Bilay..not much of a writer.

September 3, 2009.I woke up early in the morning with my two mobile phones (smart and globe) already flooded with messages. Thank you everyone! It was so nice to have started my day with all those greetings that I got from you. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness. I am also glad that even before my birthday some people already have greeted me in advance. Charissa in Dubai, Devi Anne in the US (Michigan) Ingrid in Cebu and ellen have made an effort to greet me in advance.

****Well, aside from the greetings me and alex actually had celebrated our day birthdays together last Sunday with Gemine and Shella. Alex my dear friend’s birthday fall on the 1^st day of the month and mine is on the 3^rd day. It was so nice of doc gem to have made an effort to give us a birthday cake which I and alex get blow the candles at Jose Karlos. Gem, also gave us chocolates straight from her recent trip to Malaysia. It was fun! Shella also gave me this cute Old Navy tee which inspires me to really lose weight! Hehehe.

My day was just as normal as my usual working day. It was because I am in a new place with my new job and that nobody in the office and in my new boarding house had an idea that it was my 29^th year in this world. I did the laundry early in the morning; I am already running out of undies (hehehe) that is why I have to do it. I ate breakfast, still my phones are beeping and it’s overwhelming. Before going on board at the office I had my phones loaded so I could reply all the greetings.

Especial mention to this people

Kimsie syempre!, mama, tatay, dustin (my brodear), Arlyn, Rommel sombise who was trying to call me with 3 missed calls, auntie tita, alex, shella, Doc gemine, sancai and her hubby, bambina, Al bryan (lovey tot), lyza, katty, Doc Jennylind, Nancy, liezl, Che-che and katkat ,kuya Jarem, sula, dimple, beanne, ellen. Ingrid, Te jikjik, nonoy, haydee, imang, john Ivan, dindin, seaview girls, namie, Kathy, Dianne, pearly Anne, Jackie lynn and many more!!! Thank you to all of you!!

Alvin (in Vietnam) called me up during the lunchtime. It was a nice talk… Gosh, I missed him. Sobra. It was a kinda lengthy talk and it made me happy. It was nice to have heard his voice. We were laughing and giggling. I am super happy. We were having a conversation about our plans. Also about the shop that he visited (in a mall in Vietnam) the day before which he find the _ _ _ _ less expensive compared here in Pinas and that he was so excited to tell me he liked one there for our _ _ _ _ _ _ _. I feel joy realizing that he was already serious about it. Haaay.. I can’t disclose everything... not yet… basta it is something I got so happy of. He told me it was elegant just the same with the one that we wanted. And we were joking that maybe we could come up with a theme:”made inVietnam”...hahahaha…

After office, I just walked my way home. I was still on the stage of wandering and trying to observe about the place, the people and the way of life. I am still sad about not being able to see a salon or a beauty parlor. I wanted to have a nice pedicure for my birthday treat for myself but I don’t feel like trying it in one of the so called beauty parlor that they have here. So I just continued walking and never mind about it.

I arrived to my boarding house still, no one had an idea it was my birthday. After placing my things inside my room, I went straight to the sofa to watch TV. The girls were tuned to Cinema1 where it was a Bea Alonzo movie, the one with Piolo Pascual. I joined in and I guess it was already my fourth time to watch it. Well, I have to admit I do watch this channel. I enjoy watching this tagalog flicks and I guess there is nothing wrong with that. I stayed until the movie was through and after that I went back to my room to change and fixed some of my mess and arrange some stuffs.

I also had an ordinary dinner. I wanted to pig out but I don’t have somebody to be with. Read: paging gemine and alex, and of course kimsie! This is I guess the most ordinary birthday that I had. Maybe because I am already aging that is why it has to be no big deal at this point. (sigh) Then I did the laundry. I have to always wash some of my office clothes because the company is so strict that we always have to be dressed up in corporate attire. I don’t have the luxury of a variety of outfits especially the pair of slacks. If only I could wear dresses then it will end my dilemma. After doing the laundry again I was confined in front of the TV set watching the telenovelas in abscbn. I am still being greeted by my friends. I was also constantly texting with Kimsie and we were making fun of somebody who was so stupidly bothered of something which is actually “non-sense”. She, trying to fit in with our feathers “nakiki-feathers” as per our jargon is concerned. Hahahaha. Kimsie, I know you are laughing now.

It’s wash up time after the TV marathon. I did my usual beauty rituals before bedtime. I did end my day with nothing so special that had happen... except of course of the conversation that I had during lunch time with Alvin. I just ended my day with the thought that it was just another working day that has passed by. But I would like to end this saying “ it’s okey to be almost 30, for as long as you look 20”… hmmm.. Apples Aberin for ponds ikaw ba yan? No, this is Jov for Nivea. Hahahaha..

