holiday = family day

i'm looking forward to another holiday and it's scheduled this coming Monday--- December 1st in lieu of the November 30th Bonifacio Day. while wifey and i aren't going home to my dad's province, it will still be a family day as we will be holding my mom's endless despedida this time with relatives from her side. venue: Fairview, Quezon City! yay! i'm excited. i actually wanna be with my cousins again even for just a short period of time and catch up with each others life stories. i've been thankful for having a good bond with my cousins on both sides so wherever our family gatherings take us, i feel at home. last time we had cousin-bonding (yeah, most of them girls) was when wifey and i visited my dad in Pampanga (november 9th). i asked my cousins to have halo-halo at the nearest Razon's branch and we ended up dining at their San Fernando branch. it was also nice to see Apung Tino & Apung Ingging again and when i look at my lolo, i couldn't help but get back to the time when he was still strong, doing gardening everyday and helping out in their church every weekend. fresh vegetables being served in our plates were all courtesy of my lolo's planting. the house backyards were full of vegetable plants and fruit-bearing trees. it was where & when i learned to appreciate what these plants & trees can give mankind and we just have to learn how to live with them. i used to water the plants twice a day when i was in my last year in grade school and during my four years in secondary school. buhay-probinsya. simple. payapa. looking at my grandpa today, his old age is now evident as he needs to be held when walking from one place to another. he also just spends the rest of his day sleeping. my sister once told me (in Friendster--- imagine, we communicate in Friendster, haha) that i have inherited my grandpa's life's principles. for me it's a plus factor since my grandpa is a very good man and being compared to him in any way is an honor. he used to be a school administrator in our town. he is well-known in our place and many people respect him. well, i'm just proud to be his grandson.

going back to San Fernando, it's still nostalgic on my part whenever i drive into the old town. calesas are still very much alive in the province and the chaotic sight of people walking to and fro the old market is home for me. wifey and i bought two watermelons on our way home to my lolo's place and the town still gives the slow-paced lifestyle that any far-away province display. many establishments have sprung though and development has gone a long way too. it's just that, it is still not comparable to mega manila, well, the old market area at least. but nonetheless, i still love the province. we may be returning to this place during the holiday season and it is when being with family is best. true. friends may be there for you anytime but due to differences in life's priorities and paths, they sometimes go to a distance you can't reach. as i've blogged before, "People. They come and go. It is only your FAMILY that stays."

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"Feel the Thrill."

onli in da pilipins!

Thursday morning has been great, so far. Just arrived from church and it's Ayah's first choir performance today after taking her oath as a choir member last Tuesday, November 18th, at the Angono chapel. Our ninong Eric officiated the worship service and it was a blessed day! I'm now taking my first cup of coffee for the day while wifey just finished preparing my snack & lunch, as well as sorting out the clothes that were washed the other day. thanks, beh! also, the delivery boy from the LPG store arrived a while ago and we now have a brand new tank. lol. just amused about having let go of my last paper bill in my wallet and asking for additional money from wifey to suffice the payment. LPG we got cost P520 (including delivery) not bad since our neighbor from across the street sells LPG tanks but theirs amount to P650. huwaaaatt?? we already had a rollback!

anyhoo, after LOL-ing at President Arroyo's reaction when her Press Secretary blurted out in prayer: "Bless the President so we will have forbearance, good health, the tolerance to lead this nation up to 2010, and perhaps, who knows, even beyond," i blog not to circle around the embarrassment that the President had around the media. Onli in da Pilipins that i can not understand how tolerant Filipinos can be in dealing with their public officials. For one, i've been struggling driving around the busy streets of the metropolis just to take photo of this blog-worthy scenario that i saw a few days back:

