Pinay Blogger dares to live life at its fullest

Sisters Invading Megatent

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:43:45 PST

Eda, Elaine and I finally met again to celebrate Eda's Birthday. First stop at Elaine's house and its a nonstop chatter party. Hahaha we dress up and experimented on our make-up.

We then went to Megatent and we cant believe that everyone actually dressed up for the red carpet event! Thankfully we did not come wearing shorts haha. Eda enjoyed her Belle de Jour planner from us. We ate and ate and ate. There's overflowing food and drinks on the party. We took advantage of the photobooth that's why we have many pictures hihi ;)

It was a fun night and im thankful for my sisters by heart. I love you both...

Donation for Cagayano’s. 1000+ dead

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:18:50 PST

Donation for Cagayano's. 1000+ dead (yahoo news yesterday)

Here's how (from the Philippine Red Cross website):

SMS
Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

or go to: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate
for more info and options

For overseas Filipinos, you can donate thru the Philippine National
Red Cross' website: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

Meralco Liwanag Park 2011

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:51:27 PST

Meralco Liwanag Park 2011 Have you heard of Meralco’s Liwanag Park? It is located at Meralco Avenue, Pasig City inside Meralco area. Obviously there are many lights since it’s called Liwanag Park, very timely for the Christmas season. I always see it when I go to the office and I can’t help but took snapshots of it. Here you go, enjoy!

Monito Monita 2011

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:41:43 PST

It has been one of the Christmas traditions to do gift giving like Kris Kringle or Monito Monita. This year we had the following:

Week 1: Something Unique and Hairy

I got this cute little puppy. I like it a lot because it can walk forward and backwards! It is battery operated and her eyes have the yellowish glow when powered on. Thanks Rudolf!

I gave Dyanne the purple set of bedroom slippers with eyemask. I added the purple hand sanitizer. She likes it so I’m quite happy.

Week 2: Something Colorful and Naughty

Hahaha this is funny. I gave the Bench pack with the CD frenzy something hahah. Thankfully, the guy who got it is a real sport. I received colorful undies from Rose.

Week 3: Something Useful and Memorable

I received 2 yellowish love mugs from Jayson. She knows me because I always need a mug =). I gave Tong a blue planner. It took me so much time to find something for this category. I was thinking of books, post-its and notebooks too.

We will be having our final gift-giving this December 23 and below is my wish list:

1. Leadership Gold (John C. Maxwell)

2. First Things First (Stephen R. Covey)

3. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey)

Hopefully I will receive any of them hihih =)

Families & Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:14:31 PST

This Holiday season makes me teary-eyed all the time because I miss you so much. Every time I watched the short stories from GMA7, I cant help but wept. Every time I see our place, tears are rolling down my
cheeks like there's no tomorrow.

I'm like a fragile child that is ready to burst in crying just by the thought of you. I cant help it, I love you this much.

I realized that however, I am not alone in this journey. That you miss me as much as I miss you. And that your family feels the same way too.

Im grateful that they are giving me overwhelming attention, love and support. They treat me like how they would have treated you. Somehow that made feel like you are still beside me and you have a part in each of them. I feel your love through them.

Nevertheless, always remember that I think of you every second of the day. And that I love you so much, always...
--
Sent from my mobile device

Mixed Emotions

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 03:01:29 PST

My mind told me to be happy since Nel got a chance to go outside the country. Many opportunities will surely open up for him. My heart told me to be sad because I will surely miss him, every hour, every minute and every second…

Now I know how it feels like to be away with the person that I love. I have friends that experienced the same and I thought before that I understood them and it will be easy to cope. I thought wrong, now I understand what it feels like… how heartbreaking it is. I can’t help it, I truly miss Nel. I’m like a person with a huge hole in my heart. My friend Eda told me that I have to go through the process of missing him and being away from me for me to full cope up in the end. I’m so lucky to have friends who made me do stuff to be occupied and not think of him.

However, before I close my eyes, I still long for him… 27 hours passed and I know I will never get over this. And when I woke up, I still miss him. It’s like I will be missing him for a long time…

Trip to Lipa

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 03:02:10 PST

Im back from blogging hiatus!

Let me share you our super busy trip to Lipa today. Nel needed an off-white or cream slacks for his friends wedding this Saturday. We went to SM Lipa and I was surprised that we cant find slacks with that
color! We saw beige, kakhi, gray,brown and black. Tsk tsk. We ended up buying a pair of white Hang Ten jeans. Hopefully it would look good with a barong tagalog. Oh well.

