a cyberless life

still no net access at home (pc busted) AND at the office. worse at the office, we still have our phone lines untransferred. i brought my pc hard disk at LABWORX to have its video/memory card checked, it might be the cause of the power failure of my desktop at home. then once it gets repaired, i could invade the net again.

am here right now at Netopia, SM Megamall, waiting for some KADIWA brethren. we will bowl this afternoon and probably go to a KTV room after. (sounds familiar... a repeat performance of Abby's EB?) hehehe... i hope our resident worker can join us. i didn't have to organize this gimmick. i'm just holding the bowling discount coupons and let Chaddy do the invites. oh well...

our new office looks very very good. maybe i could post some photos when our net access in the office is restored. for now, i have to settle for quick rentals OR get my home PC done ASAP and buy those internet prepaid cards.

hello to my page visitors! drop a comment and i'll get back with all of you...

Goodbye, Ortigas

we just moved our stuffs from Ortigas to our original (newly renovated) office in Libis, Quezon City. we were allowed to call it a day as early as 5PM today as we are tired from carrying all our stuffs boxed in more than 10 balikbayan-sized cartons. nice to be back in Libis. this place is nearer to my place of residence and i don't have to battle with the heavy traffic in Ortigas Center and surrounding its area. now, i only have to worry about the traffic in Manggahan.

anyway, i will miss Ortigas Center. it was the first time that i have become an Ortigas-working person, and i have loved it even for just a short span of time. and to think, it is ideally situated at the 'center' of friends EB's.

i'm renting internet hours here in a net cafe in Eastwood Cybermall. i'm actually waiting for Czah so we can go home together and attend the church activity scheduled for tonight.

tomorrow's another day. my bosses' feng shui says that we should enter the office strictly ON or AFTER 10 in the morning. so i'll probably have time for a nice coffee at a coffee shop tomorrow morning at nine, before reporting to work.

MABUHAY, MANNY PACQUIAO!

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
Pacquiao (foreground) floored Morales twice in the 10th round.
Then came the force known as Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night.

Pacquiao rallies, stuns Morales with 10th-round TKO

LAS VEGAS -- Erik Morales had been down just once previously in his career, and that was a questionable 12th-round knockdown in his first epic duel with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2000.

Pacquiao, seeking revenge for a unanimous decision loss to Morales last March 19, powered his way to a pair of knockdowns and a 10th-round TKO in a junior lightweight fight before a raucous crowd of 14,618 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"I'm thankful to God for giving me great power, but with great power comes great responsibility," said Pacquiao, who pelted Morales with punches from all angles and gave him the worst beating of his career.

The huge contingent of Mexicans and Filipinos came to see an all-action fight between their national heroes and they got exactly that -- an early candidate for fight of the year.

But unlike the first fight, when Morales (48-4) had just enough to get past Pacquiao (41-3-2, 32 KOs), he couldn't do it this time. The years of vicious battles seemed to have finally taken their toll.

Morales' face was lumpy and bruised and he appeared out of gas as the 10th round started. Then Pacquiao finished him.

A left hand knocked Morales down to his knees. He clutched the ropes and alertly took an eight-count from referee Kenny Bayless before rising. But moments later, Pacquiao landed a pair of right hands that knocked Morales down again to his knees, and Bayless called it off at 2:33 without a count.

Morales was taken to Valley Hospital for observation....






for more of the People's Champ, check out this website: http://www.mannypacquiao.ph

MABUHAY ANG LAHING PILIPINO!

