Lonely Pinoy

Plan B

2010-10-08T10:38:00.002+08:00

I’ve been asking some of my colleagues if my company would allow me to go on unpaid leave for a year and so far I got bad responses. This ain’t right, since it is unpaid, though I get the risk of being replaced by somebody and I myself would be on floating status. Worse, the company would allow me to go on with my leave with my last paycheck. Frankly, there’s a part of me saying that I should risk everything to find happiness. On the other hand, I can also go with the allowed 6 days of block leave but not to South America anymore. It gives me like 21 days of vacation since I only work three days in a week. Twenty-one days for a journey to find myself and what life has to offer, into Tibet and Nepal.

Gap Year?

2010-10-07T23:57:00.002+08:00

I've been thinking of going on a Gap Year since 2007 and until now it hasn't materialize. The first thing that comes to my mind is South America. There are a handful of countries that I can visit without the need to apply for a visa, Brazil in particular. I actually have plans of going to the east coast (NY and DC) later this year but the travel bug has been biting me all over again and now I've been thinking of going on a backpacking trip to South America.

I'm tired of the rat race and I believe that I really need to do this to find myself.

Rainy Days

2010-10-07T08:04:00.000+08:00

Good morning guys. It was a rainy morning when I went to work today. I had to go out of my usual way just to get to my office. It reminded me of the things that I’ve been going through lately. That life has a lot of ups and downs, but sometimes we have to go around it, perhaps to avoid getting wet or worse being soaked. Life always has its way of getting us into a lot of trouble and problems but no matter how hard where we are into right now, we have to keep our composure and faith, and of course to keep swallowing the bitter pill called life.

Que Pasa?

2010-10-06T10:32:00.002+08:00

I missed writing and updating my blog. I've been busy with my life for the last four years. First and foremost, I moved from my previous job with Aviva to one of the local banks here in Singapore and almost three years after, moved to another bank, hopefully it'll be for good.

Well, I started to gain weight in early 2007 so I began hitting the gym and I was able to trim myself down again, to the point of being underweight, plus some stretch marks on my lower back. I also got hitched in October 2008 and I spent time traveling back and forth to the Philippines to visit my friends and family in 2007 and 2008.

I was also in the US from May-June 2010 to celebrate my big "three-oh" in Las Vegas. I will be sparing you guys from reading, just wanted to keep you updated on more or less what happened to me in the last four years that I was gone.

I'm Back!

2010-10-05T10:10:00.005+08:00

It's been four years and five days since I last posted on this blog. A lot has changed and I'll be creating a separate entry for the changes that I've made in my life. Right now, I have more time to keep everybody updated on what's happening to me. Thanks for reading!

Stucked - Suratthani , Thailand (09/25/2006)

2006-09-30T17:33:00.000+08:00

It was 1:15 PM and I found myself inside a public bus going to Phuket town proper hoping that I'll be able to catch a van to Suratthani and from there, I'll catch an overnight train to Bangkok.

The bus was slow, I had regrets of not taking a van from Patong that goes all the way up to Bangkok, but I've wanted to emphasize budget travelling, hence I took the public transport which was really slow. I arrived the town proper at around 2:00PM and I flagged a motorbike that took me to the travel agent which I had a van reservation with. I was late, as expected, and the next van will be leaving an hour later so I chilled out for a while, sipping some cola on a local restaurant while killing some time. The van left at exactly 3:00 in the afternoon and it only took 4 hours to reach the town of Suratthani. I got off on a shopping mall that have hired motorbikes so I asked one of them to take me to the train station. "Sahtahnee Rotfai", as I mumbled these words, the motorbike driver told me that he had to charge me 120 Bahts, contrary to the amount that I was expecting. I didn't bother to argue since I was in a hurry and off we went to the railway station.

Drizzling as it was, I was clinging on the shoulders of the motorbike driver as he literally zoomed past cars, other motorbikes and traffic lights. Probably he noticed that I was on a hurry. The train was scheduled to leave at around 8:45PM but the ticket agent told me that the train will be delayed indefinitely due to the muddy tracks. I haven't had a complete meal that day so I checked out some stores that sells chicken barbecue on stick and some sticky rice on banana leaves. It was great experience, eating like a local and the food was filling.

The train arrived 2 hours behind schedule, when I was using the restroom, without my knowledge. I can't blame anybody except myself for not being conscious of what happened. For a few minutes that I used to answer the call of nature, I had to spend the night in this small town of Thailand. I tried to talk to the station assistant manager and luckily, he ordered the ticket agent to refund my payment. I made another reservation, this time for the first train the following day which will be leaving at 10:40AM going to Bangkok. The man at the agent was also kind enough to tell me about the cheap inns near the train station.

Queen Hotel, as it is named, was very far for the royalty, even the subjects won't agree to it's name. The TV only had three channels, all of them in Thai, and the bed was damn hard. I felt the springs of the matress on the other side of the bed, probably the side which was used more often. The worst part is the toilet, though it has water, you can see the brown sediments on the toilet bowl, probably not being cleaned for a few months. I really wanted to advice the reception counter staff to use muriatic acid in cleaning their tiles, sinks and other porcelains but I didn't bother anymore since I'll only be staying with them for the night.

