About SUZUKI Cup, Of Intense Clash In The Field, and Of Azkals' Semi-Final Chance: The Head to Head Battle Against Myanmar

November 30, 2012: Today, at exactly 8:20PM, the big battle that will kick-through the AZKALS in the semis will be played against the mighty and equally strong national team of  Myanmar. Eager, die-hard, and fanatic fans from different parts of the country and even overseas Filipinos who are boldly supporting the national team are gunning to watch the inevitable clash inside the green field of Supachalasai  Stadium in Bangkok. The clash deemed to be their ticket to the semis is a highly anticipated event for football lovers like me. AZKALS are expected to bring out all their guns to level-up to a team they never have defeated before. 

About Family Bonding, Of Veggies & Fruits, Of Breads, and Of Malling: Unplanned Mall Visit

Family bonding is synonymous to having great time, enjoying sumptuous meals while having funny talks, and just having fun times with the members of the family. It owns a very significant part of my time. When it comes to family time, I make sure I have portion allotted to it no matter how busy I am with work and stuff. In short, I'm a family oriented guy. 

Isn't it nice to hear a guy who devote plenty quality time with his family? I say this because lots of my friends somehow lacks in this department. Lucky me? It's a choice actually. If you choose to do it, it won't be a problem with you even if you're the busiest person in the whole world. If you value the importance of being with your family, you will deliver no matter what. As I've said, it's a choice. And everyone has a choice. Right?

About Christmas Wishes, Of Gifts, and Of People: All I Want For Christmas

I’ve been tagged and so I’ll comply because these bloggers are not only important to me but are now close online friends as well..

It was Fielkun of Fielkun's Thoughts and Mecoy of Bunch of Nothing by Mecoy Cute who tagged me up about this blogger's viral tagging game about “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS”

Normally, I'm not the type of a "wait-til Santa comes to town and wish" guy who wishes to receive something every Christmas. It's not in my system. Perhaps because I cannot recall any vivid instance that I'm jumping and shouting out loud (like a Tarzan's voice) because I receive something during Christmas.  Di ko nakaugalian na mag-wish tuwing Christmas. I'd rather would say "New Year's Resolution" meron pa upon which half of it ends up not realized --haha.. Paulit ulit lang every year but so far no concrete resolutions have had a clear output.

Basically, as an early 30's guy, who is happily married with one cute son named Damien Caleb, what I want is to give out or share something simple this Christmas. This idea of giving came up to me a long time ago na when I was exposed to social work and volunteerism. Yes, I have a big heart for social work and volunteerism and of helping less fortunate/ less privileged kids. The desire blossomed from my heart because I was raised in a modest way of life as well. I know how it feels to have less in life. I know how it feels to work hard to earn a living. (ang drama ko na -hahaha..direk gusto ko ng action...ayoko drama...kasi maiiyak ako eh hahaha). 

About Honoring, of Thank You's, and of Gratitude: A Prelude Message Before My Birthday

Usually, when one celebrates a birthday, the celebrant is the one being honored -- that's the usual norm right?  (at least for us here in the Mid-East in our community-hehe). But today, let me put a twist in it. Instead of them honoring me for my upcoming birthday, I will be doing the favor as I will honor them who have been a blessing into my life. Family, relatives, friends, and acquaintances alike will be the focal point of this entry. 

Life has been so good to me. I never thought that a simple man in me will be bestowed with blessings so overflowing that I need to share. Ika nga sa kanta "So blessed I can't contain it, so much I gotta give it away" . Don't get me wrong huh? I don't keep the biggest material or financial blessings. What I'm trying to convey is the blessing that is abstract and cannot be seen by the naked eye. It's like the good will in business. Blessings (apart from the material ones) for me are the gift of life, family, friendship, work, and that of a community. 

About Disney Animated Film, of Heroine, and of Fate: Movie Review - BRAVE

The lead character - Merida

I had a pretty rough day today. All afternoon headache was disturbing me. It forbids me to think of a great topic to write in my blog. And so when I got off from the office, my mind just focused to "rest and relax". 

