Weekend Highlight

I finally saw half of my beerkada!!! All the way from the States, Boy is back with us here in the Philippines. Ate and I, this is only the 2nd time that we saw each other here in Manila... talk about being busy and being far apart... hehehe!

I'm thankful that we were able to meet up...We toured the hallways of Megamall and just go on with window shopping and eating out... I miss my girls...and that includes Len, Kat and Diane. hehehe!!

Moi, Ate and Boy

After roaming around Megamall, I went with Ate to Starmall where she'll be riding to Laguna... but we saw a Bench Fix in Starmall so we had a pedicure for our tired feet.

Having a Pedicure

After saying my goodbyes to Frae, I went to meet my cousin and her neice in SM MOA. Good thing I went there amidst the heavy rains coz Bench had an activity at the biggest mall in the Philippines and I had a pic with Mateo...weeehhh!!!

Mateo, I love.

And the shriek is just the end of it. Hehe!!!

Eating Out Means Pigging Out

I have gone overboard with food lately. And that means going overboard with my expenses on food too.

Imagine this:
For the whole week I have eaten in Conti's twice, Sbarro, Coffee Bean (courtesy of Pao), Starbucks (courtesy of Nang Bambi) and that's minus the offers of Tom for coffeee, DQ, KFC twice, and Yoshinoya. Include in that the food I get for free from at the office from Ma'am Edna, from meetings and demo presentations.

Somehow I appreciate being at home today with just tv, laundry and the computer, because I'm limitted to what ever there is at our refrigerator... And it only means left-overs for reheating as I'm not really a fan of cooking... talk about being lazy on something vital as cooking.

Hope this does not get worse... I'm gaining weight, I'm losing money... grrrr... not fun at all.

I may doubt myself, but I don't doubt my God

Almost six months ago my application for Masters Degree in UP got rejected. I was so devastated, I had 2 days of depression. After 2 days, my why's have been answered. News of the new assignment, TP 6, was given to me. And it made me think, that if I was given the chance to go back to school and the new assignment, I don't know how I would manage. Plus the fact that I would be traveling to UP after work all the way from Taguig.

But the fact that my first application got rejected, it scarred me. Since I handed my application, I kept on praying and asked favors from family and friends to help me pray. I have doubted my capabilities, my confidence is so low, and I worry that I can't go back to UP, to be rejected twice. That doubt in self, turned to faith to my God. All the more that I called on to Him, to do miracles for me, to make things happen for me. And He did.

Now, during the applications, and the future with work, I see a much clearer picture. I am now assigned at the main office which is just at the back of UP. I would just walk from the office to school. And what I will study is now in line with work at Operations. =) He really has set out his plans for me. And I am forever at awe of His ways.

So yes, I am back and ready for school. I got my acceptance email today and I was too excited, I rushed to Frank's office and told him the news... he was happy that I did get in he even announced it to my seatmates at the office. The excitement also caused me a 6-8Php call to Mama, one of my greatest prayer warriors.

Now, I just have to finish my visit to UP Health Servie, aka Infirmary, and get myself totally admitted... to school!

Beauty is a Sacrifice

Beauty is a Sacrifice.

It surely is for Mt. Pinatubo. To see a grandeous gift of nature, you have to endure a sure lot of an ordeal.

It is unbelievable to see how a very serene and beautiful place has caused havoc and peril to many lives in 1991. It was so violent and disastrous, like it was awakened from a deep slumber, terribly angry. Remains of that disaster is still visible around and going to Mt. Pinatubo. Hopefully, the great volcano will remain at sleep and the 1991 eruption will be its last.

It was a tiring but fun to conquer Pinatubo. But that experience will be the first and hopefully the last as I have no plans of doing it all over again. =P

A Jump for the Grandeous Pinatubo

UPdate of my Bumming Week

I have been home alone since last week when my brother, Mel, went home to the province to spend the rest of his summer vacay with the rest of the family and of course the gf. It is quite peaceful at the house...and monotonous too. But I'm ok really... sometimes, I would like to experience some peace and quiet after a busy day at work.

-o-
Ji is here for the week. She's processing her papers for the US... good thing, she'll be able to go with us in climbing the Pinatubo.

-o-
Pao has celebrated his 29th birthday last May 12. We (Bertday boi, Icile, Ji, Rommar and I) had dinner at Mang Jimmy's... it was a quick walk from the office so I stayed for awhile browsing stuff in the internet while I wait for them to go there from Kalayaan Dorm where they had isaw.

Mang Jimmy's doesn't have an rice-all-you-can-eat just like years ago, during my college days... And we ordered five viands and only got 1 other viand free... Owel, I guess things change.

Rommar has a car now and Icile finally bought herself a DSLR. All through out dinner we had fun over eating and getting ourselves photographed... we then loaded Rommar's car and proceeded to the Technohub. Rommar went home right after he dropped us off.

We ate dessert at Razon's, yummy halo-halo, courtesy of Pao. And then we took turns handling the DSLR and shoot the night away.



-o-
I, together with some of my batchmates at the main office and Balara BA went to visit Emil yesterday. Emil is our batchmate who is assigned in Pasig BA. Both of Emil's kidney has deteriorated and he is now undergoing dialysis and he is looking for a kidney donor so that he could have a kidney transplant.

Minutes before he will be going for dialysis, we were able to see him. Still that happy smile amidst the problems he is facing. He has lost a bit of weight though. =(

Hope Emil will get through this.

-0-
I already watched Angels and Demons. Nice movie!!! Hehehe!!!

I love it. Maybe because I have no means to compare it with. I haven't read the books, nor have I watched The Da Vinci Code. So that movie is my first Dan Brown experience and it was nice.

=) that's it for now.

No Plans For the Weekend

=(

Bumming for the weekend. Can't seem to know the life with having nothing to do (except chores), nor a place to go to. Boohoo!

Richer by P500!

The much awaited fight is now over!!!

After a very glorious and short fight against Ricky Hatton, Manny is going home triumphant and the Filipinos are once again joyous especially those who placed their bets for the Pacman.

We at Ops have set our bets out against our Brittish bosses, Frank and Tom. We (almost 25 people) have come up with a grand 20,000Php to fight Frank and Tom's ceiling price. My bet of Php500 was included to the pool of amount.

And a week after the bet, I became richer by Php500!!!

Love you Manny! Ang gwapo mo sa pic dito:

The Gas that Made my Day Painful

The stomach have been aching the whole day. After eating breakfast, and was not able to burp, it became the nuisance one could ever imagine. My stomach has a lot of gas maybe enough to fill a balloon.

Ma'am Edna suggested that I take in meds for my gas. So I took Mutillom from Wellness and all the more that my stomach became rebellious and turbulent. I didn't eat for lunch afraid that I might upset my stomach all the more. I kept on coming back to the CR and induced vomitting just to get the gas out. Add to that the trips for bowel movement.