The Beach - Koh Phi Phi, Thailand (09/24/2006)

2006-09-25T12:37:00.000+08:00

The van which was suppose to take me to the port of the main town Phuket was a few minutes late. It was already 7:00AM and the clouds were dark. I was thinking of cancelling my trip because I know that I'll just be disappointed.

A van later on pulled up in front of the place where I am staying, and without hesitation, I opened up the door and tried to get inside. The driver asked for my receipt and he told me that they were to pickup another person not me. Much to my embarrassment, I quickly had to go out and I know that I turned red when I did that because all the people were looking at me. They thought that I am a Thai and thought I will communicate to the driver in Thai. Then another van pulled up and this time I was right. I was the last one to be picked up and we headed to Phuket Town.

The port was packed of tourists and locals alike when I arrived and there were two speedboatds that were docked side by side. I managed to get a good seat since I am one of the first who boarded. I've decided to just place my things on my seat then enjoy the view outside. As soon as we left the port, the Sun was already shining, much to my relief.

I sat on the bow(front) part of the ferry, along with some other tourists. The inhabited islands that we passed by were really fascinating. There are natural mangroves that spans hundreds or even thousands of kilometers along the coast lines. It was an amazing experience that I was still able to see a natural habitat of fishes. A few minutes had passed and the ferry stopped at Loh Phi Phi Ley, one of the two islands in Koh Phi Phi, the other being Koh Phi Phi Don. Thailand has classified Koh Phi Phi Ley as a Marine National Park, giving it a protected status which prohibits staying in the island. The government only allowed day tours and snorkelling, which we did. Aboard the ferry, there was a commotion at the back, then when I checked it out, the tourists were grabbing masks, fins and life jackets. I told myself that these Western tourists are ignorants. They can't wait for their turn. How mean I was, coming from a tropical country, I was already used to this setting, the sun, sand and the sea, heheh. I casually lined up and got my own set of snorkel gear.

The water was lukewarm, and the fishes were swimming everywhere. I was able to swim and look at them closely. It was a really marvelous experience to see these fishes' different colors under the sun and the clear waters.

On the way to Koh Phi Phi Don, we passed by Maya Bay and we were not able to go to the exact place where the movie, The Beach was filmed. The tour guide told us that they only allow smaller boats to visit Maya Bay, much to my disappoitment. From there, we headed to Koh Phi Phi Don where a buffet lunch was waiting for us, beyond my knowledge that it was included with what we paid for. The tour alone was already worth every penny of what I paid for. This is the part of Koh Phi Phi which is habited by the locals. Everything was there, from tours to souvenir shops, to restaurants. Now I know where will I stay next time, and from there, I can easily go to Maya Bay by renting a small outrigger boat for a few hundred Bahts. I can't believe myself that this place was devasted by a tsunami in December of 2004, but nature has it's own way of rebuilding itself, rapidly, that it was still able to maintain its beauty like nothing has happened.

It was a tiring but fulfilling day. I was asleep on the ferry, on it's way back to the port of Phuket town. Then from there, there was a van waiting for me that shuttled me back to my place.

Let There Be Water - Phuket, Thailand (09/23/2006)

2006-09-25T12:15:00.000+08:00

Waking up with a slight hangover from the previous night's session, I had to go straight to a local coffee shop to give myself some kick in. When will I ever learn of not drinking too much?

Oh well, there's not much to do for this day since the weather was not cooperating with me. I just paid for my scheduled Phi Phi Island tour, hoping it will be a sunny day tomorrow. I kept on walking through the market after I went to the travel agency. It was filled with everything, from linen clothes, batik clothes, fake signature bags , to accessories made of shell and assorted dvds. I am sure that my friends will enjoy shopping here come February because there a lot of things to buy. For now, I have to enjoy the island myself. I've expected that the weather will not be that good compared to when I first went here last April which is summer here in Southeast Asia.

I just killed my time browsing the web, and I was able to read that there are a lot of scams involved when you try to cross Laos from Nong Khai, Thailand. I already expected that I'll be in for a ride, much similar to the one that I've experienced in Cambodia. Maybe I just want to prepare myself, or at least try to.

I had to sleep early so I won't miss the van that will take me to the port of Phuket Town, 15 kilometers from Patong Beach.

Junkie - Phuket, Thailand (09/22/2006)

2006-09-23T13:22:00.000+08:00

I had my first complete sleep in weeks.

I started my day by having a breakfast at Starbucks. A brewed coffee will surely make your day right. Then I had to look for a money changer, where I had to change some US Dollars to Thai Bahts. The best exchange rate that I saw was 37.14 Bahts per US Dollar.

I was still figuring out how will I arrange the leg from Vientiane to Hanoi and what are the best cities to stop by. Patong beach is full of people, from weekend travellers, to backpackers, to family and corporate gatherings. It is a place to be, but not yet the place to be. I've decided that whatever it takes, I will be going to Maya Bay, in Phi Phi Island, or as the locals call Kho Phi Phi. I also checked the nearby beaches, like Surin Beach which is about 20 kilometers from Patong Beach and it was a dead place, so I've decided to just go back to my room and rest for a while. It's good that there are motorbikes that you can rent or ask someone to drive you around for a fee. At first, I was thinking of hiring a left-hand drive 4WD Suzuki Samurai but I forgot that my driver's license was expired already so I had to scrap the idea. I just went to my room and just had some shots of Bacardi with Coke before passing out for the afternoon.

