THE X - SPOT

Ginger Conejo & Cuty Cute - "Come Away With Me" (Video)

2012-01-19T15:43:00.003+03:00

My pet rabbit, Ginger Conejo and kitten, Cuty Cute's bonding moment. I took this video just this afternoon around 2 PM, January 19, 2012.

My 4th No Smoking Anniversary (Thank you Jesus!)

2012-01-18T00:00:00.021+03:00

Today I'm celebrating my 4th No Smoking anniversary. Funny how time flies, I can't believe it has already been 4 years since I stopped smoking.

I honestly believe that it was Jesus who helped me stop the addiction back in 2008. I also believe that He was cleansing my body and was preparing my whole being until the day that I will receive Him back into my life, and that's exactly what happened. I received Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and personal Savior 3 years later, in July 2011, after a huge problem I had during my short vacation in the Philippines, when He used POEA as a tool to draw me back towards Him.

Thank you Lord Jesus for healing me, not just my body, but my soul. You comforted me whenever I'm troubled, You are my peace of mind. You give me courage whenever I'm in fear, You are my strength. You answers my every prayer like a string of pearls. Thank you for opening my eyes. You are truly the one and only, all powerful living God. The name above all name. JESUS!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29: 11

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Alice's Rabbit?

2011-12-22T22:48:00.001+03:00

Today while I was walking toward home with a friend coming from a nearby department store, I can't believe my eyes with what I saw - a stray white baby rabbit running along the side of the street, right in front of my apartment building. It was so elusive and was obviously afraid of me. It tried to run away from me and eventually it found a small hole that leads inside the perimeter of our building where I cornered it by the wall. It's now inside my apartment in a small box eating slices of apples and carrot.

This was so Alice in Wonderland. Of the legions of cats in the streets of Jeddah, I ended up chasing down a rabbit. Wow, this could really be Alice's rabbit! By the way, I decided to name it, 'Ginger' The Conejo (though I'm not sure yet as to its gender), which sounds rather familiar to Kapamilyas.

My dilemma is I already have 8 cats at home so I run the risk of finding it one day from work in a gruesome state. Not to mention those 8 eating machines find almost everything else edible. So I decided to give Ginger away, where I'm sure she can be properly taken cared of. She will not be staying with me for more than 12 hours so I've prepared a video of hers and hopefully I will be keeping track of her progress.

UPDATE: Dec. 23, 2011, 7 PM.

I decided to keep Ginger. Just bought her (well, assuming that it's a girl) a small cheap rabbit cage (to protect her from the cats), and wood shavings for her litter at a near by pet shop and I even put a mirror inside her cage so that she'll think that there's another rabbit with her inside the cage and I think it's working. I just don't have the heart to give her away after watching the video above. I can't help thinking about her. I would be very worried about her well-being if ever I would give her to other people. I don't want her to be treated like a toy.

Good News On Camera Ni Cabrera!

2011-12-08T20:40:00.008+03:00

Recently, I added a new feature in my 'Camera Ni Cabrera'. I know this would sound corny or perhaps even cheesy to some of you, but I incorporated Bible verses on every post on my photoblog. This new feature came about as my way of giving back the glory to Jesus Christ who did amazing things for me more than 5 months ago, just weeks after that life changing circumstances that happened to me during my vacation in the Philippines in May - June 2011.

I realized that in everything I do, I should do it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10: 31), and that I should take away the "Me" factor (Pride) in the equation because it is the Lord who made it all possible for me. He is the wind beneath my wings, the light that lights my way and without Him I'm nothing and I can do nothing.

This is also a way for me to share and spread the word of God to those who haven't got a personal relationship with Jesus yet. I know that not a lot of people would understand this, most especially the unbelievers, and actually, I already had one visitor who questioned me about the Bible verse in one of my posts and that's quite alright. So, every time you pass by my photoblog, expect some Good News to make (or break) your day. God bless you all! :-)

But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
~ 2 Corinthians 10: 17

Visit 'Camera Ni Cabrera'

Please Support My PEBA Entries!

2011-11-16T23:01:00.004+03:00

Please support my photo blog 'Camera Ni Cabrera' (Picture Picture category) and this blog 'THE X-SPOT' (Personal blog category) on 'Any Blogger, Anywhere', PEBA 2011. Thank you very much and God bless!

'CAMERA NI CABRERA'

'THE X-SPOT'

My Justin Ng's Photo Contest Entry

2011-10-29T17:17:00.004+03:00

This is my entry on Justin Ng's Thousand Dollar International Photo Competition. October's theme is Sunrise/ Sunset. You can show your support by liking this photo on Facebook, click HERE. God bless!

She's Wicked (But Love Is A Healer)

2011-10-12T00:05:00.017+03:00

See the black & white version of 'Wicked' on 'Camera Ni Cabrera'.

Way back in August when I first heard through the bathroom window of our apartment what seems to be a crying kitten and sure enough, when I looked at the window, I saw a little black kitten looking back at me and it seemed to be asking for food. The kitten has no way of getting out from a cave-like basement storeroom because the door of that small space which is under the staircase of our building is always locked, so it must have been born there and neither have any interactions with other kittens nor people (aside from hearing them while they go up and down the stairs). It was basically a 'cave kitten'.

After a few weeks, my friend and I decided to rescue the kitten by climbing over the door (it has a wide open space above it where you could climb to get to the other side). When my friend got there, he just couldn't find the kitten because it was dark and the room was full of clutters. There is also a small door that leads to an open space which is the back of our bathroom where I first saw the kitten; he can't find it there either. And so we decided to stop the search and call it a day. The cat was just too scared to show itself.

From that day on, for it to be able to survive, everyday we give the kitten water and cat food placed inside a loose plastic bag, by way of the small (bigger than a fist size) hole at the side of the stairs. We've been doing that for weeks, until the caretaker of the building called and said that he had found the key to the small room. That evening we decided to give it a second try and search for it again.

A few minutes after we opened the door, the terrified kitten just leaped out of nowhere and ran frantically without direction until I cornered it by the door of my neighbor. I can't even touch the kitten for it was so fierce and I was scared that it might scratch my hands. I asked my friend to get me the rag and I used it to cover the entire body of the kitten so that it doesn't scratch me and then I quickly took it to my apartment.

For three days I can't even touch the cat. I have to feed it cautiously and quietly or else it might freak out, but then as the days passed, the kitten learned to trust me eventually. While feeding it, I always sneak my other hand towards its back and gently pet it. It was during that time also that I realized that it's a she and I thought it's also appropriate to give her a name. Since she's entirely black and fierce, I thought why not call her 'Wicked', like the witch in The Wizard of Oz.

Now I think she's already settled-in in my apartment with 8 other similarly curious cats and two weird-looking people (at least in her perspective). What can I say? There's nothing in this world that love can't change. She's Wicked, but love is a healer. Thank you Lord Jesus that we were able to save her. The only question now is, how long can we keep it up with them? They will not be kittens forever, you know, not to mention that their subsistence costs dwarf that of our own (green peas thankfully make us get by, lol). I know it's sad and heartbreaking but one of these days, some of them will have to go. We simply can't handle them all. So sad really.

Our daily routine with all 9 of them (cats)!

Three Days With PEBA And TFC

2011-10-09T03:02:00.002+03:00

Recently, I had an amazing week with some amazing people of PEBA (Pinoy Expat/ OFW Blog Awards). I went to 3 different occasions - some of them included the interviews of my friends and of myself which will be shown on 'Balitang Middle East on ABS-CBN (The Filipino Channel). I feel bad though that I will never be able to watch them, now that we've shifted from TFC to GMA Pinoy TV, but that's alright, I took a lot of photos from those events and that's enough for me, but it would be cool to see myself on TV though.

September 23, 2011, Seminar With Patnubay .

Last September 23 (Friday), we had a mini seminar with Patnubay, an NGO headed by Mr. Joseph Espiritu which helps Filipino OFWs with their labor problems in Saudi Arabia. I really learned a lot that day especially about our rights as an expat in this country. I also became aware of the plight of the not-so-lucky Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia.

Together with us in the seminar were Charles Tabbu, the TV reporter of TFC Jeddah, Delia Sevandra of 'Ganap Guardians', blogger and journalist of Saudi Gazette, Casiano Mayor, Nereus Jethro Abad, the president of PEBA, one of the winners of PEBA last year, Nelson Bedayo and Kenjie Solis, the founder of PEBA. If you want to know more about Patnubay, you can go to their website HERE.

September 27, 2011, NPC (Robian) Filipino Cultural Presentation in Al Laith, KSA.

This was one of the most exciting highlights of my week because I became a cameraman for a night for TFC in lieu of Charles Tabbu, the TFC reporter for Jeddah who wasn't able to make it because he had to fly to Riyadh that day. He was supposed to come with us to cover an event hosted by the town of Al Laith, but because he couldn't come, he just gave me a quick lesson on how to handle the camera before leaving for Riyadh. Regarding the interviews, I told him that I will just ask the help of my colleagues from PEBA who were with me. He left me his camera and all the accessories that go with it, and mind you even his ABS-CBN (TFC) Identification Card.

Mr. NJ sent us a 4x4 car to fetch the 4 of us (Nel, Kenjie, Mhel and I) from Jeddah. It took us more than 2 hours to get to Al Laith, I never thought it was that far though. When we arrived at the venue, the Filipino employees of NPC were already in their costumes and so we took that opportunity to interview some of them. And when they took to the stage, I was there at the side of the auditorium to shoot some of their performances. Their cultural presentation was magnificent, it was a summarized history of the Philippines, from its pre-colonial era to the modern times.

After the presentation, we interviewed 3 of the high ranking officials of NPC, the Managing Director and one of the stockholders, Engineer Ahmed R. Al Balla, the head of HRD Ali Muhammed Al Shaiki and the Corporate Head - Social Responsibility Mr. Khalid Al Adhal. After that we went to the Planetarium and watched a 3D movie in a small theater all in the same building with the auditorium. It was great, but my head ached after that 3D movie though.

Then we went to a restaurant. All the Filipino employees of NPC who were there at the event were already waiting for their order when we arrived. I can tell they were all hungry and so were we, but they were not just hungry for food, they were also hungry for photo ops. Kenji and Mhel took their pictures and I took more video clips while we were waiting. And after we had eaten, we rested a moment, and headed straight back to Jeddah with the same car and driver. We arrived home at around 2AM. It was an awesome experience, something that I will never forget. You can also read a more 'gruesome' account of this trip on my friend's blog, ¡SOY NEGRENSE!

September 30, 2011, TFC Interviews PEBA and the Jeddah Bloggers.

When Nel and I arrived at Kudu restaurant on Paletine street where the interview was to take place, most of the invited people were already there except for Charles and Mr. NJ, who had a problem with the tire of his car. By the moment Charles and Mr. NJ arrived separately, that was my last feel of a journalist's camera, the one I used for the interview in Al Laith. Good thing I didn't forget to charge the cam's battery a night before because it'll be the same camera that he will be using on that interview .

Kenji was the first to be interviewed, then Mr. NJ, followed by Nelson and then me the last. On my part of the interview, it was nerve-wracking, I don't know what to say and I feel awkward, may be it's because I 've never been interviewed ever before. I was like talking without knowing what I'm saying. I felt stupid with that interview and I can't even remember now what the question was. LOL! I'm just hoping now that I will not look stupid when it goes on air. And then after our interviews, Charles asked me to hold the camera for him as he says something for closing remarks about the PEBA interview. Watch the videos below!

It was a great experience with PEBA and Charles Tabbu of TFC. I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I would like to say thank you Lord Jesus for everything and thank you to Kenji and Mr. Nereus Jethro for that wonderful experience with TFC. If not for them there wouldn't be any interviews at all, they are the ones who facilitated it. Thank you also to Charles Tabbu who entrusted me his camera and ID. Thanks PEBA!

Isang Litro ng Liwanag (A Liter Of Light)

2011-09-16T22:22:00.010+03:00

"Isang Litro ng Liwanag" (A Liter of Light), is a sustainable lighting project which aims to bring the eco-friendly Solar Bottle Bulb to disprivileged communities nationwide. Designed and developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Solar Bottle Bulb is based on the principles of Appropriate Technologies – a concept that provides simple and easily replicable technologies that address basic needs in developing communities.

"Isang Litro ng Liwanag" campaign headed by philanthropist Illac Diaz (the nephew of 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz) turns plastic soda bottles into nifty light bulbs in small homes, which absorbs sunlight and spreads it out inside a house.

A man from San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines shows how to make an alternative light bulb to be used inside the house. For more information on how to help, click to their website below.

www.isanglitrongliwanag.org

And Three Became Eight (The Rescued Kittens)

2011-09-15T03:19:00.003+03:00

I've found 7 cute kittens under a car near the garbage bin in the street just outside our apartment the other day. They turned out to be the kittens of the tabby cat owned by the Indonesian expats from the second floor. The cat regularly waits for us every morning outside the door of our apartment for weeks now, seemingly begging for food, and ever since I see to it that I gave her some cat food whenever I see her by the main door. I even gave her a bath once and shampooed her because she stank and looked underfed. We knew that she has kittens somewhere in the building judging by her rows of teats that sagged, but we never thought that we will see those kittens out in the street and under a flat-tired car.