New job…new working environment…new place!

For a long period of time, at last... it came. I have been applying for Smart Communications and after ages of waiting, it finally came to realization. I was hired and I thank God for the answered prayer.

It was actually an “all-of- a- sudden- very- urgent” that I have given up a very important crash course enrolment on Advance Wedding Planning under Ms. Rita Neri. After the lengthy phone interviews for several times, there was a need for me to fly back home as immediate as possible for the opening of Wireless Center in Catbalogan City (yes a city somewhere in the Samar Island) is dated August 21, 2008. Thanks to my mom who was very supportive who has panicked more than I am, she sent money in an instant for me to buy a plane ticket, which meant the supposedly round trip ticket that I have has also to be given up. But me and alex (my dear friend) are working it out because maybe I could still make use of it. Well, the money allotted (sana) for a shopping spree was used for my plane ticket… huhu… i was dying to buy that Mango Jeans which was on sale at gateway (yep, I can only afford to buy it on sale) but the job opportunity was I guess more important. After all, I have been praying and waiting for this job.

To give you a background of my Smart application, let me just share you a little history of it… I met Haidee Panao now Palami after marrying a high school friend and org mate Ted Boy (of course, hehe) in one of the MMD weddings that I have assisted, and she happens to be the Manager of Smart Wireless Center, Tacloban. I tried asking her if they were “on hiring” because it was during that time that I really already wanted to go out of my current job. She just told me to submit my resume anytime because usually they file it. Unexpectedly, after several weeks she texted me that their sales department are looking for an applicant so I better submit my resume asap!

               December of 2007     - - I submitted my resume.

                March 2008—haidee, updated me that my resume is already 0n the

                                      desk that is, if I would want to be assigned in catbalogan.

                April – (first week) I received a call telling me to be ready because I will

                           be scheduled for an interview anytime.

                April – (about the 3^rd week) I had my personal interview with

   Ms. April Herbito. It was a good one.

                May and June: times of distress and hopelessness. I also did not renew

             my contract in my previous job and tried sending resume to other offices.

                July: I received a call from April telling me to submit another set

                  of resume with application letter for she will personally hand carry it

                  to Manila and endorse it. (oh thank you-thank you!)

                August: (second week) I receive a call that I need to take an exam as a

part of the stages in the application process.  

*It was also in the early days of august when I had my several phone interviews.

I went straight to Catbalogan to meet my bosses right after I deplane in Cebu pacific, August 20. My mom, tatay and cousin Jericho with her gf was there to meet me. I just give them the “pasalubongs” and some of my stuff then we headed for Grandtours terminal for me to ride on the last trip to catbalogan.

And this is it!! The place is actually so strange for me but thank God to Bobby, one of the bestfriends of my one and only Alvin- for helping me find a place to sleep and the boarding house as well.  He covers samar as a sales manager that is why he was so familiar with the place. Alvin asked him the favor to help me.

These are the not so wonderful things in my new location:

ROAD TRIP. Aside from the rocky and miserable road to catbalogan (that is after calbiga, the road starts to be like hell!) in my opinion the city is just so plain. But being a plain land does not mean the people are plain… it’s actually the opposite. People here are filthy rich. Most of them. They are like the business people. The physical appearance of the town does not usually represent the status symbol of the people. Some are discretely wealthy. I have met them because they are usually are clients. I just hope that these people would somehow donate a portion of their money to construct a better road and streets.

FOOD GALORE. The food is quiet expensive (grabee!) like an ordinary meal in an ordinary “karenderya” costs me P70, veggie- pork steak (in a little serving) and single rice. I did not even buy a softdrink for that. And the smart e-load…your all-txt 20 costs P23- P25! Isn’t it already given that it’s only for P20??? My!! Now, the answer is clear why business here in Catbalogan is business! =)

RIDE ALL YOU CAN. The Pedicabs!! They call it Tricycle, by the way…but what they mean is the padyak ha! They are everywhere… (numerous I should say) even in the downtown area! In tacloban they are not allowed in the major streets but in catbalogan they are the “hari ng kalsada”, I swear. They are too undisciplined that they U-turn anytime and anywhere. They don’t know about “keep right”. They are on the lane, they feel they should be. They are zigzaggin’ on the street not caring about the vehicle behind them. But one good thing is that the fare is cheap and they don’t decline even if it’s kinda far. The drivers are also nice people.

BEAUTY HAVEN. I can’t see any beauty parlor or a Salon where I can pamper myself. The one which is air-conditioned and relaxing with beauty attendants to cater your beauty needs.  In Tacloban they are competing with each other offering the cheapest price. (did you ever see that tarpaulin with “her” face scattered all over the city?) It’s like telling us that you can be beautiful for less! Hahaha.. *that same face appears in the business permits, LTO reg. and etc. with her hubby this time*.  I rarely can see one that is nice in here and that made me sad. What if I wanted some massage or foot spa or pedicure? Good luck!