It was already 7:00PM when I heard my tummy. I ate at a local street-side Thai noodle stall. I had a pork, beef and seafood mixed noodle, for 40 Bahts. The food was amazing, and just as expected, they thought I am a Thai when I said, Kip Tan Krap. It was obvious that I cannot understand the waitress who took my order when she told me the amount of the food that I ate in Thai.

Then came the moment that I've been waiting for, booze time. I thought I had enough, but hell no. I started my second session at around 8:00PM. I went to Banana Disco, it's the hippest club in Patong, as far as I'm concerned. But it is less compared to the clubs that I've been in Manila. I paid 200 Bahts for the entrance and it included two consumable drinks. I had two bottles of Bacardi Breezer Lemon for a change. It's good, and it didn't have the bitter after-taste.

It's still early and the place was already packed with foreigners and locals. I notice that some are the elite and the others are the elite-wannabe, just like me, hehehe. I've noticed two drunk caucasian chicks, probably Australians, checking me out and there's this group of white guys, probably Australians too, checking the two ladies. I heard that they were talking about rugby, and most probably they are rugby players because of their built. I had to find a way out before they'll gang up on me because of envy, hehe.

I didn't notice the time and it was already 10:00PM when I went to another bar called, Tiger Disco. I had to shell out another 200 Bahts for the entrance, for being a foreigner. This policy really sucks and I hate it. This time I had two bottles of Heineken beer.

Sinking In - Phuket, Thailand (09/21/2006)

2006-09-22T13:16:00.001+08:00

This holiday has been one for the books. I've prepared for this holiday since April of this year. My original schedule to go through Eastern Asia was suppose to be last August. First, I've gone through the application of Chinese visa then I had to go through the process of beating the others in securing a cheap flight from and to Singapore on the dates that I had previously planned. Lo and behold, one of officemates left us and I had no choice but to reschedule everything, first and foremost, my plane tickets. Then, my visa will be lapsed by the time I move my holiday to another date, so I had to apply for another.

On the other hand, it gave me more time to save up for some more booze.

I arrived the island of Phuket at around 9:00AM Thai Standard time (GMT +0700) on board Tiger Airways flight TR152. I had the privilege of buying something from duty free that's why I bought a Bacardi Rum for S$21. During the whole flight, I was just listening to the mp3s that I have loaded on my mp3 player, thanks to my friends who lent me hundreds of mp3s that I was able to choose a lot from them. No, I am not for piracy, and it's only for personal use, not for distribution. I knew that this little piece of technology will be helpful, especially if you're travelling by yourself.

I checked myself at Bangla House, the same place I stayed during my first visit last April. There's not much change since the last time, only a few more and a few less girly bars around. There's also the familiar sight of am old farang(white Caucasian guy) holding the hands of a local Thai lady. The Thai government has done little to address this problem of prostitution. But, this is to remind everybody that it is ILLEGAL here, contrary to what others are thinking.

Anyway, I had to sink myself first to this place. The neon lights, the loud music and the booze. I had dinner at an Italian restaurant. It's a good place to chill the night out away. There were only a few customers and the food was great. I had a beef pasta on tomato sauce. It also gave me the chance to use my Thai phrasebook and the waitress smiled at me when I was trying to speak the local language while I was trying to make an order. It never failed for my case to be recognized as Thai. That was why I was able to learn the word kon dahn chaht meaning foreigner. And in return, they will just shake their heads.

I had to call it a day at around 10:00PM eventhough I've wanted to take some booze.

First Year

2006-09-13T00:00:00.000+08:00

Oh time has passed by so fast that I didn't realize that I've been working in this shit for a year now. As I celebrate my first year of working overseas, I am doing an overtime because I had to finish some paperwork. Ironic, isn't it?

As I write this blog, I miss the joys of being home, that was why I am looking forward to going home to my country, or as the Singaporeans will say, going back.

On the bright note, I only have a year left with my contract. I am glad that I was able to last this long with my current job because to be frank, it's an overworked job. As early as now, I am looking for a company that will take me in, hopefully in the US. I've been chasin' this American Dream since I was young and I know that sooner or later, I'll be able to reach it. For now, what I can do is save up and backpack anywhere my itchy feet will take me.

Absolut Day

2006-07-28T20:59:00.000+08:00

It was a really an Absolut Day for me.

I had a hard time waking up from the previous night's session with my housemates. Of course, who say that I'll back down, and boy I was glad that I held my ground. There were three of us, and we were able to finish one bottle of Absolut Raspberry Vodka.

I can't remember what came to me that I had to setup the session and had to influence them to join me. All I can remember is that I miss everything back home. The sun, the sand, the sea, the food, the night outs, everything..

