Team Beech Conquers Ilocos

After a year of planning, we already made a one big vacation of our team in Ilocos. It was 4 days away from work (well, except on the first day).

Thanks to my team buddy, @therichieyu, who documented everything. When I saw this video, I had goosebumps and a fleeting excitement. It was a fun-filled and bonding days with the team albeit the stormy weather in Pagudpud.

LAKBAY-PAKAY

ang paglalakbay ay hindi pangsarili lamang. minsan, mainam din na ang layunin ng iyong paglalakbay ay para magdulot ng tuwa sa iyong kapwa.

ang post na ito ay entry para sa pakontest ni bulakbol na "tara na't magbulakbol" :)

taken during the A Time to Give Back Project | Adams, Ilocos Norte | December 2010. Link here.

move, learn, eat

Who doesn't like travelling especially if it is for leisure? I guess none of you will raise your right hand.

I saw this cool video online and i thought that it's worth sharing. Enjoy! :)


MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.


LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

I LOVE MANILA...

I saw this article in the Young Star section of the Philippine Star and subsequently, on Dom Jullian’s post.

Apparently, there are so many opportunities abroad that lures most of us to work there. However, weighing down the pros and cons, I’d rather want to stay and live here in manila or in the country per se.

Here are my top 5 reasons:

1. My family and good friends are here. I don’t have to spend a lot of money to buy a plane ticket just to see them. I can knock on their doors anytime I want.
2. The weather. I like the weather here. Singapore is too hot and Paris is too cold. Consequently, we don’t experience the harsh season of winter. Just cool and sunny weather.
3. I can have my favorite dish from mom with just one call. J
4. Commuting around the city is cheap. A taxi ride in Tokyo or Hongkong would cost you a thousand bucks.
5. I feel safer here than any rest of the world.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

In the advent of social networks, it's been very easy to communicate with your friends. With just few clicks and taps on your mobile and computers, a message is sent. I was eager to use when I had my first hand with the so called Twitter and Facebook. It feels so good to be part of the virtual network.

These applications play an essential part on our daily lives. Some people would check MMDA's tweets before leaving to office, some would check-in along EDSA or to check online newspapers. Some would open first their twitter rather than their work emails. Some would shout out that they are sooo late or wasn't able to sleep at all. Okay, I am partially guilty.

But recently, these things going on are paving out my usual daily routine. My usual fad has now become a distraction (that's one of the reasons why I laid some of them six feet below).

However, I want to picture out the bigger picture here. We are now forgetting the importance of communicating personally. We laugh at those funny tweets and send virtual hugs for those who are in pain and sorrow, but do they see and feel our laughter and compassion?

Why not start something in the morning like instead of tweeting that you're having a hearty breakfast in Starbucks, ask one of your friends or colleagues to join you and share a cup of coffee?

CHEF WANNABE

pasensya na kuya chingoy if i used your title to be my post kaya alis muna dyan. LOL! anyway, since dad left to somewhere somewhere and mom is rendering overtime work daily at the office, ako na ang naging all-around boy. ampota, ang hirap pala ng maging houseband!

on the brighter side, dahil sabi nga nila na napabayaan ako sa kusina nung bata ako, pinanindigan ko na din lang ang pagluluto. kaya kaninang hapon, hinalungkat ko na ang laman ng ref at napagtanto kong meron na akong pang-pinakbet. sa totoo lang, sinubukan ko nang magluto ng pinakbet nun pero fail talaga. kung hindi hilaw eh sobrang alat.

kaya kanina ay pinagtiisan ko itong gawin. at ang resulta? simot ang niluto ko. whew! salamat sa bagnet. :)

HOMESICK

Malapit na akong mag-isang dekada dito sa Manila. Ginugol ko lahat ito mula nung nagsimula akong pumasok ng college hanggang sa magkatrabaho.
Lahat naman siguro ng promdi na kagaya ko ay naranasan ang separation anxiety. Mahirap talaga kapag tinamaan ka ng ganitong sitwasyon. Yung mga taong pwede mo sanang takbuhan ay nasa malayo.

Hindi naging madali sa akin ang mag-adjust lalo na at perstaym kong masalta dito ng mag-isa. Putek, para akong baliw nun, meron akong notebook nun na maliit at nakalista kung ilang araw na lang ang natitira bago mag-sembreak. Minsan nga pag tinatawagan ako ng nanay ko sa telepono, umiiyak ako pero di ko pinapahalata sa kabilang linya. Nakakahiya! Haha!