We talked to the owner of the cats and they said they threw those kittens because there were too many of them and that they didn't have any choice but to evict them out of their apartment. They could have kept them outside of their apartment or let them roam freely through flights of stairs but the building watchman does not see it possible for hygienic reason. The owners however took back one of the kittens to be with its mother. So after 2 days of feeding those kittens under the car, we decided to take them all inside our apartment and take care of them 'till they get a little bigger. Seeing them lying on a very hot surface, their tongues sticking out due to extreme heat and thirst is just not right. Unfortunately, when we were scampering around to catch them, one of the kittens had run like hell it thought it just had a great escape. And we lost sight of it, three days now into our search and rescue episode to no avail, it must have gone with other bigger alley cats.

Just this afternoon after work, we bought them a few cans of cat foods and a small litter box. I've already bathed and blow-dried all of them and now they are all clean, smelling good and comfortable like little kings and queens. Just a few hours ago before I decided to write this blog, they were all playing like crazy just like normal healthy kittens do and I don't think they have any idea of what's going on or what kind of future will they have. So sad.

I can't help but wonder how come here in Saudi Arabia they don't have any government programs/agencies or NGOs that take care of these poor creatures? Seeing them on the street every single day, some flattened and buried under car tires, really breaks my heart. If only I'm as rich as some people here, I would probably buy a patch of land somewhere and rescue all the cats that I see on the street and educate pet owners to neuter or spay their cats, and be responsible pet owners. They should think of these animals as integral part of their families and not as toys like dolls and toy robots that they give to their kids. These are living animals that need TLC. Feline population in Saudi Arabia has soared unabated in the streets because of lack of education on the part of pet owners who readily dump them in the streets when confronted with incapabilities to keep them any longer. Lack of compassion is also obvious here for people or citizens who could have thought of something humane for these animals.

Now we have a total of 8 rescued cats (3 of which came from our previous rescues) in our small apartment and they are taking a huge bite out of our monthly salary. Cat foods and cat litters are getting more expensive here in Saudi Arabia. And if anyone out there happens to be an animal lover especially those who live in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, we would appreciate it much if you could share a little in any way you can for us to be able to keep them much longer. Please free to leave your comment below if the predicament of these cute cats moves you. And if it appeals to you that adopting one of them does not bother you that much, feel free to do so. You may send a word by my email at pepecabrera1972@yahoo.com. God bless you all!

AC 360° The Ridiculist, The Real Housewives Episode

2011-09-14T20:11:00.005+03:00

This is my favorite Anderson Cooper 360° episode. It's about Michaele Salahi and some of the 'Real Housewives'. I especially love the most Anderson's comment about Countess LuAnn (or simply The Countess) from 'The Real Housewives of New York' and her song, "Money Can't Buy You Class".

Here's what Anderson said about The Countess and her song, "Money Can't Buy You Class":

"My personal rule is that, when anyone actually uses the word "Class", when not referring to a room where people learn, has none."

The Ridiculist on AC360° (Anderson Cooper 360°)

Bye TFC, Hello GMA Pinoy TV

2011-09-01T00:26:00.008+03:00

A little over a month ago, me and my colleague stopped our TFC (The Filipino Channel) satellite subscription and decided to shift to OSN (Orbit Showtime Network) which beams the GMA Pinoy TV, an international Filipino channel which is owned by GMA Network in the Philippines and a direct competitor of TFC which caters mostly to Filipinos around the world.

And just few weeks ago, we received a call from a person who said that he's working for ABS-CBN (a company that owns TFC), and mind you, I thought its a little creepy because he was calling from the Philippines. He was asking why we haven't renewed our subscription and when are we going to renew it. My colleague just gave him the classic OFW alibi that we were busy with work, hence we haven't got time to watch TV especially during the Ramadan. It ended up with a confirmation that we might renew it after Ramadan or when our workloads lighten up, though at the back of our minds, we really don't have any intentions of renewing it ever again.

One of the reasons why we shifted to OSN, is that most of the programs on TFC in my opinion have lost their appeal to keep me jumping for excitement every time I come home from work. It's only their news and current affairs programs especially TV Patrol that I was really anticipating for, but ever since they replaced Karen Davila and Julius Babao with Korina Sanchez and Noli de Castro as news anchor, that's the time it 'jumped the shark'. I just lost interest in the program and with TFC as a whole.

It bugs me every time I see Korina Sanchez' eyebrows arched high on her forehead like a belligerent wild feline ready to pounce on her poor unsuspecting prey at the opening of the news program (in the video above), it makes me want to turn off the television right away and turn it on again after that unsightly portion had passed. Not that I hate Korina Sanchez, it's just that I don't really think she has the integrity and the credibility to be a news anchor. It doesn't feel right seeing her standing there in front of the camera after that spectacle she made years ago. She was in the news herself accused of beating her 2 house maids with the help of her then boyfriend Paul Aquino. I honestly believe that those poor victims were telling the truth. By the way, she's the wife of Mar Roxas, a former senator and the current Secretary of Transportation and Communications of the Philippines. But that doesn't help her regain her integrity, to say the least, in my opinion.

I have noticed (and perhaps all of you do too) that when she interviews people especially the poor, old and miserable, she doesn't show them respect by using "po" or "ho" which is obviously a big NO and rather rude or arrogant when aired on television. Whereas, when she interviews prominent people, or those who can fill her eyes, you can see the glaring difference in the level of treatment she gives them by showering them with incessant superficial po and ho. Well, that just pisses me off.

And what about the former vice president of the Philippines Noli de Castro, who was accused of graft and corruption for entering in an alleged midnight deal for the controversial 6 billion pesos 'Smokey Mountain project', and not to mention the current Pag-Ibig Fund controversy where he was again accused of graft and corruption? Talking about integrity huh! There was a rumor last year that Maria Ressa, the now former ABS-CBN's head of the News and Current Affairs, resigned because she strongly disagreed with the management's decision to replace those TV Patrol news anchors with Sanchez and de Castro. And if there's any truth about the rumor and the way the news program turned out, I believe that she's already been vindicated.

Anyway, it's nice to see new programs with new faces on GMA. So far I like 24 Oras, Imbestigador, Reporter's Notebook, and Eat Bulaga. And what's good with OSN is that, if we get tired watching GMA, we could just change the channel and watch other channels like MGM, Animal Planet (my favorite), or Discovery Science perhaps. And we were also amazed to learn that TV5 in the Philippines have an international channel called Aksyon TV International which we can also watch through OSN. OSN cost 90 Rials per month, it's a little costly compared to TFC (sr14 difference for very educational and entertaining channels wouldn't make us bleed, lol!). By the way, all OSN's 26 channels are really worth watching including 2 channels for GMA TV, 2 channels for GMA radio and Aksyon TV International. I think this is one of the best decisions we've ever made.

Believe me, if you are tired to record everyday your favorite TFC programs because you will not be able to watch them due to conflict with work schedule, and all that welcomes you when you get home is your most dreaded toilet-humor, corny and predictable scripts like Banana Split, then joining aboard would be a little smarter thing to do, lol! Sounds like promoting OSN, am I, right? Or perhaps you think I'm getting a month gratis for promoting the company? No, this is enough of a proof that I enjoy all the channels that my Eid holiday is spent almost entirely watching really nice programs.

My Two Blogs Have Been Nominated!

2011-08-21T21:01:00.002+03:00

My two blogs have been nominated for PEBA's (Pinoy Expat/ OFW Blog Award) - Any Blogger Anywhere! 2011. This blog, X-SPOT, has been nominated in the Personal Blog category and my photoblog, 'CAMERA NI CABRERA' for the Picture! Picture! Blog category. Being one of the nominees for this prestigious awards is already an honor in itself. To my supporters and to PEBA, thank you so much.

Visit 'CAMERA NI CABRERA'.

I'm Reading: 'The Nine Lives Of Montezuma' by Michael Morpurgo

2011-08-10T20:45:00.007+03:00

I wasn't actually looking for something to read when I was at the bookstore yesterday. I was just there to help my friend because he wanted to buy an MP3 player, but when I went up to the second floor to just look around, (that's where all the books are,) I can't help myself but to get closer to a certain book I saw from a distance. The cover of this book really caught my attention, it was an orange cat with green eyes surrounded by bright green leaves. Most of you guys know that I'm an animal lover, especially of cats (and dogs too), and that's one of the reasons why I was attracted to this book aside from it's beautiful bright cover. The title of the book is'The Nine Lives Of Montezuma' by Michael Morpurgo, ooooohh! It was obvious to me that it's a children's book and I was right when I opened it. The prints are much larger and it has drawings inside that depict the characters of the story in some of its pages. It's a story about the dangerous and exciting life of a farmyard cat, from a fiery kitten to a tired old Tom (that's the book description from the net).

I didn't think twice to buy it. It doesn't matter if it's a children's book or an adult book (not the one you think of course you dirty minds), a book is a book, it doesn't matter if the person reading it is 9 or 39 (not my age!). I love children's book. If you can remember I posted here last year about'The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz' by L.Frank Baum after reading it, I never thought it was so different from the Victor Fleming's 1939 film version starring Judy Garland, amazing!; and'Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat That Change The World' by Vicki Myron, that book made me cry (but don't tell!).

I've already finished reading the first chapter of ...Montezuma last night which is called The Beginning, tonight I'll start with the second chapter called The Second Life. The book only has 9 chapters. I'm so excited, can't wait to read it! (I only read before going to bed at night, that's the only time I have.)

Michael Morpurgo.Com

'The Nine Lives Of Montezuma'

The Gospel According To Oprah

2011-08-08T00:53:00.004+03:00

I was a fan of The Oprah Show and Oprah Winfrey, until a friend of mine told me of an old Oprah Winfrey Show video clip where she was having a 'religious arguments' (as she calls it) with a woman in the audience, about a little more than an hour ago. There's also this article that he found on the same site about Oprah and this new age religion, The article is called the 'Gospel According to Oprah'. I was so shocked to learn about her not truly believing in Jesus Christ. Her knowledge of Jesus and His purpose are so twisted. She even thinks that "God" is jealous of her. Jealous of what? Her wealth and popularity that The God himself gave her?

She believes that the only reason why Jesus came is to show us Christ's consciousness and she also believes that there are multiple ways to get to heaven, not just through Jesus or Christianity; so I was thinking, where did she get that, from a bubble of many colors? How about the Bible? She just totally disregarded what's written in the bible about Jesus and His teachings. If she only reads her bible, she'll learn how much God loves us. She's just following all those things that are running inside her brain. The bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)." Oh Oprah, you had a chance to use your God-given popularity and wealth to get lots of people to know Jesus Christ, but instead you let yourself be used to send millions to hell. I'm totally disappointed on you Oprah. Goodbye.

"There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved." ~ Act 4:12

This is a re-post from an entry I posted last August 2, 2011 in my other blog, 'Snatched From The Pit'

Official Music Video Of "One Day" By CHARICE (with Behind The Scenes)

2011-07-27T21:55:00.009+03:00

Behind the scenes video.

This video is from AOL Music (Canada) And You Tube.

The Kathy Griffin's "Suck It Jesus" Joke At The Emmys 2007 (Video)

2011-07-24T15:53:00.016+03:00

I just can't believe the video I watched on You Tube the other night of Kathy Griffin givving her acceptance speech at the Emmy awards 2007. This was the first time I've seen or heard about this video, even if it was 4 years ago. (wow, probably I haven't been paying much attention to the news during that time).

This video shocked me so much. It really did. It was so disturbing to me that I have to write a short post here on my blog about it, just to let others know how I feel about it. The way she talks about Jesus like He's a nobody just breaks my heart. And what's worst are those people who I saw in the video laughing with her. She didn't just offend Jesus, but also a lot of peace-loving Christian people around the world who love Him. What she said was not a joke. I mean, she can joke about other people, about a certain thing, an animal or even a cactus for all I care, but not Jesus.

kathy griffin with her new found god.

Here's her blasphemous acceptance speech:

"Now, a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. He didn't help me a bit. If it was up to him, Cesar Millan would be up here with that damn dog. So all I can say is suck it, Jesus, this award is my god now!"

Kathy Griffin on Larry King Live.

Kathy Griffin, if you wanted to poke fun at anything, then this one is nothing but a blasphemy of the highest order of the Son of God who nonetheless is willing to forgive you. You might have not realized that the air you breathe is something you should thank Jesus for. And if ever you told it to someone like the prophet of the Other religion, you probably would have not come out alive of the auditorium. But because Jesus is all about love and forgiveness, you had the most plausible excuse to trample on the name that is above every name. It's not too late Kathy Griffin, the love of Christ abounds for those who seek Him. The grace of God still extends to anyone that seeks Him even at some point in your life, you tell Him that He sucks. He still loves you and wished that you avail of His salvation even if that Savior had less to do with your award that has become your god. Jesus loves you Kathy Griffin!

Note: the last paragraph courtesy of ¡Soy Negrense!

My Entries On The PEBA 'Where The Heart Is' International Photo Contest 2011!

2011-07-09T22:07:00.012+03:00

Please 'LIKE' my entries on PEBA (Pinoy Expat/OFW Blog Award) 'Where The Heart Is' International Photo Contest 2011 on 3 Facebook pages, they are PEBA, The Pink Tarha & Globe Kabayan. I've got 2 entries ("In Silence" & "Arabian Siesta") and I need your help and support for it to win the 'Most Liked Photo' in the contest. The most liked photo on Facebook doesn't necessarily mean that it will be the all-around winner of the contest. Read the mechanics and rules of the photo contest by clicking here.