We saw many people around because today is Bonifacio day. Many took this as a chance to do some Christmas shopping. I cant find anything for our Monito Monita. There are lots of sale items! Who doesnt want sale, right?

We had our lunch at Tokyo Tokyo. Its my first time to eat Prawns and veggies bento. It was yummy. Too bad my allergies got in the way.

Whats shopping without buying supplies or stopping by at National Bookstore? I was able to buy cute stuff again. I like National =)

We are a bit tired after and we dont want to be travelling late so we decided to get home. We still have 2 schedules after. What a busy day!
--
Sent from my mobile device

Twilight Saga and Breaking Dawn whoops!

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:41:35 PST

A day before watching Breaking Dawn, we began a Twilight marathon to be able to be in sync with the latest twilight movie release, Breaking Dawn. It was such a joy to reminisce Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse and look forward to watch Breaking Dawn Part 1. Tin and I are Team Jacob though I read about the book already and knew what’s going to happen. Still you can’t help but hope hahaha. 6 hours of undivided attention for Edward, Bella and Jacob can be too much for others but since we enjoyed it so much and Nel bought snacks for us, it was a rewarding time. Sounds like a déjà vu for Harry Potter series and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Nel, Tin and I went to watch Breaking Dawn the next day. Thanks to Nel for the reservations hihii. As usual our schedule was so tight that we literally have to walk as fast as we could to the cinema. We split out to validate the reservation and buy snacks. How can we enjoy a good movie without popcorn, right?

We were not able to start it from the beginning since we are late for few minutes but then it’s ok. The movie house was really crowded and boy we can’t wait to be seated. A lot of romantic scenes were seen and Edward and Bella really look good together. The conflict between the vamps and wolf were really epic. Bella’s delivery in the movie was quite visually shocking for me though I expected it already. The movie made justice to that scene. And the intriguing ending for Part 1 made me feel to look forward to watch Breaking Dawn Part 2!!!

Also, I started reading the Breaking Dawn book again! I can’t help it! Are you also experiencing the Breaking Dawn craze? Hahaha goodluck!

Lunch Break.

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:41:59 PDT

That’s my favorite time of the next to end of shift. Today I am having Chicken Curry, and so you know I am not a big fan of it. As much as possible I try to avoid it. We are not very close because I don’t like the taste and the smell of it, plus it always has after effects to me. =)

So why am I eating it right now and blogging about it?

1. My nice colleague offered to buy lunch and I have to eat it.

2. I am trying to test if I will still have any after effect after eating Chicken Curry.

3. I’m hungry. LOL.

4. I miss blogging and I don’t have anything better to post.

5. I love lunch break!

Small Misunderstandings May Result in a Lifetime of Regrets....

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Thu, 26 May 2011 00:12:12 PDT

I received this from my dear friend Mia and I want to share this to
everyone. I hope that we may learn something from this story.

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

Just two years after our marriage, hubby brought up the idea of asking
Mother to move from the rural hometown and spend her remaining years
with us. Hubby's father passed away while he was still very young.

Mother endured much hardship and struggled all on her own to provide
for him, see him through to a university degree. You could say that
she suffered a great deal and did everything you could expect of a
woman to bring hubby to where he is today.

I immediately agreed and started packing the spare room, which has a
balcony facing the South to let her enjoy the sunshine and plant
greenery. Hubby stood in the bright room, and suddenly just picked me
up and started spinning round and round. As I begged him to put me
down, he said: "Let's go fetch mother".

Hubby is tall and big sized and I love to test on his chest and enjoy
the feeling that he could pick me up at any moment put the tiny me
into his pockets. Whenever we have an argument and both refuses to
back down, he would pick me up and spin me over his head continuously
until I surrender and beg for mercy. I became addicted to this kind of
panic-joy feeling.

Mother brought along her countryside habits and lifestyle with her.
For example; I am so used to buying flowers to decorate the living
room, she could not stand it and would comment: "I do not know how you
young people spend your money, why do you buy flowers for? You also
can't eat flowers!" I smiled and said: "Mum, with flowers in the
house, our mood will also become better." Mother continues to grumble
away, and hubby smiled: "Mum, this is a city-people's habit; slowly
you will get used to it". Mother stopped saying anything.

But every time thereafter, whenever came home with flowers, she would
ask me how much it costs. I told her and she would shake her head and
express displeasure. Sometimes, when I come home with lots of shopping
bags, she would ask each and every item how much they cost, I would
tell her honestly and she would get even more upset about it. Hubby
playfully pinched my nose and said: "You little fool, just don't tell
her the full price of everything would solve it." There begins the
friction to our otherwise happy lifestyle.

