cornered by a streak of light...

Moving ON mode switch busted....

2009-03-06T20:27:00.003+08:00

When my Dad and my fiance's dad finally met in Manila 21 days before he passed away
Casa Armas Glorietta 2 Makati City February 2, 2009

How much I put myself in mere trickery that papa just went out of the country or somewhere and instantly decided to forget about us here in the Philippines -- my mixed feelings of grandeur denial and minimal acceptance just builds up

creeping and accumulating every inch of my being
consuming and piercing my dreaded soul

I just end up in tears...

I try to put on different kinds of masks --
strong masks, courageous ones, unaffected poker faces...
but, at the end of the day when I don't need to wear them anymore,
my knees weaken and I fall myself breaks down
and feel extremely cheated without any chance of recourse

river of emotions...
streams of memories and thoughts...
trafficked within me everything's cluttered and I don't see clarity --

I guess no formula is going to work with grieving.
That's the sad fact.
It is only when I will genuinely learn to accept and embrace that papa is gone.

Until that day beckons,
I still feel the pain
I still feel the surreality of things
I will never see him again
touch him again
feel him again
hear him again in this lifetime...

But, the voice within tells me to be still and accept --
"Thy will be done!"
and eventually shake these all off...
pick up the pieces and move on with my life --

with a head held high
a father remembered
and a cross to surrender...

Thank You

2009-03-06T19:57:00.009+08:00

Stories have been told. Experiences have been shared.
It just makes the family proud of Manoski -- my father. In behalf of papa and the family,
Thank you very much for being a part of his life.

Though everything still feels surreal -- Only time, genuine acceptance and a lot of prayers will help us move on...

We just hope all is well and comfortable to where you are right now!

Together with the rest of the family; Our mom and wife of Manoski, Emi; our eldest, my kuya Gio, his wife Helen and daughter, Gabbie in Hong Kong, Manoski's unica hija, my sister Ate Nina and our bunso, Enzo; Dad's siblings, her ate; my Tita Rita and her family and lastly, their bunso, my Tita Vickie and family -- we are definitely overwhelmed with the SUPPORT, prayers, stories and experiences with papa and words of endearment as well as, the sympathy expressed by everyone. We can't think of anything more on how to extend our deepest heartfelt appreciation.

To the people who loved and paid respect to papa as well as his good comrades from the Ateneo de Manila GS'65, HS'69, Coll '73 who went during his wake at the Our Lady of Peace Memorial Chapel in Antipolo City -- with our small chats during the wake, it unveiled more about my papa during his younger years and how he became an influence to his friends -- missing him most!

But, that concludes to everyone that he is definitely a man of substance.
We definitely appreciate all and really felt consoled.

Gio and his family are now back in Hong Kong and misses papa. My Ate Nina (who's leaving for Norway as a Registered Nurse in a month's time), my fiance Rica and I (scheduled to tie the knot on January 01, 2010) are now back in Davao and misses papa. Our youngest, Enzo (based in Manila and is currently a working student) will still be in Manila accompanied by our mom and papa's siblings and their beloved families; Tita Rita and Tita Vickie, until papa's 40th day -- misses papa.

I humbly request to please light a candle for Manoski on April 4th (his 40th day).

Thank you very much for all your support, mass offerings, prayers and for everyone responsible for the upcoming memorial mass at the Ateneo de Manila College Chapel on March 19th with a simple dinner in a restaurant along Katipunan to follow -- Dad will surely be happy and honored with that.

Your gestures are definitely overwhelming and beyond payment!

I just thank the Father for giving papa the opportunity to belong to a very united batch in the Ateneo that surely knows the definition and comprehension of SUPPORT SYSTEM and BROTHERHOOD! May God's favor rest upon everyone who reads this email and wish you only the BEST!!!

with all our love and sincerest gratitude

In Memorial of My Father...

2009-03-06T19:50:00.002+08:00

To the grieving family and dear friends,

There are things in life that we just can't explain.
Only God knows why.
Live life as if it was your last.
For we just don't know when it's time to go back to the Father and be cradled again to eternity.

Papa is now in a better place.

He now sings with the the saints, with Lolo Gil and Lola Emma, the faithfully departed and the angels singing hymns of praise and worship in glorifying only the Father in eternity -- perhaps having a sumptuous banquet. With the short period of time that papa shared his life with us, join us in remembering all the good things he has done.

All the happiness he brought. All the love he shared.

And now, as papa decided to rest and embrace eternity -- may we continue to live on with our lives, bond as a family and treasure each and everyone, and feel inspired that in spite of the sadness of the alarming news, we still are loved and blessed by people around us.

Papa will surely be missed by his family and friends. I would like to invite you to pause and be in a moment of silence and remember papa -- how he touched your life. Please pray with us, his family for his eternal repose and embrace life with the music of his memory.

Grieving for the loss,
Manoski's family

Hong Kong Concluded My 2008!

2009-01-27T00:27:00.005+08:00

Who would ever thought that out of spur and a never-ending stream of skype conversations with Oig...

a wholottaprayers&work --

in less than 6 months of planning and saving up to spend Christmas and New Year's together as a family-- we kicked it off in Hong Kong and definitely pulled it off!!!

Friends ask me when I got back and having the usual "huling hirit", "pahabol" reunions and catching up sessions...inuman...kuwentahan...kamustahan...kanchawan...kainan...

and then

pauses...
like enjoying every flavor in the palette

now reaching a deeper level of conversation kuno kasi tapos na ang kamustahan -- you know! ,

ana dayon, "What was the best thing that happened to you in 2008 Juan?", and in a blink of an eye, I always say that

spending the holidays with my family in HongKong

Then they gave me a rebuttal of questions or indefinite statements like "Why?" or "Oo naman, nasa Hong Kong kayo and nagbabakasyon! So, that must be fun!?" --

yeah! most of what they said was true and REAL to me! Who wouldn't have fun right? But I must say for the record that it was a 2 week vacation of pure temperamental and prized bliss! and just thankful and blessed that we were able to afford to do such luxury but, it was definitely more than that....

a stria of glorious reconnection occured....
reuniting happened
and a strewned family was again bonded&sealed

Frankly, everyone in my family were humbled and joyful that we were able to pull it off because, that was definitely where the fruits of our desire, hard work and determination in 2008 combined -- a collective effort rather than the "idya idya". And what highlights it; it is garnished with people who knew me from the very start and confident enough to know that they love me dearly -- even though at times I become reckless with their feelings -- I'm still convicted with that...and thus makes it more a memorable and life changing trip!

In addition -- my fiance was able to see me how I am with my family (which really matters) and see my family without pretensions and inhibitions and really spend time with them -- they now love her even more and accept her as part of our family! It was something that I would thank and be proud of my family as well.

We were able to travel, go around, go camwhoring, chillaxing, partying, steadying, reminiscing and surprisingly spend and splurge for 14 days in Hong Kong, Kowloon, Stanley, Ngong Ping, The Peak, Temple Street, Macau, Ocean Park, Fortress and everything on it!!! Definitelly after a year of not seeing each other -- being reunited with the family is definitely a reward. Surprisingly, we were still able to connect and converse on the same level after all the things that each member went through for the past 351 days of 2008.

Gio is still Gio, Ate is still ate, Enzo is still Enzo. Juan is still Juan.

Though I may say that we've all matured in time, we got to learn to value more our relationship with each other. Something that we're thankful and feel blessed about! Containing everything that I've experienced in Hong Kong forfeits the entirety of the experience. Thus, there are things that are better left unsaid. But just like the Lopez's and the Zobel's, "What's in the family, stays in the family!" ehehehe....

Hong Kong definitely concluded my 2008! Kampai! great memories yo!

Kagawad Lia Montalban's Philanthropic Endeavour

2008-12-17T20:48:00.002+08:00

We were just invited by friend Bambina Sarraga to take part in feeding those malnourished elementary kids in San Jose Elementary School (3 hours away from Davao). So what we did? we bought some milk and biscuits in SM, had it packed in a sandwich bag and gave it away from me & Rica! 60 lucky malnourished kids... :)

As this year comes to an end, new relationships started and brought us to an awareness of doing the most practical way in having a remedy to HUNGER AND MALNOURISHMENT in this country...might as well support the endeavor of Lia in coming up with the most measurable and realistic efforts in feeding these kids!

Every week they do it over there serving vegetable soup and rice with a budget less than $100 -- and feeds 250 school kids!? you would definitely be surprised how in the world they do it!

A philanthropic act fueled by passion...
we definitely became a part of this!

But this time around, they served fried chicken and pizza for a change (it's the yuletide season anyways!) To Lia and her colleagues, congratulations for a job well done! and to Mayang! you definitely rocked the dough!

kampai!!!

FLIPSIDE

2008-10-23T10:58:00.002+08:00

FLIPSIDE Magazine is an independent magazine conceptualized by ordinary people looking for the "REAL FEEL" in a magazine -- something that isn't "trigger fantasy happy" or unreachable by common people. It features different ordinary people who were soaked with the 1st world culture and falling in love again with the Philippines by bringing their technology and innovation back in the roots -- stories of ordinary Filipinos in foreign countries where most people back home oversee. Still featuring sports, lifestyle and tourism but now fortified & experimenting with information technology and the beauty of agriculture business. FLIPSIDE is a group project that aims to educate people with the new breed of initiative and innovation in living back in the roots.

