tochs thoughts on climbing, manila

2012-02-16T22:47:00.003+08:00

Handling Consumer Complaints

Deal with the person’s feelings

Deal with the problem

1. Listen

2. Establish rapport

3. Create solution

4. Close

5. Take action

Dave J., consultant to the Sta Rosa Complex Supply Chain goes to Sta Rosa from Pasay via SLEX. He drops by Starbucks in San Pedro Petron for a cup of coffee in the morning. Last 15 February, the bill for about a hundred was charged against his international credit card. When he reached the complex and checked his bill, he discovered that the swiped amount was in thousands.

During lunch time at Solenad (a few kilometers from the complex), I suggested to Dave that he informs the outlet right away to reverse the online credit card transaction. Unfortunately, the documents did not provide the contact cell, landline nor email contacts. Dave says no problem because the staff knows him and can be corrected the next day.

I suggested that we handle the correction right away to catch the credit card debit process. I likewise expressed interest in observing having gone through a Consumer Complaint Handling program of Quality Assurance. As there was a Starbucks outlet nearby in Nuvali (not the outlet where the sale was made), Dave readily agreed to present his case.

With the bill and the attached credit card duplicate slip, we went to Starbucks Nuvali counter. The barista was with another young personnel. Dave presented his case to both of them. As an American, he was polite, unassuming and courteous with the staff. I was civil.

Here is how it was handled.

“The entries do not match.” “Where sir did this happen?”asked Gail. “At the Petron station,” Dave answered. I added the info that he used an international credit card and is due to leave in a few days. Then Gail casually said in a friendly manner, “Usually, they rebate the balance in cash.” Gail then asked for cell contact numbers for contact. (Dave was not sure on the correctness of the local cell number.) After a short talk, Gail asked to be excused so he can alert the store manager of San Pedro.

In the meantime, Dave and I still standing continued our casual conversation. After a while, Gail returned back to the store and said:

1. Info on the incidence was relayed to the San Pedro Store Manager.

2. Manager apologized for the inconvenience.

3. Credit card transaction was reversed. If Dave goes back to Starbucks in San Pedro the following day, he can claim the cancelled transaction slip.

4. The coffee orders are on them.

In less than 10 minutes, we completed our purpose leaving the store. As we left, we thanked Gail for the assistance. Gail returned us with a close saying, “Sir our store is just a few kilometers away from your plant, perhaps you may want to visit us.”

We left Starbucks Nuvali pleased recalling that:

• Gail Paharo, the Store Manager listened casually to Dave’s concern

• Established rapport by recognizing we had a concern and are Starbucks customers by saying “which outlet do you usually take your coffee?” He secured informally information on the transaction in question by asking contact numbers, date and whereabouts of transaction.

• He initially set us up that solution is at hand, cash rebate and San Pedro outlet will reply.

• He took action as he did call the Store Manager in between not in our presence.

• He solved the incidence.

• He closed with an invitation.

What was beyond expectation was, he solved the problem on behalf of the other store: credit card transaction cancelled, purchase was on them all in less than 10 minutes.

He did a service recovery pitch by inviting us to visit Starbucks Nuvali too, to which Dave and I readily agreed.

2012-01-23T20:56:00.002+08:00

The Night KGG Joy Hosted a Gathering before the 2012 Chinese New Year
Habang palalim ng palalim ang gabi, unti unting lumalabas ang mga kwento ng nakaraaan. Mga sitwasyong di maalala, sandaliang tinatanggi. Nandoon na rin ang mga masasayang alaala na masarap balik-balikan.
Ngunit ang klaro sa gabing ito ay ang hirap mag-organize ng isang climb sa mga taong iba’t-iba na ang prioridad sa buhay. Nandoon pa rin ang mga pangyayaring pagbibida, pagtanggi, pagpupursigi at pananahimik (ehem, ako po yun).
Para sa akin, nagagawa lang ito ng mas maluwag sa kalooban ng bawa’t isa ang tapatang sagutin ang katangunan, “Ba’t ko gustong umakyat muli?” Para sa gamit? Sa pagsasama? Sa alaala ng mga nawalang kaibigan? O trip lang o pagsubok sa kakayahan? Para sa mga anak? O bagong kaibigan.
Mahirap sagutin. Maaring bigyan muna na ng maiksing panahon, maiksi na lang para matuloy na ang intensyong ito. Maaring makakatulong kung sagutin na rin ang katangunan, “Ano ang toka ko sa akyat na ito?”
Sa tropang ito, madali makuha ang kasagutan. Maiksing panahon na lang sa pananaw ko at lalarga na ang biyaheng ito.
_____________________________________________________________

As the night deepened, slowly the mountain stories unfolded. Moments of forgetfulness, unnamed mountains, happy times, euphoric feelings were common that evening. Like the food that was unlimited, so were the situations with Mother Nature.

What was clear that night was it was difficult to organize a climb. While there are now other priorities in life, it apparently was not the obstacle to firm up a plan. Not even the presence of a certified coach CSC expedited the decision process. Because we just allowed the moment to unfold by itself naturally. There are bragging, denials, determined pursuit and even plain quiet introspection probing "What really was the past 20 years for me?"

For me it would have been easier to come to an alignment if we first asked ourselves the usual question, "Why do I want to climb again?" To field audit my equipment? To experiment a new recipe? For the bonding and friendship? To honor a dead friend? Or simply a plain adventure to test still our physical capability? To climb with our children or new found friends?

Difficult to answer these days. Allow us some time to ponder about it. However it might be easier to answer the practical query, "What am I willing to give for this climb to happen? Then it would just be a matter of short time that this activity will take off. Because . . . alll of us have the same purpose. HNY 2012!

Fotos taken by Nelson M, owned by KGG Joy DA, grabbed by the FB foto album

Advent and Adversities

2011-12-20T15:06:00.001+08:00

2011-12-18T23:16:00.001+08:00

Message from Saturday night's Simbang Gabi at the Gesu, "Something's Coming", from Sunday's homily, "Hurdling Adversities." Lines I picked up from the Parol description: The Christmas Parol like the Star of Bethlehem conveys a message of hope, faith and victory over darkness.

Info I picked up from Edsel.

Mga kaibigan. Updates on how to ship DONATED goods to CDO/Iligan via Abotiz/Negros Navigation. Emergency/Relief goods and equipment bound for Cagayan de Oro/Iligan- we have ships ready to transport them asap. For bulk items, bring directly to Abotiz/Negros Navigation, Pier 2, Manila. Call +63 2 211 5484 for more information. Manila collection centers for relief goods: NN-ATS Express Center at Pier 2; NN-SuperFerry corporate ticket outlets in 1) Robinson's Ermita, 2) Araneta Center Cubao, 3) Victory Mall Caloocan and 4) Pier 15 and 5) Pier 2.

Ateneo Dream Team processing station last 18 Dec

2011-12-01T14:35:00.004+08:00

Last Black Friday night, the night after Thanksgiving Thursday, I was in a company of product distribution experts on a drinking and food eating trip along the strip of Manila Bay at MOA (Mall of Asia) San Miguel by the bay.

Traditionally in the U.S. Thanksgiving has been an institutionalized event where the family recognizes appreciation for the blessings over sumptuous dinner. Our local version is an office gathering with shared billing. One came from the river bank of Rizal, another from Laguna and the rest from Paco in Manila. The prime mover earlier shopped for the fresh "pusit, tahong, tilapia, tuna" at the nearby wet market and had it cooked (paluto) at the selected outlet. Beer was order as much, food almost like "eat all you can" as the prices are affordable to a company of mid managers.

Talk point that evening did not center on giving thanks neither on what's working. Instead it dwelt on what is not working, routines not followed, regulations ignored. At some point, some raised the solution of "ethnic cleansing" to address the root cause. No wonder I said, it was a Black Friday. It turned out to be a ranting session to cope with situation not according to norms, by the group's standards. Talks were on violation, sleeping on the job, conflict of interest, etc. I selectively listened but did not contribute. I savored all the seafood servings but did not drink as much San Mig Pale Pilsen. Discussion extended for hours until way past midnight.

Foto grabbed from http://manila-photos.blogspot.com/

Did the activity have any value? Yes it has as the food was good. Yes as it was with a pleasant company. At the end of the session, it felt good to have attended a gathering, thankful that that the four of us were still around looking forward to more sessions hopefully with more pleasantries than stories on failed responsibilities. “Kailan ulit?” Happy Thanksgiving Day!

2011-11-21T00:45:00.008+08:00

Topics in my mind:

-BPI Bank of Philippine Island in Metro Manila has online queue when in the bank premises. Did it cut waiting time?

-CDR King, the mainstream retailer of computer users computes manually. Will they computerize in the near future?

-Why DZUP radio show conversations are engaging keeping me glued on the radio. Will the shows continue to interest me?

Sa-a-a-d movies always make me cry

He said he had to work so I went to the show alone

They turned down the lights and turned the projector on

And just as the news of the world started to begin

I saw my darlin' and my best friend walk in

-Wit on the new sunshine industry, the neighborhood laundry shop. Spotted on 12th Avenue Murphy, “Suds Story” and “Wet n Wash.” My favorite is “Wash Now My Love” at F. Castillo st. in Project 4. Laundry cost is P25.0 a kilo, wash and dry only. Tea houses too are mushrooming with their creative names. Spotted at Diliman are: "Infini Tea" and "Cha Dao." Are there more?

What now my love, now that you left me. How can I live through another day

2011-11-12T17:36:00.006+08:00

5 Incidences That I am Grateful for and Appeciative of:

Alvin of Open Pinoy patiently cleaned the 15.1 LCD screen of my Think Pad removing the spots inside the glass panel this 12 November, Saturday. Divertion to surfing will now be minimized.
Habagat Davao sent via JRS the pair of metal braces for the Kinabalu Travel Pack bought almost a month ago and received today Saturday. Pack can now be loaded with more kilos of pomelo for my next trip.
An elderly gentleman with carts of groceries offered me a slot in front of him at the check out counter of S and R in Quezon City two weeks ago. The gesture was timely as I was in hurry to bring in supplies to a luncheon which is due in several minutes.
Closed the 5 month cadetship session of 10 appreciative engineers this 11.11.11. It is gladdening to hear from a feedback at the end of the day that "they are now better prepared for the eventualities of tomorrow's realities."
Heard my name specially mentioned by Jane of Tropang Radyo of DZUP 1602 AM while driving along C5 last 11 November Friday night at about 7. I happen to be a fan of the AM station which is now one of my rich sources of ideas, insights and inspiration.

2011-11-01T12:41:00.002+08:00

I was due to arrive in Manila past one from Cebu the Friday before the long weekend. The PAL plane from Manila arrived an hour late at the Mactan International Airport resulting in a series of delays for the day for the Boeing Jet.

“Manageable,” I told myself. But as we reached the island of Luzon, the pilot announced that there would be a delay in landing due to some operations at the Manila airport. We hovered around South Luzon for an hour until our flight was given clearance to land. It was my 1st time to view landing from the South side of the airport as we would traditionally pass by the air route from East when we would land from coming either the Visayas, Mindanao or from abroad. I found out upon landing that the President of Vietnam departed that same afternoon putting on hold any plane movements at the airport.

Grabbed from the Inquirer

“Still manageable,” I convinced myself. On the way out of the airport, I was caught in a gridlock mid afternoon, 1st at the Quirino Highway until Osmeńa Highway due to the combined volume of private vehicles and big hauling trucks and in Kamuning along Judge Jimenez st. until Kamias. Gridlock was caused by bottlenecks at every intersection of private vehicles and motorcycles cramming for the same limited road space.

Later on that evening, broadcast news validated that traffic was extremely heavy that afternoon until late in the evening as it was a Friday, pay day and Metro residents are moving out to take advantage of the 4-day free day. I was pleased to have heard that news while in the comfort of my destination for the day.

Two days after was altogether a different situation. Metro Manila that Monday was in a relatively relaxed state getting the much needed relief from the stress of a congested city. There was hardly any vehicle in both major highways and local roads. Neither are there any mass gatherings at the streets. Movement from the East side of Metro Manila to the West was a breeze.

Such was the cycle of stress to stress-free. Metro Manila this Monday was given the chance to rejuvenate and to expel the carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles. This much needed respite was timely and temporary, preparing itself for the hurried pace of the forthcoming 2011 holiday season. Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T18:22:00.002+08:00

Forthcoming: City under stress Friday at rest Monday.
Sent via mobile phone

2011-10-26T05:24:00.006+08:00

Some roads are not meant to be travelled alone.

250 kilometers of Twists, Turns and Surprises around Taal Lake

An American facilitator who hails from Old England and lives in Spain was in Manila and asked me “What are you doing this Saturday?” In effect I was asked, “Bring me around the city and nearby where I can appreciate nature, food, history and people in a day.” Quickly the night before, I mapped out an itinerary which should fulfill these expectations of a well travelled guest. Running in my mind as a criteria were: it must show a modern city and its infrastructure, bistros for conversations, grand views, and historical sites building up interest as we complete.

This 8AM to 10PM activity started out from a Makati hotel pick up and back. In between we moved out of Metro Manila via Bonifacio Global City highlighting the “Fort” buildings and the Manila American Cemetery and Libingan ng mga Bayani.

We took South Luzon Expressway exiting at Sta. Rosa Laguna to show the training centers, industrial park and urban expansion. 1st stop in less than an hour was a coffee shop at the ridge. Java Jazz Coffee is a small bistro type shop in an all wood structure ventilated coolly by the breeze of Tagaytay. It is manned by 2 young baristas who served coffee with care and dedication. Setting was sufficient trigger to start a conversation about coaching, life struggles and travel. Not minding the time, it was an ideal place to go on and on and on.

But that was just for starters. From cozy we went grand, Antonio’s. Antonio is about 15 minutes from the coffee jazz but miles and miles away in structure. Built by a landlord of Negros, it is an architectural wonder; rooms are oversized, interiors are well appointed, food is excellent. From the many dining function rooms, we chose a corner at the garden for a small meal. Like the 1st stop, the patio setting and cool air set us up for more conversations on career.

Past lunch, we moved further South to Taal for view of the heritage town after a brief stopover at Sonya’s Garden. Taal showcased the rich Philippine heritage as evidenced by the Taal Basilica, ancestral houses and cobblestone streets. On the way out, we dropped by the shoreline just to have a glimpse of the sea. To the surprise of the guests, the residents appeared not to have shown any appreciation for the sea which according to them is a premium in their country.

Resort in Alitagtag

Nearing the completion of the loop, I included in the itinerary a resort known only to a handful meant to show a panoramic view of Taal from the West side at night. From this resort in Aligtagtag Batangas, it appeared that Mt. Maculot, a popular mountaineering destination was just within reach.