I have just started a life here in catbalogan. I know that there are still a lot of things that I have to discover.  I think I can have a life here in the long run but for now all I can say is its boring. No after office life… coffee shops… nice and cozy resto with good food…and most of all no friends that I usually hang out with and pig out or  a nice conversation perhaps..

Who said you wanted a nagging mom? Nobody wants I bet, but in most cases moms are naturally designed naggers. Anyhow, we love our moms that way. That no matter how big their mouth is, we have to admit its one reason why we just love our mothers and their nagging. I can vividly remember how my mom was like an alarm clock way back in my elementary days. Every morning I woke up with her, yelling at us to wake in time for early preparation for school. She was as loud as an alarm clock but I think it has taught me something that still applies up to now; punctuality. I know she would always do that every morning because she wanted to instill in us the value of being “on time”.

Moms being figuratively noisy can be annoying. They are like cellular phone reminders. They never fail to reiterate things and values that we have to be reminded of. They always talk, they do sermons, they lecture that sometimes it saturates us. Think. Without those unceasing reminders, we are not the better persons that we are now. Even if it was irritating at times, it served as our guide as we grow up. It was just hard for us to immediately realize that what had actually molded us to be responsible individuals basically were the exasperating reminders of our mother.

When a woman becomes a mom, I guess it was part of the package that they have to talk, yell and instruct a lot. They can even be like the guidance counselor in our school. They give the best advice on earth. Predicting that we are into trouble, that we are having dilemmas, that we are feeling not so well is another extraordinary talent that our moms have. And when they are right about their predictions, there our moms go… start talking and talking again. Sometimes they are comparable to a talk show host on TV. Agree with it, they can give the most relaxing conversation we can ever have oftentimes when we most need it.

So, do you still wonder why when you get to arrive home and the house seems to be empty and quiet you ask; “Oh, where is mom?”. We have to confess it always unconsciously happens. You just don’t know how you are so annoyed with mom nagging around making the house so noisy yet when they are not visible in the house we look for mom. I came to realize it when one time I had a chat with some of my officemates while having lunch. We all agree on that. It is definitely, true. We instantly look for them when they are out of sight at home. We miss them. The house is always incomplete without the noisy mom. Even if we don’t like it at some point, we just love them being the person that they are especially their unstoppable mouth who has given as the practical advices we first learned.

Trapped in a Romantic Movie

by. Joverly Z. Morfe

Hey wake up! You must have been still in your daydreaming mode right now, and that you have

the need to go back to your original senses. You are in the fantasies of your dream and in an

extremely impossible imagination, that’s why am begging you to be awaken from the fairy tale

that you are into right now.

Actually what I was trying to discuss at the moment is a thing that I have out grown and I hope

you would be able to try in the best way you can to relate with what I want to point out.

I have been so in love with romantic movies at a certain point in my life that it did not taught

me what it’s like to live with how reality bites.  It was a good thing that my discernment was

to finally accept that fairy tales and happy endings seldom happen in reality. Wow, that

sounds bitter, but really it would not help if we keep on believing that what those bunches of

romantic films is giving us at times ain’t going to happen.

You actually become depressed if what you expect to happen in reality is not exactly the same as the thing in your favorite movie. Happiness is so hard to attain because you make an important scene in the love story as your life’s pattern.  

The lesson is, we have the need to face what reality is. That in life there is no such thing as fairy god mother and prince charming. Reality is full of flaws. If you know how to see the blemishes of what life has to offer then you’ll gradually learn to see how reality is teaching us the true existence of your being. To be able to understand that as a human you need to have encounters with challenges, pain, grief and hardship. When you experience the flaws of life then from there you get to see how good it is to live especially when you triumphantly have overcome the tests.

No matter how rocky the journey of reality is, still life is as beautiful just like in the movies but in a different light. We just have to feel how it teaches as the best lessons that can make us better persons. Now, stop comparing your life in the romantic movie that you see. That there is this knight and shining armor  coming to the rescue, and a fairy god mother with a magic wand that will turn you into a princess or a genie who will give you three wishes. When you want to achieve what you want to have, you are compelled to work hard for it. In all aspects of life− career, relationships, and etc…

Remember that the wedding scene at the ending part of the movie is not actually the end if we perceive it in the real aspect. Yet it is the only thing that movies can give us. So, get out with that confinement. Experience life, and feel what is real.

