Swirling Thoughts

Quality Time with Family is More Fun with Kool Aid

2012-01-24T18:00:00.001+08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kool Aid for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Who doesn’t love weekends? For most of us, weekends is a time for rest and relaxation, a time for break and a time to bond with family and loved ones. We all have our favorite way of relaxing and for mommies out there, it is always a challenge to think of a bonding activity that the whole family can enjoy.

How about spending your Saturday or Sunday night with your family at home and watch marathon movies together? You can make it more fun by preparing snacks such as a whole bowl of popcorn, chips and a cool, refreshing drink such as Kool-Aid. Kool-Aid is such a cool drink and it is quite popular with kids.As a child I remember that it was a very popular drink among my friends and classmates because of its unique flavors. I remember that we would each have a tall glass of Kool-Aid in different flavors and pretend that we were grown-ups attending a chic party. My cousins and I would also pour Kool-Aid juices to our ice molder in the ref, put popsicles stick on it, wait for it to harden and would enjoy Kool-Aid popsicles.

How about you? I’m sure you also have your own Kool-Aid memories from your childhood? Drinking Kool-Aid now makes you feel young all over again.

Another good thing about Kool-Aid is that they support family bonding time. Their Facebook page has a“Noches de PeliKoola” tab where followers can watch movies and download movie-specific bingo cards that the family can play during the movie.

Also, the bingo cards have Kool-Aid recipes inside that are fun and easy to make. You can try out the recipes here: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/beverages/kool-aid-recipes/main.aspx

So why not plan a movie weekend now by visiting the “Noches de PeliKoola” tab on the Kool-Aid Facebook page!

Journey To a US Immigrant Visa

2012-01-24T09:48:00.000+08:00

My sister who is working and living in America for eight years filed a US immigrant visa petition for my mother who is already 70 years old. Well, I have applied for a US tourist visa before so I kind of have an idea that the petition process may not be a walk in the park. But I am also hoping that this one will be fast and easy because of my mother’s age and my sister’s US citizenship. Anyway, I am the one living with my mother so it is my duty to take care of everything that my mother needs for the US petition. Of course, I constantly coordinated and followed the instructions from my sister in the US.

The first thing that my sister told me is to wait for the letter from the National Visa Center (NVC). From the time she said it, I think a month passed before the letter in bulky brown envelope arrived. That first correspondence letter comes with instructions on the form that I need to fill out and the documents I need to submit.

The form can be downloaded online and in the letter there was an instruction that I can submit the form and the documents online. I just need to inform them that I want to communicate with them thru email. I tried that option but the US Embassy replied that email communication with the NVC is not yet available in the Philippines. So I downloaded the forms and filled it out carefully. It was quite scary because I can’t afford to make a mistake. I also prepared the needed documents and then sent the form to my sister in the US thru Fedex. I think I paid more than Php2,000 so the forms will be delivered securely.

My sister will be the one to send the forms to the NVC in US as she also need to fill out some details in the form. Anyway, after sending it to NVC, I think less than two weeks passed before we received a reply from them. We were disappointed because apparently, our forms have some inaccuracies. It was in the date where we need to indicate my mom’s addresses and dates of residence. The US Embassy wants us to list down all the places where my mom stayed for at last six months since she was sixteen. It was stressful on my part my mom transferred to four locations and it’s difficult to list down the exact addresses and date of residence.

I also had difficulty filling out the area where I have to name the parents of my grandmother and grandfather. My mom’s father passed away even before she was born- so I just had to specify that the data is unknown. To make up for our mistake, the NVC requested police clearances from all the cities where my mom resided. The police clearance should indicate my mom’s address and date of residence. That was such a hassle then as I need to take a leave from work so I can accompany my mom to all four different locations and explain to government employees what we exactly need.