RANDOMNESS OF THINGS...

2008-10-22T19:15:00.002+08:00

Whoever has thought how spontaneity and randomness catches the fish in a rye? With the unending struggles and battles in my shell with the daunting questions in my so-called "purpose in life"...everything throttled in a snap last night and FINALLY (after years of "soul searching") stood up to which I believe will make me catch that golden fish...

I was groomed to be in the medical field by my parents especially my mom. She wanted me to be a nurse. “Sayang naman ang pinag-aralan ko and lisensya ko kung hindi ko gagamitin diba?” For her, being a nurse in Norway or in the US is my "security blanket" for a much promising future. It'll not only secure my finances but also, experience a different kind of life – a life filled with opportunities and for the record, HARD WORK! Which I think – I’m gonna pass for a moment. I’m actually enjoying what keeps me busy right now – farming. Anyways, I sometimes wonder what life they have over there in the 1st world? Is it more than the usual or more special than here in my homeland? I guess we all live the same way -- it's just a matter of what fauna and society we prefer. I might not use my license and education as my source of income right now – but, channeling it to a better avenue like starting a community based health care service in the “bukid” sooner or later which isn’t new but poorly enforced by the government will simply add up to my substance as an individual – a personal commitment of “pass it on”. With a head held high, I am now a proud community nurse and farmer.

Spending time in the farm last week for four days (unaccompanied by Rica because of her office obligations) due to the scheduled 2nd picking of our squash farm, gave me the opportunity to look back at me and see what really matters in this life – KNOWING TO APPRECIATE even the minutest of things. I missed Rica so badly but it didn’t stop me to appreciate the totality of my recent experience in the farm. I learned how to be a “community nurse” again where our workers looked at me as a “guru” and asked me about “health myths”, etc. and sharing them valuable and practical information is the most rewarding of all. GOAL MET ika nga! Most people who don’t value their health or are too busy with their lives usually oversee it, but they don’t know the impact of it to these people deprived of information and interaction – just wanting to be heard and addressed. It feels good to see them smile whenever they see us arriving the area. My value in the farm increases!

Last night, my mom called me up and told me about my scheduled examination at DMC. I politely told her about my stand about my application as a nurse trainee in the hospital and clearly got my point in less than 10 minutes and what’s great about it – she BLESSED me in my chosen endeavor right now! I am so blessed and happy that I have gotten it out my system and told her that I can manage my life now even without going through all the “hassle” of being a nurse in the city. As she blessed my endeavor, everything automatically fell in place and became crystal clear.

What I learned from this experience:
1. OPEN UP!
2. APPRECIATE!
3. FOCUS!
4. Life is so random; we either go with the flow or go against!
5. Life has a smorgasbord of choices; it's only us who can decide which one comes first.

Ramblings of an Owl

2008-09-19T02:06:00.007+08:00

Chatting for the whole night with my fiance online during this unholy hour is simply a punishment to the nth level. We've been awake for more than 16 hours now, still tired from spinning class we religiously do every night in a local gym and struggling with the gurgling sounds of our empty stomachs in the wee hours of the night. It sucks! (but needed) We finally decided to break through from the guilty pleasures of eating good food during the late hours. With our decision to practice a "strict diet" to shed off extra pounds will soon be worth it and rewarding in our targeted time frame.

Anyways, we have been flirting with this nightly "set-up" for almost a week now and I am starting to feel ticked with the change of my fiance's schedule at work. Rica's still in her office right at this very moment having a teleconference with their new client for next week and ultimately hoping that the trainees for this particular account can maintain this and pull it off. Rica is such a life saver for her company! Trying to get jobs for unmotivated people who needs a good beating and taking care of a phallic fixated British boss. Tsk...

Anyways, I had a pretty interesting week where I began to ask "questions" again to myself. Some are quite pristine but mostly are disturbing. But as this night session ended, Rica sent me the lyrics of our favorite song, "Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen)" written by Baz Luhrmann (director of Moulin Rogue). Great song for it totally snapped me out from this "bugging out" mode.

"If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.
Scientists have proved the long-term benefits of sunscreen whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
You are NOT as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't, maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't, maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you'll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Brother and Sister - TOGETHER we'll make it through."

Optimism Above It All...

2008-09-19T02:06:00.003+08:00

In a "midlife state of mind", I believe that it is healthy to pause for a moment and try to recollect all the things that you've experienced. Blissful or not, it’s all a part of you NOW! I have pondered and thought about a lot of things and decided to write something about my parents.

My Mom

She lived a pretty colorful and fascinating life. With all the triumphs and trials that one could experience, I am pretty sure that she is tried and tested.

* Nothing's going to shake her except the family.
* Nothing's going to threaten her except herself.
* No one's capable of taking away her faith but her.

Life has never been easy with her. How much I wished it were the other way around, that’s something I have to accept and be grateful for she survived it gracefully and with a head held high. She grew up from a broken family, eldest child and sister of 7 and now, a singled out and happy mom. I guess she has nothing to regret for. Things happen where we have no control over! They just happen. I sometimes find humor with the pattern of sequences that happened in our lives. Though it was tough -- there's still peace in the middle of a hurricane.

I learned to ACCEPT the things that I can't change.
I learned to embrace the unknown. I learned to see how my mom strode and stood up on her own for us. With her, it’s always “for us”. I saw her sacrifices. I heard her worries. I saw her life. I remember looking at her worried and confused whenever she burst in tears. I eventually feel something went the other way without even asking. Instinct I guess. With us her children as her drive and fueled inspiration, I realize how beautiful life is and how blessed we are! No amount of success could ever replace her in our lives. With the grandeur of life, it's such a waste to fault find and be unmotivated. She lives. She laughs. She cries. She feels. She tells…

Life moves on for us. I’ve learned that we have to always compose ourselves and be Optimistic above it all.

My Dad

He was the usual rich kid, unico hijo of late politicians during the 60s. Sheltered. Spoiled. Manilenyo.That was my dad. A big guy with a big heart who taught me to get out of my comfort zone and survive! He taught me to dream ever since as a kid. He taught me the discipline of practice yields perfection. He also taught me to always be confident. And just like his dad, my lolo would say, "DREAM BIG!"

My dad always maintained his stature as a man of few words. Though a lot of things changed when my grandparents left him. I saw how he really grieved with their loss. I saw his watery eyes filled with the ground breaking pain choking him all up... I guess, to see your dad "hagulhol" like a lost child is simply the hardest and spine chilling experience of all. So, I stopped! Breathe deep and hugged him on that hot afternoon in Antipolo. I will always respect him. My dad always dream and dreamed BIG for the family. He always reminded us of our roots, our heritage and our pride as a family.

I believe that my dad loved us regardless of what happened with the family. I still believe that he will have his own perfect time...I'll just wait for that moment, sit back and enjoy the ride when it happens.

As I sip my cup of tea now and enjoy its aroma -- I finally brought this recollection in conclusion and realized that worrying won't do any good to you. It's official! Both my parents are now living their own separate lives and seem happy to where they are now. I perfectly RESPECT both of them.

What I learned from this immensely random world, that we should live our lives the way we want it to be! Enjoy our lives! Treasure what we have and don't have! Say a colossal amount of "I love you" to our family everyday! Kiss them! Hug them! Feel them! Smile! Have faith with them! Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)! I believe that nothing should be left unsaid and nothing should be left unheard when it comes with family.

FAMILY FIRST!

Mahal ka namin ma & pa! Masyadong malaki ang Diyos natin compared sa atin mga problema! Keep the faith for we your children will always be proud of you guys! Now is the time to get tired carrying our guns and decide to put it all down and finally see that we still have each other amidst all the "fuck ups" of this life!

How I Do it My Way...(Romance 101)

2008-09-15T23:54:00.009+08:00

This is why I say, "She's all mine!"

When "Jackstones & Nursery Rhymes" are the Only Ones She Have...

2008-09-12T21:55:00.008+08:00

If only you can see the lady on the bed through her eyes –
you would realize how much love she gives and how it puts her life on halt...
Modesty aside, she wouldn’t complain with her current responsibility.
She pleases herself with the innocence and gentleness of a former pillar.
Rekindling their unforgotten past, she is pleased with such memoirs of a well-guided past.
...blinded only with love and loyalty to give back, a strike of the world doesn't matter
she may be struck down but not destroyed
persecuted but never abandoned...
Rica’s love for Mommy Ling is immensely pure and a privilege. Abundant with great memories from a treasured precedent – Rica is definitely a grand daughter of her mother’s mom.

And I am blessed to be a part of her life and be a witness of this moving relationship.

We Age That Fast...

2008-09-11T00:17:00.005+08:00

Do you know that the baby in Nirvana's "Nevermind" album cover is now 17 years old?

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92833535

Learning Sansrival...

