Thursday, November 15, 2012

My Random Thoughts on the #AMALAYER Incident

I opened my Twitter last night and my feed was flooded with #Amalayer tweets.  At first I have no idea on what was it all about.  I went trhough the hashtagged tweets and saw the video (which I eventually found out went viral on Facebook) of a confrontation from an outraged girl and an LRT lady guard.  Well I don’t have to tell the whole story because I assumed you guys were able to watch the clip.  I went through more of the tweets and people were able to put out jokes out of the incident.  Pinakabumenta sakin yung AMADOVE GIRL and ALABET.  I laughed on it for some time and even reposted it on my Facebook account.  Later I realized that I should’ve kept it to myself.  Gaya ng girl na nasa video, may mga point sa buhay natin na sa height ng emosyon natin, nakakagawa tayo ng mga bagay na later on marerealize natin na pagsisisihan natin sa bandang huli.  In my case, reposting a joke that I found on the internet because I really found it funny, not knowing that I’m making fun out of her expense.


People also made fun of her English grammar.  Well, I think it’s part of our Filipino nature na mang-correct ng grammar ng iba, even others do it like they are proofreaders or editors. 

Let me share to you my thoughts on this incident:

1.       On the part of the uploader

  • Iba iba ang motibo ng mga taong nasa social networking sa pagpopost ng mga content sa feed nila.  Some do it out of concern, some out of fun, some out of boredom.  Bear in mind that anything that we post on our feed is within the scope of our responsibility.  I found on a Yahoo article that the uploader did not know the whole story but a bystander told him na sinita ng guard yung babae kasi mali yung way na pinasukan niya na entrance.  But I saw on some other article in Yahoo that the girl did not go through proper security inspection on the station which caused the confrontation.  I learned from the FB video that it was posted because he was a Bayan Patroller.  Bottomline---we should take full assumption of responsibility on everything posted on our social network feed.  We should make sure that we can answer all questions entailed on what we post.  And as much as possible, we should bring up things through the proper and right avenue.  May iba kasing bagay na hindi dapat idinadaan sa social networking.  Let us be responsible and cautious.


2.       On the part of the lady guard
             
  •      I don’t know the guard personally, so I don’t have the right to judge her.  But what I can say is that, minsan sa trabaho natin, pag matino nating ginagawa ang mga trabaho natin, minsan doon pa tayo napapasama.  Sa totoo lang, pag pumapasok ako sa mga malls at public places na may guard inspection, mas gusto ko na kinakalkal nila ang bag ko at iniinspect talaga kaysa dudutdutan lang nila ng stick yung bag ko tapos ok na.  It’s their duty to ensure the safety of the public.  Pero minsan, naiisip ko din na kung ganun ang gagawin nila the whole day, nakakapagod din.  Tapos hindi naman lahat maiintindihan na kaya nila yun ginagawa para din naman sa kapakanan ng publiko.  Iniisip ko na minsan hindi naman ganun kalakihan ang compensation nila para sa ganung trabaho.  Pero naisip ko na naman, na wala namang trabahong madali.  We should exert effort to earn income.  Mapa negosyo man o bilang empleyado—ganun talaga.  Mahirap kumita ng pera.  Lalo na sa lipunan ng kagaya ng sa atin.  Kaya ang masasabi ko lang, let’s give our best on everything that we are doing. As long as wala tayong nasasagasaang tao, at tama ang ginagawa natin sa trabaho, huwag tayong mag alala.  Everything that we are doing entails a result, either a reward or a consequence.  It all depends on how we do things.