Now at 8PM, I know I have an empty stomach but I can't feel the hunger.

Bora Beaching Bitch

Like any other day that I lack sleep, the result would be floating. But the craving for sleep is not just becuase I have to sacrifice and extend hours awake for something reasonable like the studying or doing a report or presentation for work, but none other than traveling and supposed destressing from the reality of Manila.

Once again, I escaped the dreaded big city and went to Iloilo, our meet-up point for our much awaited Boracay vacation. An original party of 10 was cut to only 3 people: Me, Noisy and Cyhna. Cyhna has work to attend to on May 1 while Noisy will attend to the job fair in Bacolod City. So I spent the whole day of May 1 discovering Ilo-ilo. With the initial visit during the Holy Week and my tour guide via text, Pao and Ji, I was finally able to buy my ref magnet (Iloilo version). And then I went back to SM City to meet my cousin and my brother.

Since it was almost dinner, we set foot to the foodcourt and treated ourselves with a hearty meal. And then we decided to kill time with watching the LFS of Wolverine. We planned of going to the Tagbak Terminal around 12 MN so it is better to spend it watching a movie than a 24 hour fastfood chain (McDo kuno) and be pressured of buying food to stay in the place.

We arrived at Tagbak Terminal at almost 11PM, but we have to wait till 12MN, that's when 2 more passengers join us and the driver thought of proceeding to the Caticlan port. I was asleep most (if not all) on the way to the port. We arrived at the Caticlan port around 4:30 AM. We loaded the Montenegro ship which will bring us to Boracay.

And finally, we have set foot the ultimate beach destination in the Philippines, Boracay.

Pics at my multiply.

The Joke

It was about 4PM. And after talking to one of the people from Wastewater, Frank went out to talk to me. "Since it's a long weekend, I have an assignment for you to do. You're going to Boracay, to see things there." And he had that silly smirk in his face. I told him, "Really, you're sending me to Boracay? What do I need to do there?" And he continued, just look over things there. And then I said "Ok!" I know he was joking and I just keep on going on joking with the old white guy. "Na!" he said and waited for my reaction.

And I did return the joke.
"No. Really, I'm goin to Bora tomorrow."

And seeing my serious face, he said, "Really now?!?!?!"

"Yeah! Want to see my ticket?! I'm going to Bora for the weekend"

"You're really serious."

Now I take with me an assignment to Bora. Boohoo!!!

Finding a Father in Frank

So last weekend, I was out with my friends and colleages at the Taguig BA. I got Frank's permission to go with them in the afternoon of Friday.

First thing Monday, at the Flag Ceremony, he was mouthing (Yep, I was lip reading), asking about the weekend outing. Since he was afar, I also mouthed my words back saying I really enjoyed it a lot.

And later in the afternoon, he called me into his office and after discussing business matters, he made me tell him how the Taguig Outing went. He was inquisive of details of what we did, where we stayed, or did I miss, at the very least, enjoy the company of my Taguig friends. He was even concerned that I was assigned in a room with 14 people (included 6 guys) with only 2 beds.

It is quite overwhelming that somebody not related to you, or somebody not in your level (mentally, financial, socially) is taking time to know how you were and how your days went. =)

Bi Polar?

Yesterday, I am in cloud 9, so high I couldn't get enough of smiling and feeling good. Today, I feel like I'm in deep shit.

Yesterday: Straight from the horse's mouth
After discussing things I have gathered in the main office on the Curayao and San Rafael Treatment plants, I stood up to go back to my cubicle... midway accross the room, Frank called me back... And he said, "Just so you know, you are doing very well. And it is not only me who is saying so, so is Ma'am Edna." And that great big smile appeared again and was plastered in my face. I told him my thanks and relayed my dilemma of how much I am wondering how I am performing since unlike my previous post, I don't know how I fared. I don't have numerical figures to guarantee I am in an excellent zone, nor have I targets to surpass each month. Frank understand that as well thus he guaranteed that I'm doing great in the new job.

That affirmation have brought me and my self confidence in cloud 9.

Today: Depressed and Unsatisfied.
I was sent out to go to Curayao and San Rafael Treatment plant to see what is going on in there.... I gathered all the data in preparation to the expected exam with Frank. And so we discuss things. He got out his calculator and did calculations. Yikes!!! And I was in a whirlwind, got confused with some data I got. And Frank said, "Here's one thing to learn, when you go to a plant, or wherever, learn from numbers." The numbers that we gather speak of things, coherent or not... thus if it is incoherent, I must asked it out outright at the plant than not think if the numbers do match or acceptable and suffer bringing questions at the main office. He said not to worry about it because even Bea and Mai, who were his previous TAs have the same habit at first. He said that it is due to the lack of experience such that it isn't nature to us to think that way. In due time he said, I would be able to acquire a very inquisitive mind.

='(

Ewan

It all started with just teasing.. it all started with people putting colors to whatever is there.

I don't know... now it has become a mess.

He is suppose to be a friend... suppose to be just one of those closest guy friends.. he's suppose to be "dude!", suppose to be a kid, suppose to be my brother.

But after having spent most of the outing together, talking the night away in a swing, slept together in a couch, eat together and looking after each other, plus the after-outing ...everything changed. People have thought we have something special going on. We have told them the truth that it was nothing and ignore everything they say...

But you changed... and it sucks bigtime.

It's Officially Announced!!!

The Reason why I don't have a Sterio

or a Radio...

because our neighbor's are blaring in the early hours of the morning... dinig from kanto to kanto!!!

And since the houses in the subdivision are almost wall to wall in a very small piece of land... we will hear all the "noise".

Going back to Taguig

I finally went back to Taguig. After my new position and transfer at the main office, it was only last Friday did I set foot at the Taguig office and was able to see most if not all of the members of the Taguig BA.

Yesterday, I went with the whole of Taguig to Lian, Batangas for the annual company outing...Since I don't have any department in Operations and the outings are purely per department, I thought of just joining my friends at Taguig.

I had problems with going there... I talked it out with Caster last Thursday that I'll ride with him to Taguig after his seminar with wastewater... but he informed me that he won't be joining the seminar because he has call center complaints to do... so I texted Sir Erol which of course he agreed for me to join them on going to Taguig.

Then Jovert texted me that he'll be picking me up since he will pass his application for Masters in UP. Weeehhhh!!!! Mahal talaga ako ng boys of Fort Boni!!!

When I arrived at the BA, everyone was eating lunch because it was also Boss Darwin's birthday. It was Sir Darwin's tradition to treat everyone on his special day. So being an honorary of Taguig, I invited myself to the lunch treat. Hehehe!!

Then we all loaded the bus... I don't have enough cash with me and withdrawing is impossible because we would be on our way to Batangas with no stop-over so Bernie was a super pest insisting on my share... hehehe!!! What would I do???? I just have to enjoy the outing and pay later...