Anyway, after two weeks, we were able to complete all the police clearances they want. This time, we need to fill out a new form and my sister and I are very careful as we don’t want them to request new requirements. I prepared two forms. I filled out the first form and I also prepared one blank form. The blank form only contains my mom’s signature. My sister will be the one to complete the blank form; she will only copy the details in the form I filled out. I then went to Fedex to send the forms again.

After a week, we received an email from the NVC. We both felt triumphant because the NVC is satisfied with the requirements we submitted. This new correspondence letter instructs us to go to St. Lukes Center in Manila for my mom’s medical exam. What happened to the Medical Exam at St. Lukes for US Visa--to be continued.

Starting the Year of the Water Dragon Right

2012-01-23T03:43:00.000+08:00

It’s Chinese New Year and my pc clock reads 3:35 am. Yes, I am wide awake at this hour, busy finishing some writing tasks. I woke up at 1:30 am but instead of sleeping again, I decided to complete some work. So I am feeling productive for the last two hours and I see it as a good sign that that year of the water dragon will really bring god luck to my whole family and to everyone.

I am erasing all bad vibes and negative thoughts. I am also saying sorry for all my wrong doings in the past and I promised to stop complaining. I vow to always be thankful for every blessing and to see the best in everyone and in every situation.

Happy Chinese New Year! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Keep Your Family Healthy for Less: Join Walgreens

2012-01-21T16:00:00.001+08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The saying that health is wealth is so true and should not be ignored. Making sure that the whole family is in good health is the greatest gift a parent can give to his or her children. To stay in tip-top condition, one must eat a balanced diet- filled with fruits and veggies, drink lots of water, daily exercise, enough rest and a simple lifestyle.

To prevent disease, regular medical checkup and taking supplements is a must. Of course, we all know that a visit to the doctor plus all the vaccine shots and prescribed medicine is not really cheap so the wise option is getting an annual membership to something that would give you more value to your money. The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is highly recommended because they are currently offering a special discount on annual membership.

Imagine for only USD10, your whole family (spouse, children whose age is below 22 years old and even your pets) are covered by Walgreens membership. Individuals can also join for USD5 a year.

Benefits of Walgreens Membership:

Save on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
Get discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies
Get a bonus when you buy Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services

To show my support to Walgreens, I just hit the Like and Follow button in their Facebook and Twitter pages. Be the first to know about their latest promos by liking Walgreens on Facebook and following Walgreens on Twitter too.

UPCAT Results 2012 Online

2012-01-18T16:42:00.002+08:00

The result of the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) for 2012 is out! I just saw this news item today and got excited so I decided to make a blog post about it.

The news takes me back to the time when I was still a very naïve and clueless 17- year old. I applied for UPCAT just because a number of my high school friends gave me an application form. I remember filling out the application form with care and I remember going to UP Diliman with my high school classmates on the last day of submission for application.

Of course I remember the day of the exam and how my brother accompanied me there and how scared I was in going home alone. And I remember that I find the exam difficult and I am not expecting to pass at all. I just savored the moment and

took the exam just so I can experience it.

And of course I would never forget the day when I receive the bulky letter from UP and was so shocked to read the note that I passed the UPCAT! I was very very happy then as I couldn't believe my luck.

So all in all it felt great to be an UPCAT passer! So to all who are part of UPCAT 2012 list of passers, allow me to say Congratulations!

View the complete 2012 UPCAT Results Online

Lazy Friday (the 13th)

2012-01-13T10:46:00.001+08:00

It’s Friday the 13th and I am feeling lazy at work. Found this beautiful song in Youtube and for some reason, I felt the urge to blog it here. I just hope I can get more work done before this day ends.

Mad World by Gary Jules

All around me are familiar faces

Worn out places

Worn out faces

Bright and early for their daily races

Going nowhere

Their tears are filling up their glasses

No expression

Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow

No tomorrow

And I find it kind of funny

I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had

I find it hard to tell you

I find it hard to take

When people run in circles, it's a very, very...

Mad world...