I happen to watch the latest concert of Ms. Saigon star Lea Salonga aired over a national TV Network one late Sunday night and as expected the show was well-applauded. I am not much of a Lea Salonga fanatic but I don’t deny that I love watching her concerts. I do wait for it to be aired on the television since I can not afford the ticket. She’s a high paying stage performer and well, expect that her shows are of course for the A-crowd. She’s not a pop star but a well-respected artist that is why I liked it more that the concert was not the screaming and the dancing crowd but the relaxed, behaved and appreciative audience. It was more of an applause and standing ovation not the cheering crowd.

The concert was entitled, “My Life on- Stage” and that the subject matter of the show was her. It was not just plain singing of a repertoire of hits but songs that had relevance on her way to success. How she started as a performer up to the Disney Movie stints and to her biggest achievement in life- her marriage and her daughter of course. She commented in one of her adlibs that is was her one way of sharing her life to the Filipinos and how she is happy to be somebody that the country is proud of.

One very striking testimonial which she related in the ending part of the show was a little advice that says “Keep knocking”. It was a humble advice from a very successful internationally acclaimed performer to admit that she also had her share of down moments. She disclosed that not all doors were opened for her “I had knocked some doors which was not opened” says the Ms. Saigon. Just like everybody else, her way to the top was not an easy road. But she said “keep knocking” and reading between the lines, she wanted to stress out that we should not stop dreaming of things we wanted to achieve. Just like Lea, everything for her started with a dream.

True. Two words that make sense. Success comes when we work for it. We have the need to try to knock on doors to see if it’s going to be opened. At times when opportunities don’t come our way, it requires our effort to look for it. When a door remains closed for us, be reminded that a lot of door encounters may still come our way which will open opportunities, only if you persevere. Believe in what you want. You can only achieve if you desire to achieve. To obtain the biggest dreams, we start from small.  Take it from Lea, I’m sure it works!

We can be our own version of a Lea Salonga. We are all capable of achieving success that is meant for us. There are doors which are designed to open up for us. It may be not the same door with your super successful friend, but surely there is a wide open door for you. Try out knocking now, there’s a long way to go. Lea and some other ordinary people who worked hard for their success also had a long way to find the perfect entry for them. I believe it’s not easy to knock on doors but you couldn’t have the entrance for your achievements if you won’t start striking with your dreams. When a door opens, enter! It might be locked and will never be open up for you again.

Baybay City- in commemoration of its 1^st Charter Day the Baybay reclamation area was turned into a chaotic battlefield as the 2^nd Michael L. Cari Cup Airsoft Tournament transpired June 15, 2008 dubbed as “Saving Private Mike”. The Airsoft tournament was just one of the many line –up of activities in celebration of the city’s charter day. Organized by the Baybay Airsoft Team (BAT) spearheaded by Von Raymond Valenzona it was also made possible through the efforts of the City Mayor, Hon. Michael L. Cari.

Airsoft enthusiasts from all over Leyte were invited to join in the said tournament. Participating groups were team Lycans and team COAST both from Ormoc City, team SBAT represented Sogod Southern Leyte, team MAT from Maasin City, and three teams came all the way from Tacloban City were: ACE, Dark Wing Duck and team ASSASIN. Delegates joined together in a motorcade which toured in the entire city before the battle started. A chronograph testing was also a requirement for all the team members to undergo prior to the game proper in order to check if the airsoft guns will not exceed up to 450 fps (feet per second) which was the mandated speed capacity. An arm badge is attached to identify that the gun passed in the chronograph test. Participants were also obliged to be in appropriate battle attire complete with safety gears. The organizers have made sure that the tournament is properly coordinated and well-planned in which rules and policies are strictly implemented.

The teams are compelled to its mission in fearlessly capturing the flag in the frontline which holds the key for winning. After a day of trying to invade the significant flag, the triumph finally was obtained by team Dark Wing Duck which won the 1^st Place and was also awarded with Best Time and Best Attire, team SBAT got the 2^nd place and Lycans won the 3^rd place. Trophies were given to the winning teams and certificates with souvenir t-shirts were distributed to all who participated in the tournament.

Not all that we desire to have is granted to us and sometimes even it was there already it is blown away. It may hurt in a certain point but there is something that lies behind that we need to realize why it disappears. We may have wanted it for the longest time in our life that it frustrates us to have it gone but seeing the brighter side of what have taken place helps to let go of it easily. I believe this do not only apply to issues about relationships which I am sure the very first thing that had pop into your mind but in general aspects. We may have wanted a job, a “something”, well a person perhaps or anything that we wanted to happen in our own way that in any case you failed to acquire. Be constantly reminded that we cannot have everything that we long for all the time. 

To let go requires acceptance. Understand that it do happens and not only with you. You are not the only person in the whole wide world who has failed to possess something that has been yearning for.  When reality bites, accept it. It could only mean that when reality commands that it is not to happen, so be it. Surely it will not make us feel good and it can be the saddest at times, just learn how to accept the need to set free to make you feel better.  