a week after

i've been busy for the past week, eventhough i had a two-day leave from the office. Last Sunday, our church held a joint meeting of the family organizations, and it was pleasing to start the year's monthly meeting with Apple & I doing the emcee task. I just thought of it a day before, tried to contact her and gave her the meeting agenda. And some brethren (my 'angels') knowing our "history" were just too eager to giggle and grin while seeing us in front together. bah.
Monday & Tuesday, busy at work. Our pills products and one of our Premiere condoms are increasing prices so our distributors are so hyper in placing their protection orders. Beyond cut-off, they were still placing "protection" orders which really pissed us off. We have issued formal announcement of the price increase one month prior its effectivity date and they still opted to rush everything at the moment of its effectivity date. Onli in da Pilipins, we could say. hayy... naku. Pinoys nga naman naaaaapakahilig sa deadlines.
Wednesday, my mom and I, together with Sigrid & her kids drove off to Pangasinan for Noriel & Trisky'swedding. We fetched my dad in San Fernando and he drove up to Dagupan City. We arrived at Star Plaza Hotel at around past 12 noon. We have booked two rooms where we can stay and change, and it was also where the reception will be held after the church service is over. I saw a lot of Canadians in that wedding. Well, not pure Canadians but my friends and brethren from Mississauga. Cameras were flashing all over from church to the reception hall. My good buddy, Noriel, informed me that some brethren from Dagupan (or Tarlac) knew my name and recall that they've been hearing me reporting over the radio on DZEM 954 kHz. That moment, i missed my first job as a beat reporter. It is supposed to be my field of expertise, but yes, things happen for a reason. Anyway, it was an overwhelming experience and i felt like a celebrity. some guests, after dining, were asking me to have a shot with them and mobile cam-phones were displayed, and digital cameras too. wow. i have never pictured that scene before i arrived the wedding place. it was far from my home but nonetheless, it is like home.
i toasted the groom with my speech in behalf of our good buddy and his bestfriend, Charlie, who couldn't make it to the wedding due to some previous circumstances. so their ears were all on me while i was saying my piece. didn't eat much, i was full before the reception and so i just took the wedding frame and rounded the guests tables for their written wishes for the newly weds. Mississauga brethren i met there aside from Sigrid, Noriel & Rajham: Debbie, Alice, Sister Cora, Bro Jesse, James, Roger, Robin and preggy wife, Lalaine. well, it's what my memory dictates me while i write this. Of course, as expected, i was kinda put into hot seat. if people reading this can read between the lines, i won't elaborate on it. :P
Thursday, i brought our van to the car shop to have its clutch adjusted. a thing was replaced and now it speeds oh so good again. then after i performed in the worship service in the afternoon, my mom and i had a date--- at the supermarket. Well, before i picked-up some grocery items, i gave her a treat at KFC.
Yesterday, i was not so in the mood to work, although there's a bunch of load work waiting for me. My work partner was on leave (and i'm not expecting her to be eager to work as her resignation will take effect in a couple of weeks from today). so, all things happening with our distributors, and even our non-customers were coursed through me. i took my lunch at around past five in the afternoon and as early as that, i'd love to call it a day.
Today, i've made an initial packing for our transfer next week. We will (finally) be transferring back to our original workplace in Libis. I hope i could gather my senses back before the new Customer Service person reports to work.

my new office pc wallpaper

...speaks of what i feel about a Saturday work-day:

Short Message System Stories

Look at what happens if you rearrange the letters:

DORMITORY - dirty room
DESPERATION - a rope ends it
THE EYES - they see
THE MORSE CODE - here come dots
SLOTS MACHINE - cash lost in me
ANIMOSITY - is no amity
A DECIMAL POINT - im a dot in place
SNOOZE ALARMS - alas, no more Z's
ASTRONOMER - moon starer
MOTHER-IN-LAW - woman hitler
ELEVEN PLUS TWO - twelve plus one
ELECTION RESULTS - lies, lets recount

* * *

To realize the value of one year, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of one month, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week, ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute, ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of one second, ask a person who just avoided an accident.

Treasure every moment! Today is a gift that's why it is called PRESENT...

* * *

Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest, who came first, or who cares the best.. it's about who came,

...and never left.

* * *

Tatlong bagay lang ang meron ako, masaya na ako...
Una, buhay ko.
Ikalawa, pamilya ko.
Ikatlo, mga bagay na kailangan ko...

uyy, tampo sya... nakalimutan mo na ba,



...na ikaw yung pinakauna?

* * *

When I was a little kid, I fell from a tree. But I managed to hold on to a branch. I was up there for a long time and waited. The silence, the pain in my arms, the blood pumping in my ears, then I fell. I couldn't remember what happened when i hit the ground. All i could remember was the agony of holding on and the wonderful feeling of letting go...

work-related story

Checklist of things to do after lunch:

1. File P.O.s
2. Coordinate change of delivery date for Preman order
3. Create P.O. for Jakkar
4. Coordinate with DKT/TNT the replacement of stocks for Alvez
5. Review pending P.O.s
6. Check and review pending P.O.s

* * *

My partner, Didi, is on leave today. In a few weeks, she will be gone as she filed her letter of resignation already. Because of this, i have reactivated my function as an admin assistant, in looking for her replacement. My boss want a recommendation from me since i will be the one who is gonna work with the new employee. I prefer a female partner. It should always be like that. a male and a female. why? because they compliment each other.

In line with this, i have scheduled three interviews with my boss for the CS post. Only two arrived on schedule. I hope my boss hires the last girl he interviewed.