Mother hates it most when hubby wakes up early to prepare the
breakfast. In your view, how could the man of the house cook for the
wife? At the breakfast table, mother facial expression is always like
the dark clouds before a thunderstorm and I would pretend not to
notice. She would use her chopsticks and make a lot of noise with it
as her silent protest.

As I am a dance teacher in the Children's Palace and am exhausted from
a long day of dancing around, I do not wish to give up the luxury of
that additional few minutes in the comfort of my bed and hence I
turned a deaf ear to all the protest mother makes.

From time to time, mother would help out with some housework, but soon
her help created additional work for me. For example: she would keep
all kinds of plastic bags accumulating them so that she sell them
later on, and resulted in our house being filled with all the trash
bags; she would scrimp on dish washing detergent when helping to wash
the dishes and so as not to hurt her feelings, I would quietly wash
them again.

One day, late at night, mother saw me quietly washing the dishes, and
"Bam" she slams her bedroom door and cried very loudly in her room.
Hubby was placed in a difficult position, and after that, he did not
speak to me for that entire night.

I pretended to be a spoilt child, tried acting cute, but he totally
ignored me.... I got mad and asked him: "What did I do wrong?" Hubby
stared at me and said: "Can't you just give in to her once? We
couldn't possibly die eating from a bowl however unclean it is,
right?" After that incident, for a long period of time, mother did not
speak to me and you can feel that there is a very awkward feeling
hanging in the house.

During that period of cold war, hubby was caught in dilemma as to who
to please. In order to stop her son from having to prepare breakfast,
mother took on the "all important" task of preparing breakfast without
any prompting.

At the breakfast table, mother would look at hubby happily eating his
breakfast and cast that reprimanding stare at me for having failed to
perform my duty as a wife. To avoid the embarrassing breakfast
situation, I resorted to buying my own breakfast on my way to work.
That night, while in bed, hubby was a little upset and asked me: "LD,
is it because you think that mum's cooking is not clean that's why you
chose not to eat at home?" He then turned his back on me and left me
alone in tears as feeling of unfairness overwhelmed me.. After some
time, hubby sighed: "LD, just for me, can you have breakfast at home?"
I am left with no choice but to return to the breakfast table.

The next morning, I was having porridge prepared by mother and I felt
a sudden churn in my stomach and everything inside seem to be rushing
up my throat. I tried to suppress the urge to throw up but I could
not. I threw down the bowl, rushed into the washroom, and vomited
everything out. Just as I was catching my breath, I saw mother crying
and grumbling very loudly in her dialect, hubby was standing at the
washroom doorway staring at me with fire burning in his eyes.. I
opened my mouth but no words came out of it, I really did not mean it.

We had our very first big fight that day; mother took a look at us,
then stood up and slowly made her way out of the house. Hubby gave me
a final stare in the eye and followed mother down the stairs. For
three days, hubby did not return home, not even a phone call. I was so
furious, since mother arrived; I had been trying my best and putting
up with her, what else do you want me to do? For no reason, I keep
having the feeling to throw up and I simply have not appetite for
food, coupled with all the events happening at home, I was at then low
point in my life. Finally, a colleague said: "LD, you look terrible;
you should go and see a doctor." The doctor confirmed that I am
pregnant.

Now it became clear to me why I threw up that fateful morning, a sense
of sadness floated through that otherwise happy news. Why didn't
hubby, and mother who had been through this before, thought of the
possibility of this being the reason that day? At the hospital
entrance, I saw my hubby standing there.

It had only been three days, but he looked haggard. I had wanted to
turn and leave, but one look at him and my heart soften, I couldn't
resist and called out to him. He followed my voice and finally found
me but he pretended that he doesn't know me; he has that disgusted
look in his eyes that cut right through my heart. I told myself not to
look at him anymore, and hail a cab.

At that moment, I have such a strong urge inside me to shout to my
hubby: "Darling, I am having your baby!" and have him lift me up and
spin me around in circles of joy. What I wanted didn't happen and as I
sat in the cab, my tears

started rolling down. Why? Why our love couldn't even withstand the
test of one fight?

Back home, I lay on the bed thinking about my hubby, and the disgusted
look in his eyes. I cried and wet the corner of the blanket. That
night, sound of the drawers opening woke me up. I switched on the
lights and I saw hubby with tears rolling down his face.