Children waiting for the day they feel good

Happy birthday

When they feel the way that every child should

Sit and listen

Went to school and I was very nervous

No one knew me

Hello teacher, tell me what's my lesson

Look right through me

And I find it kind of funny

I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had

I find it hard to tell you

I find it hard to take

When people run in circles, it's a very, very...

Mad world...

Enlargen your world...

First Payment from Google Adsense

2012-01-11T00:14:00.000+08:00

Earning money from your blog by using Google Adsense is not easy. In my experience, it requires lots of effort and patience. In fact I find Google Adsense very frustrating at first. When I started blogging, my Google Adsense earnings are actually zero. It was pathetic because I would be thrilled on days when my Adsense earnings would register a 0.1 to 0.10 amount until it dawned on me that it is only equivalent to more or less Php4 pesos.

I actually have given up on Adsense and just focus on blogging for the love of it. Besides, aside from Adsense, there are still many ways to earn from blogging.

Until I discovered niche blogging, SEO and social media and started to create new blogs for experiment. That is when my Adsense earnings started to rise. The amount are not huge but it is great improvement from my previous zero earnings.

And last November is a momentous event for my blogs because finally, I hit the USD100 required amount for payment in Google Adsense. My earnings hit USD100 in November and I was able to withdraw my earnings thru Western Union in December.

It was really nice to earn from doing something you love. I hope to receive my next Google Adsense payment soon.

Teambuilding at Rizal Recreation Center, Laguna

2012-01-07T01:19:00.001+08:00

This is a really really late post. Last October, our company finally had a “real” teambuilding activity. I mentioned the word “real” because for almost six years of being in this company, our teambuilding events are just so so. We would often just go out to do something that our whole group can enjoy. This time, we have a team of facilitators to plan and supervise the activities.

When I first heard that we are going to have a teambuilding, I almost couldn’t believe it. My boss doesn’t like holding office events in far locations and of course it is not in his nature to splurge. Well I guess things have changed and I’m glad it’s for the better. In fairness, our company has grown and improved so much and I am proud that I am somehow a part of that growth.

For a month before the teambuilding, there was a poster in our bulletin board detailing the activities for that 2-day event. The event was handled by the group that conducts Bible study at the office. I don’t want to join but my boss made an offer, I can’t refuse. All who will attend would have a 3-day offset.

Our boss rented a whole bus to take all of us to the venue which is the Rizal Recreation Center in San Pablo, Laguna. We met at the office at around 6 am and it was nice that a hot breakfast is waiting for all of us.

The teambuilding started at the bus where we had a mini-videoke contest, charade and Pinoy Henyo. We are laughing all the way to Laguna. When we arrived at the location, we first deposited our belongings to a hall which is part of the package because the rooms would still be available at 2pm. So from 11-12 am, we had a team bowling competition.

My team won this game. Then we had buffet lunch at the venue’s canteen. The food is great- superlove it. After lunch, we had a big volleyball game and amazing race. The evening was reserved for a teambuilding reflection. We had worship and sharing sessions on the second day.

About Rizal Recreation Center, Laguna

I think this place really caters to companies or groups who wants a retreat or teambuilding activity. I loved the place, it is relaxing and huge.

The rooms where we stayed is good for eight to ten people. It has 4 double-deck beds and a toilet and bath. It Is not air-conditioned, no TV and there is no free towel, shampoo or soap. The bowling area and some of the facilities are not new. But I still like the place, there is an aura of calmness in the place that makes me feel at home. They said that all water in this place including water from the toilet is potable still I dare not drink water from the shower.

The strength of this place is the food (ang sarap!) and their buffet serving is generous. I would love to return to this place just for the food. They say they olny uses organic ingredients, bake their own breads, make their own sugar and grow their own vegetables.

So that’s it- I joined the teambuilding activity at the office and I’m glad I did. I got the break that I need and I got to appreciate my job, my boss and my co-workers more.