* * *

Our office will be transferring back (finally) to Libis by the 25th of this month, according to the ideal advise of the feng shui. if we do not push through on the 25th, the next day or the 26th wouldn't be the next advisable day to transfer but February, so we will have to wait for the next month if we miss the 25th. complicated? nah... for the Chinese, that is. ;)
there are still a bunch of "rules & regulations" for the transfer but i'm not enumerating all those now. just one funny note, a co-employee who was born under the year of the Monkey should not go with us on the day of transfer. result: he was given a day leave. well, not as weird as you think! :P

* * *

i'm planning to file a long vacation leave. as to when and where i am going, i still have to figure it out.

if i am a cat...

...i only have 5 lives left. if the superstitious belief is true, that is.



* * *

today is one of those days that i go on official business (OB) to mercury drug corporation head office in libis, quezon city. it's neither my first time to commute going there, nor my first time to cross the busy streets of libis. i wasn't able to drive one of our office cars since one area manager is on his way there, so i just decided to ride with him and to have myself dropped off in front of our office near monark.

it's not only me who's noticed how difficult it is to cross the streets of libis. 95% of the drivers aren't giving way to pedestrians crossing and only one overpass is constructed along the busy way. and perfectly, (saying it with a sarcastic tone) it is situated near Red Ribbon where there are only two or three people crossing the street.

anyway, to make the long story short, i was nearly hit by a storage(?) van that came from the blind side of an SUV. i can't step back since another speeding mini truck-van seems to be racing with the storage van that nearly hit me. all i can remember are these three vehicles speeding toward me, not even reducing their speed and myself saying "sh*t!" four times. i felt pale after reaching the other side of the street and a person was staring at me while i was walking on the side street.

All Fours

FOUR JOBS YOU’VE HAD IN YOUR LIFE
1 - beat reporter (radio)
2 - new accounts clerk
3 - customer care specialist (telecomm)
4 - newspaper delivery boy, factory worker, warehouse picker & packer (triple job)

FOUR FILMS YOU COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER
1 - ID4
2 - Love Actually
3 - Notting Hill
4 - Harry Potter Series

FOUR PLACES YOU’VE LIVED
1 - Kamuning, Quezon City
2 - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
3 - Minalin, Pampanga
4 - Mississauga, Ontario

FOUR TV SHOWS YOU LOVE TO WATCH (currently on-air)
1 - Unang Hirit
2 - Saksi
3 - WWE
4 - Ang Tamang Daan

FOUR PLACES YOU’VE BEEN ON VACATION
1- Mississauga, Ontario
2- LA, California
3- SF, California
4- LV, Nevada (tama ba yung state?)

FOUR WEBSITES YOU VISIT DAILY
1- Yahoo! Mail
2- xanga
3- blogger
4- Friendster

FOUR OF YOUR FAVOURITE FOODS
1- pork sinigang
2- baked ziti
3- fruit salad
4- iced tea (complete meal, eh?)

FOUR PLACES YOU’D RATHER BE RIGHT NOW
1- UK
2- Mississauga
3- Cebu City
4- home, on the couch

FOUR THINGS YOU’VE DONE THAT HARDLY ANYONE ON YOUR FRIENDS LIST HAS
1- send SMS between 2am-3am daily
2- magpakamulala king metung a babayi
3- masochism
4- keep a bunch of pictures in my office's desk drawer of a person whom i don't want to remember

(i believe i should have not copy-pasted the final set of questions, but oh well, c'est la vie!)

i nearly expired

last night, or rather around dawn today, i nearly died in my sleep. it wasn't one of those nightmares that when you wake up you can not move. nor there was a calamity that came and destroyed my room where i was sound asleep. it was something in my biological cycle that held my breath, i couldn't breathe for like five attempts of the inhale-exhale procedure, and i remember opening my mouth and still no air can pass through. when i woke up that sudden moment, my lungs felt heavy.

nonetheless, i prayed upon waking up and thanked God for i stil have my life. and i should know how to spend this given-life of mine, accordingly.

starting the year right

yea. 3 days passing by the year 2006 and i can say i'm treading on the right track. First activity done last January 1 after waking up was to teach in the Childrens Worship Service. Afterwich, i was able to pay my grandparents a visit in our hometown in Minalin. My lola sure was so glad seeing me and i ate lots of beef fat cooked in nilaga. mmm... i can still recall how delicious that dish tasted.

Then the next day, i reported early to work (we all are early actually), never wanted to be late on the first working day of the year, and focused on the job i have to finish for the day. My partner filed undertime so i have to take over everything two hours before off time. After work, i rushed to our choir practice and before i called it a day, we had a satisfying dinner at Max's in Taytay with our choir mentor. It was our choir leader's treat. hehehe... oh well, i didn't eat much cuz i don't really eat a lot at night. just many, many, light snacks. haha!

