The Gasoline Dude™

Trumpet

2012-01-27T14:27:00.003+08:00

Naranasan mo na bang magdasal sa Diyos, pero pakiramdam mo hindi naman Siya nakikinig kasi hindi naman Siya sumasagot? Parang text message lang, pagkatapos mong bumili ng pang-load, todo effort kang magtype gamit ang pinakaiingat-ingatan mong Nokia 5110 at piling pili pa ang mga salitang iyong ginamit tapos wala ka namang makukuhang reply. Minsan magrereply nga pero antagal naman, o kaya eh isang simpleng 'K' lang ang matatanggap mo. Nakakainis 'di ba?

Looking back, I used to feel that way. I would pray to God, try all my might to wait for His response, but hear nothing. Naalala ko pa, tumatambay pa ako nun sa mga parks o kaya sa tabi ng lake just to have an 'alone time' with Him, pero wala pa din. I even tried going from one church to another, but it only got me frustrated all the more. (Yup, church hopper ako nun.)

Hindi ko talaga Siya mahanap.

But now it's a different story. Dinig na dinig ko ang boses ng Diyos... with matching loudspeakers. I even came to a point na hindi ako makatulog dahil salita Siya ng salita. (Parang nanay ko lang kapag nagna-nag.)

"The sound of the trumpet is getting louder and louder..."

Auditory hallucination? Nababaliw na ba ako? Nag-aral ako ng Psychology ng apat na taon nung college, sa tingin ko hindi naman ako baliw.

**********

Announcement of winners sa aking munting patimpalak will be on the second week of February. Pasensiya na sa mga nag-aantay, naging busy kasi ang mga hurado. Andami din kasing sumali kaya ang hirap mag-judge. Muli, salamat sa mga lumahok.

Unang Bloggers Meetup sa Bagong Taong 2012

2012-01-06T16:35:00.003+08:00

Happy New Year! Kasalukuyang tinatamaan ako ngayon ng ~~writer's~~ "blogger's block" kaya matagal-tagal akong hindi nag-update ng blog. Pinaplano ko pa namang gumawa ng year-ender post, pati na din maglista ng resolutions / faith goals ko para sa 2012 pero pati 'yun eh hindi ko matapos-tapos. Hayst!

Salamat nga pala sa lahat ng sumali sa aking pa-contest. WOOT! 64 ENTRIES! Heto ang listahan ng lahat ng lumahok: CLICK HERE. Pinapahirapan niyo kaming mga hurado, at hindi pa ako tapos magbasa ng lahat ng akda. Try kong inannounce ang winners by end of this month.

Ang ikukuwento ko muna sa inyo eh 'yung naging unang meetup ko ngayong taon dito sa Singapore kasama ang aking fellow OFW blogger na based sa Saudi Arabia, si DRAKE. Oo, nagkita na din kami sa wakas ng matagal ko ng kakulitan na blogger na ito. Buti na lang at naisipan niyang dumaan muna dito sa Singapore bago bumalik muli sa Middle East galing sa kanyang bakasyon sa Pilipinas. Apir!

Tatlong taon ko ng kakilala at kaibigan si Drake. Nakalimutan ko na kung bakit at kung paano ako naligaw sa blog niya (or was it the other way around?) pero isa siya sa mga hinangaan kong bloggers dati dahil sa kanyang angking ~~kayabangan~~ kakengkoyan at kagalingan sa pagsusulat sa Tagalog. Natuwa din ako dahil minsan niya akong pinadalhan ng ~~fan~~ mail na talaga namang nakapagpataba ng aking puso dahil punung-puno ito ng encouragement. Sinabihan niya akong ipagpatuloy ko pa ang aking pagsusulat dahil nakaka-relate siya sa nga kuwento ko. Minsan ko na din siyang naka-kuwentuhan sa Skype at sinabihan ng ilang problema, at para itong isang ~~tatay~~ kuya na buong-lugod namang nagbigay ng mga payo.

Kaya naman nang sinabihan niya akong dadaan siya ng Singapore eh na-excite ako ng onti. Kahit nilalagnat ako ay kinita ko sila ng bespren niya sa Esplanade after New Year, tapos tumuloy sa Sentosa para maglakad-lakad, magkuwentuhan at mag-picture picture na din. Medyo naging mabilisan nga lang ang naging pagkikita dahil naka transit flight lang si Drake at kailangan din niyang bumalik sa airport that same day. Hindi ko tuloy siya nalibre ng chili crabs at chicken rice.

Salamat kaibigan. Sa wakas at nagkita din tayo sa personal. Ako'y na-eexcite sa bagong yugto ng iyong buhay. Humayo ka at magpakarami. Haha kitakits ulit!

(P.S. Sa simula pa lang ay sinabihan na ako ni Drake na bawal mag-post ng pics sa blog kaya ni-blur ko na lang mukha niya. LOL! Siya ay isang anonymous blogger ~~daw~~.)

Nasaan na ang Entry Mo?

2011-12-15T22:25:00.001+08:00

Dahil nasa kalagitnaan na tayo ng Disyembre, muli akong magpo-promote ng aking munting patimpalak. Gusto mo bang manalo ng 1TB Western Digital Portable Hard Drive + Singapore shirt? Sali ka na!

Gumawa ka lang ng blog entry, tapos lagyan ng salitang "gasoline" o "gasolina" sa iyong komposisyon. Para sa mas detalyeng mechanics, CLICK HERE!

Gusto ko ding magpasalamat sa lahat ng sumali na. Good luck sa inyong lahat! Nawa'y magustuhan ng mga hurado ang inyong mga akda.

Ikaw, nasaan na ang entry mo?

Seventh

2011-12-12T10:54:00.004+08:00

In the Bible, seven is God’s perfect & complete number.

This blog was awarded 7th place at the recently-concluded Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA)!

Thank you PEBA for the wonderful honor and recognition. I dedicate it to my mom, who’s actually the only reason why I joined in the first place.

**********

I would also like to congratulate McRich for winning the top prize. Dude, when I read your entry, I knew right away that you’re the guy to beat.

Nailcutter: A Fairy Tale [REPOST]

2011-12-07T09:37:00.000+08:00

Isang tagpo sa MRT.

Pumasok si Lalake sa loob ng tren. Nakakita ng upuan. Umupo. Na-bore sa pagkakaupo. Tiningnan ang mga kuko. Nakitang mahahaba ang mga ito. Binuksan ang bag. Hinalungkat ang mga gamit sa loob. Nakakita ng nailcutter. Kinuha ang nailcutter mula sa bag. Nagsimulang mag-gupit ng kuko sa loob ng tren.

Napansin ni Lola si Lalake. Nakita niyang nagu-gupit ito ng kuko. Biglang nainggit. Tiningnan din ang sariling mga kuko. Nakitang mahahaba din ito. Binuksan ang sariling bag. Hinalungkat din ang mga gamit sa loob. Nakakita ng sariling nailcutter. Inilabas ang nailcutter mula sa bag. Nagsimula ding mag-gupit ng kuko si Lola.

Nagsabay si Lalake at si Lola sa pagu-gupit ng kuko sa loob ng tren. Magkatabi pa sila sa upuan. Pareho pa silang nagkalat. Kawawang mga kuko. Kawawang mga tagalinis ng tren. Wala silang kamalay-malay.

And from then on, they both lived happily ever after.

The End.

LOL!

********************

Ito ang entry ko sa patimpalak ng isang blogger friend na si Gillboard. Isinulat ko ito last November 2008. Natawa ako sa sarili kong sinulat. Puwede na ba akong maging humor blogger?

SG Pinoy Bloggers Christmas Party

2011-12-05T17:06:00.000+08:00

It was a night full of fun and awesomeness.

Last Friday, the first-ever SG Pinoy Bloggers Christmas Party was celebrated at the luxurious Naumi Hotel. It was organized by a community of Filipino bloggers here in Singapore (obviously, hence the name), which includes myself.

The celebration started with an opening prayer led by the master-of-ceremonies Jepoy, then after that we had a sumptuous and delectable dinner of spaghetti, carbonara, adobo, lumpiang shanghai, grilled pork belly, chop suey, puto, macaroons, etc. It was such a gastronomic feast!

Dinner was then followed by an 'Introduce Yourself & Your Blog' ice breaker, then some fun-filled group dynamics and games were facilitated by the gamemaster Tago Fabic. The bloggers also had the usual 'exchange gift' activity, which was quite a delight because I think everyone got what they wanted. Me, I got an H&M Duffel Bag! Thanks Sam! :)

By around 12MN we had to leave the hotel premises as gatherings are only being allowed up to a certain time. Good thing April offered her place in Hougang so we could continue with the celebration. There we had an 'Awarding Ceremony' in which bloggers were given recognition for their certain uniqueness & impact in the blogosphere. Most of the awards were actually funny, like 'It's You Already Award' and 'Best in Chwirrer Award'. Both awards mentioned above were actually won by none other than Jepoy, while awards such as 'Emo Blogger of the Year' and 'Tatag Mo Award' (most likely to stay in Singapore the longest) were given to yours truly. LOL!

It was such a memorable night as I never thought that the Filipino blogging community here in Singapore would grow this big. It was attended by more than fifteen bloggers of various niche, and some of them were actually new to the group so the event also became an avenue to increase network and start new friendships.

A big thanks to all those who helped in organizing the event. A big thanks also to those who attended. It won't be a possibility without you guys. Hope you all had fun. :)

Coincidence?

2011-11-21T22:50:00.000+08:00

There is no such thing as coincidence.

Last Friday, I met up with one of our advertisers from Bali, Indonesia. She flew all the way to Singapore to attend a gala event, so we decided to meet up for coffee at the shopping center near my office. I hadn’t seen her in person prior to the appointment, but we would usually chat over the phone once in a while so there was already some sort of familiarity and camaraderie between the two of us.

We met up at Coffee Bean, and she was already there when I arrived, having her doze of caffeine and sweets. She’s very friendly and has a nice smile, so it was quite easy getting comfortable with her with no hint of hesitation. We then started to chat and talked about the magazine. (For those who still don’t know, I work for a travel magazine here in Singapore.)

The meeting was supposed to be all-business, and my primary purpose was just to do my job and talk business with her, but I dunno what happened next and how it happened: we started talking about deeper, more personal stuff.

During the meeting, this may sound freaky to some but there was a voice inside me telling me to talk to her about my Christian life and my so-called ‘calling’. I know it’s a no-no (Apologies to Sir Donald Trump.), but I just gave in to that voice. I actually forgot how it started but suddenly I wasn’t talking about business anymore: I was already sharing about my faith to her! Our advertiser! A client!

Firstly, I shared with her about my so-called ‘calling’. Remember my previous post? Where I mentioned about a prophecy and posted a question about being bound to do greater things? Well, I also shared those with her, including my recent baptism, my church activities, and some views and opinions regarding religion and spirituality.

And guess what?

After this ~~bold~~ reckless initiative, she immediately told me that SHE's a Christian as well, and then she HERSELF started sharing her stories and experiences of being a Christian!

The so-called ‘business meeting’ lasted almost two hours.

********************

When I got back to the office after the meeting, I immediately sent her an email:

"First of all, let me just say that it was amazing meeting you in person. I wasn’t really expecting us to talk about too much non-work related stuff especially those personal ones like Christianity. Thank you for that wonderful coffee conversation, and also for taking time to meet up while you’re here in Singapore."

And then I got a reply from her:

"Yes. I feel the exact same way! How wonderful... I say it was no coincidence. I woke up this morning feeling a bit plain and almost bitter because the hotel failed to get an award last night but then after our conversation, I think it reminds me to be thankful in whatever situation. Not always easy. Keep in touch for both work and Christianity fellowship."

Amazing. Truly amazing.

You know what the best part is? My client is also a blogger.

Randomization

2011-11-14T09:24:00.001+08:00

I lost a total of 8 kilos in the span of a month. Yup! Ang dating ‘Obese 1’, ngayon ay ‘Overweight’ na lang. LOL! Friends have been asking me how I did it, but seriously, it’s all about lessening your food intake and eliminating those no-good eating habits (like those big bags of Cheetos, Doritos, Lay’s, etc.). Haha! It was tough at first, but you’d get the hang of it eventually. Wala pang exercise ‘yan! But to those who really know me and/or probably have been ardently reading this blog, you know that I’m not really dieting and there’s a totally different reason for this weight loss.

Speaking of exercise, one of my resolutions for next year is to start engaging in marathons. Yep! Same as in the Philippines, marathons are also a big craze here in Singapore. One of my churchmates has been encouraging me to start training for it. ~~Tamad~~ Busy lang ako lately sa work and other stuff, but I will definitely find time.

I just enrolled myself in a music school and will start having vocal lessons. This has been long overdue, and I think this is the perfect timing for this. You see, I’ve been a member of the Worship Team of our church for months now, and I’m a bit struggling because they put all guys in Tenor, and I’m not really a Tenor as my voice is too LOOOW to be a Tenor. I feel that I need some training and learn some of those ‘singing techniques’. C’MON!

I went back to being active again in couchsurfing. Last week I hosted this guy from Poland for a day. He was on his way to meet up with friends and explore Yogyakarta in Indonesia, but decided to visit Singapore first. It was instant camaraderie, and I served as his tour guide. We explored some tourist attractions like the Esplanade, Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, and Clarke Quay, and devoured on some local nomnoms like stingray and chili prawns. I had some pretty good conversations with him also, and hopefully I could visit Poland one day.

I’ve been really preoccupied with work, church activities, and other stuff lately that I don’t get to spend time anymore with some people I used to hang out a lot with. One is ‘The Eurasian’, so last week we decided to meet up and do some touristy stuff together. It was all fun! Later on we also met up with her cousin and all took the Hippo Tour Bus that roamed around Singapore.

Have you ever felt that you’re bound to do greater things? I’ve been feeling this lately, and it’s like I’m being called for something that never in my entire life I would think of doing. It started with a prophecy (YES! A PROPHECY!), and I’m still reflecting on it and praying for discernment. I will discuss about this more in the future.

Malapit na ang Christmas Party ng mga Pinoy Bloggers in Singapore! Woot! We've been planning it since that time I can't remember when. We already have a date and a venue, at marami pang kailangang asikasuhin like food, program, games, awards, etc. Hopefully maging successful, of course with the support of the other bloggers. So if you're a Pinoy blogger based here in Singapore, make your presence known! JOIN US!

I need your support! Join my contest! It’s quite easy, and you have a chance to win cool prizes. CLICK HERE. :)

One of Those Days

2011-11-09T16:09:00.008+08:00

10 AM

Nahihirapan ako.

May mga panahong gusto ko ng sumuko. Kagabi lang sobrang pagod na pagod ako. Pagkagising ko kaninang umaga pagod pa din ang naramdaman ko. Pagod na nga ang katawan, pagod pa ang isipan. Ayoko na sanang pumasok, pero alam kong hindi puwede dahil marami pa akong kailangang gawin at tapusin na trabaho sa opisina.

Ang mahirap pa nito, kahit anong gawin kong pagsisikap sa trabaho, parang wala pa ring magandang resulta. Nauunahan na ako ng mga kasama ko pagdating sa ‘sales performance’. Kahit gaano kadaming proposals, sales calls at sales meetings ang gawin ko sa araw-araw eh parang wala pa rin. Pinanghihinaan na ako ng loob. Kailangan kong makabenta.

3 PM

Tuloy pa din sa pagta-trabaho. Hindi na ako sumama mag-lunch sa mga ka-opisina ko dahil hindi naman ako nagugutom. Kailangan ko ng mas maraming oras para mas marami akong ma-trabaho ngayong araw.

Pero naisipan kong magpahinga muna kahit sandali lang. Nakita ko ang Bibliya ko at sinimulan ko itong buksan at basahin:

"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” (1 Chronicles 28:20, NIV)

Nagulat ako sa nabasa ko. Saktong-sakto sa kalagayan ko ngayon. Ramdam na ramdam ko na kinakausap ako ng Diyos.

Salamat po, Lord. Alam kong hindi mo ako papabayaan. This is just part of your Grand Plan, at kailangan ko lang na patuloy na manalig at manampalataya sa Iyo.

***************

Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng sumali sa munti kong patimpalak. Salamat kay Hartlesschiq, Kritikong Kiko, Jepoy Dee, Kuya Bob, PB Dela Paz, Iya_Khin, Lyzius, at Ahmer dahil sa kanilang pagtangkilik.

Puwede pang sumali! Kung gusto mong manalo ng 1TB Western Digital Portable Hard Drive, CLICK HERE. Salamat ng marami sa suporta. :)

For You

2011-10-25T17:08:00.009+08:00

I dreamt about you the other night.

You were just right there infront of me. You were looking sad and defeated. You were like a fragile child. And your eyes… your eyes… it seemed that you were about to cry. I wanted to go near you, to hold you, to embrace you tight…

But then suddenly I woke up.

I wondered how you’re doing.

So forbidden it may be, I tried contacting you.

***************

I know that you’re just around, but I'm aware of the real situation between us as well. We already talked about it before, so I didn’t bother anymore. You have your own life. I have mine. Everything’s in the past, and we both cannot dwell on the past. You made a decision, and I had no choice but to accept it.

So close, yet far.

***************

I wish you well. It's sad that there's no time for us to meet up before you leave. As you go back, may you find your true happiness and peace of mind. I don’t want you to be feeling sad & defeated, like that in my dream. Do you still remember what I told you before?

You deserve to be happy because you’re a good person.

***************

I’m also praying for your healing. I know about your condition. You’re not alone. God will take care of you. He will never leave your side, as He has never left mine.

He will heal you, as He has healed me.

