Holiday cheers...

Oh I miss writing! Before 2013 ends, I wanted to share some holiday cheers, how? - the way I know, a LIST! This time, let's list down the coolest things you can do during the holidays...

1. Another year of successes and disappointments has gone. Buy yourself a nice treat. Buy that thing you wish all year long to celebrate success. If this year has been very disappointing then, all the more - treat yourself to lighten up your spirit. You are not able to share or give happiness to anyone else if you aren't happy yourself. So be happy!


2. If you live in the city, go back to your hometown during the holidays. It will bring you close to your family. How wonderful it is to spend the holidays with your family. It will also bring you to  your roots. The holidays are those few times during the year that you can slow down a bit and look back. It will bring you nostalgia, great childhood memories, and embarrassing experiences. It keeps people grounded, to know where you came from. It will also take you where you're heading...


3. Prepare to shock everyone when you come back after the holidays. Got that long locks, shock your officemates with a pixie! Get  yourself a tattoo! Change your wardrobe! To keep yourself interesting and people interested in you, you have to change - hopefully for the better. Getting something changed for the new year also jumpstarts your new year. It gives you more confidence and that zest you never knew you have.

4. Sleep! Oh how I want this for myself =)   All year long, you struggle at work, in school or wherever. This is the best time to relax and recuperate. As you go back to work and school, you won't have time to rest again. Give yourself the best relaxation you could possibly have. You will be rejuvenated for another year's battle.


5. Learn something new. Tired of eating in fastfood chains, get yourself cooking! Want to startle people around you, learn that French or Japanese! Bored of your weekends spent in the malls, enroll yourself in a martial arts class. Drum lessons anyone?

6. Keep your records. List down your accomplishments for the year. You have to constantly remind yourself that you are on track with your dreams and goals. At the same token, you can track which ones you target for the coming year, or which areas you need improvement on. Some people create dream books but you don't have to go that extreme. Just keep track and keep it in your head...

7. Clean up! Clean up your mess literally and figuratively. Don't you want to open the new year with a clean slate? Tidy your stuff and yourself. Learn from the mistakes this year and unlearn the bad habits. Clear your mind with new goals and focus. Suit up and conquer the world!


8. Booze! Hey, these are the few times when you can drink and not worry about work tomorrow morning so get yourself ice cold beer. Whiskey? Merlot? Whatever it is that tickles your fancy, go ahead, indulge. Drink up!

and the coolest thing you could do during the holidays...

9. Move on! Another year is offer and the coming year has a lot to offer so move on and be prepared! Embrace the blessings and take on the challenge. Smile!

Para sa bayan kong Pilipinas

Ito ang kauna-unahan kong blog na isusulat ko sa Tagalog. Bakit nga ba hindi? Sa aking palagay, ang unang hakbang sa pagmamahal sa bayan ay ang paggamit sa sariling wika. Ito rin ang paniniwala ng ating pambansang bayani, si Jose Rizal. Ang pagsasalita ng Ingles ay hindi basehan ng katalinuhan. Lahat tayo ay may tungkulin at pananagutan sa bayan. Walang maliit or malaking trabaho - lahat tayo ay pantay pantay ang tungkulin sa bayan. Ang mga doktor ay may tungkulin magpagaling ng may sakit, hindi mas mataas kundi kapantay ng tungkulin ng mga magsasaka na magtanim at mag-ani ng bigas at ibang pananim na makakain ng bayan. Ang mga abogado ay may tungkuling ipagtanggol ang naaapi at pairalin ang katarungan, hindi mas mataas kundi kapantay ng tungkulin ng mga tsuper na dalhin ang mga mamamayan ng ligtas sa kanilang paroroonan. Kung hindi gagawin ng isa sa atin ang kanilang tungkulin ng tama, hindi magtatagumpay ang ating bayan. Kung patuloy tayong pupunta at maninirahan sa ibang bansa, sino ang makikinabang sa ating pinag-aralan at angking talento? Hindi ko hinuhusgahan ang mga taong umaalis ng bansa. Kapag pamilya ang pinag-usapan, maiisang tabi ang bayan, at susuungin ang kahit ano para sa mas ikabubuti ng pamilya. Marami rin akong kakilala na nangingibang bayan pero buhay na buhay ay pagiging Pilipino at meron din namang mga taong nananatili dito sa ating bansa ngunit walang ginawa kundi magreklamo, magsawalang kibo, at manlamang.