Please follow these instructions to 'LIKE' my entry photos on Facebook.

1. First you have to 'LIKE' the PEBA or The Pink Tarha or Globe Kabayan pages (or all of them) on Facebook, (but if you've previously LIKED those pages, go to instruction #2).

2. After you LIKED the page(s), return to this site and click the following links below that correspond to my entry photos and then LIKE the photo there (on that Facebook page). Very easy, I know you can do it.

A) "In Silence" (A Tourist At Abu Dhabi Airport)

PEBA - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150247793067974&set=a.10150218052197974.338519.134794097973&type=1&theater

The Pink Tarha - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150251889795009&set=a.10150249651660009.324164.150342490008&type=1&theater

Globe Kabayan - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=244735065550154&set=a.244141352276192.70939.121173371239658&type=1&theater

B) "Arabian Siesta"

PEBA - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150247793067974&set=a.10150218052197974.338519.134794097973&type=1&theater

The Pink Tarha - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150254223905009&set=a.10150249651660009.324164.150342490008&type=1&theater

Globe Kabayan - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=244735078883486&set=a.244141352276192.70939.121173371239658&type=1&theater

Thank you all & God bless!

My Vacation 2011: #3 Pinto Art Museum & The Silangan Gardens

2011-07-01T00:53:00.011+03:00

Entrance to Silangan Gardens/ Pinto Art Museum.

A few days before my flight back to Jeddah, on Fathers Day, me and my daughter Maria went to the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City, which is basically a stone throw away from where we live. We didn't even know that the place even existed until that day. I only heard about this place when I was watching a travel program on TFC when I was here in Saudi Arabia before I went on my vacation. We searched the internet about this place and how to get there. It turned out that getting there is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

The entrance fee is 100 Pesos per person, but students get discount. From the entrance they will give you a pamphlet which tells about the place, its history and that it officially opened on December 5, 2010, just late last year. So it's fairly new. The place is owned by Dr.Joven Cuanang and the arts displayed in the museum are all part of his collections.

I've noticed that most of the buildings inside were Mexican-inspired and go so well with their surroundings and while walking down the main concrete stair to the main art gallery, I've also noticed how beautiful their well maintained garden was. It just rained that morning so everything around was wet and the air smelled so fresh with all those plants, grass and trees (sigh.). We were also hearing a lot of low pitch sounds, more like the moo of a cow, and we later learned that they were frogs having "you know what" with their partners. And we thought it's part of the exhibit.LOL!

"Karnabal" by Salingpusa (click picture to enlarge).

Anyway, upon entering the art gallery, a very huge painting sort of welcomed us. It was called "Karnabal", it was painted by several artists collectively called "Salingpusa", a group of successful newbie artists in the world of art. Some of them are Emmanuel Garibay, Elmer Borlongan, Mark Justiniani, Ronald Ventura, Karen Flores, Winner Jumalon and more. It's a mind-boggling depiction of a carnival in your dream (or nightmare). At the center, you'll see a carousel, although you're not gonna notice it at first. You really have to sit down and contemplate on the bench in front of it to see it. Believe me you'll see more than just a carousel.

There were also paintings by those individual painters, but I really love Emmanuel Garibay's paintings the most. His paintings usually depict everyday scenes from a poor man's point of view. A sort of dark satire of typical Filipino life. Maria and I really enjoyed the gallery. I even told her to write the names of the artists so that when get back home, we could look them up on the internet.

After walking around and seeing the paintings that led us to the museum shop, we proceeded to the restaurant which was located at yet another gallery. I must say, the food and the service there was amazing, even the chef came to us and asked us if we loved the food. The ambiance was perfect, my eyes cannot stop wandering around while having lunch because of the wonderful and amazing paintings that were displayed there. The name of the restaurant is (Laya) Earth Cafe.

After wolfing down our lunch, Maria and I went to roam around the garden. It was as amazing as the gallery. There's a lot of trails that lead to a place that really surprised us, almost like a secret garden. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I told Maria to refrain from talking loud because others might hear us and ruin our peaceful moments there. There were a lot of ponds (with quite a lot of frogs I must say!) The place was incredible.

Then we went to the house where the owner lives. It's like an open house, everybody can take a peek into it. But we hesitated to really venture inside because we could sense people are abuzz that time, there was the owner Dr. Cuanang with his foreign guests, so we decided not to get in.

Maria and I just can't stop taking pictures where ever we go. It's a shame we didn't have a picture of the two of us. It was a great and amazing experience to be there especially with my daughter. I will always cherish that special day with my daughter. Too bad my other daughter Celina can't go with us that day.

I really recommend this place to all art lovers, but please do not bring small, noisy and unruly children that don't know anything about art, unless you can control them from doing something stupid like touching the exhibits. The place is not a playground.

The Mexican inspired chapel inside Silangan Gardens.

Pinto Art Museum

Silangan Gardens,

#1 Sierra Madre Street,

Grandheights Subdivision,

Antipolo City, 1870 Rizal,

The Philippines.

Tel. # (0063) 632-697-1015

Click map to enlarge.

Pinto Art Museum on Facebook.

My Vacation 2011: #2 Cebu City.

My Vacation 2011: #1 Cavite.

My Vacation 2011: #2 Cebu City

2011-06-25T23:22:00.034+03:00

The Cross of Magellan

I really didn't plan this trip to Cebu, but I was thinking that if I did not push through with this trip, I might never set foot on Cebu ever in my lifetime, so I went on with it. My trip to Cebu was only my second trip outside the island of Luzon domestically, the first one was in Negros Occidental. By the way, Philippine Airlines is amazing! You can book and pay online, you just need to have a credit card or an ATM and you can get your ticket before you fly to your destination from their office at the airport. You just have to book ahead of time to get a much nicer deal. But I know you already know about that, right?

Anyway, I went to Cebu alone. It's hard being alone when you travel in a new place sometimes, obviously because it's hard to have fun if you don't know anyone around, not to mention the difficulty of taking your own picture, although you can always ask for someone else's help, just make sure he's not gonna run with your camera. LOL!

Ayala Center Cebu

The First Day, June 11, 2011.

When I arrived at about 2 PM on Cebu-Mactan International Airport, I was so excited, it felt like I'm going on a foreign trip knowing that most of the people I will meet speaks Visayan or Cebuano, a language that I don't have any knowledge about and a few of them don't even speak Tagalog, English would be the alternative. Then there's also the fear that they might take advantage of me if they learned that I'm not one of them. So you see, this trip has that foreign element in it, you'll never always know what will happen next and that's what made it so exciting.

At the airport (which is in the island of Mactan at Lapu-Lapu City), I took a fixed rate taxi (which cost around 450 Pesos) to Cebu City. It took us about 20 minutes from the airport to the city center of Cebu. I told the taxi driver to take me to a cheap yet accessible hotel. He took me to Regal Hotel. And yes it was cheap as well as accessible to any place. Their single bed rate was just below 1000 Pesos with breakfast. It's clean, safe and the hotel is just in front of Ayala Center Cebu and the Jeepney terminal which goes about anywhere in the city. The only problem was they almost never had an unoccupied single bed room, so I took the next best thing, the double bed room which was a little over 1,4000 Pesos, and a little over my budget.

After I checked in, I decided to walk around the vicinity of the hotel and familiarized myself with the surroundings. I went to the mall at the Ayala Center to look for something to eat. I was already starving. I ate at Kenny Roger's inside the mall and I went back to the hotel after that. And that was about it, that concluded the first of my five long days in Cebu City.

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño

The Second Day, June 12, 2011.

The next day, I woke up early, took a bath, had my breakfast, took the taxi and went to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and the famous Cross of Magellan just right beside the basilica's rear gate. It was Sunday and very hot. There were 2 consecutive masses that were held one in English and the other in Cebuano, the first was just about to start when I came. There were a lot of locals, and also domestic and foreign tourists. Most of the foreign tourists were Japanese (or Koreans may be?)

I went inside the basilica. There were already a lot of people. I took some snap shots of the images and fixtures on the wall. It was amazing inside. I sat down for a moment to admire the basilica's interior. The mass was not held inside the basilica, it was held outside in front of it because there were lots of people and the basilica can't possibly hold that many people. It was like a fiesta outside, there were lots of vendors selling different kinds of things like flowers, candles, food, balloons etc.

(When you are here and there's a mass going on, do not take pictures inside or outside the basilica or else the guard will come to you, just like what happened to me.)

After a brief stint at the basilica, I went to see the famous cross of Magellan. Funny, I didn't expect it would be just that. I was expecting more than just a cross inside a kiosk. I mean it's basically Cebu. Ferdinand Magellan traveled a great deal from Spain in 1521 to plant that cross there and there's not even a guard to protect it. I used to see it only on TV even when I was a child and then suddenly there it was in front of me. Cool.

Anyway, I asked a guy there to take some pictures of me beside the great cross of Magellan, it was not actually a great shot, but it's OK, as long as I have my face near the cross that's fine with me.

Then I went to another church which I saw when I was in the taxi. It was just a walking distance from the Basilica. It's called the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. It looks as old but with a different architectural style compared to the Basilica del Santo Niًño. I didn't enter inside because there was a mass and it was full of people. After that I went back to the hotel and take rest.

In the afternoon, I went back to the mall for lunch and then watched "Super 8" at the cinema. It was great! After which I ate at Chowking and have a few beer a restaurant there. I remember calling and having a long talk with Bim, (one of my friends back home) while drinking there. At around 7PM, I went to Infinity KTV, just a block away from my hotel and had a few rounds of beer before retiring for the day.

The Taoist Temple

The Third day, June 13, 2011.

On my third day, after having my breakfast, I decided to check out of the hotel and transferred to a new one. I went to Metro Park Hotel. I called the hotel first before I checked out. The rate for a single room was a little higher compared to Regal at 1,100 Pesos and it was available. I later realized that the reason why it was cheaper is because it's far from the main road. I stayed there for just one night.

After checking in to the hotel, I went to the Taoist Temple. It's located inside the Beverly Hills subdivision and just a few minutes away from my new hotel. The taxi driver said that Beverly Hills subdivision used to be the place where the very rich people of Cebu City live. When I arrived there, the guard gave me a piece of paper containing a few things to observe while inside the vicinity of the temple like no taking photo of the saints, observing silence etc.

The place was not that big at all when you see it personally, that's why most of the tourists didn't stay there for more than an hour, unless they wanted to take photos of themselves in every part of the temple just like what I did. I was really amazed on how cheap most of the souvenirs on their shop were. I was not supposed to buy anything, I was just gonna buy a bottle of water, but they didn't have change for my 5oo Pesos, so I bought a bracelet made of red corals for just 100 Pesos. But something's bothering me. I was thinking that maybe I'm helping those bad people destroy our coral reefs by simply buying the coral bracelet? I hope not. And sorry if I did.

After more than 2 hours, I decided to return to the hotel, but because there was no taxi available outside the Taoist Temple, I just walked towards the gate of the subdivision while enjoying the scenery. I took the taxi when I got beyond the guarded gate. By the way, some of my photos that was taken here was by a local tourist, a Chavacano from Zamboanga City. I didn't quite get her name. Thank you to her!

After resting for a few hours, I went to SM Cebu. I rode the Jeepney at the Ayala Center Jeepney terminal. The fare from Ayala to SM was 8 Pesos. I didn't really enjoy it there, I just walked around and tired myself. There's nothing special there that I haven't seen at other SM malls in Manila or Cavite. I just wanna say that "I've been there!".

The Fourth Day, June 14, 2011.

I transferred to a new hotel called Castle Peak Hotel at F. Cabahug street. I love this hotel because it's near the main street, unlike my previous hotel (Metro Park Hotel) which I really don't recommend. When I transferred, they didn't have a single room either, but it's cheaper than my first hotel. I paid 1,388 Pesos for the superior which is a 2-bed room.

After I checked in, I went to Fort San Pedro beside La Plaza Independencia and near the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. I really thought that Fort San Pedro was as huge as Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila. It was rather small, it will not take you 30 minutes to explore the whole place. I can tell that the place was poorly maintained and the exhibit inside the museum was just disappointing. You have to pay 30 Pesos entrance fee for this.

After this I went to Crown Regency Hotel for the famous Sky Experience Adventure. This place was awesome! I first went straight to the 19th floor (as I was told by the guard), and from there you have to get the tickets for whatever you want to experience like Sky walk adventure or the Edge Coaster Experience or the Zip line Adventure. I took the first two, I didn't think I can take the zip line that high. To be honest, I was scared.

Then I went up using the elevator to the 38th floor of the building. When I got there, they told me to take off all my accessories and put it inside my bag and then leave the bag at the check in counter. Then someone asked me to follow him to the deck where the coasters were. The coaster is not the same as a roller coaster which is connected to each other. Each of the coaster seats only two people at a time and there were several of them there.

When I sat inside the coaster, I just can't stop laughing because I was so nervous after seeing the view and how high I was, (I laugh sometimes whenever I'm nervous). I felt like I was going to die even though the ride hasn't started yet. And when the ride started and went to the corner of the building it automatically started to tip to a 90 degree angle, I couldn't do anything but to close my eyes and pray. I remember seeing how small the cars were from up there.