No matter how we give so much effort for something that we dream to have when it is not actually designed for you, it’s not going to work out. Our attempts on the positive side reflects the good spirit in us but something that is not intended for you will not be bestowed. This is where realization comes after acceptance. Help yourself to grasp for the reasons why it was not allowed to transpire. It is easy to cope up with what upsets you when you can easily realize the discrete purpose. It is the right attitude when you can decipher lessons, which was so subtle yet with an impact.

Look at the brighter side of it. Take it from the positive point of view. You need not to dwell on it in order to welcome depression. When it’s not meant for you the best thing is yet to come. Believe it was blown away because something is better anticipated for you. He has his ways of taking away from us what we have been wanting, for something that He perfectly planned to be yours. 

We are usually caught at times in some kind of crucial situations like the decision−making dilemmas. True, sometimes deciding is the hardest thing to do. A reminder from friends is more often consistent that before making a move we are advised to contemplate so deeply. Thinking about how you could decide on things makes an additional burden in the process but you have to understand it has something to do in making your final say rational. It is a must that we should take it as a pressure to come up with a choice that could help us settle into a something we will not regret in the end.

Now trying to make your mind up should be done through a process of contemplation and evaluation. This is a test of our maturity. The end result reveals how we have grown up intellectually and emotionally. Whatever our actions are oftentimes represent our personality and how we have developed as individuals. So, I guess it is imperative that we have to be very careful and wise in the course of making our choices irrevocable.

Our emotions, I believe in some instances does not help. It makes us weak and with this, not everybody will agree. We just have to take it like emotions do came from what we feel that usually they are so soft to mislead us. It may not be like this all the time but being so emotional will only trap us. Surely, it is factor in the over all list of options but I suggest, give it the least percentage. This is speaking in general where it can mostly be applied. Life's predicament may come in different outlook but at one point this is applicable.

As you get mature, you start to realize what is best for you. You know what you want and your desires. If you can sense that you are becoming stagnant in your life, it is about time to think about your situation. Life is beautiful; we have to enjoy what it offers. It is not good to stop at a certain point where you consider your safe zone. Opportunities that come close to you are always with a purpose. If you want a career, which will make you contented, gamble. Successful people did take a risk. When you are not anymore happy with the routines of your work you are trapped. But in the middle of being confined in a dormant career do not be afraid to decide. This is valid to the young and professionals with unutilized potentials.

It is always best to end up your dilemma with a well− contemplated decision. A final verdict, which have gone through a process as well as considering different angles of concerns before the finalization. Most of all, the wisdom and guidance from the Lord plays a major role. To summarize everything; take note that if it is another step forward from where you are, you certainly have made the right decision.

These are words full of impact because it carries a thoughtful gesture. Aside from that, one of the most wonderful reactions that we could feel is being appreciated and with this saying “thank you” is very essential. For some, these are magic words. You can make a person happy when you let them know that what they have done is valued.

Everyday, I believe, we always have enough reasons to say “thank you”. We encounter so many people whom we believed are only in the sidelines, that most of the times we tend to forget they have the need for our expression of gratitude. Take for example; the motorcycle drivers who tried hard to transport us to wherever desired location that we require them to take us, I guess they have to be thank for.  They maybe arrogant, well sad to say, most of the time…still we have to thank them, at least for the effort of making us safe. In this way, we can make them feel guilty at a certain point and make them realize that they always have to be courteous to passengers. Though a sad experience with an impolite driver does not represent them in general, saying thank you really, is important.

The utility workers in your workplace have to be acknowledged. They are these people who are taken for granted, sometimes. We have been too busy giving them errands to accomplish that after completion, we forget to do our part. That is, to thank them. Moreover, we are surrounded with folks that I think you have forgotten to thank in many of your encounters with them. The vendors on the street where you usually buy small goodies, the security guards who opens the door for you, the traffic enforcers who gives way to let you cross the street safely, the waiters in the restaurants and the crew in your favorite fastfood chain who gave you the most comfortable service during a meal time. All these people that you encounter everyday do simple things yet meaningful. At times, we only refuse to realize it means a lot.

When you say “thank you” you melt someone’s heart. Make this a habit. A usual reaction to a favor done for you by somebody even the smallest act of kindness, perhaps. Our sensitivity with what is being done for us by others helps us to realize that we need to verbalize our gratitude. Be demonstrative, express it in the best way that you can. In this way, people will appreciate you in return, if you never fail to say “Thank You”.

