Vacation 2019: Rizal #2 - Antipolo City & Around

This is the second video of Rizal series and the final video of my Vacation 2019.

Vacation 2019: Rizal #1 - Maia Alta

Just transferred to a new house during my vacation. Here are some of my memorable moments.

Vacation 2019: Negros Occidental #7 - See You Negros Occidental!

This is the last installment of my Negros Occidental vacation series. PLUS ...my pension house horror story.

Vacation 2019: Negros Occidental #6 - Che & Ate Vilma's Birthday (Sagay City)

In this video, we went to Sagay City for the birthday of Ate Vilma and her daughter Che-che (Aug.3, 2019). Also, this is for the memory of Ate Vilma who passed away today, September 4, 2019 at around 10:25 AM in Bacolod City. Praying for her loved ones. My condolences.

Vacation 2019: Negros Occidental #5 - BONGOL!

In this video, Ate Ging and I had lunch at Melkens Restaurant, and then went to their new house in Bongol in Balaring with her sisters Ate Ferns and Ate Donny riding (Ate Ging's brother) Boyet's tricycles.

Vacation 2019: Negros Occidental #4 - Manapla (Part 2)

In this video, we spent a few more hours at the house of ate Marisa in Hacienda Myrianne. After having lunch, we left for Hacienda Yning.

Vacation 2019: Negros Occidental #4 - Manapla (Part 1)

This is part 1 of my trip to ate Marisa's home in (Barangay Myrianne) Manapla with Ate Ging. Plus... in part 2, a side trip to ate Ferns' house in Barangay Ining,, also in Manapla.

Vacation 2019: Negros Occidental #2 - TINY (Silay City)

Vacation 2019: Negros Occidental #1 - Light in the City Church

For more info on 'Light in the City Church' please visit their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/lightinthecitychurch/

The Online Pyramid Scheme

There's a new craze going on sweeping the internet that causes firestorm on social media in particular: the so-called Emgoldex investment scheme that promises too-good-to-be-true easy money, and bulks of it, that one finds hard to resist if he is diligent enough to find people to get on the bandwagon. Though staunch defenders of it claim it's not a pyramid scheme, its nature and dynamics say otherwise. Of late, even the Philippine government has issued warnings to its citizens (as it is a huge draw among OFWs) of the legal implications and unsustainability of the said scheme, yet this does not deter them from joining in and take risks with their hard-earned money.

This Emgoldex online company that purportedly sells gold to its clients uses some effective approach to make its "clientele" feel a sense of self-aggrandizement by referring to them, among others "clients", "online entrepreneurs", or "investors" in order to get a psychological boost and affirm the legitimacy and legality of the so-called partnership, thus the confidence in the business relationship.

Convenient money who can resist it?

Why this particular online investment scheme became an overnight hit to so many Filipinos can only be attributed to its easy strategy: a client needs to find only two recruits, and voila, it  takes only a fortnight before he receives his gold or its equivalent, in this case most investors prefer to receive its cash equivalent amounting to 3,500 euro. Essentially, the cash prize (or return of investment) an investor receives comes from the investment money that his recruits had entrusted to him (or what they term it as "upline"). So, it is in every sense a pyramiding scheme, though I do not insinuate here that it is illegal, the fact that many personalities I personally know have already benefited from it. As a Christian, I have of the opinion that this lure of prosperity is a trap to so many Christians who unwittingly took the bait that will lead to a Christian's spiritual demise.

The Merriam - Webster dictionary describes pyramid scheme as "a usually illegal operation in which participants pay to join and profit mainly from payments made by subsequent participants". Wikipedia adds, "it's an unsustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services to the public."

There are lots of pyramid schemes out there, famous of which and popular to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are the likes of AIM Global, SWA, Royale and ultimately Emgoldex. I myself as an OFW have been tagged and inundated with invites to join in one of these, specifically Emgoldex. Not only we OFWs become the most convenient targets for recruiters but our immediate family members as well due to the notion that we have the capabilities to invest in these said schemes.

This would have not been surprising considering that pyramid schemes have been in existent since time immemorial, and still people continually gravitate towards the lure of quick and exponential profits from their investment. Due to its nature of long-term unsustainability, many pyramiding businesses in the past have crumbled, along with the lives of those who put their trust and hope in them. From the mistakes of the past, pyramiding business has somehow evolved and perfected its strategy to counter the stigma of "unsustainability" appended to it, thus the emergence of highly successful so-called online investment scheme of which Emgoldex is at the forefront. But what is surprising and saddening is that a lot of Christians such as pastors, worship leaders, elders and legions of church members have joined the fray in the hope of experiencing huge windfalls they believe to be God's way of showering his blessings to his children.