2008-09-07T22:40:00.010+08:00

The last time I was in Magic Farms (sometime like two week-ends ago) with my fiancé, Rica was simply a busy and a much needed trip. I always get excited every time we go to the farm because there’s always something new and something to look forward instead of soaking ourselves with the “laid back” life here in Davao. In the farm, I feel productive and more energized. I sometimes feel that I simply belong there. In the farm, being laid back is a façade for it seriously entails a lot of hard work and determination to exist there. That’s why; whenever we’re there – it’s not only pure vacationing or money spending or act like aristocrats and “hacienderos” …it’s more of having participation and contribution to the bigger picture of things.

Anyways, Rica and I decided to leave Davao on a Thursday night to arrive Mambatangan early morning. We intended to be there a day earlier for us to catch Burpie Sarraga -- who is currently having her culinary studies in ISCAM and was going back to Manila on Friday afternoon after having a week long vacation in the farm and a great sister. Apparently, the bus driver drove too fast; we arrived there earlier as expected. It was during the "wee hours" of the day, the crows were still sleeping and the place was all jet black. We were grateful for Burpie (struggling with insomnia) for waking up Jun (Bambina’s fiancé) to request to pick us up in the highway. Thanks to you guys!

Moving on, as soon as we got to the main house, Burpie welcomed us in the front door. As soon as we entered the house, I immediately noticed the long wooden table filled with dry and wet ingredients calling me.

“Unsa imo himuon Burp? (What you making Burp?)” I curiously asked.
“Sansrival geng!” Burpie uttered.
“ATAY! Tudlu-a ko bih aron kakapa na ko ani pagbalik namu Dabaw (LIVER! Teach me so I can copy it when I get to Davao)” I persistently asked her.

“O bah! (Sure thang!)” Burpie answered shortly and went on with another topic.

We arrived there at 430 a.m., toked up a little bit and went through the next 4 hours with a lot of stories, MANUAL beating of egg whites to make meringue and a whole lot of baking and power napping. Four days ago, I did my first-ever SANSRIVAL. It was pretty home-style which needs a lot of cost cutting with the ingredients but all in all, it was simply a good start!

Now I understand the value of measurements…hehehe… Cheers!

__________________________________________________

SANSRIVAL

* Meringue
* Pounded cashew and walnuts
* Butter icing
* Powdered sugar
* Vanilla
* Almond syrup

1. Make meringue.
2. Place meringue on a non-stick tray or simply grease an ordinary tray with lard and line wax paper on it. Place meringue on top of the tray about 1.5 inch thick.
3. Preheat oven and cook meringue for 1 hour at 135 Degrees Celsius.
4. Remove from oven when meringue is golden brown.
5. While still hot, remove meringue from tray and cut it in half to have a double layer cake. (Number of layer depends on you)
6. Now put one layer first then spread an ample amount of butter icing on top of it. Sprinkle with pounded walnuts and cashews.
7. Put another layer and cover top and sides of trimmed 'SANSRIVAL' with the remainder of the cream mixture. Sprinkle with pounded cashew and walnuts.
8. Put in the Freezer to chill.
9. Serve after an hour.

Our Love in 3rd Person

2008-08-27T22:31:00.002+08:00

Rica together with her cousin, Paul Palo and wife Juvy (founders of Hype Magazine – a Sports, Lifestyle & Tourism Free Publication) went to Damosa Gateway for an ocular inspection for their upcoming event, The 1^st Hype Night Hunt. They also had an appointment with Ariz Japitaña (Regional Supervisor of Ginebra San Miguel) – Juvy’s former student in Stella Maris and the one who contacted and invited Juan to hang out with them in Damosa Gateway. It was a warm humid Saturday night and since Rica just got back after 18 years in the U.S., she wasn’t really feeling the weather. Rock and roll wasn’t her cup of tea as well, she just ordered herself long island iced teas and tried to entertain herself by chatting with Juvy. Not until Juan arrived with his good friend and team mate in Ultimate Frisbee, Aldrin Redolme (both fans of Razorback) and joined Rica’s table. When Rica first met Juan, she noticed him because of his happy nature. With his big frame and contagious humour, he never missed to make Rica smile and be noticed.

“I’m actually Mexican Juan. And I’m taking care of my grandmother who’s bedridden in Ecoland.” With such beauty, charm, fluency, confidence and accent while talking to him straight in his eyes, Juan became more interested with Rica. “Really? You’re Mexican?” Juan responded mesmerized. She then said to herself, “Here’s another monkey trying to hit on me and probably would forget everything he sweetly said.” The night deepened and they were talking about a lot of things like the duration of her stay in Davao, places she’s been to especially the lug-lug in Cecile’s, which happened to be Rica’s favorite.

“Since you’re a Guino-o, do you own Cecile’s?”

“No, we don’t own Cecile’s…my aunts does. Why? You want lug-lug?”

Rica’s face painted a big smile and said the magic word, “Yes!”

“So it’s a date, I’ll treat you, Paul and Ma’am Juvy for merienda after your night hunt?” Juan followed through.

The night ended but the impact of their connection just didn’t fade.

“I realized that I couldn’t just end the story there especially when you connected with each other. I have to be in their event next week!” Juan told to himself as he rode the cab going home.

With Razorback’s comeback and a great conversation. That humid night budded a love story worth sharing.

Mom's Birthday (2008)

2008-08-22T14:23:00.014+08:00

Originally, we were all craving for Tong Yang Pot Noodles food at Chimes Specialty Store. The shabu-shabu experience, the works, etc. Unfortunately when we got there tired and hungry, it was still CLOSED. We tried to ask the "bantay" to let us in but refused our request to wait there until they open again (it's just an hour wait but, there were a lot of reasons thrown so we declined). So, we ended up at

Cafe Mediterranean "Flavors of the Sun"

surprisingly was a good detour! The food prepared for us definitely flirted with our palettes! What an experience!

The food, service and ambiance were A-ok! Though the waitress who attended us first, let's call her "Cindy" was like in a hurry when taking our orders. She was like babbling more than 50 words in 10 secods that would totally make you pant with her too. To calculate 300 words a minute more or less. hehehe... Tell you, you'd be amazed like us! We were all trying to calm her down and laughing it all off rather than being annoyed. Imagine this, we were ordering our usual starter, main course and a cup of jasmine tea to be served after the meal. And then Cindy, a girl with a tiny frame and very innocent looking starts to open her mouth. Viola! She started yapping in a cute Visayan accent rendering English words and repeats your order and then suggests another one like a promotion or something and then reads your order again to confirm it...pakapin! also asked for our drinks! hehehe...what a multi-task, right? In less than a minute she got our stack of order.

Though it took like the usual 10-15 minutes of waiting... my sister and I went out and bought a cake from Red Ribbon (just 20 steps away) had it dedicated with "Happy Birthday Mom!" (with a big heart) and went back to Cafe Mediterranean. As soon as we got back, I automatically lit the candle and sang loudly the usual "Happy Birthday Song" while walking back to the table. I can see mum's big smile but was asking to keep the singing down coz there are like people over there too. But knowing me, I never cared and continued singing louder after the "sita" to keep it down. I saw the waitresses and the staff singing along with us in their counter and greeted mom after the song. What an add-on!

Once they started serving our food, we had fun enjoying their dishes. We had a lot of food like kebab meals and their all-time version of New York pizza on pita bread and I forgot the rest. I'm just happy with my mum being happy that afternoon. Everything was simple yet thought-off. To my mom, "Happy Birthday and we wish you only the BEST!" We love you! Cheers!

Natividad

2008-08-22T14:05:00.004+08:00

We basically grew up with Lola Nating beside us. From Manila to Davao, she was surely there for us.

Though she's not our direct "lola", we basically grew up with her. She's the only "Tia" of our mom (whom our mom grew up with) and our own "Lola Nating". Since she had only 2 boys (Tio Sandrex & Tio Jessie), out of frustration I guess, she gracefully took care of our mom (the eldest daughter of her younger sister, Lourdes), "owning" herself with an instant daughter.

From then on, she devoted her time and effort with us. She witnessed 4 generations of our family and truly our one and only. My fondest memory with her growing up is her contaminating laugh and 'inato' recipes. She left us a legacy of being "light hearted" and "service" where no matter what, loyalty to FAMILY comes first.

As she kissed dear life farewell and embraced eternity, I will surely remember how she makes me smile with her gibberish English terms like "inggerdients" rather than "ingredients" and cook for me her very own "kalo kalo, palitaw, bico, bas-uy and inun-unan na matambaka". I will surely miss her contaminating laugh whenever I make her laugh and squeeze her flabby arms (which I do love!). I will remember our talks about the bible way back in our house in Green Meadows. I will remember how she looked like when I passed the board exam and how she greeted us when she attended our engagement party.

And as tears build up in my eyes now...I pause...

and give it all a sigh, I will surely miss my Lola Nating....

