CHEERFUL PASSAGE TO A NEW YEAR!!!

It's going to be New Year in a few hours from now. Just like the towering Mt. Matutum standing tall and proud in the fertile, progressive land of South Cotabato, I am inspired to see how we are given a vast opportunity to do good and become better each time.



Mt. Matutum in Dole Pineapple Plantation, Polomolok, South Cotabato



I stand here in this vast field of Dole pineapple plantation & I can't help but reflect how blessed I am to stand and witness a wonderful creation by the Power that that put me here in this world.

 

I am thankful to the year that will pass by. Surely, it was not a perfect ride because there were times I doubted and almost felt discontented with how things are going. But I persevered and continued to have an optimistic attitude that served well for me in the long run.

 

In the upcoming year, I am just prayful and I am hopeful that I will continue to be blessed with strength and power beyond measure! I will be showered with more wit and smart strategies to win any obstacles that I may come across with. I will be bestowed the love, the good health and the wealth that I hope to have and more to receive.



I wish the world a Happy New Year ahead, that is filled with peace, love and healing of land and body!

 

I send CHEERS to all, so it is double, triple CHEERS I openly want to receive!!!

 

Just like the tall and massive active mountain of Matutum volcano in front of me while writing this small year greeter, I say, "THANK YOU and GOD BLESS US ALL IN THE YEAR 2013!"

Cross-mixed thoughts on a low key Sunday afternoon

Each day I wake up, I see myself reminded of things to be thankful for and what not.  Looking at the my window pane, overlooking the cityscape I feel the high and the fear of life. I guess it's a point of reflection that's why I see myself writing this short note now.

I think that, each day we continue to do the same things and excite ourselves with different aspects to make the journey of our lives even more colorful. I am not the average citizen wanting the simple things in life. At least I am a high dreamer with extra jolt of power to attain and facilitate my wants, that's one thing I know I am. With each inspiration that I get from friends, people, love ones and family, I try to achieve my dreams, and with every ounce of challenge I thrive to gain new power and absolute reality.

I don't know what this day has in store for me. Sometimes, Sunday is such a lazy and reflective day. It's a rest day but today I feel a bit restless wanting to see some greens or colorful hues of life, just to observe and be inspired, to attain extra bullet for my plans. But as I look at my four walls and four corners, I want to make the journey come together and feed me with new heights and new thoughts to serve my purpose. The sound of the train passing by, the dark gray and blue mixed of clouds, and the cry of the leading lady in the Tagalized If Only movie, all of those makes a simple hues of my Sunday aspects making me want more, making me feel that life is simple but it's also a complicated journey that someone has to develop a positive attitude in order to become whole and almost perfect to step out and feel extra hype.

In order for me to do this, I want to make sure I am able to plan out at least the bare minimum process of my project plan and eventually serve as an inspiration to the people close to my heart and vice versa.

May each day be a joy to bring me to the fullest of my potentials and more...

Image credit:
http://sacred-circle-mandalas.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

Of government service and its continuous improvement

In the days when anyone who is applying for a new job, going abroad, applying permits or simply just applying for official identification, one can simply feel the nitty-gritty aspect of going to the government offices - local city hall institutions and all just to get that piece of paper evidence that you are cleared of any derogatory record.

I came with my partner today to see how much or what has change in terms of applying for NBI clearance, POLICE clearance & Barangay clearance, respectively. His purpose for getting these clearances are for local employment.

Sad to say, it's still the same long process as I see it. I take for example the NBI process. While NBI has made efforts of automating the application, that is not 100% automated because some of the people who cannot go online will still need to go through long lines, lots of additional payments (i.e you are ordered to buy Cedula at the city hall before you can pay the NBI and start application, or simply you are given a brown envelope for PHP 5.00 for the sake of having a placeholder for your little piece of paper-- all those I call as "money making machines" where one cannot really be certain where the proceeds go. I could only infer that those could be potential graft and corruption schemes if not something that aids in that century-long cancer of red tape and shit hole).