It’s More Fun in the Philippines of DOT: Like or Dislike?

2012-01-06T14:03:00.003+08:00

The hashtag #itsmorefuninthePhilippines is trending in Twitter today and I am so amused with all the twitter entries under it.

My officemate informed me this morning that the new slogan the Department of Tourism (DOT) plan to use this year to promote our country is – "It's More Fun in the Philippines." We both found the new DOT slogan not so appealing.

But it is trending both in Yahoo and Twitter today and I am having fun reading twitter posts about it. Some say that it is more fun in the Philippines because it is the only country where there is a gay lingo, the only country where glutathione's are everywhere, and where one can celebrate Christmas in a bikini.

I also read one tweet saying that word "more" in the slogan seems to imply superiority and comparison. For me the slogan seems so common, like I have read or heard it somewhere before. But I am hoping that it would be help in making the job of DOT easier - to make a beautiful image of the Philippines to the rest of the world. How about you? Like it or dislike it?

It's More Fun in the Philippines Website

Hello 2012!

2012-01-03T13:48:00.001+08:00

If it didn't Bring you Joy,

Just Leave it Behind.

Let's Ring in the New Year

With Good Things in Mind.

Let Every Bad Memory Go

That Brought Heartache and Pain.

And let's Turn a New Leaf

With the Smell of New Rain.

Let's Forget Past Mistakes

Making Amends for This Year.

Sending You These Greetings

To Bring you Hope and Cheer

Happy New Year!

Here's hoping for an even better 2012!

My 2011 in a Blog Post

2012-01-03T13:44:00.001+08:00

For me year 2011 did not pass by in a flash. I know it is just me - you know the feeling that it was a slow year. I mean I have been waiting for 2011 to be over since it started. But in that course of waiting- it's amazing how so many things happened. I felt like 2011 is equivalent to 10 years.

Maybe because 2011 had been a year of transitions in my work and in my personal life. I have done so many projects at work – others are successful, some are still in the process of completion and in others I failed.

It was a year of travels and despedida as many family members went abroad. My sister had to go to Abu Dhabi because of a job offer; a cousin who is very close to me went to Japan after passing a scholarship program. And my mother's US immigrant visa finally got approved. In 2011, I felt like I am always saying goodbye to people dear to me and every time, I would feel nostalgic and sad.

It was a year when I had to take care of so many things so I am practically stressed out all the time. But I think it made me more responsible, forced me to be a multi-tasker and help me managed my time well. A year I discovered I can cook, a year I got my first payment from Adsense (yey!) a year I danced in front of the whole office for a Christmas party presentation (really embarrassing!), a year I planned an out of town family outing and it was successful.

In my family, my husband and I learned so many things this year. We learned so much about ourselves, learned how to be a better parent for our daughter Sophie, and how to be a better wife/husband for each other. This post would be a novel if I would go into details but I can say that we are a better person than before. My daughter is growing up so fast and she is my top priority.

It's ironic how during 2011, I kept saying that is not my year but looking back- it was actually a very exciting and fulfilling year. I praise God for all the blessings and guidance he has generously given me and my family.

Cool Christmas Songs

2011-12-25T10:11:00.000+08:00

Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon

All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-25T09:57:00.000+08:00

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred
&
we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit become a child again at Christmas-time...

Jingle Bell Rock Challenge

2011-12-14T08:09:00.000+08:00

I am writing this post while listening to a Christmas song, “Jingle Bell Rock.”
As I have been listening to this song over and over for the past days, I come to appreciate the upbeat melody and playful lyrics. It makes me feel like a child again.

I am actually memorizing this song and if you want to ask the real reason why I am into it now– it is because of our Christmas party presentation. There are four of us in the group and we are planning a song and dance number (yeah right!)

Jingle Bell Rock Lyrics

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring

Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun

Now the jingle hop has begun.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bell chime in jingle bell time

Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square

In the frosty air.