He was removing the money. I stared at him in silence; he ignored me,
took the bank deposit book and some money and left the house. Maybe he
really intends to leave me for good. What a rational man, so clear-cut
in love and money matters. I gave a few dried laugh and tears starting
streaming down again.

The next day, I did not go to work... I wanted to clear this out and
have a good talk with hubby. I reached his office and his secretary
gave me a weird look and said: "Mr. Tan's mother had a traffic
accident and is now in the hospital." I stood there in shock. I rushed
to the hospital and by the time I found hubby, mother had already
passed away. Hubby did not look at me, his face was expressionless. I
looked at mother's pale white and thin face and I couldn't control the
tears in my eyes. My god, how could this happen?

Throughout the funeral, hubby did not say a single word to me, with
only the occasional disgusted stare at me. I only managed to find out
brief facts about the accident from other people. That day, after
mother left the house, she walked in dazed toward the bus stop,
apparently intending to go back to her old house back in the
countryside.

As hubby ran after her, she tried to walk faster and as she tried to
cross the street, a public bus came and hit her...I finally understood
how much hubby must hate me, if I had not thrown up that morning, if
we had not quarrelled, if....In his heart, I am indirectly the killer
of his mother.

Hubby moved into mother's room and came home every night with a strong
liquor smell on him. And me, I am buried under the guilt and self-pity
and could hardly breathe. I wanted to explain to him, tell him that we
are going to have our baby soon, but each time, I saw the dead look in
his eyes, all the words I have at the brink of my mouth just fell back
in.

I had rather he hit me real hard or give me a big and thorough
scolding though none of these events happening had been my fault at
all.

Many days of suffocating silence went by and as the days went by,
hubby came home later and later. The deadlock between us continues, we
were living together like strangers who don't know each other. I am
like the dead knot in his heart.

One day, I passed by a western restaurant,  looking into the glass
window, I saw hubby and a girl sitting facing  each other and he very
lightly brushed her hair for her, I understood  what it meant.   After
recovering from that moment of shock, I entered the restaurant, stood
in front of my hubby and stared hard at him, not a tear in my eyes.

I have nothing to say to him, and there is no need to say anything.
The girl looked at me, looks at hubby, stands up and wanted to go,
hubby stretched out his hand and stopped her. He stared back at me,
challenging me.

I can only hear my slow heartbeat, beating, one by one as if at the
brink of death. I eventually backed down, if I had stood that any
longer, I will collapse together with the baby inside me.

That night, he did not come home; he had chosen to use that as a way
to indicate to me: Following mother's death so did our love for each
other.

He did not come home anymore after that. Sometimes, when I returned
home from work, I can tell that the cupboard had been touched - he had
returned to take some of his stuff. I no longer wish to call him; the
initial desire to explain everything to him vanished.

I lived alone; I go for my medical check-ups alone, my heart breaks
again and again every time I see a guy carefully helping his wife
through the physical examination. My office colleagues hinted to me to
consider aborting the baby, I told them No, I will not... I insisted
on having to this baby, perhaps it is my way of repaying mother for
causing her death.

One day, I came home and I saw hubby sitting in the living room. The
whole house was filled with cigarette smoke. On the coffee table,
there was this piece of paper. I know what it is all about without
even looking at it.

In the two months plus of living alone, I have gradually learned to
find peace within myself. I looked at him, removed my hat and said:
"You wait a while, I will sign." He looked at me, mixed feelings in
his eyes, just like mine. As I hang up my coat, I keep repeating to
myself "You cannot cry, you cannot cry..." my eyes hurt terribly, but
I refused to let tears come out from there.

After I hung up my coat, hubby's eyes stared fixed at my bulging
tummy. I smiled, walked over to the coffee table and pulled the paper
towards me. Without even looking at what it says, I signed my name on
it and pushed the paper to him.

"LD, are you pregnant?" Since mother's accident, this is the first
time he spoke to me. I could not control my tears any further and they
fell like raindrops. I said: "Yes, but its ok, you can leave now." He
did not go, in the dark, we sat, facing each other.

Hubby slowly moved over me, his tears wet the blanket. In my heart,
everything seems so far away, so far that even if I sprint, I could
never reach them. I cannot remember how many times he repeated "sorry"
to me. I had originally thought that I would forgive him, but now I
can't.

In the western restaurant, in front of that girl, that cold look in
his eyes, I will never forget, ever. We have drawn such deep scars in
each other's heart. For me, it's unintentional; for him, totally
intentional. I had been waiting for this moment of reconciliation, but
I realized now, what had gone past is gone forever and could not
repeated.