We returned back to Metro Manila via STAR and SLEX logging in about 250 kilometers of travel traversing from Metro Mania, Laguna, Cavite and Batangas in a day. Ending our expedition was a dinner at the wings of Vivere on the 31st floor which showed the Metro Manila skyline.

All in a day, Manila and the 3 nearby South Luzon provinces were seen differently; no longer as a cramped space but expansive with natural wonders and attractions. Guests said "They'll bring their friends from other countries when they come back to Manila." I said "I’d cover the track again with another company." As some roads are not meant to be travelled alone and done only once, especially this 250 kilometer trip of twists, turns and surprises around Taal Lake.

At the 31/F of Vivere

2011-10-20T17:23:00.005+08:00

I sat in a training session which maps outs a development process of an associate in a corporate organization. It imparted a main message that "an associate expedites his growth in the organization if he charts out his destiny as a leader of the self." Key is his awareness of the need for directions and support to succeed which he draws out from his immediate leader.

This development is a dynamic journey leading to a peak performance where the associate is transformed from a novice position to a reliable performer.

Driving this achievement of result is in influencing partners to help achieve one's goals.

Learning to make snow balls for the 1st time, then filling up the sleigh.
Sliding on a sleigh is another skill. Enjoying it later is self reliance.

What I realized is each one has an inherent power to influence whether personal, relationship, position or task. It is just that we are hesitant to tap this power for several reasons: fear, comfort etc.

Life is a mystery. It capitalizes on any trigger to pin down a message. This time, it was through a sit-in session where I did not even intend to complete which I did and eventually participated in.

-Personal Notes

Pickpockets nab Paris police chief’s smartphone

2011-10-20T13:18:00.001+08:00

PARIS—A group of audacious pickpockets has managed to nab the smartphone of Paris's chief of police while he was preparing to board a train, police sources said on Wednesday. The thieves at the Gare de Lyon train station distracted Paris police prefect Michel Gaudin by asking him to sign a petition and swiped the mobile telephone from his pocket, the sources told AFP. No sensitive information was contained in the phone, the sources said. The embarrassing episode comes as the French interior ministry is in the midst of a campaign to raise public awareness of the growing risk of mobile telephone thefts.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/79741/pickpockets-nab-paris-police-chiefs-smartphone-2

2011-10-16T23:47:00.004+08:00

Is there a benefit to checking in online?

Two major airlines allow web check-in for domestic flights: Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines. Philippine Airlines does not have the feature.

Web check-in is an advantage for those who booked their flights on-line. With web check-in, it completes the cycle of reduced exposure to human personnel thus freeing up queuing time.

There are guidelines. For Cebu Pacific, check in is allowed within 48 to 4 hours before departure, 24 to 3 hours for Air Philippines. Once checked in, one can no longer change the status. You are considered "flown," thus no refund and flight changes will be considered.

Web check-in technically means you forego the 2nd step of presenting yourself at the airline check in counter (1st step is the entry to the airport through the security guard). Your next step is paying the terminal fee and showing up at least 30 minutes before departure time at the pre-departure area. If you however have a baggage to check-in, you are required to present yourself to the web check-in counter which relatively has a faster processing time. With a baggage to check-in, you defeat the purpose though of reducing waiting time at the airport and the queue.

Checking-in online already gives you the seat number and your boarding pass. To some extent your boarding gate has already been pre-identified. You must print your boarding pass provided at website yourself for presentation with your identification card either at the security check or before boarding. (If you fail to do this, web on-line counter is the recourse.)

One clear advantage of this feature in Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines is you need not rush to the airport an hour (or two for Cebu Pacific) before departure. Your seat gets forfeited only when you don’t meet the boarding time. In this case, you also forfeit your payment.

Try it out if it fits your needs. It did for me in this month's leg. Though I still prefer to be at the airport early to update my blogsite and post online if there is a free wi-fi.

This is a personal essay. Check the airline sites for the official guide. Policies may differ. Rules also differ for international flights.

2011-10-09T09:23:00.002+08:00

Adventuresome and Introvert Branding

Quietly in front of the scene

Adventuresome: inclined to take risks Venturesome: not inclined to take the beaten path

Looking out. Taken by Banny

Introvert: inward. Introverts have a lot to bring if sparked. They have an amazing ability to discover new thoughts, an uncanny ability to focus, to concentrate, to connect the dots, to observe and note things that most people miss, to listen extremely well and are often found having a rich and vivid imagination too.

The more extroverts become knowledgeable about introverts, the less tension and misunderstanding there will be among the two. Introverts and extroverts make a good balance.

2011-10-08T21:20:00.007+08:00

The week that passed must have been the most stretched air mileage I covered in my travel log.

Taking off from Manila on a Monday via PAL Airbus which took me to Cebu in the Visayas for a forum kicked off the loop. I returned back to Manila the following day returning back to Visayas in Silay via Air Philippines a day after. A commuter shuttle brought me to Bacolod for an activity.

Silay was a connecting air transport hub to Cebu via Cebu Pacific in a prop jet for another session Thursday PM. After an extended drinking spree with colleagues at the hotel coffee shop in the boundary of Mandaue and Cebu, I quickly packed to prepare for an early morning flight to Davao via Cebu Pacific in an Airbus.

I arrived in Davao early Friday morning with the luxury of commuting to the city proper in a public transpo for a coffee at Tata Benito’s coffee shop and arroz caldo at Davao’s Dencia’s. Rest of the day was spent facilitating a discussion in Ulas.

This swing exposed me to 2 international Centennial Terminals (2 and 3) in Manila, 2 international airports in the Visayas (Silay and Mandaue) and 1 in Mindanao in Davao, to PAL’s 747 and Cebu Pacific’s Airbus 320, Cebu Pacific Stuart Lawson prop jet and to Air Philippines’ Airbus 320. PAL’s service crews were formally dressed, Air Philippines’ casually dressed in shorts and Cebu Pacific in leisurely Bench outfits.

How was this for an adventuresome introvert?

At the PAL Centennial pre departure area, we were kept in suspense if the flight would depart or get cancelled in the light of the PALEA stoppage that started a week before. Fortunately, the flight took off though a bit delayed.

Landing in Cebu from Silay in a Cebu Pacific propeller jet was a challenge for the pilot as isolated rain caused poor visibility at the Mactan International Airport making the pilot circle wide the island several times before getting clearance for landing.

Commuting from Silay to Bacolod and back was a visual and sensual delight seeing ancestral homes, ruins, expansive green farmlands in a cool and airy surrounding.

The aerial view of the farms in Negros uniformly in green extending a wide kilometric radius was refreshing and an picture perfect setting.

All in all, I logged in at total of 1,682 nautical miles in a span of 6 hours and 15 minutes excluding the waiting and the check in time.

This week’s travel added to confidence to my travel sense. It validated that even with several linkages, multiple destinations and transfers, unarranged land travels I can manage. Supporting my travel were agents based in Manila who ensured I get booked in teh airline of my choice even if arranged a day or so before and the base organizers who have pre-arranged the business requirements of forums. I attribute this to a clear road map, discipline and appropriate resources.

It is fulfillment and enjoyment. An adventursome introvert like me after all loves mobility provided I have a base to come home to, to refresh and to prepare myself for the next one.

Traveler equipped with basics such as versatile 30 liter carry on, compact Nikon camera, Centro phone, all surface Rockport-Adidas walking shoes, Ralph Lauren jeans, Mountain Hardwear shirts, waterproof and breathable Montbell particle jacket. Expenses funded by a sponsor.

Map from Cebu Pacific Route

Cebu to Manila is 571 kilometers (equals to 354 miles or 308 nautical miles.)

Manila to Bacolod is 488 kilometers (equals to 303 miles or 263 nautical miles.)

Bacolod to Cebu is 112 kilometers (equals to 69 miles or 60 nautical miles.)

Cebu to Davao is 404 kilometers (equals to 251 miles or 218 nautical miles.)

Davao to Manila is 974 kilometers (equals to 605 miles or 525 nautical miles.)

Total in miles 1,682 nautical miles, 6 hours and 30 minutes of travel excluding the waiting

2011-10-06T05:26:00.000+08:00

A visit at any mountaineering store anywhere in the Philippines manned by fellow mountaineer never fails to spark a conversation.

Looking for a 35 liter backpack, I dropped by the Habagat outlet in CM Recto in the University Belt in Manila beside University of the East. Without establishing credentials, owner Bong Ortiz informed me the available stocks in his store and explained their basic features. Picking up from my interest in the brand Habagat, he narrated why the brand is in short supply in Luzon but not in the Visayas and relayed his sourcing of the TNF brand from Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.

He later gave leads on other shops in Metro Manila where I may be able to see the model I am interested in. He gave anecdotes on why Sandugo is doing an aggressive move out stocks which is a result of a failed China deal and how Conquer the brand is faring.

For someone who has not visited a store before, this interesting conversation is much appreciated.

I recall in Sept 2009 when I was wandering aimlessly at the Gen San side streets, I spotted an outdoor store Southern Peak Outdoor Depot along Champaca st., just across Manny Pacquiao’s commercial building. The staff entertained me well leading to an invitation to a Mt. Matutum climb via an unpopular route-via Datal Lanao.

It is great to experience that “Travel forces us to rely more on others, and the truth we learn is that our planet is a friendly place. People want to be good to one another - regardless of their background, religion, or culture.”

2011-10-03T08:00:00.001+08:00

Without a map and an initial check on the attractions worth seeing in
Naga City, I took a stroll at Magsaysay avenue armed with just a
common sense of direction.

At the intersection near the Minor Basilica, I asked a rookie cop
walking to my direction on how I can reach Cam Sur. Speaking in
combined Bicol and Tagalog, he gave me a perspective on directions and
a detailed instruction on the jeepney and bus rides with rates.

Does this count as an act of kindness to a stranger? No you would say
because that's his job. Yes I say because across the street, he was
signalling the jeepney driver to stop for me.

In these times, blessings do count. Thus I did not skip paying respect
to Ina for them.

2011-10-03T05:30:00.000+08:00

Captured images of a semi-religious trip.

2011-10-02T06:24:00.000+08:00

The Kindness of Strangers lifted from The National Geographic Traveler Magazine March 2004

The Kindness of Strangers is a compilation of true stories of on-the-road friendliness. Here's a word from the author, Don George:
Why stories about people being nice? Kindness is easier to see when you are removed from your everyday context. Travel forces us to rely more on others, and the truth we learn is that our planet is a friendly place. People want to be good to one another - regardless of their background, religion, or culture.
Which stories are your favorites? Naturally, I think they're all good. Jan Morris writes about being rescued from a muddy pothole in St. Petersburg. Pico Iyer befriends a philosophical trishaw driver in Mandalay. Simon Winchester enters a "state of grace" thanks to a spirited vicar on remote Ascensin Island.
Are some places kinder than others? Destinations are not kind to strangers; people are. Some cultures may cultivate warmer interaction, but kindness itself transcends place and culture.
Where have you experienced this? Locals have gone out of their way to help me in each of the 70-plus countries I've been to. A Greek family included my family in their Easter celebration; a Japanese trucker detoured and hour to drive me to a tiny village; a young boy in Cairo led me by the hand from a sinister neighborhood; a Kenyan craftsman gave me a carving he just made. I now find myself going out of my way to help people, in gratitude for the kindness that's been extended to me.
What is the lesson of your book? "We're all interconnected on life's journey, and kindness is ours to withhold or bestow. If we live everyday with kindness, we create a more graceful world."

National Geographic George W. Stone
Don George is a legendary travel writer and editor who has won numerous awards for his work. He has been travel editor at the San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle, founded and edited the Wanderlust section of Salon.com, and most recently was Global Travel Editor at Lonely Planet Publications. He is the author of The Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Writing and the editor of six literary travel anthologies, including The Kindness of Strangers, Tales from Nowhere, and By the Seat of My Pants. E-mail Don at dgeorge@ngs.org.
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/traveler-magazine/trip-lit/hot-house-flower-and-the-9-plants-of-desire/

Instances of Kindness of Strangers:
1. Asking for directions
2. Use of toilet
3. Request for a drink
4. Giving a free ride

2011-09-10T17:14:00.004+08:00

Sembrano Climb takes its toll of a female climber
July 31, 1999 ni Di Makapili

A Special Report on the Scene of the Climb

Sembrano took a toll of a female climber in an expedition last 26-27 July from 4:30 PM to 12:30 noon the following day in this isolated mountain range occupied exclusively by this group on that stormy, windy weekend. Climber was said to be a seasoned one, a professional marketer and cook, a capable climber, master prober and host and an affiliate of an umbrella organization whose identity will remain to be anonymous to protect her interest and reputation. Climber was reportedly housed in isolation and has not reported for work for the past 2 days (Monday and Tuesday). She claimed to have spent her day at home washing and cleaning her tent with repeated attempts in inducing burping to throw up.

The Pililia local police were checking the whereabouts of 5 male climbers of varying personalities and interests who were reportedly seen with the female from the start to the end of the trek particularly in the dark moments nearing midnight Saturday under the intermittently bright new moon. An investigative team was dispatched at the scene of the crime at about 500 M ASL North East of Mount Sembrano overlooking Magbitac and Siniloan. Noted was a patch of lot with orderly bended cogon grass in about 2 X 6-meter dimension. Perpetuators were reportedly neat operators, as they “left no trace” except for some signs of road widening and trail damages. It looked like a body was dragged down from the socials area to the camping grounds.

Cleared was a male climber in a black TNF backpack. He was apparently the organizer of the expedition as he coordinated all timing arrangements, food plans, transpo and trail tracing. Sufficient proof was presented that he was alone in the tent under the mango tree during the probable time of the incident while the rest of the expedition group was having a good time at the socials.

Authorities were looking forward to see the prints of the photo coverage taken from a professional Nikon camera and a high tech advanced photo system device simply branded as IXUS II Canon.

Also tracked for possible leads were two other male climbers who decided to forego participation in the trek at the last minute. One claimed to have suffered a broken spinal column and the other claimed to have scheduled laundry chores. Police are still checking at the submitted medical report. The other climber though could not present freshly washed laundry. These two demonstrated strong interest on the whereabouts of the climb. Climber with back problem immediately asked to highlights of the climb from the Mindanao born participant and from the leader. Climber with household chores particularly asked how the female climber was.

Bribery was present. A participant from Angono Rizal who was among those under the heavy influence bribed everyone with a fried itik (roasted duckling), a specialty of his hometown apparently to silence the witnesses. Two probable incidents he wished to be erased were the dragging and road widening and the missing tent door.