It was just this summer when I had the chance and the time to read a book which was given to me during my 28^th birthday and I am very much excited to share with you the good things that I have learned from the book from a bestselling writer, Mitch Albom. My fascination with the works of this writer started when I read his book, Tuesdays with Morrie and reading his another bestselling masterpiece For one More Day is as expected, gave a lot of great lessons in life.

The true to life story was about a man named Chick Benetto, a broken-down former baseball player who has collapsed into alcoholism and despair.He returns one night to his small hometown with plans to take his life. At the final moment, he is magically granted one more day with his departed mother, Posey Benetto, who illuminates the secrets of both their lives and shows him a way to redemption. For one more day the man in the story was able to spend with his mother who’s already dead for some major realizations in life.

As much as I would want to dwell in telling you about how beautiful the story was, I guess what should be emphasized are the messages the story has conveyed. The moral lessons in the story was basically focused on imparting how great a mother could be to her children.Reading the  book that was just so in time for the Mother’s month, made me feel like there was a purpose why I get to read it before the Mother’s day.This is what I want to discuss and I hope I could atleast share good things like what I have learned in the book that in conclusion, I propose that it should not only be during the mother’s month that we have to appreciate our mother…it has to be every single day.

The book richly explores the often overlooked relationship between mother and son. When a son is so close to the mother, he is usually labeled as mama’s boy. In cases of broken families, a son who is left with his mother is by no choice a mama’s boy. I guess there is nothing wrong to be a mama’s boy and that is number lesson I appreciated in the story. It’s just so happen that a mama’s heart is both the tough and the sweet one that can tolerate and controls a son. It may not be that all mothers are successful in raising a son to be the best person that he has to be, especially the mama’s boy but for sure all mothers are striving so hard to provide, to guide and to mold his child to be a better person.

Posey Benetto the mother of Chick was the only divorcee in town, and with this she has to endure all the malicious judgments about her in the entire neighborhood. She was even evicted from the hospital where she is working as a nurse because of her family status. She ended up working in a beauty parlor and part-time housekeeper. True, a mother could bear all the hardships for her children’s sake. There are many “Posey Benetto” around us, those mothers who could willingly suffer just to be able to feed her family. Mothers who are working overseas are doing greatest sacrifices, and that is how far a mother’s love could be.

The cliché “Mother Knows Best” is for me always agreeable. In the story, Posey wanted nothing but the best for her children, a good life despite of all the odds. It was always never easy to be a product of a broken family, and mothers who is left with all the responsibility, will always strive to make everything normal for her kids. The “mothers knows best” maybe taken for granted by us most of time, because we felt like as we grow mature we already know what is best for us… we are still bound to meet instances where we have to run back to our mothers for a rescue. Admittedly, a mother can give the best advice and can offer the most effective solution in times of crisis. Just like what had happen to Chick, in the most difficult time of his life, it was his mother who made him realize  what was best for him.

A Mother forgives after all the nagging. They will talk a lot, and will put on you all the blame but still they forgive. After all, it was them who first taught us to say “I’m sorry”. Sometimes it may take the longest time for them to pardon, but in the end there is still forgiveness. At times, it is needless to ask, we are already forgiven. Chick, made a worst lie to her mom that unexpectedly on the same day he was enjoying the “lie” his mom died. When again, he had the chance to be with his mom for one more day, he humbly confessed and was lovingly forgiven and comforted by his mom.

All mothers can be great. They are the best in their own ways. They have the toughest job on earth, a 24-7 task. That is why; a month or a day is not enough to show them how much we value them. Let us make our mothers feel that we love them everyday just like they do.

Pangalan: Havaianas

Lugar na pinanggalingan: São Paulo, Brazil

Pagbigkas:

ah-vai-YAH-nas (Brazilian Portuguese)

hah-vee-ah-naz  (American English)

OMG!-hAH-va- yaH-naZz!! (Filipino)

Materyal na ginamit: Malupit na goma (High-quality rubber). 

Presyo: Hindi ko alam. Ganito na lang,

1 pares ng Havaianas = 100 pares ng Spartan. 

Mga nagsusuot: Mga konyotik at mga mayaman.

Malulupit na katangian at kakayahan: 
- Masarap isuot. 
- "Shock-absorbent "

- Malambot ngunit matibay. 
- Makukuha sa sandamakmak na kulay, disenyo at burloloy. 
- Maaaring isuot sa loob ng Starbucks. 
- Mainam na pang-japorms. 
- Mainam i-terno sa I-Pod at Caramel Macchiato. 
- Mapipilitan kang maglinis ng mga kuko mo sa paa. 
- Maaari ka nang mag-dikwatro sa loob ng mga pampublikong lugar at sasakyan.

- Magiging "fashionable" ka kapag ikaw ay nagkukuyakoy. 

Olats na mga katangian:

Mahal!