It was a 3-hour long ride to Batangas... and when we got to the resort we all proceeded to our respective room assignments... I was with Tina, Jen, Bless, Bernie, Di, Cons, Rolly, Yaw, Chris, Chel, Aina, Jovert, and Lati. Yikes with only 2 beds, I don't know how we would be able to sleep comfortably in them.

After bringing our bags in, we went to see the beach... It was only, fine sand although not white...but it was ok... what would matter is making the most out of our stay there.

We started with playing dodge ball... it was so fun! Then later became picture addicts as more cameras was out...there was supppose to be a team building but was not able to continue since some people has already started drinking, some were engrossed with singing at the videoke, some are still playing volleyball and frissbee while others are already enjoying their swim. After that it was dinner time already.

Then we spent the whole night just talking... updating ourselves with whatever, anything and everything....then we played a lot of games again... it was a good way to go back and bond with friends.

Sleep and rest became a problem.. it was a dilemma!!! So after having my hair dried, with the help of Jovert (salamat, dude!), he thought of looking for a pillow outside to make our sleep more comfortable... we are to sleep at the banig with no pillow... I'm not maarte really, just want to be resourceful.

So we went out at the videoke to see what is happening there and viola!, we are hyper again with singing our songs of choice... But the day would take a toll on us... without me noticing it, I fell asleep at the couch with the videoke blaring as my lullaby.

Woke up around 5AM to have a morning dip. Weeeh!!!! That was the highlight of the trip, soaking in the sun, jumping into the waves, floating in the water, getting our tan lines, and have a blast in the pictures (thanks to Jen's underwater cam!).

Then we went back to get breakfast then go back again in the water for another batch of fun. Until we all went back for a very early lunch... Food was great... plus of course the company.

Going back to Manila, it was raining like hell.. Tagaytay was getting flooded... Another 3 hours later we were back at Taguig and then loaded ourselves in Sir Lawrence's car and have ourselves dropped at Market...

It was a 24-hour escape from work, from Manila, from everything that is real... It was good to be back.

Some Pics:

Got the Best Boss (by far)

Frank is THE ultimate BEST!!!

He has this very positive attitude towards work, towards his colleagues, his friends, his family and most especially his children. He knows his people by name... all of us in Ops... And he is the boss who doesn't want to be called by Sir, Mister or any title... He just want to be called Frank.

He doesn't belittle if you do not know... just tell him you don't know and he'll surely teach you...

I have went home, went undertime, and he allowed that... I don't escape anymore like I used to in Taguig. He has even grant my leave when I went home for the Holy Week. And now...

I got permitted with joining Taguig in their outing in Batangas. =)

Exhausted with Earth Day

Yesterday, I have been out all day. Came in before 8 to go with the Sustainability Department who will go to SM Mall of Asia by 8 AM. Frank is a guest for the Global Handwashing, an Earth Day celebration a NGO. It was such a small event but big names in protecting the environment took part in the celebration. Bebet Gozun who was the former Seceretary of the DENR was there, together with Teresita Choa, president of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, a vice-president of Unilever. Some are ambassadors to nations of Germany and Finland was there and Ambassadors to the Philippines from Dutch. The governor of Isabela, Grace Padaca was also in attendance.

It was a fun event as one by one speakers, including Frank, was called to talk on handwashing and importance of it.



Then Frank thought of going back to Balara to do some work. But we are to come back to Makati for the Asia Society Forum on Water Management. When we came out of MOA, it was pouring hard. Streets are getting flooded and traffic is getting worse such that it would be impossible to get us to Balara and go back again in Makati by 3pm.

So FB suggested that we go to his place in Makati and edit the presentation.

His place is in one of the 4 apartments in 15th floor of 1 Roxas Triangle Place in Makati. It was so nice!!! Very homey!!! It was only Manang Belen, their MWF housekeeper who was at the house as Ma'am Ester her wife is out.

Although it was lunch time, Frank only wants coffee. Yikes... and he offered me the same and not the usual Filipino lunch of rice!!! So I declined. Good thing I grabbed some served refreshments of bread and iced tea during the Global Handwashing. And so he served me with Ma'am Ester's coconut tarts... very good tasting!!! Really!!!

So we edited his presentation, and I got a grand tour of his house... since we were just waiting for 2:00PM.

By two, we went to Asian Institute of Management for the event. AIM is also in Makati but we had a hard time finding it... got lost 2x due to Frank's senior moment...hehehehe!!! It was still raining but we arrived at the venue by 2:30PM.

Joemar joined us to hear the talk...Before the start of the forum, FB talked to Joemar regarding his new position... he is now the Department Manager of Water Supply!! I have manage to keep that in secret... and phew! now it is out, at least that's one secret less to keep!

Frank was to talk at the forum in replace of Sir Perry Rivera. And he was only told around 10 AM during the handwashing!! But that's part of their work... so he agreed to do it. =)


That I admired of Frank... because if I were in his place, I might say no....

After the forum, I went with Joemar to Balara... again traffic was terrible... it took us an hour and thirty to get back to the office... yikes!!!! More than 12 hours of work!!!

Now I'm pooped!

Getting Sicker by the Day

According to my last doctor appointment at the province, I have a lot of gas in my stomach...I have hyper acidity she said. And so she told me to avoid coffee (omg!), tea, softdrinks, citrus, etc. So I was in a dilemma as what to drink (except of course water)... i could easily elude softdrinks but coffee?!?! and iced tea or even pineapple juice?!?! Argh!!!

So being a hardhead, I am not 100% caffeine free, I didn't say goodbye to my digestive aid and antioxidant, tea... nor have I said my last farewell to the fruit juices. I just lessen my intake of them... Pity me... now that I am offered of Starbucks coffee every lunchtime by Tom (who loves Philippines for cheap Starbucks! He's British, btw), and tea every morning. Hays! So for the whole week, I said no to the offers and agreed to it just yesterday, the last day of work... which Tom acted out like he was having a heart attack because finally I said yes to his treat! He was already thinking that I am much cheaper than the previous 2 TAs who have been in Ops because I have been declining free food from the two of them (him and Frank).

And just before I left for Manila, my family gathered in Apollo for a some-sort-of-tradition, a set-off dinner. After finishing with my food, I had a very bad stomach ache which I proceeded to the resto's CR... I was half relieved but Rolan was not convinced so he set me outside and convinced me to vomit the food out which I easily did because I was really in pain.

When I came home, I was already coming back and forth to the CR... I am having LBM. After about 6 sessions, my brother and I went out to buy gatorade or ORS... my mom on the otherhand was pleading me that we proceed to the hospital for a check-up which I said no to for I am afraid that I would get confined and I can't board the plane going back to Manila (which is the following day), and going back to work. And missing the plane would mean additional charges for rebooking and increase in fare rates.

