BEYOND THE HORIZON...

Bro, Ikaw Ang Star Ng Pasko.

2009-12-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

Kung kailan pinakamadilim
Mga tala ay mas nagniningning
Gaano man kakapal ang ulap
Sa likod nito ay may liwanag

Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Tayo ang ilaw sa madilim na daan
Pagkakapit bisig ngayon higpitan
Dumaan man sa malakas na alon
Lahat tayoy makakaahon

Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Kikislap ang pagasa
Kahit kanino man
dahil ikaw bro 3x
Ang star ng pasko

Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
(Repeat verse 2x)

Dahil ikaw bro (3x)
Ang star ng pasko

Lyrics By Robet G. Labayen
Composed by Marcus and Amber Davis
Produced by CCM, ABS-CBN

Free MP3 download HERE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
****

Do we have (universal) health care in the Philippines?!?

2009-12-06T23:46:00.000-08:00

Sorry for my ignorance.

Watching Michael Moore's documentary on free universal health care made me realize that I don't even know what a health care or health insurance is. Maybe because I dread stepping in to a hospital?

Now I understand what my sister is talking about months ago; Canada has one of the best health care system in the world. They don't pay hospital bills?!? The same is true in the UK, France, and believe it, Cuba!

If they don't have free universal health care in the US, that makes me believe we don't have this system in the Philippines either? Where in the Philippines could we get free medicines, medical check ups, operations, etc?!? Do we even have such thing as health care?

***

Spammers

2009-11-22T03:22:00.000-08:00

Mr. and Miss Anonymous have been frequenting my blog and leaving all these out of this world comments. I can't blame them, that's what they're being paid to do.

These comments are annoying.

I've decided to turn on my blog's comments word verification setting, apologies for the inconvenience.

***

Mount Clitoris

2009-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Admit it. You were also intrigued by the name.

Mount Clitoris (formerly Mount Mogao) rises serene and solemn above a peaceful Barangay Cagubatan in Tadian, Mountain Province, also home to enchanted eels. -source-

Aside from its name, I find the place quite amazing, because it kinda resembles this:

-source-

***

Congrats Manny!!!

2009-11-14T21:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks to live streaming. Was able to watch the fight, live and FREE!!!

***

Who is Gilbert Teodoro?!?

2009-11-13T03:42:00.000-08:00

He's running for president, who is he?!?

Na-coma ba ako? Nakatulog ba ako ng 10 years? A possible future president of the Philippines na never ko narinig ang pangalan? Who is Gilbert Teodoro?!?

Naging senador ba siya? Can he pull off an Obama next year? Pero ba't si Obama kilala ko na years before siya naging president, pero etong si Teodoro parang sumulpot na lang bigla?

LMAO! Wala lang. Siguro, wala lang ako interes na pag-aksayahan ng oras ang mga usaping pulitika sa Pilipinas. Kahit boboto lahat, kung ang lalabas na nanalo ay hindi naman yung tunay na ibinoto ng nakararami, ano tawag dun?

I'll leave my ballot blank. President: blank! Vice President: blank!

***

Can't get rid of the mouse

2009-11-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

We have a Mac at the office. It uses no mouse so I'm not liking it.

I still couldn't appreciate the touch pad because it makes things slow for me. Perhaps I'm not just used to it; my fingers prefer clicking. In fact, two days after I got myself a laptop, I went back to the store to buy a mouse. That made my touch pad useless as it hasn't been used since then.

Today, I'm trying to run my fingers over the touch pad once again. But I am yet to disconnect the mouse any time soon.

***

UFOs visited our farm!!!

2009-11-07T15:48:00.001-08:00

Like as if work is not enough to keep me busy, I still find time to put my farming skills to good use.

I've once again learned how to plow land, get may hands dirty, plant and grow crops and harvest them! Sounds like fun!

In fact I carefully laid a masterplan for my farm and proudly showed it to everyone. Look, even the UFOs were impressed they actually paid me a visit.

They left crop circles!

Well, how I wish the real thing could be as easy and fun as this.

But being a farm boy myself, I tell you, the time and energy that one spend in planting, growing and harvesting crops virtually is not even a light years close to reality.