What a bright time, it's the right time

To rock the night away

Jingle bell time is a swell time

To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet

Jingle around the clock

Mix and a-mingle to jingling feet

That's the jingle bell rock.

And our inspiration for our piece is the Jingle Bell Rock presentation from the movie, “Mean Girls.” Yeah that famous, cute and sexy dance number. Watching it makes me feel real sorry for Lindsay Lohan – she’s so pretty and talented, hope she change for the better and regain all that she has before.

Anyway- back to the Christmas party performance- when we practice, I contemplate about feigning sickness on our Christmas party just so I will not be a subject of humiliation.

But what the heck- all of it is just for fun and I am going to try singing and dancing even if I have wooden dancing kills (lol). Part of me is also hoping our group wins (yeah there’s a cash prize for this!) . Just hope my officemates would be kind enough not to put this on video:

Official List of 2012 Holidays!

2011-12-04T14:02:00.001+08:00

I love holidays. Who doesn’t? During these days, I don’t have to wake up at 5am (would wake up around 6:30-7am), can have that rest and relaxation I need and I can bond with my daughter and husband—all that and I am still being paid. So I think it is understandable that this early, I am already curious about the official list of the 2012 holidays.

It’s a good thing that today, Malacanang Palace always release the official lists of Philippine holidays for the coming early. Last Friday, the Office of the President declared the regular holidays, special (non-working) days, and special holiday (for all schools) for the year 2012.

A. Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day Maundy Thursday Good Friday Araw ng Kagitingan	January 1 (Sunday) April 5 April 6 April 9 (Monday)
Labor Day Independence Day National Heroes Day Bonifacio Day Christmas Day Rizal Day	May 1 (Tuesday) June 12 (Tuesday) August 27 (Last Monday of August) November 30 (Friday) December 25 (Tuesday) December 30 (Sunday)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year Ninoy Aquino Day All Saints Day Additional special (non-working) day Last Day of the Year	January 23 (Monday) August 21 (Tuesday) November 1 (Thursday) November 2 (Friday) December 31 (Monday
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary	February 25 (Saturday)

Happy 11-11-11! The Meaning of November 11, 2011

2011-11-11T07:58:00.004+08:00

Happy November 11, 2011 everyone!

It's a Friday at the office and I am the earliest today! I woke so early (up at 5:10 am) so I am out of the house by 6:50am. My husband is also expecting a cash bonus today. So far, so good- this is turning out to be a really lucky day.

I also noticed that there are so many events lined up today. A lantern lighting something at the Banchetto Megatent, the wedding of a famous Filipino boxer, a bunch of job fairs, a free concert at the UST Open Grounds.

This is said to be a very lucky day for weddings and starting a business. But I also heard that 11-11-11 is not so unique because we had almost the same number on January 1, 2011

And apparently one can make a wish at exactly 11:11 am or maybe also at 11:11 pm and it will come true! I will try this!

Of course, the cynics are saying that today is the end of the world. Well a day like this doesn't happen everyday. So let's smile, enjoy the moment and spread the good vibes!

ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2011: Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino

2011-11-10T23:32:00.001+08:00

Watch the full and official music video of ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID this year. It features the Filipina-Canadian Youtube sensation, Maria Aragon, UP Concert Chorus, 100 ABS-CBN stars and ABS-CBN reporters, anchors and other personalities.

The ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2011: Da Best ang Pasko ng Pilipino was first shown today after TV patrol. If you are a certified Kapamilya and missed it on TV, here is the clip of the music video

Help Make Puerto Princesa Underground River One of the New 7 Wonders of Nature

2011-11-09T13:27:00.000+08:00

According to a TV news report I head earlier, the Puerto Princesa Underground River is part of the top 10 in the preliminary voting stats. That means we are inches closer to being part of the new 7 wonders of nature.