Nakaraos din naman ako ng ilang buwan at nasanay na akong mag-isang mamuhay dito sa siyudad.

Subalit, datapwat, pero, ewan ko ba kung anong nakain ko kanina at bigla na lang ako naging emo. Bigla na lang akong nahomesick at gustung-gusto kong umuwi ng probinsya. Kung maaari lang sana kaso syempre kelangan ding isipin kung may budget at kung papayagan ba ako ng trabaho ko.

Sa totoo lang, sinisisi ko ang sarili kung bakit ako nagkaganito ngayon araw na to. Ikaw ba naman kasi ang humilata maghapon at walang gawin? Nagkaroon na ng rotation ang earth pero nasa kama pa din ako. Hindi ko man lang nasilayan ang tanawin sa labas. Ganun palagi ang dahilan kung bakit ako nahohomesick.

plane spotting at the rooftop. 1 departing and 1 on its final approach

Kaya ginawa ko, umakyat na lang ako sa rooftop, nag-plane spotting habang hawak ang isang bote ng beer at isang stick ng yosi. Ayos din kasi mahangin sa rooftop at tila pinawi ng hangin ang aking kalungkutan. Naks!


 
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

EYOHW PHOWZ!

Kumusta naman ang title, wala na talaga akong maisip na maisusulat pa sa blog. Pang-alis agiw lang at nagdedemand na din kasi si Rafter ng bagong post (demanding much?!). Masyado na kasing nawili sa kaka-twit at sa trabaho pero at least naman nakakabisita pa din ako sa mga bahay-bahay nyo. Hehehe.

Minsan lang ang sarap namnamin ang summer pero nitong mga nakaraang araw, halos isumpa ko na ang sobrang alinsangan ng panahon sa pinas. Nagbibihis pa lang kasi ako, pinagpapawisan na at basa na ang kili-kili. Lol!

Anyway, kumusta naman ang mga activities nyo ngayong summer? Naiinggit ako sa iba kasi nakapag-bakasyon na at nakapag-tampisaw na sa summer. Sa sobrang pagka-busy kasi sa office, hindi ko na alam kung paano ko isisingit ang isang ONE HOT SUMMER FLING FIX.

Buti pa ang bwakanang Bansot na Glen eh nagtatampisaw na sa Bora! Pota, magsasabing pupunta sya pero di man lang manlilibre. Hahahaha. Bitter much?

Basta susubukan kong makapag-summer escapade bago man lang dumating ang La Niña. San ba magandang pumunta?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Gen. A Luna St,Taguig City,Philippines

COMMERCIAL BREAK!

Although I am already working in an IT company doing a technical job, believe it or not, I was a graduate of Corporate Communications. In layman's term, that's advertising and it was a major career change making both ends meet during those transition.

When I was in college, I foresee myself working in an advertising company like McCann, Leo Burnett, etc... I was exposed to TV then especially when our professors required us to watch the commercials instead of the regular television programs. These will be discussed on our next session talking about the creative idea and when it was aired and who owns that project, etc..

It was a great experience but very demanding. We have to scout to different tv networks to inquire for airing fee on various timeslots. And before we end the term, we need to come up with a great idea and squeezing our creative juices - a tri-media advertisement (TV, radio, and print) for a duct tape. It was hilarious but unfortunately, my professor didn't like it. haha!

Anyway, I was browsing on my facebook earlier and saw this very cute McDonald's commercial. Simple, catchy and funny. :)

QUICKIES

The coffee has just started its effect on me after our caffeine fix with Gasul and Khacai. I can't sleep and i can already see the stray of the first morning light on the eastern horizon.

Even though we already started  at around 1AM yet there were no reasons not to enjoy the company. It was an unplanned eyeball of four not-so-strangers and it was one of the best.

I hope to meet other bloggers again soon. :)

HOMEBOUND

It was a busy day but I managed to have a small talk with my officemate spending her last day in the office. I learned she's going home in the province for good and plans to work there.

"It was a tough decision. I have to weigh-in everything and have to give up lots of opportunities. I gave up a job waiting for me abroad and a high-paying job here in Manila," she told me when I asked what made her decide. "I just want to live the simple life unlike the very fast pace of metro leaving, I want to teach in a university in Bacolod and reunite with my family," she added.

I admire her courageousness – she gave up the opportunities here and to find out what's in store for her in the province.