first, what caught my interest to take a photo of the vehicle was it's very clean (pun intended) appearance. BJMP it says. So it belongs to the Bureau of Jail Management & Penology. I just didn't catch in photo the side part of it but a pair of feet was relaxingly up out of the van's window. so i wondered, "is that a prisoner being transferred to some cell?" i don't think so. then i looked at the plate number. uh-oh... can't seem to locate it. oh maybe the plate at the back was lost. so i did my best to overtake it (in the midst of traffic) and search for the red plate in front. ta-da!!! no plate even in front. pardon my ignorance but are these government-owned type of vehicle allowed to drive around anywhere without official plates? the officer driving was wearing a dark green uniform and he was talking beside a colleague (i guess) wearing an undershirt. i didn't see what the guy who was lying down the back seat of the van and whose feet were up in the window was wearing but it seems he was just pulled from his home while still sleeping. ok. OK. just let out those tsk, tsk, tsk... while nodding your head in disagreement but it's one thing why public as well as private vehicle drivers do not respect the public officials. isolated case? i don't think so. nah...

and sir, while i boasted your accomplishments in the city you have served for a maximum mayoral term, and while i continue to believe you have done great as the chairman of a department whose aim is to develop the whole Metro Manila, against all odds, i just continue to wonder why you have to break the law and campaign even earlier than today about your intent to run as the highest public official of this country?



isolated case? i don't think so... nah... and sir, i wonder when the MMDA jurisdiction was extended up to the rural places of Rizal province? i see your tarpaulins on every other electric posts along the main streets. isolated case? hmm... let's ask the other people from the other provinces. indeed, onli in da pilipins!

feel good friday

i love today. coz its friday. and tomorrow? it's my favorite day--- Saturday! work partner is out the whole morning today (and probably for the rest of the day) and i have a good number of workload to get done by COB. aiming to log out from work at egg-zaktly 6PM. still have church-related activities tonight and i need to finish my blog post for our college choir reunion (yes, it's on DRAFT), meaning this post will be published ahead. oh well... i'm quite happy to accept the fact that i'm gonna be a father soon (thanks to all you well-wishers!) thanks, God! the fetus' heartbeat won't be heard til the 24th of this month so wifey will pay her OB a visit on the said date and i'll be happy to know the "updates" on her pregnancy. in line with this, i'm thinking of a sideline that will let me earn extra income. serious. dead serious. does anyone know of a Saturday-free-lance-part-time-job? holler me please! or any after-office work? or any part time job i can do even during office hours? how about midnight shifts? or night jobs? hmm....... still have a long way to go but i'm climbing the ladder one step at a time.

oh well... TGIF, and, LUNCH TIME!

NEUGC Fe_mily Reunion

It was a beautiful Friday and each New Era University Glee Club member, current or alumni, has marked the date--- November 7th, 2008. For this day the very first and probably the only time that a memorable event shall be held: The New Era University Glee Club Fe_mily Reunion (a tribute to Nanay Fe). I myself looked forward to the event as i filed a leave of absence from work so as not to miss this occasion and be able to prepare early for it. The afternoon was filled with excitement. One by one, glee club alumni arrived at the venue, Pearl Hall of SEAMEO Innotech in Diliman, Quezon City, while the core committee members of the event were still busy finishing up the things to be used on the event. My wife & i checked in for the night in one of the building's de luxe rooms. while waiting for the time of the event, we took a short rest in bed with other fellow glee club alumni while performers rehearse at the venue and still the committees were busy fixing the technical facilities, program arrangement and the secretariat committee were walking to and fro in anticipation of the guests arrival. some members of the current batch of glee club helped out as receptionists & committee staff to ensure orderliness of the guests. they were all diligent with their own tasks. The event began with the hosts briefing on what to expect before the special guest's arrival--- Nanay Fe. Even before the venue was filled with the alumni, the groups favorite fan was already seated at the VIP table: Brother Arnel T. The minister was with his family while his daughter Cristina being one of the group alumni performed a special number with her batch as the program progressed. Also seated in the VIP table were Bro. Jun S. and wife. We all excitingly anticipated our Nanay's arrival as we knew how she acts up during occasions. The lights were turned off in the entire hall, leaving the candles on each table lit and gave a warm ambiance within the area. The long wait paid off when nanay arrived and was obviously surprised upon being greeted with a bouquet of flowers handed to her by none less than Bro. Arnel, while the house music volume up to the glee club's interpretation of Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko. Nanay Fe was escorted to her seat at the VIP table and watching her myself as i held my digicam, I can say she was truly surprised with all the set-up. Wherever she looked, she was greeted with faces familiar to her only from many years back. Our ate's & kuya's flocked Nanay Fe until she sat down in her designated seat.