Testimonies & Baptism

2011-10-22T13:54:00.000+08:00

If you've been following this blog for some time now, you probably read about my recent baptism. Yup, I already made that decision to follow God's call and become a Christian. (It's the best decision I've made, I tell you.)

Watch me sharing NERVOUSLY my testimony (I'm not really much of a public speaker.) and getting baptized at the pool terrace of YMCA Singapore. I think I saw myself at least 3x in this video. LOL!

***************

Did you know that I'm giving away a 1TB Western Digital Portable Hard Drive for my 4th Blogversary? Interested? Kindly refer to previous post, or just CLICK HERE for more details.

The Gasoline Dude’s Blogversary Writing Contest

2011-10-18T11:20:00.011+08:00

I mentioned in my previous post that I will be coming up with a contest which will start on the last day of this month, but due to insistent demand, I will announce it earlier than planned, which is TODAY!

It’s The Gasoline Dude’s 4th Blogversary! Would you like to win a 1TB Portable Hard Drive?

Yup! Since I will be celebrating my anniversary as a blogger in a few weeks, I have something in store for all the followers & readers of this blog!

If you are also a blogger who:

Is a Filipino, whichever part of Earth you are;
Has been blogging for a minimum of three (3) months;
With at least ten (10) posts in your blog as of 31st of October 2011;

Then you are qualified to join!

MECHANICS:

This is a writing contest, so...

Write a blog post relevant to the theme. Various ways of expressions are allowed. It may be a short story, poem, song lyrics, essay, letter, testimony, commentary, etc. It’s up to you;
The theme is: “gasoline”. Again, it’s up to you whether you want to use it literally or figuratively;
You may use either English or Tagalog;
The word “gasoline” (or its Tagalog translation) must be mentioned in the post at least once;
Photos, music, or both may be added in the blog post;
A link to this particular post must be contained in the blog entry. (e.g. “This is my entry to The Gasoline Dude’s Blogversary Writing Contest. I want to win the 1TB Portable Hard Drive!")
For easier reference & tracking, make a comment under this post with the following information: Your name/alias, email address, blog URL, blog entry title, & URL link to your blog entry.

DEADLINE:

Deadline of the submission of entries is on the 31st of December.

JUDGES:

I have invited a few blogger friends to be part of the judging panel. They are the following:

(From the top, L-R:)

Traveliztera,

Greenpinoy,

Lethalverses,

Myself, &

Chroneicon.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING:

Creativity 30%

Relevance to Theme 30%

Originality 20%

Overall Impact 20%

PRIZES:

1st Prize:

One (1) Western Digital 1TB Portable Hard Drive + One (1) Singapore Shirt

2nd Prize:

One (1) 16GB USB Flash Memory Drive + One (1) Singapore Shirt

3rd Prize:

One (1) 8GB USB Flash Memory Drive + One (1) Singapore Shirt

ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS:

Winners will be announced on January 2012. The names will be posted in this blog, and will be notified thru email.

If you have queries, just comment below, or send me an email at alex@gasolinedude.com.

See You

2011-10-17T20:55:00.001+08:00

I am never good at goodbyes. It's the last day of my colleague today at work, and quite sudden at that (though expected). She's become a good friend of mine so it was difficult seeing her pack her things, knowing that we won't be seeing her as often as before.

I hugged her tight before she left the office. I dunno what got into me, but I was actually sobbing like a baby. (Geez! What's wrong with me?! LOL!)

See you soon, Mum! Thanks for the great times. It will never be the same here in the office. :(

Blog Contest Teaser

2011-10-14T11:29:00.009+08:00

November is the anniversary month of this blog. Would you like to win a 1TB Portable Hard Drive?

More details on the 31st of October. :)

HAIKU

2011-10-12T21:50:00.001+08:00

People come and go.

BUILDING friendships. INSPIRED lives.

CHERISHING moments.

Broken Chains

2011-10-11T13:51:00.003+08:00

Motivation at work is down.

Everyone’s leaving. Editor-in-Chief has already left. Editorial Manager just tendered her resignation. Fashion Editor & Art Director seems to be not renewing their contracts anymore. Finance Manager, our second mummy who always calls me ‘Barney’, has also expressed her plans of abandoning us.

What will happen to the magazine now?!

About these and all other stuff which involves money, sales targets, and ‘things of the past’, I know I should NOT be worrying. BUT IT'S HARD! Most of the time I can’t help it, especially when it has already become part of my system. To worry that is.

Lord God, grant me more strength and peace of mind.

Abot Kamay

2011-10-07T20:15:00.001+08:00

Hindi mo kailangang mag-isa sa iyong paglalakbay

Halika, iabot mo ang iyong kamay...

***************

Bilang suporta sa patimpalak ng aking kapwa-OFW sa Singapore at kaibigang si Bulakbolero, inaanyayahan ko kayong sumali dito. CLICK HERE para sa ibang mga detalye.

P.S. Kasama ang inyong lingkod sa mga hurado.

DISCLAIMER:

Hindi ako kasali sa patimpalak! Umepal lang. Kung hindi ako judge, siguro ang litrato na nasa taas ang naging entry ko. :)

40 Days

2011-10-06T16:19:00.001+08:00

I started fasting last Saturday, so I’m already on my Day 6 as of this writing. Sinabi ko ito sa ilang mga kaibigan at kakilala ko, at karamihan sa mga reaksiyon nila ay “BAKIT?!” Naisip siguro nila na ‘fasting’ is just an alternative term for dieting.

I can’t blame them if ever. Kahit nga ako mismo ay hindi makapaniwala sa mga pinaggagagawa ko nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Hindi naman ako ganito dati.

But I’m happy. I’m responding to God’s call. I know I’m on the right path.

Isang beses na lang ako kumain sa isang araw. I can take liquids anytime (except milk), but no snacking whatsoever is allowed. Medyo naging struggle siya kasi matakaw talaga ako. Sanay akong kumain ng madami, at hindi nawawala ang rice sa meal ko. Mahilig din ako sa junk foods kaya ang hirap kasi ngayon tuwing lunch na lang ako kumakain. Bawal na ang merienda, bawal pa ang midnight snacks.

Nagkaroon kami ng bonding night kasama ang ilang mga kaibigan nung isang gabi. Nagluto sila ng pasta tapos nag-order pa ng pizza. Meron din silang nilutong Pinoy dish (hindi ko matandaan kung afritada o mechado) plus kanin. Guess what?! Hindi ako kumain! Kahit tikim hindi ko ginawa! Uminom lang ako ng iced tea tapos lumayo na sa hapag-kainan ~~habang tumutulo ang mga luha, pasinghot-singhot pa~~.

Gagawin ko ito sa loob ng 40 araw.

Sabi ng barkada ko, "Baka lumabas ang abs mo Pards after 40 days..."

Sana nga. Mas masaya 'yun 'pag nagkataon.

Anong Bago?

2011-10-03T11:38:00.009+08:00

Change is inevitable.

Change is the only permanent thing in this world. Not only does it promote flexibility, it also brings more opportunities.

Dahil diyan, napansin mo ba ang mga naging pagbabago sa blog na ito? :)

***************

Welcome to gasolinedude.com. (Whew! Sa wakas!) I’ve been blogging since 2007, at dahil malapit na ang ika-apat na anibersayo ng blog ko, naisip ko na panahon na din para gawin itong datkom.

Hindi ko inakalang tatagal ako ng apat na taon sa pagba-blog. It all started when I was still with the gasoline kingdom that is ******, and from then on, samu’t saring adventures at misadventures sa buhay ang aking nasaksihan at naranasan. Mula sa Pilipinas hanggang sa Singapore ay nadala ko ang blogging, at marami din akong naging mga kaibigan dahil dito.

Hindi pa talaga tapos ang ‘revamping’ ng blog na ito (kaya nga’t sinara ko ito pansamantala). Marami pang dapat abangan.

Tulad ng isang pa-contest…

***************

Hihingi sana ako sa inyo ng suporta. Nominado ang inyong lingkod sa Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA) sa taong ito. Narito ang aking entry: CLICK HERE! Kung nagustuhan niyo ang aking lathain, maari kayong mag-comment at bumoto. Paano? CLICK HERE!

Maraming salamat! :)

STRUGGLING

2011-09-25T22:02:00.007+08:00

WARNING: This is another "What's wrong with me?" post. I am also writing this in full English as I found out this morning that one of the pastors in our church reads my blog. He's Samoan, but Filipino by heart. (Hi Pastor Neli!)

So... WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?!

I was in good spirits on the way to church this morning. I woke up late though, so I took the cab... again. I was telling myself, "I cannot afford to be late for church... again!"

Unfortunately, I still arrived 10 minutes late despite opting for the faster transportation. Darn! I missed some part of the worship service! It's OK, I was telling myself. I was still feeling joyful to be in church and excited on what God's about to reveal to me.

Then our pastor started to talk about RACES. Not the I-am-Filipino-You-are-Chinese kind of race, but the one that usually involves running and competition. He then instructed us to close our eyes, and asked us, "What are you racing for?"

Several thoughts started to fill my head. I began to ask myself, "Yeah, what am I REALLY racing for?"

My first answer in mind was God. Then I started to doubt, and question myself, "Oh really now?! If I'm racing for God, how come I still do not fully obey & follow all His commandments?"

All my ‘sins’ these past days started to flash back at me. My pride & arrogance. My impure thoughts. My negative habits. My selfish actions. Oh shoot! The moment those dominated my mind, I started to tear up & sob like a baby! And I couldn't control myself!

I felt so defeated! :(

***************

I admit, I've been struggling lately.

Problems at work. Bad habits that are hard to break. Difficulties in focusing as I get easily distracted, among others.

Am I being attacked by external forces? The idea actually came to me, with my recent baptism, newfound faith, and all...

Or is it just me? Isn’t it that our biggest enemy is ourselves?

Last week inside my room while preparing myself for work, out of nowhere I saw this dusty manual on...

FASTING.

I asked God, "Are you trying to tell me something?"

So next month, I will embark myself on a spiritual journey and start a 40-day fasting.

Please include me in your prayers.

ZZZZZ

2011-09-22T11:18:00.011+08:00

I don't know what's wrong with me. I've been waking up really late these past ~~days~~... uhm weeks. This morning I woke up at 9 o'clock, and I need to be in the office at 9 o'clock! WALAU EH! This is not becoming a good habit. :(

Good thing my boss is in Sri Lanka now. Maybe I need a new alarm clock?

RECONNECT

2011-09-20T12:03:00.016+08:00

Guess what? I just made THE most important decision of my life so far. I got myself baptized ‘again’ last Sunday.

“The old has gone, the new has come.”

Even my mom got surprised. Being a devout Catholic, she wasn’t expecting me to do such a thing. I myself was born, raised, and educated a Catholic, but I dunno, I felt that something (or someone) was missing. For the longest time I had been living my life not really knowing my purpose. I kept on searching & searching, and I would always pray to Him, “Lord God, guide me and lead me to the right path.” I was lost big time.

Then two incidents happened: (1) I lost my job the second time around, and (2) I attended a Sunday service at this church with a blogger friend.

My life has been changed eversince.

Buhay Blogero

2011-09-14T14:45:00.009+08:00

AKO: Bakit hindi ka na masyadong nagba-blog?

BLOGGER: Naging busy kasi ako sa totoong buhay.

Natawa ako sa naging sagot niya, but at the same time, napaisip din. Hindi ba considered na totoong buhay ang buhay ng isang blogero?

Ano nga ba ang buhay ng isang blogerong tulad ko? At first I thought it's all about expressing oneself thru blogging, may it be about your personal experiences, opinions, insights, or reviews. Pero mali pala, hindi pala natatapos sa pagsusulat lang. As you blog, you get to introduce yourself to other sources of social interaction. Dadating 'yung time na merong maliligaw sa blog mo, magbabasa ng mga sinusulat mo, at mag-iiwan ng bakas sa comments page mo. Ikaw din, maliligaw ka din sa blog ng iba, magbabasa ka din ng sinulat nila, at mag-iiwan ka din ng bakas sa kanila. The possibilities are endless, from getting a personal e-mail from an 'online fan' to a possibility of getting married to one. LOL! Have I mentioned before that I had once a GF because of blogging? (No intention of bragging about it. Too bad it didn't work out.)

I must admit, naging adik ako sa iba't-ibang klase ng social media, not just limited to blogs. Name it: social networking sites like Facebook, microblogging platforms like Plurk & Twitter, online forums like PinoyExchange & PinoySG, photo sharing apps like Instagram, and others. I got hooked dahil iba't-ibang klaseng 'high' ang nae-experience ko sa bawat isa. I get to express myself more, learn more at marami din akong naging kaibigan thru all these social media thingamajigs.

But it's not always been a bed of roses. Hindi lahat ng experiences ay naging maganda. FIRST of which, I think it has become an addiction, and I guess too much of anything is not good. Naapektuhan nito ang concentration ko sa ibang bagay, tulad ng trabaho. Hahaha! Pakiramdam ko eh hindi ako nagiging productive sa office kapag masyado akong tutok sa Twitter. (Ito ang reason kung bakit ako pansamantalang nag-HIATUS sa Twitter.)

SECOND, I've encountered some people online who, I just realized, are not really worth any of my time and attention. These are: (1) those malicious ones who don't have the purest of intentions. They would try to befriend you but afterwhich, gossip behind not just your back but everyone's backs, and utter not a single positive word about certain people; (2) those who excessively rants and complains about everything. I know that we all have the freedom of expression, but these people don't seem to have anything else to do but spread bad vibes around them. (This is actually not a rant post. I have come to accept that there are people who are like those, and 'to each one his own'.)

Come to think of it, my blogger friend made a lot of sense, so I'm planning to do the same. Huwag kayong mag-alala, hindi ko pa naman lilisanin ang aking 'online social life'. Babawasan ko lang siguro, as I need to prioritize on other things as well. Tulad niya, siguro kailangan ko ding maging busy sa aking 'totoong buhay'. :)

CHANGES

2011-09-08T10:46:00.010+08:00

May mga magiging pagbabago sa blog na ito.

Sana abangan niyo! Pero bago 'yan, ano sa tingin niyo ang mas maganda sa dalawa, (A) o (B)?

***************

Nominado po pala ang inyong lingkod sa Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards (PEBA) para sa taong ito. Matagal na akong hinihikayat na sumali sa patimpalak na ito pero ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng panahon at lakas ng loob.

Kung hindi naman kawalan sa inyong oras, puwede niyo bang basahin ang aking ENTRY at magbigay ng kumento? Puwede din kayong bumoto DITO para kahit man lang sa online voting eh magkaroon ako ng chance na manalo. :)

Salamat kaibigan!

THREE

2011-09-01T23:45:00.006+08:00

Tatlong araw.

Isang kaibigan ang dumalaw dito sa Singapore ilang buwan na ang nakakaraan. Isa siyang Australian na nagtrabaho sa Vietnam bilang isang English teacher ng mahigit sa isang taon. Nasiyahan siya sa kanyang pamamalagi at pakikipagsapalaran sa Asya, ngunit pagkatapos ng kanyang kontrata sa Hanoi, nagdesisyon siyang babalik muna ng Australia para muling mag-aral. Isa pa, gusto din niyang makita at makapiling muli ang kanyang pamilya at mga kaibigan sa bansang kanyang sinilangan at pinagmulan.

Nakitira siya sa akin ng tatlong araw, isang pabor na kanyang ipinakiusap. Ako ang naging tour guide niya habang namalagi siya dito sa Singapore. Naging masaya ang naging bakasyon niya dito. Wala kaming ginawa kundi maglibot, kumain, maglaro sa arcade center, manood ng sine at magkuwentuhan. Nakipagkita din kami sa ilan naming mga kaibigan.

Pagkatapos niyang lumipad patungong Perth, bigla akong napaisip. Kailan kaya dadating ang araw na masasabi ko din sa sarili kong,

“Panahon na para bumalik.”

***************

Tatlong taon.

Tatlong taon na din ang nakakalipas.

Kay bilis ng panahon. Parang kailan lang. Hindi ko naman talaga ginustong magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Wala ito sa mga plano ko. Isang OFW ang tatay ko sa Middle East noong nabubuhay pa siya, at alam na alam ko ang pakiramdam ng naiiwanan. Mahirap. Masakit. Pero kailangang indain ang pangungulila dahil tanging ang tatay ko lang ang nagtrabaho. Full time housewife ang nanay ko. Hindi kami mayaman, at kailangang masustentuhan ang aking pag-aaral.

Pero bakit nga ba ako nasa Singapore ngayon? Hindi ako katulad ng ibang OFWs na ang naging pangunahing hangarin ay ang kumita ng mas malaki. Siyempre kasama na din ‘yun, pero nandito kasi noon ang girlfriend ko na ex-girlfriend na ngayon. Marami kaming naging mga plano dati. Subalit bago pa man ako lumipad papunta dito, bigla siyang nakipaghiwalay sa ‘kin. Meron siyang nakilalang iba. Pinagpalit niya ako sa ibang lalaki.

Sobrang sakit. Ilang araw din akong umiyak. Pero sinabi ko sa sarili ko na pupunta pa din ako ng Singapore, hindi para suyuin at piliting makipagbalikan sa babaeng aking minahal, kundi para humanap ng mga kasagutan sa mga tanong na bumagabag sa aking isipan.

***************

Three jobs.