Emgoldex frenzy in Christian churches a real cause of alarm

Had I not joined the conversation in one of the Christian groups on Facebook about a specific post on Emgoldex, I would have not realized the extent of its deep-seated impact among many 'believers' -  some of whom are my personal friends. When I posted Bible verses about contentment and Jesus urging believers to lay up treasures in heaven not on earth, I was immediately overwhelmed by a barrage of negative comments as if the whole Christian community was ganging up on me for my supposed wrong perception of God's favor for His children. That in itself was a shocking revelation knowing the lure of prosperity can create a mobster mentality in people who ironically flaunt themselves as Christians.

One commenter even boasted of their pastor who was able to build a new church because he invested in Emgoldex, and that the pastor's family do not starve anymore, all because of Emgoldex (i was seeing a golden calf in such a proud testimony). And that goes without saying the said pastor is a hard-working guy who uses his gift of gab to find new recruits as evidenced by their new church building and his family not going hungry anymore. This commenter's testimony of how Emgoldex changed the lives of so many Christians she knows including pastors even turned into boasting by saying "faith without action is dead", and that reading their bibles will not do them any good if they don't work up on their faith, in this case, Emgoldex saved the day for them. She continued, "thank you Lord for giving us Emgoldex" and "please stop giving us your nonsense" in shooing me away the next, that elicited a chorus of amens from other commenters who proudly outed themselves to be Emgoldex investors also. Needless to say, I retreated from the mob and said blessings to them.

If anything, what was revealed to me is the current sad state of what some Christian churches have become, spiritually. These pastors who lack discernment and have no desire for it, may be smiling ear to ear for an unprecedented meteoric increase in tithes, have the belief that God is well-pleased at his brand of service in the ministry. That facebook episode did not only serve as an eye-opener to me to the emerging trend, that is earthly prosperity, sweeping across evangelical churches in the Philippines and abroad.

 Church leaders as indirect complicit to the trap of prosperity

A few months back, the Lord led me out of a church whose aggressive stance on matters about tithing is such that you come out feeling like a criminal if you have not yet committed yourself to tithing. Obviously, judging from the delivery of exhortation, there is that sense of arrogance knowing that you belong to the tithers' club, and a sense of guilt and condemnation when you do not; the sad thing is, not everyone, including new attendees, pretty much understands this doctrine, yet being subjected to the same level of admonition. Their kind of exhortation conclusively conveys that if you give your full tithes, God will bless you tremendously, as if God's mercy and grace solely depend on your ability to give your tithes.

Fast forward to present, this same church has now its music director, praise and worship members, dance ministry leader, elders and other members, into the business of Emgoldex. These same people you would find on Facebook posting videos or photos of themselves waving bulks of cash as if to shame their detractors. One of them even goes as far as sticking his tongue out to the bulks of cash he is holding as if to tease his skeptics. The next, they post photos of themselves with their pastors and other members eating out at their favorite restaurant with captions: "katas ng Emgoldex" or loosely translated as "benefits from Emgoldex". What follows are photos of them waving their new iphone 6, huge plasma tv, and even shouting out their plans to buy a new car - for all the world to see.

Romans 12:15 says "rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep". Or it can be understood as "to be happy for those who are happy". But when you see your brethren acting and sounding like the world and displaying their love of the world, I think there is no reason at all to be happy with them. What we are seeing here is the deification of material prosperity under the guise of God's favor - and that what truly is upsetting. As sad as it gets, a lot of church people today come to church, not for their need of the Savior but what they can get from the Savior.

Why a born-again believer should shun activities like this

I am in no way against a Christian brother or a sister who wants to uplift their families' economic status as everyone of us strives to do the same, but the following are obvious reasons why a Christian should stay away from pyramiding schemes, and this practice should not be tolerated inside the church the way it has become prevalent in so many of them today:

It causes Christians to be worldly and materialistic. Although we are in this world, we need to remember that we are not of this world, and should not be living the way the world lives. 1 John 2:15 says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. First, he gets to achieve what his initial goals were, then the next, and higher, and so on, until sky is the limit. The obsession and preoccupation to the  limitless goals he has set for himself will ultimately lead to his spiritual demise. And this is the area where most Christians are perfectly vulnerable.