The program showcased (of course by) song numbers from different alumni who had the time to prepare and practice (even if there are a couple of impromptu performances) and it gave joy to our special guests as well as the other members. some other highlights of the program include:

1) AVP of the history of the new era glee club featuring an alumni, Mr. Elson Montalbo;
2) video greeting of some alumni overseas;
3) intermission greetings by local celebrities during the song medleys performed by the glee club members;
4) back-to-back song numbers of some selected glee club soloists;
5) dinner-buffet! (oh, how can i miss that?!)

The main part of the event of course was the reading of message to Nanay Fe from none less than Bro. EGM, through Bro. Arnel. Everyone listened intently as Bro. Arnel read the message and Nanay Fe's reaction to it was simply priceless! The letter-sized-long framed message was handed over to Nanay Fe afterwards and then she was given time to say her piece to her glee club family. unexpectedly, she resorted into the usual "sermon" that we normally used to here during 11-1 practices but later on learned how happy & grateful she is for having the event realized.


(from top left, clockwise) members anticipating Nanay Fe's arrival at the venue, kuya orly serenading Nanay Fe, "Miss" production number, noel c. on video sending his greeting to nanay fe and performing saxophone afterwards featuring the song Smoke gets in Your Eyes

attendees were the following (list courtesy of ate jhoy):

Alano-Lazaro Maureen
Alcantara Lynie
Aledo Ruth
Alejo Orly
Amandy Mariel
Andres Anna Rhodora
Ang Cahrolyn
Angeles Ernalyn
Apuan Charlie
Arcangel Bodjie
Arietta Arnel
Bañez Vladimir
Barcelona Dennis
Basa Ian Dave
Bautista Manuel
Beltran Anthony
Borcena Jordan
Borlongan Sahlee
Bote-Villaruz Josie
Buenaventura Rommel
Caladiao Mickeil
Calayag Laudemer
Canzana Efren
Castillo Kristie
Castro Rowena
Castro James
Catchuela Arman
Cayanga Janice
Conanan Andrea Jorge
Cruz Merlanie
Cruz-Sabayo Raquel
Cruz-Santos Rowena
De Guzman Junjo
De Guzman Romeo
De Jesus- Miclat Anne Margaret
De Leon Tami
De Leon Faye
Dela Merced- valiente Everlyn
Dela Paz Harold
Donasco Jay
Elba Aileen
Failano-Abeleda Sally
Flores Maria
Gallardo Michelle
Gamboa Roy
Granado Zaldy
Harmiel Joey
Ibay Jennesse
Linguete Lheny
Lucy-Plaza Hazel
Magat Jon
Magat-Cushing Simonette
Malicdem Richard
Mangulabnan Ronnel
Marcadejas Mood
Marcadejas Simonette
Mariano Junjun
Marquez Mylene
Mendoza Mark
Miranda Onin
Ocampo Reynard
Olbes Chrisly
Ortañez Paula
Pascual Ronald
Peña Emelyn
Porcado Rodeson
Quito Arna
Quizon Abbie
Ramos-Pepito Glenda
Ramos Aurelio Jr.
Reyes Jhoy
Rivera Rommel
Ruiz Mark Paul
Salao Fely
Sarmiento Stephen
Santillan Jeddah Lyn
Tortoles-Rodriguez Cristina
Trinidad Marivic
Trinidad Denver
Tumanan Cristina Frances
Valezuela Jean
Velano- dela Paz Cristina
Villapando-Caro Aya