I was about to call in sick but I told myself that I can do it, so there I was. Still burping, and I can still smell the alcohol on my pee. I am not sure if something's wrong with my liver but I guess that as early as now, I should be taking care of this. I should ask my sister to bring me some LiverAide, hoping it will flush the extra waste that's left inside. Oh well.

Sometimes, I ask myself if I have an alcohol problem, which makes it difficult for me to stop once I have started. Or maybe I only have the mentality to drink as long as I can and I don't back down. I guess I should include seeking some professional help on my to-do list once I go home this December. For now, I'll just make the most out of it. Hehehe..

And The Shitness Was Complete...

2006-07-19T13:45:00.000+08:00

My boss asked me to cancel my leave, which was originally scheduled from August 4 to August 17. One of my officemates resigned, leaving us with a shortage of manpower at the office. In my opinion, it won’t be a good idea to insist, so I gave in.

We had to wait for a new guy to replace my officemate who will be leaving soon. It will take a few more weeks to teach him and let him work independently.

The first thing in my mind was to move my ticket, to a later date, probably to the third week of September. Then, I have to submit another leave form for their records. Last, will be to reapply for a new visa to China. It will cost me a lot, moving to a different date, I almost gave up with this holiday, but hell no!

Cool Change - Genting Highlands, Malaysia (07/15 - 07/16/2006)

2006-07-19T04:44:00.000+08:00

Day 1 – 07/15/2006

It was almost 4:00PM and I was worried one Friday afternoon that my officemates won’t show up. In a company full of bullshits, you should always expect the unexpected, or a least be prepared to accept it, no matter what happens. And I was wrong. So did my hunch that this holiday won’t be pushing through.

I’ve planned on going to this weekend getaway a few days ago, hoping to escape my very stressful environment. I had to make a lame excuse from my beloved housemates that I had to pass up the house warming of a friend. Oh well, I am usually with them every weekends and this will be a change, or should I say an escape from the usual routine weekend. I had to book the coach ticket two days in advance so as not to disappoint my newfound travel buddy, Leslie. We’ve been acquaintances for 8 years, and the last time I met her was during the debut of our common friend back in ‘98. We were still in college then. I had the opportunity to dance this lovely lady and since then, I haven’t seen her until now. I was surprised to learn that she already fulfilled her dreams of being an Architect and is now working in one of the companies here in Singapore.

We’ve decided to meet up in the evening because she had to beat some deadlines. Who said being an Architect is easy? We grabbed some burgers from MOS Burgers before going to Golden Mile Complex where we had to catch our 11:00PM bus to Kuala Lumpur. We were lucky that we were able to exchange some of our money to Malaysian Ringgit. It was already past 11:00PM when we boarded. It really lived up to our expectations since each passenger had his own LCD screen where you can either play a video game, watch a movie or both, which is what I did. I was just disappointed that my earphones didn’t work. I also noticed that they didn’t give away blankets that will keep the passengers warm plus the complimentary bottled mineral water.

Going through the Singapore and Malaysia immigration counters were a breeze. Then we had to sleep the rest of the drive to Kuala Lumpur.

It was already 5:00AM when we arrived Puduraya Bus Terminal and the first thing that we did was to drop by the usual McDonald’s for breakfast because we were starving already. Then we had to look for the Green Hut Lodge, a backpackers’ hostel in Bukit Bintang. It took us a while to find it since their signage was small that we didn’t know we passed by the place already. We’ve decided to check in our bags and rest for a while. The place was nice and clean, but the BetelBox Hostel is better. We loosened our load and I was able to take an hour nap.

We were already at KL Sentral station by 9:00AM to buy the weekend outdoor park package. I had a bad experience before when buying tickets so I told Leslie that it will be better if we’ll buy tickets in advance. She said she wanted to experience the train ride and so we bought tickets for the choo choo departing for Singapore the day after.

Sitting atop the hills and rugged terrain, was a theme park with such beauty good for weekend getaways. Complete with magnificent views and overlooking the capital. I can say that it’s a city within a city, maybe patterned with other theme parks, complete with its own hotels and a casino. I was delighted by my travel buddy’s silent oohhs and aahhs of the sights even if she didn’t tell me. And there we were, Genting Highlands by 11:00AM. We had to make the most out of the amount that we paid because we had to return by 6:00PM back to Kuala Lumpur. We first tried the Twister. Then we tried the Space Shot, a circular pedestal that have 12 seats which rises up to 20 storeys high then from the top, it suddenly drops down then suddenly stops. This is not good for the faint-hearted, and you really have to buckle up because it is so fast that you’ll be literally left by your seat on the way down. I’ve never been this scared until then. It took us 20 minutes to stand in the line and it was really worth it. I am lucky that I didn’t pee on my pants.

We had lunch at Flavors, one of the better restaurants and I can say that their food was good enough. I had rice, topped with salted fish and chicken while Leslie had honey-dipped chicken wings. I told her that whenever we go to KL, it will be more of a food trip, she agreed.