Mahal!

Mahal!

Pangalan: Spartan 

Lugar na Pinanggalingan: Metro Manila, Philippines

Pagbigkas:

spar-tan (American English),

is-par-tan (Filipino). 

Materyal na ginamit: Pipitsuging goma (Low-quality rubber). 

Presyo: Wala pang 50 pesos.

Isang pares ng Spartan = 20 piraso ng pan de coco. 

Mga nagsusuot: Ako at ang masa! Nyahaha! 

Malulupit na katangian at kakayahan: 
- Maaring ipampatay sa ipis. 
- Maaring ipampalo sa mga batang suwail at damuho. 
- Pwedeng ipanglusong sa baha at putikan. 
- Pwedeng ipamalengke. 
- Mainam gamitin sa tumbang-preso. 
- Mainam gawing "shield" kapag naglalaro ng espa-espadahan. 
- Mainam isuot sa siko bilang proteksyon habang naglalaro ng piko. 
- Mainam na pambato sa picha o shuttlecock na sumabit sa puno. 
- Mainam na pangkulob sa pumuputok na watusi. 
- Kapag ginupit-gupit nang pahugis "cube," e maaari mo nang 
  gawing pamato sa larong Bingo na  kadalasang makikita sa mga lamay ng patay). 

Olats na mga katangian: 
* Madaling magkawalaan kapag hinubad dahil halos pare-pareho lang 
   ang hisura. 
* Masakit isuot kapag may mga balahibo ang mga daliri mo sa paa. 
* Minsan kapag ipinambato mo ito sa picha o shuttlecock na 
   nakasabit sa puno, e nadadamay pati yung tsinelas.

Ang havaianas ay kalimitang may imitasyon tulad ng: HAVANA, HAWAIANAS, HAVANAS at marami pang iba..ang Spartan, wala!!!

Catbalogan City- youth from all over the islands of Leyte and Samar were gathered for the annual Leyte-Samar Youth Camp for the Baptist Churches in the Eastern Visayas. The activity started April 8 and was culminated April 12, 2008. There were approximately 300 delegates who enjoyed the event held at the Living Word Training Center located at Maulong, Catbalogan. Tacloban City got the most number of delegates with 56 young people representing the Grace Baptist Church headed by Pastor John Charles Wynn. The camp was organized and hosted by the Gospel Baptist Church of Catbalogan under Pastor Samuel Nacionales.

The main speaker for the youth camp with the theme: Watchmen, what of the night?, is Mr. John Art Hernan, a Youth Director/Leader of the Bethany Baptist Church Makati City. He is also a professor at the De La Salle University in Manila. With him are also special participants of the camp from the above-mentioned Makati church. The lectures were mostly focused on teaching the young people to be of service for the Lord and on spiritual growth as well. To inculcate to the youth to make use of their talents and skills for the glory of God and to develop a dedicated heart in sharing God’s word. The well-coordinated Hands Play presented in several evening sessions by the youth of Gospel Baptist Church of Catbalogan was always impactful.

Games were prepared to incorporate physical activities for the said event. The delegates were randomly divided into teams –Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta and Echo in competing for the different indoor and outdoor games. These teams also showcased their creative interpretations of the theme song which carries the same title with the camp’s theme during the culmination night. Among the 300 campers, two outstanding delegates were chosen as the King and Queen Camper 2008. The award was  given to the ideal camper who was never late in all the sessions, has complete notes of all the lectures and someone who actively participates in all the activities.

Indeed, the Ley-Sam Youth camp was one enjoyable activity for the young people. The new friendship that was created, the fun, and most of all the spiritual inputs are reasons why the event worthwhile.

Having Kids in our home adds happiness in the family. The way they laugh out loud and make the house messy with their toys scattered all over the place is something that leaves us without any choice but to tolerate. After all, it’s their way to have fun and as kids they should not be deprived with it. Just like any typical kid, I have a five-year-old nephew who enjoys so much running around the house, climbing, jumping on my parent’s bed and on our sofa with or without his friends and cousins whom he always loves to invite to the house. His fascination with Spiderman is one factor why sometimes he loves to climb and do some acrobatic antics mimicking his favorite superhero. The very first movie he saw on the silver screen in one of the SM cinemas was Spiderman when he was just two years old and from then on, he became a fan. One time I saw him embracing our wall, and when I asked what he was doing, he replied… “I am Spiderman and am stuck on the wall, I can’t move!” Really, kids do have this stage of fantasy, and my nephew is just one of the many kids who just love all this running, jumping and climbing as a part of their excitement when playing. Every time I try to stop the kids in the house from making noise and running around, my father always told me “let them enjoy, they’re kids”.