On the other hand, this made me ponder on my plans. I asked myself if I should stick to the plan of going home once I have enough savings. I guess so. I guess not.

I'm pretty much sure that I will ask again myself with the same questions anytime soon.

THE HEAT IS ON!

therefore, i warmly welcome the summer season!

:-)

photo taken @ alona beach, panglao island, bohol.

DOMESTICATED

Pakiramdam ko masyado na akong domesticated sa mga nakaraang araw. Dahil sa paglipat ko sa bagong bahay, mas nae-enjoy ko na ang mamalagi na lang dito kaysa sa paglalabas o paggimik.

Kung wala ako sa office o sa gym, malamang nasa bahay lang ako. Madalas eh nagluluto ng breakfast, lunch at dinner. Nakakatuwang isipin na madami akong natutunang lutuin, pilit ko na din kasing iwasan ang fast food.

Yung pagiging obsessive compulsive ko eh bumalik na din. Ayoko ng makalat at maalikabok na bahay kaya walis dito, punas dun, dapat din laging malinis ang pinakaimportanteng parte ng bahay – banyo. Hehehe.

Anyway, di pa ako nakakapag-house warming. Balak ko sana pag may oras na at kung may budget na din. Lol! At syempre, hindi makukumpleto yun pag wala kayong dadalhing gamit. Heto nilista ko lang naman ang mga kulang pa sa bahay ko:

• Microwave oven
  
• 32" LCD TV
  
• Coffee maker
  
• Toaster
  
• Corner lamp
  
• Washing machine
• Comforter set
  

Di ko naman sinabing isang tao lang ang magbibigay ng mga yan, pwede kayong hati-hati. Bwahihihi!


Kthnxbye!

BACK IN THE GROOVE

This Q1 is more of a roller coaster ride. My work demanded more time than the usual but I am always happy for it.

There are also things that I have to be thankful for, things that I never imagined to achieve.

First, I already moved to a new condo near the office. I must say the place is nice and I felt at home from the time I stepped in here.

Next, the projects that lined up until Q3 are more exciting although I have a little chance of getting a business trip in here.

Third, I already received my first increase! Wooot!

And lastly, although it's not yet on my hand, a company somewhere in Eastwood is asking me to join them with of course twice (pero gusto ko thrice) of what I am receiving now plus more perks! At least I know now my market value. LOL! #yabangmuch. Sana nga kunin pa din nila ako.

Anyway, I hope you guys are enjoying the blessings you received these first few months of the year and sana tuloy-tuloy to hanggang matapos ang taon. J

in the next few days...

... i will be moving to a new home.

image source: http://www.asian-central.com/stuffasianpeoplelike/2008/07/23/83-not-moving-out/

MY EX, MY CONFIDANT...

Would it be so nice when your ex-girlfriend becomes your confidant?

We decided to separate ways 2 years ago when our future as a couple was blurring. Of course there were bitterness and lies and hurting and tears yet we didn't wallow much into that. We avoided running wallops into each other and embraced the reality of our new status.

We didn't have any communication after the breakup. I did not even have any news about her since I was not able to talk with her siblings.
Years came by. On one Saturday evening, I saw her in our favorite restaurant. We frequent that place since we both love their past. She's with another guy and I'm with my date.

We smiled and wave into each other, we even shared the table. Time heals all wounds as what they say.

Since then, we kept our communication open. I would text her and she would reply. She would call me and I answer. We also learned that we both went into turmoil of rebound relationships and left broken. 
There's no malice on what we are doing now. In fact, we became good friends, confidant to be exact.

Sometimes she would ask me questions on why we get separated then we will both laugh on the reasons. One time she would call me crying because she and her hubby had a fight. She would text me in the morning to ask on how I will celebrate this and that.

I ask her out, too, if she would like to have lunch or dinner. I would also inform her that I had another "flavor of the month" and she dumped me.

We are much enjoying what we have now. We've been more open to things that we cannot discuss when we were together.

I guess that's what life is – people come over to our lives, some will go, then some will come again with a different purpose.

LOCATION: CUSP

i always feel like i'm on a race aiming for the number 1 spot.

primera. segunda. quinta. faster than the speed of sound.

i shift gears in just a snap, i don't mind going in between.

i enjoyed the swift and feel like dancing in trance,

until i realized desolation kicked my ass.

i need to slow down.

i'll stay for now in the cusp.

LEZGOW!

I love traveling and one of the things I do when I go to foreign lands is what they can offer eve when I go on budget trips. Local delicacy is a must and their EXTREME adventures should be tried.