Other questions that needed further probing were:

Could it have been done by the two non-drinkers as their judgment were not impaired?
Who was with the female climber up to the last moments when she was picked up at 7-11 Cainta Sunday afternoon?
What was the motivation for the late Friday night calls between the female climber and the two other climbers who opted not to go?
Could this not just be the handiwork of the female climber who wanted to get national prominence from the weekend? Or did she want to catch somebody else’s attention?
Could the female climber simply be making everything up to gain back the attention of her climbing friends who based on her own admission were all unavailable that weekend?
Why was this Cainta-based climber extra nice to the female climber even preparing coffee that late in the morning?
What secret ingredient did this non-drinking climber in the sinigang broth place? Could it have been the stimulus that kept the action going?
Was the leader really cleared? Or he staged an early retirement when mission was already clearly accomplished?
Who is this bespectacled climber who claimed no knowledge whatsoever on this climb and yet was scheduled to visit the scene of the crime on 31 July?

A hearing was set at Albertos in F. B. Harrison Pasay at about 8 PM Wednesday 28 July to expedite the resolution of the case and to schedule the next climb that is, if clearances and permits will be issued to them.
CMC Press 31 July 1999

2011-09-05T06:42:00.002+08:00

Who would you like to climb with?

A Tribute to Writers and Photographers

On the practical side, it is fine to have a cook, a navigator or an organizer in a climb. These tekkies have the equipment and the skills. They can get you to the destination alive and on time.

It is different when you climb with friends who you know so well. There is no more need for an alignment as you know each other’s capabilities and weaknesses. Without prodding, you are confident of support no matter what. It is bring you own specialty: your tent, his cookware, my transpo, his stories. So in matters of life and death you are emotionally assured that someone will be there for you.

What if we climb in a company of artists? The type who sees through life and freezes the moment in a medium that articulates a universal theme of beauty, pain, joy, creation and even defeat and frustration. Their medium is usually in words or images through articles and photographs, music and rhyme that land its way through the world wide web even before the post climb. Their works satisfy our spirituality.

Given a choice what type would you rather climb with? The practical tekkies can satisfy you for the moment. Friends can further enhance the moment. But the artist can preserve the moment to eternity. Through their documentation, they immortalize the experience.

As for us, we are fortunate that the artists we’ve been with are responsible climbers too. Without their permission, allow us to unlock the archives. We value them as E. L. Doctorow says “The writer isn't made in a vacuum. Writers are witnesses. The reason we need writers is because we need witnesses to this terrifying century.”

Halcon Float by Mitch Soria

Perhaps the reason they shoot and write is they have something to say. Henry David Thoreau describes it in this quote “How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” When you are touched by the wonder of nature, wouldn’t you do so? You would with the adjectives and figures of speech flowing spontaneously. Read for yourself.

Chito Razon 9 Oct 2003

Halcon Profile by Mitch Soria

By Nameless of LM after the Tawangan-Babadak Climb in 1998 who up til now remains nameless to us

Awful you might think. This may sound like a cop out answer but let me share with you this idea. Life isn't really about what you get out of it in the end, it pays more attention to what you may become at the end. Those ten things are a small sacrifice of what we truly became after the climb. The experience, the process is even more important . . .

The groups have shared more than just misery, but also the multitudes of stories (even beer too). As we leave the climb, it is taken for granted that the 8 mountaineers have brought their own personal relationship with each other to a new level, a "I survived Mt. Pulag in 1998 with you" level. And though it is unsaid there was the existence of these phrases unsaid in words but understood in action. "You were my support. You gave me strength to calm myself. We don't master the mountain we master ourselves." One really has to be a different kind of person to climb mountains and keep on doing it.

Banahaw Sunrise by Norbert Calderon

So there was no heavenly view from the mountaintop but the trek were full wondrous things that make Mt. Pulag beautiful. The "natural highs" of the mountain were bountiful. If the peak was not so fabulous, there are many other instances when the world revealed a part of her beauty. Like the rivers would tirelessly chant their song and though the wind and rain were biting, they performed a gorgeous dance for all that could look up to enjoy. A favorite part is not on the peak but towards both the peak and the campsite-one is gifted with sight of rolling hills. And it's mystical wonder and one cannot help but absorb the radiant aura of nature only Mt. Pulag could reward one with.

Apo Float by Norbert Calderon

And there something's that would not have been as good without the trying parts of the climb: Jaja's pasta dinner on the plateau, riding the top of the jeep, eating lunch on a jeep breaking bread and eating meat, being passed around. Eating Pizza and ordering water. Returning to love ones for a brand new year.

The climbers are also entitled to having one wish being granted a gift for climbing the mountain that is a pilgrimage. I wonder what the eight goofy Loyola mountaineers asked for to prepare them for the year to come.
Jo Ramos on our first climb in Tapulao in 1999
Maligayang pagbati, mga kasama kong bundokero
Hindi ko akalain na makagawa ako ng tula. Alam ko kasing me mga kanya-kanyang mga write-up na sa Tapulao. Ito na lang siguro ang kontribiyusyon ko.

TAPULAO
Jojo Ramos

O, hinanap kita, Tapulao

Ang puso ko ay walang tigil sa pagsigaw
Pilit kong ikaw ay matanaw

Kahit na lubos ang aking pagkauhaw.

O, bakit nagkaganito, Tapulao

Ako ay pinag-iisip mo araw-araw

Ubos lakas ang aking mga galaw

Ang puso ko ay iyong inagaw.
O, yakapin mo ako, Tapulao
Sa magdamag ako ay gininaw
Ako ay umaasa ng pananaw na may linaw
Upang ang ganda mo ay lumitaw.
O, sige na, Tapulao
Hintayin mo ako sa ibabaw

Kung ano man ang dapat kong galaw

Ang sigaw ng puso ko ay ikaw.

Val Roque describing the same climb

High Peak was one helluva climb but one cannot say that it was a bad one either. For with the hardships come the rewards. Some of us may be sadistic enough to admit that the hardships are the rewards themselves. Others may see the reward at the wonderful experience at the peak. Still, a lot would agree that the rewards could always be found in the company of others especially in the socials and the drinking and chattering that come with it. A few however see it on the sidelines, contemplating the beauty of the outdoors in peaceful solitude. We climb mountains for different reasons, but let these reasons not be an obstacle to our common love for the outdoors. For as mountaineers, that is the important thing which binds us.

The Tirad Pass Trek with AOC

Chasing Water by Ching-I-Wang

At the start we were in the company of strangers. Towards the end we knew each other, linked not by the devotion to the gallantry of the general to his cause but for the love of the wilderness. Discovering this in one of the most interesting socials, we counted our blessings: the hospitality accorded us by the folks of the town, the reception and the merienda of the mayor and his staff, the assistance of our high school hosts, the stories of the Bulacan artists who are to do an on-the-spot drawing, Hob our jeepney driver and the company of fellow trekkers and the grandeur of sunrise and clouds. There were all testaments to the goodness drawn from each one by the experience. We said we wanted to get away. But to quote John Muir, "I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out 'til sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in . . .

Bob Tongco in describing the discovery of a new place

We were lucky to finally be able to reach the highest point on the island. The lessons I learned on that climb will never equal the sheer exhilaration of reaching the summit after a challenging ascent. The quiet on that mountaintop was as rare as the clean air and the brisk, cool wind. On the way down, the weather was as perfect as the climb, the company, and the memories of the weekend spent away from the world. I would wish that more exciting events happened while we were at the summit, but nothing could have been more exciting than sitting down and absorbing nature.

Marinela De Leon stepping on Mt. Pulag

At the plateau, I was greeted by a truly enchanting sight. Mountaintops peeked through thick fogs, rain swept grass trembled with rushing water below and the sky seemed so close I could almost feel them. The world was at its best. Everything was virginal-untouched and unsoiled by the trivialities of mortals. Silence brought the mighty voice of nature and plunged my soul in deep reverie. I was in a magical place with a group of people who offered me friendship and shared with me a deep love for the mountains. What more can one ask for?

“This was paradise,” I said to myself.

“This is why I want to climb mountains,” I murmured.

And as my weary body sought solace from the pristine beauty that enveloped me the howling winds blessed my shivering body and warmed my soul.

Going up the steep slopes, getting muddied, being battered by the rain and the wind and humbled by the beauty of my Maker’s creation is the affirmation of my life-giving mantra-Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
I am glad I made this climb. . . even if I’m not Super Girl.

Aiel Vergara reveals his realizations on a near tragic Minalungao trek

Terrace Float by Danny Balandra

"Sometimes, I think of why I do this, why I hike, losing my energy and face only challenges. That may be it ¬ challenges, or it could be desire, or it could be the great and satisfying feeling of success. Having the faith to achieve what I thought I could not, to live when I think I’m dead, and to get to the highest peak and shout “I am the king of the world.” These thoughts, these simple rewards, these dangerous moments are my inspirations and my motivations. They stir me to do daring acts, possible or not.
I won’t sit here awaiting my baptism; I will live life to the fullest; work as if there’s no tomorrow and learn as if life is endless. My existence will have an impact on this world, and I will continue surviving until I assure that.
I was born July thirty, nineteen ninety-nine."

Aiel Vergara writes about not reaching the peak of Pulag in a composition redefining success

"Should we continue our journey to the peak? Do we want to be successful?"

Arthur, barely able to move his lips due to the extremely low temperature, said, "No matter what, we must all be together." Paul, guilty but at the same time drained of energy, replied, "No, go on. Just come back for me here."

Fallen Leaves by Mitch Soria

The group of six high school mountaineers then divided into two, with both looking for the coveted triumph. Having a very strong desire against failure, Duke and I went together towards the peak, our definition of success. We walked, ran, jogged, dived on grass, and, finally, up there, we stood up. I stared at the camera as it flashed while a question floated in my mind, "Am I victorious?" I looked up, and there was darkness; looking down, I saw a hint of light, probably from the setting sun. Fulfillment was absent from my mind. I was captured by the image of Paul's lips, by the picture of the setting sun.

I called Duke and down we went, through the flooded terrain and through the darkness of the night. Yet, just as the black abyss was to replace our hope with despair, we saw a flash of light.

"Paul! Are you okay?" Duke and I cried in unison. "We're really very sorry!"

"Here, Paul," I said removing a layer from my clothing, "take my best jacket."

"Thanks," replied Paul. "By the way, maybe you should know that we just finished praying the Hail Mary when we saw you."

At exactly that moment, I listened to the most ear-breaking silence I ever heard. I looked down, and there were a lot more to see besides tall, evergreen blades of grass fading in the fog. Right then and there, I felt the emotion of fulfillment; success was redefined.

2011-09-04T00:50:00.002+08:00

At the Roof of the World, in my (Tochs') mind

Originally posted June 2003

From your posts, Everest interests you. Which is your favourite so far? BBC featured their version of the 50th Anniversary which I caught on BBC news last Sunday 1 June 2003 at 5 PM. True to a BBC production, it is well documented and thought provoking. Earlier, National Geographic and Discovery Channel aired their own specials commemorating the first step on the roof of the world 50 years after 29 May 1953. Watching several points of view of the various TV docus, I picked up some lines which have been repeatedly said in other versions.

The more I hear of the line "it was Hillary who planned it out as a mountaineer and Tenzing was just that, “a guide”, the more I am convinced that Tenzing really was the first mortal to step on Everest. I have been researching on the cause of his death but the closest I got was he died in India in 1983. It must have been the remorse of the burden of truth that put a pressure on him. Sir Edmund had his share of misfortune. It was tragic to lose his wife and daughter in same range that made him a knight in 1975.

When I repeatedly catch the thought, "the only common times with these guys were the ten minutes they were together on the summit," the more I am intrigued, "what did the majestic mountain do to them?"

Just for this year, let me list quotes I could relate to honouring our own accomplishments with our tropical climbs here.

Q: What words would you use to describe your feelings about Mount Everest?
A: Alive, humbling, unpredictable, exhilarating, empowering.

Q: What words would you use to describe your feelings about the Sherpa people?
A: Hardworking, joyous, loyal, thoughtful, my dearest friends.
-Liesl Clark writer/ producer/director on the filming of Dark Side of Everest

Larawan ni Rico kasama si Sir Edmund

Lorraine: Explain to me a sherpa's approach to mountain climbing compare to how we see it from the west?

Jamling: The mountains have been there the whole time. Sherpa's see the mountain all the time but we never have interest to climb these mountains. It was only when the British and the foreign expeditions started to climb these mountains that the sherpa started to become involved in climbing because it is a way of living for them. And for most of the sherpas, climbing is the bread and butter, lots of them have lost their lives. We don't climb for pleasure at all. We believe most of the mountain is sacred to us. For example, Mount Everest, we called it ''Chomolungma'' which is mother god-ness of the world. And ''Miyolangsangma'' is the deity that resides on Everest so we pray to her all the time. We pray to many of the other mountains surrounding, you know in the Himalayas...

Lorraine: Jamling, would you ever consider stopping mountain climbing, getting a regular job somewhere?
Jamling: I don't think so; I mean I don't see myself sitting in office 9 to 5 at all. And I just enjoy being in the outdoors, climbing mountains. I have stopped climbing Everest but smaller mountains I still continue to climb. Just like being in mountains... it makes me feel so nice, it makes me feel really alive and it makes you feel how small we are in this world, how fresh we humans are. It's great feeling just being up in the mountains.
- CNN's Lorraine Hahn interviews Jamling Tenzing Norgay, son of Tenzing

I think the expeditionary experience of climbing Everest, of surviving it, has changed our lives. To push yourself to within a wisp of life itself and return to the world in the valleys below is to see life in its raw immediacy and in its essential components.

For me to receive a hearty congratulations from Jamling Tenzing Norgay was the true finale. Our two families have been transformed by this mountain.

The mountain has given us a hard-won opportunity to rise above ourselves and to play the lottery of surviving the experience. Just as it has done for the Sherpa people who live around its lofty base. And veteran climber Ang Norbu of Pangboche Village says that despite his frostbitten fingers, "the mountain is a jewel. It is a gift".

-Peter Hillary on climbing Everest for the National Geographic Documentary Sons of Everest 50 years (actually 49) before his father Edmund first reached the summit

The first question which you will ask and which I must try to answer is this, 'What is the use of climbing Mount Everest?' and my answer must at once be, 'It is no use'. There is not the slightest prospect of any gain whatsoever. Oh, we may learn a little about the behaviour of the human body at high altitudes, and possibly medical men may turn our observation to some account for the purposes of aviation. But otherwise nothing will come of it. We shall not bring back a single bit of gold or silver, not a gem, nor any coal or iron. We shall not find a single foot of earth that can be planted with crops to raise food. It's no use. So, if you cannot understand that there is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you won't see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for.
-George Leigh Mallory, 1922

Because it is there.
-George Mallory (1886-1924), answer to the question 'Why do you want to climb Mt. Everest?'