Other than the thought of the baby inside me that would bring some
warmth to my heart, I am totally cold towards him, I no longer eat
anything he buys for me, I don't take any presents from him and I
stopped talking to him. From the moment I signed on that piece of
paper, marriage and love had vanished from my heart.

Sometimes, hubby will try to come into the bedroom, but when he walks
in, I will walk out to the living room. He had no choice but to sleep
in mother's room. At night, from his room, I can hear light sounds of
groaning, I kept quiet... This used to be his trick; last time,
whenever I ignore him, he would fake illness and I will surrender and
find out what is wrong with him, he would then grab me and laugh.

He has forgotten that last time I cared for him and am concerned
because there was love, but now, what is there between us? Hubby's
groaning came on and off continuing but I continuously ignored him.

Almost every day, he would buy something for the baby, infant
products, children products and books that kids like to read. Bags and
bags of it stacked inside his room till it is full. I know he is
trying to use this to reach out to me, but I am no longer moved by his
actions.

He has no choice but to lock himself in his room and I can hear his
typing away on his computer keyboard, maybe he is now addicted to web
surfing but none of that matters to me anymore.

It was sometime towards the end of spring in the following year, one
late night, I screamed because of a sudden stomach pain, hubby came
rushing into the room, it's like he did not change and sleep, and had
been waiting for this moment. He carried me and ran down the stairs,
stopped a car, holding my hand very tightly and kept wiping the sweat
off my brow, throughout the journey to the hospital.

Once we reached the hospital, he carried me and hurried into the
delivery suite. Lying on the back of his skinny but warmth body, a
thought crossed my mind: In my lifetime, who else would love me as
much as he did? He held the delivery suite door opened and watch me go
in; his warm eyes caused me to manage a smile at him despite my
contraction pain. Coming out of the delivery room, hubby looked at our
son and me, eyes tear with joy and he kept smiling.

I reached out and touched his hand. Hubby looked at me, smiling and
then he slowly collapsed onto the floor. I cried out for him in
pain... He smiled, but without opening that tired eyes of his... I had
thought that I would never shed any tear for him, but the truth is, I
have never felt a deeper pain cutting through my body at that moment.

Doctor said that by the time hubby discovered he had liver cancer, it
was already in terminal stage and it was a miracle that he managed to
last this long. I asked the doctor when he first discovered he had
cancer. Doctor said about 5 months ago and consoled me saying:
"Prepare for his funeral."

I disregarded the nurse's objection and rushed home, I went into his
room and checked his computer, and a suffocating pain hits me. Hubby's
cancer was discovered 5 months ago, his groaning was real, and I had
thought that... the computer showed over 200 thousand words he wrote
for our son: "Son, just for you, I have persisted, to be able to take
a look at you before I fall, is my biggest wish now.... I know that in
your life, you will have many happiness and maybe some setbacks, if
only I can accompany you throughout that journey, how nice would it
be.

But daddy now no longer has that chance. Daddy has written inside here
all the possible difficulties and problems you may encounter during
your lifetime, when you meet with these problems, you can refer to
daddy's suggestion ... Son, after writing these 200 thousand words, I
feel as if I have accompanied you through life journey.

To be honest, daddy is very happy. Do love your mother, she has
suffered, she is the one who loves you most and also the one who loves
me most..." From play school to primary school, to secondary,
university, to work and even in dealing with questions of love,
everything big and small was written there.

Hubby has also written a letter for me: "My dear, to marry you is my
biggest happiness, forgive me for the pain I have caused you, forgive
me for not telling you my illness, because I want to see you be in a
joyful mood waiting for the arrival of our baby...My dear, if you
cried, it means that you have forgiven me and I would smile, thank you
for loving me...These presents, I'm afraid I cannot give them to our
son personally, could you help me to give some of them to him every
year, the dates on what to give when are all written on the
packaging... "

Going back to the hospital, hubby is still in coma. I brought our son
over and place him beside him. I said: "Open your eyes and smile, I
want our son to remember being in the warmth of your arms..." He
struggled to open his eyes and managed a weak smile. Our son still in
his arms was happily waving his tiny hands in the air. I press the
button on the camera and the sound of the shutter rang through the air
as tears slowly rolled down my face....

A fatal misunderstanding and the person who loves me the most in this
world is gone forever..."Cruel misunderstandings one after another
disrupted the blissful footsteps to our family. Our originals intend
of having Mother enjoy some quiet and peaceful moments in her
remaining years with us went terribly wrong as destiny's secret is
finally revealed at a price, everything became too late.".........