In the last few years, I like the feeling of popping my adrenaline rush to the sky. Here are the 2 videos which I took before taking the ride.

HK Ocean Park's The Abyss

Singapore's GMAX Extreme Bungee

Pero dahil sa medyo parang pambata pa ang mga nasa taas, I am planning to do this probably in the next couple of years at kapag nakaipon na. Hehehe.

Macau Tower Bungee Jump

Kuala Lumpur Base Jump

Lezgow! :)

MEET MY BABY

When I first saw her on the TV, I was one of worst critics. Sinabi ko pang mabilis lang sya malaos kasi puro sya ganda sa panlabas at wala sa panloob.

Pero tignan mo nga naman ang pagkakataon, I fell in love with her and loving her more and more everyday touching her. J

P.S.: High-maintenance GF pala sya, kelangang laging may damit para hindi sya magkapeklat at hongmohol ng accessories nya. Kaya ngayon, hubo't-hubad muna sya! Haha!


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Gimme A Break

Simula ata nung pumasok ako nung January eh natatameme na lang ako sa tapat ng computer ko. Kung magkakaroon lang ng competition ng staring game sa monitor eh nanalo na ako. Hindi ko kasi alam kung bakit anong nangyari sa ginawa kong development sa project ko, bigla na lang nagkawalaan at nagka-luko-luko ang programming nya. Hayan tuloy, napagalitan tuloy ako ng business.

Anyway, dahil Friday naman, babawi na lang ako sa pagtulog this weekend at kung meron pang party party ay mas masaya. Gusto ko tuloy umeskapo dito sa office mag TUGSH TUGSH TUGSH na lang sa beat ng Yeah 3X ni Chris Brown.

Happy weekend sa inyong lahat!

MENDIOLA BOY

Pauwi na ako galing sa bahay ng isang kaibigan para paunlakan ang kanyang paanyayang hapunan. Marahil sa madami na din akong iniisip at sa masamang pakiramdam ko, sumakay na lang ako ng jeep na byaheng Quiapo. Hindi ko na napansin kung saang ruta ito dadaan.

Nasa bandang LRT Pureza na kami nung nagtawag ng pasahero ang driver at sinisigaw ang Mendiola. Patay ako, mali ang nasakyan ko. Hindi ito dadaan sa Legarda kaya madodoble ang pamasahe ko o kung sipagin ako ay maglalakad ako ng malayo-layo.

Pero bigla na lang may maganda akong naisip. Marahil dahil sa hindi naman ako nagmamadaling umuwi ay pwede akong maglakad-lakad sa kalyeng pinamugaran ko din ng apat na taon para magsunog ng kilay.

Pagdating namin sa korner ng Mendiola at Aguila, bumaba na ako. Pinagmasdan ko ang mga pagbabago na dinulot ng panahon. Dumami na din ang mga mangangalakal sa bandang iyon. Resto, fast foods, banko at kung anu-ano pa.

Sa tinagal-tagal ko din sa lugar na iyon, naglipana ang mga memories nung ako ay isa pang Mendiola boy. Ito yung mga unang pagkakataong talagang tumatak sa aking isipan at humubog sa aking kamalayan.

Naranasan ko ng tumakbo na suot lang ang adult diaper para sa initiation rites. Isa itong seremonya para i-welcome kaming mga first year sa San Beda. Nakasulat pa sa likod ko nun ang aking cellphone number, baka sakaling may mag-text na taga-CEU o Holy Spirit o LaCo. Tsamba! Hehe.

Kung merong kantunan ang mga Intramuros-based universities, meron din kaming tinatawag na Hepa Lane sa may Mendiola Creek. Dito kami tumatambay pag bandang dapit-hapon para kumain ng kwek-kwek, beda burger, isaw at kung anu-anong tusok-tusok habang naamoy ang baho ng creek. Kebs na lang kahit naka-long sleeves and tie kami habang kumakain, pag paubos na ang baon, dun ang takbuhan naming madalas.

Meron ding sikat na kainan na tinatawag naming Haunted House. Sa halagang P15 eh solve na ang gutom – sabaw, kanin at tatlong pirasong pork adobo. Box office hit din dito ang kanilang calamares, mura kasi sya pero punong puno ng harina. Ginagawa na lang naming ay ulamin ang harina.