I have climbed my mountain, but I must still live my life.
-Tenzing Norgay

Well, we knocked the bastard off!
-Edmund Hillary, on first climbing Mount Everest

2011-08-20T19:10:00.001+08:00

A practical consideration in selecting a day pack for a day tour is size. In Europe where snatchers are said to be common, security feature is a must. When the weather is unpredictable, versatility is an advantage. If you hop from one mode of transport to another, you want one that is durable. Should you lug your pack for over a week, you want comfort too.

Days before leaving, I was scouting around for a day pack at the Habagat and Sadugo stores and even at Hawk shops. But nothing was close to the old Lafuma Yakou III 30 liters I found. Sandugo’styles were too fancy for an urban walk; Habagat did not have the stocks.

This 30 liter pack held my soft shell breathable and waterproof jacket which was handy with the sudden downpour and the sudden drop in temperature, a semi pro camera, Lonely Planet Books, pocket French and Italian dictionaries and train maps, cell phones, extra shirts, portable power supplies, literature and shopped items. At times when the occasion called for formal outfit, dress shirts can be inserted. For hydration, a liter of water in an aluminum bottle was indispensable.

Zippers were tough and had handles with holes that can be inserted with a portable keyless lock. You can zip in and out several times an hour without a snug. Compression straps were added security to me. Material was made of ballistic which was light, durable and waterproof. Lastly, even with weights of miniature replicas of the popular landmarks in stone were packed, the shoulder bag held.

But at the end of the trip, this compact back pack had to be rolled. By airline standard, it was a count so it had to be packed inside a bigger soft back pack. Eventually, the Habagat day pack I have been using in most of my trips still prevailed.

2011-08-07T14:23:00.003+08:00

Tropang Rad-Yo sa DZUP reviewed Ang Babae sa Septic Tank in their Friday 7-8PM show featuring anchor Jane with guest reviewer Chryl with a qualifier, they do user review where insights of mainstream viewers are expressed (as compared to critics’ review.)

Their one hour review kept me glued at 1602 AM band while driving from Manila to Q as the assessment of the Marlon Rivera and Chris Martinez’ movie was in itself building up to a climax.

First 10 minutes were devoted to warm ups on anything trivial by the two radio personalities. Then they provided backgrounder on the writer, director, Cinemalaya and nature of indie film in general until they narrated the storyline of Chris’ story without revealing and spoiling. Towards the end, the two reviewers expressed their personal experiences as viewers capping it with a short tribute to the actress Eugene Domingo.

Like a professional radio show, they were extro and intro spiels breaking the segments. Intros were devoted to topline summaries of key info about the topic designed to set up currently tuned in on what transpired and tp those newly tuned in to be on board the discussion.

Unlike other Tropang Rad-Yo sa DZUP days where Jane was dominant, aggressive, unstoppable and even rowdy drowning out her male co-anchors, she is cool, intimate and conversational effectively engaging her radio listeners. Whenever her movie expert partner Chryl speaks, she would fade out giving the serious reviewer the air.

Review was informative, engaging because it was substantial and intelligent. It made you appreciate the storyline, twists, intent and effective segments of the movie which was assessed as deserving of the critics’ recognition of the movie.

It was also because the movie selected for review was insightful assessed by two intelligent hosts who saw beyond the seeming mainstream drama to the statement of the artists’, a dig on indie and on the artist themselves.

(By the way, the listener has only seen the movie preview but plans to enjoy watching the film eventually.)

2011-08-01T17:37:00.003+08:00

Last summer this year, I had the chance to work on recruitment from the top 150 graduates of 3 engineering universities in GMA, UP, Ateneo, La Salle and Mapua. A simulation was designed by the company head which can draw out critical thinking, ability and leadership in a group exercise in just an hour with fellow graduates grouped at random.

Having been out of touch with the youth segment for decades, I was impressed with the showing of the participants which can surpass the standards of even the most seasoned professional practioneers. It showed from their methodology the training and discipline they received at the academe, their skill to problem solve, work together as a team, and formulate a workable solution within the give time.

Over the weekend this rainy July, I watched Dulaang UP's staging of an original play Rizal X. Interpreted in drama, contemporary song and dance and multi-media, play conceived and directed by young theater genius Dexter M. Santos translated Rizal's disturbing thoughts on the state of Philippine society 150 year ago to its applicability to the Generation X in today's reality.

Through an intense and consistently highly energized actors' performance and dynamic staging, Rizal X conveyed the message which I interpret as "Aspire and dream regardless of the obstacle. You the youth are better prepared to grasp that dream without compromising."

The 2011 top graduates and production cast and crew of Dulaang UP modeled that doability to us. In these challenging times these experiences bring a whift of fresh air, hope and a reminder to strive excellence in every way every day. This is the mindset that will leapfrog us to the next level which Rizal pictured to us a century and a half ago.

2011-07-27T18:36:00.006+08:00

I returned back to the UP Campus in Diliman to secure from the Registrar’s office my and my sisters' transcripts of record who graduated several decades ago.

The feeling was nostalgic following application procedures, filling in forms, tracking steps and paying at the cashier. It brought back memories of deva ju remembering the same landmarks of the campus.

The experience was pleasant as the frontliners I’ve encountered have strong service orientation starting from the valet at the UP Admin office, the female guards at the UP Admission office and Cherrie, the frontliner handling the Transcript Window.

1st I found out that the Registrar’s office was no longer at the Admin building behind the oblation but along T. M. Kalaw about a hundred meters behind the AS Faculty Center. The valet near the oblation correctly gave me directions on how to reach the area.

At the Registrar’s office at the 2/F of a relatively new edifice, there were adequate information on forms and processes on how to go about the request. Since I was the only applicant that morning, Cherrie behind the glass counter attended to my inquiries promptly, politely and quickly. She probed for some compliance to checklist before committing to the release of the transcripts.

To my pleasant surprise, the published 2 to 3 month processing waiting can be shortened provided conditions are met such as clearances, correct data and applicants’ academic status. It helped that the original documents are in place, online data are updated, clearances were accomplished and the staff was well informed and customer centered. I was shown the class cards, some forms with my signature and writing and photographs which flashed back my cherished recollections of college where I enjoyed learning immensely anything that comes my way. I looked forward to attending each class everyday because there were new discoveries per session. I recall having no absences including military training in my 4 year education.

That short 15 minute visit at the campus made me feel good and proud to be an alumnus of the university in spite of the impending Typhoon Juaning projected to hit Metro Manila early in the afternoon.

I enjoyed my college because education then was my life and nothing got in the way for me to get the most from it. For this, I am grateful to my parents.

2011-07-15T06:50:00.000+08:00

What is beyond Malasimbo? I would ask that question each time we climb that mountain off Puerto Galera in Mindoro. Itchy feet pinoymountaineer discovered in a dayhike there are two other mountains beyond. Danger lurks.

2011-07-08T01:44:00.000+08:00

Rome is home to thousands of overseas Filipino workers mostly domestic helpers.

Tagged as today’s heroes for their contribution in driving the Philippine economy, they to me symbolize industriousness, risk taking and sacrifice. They leave home for a better future not for themselves but for their family.

Our hosts, active in embassy activities exposed us to several social gatherings where families enjoy simple gathering, sampling Italian and Filipino food and playing familiar Pinoy card games.

Almost all can speak Italian, their kids speaking as fluent if not sounding real Italian. You would hear success and a lot of sad stories mainly related to health and domestic issues.

Gladly, there is a Filipino community bonded to provide simple assistance if possible. Like instructions on how to go to the airport, how to remit money with minimal surcharges, how to ship cargo to loved ones in Batangas, Tarlac, Samar and other provinces and the most popular concern, the status of my and my families Italian citizenship.

We see them in groups and in pairs, in the park on a Sunday afternoon, in a debate at a downtown bar, mass held at the Coleggio, a dormitory of Filipino priests studying in Rome in buses, train terminals and literally everywhere.

There appears to be no traces of loneliness in their faces as they enjoy the privileges, amenities and the Italian lifestyle.

One thing Cecilia and I experienced, they are more than willing to help co-Filipinos. On our 1st independent train ride where we were figuring out which was North and South, a young man in his twenties from Leyte came to our rescue. He narrated his success stories and diversions to keep him busy. He even willingly took our picture together. When I asked if I can take his picture, he politely declined saying, “Huwag na lang po!”

2011-07-01T06:41:00.001+08:00

I caught Part Two of Raymond Manalo's story in Storyline on ANC Cable 27 Thursday night. Still saying the same story, he ie psyching himself up for a face to face with the military this July.

Supplementing the story are cases of missing activists picked up in Mindoro and in Los Banos Laguna. King Catoy narrated the Mindoro incidence.

How do your struggles at work and with friends compare with theirs?

Related story posted in Bikyamasr.

2011-06-09T01:09:00.004+08:00

Watching Barbara Streisand's 2006 concert on video, these passages said as an intro to the song A Cockeyed Optimist caught my interest. Quoting from the proloque of the playwright William Saroyan, the message reminds me "to live, not adding misery and sorrow but smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it." At times I do, some times I get derailed. Posting the passage encourages me to "find goodness everywhere . . ."

In The Time of Your Life

In the time of your life, live—so that in that good time there shall be no ugliness or death for yourself or for any life your life touches. Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found, bring it out of its hiding place and let it be free and unashamed.

Place in matter and in flesh the least of the values, for these are the things that hold death and must pass away. Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption. Encourage virtue in whatever heart it may have been driven into secrecy and sorrow by the shame and terror of the world. Ignore the obvious, for it is unworthy of the clear eye and the kindly heart.

Be the inferior of no man, or of any men be superior. Remember that every man is a variation of yourself. No man's guilt is not yours, nor is any man's innocence a thing apart. Despise evil and ungodliness, but not men of ungodliness or evil. These, understand. Have no shame in being kindly and gentle but if the time comes in the time of your life to kill, kill and have no regret.

In the time of your life, live—so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.

-William Saroyan

2011-05-25T08:20:00.007+08:00

“Go drink and cleanse yourself with the water from the spring.” This was the message of Our Lady to Bernadette Soubirous in the apparition at Lourdes in 24 February 1858. It is interpreted as “to redeem salvation, accept and ask for forgiveness and repentance.”

Today, the grotto continues with the symbolic ritual at the actual apparition site resulting in documented miraculous cures and spiritual renewals.

Per Celeste’s influence, I bathed with spring water, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon within the set window time. Temperature range was 19 degrees in the morning, slightly warmer in the afternoon.

Gave de Paul River

The long line I expected with mostly physically handicapped Europeans was not there but nevertheless it took me still over an hour from the entrance to the exit. The wait was sufficient to prepare oneself for the cleansing through guided prayers and personal reflections. There were four major phases to the bath: the snake and ladder chairs at the entrance, the line inside the building, the assigned ante room where one strips his clothes and the tub guided by 3 assistants. Instructions were posted in the walls in several languages; French, Italian, English.

While bathing in the cold spring water, one prays and expresses intentions. Key is belief and conviction. Seeing the physically challenged, hearing the repetitive prayer and jolted by the dip in spring water deepen this conviction.

Stations of the Cross at the open field

My first experience was out of curiosity slowly transforming from observing to releasing and accepting. I walked out of the site feeling light, thinking with refreshed clarity. I cooled down walking around the vast open field reflecting on the event. During the bath, I was tense and did not completely dip myself, thus the motivation to return.

For the 2nd bath in the afternoon, I was better prepared with more intentions and a stronger belief. In the line, I was seated beside a young black European who looked serious. I also spotted several physically handicapped both young and old waiting for their turns just like us. We completed the ritual in about an hour.

Just like the 1st experience, after the bath. I wandered around the Grotto complex covering up the Stations of the Cross in the nearby hills feeling fulfilled for going through the healing session.

Train Station

Five hours later, we were to board our train to Paris at the Gare de Lourdes, the train station just 5 minutes away from the grotto by taxi.

Ten hours later, we were at the Gare Paris Austerlisz station transitioning from provincial to urban France.

Less than an hour later, we were at Val d ‘Europe Serris, France checking in at the Residhome Prestige, an accommodation our colleague Ma. Carmela booked just hours ago in Lourdes.

At the reception, I noticed a young black European who entered the staff area of Residhome, got his cleaning equipment and started doing his chores. The young man quickly stared at me. In my mind I asked, “Have I seen him before?”

Residhome Lobby

Minutes later, in a private conservation, it was validated that he was with me in Lourdes. He does not speak English. I was interpreting his reply with non verbal communication and key phrases. He is Oscar and has been visiting Lourdes for a personal intention. What it is was still unclear to me. What struck me was the incidence of me side by side with a stranger, riding in the same train and going to the same place.

I would have probed further the impact on Oscar. But in the succeeding days, I no longer saw him as other personnel has taken over the shift.

This to me is a mystery unmistakably attributed to Our Lady of Lourdes. No longer was this trip merely a physical exercise but a spiritual journey. Slowly after realizing the intentions getting fulfilled, my belief is getting stronger. In my daily prayers, I always mouth the prayer “through the intercession of Our Lady.” Now I realized the power of this bridge.

Candle Offerings

2011-05-21T08:51:00.004+08:00

I discovered a way of bringing your favorite fruit ice cream for pasalubong when you travel by air abroad. Not from the stalls purchased at the pre-departure area in Manila but packed by yourself.

Buy a styrofoam built cooler from your supermarket ( P220.0), select 2 gallons of premium ice cream (Ave. P330.0). Load it with 3 kgs. of dry ice sourced from a specialty shop (P 150.0 per kg.) Total weight though is about 7 kgs. (Still testing if the current ratio can support the 8 hour transport time.)

Best source of ice cream and styropore is any hypermart operating at extended hours (Shopwise). Source of dry ice is My Way Dry Ice picked up in a Pasay apartment (Tel 551-0377 24 hour operations). Total estimated cost P 1,400. Pleasure? Immeasurable.

I track flight departures and arrivals from anywhere in the world at www.flightstats.com

2011-05-19T20:26:00.003+08:00

There are places I remember. Places I see for the first time I remember even more. Historical and memorable ones leave an impression influenced by what I see and how I interact with the people I meet.

Feel of Pescia and Luca at the Tuscany Valley is remote and provincial. People are warm. It is here where we meet Irishmen, an Irish mother, Italians, courteous young Italian driver, Filipino-Americans, Bicolanos and co-Filipinos.

Lourdes is solemn and sacred, Vatican City revered and venerating. Rome is vibrant and historical, Milan modern and fashionable. Paris is proud and busy.