Sa tatlong taong inilalagi ko dito, tatlong kumpanya na din ang napasukan ko. Jobhopper? Pasaway? Hindi naman sa ganoon. Naapektuhan din kasi talaga ako ng global economic crisis noon. Lagi akong nasisibak dahil sa palagiang retrenchment ng mga kumpanya dito. “Last IN, first OUT”, ika nga ng iba. I’m on my third job now. Sa isang travel magazine naman ako napunta, at advertising sales ang aking naging linya. OK pa naman. Wala pa akong nakikitang ‘panganib’ sa ngayon.

Hindi madali ang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa, lalo na dito sa Singapore na puros competitive ang mga tao. Mas mahirap para sa ‘kin dahil hindi naman ako inhinyero, arkitekto, o isang IT professional. Hindi kalakihan ang suweldo ko dahil wala naman akong ‘technical skills’ na karaniwang in-demand saan mang panig ng mundo. Sabi nga ng isang kaibigang kapareho ko ng sitwasyon, tanging hitsura lamang at husay sa pananalita ang aming puhunan. Mabuti na lang talaga at parehong maganda ang lahi ng aking mga magulang, at napabarkada ako sa mga kaklase kong galing Ateneo High School nung college ako. Kahit papaano ay nahawa ako sa pagiging ‘slang’ nila kung magsalita.

***************

Tatlo.

Nabanggit ko na bang ako'y isang ‘only child’? Ako ang kaisa-isang anak nina Lito at Guada. Pero dahil namayapa na ang aking ama, ang dating ‘tatlo’ ay naging ‘dalawa’.

Walang araw na hindi ko naisip ang aking ina na nasa Pilipinas. “Sino ba namang anak ang nasa tamang katinuan na iiwanan ang kanyang 67-na-taon na magulang na nag-iisa?” ‘Yan lagi ang naging tanong ko sa sarili ko. Matagal-tagal din akong binagabag at hindi pinatahimik ng aking konsensiya.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero ngayon-ngayon ko lang napagtanto na sa tatlong taong pamamalagi ko dito sa Singapore, kahit kailan ay hindi Niya kami pinabayaan ng nanay ko. Inalagaan kami ng Diyos tulad ng pag-aalagang ginawa Niya nung nabubuhay pa ang tatay ko at nagta-trabaho pa sa Middle East.

Dalawang beses na akong na-retrench sa trabaho pero nandito pa din ako.

Regular pa din akong nakakapagpadala ng pera sa Pilipinas.

Nagkasakit ang nanay ko kamakailan lang, at kakailanganin dapat niyang sumailalim sa isang operasyon. Maraming nag-alay ng kanilang mga dasal, at ngayon, isang himala ang naganap. Sinabihan siya ng kaniyang doktor na hindi na siya kailangang operahan.

Ilan lamang ‘yan sa mga biyayang aming patuloy na natatanggap.

***************

Tatlong taon.

Tatlong taon na din ang nakakalipas.

Habang sinusulat ko ito, tinatanong ko ulit sa aking sarili, “Panahon na ba para bumalik?”

Ang masasabi ko lang, this will be a lifelong journey. Bawat araw, bawat oras, bawat minuto, bawat segundo, patuloy pa ring ipinapakita at inihahayag ng Diyos, kahit paunti-unti, ang mga plano Niya para sa amin ng nanay ko. Kailangan ko lang buksan lagi ang aking mga mata at tenga, at patuloy na manalig at magtiwala.

Dahil kung nalalapit man ang aking pagbabalik, alam ko na wala na akong dapat ipangamba pa.

(This is my entry for this year's Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, with the theme, "Ako'y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko'y Pagbabago".)

How Come?

2011-08-25T22:30:00.008+08:00

I’m no love expert.

I even suck at relationships (I think). Don’t wanna talk about it here in full detail, but based on track record, one might think & assume that I had been a terrible boyfriend, and that something’s wrong with me.

So who am I to give love advices?

A close friend of mine is currently having problems with his Singaporean girlfriend. I don’t wanna give details, but he’s been inviting me to meet up and asking me for advice. Same with my colleague who’s heart just recently got broken by her used-to-be boyfriend. She’s not really asking me directly for advice, but I think she’s already gotten comfortable pouring her heart out after all the pain that this guy has caused her.

I dunno, but I’m just seeing a pattern here. Even my friends in high school and college would usually go to me if they need some dose of comfort and advice. It’s not that I’m complaining, but…

How come I don’t usually follow my own?

Luha ng Isang Sawi sa Pag-ibig

2011-08-04T17:33:00.002+08:00

Ikaw ang siyang dahilan
Lungkot na nararamdaman
Hindi maintindihan
Bakit nagawang saktan
Ang pusong labis na nagmamahal

Anong nagawang kasalanan
At ako'y iyong iniwanan
Bakit ikaw ay lumayo
Paano na ang mga pangako
Na hindi magbabago ang pag-ibig mo

Pinilit kong limutin ka
Ngunit hindi ko magawa
Meron bang dapat sisihin
Sa nangyari sa atin

Wala na ba talagang pag-asa
Na ikaw ay magbabalik pa
Paano na ako
Kakayanin ko ba ito
Ang mabuhay na wala ka
At nag-iisa
O paano na?

This is my entry to Iya_Khin's contest. Hindi talaga ako mahilig gumawa ng tula, and my real intention for this entry was to make it into a song. Kakausapin ko sana 'yung kaibigan kong musikero to prepare a piano accompaniment for this pero baka hindi ko ma-meet ang deadline. So I just recorded an acapella version. Check it out below. :)

PART 2: Bloggers Meetup in Manila

2011-07-27T18:31:00.018+08:00

Kapag umuuwi ang isang OFW blogger sa Pilipinas, hindi ata pwedeng mawala ang EBs (eyeballs) o meetups with other fellow bloggers.

My recent trip to Manila was no exception, though unlike before, hindi ako nag-organize ng meetup this time. What I did was, I just let the other bloggers know that I will be going home for holidays via this blog and Twitter. Kapag gusto nila akong makita at merong free time, nakikipagkita ako sa kanila. Mahirap kasing magpakita ng intention to meet and greet certain bloggers in person tapos ayaw naman pala nila akong makita at makilala. Hehe medyo allergic kasi ako sa rejection. LOL!

Medyo iwas din ako sa malalaking meetups. I had been to some and they were fun (even organized one before), pero minsan sa sobrang dami ng kasamang bloggers, nagiging divided ang time and attention to get to know them better. Mas preferred ko minsan 'yung onti lang ang kasama para mas intimate at mas masarap ang kuwentuhan over coffee or bottles of beer.

Dahil limited din ang time, I only managed to meet up with a few bloggers in Manila. They're the following:

1. Aajao & Kuri - I must admit, biased ako sa dalawang 'to. I always keep it a point to allot time to meet up with them sa tuwing umuuwi ako. They are the 'daddy bloggers', and both mostly blog about family, career and fatherhood. The first time I met up with these two, it was instant camaraderie. Parang matagal ko na silang kilala. I always get inspired with their stories about taking care of their families and raising up their kids. Dahil sa kanila parang gusto ko na ding magkaroon ng sariling pamilya. LOL! ~~Aside from that, laging may pabaon si Aajao na dose-dosenang condom.~~ They both are like brothers to me.

2. Kathy - She was one of the few who responded to this blogpost and showed interest to meet up with me. I first came to know her and her blog sa PinoyExchange, and have been following and 'keeping an eye' on her eversince. LOL! We met at Ayala Triangle and had coffee and pastries at Coffee Bean. And WOW! She's really very nice and full of energy (and quite pretty) in person. I can't think of any dull moments when I was hanging out with her. She's definitely one worth keeping, and I would love to meet up with her again and get to know her better.

3. Andy & Ahmer - Hindi na masyadong active sa blogging ang dalawang 'to, pero nakakakulitan ko sila sa Twitter. It was my second time to meet up with Andy, and first with Ahmer. They expressed their interest to meet up, so I gave in. Saka birthday din ni Andy that time, sayang ang free dinner. LOL! The meet up, I must say, was quite memorable because of our topics of conversation. No details muna, but yeah, they're quite cool to hang out with.

4. Kat - She's the one behind Urbanity.ph, and also my close friend and colleague in the company I work for in Singapore. She happened to be in Manila as well when I was there so we decided to meet up. If you're into fashion, then check out her blog.

Marami pa sana akong gustong makita at makilalang bloggers in person, pero dahil nga isang linggo lang ako sa Pilipinas, walang naging masyadong time. Alam kong merong ibang nagtampo. (Sorry po!) Hayaan niyo at meron pa namang mga susunod na pagkakataon. Saka anytime naman eh puwede niyo akong dalawin dito sa Singapore. :)

PART 1: Trip to Manila

2011-07-20T06:30:00.008+08:00

I'm back in Singapore.

As some of you may know, I just had a quick trip to Manila quite recently. The flight was booked last year as I immediately grabbed Jetstar Asia's promotion that time and only spent less than 4,000 pesos for a round-trip ticket. The travel period available was just right on time for my Dad's birthday so there was not even a bit of hesitation in booking the said flight.

I was telling myself that this trip would be different as compared with the others as I'd want it to be more relaxed. The previous ones were all jampacked with meetups and other thingamajigs so I'd ended up more stressed and tired than ever (but still had lots of fun of course).

So what I had planned to do was just to spend some quality time with my Mom, visit my Dad at the cemetery, meet up with a few selected friends, set appointments with some work clients, eat at Jollibee, do a bit of shopping, go to church, and sleep.

I was also thinking of visiting my gasoline kingdom at the far south but since I don't have a car anymore and my hometown of Novaliches is a tad too far from everywhere, I didn't count on it that much.

(to be continued)

********************

I had to cut this post short as something important came up. So I will just leave you guys for now with another Super8 video. :)

Keep Coming Back

2011-07-08T19:12:00.005+08:00

I'm currently in Manila. Message me here if you wanna meet up for Jollibee or Tapsilog or Isaw or Fishball, then I will check my availability. Hope to see some of you, though I must say, time is very limited.

Saturday Glimpse

2011-07-03T12:30:00.001+08:00

I made another video!

Tinatamad na kasi akong magsulat kaya video na lang. LOL! I made use again of the Super 8 iPhone App.

This time I documented the usual activities that make my Saturdays busy these past few weeks. The vlog is more than 10 minutes long so I hope that you bear with it even if it's a little boring.

Enjoy! Get your buckets of popcorns first plus kape para hindi kayo makatulog. :)

MISS

2011-06-22T07:50:00.003+08:00

1. Miss ko na ang mga dine-outs natin sa kung saan-saan, mapa-Lucky Plaza, Arab Street, o People’s Park man. Ikaw ang nag-introduce sa ‘kin ng Nasi Goreng Pattaya na sobrang paborito ko, naalala mo? Miss ko na ding gumala kasama ka. Hindi ka kasi mareklamo sa mga mahahabang lakaran tulad ng ibang babae. (Sa ibang bagay lang.) Ang hilig mo pang magpakuha ng litrato sa ‘kin. You regard me as the best photographer that you know, kahit na hobbyist lang ako na walang masyadong alam sa photography. Miss ko na din ang mga kulitan at tawanan natin, sa personal man o sa chat. Pasensiya na kung hindi na kita nasasamahan kahit sa pagsisimba. Kahit naman kasi ikaw eh busy din.

2. Miss ko na ang mga inuman sessions natin. Sa tropa eh ikaw ang pinaka-nakasundo ko dahil siguro halos pareho tayo ng age at maturity level. Ikaw din ang naging takbuhan ko kapag may problema ako. Naalala mo nung natanggal ako sa trabaho? Mahilig ka pang manlibre kapag nakaka-raket ka, at saka magbigay na din ng unsolicited advices. Pati lovelife at katorpehan ko eh pinakikialamanan mo. Ikaw na ang David DeAngelo ng Singapore. Ikaw na ang may magandang girlfriend na Singaporean.

3. Miss ko na ang mga wantusawang telebabad natin sa telepono. Miss ko na ang kuwentuhan, kulitan at tawanan na umuubos sa mga load natin sa telepono dati. Isa ka sa mga naging pinaka-matalik na kaibigan ko dito sa Singapore na nakagaanan ko kaagad ng loob at nasasabihan ng kahit ano. Miss ko na ding tumambay sa rooftop ng high-rise HDB niyo dati sa Toa Payoh. Masaya ako sa kinahantungan ng pagkakaibigan natin, kahit na sa simula ay nagkaroon tayo ng malisya sa isa’t-isa.

********************

Tatlo lamang ito sa mga taong nami-miss ko ngayon. Hindi ko na sila nakakasama nitong mga nakaraang buwan. Ang una’y okupado sa trabaho at mga kapamilya. Ang pangalawa’y okupado sa buhay pag-ibig. Ang panghuli ay bumalik na sa Pilipinas.

On The Way To Work

2011-06-01T22:50:00.001+08:00

Dahil lumaki akong inggitero at nainggit ako sa bidyoblogpost ni Bulakbolero gamit ang Super 8 app sa iPhone4, gumawa din ako ng sarili ko. LOL! What I did was I documented my travel from my place in the East Side going straight to the office for work.

Watching the video afterwards made me realize na kailangan ko na atang maghanap ng panibagong tirahan na mas malapit sa office dahil sobrang haba ng biyahe ko araw-araw. Na-realize ko din na kailangan ko ng magpapayat dahil hinihingal ako habang naglalakad at nakikita ang double chin ko sa bidyo. LOL!

Enjoy! :)

The Skipreader

2011-05-18T07:45:00.007+08:00

(BABALA: This is a boring post. Walang sisihan kung antukin kayo habang nagbabasa, or mag-'skipread'.)

Hindi masama ang maging isang 'skipreader'.

Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng 'skipreading'? It is actually a compound word, a combination of two words 'skip' and 'reading'. Base sa aking pagsasaliksik, 'skip' means 'to pass over or omit, either deliberately or inadvertently'. On the other hand, 'reading' is 'a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning'.

Nosebleed? Medyo malalim, pero sa aking pagkakaintindi base sa mga nasabing kahulugan, ito ang aking mga natutunan.

1. Reading is not as simple as you think. First, it's a process, or 'series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result'. Malalim pa din? Para mas maintindihan mo, magbibigay ako ng example. Bago ka makapagluto ng isang putahe tulad ng menudo, merong step-by-step process na kailangan mong sundin. Kapag bumili ka ng baboy sa palengke, hindi naman automatic na nagiging menudo 'yun, 'di ba? Kailangan mo pang kumpletuhin ang ibang sangkap. Kailangan mong hiwain ang baboy at mga gulay sa maliliit na piraso. Kailangan mong mag-saute ng bawang at sibuyas. Kailangan mong magpakulo. At kung anu-ano pa.

Tulad ng pagluluto ng menudo, reading also involves a complex process. It starts from sensation (deciphering letters or symbols by sense of sight) to cognition (mental process of knowing and understanding).

Gets?

2. Skipping, or skipreading for that matter, may either be deliberately or inadvertently. Sa Tagalog, pwedeng sinasadya o 'di sinasadya.

You may be wondering what my purpose for writing this post is. Marami kasing bloggers ang sobrang affected kapag nag-'skipread' ang kanilang mga 'mambabasa'. Sobrang big deal sa kanila ito at minsan pa ay nagiging subject of gossip and harsh criticism.

Uulitin ko, hindi masama ang mag-'skipread'. Ito ang aking opinyon.

Pero bakit nga ba merong nagsi-'skipread'? Let me count those reasons I could think of:

1. Sobrang haba ng post.
2. Sobrang 'high-falutin' ng choice of words.
3. Hindi type ng reader ang subject ng blogger.
4. Nakakaantok ang kulay o design ng mismong blog.
5. Puno ng negativity ang post (rants, complaints, arrogance, etc.)
6. Blogger's 'extraordinary' writing style makes the content of the post not easy to understand.
7. Limited ang attention span ng reader from the start.
8. Limited ang oras ng reader para magbasa. Maaring busy sa trabaho o kaya naman ay merong ibang ginagawa.
9. Pagod o wala sa mood ang reader, but he/she still made the effort to browse your blog or blogpost.
10. Reader has a different interpretation on the post as compared to the real meaning, intention and/or purpose of the blogger.

I will end this post by saying that I myself am a so-called 'skipreader'. And I have skipread, not just limited to bloggers' posts but also newspaper articles, office reports, e-mails, books like the Bible, etc., dahil na din sa mga reasons na nabanggit ko sa taas. Hindi madali ang magbasa ng blog o kaya'y mag-bloghop. As mentioned, it's a complex process. At minsan hindi ko naman talaga sinasadya.

Kaya pasensiya na. Sorry na. Tao lang.

Free Hugs Campaign

2011-05-11T21:50:00.014+08:00

Are you familiar with the FREE HUGS CAMPAIGN? If not, then watch this video.

I'm very proud to say that I finally did it! Free hugs! Here in Singapore! During those times when we were trying to figure out how to make our lives more meaningful, I came up with the idea and shared it with my Australian friend. We both got excited to do it so we started inviting our other friends to join us in this campaign as well. On a Sunday afternoon we stayed infront of Takashimaya in Orchard Road for two hours, held our "FREE HUGS" signages, and started hugging people. Almost all of them were strangers to us.

I must say, it was one of my most memorable and meaningful experience. In this world of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, it really felt good to reach out to other people and connect with them. In our case, thru hugging. :)

I'm hoping that somehow we were able to brighten the lives of those people whom we hugged, 'coz it brightened ours. :)

Sometimes, a hug is all that we need.

Banoffee Pie

2011-04-26T17:55:00.003+08:00

Question:
Anong pinagkaiba ng Starbucks sa Pilipinas at Starbucks sa Singapore ?