Sa Mendiola ko din unang nakakipag-lips to lips kay yosi. Nangyari ito pagkatapos ng exam ko sa law. Dahil sa sobrang stressful ang exam, pinasubok sa akin ng classmate ko para daw marelax ako. Ngayon, napapayosi na lang ako occasionally, ayoko naman kasing maging chain smoker ako.

Sa isang madilim na sulok ko din unang natikman ang sex.

Madami pa sana akong ikukwento kaso napahaba na ng husto. Alam ko naman kasing mag-i-skip read nanaman si Glentot at si Ahmer at si Jepoy. Ampf!

BACK TO WORK

Sabi ko sa previous post ko kung gaano ko ni-enjoy ang tatlong linggong bakasyon ko. Today, it's payback time, it's my first workday for this year and I already anticipated na magiging super busy ako.

I switched on my laptop, opened the outlook and all my other accounts except the social networking sites. I went to the pantry to get my daily dose of vitamin c – COFFEE!

And bang! Pagbalik ko sa desk ko after five minutes, I saw my unread emails na umabot ng 400+ at napuno na din ang mailbox so I expected na meron pang mga darating which was correct. Damn damn damn!

Kaya today, intolerable na ang stress level. Isama pa ang mga escalations at project issues… L

Sigh! Never will I do again extending my holiday break.


 Kthnksbye!

EXTENDED VACATION

dahil ni-extend ko ang holiday break ko ng tatlong araw (nabitin kasi ako halos tatlong linggo naming company shutdown) ay sinuper sulit ko na! kahapon, kasama ko ang aking mga fwends ay kinaladkad nila ako sa kanilang tour. heto ang ilan sa mga kuha ko. :)

 

breakfast @ rosewell

pristine view of the pagudpud shoreline

into the blue

the long and winding patapat viaduct

paraiso ni anton

the windmill farm replica

the cape bojeador

staircase to heaven

pagtanaw sa dapithapon (emo shot)

the pornstar (kayo na ang payat!)

There is one picture here taken from a camera phone. Kung sino ang unang makakahula, bibigyan ko ng windmill keychain at kung suswertehin ay yung mas malaking replica na nasa taas at kiss from the pornstar (ehem!).

"mini me" keychain

Kthanksbye!

4 YEARS AGO…

Disclaimer: 'Yung mga magagaling manlait, magbagong buhay na kayo!
*Haters-shield ON!*

…mukha pala akong adik.

Pinauwi kasi ng nanay ko yung pagkamahal-mahal naming yearbook. Oo, limang-libo ang pinaguusapan natin sa hardbound sh*t na papel de lihang ito. Kaya kaninang umaga, napagkatuwaan kong basahin ulit ang pagka-gondo-gondong write up sa akin:

"He is a good son and a friend whom we can always count on. Our first impression was that he was a very serious person, holding a pile of books all the time. But we soon found out that he's a full of life and compassion, and fun to be with. Gwapo pa!"

Kakaaliw lang! haha! Buhat banko much? #akonatalaga!

At siyempre, ikaw ba naman kasi ang mukhang anghel:

creative shot para yearbook namin! honggwopo talaga uy!

 Pero dahil hirap na akong i-juggle (parang bote lang) ang acads at extra curriculars nung fourth year ay bumaba ang aking pogi points. Tigyawat, eyebags, payatot, bad hair days bwakanang sh*t. Basta mukha talagang grumpy ampfota.

ito ang school org namin nun. mukha talaga akong adik ampf!

Ikaw ba naman kasi ang maghabol ng 1.75 na GPA? JOOOOKKKKEEEE! Bwahahahaha!

Kthanxbye!

a time to give back (a year-end post)

I was midway finishing my year-end post when I scrapped the whole idea. I realized that I don't have to list down all the reasons why I should be grateful this year. Instead, I want to thank my friends whom I owe a lot for sharing their blessings to the kids and for giving as well the so much effort to make this project a success. Saludo ako sa inyo!

In 2010, life has been tough to some. Nevertheless, they didn't forget to give back which I really appreciate a lot. I really don't know how to pay you back but I hope that as you see the smiles painted on the faces of these kids, this is enough to melt our hearts. 

I made a simple slideshow of the pictures taken during the event.

A Time to Give Back Project from Andy Dugay on Vimeo.

Happy New Year! May God bless us!

Thank you also to the following good samaritans who helped us organize the project: Serdna Tunac, Grace Torqueza, Paul Acupan, Clifford Dumlao, Ella Castro and to the teachers of DSWD Day Care Center in Adams, Ilocos Norte.