the time when merely getting out of bed is pure act of will.

Life’s like that in so many ways, half our lifetime we walk aimlessly in search of fulfilling our purpose in this world. We face our life by taking it one day at a time, never really thinking what the future has in store for us. Time flies without notice and still we continue the journey. Somewhere along the aimless journey, we’ll arrive to a purpose that warrants our attention. We meet some people who may or may not become a vital part of that journey. In retrospect, some will just leave us high and dry along the way, and very few will steadfastly stand and walk beside you.  Those who left us along the way may leave bittersweet memories that will forever be imprinted in our hearts, memories that will either create joyful or woeful smile on our faces. Those disillusionments will sometimes keep us from the right track, and so comes the need for a purpose to help us get back on track.

Maintaining professional boundaries

Sometimes it is truly very hard to set your personal and professional life apart, especially in the work place. As professionals, we are required to set boundaries for ourselves, setting these ethical boundaries when in a work situation will keep our integrity as professionals. Whatever those boundaries were, our main goal is to maintain our integrity and keep the respect of our colleagues and clients. The following are just few of the situations that were observed in the work place.

Married Couples (Use of endearments in the office premises) - The use of endearments (“mama”, “daddy”, etc.)  between married couples who work in the same company/office when calling the attention of their other half while inside the office premises. I’m sure you agree that this is highly improper and inappropriate even for a boss and most especially for a boss to do in the presence of subordinates.

Bringing personal/family problems to work - One situation that seems to be very common in a work place is bringing our personal or family problems to work. The boundary should be clearly drawn here and the right time for work and right time for dealing our personal issues be clearly defined. In my work place for instance, most of us here unfortunately were not able to develop these ethical lines which admittedly affected our work performance and working relationships. It became a part of our daily life here at work to hear about so and so’s problem. That’s a part of “humanness” I guess, quite understandable but hardly an acceptable reason for doing so. A very sound advice from David Bohl, we should do everyone a favor and adopt this mantra “what happens at home, stays at home”.

Opinion lang po.

Hopelessly McNaughtized

If there’s one author who can make me cry and laugh from the start to end…that could only be Judith McNaught. As McNaught fans called it, I was hopelessly “McNaughtized”, and so are millions of readers who happened to read any of her books. For 12 years since I first read “Until You”, I had been collecting McNaught books, and I considered them the most treasured among my book collections. Unlike other known authors, McNaught wrote only about 20 books in total (including short stories compiled with Jude Deveraux books). And just for the record, all of her books were in the New York Times best sellers list, and it’s really very hard avail a copy for each. Among my favorites are her contemporary series: Perfect, Paradise, and Night Whispers. I won’t go into detail about these books because I’ll just be raving non-stop about those unforgettable characters (with Zack and Julie in Perfect as my favorites). I can only tell you this much, once you tried reading even one of her books, you won’t stop with just one and can’t help yourself looking for more. McNaught is the best, contemporary and historicals alike.

I can’t wait to get my hands on her latest book called “Can’t take my eyes off you”.

Full text of OBAMA’s victory speech

President-elect Barack Obama spoke to the world from his home city of Chicago as he became the first black president of the United States.

(more…)

sCaRy!

Today is Ate Kuklay’s birthday. I ate more or less a thousand calories in just one sitting ugh! gotta do something with this appetite before I’ll turn into “lumba-lumba“.

Sigh! I don’t know anymore how to handle this problem. Funny, but once again I was caught off guard with this person’s question. I entered their office looking for Ate Perlas, and my boss was talking with someone on the phone, then this person who was just a meter away from my boss called my attention and forthrightly asked ” Adda ba grudge mo kaniak? inis ka ba kaniak?” … Golly! Did she really expect an honest answer with some audience around (my boss specially)? I admit I muttered the wrong answer because I said “Awan, Apay?  Sencya gayam a hanak nagreply jay txt mo ta awan load ko”  Hay wrong! I should have said “why? is there a reason for me to be mad at you?”  as what a friend told me to. Throwing back that question would surely make her think. What boggles the mind is that why in hell would she ask me that with my boss within hearing range? close range at that…otherwise I would have answered her honestly. Grabe sa manners as in. This on going rift between us in the office is still without my boss’ knowledge, and I wouldn’t want her to get involve with this as much as possible. My boss’ sister and this girl apparently had differences too for some reason, they were former office mates.

Role of the Electoral College in US Presidential Election

Well, I’m not an expert on how the election process of the United States works, far from it actually. I just found the Electoral College an interesting subject. In smaller countries like our country for instance, people elect the president and vice president directly, it more or less relied on popular voting, and the candidate having the highest vote will automatically earn the office. It doesn’t work that way in the US however, the popular election is just the first step in the process of the election, having the highest votes in the popular voting doesn’t guarantee the candidate winning the election. This year for instance, there were 538 electors in the Electoral College representing the 49 States plus the District of Columbia, the number of electors were based on the number of senators (2 for each State) and the number of representatives per State. The candidate must earn the minimum majority of 270 votes to win the presidency. The electors’ votes will reflect the people’s choice in their respective state, however, not all the States have federal law that mandates the electors to vote for the candidate they are pledged to elect.

