Ang Bagong Kalabaw Ni Tatay

Isang gabi natagpuan ko na lang ang aking sarili na nakaupo sa isang silya at nakalapag sa ibabaw ng mesa ang isang plastik na baso na may lamang mainit at mamahaling kape ng Starbucks. Naisip ko na sana sorbetes nalang ang sinadya ko sa kalapit na tindahan dahil maalinsangan ang paligid pero mas una kung maispatan ang Starbucks. Napagtanto ko na wala pala ako sa aking lupang sinilangan. Nasa ibayong dagat pala ako. Dinala ng pangarap at pagsisikap. 

Muntik ko nang makaligtaan sa isip ko na isa na pala akong OFW - magli-limang taon na! Marahil dala na rin ng pagod sa paghahanap ng ipapasalubong ko sa mga mahal ko sa buhay  sa aking nalalapit na pag-uwi kaya nawala ako bigla sa normal na takbo ng kasalukuyan.

When Photographs Speak - The Adventure Down South

(L-R) Jansenn, my wife Wida, Ringo, Joy, Me and sitting down Clarice
(Jansenn, Joy and Ringo are all Fil-Canadian citizens) while
Clarice is an Italian- American

Right after our church wedding last December 13, 2011 in Caleruega Church called as "Transfiguration Chapel" located in Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas, - we packed our stuff, drove to the  airport, and  headed down south in the majestic and  scenic - Palawan.  Yes, we now belong to a "December Wedding" couples - if there is such a thing. It was my long dream to reach Palawan - a dream that has been put into halt for several times due to hectic schedule way back then. Luckily, I never thought that I'd reach this awe-inspiring place as our "honeymoon getaway". 

Originally, we've been planning to celebrate our honeymoon in Bangkok - reason why early on during the wedding preparation, I had been in constant communication with my good friend (now kumare) Cecile- who is based and working in Bangkok, Thailand. But due to heavy floods occurring incessantly in Bangkok, we were advised by Cecile to find another country as a replacement. As much as she wanted to accommodate us, she's afraid that the shifting and unpredictable weather condition might ruin our stay. Right after hearing that news from Cecile, we planned to explore Singapore. But were a bit hesitant if we will still be pursuing an out-of-the-country honeymoon. After my fiancee (now my wife) and I discussed thoroughly about the budget and other considerations, we finally let go of Singapore - consoling ourselves that we will just visit the place some other time. 

Movie Review: Letters to Juliet - REPOST

I have seen this romantic flick more than twice and I just love its plot, story, and setting. Perhaps, the medieval guy in me rose up to appreciate again historic affiliation in this movie.

Some of you might find it too early of a February post. It’s sort of like an advance attempt to set everyone’s mood for the “heart's month”. Whether it’s too early or just in time, it’s for your judgment anyway. After all, I know after reading my review some if not many of you will look for a downloaded copy, or a Blu-Ray or a DVD copy of it and satisfy your beaming interest to watch it.

This one is a re-post from an almost two years ago entry. I will just update some text contents in it to cater to the current time.

It is imperative amongst us how we had our love story. How we start to feel when someone romantically caught our interest. Sometimes, we develop a particular fondness for the person we’re dating. We just can’t stop thinking about him/her, even after many, many hours savoring his/her company. We are left in a quandary about our feelings and certain queasiness pervades our days. Then we ask ourselves the question: “Have I fallen in love to that person”? 

Love is a wonderful thing. But it is something that we should be certain about, least we spend many sleepless night in deep thoughts and confusion. Sadly, determining the veracity of love is not always easy. Sometimes, a deep infatuation is equated with the same.

So how do we know that it’s love? A real love that is? What could we be sure that the other person is not only the object of our thoughts but the object of our hearts as well?

Rated BP as in "Baby Patronage": Damien Caleb's Fun Times

I reached home at around 2pm today. Good thing, my driver Dulal was able to speed-up the velocity without being caught on camera in some areas. Dito sa KSA, kung nasa highway ka, kapag nag over speeding ka bigla na lang may magpa-flash na camera on the side and kaboom "huli ka" - And what's the verdict? tumataginting na SAR 900.00 more or less 10k in Php peso. Anyway, it's just a side story. 

So dumating ako ng house at 2:10pm. Kagigising lang ng aking cute boy at ng wife ko. Kaya pala di ako sinagot sa text ko while on my way home ako kanina kasi tulog pala silang dalawa. At yun, sa sobrang sabik ng daddy sa cute boy bigla akong lumapit while her mom ay binibihisan siya. Of course, kinailangan kong maglagay ng alcohol gel kasi papagalitan ako ng wifey ko if hahawak ako sa baby ng di naglalagay. My wife is so strict when it comes to hygiene. Understandable kasi she's the "Infection Control Supervisor" ng hospital where she works kaya ganun siya ka strict. Many a times where I was caught not using it kaya maraming beses na din ako nase-sermunan hehehe..sermong may pagmamahal naman hehe (palusot pa)

Procrastination - Are You Guilty Of It?