***

Not a fan of PBB

2009-11-04T19:54:00.000-08:00

Why?

Everything has become so predictable, most of the housemates are uninteresting, and I don't like how being true to one's self is being portrayed here. Showing your true colors doesn't always have to be about how ugly you are in the inside, right?

And am I the only one who thinks that Kuya's voice has become so annoying?

***

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

2009-11-01T05:36:00.000-08:00

May namimigay ng pera sa amin - balita yan ng nanay ko nung tumawag ako noong isang linggo. Reason? Ang bayan daw namin ang pinakamahirap sa buong lalawigan ng Ilocos Sur, ayon sa survey. Therefore, recipient kami ng 4Ps.

Ano ang 4Ps?

Pantawid (Gutom) Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)

"4Ps is a poverty reduction strategy that provides grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of children aged 0-14.

It is patterned after the successfull Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programs in Latin America and Africa. CCT has been cited as one of the key factors behind the positive socio-economic outcomes achieved by Brazil where 11 million families are currently enrolled in the program, and other countries." -source-

Ilan ang nakukuha ng bawat pamilya?
Php500.00 per month.

Kung may anak ka na 7-14 years old, may additional Php300.00. Dapat ang anak nag-aaral, else, walang dagdag. Kung anak mo lima, below 14 years old lahat at pumapasok sa eskwela, meron kang dagdag na 300 - tayms payb!

Paano nasala ang mga benificiaries?

Step 1 - nilista lahat ng bayan na nasa 20 poorest provinces sa bansa.
Step 2 - pinili ang mga poorest towns na matatagpuan sa mga poorest provinces na yan.
Step 3 - lahat ng mga mahihirap na pamilya na galing sa mga poorest towns na kabilang sa poorest provinces na to, qualified!
Step 4 - selection process, computer na daw ang bahala?!?

Computerizes selection of the poorest households based on a ranking system using Proxy-Means test. It assesses socio-economic characteristics such as: ownership of assests/appliances; type of housing unit; level of educational attainment of household heads; and access to water and sanitation facilities. -source-

Kung nababasa mo ito, sigurado ako hindi kabilang ang baryo nyo sa mga 20 poorest provinces na yan! Hehehe.

Sadly, ang bayan namin, nangunguna. Nangunguna sa kahirapan sa buong Chavit territory. We are poor, as in the poorest poor based on (most of) the socio-economic characteristics mentioned above.

Gayunpaman, masaya na din ako. At least may natatanggap ang mga kabaryo ko buwan-buwan di ba? Pambili din yan ng asukal, kape, tinapay. Pero definitely hindi pantawid gutom. Kasi naniniwala ako na walang nagugutom sa amin, dahil lahat ng pamilya ay nakakakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw. Amf!

***

There is a clamor for GMA to run!

2009-10-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Yan ang nasa front page ng nabasang kong neswpaper. Run for what? where? out of the palace?!?

Tatakbo na ba siya palayo??? Alleluya!!!

Let's look closer.

WTF?!?

***

Newspaper

2009-10-28T17:24:00.000-07:00

My father loves reading newspapers. Although he's not keen with the English language, he surprisingly prefers reading broadsheets over tabloids. My mom, for some reason collects and stores them.

In our family, it's almost considered a sin if we won't bring home a newspaper when we go out.

When I started living alone, I don't buy the papers anymore. I only get to read a newspaper when I see one inside a fast food, or while in a lounge area. Today, I got a free newspaper from Jollibee and it's quite a delight to hold and bring home a newspaper once again.

This is because philstar.com, mb.com.ph and inquirer.net are all bookmarked in my browser. Practically, why spend extra money in buying the papers when you can access them in just a few clicks? Besides, I use to complain about the smudges of black ink powders in my fingers everytime I browse through their pages.

I can't believe I actually miss those days - when reading a newspaper was part of my daily routine. If you'd ask me, I would be willing to trade-in the newspaper.coms to their hardcopy versions.

***

The best workplace on earth!

2009-10-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

Google headquarters

Tell me, who doesn't wanna work here?!?

***

Idle mode

2009-10-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Quite busy.

It may take me a few days before I could go back to my normal blogging routine. But I'll try to post updates from time to time.