Present Batch:

1. arjie
2. inah
3. april
4. jesicca
5. belind.a
6. karen
7. carol
8. Aubrey
9. ivy
10. lara Danielle
11. alexader paule
12. Jason
13. Renz
14. Ronel
15. Dan
16. Edgar



Mamang sorbetero, anong ngalan mo
Tinda mong ice cream, gustung-gusto ko
Init ng buhay, pinapawi mo
Sama ng loob, nalilimutan ko

CHORUS
Mamang sorbetero, tayo’y sumayaw
Kalembang mong hawak, muling ikaway
Batang munti, sa ‘yo’y naghihintay
Bigyang ligaya ngayong tag-araw

Masdan ang ulap sa himpapawid
Korteng sorbetes sa pisngi ng langit
Mata ng dalaga’y nananaginip
Mayro’ng sikretong nasasaisip

Mainit na labi, nagbabagang mata
Sunog na pag-ibig, parang awa mo na
Mamang sorbetero, o, nasaan ka
Init ng buhay, pawiin mo na

[Repeat CHORUS]

La la la la la…
La la la la la…

[Repeat CHORUS]

La la la la la…
La la la la la…

Special Thanks goes to the Committee Members, whom without their effort, this event may have not pushed through:

Kitz Dela Paz
Abbie Quizon
Arman Catchuela
Glenda Ramos
Ian Dave Basa
Jeddah Santillan
Jhoy Reyes
Jon Ramos
May Banares
Ruy Lopez
Sahlee Borlongan
Raquel Sy
Lori Loyola

Thanks also to our fellow alumni overseas and in some Philippine provinces who joined us via SKYPE & YM... and to our two energetic hosts for the night, shout out goes to: Mavic Trinidad & Onin Miranda

'til the next GC Fe_mily Reunion!

2 top 5's childhood games

this time, i'm not talking about the kid games that we used to play way back then, but the first "video games" that became a craze by the year 80's and early 90's: Game & Watch & Family Computer. While these games were not as 3D (or even 4D) and more lively as today's Counter Strike or DOTA, these early games surely became popular not only for kids of the 80's but to the adults as well. Tamagotchi and brick games sprouted all over after all these...

Family Computer Games (i owned and loved to play):

5) For boxing fans and all those who dreamed of "punching it out" against Iron Mike Tyson, this game is a challenge. Even before you memorize the techniques in going against a number of contenders, Punch Out will eat your playing time for a few days. Then you can save those codes to right away face the next opponent the next time you insert the game cartridge. Some characters in this first punch out nintendo game are Don Flamenco, Glass Joe, Bald Bull, Great Tiger, King Hippo, Soda Popinski, Von Kaiser, Mr. Dream, Mr. Sandman, Great Tiger, Piston Honda, Macho Man and of course, Mike Tyson.

4) One of the first video basketball games released during those times, Double Dribble enables you to play a team either against the computer or against a second player. This game features slam dunk close ups and the grand "Star Spangled Banner" every start of the game. My cousins and i used to take turns competing against each other thru this video game and we even kept win-loss records so dead-time afternoons are mostly alive for us, the TV, and the family computer.

3) This game may not be popular to all but Sky Destroyer never failed to stir up my excitement whenever i play it. Its mission is to destroy its enemies in the sky, the sea and lastly, the island-based. the main player riding a fighter plane is ganged up by different types of war crafts such as other fighter planes, submarines and island-based war weapons. one of the joys in this game is the bonus stage wherein the main player just have to shoot the opponent planes without them attacking. but the most rewarding of all is when you hit the main target in the island which will end you the stage in victory.

2) Evey kid of the 80's will never fail to recognize this game. Contra is one of the most interesting games during the Family Computer era. It features two fighters carrying their weapons and each time you may get a "fresh" weapon with marks "F", "S", or "L". each time your weapon gets stronger as you move on to the next stages. And yeah, who can forget the freebie: up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A, B, A, B... for 30 lives!?