3.       On Paula Salvosa

  •      Siya yung tinatawag na Amalayer girl.  Nung nakita ko yung video, sa totoo lang, wala akong masabi.  Andaming pumasok sa isip ko.  Baka naman may pinagdadaanan siya tapos natrigger lang nung ginawa ng guard.  O kaya naman masama ang gising. O mainit ang ulo.  Lahat ng tao may pinagdadaanan, but that should not give us the license to be “out of ourselves” at the peak of what we are going through.  We should learn to control ourselves.  Huwag din nating ibunton sa ibang tao yung nararamdaman nating bad vibes.  Kasi hindi naman nila alam ang pinagdadaanan mo, and who knows, baka mas matindi pa nga yung pinagdadaanan nila kaysa sayo.  I don’t know, what the girl did is just not right.  Maybe may katwiran nga, but it went through the wrong avenue.  Parang hindi appropriate to become like that in a public place.  Such act should have been done privately. Haha, I mean, siguro dapat silang dalawa nalang yung nag usap through the LRT admin office.  I don’t know.  The bottomline—let us not act right away on things in the height of our emotions—either sa sobrang saya, lungkot, or pagkagalit.  Learn to control your emotions.  Rule over it.  Don’t let it rule over you.  Hindi mo pag aari ang mundo.  May iba ka pang kasamang tao ditto na kailangan mo ding pakisamahan.  Just enjoy life.
4.  To us
  • I admit, I did something wrong by making fun of it.  Eh sa nakakatawa eh.  But somehow I realized I had my own way of making a fool out of her.  Pero seeing people bashing her and making strongly bad remarks on what she did is just so wrong.  This incident I believe can traumatize her.  We can say she deserves that kasi that’s part of the consequences on what she did in public.  But this should not give us the right to humiliate and judge her.  It’s normal to say, “ay, di dapat ganon, she should’ve act right on the situation”, and go on with our lives.  I believe her experience is a lesson to all of us, that in everything that we do, act or say, we are accountable to it.  At sa pagka high level ng technology ngayon, we are not aware that there is someone watching us.  We are not sure of that.  But above all, there is Someone up there that knows our every move, every thought, every act, every word that we say (even the unspoken ones).  And that is God.

So much with the #AMALAYER trend. Sana makamove on na tayong lahat.

1 Samuel 2:3 (NIV)
“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.”

Thursday, November 1, 2012

My First Family Blogpost: We Missed You Dad



We usually go to either Libingan ng mga Bayani or to Sta. Cruz, Laguna to pay visit to my departed grand parents.  But this day, we chose to make this our family day—even without Dad.

I woke up earlier today, way earlier than my usual waking time when there is no work.  I sensed that someone went inside my room and sat on my bed.  It’s my mom.  Sabi niya kasi, wala siyang makausap.  I was a little bit sleepy then, but I opted to wake myself up to listen to her.  That early morning we were able to talk so much about anything.  It felt good.

I ate breakfast alone because I was so hungry, I forgot to ask mom and Karmi to have breakfast with me (tsk).  Right after that I talked to Zham to check him out.  It’s been a week since we last saw each other and admittedly, we missed each other so much.  We can’t wait for Saturday—come faster please!!! :)

Today is the perfect time to fix my room.  I was able to put all of my shoes, bags and my luggage that I used on my recent trips in order.  It felt good as well.  I smell a very good day today.

Ate Karis, my older sister, with her husband Kuya Romel, arrived at our house this afternoon.  They went to my parents’ bedroom with mom, Karmi and me.  We talked and tried to catch up for hours.  Once again, it felt good, because it has been ages since we spent time chatting with each other in this manner.  I missed this. Seriously.

After that we went to Bonifacio High Street para doon ituloy ang kwentuhan at kamustahan.  We treated our mom at Claw Daddy’s, one of our ultimate favourite place for family dinner.  I was so happy, hyper ako and I always crack jokes to lighten up the moment.  We ate a very unhealthy meal, frankly speaking.  Barbeque back ribs, fried platter of potatoes, calamares, breaded shrimp and fish, and onion rings; seafood pasta, and my favourite buffalo chicken wings. With cold water. Ohhhh man…. It felt good once again!