Napunta tayo sa nanlalamang - mahiya naman po tayo sa mga kapos palad na kabataang naglalakad ng 5 oras makapag-aral lamang na ang dadatnan na paaralan ay wala man lang aklat. Hindi po ba sa kanila nakalaan ang buwis na ating binabayaran? Mahiya naman po tayo sa mga tsuper na pagod ang katawan araw araw may kaunting salapi lamang na mauwi sa kanilang pamilya dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina. Mahiya naman po tayo sa mga guro na tumatawid ng bundok at inilalagay sa panganib ang buhay magawa lang ang kanilang sinumpaang propesyon. Hindi po ba kailangang sila ang taasan ng sweldo dahil ang kinabukasan ng kabataan ay nakasalalay sa kanilang pagtuturo? Mahiya naman po tayo sa mga batang lansangan na hindi marating ng tulong dahil napapagbintangang ginagamit lang ng mga magulang. Ito ba'y kanilang kasalanan? Hindi sa aking palagay. Mahiya naman po tayo sa mga may kapansanan na patuloy pa ding nagmamasahe at kung ano ano pa para maging kapaki pakinabang sa lipunan. Hindi po ba bahagi ng ating buwis ay dapat nakalaan sa pagpapaunlad ng ating mga pagamutan at programang pangkalusugan?

Ang problema ng Pilipinas ay masalimuot na, hindi mo na malaman kung saan nag-umpisa at  nag sanga sanga. Ngunit kahit anong problema ay may solusyon basta lahat ay gagawin ang kanyang tungkulin. Sa mga manggagawa, sulitin po natin ang ibinabayad sa atin ng ating mga kumpanya. Sa mga propesyonal, gawin po natin ng tama ang ating sinumpaang bokasyon. Sa mga kumandidato at "nangako" ng paglilingkod sa bayan, MAGLINGKOD tayo ng tapat sa bayan at sa lahat ng mamamayan, mahalin natin ang ating bayan. Tayo'y makialam. Huwag tayong umasa sa kung ano ang magagawa ng ating pamahalaan. Ipagmalaki natin at gawin itong karapat dapat ipagmalaki. Atin itong bayan, ating tahanan. Mahalin natin ang ating tahanan.

Ilang EDSA ba ang ating kailangan? Sa aking palagay, kahit ilang EDSA ang pagsama samahan natin, walang magbabago kung ang diwang Pilipino ay hindi magbabago. Aralin nating wag magreklamo kundi gumawa ng paraan. Aralin nating wag matakot sa panganib na dala ng pagsangga sa kasamaan. Hindi magwawagi ang kasamaan kung ito'y ating lalabanan. Aralin nating paghirapan ang lahat at huwag manlamang. Aralin nating makuntento sa kung anong meron tayo at pagyamanin ito. Aralin nating huwag mainggit sa iba at paghusayan ang ating bawat hakbang. Aralin nating mahalin ang ating bayan at huwag ikahiya. Tandaan nating tayong mga mamamayan ang sumisira sa ating bayan hindi ang ating bayan. Aralin nating maging Pilipino - mas mabuting Pilipino...

Corporate Chronicles: Filipino workers here and abroad

Since it's labor day in the Philippines, I am inspired to write about Filipinos and our work ethics. Filipinos have a trademark in the workplace. Some say we are hardworking, and surely we are. I know of foreign employers attesting that Filipinos will break their backs just to deliver their work. Some Filipinos even have 3 or 4 different jobs, especially those who are working overseas. Yes, we are hardworking because we are driven. Filipinos are driven by family obligations and big dreams. This is also the reason why a lot of Filipinos go abroad - they want to make it big and them working abroad meant bigger paychecks. And because these Filipinos are 'not in their motherland' they really prove themselves worthy of the jobs they have. Filipinos also work hard to save up and go home to the Philippines. The money they saved for months or even years will be gone in a few days - relatives visiting the 'balikbayan' to experience Christmas gift giving on odd days of the year. Filipinos in the Philippines think that Filipinos working abroad are earning big bucks for nothing. We don't know if they're really breaking their backs to earn and all we do is line up and get a share of their hard earned money. Isn't it just ironic that while foreigners appreciate all the hard work of Filipinos, people in the Philippines think they earn with just a snap of a finger.

In the Philippines, it may not be perfectly the same. Filipino workers in the Philippines work hard too - from Mondays through Thursdays. Fridays usually meant longer breaks and free-er calendars. It also meant beer and hang out after work. It's a reward for a full week of hard work. I think it makes us (Filipinos working in the Philippines) happier as a worker. We keep it balanced. We are better energized for another week (well, for most haha). I wish Filipinos here in the Philippines would instill the values of hard work of Filipinos working abroad. Perhaps, we can have a better economy and perhaps, Filipinos won't have to leave anymore. It's not in the government people, it's in our hands. We are the economy. We can make or break it. At the same token, I wish Filipinos working abroad will be recognized for their work ethics and merely for their "hard work." We are not slaves and we don't have to prove ourselves merely because we are working outside our country.