I have been controlling my pre-judging but the visual images registering in my mind were so imposing I could not resist but write short narratives about these great cities and places, begging to be revisited and to be seen again. View if the pictures register.

2011-05-15T01:59:00.005+08:00

The Language Survival Kit

The challenge of travelling to non English speaking countries is communicating.

Lonely planet travelers who do not patronize travel tours put themselves at risk by plotting their own routes. Yet, surprisingly they manage. One with an inquisitive mind who is direction oriented can survive with key words.

In Italy, the basics I could not do without are:

“Boungiorno. Mi scusi. Per favore. Dov’e un termini? Dov’e? Grazie. Chiao!”

Bwon∙jor no. mee∙skoo zee. Per fa∙vo∙re. Do ve u termini? Do∙ve? Gra∙tsye.

In France where the citizens have the distinction of a strong pride for their language, I survived with:

“Bonjour . Excusez moi/Pardon. S’il vous plait. Ou est Charles de Gaulle Estoille? Ou est? Merci. Au revoir!”

Bon∙zhoor. Ek skew zay mwa/par∙don. Seei voo play. Oo ay Charles de Gaulle Estoille. Oo ay? air see. O rer vwa.

In Tagalog, the translation is:
Magandang araw po! Makikisuyo. Saan po ba ang MRT station? Salamat po! Saan? Babay.

Caught in a problem I’d say“ Aiuto! in Italian (a yoo to!), Au secours! in French (o skoor!). Saklolo in Tagalog. Then help comes along.

Through these, I am able to see the wonders these 1st world countries brag about. “Chiao. Au revoir. Paalam.”

2011-05-11T01:40:00.002+08:00

The pervasive Coca-Cola.
You see it in the key cities in the world.
In famous streets and corners.
Not just in the cold vault but in positions which trigger satisfaction of thirst.
Placement in 1st position consistently.
In Rome, Vatican, Milan, Venice, at the Café, in the sidewalk stores, in Panini stands.
In Paris, Lourdes, Pisa in the Tuscany Valley.
Coke is everywhere. When it is in the landmarks of the world, is it in itself part of the world’s symbol?
Dites-moi! (Tell me!)

2011-05-09T07:51:00.002+08:00

Equally difficult aside from finding her bearings from the underground railway system is catching her in the evening.

My companion and travel director, Celeste suggested that I view the monument in the evening to appreciate her full splendor.

After the 4 PM open tour in Paris, I still decided to check out the location of the Charles de Gaulle Terminal 1 airport from the Opera Station. My Metro Mobilis unlimited and cross riding ticket allows me to take the bus or train to the international airport within the 24 hour usage. True enough, I was able to reach and check the facilities of the airport in preparation for the departure back to Manila at no extra Euro outlay. It took me less than 2 hours though to complete the drill.

I arrived back at the Zone 1 of Paris past 7 PM making me cram at the planned program for the day. The open tour of the 2-decked bus has ended thus making me design several public bus transfers to reach the Eiffel Tower in the evening. With less time, I still have to contend with the last Metro and Train A rides back to the suburbs which based on published data is at 22:57.

Focused on the catching the awesome view and catching the last train ride (I found out there was a 23:27 trip), I was successful. The spectacle was one of the most beautiful sites I’ve seen in my life, Eiffa fitting end and a fulfilling reward to a hard earned travel. I share my sights with you for you to judge.

Eiffel Tower, grandiose, magnifique.

2011-05-08T14:49:00.002+08:00

I can relate to the famous quote by the English Poet John Heywood that “Rome was not built in one day.” It took decades for me see the city in Italy. Thanks to the beatification rite of Pope John Paul II this 1 May 2011, it was this force that drew me to the city where over 1 million pilgrims were at the St. Peter square at the Vatican. Literally I saw “all roads led to Rome.” Influx to the smallest nation of the world started as early as Saturday morning 30 April or perhaps earlier.

Edgar Allan Poe, an American author citing the decline of the city wrote centuries ago, “The glory that was Greece, the grandeur that was Rome.” With what I have seen, to me, it is “the grandeur that is Rome.” It is history made alive.

2011-05-07T15:05:00.004+08:00

Looking for this symbol of Paris is like spotting for a mountain peak. Staying at Val D’ Europe, about 30 kilometers from the City and 3 kilometers from Disneyland, it took a while to design a plan on how to view its splendor in this non English speaking country.

1st learn to buy the right ticket to access the Paris transport system via the automated machine. 2nd is familiarizing yourself with how to use it. Lastly and most importantly, navigating the main train, the 7 Metro lines and the bus routes.

As this is all done underground, the excitement of stepping out on the ground the 1st time in Paris is a thrill in itself. It took me 1 main train to the central station Charles de Gaulle Etolle exposing me to the labyrinth leading to several levels of tunnels. The French speaking info desk instructed to me transfer to the Yellow Line 1 headed for La Defense to get off after 2 spots then transfer to the Green Line 6 headed for Nation and ascend to Trocadero sortie (exit).

Like a groundhog that saw the soil of the city, I looked at the piazza with wonder. “Where it the Eiffel? Asking a postcard vendor “Pardon! Ou Eiffel?” The Frenchman said cross the street, turn right and look around.

Following the instruction trustingly, I was awed by the sight of the 1889 wonder saying, finally, decades after birth, 75 minutes and 13.99 Euros and kilometers of walking, I saw the 320.7 meter, 7,000 tons, 1,652 steps symbol of the French revolution. The feeling was as grand as stepping on the mountain peak of difficult climbs.

Vive la France! Merci Boucoup. In my language I said, “Salamat, wagi!”

Temperature range 13 to 23 C

2011-05-05T19:26:00.002+08:00

Bernadette Soubirous, saint of Lourdes, France stood for the merits of prayer, penance, poverty and church. The nightly procession at the Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion in Lourdes, France at 9PM is attended by thousands of devotees praying the rosary for two hours in several European languages. It is led by the physically challenged assisted by the volunteers of the Order of Malta. After each mystery, Ave Maria is sung and candles are raised at the mention of “Maria.” Procession is serious and solemn, a fitting tribute to our Lady.

2011-05-04T18:45:00.003+08:00

Prayer for the Beatification of Pope John Paill II

O Blessed Trinity,

we thank You for having graced the Church

with Pope John Paul II and for allowing

the tenderness of Your Fatherly care,

the glory of the cross of Christ,

and the splendor of the Holy Spirit,

to Shine through him.

Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy

and in the maternal intercession of Mary,

he has given us a living image of Jesus

the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that

holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary

Christian life and is the way of achieving

eternal communion with You.

Grant us, by his intercession,

and according to Your will,

the graces we implore...,

hoping that he will soon be

numbered among Your saints. Amen.

2011-04-23T00:40:00.002+08:00

This weekend up to the next 2 weeks, I will embark on a journey which is part of my bucket list.
I recall denying travel to this continent at least 4 times from various groups and for various reasons common of which is work or schedule.
This time around, in safe company, I boldly said yes to the invitation of Celeste, the serious driver of the trip who I have not responded to positively to several previous kind invites. Cecilia will be with us, our hardworking admin support for family projects. So is Carmela, lover of good food and fun nights. It is two weeks of adventure and excitement and a deepening of faith as well.
I look forward to documenting what this travel will unfold.
All my 23kg are packed, am ready to go.

2011-03-31T21:07:00.003+08:00

I attend classes while going home by car early evenings. That’s what it sounds like while tuned in to DZUP 1602 khz in the AM band.

Various discussion points are taken up by a host professor with their highly qualified guests. This March, I listened with interest to perspectives on the importance of office grapevines, learning to appreciate Portuguese by Errol John Agustin, violence in fraternity, improving the library system, the rondalla and other topics.

Educational and informative, the medium has been teaching me with additional unexpected knowledge from the point of view of practitioners, social scientists, alumni and regular radio listeners.

What I like about the discussions are the expertise shared by young sounding professionals and the idealism of their views. Every guest has an insight to disclose and a suggestion on how to improve situations.

Withdrawing from the daily humdrums of working, listening to the guests with their objective solutions, it is like suspending myself from reality and imagining I am back in the abstract and conceptual classroom.

When one gets disillusioned with the company of fellow workers and office situations, this is a most welcome escape. Looking forward to what's on air tomorrow.

Links
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wangwang-ng-Bayan-DZUP-1602/167731976573516
http://dzup1602.i.ph/
http://isktreaming.upd.edu.ph/

Fast Food Served

2011-02-14T20:17:00.001+08:00

Today at work after a noontime mass, I decided to have a special lunch.

Special because it is Valentine’s Day.

The food outlet I selected was Jollibee, within walking distance from the church.

As it was not a regular day, I opted to get a notch order higher than the usual Spaghetti Value Meal priced at P 57.0.

I had in mind Palabok Value Meal tagged at P 72.0.

The queue was not that long. I was the 3^rd in the line.

But most of the seats were taken.

Suddenly, Kath, an order taker approached me to get the usual order in advance.

I was surprised that she volunteered to find me a seat while she placed the order on my behalf.

I gave her a hundred and agreed.

It crossed my mind that this was unusual. I advanced her the money and may not show up.

Before other ideas popped up, she was already serving my order with my change.

Thank you Kath, the Palabok with a regular Coke tasted much better at the UN-Taft that busy lunch time.

2011-01-23T22:09:00.003+08:00

Insights:
The capacity to discern the true nature of a situation; penetration.
The act or outcome of grasping the inward or hidden nature of things or of perceiving in an intuitive manner.
-American Heritage Dictionary

Communication is important in leadership.
The initial step to a genuine communication is alignment leading to act and after assessing, adjust. We tend to act immediately without truly aligning.
At times we box out the other party who threatens us as perceived by disagreeing, defending and destroying. Instinctively, to survive we react by fighting, flighting or freezing.
A conversation has several levels: pretense, sincerity, accurate and authentic. Focus of pretense is what I am not saying. Focus of sincerity is I am aware of the message but in content only. Accurate is both message and emotion.
A productive conservation goes through a cycle of value, the extreme through a cycle of waste.
We have a concept of ourselves in terms of mission, adaptability, involvement and consistency. This may be the similarly or differently perceived by our peers and direct reports. Gaps indicate our effectiveness.
We have personal preferences as defined by the Myers Briggs Personality Test: we can either be introverts or extroverts in the channel of energy, understanding via sensing or intuition, making choices via thinking or feeling and acting influenced by either judging or perceiving.
When we approach people to influence, our currencies are driven by: inspiration, task, people, relationship, position or a combination. We apply those most effective to us. Other people have preferences on how they want to be influenced.
Managers organize the complexity, leaders prepare us for change.
Leaders have an important task guided by a plan with not enough time to achieve results. They are fact based measured by a handful of controlling objectives. When faced with a quasi crisis, reserves show up to complete the task. Leaders look to the future with optimism.

Learnings are added knowledge manifested in a behavior. Behavior repeatedly done, becomes a habit. Habit extended over time is imbedded in values.

2011-01-04T23:20:00.001+08:00

After New Year, there is still the Feast of the Epiphany to mark the end of the Christmas season. At the Chef's Galley, a small bistro (with about 10 tables) along C. Benitez st. near Horseshoe Village in Quezon City, we were treated to a feast fitted so divine it surprised us.
There’s something striking in all the orders we tried. The squash soup has a distinct delicious flavor. We could not stop spreading the pate in crispy thin wheat bread and crunching it or incessantly dipping the salmon in a preparation and biting quickly. The burger is as described: pure, meaty with a spike from an unidentified ingredient. The wafer thin salad pizza has a zest making it uniquely tasting.

Conceived by Chef Rainbow who was educated abroad but exposed to local and regional food, she sees her bistro as an honest place, true to what it advertises, serving pure and good tasting gourmet food coming from a clean kitchen. She visualizes her chefs interacting with the guests at the same time doing the chores for them.

As we were the only guests for the night, the full manning complement of the small bistro was devoted entirely to us. With Chef Rainbow and 3 other chefs behind every order, who wouldn’t feel divine?

plural epiph•a•nies
Definition of EPIPHANY
1: capitalized: January 6 observed as a church festival in commemoration of the coming of the Magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or in the Eastern Church in commemoration of the baptism of Christ

2: an appearance or manifestation especially of a divine being

3a (1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3 : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure

2011-01-03T06:30:00.003+08:00

Elements of a Grade School Reunion: a homily, a haiku, an event and a pre and post reunion class annual.

As an invited stalker (mildly a lurker) to the 35th year homecoming of the SPCT Grade School Batch 1975 post activity and relating as a fellow Paulinian, I can not help but comment on the individual pre and post descriptions of the alumnus in their commemorative documentation.

It must be a thrill to read how one is seen by the rest of the class and the writer. It is a rare gift to be told what they think of us then and what we have become 35 years after. Whether accurately or partially captured, it is but fitting to reflect on the thought that “Is what we have become now a result of the thought we seeded then?” Only we personally can answer. Whatever our findings are, it is but fitting during this Christmas season to give thanks to people, decisions, challenges and circumstances that influenced us to where we are now.

Only we can answer if indeed St. Paul has touched our lives against this thought, “Like St. Paul, what makes us great is the extent we are willing and committed to give for the ones we truly love.”

Only we can validate based on the destiny where we are now if indeed Ralph Emerson’s statement is relevant, ”Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

The final test for me whether St. Paul has positively influenced our lives is when we can confidently declare that “our destiny is not a matter of chance but a matter of choice.” Congratulations to SPC Batch ’75 on your successful homecoming.

(Photos grabbed from the Batch’s FB photo coverage.)

Recall Rekindle Rejoice In the Lord

Pardon me my friends for reading my homily today. I am among very esteemed and exacting and respected classmates, therefore I have to keep my homily within bounds of decency, style, and time. In short, I am not used to extemporaneous speeches like our classmate here Michee Aquino, Dodo Razon and Noel Israel.

To say that every one of us looked forward in excitement to this day is an underestimation. Imagine, having finally reached this day of coming together in celebration, after 35 long years, is indeed momentous. A day that was ignited by a simple posting of our class picture in facebook by our classmate Frankie Dadufalza and taken over by Dodo Razon who tagged everyone of us.

From that day, we have come a long way. I was looking for the bank account number of this class a few days ago and I could not find it in the pile of messages we have sent to each other the past months. The thread we have created can now qualify for the Guinness. We have not only come a long way, but we have returned. We are back to recall, rekindle the joy of the days gone by, and rejoice with the Lord and burst into thanksgiving for all the blessings he bestowed on each and every one of us.