My eyes were still closed when I heard the ride photographer somewhere behind me and asked me to pose for a picture. I can't do anything but to pretend that I was enjoying the ride just for the sake of the picture. She took several photos of me so that I will have choices later if ever I wanted to buy them. After the ride was over I claimed my bag and chose the photos that I would like to buy. In some of the photos I really look stupid and ridiculous, good thing there's one that looks good enough. By the way, the picture costs 230 Pesos each. So expensive huh!

Then I went to the 37th floor for the Sky Walk Adventure. It's as simple as just walking on a platform around the building wearing a jumper with a harness but at a dizzying height. Good thing I was not alone. There's two of us walking with the personnel who told us what to do and of course the photographer. The photographer asked me to pose for a picture in some scary position like sitting at the edge of the platform, standing at the edge with one foot etc. It was so scary but when I completed the walk, I felt proud of myself. That walk somehow made me strong somewhere. I don't know where, but somewhere inside.

I was amazed on how beautiful the photos turned out to be and how good I look in them unlike the one in the Edge Coaster. I bought 2 photos, also at 230 Pesos each. It was almost 6 PM when I went down the building and I went straight to the hotel.

At around 8PM, I went at a bar in front of the hotel called Jazz. I had a pleasure of talking to the owner of the place who is a Japanese lady named Yuko. I first thought she has a Filipino husband but it turned out she has none. She just loves the Philippines, stayed there and opened a business, that's it. I even bought a T-shirt and asked her to write her name in Japanese at the back of it. She willingly obliged. The place indeed was amazing - live jazz music, good food and good ambiance. I really love the place.

The Fifth Day, June 15, 2011

I woke up early at around 7 AM. After breakfast I checked out of the hotel and went straight to the airport. My flight to Manila was 11 AM. Cebu was awesome, even if I went there alone, I can say I enjoyed every moment of it. For those would be tourists (especially those living in Asia), if you want to go somewhere in Latin America and you find it expensive and far, the Philippines is your alternative. There's a lot of places to go in the country that are so Hispanic. Zamboanga City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cavite or Cebu are great places to start. I'm hoping you could all come to the Philippines.

My Vacation 2011: # 1 Cavite
My Vacation 2011: #3 Pinto Art Museum & The Silangan Gardens (Antipolo City)

My Vacation 2011: #1 Cavite

2011-06-22T02:34:00.009+03:00

The first 2 weeks of this vacation was the worst of all my experiences here, but I don't want to dwell on that because I don't want to remind myself of the hell that I've been through with POEA. I just want to focus on some of the beautiful and positive things, like the time when I went to Noveleta and Cavite City, my trip to Cebu City (that was the highlight) and when I went to Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City with my eldest daughter Maria.

My first trip to Cavite last May 29, 2011 was a nostalgic one because it reminds me of the good old days. Seeing my parents, some of the places and things there conjured up my childhood memories. I was so caught up by my nostalgia that I've forgotten to snap some photos of my folks in Noveleta and I guess it's too late for that now. The only photos of Noveleta that I have are some snap shots of the now flooded salt flats near the boundary of Cavite City which looks like a lake because of the rain.

I took these photos while I was riding a local transportation we called the "Baby Bus" to Cavite City. It looks like an elaborately decorated coaster, just like it's cousin the Jeepney. It looks very similar to the "Colectivo", the popular Latin American (Argentina & Paraguay) public transportation.

The Baby Bus (not my photo)

Cavite City, known as the other Chavacano speaking city, Sangley Point (the old American military base) and made famous by Efren Peñaflorida, the CNN Hero of the year 2009. This is also the "other" place where I grew up. This is where I studied in Kindergarten at St. Joseph College (just behind the church of Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga).

The city seems to have lost something that is irreplaceable, I don't know what it is, but it's not there anymore. Maybe it's my Nanay Tita (my Aunt), who died in 2008 in California. How I miss her so much. I actually went to where she used to live, but the gate was not there anymore. Not a trace. The cemetery in front of their house at the other side of the street of Blvd. Cresini is still there and I don't think it will go anywhere. I also passed by our old Methodist church in San Antonio where we used to go every Sunday.

I've made several trips to Noveleta but only once in Cavite City. It's nice to see Cavite City again. Even though it has changed a lot, the memories are still there. Hasta la Vista!

See more of Cavite City on my Flickr

My Vacation 2011: #2 Cebu City

My Vacation 2011: #3 Pinto Art Museum & The Silangan Gardens (Antipolo City)

Thank You!

2011-06-16T07:23:00.018+03:00

First of all I want to thank Jesus Christ for all the blessings He has given me in the past 39 years of my life. Without Him I'm nothing. To all my FB friends who greeted me on my birthday last May 24, I want to say Thank you from the bottom of my heart, especially to Maxine, Moona and their guitarist (on that video) who made a short video singing "Maligayang Bati" (Happy Birthday) in Tagalog especially for me and posted it on You Tube. You made me feel so special. It was so touching. Their happy birthday video really lifted me up during those moments when I was feeling so low. It was that moment when I was having problem with my papers which I needed to return to my job in Jeddah. God bless you guys! Anyway, for those who haven't seen the video yet, watch this!

Moona Muñiz is from Vigo, Spain and Maxine Zapedzky, a writer & a singer from Bordeaux, France. They have a band called "Sweetest Bomb" which is based in Bordeaux, France.

My 'Bully' Neighbor

2011-05-01T23:48:00.026+03:00

This morning while I was in the bathroom preparing myself to go to work, my mobile phone rang, I quickly ran to the room (where the phone was) to see who it was. It was 'Chupacabra' (not his real name of course), my neighbor, a Filipino, who I almost never see. He's like an urban legend to me now. You can almost call it a 'sighting' whenever you accidentally see him somewhere out there, and that's just one of the many reasons why I call him so.

Anyway, I was perplexed why he wanted to call me (ehem! I mean, missed call me). He never calls me unless he needs help on something that would benefit himself alone. Then suddenly it struck me, that maybe there's something happened to my poor little car? I always position my car near the apartment's gate (if it's available) and he can easily see my car whenever he comes out of his apartment building which is just in front of mine.

And sure enough, that was exactly what I saw when I went out, but not as what I imagined it would be. Thank God! I saw the bumper of the white Toyota 4x4 truck of my Saudi neighbor who is living in the apartment building next to mine, stuck on the front of my poor helpless little Suzuki city car. I ran inside my car and backed the car a few feet so that I could see the severity of the damage. A small part of my car's bumper had folded inward which I immediately undid using just my bare hand.

What had happened this morning bothered me a lot because I believe it was intentional. I think my neighbor is trying to bully me. This was not the first time it happened. Late last year, around 10 PM, while I was having a conversation with 'Chupacabra' near my car that was parked at my favorite spot, he came driving his white Toyota 4x4 truck and was looking for a space to park it. Instead of parking his car in front of mine, he backed a little bit to talk to me. He told me something in Arabic which I didn't understand. I can sense his anger. But then I realized he wanted me to transfer my car somewhere else and give the space to him. I didn't give him the space, but I moved my car just a little bit.

Since then, every time I see him in the morning or in the afternoon, he would often look at me with hate in his eyes. He is obviously jealous of the parking space which is in front of my apartment. I often come home a lot earlier than him everyday from work and that's the reason why most of the time I have the privilege of choosing my parking space. That space is supposed to be the parking space for the tenants of my apartment building. Why doesn't he park in front of his apartment building, that would make sense, right?

I bet he can't do that to his fellow Arabs. He's bullying me because he knows that I'm a Filipino, that he thinks he can easily intimidate me, and that my car is just a cheap little old running piece of shit to him (sorry for the word). I really have a lot of things to say right now, but I would rather not go on with it, I might just say something that is against my principle and against my Christian upbringing.

Even though what he did was not right, I'll just have to be wise about it, shut up and understand what had transpired this morning. I think it would be better that way.

*The picture above (which I got from the net) is from Judith Caseley's book "BULLY"

"Before It Explodes" (Lyrics/ Video) - Charice

2011-04-27T01:31:00.015+03:00

“Before It Explodes”

It’s not a question of love
‘Cause our love has never changed
But all the little things keep piling up
And life keeps getting in the way

Chorus:

Don’t make this harder than it is
We both knew it’d come to this
Better now than in a year
More nights of tears and we both hate each other
The fuse is already lit, so how about a final kiss
And just let it go…
And stop the madness before it explodes
Before it’s out of our control
Let’s stop the madness before it explodes
We gotta let it go
Before it all explodes

2.

Somethings we won’t understand
And we’re both so tired of being misunderstood
So let’s just turn around and walk away
And hold on to what was good

[Chorus]

Bridge:

There ain’t nothing that can save us
But you’re close to the edge
And what’s the use of going on,
If we’re lying to each other
Every word that is said
Its too late for us now
Cause we can hear the count down
Its getting close, its gonna blow
And stop the madness before it explodes
Before it’s out of our control
Let’s stop the madness before it explodes
We gotta let it go
Before it all explodes

Buy the Song (MP3) on Amazon.Com & on iTUNES

Just For A Laugh: Girls' School Photograph In Saudi Arabia

2011-04-18T22:16:00.000+03:00

Jeddah Bloggers EB At The Fish Market

2011-04-18T00:30:00.001+03:00

Last April 13, 2011, Mr. Nereus Jethro Abad, a friend, a fellow blogger and PEBA president who is currently working at the National Prawn Company (of Saudi Arabia), sent a message on FB to some of the Jeddah bloggers and said that he will be giving away some fishes to us. We agreed to meet in Balad and when we (Nelson and I) got there, everybody was already at the meeting place, Mr. NJ with his two staff, Noel with his son Ize, and Kenjie. From there we went straight to Jeddah Fish Market and hired some expert there to clean the one humongous fish that Mr. NJ brought with him.

There were several kinds of fish that he brought. There were tilapia, parrot fish, and three amazingly huge milkfish. They were really huge. I've never seen a milkfish that big before. The fishes were equally divided between us right at the parking lot of the Fish Market. Here are some of the photos I took from the Jeddah Fish Market. Thanks again Mr. NJ!

The bloggers: Nereus Jethro Abad of 'Desert Aquaforce', Noel Ablon of 'Baul Ni Noel', Kenjie Solis of 'Thoughtskoto' and Nelson Bedayo of '¡Soy Negrense!'

A Graduation Party At Durat Al Arouz

2011-04-03T00:02:00.006+03:00

A view of the beach from the balcony of our villa in Durat Al Arouz.

Last Thursday, March 31, 2011, was the graduation of TCI's 5th batch students. Being a former student myself, I was invited by the school staff at the graduation and the succeeding party at a resort, some 25kms. north of Jeddah. I felt bad not being able to attend the 5th batch's graduation which I heard was so successful, but of course I will not pass on a chance to have a real good time at their party. It's Thursday and it's time for a good time in Saudi Arabia!

If you've read my previous post about my batch's graduation and the party, I've made a mistake about the name of the resort where we had our party. I said there that the name of the place was 'Durat Al Arouz', where in fact it's 'La Fontaine' and it was just last Thursday that I've learned about the mistake. I've already corrected it. But anyway, this time the 5th batch's graduation party was actually held at (where else?) 'Durat Al Arouz'. The resort is just at the other side of 'La Fontaine'. It's much bigger, like a small community, it has a lot of villas inside, the place even has its own grocery store and I think it's much prettier than 'La Fontaine', although when it comes to the villas, I would probably choose those in 'La Fontaine' because of their sizes and their accessibility to the beach because of the stairs at the back. In Durat, only those on the ground floor are accessible, otherwise you have to go down the villa and have a long walk towards the back where the beach is located.

Anyway, only 8 of us from batch 4 went to Durat Al Arouz, Marvin, Nelson, Emil, Khris, Jhun, Epie, Jane and I. For me, the party was not just a celebration of 5th batch finishing the short, yet memorable caregiving study, but it also served as a kind of mini reunion for my batch. The last time I saw some of them was when my other classmate invited some of us to have a dinner at his home, a private graduation celebration of some sort, a week after our 'grand finale' (LOL!) in TCI. It was also great to see our instructors and some of the TCI staff there, especially Ma'am Silna and Ma'am Honey.

The place was in a celebratory mood when we arrived. There was a live band, some of the people who were already there, were singing with the band, while others were dancing. I was amazed at how warm the reception to us was. Jason, one of the graduates, ushered me to the chair and gave me plastic plate right away so that we could eat while listening to the the live music. In fact, most of them were amazingly warm and friendly.

We went walking outside to better know the place. I went wading by the shore and I saw a lot of those tiny sea creatures having their own night-out. I saw little fishes in schools, a small crab and a cuttlefish, it was amazing! Afterwards we went back to the villa and we 'tripped the light fantastic' for a moment. It was like being inside a discotheque, there were laser lights and the music was awesome.

When the morning came, some of us went swimming. The water was OK, but some were looking for waves because they felt like the water was too still, I mean not a ripple and that makes it feel so artificial to them. In a way it is artificial because I think the whole place was a reclamation site, even the sand is not natural, it's desert sand. There were no waves because the design of the beach is in a very small cove and waves from the sea can't get in. The only time the water moved, was when there were jet skis and motor boats around and of course when there were people swimming.