So after 2 gatorades and more trips to the CR, a plane ride to Manila and commute to work, I still have a very rebellious stomach. I had another 2 sessions in the office before I went to our company doctor for a medical advice. He was actually in shock that I was still up in my toes for work as I should be very weak because of the lost electrolytes. He even advice me to go home, gave me antibiotics, and ORS, and recommends that I go to the hospital if I would still have LBM after 2 drinks of my meds.

The meds took effect bigtime... I didn't have any bowel encounters, even my regular ones, for two days! Now I'm fine tuned and have no problems with LMB... sadly I never had the chance to know why I had those bouts..

Expectation gives Grief

A long time ago, I have agreed to never put myself into situations where I would be again enveloped with grief. I have already detected the source of it. And staying away, and even not thinking about it, is the only answer to avoiding occasions of it.

But time and time again, I have fallen into the pit of momentary bliss hoping for something in return. And unmistakably, get hurt in the process. I have set not to expect but often falter on false hopes of an ireversible relationship.

Here I go again...

Suffocated

I have been home for almost 3 days. Somehow it was not the vacation I looked forward to... there is always that feeling of escape... I love being home but not at this point in my life... Escape... that is what I want everytime I go home... I want to go back to the temporary happiness... leave the reality for a while...

I feel like suffocated... entrapped... it seems that there is no answer anymore...

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday.
I was in Manila and had a long day at Manila Water.

We had visitors from World Bank and IFC and they want to see how we treat wastewater so together with people from Finance, we organized a tour at the South Septage in FTI. After the cadetship training, that was the only time that I came back for a tour. And it was grand since it was Frank doing the explaining.

Going to Taguig was next in the itenerary so that the visitors could check out our "Tubig for the Poor" Projects. But Frank doesn't want to go so we excused ourselves from the group and we went to the sewage treatment plant in Magallanes. It was a fun learning experience... and I got to see the new technologies we have at Magallanes: the waste to energy project where we get methane gas from waste and burn them to provide electricity to the plant. =) nice huh?

And then we proceded to Intercontinental Hotel where lunch would be served for them. I thought all the while that Mike and Kid (people from Finance) will just be dropping the visitors and we'll procede back to the main office and leave all the directors to convince the delegates from IFC and WB that they grant us a loan. But Mike and Kid are in charge of everything and as a rule they can't leave the place till its over. So I hang out with them and they chose to sit near the directors and visitor's table in Prince Albert and ordered. It was my first time to see a menu with all food priced 500php up. They said everything was covered, just order. And I did... and Mike was calculating in his seat and almost dropped his ballpen when the group at the other side stood up for a buffet. Buffet costs 1750 each! So all through out our lunch Kid and Mike were calculating the money they have brought.

And then Frank stood up shook hands with the rest in their table and then approached our table asking if I want to join him coming back to the main office, which I of course took because I don't want to be in agony watching the two with wether they have enough money... Hehehe!!! Eat and run!

The rest of the afternoon I just went to IT to get my new sim card. I have a new work num now. I lost my phone during the preparations of the Farewell presentations for ATA. We were going down the taxi when I think, my phone slipped. I called and left a message on my phone. And the cab driver actually replied. Told me that he is now far and will return my phone in the afternoon and I have to pay for whatever is registered in his meter (as fare). I agreed to it but he never showed up. So now my new number is 09154228140 and I need to buy a new phone as the company would no longer buy us one.

I finished work early so as not to be late with meeting up with Pao. Just don't want get commented on.. hehehe! Peace pao! We agreed to meet up at Megamall for a free chocolate glazed donuts and their original coffee. Yummy and the best thing, it is free!

Today.
I am home for the holy week. Almost didn't arrived on time at the airport amidst leaving the house very early... I just don't want to spend much on a cab from the house in q.c to the airport. And so I got my documents ok and my boarding pass as well. The plane arrived on time and I told myself that this is one of the very few plane rides that is actually on time. And we left 5 minutes early than our schedule of 5:15PM. And I slept the whole flight and was awakened by the comotion. A crew was announcing over a megaphone which I wasn't able to hear to they repeated upfront for the other passengers to hear. They said we have to go back to Manila and they have technical problems in the aircraft. God! That was 15 minutes till we land in Bacolod!

And when we landed in Manila, some technical team repaired the communication system between the crew and the pilot and that's it. But what kept us long in Manila is that other passengers wants to go down which the crew permitted.... but of course it would take time to find their luggage at the plane's compartment. We finally took off 8:15 and I arrived at Silay airport hungry and tired at almost 9:30 PM. And when I got out, my fetch was not there yet. Ma and manong went out to get food as well.. so I waited for awhile for them to get me.


Now I'm looking forward to this vacation... hope to have a blast... and I need to get a tan line to compete with Frank's. Hehehe!

Career Launched and Flopped

That happened in only one night. My career as a showgirl was launched last night and ended on the same night as well.

Our company president is moving out of Manila Water and will transfer in Ayala Land. To pay tribute to his good leadership and how he steered the Manila Water wheel into success, we, in our own respective groups gave a show of our own....

Everything was not a competition but we gave our 100 percent. The Ops had a mini-concert with all our Department Managers performing as well as Frank and Tom. A few cadets, including yours truly, danced as back-up.



The performance blew the other Groups away. The crowd went into a riot seeing the managers doing all these... And until now, they couldn't believe at how we have pulled that off. And how we had our bosses do what they did... hehehe!!! I myself could not believe as how I was convinced to perform when if in Taguig I would not care about it and just be one of the audience. So up to today, 3 days has gone, and yet I still get teased by my Taguig friends, my batchmates and Sir Sundy. I really want to hear the end of that... waaaahhhh!!!

But I so loved my hair (thanks Maits for going thru agony just to curl my thick mane) that night and my make-up...I did my own smoky eyes!!! Weeehhh!!!!

Forgotten Follower

For (almost) the entirety of my life, I have taken the backseat... I am in most case the follower... In a few times, I lead but those were the times that others push me to do it, not myself volunteering to take the chance to head.

I have always enjoyed the ride and just join in with the flow... I never like to give the directions... But I never took my being a follower negatively... as a matter of fact, it teaches me to challenge... I may be the follower but I surely challenged the order before I do them.

SILAB taught me to lead. On top of that it gave me a chance to know myself... My chance at SILAB made me realize how much I hate to fail or should I say, how afraid I am of failure... Failure was never a favorite, and a next time will never come once there is that chance... you fail one and its over... no more second chance... there is always a mark that you stumble... there are always scars to remind you.

And now, Ops has entirely changed my being. It challenged me to take the wheel. It imposed me to be on my toes and head the pack. It gives me the opportunity to lead. This is harder because this is entirely work, and professionalism is at stake here, plus my promotion and all those things...But now I'm no scaredy cat with leading... because there is no room for that... and I have faith, in God, in my self, and of course the people who are there willing to give me a hand...