Answer:
Walang BANOFFEE PIE dito. :(

Sa tuwing umuuwi ako sa Pilipinas, hindi ko kinakaligtaang dumaan ng Starbucks para umorder ng kape at siyempre, BANOFFEE PIE. Sobra ko kasing paborito ang pastry na ito na gawa sa saging, gatas, toffee, at kung anu-ano pa. Nakakalungkot isipin na walang BANOFFEE PIE sa Singapore at kailangan ko pang mangibang-bansa para lang matikman at namnamin kung gaano kasarap nito.

Ewan ko ba kung bakit ako na-addict sa BANOFFEE PIE. It all started when I was still ruling my so-called 'gasoline kingdom'. Merong Starbucks sa loob mismo ng gasolinahan, kaya naman pagmulat na pagmulat pa lang ng aking mga mata sa umaga, Starbucks kaagad ang nakikita. (Siyempre kasama na din 'yung mga sasakyang nagpapa-gasolina.) Papasok ako minsan ng Starbucks na naka-sando, boxer shorts, at tsinelas (at hindi pa nagtu-tutbras) tapos oorder ng cafe mocha at siyempre, BANOFFEE PIE.

Lagi kong nami-miss ang BANOFFEE PIE, at ang mga alaalang dala nito sa tuwing naiisip ko. Dati lamang ay abot-kamay ko siya.

Pero ngayon…

Pagkalayo-layo na.

Ganun talaga ata ang buhay. You cannot always have it all. But the memories will forever be cherished. And BANOFFEE PIE will always be on top of my list.

Ang hiling ko lang ay sana tulad ko, meron ding ibang tao ang nakaka-appreciate sa BANOFFEE PIE.

Soul Search

2011-04-21T22:35:00.003+08:00

I don’t usually like the Lenten Season.

Naaalala ko nung nasa Pilipinas pa ko, wala akong masyadong ginagawa kapag Semana Santa. Lagi akong nasa bahay at nanonood lang ng Oprah, Early Edition at Seventh Heaven marathons. Only child kasi ako kaya wala din akong makausap sa bahay. (Ako na ang loner!) Lagi din namang wala ang Nanay ko dahil aktibo sa simbahan ‘yun. Palagi silang may Bisita Iglesia at kung anu-ano pang aktibidades. Hindi din naman ako sumasama kapag may nag-aaya ng Boracay o kung saan man dahil lagi akong walang pera.

Noon namang nagtrabaho ako sa gasolinahan, lagi akong may pasok kapag Holy Week. Peak season kasi ‘yun. Madaming bumabiyahe. Madaming umuuwi ng probinsiya. Madaming nagpapakarga ng gasolina ("Full tank po Sir/Ma’am?") kaya hindi ako pwedeng mawala. Kailangan din naming mag-assist sa mga nasisiraan ng kotse sa SLEX. Ironic kasi madami ang incidents ng car theft at ‘basag kotse’ kapag Holy Week. Kailangan nandun kami lagi para magbantay ng mga gasolinahan at makipag-coordinate sa pulisya kung meron mang mga ganoong insidente. Sobrang nakakapagod.

Ngayon, Semana Santa na naman. Wala na ako sa Pilipinas. Wala ng Seventh Heaven marathons. Wala ng pagbabantay sa mga gasolinahan sa Laguna. Madami na ang nagbago, pero madami pa din naman ang tulad ng dati.

Wala pa akong pinaplano ngayong long weekend. Gusto ko sanang pumunta sa isang lugar kung saan tahimik at konti ang tao para ~~makainom ng beer~~ makapag-soul search. Gusto kong i-maximize ang pagkakataong ito. Madaming bagay ang gusto ko sanang pag-isipan at pagnilay-nilayan ngayon…

Tulad ng kagustuhan kong iwan na ang Singapore at bumalik na sa Pilipinas…

Tulad ng pag-iwan ng tuluyan sa Katolisismo at pagpapalit ng relihiyon…

Tulad ng kung paano ko pa mapapagbuti ang aking trabaho dito sa Singapore (habang nandito pa ako)…

Tulad ng kung ano ang gagawin ko sa buhay ko ngayong trenta anyos na ako…

At kung anu-ano pa.

Madaming desisyon ang kailangang gawin. Kailangan kong kausapin ng masinsinan ang Diyos para humingi ng gabay.

Five Things I Did in Manila (PART TWO)

2011-04-20T06:07:00.003+08:00

(1)

Met up with high school friends.

(2)

Met up with college friends.

(3)

Met up with bloggers Andy & Khacai.

(4)

Met up with bloggers Efbee & KooKoo.

(5)
Met up with bloggers Aajao & Kuri.

Five Things I Did in Manila (PART ONE)

2011-04-12T10:57:00.018+08:00

(1)

Gave my Mum big, tight hugs.

(2)

Visited my Dad, and brought him flowers.

(3)

Had lunch at Max's with Mum. (Walang Max's sa Singapore!)

(4)

Attended a Bloggers' Meet-up organized by P0kw4ng, who's also an OFW Blogger from Germany.

(5)

Had dinner at Gourmet Burgers with my good friend Claire in Bonifacio High Street.

Connection

2011-03-29T13:40:00.008+08:00

I'm blessed to have wonderful friends here in Singapore.

Isa sa mga kalaban ng mga Pilipinong tulad ko na nagta-trabaho sa ibang bansa ang pag-iisa at kalungkutan. Dahil nakahiwalay kami at malayo sa pamilya at mga kaibigang nakasanayan naming kasama sa Pilipinas, kailangan namin ng panibagong pakikibagay. Parang first day of school lang. Sa simula, mag-isa ka at walang kasama. Kapag hindi ka masyadong sociable at tatahi-tahimik lang, baka tuluyan kang maging 'outcast' sa klase.

Maniwala man kayo o hindi, pero mahiyain talaga ako at isang introvert. (Ayaw mong maniwala? Suntukan na lang.) Usually I don't get along with people quite instantly. Pero ewan ko ba, naawa ata sa 'kin si Papa God. That's why I feel so blessed, in my almost three years in Singapore, hindi ko ata naranasan ang mag-isa (unless intentional). I've been blessed with so many good friends in this foreign country.

Last Sunday, I celebrated my 30th birthday at a blogger friend's place. (Thanks Feeblemind!) Ang tanda ko na! But I must say, it was one of my best birthday celebrations ever. What makes it extra special is that, it was attended by my closest friends here (friends from work, blogger friends, Couchsurfing friends, church mates, etc.). Nakatipid din ako sa pagkain kasi isahang libre na lang sa kanilang lahat. :)

Turning 30 is not that bad after all. I'm really looking forward to this new decade. :)

********************

Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng nagpadala ng picture greetings para sa birthday ko. Sobrang pinasaya niyo ako! (Mababaw lang ang kaligayahan ko. Hehehe!) Dahil diyan, pipili ako ng tatlo hanggang lima sa inyo na nagpadala ng picgreet na sobrang nagustuhan ko. Just check your e-mails within the week, then I will try to meet up with you sa pag-uwi ko ng Pilipinas. I will either give you a gift, or treat you for lunch or dinner or coffee or beer. Kaya kitakits tayo... this week or next week. :)

Moving forward, this is the compilation of all the picture greetings I've received this year. Salamat ulit sa lahat ng nagpadala! Special mention din kay Joshy & Traveliztera for sending in their audio & video messages. I will also post them here soon! :)

Pulubi

2011-03-23T17:30:00.006+08:00

Pwede pang magpadala ng picture greetings!

I'm extending the deadline up to March 25. Sa Friday talaga ang birthday ko. Lima pa lang po ang nagpapadala, maawa na po kayo sa matanda (I'm turning 30.). Penge na po ng mga picture greetings. :(

You may send them to me via e-mail at gasulero@yahoo.com. For more details, CLICK HERE! Salamat! Salamat! Aabangan ko 'yang mga ipapadala niyo! :)

Photography

2011-03-17T14:06:00.013+08:00

I bought my DSLR a few months before I went to Singapore. Bumili ako hindi dahil pinangarap kong maging “photographer”. Bumili ako dahil inaya akong mag-Ilocos trip ng isang kaibigan kong miyembro ng isang photography club. Hindi pa kasi ako nakapunta ng Ilocos nun, at ayoko namang ma-OP sa trip.

I became part of this photography club eventually. Nakasama ako sa ilang photowalks nila at madami din akong nakuhang tips and advices from the other members. Masayang hobby ang photography, but at the same time it can be quite frustrating as well dahil una, it’s an expensive hobby at pangalawa, hindi lahat ng shots ko eh lumalabas na maganda sa sarili kong paningin. (Yeah, I’m my worst critic.)

Kasama sa paglipad ko papuntang Singapore ang aking Nikon D40 + Kit Lens. I’ve used it in some of my travels and hang-out moments. Nakakatuwa dahil I’ve received some positive feedbacks and commendations from friends regarding some of my shots. Wala pa naman akong natanggap na harsh criticisms, but usually I receive some pointers from others to help me improve my so-called ‘craft’.

I must admit, dumating ako sa point na medyo nawalan ako ng gana sa photography. As I’ve said, it’s an expensive hobby. My kit lens is so damn frustrating and limiting! I’ve been wanting to upgrade, but the thing is, it’s not a priority for now. Kung marami lang sana akong pera…

I love portrait photography. I like taking pictures of people’s faces. Nakakaaliw kapag naka-capture mo ‘yung emosyon ng isang tao sa litrato. On the contrary, I’m not a fan of landscape photography. Hindi ako masyadong bilib sa ibang ‘landscape photographers’ ngayon. Pare-pareho sila ng subjects. Kung hindi buildings, puro bukid, burol, bulkan, talampas, ilog, beach, garden, monuments o historical sites ang kinukuhanan nila. Nothing new. Nagkakaiba lang sa post-processing. Pagalingan na lang sila sa paggamit ng Photoshop.

Now let me ask you:

First, given my statements above, matatawag ba akong isang ‘photographer’?

Second, considering my criticisms on others, am I credible enough to make a judgment on these so-called ‘photographers’, may they be ‘amateurs’ or ‘pros’? Is my opinion enough to separate the so-called ‘photographers’ from the ‘hobbyists’ or 'enthusiasts'?

Honestly, I myself dunno. And I don’t really give a damn. I don't really like 'labeling' people.

I’m just a regular guy who likes taking pictures.

And I do appreciate other people’s works, regardless of what camera they use, what their backgrounds and personalities are, how many years they have been into photography, whether they had some training or just do self-study, whether they use auto or manual mode, whether they make use of Photoshop or any other post-processing software, etc. etc.

If I like your photo, then I will tell you straight in your face.

If I don’t, well that’s another story.

********************

Speaking of photography, nasaan na ang mga picture greetings niyo?! Malapit na ang birthday ko! Hehehe! For more details, CLICK HERE. Salamat in advance! :)

TARGET: Weight Loss

2011-03-09T13:36:00.011+08:00

Guess who’s back in the gym? ME!

After several months of doing nothing but eat excessively, drink beer and stress myself in the office, I finally decided to work out again. I badly need to lose some weight! I've been looking terrible and feeling terrible lately, and I need to do something about myself being ‘OBESE 1’. This so-called weight classification is affecting my self-esteem. :(

I’m not getting any younger (turning 30 this month), and I need to take care of myself. These flabs need to BUUURRRNNN!

P.S. Thanks to those who have already submitted their birthday greetings. To those who haven’t, you guys still have time to send some lurve up to the 23rd of March! For more details, CLICK HERE! :)

P.P.S. To my SG Friends, takbo tayo sa MacRitchie Reservoir kapag weekends! :)

Enough

2011-03-07T05:52:00.004+08:00

I met someone last week. She’s Australian of Chinese descent, and been working here in Singapore for four months now. She’s not happy about this country so far. She wants to go back to Australia.

According to her, she finds it impossible to break out of the world of excess drinking, shopping malls and fancy dining in this glittering city. It was fun during the first few months, but she started to wonder, “Is this all there is to life?” She’s had enough of that lifestyle that is so dependent on the flow of cash. She wants simplicity, and to have more authentic experiences in life.

I immediately connected with her because I can somehow relate to her sentiments (except for the drinking part lol). I already came to the point when I'm getting sick and tired of all the superficiality and materialism, of senseless bickering and complaining, of unappreciation and maliciousness in this world. Maybe it comes with age I dunno. (Picture greetings?) I’m actually thinking of eliminating those that are not anymore essential…

Anyways, I’ve hanged out with her a couple of times this week. The first time was last Thursday when I met her at Lucky Plaza. The second one was yesterday at Botanic Gardens where we, together with some newfound friends, were supposed to play Frisbee but decided to just sit on the grass and talk about stuff. And we had gyoza for dinner at Orchard!

Too bad she’s leaving by the end of this month. I hope that before she does, she'd have a better opinion of the Lion City.

L-R: Australian, Italian, American, Filipino, Singaporean

Weekend Trip

2011-03-01T08:00:00.001+08:00

Last weekend, I went for a day-trip to Johor Bahru with my Eurasian friend. The city is located in the southern part of Malaysia, and just right across the causeway from Singapore so it's not really far and quite accessible. I wasn’t really expecting that much from the trip as I’d been there once before, but I dunno, somehow the trip was made fun and definitely exceeded my expectations.

I guess sometimes it’s not just where you go that matters. It’s also who you’re with. :)

********************

Gust0 k0 s4n4ng m4g-kuw3nt0 tungk0l s4 b4b43ng k4s4m4 k0 s4 l4r4w4n p3r0 n4huli k0 n4 siy4 mins4ng n4gb4b4s4 ng bl0g k0 g4mit 4ng G00gl3 Tr4nsl4t3. K4y4 n3xt tim3 n4 l4ng.

********************

Wala pang

nagpapadala

ng picture greetings

para sa

birthday ko.

PIBERDEIGRITINGS

2011-02-27T11:00:00.004+08:00

It’s that time of the year again.

Dahil one month from now eh kaarawan ko na, hihingi sana ulit ako sa aking mga mambabasa (pati na din sa mga bumibisita lang pero hindi naman nagbabasa) ng picture greetings. Ano nga ba ulit ang picture greetings? Picture niyo 'yun na merong birthday greetings para sa ‘kin, ano pa nga ba? LOL! Pero para mas ma-gets niyo, panoorin niyo itong compilation ng mga picture greetings from readers and co-bloggers na natanggap ko last year. Sana naman mas madami ang magpadala this year. :)

Pero dahil espesyal ang taong ito para sa ‘kin dahil malapit na akong mawala sa kalendaryo, meron akong hinahandang pakulo. Kung sino ang magpapadala ng pinaka-magugustuhan kong picture greeting/s eh mananalo ng pa-premyo mula sa ‘kin. Ano ang pa-premyo? ~~Kiss.~~ ~~Katawan ko.~~ Secret muna, basta surprise. :)

Ipadala ang picture greetings not later than 23 March 2011 sa aking e-mail: gasulero@yahoo.com.

Yes? Ktnxbye.

Nosebleed

2011-02-22T07:11:00.005+08:00

I hosted another friend a few weeks ago. He’s Australian who worked as an English teacher in Vietnam for more than a year. Though he enjoyed Asia so much, after his stint he made a decision to go back to his native land to pursue higher studies, and also to reunite with his family and old friends.

He stayed with me for about three days, and most of the time we basically spent together meeting other friends, roaming around Singapore, eating out, and exchanging views, stories & experiences. We also played arcade games and watched a movie.

After he left for Perth, I found myself thinking. When will that time comes when I’d say to myself, “It’s time to go back home.”

********************

A colleague once told me the other day, “It seems like you’ve very much adapted to the Singaporean culture.”

It’s not the first time that I’ve received such a remark. Even the mom of my local friend got amazed on how ‘Singaporean’ I’ve become. She expressed that when we were having dinner once at a nearby hawker centre, after I ordered a dumpling noodle. WAHLAWEH!

********************

In the aspect of social interaction, Pinoys in Singapore can be categorized into three:

First, Pinoys who hang out only with other Pinoys. Second, Pinoys who have wider circles and hang out not just with their fellow Pinoys but also with other races and nationalities as well.

Third, Pinoys who basically lock themselves inside their rooms after all the day’s work.

(to be continued)

Another Introspection

2011-02-18T16:28:00.014+08:00

"You’re such a wuss!”, sabi ng isang kaibigan ko.

To those who know me personally, some may agree with him. The thing is, I’m not really aggressive when it comes to courting. When I like someone, I usually do a different approach. I take my time to know more about the person. Mas gusto ko na kinakaibigan muna. I’d usually invite her to hang-out and probably have dinner or coffee with me, tapos usap-usap. Getting-to-know-each-other, ‘ika nga.

Siyempre kailangan may attraction. Based on experience, I must say that I usually get attracted to ‘chubby’, ‘maputi’ & ‘chinita’ girls. Ayoko sa patpatin, hindi kasi masarap i-hug. LOL! That’s why I don’t understand some girls who are so obsessed with losing weight. Hindi ba nila nare-realize na hangkyotkyot nga nila kapag chubby-chubby sila? Siyempre kailangan attracted din sila sa isang tulad kong ‘Obese 1’, pero pogi naman kahit papa’no (sabi ng nanay ko).

Very important din sa ‘kin ang communication. We must be more or less of the same wavelength. What’s the point of pursuing a relationship kung hindi naman natin kayang kausapin ang isa’t-isa? We don’t need to have exactly the same interests, basta ang mahalaga, we’re comfortable conversing with each other.

Mahiyain talaga ako sa totoong buhay. Tahimik minsan. Introvert. Kaya pagdating sa panliligaw, lagi akong olats. Lagi akong nauunahan.