One Sunday morning, I overheard from my room an impactful sound of a broken thing and with that my mom started to shriek. To my dismay, when I get out of my room I saw my favorite flower vase made from a good quality glass on the floor in broken pieces. The culprit- my nephew. He was standing there so scared with his face became pale. He knew that I would really get so mad with what had happened. He knew that his lolo and lola and everybody in the house are gong to be furious with his clumsiness.

I am sharing this story because I wanted to point out some lessons that I have learned from the incident and I hope it would make sense with you too. Honestly, at first I didn’t know how am I to handle the scenario. Seeing him really frightened melted my heart. But then I decided that the best way to reprimand him was to sit with him and talk.

Humility in the Eyes of a Child. I am convinced that as early as possible, a child should make realizations that we feel only grown ups should do. They have to understand that there is nothing wrong in admitting mistakes. It has to be explained to them that we are only humans that is why we commit mistakes. I called my nephew who ran into his room to go out and sit with me in the sala. Even if I already knew, I asked him again, who broke the vase. “Tita, I broke your flower vase with my pillow because I was palying”. We have to show them that we appreciate their honesty, and it is a good thing that kids learn to admit. With this, we are introducing them the concept of humility. They have to be taught on how to accept that what they did is wrong and it is not good. Even as a child, they should know that their mistake is always a lesson to be learned. We have to tell them also that even if they did something bad everything’s going to be fine especially that they are humble enough to confess and forgiveness comes next.

The Magic Words. Let a child learn the essence of saying “I’m sorry”. When I asked my nephew if what is he going to do for me not to get mad anymore he looked at me and suddenly became in deep thoughts for a couple of seconds and finally replied “I’m Sorry” and he also tried to come up to his lola and said “I’m sorry nanay”. We should not command a child to say sorry in times they offend somebody but let them realize the need to do so. Requesting a kid to say sorry will not make them recognize the importance of the action that eventually it becomes usual to them. Kids should learn that saying “I’m sorry” should be with all sincerity and I guess it is also appropriate to ask them why they are asking forgiveness even if you obviously know it already. With that, it is inculcated to them that they should know their reasons why they are sorry. The reasons make them sincere.

To Punish or Not? I told my nephew that the vase was my favorite and that it was expensive. I said that what he did hurt me and because I am hurt I need do a disciplinary action for him not to do it again. I asked him to put his both hands on his lap and then I spanked it twice. A kid has to be punished, but it has to be discussed with them why they deserve it. Punishment is for the purpose of making them realize that they have to be careful of their actions next time. It is to make them learn and to train them to acknowledge authority which eventually leads to instilling the virtues of respect, discipline and to value the feelings of others.

Yelling and tremendous spanking is not actually the best way to train a child to be disciplined. We can talk to them; I believe kids nowadays are becoming smarter that it is now easy for them to understand if we make efforts to do so.

Cellcom World Communications:  A Company Profile

Just in time when the Mobile Phone Industry was on the verge of bending down its market to the masses, Cellcom World Communications started its operation as a cellular phone store in the year 2001. Remy S. Uy the owner, never went wrong in taking the risk to venture in this type of business. Everything fell into place perfectly, for it was during this era when cellular phone technology was becoming the primary means of communications- immediate, instant access, and mass.

Cellcom played a major role in totally eliminating the people’s misconception about Mobile phones. It was used to be a “status symbol”, but with Cellcom making it affordable to all walks of life, this communications technology reached the grassroots.  It gradually became a necessity and with this, Cellcom became a success being the all-time top distributor of mobile phones in the Eastern Visayas. Cellcom also offered services such repairing, upgrading and other cellphone- related problems.

Three branches have been opened in 7 years time. The main branch (the very first Cellcom Store) which also served as the Admin Office is located at the P. Zamora St. Tacloban City and another branch is on the other side of the city’s downtown area, Del Pilar St.. Cellcom also made its way to the other part in Eastern Visayas, the branch in Ormoc City is also serving the people successfully. These three branches situated in the busiest streets of Tacloban and Ormoc, it was not impossible for Cellcom to establish a name and it needed a little effort to create awareness.  The used to be “store” in Zamora, has became a structured company at present. The well-trained and competent employees together with a well-oriented sales team contributed in the growth of the store to a company.

“Cellphone is Cellcom”, with this perfectly rhymed tagline that bears the store’s image, the company lives up to what it wants to convey to the consumer. The company aims to maintain providing quality services in the entire region as well as to make communications technology accessible and affordable to the consumers. It continues to aspire for more branches, to be able to serve the different areas in the Eastern Visayas and help people get into the importance of latest technologies especially the mobile phones.

 post script: this was used for their robinsons application. - - - the robinsons mall approved two  spaces  for cellcom.. uy smithy , an aton sabot kon ma-approve areglara daw!