I didn't stay that long in the water. It was already around 8 AM and I should get back home, I was thinking that I've been away for too long and that my cats were probably starving already. It was really fun being there. I was awake the whole time, never had a sleep, but it was all worth it, I got to know some of the people there and experienced a cool party in a wonderful resort. Thanks to the warm hospitality of the 5th batch students and the staff of TCI. Also I want to say 'thank you' to Venice for his generosity of sharing the 'you know what'. Hereon, I'm looking forward to the graduation of 6th batch.

Previous Post: Our Graduation Day!
Total Care International

Joel's Broken Humerus & My Broken Funny Bone?

2011-03-19T21:51:00.007+02:00

The other day, my friend and I visited our common friend Joel, who was rushed to the hospital because of an accident in his jobsite. He fell down on an aluminum ladder and broke his upper right arm (humerus). Initially, I thought that he fell from the 1st floor of a mall and that his condition was far more serious than just a broken arm. I'm not saying that what happened to him was not serious, but I thought it's life threatening. Thank God that when we first visited him in the hospital, he was all smiling and well enough to explain to us what really happened.

Joel and I worked in the same company before as a visual merchandiser for different stores here in Jeddah. I first met him in Riyadh, but he was eventually transferred here in Jeddah in 2002 (I think) and that's when we became friends. He's a nice, kind and friendly person, the kind that we all look for in a friend and that's why upon learning that he had an accident, I immediately rushed to the hospital to see him.

I understand what he's going through. Most of us OFW's (Overseas Filipino Workers) especially those who are here in the middle east, we often get lonely because we don't have our families, or even those friends we grew up with here with us. It's doubly hard because of the culture this country has, which is very different from what we've grown accustomed to back home. Although most of us here have medical insurance, getting sick or figuring in an accident is a big NO. Imagine yourself, a foreigner inside a hospital, in a foreign land with no loved ones there by your side to comfort you, I feel like crying just thinking about it.

But the good thing is that, we created some good friendships here, who are not just there in times of fun and parties, but also in times of troubles, a shoulder to cry on when we're on our lows. I don't want to be poetic here for the sake of this blog, but that's the truth. Sometimes we just have to do what's right, we should always be there for those who need our company, most especially for a friend. Now what kind of friend are you, knowing that your friend is in the hospital and then making excuses that you couldn't go there because you have a badminton game to attend to? Or that you're invited to a party and already promised that you will attend, yet on the next day you still didn't visit him, not even a phone call. Isn't that horrible? It sounded so much like someone I know. I'm angry right now! I need somebody to tickle my funny bone. Quick!

Joel had an Open Reduction & Internal Fixation (ORIF) operation on his broken humerus and is now recuperating at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, bldg. 2, in room # 4111 (for those who still want to visit). His doctor said this afternoon that maybe he could go home tomorrow if things go well. About the title, I'm not sure if it makes sense (especially the 'broken funny bone' part), or if it really mirrored the article, but one thing is for sure, it makes the readers curious about it. *The photo above is the actual x-ray result of Joel's broken 'humerus' bone.

Thumbs Up: Filipino - Canadian Girl’s ‘Born This Way’ YouTube Video Makes Lady Gaga Cry (Videos)

2011-02-18T20:45:00.009+02:00

The Video that started it all.

Maria Aragon on the news.

Winnipeg's rising superstar, Filipino - Canadian, Maria Aragon, gets a chance to chat with Lady Gaga over the phone.

Maria Aragon on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

Maria Aragon (with Sarah Geronimo) singing 'Born This Way' on Philippine TV.

Read the story HERE!

Maria Aragon Gets A Record Deal In The Philippines.

Vote for Sweetest Bomb's Remix On The Keren Ann's "My Name Is Trouble" Remix Contest!

2011-02-07T20:42:00.023+02:00

Vote for the Sweetest Bomb's "My Name Is Bomb" on the Keren Ann's "My Name Is Trouble" Remix Contest. TO VOTE, click the link below, then look for "Sweetest Bomb - My Name Is Bomb" in the list, listen to their remix and then click the little black heart (that turns red when your cursor hover over it) icon.

You can only vote once a day! Spread the word, don't forget to share this article on your favorite social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Friendster etc. You can listen to their entry (the Sweetest Bomb's remix of Keren Ann's "My Name Is Trouble") on the video below.

CLICK HERETO VOTE!

The Sweetest Bomb is an Electronic music band based in Bordeaux, France. The band members are Maxine Zapedsky, Moona Martinez Muniz, and Mickellaneous.

Listen to their music on Myspace!

'LIKE' their Facebook Fan Page.

Thumbs Up: Juana Change - "PORSCHE"

2011-02-03T02:00:00.001+02:00

For more on the story click HERE!

Today Is My 3rd 'No Smoking' Anniversary!

2011-01-18T14:57:00.001+02:00

I almost forgot that today, January 18, 2011, marks my 3rd 'No Smoking' anniversary. Funny how time flies really, it seems like it was just yesterday when I quit smoking. I really consider myself lucky to have made it this far, others can't even get past a week without lighting a cigarette. Hooray for health!

Our Graduation Day

2011-01-17T23:50:00.010+02:00

Last Thursday, January 13, 2011, was our graduation day for the Caregivers' program of TCI - Total Care International. It was an exciting and happy moment for us students because all our hard works for 6 months have finally paid off. The event was held at the IPSJ - International Philippine School Of Jeddah.

A day before the graduation, we decorated the venue, arranged the chairs and did the corsage, we also practised everything from the march, when to stand up, when and where to exit, etc. We had lots of funny moments there too, that's why most of us went home around 12 midnight already.

The Graduation Day

Our graduation was probably one of the most memorable moments I ever had in my entire life. One of the main reasons is that, I finished it. As I remember it correctly, the last time I'd finished something was when I graduated from high school, and then I usually just start things up and never finished anything after that, like college for example.

Anyway, our graduation had a lot of highlights, one of them would be, (and I would say the most memorable of all), the speech given by our classmate and a fellow blogger Nelson Bedayo, the top student in our class. It was both touching and inspiring, most of the people in the hall especially the graduates and the VIP's were all teary-eyed, I for one was just trying not to breakdown. He's probably not the most amazing speaker around, but it was his sincerity that penetrated our hearts. But it was no heavy speech at all as humor got its way into his speech to the applause of the audience.

Another highlight of our graduation was the video presentation of our class history, even though the class of batch 4 only spanned for just 6 short months, it brought a lot of memories to us. The presentation showed most of our class activities, from our collage presentation to our nerve-wracking case presentation, it also showed some of our non-class activities like the time when we went to the corniche, our Christmas party and up to the most recent one when we ate at La Paz Restaurant. It brought smiles on our faces everytime we see ourselves in the monitor and then reminisced those times, (while Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" and Michael Bolton's "Go The Distance" played in the background).

And of course, the awarding of certificates and special awards. Each one of us was called to the stage from the one sitting infront all the way to the back, after that they called those among us who've got 100 % in the BCLS - Basic Cardiac Life Support test, and I'm glad to say that I'm included in that list. Then they called the five outstanding students of our class, starting from top 5 to top 1, (Myline Llemit, Alfie Jamion, Ernesto Jayme Jr., Jasmin Abella and Nelson Bedayo), each of them received a certificate and the top 3 received medals. The best in the clinical area, Marvin Morales and Myline Llemit were also given certificates and medals.

After the ceremony was the fun part. It's pictorial time. People would then crowd every corner for different poses, some onstage and others offstage. I think it took us an hour at least before it was all over. After that, most of us left in their own cars to celebrate our graduation in a resort called La Fontaine which is 25 km. north of Jeddah. And then it's party time!

La Fontaine

There were 5 of us in my tiny, white, sub-compact car who went to Durat - Nelson, Gerry, Emil, Jievson and I. On our way to La Fontaine, we decided to pull over at a restaurant called Al Tazaj and had our fill there (knowing there was no food to feast on when we arrive). And then we snapped a few photos for souvenir. We really didn't know the way to the resort, but we always had our classmates who were already there to direct us the way. When we arrived, the place was huge and there were quite a few people already, some of them were singing the karaoke, some were chatting, and some were already wading in the beach. People there were already hungry when we arrived, because there were no food yet, it would come a little bit later that night. Thank God for Al Tazaj, we didn't have to share the starving episode by the early birds.

We (the graduates), had a room assigned to us and so the guests and the faculty of TCI in another. The privacy afforded to us didn't come to waste as we bonded for the last time together with our beloved instructor Ms. Silna, Ms. Honey and Ms. Lyn. Although some of our batchmates were not able to attend, (some even came late at night due to work demands), we nonetheless had great fun, especially when Benjie got to pull his comical antics down his sleeves, and we naturally exploded in laughter. What a funny guy he is!

As expected, our classmates Jasmin, Marvin, Ernesto, and Epie came with the food later that night, (Jeddah downpour did play a memorable role in the starving episode). The kitchen was then crowded with volunteer chefs as most people took their hunger to singing karaoke, venting that digestive revolution to the unfortunate and over-abused pair of microphones. And when it was time to eat, you just have to understand the trails it left behind. And later, it didn't take long for everything to heat up, some of the graduates took it to the limit and did something that I can only describe as "sexy and funny", I will not say what it was they did, for safety reasons, everybody had a great laugh. It was a blast! As that Shalamar's song goes, "gonna make this a night to remember...", and yes, we really made that night, a night to remember indeed.

We never slept, I mean , we can't sleep. At around 3 or 4 AM, we went down by the beach and played a game called 'Pinoy Henyo' with our instructor Ma'am Silna. Eventhough it was cold, it really didn't stop us from having fun. I will never forget that moment. It didn't take long and it started to rain cats and dogs, the street infront of the villa was flooded. The rain continued untill morning, but at around 8 AM, the sky cleared up, some of us went to the beach to swim, the water was very cold. After less than an hour of swimming, we rinsed and then started to pack our things up to go back to Jeddah.

We decided to leave at around 10 AM. Without sleep, I felt like a zombie that morning. Our trip to Jeddah was long, I was afraid that I might get into a sleeping mode while driving and that's a big no no. Because I was so sleepy and wanna jump in my bed as soon as possible, I forgot to say goodbye to some of the people there, (stupid me, but I know I've been forgiven), good thing is - Ma'am Silna had rushed to see us off and so we said our goodbyes.

To all my classmates, instructors and TCI admins, I wanna say thank you, although not quite long, you guys have been part of one of the most happiest moments of my life. Never in my long stay in Saudi Arabia have I experienced real fun compared to this. I will never forget you all. And this is what I was saying before, I hate goodbyes and farewells. C'est la vie!

Other Photos Of Batch 4's Graduation Day!

Happy New Year In 28 Languages

2010-12-31T18:16:00.004+02:00

Happy New Year

Chinese (Cantonese)

Sun nien fai lok

Chinese (Mandarin)

Xin nian yu kuai

Danish

Godt Nytår

Dutch

Gelukkig nieuwjaar

Farsi

Aide shoma mobarak

French

Bonne année

Gaelic

Aith-bhliain Fe Nhaise Dhuit

German

Gutes Neues Jahr

Greek

Kali hronia

Hawaiian

Hauoli Makahiki Hou

Hebrew

Shanah tovah

Hungarian

Boldog új évet

Indonesian

Selamat Tahun Baru

Italian

Buon Capo d'Anno

Japanese

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu

Norwegian

Godt Nyttår

Filipino (Philippines)

Maligayang Bagong Taon

Polish

Szczesliwego Nowego roku

Portuguese

Feliz ano novo

Romanian

La Multi Ani

Russian

S Novym Godom

Spanish

Feliz Año Nuevo

Sundanese

Wilujeng Tahun Baru

Swedish

Gott Nytt År

Turkish

Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun

Welsh

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Yiddish

Gut Yor

Hiligaynon (Philippines)

Malipayon nga Bag-ong Tuig

It Rained Cats & Dogs!

2010-12-30T19:08:00.009+02:00

This morning, I was awakened by the sound of thunder and the of rain's constant beating on my air conditioner outside. When I opened the window, it was heavily raining. I then hurried up to go outside the apartment to see what's going on out there, knowing that our street can easily be flooded with a mere drizzle. Rain is not that rare in Saudi Arabia, it happened many times before and much worse than this, but still it excites me to actually see rain falls down from the sky here in the desert, basically. Anyway, this is what I saw when I went outside - a filthy pond.

The street was flooded. I was afraid that the water might enter the muffler of my car, so I transferred it to an elevated place somewhere near the wall of our apartment. Now I'm just worried about the brakes. I hope they still work.

Rain, typhoon, hurricane, cyclone, whatever you want to call it, they don't bother me at all. They can never bother me - I'm from The Philippines - I'm used to it. This is nothing compared to what I've seen and experienced. It's just that I'm not in the Philippines. God, I wish the government of Saudi Arabia would construct a sewage system in the city, so that every time it rains, the water could flow freely and go somewhere else, instead of just waiting for it to slowly dry out.

I wish early morning tomorrow when we go to the hospital, the water would dissipate completely, (which I think is impossible). Ohh! I wish it would just literally rain cats and dogs in Jeddah.