By the way, if you happen to be a fan of Solo, please click here.

Cheers!

***

What do I know about Quality Assurance?

2009-10-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

I’m about to start a new task at work. I never really expected to get here, not this far. But I thought this is a better option rather than to give my own contribution to the already high unemployment rate of the Philippines.

I was so prepared to answer the above question during the interview but I was kinda disappointed that it was never asked. The interview was quick, not very easy but I managed to pull it off despite my endless obvious fidgeting. Believe me, my nerves seem to get really controllable and steady only when I am holding a camera.

Despite some doubts, I believe I am ready. I just wanna grab every opportunity that comes my way at this point. I also want to believe that everything happens for a reason. Although I feel lost and that I once thought of going back and start all over again, I decided to just keep moving.

And I won’t stop believing.

Now, what do I know about quality assurance again?

Let me do it.

***

Let's pray and help Northern Luzon... too.

2009-10-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

After typhoon Ondoy, typhoon Pepeng is overstaying,

in Nothern Luzon.

He spared Metro Manila, but not the north.

Some barangays in Baguo are sinking. Main roads have been closed due to landslides. The city is now isolated.

Farms and rice fields in Cagayan are still under water.

Some 1000 people are trapped inside SM Rosales in Pangasinan. 60% of the province is flooded.

My friend and her family, and many others, in La Union have evacuated due to flooding too.

No vehicle can enter Vigan and Abra now. Roads have been closed.

I can't contact my family in Ilocos Sur today, the last news I received; half of our town is flooded.

What's happening to the Philippines?

I always believe that God listens everytime I pray not for me, but for others. I ask for His guidance and help in keeping our families, friends and love ones safe...

***

Picture of the day

2009-10-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

Starting October 4, 2009, I'm gonna be posting selected, random pictures in my side bar.

Here we go...

- 11/007/09-

COVER BOY: Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao appears on the cover of the latest Asian edition of Time magazine. The five-page feature story will be published in all editions. -source-

- 11/03/09-

WHERE TO?!?
Baguio city council failed to approve an additional
P25 million fund for the hauling of garbage to Capas, Tarlac from October to December this year. As a result, mounds of garbage will once again accumulate in the city’s nooks and crannies presaging another irksome dilemma. City officials are still at a loss on how to solve the great stink. (Photo by HARLEY PALANGCHAO) -source-

-11/01/09-
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

-10/11/09-
Houses in Baguio City are submerged in flashflood caused by rains dumped by tropical storm ‘Pepeng.’ A week of relentless rains in Northern and Central Luzon have inundated several provinces and triggered landslides, resulting in the death of at least 269 people. -source-

-10/06/09-
Manny Pacquiao and coach Freddie Roach; training in Baguio for his fight against World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in November. (Photo by HARLEY PALANGCHAO) -source-

-10/04/09-
President Arroyo reacts, her facial expression incomprehensible, as she receives
reports on the ill-effects of the two weather disturbances during the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) meeting held at the NDCC Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, last Saturday. (Photo by RICHARD VIÑAS)
-source-

Take me to the Philippines!

2009-10-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

Times like this... let's watch this:

Take Me To The Philippines Tourism Campaign and Music Video
by apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas.

Proud to be Pinoy! Two thumbs up apl.de.ap!
Hmmm... ano kaya ang masasabi ni Ka Freddie dito?

***

Life after typhoon Ondoy

2009-09-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

Relief operations for all Ondoy victims are still going on.

In times like this, it’s amazing to see Pinoys from around the globe helping and reaching out to our fellowmen who are victims of the said tragedy. Such a commendable act and may God bless everyone who have extended their empathy and helped in their own ways.

I may not be directly affected by what have happened last weekend, but I once mourned for losing a friend due to a tragedy similar to this. It was during typhoon Feria’s wrath in 2001, killing hundreds of people including my very good friend, her mother, three of her siblings and her cousin. My friend and her mom’s bodies were never found. May they rest in peace.

These are the times when we wish we could do more. I just hope I was able to contribute something, even just a little, through my blogging.