We then went to this booth called, Sky Venture. I vividly remember that she has this thing for planes, flights and heights. And so she didn’t hesitate when I told her that she may try it for the experience of a lifetime. It is a simulated sky dive, more popular in countries like Australia and New Zealand. How did I know? I’ve seen a travel documentary made by those Aussies and described the sport the nearest to flying. Leslie paid 36 Ringgits since we have a day outdoor-park pass and extra 18 Ringgits for the staff to capture the video on Compact Disc format. A few minutes had passed and there she was, inside the flight tube, clad in a familiar green jumpsuit used by the Air Force.

She flew, and defied gravity. And she said the trip was really worth it because of Sky Venture, while bragging her flight certificate for flying no less than 193km/hour.

Time passed by so fast that we didn’t notice it was already late afternoon, so we’ve decided to line up for the last one, the Fun Kart. They were using a single-speed kart designed for fun, not for the adrenaline rush, hence Fun Kart. I missed driving so bad that I was desperate. The last time that I was able to drive was when I delivered Rusty to his new owner somewhere in Quezon City. Since then, I didn’t dare to sit behind a wheel since all the cars to the places that I go to are all right-hand driven, and now, my driver’s license is also expired. Anyway, back to the karts, it was like driving with an automatic transmission, wherein you just shift on a single gear and hope that the driver behind you will have a problem with his clutch.

Then it was time for us to go back to Kuala Lumpur. We’ve decided to freshen up first before grabbing some booze at a 24-hour resto. We exchanged notes then called it a day.

Day 2 – 07/16/2006

I heard somebody fart, and it was really enough to wake me up. It is actually better than the alarm of my phone. Our day started by having some breakfast at KFC after that close encounter. We had spicy chicken quesadillas(sliced spicy chicken wrapped in cooked pita bread with onions and lotsa cheese), chicken nuggets and crispy fries. I didn't bother to Leslie to tell what happened earlier because I know anybody will lose their appetite. Then, we had to prepare so we can attend the Sunday Mass with my friend, Pete. I’ve noticed that Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur is quite large; maybe it’s because of the proximity of Malaysia from the Philippines.

Of course a trip to KL won’t be complete without stopping by A&W. They changed the way rootbeer should be enjoyed. So, after the mass, we had to walk for a few meters just to reach the place. And boy, it was really worth it. As soon as we get there, my eyes looked at the overhead menu and there it was, A&W Rootbeer float. I grabbed a cheeseburger meal and so did my friends.

I had to catch up with Pete, since it has been a month since we last saw each other. That was when he went to visit us the week between a friend’s birthday and mine. We ended up finishing the lone bottle of Absolut Vodka Mandarin at the house where I am currently staying.

Anyway, we had to move very soon so as to catch the 2:15PM train back o Singapore. It was already 1:45PM when we arrived KL Sentral station, and I told Leslie that I’ll be exchanging my few Singapore Dollars to Malaysian Ringgits so we can buy some goodies that they sell aboard the train. She went on to buy some munchies for her friends back home and a shirt for her guy bestfriend. It was time to go when I came back, and I told Pete that I’ll be catching up with him really soon. Then he walked us to the departure hall and shook my hand.

At the boarding ramp, we found ourselves looking for coach L. It’s a good thing that we were able to find it easily or else we could have ended up running after the train, much like in the movies.

A few minutes after the train left KL Sentral station, I asked my travel buddy if she wanted to check out what are they serving at the cafeteria car. She couldn’t believe with what I’ve said and we had to walk a few cars behind until she saw the cafeteria car with her own eyes. She was fascinated and she added that staying in the cafeteria car would be a better idea. She took some pictures and after a while, we went back to our car so the ticket inspector won’t miss us.

We had to endure a 9-hour bumpy train ride back to Singapore but it was really worth it.

Shit Happens

2006-07-05T02:15:00.000+08:00

I've been preparing for another holiday for the last 2 months. The travel bug has bitten me again so I indulged. As early as May, I've already laid out my plan to "continue" my road trip, this time from Phuket all the way to Macau. I had to apply my Chinese Visa in advance aside from the tickets that I have already purchased, well, because of the promo that Tiger Airways was offering when I bought it. Of course, I grabbed a trusty guidebook from Borders, Lonely Planet Hongkong and Macau, which contains information, conversational phrases and maps.

Then tragedy struck, one of my officemates resigned from our office, thus affecting my schedule because we had to wait for his replacement. Our boss said that looking for a new dog will take around 2-3 weeks then a month more to teach him new tricks.

Damn! Until now, my boss hasn't signed my leave application form yet. I have to use my annual leave or else it will be forfeited by September, my first year with my job.

The United States Navy in the lives of Filipinos

2006-06-20T23:48:00.000+08:00

(An article by Mr. Ramon Farolan published in Philippine Daily Inquirer, 20 July 2003)

PERHAPS more than any American institution which has touched the lives of many people, none has had a greater impact on our countrymen both economically and socially, than the United States Navy. According to an article "Filipino American Lives" by Yen Le Espiritu, Temple University Press, Philadelphia, the US Navy began actively recruiting Filipinos as stewards and mess boys as early as 1898. In 1901, President William McKinley issued General Order No. 40 allowing the US Navy to recruit up to 500 Filipinos for the Naval Insular Force. By World War I, there were some 6,000 Pinoys in the US Navy.