Naalala ko nung college ako, naunahan ako ng isang kaibigan ko dun sa babaeng gustong-gusto ko. Ang sama-sama ng loob ko nun. Pakiramdam ko kasi eh trinaydor ako nung kaibigan ko. Katangahan ko lang, hindi ako lumaban. Tumiklop kasi ako dahil medyo me inferiority complex pa ko nun. ‘Yung kaibigan ko kasi eh graduate ng Ateneo High School, mayaman, maraming kotse, merong sariling IT School, magaling kumanta, tapos doctor ang nanay niya… and so on and so forth. (Pero mas pogi ako. LOL!)

Pero tapos na ‘yun. Naging sila, pero hindi din naman sila nagtagal. Magkakaibigan na ulit kami. Moving on…

Bakit ko nga ba sinusulat ang post na ito?

Because history MIGHT repeat itself again.

I MIGHT need to change some old habits.

And I don’t believe in destiny.

We do make our own.

Despedida

2011-02-12T16:55:00.002+08:00

I was attempting to clean my room earlier this morning when I saw an unlabeled CD from my luggage. Medyo na-excite ako ng konti dahil parang alam ko kung ano ang nasa loob ng CD. It was something from the past na nagbibigay ng sobra-sobrang ngiti sa ‘kin sa tuwing pinapanood ko. Kaya naman kaagad kong isinalang muli ang CD sa aking laptop at pinanood ulit. WAH! It never failed to make me smile some more at medyo na-senti din ako ng konti.

It was the ‘despedida video’ prepared & given to me by my blogger friends before I left for Singapore. Bigla ko tuloy silang na-miss!

P.S. We were the one who sang the last song in the video. We recorded it during one of our hang-out sessions. It was a mash-up of Kaleidoscope World & S2pid Love. Ang astig at kulit lang! At naging favorite namin dati ang “Kapag Tumibok ang Puso” ni Donna Cruz. Bakit? Ahhh… kuwento ko na lang sa inyo kapag nagkita tayo sa personal. LOL!

Pinoy Bloggers & Blogreaders in Singapore Meet-Up

2011-02-09T16:22:00.003+08:00

It all started when my good ol' blogger friend messaged me thru Facebook.

“Punta ulit akong Singapore!”

Si Greenpinoy ang pinaka-una kong nakilalang blogger in person. I was just starting blogging then, tapos he read from my blog na interested ako sa photography so he invited me to meet up at Intramuros for a photo op. Then the rest is history.

Marami akong nakilalang bloggers thru him who eventually became my close friends. Meeting this guy changed my life. (Ilibre mo ko GP! Todo promote ako sa ‘yo dito! LOL!) So I said to myself:

“Why not organize a Bloggers & Blogreaders Meet-up here in Singapore pagdating ni Greenpinoy?” Alam kong marami ding Pinoy Bloggers & Blogreaders ang nasa Singapore at nagta-trabaho dito. It’s a good opportunity to meet new people, and eventually gain new friends.

Or more. LOL!

********************

The meet-up was well- attended. We all had dinner at Food Republic @ Wisma Atria, and dessert at Dairy Queen, both in Orchard Road. Kuwentuhan, tawanan, kodakan, batuhan ng jokes, ~~landian~~. It was a fun & memorable night.

And it’s awesome to see my good ol' blogger friend Greenpinoy again. Nakakalungkot lang kasi anlaki ng ipinayat niya, at mas payat pa siya sa ‘kin ngayon. Ampf.

Thank you guys for coming. Sana maulit ulit ang mga ganitong meet-ups.

Dinner @ Wisma Atria

Jepoy & Bulakbolero

Angel & Husband

April & Friend

Gasul, Che, & Feeblemind

Greenpinoy & Gasul

Che & Gasul

April & Che

Kodakan @ Orchard Road

Gasul & April

Greenpinoy, Che, & Gasul

Gasul, Greenpinoy & Friend

Thank you Jon Magat for sponsoring the give-aways! LOL!

Meet-up Update

2011-02-07T10:20:00.003+08:00

WHAT: Singapore Bloggers & Blogreaders Meetup
WHEN: Tuesday, February 8 @ 7:00 PM
WHERE: Food Republic @ Wisma Atria, Orchard Road
WHO: If you're in Singapore and you're a blogger or a friend of a blogger or a blogreader, then you're invited.

Pasensiya na kung sa foodcourt ang naging venue dahil ang hirap mag-isip ng lugar tsaka ang daming dapat i-consider baka hindi pabor sa iba. Tsaka ako ang organizer tsaka ang magreklamo, panget.

Tulad ng nabanggit ko sa aking previous post, merong pupunta na isang sikat na humor blogger sa Pilipinas who’s coming over to Singapore for a business trip. Siya din ang pinaka-una kong nakilalang blogger in person. :)

Saka meron pala akong regalo sa lahat ng pupunta sa meet-up. CLUE: Something very useful. LOL! :)

For more details, you may SMS me @ +65 9186 1650.

Kitakits, mga repapips! :)

Bloggers & Blogreaders Meet-up in Singapore?

2011-02-05T02:20:00.005+08:00

Sinong gustong sumama?

I’m organizing a Bloggers & Blogreaders Meetup here in Singapore, to be scheduled on Tuesday, February 8. Time & venue to be announced so if you're interested, SMS me at +65 9186 1650 so that I can update you.

Meron pong special guest sa meetup: isang sikat na humor blogger sa Pilipinas who’s coming over to Singapore for a business trip. Siya din ang pinaka-una kong nakilalang blogger in person. :)

Hope we could all meet up, have a nice chat over dinner, and eventually gain new friends.

Kitakits! :)

********************

Mapaglaro talaga ang tadhana.

Last night, I saw someone from the past. Who would have thought?! But it's all good... all good. :)

HAIST!

2011-01-31T07:23:00.010+08:00

Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng nagbigay ng suggestions kung ano ang pwede kong lutuin para dun sa babaeng tinutukoy ko sa mga previous posts ko. Karamihan sa inyo eh ang isinuggest eh ADOBO. Twice pa lang akong nag-attempt magluto ng adobo sa buong buhay ko. First attempt: PORK. Naging overcooked, at lasang lechong paksiw. Second attempt: CHICKEN. Undercooked naman, at naging oily at maalat. Fortunately, nakain ko naman sila na hindi sumakit ang tiyan ko. LOL! Kelan ko kaya mape-perfect ang pagluluto ng adobo?

Ang totoo niyan, hindi ako nakapagluto para sa kanya last weekend. Pareho kasing busy-busyhan, tsaka kung kelan naman wala akong pasok eh doon siya may trabaho. She’s a piano teacher, by the way. At sa mga nagtatanong, nope, she’s not Filipina. She’s Malaysian Chinese. (Carmen Soo? LOL!)

We’re still in the “getting-to-know-each-other” stage. Saka na ko magkukuwento ng mga detalye at baka maudlot pa. Torpe pa mandin ako.

********************

I just met up with a friend for dinner last night. He’s one of my closest here in Singapore kasi he’s also a confidante, a ‘shock absorber’, and a counsellor. Siya ‘yung kaibigan kong magaling tumayming dahil sa tuwing tatawag ‘yan para mangamusta eh nagkakataong may problema ako at kailangan ko ng kausap at taga-bigay ng advice. Siya din ‘yung una kong tinawagan nung natanggal ako sa trabaho dati, at nag-eencourage sa ‘kin na laging magsimba tuwing Linggo. We are, more or less, of the same wavelength at dahil halos magka-edad kami eh halos pareho kami ng maturity level.

Other than the reason of not seeing each other for a long time, we decided to meet up also because according to him, he’ll be leaving Singapore in March… FOR GOOD! Balak mag-New Zealand ng gago at doon maghanap ng panibagong trabaho ~~bilang tagapiga ng dodo ng cow~~. Nagsawa na daw kasi siya sa Singapore dahil six years na din siya dito namamalagi. Tinanong ko kung nakabuntis ba siya dito kaya eeskapo, hindi naman daw.

Nakakalungkot lang. People come and go...

Incidentally, magkakilala sila from MAPUA ng isang sikat na humor blogger na ngayon ay nagta-trabaho na din dito sa Singapore, ang first-time OFW na si Jepoy.

Suggestions?

2011-01-22T23:53:00.000+08:00

Surprise Meal

2011-01-19T08:15:00.002+08:00

“The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

I got really surprised last night. She cooked dinner for me !

Thanks for that very tasteful meal. I will be smiling the whole week.

Polish Friend in Town

2011-01-17T22:37:00.001+08:00

Dumating dito sa Singapore last Friday ang kaibigan kong Polish na naka-based sa Qatar. He sent me an e-mail the other week, asking me if I could accommodate him for one day. Dahil isa akong napakabait na kaibigan na busilak ang puso at may mabuting kalooban, I gladly said yes. LOL!

It’s his third time to come to Singapore as he oftentimes travel, at pumunta siya ulit dito para: (1) kumain; (2) pumunta sa Clarke Quay para mag-partey partey; (3) bumili ng bagong laptop. So I spent most of my weekend with him, meeting up with other friends, food tripping & techie shopping.

Nakakapagod lang nung Sabado kasi wala kaming ginawa kundi maglakad ng maglakad sa mga shopping centers just to find the perfect laptop. Masaya naman kasi nanlilibre siya ng pagkain, but what I wasn’t expecting to do was to watch the musical ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at Esplanade. (Kung nanonood ka ng GLEE, alam mo ‘tong musical na ‘to.) It was a ‘spur-of-the-moment’ decision kaya kahit mahal ang ticket at hindi allocated sa budget (I paid for my own.), napapanood kami ng kaibigan ko dahil baka hindi na maulit ang pag-stage nito dito sa Singapore. (Watch it guys, if you get the chance! The musical was crazy & highly entertaining!)

Dahil nga napagastos ako ng wala sa oras, hindi muna ako magdi-dinner sa labas ng mga dalawang linggo. :(

67

2011-01-14T06:58:00.001+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Kanina habang naglalakad ako pauwi galing opisina, nangingilid na naman ang luha ko. I suddenly miss my Mom. Dahil nga birthday niya ngayon, bigla akong na-EMO. I was thinking, I should be there beside her when she celebrates her birthday. Dapat dine-date ko siya ngayon sa isang medyo mamahalin na restaurant. Dapat pinangsa-shopping ko siya ngayon ng mga damit na gusto niya. Dapat nayayakap ko siya ngayon ng mahigpit na mahigpit. HAIST! Puro wishful thinking na lang, pero wala naman akong magawa.

She’s already 67 years old, widowed and alone, celebrating her birthday today, and here I am, her only son, miles away from her, working abroad, helpless. There’s something wrong with this picture. Tanong ko sa sarili ko, why am I here where I am now again?

Lord, hanggang kailan ko po ba magiging dilemma ‘to? :(

I will figure it out sooner or later. But for now, I will try to smile just for the sake of her.

I really miss you Mom, and I love you. We will be together again... soon.

BEDRIDDEN

2011-01-09T22:04:00.001+08:00

I'm sick... AGAIN!

Nasobrahan ata ako sa negativity from my previous post. Marami ang nag-message ~~para maki-chismis~~ sa 'kin kung sino daw ang kaaway ko. To set the records straight, wala po akong kaaway. Takot lang nila sa mala-SPARTANS kong pangangatawan. LOL!

Kaya ayun, dahil tinatamad akong magsulat ng bagong blog post, gumawa na lang ako ng video. After posting this, balik na ako ulit sa pagpapahinga dahil may pasok pa ako bukas kaya kailangan ko na kaagad gumaling.

You Yes You

2011-01-04T09:49:00.004+08:00

Gusto kong isipin na mabait at palakaibigan akong tao. Alam kong merong aangal pero ~~dahil blog ko ‘to,~~ ‘yun ang totoo. Mukha lang akong suplado sa simula, pero kapag nakagaanan na kita ng loob, I’d be a friend to you, and a great one at that.

Hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit may mga taong merong tinatawag na ‘malicious intent’. ‘Yung tipong maganda naman ang pakikitungo mo pero pinag-iisipan ka pa ng masama. Sila ‘yung walang sincerity sa mga sinasabi, and what’s worst, these people stab you behind your back.

I don’t want to point fingers because that is not the purpose of this post.

This just serves as a warning.

How I Celebrated My New Year's Eve

2011-01-02T23:26:00.007+08:00

Happy New Year Guys! How’s the start of the New Year so far?

Mas gusto ko talaga ang New Year kesa sa Christmas. Even in the past years, ang naaalala ko eh mas masaya kapag New Year, siguro dahil na din sa masarap ang magpaputok. (Ano na naman ‘yang iniisip mong kabastusan? LOL!) Kaya naman kahit malayo ako sa pamilya at mga ilang kaibigan, sabi ko sa sarili ko eh kailangan kong mai-celebrate ng maganda ang pagpasok ng 2011. ‘Ika nga nila, let’s all welcome the New Year with a BANG!

My initial plan was to go to Marina Bay, join a group of Couchsurfing friends, and watch the fireworks display. Supposedly eh magkikita-kita kami ng 9:30PM para makakuha ng magandang puwesto, but due to an unforeseeable turn of events, na-late ako ng pagdating sa Marina Bay at hindi ko na nagawang makita ang grupo na dapat ay kakatagpuin ko. Sobra kasing dami ng tao na para bang may El Shaddai prayer rally si Bro. Mike. Ampf.

I was already tired that night after all the day’s work (may pasok kasi ako that same day) at plano ko na sanang umuwi ng bahay nang biglang tumawag ang ex-colleague ko at tinanong kung nasaan daw ako. She was inviting me to celebrate the New Year’s Eve with them at the Fullerton Bay Hotel kaya ayun, nabuhayan ulit ako ng loob at napa-oo kaagad ako.

I must say, it was a FUN NYE celebration! We had a great view of the fireworks display, and had champagne and yosi while watching it. We were dancing the night away and stayed there up to around 4AM. THAT NIGHT WAS EPIC!

Thanks to awesome friends for letting me spend my New Year's Eve with them. God is good! To a much more wonderful year ahead of us, CHEERS! :)

Monday Sickness

2010-12-27T21:00:00.001+08:00

Hindi ako pumasok today after the Holidays dahil ~~tinatamad ako~~ masakit ang ulo ko. Wala akong magawa kaninang umaga kaya guwawa na lang ako ng ~~scandal~~ videoblog. Go ahead, laitin niyo na ako. LOL!

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

By Hook or by Crook

2010-12-26T05:59:00.006+08:00

Dahil tapos na ang Pasko, sisimulan ko nang ilista ang mga magiging resolutions ko for next year. Gusto ko na sanang seryosohin ang binabalak kong "life overhaul" dahil sa susunod na taon, tumataginting na trenta anyos na ko. WAH!

Sisimulan ko sa tatlong resolutions na sa tingin ko ay kailangan ko talagang ma-accomplish, BY HOOK OR BY CROOK!

LOSE WEIGHT

Ikinahihiya kong sabihin (pero sasabihin ko pa din) na I’ve already reached my 200-lb. mark. Malaki ang itinaba ko since I was here in Singapore 2 1/2 years ago. Ang sarap naman kasing kumain, tapos kinatatamaran ko na ding mag-gym. Sadly, I’ve been hearing some negative comments already from my friends na hindi ko na daw naaalagaan ang sarili ko. Just last week, a visiting friend of mine from Manila was scolding me about my weight dahil ang taba-taba ko na daw. I also don’t look good in my clothes anymore. Hindi na kasya sa 'kin ang ibang damit ko. Bumababa ang pogi points ng inyong lingkod. It is also affecting my self-image. Ampf.

Although my gym instructor did mention before that I have big bones, alam ko din naman sa sarili ko na kailangan ko na din talagang mag-lose ng weight (I guess I was just in denial before.) I have to do it as early as possible, or else it would also take a toll on my health.

Fine fine, magda-diet at exercise na po ako.

SAVE UP MORE

Hindi ba't ang rason kung bakit karamihan ng Pinoy ay nagta-trabaho abroad eh para kumita ng mas malaki? Pero tama ‘yung sinasabi ng mga experts, the more you earn, the more you spend. Hindi ibig sabihin na mas malaki ang suweldo mo eh mas madali kang makakaipon.

I myself had some financial troubles, kaya naman I’ve set a goal for myself next year. I need to save up a certain amount each month, and tighten on my spending habits as well. Bawal na ang mag-taxi on the way to work. Bawal na ang kumain sa mahal na restaurant. Bawal na ang gumimik ng madalas. Bawal na ang tumambay sa mall dahil madaming temptations. Kailangan ko na talagang maging disiplinado pagdating sa pera.

MORE TIME FOR GOD

Hindi talaga ako religious na tao. There are times na kinatatamaran ko ang magsimba, and I don't pray as much now as compared before. I have my own Bible (na binili ko pa sa Manila before ako umalis ng Pilipinas), pero hindi ko na din magawang makapagbasa masyado. Kung titingnan mo, I haven't been fair to God kasi sobra-sobrang blessings ang natatanggap ko. The mere fact na nakadilat ang mga mata ko ngayon is already considered a blessing.

I'm thinking of alloting an hour a day for God, either a time for prayer or Bible reading. Sana nga magawa ko 'to. :)

A Christmas Greeting from The Gasoline Dude

2010-12-24T09:18:00.011+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!
(I look so fat in this video!)

The Grinch

2010-12-21T16:52:00.009+08:00

Pasko na naman ~~ngunit wala ka pa. Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sa iyo~~. (Kinanta mo ano?)