...failure or not, I have to lead.

Future Mechanical Engineer

Congratulations to my bro!


(Future) Engr. Rolan Tribaco, M.E.

BCD

I'm home once more...

Two of my brothers are graduating this year (Rolan's is today and Rex's is next Tuesday), and that of course is my excuse for eluding Manila for the weekend, pack my bags and go home.

I came home to a party at the compound... Yesterday was Lola Mating's birthday, so the family had dinner with just a few guests to remember Lola Mating. Surprisingly, amidst the issues here, I enjoyed the night..

Early today, we attended the Baccalaureate Mass of Rolan which was so early at 6AM... Grrr!!! But then, it would only be once in a lifetime that I could get to experience attending these... after all I miss all of this when I was in Manila for school.

Then we proceed to Riverside for a doctor's appointment. I'm counting days to see effects... hehehe!

Now I'm preparing for the grad ceremonies and for the congratulatory dinner... so fun!

Baptism by Fire

Today is my first official day at Ops. And what a way to start work at Ops!!! Today is the KRA presentation of Ops. So I spent the whole day preparing, editing and compiling the presentations of Section Managers. And by 12 NN we all faced the directors of Manila Water and only got out by 4:30PM.

Baptism by fire, huh? And on Wednesday I am due of another presentation... but I'm not complaining really...I am actually happy... felt relieved that I'm out of the BA much early... and I am sure glad that the call center flooding is way over... =)

I'm all smiles... amidst a long and tiring day... =)

Goodbyes Said

I have always believed that saying goodbyes is very hard... especially for the one who is leaving.

Yesterday was my last day in Taguig. Amidst that, I never got to sit down and rest. I even missed lunch. The whole office was in chaos because we spent the whole day preparing for a Billed Volume Challenging. While we were doing the presentation, our boss was adding in the pressure. =(

By four in the afternoon we were eager to get out, not to go home yet, but to do as much pending job as we could, without our boss biting our necks off. Sir Lawrence, Jovert, Chris and I loaded the Get and off we go to our areas.

We went to our Kasanggas to invite them for the pub con. When we reached the AFPOVAI Office, it was past five. Amidst that, we pursued. Good thing they are still inside. Almost all of my friends in AFPOVAI were there, both General Manager Mamerto Ureta, President Arthur Garrido, Ma'am Sheila, Ma'am Jenna, and Stephen. And I said my goodbye which of course, Sir Garrido took badly. He had the same sentiments when Sir Sundy left. But I know that he understood that the transfer was for my good.

It was hard...Tears almost welled up my eyes. When I finally shook hands with Sir Garrido, to thank him, I almost choked my tears just to not feel them. And he said, "You will always be welcome here at AFPOVAI." I told him that I would be visiting when I get the chance to go to Taguig for whatever reason.... and I don't know if I would be doing that.

When I went back to the service, I was quiet. I knew to myself that these are some things I would be missing when I would be transferring to the Ops. But it is time to move. It is time to embrace an opportunity.

I may have said goodbyes but my Kasanggas will always be my friends. =)

Pagpupugay kay FM

The news was as fast as fire. Through a text message to one of my officemate, suddenly the whole ground floor of the main office caught the fire. Francis M. is dead. And it was all over the internet.

Kiko was diagnosed with leukemia, AML to be specific (but I don't know what's the meaning of it), 7 months ago. That shook us since the guy is really very young .

I am an avid fan of the man and his works.. I've read his blogs even before he got sick. I've seen his photos and wished I could have the eye for creativity as his. I've sang his songs (the popular ones). I wish to buy a shirt or a merchandie from FMCC. I hope I could do that soon.

And even during his battle with cancer, I have read through his updates of how he and his family copes with his sickness and how, little by little, he has won over it. As each post shows how he has entrusted his life to the Lord and how he surrendered his health to the hands of the Almighty, I was also in prayer that the guy will surpass the trials he faces.

But the man has bowed down to cancer. Though defeated, Francis M. is triumphant for he has showed many how to hope and trust in the Supreme Being. He has awed everyone by his love of the country and how he has eagerly showed his hope for the children to better things for the future. Francis M. may have gone but his works will surely remain in the hearts of many...

Kiko is awesome and that I will always remember him.

My Summer Has Started

The sun is finally up and shining. It's heat is really hard on the skin. But that is just a good sign that summer has finally started.

La Mesa Dam and Ecopark with Tita Nory and Mel
My summer started a month ago when Tita Nory went to Manila and stayed with us. We brought her to UP because his son is interested of going to school in College of Music. Finally I was able to have my pictures with Oble in a tourista way. Hehehe!!! Though we were in civilian clothes during our undergrad years, I never attempted to have my pictures taken. I was afraid of the curse of not graduating from UP.


We took off to La Mesa Dam and Eco Park and once again had a nature-filled experience. It wasn't my first to hit the eco-park but it was for Tita Nory and Mel.


Afterwhich, we went to SM Fairview to watch Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.

16th SFC ICON in Cebu
It is my first major event attended as a SFC member. It was a 3-day event of praises, thanks-giving, and worship for the great God Almighty. I was at awed to hear empowering stories of journey with the Lord as a member of the commuity.

It was an opportunity to discover Cebu with newly found friends. =)


I surely had a lot of fun with the Lord and my friends. See you guys in Davao!


The Tribaco's Hits Baguio
The following weekend, my cousins from the province, Nang Bambi and Cyhna went to Manila. Mel and I plus Cyhrone met up at the Victory Liner. By 8PM of Feb 27, 2009, we (except Cyhrone) loaded the bus to Baguio.

It was the weekend of Flower Float Parade for the Penagbenga Festival...so we trudged the streets of Session Road and found ourselves in the crowd with the rest of the Penagbenga viewers and participants...


But we weren't for Penagbenga alone.... the four of us were all geared to discover most if not everthing of Baguio.


Botanical Garden


Strawberry Farm, Benguet

Reaching Great Heights in Tagaytay.
Mama was here for a business trip for three days. So the weekend she arrived we went to Tagaytay to buy mushrooms spawn. We weren't successful though but we brought home great pictures and memories.

Gearing Towards a Chem Engg Career

Once again, I'm writing less and less... Work calls so much demand...I'm struggling out of Taguig and struggling in at Ops. Yep you read it right. It's Ops... I'm so in!!!

Lost??? Yeah.. I haven't been updating at all... I intended to keep all this afraid that someday I would not be writing good news... But since it is official I'm writing the story in this episode of my life and my carreer.