I am patriotic. I had a chance to work abroad but I had to go home. But I don't blame anyone who leave the country for better opportunities. We all have reasons. But one thing's for sure, Filipinos wherever in the world are truly valuable to companies. We are your partners in success. And as a Filipino movie famously stated, "we love our jobs!"

Resto options

I love coffee and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is a favorite. Moving to a new office building was more exciting because Coffee Bean is just downstairs! So I made my first trip to the coffee shop a month ago. I ordered my favorite spicy tuna linguine only to be surprised that it wasn't on the menu! So I asked the crew why.  According to her, that specific branch is the very first Coffee Bean bistro franchise. It is the higher end franchise and thus, has a completely different menu. Although they maintained the coffee menu of course. The ambiance is homey. The branch is quite spacious topped with its high ceiling.

I have a big appetite so I don't normally order salad for lunch since it won't last me through the afternoon haha. However, in this Coffee Bean branch, I was forced to order garden salad (more like Caesar salad) with grilled chicken. It was tasty! I really enjoyed it, surprisingly. It has a good amount too so it served my big appetite. The branch also offers a different array of pasta favorites. Prices average Php 350. You can give it a try. It's in Net Lima Building at 5th Avenue cor 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

From Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, you just have to make a turn (or two) then there's another posh restaurant, Da U De. I find it's white facade and interior really posh. It's very neat and spacious looking, considering they don't occupy a large space. That black couch - oh, I want to take it home! haha. The picture on the right shows you the little space they have but the layout was made to fit people without giving them discomfort. There are also tables outside so if you want "fresh air" you can try their outdoor tables.

Da U De's food selection is cool. The menu is not entirely unique but their version of various viands are. I ordered fried tawilis. I'm not a food expert so I can't really tell what ingredients are there on my plate but it's just delectable. Tawilis is a small fish and is only available in Taal Lake. You can't find it just anywhere. My iced tea is great but I really took the time to have a picture because of the cute straw. It's made of carton but it didn't taste like one. My friend ordered sisig and she has nothing but praises. She's a tough one so I can vouch that it's really good. The prices average Php 300. Da U De is also located at Net Lima's ground floor. Check it out if you have time.

 

the Summer playlist

It's been awhile since I last wrote. Been swamped with a lot of things... So, I don't know how many people in the world are currently lucky or unlucky to be experiencing summer. In the Philippines, you can barely brave the sun. It's soooo hot! So I thought we should all chill, relax, and think of cool... And since I love lists.   Allow me to share my "cool" playlist...

- Kokomo by the Beach Boys

The singers is just so fit for summer, don't you all think? "Beach boys" That's where we all want to spend days as hot as this.Yes, there's a place called Kokomo - the song says. "Bodies in the sand, tropical drink melting in your hand, we'll be falling in love, to the rhythm of a steel drum band, down in Kokomo." And these are just lyrics. You've got to hear it - trust me it's cool.

- Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams

Alright, this song isn't hard rock. It isn't cool and easy either so why is it on the playlist? Because it says "summer." hahaha kidding aside, it's a great song - it makes everyone think of the best days of their lives. For Bryan, it's the summer of '69. "Oh when I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever, and if I had the choice, yeah I'd always want to be there, those were the best days of my life."

- Santeria by Sublime

Hey, this song is just way too cool not to be in this playlist. It has funk. It has a little (well, a lot) of angst but the melody is just so LSS-worthy and so fun to sing along with. Whenever I hear this song, I just want to lie down in the sand and grab a margarita or even a simple ice-cold beer!

- Entire 50 First Dates soundtrack

This movie is cool and its soundtrack - even cooler! It has loads of reggae and reggae-inspired music. I don't know about you guys but anything reggae is effortlessly cool. Thank you Bob Marley!

- Anything Bob Marley (see preceding entry for the explanation)




- Beer by Itchyworms

Apologies to non-Tagalog/Filipino readers. Itchyworms is a Filipino band and Beer is written in Tagalog. It talks about heartache - a lover left alone. Towards the end of the chorus, the singer asks "What do I really like better? This beer or your love?" Well, whatever you're going through in life during summer time, it's just great to have an ice cold beer!!!

- Swimming Beach by Parokya ni Edgar

Again apologies to the non-Tagalog/Filipino readers. Parokya ni Edgar is another Filipino band and Swimming beach is also written in Tagalog. It talks about... well - swimming and beach. Perfect for hot summer!

- Overdrive by Eraserheads

Eraserheads is dubbed as the "Beatles" of the Philippines. And "overdrive" talks about long drive which is great to do during summer or vacation breaks. If you listen to the song, you'll be acquainted with various places in the Philippines. It's the perfect summer anthem.