As a side note, I was one of the Facebook members who saw Jacque Bermejo’s comments. Just like most of us, I was also enraged and after making some verifications, I posted this entry. Of course I also doubted if this is real as it could be a case of another (alleged) Facebook hacking like this (warning: explicit content!). Anyway, whether this comment came from the real Jacque or not, it is something that no one would want to hear at these times.

Moving on, I am happy to hear that my officemates, friends and fellow bloggers who are from Marikina, Pasig and Rizal are safe. Their numbers were also “cannot be reach” last weekend which has left me worrying for a few days.

I hope and pray that everyone’s doing fine now. It's difficult to move on, but as what Mahalia said, "should misery come, it will not claim me".

***

Belated happy happy birthday to my sister who happen to have celebrated her birthday last September 26th. Cheers!!!

***

Helping all typhoon Ondoy victims by any means we can.

2009-09-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you for clicking! You did the right thing, let's pray for our country. Help or donate by any means we can!

How to help?

Sa lahat mga kababayan naten, lalo na ang mga nasa ibang bansa, you can click on the barriosiete logo below or donate H ER E:

(Thank you to all those who sent in their donations; click here for the the 1st. remittance report)

ALSO

Ways to donate to the Philippine National Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/wtd.aspx

Manuel L. Quezon's blog: How to help (original on Quezon.ph | Tumblr.com mirror link)

Google Docs: Rescue InfoHub Central | Ondoy Places to Donate

Google Maps: Ondoy situation map for Metro Manila, by KaninLamig

***BEWARE of FAKE ABS-CBN BDO ACCOUNT***
You may also call ABS-CBN to make sure.

ABS-CBN HOTLINE
416-36-41

SAGIP KAPAMILYA
413-2667 / 416-0387
No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon

Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111

Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820

-source-

"Typhoon victims in Philippines in dire need of food/clothng. Call the American Red Cross to help. 18004357669" - Demi Moore

"My heart goes out to my friends in the Philippines http://edition.cnn.com/2009... "- Josh Groban

"Philippine storm leaves 75 dead and missing http://bit.ly/kSzCx" - Alyssa Milano

And lastly,

Hoping and praying that everyone, everywhere, especially my friends in Rizal, Marikina, Pasig, Laguna and Cavite are ok... - Just Me

***

Jacqueline Bermejo Facebook comments towards Ondoy victims

2009-09-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Jacqueline Bermejo - is she for real?!?

While a lot of our kababayans abroad are trying to reach out to their countrymen here in the Philippines, here's one OFW in Dubai who's up into something really really unbelievable.

"buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend!"- Jacqueline Bermejo AKA Jacque Bermejo referring to what happened during Typhoon Ondoy's attack.

Seriously? I feel really sorry for this girl. Ganun na lang kaya kasama at kasakit ang pinagdaanan niya sa Pilipinas at ganito siya kung magsalita?

Hundreds of netizens are flooding her Facebook and Multiply sites with comments (both already closed):

http://starfishbuang.multiply.com/

http://www.facebook.com/starfishbuang?ref=search&sid=670637327.3254476159..1

What a hater! What can I say? She is beyond maloufernandez!

***

Who is Jacque Bermejo?

Jacqueline Bermejo - Marketing and PR Officer

Jacqueline is an experienced PR associate who has been active in the Middle East for over four years. Currently working with a number of luxury property developers. she has extensive knowledge of the market, media and what makes an excellent success story....

Tel: +971 4 4329633
Fax: +971 4 4329632
Mob: +971 50 3416640

***

For those who are looking for the list of affected areas, click here or follow this link:

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173283/new-map-of-most-urgent-cases-needing-rescue

***

Ondoy missing or "found" persons helpful links:

Thanks to Barriosiete for the links. For more info you may visit www.GMAnews.tv

****

And here's Jacque's statement forwarded to me by someone named betchay101:

"This is my real account please help disseminate.

I am issuing this statement to clear my name in the current controversy in which I allegedly posted a highly insensitive and offensive message on the social networking website, Facebook, in relation to the victims of typhoon Ondoy that recently struck parts of the Philippines.

About two years ago, an anonymous source created these accounts using my identity, posting my personal details, my real pictures captioned roughly and attacking other people. Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc.