We went straight to Jamba Juice kasi ayaw pa namin umuwi.  Finally I was able to try out to pose on their photobooth with my mom and sisters. I find it very cool.  We took four shots of ourselves and sent the picture to my email for upload.  Here it is. 
Our Jamba Juice photobooth shot!
I orderd their Berry Yoghurt parfait and for Karmi, Strawberry Wild Smoothie.  Mom, Ate and Kuya have had enough after the dinner kaya hindi na sila umorder.

We went outside and had some photo ops.  Naisip ko din silang pagtripan by Face swapping their picture. We were laughing for five minutes or so after seeing the output. 


Hindi talaga ako marunong mag combine ng face or imorph sa face frame ng iba! I’m so sorry…

I realized today that spending time with my family is one of my priceless moments in my life.  Iba pa din talaga pag pamilya mo ang kasama mo.  Hindi superficial yung joy pag kasama mo sila.  Yung tipong pagkauwi ko, nakangiti pa din ako, and praying na maulit ulit very soon.
Ate Karis and Mom
Me and Karmi
Mommy and I--sweet sweetan mode
To Daddy, na nasa Japan ngayon, we missed you today!  See you tomorrow pag – uwi mo. :)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

A “Very Fine” Dining Experience at Florabel


I kept on mistyping Florabel to “Florable”.

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It was a rainy night after work. Last Thursday was the last day of the working week, and the traffic jam along Ortigas was undeniably heavy. Chronic I must say.  I thought of asking my older sister Karis and her husband out for dinner while waiting for the heavy traffic to “subside”.  We wanted to spend dinner somewhere that we haven’t dined at yet.  We went to The Podium in ADB Avenue and saw a cozy place---it’s Florabel. 

One of the hardest part on going to restaurants for the first time (and you just heard about it also for the first time), is that you really don’t know what to expect.  So I looked on their menu list, and saw some interesting and seemingly great dishes.

I usually base my orders on the food presentation.  If it looks like it’s delicious, I’ll take it as my order.  I got for myself a serving of Vegetable Barley soup and my favourite Apple Juice. 


Aside from what I had, we really don’t know what to order.  We were thinking to have a combo platter meal, and it was good because Florabel has one—the Inihaw Platter, with a serving of Pork Barbeque, Liempo, Chicken, Pusit, Bangus, Oyster, Eggplant and Atchara, with two special sauces.  Ate and Kuya Romel ordered a cup of rice, each for the two of them.  I had dinner rolls.  What made me happy on this restaurant is the excellent service of the crew.  I just sipped a portion of the water served and they’ll fill my glass up again.  And they also give you another serving of dinner rolls if they saw that you ate yours up.  I just don’t know if they give an unlimited serving of that.  Their furniture and centrepieces are also elegant.
The Inihaw Platter
Their centerpiece

The vegetable barley soup is a good kind for those who are watching closely on their weight, or currently diet-ing.  It tastes good, I mean good enough for a vegetable soup.  The inihaw platter is also a great choice.  I guess it is too much for three persons, even for “big ones” like us. I loved their barbeque sauce (I just don’t know if it is a special soy sauce but I super liked it).  Kuya ordered a cup of coffee and ate for a serving of their desserts. I’ve had enough and more than satisfied with the food.


The place is cozy and quiet, the part which I liked most.  The staff were also warm and accommodating on our requests.  That night, I was happy because I was able to talk and chat with Ate and Kuya, one thing I missed the most.  If I were to ask I wanted to spend more time that night with them, but given our busy schedule on the days ahead, we have to go home.

Ate and I

Kuya Romel, Ate Karis and me


I recommend Florabel for those who want to spend their fine dining and chill out family nights together.  It is a great place for warm moments with your families, friends and loved ones.  Their selections are quite pricey, but it’s all worth it.

Here’s their page and their details: Florabel Facebook Page

Thursday, October 25, 2012

My Feature Article for the JIL Website: My Boracay 2012 Experience!

Here is an excerpt of my feature blog post for Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide website.