This is a true story from LD

LEARNING POINT - DO NOT EVER HOLD ON TO OFFENCES!!!

Phi-Phi Resort, Morong Bataan

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:39:37 PDT

I always heard of Bataan but I haven't been there yet. Luckily we had an outing last Saturday at Phi-Phi Resort in Morong Bataan.

I was up as early as 3am since our registration starts at around 4am. I went to the office to help around and enjoyed meeting other co-employees. Our bus left at around 6:15am since we ensured that everyone is complete and we are the last bus to leave Makati.

While I'm busy checking my stuff, Norman, Bibay, Sharrah and Odette (cam addicts) were busy for their photo sessions in the bus while everyone is asleep. I joined them afterwards =)

It was a long travel and after 3 years, I'm back in NLEX again. I realized that I don’t go to north bound places that often. I went to Pampanga and Bulacan 3 years ago and that was it. During our stop over in SCTEX, the cam addicts wanted to try their photo session along the road and the rice field as their background. I was too sleepy to join them.

We passed Subic and I always like seeing this place clean, even the roads are clean! We passed beautiful houses and resorts too. I wish to visit and spend time in Subic sometime in the future, hopefully soon =).

Our bus got lost and instead of taking the road to Phi-Phi Resort, the bus made a wrong turn and went to Bataan Technology Park. Luckily, the guards are very friendly and allowed us to pass through when our security bus marshal explained that we got lost in our way to the company outing. It was a silver lining in the cloud for our cam addicts. They took the opportunity for another photo session. Hahaha.

We were the last bus to arrived in the resort and it was a sunny day! Super sunny! The parking area is spacious and can accommodate lots of buses. We immediately went to eat and the Food Station is huge. It is good for wedding, birthdays and parties too. The kids enjoyed the pool area in front of the food station. The activity area is spacious too, we have games like patintero, giant jackstones, touch the color and maze. When our lunch is served, we stayed in their nearby large cottages that can accommodate 10 to 15 people.

After sun dipping we surely wanted to rest. All family rooms are air-conditioned with their own comfort room of course. The resort offers different room varieties like Terraza or Island Dorm, Family Villa, Veranda, Superior/ Island Dorm and Cabañas. We saw the Terraza and Family Villa rooms. Terraza has 2 beds, table and chairs, own comfort room, cable TV and comfortable lanai outside the room. For the Family Villa, 2 rooms with 2 beds each, comfort room, kitchen area, dining area, extra beds and spacious lanai with 2 tables. We don’t have much time to check other rooms since it was very hot and irritating even if we applied sunblock.

Aside from the pool, the resort definitely offered the beach area and though I wanted to at least soak in the beach, that wasn't possible. It was freaking hot!!! The sand is hot and I can't get pass the sand to go to the beach heheh. Others ignored the sand and enjoyed the water.

Bibay and I settled at the Cabaña and have our own photo session. She wanted to try the Nail Spa but the there are many people trying it so we will just avail it in their La Salle Branch. Freebie =)

Of course, we won't go home without a souvenir. I forgot to buy from the resort's shop so Bibay and I bought Bataan key chains instead. I had mine with my name on it. =)

Visiting Sampaloc Lake

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Tue, 17 May 2011 16:37:45 PDT

I was able to visit Sampaloc Lake couple of times already and I always wanted to go back when I have time. I'm with Nel when I first saw it and we took a lot of pictures back then. It was fun.

Last Sunday, Emman, Ate Gem, Papa and I went there. It was my father's first time to see the lake. I always said that he should visit the lake often every time he is in San Pablo, Laguna.

The view is definitely calming and since it was Sunday, there are many families spending their leisure time to see the lake. Emman, mostly enjoyed seeing the boat rides and he wanted to try it. He also loves the embossed hands near the lake since it fits his hand perfectly. Growing up in the city has made us go gaga over nature's beauty =).

Papa and I tried the grilled hotdog (Php17) and fresh buko (Php5). Ate Gem and Emman love eating isaw (Php3) and they were happy to try it from nearby sari-sari stores. Adidas (chicken feet - Php3) is my favorite so I can't let it pass. It turns out that we are not the only one who are feasting over street food, other families are there too to savour it. We have seen a couple of lovers doing photo sessions along the street and near the lake too.

Emman wanted to rent a bicycle but since we have limited time, he wasn't able to try it. We saw many bikes for rent and surely next time we will rent one to go around the lake.

I recommend the organic products that they sell. I saw around 4 to 5 stalls that offer different varieties of organic products and plants too. You can choose from Human Nature products, honey, coco products, halayang ube, peanut butter and cute indoor plants. I tried their halayang ube for Php40 and it's delicious!