Last January, one Friday afternoon, I received a text message from Ms. Camela (of HR), saying that she needs to talk to me on Monday. That gave me shivers... because what came in mind was the Cubao trade. Cubao has been requesting Taguig for a trade in Territory Manager. So instead of sending a reply right away, I waited for the weekend, went home to the province and was given some pieces of advice by my parents. If it is really Cubao, I would have come home saying yes to the trade.

But I went to the main office and brought home the news that I was short-listed for an interview with Frank for the TA position. Mai, his previous TA is moving on for wastewater department leaving the position vacant. We were given a day to think over the proposition and we were told to text Ms. Sharon of our intention. We were requested to keep the news to ourselves since there are four of us selected for interview but there is only one position to be filled. They don't the BA's to go overboard and worry on the movement.

The interview with Frank was scheduled Wednesday. I texted Sharon Tuesday, just to not get overexcited of the opportunity. But while she presented the position, I was sure to myself that this opportunity is a gold mine as it would open doors of other opportunities for me.

So I set foot the doors of Frank for my interview, Wednesday, and gave out my best shot. And that was it...

After more than a month, news came that I got the position. The Taguig BA was in total chaos. Both Ma'am Ron and Sir Mar were negative about it. And they were talking me out of it... But then, I was praying doubly hard as before that I could push through with the transfer. Not until two fridays ago when the official announcement was made and the Taguig has to let go of me.

Monday, there was a meeting to deliberate on who would take over the area. It was a long meeting... yet, finally, they acted on my transfer.

So for the whole week I have been reporting every other day to Taguig and Ops to know the ropes of my new department and turn-over things to Chris, the one who will take my responsibilities in Taguig. The thing that is hell is the change in focus everyday. Ops is entirely different from the BA and that sucks... it is as if I'm wandering with no direction... and I need to brush up on my Chem Engg stuff. It has been awhile since I get to encounter terms and process that was hard core Chem Engg.

I'm quite happy and afraid. Happy that finally God has answered my prayers. Happy that finally this is the Chem Engg work that I have been craving for. But at the same time, my low-confidence kicks in terribly strong. I have been doubting myself once again if I am really fit for the job. Yet as I am feeling all this, I am challenged to do the job to the best that I could give. I am up to the challenge of meeitng their standards. After all this is only for a year as I would be embarking for another venture a year from now... in Manila Water or out, only time could tell.

-0-
Thanks again Lord!

Maximum Bliss

Bliss... that has been my state right now... Not that everything in my life is in order nor am I financially free. But that is how I feel regarding life, it is as if I have been sailing in Cloud 9. There will always be chaos, that is the law of nature. But the total and complete surrender to Him gives me that blissful feeling, that sugar high, that reason to smile.

I still have doubts but He took care of them. I still have my worries but He gives me security. I still feel pain and hurt but in due time, I am healed.

Thank you Lord!

One Prayer Answered... Need To Pray Doubly Hard.

Good news... I got the Technical Assistant position...

The not so good news... the Management of Taguig is holding back my transfer.

Here's the story of the whole day (which was actually the whole day yesterday):
We had our team huddle first thing in the AM. And during the huddle my immediate boss clarified the issue of my intention to transfer at the main office. So I told him jokingly that there was no announcement about it but I'm crossing my fingers on it and told him that if I have to go, I'll go of course. And all through out the morning, he was always hinting on that.

Then I went to the main office for our project presentation. During that time, my batchmate texted me that I'll give them a despida, which I didn't entertain afraid of getting my hopes up. Then I have to call our office to talk to our collection manager. It was Bernie, a good friend and former teammate who answered, who was in panicked regarding the news (which was all over the Taguig office) that I would be transfered. I told Berns to wait for me at the office for things to be clarified...

Then Ma'am Ron, our OIC, texted me regarding the transfer. She was asking questions like what position did i apply for. Was the position offered or did I apply for it? and the final question was, "How much you want it?"

I texted her that I have to talk to her (to get things clarified) at the office and not in text.

So when I reached the Taguig office, I hurriedly went to the Boss and confessed the whole story... from day 1 (when I was invited to the main office one Friday of January) until today.

According to Ma'am Ron, she got the news just this mornign when Ms. Camela and Ms. Sharon (both from HR) approached her and told her that I need to report to the main office effective March 2, urgent. The urgency shook her of course considering that I have only less than 5 days at the office.

Her verdict: She personally doesn't want to release people from Taguig for the follwoing reasons:
1) The Taguig Office is under-manned right now. Some Territory Managers (TM, which is my level...) have 2 areas to be managed because of this.
2) There is lack of time for transition or turn-over of the area. Usually, it takes a 15 days to a month just to exposed a new TM in an area since we need to study the network of the pipeline, need to be introduced to the baranggays, homeowner officers, etc.,
3) I'm holding the biggest area in terms of demand because most of my accounts are government and big corporations. So the area is critical.
4) On Mar 10, 2009 and Apr 10 are management presentation which is very critical for the BA because this is when we present our targets and have them approved. All the directors and even the president of the company is going to attend.

Even though I have informed Ma'am Ron how much I wanted the position, it seems I can't be released!!! Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was crying about this last night... thinking of what to do just to have a win-win solution...

I understand Ma'am Ron and the Taguig's situation but I can't seem to swallow the thought that just because of that my growth is hampered.

Tag Happy: Day 2

Today is quite a hard day. I got to work past nine even if I was at Que Ave platform before 8AM!!! I missed lunch doing our presentation and had it only by 4PM. But the hard times makes you appreciate the good ones all the more.

>> Amidst being late because of the exhausting MRT, I was able to resist cursing. It was my venue actually to communicate to my God of my situation and the hardships of life.

>> The Business Zone Review went very well. Although Ma'am Ron was not able to attend our review, Sir Elmer gave us good pieces of advice. The inputs from the Technical Service Manager is commendable.

>> Surely we had our lunch by 4PM. But having the joyride (we rode to and around FTI looking for food...we even reached DOST)with the boys of Fort Boni was quite facinating... especially with their antics!

>> I surely missed Bugong chicken. I had that for lunch! Yum yum!!! I used to eat Bugong almost every weekend during my first year in UPLB and have looked forward to it each time I have extra money from the allowance my parents gave me.

>> I got a hitch ride from Ma'am Belle and so I saved on transportation.

>> Thank God for a generous brother!!! I arrived at the house with an ice cream filled Ref. I know it is fattening but it is not everyday that I get to eat icecream.

Monday na po ulit.. I'll write my Friday-Monday blessings and post it when I get back from my weekend escape. =)

Tag Happy: Day 1

I'm doing this tagging thing because I like the concept of this... to appreciate everyday's blessings, however small it may be.. Thanks to my cousin, Cyhna, for dragging me to do this.

Rules: Post about something that made you happy today even if it’s just a small thing. Do this everyday for 8 days without fail. Tag 8 of you friends to do the same.