According to Mr. Google--Procrastination is an act of putting-off doing something habitually. In Psychology it refers to the act of replacing high priority action with task of lower priority.

Have you been guilty of procrastination? I bet we are at some point. It totally sucks right? 

I, for one, has fallen culprit of this not so good practice. There are just moments that we just find ourselves doing something that is way out of our priority. That we give more time to other less important things than to those which should be done. 

Inspiring People No.1 - "A Man Of Steadfast Faith"

As stated in my previous post  of About Blog Improvements, Of New Features, Of People, And Of Real Stories, this is the first in my goal of featuring "100 INSPIRING PEOPLE OF MY 2013". Why "Of My 2013"? - it is because these people are of my own selection only, these people somehow inspire me in the way they live their lives, about their life advocacy, and about their positive vision that create optimistic influence in my life. 

On the side note, having my first entry does not necessarily mean he ranked number one on the list or he has earned my highest respect. All inspiring people to be featured here are on the same level-playing field - meaning they are equally inspiring in their own ways.

There are so many things and events that's been goin' on with the world today. Some of which are stories of technological advances and breakthrough, some of which are stories of triumphs and some stories are  headlining tragedies - stories like that of Sandy Hook Shooting in Connecticut, USA and just few weeks ago, the Cavite shootings in my own country as well. It's kind of sad to note that these events happen to innocent people.

In this age and time, people look for hope, for positive news, and for inspirations. Inspirations from people who can influence them to have a better outlook in life or to maintain optimism despite the crazy things that are happening around.

Why Is "Pain The Second Best Thing To God"?

On A Yoga Pose at "Dolphin Beach" facing Bahrain

While lobbying into my heart for some hurtful things that I had encountered recently, I came across just a while ago an FB status of my former co-SFC (now also a CFC like me). I felt I was knocked-out by the very words in it. I felt ashamed of how I somehow treated my situation into like questioning God. But at the very end of it, I just felt His awesome presence in me through this encouraging words. I just feel the need to share it with you guys especially those who are experiencing difficult situation like me. This somehow will assure us of the omnipotent presence of God.

The Art of Leaving - As I View It

Some says life begins at the end of your comfort zone. And I guess I absolutely agree with  it. It is when you're tested in the water that you begin to see how and what life is.

Leaving is a part of one’s journey.

Leaving is seeking better opportunities beyond the realm of present job.

Leaving is believing that there are vast and open spaces for personal growth to discover.

Leaving is missing the opportunity to work again with people you come to see daily in your workplace.

Leaving is by all means the cause of heavy and hard cries and sleepless nights if reasons were motivated by financial stability and better security.

The Poetry Corner - Invisible Appearance Of A Tired Heart

Recently, I have been in a very emotionally-drenching situation. Sometimes, no matter how we project ourselves as a strong person, there are occasions where we're beaten by melancholy. There are those times where we submit ourselves to loneliness, just to feel again that we are human and that we are not as invincible as the superheroes in films. Well, for me it's good though that once in a while you recognize yourself as a plain human with normal emotions and candid reactions to events and situations that are presented to us. Vulnerability is not a bad thing after all. Being one, once in a while helps you re-affirm of your being an earthly creature. And here's what I'm into these past few days. I just transcribed it into a poem. Just read between the lines. 

HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOW - PART 2 -My Raw & Unofficial Review

I will just be sharing to you guys the raw and unofficial review I did way back July 17, 2011 when I happen to watch the end part of the spell-binding saga of HP.

A decade had ended and finally we’ve reached the end of what I now call "The Final Confrontation". Seven Rowling novels have been turned into eight films which take around 20 hours to see or maybe more in DVD versions. The phenomenon is infinitely greater. A generation of readers and filmgoers has grown up with the bespectacled, wand-waving wizard and savior of the world from Privet Drive. Such a brilliant ending the way J.K. Rowling presented it.

Before the influx of thousands of excited people queuing in the ticket-booths and die-hard fans dressed-up to mimic their favorite Harry Potter characters and carry on their fancy wands, a lot has been talked about regarding this phenomenal saga. Many say it was an epic masterpiece. A movie unparalleled by its contemporaries in fantasy flicks except or even LOTR. And I must say a class in its own era.

I was able to watch the full length movie in an online site shared by a friend earlier in the morning during my three-hour break. Being a big Harry Potter book fan myself, I was overjoyed to see it. The best word to describe the second part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is epic. But even that is an understatement. I was blown away by the movie, and it was not even viewed in a gigantic and state-of-the-art & 3D-designed cinematic screen but only to the comfort of my own laptop. The final Potter film is a tour de force, with enough momentum that I think it will ride in victoriously during awards season. Hopefully, it might gain a citation or a nomination in the coming awards season.