Unmindfully, upon browsing my laptop, I came across a movie file given to me by my good friend Satt few weeks back. When he saved a copy of it in my flash drive (USB), I'm a bit hesitant to watch it since I find the title not interesting and so I just pass on the idea of watching. But maybe this day is meant really for me to watch it. And so I opened the file and started watching. I find it entertaining, with cross-generational appeal, for all ages, and full of life's wisdom. And here's my own review of the movie.

About Suzuki Cup, of Blog Contest, Of Vacation, Of FB-ing, and of Recent Pinas Happenings: RANDOM THOUGHTS

Yesterday was a “ME TIME” for me.

Today is a brand new day, brand new hope, and I must say a brand new me? Opps…yeah I guess a start of a brand new me. A modified version of me (parang upgraded lang na laptop or PC hehe) , a filtered one (parang nag unclog lang), a detached being from some worldly guilty pleasures. (Sssh…guilty pleasures? Haha..do I have that?) Well what I mean by that is “when you slowly detach from things that is not so important, that without one won’t really affect your life, and that not having or maintaining one is actually freeing yourself from the enslaving habit.  

Ok, enough of that! Let us talk ramdom. I got few of 'em in my mind. I'll just provide you my insights and opinions about some topics that interest me.

About "Me Time", of Challenges, and of Setting a New Goal: The End Days of Recurring Indifference

WARNING: This post contains content that is not interesting at all. You are not required nor forced to read this. This is on a personal level only. But if you persist just consult your doctor afterwards - hahaha!.

Recurring is synonymous to returning, frequent occurrence of similar thing or situation and/or habitual occurrences.

While "indifference" on the other hand is a state when someone shows lack of interest, concern, or sympathy over a thing, a person, or an endeavor.

Perhaps you may be wondering why I'm a bit on a senti mode right now. The rain (yeah it rained today here in KSA and is still raining actually) today led me to have my "me time" and to further reflect into my other significant goals. The cozy surrounding is like inviting a melancholic atmosphere in me. 

Each of us has our "me time". A time when we are lead to think of things on a deeper level. A time when we are squarely confronted by different thoughts that has been bothering us for quite sometime. And yes, I feel it today. Despite a euphoric , ecstatic, and joyful celebration of the GA (General Assembly) and the baptism of my first born yesterday I went home feeling so tired. I just don't know why I suddenly felt it. It's like I was carrying the weight of a mountain that my emotional defenses suddenly broke down. I don't even know either if it was triggered by physical exhaustion. All I know is that I'm a bit sad for no apparent reason. 

About Baptism, of Christian Faith, and of Damien Caleb: The Christening of My First Born

A disarming smile captured when he was just 6-days old

It’s past 11pm now and I should suppose to be sleeping now since I have lots of very early errand tomorrow but here I am still wide-awake. I already finished sipping two mugs of coffee and still prepping-up another mug (di naman ako mahilig magkape, ngayon lang). Occasionally, I go to our bedroom to check out if my little boy needs me (baka gising and need to be fed). Ako ang naka assign to look after him since my lovely wife is already asleep. And it's a usual routine that during weekend there's no need for me to be reminded of this task. I always look forward every weekend since that's the only time where I can bond with my little boy (who will turn 2 months old this coming Dec. 5). 

About Ideas, of Blogging, and of Bloggers: What For Me Is A Blog & A Blogger?

It’s usual for me to think ahead, sometimes my neuron experiences congestion. Sa dami ng iniisip na mga ideya, mga bagay-bagay, minsan nagkakabuhol buhol na - to which I resort to disentanglement.

Perhaps, lovers of writing can relate to me. Everyday, I have many ideas that just pops-up and out of my head. It’s  like “kabute” that springs out of nowhere. There are certain occasions where you just feel the sudden urge to write. And it even doesn't recognize any place or any circumstance. Whether you are sitting on a bench in a park, riding a bicycle, commuting in a public metro train or just having your tea break, ideas can pop up at any moment. And these situations had happened to me already. 

But let me take you further to the dig. This time let's talk about blog, blogging and blogger. No matter how popular blogging is, there are still people on a daily basis that doesn't know all about it. Several encounters had happened to me these past few weeks about friends and acquaintances asking all about it. Out of our convy, they would just ask me questions like these: "Ano ba yang blogging? What is a blog? Paano ba gumawa ng blog? Saan ba galing yang blog? Countless queries so to speak.