Mi Nochebuena

2010-12-26T19:12:00.009+02:00

Last December 24 was a tiring day for me, even though there's no patient to take care of in the hospital, I still have to finish the 8 hours OJT for that day, that was from 2 to 10 o'clock in the evening. It was the last 2 remaining OJT's in the hospital, the next one will be next week, December 31, New Year's Eve.

Now, if you are wondering what are those strange white things we are clasping as though they were a trophy on the photo above, well those are plastic plates; we were invited for a Christmas Eve dinner at a friend's house, we were holding them because the place was small, there were lots of people and the table was quite small too. That's where we went right after we left the hospital around 10 PM.

The food was delicious! My favorite was the Calamares and the one with quail's eggs, I think it's called '7 Seasons'?, (Yummy!) We really enjoyed it. There were lots of new faces and some old friends too, but unfortunately we had to leave early because I was not feeling well, I was coughing severely, and could not even sing at the karaoke even if I'd stayed, (damn!,) and besides, one of my friends will have to report for work the next day (yes, on Christmas day,) and I still have to drop him to his apartment. Thanks Ben and Joel for that wonderful dinner!

So, that was how I spent my Nochebuena. That was better than last year, where I just spent it infront of my computer. Hopefully next year will be much better. Eventhough the (Filipino) Christmas season is not yet over, (not until the 'Epiphany' on January 6,) I'm now looking forward to the New Year. I just hope that 2011 will be a good year for all of us. MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Trivia: Nochebuena means Christmas Eve. It's just one word, not Noche Buena, otherwise you're talking about a Mexican beer, a brand of cheese or a theatrical production.

Merry Christmas 2010!

2010-12-25T19:04:00.000+02:00

5th Place On PEBA Int'l Photo Contest

2010-12-22T18:59:00.001+02:00

This photo won 5th place in the recently concluded PEBA (Pinoy Expat/OFW Blog Awards) last December 16, 2010 which was held at the Teatrino Promenade in Manila. I have 5 entries in the competition, 4 of which made it to the Top 50. This year's photo contest's themes were about LOVE, FAMILY, LABOR, HEROISM, COURAGE, OFW ABROAD. Thanks PEBA!

Click HERE to see the rest of the Top 10 Winners!

PEBA On Facebook

Thumbs Up: Juana Change - Christmas Is Gift Giving

2010-12-22T16:19:00.002+02:00

A Glimpse Of My OJT

2010-11-21T16:17:00.003+02:00

I really enjoyed our OJT in the hospital. We've seen first hand how things really work inside the hospital by assisting and observing the proper nursing procedures. Each one of us was assigned to different patients in the hospital with different medical conditions ranging from simple fever, to severe heart conditions and a coma patient due to cerebral hemorrhage.

We also get to use what we've learned in school, especially the clinical skills, like getting the vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate and temperature) of the patient, bed bath, bed making, using body mechanics, transferring of the patient, ROM (Range Of Motion) and a lot more. We were also taught the admission and discharge procedures.

I was first assigned to a patient suspected of having a dengue fever, but after some test, it turned out negative and was discharged after a few days. My second patient have a condition called a bilateral central peribronchial pneumonia, he is still in the hospital as I'm writing this post.

Aside from our own assigned patients, we're also allowed to assist and observe our fellow students with their patient, especially when their patient needs a bed bath, NGT feeding (to a coma patient), toileting i.e.. We have a check list of things that we have to accomplish by the end of our OJT, and should be signed by our clinical instructors and the nurse on duty.

To Ms. Silna Faniega (who's always been with us for the first 2 days of our OJT), we just learned so much from you Ma'am, you just don't know how excellent of a teacher you are. Thank you, you are so amazing!

Another Orphaned Kitten Rescued!

2010-11-01T22:44:00.003+02:00

When I was driving to Hera'a street searching for a photo subject, around 5:00 PM, I saw an orphaned lame kitten under the Hera'a - Madinah road flyover, infront of CityMax Department Store. That poor kitten would not survive there for long. If he's not going to get run over by a car, he will definitely die of hunger and thirst. I then asked my friend to get him so that we could feed and bathe him before setting him free at a safer place.

After giving much thought, I decided to let the kitten stay in our place for a few weeks, so that he could have a little more time to recover from his condition before letting him go. Since I found him on Novemver 1st, I called him 'Undas'. Since we did not have cat food for kittens, Undas had to be content with tuna for his inaugural meal. In fact I just snatched the plate away after his belly threatens to burst. Oh and he loves Almarai milk too. One drawback though, he annoys all his seniors with his piercing cry that he had a first taste of karate from Miss Ken Lee. He is definitely an addition to my already big feline family. Some of them had only memories to stay, in fact I still miss them. I don't know if they were able to survive outside. You know, I could not keep all of them together.

Vote For My Photos On the National Geographic Channel Asia Photo Contest 2010!

2010-10-23T15:58:00.006+03:00

Please vote for my photos on the National Geographic Channel Asia's Great Migrations photo contest on Facebook. You just have to 'LIKE' each photos, but before you can like them, you have to 'LIKE' the National Geographic Channel Asia page on Facebook first. As simple as that. Here are my entries, and please vote on all of them.

Title: The Cleaners

Category: Race To Survive

Location: Jeddah Saudi Arabia

Caption: Photo taken at the paking of Andalus Mall, Jeddah, K.S.A. February 20, 2010.

VOTE

Title: Stray Cat On A Trash Bin

Category: Feast Or Famine

Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Caption: A Stray cat on a trash bin infront of my apartment.

VOTE

Title: Wanderlust

Category: Born To Move

Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Caption: Photo taken inside the detention cell in Jeddah, K.S.A. Nov. 7, 2009.

VOTE

Thumbs Up: Juana Change - "Children Of God" (Video)

2010-10-15T21:07:00.005+03:00

Juana Change is back! This time, her video deals with one of the most controversial topics in the Philippines right now, The Reproductive Health Bill. The title of her new video is, "Mga Anak Ng Dios" ( Children Of God ). Watch it!

Facebook: I SUPPORT THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL!

Sign The Petition HERE!

Vote For Me On 'Who Are You With Nikon?'

2010-10-10T21:45:00.006+03:00

Guys, please vote for my photo entry, "I am A Tall Fountain" on 'Who are you with Nikon?' photo contest. Follow the link below, allow apps. to your Facebook, (you got to have a Facebook account), wait a moment and when the photo appears, just click the yellow 'LIKE' button (once) at the top. Some say that the 'LIKE' button don't work when they click on it. You need to click it just 1 time or else the second click will un-click the the first one. Thank you and God bless!

This photo has been previously posted in my photoblog, 'CAMERA NI CABRERA' last July 9, 2010 with the title, 'Kiosk By The Jeddah Fountain'. You can view it HERE.

Click HERE to vote!

Just For A Laugh: Cebu Pacific's Dancing Flight Attendants

2010-10-03T08:00:00.005+03:00

Yahoo Music Blog: Coffee, Tea...Or Gaga? Flight Attendants Safety-Dance To Pop Hits.

Thumbs Up: Carlos Celdran - ¡DAMASO!

2010-09-30T17:26:00.015+03:00

This photo taken around 7PM shows Carlos Celdran still behind bars at the MPD station in Ermita, Manila.

Carlos Celdran, an artist/performer, is famous for his walking tour of Manila. Although I haven't tried his tour yet, and haven't really experienced any walking tours in general in some of the historic parts of Manila, but I always make sure that I regularly read his blog - 'Walk This Way! I've never seen anyone who is so passionate about a place, a place he loves and cares so much about - Manila. His description of Manila from his blog goes:

"I believe that Manila can be a reflection of your state of mind. Being a city of extreme contrasts it’s easy to see how it can become an intense personal experience. Manila can be chaotic and spiritual, dirty and divine, gritty and gorgeous all at once. If you don’t find beauty and poetry here, you will never find it anywhere."

In his blog, you will not only see his itineraries, the tour dates and rates, but you can also read about some of the most pressing issues that he feels strongly about, like the Reproductive Health Bill. It is because of this issue, that he became one of the enemies of the Catholic church. He constantly maintains his position against the church's meddling of the affairs of the state, especially on the issue of reproductive health.

Early today, he was apprehended for interrupting a mass at the Manila Cathedral. He was wearing a 19th century costume, (almost the same that of Jose Rizal's), and used a placard containing the name "DAMASO" and held it up in the middle of the mass while shouting, “bakit mahihirap lang pinagbabawalan sa family planning?” (Why is it only the poor are prohibited in family planning?) and "Stop getting involved in politics!". While handcuffed, he apologizes for the method he used, but not for the message.

Damaso is a character in Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. He is described as a powerful friar who wields his power to get what he wants. He is one of the most notorious characters in the novel, which touches on the abuses of the Spanish friars (belonging to the Roman Catholic Church) during the 19th century.

I'm happy! I'm happy not because Carlos Celdran is in jail, but because someone has finally found the courage to speak up against these modern Sadducees. This will certainly be the topic of every group conversation for years to come. I support you Carlos. I support the Reproductive Health Bill. Thumbs up. And damn those Damasos!

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Related: CBCP head: P-Noy Might Be Excommunicated For Contraceptive Stance.

Blog: Celdran's Brush With Damasos - ¡SOY NEGRENSE!

Facebook: Boycott Sunday Mass As A Sign Of Protest!

Declaration of Support for the Immediate Passage of the Reproductive Health Bill into Law

Paquito Is Back From The Veterinary Clinic

2010-09-21T18:15:00.005+03:00

Paquito is now home since Saturday from a 2-day sleepover in the veterinary clinic. The doctor made a minor operation on his back because he has infected wounds. It turns out that a huge parts of his skin was already dead, so the doctor had to drain the pus from the wound and cut the dead part of the skin off. The wound was caused by an attack of a very jealous cat more than a month ago. I initially thought that it will heal by itself, but intead, it went from bad to worse.

Searching for a vet here in Jeddah is not easy, and if ever you find one, it will definitely cost a lot because most of their clients are rich people who can afford to spend thousands for their pets, and I'm not one of them. So, after asking a lot of people if they know any veterinary clinic in Jeddah, I've found one that's just near my apartment in Faisaliah district, the Jeddah Veterinary Clinic.

The name of Paquito's doctor is Khumbulani T. Nyathi, he's South African. He obviously knows that I'm not one of those wealthy pet owners who frequent their clinic, and I think he gave us discount for Paquito's minor surgery. He initially said that I'll just pay SR. 345, I guess that was for the surgery and the consultation fee of SR.120, excluding the medicines. All in all I just paid SR.365.

Right now, Paquito is rerecuperating in our apartment. The doctor said that it's not necessary anymore to put an elizabethan collar on his neck, but I still put it to prevent him from scratching and licking his freshly stitched wound. I'm also giving him antibiotic 2 times a day for 7 days to prevent infections. I think he'll fully recover soon enough.

At A Wedding In Abhur!

2010-09-13T04:19:00.009+03:00

Last Thursday, September 9, 2010 was the wedding of my classmate Rischel and her groom Jason. The wedding was held at a rented villa in Abhur, north of Jeddah. At first I was a little hesitant to attend the event because I thought the venue was too far and I didn't know how to get there, but then again I thought why not. I called my other classmate who wanted to come with us to the wedding reception. (at this time the wedding itself was already over).

Even though I didn't know the way, we just followed the street signs going to North Abhur, and called some of my classmates who were already there to guide us on our way to the venue. When we arrived, the place was full of people and I was amazed at how big the place was. There's a huge lawn and it has a swimming pool at the side of the 2 floor villa. When we went inside, I heard a loud music, I saw a huge living room that was converted into a dance floor and there were lots of people dancing.

We went straight to a room which was reserved especially for TCI students, it has 3 single beds and 2 medium-sized cabinets. The other room opposite to our's was reserved for the staff of Cinnabon, where the karaoke was located, which we would later invade. After a while, we thought that it was time for us to eat, so we went to the buffet. Boy, the food was delicious, especially the one with the tofu in it. I love tofu! There were a lot more food on the buffet but I'm on a diet, so as much as I really wanted to eat, I just have to put a portion on my plate. Damn!

After a few hours, some of my classmates went to the dance floor and they 'tripped the light fantastic'. I did not know that they have such talent in the art of dancing. I was just there to take videos of my classmates and the other guests while they were doing their thing, (which you will see in the video below). You see, I also wanted to dance, but my two left feet won't allow me to. LOL!

As hours passed and the night slowly turned to dawn, we invaded the other room where the karaoke was, and we sang our heart out. I kept on telling my classmates that it would have been perfect if only we had booze, but of course we didn't have. Too bad, I was on a party mode. Nevertheless it didn't stop us from enjoying. I sang 'Bluer Than Blue' (as usual), but it was when we sang 'Living La Vida Loca' that it made us go crazy. We didn't need booze after all!

And when morning came, it was around 8 AM, and when most of the guests are gone, we decided to take a dip in the pool. It was fun, although it was morning, the water was not cold at all. I can't even remember how many somersaults I did, (joke). It didn't take long for my fingers to crinkle, I had enough of the water, my colleagues soon followed. After we had fun at the pool, we had breakfast. The people in charge of the reception really thought everything out. They brought out one after the other, different menus like papaitan, putong puti, boiled eggs, and sopas. It was great!