So let’s guarantee our spot by voting for Puerto Princesa Underground River. Voting ends on Nov 11.

You can vote in three ways:

Via SMS (Philippines): Text PPUR to 2861. Cost per each SMS sent: PHP2.00 (Sun), PHP2.50 (Globe, Smart)

Each SMS sent counts as one vote for PP Underground River in the New7Wonders of Nature.

Via Facebook:
Visit this link and follow instructions: http://www.facebook.com/New7WondersofNature?sk=app_114026852036251

Via N7WN website:
Visit this link and fill up the form below after choosing your picks: http://www.new7wonders.com/vote-2

Cinema One Originals Film Festival: Nov 9-15, 2011

2011-11-08T16:15:00.002+08:00

This year, Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival will be held at Edsa Shangri-La Mall Cineplex Cinema 4 and at Shang Cineplex Premiere Theater, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. It will run from November 9 to 15, 2011.

Cinema One Originals Filmfest Schedule

At Shangri-La Mall Cineplex Cinema 4

November 09 Wednesday

3pm: Opening Ceremony

4:45pm: Gala Premiere: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA by Mes De Guzman

7pm: Gala Premiere: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON by Dennis Marasigan

9:30pm: Gala Premiere: DI INGON 'NATO (Not Like Us) by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga

November 10 Thursday

5pm: Gala Premiere: MGA ANINO NG TANGHALING TAPAT by Ivy Universe Baldoza

7pm: Gala Premiere: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE by Victor Villanueva

9:30pm: Gala Premiere: BIG BOY by Shireen Seno

November 11 Friday

5pm: Gala Premiere: SA ILALIM NG TULAY by Earl Bontuyan

7pm: Gala Premiere: KA ORYANG by Sari Dalena

9:30pm: Gala Premiere: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY

November 12 Saturday

5pm: Regular Screening: Sa Kanto ng Ulap at Lupa

7:30pm: Regular Screening: Di Ingon 'Nato (Not Like Us)

9:30pm: Gala Screening: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD (Letters of Solitude) by Teng Mangansakan

at Shang Cineplex PREMIERE THEATER:

November 10 Thursday

12nn: ISHMAEL

2pm: ANG DAMGO NI ELEUTERIA

4pm: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA

7pm: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON

9pm: DI INGON 'NATO (Not Like Us)

November 11 Friday

12nn: Cinema One Docu Special: INDIE MAINSTREAM PAANO KA GINAWA? by Jay Abello

2pm: LAYANG BILANGGO

4pm: MGA ANINO SA TANGHALING TAPAT

7pm: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE

9pm: BIG BOY

November 12 Saturday

11:30am: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD

1:30pm: KA ORYANG

3:30pm: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON

5:30pm: SA ILALIM NG TULAY

7:30pm: KA ORYANG

9:30pm: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILA CUNTAPAY

November 13 Sunday

11:30am: MGA ANINO SA TANGHALING TAPAT

1:30pm MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE

3:30pm KA ORYANG

5:30pm CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD

7:30pm SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY

9:30pm BIG BOY

November 14 Monday

12pm: SA ILALIM NG TULAY

2pm: ANATOMIYA NG KORUPSIYON

4pm: MY PARANORMAL ROMANCE

6pm: DI INGON 'NATO

8pm: CARTAS DE LA SOLEDAD

10pm: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION FROM LILIA CUNTAPAY

November 15 Tuesday

12pm: MGA ANINO SA TANGHALING TAPAT

2pm: SA KANTO NG ULAP AT LUPA

4pm: BIG BOY

7pm: SA ILALIM NG TULAY

9pm: BEST PICTURE WINNER

Chateau Royale in Nasugbu Batangas Review

2011-11-06T01:31:00.000+08:00

As I said in my previous post, I was able to buy a voucher for Chateau Royale at CashCash Pinoy. It was a very good deal because for Php1,999, we got 2 days and 1 night stay at the sports and country club. It includes a tour and free breakfast for four (yes 4!) pax. Another plus factor is that one can bring as many children as they want for free as long as they are below twelve years old. I don’t mind paying an extra Php800 because our group is composed of five adults.