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Every year, our beloved JIL pastors and staff from all over the Philippines and the world come together to be a part of the celebration of God’s goodness and faithfulness to His church. Conferences, strategic planning and evaluation, submission of various reports and meetings are also part of their itinerary. But, let us come to know the fact that they also deserve a treat: a chance to relax, unwind, and mingle with their fellow pastors and workers.

I was given a chance to join these people to spend a short vacation in Boracay. I was thrilled because I will be given a chance to get to know them beyond “church hours”. And also, this is a perfect time for me to savour the Lord’s greatness through His creations. The sea, the fine white sand, the skies, the coconut and palm trees—which come together perfectly just through the command of His voice. Truly His power is way beyond measure.

Read more in this link:  Boracay Moment: Thank you Pastors!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Wala akong maisip na title, basta tungkol sa JEEPNEY.

Transferring this FB note here. :)

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Nung nag aaral pa ako, ayaw na ayaw kong sumasakay ng jeep. Marahil kasi maarte ako. Gusto ko lagi aircon. Hindi niyo ako mapapasakay sa jeep kapag ang biyahe ay lagpas sa distansiya ng minimum fare (more than 4 kilometers). Isa ring dahilan kung bakit ayaw kong sasakay ng jeep dahil sa polusyon sa Maynila. Pero may mga extreme cases naman na wala akong choice kundi sumakay ng jeep kahit malayong biyahe. Isang halimbawa nito kapag pupunta sa JIL Campsite sa Norzagaray. Lahat ng inarkilang sasakyan ay jeep. So walang choice. Kailangan lang maghawak ng plastic bag dahil… You know… Yun na yon.

Ngunit simula nang magkatrabaho ako, unti unti kong hinubad ang pagka-maarte ko (tanong para sa mga kapatid ko: Hindi na naman ako maarte, dava?). Dito ko natutunang sumakay ng jeep kahit sa malayong biyahe. Lalo na pag sa probinsiya ako naaassign, dahil kadalasan, wala namang FX o taxi sa mga napuntahan ko. Jeep lang ang meron. Kaya walang choice. Naranasan ko ng araw araw, bumibiyahe ako ng 40 minutes by jeep papunta sa client.
At sa mahabang biyaheng ganito, madami akong naobserbahan at napansin sa paligid—sa loob at labas ng sinasakyan kong jeep. Gaya ng…..

1. May mga jeep na kahit nasa malayo ka pa, hihintayin kang makalapit papunta sa kanya (I’m referring to the jeep), umaasang sa kanya ka sasakay. Tapos pag nakalapit ka na sa naghihintay na jeep, pipilitin kang sumakay. Tapos pag hindi ka sumakay, bibigyan ka niya ng instant steam facial dahil magbubuga yan ng usok mula sa tambutso at sisiguraduhin niyang mabubugahan ka non. Pang asar lang. Pinaghintay mo kasi eh. Minsan naisip ko pag may mga ganyang jeep, dapat may nakahanda kang signboard na may nakalagay na “SORRY MANONG, HINDI PO AKO SASAKAY SA INYO. BIYAHENG CEBU YANG JEEP NIYO EH. PAPUNTA AKONG DAVAO. SORRY PO TALAGA.” Siguraduhin mo lang na sa malayo pa lang basa na niya yan para di na siya umasa.

2. Kahit nakatayo ka lang sa may bangketa dahil tinignan mo lang kung madumi yung kuko mo sa paa, may titigil na jeep sa harapan mo at magsusumamong sumakay ka na sa kanya. Applicable din dito ang effect pag di ka sumakay sa kanya, pati din ang suggestion kong “CEBU-ka-DAVAO-ako-scenario”.

3. Pagsakay mo ng jeep, kahit di ka pa nakakaupo, umaandar na agad. Nakakawalang poise. Matapos mong sakyan yung jeep, masasaktan ka pa. kaya ang suggestion ko diyan, humawak sa safety hand rails para di sumubsob at mapahiya sa mga kapwa pasahero (o sa driver kung ikaw lang ang sakay).