This will be my third time to celebrate Christmas here in Singapore. Hindi na naman ako makakauwi sa Pilipinas, due to some reasons: (1) Bago pa lang ako sa trabaho ko; (2) Wala akong enough leave credits; (3) Mahal ang plane tickets pauwing Pilipinas kapag Christmas season; (4) Nagtatago ako sa mga inaanak ko; (5) I'm kuripot like that; (6) Wala namang nagmamahal sa 'kin sa Pilipinas. (Drama much? LOL!)

Seriously speaking mga kids, I never really liked Christmases. Sa mga nagbabasa ng blog ko simula dati pa, marahil eh alam niyo na kung bakit. As much as possible I'd like to treat it as a normal, ordinary day. Pero ewan ko ba, this might be one of the saddest Holidays so far, again due to some reasons: (1) 50th Wedding Anniversary ng mga Kakang ko sa Batangas, at magsisi-uuwian sa Pilipinas ang mga ka-close kong pinsan mula US at UK. Dahil hindi ako makakauwi, hindi din ako makakasama sa Grand Celebration. (2) Mukhang may magaganap na Grand Bloggers' EB after Christmas. Siyempre hindi din ako makakasama dun. (3) Magsisi-uwian din ang mga barkada kong Pinoy. Ako lang ang maiiwan dito sa Singapore. (4) 'Yung iba namang kaibigan kong hindi Pinoy eh either magsisi-uwian sa kani-kanilang home countries o kaya naman eh magse-celebrate ng Christmas sa ibang bansa. (5) May magaganap pang isang Bloggers' EB sa January na hindi ko din mapupuntahan. Isang sikat na blogger ang uuwi mula US for the Holidays. Sayang ang libreng pa-dinner, chocolates, T-shirt, pabango, alak at pakete ng yosi. (6) Wala pa akong plano kung anong gagawin ko at kung saan ako mag-Christmas Eve.

Last year, alam niyo ba kung saan ako nag-Noche Buena? Sa Burger King.

This year, try ko naman kayang mag-McDo?

[~~] / wrist

OPERATION: Bloggers' Meet-up (Part 2)

2010-12-08T07:00:00.003+08:00

This is a long overdue post.

As some of you guys know, umuwi ako ng Pilipinas last October to spend time with my Mom and also meet up with some friends. It was a four-day ‘long’ vacation kaya naman konti lang ang nakasaksi sa aking angking kagwapuhan at kakisigan. LOL!

Aside from my blogger brothas Aajao, Kuri, and Chingoy (na aking naikuwento sa aking previous post), nabigyan din ako ng pagkakataon na makilala sa personal ang mga paborito kong bloggers dahil pinaunlakan nila ang aking imbitasyon: Gillboard, Jakey Junkie, The Scud, Dorm Boy, Maldito, Jepoy, at Kuya Bob. We all met up at Metrowalk, at doon kami nag-dinner na may kasamang inuman at kuwentuhan.

What makes that particular vacation even more special was, I got the chance to meet up with my old blogger friends as well: Rosa, Lethalverses, Chroneicon, Sosyalera, Efbee, Mariano Juancho, Ayz Princess, Gugol, Cyberlola, Dudan, Arhey Taba, Mark, at Beero. Na-meet ko din for the first time ang mga chikas bloggers na sina Doc Mnel at Toxiceyeliner AKA Traveliztera na halos kakasimula ko pa lang sa pagba-blogging eh nakilala at naging kakulitan ko na pero noon lang kami nagkita ng personal. At oonga pala, nakita ko din si Glentot sa CBTL Greenbelt. It was an unexpected meet-up, tipong namukhaan ko lang, nilapitan at nagkamustahan. Meron siyang ka-date nung gabing ‘yun. :)

Madami-dami na din pala akong naging kaibigan dahil sa blogging. Sana mas madami pa akong makilala pag-uwi ko ulit sa April next year. ;)

Online Crush

2010-12-06T12:27:00.012+08:00

Have you ever had a crush on any blogger you know?

I have one now, and this so-called ‘circumstance’ is not something new to me. (I've had blog crushes, and even had a relationship with a blogger before. But sadly, it didn’t last long.) Wala lang naman, paghanga lang. Aside from her nice posts, she also looks cute in her pics. *tulo laway*

But that’s about it. No plans of pursuing her whatsoever. I’ve learned my lesson: no more long-distance relationships. This time I have to use my head.

Which head? We'll see about that. (Dyok lang. Mabait po ako sa personal.)

COVER: Kermit the Frog's Rainbow Connection

2010-11-29T07:00:00.004+08:00

Alam niyo ba 'yung 'Rainbow Connection'? Sobrang peyborit ko 'yang kantang 'yan, mapa-Jim Brickman, Kenny Loggins, o Jason Mraz na version. Pero ang pinaka-tumatak sa akin eh 'yung version ni Kermit the Frog. Hangkyotkyot lang. Hehehe. :)

Heto pa ang isang version ~~na baka ikalagas ng buhok niyo sa sobrang pagkasuya dahil walang kuwenta:~~ ang Gasul-version.

Saberdey

2010-11-27T21:08:00.025+08:00

Right now I am spending almost the whole Saturday inside my room. Lalabas lang ako kapag nagutom o kaya naman eh kailangang dyuminggel. Hindi naman sa wala akong ~~kajerjeran~~ kagimikan ngayon, pero kasi loner talaga ako sa personal (maniwala ka!). Also, I need some time all by myself kasi I usually spend my weekdays meeting and conversing with clients. Kailangan ko din naman ng kaunting katahimikan at privacy sa buhay.

Enjoy din naman ako ngayon kasi ~~nakapag-jax~~ nakakulitan ko sa YM, Twitter at Facebook Chat kanina sina Andy, Glentot, Drake, at iba pang online at offline friends. Saka nagkaroon din ako ng time to introspect at isipin kung ano ba ang mga magiging plano ko sa buhay. Hindi na din kasi ako bumabata. HAIST! 30 anyos na ko next year. :(

Naalala ko tuloy ‘yung usapan namin ng isang matalik na kaibigan ko dito sa Singapore habang tumutungga ng beer at ngumangata ng fresh oysters at chicken wings sa Hooters:

MIKE: Kailan mo ba balak mag-settle down?

AKO: Hmmm… siguro kapag 32 years old na ko. Ikaw ba?

MIKE: Ako din siguro ganun. Ipon muna. Ibig sabihin niyan eh kailangan mo na ulit magka-gelpren sa lalong medaling panahon.

AKO: Let’s cheers to that. KAMPAI!

Iba talaga ang feeling kapag malapit ka nang mawala sa kalendaryo. Mas lalong lumalaki ang pressure. Mukhang kailangan ko nang bilis-bilisan ang paghahanap ng prospective lifetime partner, at nang makabuo ng madaming-madaming babies.

***************

Nag-camwhoring nga pala ako kaninang umaga. Idol ko kasi si Pareng KURI. Baka sakaling tumaas din ang blog hits. LOL!

Back to Regular Programming

2010-11-21T02:22:00.021+08:00

After two weeks of hiatus-ing, I’m finally back!

Just a few hours ago, after all those research, comparative analyses, budgeting, and consultations with online and offline friends, nakabili na din ako sa wakas ng bagong laptop. Marami ang nag-aadvice na bumili daw ako ng Macbook Air or Macbook Pro pero gustuhin ko man, hindi naman kaya ng budget. (Walang nag-donate, o kaya nagpahiram ng credit card. FML!) Oh well, it doesn’t really matter anyways kung ano ang brand at model, ang mahalaga eh meron akong nagagamit ~~sa pagda-download ng porn~~ so I settled with my second choice: an HP Probook. So far I'm quite happy with it. :)

In other news, medyo na-miss ko nga pala ang blogging (at bloghopping na din) dahil marami sana akong gustong ikuwento. Life has actually been quite interesting lately. One reason is, I’m seeing someone new right now. *pasok April Boy background music* It started out quite recently, but I’m not really sure about the real score yet (torpe po ako sa totoong buhay). We’ve been hanging out for quite a few times now and so far it’s all good. :)

Pero saka na ang kuwento, baka maudlot pa. Hahaha kayo ba, kumusta na ang mga buhay-buhay niyo?

Hiatus?

2010-11-08T10:03:00.005+08:00

Baka mag-hiatus muna ako sandali.

Nasira ang laptop ko last weekend. Ayaw na bumukas, ~~nasobrahan ata sa dami ng na-download na porn~~. Huhuhu. Kaya sa selpown lang ako nakakapag-Internet ngayon. Ang hirap palang mag-bloghop kapag selpown lang ang gamit.

Kaya kung sino man diyan ang may busilak na puso, masaya na po ako sa 13-inch Macbook Pro.

Phineas Ratterson Turns One!

2010-11-03T22:30:00.008+08:00

Isang malaking big deal ang Halloween dito sa Singapore.

Kaya naman sobra din kaming nae-excite kapag malapit na ang Halloween. Isa lang kasi ang ibig sabihin niyan: costume party. Parang adik lang kami ng mga kaibigan ko kung makapag-come up ng costumes, todo-effort at pinag-iisipan talaga ng mabuti. Lumalabas ang creativity ng bawat isa.

Same as last year, nag-organize ang ilang kaibigan ng isang Halloween Party which was held just last weekend. Matagal ko nang pinag-iisipan kung anong pwede kong isuot. I was planning to do a Human Centipede-inspired costume kaso walang gustong mag-volunteer na ~~mag-suck~~ kumabit sa wetpaks ko. LOL! So I just scrapped the whole idea.

The party was awesome! It was well-attended, at da best ang mga costumes!

Mr. Clean

Josie & the Pussycats (?)

Joker

Kool-Aid

Calvin & Hobbes

Peter Pan & Captain Hook

Zoltan

Frida & Steve Jobs

Mummy

Heto ang costume ko last year (Hybrid ni Hellboy at Harry Potter)...

At ito ang costume ko this year…

Ang totoo niyan, hindi ko talaga alam kung ano ako. LOL! Nabili ko ang costume ko sa Toy Kingdom sa SM Megamall nung umuwi ako sa Pilipinas. I was supposed to be a 'devil', kaso parang mas nagmukha akong Gregorian-Monk-slash-Cult-Master-slash-Gorgom na antagonist sa telenobelang Mask Rider Black. Ampf.

The Social Network

2010-10-29T14:35:00.018+08:00

I watched The Social Network last night with some friends.

Totoo kayang naging blogger din si Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, during his student days and has a LiveJournal account? Nakakatuwang isipin na isa din siyang blogger, and somehow felt proud to be one as well. (Feeling! LOL!)

One of the most memorable lines from the movie was: “It's exhausting! Dating you is like dating a Stair Master!”

Wala lang, it just reminded me of someone…

The GAYLANGS

2010-10-24T21:56:00.010+08:00

Bago ko ituloy ang pagkukuwento tungkol sa nakaraang bakasyon ko sa Manila, meron lang muna akong gustong i-share sa inyo na katawa-tawang pangyayari kagabi.

Napagkasunduan namin ng dalawa kong kabarkada na magkita-kits sa isang sikat na mall dito sa Singapore. Wala lang, tamang hang-out lang kasi weekend naman. Pasok dito, pasok doon. Tingin dito, tingin doon. ~~Boso dito, boso doon.~~ Hanggang sa maligaw kami sa isang clothing store na kung tawagin ay River Island. Kasama din pala namin 'yung Singaporean GF ng isa kong kabarkada.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa kokote namin at napagdiskitahan naming i-try suutin ang mga damit at accessories doon sa store. Merong belts, scarves, sunglasses, loafers, hats, at kung anu-ano pa. Hagalpak kami sa tawa ng makita namin ang mga sarili namin na suot ang mga 'yun. Bekimon na bekimon kasi ang dating. LOL!

Without further ado, presenting... The GAYLANGS!*

Sinong pinakamaganda sa aming tatlo? LOL!

(*Ang GEYLANG ay ang red-light district dito sa Singapore.)

OPERATION: Bloggers' Meet-up

2010-10-20T23:50:00.005+08:00

OBJECTIVE: Ma-meet sa personal ang mga paborito kong bloggers habang nasa Pilipinas ako ng apat na araw.

PLAN: Mag-organize ng isang “Bloggers’ Meet-up”. Puwede itong dinner o kaya inuman. Dahil ako ang nagpasimuno nito, naisip ko na dapat sagot ko ang gastos.

CRITERIA: Dahil limited din ang budget, naisip kong mag-set ng criteria. Sa dinami-dami ng kakilala kong bloggers, baka mamulubi ako bigla. Kaya pumili ako ng mga blogs base sa mga panuntunan na ito:

1. 'Readable'
2. Tackles topics that capture my interest (or)
3. Makes me laugh (or)
4. Has at least one REALLY memorable post
5. Active (non-hiatus)

WHAT HAPPENED: I was actually planning to meet up with around ten (10) bloggers. Pero dahil hindi puwede sina Aajao, Kuri, at Chingoy kapag weekends due to their ‘daddy duties’, I decided to meet-up with these guys separately. I was planning on having dinner with them last Friday night, kaso nabalitaan kong na-ospital ang munting prinsesa ni Aajao kaya nagbago bigla ang plano.

Ang bagong venue ng First Bloggers’ Meet-up: MEDICAL CITY!

I’ve been reading their blogs for quite sometime now. What I like about them is their maturity, and how insightful their blogs are. Marami akong natututunan sa kanilang mga experiences, like about setting the right priorities and taking responsibilities. Hindi naman sa balak ko na ding mag-settle down, pero iba na kasi ang nagiging trend sa blogging ngayon. Talo pa nito ang showbizness sa dami ng awayan at intrigahan. What these ‘Daddy Bloggers’ blog about is something encouraging and also refreshing to the mind and soul.

Memorable ang naging meet-up kasi: (a) kakaiba ang naging venue; (b) nilakad namin nina Kuri at Chingoy mula Robinson’s Galleria hanggang Medical City dahil walang taxi; (c) masaya at makabuluhan ang naging kuwentuhan; (d) kuwela ang naging picture-taking namin sa lobby ng ospital.

It was such a fun meet-up. Parang antagal ko na silang kakilala at kaibigan kahit first time ko pa lang na-meet sina Kuri at Chingoy. I'm looking forward to meet them again in the future.

Wawa naman si Boneneng.

Sino pinaka-pogi sa aming apat? (Blog ko to! LOL)

Na-extra si Manong Utility.

Going Back

2010-10-18T19:26:00.004+08:00

I'm flying back to Singapore tomorrow morning.

Yes, I'm currently in Manila. Hindi ko inannounce sa lahat ang pag-uwi ko. Pakiramdam ko nga marami ang magtatampo.

Pasensiya na. My itinerary had already been planned, and I'm only here for four days. Hindi enough ang time para makipagkita sa lahat ng kakilala ko.

Sa lahat ng kamag-anak, kaibigan at ka-blogs na nakita at nakainuman ko, planado man o hindi, salamat sa inyo. You made this one of my best holidays so far. Mabigat nga sa dibdib ang isiping muli kong iiwan ang Pilipinas.

Sana lang ay hindi ako bagyuhin bukas ng umaga. Gusto ko pang mabuhay ng matagal. :(

Paglisan

2010-10-13T11:26:00.001+08:00

It was a week of goodbyes.

First, I just found out last weekend that a good friend of mine recently passed away due to stroke. Empleyado namin siya dati sa gasolinahan. Siya ang tumayong supervisor ng mga sanitary engineers na nagpapanatiling maganda, malinis at maayos ng kapaligiran sa buong istasyon.

Our relationship has gone more than just an employer-employee relationship. Hindi ko lang siya naging kanang kamay, we also became really good friends. Para ngang naging tatay-tatayan ko na din siya. Siya ang lagi kong nakaka-kuwentuhan sa mga panahong malungkot o nakakaantok magtrabaho sa gasolinahan. Nahihingahan ko din siya ng mga problema ko sa trabaho o sa kung ano man.

Nakakalungkot lang isipin na wala na siya dahil kakapanaw lang din ng asawa niya 2 years ago, at meron silang kaisa-isang anak na sobrang bata pa. Paano na ang paglaki nito? Sino na ang mag-aaruga sa bata? At alam ko ding maraming tao ang makaka-miss sa kanya dahil isa siyang napakabuting kaibigan.

Hindi mo din talaga masasabi kung anong magiging kapalaran ng isang tao. Life is really too short. That's why we have to make the most out of it.

Sayang, hindi ko man lang siya nakita nung huli akong umuwi sa Pilipinas. Ipagdadasal ko na lang siya at ang kanyang naiwang pamilya.

**********

Umalis na si Lyzius sa Singapore. Pupunta na siya ng Macau para muling makipagsapalaran.

Sino nga ba si Lyzius? Isa siyang kaibigan na nakilala ko mula sa mundo ng blogging. Isa rin siyang OFW na nagtrabaho sa Dubai noon, at nagkakilala kami sa isang pagtitipon ng mga Greenies nung nasa Pilipinas pa ako. Nalaman ko na magtratrabaho siya sa Singapore kaya naman nakipag-ugnayan kaagad ako sa kanya.

Naging matalik kaming magkaibigan ni Lyzius. Dumating pa sa punto na nagsama kami sa isang bahay ng halos dalawang taon. (Wala pong malisya, hindi po namin type ang isa't-isa. Magkahiwalay kami ng kuwarto. LOL!) Marami din kaming mga naging magagandang alaala bilang magkakaibigan kasama ang iba pa naming housemates, pero siyempre hindi din naman nawala ang mga pagsubok sa aming mga buhay. Mabuti na lang at naging matatag ang aming pagsasamahan.