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO FASTING

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:58:07 PDT

Lenten fasting has a tendency to be oriented towards thing like giving up food or
watching your favorite TV show.There are many creative ways we can welcome
Jesus healing touch this Lent.

1. FAST FROM ANGER AND HATRED.
Give your community/family an extra dose of love each day.

2. FAST FROM JUDGING OTHERS.
Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.

3. FAST FROM DISCOURAGEMENT.
Hold on to Jesus' promise that He has a perfect plan for your life. " I know the plans I have in mind for you-it is
Yahweh who speaks-plans for peace, not disaster, reserving a future full of hope for you." (Jeremiah 29:11)

4. FAST FROM COMPLAINING.
When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you.

5. FAST FROM RESENTMENT OR BITTERNESS.
Work on forgiving those who may hurt you.

6. FAST FROM SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY.
Try to reduce your spending by ten percent and give this savings to the poor.

Emman says:

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:13:11 PDT

Me: Goodnight Emman... (ready to sleep)

Emman: Ninang, magpapayat ka na.

Me: Huh? Bakit? (Shocked for the nth time)

Emman: Kasi napanood ko sa tv yung mama, 100kilos

Me: So?

Emman: Dalawa asawa nya, di makatayo.

Me: So magpapayat ka na din? Di ka na kakain?

Emman: Ay kakain pa din ako!

Ahahaha

Emman says:

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:07:35 PDT

Me: Hi Emman... (Naglilinis ng nails)
Emman: So ganyan ka na lang maghapon? (Nakapamewang)
Me: Huh? (Shocked)

Ahahaha

ARE YOU READY FOR THE ULTIMATE BUS RIDE with the Total Coca-Cola Experience?

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 19:25:48 PDT

Early this morning I saw the Coca-Cola Bus in our office and I am so excited to see what's inside it. My officemates and I eagerly register and waited for the Coke Bus to open. Of course, we took plenty of pictures while waiting.

We are the first batch to enter. First part is the 4D experience. I love watching Moymoy and Palaboy because they are really funny and entertaining. Aside from the 3D effects we also experience the refreshing feeling of Coca-Cola. I was afraid that they might get too excited and drizzle us with Coke hahaha.

Second part is the Coke Museum. We saw the old Philippines ads and their memorabilia. Highlights are Lilet, Sharon Cuneta and Nikki Gil. In that same area, after the ads the ambience changed and turned to a dance floor. Really cool!

Third stop is the "Agawin ang Eksena" moment where we have to show off our best poses to literally steal the scene. Of course, with many people I turned out to be shy on camera hahaha. Three of us posed and got the souvenir photos.

When we got out of the bus, a refreshing cold Coke awaits us. =)

Look around, you might see a Coke Bus near you…

Open happiness. Open Coca-Cola.

Be Part of National Bloggers Association of the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:00:04 PDT

Even as consultations and discussions are ongoing, but it seems there are bloggers who cannot wait to be part of what is turning out to be a controversial initiative.

You can signup on this link: http://tinyurl.com/nbaph2011

Where to Go During Earthquake, Save your life with "The Triangle of Life"

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:44:57 PDT

I got an email today for where to go during an earthquake. Honestly, I didn't know the "The Triangle of Life". Perhaps it has been taught in school before or I was informed by somebody but it didn't register in my mind. The recent unfortunate events in Japan made us all aware of what could have beens in the future. I am thankful that we are safe right now. My prayers to all who have suffered in these recent events.

Please take some time to read the article below:

Where to Go During an Earthquake

Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway? Well, forget it! This is a real eye opener. It could save your life someday.

EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON 'THE TRIANGLE OF LIFE'

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI ), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years, and have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.

The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene -- unnecessary.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them - NOT under them. This space is what I call the 'triangle of life'. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the 'triangles' you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building.

TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY

1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' when building collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.

2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a bed, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!

7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment of frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.

8) Get near the outer walls of buildings or outside of them if possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Spread the word and save someone's life...

Below is another article:

Save your life with "The Triangle of Life"

"Triangle of Life":

Without listening or reading, simply by looking at the following self-explanatory photos, you can learn more than in a thousand words about how to protect yourself during a major earthquake...

The only permanent thing in this world is change

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:40:54 PST

Change is inevitable. I know that but then I am still lost for words upon hearing the news, there has been changes in our way of life. Our daily routine will be completely different now. People who I see everyday will no longer be always around. The usual tranquility will soon be a history.