Most were assigned as stewards performing the work of domestics, serving as cooks and doing menial jobs such as cleaning up in the galley, the wardroom and living quarters of officers. Even after passing the relevant qualifying examinations, few Filipinos were allowed to transfer to other ratings (duties).

Under the RP-US Military Bases Agreement of 1947, only the US Navy was allowed to recruit Filipinos for its armed forces and during the Korean War, the Navy annually took in up to 2,000 Filipinos, ages 18 to 24. By 1970, there were close to 17,000 Filipinos in the US Navy. Someone mentioned that there were probably more Filipinos in the US Navy than in the Philippine Navy.

For many of our young men, a career in the US Navy was a life-long dream. In a number of communities (and in many families) particularly those close to the US bases (Clark, Subic and Sangley Point), joining the US Navy had become a tradition as well as a badge of distinction. These installations exposed the local people to American wealth, culture and standards of living, generating strong incentive for enlistment. In particular, the monetary incentive for joining was exceptional-the salary of a raw recruit was a lot higher than many in the towns and villages where they came from. There was also the opportunity to gain permanent residency in the United States and with that, eventual citizenship.

My own cousin, Henry Nivera who retired from the Navy and now resides in Titusville, Florida, must have sent in more than 10 applications before he was finally chosen. And for many, it was rough sailing mainly because of the racial issue. Of all the services in the US Armed Forces, the Navy is the most tradition-bound and so it was slow in carrying out changes in its customs and practices. Only in 1973, during the watch of Adm. Elmo Zumwalt Jr., youngest Chief of Naval Operations ever and famous for his Z-gram messages to naval units, were Filipinos given the right to enter any rating for which they qualified. Still, many remained as stewards and probably the most famous of them is Bayani Nelvis, a White House steward during the Monica Lewinsky hearings who testified about "tissues with lipstick and other stains following a meeting between [then-President] Clinton and Monica."

For all the indignities and humiliations suffered by them, the doors which previously were closed, are now wide open for their children as well as grandchildren. A few years ago, while my wife and I were visiting the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, we struck up a conversation with an Asian-looking cadet. He turned out to be the son of a Filipino who enlisted in the Navy at Sangley Point. He competed for and won an appointment to the Air Force Academy, while an older brother was a midshipman at Annapolis. In a few years' time, they will be holding responsible positions in the US armed forces. My cousin's kids are all highly trained professionals and I am certain this is true for many of the children of other Navy men. The money they send home is probably not counted as part of OFW remittances but there is no doubt it represents a hefty contribution to the national coffers. If you come across modest but comfortable homes in the rural areas, they probably represent OFW or US Navy remittances.

Perhaps the most inspiring saga to come out of this long-standing relationship with the US Navy is the story of Eleanor "Connie" Mariano, a 48-year-old medical doctor who was appointed as chief physician at the White House during the Bush and Clinton years.

Mariano was born at Clark Air Base in Pampanga in 1955. Her father served in the US Navy as a steward along with four other Filipinos who were her ninongs. After getting her degree from the Uniformed Services University at Bethesda, Maryland in 1981, she joined the US Navy.

Three years ago, President Clinton promoted Mariano to the rank of Rear Admiral, the highest military position occupied by a Filipino-American woman. At the ceremony honoring her, Mariano told the audience: "I am pleased to stand before you today as proof that Filipino-Americans in the Navy no longer have to go through the kitchen, the back door or the garage. I came to the White House by way of the kitchen. I come from a family of Navy stewards. At that time and for many years, the only way Filipinos were able to serve in the Navy was as stewards."

To her ninongs who were present, she said, "Thank you for reminding me daily that I owe my presence here to people like you and my father who paved the way. Thank you for never letting me forget about the qualities of kindness, silent service, loyalty and humility."

She continued, "The Navy meant many things to my family. It meant freedom from poverty, for my father's family was very poor. The Navy meant opportunity to succeed. The Navy meant hope that one day your children would get an education and perhaps boldly dream of becoming doctors or naval officers. The Navy meant all the good things America had to offer."

But this is all a thing of the past: Recruitment of Filipinos into the US Navy ended when the RP-US Bases Agreement was scrapped in 1991.

XXVI

2006-06-16T18:38:00.000+08:00

It is very unsual for somebody to celebrate his birthday working in his office. And so, I found myself in this very unsual situation. It was Friday alright, and I started my day right. I had to go to the office and hope to be there by 7:30AM. I didn't tell anybody that it's my birthday because I'm not the type of person who brags about something to somebody. If one of my officemates didn't greet me, our whole team couldn't have noticed. I didn't expect that this officemate of mine would remember my day. I just told some of them the week before that I'll be ordering some pizza and they'll be free to join us. Little did I know that she'll be the one who will remind our whole team.

Anyway, I was surprised that afternoon that our team manager bought a cake for me with 2 medium size candles on top aside from the 6 additional small ones. Believe it or not, they knew that I'll be more than happy if beer will be around, which was. Aside from the cake, some of my teammates bought 3 6-packs of Tiger beer. I can't imagine that in the middle of the office hours, we're having some booze. Well, for me, i was about to leave since my work was only until 4:00PM that time.