Take for example the case of Al Gore and George Bush in the 2000 election, Gore won the popular votes but Bush won the Electoral College votes making him the 43^rd President of the US. That is considered the major drawback in this system as compared to just simply declaring the winner of the popular voting, but nevertheless it also gives weight to the votes of the smaller or less populous states like for instance the State of Alaska which is one of the smallest state. It provides a fair representation for each State. This created a never ending debate over the relevance and fairness of the system. Hilary Clinton in one of her speech suggested the elimination of the Electoral College, saying that the the popular votes or the will of the people be followed.

After more or less 22 months and billion dollars spent in the campaign, America will have their 44^th President. Be it Mc Cain or Obama, it’s a bit premature to say it yet.  Not until the Electoral College will cast their votes on December 15 this year.

However, news reports already declared Obama the winner, with a projected 338 electoral votes over 159 by Mc Cain based on the results of the popular voting. With this wide margin, the democrats will have nothing to worry about…The College will just be making it official this December and Obama would be the first ever African American to hold the most powerful office in the world. The 44th President will be inaugurated come January 20, 2009.

A democrat and a member of the minority himself, Obama as president will surely be an advantage for the filipinoes in the US.

vAmPiRe FeVeR Part 2 (Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer)

 Weekend was boring, t’was the only All Saints Day that I wasn’t with relatives at the cemetery. I spent my Saturday at Ate Jarz’ apartment, we went to the grocery in the morning then cooked pork sinigang and pansit for lunch, then we all watched another boring movie called ITALY before I went home at 4pm, thinking of the vampire book waiting for me.

Warning: The following contains spoilers about the book series. 

I finished New Moon and Eclipse during the weekend and I already started with the last book called Breaking Dawn. New moon was a bit boring compared to Eclipse. I got really annoyed with Jacob the werewolf in Newmoon, with his persistent pursuit and over flowing confidence in wooing Bella, but I’m starting to like him better in Breaking Dawn. Also Bella, with her low self-esteem and extreme martyrdom, aah! it was really irritating but I love her total transformation in Breaking Dawn. I love the characters of the Cullen family though specially Edward and Alice. I was quite fascinated with that “imprinting” thing of the werewolves. Vampires on the other hand fall in love only once in their whole existence and will forvever be loyal to their partners, I wish that happens in real life.

Honestly? The twilight series are far from the best books I’ve read in the past, I’ve read hundreds of fictions and there are better books to read than these ones, I found it a bit overrated as compared to HP books, it certainly lacks the colorful characters of HP, but still I found myself fascinated with these vampires and werewolves characters…a welcome change from thrillers, contemporary romance, courtroom dramas, etc…Still okey I guess, I just started reading the last book and by the look of things I’m predicting for more sequels of the story, perhaps the story will be in the perspective of both the protagonists’ daughter, perhaps. Readers will be asking for more I guess because the characters don’t grow old, they were frozen to the age when they were made vampires. Their adventure as vampires and werewolves continues. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to the movie, I’d like to compare it with the book (I usually do that with books I’ve read with film adaptations), and besides Rob Pattinson is absolutely hot (lol)

Ebooks of the whole series are available for those interested with vampires and werewolves, just leave me a message and I will send it to your emails for free.

EP ROACH Part 2

Gosh! This girl…I mean this ADULT never ceases to amaze me. With her very active imagination, she can truly be a master story teller…I’m serious about that. I really want to confront her because her assumptions are getting overboard, it’s all guess work base on forgotten past and unexistent issues. How am I going to tell her all these without creating bloodshed, or without making the situation worst? All hell will break loose I tell you if someone talks about it openly and things will not be dealt with properly. And as much as possible we wouldn’t want to involve the person who feed us all those info, which is inevitable in this case, we wouldn’t want her to be caught in the crossfire if that ever happens. But how? As another adult, how am I going to deal with this? Is confrontation a sign of immaturity? She’s definitely older but by the look of things, let’s leave that for her to mull over (if…that will ever cross her mind).  (more…)

VaMpiRe FeVeR Part 1 (Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer)

Whoa! It just happened! I didn’t know what hit me but it just happened. Just last week, Dyeypi (a young lady who’s crazy with the vampire chronicles of Anne Rice) sent me the complete series of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. She was raving about it but admittedly I was not so excited because the author was completely unknown to me. If she’d been talking about Sheldon, Grisham, Ludlum, or Dan Brown, I would have joined her enthusiasm then.  (more…)

E.P. Roach

Original date” October 21, 2008 

Knowing this investigator-cum-psychic-cum-fiction writer was one of those unpleasant experiences I’ve had in my whole life. Lets give this person the pseudonym E. P. Roach. Her “profession” and pen name tells you as much I guess. Hell! It came to the point where I can barely act civil and keep my composure at work whenever I hear something new that this person’s overly imaginative mind have concocted. Might as well explain the “profession”. Investigator because she made it her business to investigate other people’s private lives, psychic because she gives false meanings and interpretations to your every action (even the tiniest one) which is really annoying …as if she can read your mind…a fake psychic that is. And a fiction writer with true to life characters because you wouldnt believe her outrageous stories about everybody…all fiction and product of her just as wild imagination. All but speculations that seems to be working for other people. Well like I’ve said Im already tired of complaining, I will just wait for the day those people will realize their mistake. Mistake in trusting and believing an accomplished liar. (more…)