I think the Philippines is still at the edge of ancient practice and the system is not gonna change anytime soon. I just hope all the fees that any Juan Dela Cruz paid for while
Applying for NBI, Police or Brangay clearances will be used for the betterment of Filipino lives on a daily basis. Sad to say, that is not something we all could categorically say a reality.

Even the rich Filipinos would just opt to pay and contribute to the potential graft and corruption underlying those simple services offered in government institution just to make their individual purposes meet and closed.

There are other concerns as well on whether the records that NBI, Police or Barangay institution keep are accurate. I just can't help but wonder how they deter if one has a criminal offense record or not? Or was it all just really a piece of paper?!

If there's one thing I would commend in this last beat I had today, I can say that in the process of long lines and nitty-gritty, there are helpful Filipino government employee who would openly assist and provide instructions to easily make the process quicker in any way possible.

Seating pretty

Seating still, prettily and patiently on this rather good but gloomy afternoon is not a bad idea.

They said in order to take you out of your routine and daily grind, you also need to shake things up a bit.

Here I am, after an early day of bank errands, now lounging myself to a well deserve buco juice coupled with my lonely french toast indulgence at a nearby coffee shop.

It's rather nice experience listening to the soothing music and relaxing beat.. A few more hours and I will be submerge in my reality and grinding the timeworks to another page of life.

To say the least, take time to seat, enjoy and rather choose to become optimistic even if some plans may not unfold, even if some gestures expected are not met and even if some conjunctions are way beyond your control.

Have a seating pretty day y'all!!!

Sweet nothings made special altogether

"Love mo talaga aq. puro ka surprises," ang sabi mo sa akin kanina. Sa isip ko, aba duda ka pa ba? HAHAHA

Sabi nila, sa isang pagsasama mas may higit na expressive, may mas higit na mapagbigay, may mas maalalahanin at mas matapang, mas masungit at kung anu-ano pa "mas".

Juicy & tender expressions.

Bakit kailangan may higit na "mas" sa isa't-isa? Pede namang sabihing magkaiba nga lang talaga sila at dahil doon ay nagko-complement sila at nagiging isang diwa at katawan.Sa ganang akin, ikaw at ako ay parang dalawang uri ng halaman tubig pero sabay na nabubuhay sa tubig at nagsasama sa karanasang hatid ng tubig na ating ginagalawan.

It touched me while tinkering downstair when I chanced upon your Starbucks notebook and saw some of the pieces of expressions I've written for you.  To saw those pieces bookmarked inside the pages of your notepad is heartwarming. Some sweet thoughts, messages and reminders are priceless. Now, are you sweeter than I could ever imagine?! Patunayan!!! lol

Seeing and knowing that you appreciate such small write ups that was coupled with the actual sweet gestures you've experienced...it makes my mind lit up with glee knowing you would treasure my sweet and lovin' blah blah blahs!

I must say, "You're worth it!"

Why "The Healing" healed the movie going public's crave for a nice suspense thriller drama?

Plot
The movie starts when Seth (Vilma Santos) went to a famous faith healer hoping that her father, Odong (Robert Arevalo) be healed from paralysis due to stroke. Manang Elsa (Daria Ramirez), the faith healer gave Seth herbals for Odong to take before sleeping at night. The next day, the neighborhood and Seth were all shocked seeing Odong healthy and able to walk again. Eventually, Seth's sick friends asked her to bring them to this faith healer hoping they would be healed like Odong too. Seth's son, Jed (Martin del Rosario) heard of this faith healer that made his grandfather healthy again and seeing the condition of his half-sister Cookie (Kim Chiu), they both asked Seth to bring them to the faith healer. At first, Seth didn't agree but later on was moved by Cookie's plead. When they went to Manang Elsa, her brother (Joel Torre) asked them to leave but the people, including Seth and her friends, was begging for Manang Elsa's healing. Due to noise and disturbance they've caused, Manang Elsa finally allowed them inside and started her healing ritual.