It causes Christians to covet. The example being, a Christian brother who sees his fellow Christian in the ministry who has recruited other church members to invest into the scheme and is now able to buy a lot of things and testifies behind pulpit that God has honored the works of his hands (and mouth, through the scheme) will now be encouraged to join the fray so that he too will be blessed by God. Envy and jealousy will take root, and that will lead to self-pity if he fails to achieve the same. Jesus says, And he said to them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses (Luke 12:15).

It sends out a wrong message to other Christians most especially the new believers that could derail their walk with Christ. What impression will it give other Christians and new believers alike when after Bible studies or worship service they find church workers in a huddle on every corner talking to new prospects and convincing them to get on board their scheme? What spiritual benefit does it contribute to other believers if the encouraging verses they used to share on facebook suddenly disappeared in lieu of the ubiquitous and aggressive sales pitch that go with photos fanning themselves with bulks of cash? Has greed overwhelmed the church while pastors sit idly by in perfect complicit to the pervasive materialism and worldliness that has gripped their congregation?

It increases the tendencies for them to associate with the wrong people for the wrong reason. Normally, a true Christian would not hesitate to make his faith known to unbelievers, rather he finds it as an opportunity to share the gospel to them. But in the case of a Christian winning over new recruits into the scheme, he tends to never bother mentioning the name of Jesus to them, in fact he is most likely to compromise his faith for fear of losing his prospect. He tends to agree with them, join in the kind of conversation they are comfortable with, and ultimately surprises them as though they are clueless that he goes to a Christian church as he does not sound like one.

It steals away their precious time with God. All they have to do is to keep abreast of all the inquiries on their Facebook accounts, emails and other platforms where interested parties insist on knowing the dynamics of the business before they take the risk. This is pretty much the routine of Christians who use the internet (some are known to have skipped regular sleep) as their means to win over more recruits - the more recruits the more chances of fat cold cash rushing in. Sometimes, in their status they apologize to not being able to entertain questions as they are sitting in a pew, but admits to being tempted to reply to prospects so as not to lose prospective "clients". So, what else is left for God, much less quiet time, anyone?

It changes their priority. Now, it's more important for them to get more people to join in the scheme instead of witnessing for Christ. Witnessing as a command that every Christian must heed now takes a convenient backseat. "Witnessing will have its proper time and place and a suitable forum, but not now, I might get dissed knowing people find religion a polarizing subject, and besides how can I pitch my business proposal if I have a gospel in tow, so it must be one over the other, for now." In quest for prosperity, there is no such thing as "I've reached my bounds, time to get back to my roots" moments - it is an unending quest for more. It's just how the world operates, and some Christians are willing participants on that stage.

God wants us to prosper to the extent that our souls prosper

Again, I want to emphasize I am not against a brother or a sister who aspires for prosperity, in fact it is God's desire that His people prosper. The apostle John who was known for his closeness with the Lord, wrote to Gaius, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prosper" (3 John 1:2). He then went on to recognize some of the good works Gaius was doing for his fellow workers in the Lord. Gaius certainly could not have done much here had he been homeless, or poverty-stricken. Now this verse shows that God wants us to prosper in all things. John would not pray for something that was not the will of God. He prayed for Gaius because it was God's will that he prosper, and not Gaius only, for it is written that, "the Lord takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servant" (Psalm 35:27). But it is not the kind of prosperity that most of us would conveniently interpret - for the key to real prosperity is the state of our soul. God wants us to "renew our minds" (Romans 12:2); but if our minds are carnal, our desires wicked, then earthly prosperity would not do us much good. If our minds are sufficiently renewed then it is definitely in God's interest to prosper us in all things, including material things.

I love the prayer of a wise man in Proverbs that says, "give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only may daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30: 8,9) This is the prayer that glorifies God; for this wise man knew in his heart that for as long as he is obedient to the commands and precepts of God, he will surely lack nothing because God will never forget him nor abandon him. In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul had this to say,

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." ~ (1 Timothy 6: 6-10)

The best investment, better than any other scheme

Can God trust you with money? He can't trust all that many people. The reason is, many Christians, whether they are rich or poor, trust in the money they have now more than in God's ability to provide for them. We are told not to trust in riches. Paul instructed Timothy. "Command those are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy." (1 Timothy 6:17). No matter how much we have accumulated in this world, there is always an encompassing threat that we cannot hold onto the fruits of our hands, for as long as we want.  

Jesus has warned, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21). The same is true for property, gold, shares, or any other assets we may have. They are "uncertain riches". God would like us to invest in something certain, something eternal. Does that sound like a good investment plan or not?

It's The Thought That Counts

All along I've been saying I'm crazy about simple things -- much more if it is a gift, and nothing beats the thrill of unwrapping it.The object inside more often than not is immaterial, it is the thought knowing you are special to the gift giver, at least to prove a point, that really matters.