We arrived at the place at 1pm, an hour earlier before the check-in time but they already allowed us to enter our log in cabin. I had to leave a valid I.D and pay P1000 deposit but it is refundable upon check out. The rooms are a bit far from the reception area so guest can opt to ride a shuttle to take them to their cabins. We rode the shuttle first because we thought that we are not allowed to enter our car near our rooms. We later discovered that there is an ample parking space area near our cabins.

I guess we are all satisfied when we saw our cabin because it is so cute and huge-- good enough for 8 people. There are two queen-sized beds and one extra bed. It was air-conditioned with TV and toilet and bath. There are cabinets and a desk that make one feel so at home.

Chateau Royale has many facilities such as a mini zoo, a floating restaurant, swimming pool, playground, etc. One can try fishing, go wall climbing, etc. (forgot the others) but all of those are available for a fee. I think only the playground and the pool are free.

My nieces took advantage of the pool and swam to their hearts content. The tour schedule is every 9am and 4pm but we opt not to join since it was a walking tour and we have been walking to and fro our room and the pool area. Those who don’t like to walk can wait for the shuttle but I seldom see it so we always end up walking. Anyway, we decided to explore the place ourselves so there is no need for the tour.

We had lunch at Tagaytay so we ate dinner at their Veranda Café. This café is a bit small so we just ordered food and decided to eat in our cabins. We are all so tired that an hour after dinner, almost everyone was asleep. The next morning is another picture taking and swimming session before we prepared for the check out.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay and I would not be ashamed to recommend it to others. In fact, maybe we can come back. The staff is courteous and friendly. The place is beautiful and relaxing. Chateau Royale gives good service but they also have lots of areas where they should improve on. For one the zoo is pitiful, I am so disappointed with it. The food in their café is expensive and not so delicious. I am also disappointed with the breakfast food that comes with the package. And did I mention that their toilet is actually malfunctioning (embarrassing). I hope Chateau Royale can fix all these so they can offer the best services to their clients.

Hillsong United and Casting Crowns: Songs that Enrich the Soul

2011-11-04T05:10:00.000+08:00

Majority of my officemates and even my boss are “Christians”. I put the term in quotes because in my opinion, I am a Christian too because I am also a firm believer in Jesus Christ. However, I am different from them as I still belong to the Roman Catholic religion.

Almost every Monday, a group of pastors and would-be pastors I guess would come to the office to conduct a Bible study. I must admit that I am not so enthusiastic about the session with them every Monday. But in fairness they are all wonderful people and I have learned so much from them. Anyway before the actual bible study, we would have this short worship thing where we sing Christian songs and pray. I love this part.

At first, only the Christians in the office would be able to sing along. But now, almost everybody is singing as we become familiar with the songs.

The songs are inspiring and soothing, there was even a point when it made me teary-eyed. I just felt a bit sad when I went to a Catholic church one Sunday to hear mass and I find myself missing the songs.

Let me share some of my favorite Christians worship songs from Hillsong United and Casting Crowns.

Desert Song

Who Am I

At the Cross

Picnic grove in Tagaytay and Chateau Royale in Batangas: Happy & Relaxing Weekend Getaway

2011-11-04T04:00:00.000+08:00

The week before was so busy and I felt so pressured. It was also a week filled with so many events at home and at the office. I literally felt that I need to rest or maybe I have to quit work for a while. I think I survived it by just letting things be-no excessive worrying, not thinking much and just doing what I can at the moment. And of course by relying on God’s strength and guidance.

Anyway another thing that helped me cope with pressure is looking forward to the long weekend. It’s because I scheduled a reservation for a 2 days and 1 night stay at the Chateau Royale, a sports and country club in Nasugbu, Batangas for the whole family. I was able to buy the voucher at CashCashPinoy.