PURPOSE ON HALT

2008-08-14T21:53:00.012+08:00

After reading my fiance's reply blog to my "R.N. Rat Race (Need Back-up)" about "PURPOSE...", I now know that I turned something upside down. I might gave her the "push" that she's been waiting for and with no intentions, it turned out well. Yes I agree with her and gladly we're on the same wave. I don't want to come philosophical or too falloted and waving the "Buddha" flag here. I mean...I just felt the urge of sharing my insights. I didn't realize that it would have that kind of impact. Anyways, it is true that our purpose defines us. It gives us substance and molds our character. It makes us 'exist' and become 'humans' and not 'robots' bonded with the daily curfew of someone in the race -- a prisoner per se.

How do we liberate ourselves then?

I have been trying to rekindle the things that makes me really happy and passionate about. I am trying to relive and experience again how it felt like. Successful and happy people are doing what they really love and passionate about. The Chinese guy who designed youtube.com basically thought beyond the box. Now, he's enjoying the perks. He excelled in something that he's good at. One will only know it once everything becomes 'REAL' again. I have been tied and caught up with a lot of mishaps but, there is no other way but to stand up, walk and carry the load again. I just wonder when I'm going to leave that "load" and carry my own "load" for a change. My fiance saw where my passion rests. In less than a year, she knew where I was passionate about. It was only when I COOK my family's recipes...my signature recipe...that I forget everything and try to perfect that craft. With Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey's influences in their shows -- I know it is possible! QUALITY, EFFICIENCY & HARD WORK simmers everything! My purpose is TO FEED and my passion is TO FEED GOOD FOOD. With all the appreciations and "push" I had from Rica's uncles, Mommy Rubs, good friends and most especially from my family and TRUE INSPIRATION, Rica...I think I have to start somewhere.

Maybe soon where I'm not caught up.
Maybe soon when it's fully ripe.
Maybe soon when opportunity knocks once again.
Maybe soon when I am in the tip of the cliff and can't go back.

I'll just jump impulsively and have faith...
"leap of faith?"

...I dunno...But, through that action -- I am going to redeem myself from bondage again!

R.N. Rat Race (Need Back-Up)

2008-08-14T19:18:00.000+08:00

Times change and the opportunity thins every second. The quality of life for the newly nursing board exam passers in this country has been jeopardized with a pile load of expenses and limited opportunities. Loading? I guess. Gone were the days when a newly passed nurse can just apply to a medical facility and get the most appropriate training and be hired because of his/her key competencies. Gone were the days when nursing in the Philippines provided graduates who know that nursing is a vocation and not a source of income. Gone were the days when the Nursing Board and the Nursing Alumnae took care of their graduates to attain their highest potential. And gone were the days when nursing wasn’t still choked up and a “rat race”.

The sad truth is, we come from a third world country and there are a lot of people still mesmerized with the promises of working as a nurse abroad. As they receive their diplomas and soon their licenses, it is late for them to realize that to work abroad still requires them to SPEND thousands of pesos just to pay for the foreign exam fees, visa screen, foreign exams review fees, etc. that promises NO SECURITY at all. They are all bonded and trapped in the “rat race”. And to recover for the loss, a sheer faith of “luck” remedies their exacerbated souls. You pass the NCLEX or CGFNS, good for you – another expense and you’re one notch closer to Graceland but the long wait isn’t over. But if you fail, pity you – you need to spend again and repeat the whole process of application.

Practically speaking, you just spent loads of money that could’ve been used if you started an investment and focused on to something that you know will excel. Who gets rich then? Well...well...well...I don't want to sound sour and bitter yah know! All good!

I am not here to stain the nursing profession or even pull anyone down. I am just blogging based on experience. Of course everybody wants to elevate his or her life. But, as the Chinese saying goes, “There are 1000 ways to kill the cat and 1000 ways to catch a fish.” Bottom line is, to kill the cat and catch the fish – earn money and be comfortable. By far, nursing isn’t just the only means to earn money. There are a lot if only; you try to think out of the box – beyond the “nursing dream”.

Roughly, the bulk of the graduates as well as the passers just saturate the whole entire populace. With a limited supply and availability of health facilities and nursing-related jobs in this metropolis, these “NEWLY GRADUATED & NEWLY LICENSED NURSES” are basically adding up to percentage of the UNEMPLOYED CITIZENS OF dear PHILIPPINES – leaving them helpless and unproductive and left with an open option to end up as a call center agent. There go the 4-years of case presentations, community presentations, hospital duties, R.L.E. journals, etc. Is nursing also included in their context as “survival of the fittest?” What have the colleges and the universities done with their graduates? It seems like we were just “milked” and in a blink of an “eye” we were left on our own – like a used rug. We weren’t given an opportunity to really grasp the full drama of nursing. We are now bombarded and flooded with a lot of registered and unregistered nurses all dreaming PERIOD. Does it stop there? Are we just left here to dream and think about the “what ifs” and “if only”? It’s not a bad thing but base on experience, “Where will you situate yourself?”

Now even having a license makes no difference at all.

Natividad...

2008-08-11T16:47:00.000+08:00

We basically grew up with Lola Nating beside us. From Manila to Davao, she was surely there for us.

Though she's not our direct "lola", we basically grew up with her. She's the only "Tia" of our mom (whom our mom grew up with) and our own "Lola Nating". Since she had only 2 boys (Tio Sandrex & Tio Jessie), out of frustration I guess, she gracefully took care of our mom (the eldest daughter of her younger sister, Lourdes), "owning" herself with an instant daughter. From then on, she devoted her time and effort with us. She witnessed 4 generations of our family and truly our one and only. My fondest memory with her growing up is her contaminating laugh and 'inato' recipes. She left us a legacy of being "light hearted" and "service" where no matter what, loyalty to FAMILY comes first.

As she kissed dear life farewell and embraced eternity, I will surely remember how she makes me smile with her gibberish English terms like "inggerdients" rather than "ingredients" and cook for me her very own "kalo kalo, palitaw, bico, bas-uy and inun-unan na matambaka". I will surely miss her contaminating laugh whenever I make her laugh and squeeze her flabby arms (which I do love!). I will remember our talks about the bible way back in our house in Green Meadows. I will remember how she looked like when I passed the board exam and how she greeted us when she attended our engagement party.

And as tears build up in my eyes now...I pause...

and give it all a sigh, I will surely miss my Lola Nating....

OPLAN NUNAL

2008-07-30T17:26:00.000+08:00

I carried it for more than 27 years. With the charm it brings, underneath it is a threat that can make me loose my vision and harm my sinus. So, I finally decided to have my rapidly growing mole removed a month ago and have it biopsied. Accompanied by my fiance who was more nervous than I am...hehehehe... all good! Big thanks to our physician friend for the FREE SURGERY and pain meds! Dr. Ben Datu Dalandag rocks!!! cheers!

From Cateel With LOVE...

2008-07-30T17:14:00.000+08:00

From our 4-day business holiday last week in Bukidnon (Saturday until Tuesday night), we stayed in Davao for a day (Wednesday) and went back packin' again with Rica's relatives on Thursday morning to Saturday evening.

DESTINATION: Cateel, Davao Oriental
TRAVEL TIME: 10 hours (via Compostela Valley) / 12 hours (via Mati)
DURATION: Thursday until Saturday
PURPOSE: Fiesta back in the roots

Rented a Nissan Urvan to bring us there and luckily we had a driver who really drove fast. So, the usual 10/12 hour drive is cut short by 3-4 hours. Unfortunately, since the road isn't paved yet, there are areas where we have to go down from our van just to get through and walk like 30-100 meters (exercise!) -- me and Rica along with Tita Nilda (wife of Dr. Hansel "Jun" Magno of Brokenshire Hospital) situated at the back seat endures all the humps and the rattles of the van's poor shocks. What a nasty drive! But, that's just not it -- the driver just doesn't know how to avoid the holes...tsk...tsk...so we end up battered and pounded after the travel.All good now! Now we know what kind of vehicle to bring next. hehehehe...

Anyways, Cateel is simply a lovely place and where "DINABAW" is widely spoken -- something that I really want to learn. Got the chance to see different sites like Aliwagwag falls, their beach and experience how they do the "fiesta" over there. One phrase about Cateel, "GALEEEEET SILA SA LECHON!!!!!!!!" hehehehe...It is a place where you can use the crispy, tasty and mouth watering skin of the lechon as your plate and have rice as your sud-an. Imagine how spoiled we were there...we were basically served with lechon every meal (aside from the crabs with colossal snappers and prawns). Truly, no one's starvin' in this side of the country ug dili uso ang high blood diri! We had total of 4 lechons plus 1 bring home pa! hehehehe... (lechon paksiw? - naa pa stock hangtud karon yo!) hehe..

As the folks and locals would say over there, "waya na chemical!" kampai!

FYI (from Wikipedia.com): Cateel is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,655 people in 5,731 households.

Cateel is the home of the Aliwagwag Falls, located at barangay Aliwagwag. It is a towering waterfalls considered by hydraulic engineers as the highest in the country and regarded as one of the most beautiful falls in Mindanao. It is a series of 84 falls appearing like stairway to heaven with various heights among the steps ranging from 6 to 110 feet. One step is measured 72 feet and another is 67 feet. Overall Aliwagwag Falls is 1,110 feet of cascading energy and 20 meters in width. All these in the midst of virgin forest. River at the foot of the falls. 13 rapids to cross.