Why "The Healing" healed the movie going public's crave for a nice suspense thriller drama?


The cinematic illusion of the movie at the opening credit was almost an intertwine of interest and imagination. To my liking, I found that to be interesting for the opening credit to ignite in me a sense of interest. To be honest, I was meaning to watch a CINEMALAYA entry last July 27 evening in Trinoma but ended up watching this movie with my partner. Overall, it did not disappoint my craving for a good Filipino movie.


The overall plot was a 100% reflection of the typical Filipino culture that believes in faith healing, driven by poverty, by belief that there's a powerful Source that could heal you from your affliction without the aid of modern medicine. 


What made this movie more interesting is the series of twist and suspenseful turns that occurred. This made the audience really shout, shriek and clamp up to the edge of their seats consistently. I've observed that the public was very receptive with the storyline and their interest was really engrossed with the scenes. I share the same thoughts with the rest of the theater going public as I watch without batting an eyelash, thinking  "What's gonna happen next? Who's gonna die? Who's making this all eerie happenings?" 


The edits are superb. The graphic manifestation of the effects are excellent. I loved it because the producer, the director, the technical crew was never hesitant to show the effects that really made the audience go wild while watching the horror take turns!


The acting of the characters are all within the bounds and each have delivered based on their role. The main character, Vilma Santos, is and has always been consistent with her acting. Of course, it is refreshing to see her in this type of movie apart from her normal dramatic movies.  The supporting casts are all good. 


It is also nice to take note of the different shift of color themes in each time one of the character dies. From white to color pink, it's a nice sequencing and you could tell that the storyboard was well thought off. 


So why did "The Healing" healed the box office? It's very simple, it's a good story. PERIOD!!! It was made with a powerhouse cast which interested the audience to see it. The movie was unique and  I really think that from the days of the movie, "Feng Shui", this new Star Cinema movie is perhaps one of the most beautiful, well-crafted suspense thriller movie. I actually think that this is even better that those earlier horror-suspense movie made by Star Cinema.


It's a must watch movie, not because it's a Vilma movie. It's a must watch film not because of it's commercial tone but because it's a well thought off story. It was made even better with good effects, good acting. Lastly, it never made the audience felt that it's watching a "poochoo-poochoo" Filipino movie.  


At the end of this movie, you would hear the audience clapping their hands as a sign of satisfaction with this film!


KUDOS to "The Healing"!

SOME DAY

A day in Boracay Island

There are times I want to rule the world
There are times I want to play the hard game
To all the the daily grinds of my life
I just feel it's all a matter of attitude to live it

Some days are fun
Some days are warm
There are days that I feel cold and stressed out
There are days that I feel hot and ready to strike any who oppose

In all the days of my life, I pray for only one thing
That SOME DAY I will be a transcended spirit
With overflowing muse and appetite for life to share
That SOME DAY I will be remembered because I touched lives

Credits to Jon Tierra
IT Guy. Writer on the side. Dreamer on the outside.

On giving your love a second chance?

EARLIER AT WORK.....one of my office gal pal asked, will I give someone who I hold dear a second chanceif I learned something not so good that could strike out the relationship?

I answered her, "Oo. Kasi gusto ko eh. Siguro sa part ko, I'd like to develop a better understanding of me and my love one's individuality, para malaman ko kung bakit nga ba dapat ko siya bigyan ng second chance. 

'Di ko alam, maybe it's LOVE... & so I'd like to think that new chances may be made special because of that LOVE. Of course, HE should be sincere to earn it that back again and I need to start trusting again, it will be bliss to let that happen --- that is TO let myself trust the one I care about once again."