In the early stages, I was advised by close friends to ignore the situation, saying this would simply go away. Unfortunately, it has not stopped. Hence, I filed a complaint with the Dubai Police about eight months ago hoping they could help me with my problem. Should anyone wish to check my statement, my case is still under investigation with said authorities.

Time passed and these sites continued to generate malicious, obscene and cruel messages that are widely exposed and relayed to the public under my name.

Yesterday, September 27th 2009, I received phone calls from my close friends regarding very alarming posts in the above mentioned websites that directly offended flood victims as a result of typhoon Ondoy..

These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard.

I too, have become a victim as much as those who may have lost their lives and properties to such a devastating natural calamity. This recent controversy has greatly affected my reputation, my family, and my friends. I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated.

I have a deep respect and regard for my country. I am proud to be a Filipino and would never say or do anything to harm the interest of my country or countrymen. I have also had the privilege of participating in civic-oriented activities in Dubai, particularly in trying to help my fellow countrymen seek employment during the height of mass layoffs brought about by the ongoing global financial crisis, as well as those seeking employment for the first time. Making a mockery of any unfortunate incidents befalling any of my fellow Filipinos is simply contrary to my character. I condemn the person or persons behind these malicious acts to impute damage on my integrity and I hope that you can dig deep into your hearts and minds to truly find the truth in all these."

Real? You be the judge.

***

Prayers, donations and help for all the victims of Ondoy...

2009-09-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

How to help

***BEWARE of FAKE ABS-CBN BDO ACCOUNT***
You may call ABS-CBN to make sure.

ABS-CBN HOTLINE
416-36-41

SAGIP KAPAMILYA
413-2667 / 416-0387
No 13 Examiner Street, Quezon City, Look for Ms Girlie Aragon

Bank: Banco de Oro, Mother Ignacia branch
Acct name: ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
Acct no.: 5630020111

Routing code for international cash donations
BNORPHMM ABS-CBN Branch

ABS-CBN Foundation US Office Toll-Free 1-800-527-2820

-source-

Sa mga kababayan naten na nasa ibang bansa, you can also donate H ER E:

Thank you to all those who sent in their donations;

click here for the the 1st. remittance report. 09/29/09

2nd. remittance report. 10/02/09

3rd. and final remittance report. 10/04/09

****

Rediscovering San Juan and San Fernando La Union

2009-09-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

I was on the road for 16 hours last weekend. Tiring, but thankfully it was very rewarding. I got to see my good ol' college friends once again.

Moreover, I was impressed at how La Union has changed. The place is very close to my heart as I've spent most of my teenage life here. I'm sharing some photos below...

We rented a room at Normis resort in San Juan, La Union. This is about 3 kilometers away from the famous San Juan surf resort.

If you're north bound, I'd recommend this place for an overnight stay. Nice place and friendly staff: Normi2's (as in Normi-Normis)!

The next day, we planned to visit the Fiesta Casino located at Poro Point in San Fernando city. Pero dahil nakashorts at tsinelas lang kami, hindi kami siyempre puwedeng pumapasok.

I only managed to take this single photo of the casino. Tanghaling tapat pero puno ang parking lot. Yung plaka nung isa dyan, nakasulat ang nagmumurang "MAYOR".

Near the casino is Thunberbird hotel, which architectural design has impressed us.

No we didn't get a room. Hindi na namin to afford. hehehe.

Nostalgic.

It's been three days and yet I'm still daydreaming about the trip.

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. ~Elisabeth Foley

(Thanks to Tine for the quote)

Years gone so fast

2009-09-13T00:00:00.001-07:00

My late grandma use to recount the story. From her vivid description, it was a full moon. It was amazingly bright that night. In a bahay-kubo near the mountain ranges of Ilocos Sur, a mother’s 9-month long sacrifice has ended upon giving birth to a baby boy.

And that was 20-freakin sumthin years ago!

Now, where am I?

Ayokong mabasa!!!

2009-09-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

09.09.09 pala. Post ko lang to:

Ako ang batas!

Ako'y isang heneral!

Ako'y hindi pwedeng mabasa!

Buhatin mo ako!

I ain't buying the explanation.

Thanks to tunaynalalake for sharing this pic.

Happy Birthday to my sis! Many more birthdays to come!
Cheers!