Then came Monday, I didn't had the opportunity of treating my teammates. So I thought of bringing them some 2 large boxes of pizza from Pizza Hut. I went to one of their outlets and ordered 1 large Hawaiian and 1 large Super Supreme pizzas. In addition to that, I bought a personal Pepperoni pizza for my muslim officemate who only eats Halal food. The bill? S$55.

A week passed and Pete came from the nearby Kuala Lumpur. I promised to him that we will be drinking at our place. I was the one who opened the bottle of Absolut Vodka Mandarin that we've been keeping for this drinking session. I asked one of my housemates to buy one bottle for me from the airport duty free store when she came back here. These stores were selling it for only S$25 a bottle, but if you'll buy one from 7-11, it will cost you as much as S$75. We mixed the vodka with F&N orange drink and it really complimented well. I was surprised that Mark was drinking with us. maybe he shed his old goody image. Well, I think it's about time now that he's going to move to the US soon and we don't know when will he be back, or will he.

To all my friends and the people I knew, thank you for shaping me and for making me as what I am now.

South East Asia On A Shoestring (03/11 - 03/19/2006) - Part II

2006-04-27T01:37:00.000+08:00

March 15, 2006 (Aranyaprathet, Thailand - Battambang, Cambodia)

It was already 5:00AM when I heard the alarm of my cellphone. I didn't notice that I fell asleep. So I prepared myself then walked again to the train station. There was already a line towards the ticket counter when I came, I've read on the internet that these guys only sell tickets a few minutes before the train leaves, hence, there was a long line and people were all in a hurry to get good seats.

I sat with a group of Italians and they hardly speak English. It worked with the old-fashioned hand signs. Actually, I was bothered by these oldies, they are the usual tourist with cameras strapped on their necks, one more thing, they kept on standing from their seats. A lady sat near me, her name is Linna, she's a Khmer (Cambodian), she thought I was a Thai. We exchanged notes and she said that she doesn't speak English, whenever she needs to say something, she usually writes it on her mobile phone then shows it to me. She told me that she was interested with the culture of the Thai people that was why she went there to study their language. I was impressed that she can blend in with the locals that she spoke Thai whenever a vendor passes by and sells something that she wanted to buy like a bottled water or a canned soda. I managed to buy 2 sets of dried beef with rice. It is similar to our local Tapa back home, sun-dried and fried, just like what my mama cooked every Sunday morning. Linna asked me where's my destination, and I told her that I am expecting to reach Phnom Penh before dark. At the back of my mind was the visa issue, Filipino citizens don't need a visa to Cambodia, but these immigration rules change easily, usually in a day, that is why I was wary because of the red tape that I am about to face. At least I could prepare myself.

I saw a quiet guy being questioned by the police on board, or should I say train marshals. He was carrying a small boy, maybe a year old, and he was seated with another guy next to him. Linna told me that the guy is a Khmer and he was asked by the police to get off the train on the next stop because he went to Thailand without a passport. She added that citizens of Cambodia needed a Thai visa before they can enter Thailand. Poor guy, he was asked to stand from his seat that he didn't had any choice but to follow the police. I still considered myself very lucky that I can just go to Thailand anytime without the hassle of going to an embassy to apply for a visa. I mean, at least, I don't need a visa going to some Asian and South American countries.

We reached Aranyaprathet by lunch and the terminal was swarmed by travellers and vendors alike, selling their merchandise to people like me. Linna told me that we will be taking the tuktuk and meet some of her friends later. And so did we, for a price of 200 Baht because the driver told us that I am a foreigner. This is what I call a tourist trap, this is plain bullshit, that the locals tend to charge foreigners double or sometimes triple of what they charge with the locals. I just cooled myself down by sipping a cold cola after I had lunch. I just had lunch with Linna and her friends and these guys kept on calling me "Mister" except her. I admit it felt awkward at first, but I give credit to them for at least trying to make me feel comfortable with their company. When it was about time for me to go, they walked me up to the border and I shook hands with them. I passed through the exit formalities of the Thailand immigration. From the border, I came across children selling from small souvenirs to umbrellas, to simple fans and bottles of water. I hate to refuse from them but I did. I can only ask why is the government not doing anything with these kids. I also saw some Khmer men pulling carts, with assorted merchandise loaded, goes through the border and sells it to their richer neighbors waiting for their trade. I can see from their situation their status, walking barefoot on a rough road pulling heavy carts and waiting for somebody to buy. This was all in a day's work for some men. Well, at least they avail of the Thai border pass and do something to make their lives better. Then, the casinos were filled with Thai men who "sneak" out of the country to do their vice since gambling is illegal in Thailand. Some touts came to me and asked me if I needed help with a visa, and I didn't answer so they'll stop bugging me. Instead, they talked to me in Japanese, beginning with the usual "Konichiwa!". I can't believe that these guys were thinking I am from Japan, well, maybe it's because I was already red from walking under the sun since I left home.