1) And who hasn't played the Mario Bros. video game? This may be the game that has the most number of versions, but among those, i really loved the Mario Bros. 3 version wherein you get to choose the path to go after finishing off a stage, Mario & Luigi were given the ability to fly, "Power P" has been sought after, visiting the "fortune teller" has always been a delightful surprise, and saving the queen has always been a major reward.

Game & Watch variety:

Unlike the Family Computer, Game & Watch is simpler. Most units consist only of a left and a right button, while some developed Game & Watch units added a few more.

5) My cousin owned this Mickey Mouse unit and while it has four buttons, its main goal, like any other Game & Watch plays, is to have the highest points possible in a game. Mickey Mouse holds a basket and catches the eggs coming from four different hens.

4) Fire aims to save fire victims from a building and transfers them thru i supposed a stretcher. amusingly, you have to bounce off the victims from the building to the ambulance to earn points. Chef on the other hand just aims to tap in the air the food using the frying pan. a tap equals a point and just like any other Game & Watch plays, it just aims to get the highest score possible in a game. Once you missed a food on the floor, you will see a cute mouse picking it up while the cat is already satisfied holding a food through a fork, and releasing it when it wants you to miss something. both of these games i find a bit silly but nonetheless, amusing.

3) Among the many games released by Game & Watch, Popeye had been dear to me. It was the first unit that my dad gave us and we were lucky enough to have owned one way back then. The popular characters Popeye, Olive Oil, and Brutus plays catch and punch in this game. For Game A, Brutus stays on one side only while Game B enables him to transfer boats where popeye endlessly catches three items from Olive: a bottle, a pineapple and a spinach can. Unusually though, Popeye never gets to use his power by eating spinach in this game. Maybe that's why it made another game version where popeye and brutus plays a punching match and this time, Popeye gets to take advantage of his power by eating his spinach.

2) Donkey Kong may be considered the "Super Mario Bros." version of Game & Watch when speaking of different versions--- it has a lot! two of my favorites among those many versions are posted above, first the flip-top orange version wherein the player needs to go to the top passing every obstacle thrown against him. "rolling stone gathers no moss." lol. basically, the player is up against the rolling stones thrown by donkey kong. the other verion, Donkey Kong Jr. is even more likeable, wherein the player gets to rescue donkey kong jr. by passing against the obstacles, getting the key and freeing the poor beast.

1) I don't know but playing Octopus has always been my dream before. I remembered swapping my Popeye with Octopus during my grade school days while waiting for my school bus to arrive. i saw the game as very challenging and maybe because i saw an octopus as a very dangerous specie during my childhood years. the goal of this game is to earn as much treasure under the sea and bring it back to the boat but before you can enjoy transferring treasure to your bag, you have to pass the dangerous tentacles of the octopus. i can somehow relate this game to Turtle Bridge too:


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

free game! and this is undoubtedly a classic:

no title

while people of America rejoice over the win of President-elect Barack Hussein Obama, wifey & i were dumbfounded upon seeing this:

when nature matters

2nd workday for the 11th month of the year, i still can't get over our road trip last saturday. while the people flock to every cemetery, my mom, my wife & i tread the beautiful road to Tanay as we pay my uncle and his family a visit in Pangil, Laguna. my uncle is a church minister assigned in the locale of Pangil where small mountains can be seen nearby. city life can not be traced but the sight of nature will surely give you serenity, even the lovely view of Laguna Bay that stretches along the main roads of Rizal province leading to Laguna:


photos above show Rizal province main road leading to Laguna, and a good glimpse of Laguna Bay along the naturistic road


photos above shows the old and new church edifice of Pangil Laguna locale, and a souvenir pose with cousins in the church compound.


more of nature along the road (open field and mountains)

if you are stressed of city life, everyday workload, problems that preoccupy your thoughts and you wanted to take a break from all these, it's when nature matters. take a road trip to the countryside and be relaxed.