 HAHAHA

#HeartFeltLaughterAfter

Mornings of love

Many times in my past I have always dreamt of spending a different kind of routine apart from my usual stuffs. Special moments of waking up , looking at my window and thinking what the new day may have in store for me. To experience it knowing someone is with me to take a peek on what the new day seems to promise for us.

Today, among the many days and mornings that I've experienced in my life, I've come to share this beautiful Saturday morning with  someone I hold close dear to my heart. An awesome and real happy times that I cannot just let go just like that.

I never want this moment to end. I want each morning, each day to be a well-spent time. Be it on this current location where I stay or in the future home that I want to build and develop or to the new apartment I may be renting someday. Each new day knowing you are loved and inspired makes your life more meaningful amidst the stresses that you might encounter later in the day.

Mornings of love. Moments of love. In all the coming days of my life, I claim it to be.  Whether it  will be sunny, rainy or snowy, I hold true to my dream come true...with someone like you!

Defy some demons

I defy gravity. I go against the tides. Some people are not bred to withstand any thing that comes along their way, especially if it's a big hurdle.

I say this because as  person I know there could be certain personalities that each of us will meet in our lives. Take for instance anyone who is close and dear to your heart. That person may agree or disagree with the things that you want them to do and in the long run hurt you more than you hurt them. It is quite lonely to think that there could be things that you need to just let go and not talk about. And maybe sometimes it's best not to discuss those stuffs to avoid further stresses in your situation.

I process a lot and I analyze so deeply anything that goes and comes my way. It is not an easy process for me to do this but it is certainly a learning curve that I will deal with. It's simply because I thrive to live and tend to say to myself , just do what you think is rightful in your heart and believe that the other person will just take care of the situation to your liking. 

It's love. It's hate. It's nothing when you don't feel anything and you don't care. It will be death when that comes. 

In my arms is an angel

I met baby Nathaniel (not his real name) in an orphanage just recently when I joined charity project in Manila.

This is the first time I've joined an actual social work. I've donated and joined walks for other charity initiatives before (AIDS/HIV walk, MS Society, Initiative projects for Kids in Distress etc.) but this one recent visit to "Home for the Angels" is really special to my heart.

When I was in the US, my ex had 3 adopted kids whom I had a chance to bond with - David, the eldest was in his early college, while Joshua and Yullian are toddlers, aged 4 and 3, respectively. Though those kids are not blood related to my partner at that time, I saw the love, care and respect they've shared together. I too, became really close in that span of time that I've met them. Up until now, even when I am back here in Manila, I keep in touch with them.

The value of helping kids like them is a rare opportunity. Most of us do not realize that it is not them that we're helping but rather it's the other way around. Or maybe say that it's mutual benefit in the long run.

Baby Nathaniel is just one of the baby I've met at Home for the Angels. In that short time, I said to myself that I should really do this more often & maybe influence my other friends to do the same. In my lifestyle, it may be limiting and some would question am I capable? I would answer and say, what about you? Have you done something to lift a finger and help and become part of other people's lives who maybe needing your help no matter what your status or standing in life?

To those who maybe reading this short and sweet expression, who would be interested to volunteer at Home for the Angels you can contact me directly and I can provide more information to you.

Have a good one!

Falling for someone and knowing that you are starting to care

... is perhaps one of the best thing that I can say I have never felt in a long while 

...is indeed real when you know that you would be worried more than he/she is if there are almost seemingly obvious reasons to be worried about

... is such a sweet feeling to have because it reminds you that you are human and capable of love

... is very scary too because it's like a two bladed sword where you might get hurt and at the same time be happy! I choose to be happy feeling like this.

... is when you both feel the need to care about what is happening to each others life be it small  pimple or a big wrinkle in life 

... is really one good reminder that you are ready to take another chance not knowing what  may lie ahead for both of you , in good faith, in strong will and high risk .. to be together through thick and think, to love and to hold one another for richer or poorer 

... I say , may it be a good will to see through the future, no obstacles only smooth journeys with the grace of the Universe!