We left home (Mandaluyong area) at around 6:15 am on Saturday. There were 9 of us in the group- five adults and four children and our travel was a breeze. There was no traffic at all so by 7:30 am, we are already in Tagaytay. The plan was to visit Picnic Grove first as our check in time at the hotel is still at 2pm. That is where we ate our breakfast, merienda and lunch. My mother and I prepared pansit canton, buttered chicken, hotdogs, sandwich and lots and lots of snacks and drinks.

I went to Picnic Grove 3 years ago and I noticed that the entrance fee has increased. The entrance is now Php50 per head. I find it expensive because there isn’t much attraction inside Picnic Grove. We also rented a cottage worth Php150. There are not so many people that day and the weather was perfect, no rain and the sun’s ray are not so intense.

I just got a bit annoyed because everywhere you go, you would be approached by someone offering a horseback or a boat ride to Taal lake.

Anyway we tried the services of therapists that roam the area offering a head and back massage for 15 minutes. It was okay.

Around 12:20 pm, we left picnic grove and head on to Nasugbu. We arrived at Chateau Royale around 1:30 pm and stayed there until Sunday noon. Will make a separate post about this experience later.

Overall it was a hassle free and happy weekend getaway for the whole family. Everything went as planned and we get the much needed rest and relaxation. Thank God for this blessing.

November 7, 2011 is a Holiday!

2011-10-21T16:10:00.003+08:00

It's a typical Friday at the office. I am amidst the chaos of so much work to do but I am taking it easy as my boss is not around and I have long learned that stressing out over too much work does not really make the work easier.

Anyway, I am not really expecting the good news that I received today. And that is what I would like to share with you. To those who are also holiday addicts like me- Proclamation No. 276 declares November 7, 2011 as a regular holiday!

That means another long weekend, another day when one can rest while being paid. That would be two consecutive Mondays without work because October 31 and November 1 has also been declared as a special non-working day. November 2, 2011 is a regular working day.

President Benigno S. Aquino III signed the proclamation in celebration of the Eid'l Adha or the "Festival of Sacrifice" for the Muslims.

Official Trailer of Marvel's, The Avengers 2012 Movie

2011-10-18T11:31:00.000+08:00

I am excited for this movie but I am also disappointed that Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) would not be part of it.

Avengers 2012 Plot:

Joss Whedon brings together the ultimate team of superheroes in the first official trailer for Marvel's The Avengers - out Summer 2012

"Like" The Avengers official Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/AvengersUK to discover exclusive content.

Visit the official website - uk.marvel.com/avengers

When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.

The Avengers continues the epic big-screen adventures started in "Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man 2," "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger". Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012.

Steve Jobs Speech: Be Inspired

2011-10-06T13:56:00.001+08:00

The name Steve Jobs doesn’t matter much to me before. But of course, his works and his achievements is an important part of everyone’s life now. His resignation from Apple was major news. And now his recent death is being mourned by millions of people worldwide. And I am quite ashamed to admit that I made this usual mistake --only showing appreciation for someone that is already in his deathbed. Anyway, I think everyone but especially the new generation should look at Steve jobs life to learn many great lessons.

Watch the video of Steve Jobs Speech at the 2005 Commencement Exercises at Stanford:

Read the full transcript of Steve Jobs 2005 commencement address at the Stanford. This speech is very inspiring and almost moved me to tears. Check some of the inspiring Steve Jobs quotes.

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That’s it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: “We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?” They said: “Of course.” My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn’t see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

It wasn’t all romantic. I didn’t have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends’ rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn’t have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, its likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn’t know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down – that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple’s current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I’m pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn’t been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn’t even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor’s code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you’d have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I’m fine now.

This was the closest I’ve been to facing death, and I hope its the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960′s, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: “Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”

It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much.