Change is a challenge. When I was young, I kept on holding on to diffferent events, people, things and memories. It has always been a struggle to move on. Now I am wiser and older, I have became unattached of all these. Everything became replaceable and sometimes unessential.

This one is different. It is like a cheese that for many months I enjoyed every single day. Then suddenly, the cheese is gone... I wish I could apply everything I learned from the book "Who Moved My Cheese". But maybe not today... maybe not right away.

I just need to breathe... and eventually move on.

Remembering a special day

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 05:04:26 PST

It has been quite a while when I blog. A lot happened early this year. I must say that it made me get out of my comfort zone. Thus, I want to remember happy moments first.

I always keep track of my special day, my birthday. Every year, I ensure that I can remember every moment of it.

Last year was quite memorable because of my pooh. And so this year too. We celebrated it together with Pooh and his family in Tiaong, Quezon, a place so close to my heart. Its a double celebration because its Tin’s birthday too.

I felt so special because of the efforts of many special people in my life. Up to now they are still by my side to support, help and love me. Im so lucky to have you. Thanks a lot!

So Cool Groupons in the Philippines! Freebies Freebies!

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:12:10 PST

Today's Sweet Deal

P770 for a Facial Clarifying Peel at Beverly Hills 6750 Multi-Specialty Aesthetic Institute [worth P2200]

# Coupon expires in 3 months
# Appointment is required.call (632)893 8888 / (632)893 6750 / (632)818 4573
# May purchase multiple coupons as gifts
# Not applicable with other promotions
# Not applicable during Saturdays
# Clinic hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Thank you 2010

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 08:57:39 PST

There are many things to be thankful in 2010 and Im looking forward for great things in 2011. Im grateful for the following:

- God loves me so much that He keeps on showering me with many blessings.

- For my Pooh whom Im so lucky to have through thick and thin... for always showing the light and for being my eyes... thank you for loving me.

- For all my old and new families. Thank you for the love and care.

- For my real friends that shone in my darkest moments. You are forever in my heart.

- For a dream job in a dream company plus friendly officemates.

- For the rare opportunities and the lessons that came with it.

- For the unbelievable luck that always finds its way back to me.

Rainy Day Food Trip

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:51:49 PDT

Thanks to Miss Ella for giving us this cute candies from China.

Emman and I love the Panda candies.

Oh, I heart chocolate =)

Yummy... so sweet.

Dome Cafe's Carbonara

Yummy crepe, awww!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Thanks Ms. Gay and Sir Eric for the warm welcome =)

Race Photos from Photovendo: 2010 Nature Valley Run (RunRio Trilogy Leg 2)

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:02:02 PDT

Check out the Race Photos from Photovendo for the recent 2010 Nature Valley Run (RunRio Trilogy Leg 2) here.

Cant remember your Race Bib? Check your name, race bib and results here.

Here are some of our cool pictures from the race:

2010 Nature Valley Run (RunRio Trilogy Leg 2) 1 Runner = 1 Tree

noreply@blogger.com (jhong) — Mon, 31 May 2010 03:39:22 PDT

Arnel and I attended the 2010 Nature Valley Run (RunRio Trilogy Leg 2) yesterday. Our friends Billie, Kat, Jason and Bobby joined the event as well. Thanks you so much Billie and Kat for handling the registration for us =)

Emman and I joined the 3km run for Ayala Globe as posted here. I did not bring Emman yesterday because I’m running 5km or should I say walking hehehe =)

Below are my observations for the said event:

I am seeing few water stations and some water are not cold.
Suddenly I miss energy drinks since I saw few only
Less photographers hahaha, I wish I have a decent shot
They don’t give me the green bandana before the run=(
I envy the 21km runners because they have Häagen-Dazs® Ice cream
I saw few celebrities hihi
We were not able to enjoy the fotovendo hahahha
I saw some runners enjoying the massage courtesy of David Salon
After the run, many volunteers joine the tree planting event
The event was well organized, I saw a lot of Marshalls assisting the runners

Check out some cool photos from the said event:

Results are now available for the Nature Valley Run: Runrio Trilogy Leg 2 held last May 30, 2010 at The Fort. Download complete results here. Nature Valley Run Race Results

Nature Valley Run: The RunRio Trilogy Leg 2

May 30, 2010
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

Join us in these upcoming events.

June 12 - Philippine Independence Day Half Marathon 5/10/15/21k (Fort)
June 20 - New Balance Trail Adventure Father's Day Run 2010 (Laguna)