We have come a long way and we have returned. We are back to reminisce, to remember as far as we can of the first day of school. In Kindergarten we remember that we were literally forced to come to class. At a young age, we were so dependent on our parents and to relinquish that reliance, we have to cry our way to the classroom into the hands of those we feared: as the nun called Sr. Mary Martha (who is here with us today), to that feisty principal Sr. Theresia, and those teachers with a ready punishment for naughty students. We grew up fearing the principal’s office, but we now look back and say “no regrets” -- the very persons whom we feared have become the people we are so grateful for today.

We have come a long way, from our first communion on December 8, to the numerous intramurals and foundation days that nurtured our talents in singing and dancing (some with great passion and matching costume of the Hawaiian dance – probably today’s version of otso otso).
We look back at the piano recitals, Christmas choral concerts, and the numerous stage musicals like “Cinderalla”, “The Sound of Music”, and stage plays such as Helen Keller’s Miracle Worker. These activities have later nurtured in us a great appreciation of the arts.
We look back to the days we were in the campus where we played Chinese garter, shatong and tumbang preso, jackstone and shato, marbles and matchboxes which we bought at the Variety Store in the old market. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that in those days we did not have computer games, or PSPs that would have curtailed our ability to socialise with our playmates . We are a happy bunch of kids then, because we knew how to play with others with much gusto.
As we look back, we remember the people who touched our lives because of the service they rendered to make life comfortable and convenient for us. We remember the sisters assigned to care for us: Sr. Mary Martha, Sr; Yolanda Caridad, Sr. Giles who accompanied us in the piano, and Sr. Gabriel who sold the the textbooks every enrolment day.

We remember our teachers: Mises Macapagal, Allayban, Coballes, Liban, Rola, Taguinod, Gatan, Cabalza and many more.
We remember Berong who was the friend of all the pupils in the elementary department with his calesa that brought most of us to school and back home after classes. Who can forget lolo Deyong? We flocked to his store infront of the ermita to buy lubban, santol or bayabo wrapped in newspaper and sprinkled with asin. Simple, but heavenly pleasures.
Most specially today, we remember and pray for the classmates who went before us to the bosom of the Lord our creator: Warren Salvatierra, Mary Alexis Gacutan, Honorio Daraway, Anselmo Almazan, Benjamin Collado, Jonathan Cortez, Alexander Dona Martinez, and Benito Valdepenas. May the Lord welcome them into his heavenly fold and grant them eternal rest.
We are not here just to remember, but to reflect on how far we have reached and to see if our perspectives changed. Just like St. Paul our patron saint who moved from one country to another, some of us have moved away from Tuguegarao to far distances.

The capital cities we used to memorize in Social Studies have been visited and, like dogs who pee around a tree, we have made our marks in those countries we have been to. Some have reached the height of their careers; with a list of achievements, or a wider scope of influence. And we ask ourselves: How far have our dreams taken us?
Some of us have sailed great emotional oceans; and we have been gashed by the fiercest waves and storms of life. What was once played “Four Strong Winds” have become the image of emotional struggles. And just as Paul came to strengthen the spirit of his disciples when they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, we return to find strength in each other.
When we remember the past, we look back because we’ve changed. And the past have made us who we are today. But the little boys and the little girls who once inhabited St. Paul, we retained one specific thing that is important - we continue to nourish our friendships.

With the spark of just one photo, we have rekindled memories of friendship that we will forever cherish in our hearts.
And this is what we celebrate in thanksgiving today. We are here with grateful hearts for the people we have met along the journey through life: our classmates, teachers, administrators, our parents who made a Pauline Education possible for us, and the people who made life comfortable for us.
Nothing binds relationships, but this beautiful memory of friends. What makes us different from other batches are our stories.
And these stories, brought together, form one collective memory which we share today. And in addition, nothing strengthens individuals in a relationship but affection. In this gathering, we show how much we care.

Today, we just proved that the Lord was right. What matters is what is forever.

And this is the reason why we don’t regret coming home. Today, we just affirmed that, what is most important is not how far we have gone, but how deep we have loved.

And this is the reason why we don’t regret coming home. Today, we just affirmed that, what is most important is not how far we have gone, but how deep we have loved...

This is what we have learned in St. Paul College (now university). Our motto “Caritas Christi Urget Nos.

– Christ’s love impels us” has and will always guide us in our journey through life.

Like St. Paul, what makes us great is the extent we are willing and committed to give for the ones we truly love.

So that, when it is our time to bid the world goodbye, we can say: That in all things, God may be glorified. Let us continue with this Eucharistic celebration remembering, rekindling and rejoicing with God and one another.

Captions from the message delivered by our classmate Reverend Father Gilbert Sales, CICM to his classmates and teachers in his homily. December 29, 2010 at the Ermita Church Tuguegarao, Cagayan..

2010-12-31T22:42:00.005+08:00

How am I ending 2010 memorably? By all indications, it would end bland, lacking in stimulation.

The last Christmas party I attended was for another company function where the invitation came accidentally by chance in a short street chat with the leader hours before the party.

It was a typical field office activity done in a warehouse under dim fluorescent light on the 30th. Highlights of the night were meals, karaoke bar and an exchange gift for 30 plus personnel that may have taken 2 hours to complete the rounds.

In between the program, I dropped by the warehouse office where I spotted 2 RTM engineers drafting an email of their report to their manager. They have been recently recruited 2 months ago for a new position that is technical in nature. They went through a rigid recruitment specified by no less than the Chief Executive. They are young, technically competent with an open and fertile mind, polite, articulate and inquisitive.
It started with a simple probing question, “Have you created the model output?” It took a while before they could answer “Yes” or “No” indicating they were processing the question until they said, “Not yet.” That led to more disclosures on the struggles they had to live with which tempted me to introduce spontaneously a mini module on Input-Process-Output and roles each one of us play-me, them, their internal suppliers and ultimate internal customers included. A high performing organization at the minimum requires that each player does their role well, very well.

Eagerly listening, approving and appreciating, they valued the short lecture giving them more resources on how faster they can deliver the model output. By the glow in their eyes, the 15 minute conversation must have unlocked fresh resource on how they will face their tasks the coming years.

The manner they said “Thank you! Can we have more ? Will you give us an orientation?” has more than compensated the appreciation I received from hours of facilitations I handled this 2010. It was as if in a casual, spontaneous, unplanned moment, "Here comes a face (me) bearing gift making us novice realize that we have untapped resources that can fill in the gaps and expedite the fulfillment of our task."

What they may have not realized is equally, I got affirmed that evening. I am seen as effective because of knowledge and confidence that is not threatening, sincere but provocative, assertive and sensitive. It was not only an affirmation for the moment but for the work that I have done in the past 12 months.

Noel, Clark and Carmela may have spotted greater hope that they can face their challenges in 2011. What they may have not seen is because of this conversation, I advanced the seed of my task for 2011 my personal mission which is "to inspire, enable and make the other party I converse with see the abundant possibilities."

This incidence summarized to me how my 2010 was. It gave me a foundation on how I should look at 2011 created just in a party that I was invited in and in a session that just transpired by chance.

Here's to a better year for all of us!

Posted at www.tochs.blogspot.com picked up at the Notes of FBook.

2010-12-29T22:41:00.002+08:00

Brokenness . Shattered Dreams. Trapped Mindset. These are not appropriate recurring thoughts this holiday season but they keep on coming back especially at work.

I lost my voice for 2 days after Christmas.
There’s a spiking throb in my right foot that is getting to be bothersome.
There are the dreaded projects.
The 320 GB desktop keeps on rebooting in cycle.
The auto lock of the sedan has stopped fastening the locks.

I am a firm believer of the season of hope.

The company doctor says "it’s viral." Your resistance is strong. At an instance, the spray and a mucolytic powder started to bring back my talking voice without any medication.
The spiking pain would cease with the change of footwear.
Associates pledge full support to keep projects going.
Desktop and auto lock are now operational, in better conditions.

An uplifting moment on the day of Christmas is shopping for a hosted lunch at home. At the last minute, I decided to add additional fares and beverages to the set menu. Supermarkets which had operations that day open only at noon time leaving little time for preparation.

Shopwise in Araneta Center however opened an hour before the announced schedule which I accidentally spotted while at the parking lot. Shopper's traffic was light unlike the chaotic condition a day before as captured by the news coverage on TV. A seafood staff attended to my requests from selection to packing and weighing. As a walk in shopper, he would not even allow me to touch the crabs and the shrimps until he secured a cart for convenience. Seafood and beverages were prepared ahead of the guests’ arrival. Their additional to the fare was surprisingly much appreciated as they were rated as fresh, sweet and “meaty.” Story on how they landed on the table for the feast was never disclosed until now.

I recall one Easter Sunday where Fr. Danny Huang, a Jesuit made a homily at the Cenacle Convert many years ago. I paraphrase, “Man is broken. It is inevitable as he committed sin and separated himself from God. Yet on Easter Sunday, the chance of redemption was completed which started from His birth on Christmas day."

Broken things get fixed in due time. Shattered dreams can be reconstructed. Trapped mindset is work in progress.

For the coming new year full of hopes and aspirations, Sacred space reminds me of the 1 January message, “I exist in a web of relationships - links to nature, people, God. I trace out these links, giving thanks for the life that flows through them. Some links are twisted or broken: I may feel regret, anger, disappointment. I pray for the gift of acceptance and forgiveness.”

2010-12-21T00:07:00.009+08:00

I took a closer look at the marquee outside the Ateneo gate last Sunday 19 Dec to check on the Simbang Gabi schedule this year. As I slowed down driving, it read 8:30 PM 16-23 December.

That information made me plan to attend the Monday mass. Through the years, I’ve always attended masses in the sprawling campus to remind me of the Christian message of Christmas. I usually take particular attention not just to the choir but to the homily said by the celebrating Jesuit priests.

However, due to a social activity, I failed to catch the mass. Nevertheless, I proceeded even just to genuflect and offer my thanks and requests accepting I failed to listen to the homily. Traditionally, I would also stroll at the mini bazaar for food and memorabilia which I did tonight. I spotted a trekking friend and a social network associate. Casually I asked Edsel R.amirez, “What was the message of today’s mass?”

It was an instance of serendipity as the valuable information I failed to catch was rattled to me extemporaneously and summarized articulately at the football field as if I was listening to the homily for the missed 5 days. I tried recalling the messages without losing its interpretation to reach a wider audience through this written site.

What this instance relayed to me was also what Edsel repeated crediting the priest for the message; “salvation is made possible through invitation.” But one must accept and prepare himself. We are reminded through Joseph that "happiness belongs to the humble and the hopeful.” These are the traits that can better prepare us for salvation. “Mary’s state symbolizes acceptance and faith.” Apply to day to day living, "saying Yes to God every day is a Yes to Mary at the Anunciation." All these stories build up until Christmas day.

These messages came at the right moment as I continue to be tested with easy to challenging situations at work and other moments in this fast paced life needing reminders like the insights of salvation, invitation, humility, hopefulness, acceptance and faith.

Tonight, I was reminded by this simple yet marvelous incidence that Christmas is a joyous moment. Experiences like these is a testimony to why it is one.

Simbanggabi Homily of Fr. A.N. Dacanay, S.J. (December 15, 2010)

Quote from Ed's Wall:

"In his somewhat pleading voice he said, be reminded ... be reminded always of the meaning of Christmas & of the crib. It is that act of faith in God (as shown to us by Mary and Joseph). For it is in that act of faith when we allow an opening for Christ to enter in our lives -- the Christ of compassion, of sacrifice, of humility and of love."

2010-12-19T16:42:00.003+08:00

Christmas this 2010 started with a grand bang.

A generous benefactor treated us to wagyu steak served in a hot stone in Eastwood City.

It is a choice premium beef sourced from Australia grilled in stone.

Food tasted as claimed, texture as described.

But somehow, food alone does not make an outlet. Restaurants are service institutions. Without extraordinary service, the experience is not fully satisfying.

While the basic services are fairly good, you’d wish that you get the extra ordinary service you are accorded with beyond what other low profile restaurants provide.

Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable relaxing Sunday lunch as the company, food and attention provided that special moment.

Thank you sponsor.

2010-12-10T06:00:00.001+08:00

Exploring a Concept Beachfront Complex

Work brought me to a spot in South Luzon 4 hours away from Manila, 5 for those who got trapped in the traffic.

It was a place I have not heard of although I have been in the town of Mabini in Batangas several times in the recent years.

Preparing the servings

Armed with a little knowledge from the internet hours before arriving, I looked forward to appreciating Vivere Azure, a view of the sea and the comfortable facilities.

The sojourn surprised me. What I have experienced in my several days’ stay did not match my initial outlook.

Staging to welcome guests

There was service that distracted the main attraction, good food that provided the nutrition desperately needed from the exhausting walks to several facilities.

The staff made sure we, the guests were satisfied, needs taken care of and forthcoming ones anticipated in advance.

Was it because we were the only guests? Or was it because the service orientation has been imbedded in their disposition?

I did not ask Aries, Edison, Ariel, Joven, Rose and the rest of the crew anymore.

It was enough that through their manifested behavior, they were already saying they have a strong ownership to delighting customer.

I just explored a place and discovered a lot more, an attitude.

2010-12-04T10:46:00.002+08:00

How else do you spice up a Filipino cuisine? Fusion restaurants put in additional ingredients to radically change the taste. Minimalists reduce to extract the core flavor. Adarna, a Filipino cuisine restaurant along Kalayaan Avenue in QC modifies the process.

What you get is the same food flavor but with an enhanced punch. Adobo has a crackling feel as the meat appeared to have been pressurized longer. The green salad had a tangy taste as a result of an unidentified step. Mixed rice had an aroma that is neither Chinese nor Pinoy which is tasty and filing.

Adarna has been rated favorably in http://www.spot.ph/ and in the book Manila by Day. The setting is an added complement. Food + Setting = Premium. But it is not. That’s what’s spicy about this QC’s kept restaurant of Giney and Beth.

2010-11-30T20:46:00.006+08:00

This November I mailed several books to different destinations.

First package dispatched contained 2 books weighing over 600 grams to Singapore via DHL costing P 1,230 last 15 November before noon. It was acknowledged by the recipient after noon the following day. Transaction was tracked in detail online. Impressive!
On the same day I also mailed the same number of books to New York via Phil Postal Corporation or PhilPost. I paid P 1,630 via snail pace. It was received 29 November about 2 weeks after sending. Recipient confirmed receipt via email. Rate was at a premium rated according to the longer delivery time. Lags behind in rating!
Last 24 November, I mailed a 700 gram parcel bearing 4 books to the East Coast via EMS of the PhilPost which was costed out at P 2,100. I am still tracking its whereabouts via its tracking site. Good Value ! compared to the Phil Postal regular mail, if eventually received on the 8th day as projected.
Other mailing services are LBC with comparable DHL rates (P2,060 for parcels within 50 grams) and with more accessible receiving counters in Metro Manila. Also has a website which tracks and confirms receipt online. A poor man's version of LBC is JR Express at a comparatively lower cost at P 1,900 for the 1st 500 grams. Fewer outlets though in the city but a reliable provider internationally especially locally.