Since I read about the blog post last night (around 12:15AM...hehehe!) before I sleep, I think I'll start my "Day 1" with yesterday. So here goes the list of my blessings.

>> MRT is much better today... I alight a not so packed train and got to work relatively early.

>> I had free eat-all-you-can lunch at Kamay Kainan!!! Sir Mar was invited by a contractor and since I was tagged along, I had my stomach filled with a variety of food all of which are delicious. =)

>> I got a text from an Abyan that he got me tickets for Ang Kiri on the 26th!!! Thanks Byan Ghe! I'll pay you soon! Yebah!!!

>> My team ended work around 8PM because we have to prepare our presentation for the Supply Zone Review. But instead of going home directly, we headed for dinner feasting over Chowking food . I was actually one of the boys being the only girl in the team but they never treated me differently... The guys, Boss Lawrence, Caster, and Jovert would actually joke around dirty stuff even I'm around.

>> We (I plus my cousins and my brother) finally have tickets for Penagbenga next week!!! I actually got to the Pasay Terminal at around 10:15 PM. Instead of going home after dinner with the team, I headed to Pasay since Victory Liner is open 24 hours a day. I just thought of just going through what is scheduled so that I won't have to do it the following day. Good thing I did, because I got the last four tickets to Baguio for Feb 27, 8PM... Lucky me!!!


There goes yesterday... I'm on to my blessings for today.

I'm tagging the following to do the same: Lenny, Boy, Frae, Chris, Ji, Pao, Ricili, and Kat Kho.

MRT Jungle

The MRT is such a jungle. Men and women would throw fists just to get in especially peak hours going and from work. I for one commutes using the MRT and it is surely getting worse each day. Just for laughs, this is a compilation of the true remarks during MRT rides.

At GMA Kamuning Station
As the doors of the MRT is about to open, and people keep pushing to get in,
Commuter: Oh! Oh! Oh! Teka lang hindi tayo taga-Cubao! Taga GMA tayo!

At Cubao Station
Guard: Paraanin niyo muna ang mga bumababa!
Commuter: Wag niyo silang salubungin, hindi niyo sila kamag-anak.

Try using the MRT and you'll find it more amusing!

SMILE!!!

I came out of the house a little late. The sun was beaming at my face that early as it is, I was already squinting. I'm not in a bad mood... just squinting the sun's rays.

And there was this foreigner, I think an American, crossing the main road of the subdivision. And while I was walking towards him still with my face cross-looking, he said, "Smile, lady. It's too early in the morning not to smile!" And I did... smiled at the stranger... I thought it was funny that he said it outrageously... The thought of him just telling me that, lasted that toothy smile...the whole day...

Opportunity Loss

I just had a chat with my brother. He told me that PNOC (Philippine National Oil Company) called and asked for me. But he doesn't know much of the details since it was my tita who answered, who didn't think much of the big deal herself about the call. Waaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!! That is an opportunity and I lost it. So I instructed to post my contact details and give it to any company who calls. All of it.. emails, contact numbers even my address.

I don't know if they'll ever call again. Hays... but I hope, calls will keep on coming. =)

Sick-o

I'm sick again and my first for the year.

Maybe due to low resistance or stress. Either way, nothing to be bothered really... just colds... a little fever, a clogged nose, and a few sneeze here and there.

But I didn't report to work today. Took my first SL for the year. Have to put it in use from time to time and give the body some rest. I'm drowning myself with fluids while continuously giving instructions to my teammate.

I might get some sleep in a while... =)

Meantime Girl

She’s the one you call when you’re bored because she makes you laugh. She’s the one you talk to when you’re feeling down because she’s willing to lend an ear and be a friend. She’s not the one you call when you need a date to your company’s Christmas party, or to go dancing with on a Saturday night. She’s the one you spend time with between girlfriends, before you find "The One". You know, the one who you keep around in the meantime.

She’s not one of the guys, not a tomboy, but you don’t look at her as a "real" woman, either. She’s not bitchy enough, moody enough, or sexy enough to be seen in that light. She’s too laid-back, too easily amused by the same things your male buddies are amused by. She’s too understanding, too comfortable – she doesn’t make you feel nervous or excited the way a "real" woman does. But she’s cool, and nice, and funny, and attractive enough that when you’re lonely or horny and need intimate female companionship, she’ll do just fine. You don’t have to wine and dine her because she knows the real you already, and you don’t have any facades to keep up, no pretenses to preserve. You’re not trying to get anything of substance out of her. She’s not easy, but you know that she cares about you and is attracted to you, and that she’ll give you the intimacy you need. And you know you don’t have to explain yourself or the situation, that she’ll be able to cope with the fact that this isn’t the beginning of a relationship or that there’s any possibility that you have any real romantic feelings for her. It won’t bother her that you’ll get up in the morning, put on your pants, say goodbye, and go on a date with the woman you’ve been mooning over for weeks who finally agreed to go out with you. She’ll settle for a goodbye hug and a promise to call her and tell her how the date went. She’s just so cool . . . why can’t all women be like that?!

But deep down, if you really think about it (which you probably don’t because to you, the situation between the two of you isn’t important enough to merit any real thought), you know that it’s really not fair. You know that although she would never say it, it hurts her to know that despite all her good points and all the fun you two have, you don’t think she’s good enough to spend any real time with. Sure, it’s mostly her fault, because she doesn’t have to give in to your needs – she could play the hard-to-get bitch like the rest of them do, if she really wanted to. But you and she both know that she probably couldn’t pull it off. Maybe she’s too short, or a little overweight, or has a big birthmark on her forehead, or works at Taco Bell. Whatever the reason, somehow life has given her a lot of really great qualities but has left out the ones that men want (or think they want) in a woman. So she remains forever the funny friend, the steadfast companion, the secret lover, and you go on searching for your goddess who will somehow be everything you ever wanted in a woman.

She doesn’t captivate you with her beauty, or open doors with her smile. Mainly she blends in with the crowd. She’s safe. She doesn’t want to be the center of attention and turn the heads of everyone in the room. But she wants to turn someone’s head. She wants to be special to someone, too. We all do.

She has feelings. She has a heart. In fact, she probably has a bigger and better heart than any woman you’ve ever known because she’s had a front-row seat to The Mess That Is Your Life, and she likes you anyway. She obviously sees something worthwhile and redeeming in you because although you’ve given her nothing, absolutely no reason to still be around, she is.

- written by kristchan in www.urbandictionary.com

Upgrades

Next to getting freebies, I think upgrades and discounts are one of the best things one could offer hungry consumers. I for one, got upgrades for my drama experience last weekend.

Kat and I watched Joseph the Dreamer at SM Cinema 4 last Friday (January 30). And while waiting for the play, Kat approached the table where the tickets were sold to chat with her friends from church (who are also the organier of the event). And one of her friends exchanged our tickets with another set of tickets. Then Kat bought her food and we queued our way inside. And we found ourselves at the near-front part of the theater. Originally, our seats were at Row M but we were upgraded to Row F!!! Thanks to Kat's friend!