Just like Janet Jackson's song goes, funny how time flies when your're having fun..., Yup, It's time to leave! Unfortunately, my car can only occupy 5 including me, so 2 of my classmates had to ride a private bus with the rest of the guests. It was a great experience, It was my first time to attend such an occasion and my first time also to go to Abhur. Thanks Jason and Rischel for a wonderful time, and congratulations!

¡SOY NEGRENSE!: Jason & Rischel's Eid Wedding In Obhur!

Help Save Japan's Dolphins!

2010-09-05T12:47:00.004+03:00

The Cove, The Secret Is Out, Spread The Word.

Article: Dolphin Killings Underway Despite Protest.

I Passed The BLS Examination, I'm CPR Certified!

2010-08-27T21:36:00.016+03:00

It was a tiring day for me and I guess for my 5 other classmates as well after that bone-breaking CPR training, and not to mention that nerve-wracking BLS examination at the King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital last Wednesday. But it was all worth it. After more than a week of studying and training at our training center in TCI, the effort has paid off. All 6 of us, which is only the first batch from our class to take the examination, are now BLS (Basic Life Support) certified.

Before we had our examination, we were formally trained for about 4 hours on how to perform CPR on an adult, child and infant using dummies, and how to use the AED correctly. They also trained us on how to rescue an adult and an infant victim when choking occurs. Using the dummies was the fun part although I never realized that giving 5 cycles of CPR (which is 5 times 30 compressions with 2 breaths) is so tiring, what more in a real life situation?

After the training, we took the examination at the other room. It was a multiple choice test and we just have to encircle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer. I can't say it was easy, but it was not that hard also, probably the only thing that scared me that time was the thought that I might fail and I have to do it all over again. Failing the test was not an option, and thank God I made it! It took me about 20 minutes to answer all the questions.

They told us right away the result of the examination almost instantly after we submitted our test papers. I've got a 100% score! A few more minutes we received our certificates, but we have to give it back to the TCI management, they said that we will get it back on our graduation after 6 months. Passing BCLS was an amazing experience for me, as I remember it right, I haven't finished anything in my life prior to this and now I'm CPR certified. WOW!

I was also given a Saudi Heart Association BLS provider's ID which is good for 2 years and it says, This certifies that the above named has successfully completed the national cognitive and skills performance examination in accordance with the standards and guidelines of the Saudi / American Heart Association for the basic Cardiac Life Support Program.

My sincerest thanks to our mentor Ms. Glenda Musico for helping us out get over our fears with her precious time shared with us by conducting online review and immersed us with the knowledge of CPR techniques that obviously came out in the exams. And likewise, with Mr.Tom Lim who painstakingly challenged us with his encouraging words to hurdle any obstacles that may come our way, and also for his dilligence in teaching us so that we would be able to achieve our goals.

A Tour With Mr. Tom Lim

After the hype was over, we went to the canteen for lunch, and while eating, Mr. Tom Lim, our instructor/ founder of TCI, who works as a head nurse in the hospital, told us if we would like to see the place where he works, so we said yes. We went to the Cathertisation laboratory and Angiogram room. I was so amazed with the apparatus there, I don't even know what they are for. I saw a lot of monitors and a huge apparatus that resembles a machine from the movie 'Stargate'. No matter how Mr. Lim explained to us how things work in there and what those apparatuses are for, his explanations seemed to just enter to my ear and exit on the other. All in all, the experience was a total fun, Thank you Mr. Tom Lim!

My classmate's story about our BCLS examination, ¡SOY NEGRENSE! - 'Now We Are CPR Certified!'

Classmates At The Corniche

2010-08-21T22:45:00.008+03:00

Yesterday, I and 6 of my classmates in TCI went to the Corniche just after our class around 5:00 PM. The sun was still up and it was terribly hot. 3 of them rode in my car and 2 others rode with Chris in his pick-up truck. We first went to a park where we took a lot of pictures with some of the locals there together with their ponies and their 4 wheeled motorcycles.

It was so hot and humid that afternoon and we can't even drink water out in the open, because it's Ramadan, we have to show respect to some of the Muslims there; they were fasting, and they can't either eat or drink until a specific time, so we have to discreetly drink water inside the car.

After the photo session at the mini park, we went to meet the Red Sea. We went to the different sections of the corniche and took photos of ourselves. One of our destinations was at the observation deck. While walking there, I thought that I was being one with the sun, It was almost 6:00 PM and it was hot and humid still, but like those sun worshipers, heat was not a deterrent to get those perfect photos, nope!. But seeing that sparkling, clear water of the Red Sea made me want to dive in it, but of course I can't, I think it's prohibited to swim or wade in the water on that part of the corniche, I don't know, we're in Saudi Arabia, isn't everything supposed to be prohibited here?

Anyways, we had fun and we obviously had our bonding moments there and not to mention those great photos and videos that will remind us of those memorable moments. What else could we ask for?

Vote For Nominee # 11 ¡SOY NEGRENSE! For PEBA 2010!

2010-08-10T18:02:00.007+03:00

I'm campaigning for NFB's blog ¡SOY NEGRENSE! for PEBA (Pinoy Expat/OFW Blog Award) 2010. This year's theme is about "Strengthening the OFW Families: Stronger Homes for a Stronger Nation." His official entry is entitled, 'Of Profits And Perils'. After reading it, please leave your comment and VOTE. (Voting/Popularity will not determine the winner. It is just 10 percent of the total score).

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By The Way, I'm Back In School

2010-08-08T00:39:00.014+03:00

Mr.Jeremy Thomas Lim BSN, RN, Founder/ Executive Director/ Instructor

I forgot to write a post about myself being in school again. So, yes I'm back in school, it's an intensive Caregiving program which is a 6-month program that caters for OFW's who are high school graduates and for those who didn't finish college like myself, although there are students that are professionals like engineer, pharmacists, etc. The program is on its 4th batch now of which I am lucky to be part of. The training center is only open every Fridays because most of the students and instructors are working during weekdays.The class starts from 8AM to 5 PM but can extend up to 7PM (although we haven't experienced that yet, thank God), so it's kind of hard for some students especially for those who still have work the night before. This week will be the start of Ramadan, so for some students that will be an added problem because of the time constraint, most businesses during this time are all busy.

I enjoy going to school every Friday, because it breaks the routine that I used to have, and it's fun. It excites me so much that I can't even sleep the night before, just like what happened 2 weeks ago, I was awake 24 hours, I felt like a zombie sitting inside that classroom, and I don't want that to ever happen again, so I sleep very early every Thursday night, around 9 PM. Another thing that I really enjoy is that I get to exercise my brain again with those hard to remember, tongue twister medical words like gluteus maximus, vestibulocochlear, sternocleidomastoid etc. And by the way, it sure is nice to try my hand in writing long lectures and assignments again just like when I was in high school.

Total Care International is now open for the 5th batch of students, so if you are from Jeddah and interested in the program, you can go to Total Care International website that you will see below, and there you will see phone numbers to contact and you can also fill up a form for you to reserve a slot.

The training center was located inside IPSJ (International Philippine School of Jeddah) on Gornatha street but just last Friday we transfered to a different location near Hail street. The name of the training center is Total Care International, and was founded by a Filipino couple in 2008.

Website: Total Care International

Related: 'Im Back In School Again' at ¡SOY NEGRENSE! (My Classmate's Blog)

Who Am I?

2010-07-26T18:44:00.010+03:00

Contrary to what I've been telling other people and on this blog, in some of my previous posts, I knew that the person who I knew as my mother is actually not my biological mother. I learned about this when I was 26 years old, and it was just unbelievable to me at that time. In my mind, things like that only happens on television and in movies, although, that revelation answered some of the why's and the how's in my mind but still I was on denial.

When I was a child, I'd been hearing a lot of stories from other people that I was adopted, but of course I didn't believe them. My parents told me that if people said something about it again, that I should show them my birth certificate, it's an A2-size paper with a Nestlé company logo on top with my name, name of the hospital where I was supposedly born, date of birth and with the signature of the doctor which obviously turned out to be bogus. I can't blame those people who said that I was adopted, they didn't see my mother got pregnant for 9 months, instead, they just saw this baby in front of their bulging eyes one fine day.

I said earlier that that revelation answered some of my questions. Most of them are about my relationship with my mom and how she treated me as her son. I remember one instance where I was in my room and she was calling me from downstairs, my tv was loud and I couldn't hear her shouting, she then went up to my room and scolded me, after a short exchange of words, she then slapped me on my nape with a closed fist, (don't get me wrong, I never speak bad word to may parents,) I remember I was crying after that. My father came up after my mom had left and he was angry because of the commotions. While I was crying, I told my father, "Why is mother not like a mother?", then he put his arm around me and said, "Don't cry and don't think about it, she's just experiencing menopause, that's all", ridiculous it may sound, but I believed him. There were many more instances like that and some other small things, and collectively they all served as clue to the truth.

I'm 38 now and after more than 10 years since I've learned about my mom, I kind of accepted the fact that she's not my biological mom and that nothing should change. In my mind, I still have my father and he's my real father, we are both a Cabrera and that is all that matters. Although, ever since I've learned about it, new questions popped up in my mind, like who's my real mother?, where is she now? or is she rich or poor? or is she still alive? and a lot more. My parents and I, we neither talked about it nor I asked my father who he had an illicit relationship with, but everytime I had a chance to speak with my relatives, I would often ask them about it, but their answers would often disappoint me.

Just last Friday, (I didn't have a sleep that evening, probably I was too excited to go to school,) I decided to call one of my relatives in the States. I wanted to just say hello and update myself about what's happening with them there. But then I decided to ask about my real mother or if they know my real mother, at first he said he didn't know her and I was kind of expecting that, but then he said, "I don't know your mother but what I know is that you were given to your parents by a certain Doctora Virata of Imus", and then he added, "and a certain Rementilla, so if you want to find out who you really are, and who your real parents are, look for those people". Then I quickly said thank you, terminated the call and ran to my computer and googled Dra.Virata, but then it crossed my mind, if I was given to my parents.....then? I quickly called back and asked, Are you saying that my father is not my real father? Then he said, "to my knowledge, yes, he's not your father, they are not your parents". I couldn't believe it, not another one! After all those years, all those people who've been telling me that I am adopted was right all along. Everything about me was a lie.

I found 3 Dr.Viratas in Imus, Dr. Mabini Virata, Dr. Cora Virata and Dr. Enriqueta Virata. I don't want to play Sherlock Holmes, but I want to know who I am. I feel so empty, like something's missing, and I wish my Nanay Tita is here, (my aunt who died last year). I don't even know if I have the courage to ask those people about my parents, and if I do, will they answer me or will they just tell me to go away because they are busy?

Just For A Laugh: Jollibee - The Dancer?

2010-07-13T16:57:00.004+03:00

Wow, Jollibee really knows how to dance. He has such cool moves especially when he dances Beyonce's "Single Ladies", it's so funny I can't stop laughing! I saw this video posted in Facebook from You Tube.

Company's Website: Jollibee

I'm Optimistic With P-Noy

2010-06-30T11:47:00.008+03:00

I didn't sleep until 9:00 this morning (Saudi Time) just to watch on TV the inauguration of our new president Benigno Simeon Aquino lll live in Manila on TFC. I feel like it's imperative for me to witness this part of Philippine history. Obviously, I can't be there personally in Luneta infront of the Quirino Grandstand to cheer and to give my support, as I am here in Saudi Arabia, so TV is the only way I could witness this special occasion.

I haven't felt this optimism about the Philippines since the presidency of Fidel V. Ramos (president 1992-1998). During this time, whenever I go to Manila (from where I live in Cavite), I remember noticing the skyline of Manila and seeing a lot of buildings being constructed with all those long cranes on top of each building, I thought then that the construction boom in Manila was probably one of the signs that things were improving, and I was not wrong.

I remember my father had a subscription of Asiaweek Magazine and I was always the first one to read it. I was excited to look at some of the pages at the back where one can see the different economic growth charts of some Asian countries. I remember the Philippines was paired with Thailand in one of the charts with the title, "Tiger's Cub".

Things were going well economically, then Joseph Ejercito Estrada entered the scene and everything just crumbled down. I remember my friends and I were talking about this inside a karaoke bar, of all places, and I remember telling them that if Joseph Estrada wins the presidency I will leave the country. He did win. And true enough, I did leave. I was forced to work abroad.

Even though I like the Ramos' administration, the funny thing about it is that I didn't even vote for him during the election of 1992, I voted for Miriam Defensor Santiago, who obviously lost the presidential race. Some would probably disagree with what I said about the Ramos' administration, but this is what I honestly feel about it.

And going back to the inauguration of Noynoy, I must admit that his inaugural speech was full of sincerity, humility and it mirrors his objectives for the Philippines and the Filipino people. One of my favorite parts of his inaugural speech was when he said that he can forgive those who did him wrong, but he has no right to forgive those who abused the people. And he went on to say;

"To those who talk about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. When we allow crimes to go unpunished, we give consent to their occurring over and over again. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all."

I know P-Noy will be a great leader and will do all the things he promised to the people. I'm confident not only in him but also to those people surrounding him, most especially his sisters, specifically Ballsy Aquino Cruz, the eldest of the siblings. She to me is like Olivia de Havilland's character Melanie Hamilton Wilkes in the movie "Gone With The Wind", so if Ballsy say it is alright, then it is alright!