Needless to say, for the first time in my life I sent a gift via Fedex to the most thoughtful and sweetest friend I ever have who happens to be  in France -- proof of which is the gift she sent me last February. These simple things I brought with me from my vacation in the Philippines may not be that storied of monumental proportion that deserved a trip across the Mediterranean but certainly they were well-thought of and heartfelt just as my intentions were. 

One of the two items I sent her was a small rooster figurine  (whose beak unfortunately got detached most likely due to careless handling) and the other was a tee shirt which I bought from a kiosk in a mall that sells Christian tee-shirts. Mind you, it was no ordinary t-shirt with the message emblazoned on it, "Jesus Heals". I have been praying for her because she has some sort of illness that I believe is nothing compared to the power of Jesus. Way to go little rooster and the T and my prayers for you my friend! (the photos below were proof they safely arrived, though not completely sans the little guy's beak. And the video I took in a shop where the T-shirt didn't escape me.)

"I am still wailing over my beak. Wonders how on earth people can be so careless and indifferent that reduced my life to being miserable. "The gesture though of my human tells me there is hope and she would do anything to make me whole again, literally, yehey!!"

"I'm still cute though sans my beak. I could only pray my twin back in the KSA gets a more humane treatment and does not lose his."

My Vacation 2014: A Mission

On a bed at the artsy Silangan Gardens of the Pinto Art Museum.

This vacation was like no other -- it's because I had to settle a lot of issues, try to seek out solutions to a lot of problems, familial that is, and find answers to so many questions. This was a 'mission', in a way. Needless to say, I won't go into specifics, but, what I'm saying is that, the LORD answered all my prayers and He made all things possible for His glory . Yahweh is so good!

Thankfully, the time spent with my family was an enormous blessing filled with so much fun. Brushing aside issues that need some strong gut to confront, I wasted no time feasting on some of my  favorite foods like balut, taho, chicharones, my favorite summer dessert Halo-halo, fresh coconut juice, isaw and inihaw na liempo (me, taunting a swordsman whose job is to catch pork devourers in Saudi Arabia). Hmm, yummy!

Of course, visiting some of the places in Manila that interest me should figure in my itinerary. So, first stop was the Philippine National Museum which is adjacent to the Luneta Park where my fascination for  Juan Luna's Spoliarium and  other great Filipino masterpieces  like Amorsolo's, and Hidalgo's never ceases. I could have strutted further to some other significant and historical places but I thought I have overstayed quite a bit in the museum that I lost track of the sun fading.

Although I've been to SM Mall of Asia (or popularly known as MOA), its sheer size and its imposing structure and beauty still continue to amaze me. It so happened that I was to meet up with a person for a purpose and so the ambience at the mall was extremely vibrant that it helped me while my time hours before he finally showed up.  Another mall that I frequently visit is the SM Mega Mall along EDSA -- another humongous mall that seemingly never stops to expand (evidenced by an annex built where the once huge parking area was). Of course, it's no brainer that these  changes never escape me --it is where I get off a bus, taxi or whatever and head to a  terminal beside it when going to my home in Antipolo. Since one high-end mall is just situated nearby, I saw to it that I join the frenzy of window shoppers and legits alike to cool down in the famous and luxurious Shangri-la Mall.

Frequenting these places in Manila is like meeting an old friend -- the thrill of its experience is one thing, but getting there is another. I took the MRT and the LRT to get to those places. I have never been a fan of David Blaine but I sure was like levitating while entering and exiting the coach because of the enormous current of crowd that spontaneously carried me like my feet never hit the pavement. Another peculiar experience that vouches you are indeed in Manila is the heat and humidity that still gets under my skin -- my pet peeves that I still can't figure how to tame, the same that I usually hear from most people while I was there.

If one thinks Manila has everything under its wings, make no mistake, in suburban Antipolo City where I am currently settled, there is also a place that competes with the more famous ones in Manila but replete with amazing works of art, the Pinto Art Museum. Every time I visit this place, there are always new masterpieces that mesmerize its visitors. I particularly love the bronze Calesa at their garden and the bed which I had a photo with while I was on it. I also love that new installation called 'Forest' by Antonio Catral Leaño. 