Joseph the Dreamer stars Franco Laurel as Joseph. A biblical story of Joseph, 11th son of Jacob and his favorite, Joseph the Dreamer warmed my heart with this very strong paternal story.. IT is obviously a paternal story... ties between God as a father and his sons Jacob, Joseph and the rest of his brothers, and the paternal relationship of Jacob and Joseph and the rest of his sons.

Joseph is so favored by his father so he was given a cloak of rainbow colors, which started the sibling rivalry and rage amongst them. Add to that the boasting Joseph did telling his brothers of his dream that they will bow to them (together with the moon, the stars and the planets). And so the older brothers plotted Joseph's downfall. They sold him as a slave to a traveling merchant and his cloak, they wet with blood of a sheep to make their father believe that he was dead, devoured by some animal.

Joseph was sold to Potipar, the Pharaoh of Egypt. He was made into his right hand he showed some leadership but the arrival of Potipar's wife, was Joseph' demise as well. Potipar's wife was in love with Joseph but to no avail, she punished Joseph by claiming that they have an affair. So Joseph was sent to prison. There he taught prisoners and even the jail guards to pray. At that time too, he was known to be interpreting dreams. His fame brought him a baker and a chef, who wants their dreams interpreted. He interpreted the chef's dream that the chef will be rewarded while he interpreted the baker's dream that the baker will die in a few days. All of which came true.

He asked a favor from the chef, that if the Pharaoh will reward him, he will mention him to the Pharaoh. Two years have pass and there is not a single word from the Pharaoh let alone the chef. Along with that is the agony of bearing the bad news for the baker, as well as the longingness for his father, Joseph felt that God has forgotten him. If not for a lady sweeper who cleans the jail who reminded him of God's goodness and how He, through Joseph, transformed them to be believers once more, Joseph felt that God has abandoned him.

At that time, the new Pharaoh had dreams... bothering dreams that he called on magician and prophets to interpret them. The first dream was that there are 7 fat and healthy cows graing then came 7 sickly and thin cows came and ate the 7 fat healthy cows. And amidst feasting on the healthy ones, the sickly remained sickly and thin. Then the second dream was that there are 7 fat and healthy corn cobs, then came 7 sick-looking corn cobs who devoured the healthy ones yet remained sick-looking. All the magicians and prophets attempted to give meaning on the dreams but to no avail. The chef, who suddenly remembered Joseph, told the Pharaoh about it. So Joseph was called and interpretted the dreams. 7 years of Plenty will come and will be followed by 7 years of Famine, Joseph said.

Afraid, the Pharaoh seek the help of Joseph of what to do. He made him one of his governor and Joseph facilitated the preparation of the succeeding years. After marrying the Pharaoh's daughter, Joseph was thrown to the Pharoah seat.

As the famine break in, his family heard that Egypt has supply. So all of Joseph's brothers except for Joshua, the youngest, grabbed their sacks and traveled. It was hard for Joseph to face his brothers, the ones that has harmed him. But the brothers did not recognie him. He interviewed them and pretended to learn about their father and their brother. He told them that one of them has to stay until they bring him Joshua.

So the other brothers returned home and told their father of the Pharoah's request. So they came back to Egypt with Joshua and Jacob and at that time, Joseph has in his heart forgiveness. And his hunger to see his father was sufficed. As he returned to his Jewish clothes and with the cloak of many colors given by his father, his family have known that it was Joseph. The play ended with a great reunion and praises for the Almighty.

-o-o0o-o-
Franco was splendid!!!! And the face, hays! Those boyish looks makes you swoon over him. And I love the facial expressions and he let go of a few tears during the touchy scenes. Plus the prowess of his singing voice, it was magnificent. I also commend the actors who played Jacob and Rachel (who also played the jail sweeper) because of their acting skills and singing voice. Sobra sa galing!!!!

Joseph the Dreamer did not fail to give his audience the message: that God has a plan for each of us, that our dreams and ambitions are not hard to reach as long as we are working and praying for it, forgiveness is not eay but in time it will come. I also love how they showed Joseph and Jacobs relationship, you will wish you have the same with your father.
=)

Verdict: 4 1/2

I almost forgot about Academy Days

I had a chat with a classmate who have a line saying "kolasa 2k, alumni lunch later! c ya!" as her status at YM. Just thought of extending my hi and hello to my batchmates who are coming to the get together. And she told me that they're going to the Academy Days!

Admittedly, I forgot about it... totally... I mean, it never occurred to me anymore. Maybe because after graduation in highschool, I never got to experience Academy Days anymore...Academy days happens in February in time for the Feast of St. Scholastica, the patron saint of the school. Back then, Academy Days is a most awaited event as there are less classes because of practices for the Field Demonstration. And at the Saturday of that week, it is a free gate day as anyone could enter the school grounds. On that day too, there are booths set up by each sections in Highschool. Booths of all sorts ranging from love booths, marriage booths, jail, horror room.. etc. etc. In my gradeschool years, a ferriswheel was set up at the parking area for the gutsy type... In the afternoon, everyone was in their costumes for a the much awaited, Field Demonstration. It was one event most Bacolodnons awaits.

And everything of that part of my Kolasa life, never occured to me not until I was reminded by a batchmate... Along with her reminder is the fact that next year would be our tenth reunion in highschool. Time has gone so fast! I'm looking forward to going home...

P.S. Last night, I dropped by a stall selling t-shirts. I saw one saying, "I am a Scholastican" with all the St. Scho uniform and all. I want to buy that shirt if given the funds.. (Paramdam na ba yun?)

A Cadet's Woes

There are two ways getting in our company... one is the route i have taken, the Cadetship training program. I think for the past 10 years, Manila Water has almost 500+ cadets. And the other route, is direct hiring to the position applied. The latter requires years of experience or expertise and all the credentials.

Lately, there are a lot of direct hires. And it brings a lot of questions amongst cadets. Questions like, How good are they? or Why can't they find among the pool of talents from the cadetship. Cadets are very diverse. Some are engineers (all fields), some are accountants, some are chemists, some have economics, finance and business management degrees. While some are architects, computer science graduates, or have chosen mass communications in their college years. The pool is plenty of fish swimming around waiting to be trapped in a net inclined to their true profession. True we lack in experience since most of the cadets are fresh graduates when they joined the company but as long as we are not given the chance to learn in the environment that could truly mold us into real engineers, or chemist, or computer scientist (etc.) we will never be chosen like the direct hires. We could never meet the standards a position requires, a position applied by the direct hires.

Just today, an email announces a new direct hired for the Quality and Standards Division, and I was thinking, does no one among cadets have the knowledge and talent for the position?