About Wishes, of Sharing, of Giving, and of Christmas Spirit: A Highlighted Way of Generosity

It’s almost Christmas season. When the month of November finally bids good bye, the onset of the season of merriment and joy clearly is on its way. And it’s the spirit that it brings that counts a lot right?. 

For us Christians who celebrate Christmas, it’s the feelings we put into celebrating the reminder of our Savior’s birth. We kind of brace ourselves into the season's wind of euphoria, of joy, of giving, of sharing, of reconciliation, of rekindling relationship and of strengthening our faith to Him who is the giver of all that there is in this world.

About Sending a Happiness & Joy of Gift-giving: My Birthday's Blog Contest

December is my month. Why I say my month? It's because I'll be celebrating my "nth" birthday-hahaha! Apart from the fact that it is the month of the grandest season of the year - Christmas Season, I like December for its euphoric festivities.

Since it’s my upcoming birthday on the 7^th day of December, I have thought and decided to design a blog contest as my token of appreciation for would-be-greeters and also to thank God for giving me again another year. But  “AMAsorry” hahaha! I won’t give out details of how old I will be on December hahaha  (walang basagan ng trip- kanya kanya lang yan, walang pakialamanan hehehe!). But honestly, I’m in my early 30’s already. Let’s just put it this way, an early 30’s guy who possesses a heart of an early 20’s. Hahaha!

And to further my personal details, I got married last December 13, 2011 at Transfiguration Chapel in Caleruega Church in Nasugbu, Batangas ( yong famous na kinakasalan ng ibang mga celebrities). Nakisali lang hahaha. Now, God gifted us with a soon to be two-months old baby boy (first born) named “Damien Caleb”. FYI, his name is also a product of a blog-contest Suggest A Name Contest: Our Online Search For A Christian Name. My kumpare, Jeo Beloy of Go Figure is the rightful winner of the said blog contest. 

About Tourist Spots, Fun in the Sun, Exotic Foods to Exciting Local Destinations: Top 10 Places I Want To Visit In "The Philippines "

Took this photo when we visited Coron last December 2011

I've been hyped-up with the current AVP of DOT posted in YT as their attempt to strengthen and boost at par our country's tourism campaign. When I saw the video last night, I feel like booking a ticket, direct flight going back home and getaway to all the amazing destinations I haven't reached yet in our country. Sobrang dami pala talaga. Ako man ay namangha sa nakita ko. Presented in HD resolution, no one would be left not awed of these amazing sights and sites our country is bountiful to have been endowed. 

About Tourism Campaign, Exciting Places & People: It's More Fun in The Philippines - New Campaign Video

I plan to write about this last night pero di na kinaya ng antok ko para tumipa pa sa laptop (bangag lang). Ikaw ba naman ang maging baby sitter ng almost 2-months old na cute boy (i-claim nang cute, walang kokontra), siguradong paglapat palang ng likod mo sa bed tiyak na ang “snoring session” niyan.

In short, my fight to stay awake didn’t win last night. Pero kahit puyat man, may malaking ngiti naman sa mga labi kasi bukod sa masaya ako to be with my son and wife every weekend, may isang bagay pa na nagpangiti sa akin kagabi habang binabaybay ko ang kahabaan ng daan patungong Dammam. Galing kasi ako ng Al Ahsa where my wife and son stays. My work is stationed in Dammam kaya weekend lang kami nagkikita-kita.

About Sinarsa, Budbud, Siniguelas, and “Bago Leaves”: Top 12 Foodies I Miss in Sibuyan Island

When you're far away from home, there are moments when out of nowhere you just miss the food that you used to eat during childhood days and growing up.

And as a regular guy who grew up in a remote island of Sibuyan, moments like such always sink in. As a result, your mind will once again transport back to those early years of your life where simplicity reign, where food is simple and out of culinary standards - in short "native preparation" - hahaha!

Perhaps calling it remote now isn't appropriate already since there were several changes that had occurred during my decade's absence. Somehow, internet access is kind of available already. Well, I say kind of because it’s not that fast in terms of speed of downloading and of availing its services. Blame it also to the fluctuating signal of network providers.