Not to be missed in my itinerary was a further trip down south in Cavite where i basically grew up. I went there to visit my father, some family friends and personal friends as well. It was not all fun just like any other as we were met with a news of the death of my former high school classmate who died of brain aneurysm. It was a surreal feeling seeing him in a casket while reminiscing the days when we were full of youth and seemingly invincible. The vivid pictures kept on flashing as I forayed once more down memory lane and how I realized how blessed I am to have unlocked the secret to confronting fear of death, and that is through my Savior Jesus Christ. His demise all the more gave face to the reality that death beckons every human being, young and old, rich or poor -- and it is only a matter of time, "for it is appointed unto men once to die and after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

That was deep. Anyway that concludes the story of my happy, crazy and sometimes sad Philippine vacation of 2014. I'm hoping that my next vacation, (God willing) will be a more spiritual one. What I mean is that, that I could do some witnessing to other people or do more bible studies to my close friends and relatives, and be the light to people who are in this dark world. By the way, the bible studies we had at home every night was wonderful. Teaching my children and my wife about the gospel was really great and I know that the Lord will do more great things in their lives. Thank You Lord Jesus for everything. Hallelujah!

I had so much fun with our dog Chloe. 

With my daughter Celine.

With my childhood friend at Malen's Restaurant in Noveleta, Cavite.

The National Museum of The Philippines in Manila.

At the rear side of the SM Mall of Asia with the view of MOA Eye & Manila Bay.

My eldest daughter showing her newly acquired ATM from the company she works for.

The entrance of Pinto Art Museum.

My favorite Halo-halo at Max's Restaurant in Antipolo City.

The video I made at the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo City.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, 
and He shall give the desires of your heart. 
~ Psalms 37:4

#PHthankyou Campaign

The (DOT) Department of Tourism of The Philippines has just launched #PHthankyou campaign.

Three months after Typhoon Haiyan, 
 a whole nation wants to show its gratitude to the whole world. 
This is the Philippines. 

And this is our way of saying thank you to everyone 

who is helping us rebuild after the storm. 

#PHthankyou ~ DOT

ITS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Thumbs Up: Donate To Haiyan Victims in The Philippines

For donations, news and updates: 

THE PHILIPPINE RED CROSS

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

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

Thumbs Up: Carlos Celdran - ¡DAMASO!

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

I Have Already Voted!

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) 

Thumbs Up: ¡MISMO! New Filipino Board Game

¡MISMO! by Kristine Servando, abs-cbn NEWS

MANILA - "Ano ang matamis na malagkit? Mahiwaga at maselan? Matigas at mainit?" (What's sweet and Sticky? Mysterious and delicate? Hard and hot?")

These double-entendres that only a Pinoy (Filipino) can decode are at the heart of the fun and wacky board game "Mismo!", which has been making waves in the Philippine market since its release in late June this year. Continue Reading...

¡MISMO! Website

Photo by the Inquirer.net

Thumbs Up: Philippines, Winner Of The You Tube Democracy Video Challenge

The Philippine entry was chosen as one of the winners of You Tube's Democracy Video Challange. More than 900 people from 95 countries competed for the grand prize. Watch the Philippines' entry, "Long Live The Fearless Man".

To watch the other winners, Click Here.

Working Alone

Starting this January 14, 2009, I will be working alone for a month. You see there are only two Filipinos in my company, Me and Him, we are both working as Visual Merchandisers and he is going to have his vacation in the Philippines.

When I say "Alone" , I don't mean "Lonely Alone" , well probably a little bit of that. It's hard to talk when there's no nobody talking back to you, it's doubly hard because I really don't speak or understand Arabic that well after more than 8 years in Saudi Arabia, I know you're going to say how come?, well, my answer is I don't know. Maybe the language is just not my cup of tea, although it's essential to learn it. Going back to that being alone thing, It's not "Lonely Alone", it's more like, "I'm going to have a lot of work Alone" kinda thing, especially the language barrier with the staff, most of them don't speak English and I'm having a hard time speaking Arabic. What a perfect combination!

We talked about this vacation when we were new in this company. We already have a Plan and the Plan was, that we are going to have our vacation together and that we are going to go to different places in the country like Baguio, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, up north and even in Boracay and Bohol in the Visayas but that was before we have our 6 Cats.

I'm not saying that the Cats are my problem. I love my Cats and I can sacrifice certain things for them like this vacation, I will have my turn (vacation) anyway. To sum up everything, yes, it's in a way, saddens me that he is going for vacation. Makes me think about the things that he will be doing there, like , drinking beer [Cerveza San Miguel] with friends ( I miss beer drinking with my friends, beer is prohibited in this country, Hellooo!!! 21 century now, remember?) and Singing in a Karaoke bar, while drinking beer with friends, OK that's it. Enough with my day dreaming . All that I can say is, "May the force be with him".