The Philippine Postal Office has served me well decades ago. Now with fewer and older frontliners, it still is there delivering reliable service. While the more modern commercial distribution centers and mailing outlets are providing competitive rates and superior service, the post office is still a force to reckon with. It is an institution you've associated with pleasant memories, letters, postcards and stamps. Call it emotional involvement. Thrill-wise, it promises suspense not knowing when the mail will arrive. Happy Thanksgiving Day, even if slightly delayed.

2010-11-29T10:55:00.008+08:00

Thoughts from a transformational leadership session

At which level does your relationship operate on? Superficial, functional or essence?

Are you coming from scarcity or abundance?

To be a high performing individual contributing to a high performing organization, are you guided by:

Abundance rather than scarcity?
Welcoming or resisting change?
Delivering results in quantum leaps and bounds or in incremental growths?
Ownership rather than compliance?

Choice is yours, always yours.
When you do decide, commit yourself to it.
Ask support to make it easy.
Celebrate the success!
Meet you at the next level.

2010-11-26T07:04:00.004+08:00

Pinoy Mountaineer wrote an article on snakes making me recall my own experience.

What vivid recollection of the snake experience from the previous posts. Encounters with the reptile are unforgettable, thus easy to recall even if they happened years and decades ago. This invitation from the blogger made me recall just three which for now remained hanging because I have yet to identify the snake type.

While trekking on a flat bushy trail trailing a fellow trekker with backpack about meters away in Batanes in the 90’s, a green thin snake from the elevated ridge jumped to the female’s backpack and slid down quickly to the dirt trail. The backpacker did not even sense the threat to her life.

Another recurrence was in Pico de Loro at about the same decade in an elevated bushy trail which we converted to a campsite for the day. Cooking near the tent late afternoon, a big snake suddenly crawled near the make shift kitchen. It eventually moved away but made us speculate, how many more were out there. What species it was is still a question until now.

There was a repeat at Pico de Loro in another climb. While trekking in the open field going towards the mountain under the hot sun, a big snake popped up in the trail. It turned out it was just passing through but it made us stop

The fear for snakes is more pronounced as I have viewed more features in both the Discovery Channel and NatGeo. Not until I can learn to identify and tag the snakes as poisonous and fatal, I will continue to avoid them.

Bordering on safety, I always carry a snake bite kit, but in actuality have with no confidence and know how in using it.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20101205-307160/Snake-bites-two-teachers-during-Santas-Aussie-visit

2010-11-23T06:52:00.004+08:00

In my Thoughts

~~Meeting Beth Angsioco and Giney Villar of Adarna Food and Culture Restaurant after a satisfying meal~~
Learning to say "No" to filter out unnecessary tasks
~~Recalling encounter with snakes triggered by contributions to pinoymountaineer's article~~
Building a collection of Philippine culinary books
~~Comparing rates and speed of sending out packages abroad via DHL, LBC, Johnny Air Cargo and Phil Post Office~~
Reestablishing ties with climbing groups
Sourcing and collecting reserva and rated wines

Sent via email

2010-11-15T20:21:00.004+08:00

Mastering the Landscape Feature of Nikon S70

Photo read out on the LED screen says 1,504 fotos. That's an average of 79 JPEGs per week since I purchased this handy alternative point and shoot camera; quite high relative to my usage a year ago on other cameras. While it promised simplicity of operation, so far the only feature I mastered after several weeks is the landscape scene taken outdoors under sufficient lighting.
At times, the JPEG viewed at the my computer screen elicits awe, a few times though in wonder. "I wonder how that happened?" View with me a coverage of old structures taken recently in an old town in South Luzon, in Taal Batangas.

Subject on doors and windows is timely as annually during these closing
months of the year, I never failed to ask myself what is in store for
next year for me. At least with the camera, I know I need to master next the portrait and close up features.

Posted from Laguna, sent via mobile phone

2010-11-08T05:08:00.005+08:00

National Geographic's Great Migrations which premiered on Philippine cable 46 (Sky Cable) last 7 November at 9PM dramatically narrated the story of animal mass movement. Tagging the global activity with the slogan "Move as Millions. Survive as One." the scene on predators preying on the moving animals was provocative and eventually disturbing.

The premiere episode aptly ended with the sign off line "Move . . . move . . . move . . . and survive." visually recapping how a young wildebeest failed to cross the river as she was eaten by a hungry crocodile. Mother was looking helplessness while her baby was crying until her last voice was drowned out by the fierce reptile.

Track the movement of million of red crabs as they face the struggle of surviving against a million of ants, zebra against leopards and th stunning flight of butterflies.

Watch this documentary. In the forthcoming series, different sets of animals will be featured. Only stones will not be moved by the Great Migrations.

2010-11-04T20:31:00.002+08:00

I assisted a blind grandma in selecting a bar of Safeguard at a price,
size and offer acceptable to her.
As I was wandering at the toiletry aisle of Hi Top Supermarket in
Aurora Boulevard, I spotted an old short pleasant woman reaching out
for a bar of soap with difficulty. Initilally I thought it was the
height of the shelf. As I went closer, it turned out she could not
see.
Striking a conversation, lola knew what she wanted but could not check
the price, promo pack and the 3 varying pack sizes.
Instinctively, I gathered the packs for her to touch and read aloud
the prices. After a a 10-minute selection process, she finally
decided to get 3 medium sized white for over a hundred.
She was happy with her choice, I even happier for the chance to do an
act of kindness, fulfilled that I made a contribution.

Via mobile phone

2010-11-03T18:13:00.002+08:00

The Enderan book’s Manila’s Best Kept Secret lists it as of the top 60 restaurants in Metro Manila. It is also included in Manila by Day, a practical guidebook on where to find "premium alternative" services and outlets in the city. Barcino Gourmet, a Spanish restaurant along Julia Vargas Ortigas featuring Spanish wines is a cut above mainstream restaurants. It specializes in a particular cuisine that is not inihaw. It is not beer centric.

In the company of friends who wanted to get away from it away, we discovered our linkage to a colonizer. Willingly through the stomach we submitted ourselves.

Via email

2010-10-30T18:45:00.004+08:00

I was tested on the 1st habit of the 7 Habit to win my personal victory. I needed to improve on being proactive.

There were 2 conflicting work related schedules to happen in one day both of which I wanted to attend.

One is preferred as I got involved designing its pilot and is due for observation at the South of Luzon.
The other is a second preference as it involved a replication of an already executed program but in a start up location North of Luzon.

I committed to handle the 2nd preference 1st but I wanted to defer the activity so I can handle it leisurely on another date while completing the South Luzon activity. Dates were not changed which made me decide on a compromised position: Attend to North Luzon in the AM then travel 140 kms. to South Luzon in the PM for the other activity.

Leading to a cross road

I knew it was a reactive behavior because I felt helplessness against the decisions I made. I was executing the activity half attentively. The consequence to the behavior was the feeling of stress, irritability. Had it been a proactive, I would have received the activity with excitement.

The action step I took was a stretch as it required me to travel 6 hours on a rainy Friday afternoon crossing from North Luzon Expressway to South Expressway which could be physically exhausting.

While completing the day, I had to internally psyche myself with my personal values that I have the drive to succeed, to make things happen with the optimism that I will still get maximum results from the experience.

I survived that Friday and Saturday. What helped was the internalized processing the young cadets of a training group I was exposed to taught me: 1.) Make a proactive choice 2.) Acknowledge the feelings of the choice 3.) Project the behavior 4.) Identify personal values to drive the step 5.) Project the consequences. 5.) Accept.

I learned too from them that 1.) to win your personal victory, practice the 1st habit of pro-activeness initially. 2.) to win-win, have the balance of courage and consideration.

There will be more tests like these in the future. I am more determined to handle them better.

2010-10-25T11:02:00.010+08:00

Maculot Revisited from another Perspective

This 2010, I had a chance to view Mt. Maculot from another perspective, that of a traveller. Maculot was seen from 2 angles, Mataas na Kahoy from the North Alitagtag from the South.

13 years after, the mountain looked solid and lush from a distance still bringing thrills to those who climb it.

Seen from afar, it is only those with a curious mind who will ask, what’s in there. Only those with a sense of adventure will explore it further.

2 post climb activies can now cap a Maculot climb: a swim at a private resort in Alitagtag, about 5 kms. away from the town or a 300 meter zipline cross in a resort at Mataas na Kahoy

Mt. Maculot is All Geared Up For The Holidays Dec 1 1997, 4:00 pm

Newsgroups: soc.culture.filipino, rec.travel.asia Date: 1997/12/01

Climbing Mt. Maculot last 29-30 November, you can say Christmas has come upon this place. At night, you'll drive through several kilometers of Christmas lights in San Jose lined up against darkness in the main road. The lights are punctuated with Christmas decors, sometimes giant wreath, at times bells. It's like entering a tunnel of lined lights continuously for about 10 minutes.
Upon registering at Barangay Siete, the new registration desk that is just meters away from the Mountaineers Store, you'll immediately sense the cold strong breeze coming from the mountain.
When you reach the shoulder, prepare your windbreaker. Support your tadpole or geo-dome type tents with guy line and complete sets of pegs. It's as if there's a storm coming. Temperature without the wind factor was surprisingly just below 20 degrees Celsius.
I have never seen that many campers in the peak, counted at about 380 plus by the Barangay volunteers. Bulk was composed of the Mapuan climbers celebrating their anniversary. The group I was with at the trail (Cebu Pacific and the Greenmeadows group) had to contend with the flat ground between the shoulder and the water source.
With all the dining, the drinking and the socials that night complemented by the cold weather and the strong winds, you can say Christmas has really come upon this mountain. The smell of latrine though brings you back to your reality that there is still the descend and work that waits for you this Monday.
Mt. Maculot is in Cuenca Batangas Philippines, a small town 2 hours from South Expressway. It is considered as a minor, weekend climb and a favorite among novice trekkers. Summit is about 700 meters ASL. Trek time from the foot to the shoulder is about 1 1/2 hours. Add another hour to the summit.

2010-10-18T21:37:00.004+08:00

Long before Gideon Lasco (pinoymountaineer.com) dominated the information highway, my source of narratives for climbs and the extreme sports has been Cesar "Gigit" Sulit (thelonerider.com). He writes about situations, lifestyles and places that interest me. Like Gideon, he provides info and references to better prepare and appreciate a destination. The lonerider has expanded his site beyond adventures: mountaineering/mountain biking and reviews to misc. It is still the adventure and review groupings that I look forward to reading and most recently, at more frequent intervals.

Pinoymountainer is practical-"your guide to hiking in the Philippines," loneride is philosophical-"a nomad in search of . . ." Deep dive into his site to discover if what he is in search for is also what you are looking for.

2010-10-16T19:36:00.001+08:00

A Philippine fruit unfamiliar to today’s generation is the balimbing.

Decades ago, it just grows at the backyard for picking when one fancies for a sour fruit.

Because of its several faces, it is more known as a symbol of turncoats.

In rare moments when it is served at the table, fun comes from cutting because of its shape and the distinct taste.

Catch it at your local market while it is still around.

2010-10-14T07:02:00.004+08:00

They are younger now. Shawn Low and Delazad are travel chroniclers of Nat Geo’s Lonely Planet The Road Less Travelled and A Childhood Memories. Shawn, a 25 year old Singaporean covered a trip in China who from his profile says will “try and do anything at least once.” Delazad on the other hand chronicled his trip from China to Russia and back to Paris in 2 months, 11 countries with his famous photographer father Reza. The world is different as seen from the eyes of these adventurous young travelers.

Shawn presents his travelogue typically like The Lonely Planet’s; background information on sights not popularly travelled and focus on people which represents the uniqueness of the place.

Delazad’s sights and sounds on the other hand take a backseat to the human insights on travelling with his photographer father. The 15 year old son plans for the trips and travel connections while the father challenges the design. It is rich with drama as the son takes this as an opportunity to see what his father has seen at the time when he stays home in Paris while the father rides on the expedition to make his son strong to face the real world.

Shawn leaves the destination feeling good he has done not easy activities for the 1st time. Delazad reaches home happier because he has become more confident, Reza fulfilled because he has known better his son.

Road Less Travelled and Childhood Memories were viewed back-to-back Wednesday evening 13 October in Manila on Sky Cable.

2010-10-05T19:52:00.003+08:00

I enrolled in Global English, an online learning activity.

The teaching approach follows a logical sequence similar to the traditional process. Participant is pre-enrolled, logs in, and takes an assessment exam where the results are immediately posted. From the results, the participant defines the desired level of proficiency. Courses are then presented for the enrollee to design his own study plan.

Global English improves one’s grammar (subject-verb agreement and correct usage) for better reading, writing and understanding. Once you start doing the exercises which is friendly and easy, I see no reason not to improve. You are introduced to words, read, define, listen and pronounce them and apply them in familiar exercises. Answers are posted right away after the exam for the enrollee to learn the correct usage.

It is convenient and secure too. You can log in using the office's online connection or any other computer online provided you know the website and your log in name and password. Once logged in, you can assess your past records and performances.

I look forward to passing the 10 Business English Courses with about 10 assignments to complete per course. I thought I am at home with the English language. After my assessment, I realized there are still opportunities to learn. Today I learned the word “envision (verb)” which is to put up with (phrasal verb; inseparable).

Posted in Laguna

2010-10-05T19:49:00.004+08:00

Three movies in the Top 100 Filipino films by Critic After Dark shown on Cinema One (Channel 56 on Sky Cable) this September dragged my spirits down.

Hinugot sa Lupa, a film by Ishmael Bernal in 1985 on a woman’s temptation for an abortion portrayed a single’s lady gradual disabling through her trials on relationships, society and situations. After a tragic ending, the film showed Maricel Soriano initially recovering and seeing the light with the support of her close female friend.

Edwin O Hara’s Kastilyong Buhangin (1980) starring Nora Aunor and Lito Lapid traces a relationship from childhood to adulthood ending in a tragedy. Sand Castle, the English translation of the film is an apt analogy to the dreams of the lead man which after experiencing chronic failures ended in frustration, denial and shuttered ambition. His failure to reach his goal eventually led to his destruction.

Sa North Diversion Road (2005), an Indie film directed by Dennis Marasigan adapted from a theatre screenplay written by Tony Perez shows nine situations of a couple in an unfulfilled, constrained and denied relationship.