On the other side, it still fall under the category of "remote" for me since presence of malls and shopping centers are nowhere to be found. We still have the basics of the basic. The only major changes that had impacted to me is my former school upon which from a simple technical courses being offered before it had earned few years  back a status of a university.

It has been around 12 years of me being gone in my home town.

Okay, here's the deal, since food is the topic, I will give you a run down of the different (exotic to some extent I guess) that are used to be served on top of our wooden table, or every household or in town in general. Eto yung tinatawag na sariling atin, sariling gawa (sariling imbento - hik! hik!).

About Dream Destinations, Historical & Modern Places, and Fascinating Countries: 15 World Places I Want To Visit

The reader in me brought me to the different countries of the world. 

It was when I was second year HS when I read the "World History" authored by Gregorio F. Zaide. It's the favorite book I always borrow from our librarian everytime I happen to sit in the library. Since then I love history class and excelled in it. Though during my HS, two of my favorite subjects were Science (Physics and Chemistry in particular) and Math. I'm not an ace student per say, my being in the honor's list was due to my consistent study habit. I just read in advance and study lesson in advance to cope up with the stress of being a high schooler.

Anyway, that's not the main topic, let's go back to what I'm about to reveal to all of you. Perhaps, most of you, if not all, have your dream places or countries you want to visit. Or if given the chance, you want to permanently settle in. And I must say, most of you are working your butt off just to save some money to experience a cruise or a flight to the destination of your choice. Right isn't it?

Well, here's the list of the top fifteen destinations, historical or modern places my feet would love to step in and enjoy the moment of being there.

About Simbang Gabi, Puto Bumbong, & Christmas Carols: 10 Things I Love About "Krismas in da Pilipins"

We’ve past Halloween season. We’ve paid our due respect to our departed loved ones.

Now, the focus of the people is on the yuletide season. The hustle and bustle of the metro is on. The big rush on the streets, the busy shopping centers and malls, the overcrowding in Divisoria. Christmas songs being heard from every corner, from every houses. Indeed, there is no stopping the onset of the grandest season of the year. 

This time, I'll make a countdown of the different things I love about celebrating Christmas in Pinas. For us working abroad, nothing can beat the longing we feel every year that we miss celebrating Christmas back in Pinas with our family, relatives, and friends. It's hard. No! It's really hard. So I'll just contain myself enumerating things that will somehow ease that feeling of isolation from the rest of the family during Christmas. 

As a Filipino, we have intrinsic qualities that separate us in celebrating Christmas. Most often, we brand our celebration "Christmas Pinoy Style". I would proudly say that we're the only nation which celebrates this festivity in a month long period.

About Spot on Moments, Laughter, and Rolls: "The FUSHI Experience"

November 6, 2012

Unplanned! Yes, this is the exact word for it. None of us knew that it would happen but it did. And we had fun, great fun. Nothing can beat the idea of an unplanned meet up because it's spot on and friends available just converged with us that night. I won't elaborate on how we ended up in Fushi but I'll try to divert your attention highlighting my raw and unofficial food review. I'll briefly chronicle in the later part about how the unexpected meet up was.

I am a neophyte cook and perhaps my review won't be at par with those whose knowledge about culinary and food are to vow for. This is just an attempt of how I find this new found restaurant so far. New for me since it was my first visit..

I had been in several oriental restaurants in Manila particularly those which caters Korean and Chinese food. I'm a lover of Korean food - a thing which has been introduced to me when I tutored two Korean students in BF Homes in Paranaque way back 2006 until late of 2007. As far back as I can remember, the only Japanese restaurant that I frequent to is the all accessible TOKYO, TOKYO which you can find anywhere in the metro. None in my wildest fancy will I ever encounter one Japanese inspired resto that caters mostly Japanese food. Let alone here in the Mideast - KSA in particular. Though I'm not sure if all are authentic Japanese cuisines since nowadays, food fusion abounds everywhere. I presume they serve a variety of Asian dishes that makes it more of an Asian cuisine and not purely Japanese. Oriental cuisine fusion so to speak. 

Before we went straight inside this fancy restaurant, I was caught in awe of its exterior design, the blending of colors make it more attractive that anyone who passes by would easily generate interest taking a peek inside and eventually dine in. 

The entrance area. - it's flashy in lavender and neon green color