Ngayong makikipagsapalaran siyang muli sa isang banyagang bansa, wala akong ibang hangad kundi ang maging masaya siya at matagumpay sa kanyang karera. Alam kong matagal na niyang minimithi ang paglipat na ito ~~dahil kating-kati na siyang lisanin ang Singapore~~ kaya naman masaya din ako para sa kanya.

Kaya naman Lyzius, magbalik-blogging ka na! At ipinakikilala ko nga pala sa 'yo si Roanne. Hanapin mo siya sa Macau. Hehe. :)

**********

May isa pang magaganap na paglisan, pero mabilis at panandalian lamang. Kita-kita na lang sa mata.

Meet & Greet Jepoy

2010-09-27T07:00:00.004+08:00

Sa wakas, nakita ko na sa personal si Jepoy.

Hindi ko na masyadong hahabaan ang post na ito tungkol sa kanya (dahil hindi naman niya ako ginagawang Blogger of the Month). LOL! Sa mga hindi nakakakilala kay Jepoy, isa siya sa mga humor bloggers na inaabangan at binabasa ko dahil sa mga nakakatawa at nakakaaliw niyang isinusulat. Nandito siya ngayon sa Singapore para magwaldas ng limpak-limpak na salapi kaya naisipan namin ni Bulakbolero na kitain siya para magpalibre. Nag-dinner kami kahapon sa Marina Square, nakipagkuwentuhan, nag-Kodakan, nanood saglit ng F1 Night Race at nagkape sa Starbucks kasama ang ilang kaibigan.

Ano ba ang masasabi ko tungkol kay Jepoy? Hmmm... una, baligtad siya kung humawak ng chopsticks. (Parang adik lang.) Pangalawa, mukhang maselan siya sa pagkain kasi ayaw daw niya ng Curry at hindi niya inubos ang Char Kway Teow na pinakain namin sa kanya. (Marami pa namang bata ang nagugutom ngayon. Tsk tsk.) Pangatlo, na-disappoint siya sa Starbucks dito sa Singapore kasi hindi de-aircon. Choosy much pala ang ating bida. LOL!

Pero mabait talaga 'yang si Jepoy kasi ~~birthday niya~~ dinalhan niya ako ng Pampanga's Best Skinless Longganisa, Tita's Hamonado Longganisa, Cheez Whiz, at Kraft Eden Cheese galing Pilipinas na talaga namang paborito ko. (Hindi pa nga lang niya naiibigay sa 'kin.) Saka kung gaano siya kakulit sa blog, ganun din siya sa personal.

O ayan Jepoy, puro papuri ang sinulat ko dito. Dagdagan mo na ng isang kilo 'yung longanisa ko. Hahaha. :)

I'll See You When I See You

2010-09-20T09:21:00.008+08:00

One month na lang.

BAKA umuwi ako ng Pilipinas. Bakasyon lang ng apat na araw. Matagal ko nang nabili ang plane tickets ko, pero sa totoo lang, hindi talaga ako sigurado kung papayagan akong mag-leave ng mga boss ko. Alam niyo naman na bago pa lang ako sa trabaho ko, at wala pa akong masyadong napapatunayan.

Hindi kasi ako makakauwi sa Pasko, at siyempre gusto kong makasama ulit si Momski Womski at mga kaibigan ko bago matapos ang taon. Marami rin akong bloggers na hindi na-meet during the last time na nasa Pilipinas ako. Marami tuloy ang nagtampo. (Sorry naaa!)

Gusto ko din sanang dumalaw sa gasolinahan. Nakakamiss lang, hindi ko man lang nabisita ang mga tauhan ko last February. Ang layo kasi, kahit taxi eh hindi papayag. Kumusta naman ang biyahe mula Novaliches hanggang Laguna? Wala naman akong tsikot ngayon.

Sana talaga makita ko ang mga taong gusto kong makita sa pag-uwi ko (kung matutuloy talaga ako). Kaya simula ngayon mag-gym na ulit ako para payat akong tingnan pagdating ko ng Pilipinas. :)

Hikbi

2010-09-17T09:43:00.006+08:00

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing.

Despedida party kagabi ng isang kaibigan namin dito sa Singapore. She's a doctor, at dahil tapos na ang contract niya, babalik na siya sa Pilipinas.

We had pizza, burgers, BBQ, chips and beer. Pero kahit na umaapaw ang pagkain at puno ng kuwentuhan at tawanan kagabi, hindi napigilan ng kaibigan namin ang maiyak. Nakakalungkot isipin na mababawasan ng isa ang aming barkadahan, pero no choice, kailangang tanggapin.

Natanong ng isa kong kaibigan, "Sino kaya ang susunod?"

Ayoko munang isipin. :(

We will miss you, Mitzi. :(

Laura

2010-09-08T23:01:00.007+08:00

May bago akong officemate. Si Laura. Isang Singaporean. Fresh graduate. Two weeks pa lang siya sa trabaho. Naging close kami agad. Masaya ang samahan at kuwentuhan namin. Lagi din kaming magkasamang mag-lunch.

Kaninang umaga, kinausap siya ng mga boss. Tinanggal siya sa trabaho.

Balita ko, hindi nagustuhan ng management ang performance at 'work ethics' niya. Laidback kasi siya, at laging nag-aayos ng buhok.

But she's a fine lady. And I also like her personality.

Nakakalungkot lang. What do you expect from a fresh graduate? Sa trabaho na ibinigay sa kanya, kailangan ng intensive training at mentoring. Saka nakaka-two weeks pa lang siya sa trabaho. Isn't it too early to make a judgment on her?

Pero wala naman akong magagawa. Hindi ko pag-aari ang kumpanya. Hindi din ako boss.

Mami-miss ko lang si Laura. :(

**********

This also serves as a realization na kailangang maging masipag palagi. Bawal na ang pagpepetiks at patagong pagpe-Facebook at Twitter sa opisina. No one is really safe, whatever your nationality is.

Bago

2010-08-26T11:04:00.003+08:00

Nagsimula na ako sa panibago kong trabaho.

I’m currently doing advertising sales for a travel and lifestyle magazine. Alam niyo ‘yung mga babasahin sa loob ng eroplano? ‘Yung nasa harap ng upuan o kaya naman eh ‘yung inaabot ng mga flight attendants? Ayown, ganown ‘yung magazine.

Masaya naman ako sa bago kong trabaho. Although malaki ang pressure kasi kailangang makabenta, exciting at sobrang challenging. Wala talaga akong experience sa advertising sales, pero mukha namang kakayanin ko ang trabaho. Nae-enjoy ko ang ginagawa ko sa araw-araw dahil marami akong nakakausap na tao.

Mababait din ang mga bago kong bosses and colleagues. Very helpful sila kapag meron akong mga tanong at mga bagay na hindi naiintindihan. At siyanga pala, sobrang ganda ng publisher namin. At meron akong colleague na naging Miss Singapore dati, at meron ding Pinoy na kamukha ni Bianca Gonzales. *tulo laway*

Sana lang ma-regularize ako after 3-6 months.

Continuation

2010-08-10T13:11:00.015+08:00

Hindi ako galit sa boss ko.

Naintindihan ko kung bakit niya ako tinanggal. Performance-wise, naging maayos naman ang trabaho ko, pero profits-wise, hindi talaga masyadong kumikita ang kumpanya. I didn’t take it personally. From a businessman’s point-of-view, keeping me still onboard seems to be not a wise thing to do anymore.

Pero siyempre, tao din ako. May puso at damdamin din. *pasok Maalaala Mo Kaya theme song* Napapunta ako sa toilet pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin at nagkulong sa isang cubicle doon. Napaisip, napatanong sa sarili at napaiyak na din. Napa-text din ako sa isang matalik na kaibigan at nag-ayang makipag-inuman.

Paano na? Nangyari na ‘to sa ‘kin dati. Ayoko pang umuwi ng Pilipinas. May kasalanan ba ako? Mayroon ba akong naging mga pagkukulang? Maybe. I guess my best wasn’t good enough. Pero naisip ko, tulad din ito ng isang romantic relationship. If nothing seems to work out despite all efforts at wala nang opportunity for growth, maybe it’s time to move on and move forward.

Alam kong kailangan kong kumilos agad para magkaroon ng panibagong trabaho. I have to be proactive as I cannot afford to lose my source of income at this moment. Pagkatapos kong mahimasmasan, napatawag ako sa isa kong contact who works for a publishing company. This guy called me up a few days prior, scheduling me for an interview with their CEO, but due to some conflicts in schedule, hindi ito natuloy.

Nagkataong wala ang contact ko nung araw na ‘yun at surprisingly, ni-transfer ako ng operator sa CEO mismo. Tinanong ko kung open pa ‘yung position na ino-offer sa ‘kin dati, and she said yes but she also mentioned that they are already at the final stage of selection. She asked me if I’d be available for interview that same day, kaya hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng oras. Nagpaalam ako sa boss ko na aalis ako ng maaga, at dumiretso na sa interview ko.

I was praying the Lord’s Prayer repetitiously habang nakasakay sa bus out of nervousness and desperation. Ang tanging nasa isip ko, "I need that job! I want that job!" Hindi ako usually kinakabahan sa mga interviews, but that time it was different. I badly needed God’s comfort and strength.

Pagdating ko, I got interviewed by the CEO, Sales Director and Account Manager. The interview took about an hour to finish. Naging maayos naman. Naging confident din ako sa pagsagot ng mga tanong nila.

Then the CEO asked, “Did you pray for this job?”

Nagulat ako sa tanong niya. First time kong maka-encounter ng ganyang tanong sa interview. Bumalik sa alaala ko lahat nang mga nangyari sa akin nung araw na ‘yun, kasama ‘yung pag-uusap namin ng boss ko at pagda-drama ko sa toilet. I answered yes, tapos kinuwento ko sa kanya ‘yung pagdadasal ko ng The Lord’s Prayer ng paulit-ulit sa bus.

To make this short, naging happy ang ending ng kuwento ko. I was informed that I got the job that same afternoon. Nagkapirmahan na din kami ng contract after that interview. THANK YOU LORD! Who would have thought, ‘di ba? That same day na natanggal ako sa trabaho eh nagkaroon din ako ng panibagong job offer. :)

There really is a God. At kahit kailan eh hindi Niya ako pinabayaan.

At mukhang ayaw pa Niya akong paalisin ng Singapore.

Reason Behind

2010-08-04T13:36:00.012+08:00

My boss has decided to kick me out of the company, and then gave me a month to stay.

Masakit, pero kailangang tanggapin. Medyo inexpect ko na din naman, pero nabigla ako sa timing. I was told about it last Thursday morning. Tinawag ako ng boss ko sa opisina niya, at humingi ng updates on my existing accounts. After that, he told me about the bad news.

I was initially hired as a Business Development Consultant. Ang trabaho ko: explore other business opportunities for the company. Challenging 'yung work, pero ang problema, walang binigay na budget. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-hire ng sarili kong tao dahil walang ipapa-suweldo. Naging one-man team tuloy ako. I was doing everything, from planning to execution to monitoring. Ako ang tagagawa ng mga proposals at taga-conceptualize ng mga marketing collaterals. Ako din ang nagko-conduct ng cold calling, telemarketing at face-to-face sales presentations sa mga prospective clients. Ang mahirap niyan, pati client service operations at administration eh kasama pa din sa trabaho ko. Madami din akong ginagawang reports na kung ano-ano.

The company is a small one. Nung pumasok ako, apat lang ang empleyado, and that already includes my boss. Mabibilang din sa isang kamay ang dami ng cliente. Sobrang limited ng resources. Laging walang budget. Maniwala kayo o hindi, kadalasan ng 'budget' eh nanggagaling pa sa bulsa namin. Wala din kaming petty cash.

Balak ko na nga sanang mag-resign sa simula pa lang. Although nakaka-close ako ng deals, nahirapan ako sa client servicing. Andami ko kasing ginagawa kaya hindi ko kaya lahat ng mag-isa. Lagi kong sinasabi sa boss ko ang mga concerns ko, pero hindi niya ina-aaprove ang mga solutions na nire-recommend ko.

After a few months, I was given an additional job scope: account management. Ako ang pinag-handle ng existing accounts. Ako ang nakikipag-meeting sa mga clients in person at umaalam ng mga kailangan nila. Kapag may mga concerns at queries sila, ako ang sumasagot. Na-enjoy ko ang trabaho dahil marami akong nakikilala at nakakasalamuha. Lagi din akong nasa field, hindi tulad sa office na boring at sobrang nakakaantok. After a year, masasabi kong naging successful ako dahil napalaki ko ang mga accounts na hinandle ko kahit papaano.

Pero last week, pinag-forced resignation ako ng boss ko. Hindi daw kasi kumikita ang company.

(to be continued)

Bad News

2010-07-29T23:34:00.003+08:00

Dahil napapag-usapan na din naman natin ang mga trabaho dito sa Singapore, meron pala akong sasabihin sa inyo:

NATANGGAL AKO SA TRABAHO KANINANG UMAGA! :(

Medyo in-anticipate ko na. History repeats itself. Napaiyak nga ako sa loob ng cubicle ng banyo sa sobrang lungkot at sama ng loob.

Paano na?! Babalik na ba ako sa Pilipinas?!

Wanna Work Here?

2010-07-20T11:28:00.016+08:00

Gusto mo bang magtrabaho dito sa Singapore?

Now is a good time to start monitoring the job market and keep an eye on possible opportunities. Kailangan ng Singapore ng additional 100,000 foreign workers. Click here for more details.

Kung matatandaan niyo, maraming tao ang naapektuhan ng economic crisis last year. Pahirapan ang paghahanap ng matinong trabaho, nagkakatanggalan pa ng mga empleyado sa maraming kumpanya. Ang mas masaklap pa, maraming organizations ang nagdeclare ng bankruptcy at tuluyang nagsara na. Kahit nga ako mismo, naging biktima ng recession. (Naalala niyo ito?) Sentro kasi ng ekonomiya sa Southeast Asia ang Singapore kaya naman sobrang naapektuhan ang bansang ito. Pero buti na lang, unti-unti ding nakabangon ito mula sa crisis at nagkaroon ng significant improvement ang economy nila this year. Now they're opening up again to foreign jobseekers.

Kaya ngayon pa lang, simulan mo nang bisitahin ang mga job portals na ito: Jobstreet SG, JobsDB SG, Monster SG, Jobscentral SG, at ST701.

Grateful

2010-07-18T04:55:00.020+08:00

Maybe it's time to go back.

Plano ko sanang tumigil muna sa pagba-blog dahil sa hindi magandang nangyari kamakailan lang. Dahil sa blog na ito meron akong nasaktan. Meron ding nagalit at nagwala, pero ang pinakamasama sa lahat, merong naghiwalay. Dahil sa blog na ito, isang relasyon ang tuluyang nasira. Isang pagkakaibigan din ang maaring mawala na.

Ngunit hindi pa nakakaraan ang isang linggo, nandito akong muli. You might want to ask, "Bakit ka kaagad bumalik?"

Pagkatapos kong ilathala ang 'hiatus' post ko nung isang araw, nakatanggap ako ng mga emails at YM messages galing sa mga taong hindi ko akalaing nagbabasa at nagbabasa pa din hanggang ngayon ng mga isinusulat ko. Sila 'yung mga taong wala namang blog at nadiskubre lamang ang aking gasolinahan by accident dahil kay Mr. Google. Sila din 'yung mga taong tahimik na sumusubaybay at nagbabasa dahil hindi naman nila gawaing makikulit sa pagbibigay ng komento o opinyon. Sila talaga 'yung masasabi mong totoong 'followers' dahil hindi naman sila humihingi ng kahit na anong kapalit, tulad ng x-links, comments sa sarili nilang blog o kung ano pa man.

Nakakataba lang ng puso ang mga isinulat nila. Mula sa pasasalamat at papuri dahil sa kung paano ko daw sila napatawa (kahit hindi naman ako komedyante), napaiyak (kahit hindi naman ako dramatic actor), at na-inspire (kahit hindi naman ako pari), hanggang sa pagbibigay nila ng payo, suporta, at kung anu-ano pang words of encouragement. Hindi ko naman akalain na ganun na lamang ang magiging impluwensiya ko sa kanila. Sino ba naman ako, 'di ba? Isa lang naman akong nilalang na minsang nagtrabaho sa isang gasolinahan.

Sobrang salamat sa inyo, at kilala niyo na kung sino-sino kayong mga pinasasalamatan ko. Hindi ko talaga alam ang bilang ng nagbabasa ng blog na ito (lima? apat? tatlo?), pero lubos akong nagagalak sa pagbibigay niyo ng oras at panahon sa pagsubaybay dito. You made me realize that... YES, there is power in the Internet and YES, there is power in blogging. BUT, there's also power in US. We make our own destinies, we are in control of our own actions, and we also reap what we sow.

Gusto ko sanang gamitin ang blogging sa mas magandang paraan. Kahit EMO pa din ako most of the time, gusto ko pa ding ipagpatuloy ang pamamahagi ng mga experiences ko bilang isang OFW dito sa Singapore. Gusto kong ihayag dito ang mga saloobin at opinyon ko sa mga nangyayari sa aking paligid, at gusto kong magpatuloy na kapulutan niyo ito ng aral at inspirasyon (kahit may kaunting doubt). LOL

Kaya nga't muli akong nagbabalik... dahil KAYO, aking mga mambabasa, ang mga naging inspirasyon ko. At walang halong stir 'yan.

Apologize

2010-07-12T09:55:00.007+08:00

The other party found out about my blog.

Previous post caused someone fury and pain. It eventually led to a breakup. An end to a commitment. A possible end also to a much-valued friendship.

The power of the Internet. The power of blogging.