Today, i have confirmed a meeting with two devious friends, jobilark & froggy. We will be meeting tonight at Glorietta to catch up with each other's stories and hopefully set up a bigger EB for abby this weekend with the other PEx pals.

------------

i still haven't got in touch with friends from Canada who are supposed to be here in Manila already. Maybe, we will be meeting each other on Noriel's wedding on the 18th. hmm... i'm thinking of filing a 4-day vacation leave by that time (including the Saturday workday), if it's not too toxic here in the office. we'll see... i still have to save on my vacations since my aunts & uncles from California are expected to come home in February. So i still need my personal time to be with them when they arrive. then my plan of visiting Mississauga is still on track. i was thinking of visiting much earlier, say, on my birthday. if not, then hopefully i'll see my sister and her family on summer time. I also would want to see my good friend Michael in NY, or drop by CA, USA again. Wow. wake me up! I don't have that much money to be doing all those trips. Ok. I'm dreaming. LOL.

The Good And The Bad That Was

JANUARY
- the endless job-hunting habit continues
- went to Carino, Tarlac. at Boss Noriel's place
- Charlie & Espie's nuptial
- "the" domestic issue happened for the first (serious) time

FEBRUARY
- finally went to Tutuban for the first time in my life
- first time to watch at Gateway Mall's Cineplex 10, feat. Elektra, with my mom and dad
- good buddies Noriel & Charlie went back to Misissauga
- lost my Nokia 6610i
- experienced a perfect example of employment discrimination in Manila

MARCH
- still job-hunting
- i posted the Elevator Ethics i learned in my life, hoping that people who might read them could learn, if not, contribute to what has already been written to educate some people on how to properly use the lifts
- an employer confirmed that i'm hired (finally!), but won't be starting until April
- my mom, my aunt, my cousins and i drove to Tagaytay for the (Catholic) holy week. a very nice "breather"

APRIL
- brought our choir mentor at the Medical City cuz she got sick even before we started our choir practice. a few weeks after, there was a re-shuffle among the choir mentors area assignments
- running out of cash. job confirmation was very timely
- started in my new job after being in Canada for a year
- i messed up an Automated Teller Machine where there was a long line after me hehehe...
- Ruwee & Sheem nuptial

MAY
- transferred office from Libis to Ortigas
- EB with close pals at California Pizza Kitchen that wasn't followed until to date
- Ate Ning and her hubby's nuptial
- visited my high school town... Sta. Rita, Minalin

JUNE
- got the car accessory Philippine Flag from Kultura which i have been longing to have
- Arroyo administration "on the rocks"

JULY
- first time to reach Mayagay, Rizal
- too many rantings at work
- Tatay Ferma passed away

AUGUST
- good buddy Charles arrived from Mississauga for Tatay's burial
- invested in a sales business which i am never good at. speaking of which, who wants to buy boxers? :P
- Minalin was featured in Unang Hirit thru Eagle's segment
- had a hearty lunch at the ADB "exclusive" canteen (and my first time to enter its premises) courtesy of Ka Ason
- first pioneer co-employee was terminated from the company
- dad & mom left for Mississauga

SEPTEMBER
- birth of Ryan James Magat-Joson
- visited my lolo & lola in Minalin after four months
- dad and mom returned home from Mississauga
- lost a total of 1,008 condoms in our office stocks. until now, the mysterious lost is unresolved
- was able to meet up with a very good friend, Nick, from a break at his duty as a US Navy
- NEU Glee Club staged its concert after more than two years
- the time that i felt so alone and betrayed

OCTOBER
- been sick for weeks, terrible cold and cough and thought i was dying
- had my SUN line disconnected after exchanging some not-so-good text messages with a SUN Cellular activation officer newbie
- KADIWA Night (R-18) 2005

NOVEMBER
- experienced the worst Saturday of my life
- Bro. Teofilo Ramos Sr. passed away

DECEMBER
- this month gave me some good first time treats in terms of food
- got MOST of my holiday wish list
- officiated a Sunday School thanksgiving worship in Baras, Rizal
- the loneliest new year's eve ever

------------

Today is the first day of the year 2006. The only thing that inspires me right now to wake up each day is the fact that i feel blessed with my church duties, and help out my brethren in their spiritual needs. I am not a minister in the church, but as God's officer in His nation, I am doing my best to give Him glory by taking good care of the brethren He entrusted me with, and with His divine help, I will be able to do everything i need to fulfill. A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!