The Magic in "Magic Farm"

2008-07-22T16:57:00.001+08:00

Just got home from a 6-hour bus trip from Cagayan de Oro.
My fat-ass sore.
I'm standing up while doing this blog.
The sharp and narrow curves of the road still tingles.
Everything feels like a "coming from a boat ride" light-headedness experience.
"King Without A Crown" by Matisyahu still plays in my head.
My mouth still tastes like chilli-HOT Nagaraya.
I can still smell the bus on my shirt.

But underneath all the physical "senses overload" realm I am experiencing...
lies the TRANQUILITY and EXCITEMENT I enjoyed in a place called "Magic"...
something where the human body cannot contain nor take away from my substantial form...

My heart screaming softly to bring ourselves back.
And surely we will.

Growing Up as a "Gadi" and a "Guino-o"

2008-07-18T16:51:00.000+08:00

I can still vividly remember when my mom brought us here in the "Land of Promise" with a disguise of spending summer vacation here. We were trapped and never went back to school in the Capital since then. That was '87. The time when Manila was so hediously unlivable. With the street protests and rallies we were witnessing, the "NO CLASS" declarations of my former University, kids being forced to wear the yellow ties and ribbons; singing the song of "Magkaisa", Manila was definitely not a place to raise kids.

There was a lot of drama. A lot of tension. A lot of confusion. A lot of unpredictable events.

We'll all just turn out to be "highly politicized".

Growing up from a family that stands at the side of the opposition, we were raised by my aunt Rita (our dad's older sister) by living the legacy of the true -- the good -- and the beautiful. We were brought up to oppose and to stand to what our elders believe. A kind of confidence where only "loyalists" can comprehend. Our family were good friends with the most powerful family that time until now. Of course we were there waving flags of the "RED WHITE & BLUE" and posting stickers in our bags with the "I heart Marcos" while most wave and decorate themselves with the "yellow ribbons, laces, shirts...name it! they tried to paint Manila yellow. It was fun but, I didn't understand why everyone was really banging each other. If you were 7 years old then, what would you think? I guess...you'd practically be just happy 'coz there ain't no school and more playtime.

Anyways, I'm left thinking now..."What if I grew up in Manila? What would I be now?"

Until now, I don't know why our mom personally brought us here. Maybe because she misses the life "down south" as what I am experiencing whenever I'm back in the capital or simply to be in control over her kids? I really don't know but I'm thankful. Though we usually had our usual summer vacations in White Plains in our Aunt Rita's house and be with our "lolo and lola" for the whole summer was simply our dream come true as kids lost in translation down South. I remember being dumbfound with the dialect here. I remember wayback in the old Ateneo Davao Grade School building classmates telling me, "kana siya oh, hawod kaayo!" demmit! WTF is that?! But, I soon understood through my Uncle Boy's (my mom's younger brother) local kids, Ate Catherine and Genevieve would always say the meaning. They were gracious enough to teach us 4 -- especially me! "Ang kulit ko kaya!"

I grew up here being proud born in Manila (status quo/"yabang" per se)...not until when I finally gained "mature consciousness". Though I can't deny it because the certificate prooves my point of origin, I'm still Dabawenyo by heart. Davao taught me alot. To live life and learn without any rush. To be simple. To appreciate the "overgrown barrio" life. To love the dialect and mix it with the Tagalog accent. To use "gani", "naga-", "lingaw", etc. hehehehe... DAVAO IS DEFINITELY PERFECT! The beach is just 15 minutes away, the grass is greener, the air is cleaner and the smell is sweeter! What else can I ask for? Though Davao also has its own hang-ups...what the heck?! It cannot outweigh the good memories I have in this place.

This is where I have established myself. This is where I truly belong.

Whenever me and my siblings usually talk about it, we would practically end up saying life is BETTER in this side of the country. And if I were to ask myself again who I have become if I grew up in Manila -- I'd rather not know. I love livin' down south!

A Physician's Philosophy...(We're All Humans by the way)

2008-07-17T17:00:00.000+08:00

Email sent to me by my friend Monex Sarmiento -- HAHAHAHA PARE! la ka pa rin kupas! lufeeeeeettt!!!

Read along and enjoy the humor of this doctor in Baltimore.

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life, is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. . What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain, Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways with wine in one hand and chocolate in the other... body thoroughly used up, worn out and screaming: "WHOO HOOO.. WHAT A RIDE!!!"

AND.....For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like.

Speaking English is apparently what kills you. HAHAHA!

To Filipinos Born in the 50s, 60s & 70s!!!

2008-07-11T17:11:00.000+08:00

From Daphne's blog...im reposting it kasi SAPUL talaga e -- though I was born 1980 and Rica '77 -- what the heck! We still did that when we were kids. Back to the roots my friends...

"First, some of us survived being born to mothers who did not have an OB-Gyne and drank San Miguel Beer while they carried us. While pregnant, they took cold or cough medicine, ate isaw, and didn't worry about diabetes.

Then after all that trauma, our baby cribs were made of hard wood covered with lead-based paints, pati na yung walker natin, matigas na kahoy din at wala pang gulong. We had no soft cushy cribs that play music, no disposable diapers (lampin lang), and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, no kneepads , sometimes wala pang preno yung bisikleta.

As children, we would ride in hot un-airconditioned buses with wooden seats (yung JD bus na pula), or cars with no airconditioning & no seat belts (ngayon lahat may aircon na). Riding on the back of a carabao on a breezy summer day was considered a treat. (ngayon hindi na nakakakita ng kalabaw ang mga bata).

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle purchased from 711 (minsan straight from the faucet or poso). We shared one soft drink bottle with four of our friends, and NO ONE actually died from his. Or contacted hepatitis. We ate rice with star margarine, drank raw eggs straight from the shell, and drank sofdrinks with real sugar in it (hindi diet coke), but we weren't sick or overweight kasi nga......

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, and get back when the streetlights came on. Sarap mag patintero, tumbang preso , habulan at taguan. No one was able to reach us all day (di uso ang cellphone , walang beepers). And yes, we were O.K. We would spend hours building our wooden trolleys (yung bearing ang gulong) or plywood slides out of scraps and then ride down the street , only to find out we forgot the brakes! After hitting the sidewalk or falling into a canal (seweage channel) a few times, we learned to solve the problem ourselves with our bare & dirty hands .

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 100 channels on cable, no DVD movies, no surround stereo, no IPOD's, no cell phones, no computers, no Internet, no chat rooms, no Facebooks, and no Friendsters. ...... ...WE HAD REAL FRIENDS and we went outside to actually talk and play with them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no stupid lawsuits from these accidents. The only rubbing we get is from our friends with the words..masakit ba ? pero pag galit yung kalaro mo,,,,ang sasabihin sa iyo..beh buti nga ! We played marbles (jolens) in the dirt , washed our hands just a little and ate dirty ice cream & fish balls. we were not afraid of getting germs in our stomachs. We had to live with homemade guns ' gawa sa kahoy, tinali ng rubberband , sumpit , tirador at kung ano ano pa na puedeng makasakitan. .Pero masaya pa rin ang lahat. We made up games with sticks (syatong ), and cans (tumbang preso) and although we were told they were dangerous, wala naman tayong binulag o napatay. Paminsan minsan may nabubukulan lang. We walked, rode bikes, or took tricycles to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them to jump out the window! Mini basketball teams had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't pass had to learn to deal with the disappointment. Wala yang mga childhood depression at damaged self esteem ek-ek na yan. Ang pikon, talo.

Ang magulang ay nandoon lang para tignan kung ayos lang ang mga bata, hindi para makialam at makipag-away sa ibang parents.

That generation of ours has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, creative thinkers and successful professionals ever! They are the CEO's, Engineers, Doctors and Military Generals of today.

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had failure, success, and responsibility. We learned from our mistakes the hard way.

You might want to share this with others who've had the luck to grow up as real kids. We were lucky indeed. And if you like, forward it to your kids too, so they will know how brave their parents were.

It kind of makes you wanna go out and climb a tree, doesn't it?! "

40 Tips For The Last Half of 2008

2008-07-11T17:03:00.000+08:00

These are really very powerful. Implement whatever you can.

1. Take 10-30 minute walk everyday. And while you walk, smile. It is
the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you
have to.

3. Buy a DVR, Tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement,
"My purpose is to ____________ today."

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga or stretching and prayer.
They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream mor while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food
that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least 3 people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new
and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires,
ISSUES OF THE PAST, negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are her to learn. Problems
are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like
algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Try & pay an honest compliment to someone you wouldn't normally.

18. LIFE ISN'T FAIR, BUT IT'S ALL GOOD! -- Life doesn't suck, I suck
life!

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years,
will this matter?"

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

29. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
will. Stay in touch.

30. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

32. The best is yet to come.

33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

34. Do the right thing!

35. Call your family often.

36. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for _________. Today I accomplished ____________ __.

37. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

38. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you
certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life
so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

39. Wear your SUNSCREEN!

40. Forward this to your friends! (I just did)

May your troubles be less,
May your blessings be more,
May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Peace and love to all!!!

I'm Finding The Truth In Here...

2008-07-02T16:26:00.000+08:00

Is it true that during PACMAN Manny Pacquiao's fight last Sunday,

the Philippines had 0% record occurrence of crime nationally?

We're neighbors with Gabby Concepcion!

2008-07-01T17:06:00.000+08:00

Dili ni 'steer' pre!

woke up in the morning, made a cup of coffee and went out to the front lawn towards our 'Bali hut' to enjoy the coffee (robust and stimulating) courtesy of my ex-boss who's from Italy last week. Guess who I saw when I turned my sight at the left side?

I saw Gabbie Concepcion outside our house.

puchax! hindi naman ako nataranta or ano ba?! Gabby Concepcion just smilin' at me and asking me to buy this whitening shit...

hindi nga sya umiitim kahit na nakababad na sya sa ilalim ng araw -- syets! epektib talaga! hahahahaha...

ito oh... para closer view! zoomed at 300%

thanks for Lucida...you made Gabby's day! hahahaha...

ONE WORD (tells it all)

2008-06-28T13:55:00.000+08:00

evolved.
brought to the light.
brought to life.
heading somewhere.
going nowhere.
directed&drifted.

lifted.

still...

cornered by
a streak of light.

spaced&

FROZEN.

- Juan Gadi 06/28/08 127AM

Proud To Be One...

2008-06-11T22:33:00.000+08:00

This was sent via text message by my good friend, Dan Torre whom just recently flew for Chicago...Thanks for this text bro, it clearly placed everything in perspective! Good luck nalang sa imong nursing career dira! all the best!

"When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not shouting
I'm clean living...

I'm whispering, "I was lost, now I'm found."

When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not bragging of success...

but, I'm admitting I have failed and
need God to clean my mess...

When I say I'm a Christian,
I'm not holier than anyone...

but, a sinner who repented & received God's grace...peace!"

Humbled...

2008-06-04T16:38:00.000+08:00

To give everyone a prologue on how I’ve met my fiancé. Let me sum it all for you.

Rica and me met two years ago during Razorback’s concert in Damosa Gateway. I guess that was around Octoberfest of 2006. During that time, she was busy with her cousin and cousin-in-law organizing their Night Hunt on the succeeding week and, I was asking her magazine to be one of our sponsors on our upcoming Ultimate Frisbee Benefit Event. It was such a great night to forget – uhmmmm…. not really that romantic but definitely, I FLIRTED with her (both intoxicated on a humid October Davao night…thanks to Aris Japitaña of GSM) coz apparently she told me she was Mexican (hmmm…fetish! Hehehehe…) and a great fan of Cecile’s lug lug (not knowing a week after we were MEANT to meet again through her cousin, Eliza Magno who is apparently a good friend of mine and Cecile’s are my aunts’ bakeshop – so, our first date was in Cecile’s Malvar branch three weeks after). And to top it all of, our first meeting happened to be photographed and printed on Roger Layson’s article at the Daily Mirror in 4R (what do you think now?) hehehehe…was it all coincidence? Hmmm…I don’t think so…coz I don’t believe on that.

Honestly, looking back at it, kinikilig pa rin ako! Hehehe…

From that day on, our relationship budded to something deeper and perfectly brewed. We’ve been living together for more than a year now and good thing though; everyday was always a new day for us! “We’ve learned the art of complimenting each other”. On our first year anniversary was the time I gave Rica a 'promise ring'.

There are a lot of romantically spine-chilling ways I can think of on how to formally propose to Rica. With her audacious, strong and “hard as a rock” persona – within her is a soft and genuine heart that is worth feeling affection for. She basically described herself like that – someone who looks tough yet mushy within (reminds me of M&Ms though). In a recent survey in the US, over 80% of women (and men) who were proposed to said that the proposal was "less romantic" than they had hoped for.

Though I must admit I am a hopeless romantic. I pictured out my proposal to Rica as something you watch in chick flicks and just sweeps the girl off her feet. Only focusing on the girl and no one else. Something that would leave everyone teary eyed and just dumb founded and a very comforting sigh and heartfelt contentment. I originally intend to do it with “the works and shit I know of you know”, with flare that makes it amazingly special and a lot of vanity! (A rock and a rain of flower petals) But, I must say last Sunday caught me off guard. There are just things you don’t have control. And I should learn to accept it. I must say what happened last Sunday includes us in the 80%. It wasn’t really quite I was expecting to happen or planned initially BUT IT MUST BE DONE.

Our formal engagement announcement was a HUMBLING EXPERIENCE for me.

I am not saying that we or I was rushed to make a formal proposal to be witnessed by her family and her mom whom just had a short vacation in Davao. I am not saying I was or we were coerced but, with the limited resources I am enjoying now, vanity wasn’t my friend that night. I actually felt frustrated about it since, you guys know how “all out” and “galante” I am as a person, but what happened last Sunday just made me feel limited in proposing. I felt there should’ve been more I have done to make it more romantic. But, I can’t afford anything as of the moment. I believe that what makes the girl shut up are diamonds. Seriously, I must learn to accept and learn the value of being HUMBLED in what I have – and that is all LOVE. What my fiancé just said, “I feel that it was good to see that everyone that night was sincerely happy for us”. And it just lightens me up!

But, on that crazy day – it was all worth it. Nevertheless, now we both know that our friends and family sincerely RECOGNIZE our relationship, legitimately BLESSED by our parents and with certainty FOUNDED by the love we’re taking care of. The only missing thing is the blessing from the LORD. So, without further ado, I would like to announce as early as now and ask you guys to mark your schedules and prepare your beach wear on 2010. It’s going to be different this time. We will do everything our way.

It’s going to be one intimately rowdy beach wedding-partey yo!!! Cheers to all!

*This blog serves as your invitation! Hahahahaha…(cost cutting with the invitation printing expense)

ANTI-OFFICE WORK...

2008-05-01T16:42:00.000+08:00

Today is May 1...
alas dos dos sa buntag...

sitting on this irritatingly comfortable ergonomic chair
hearing voices like desperately moaning dialogues to charm the unenchanted --

directing my neck to glance at a much preferred horizon
intoxicating with mushaboom's silly lullaby...
staring from this tinted window
flirting with a terrible sight of still street lights
positioned at a high rise and just zoning into my monitor with thoughts gushing...

duha ka oras nalang...atay! I'M OFFICIALLY DONE WITH TELEMARKETING!!!

can't wait...

The Sweetest Victory...

2008-02-21T17:22:00.000+08:00

Let me share with you my story for today. It has been days when I was feeling LOST ever since I got back from Manila with my fiancé Rica a week ago. Not because I didn't had a blast in Manila or I didn't enjoyed the company, it's just that I felt not happy with my life in terms of accomplishments -- something is really missing in my life. I definitely felt that 'itch'! I personally felt that I'm existing without a purpose 'coz in nature, I am the one who make things happen but it seems that in my life, I am not in control. I've been crazily applying for jobs wherever and whatever it would take me. I felt stuck in Maslow's crazy ladder of Man's security needs--filling up the missing bits and pieces of this puzzle. In other words, I've gotten bored with my life doing nothing and I felt that I need to do something in my great deal with my personal security to further step on to the next ladder.

I had a lot of options to engage myself in. But, I felt that my job applications was going nowhere, out of focus and direction and God is just stretching my faith. He really taught me what patience is all about (Imagine of just working it all out for a license for 2 humbling years). Last night was one of the best nights I had with Rica. We really talked about a lot of things and diagnosed myself with mild depression related to my boredom manifestations. I saw her heart. I saw her intentions. She saw mine as well...I really felt bad to where my life was leading me -- all because I'm not doing anything professionally.

That was me last night.

I retook the local licensure examinations for 3 times already. Got stuck with all the scam, hardships and self exploration. And today, is the sweetest victory of all!!!! PRAISE GOD!!! Thanks thens...you were my guardian angel today! Good luck on your operation...we're all praying and hoping for the best!

***taken from our YM chat this afternoon
Athens Garrote: YO!
John Gadi: sup yo
Athens Garrote: 11775 GADI, JUAN MANUEL GUINOO
Athens Garrote: is that you???????
BUZZ!!!
John Gadi: yeap
John Gadi: nurse na ako?
Athens Garrote: congrats r
Athens Garrote: RN
John Gadi: thanks
Athens Garrote: hahahaha
Athens Garrote: oo sira
Athens Garrote: hahahahahahahaahhah
Athens Garrote: ngayon lang lumabas result
Athens Garrote: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/examresults/NURSE/20080221/NURSE__G.htm
John Gadi: thanks thens
John Gadi: PRAISE GOD
Athens Garrote: ay ako una nagsabi hahaha
John Gadi: kaw una nagsabi
John Gadi: thens! grabe! partey na!
Athens Garrote has signed out. (21/02/2008 3:38 PM)

So, my fellow friends -- kinsa pa BP dira? pwede na ko! hehehehe....

http://www.aldrinred.net/ --matsalam oyaak drin! That's God's glory bro! kuyaw noh?!!! hehehehe....