Eventhough I'm optimistic about the new administration, we should not put all our hopes and the responsibility on P-Noy's shoulders, we must also have to do our part, if not, it'll be just like watching a magic show and we are the audience. We also have to be realistic that 6 years is not enough to solve most of our problems. P-Noy needs our help.

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

~Barack Obama, 2008 Feb 05, Chicago, Illinois

To watch Part 2 to 4 of 'Palasyong P-Noy' , go to Probe TV

Link: Full Transcript Of P-Noy's Inaugural Speech; P-Noy's Inaugural Speech In English

I'm Reading: 'Just After Sunset' by Stephen King

2010-06-15T19:55:00.011+03:00

I just bought this book yesterday at Jarir Bookstore, Sary street. The title of the book is 'Just After Sunset' by Stephen King, it is a collection of 13 previously published short stories. This is Stephen Kings's fifth short story collection.

Here's the title of the story (Arranged in Story Order):

Willa

The Gingerbread Girl

Harvey's Dream

Rest Stop

Stationary Bike

The Things They Left Behind

Graduation Afternoon

The Cat From Hell

The New York Times At Special Bargain Rates

Mute

Ayana

A Very Tight Place

For More Information:

Link: Just After Sunset / Website: Stephen King

Just For Laugh: Salma Hayek Loses It at the Sight of a Snake (VIDEO)

2010-06-10T15:00:00.006+03:00

Read about it HERE!

Paquito Is His Name!

2010-06-01T15:18:00.008+03:00

The other day my housemate found a stray cat in the street just outside our apartment. I think the cat had an owner before because my friend said that it was not afraid of him, in fact the cat was the one who came towards him and seemingly asking for food. My friend called me so that I would see the condition of the cat personally. The cat was not in good shape, he was having a hard time walking, a huge part of his back has a bald patch and it seems that there's something wrong with his skin, it almost looks like a big open wound when I saw it.

We already have 4 cats inside our small apartment and I know it'll be crowded, but still we decided to take the cat in. I can't imagine how that poor cat could possibly survive outside without food and water under the burning heat of the sun in that condition. I then bathe and fed the cat. I can tell that he was very hungry and thirsty, but may be because of what he was feeling, he just can't eat the way a starving cat usually does. I also noticed that he moves very slowly, another sign that the cat is sick.

This was not the first time I took in a cat inside my apartment, in fact there were 3 of them (in 3 different occasions), but I released the two back to the street when they got well, I really didn't want to do it, but I had to, I couldn't possibly keep them all. The one that was left now has 2 offsprings and a grandkitten, that is Brüno.

Anyway, the other day I tried to find the breed of the cat in the internet, for me to know more about him and yes I did find out his breed, he is a Himalayan, a cross between Siamese and Persian, meaning they have the color of the Siamese and the long fur of the Persian cat. Himalayans have light colored bodies and dark extremities which are called Color Points, the colors could be lilac, blue, chocolate, flame and cream. I'm just not sure about the color points of my cat.

And about the name of the cat, we used to call the cat 'Sweety', but after I discovered that the cat is a male, it's appropriate to give him a name that would suit the gender. We wanted to give him a name that has a 'growl' in it, that would sound mean to offset his pitiable condition and so we decided to call him Paquito, after Paquito Diaz, a Filipino mestizo actor who always played the role of 'contra vida' or villain in most of his movies. I think his new name suits him.

Today Is My Birthday - Happy Birthday To Me!

2010-05-24T15:09:00.007+03:00

Today I'm celebrating my 38th birthday. Another year has been added to my age. I don't know whether I should be happy, or cry my heart out about it (sigh). Thirty eight, it means 3 decades and 8 years and that's my age, I mean, I might as well be 40 or 50 years old. Just a few more years and I'll be a senior citizen and I'll be needing a rocking chair and a cane to go with it.

Every year whenever my birthday nears I can't help but be a little nostalgic and a bit sad. I kept on thinking about those years when I was younger and how carefree and happy I was as a kid. I remember during those years, I always held my birthdays at the beach (Villamar Beach Resort in Noveleta, Cavite). My parents would invite some of our relatives and their close friends and I would also invite my friends and some of my classmates. I also remember the food because they were always the same every year, and most are my favorites. They were mostly seafoods like crabs, prawns, grilled fish and stews like menudo and adobo, and we always had pancit guisado to symbolize long life. Getting hungry!

The biggest birthday that I had in terms of guests was on my 7th birthday, that was (are you ready for this?) in 1979. It was not held in the beach, but instead at the house of my grand parents (in Ligtong, Rosario, Cavite), where we used to live during those times when we didn't have our own house yet. I remember having my picture taken at a place we called "Camalig" where they were grilling the huge lechon on the ground. It was also on my 7th birthday where I received the most gifts. It was one of the happiest times in my life.

In 2006, I was to celebrate my 33rd birthday for the very first time in 7 years in the Philippines because I was in Saudi Arabia since 1999. And although I had my vacations before, It didn't coincide with my birthday. It was midnight of May 21-22, 2006, two days before my birthday, when I was stabbed on my face by a customer at a Karaoke bar, just 5 minutes away from my house in Noveleta. One of my friends with me was also wounded on his right ear when he tried to pursue the guy, but unfortunately he got away. I was rushed to the hospital that night. The parents of the guy talked to my parents and settled the case with a pay-off and so my parents dropped the case, in other words nothing happened, the guy was free to roam the town again. My parents was wrong on that one. Anyway, it's history and I thank God that I came out of it alive. I don't want to spend my birthday ever again inside a hospital.

From 2007 to 2009, I spent my birthdays here in Saudi Arabia and obviously again this year. It's doubly sad because I haven't seen most of the people that were usually present in my past birthdays because of the obvious reason that they're just not here in Saudi Arabia and it also makes me sad because some of them passed away, like my auntie (my Nanay Tita who died in the states in 2008), my grandmother who passed away much earlier and my dear friend Nazareno, he died in 2006. I have a lot of good memories with them, though my birthday wouldn't be the same without them, but I know that they're with me in spirit.

Today, there's no celebration, I'll just spend my birthday watching TV, with my computer, or may be I'll just listen to my favorite music and go back down memory lane. About my birthday wish, I'll just keep it to myself and I hope it'll come true. I would like to say thank you to all those who remember and greeted me on my birthday.

Noynoy Pulls It Out!

2010-05-12T17:28:00.004+03:00

Noynoy Pulls It Out (Asia Sentinel)

NOYNOY: Powered By The People (La Nueva Liga Filipina)

Benigno Aquino gets advice on Facebook (The Daily Telegraph)

Juana Change: Protect The Vote!

2010-05-09T23:39:00.007+03:00

Mae Paner Alias Juana Change Part 1 (Probe TV)

Just For A Laugh: Manny Villar On The Cover Of A Magazine?

2010-05-02T15:23:00.005+03:00

Manny Villar On The Cover Of A Magazine? (¡Superextraorinarisimo¡)

The Debut Album of CHARICE Available On May 11th

2010-04-19T15:11:00.019+03:00

Charice's debut album available on May 11, 2010.

Grab and put this widget on your websites or blogs!

Listen to previous episodes of Fun Talk. Click HERE!
For More Info: CHARICE (Official) / OPRAH

Thumbs Up: TIME Magazine's The New Aquino

2010-04-17T16:06:00.001+03:00

Read The Story: The Next Aquino: Can Noynoy Save The Philippines?

by By Ishaan Tharoor

Manny Villar On The Cover Of A Magazine?

Mareng Winnie Explains The C-5 Controversy

2010-04-15T18:00:00.015+03:00

On the first video, Mareng Winnie explains the C-5 controversy and how it benefited Manny Villar. The second video explains the difference between the SCTEX controversy involving Noynoy Aquino and C-5 controversy involving Manny Villar.

RELATED STORY: How Villar built business empire with deceit, corruption: ex-lawyer Part 1,2,3.

RELATED STORY: Velarde And Villar: The Holy Alliance Made In C-5 (AT ¡SOY NEGRENSE!)

RELATED STORY: Concentric Rings, Part II: land-grabbing, land conversion and the untold human cost (AT Notes from an Insomniac)

RELATED STORY: Villar’s Tondo Roots Were ‘definitely middle class’ - By HOWIE SEVERINO, GMANews.TV

Winnie Monsod Blog Share

I Have Already Voted!

2010-04-13T21:27:00.008+03:00

Yesterday I cast my vote for the national elections in the Philippines via OAV, or Overseas Absentee Voting here at the new building of the Jeddah consulate. The voting process was very easy, there's not a lot of people who voted that day, so there's no queue.

Before I proceeded to the polling precinct, I searched first for my name in the list of voters, this is to make sure that I am really a registered voter in Jeddah. While searching for my name, a man came up to me and tried to help find my name, which I thought a gesture of kindness, but then after I found my name and my sequence number, he secretly showed me a piece of paper with a name of a candidate from his hand, perhaps a senate candidate or a party list candidate which I didn't quite read.

After searching for my name and sequence number, I went straight to a small room where the actual voting takes place. The 2 members of the BEI (Board of Election Inspectors) who take charge of the precinct asked my name, sequence number and my ID. After checking, they gave me an empty folded ballot. It only took me less than 10 minutes to vote for president, vice president, 12 senators and a party list group. After I completed writing my candidates on the ballot, I dropped it inside a small brown paper box (and posing for the camera while doing it. lol!).

It was a great experience. That was my first time to vote outside the Philippines and only my second to vote in any elections. I've done my part. I really feel that I've fulfilled one of my duties to my country, I just hope that everything turns out the way it should be.

I Voted And Insist It To Be Counted!
(A Friend's Blog Post)

I'm Reading: The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz

2010-04-10T02:08:00.017+03:00

The 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" starring Judy Garland and was directed by Victor Fleming is one of my favorite films of all time. I can't remember how many times I've watched the film. One of my favorite scenes was when Dorothy and the Scare Crow purposely angered the apple trees so that they may throw apples on them because they were hungry, that's the part before they discovered the motionless Tin Woodman.

The film as we all know it, was adapted from the children's classic "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L.Frank Baum, which was first published in 1900. The other day, I just finished reading the book which I bought from a local bookstore here in Jeddah. I know it sounds funny, but it was my first time to read it, and I was so amazed on how different it was from the 1939 film.

While I was reading the book, I was shocked to learn that there were no Ruby shoes, instead, a pair of Silver shoes, then I told myself that maybe I was reading the wrong book or maybe they'd made mistakes with the printing of the book or something. I felt so stupid, I mean the book was over a century old and it's only now I found out about the shoes.

There's a lot of chapters on the book that was not included in the film, like chapter 9, entitled 'The Queen of the Field Mice', which I was shocked to learn that even if the Tin man believes that it's wrong to kill pretty, harmless creatures, (like the field mice), he didn't think twice to chop off the head of the wildcat. In chapter 12, entitled 'The Search for the Wicked Witch', the Tin man again demonstrated his murderous instinct, by chopping off the head of the wolves, but of course he did that to save his friends. Hhmm...maybe the Tin man was hiding some dark secrets?

Another chapter in the book that didn't make it in the film was chapter 20, 'The Dainty China Country', where Dorothy and her friends passed while going to the country of the Quadlings in the south. In the 'Dainty China Country', everything is made of china from animals, to houses, trees and even the people there. They (Dainty China people) have to be very careful in moving because they may easily break.

Chapter 22, 'The Country of the Quadlings' is another chapter that didn't quite make it in the film. This is the place where Glinda, the good witch of the south lives, where the bridges, fences and all houses were painted bright red.

Aside from those chapters, there are also a lot of characters that was not in the film, like the Kalidahs, monstrous beasts with bodies like bears, and heads like tigers, living in the big dark forest that they passed while on the road to the Emerald City. Scary creatures! Another characters in the book that are not in the film are the Hammer Heads, they are short and stout and have big heads, which were flat at the top and supported by a thick neck full of wrinkles and they do not have arms. And the queen of the field mice, a very important character that was not on the film. Without the field mice, the cowardly lion would have surely died in the deadly poppy field.

So far, those are the 'discrepancies' that I've noticed between the book and the famous 1939 film. Although while reading the book, I didn't read about the horse of different colors and the funny apple throwing apple trees. In the film, I've noticed that they mixed everything up, like the good witch Glinda, who's supposed to be in the south, and the flying monkeys that follow the every command by whoever possesses the Golden Cap. I recommend that you read the book, so that you'll understand fully some of the scenes and the history of the characters in the film. Both the book and the film are just amazing!

The Wicked Witch Of The East (And Of The Far East)

While reading the book especially on chapter 2, 'The Council With The Munchkins', I can't help but compare the Munchkin land to the Philippines. When Dorothy arrived in the Munchkin Land via the tornado inside the house, it was the happiest moment in the lives of the munchkins, because they were liberated. The Munchkins thought that Dorothy deliberately killed the Wicked Witch of the East by letting the house fall on her.

I honestly believe that something similar to this will soon happen in the Philippines, but not as a house falling on the wicked president but of different kind. Gloria, or I must say, the wicked witch of the Far East, has done a lot of bad things against the Filipino people, and her life will not be enough to compensate them. I shouldn't be speaking of such bad things, but I can't help it. Her time will surely come, and maybe when that time comes, we can all sing joyously, "ding dong, the witch is dead, the wicked witch is dead!"

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