4. As much as possible, dapat EXACT FARE ang ibabayad mo sa jeep. Kadalasan kasi, hindi ka na sinusuklian. Nakakalungkot. Sabi ko KARAMIHAN ha. Mga 9 out of 10. Osige 8 na nga lang.

5. Kadalasan ang mga pasahero gusto maupo malapit sa entrance/exit ng jeep. Mga ayaw kasing mag abot ng bayad sa driver. Hehehe. Minsan naman may mga tao, kapag wala nang choice kundi dun sa malapit sa driver uupo, pag may magpapa abot ng bayad, biglang makakatulog, magtetext, magbabasa, o magbibingi bingihan. Madalas ako sa may bukana nakaupo.

6. May mga pasahero naman na pasaway. Sinabi nang No Smoking eh, naninigarilyo pa din.

7. May mga pasahero talagang nagwa-WANTUTRI.

8. May mga sumasabit pa din sa jeep kahit sinasaway na ng driver. Mga pasaway. Hindi ba nila alam na delikado yon?

9. May mga pasahero nagfifeeling model ng shampoo commercial, pinapahanginan ang buhok habang nakatanaw sa may bintana ng jeep. Samantalang ang katabi niya, alam ang brand ng shampoo niya dahil nalalasahan niya. Humahampas kasi sa mukha ng katabi niya yung buhok niya dahil sa hangin eh.

10.Meron din naman feeling model sa video ng videoke dahil nakatingin sa kawalan, tulala, tapos bigla na lang ngingiti. Ngiii.

11. Meron din naman na sa sobrang layo ng biyahe nakakatulog. Minsan sinasandalan ka pa.

12. Meron din naman na parang magpipicnic. Panay kasi ang kain habang nasa biyahe. Hindi man lang mag-share.

13. May pasahero din na sa wari ko, laging nananalong Mr./ms. Friendship o darling of the crowd sa lugar nila. Kasi bigla ka na lang kakausapin about anything under the sun.

14. Tapos meron ding kung makipag daldalan sa kasama niya sa lakas ng boses niya parang wala ng bukas. Alam na ng ibang pasahero yung pinaguusapan dahil sa sobrang lakas ng boses. Guilty ako dito. Pero hindi naman ganung kalakas yung boses ko eh.

15. Meron din naman na ginagawang library at study area ang jeep. Siguro hindi nakapag aral kagabi kaya sa jeep nagrereview at nagbabasa. Masakit kaya sa ulo yung nagbabasa ka habang nasa biyahe. Kayo ba hindi sumasakit ang ulo pag ganon?

16. Kadalasan, kaya nagtatagal ang biyahe kasi yung driver tinitigilan ang bawat taong nakikita niyang nakatayo sa sidewalk. At bawat kanto, nagsstop over para maghintay ng pasahero.

17. Nga pala, hindi ko maintindihan minsan ang mga barker. Sinasabing maluwag pa yung jeep eh ang sikip sikip na nga. Baka maluwag para makaupo yung langgam. Tapos kakalampagin yung gilid ng jeep kapag ayaw daw umayos ng upo yung mga pasahero.

18. Bakit pag sasakay ka ng jeep, walang bawal bawal? Pero pag bababa ka na, ayaw ka agad ibaba, kasi bawal daw magbaba sa hindi tamang babaan?

19. Ang mga pasahero, laging nag uunahang sumakay o bumaba ng jeep. Kahit lima lang silang sasakay at bakante naman yung jeep na kasya sa 20 na tao.

20. Dapat alam mo yung pwesto sa jeep kung saan walang direct sunlight na tatama sa yo. Para dun ka maupo sa walang araw.

So far, yan pa lang ang naobserbahan ko. Sanay na akong mag jeep ngayon.

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