My Brother's Wedding

2008-01-20T15:58:00.000+08:00

A Love’s Worth
By Juan Manuel G. Gadi

“Love is patient, kind, without envy. It is not boastful or arrogant. It is not ill mannered nor does it seek its own interest. Love withstands anger and forgets offenses. It does not take delight in wrong, but rejoices with the truth. Love excuses everything, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

After 9 years, everything happened!

Last January 2, 2008 was an intimate Christian wedding of Gil Emilio Mario ‘Gio’ Guino-o Gadi and Helen Grace Lim y Parreño at the Grand Agila Ballroom of the Waterfront Insular Hotel of Davao attended by their families and immediate relatives from Manila, Davao and Norway as well as, the couple’s good friends. The wedding ceremony was officiated by Rev. Lathur D. Badoy of the Lighthouse Christian Church where the couple belongs. Gio who was born in Manila and grandson of the former mayors of Kidapawan City, Cotabato province during the 60’s, Dr. Gil F. Gadi and Dr. Emma Gadi y Bagtas; film theatre circa tycoon of Southern Mindanao and real estate entrepreneur, Emilio Guino-o, Sr. and Lourdes Einarsen y Paredes Norwegian-Filipino Immigrant and son of businessman, Jose Manuel B. Gadi and businesswoman, Emilord Guino-o y Paredes. While Helen coming from a Chinese family, born in Davao and daughter of entrepreneur, Reynaldo B. Lim and housewife, Lilia Lim y Parreño.

Both Gio and Helen are business graduates of the Ateneo de Davao University. Gio, a marketing graduate of batch 2000 and Helen, a management graduate are now both based in Hong Kong, Republic of China. Gio is currently connected with Pacific Prospects – an integrated Asian financial publishing, conference, research and consultancy business for more than a year now and was nominated as Incisive Media’s Employee of the Year for Asia Pacific that will take place in London, England anytime this year while Helen works in Kowloon Hotel as a Club Floor purser. Their audacious love story all started when they became classmates in one of their philosophy subjects in the Canisius building of the Ateneo university grounds.

While in college, Gio vividly described how he got attracted to Helen. Both are fans of the band Smashing Pumpkins with hits like “Today”, “`1979”, “Mayonnaise”, “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”, etc. Helen’s friends’ often called her “Billy” (Smashing Pumpkins’ vocalist’s name) with her wide tantalizing eyes framed with blue mascara – Gio simply saw something that is unusual and sets her apart from the other girls on campus. “Something unique” as he remarked. Thus, made him persistent in knowing Helen more. On the other hand, Helen always remembered Gio’s trademark - his outrageous humour and contagious laugh, as well as, his amorous side - sneaking his love letters for her by surprisingly tucking it in her notebook, like a grade schooler’s secret. And there were those consistent, off-peak phone calls he would make every night. Since that day on, their love story that started as innocent college students has been something worth fighting for. A love story that brewed for 9 years has now been bonded and sealed with God’s blessing and their parents’ love. Simply, a love story that is indeed in full bloom.

Gio and Helen basically conceptualized and organized their Christian wedding while in Hong Kong with the help of the groom’s mom and younger brother, Juan— who are both in Davao. Since, the couple wanted an intimate ceremony instead of a social thing, they deliberately stressed out the importance of simplicity in the ambience and ceremony. The people involved in the organization described it as a “never-ending online conferencing, budgeting and prayers”. With the grace of God and fervent support from other family members and friends, the wedding was pulled of. Their wedding conceptualized an in-door Japanese garden accented with a water fountain and Capiz lights. Their "ikebana" inspired table floral centrepiece utilized yellow dendrubium orchids, white calla lilies and white Malaysian mums accented with rich foliage, dead twigs and candle tea lights were created by Alice Manacap – a good friend. The bride’s bouquet consist of white stargazers and yellow Holland roses stacked with a pale gold sinamay lace. The bride wore a simple beaded white dress courtesy of Wedding Bells and her white Doc Martens boots as her official slippers on her wedding day while the groom wore a simple embroidered pinya Barong Tagalog courtesy of Wedding Bells and his black Doc Martens boots.

The Celestial band began with their version of “Ikaw” during the bridal entourage march. As the bride make her much- awaited walk down the aisle with mother and older brother Ricky P. Lim, Chad Borja leads it off with a serenade in the tune of “How did you know”. With no dry eyes in sight, it dawned an eerie feeling that moved everyone. Its simplicity definitely radiated radical elegance.

The couple’s well thought-of list of godparents’ for their principal sponsors involves respectable individuals in their lives whom blessed their marriage with love, deep founded faith and prosperity throughout their Christian married life.

The godfathers’ consists of

Rev. Lathur D. Badoy
Mr. Danilo A. Torre
Mr. Ray V. Quitain
Mr. Marcinito P. De Castro
Hon. Anthony G. Del Rosario
Mr. Dante B. Sarraga, Jr.
Mr. Marlon Jaro
Mr. Emilio P. Guino-o III
Mr. Michael Stanhope
Mr. Allan C. Barriga
Mr. Paterno S. Mendoza, Jr.
Mr Rolly G. Buyao
Mr. Ramon Lapat.

While their godmothers’

Rev. Leah Hope Badoy y Saavedra
Mrs. Ruth Torre y Saavedra
Ms. Dolores J. Franks
Ms. Edith P. Guino-o
Ms. Maria Emerald B. Gross-Singson
Ms. Elizabeth P. Guino-o
Ms. Susan V. Guino-o
Ms. Marilou M. Garillos
Ms Beverly G. Chappell
Mrs. Gladys Jane Chan y Lim – older sister of the bride
Mrs. Maripet Gutierrez y Guino-o
Ms. Maripaz G. Yuzon and
Ms. Aracelli C. Coruña.

To assist the couple in their needs, the groom’s best men and the bride’s maid of honor are influential individuals that definitely made a milestone in their lives; Joseph Marie Lorenzo G. Gadi – the groom’s youngest brother and Michael A. Mabagos – the groom’s old friend who is now based in Sydney, Australia were his best men while Jocy L. So was the bride’s maid of honor. The groomsmen are John Christian G. Scar – the groom’s cousin from Norway, John Paul P. Yñiguez, Albernitto P. De Castro and James L. Gorrez while the bridesmaids are Emma Lourdes Clotilde G. Gadi – sister of the groom, Erlyn V. Uy and Leah M. Bartiquin. To light the couple’s path are Martin Bryan A. Cam and Carolyn B. Go while the pair that clothed the couple are Josue D. Tesado, Jr. and Andrea Leung. The couple who bound Gio and Helen together were Juan Manuel Tomas G. Gadi – brother of the groom and fiancée Rica Janet Villanueva y Magno. To carry the couple’s symbol of love, faith and treasure; Lathur Carlos Paul S. Badoy – son of the officiating minister was the ring bearer, Noelle P. Guino-o was the Bible bearer, the couple’s only daughter Zakiyah Gabrielle L. Gadi as the coin bearer and the groom’s young adult cousins from Norway as their flower girls namely, Mary Lou G. Scar and Mai Lisa P. Guino-o. Good friend Alexis Lumbatan hosted the Gadi-Lim nuptial.

It was definitely a wedding to remember for everyone who attended it. The family, relatives and friends felt the sincerity, as well as, the purity of the much-awaited Christian wedding of the couple in the Philippines. To Gio and Helen, Congratulations and Best Wishes!

(Photos by Boy Lim)

Looking Back

2007-10-23T14:55:00.000+08:00

I have observed. I have encountered. I have seen the beauty of the sport. I made new relationships – something that is of substance and not that is clinging in thin air. I know that ULTIMATE is worth playing – nothing more, nothing less. So, here I am trying to transcribe in black and white how I got in to this interesting sport. I have been playing it for more than a year now, there have been the “dry and wet seasons”, but, one thing’s for sure, ULTIMATE is more than the sport. It is a community of people who believes in the Spirit of the Game! Thanks to my former teammate for helping me out back track the facts, Mr. Aldrin Redolme is one of the pioneers of Davao Ultimate who recently migrated to Australia and now tossin’ it off in Geelong, Victoria South of Australia. Okay ra ka dira bordz?! Hehehe….

Amongst the blooming metropolis of Davao, the hustle and the bustle fused with the ‘laid back’ Davaoeño lifestyle, it was not that long ago when ULTIMATE started in the Land of Promise. Two disc-infected personalities felt the urge of starting the elegant sport here namely, Ms. Roxanne “Lu-an” Lu and Mr. Francis Diano. Starting it through pure enticement of common friends holding their sessions at the Matina Town Square and University of South Eastern Philippines fields for a common goal of introducing the sport and having a community of disc aficionados. It started humble. It started simple. It started with fun!