Films are successful in depicting the hurting themes and in conveying the message of a painful human reality. Surviving life needs gut.

Posted in Laguna

2010-10-05T19:44:00.003+08:00

National Geographic recently shown on Cable TV (Channel 41 on Sky Cable) the Top 10 photos of 2009 printed in the National Geographic Magazine. It was presented last Monday at 9PM as a feature of photography month.

Editor Chris Johns annotates the 1 hour show with narratives and videos on how the photos were taken and selected. Broadly, the criterion is: "a strong emotional power that is moving in some way."

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/12/top-ten-photography

Topping the list in 2009 is Redwoods taken by Michael Nichols of a 300-foot titan tree in California's Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park as subject. Photo is a mosaic composed of 84 images.

Sports Unlimited over ANC 27 likewise announced its winners of the photo contest on nature. Catch the winners on air.

Posted in Laguna

2010-09-19T13:35:00.003+08:00

Videos that shocked me:

1. Locked up Abroad on the kidnaping and captivity of the Abu Sayyaf of
Martin and Gracia Burnham was aired in the National Geographic Channel.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/locked-up-abroad/3806/Photos#tab-Overview

2. Werner Herzog's movie Rescue Dawn starring Christian Bale on the
survival of a US Naval pilot in the jungles of Laos during the Vietnam
war was shown in HBO.

Both videos shown hours apart reenacted the struggles of the Burnham’s in the jungles of Mindanao and Dieter Dengler in Laos.
Imagining how to cope with hunger, long and steep treks, rain and harsh heat, dangers in the wilderness and escaping gun fires, I could only admire them for their courage. It can only be grit that made them overcome the ordeal.

2010-09-18T17:46:00.007+08:00

Articles in Mind:
Banaue Car Repair and Peddling where expert mechanics are all over the place (middle men and hustlers too!), parts in every corner, peddlers selling in a variety of goods from cell phone chargers, auto tools, rags, tint, hub cabs, nuts etc. There is never a dull moment while waiting for the completion of a car repair mounted in the street corridor. Vendors catch your eye span and offer a product or service to sell. In between procedures, kids from nowwhere cut in to scavenge.

Ramon Lee's Fried Chicken tried at 538-540 Ronquillo st. Sta. Cruz Manila in a restaurant named after the owner that started in 1929.

SV Epistola's Foreword on Amadis Ma. Guerrero's book posing this question "Can a travel book do all that?"
Sent via email

2010-09-18T07:52:00.004+08:00

I will not be able to write like him. Not yet or not even in the near future.

Edward Rothstein describes the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming as “A Cathedral to the Shrine of Nations” in the New York Times. He has a command of the English that even without images, I can picture the geyser at the Yellowstone Park and its movement.

To open the article, “A mist of hissing steam drifts from the mound, but every 90 minutes or so, water starts to spurt fitfully, then more aggressively, until it erupts into a tower as high as 180 feet, whose spray may be spread by the breeze toward the hundreds of viewers gathered to watch the spectacle.”

As an art reviewer, he poses a point of view which only a writer who is at home with the language can craft, “He said it was as if nature had gathered from all over the world “specimens of her rarest fountains, to show in one place what she can do” -an exhibition to which any human curatorial effort must defer.”

It will take a major intervention before I can write like Edward R. To write well, one must have the facility to express, a wealth of vocabulary uses correct syntax and a point of view. At least in my case, I already have the point of view.

2010-09-08T08:10:00.008+08:00

I recently purchased travel related books on the Philippines at the National Bookstore in Cubao. Some were on bargain and two recently launched: Street-Bound Manila on Foot by Josefina Manahan and Connecting Flights edited by Ruel S. De Vera.

First article I immediately read was my English teachers' "New York First Encounter." This is part of the compilation of travel stories in "Connecting Flights Filipinos Write from Elsewhere." Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo writes about how she was enamored by the place which put "its best foot forward" for her and her husband in 1987.

The pleasure of reading the article is the writer’s vivid description of the dynamics in her mind reconciling the attractions imbedded in her memory through movies and pictures and the actual sight of the icon. This is how she describes it in her style “The thing about visiting a place one knows only too well – from books and films and TV shows, not to mention other people’s spirited descriptions – is that it seems to offer no surprises. Even the people one meet’s walking down the streets look familiar. But of course that’s all an illusion, just street magic. New York surprised us. Again and again.”

Upon completing the story, I immediately wanted to email the story to friends and relatives who can relate to the magic of the place, the 1st time around.

Manila by Foot is a practical reference on how to go about and appreciate historical and symbolic icons and attractions in Metro Manila. Tips are given by writer and walker Josefina Manahan who has personally visited the places like University of the Philippines in Diliman, Ayala Museum, Binondo, R. Hidalgo streets among others. Maps, classifications and time frame of the walk accompany each article. Book was written 2001 and may need updating particularly on directions going to the locations. LRT 1 and 2 and MRT can be cited as alternative efficient means of transpo in the cities.

Travel articles that I fancy inform, describe and provide insights. They validate if I share the same experience, open possibilities if I missed some attractions. If I drop the book and hop in to a bus, the article moved me.

Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, “New York: First Encounter,” in Connecting Flights, Filipinos Write from Elsewhere ed. Ruel S. De Vera, 131-142. Manila: Anvil, 2010

Josefina P. Manahan, Street-Bound: Manila by Foot. Manila: Anvil, 2001. Reprint, 2009

2010-09-05T16:55:00.003+08:00

Each time I reboot, a pop up message prompts me after I log in “Preparing to install Realplayer.”
This shows up despite the un-installation done via the software’s program or through the control panel of the same software.

Searching at google, there were only a handful of entries for the query “real player reinstalls every reboot." Not even Real Player technical support has an entry on the incidence.

With this recurring entry (and irritating one),

• I learned to clean my registry using “regedit under run” both on normal and safe mode

• Resolved registry conflicts using ccleaner program
• Totally eliminate remnants of Real Player files using Revo Uninstaller
• Cleaned reboot using selective start up of “msconfig”
• Updated my Anti Virus software (Symantec)
• Scanned the entire system.

All these were unsuccessful in stopping the activity until I came across an entry suggesting it could be a Trojan worm. I tried a recently launched Microsoft Security Essentials program. True enough, it detected a Virtool: win32/VBInject.gen!GB. Microsoft Security Essentials contained and removed it to my relief.

Finally, there is no more recurring install of RealPlayer every start up. I lost my trackers and predictive entries which I can reconstruct. On the bright side, I did not lose my files and need not reinstall an OS and learned all other options. Thanks to Ronald and Arvil, technicials of open pinoy who helped diagnose and acted on solving.

How does success feel like? Triumphant especially for a difficult case as this one.

2010-09-02T18:59:00.001+08:00

An article a day keeps Dementia away

An article whether long or short is a result of insight generation.

Insights are drawn from observations, pre-conceived assumptions and relationship of facts and premises. It is a thinking process.

While seated, I cast my sight to a far away distance or to a macro object within range to seed an idea in my mind. When a concrete one is formed, I convert it to a written piece which is scribbled in any piece of paper. It could be in a prescription pad while waiting for a doctor or at the back of a place mat of a fast food chain. In the airport pre departure area or in a plane, I jot the notes in a pocket sized notebook.

Why do I actively document an idea to a piece of article? It is an application of liberal thinking to keep the mind lucid. As they say, what you don’t use, you lose.

2010-08-29T23:47:00.003+08:00

Celebrating Dulaang UP’s 35th Anniversary, a theatre group founded by Professor Tony Mabesa, I dropped by the UP campus on a weekend to reminisce how it was performing the 1st season. Colleague Professor Alex Cortez is now the groups’ Artistic Director and Professors Mabesa and Leticia Tison, the department’s Professor Emeriti. The rest of the crew and actors are complete strangers to me now.

Diliman is still how I recollected it was in my college years. The icons* associated with the university are still strongly suggestive of the institution. The Oblation, Carillion, Palma Hall, Palma corridors, foliage of acacia and the main library are collectively for me my academic scholarship.

Albeit the new structure and new traffic regulations, it still is the same campus that nurtured my learning day in day out for 4 years.

Perhaps I never really left the institution as my mind is lucid perennially still in search of knowledge, in the fields of management or social sciences. (Geographically, I have not left the district as I still live in the city.)

Enjoy viewing the images and the sculptures of Filipino heroes created by the Fine Arts students.

*a sign (as a word or graphic symbol) whose form suggests its meaning

2010-08-29T13:41:00.003+08:00

In between chores in a commercial center, I dropped by a Booksale outlet to check what’s in store. These interested me: National Geographic Coffee Table book on the National Parks of North America and a book of images on Work, The World in Photographs and Faces of Africa.

Quoting from the Faces of Africa intro, “Each image unfolds new and revealing perspectives; taken together, they create nothing less than the group portrait of a world that draws strength from shared values and common experiences even as it glorifies in the unique appeal of every individual.”

Work in its foreword quotes Marion Walcott, “Speak with your images from your heart and soul. Give of yourselves. Trust your gut reactions. Suck out the juices-the essence of your life experiences. Get on with it; it may not be too late.”

2010-08-25T19:14:00.001+08:00

The car wash stretch of N. Ramirez in Quezon City

This stretch is a convenient short-cut from Espana to E. Rodriquez avoiding the traffic lights and jeepney plying along Espana, Welcome Rotonda and E. Rod. Well cemented and properly maintained by the local QC Barangay, it is a popular 2 km. access road.

Lately, this residential area is emerging as a business zone. Car wash stalls in household garages and on the street have sprouted tapping water resources from the residential houses and drainage of the local district. Before, the only enterprises here are sari-sari stores which sell an assortment of prime household commodities. Now you already have a service outlet for motored vehicles which evolved to a service outlet serving carbonated beverages.

Nothing will stop the enterprising individual from building the channel if rooted on a real customer need. Satisfied here is a neat vehicle makeover for only P 65.0 on your way home.

2010-08-24T18:00:00.005+08:00

Burger King in E. Rodriquez beside St. Luke’s Medical Center wowed me. Not with their product but with a service I did not expect from a fast food chain.

While waiting for my cardiologist at the Medical Center to check on a potential hyper tensive condition, I figured there would be time for a cup of coffee.

I’ve always liked Burger King’s Joe coffee which is modestly priced at P 65.0. It is served in an advanced disposable packaging with 2 cup lets of fresh milk. The purchase entitled me to a password to a wifi assess for my email and the morning papers.

Several minutes later, a service crew approached me to inquire if I wish to have my black shoes shined. Since I bought this branded pair months before, I have long wanted to have it brushed but did not have the time to do so. I readily agreed of course.

After the experience, I gave the outlet in my mind an excellent customer satisfaction rating. It was time leisurely spent while waiting.

I returned back to the clinic with the doctor waiting for me. He diagnosed me as still a suspect subject to a change in lifestyle for the next weeks. Having a free shoe shine weekly could be my antidote to temporary deficiency in wellness. (The doctor likewise gave an advice, a cup of coffee is fine.)

2010-08-23T20:27:00.000+08:00

Shooting natural or a structure? Private domain or public property? Atribute it on the surging ownership of SLR cameras and the visibility of controversies. Unknowns outrightly refuse to be photographed. Attendants of commercial displays disallow their goods to be recorded. Nature makes better subjects, as they are, innately natural.

2010-08-23T19:09:00.001+08:00

Araneta in Cubao is repositioning itself. The upgrading of facilities and infrastrucutre is not happening though as fast as other emerging commercial centers in the city in the last decade.

Its changing image is paying the price for its pioneering heritage as it has started to look like a series of structures and paid parking spaces. Even the rest rooms now have a tag.

The affinity it created with loyal Cubao patrons is slowly giving way to the new generations' instant gratification. Araneta might eventually end up as a stop over rather than a destination.

2010-08-23T18:39:00.001+08:00

The Philippine Orchid Society, Inc. just completed its 64th Mid-Year Orchid and Garden Show at the Manila Seedling Bank Environmental Center.

Show showcases the collections of an individual or organization dealing with any aspect of the orchid industry.

As a walk in participant, I took the chance to capture the colors, texture in images up close in ideal natural sunlight.

Nature, unlike man does not resist being photographed. So far, field testing results of the compact point and shoot camera have been satisfactory.

2010-08-23T06:34:00.000+08:00

Years ago, I initiated in the original and now defunct peyups.com forum infrastructure projects in Metro Manila that would result in major improvements in efficiency. I cited as one the overhead overpasses in the major intersections of EDSA and other main streets as EDSA-Aurora, EDSA-North Avenue, EDSA-Taft, EDSA-Quezon Ave, Araneta-Magsaysay Ave where the pedestrians of the busy intersections would be conveniently directed to the steel bridges to cross.

Edsa-Quezon Ave

The website is gone (replaced by a new one) but the projects of MMDA under Bayani Fernando are still operational making the city a walk able one.

2010-08-19T17:56:00.003+08:00

Manila has been written about countless times. An enjoyable read is "The Manila we knew," a compilation of essays by several literary and opinion Filipino writers. Insights and historical relevance were narrated by the popular writers from their personal perspectives making me picture how Manila that I knew then.

Manila has too been a favorite subject among filmakers and documentary makers. The most recent that I watched was "Astig," a Cinemalaya entry of director GB San Pedro to the 2009 festival. Film dramatizes the grit and struggle of 4 young males in Quiapo in the several notorious streets. Well produced and excellently presented, the film presents the side of Manila the mainstream residents would ignore.

Both works of arts provide solid reasons for staying in the city. The color, struggle and the challenges Manila present bind the affinity between the place and its residents both established and transients.

2010-08-15T17:01:00.000+08:00

Freedom that I relish the most are freedom of mobility and choice (of food).

Mobility is the ability to move around without any constraint tapping available resources. In the city there are several: the most common and often untapped is walking, the most efficient is the MRT Blue line that traverses from North EDSA to ESA Taft, the LRT1 Yellow Line from Monumento to Baclaran and the LRT2 Purple line from Santolan in Pasig to Recto in Manila. Popular are jeepneys, tricycles, taxicabs and a creation of the decade, the FX.

Islands are crossed by air, land and sea.

Freedom to move around allows a wider freedom of choice of food. Choosing is the prerogative to point, in the local language, point-point or “turo-turo.” Proof of the moving is the eating.

Harry Potter's Mode

2010-08-14T18:04:00.005+08:00

Articles in mind:

1. There is freedom in image capture nature vs. urban

2. Clubs true to the MFPI vision
3. Moymoy palaboy: power of technology in catching up a 3 year old phenomena
4. N. Ramirez car wash strip

Mobile Send Test