********************

Due to the recent situation, I will be on an indefinite hiatus once again. My blog is supposed to serve as an outlet for myself, and hopefully an inspiration to others.

But what have I done?

********************

I’ve already explained my side on Twitter. Again to both parties, I apologize.

Illuminate

2010-06-24T11:33:00.008+08:00

" I miss you. :("

'Yan ang nabasa kong shout-out mo sa Tweetbook. Bigla tuloy akong napaisip. Ako kaya ang tinutukoy mo? Pero imposible. Kahit kailan naman hindi ako naging malakas sa 'yo. Pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyari sa 'tin, siya pa din ang pinili mo at hindi ako.

And it's been almost three years.

Hindi ko na pinagpatuloy ang pag-iisip. Nanuod na lang ulit ako ng World Cup via streaming. England vs. Slovenia. Ayokong manalo ang mga Briton.

Bigla na lang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Pagtingin ko, isang long-distance SMS. Galing sa Pilipinas.

Galing sa 'yo.

"No reaction. Hmp."

Natawa ako. Alam mo kasing lagi akong nakaabang sa mga shout-outs mo sa Tweetbook. Mukhang tama ang hinala ko, pero siyempre ayoko munang mag-assume. Kaya nag-reply ako.

"I miss you too. Ako ba 'yung na-miss mo? LOL"

"Hahaha. :)"

"Tinawanan mo lang ako. Hindi talaga ako malakas sa 'yo. Pero seryoso, ako ba?"

Ang reply mo, "Oo, ikaw."

Napangiti ako ng todo-todo. Kahit ang dami kong problema ngayon, parang napawi lahat ng dahil sa sagot mo. Gusto ko tuloy umuwi ng Pilipinas para lang mayakap ka at mahagkan.

Ang problema, complicated pa din ang sitwasyon. Hindi pa din puwedeng maging tayo kahit halos tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan. Hindi mo pa din siya magawang hiwalayan kahit na he's treating you like shit up to now. Sinasabi mo sa 'kin kung gaano mo ako kagusto, pero siya pa din ang mahal mo.

Isa pa, magkalayo tayo.

Pero masaya na ako sa kung ano man meron tayo. We have a special friendship beyond compare. Kahit matagal na akong umalis ng Pilipinas, we still manage to talk and update about each other's lives.

Pero mas masaya sana kung naging tayo. If only you could let my light illuminate your dark, lonely life...

EXCITED!

2010-06-18T13:26:00.008+08:00

1. Lilipat na ako ng bahay simula next month. Tapos na kasi ang contract namin sa Woodlands na tinirahan din namin ng halos dalawang taon. WAH! Mamimiss ko ang Woodlands! Kahit more than an hour ang binibiyahe ko araw-araw papuntang opisina dahil sa sobrang layo, marami din naman akong naging magagandang ala-ala dito. :(

Sa kabilang banda, excited na din akong lumipat sa aking bagong tirahan. Maganda ang lugar, at di hamak na mas malapit sa trabaho ko. Mga Pilipino din ang makakasama ko sa bahay, at mukha naman silang mababait. Sana nga makasundo ko sila.

2. Pupunta si Momski Womski dito sa Singapore next week! Magbabakasyon siya for about three weeks, kaya magkakasama na kami ulit! Excited ako kasi makikita niya ‘yung bagong bahay, at isa pa, dadalhin ko kasi siya sa Kuala Lumpur over the weekend para naman maranasan din niyang makapunta sa iba't-ibang lugar. Last year sa Indonesia ko siya dinala, so this time sa Malaysia naman. Sana magustuhan niya ang mga pinaplano ko para sa kanya.

3. Uuwi ako ng Manila sa October! Nag-sale ang Jetstar Asia simula kahapon kaya naman napa-book ako ng flight pauwi ng Pilipinas. Four days lang ang ilalagi ko kaya kailangang masulit ang bakasyong ito. Sa mga hindi ko na-meet and greet last February, heto na ang chance nating makapag-inuman at makapag-kiskisang siko. Ilibre niyo ko ha! (Calling Chingoy! LOL) Hehehe kitakits! :)

Ray of Light

2010-06-03T16:41:00.002+08:00

Meron akong ‘date’ next week. Nakilala ko siya a few months back, pero nagkita ulit kami recently at an event. She’s Singaporean Chinese, and very pretty. Ininvite ko siya for dinner, pumayag naman siya. Gusto daw niyang makatikim ng mga Filipino foods, so I might bring her to a Filipino restaurant.

Birthday din pala niya next week. She invited me to celebrate with her at a bar, pumayag din ako. Not much expectations though, mahirap na. OK na ‘yung ganito na nakakalabas ako kasama ang ibang tao. Pero masaya ako ngayon. :)

What I like most about her so far: she likes hugging. :)

Desperate Move

2010-05-30T21:45:00.005+08:00

Non-exclusive dating.

This is actually what I proposed to her para hindi niya ako iwan sa ere at basta ituring na kaibigan lang.

Ang usapan: she can date others, I can do the same thing. Then we can talk about it and share our experiences afterwards.

And surprisingly, she agreed and approved.

Desperation to the highest level, right? Sa sobra ko siyang gusto, naisip ko pa 'yung ganung idea, thinking that it would make her stay with me & bring back what we had before. Pero mali, na-realize ko na it's against my values at hindi ko pala kaya. I'm no Archie Andrews. Hindi ko kakayaning makitang makipag-date si Veronica Lodge kay Reggie Mantle at sa kung sino-sinong lalake. Selfish na kung selfish, pero mababaliw ako sa kaka-imagine kung anong ginagawa nila at kung gaano siya kasaya sa piling ng iba. Isa pa, masakit lang ding isipin na we started out dating exclusively for three weeks, tapos biglang magle-level down. Papahirapan ko lang ang sarili ko.

So when she told me one night that she'd be dating this Singaporean guy, hindi na ulit ako nagparamdam sa kanya. That was our last conversation, and I didn't even bother to say goodbye.

That was also the last time I've heard from her.

Three Weeks

2010-05-24T15:26:00.009+08:00

I met someone.

Matangkad. Maputi. Matalino. Maganda. Malaysian Chinese. (5M?) But she's young at 22 and still a student.

She's also the reason for my 'heartache' recently.

Nakilala ko siya sa Internet. (Don't ask for details kung paano dahil hindi ko ikukuwento. LOL) Nung una ko siyang makita, na-mesmerized akong sobra. Nakakatunaw ang mga ngiti niya. Pero nasabi ko sa sarili ko na she's out of my league. Masyado siyang perfect para sa 'kin in terms of appearance. Magmumukha akong alalay kapag katabi siya. Hindi naman sa sinasabi kong panget ako, pero wala lang, insecure lang ako and she's just too pretty for me.

At isa pa, hindi siya Pinoy. Ayoko sana sa hindi Pinoy. Baka kasi hindi kami magkaintindihan. Baka hindi kami magkasundo.

But despite my insecurities and doubts, I took my chances. I still pursued her. We dated, and she showed so much interest. Hindi ako makapaniwala na magkakagusto ang isang tulad niya sa isang tulad ko. Lagi kaming nagkikita after work. Kumakain kami sa labas. Nanonood ng sine. Nag-uusap at nagcha-chat every night. Nagbibigayan ng regalo sa isa't-isa.

We also shared some intimate moments together.

I was very happy. Cloud 9, 'ika nga. Para akong lumulutang. Akala ko SIYA na.

Pero nagkamali ako. After three weeks of dating, natapos ang lahat. Bigla ata siyang nagising. Suddenly, she has lost interest in me.

She became cold towards me. Alam kong may problema, but she was giving me all these excuses. Kesyo exams daw niya, at maraming activities sa school. I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Hinayaan ko siya, and I gave her the time and space that she needed.

Pero hindi ko natiis. After a few days, I asked her if we could talk. And then she told me the truth.

Sabi niya, kahit daw attracted siya sa 'kin, na-realize daw niya na wala kaming chemistry. She would want to date other people, and be open to other options. And then she offered her friendship.

FFFUUUCCCKKK!!!

May katangahan pa akong ginawa after that. It was a desperate move. Pero saka ko na lang ikukuwento.

Right now I'm tired. Two heartbreaks in a span of three months! And this has always been the case. Lagi na lang akong naiiwanan. What is wrong with me?! Parang lagi na lang sa akin 'yung problema.

But now I'm trying my best not to think about it too much. Nakaka-drain. I'm trying to focus on my work and other things. Ayokong masyadong ma-attach sa kanya. Ayokong ma-depress sa mga nangyari.

I'm trying to move on. Again.

Kaya pahinga muna ako. Ayoko munang makipag-date kahit kanino.

REASONS

2010-04-23T14:39:00.004+08:00

I’ve been busy.

BUSY WITH WORK. I know I should not be complaining as having work is considered a blessing. Pero siyempre, hindi mo naman maiiwasan na mapagod ang katawan pati na din ang isipan after a long day’s work. Lalo na’t alam mong undermanned kayo sa opisina at nagkukuripot ang Boss mo sa pagkuha ng additional staff. Wala tuloy akong magawa kundi ang mag-multitask. Dami pa namang projects ngayon. Tsk.

BUSY WITH FRIENDS. These past few weeks eh napapadalas ata ang paglabas ko kasama ang mga kaibigan ko dito sa Singapore. Marami ang nag-celebrate ng birthday (kasama na ako dun), at nag-ayang lumabas at gumimik. Marami din akong nakilalang mga bagong kaibigan thru Couchsurfing. Isa ito sa ipinagpapasalamat ko: I’ve been blessed with good friends here.

BUSY SEARCHING: I must admit, medyo tinatamaan ako ng lungkot lately. I miss being with someone. Kelan nga ba ‘yung last relationship ko? (Hmmm.) Masarap maging single, but only up to a certain extent. Nakaka-miss din pala ‘yung may ka-holding hands, pati ‘yung may ka-embrace ng mahigpit, ka-cuddle sa malambot na kama at ka-French kiss. LOL. I’ve been dating here, but I dunno, parang laging may kulang. Laging may mali.

BUSY MENDING A BROKEN HEART: Haha me ganown? Yeah, I’ve experienced heartaches and heartbreaks here. Anlaki na nga ng insecurities ko sa sarili. Na-realize ko nga na hindi pala enough ang maging pogi lang (Hahaha joke!) kasi it seems na hindi ka pa din appreciated. Ako pa naman ‘yung kapag usaping puso na, masyado akong nagiging private. Mas gusto ko ‘yung sinasarili ko ang mga problema ko. Meron din naman akong mga piling kaibigan, other than God, na nasasabihan ko ng lahat-lahat kapag hindi ko na talaga kaya. Umiyak na ako sa isang kaibigan lately dahil sa isang heartache. Kakahiya nga eh, pero ewan ko, alam ko din naman na ako lang ang makaka-solve ng mga problema ko.

I’ve been busy. Kaya naman hindi ako masyadong nakakapag-blog at nakakapag-bloghop lately.

Pasensiya na.

Birthday Greetings

2010-03-25T10:27:00.005+08:00

Birthday ko ngayon!

Gusto kong magpasalamat sa lahat ng kaibigan ko na nagpadala ng picture greetings para sa espesyal na araw na ito. Hindi niyo alam kung gaano niyo ako napasaya! Sabi ko naman sa inyo, mababaw lang ang kaligayahan ko. :)

Gumawa din ako ng video para i-compile lahat ng greetings. Sana magustuhan niyo.

Salamat ulit! :)

PAHABOL

2010-03-22T10:06:00.004+08:00

Gusto ko lang sabihin na pwede pang magpadala ng PICTURE GREETINGS hanggang bukas, Tuesday, March 23. Sa Thursday na ang mismong birthday ng inyong lingkod. (At malapit na din akong mawala sa kalendaryo. Ampf.)

Para sa karagdagang detalye, basahin ang aking previous post.

PENGE PICTURE GREETINGS!

2010-03-09T13:14:00.005+08:00

Malapit na birthday ko!

Kaya naman nananawagan ako sa inyo at humihinging muli ng mga PICTURE GREETINGS dahil ito lamang ang kasiyahan ko sa tuwing dumadating ang buwan ng Marso. Oo, mababaw lang naman ang kaligayahan ko. Padalhan niyo lang ako ng inyong mga pictures na mayroong mga pagbati na "Happy Birthday", "Maligayang Kaarawan", o kaya "Haberdey". (Hehe basta kayo na ang bahala.) The more creative, the better.

Ipadala ang mga PICTURE GREETINGS on or before March 21st. Ang aking email address ay: gasulero@gmail.com.

Para magkaroon kayo ng ideya kung paano ito gawin, ito ang compilation ng mga PICTURE GREETINGS na natanggap ko last year. Sana naman ay kasing-rami din nito ang matanggap kong PICTURE GREETINGS this year. :)

Singsnap

2010-03-04T07:12:00.004+08:00

Have you guys heard of Singsnap?

Isa ito sa mga medyo kinaaadikan ko ngayon sa Internet. It's a site wherein you can actually record your voice while singing your favorite tunes. Pwede ka ding makinig ng mga recordings ng ibang tao. Nakakatuwa lang kasi frustrated songer ang inyong lingkod at mahilig akong mag-videoke nung nasa Pinas pa ako. Matagal ko ng planong mag-record ng kanta sa isang studio (kahit sa Karaoke King lang), pero hindi matuluy-tuloy ~~dahil walang pera~~.

Ito ang sample. Pasensiya na kung medyo pumipiyok-piyok pa. LOL

Going Back?

2010-02-28T23:45:00.008+08:00

I just got the most surprising phonecall.

It was someone from the past. My former BOSS!

Naalala niyo ba 'yung kinukuwento ko dati na na-retrench ako sa una kong trabaho dito sa Singapore? Naging isang malaking problema 'yun para sa akin. Mapapauwi kasi ako sa Pilipinas ng wala sa oras kapag hindi ako makahanap ng panibagong trabaho sa lalong madaling panahon.

The business was really bad last year because of the economic crisis. At dahil ako ang pinakahuling na-hire ng kumpanya, ako din ang unang pinakawalan. Masaklap, pero wala akong nagawa. Kailangang tanggapin ang kapalaran. Mabuti na lang at talagang mabait ang Diyos, in a matter of two to three weeks, nakahanap kaagad ako ng trabahong kapalit.

Last Friday habang sobrang busy sa opisina, nag-ring bigla ang cellphone ko. Hindi ko kilala kung sino ang tumatawag, pero sinagot ko pa din. Narinig ko bigla ang isang pamilyar na boses.

"Hey man, how are you?"

Si Rahul! Ang Indian kong boss sa dati kong kumpanya!

Taas-noo ako sa boss kong 'yan. He's one of my best mentors whom I highly respect. Mabait. Matalino. Very pleasant at personable. Although meron siyang mga business views and decisions na hindi ko sinang-ayunan, marami pa din akong natutunan sa kanya. And I love his family. He has a very loving wife and two cute kids.

Kinamusta niya ako. Tinanong kung saan na ako nagta-trabaho at ano na daw ba ang balita sa akin. Nag-kuwento naman ako tungkol sa mga pinagkakaabalahan ko.

Tapos 'eto na ang mga sunod na nangyari:

RAHUL: I'm thinking of bringing you back to the company.

AKO: *speechless*

RAHUL: The business is picking up this year. I want to rebuild the team. I want you to be part of it.

AKO: *speechless*

RAHUL: Think about it over the weekend. I will call you again by Monday, then we'll discuss.

AKO: OK. Great to hear from you again. I'll talk to you on Monday.

Kaya bukas, mag-uusap kami ni Rahul.

Abangan na lang ang susunod na kabanata.

I'm a Really "NICE" Guy!

2010-02-22T11:31:00.017+08:00

Another heartache.

No details. All I want to say is, I cannot force myself to someone who does not and cannot appreciate me despite all my efforts. And I cannot compete with the past (What more to be compared to? FOUL!). It'd be a lost battle if pursued, just like digging my own grave.

Also, I've had enough of crappy, shitty excuses.

Need to move on and keep busy. Yes I'm hurting right now, but I don't want to waste my time anymore.

You will just be a waste of my time if ever.

Makapiling Kang Muli

2010-02-15T01:34:00.007+08:00

Balik Singapore na ulit ako.

Marami ang nagtatanong kung bakit sandali lang daw ako nagbakasyon sa Pilipinas. Tanong ko naman sa sarili ko, maigsi nga lang ba ang isang linggo? Para kasing matagal din, medyo na-bore pa nga ako. After a few days, parang gusto ko na ulit bumalik ng Singapore. Hindi na nga ba ako sanay mamalagi sa sarili kong bayan? Nagsawa na nga ba ako sa ingay at polusyon ng Maynila?

Bago kayo mag-react, kaya naman kasi ako nakaramdam ng ganun eh dahil mabilis din akong naubusan ng pera sa dami ng pinamili at nilibre ko. Para akong naholdap pagkatapos ng ilang araw kaya naman naatat na ulit akong bumalik dito sa Singapore para magtrabaho at sumuweldo ulit. LOL

On a more serious note, kaya naman talaga ako umuwi ng Pilipinas pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon ay dahil kay Momski Womski. Siya ang first priority ko, at gusto kong makita ang tunay na kalagayan niya. Hindi din kasi madali para sa amin ang magkahiwalay dahil wala naman kaming maaasahan kundi ang isa't-isa. Wala na si Popski Wopski, at wala naman din akong mga kapatid. Opo, only child ako.

Kung madali nga lang na kunin na siya at dito na kami pareho manirahan para magkasama na kami ulit...

Pero hindi ko pa ata kaya. Hindi pa. :(