On April 4, 2006, with the confidence of Mr. Jacob Chua to this remarkable sport (Roxanne’s family friend), Nestlé’s chocolate malt beverage, MILO became one of the advocates of Ultimate here in Davao. Francis and Lu-an hosted a summer clinic teaching everyone what the sport is all about, how it is played and what the Spirit of the Game is! Under the dry scorching heat of the summer sun, there they played, tossed, hacked, hustled, sprinted and were moulded to become an ULTIMATE player. Someone who is competitive and elegant at the same time, someone who knows how to respect, someone who values courtesy and someone who is dedicated in spreading the LOVE! They were both successful in that endeavour. It gained popularity and reaped camaraderie amongst the pioneers. Thus, it was the birth of the first Davao team, ULTIMATE South Team Durian. Religiously, they attended the Tuesday and Thursday nights session at the AGRO Fields as well as, at the USEP field during Sunday afternoons—a “freaknic” I must say since all we do over there was to eat and bond on a Sunday. Hehehe…great memories! ULTIMATE simply fitted the Davao lifestyle.

On May 27 and 28, 2006, Francis and Lu-an hosted the 1^st Summer Beach Frisbee tourney at Bago Beach Resort.

The local disc community as well as, its event sponsors’ supported this tournament. It definitely gave way to the budding disc community in Davao. It summoned to the birth of a growing disc community.

June of 2006, Francis went back to Manila to continue his studies, and left DAVAO ULTIMATE to Lu-an’s care (she left the month after). Mr. Ipe Borja and friends from other teams in Manila and of the Philippine Ultimate Association visited the Davao Ultimate players during their practice and training. They continued to promote the love to this growing team, Ultimate STD and invited the team to participate in the Manila Spirits ’06 at the Manila Polo Club. Everyone got excited and in full swing went the extra mile in devoting time, energy and effort in learning ULTIMATE. They were all simply mesmerized in making a debut for the Davao team in an International Competition. Nothing to loose though, all for the love of the fame…esté game!

With all the available resources and never-ending meetings after practices in organizing the whole team, the players decided to conduct a “fund-raising” tournament in sponsoring the Ultimate STD in Manila. They conducted an election of officers to divide the responsibility to each member. There, Mr. Noel Uy became the first Davao Ultimate Association President, Mr. Mark Chua the Vice President, Ms. Bing Alcala the Secretary, Ms. Jenny Nalla as Treasurer, Mr. Michael Sibbaluca as Auditor, Mr. Aldrin Redolme as Public Relations Officer, Mr. BJ Yñiguez as Prince Charming, Ms. Mae-An Lu and Ms. Mishi Fidelino as the association’s muses. It was fun though! The association rode the same wave then. The mission: to recruit and to raise funds!

On the side, the Public Relations and Recruitment Committees continued to recruit by going to different colleges and universities in Davao sugar coated with house parties at BJ Yñiguez’s house to promote camaraderie and bring in the culture of the Davao Disc community. Definitely, a series of no curfew parties!

On October 20^th and 21^st of the same year, the Davao Ultimate Association hosted it’s 1^st Halloween Ultimate Tournament at the Tionko fields entitled, “DULA ‘ta Ultimate bai!” for the benefit of BANTAY BATA DAVAO. It was participated by Iligan Red Horses as well as, local teams namely, Team Mulatto,

Team Holy Cross, Team Ateneo, Team Pakshet and Team Bullshet, three of which were composed of different members from the Ultimate STD team having their own separate independent playing team during the tournament. Having your own separate team then was never an issue, since, the community whole-heartedly embraced it and did not want to limit the players. The event pulled off and phenomenally was a success! With our deepest gratitude to all our event sponsors namely, Ginebra San Miguel, Milo, Hype Magazine, Mulatto, Madayaw Outdoor Shop, Byteworld, Coca Cola, Holiday Spa, My Concepts, Mega Arts Design Concepts, 98.7 Home Radio, Bak-Bak Native Chicken House, Battery Doctors and the bands who played during the culmination night – our unending credit to your support.

After that very ‘diverse’ event, intensive trainings were conducted during the remaining weeks before the Manila Spirits ’06, now at the Alabang Country Club. “One team. One purpose. One sport.” Was the vision of the Davao Disc Community in sending off their only team on the said event. The team went to Manila and got to know the bigger colony of disc maniacs—all sort of personalities, background and culture but, playing only ONE ULTIMATE SPORT. With heads held high, the Ultimate South Team Durian played and partied with everyone who shares their common interest and that is, the Spirit of the Game. With things that they did and will do are now parts of this history.

Caramba Nights feat. Chad Borja

2007-09-22T15:32:00.000+08:00

October was definitely a busy month for the hype events team. Almost like in a battlefield lined up with a vast array of different parties and events marching like ‘trigger happy’ soldiers yet, safeguarding it not with guns or ammo but with the sheer drive to produce something apt for the Davao lounging crowd. October 13 was definitely a night of pure lounging at the busy street of Rizal.

The 1^st CARAMBA NIGHTS featured a cascade of classic hits from the 60s and 70s that was relived again by the newly-formed Green Zone band (Boy Tamayo – keys, Boy dela Cerna – guitars, Terio Bacalso – drums, Alex Bebura – bass guitars, Chico Zambrano – percussions & Noven Bravo – saxophone) topping it off with the special performance of Davao’s premier lounge act, Ms. Angel Balbin as well as, the soothing balladeer of the South, Mr. Chad Borja. The band played songs like “Smooth” by Santana, Main Ingredient’s “I just don’t want to be lonely”, songs from the Carpenters and all the premium most loved classic hits of that pined for decade.

It was a one-night show for the benefit of BANTAY BATA DAVAO—a national foundation for abused kids, hitting the Davao shores. The team would like to extend their utmost appreciation to Mr. Leo Magno of SWIG bar and staff, Mindanao Insider, Mr. Joseph Garcia of G&G Logistics and Ms. Emy Gross of Grosswood Enterprises, Mr. Chris Fabian of Mindanao Times, SCOOP Association, Ms. Emilord Guino-o and friends, Ms. Emma Gadi, Ms. Rica Magno-Villanueva, Ms. Athens Garrote for the laptop, Mr. James Pitt of Ultro for the LCD projector, Ms. Rhea Magallanes, Mr. Nice Alegado and associates, Ms. Abeth Cordero and family, Ms. Teng Sabanpan and friends, Ms. AJ Montecalvo of Bantay Bata Davao and colleagues, Mrs. Boots Maglana and friends, Mr. Earl Calma of Elena Shipping, Mr. Peewee Lozada of Mix-a-tune Studio, Blu Gré Café (Land Co. branch) and Basti’s Brew (Victoria Plaza branch) for allowing us to post our posters, our personal friends and supporters, our heartfelt appreciation. Thank you for making a stand in fighting child abuse through us! Cheers!

review of El Barangay Pride (Serye Uno)

2007-09-10T15:38:00.000+08:00

El Barangay Pride Spreads “One Love”
by Athens Garrote

____________________________________________________________________________________

More than a month passed and I'm still having the BEST hangover from the first ever El Barangay Pride "A Reggae-SKA Acoustic Ensemble Dub Tribe" last August 16, 2007 at Bakbak Chicken House. It was (and will always be) a fun filled Thursday night of acoustic Reggae, Ska, good vibes and literally ice cold beer flowing on a God-given KADAYAWAN night! The said event was Hype Magazine's contribution to the week long Kadayawan 2007 celebration and a kick off start to the party filled Kadayawan weekend. Local bands such as Nico, Project Hope, Zeph Dew and Skankers&the Rolling MOngos participated the event and filled the cool air with their warm and good vibes songs that made the crowd feel what partner ARN ROJAS and big man and event organizer JUAN GADI says "One Love".

One love it is, because Davao's version of the Jamaican Nights, aside from showcasing local talents was also for the benefit of the kids of BANTAY BATA DAVAO 163. Organizers, sponsors, participants and guests gave their share of reaching out (giving used clothes and donations) before partying the night away. The cause didn't end there because all through the night, hosts Carlo and Vanessa made it clear and heard to join in the fight against violence and abuse on children. Simply, partying with an edge!

The tandem did a great job on handling the crowd (which was growing every minute) as party goers where eager to participate in their "bring me" and gulp it all down; ice cold Red Horse game. Winners went home with gift items from event sponsors Coca Cola, San Miguel Beer & Marlboro.

All four bands got the laid back Davao crowd upbeat to their feet and it was a tough call for judges Mr. Gio Gadi & Mr. JP Magno to decide which band would be the night's winner. Everyone sang their hearts out, grooved with the acoustic beats and spread that "REGGAE LOVE" in one phenomenal event. And at the end of the night, Zeph Dew was hailed as the night's winner and the bragging rights to the 1st El Barangay Pride's reggae-ska pride. The night didn’t cap there since after the bands did their strums & beats, some members of the audience gathered up on stage and continued filling in the night with music that sends that slow chill through your spine. Ice cold beer and i repeat ICE COLD!

kept flowing for everyone to gulp in with the music. The crowd got officially Hype-ed and it was another hat off plus a straight up drink to the people behind Hype Events.

It was my first event night with El Barangay and I got the message loud and clear alright, no dramas no bad vibes, purely non stop partying!

Cant wait to keep the "One Love" spreading on Serye Dos.