"You, from Philippine, no visa. Go to visa stamping." I knew that somebody was talking to me in broken English and when I turned around I saw a guy pointing at me. Probably, they saw my green passport and directed me to go to the stamping section of Cambodia Immigration. At least I saved US$10 for this. So, with a grin, I stepped out of the line and went through the visa-stamping section. I can only see envy in the eyes of some travelers on the line and maybe they were asking why don't I need a visa. Some were even shaking their head while searching for some answers.

Still, touts kept on approaching me asking if I need a visa assistance or a taxi to Phnom Penh. Then I approached one of those guys bugging me and asked how much will it cost me to go to their capital. He gave me two options, one was a share aircon taxi for 300 Bahts, but I have to wait or a ride at the back of a pickup for 500 Bahts without waiting. So, I chose the latter. Thinking that I got a better deal, I agreed with the price but the guy told me that we still have to take a tuktuk to where the pickup was. It was a 5-minute ride and after we stopped, he asked me for the payment of the tuktuk so I gave him extra 50 Bahts. Then, he was asking me for some tip, so I said to myself, "Fuck, is this guy forcing me to give him a tip?", then I just shook my head and jumped at the back of a blue Toyota Hilux pickup. There was already a lady behind the truck, and she was with some vegetables, probably smuggled goods or contraband to be sold at a market. Yes, the good were covered, but with a holed mat that I can see what's inside from where I was seated. And so we went off, at a speed of around 75 miles per hour, the driver impressed me with his driving skills, occasionally avoiding potholes of the dirt road that we were going through then. I hardly grabbed from my seat and missed some near-falls, I guess they won't stop to pick up my body either.

I had a hunch that the driver won't go to Phnom Penh and the guy I had an arrangement with this pickup ride was a rip off, and I was right. We stopped at a pickup terminal on a small town after 2 hours of heat at the back of a speeding pickup trying to avoid holes that made the road look like a graveyard. Then a lot of guys approached me trying to convince me to take a ride with their pickup to Phnom Penh. I approached the driver of the pickup that brought me there and told him that I thought he was going to drive all the way to the city, and he just refused to talk to me. I didn't had any choice but to get my bag from the truck before somebody picks it up as the men started to touch my things. I told myself that this is not the place where I will challenge somebody to a fist fight for touching my bag. It's Sisophon, the first town after Poiphet, which is the border between Thailand and Cambodia. I came from a third world country so I am used to the attitude of these people, you just have to have a LOT of patience and I guess some understanding to deal with them. Then, one driver approached me and said for US$20 he will drive me all the way to the city, but there was some doubt in me since he smells alcohol. I don't know if he was bluffing or just trying to be friendly, well at least, it's better to deal with a drunk guy who speaks English, or at least pretend to, than talking with somebody who is sober but doesn't speak English at all.

As expected, I was lost again and I guess some people there tried to make a fool out of me or took advantage of me being a stranger in their place. I started to lose my composure and patience, so when we reached another terminal near a market place, I just grabbed my bag, jumped out of the truck and started walking. Nobody tried to bother me anymore because right there and then, they knew I was pissed off with all the shit. And there I was, Battambang, US$20 poorer, tired and hungry. I went to wander around and I passed by a school with students going out, probably dismissal time. That was the only time I checked my watch again and it was already 5:00PM. Then, I went to a small hotel with the name Paris Hotel, I was wondering what's in a name but I didn't bother to ask anymore, anyway, this will be the first and last time that they'll see me. Before I went to bed, one of the hotel staff was kind enough to drive me using his own motorbike to the bus station that have daily trips to the capital. I was able to secure a seat on the 9:00AM bus leaving the following morning. This was the time that I knew that driver from the border has ripped me off because a 5 hour bus ride only costs US$4. As a gratitude, I gave the hotel staff an Abraham Lincoln bill.

March 16, 2006 (Battambang - Phnom Penh, Cambodia)

My body was still aching when I woke up the following day. I had to rush things so I won't miss my bus to Phnom Penh. I just did the essential 3S's in the morning; shit, shave and shower then off I went to the bus station by foot. I arrived there just in time, a few minutes before the bus left. The bus was free seating, so I secured a window seat. Though it was suppose to be aircon, I think they don't check the freon that often, which made the air the goes out the vent to be humid. To make things worse, there was a man apparently drunk who smelled just like he just threw up, sat beside me and raised his foot on his seat. I tried to prevent the seam of my pants to touch his stinky foot. A few hours and 3 stopovers had passed by and we were able to reach Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. To be honest, I was disappointed because some of the streets were not paved, it looked like a dirt road, but coming from a third-world country, some understanding is really needed with their situation. At the bus terminal, I bought a US$15 one-way ticket to Ho Chi Minh City(Saigon) then I walked for a few miles looking for Sunday's Guesthouse, a small guesthouse which is privately owned and very famous in the area. They had good reviews on the internet so I've decided to check them out. I was already walking for miles, trying to ask the address written on a piece of paper from the people I crossed path with but again, I was a victim of language barrier.

Finally, I was convinced that I won't be able to find it by myself so I called up Sunday's and it's good that they pickup guests from terminals or airport, and in my case on a junction, a few blocks away from them. Actually, I already passed by their area. I just didn't notice because their guesthouse was located on a secondary street and was partly hidden behind the trees. Soon, a tuktuk-wannabe picked me up and dropped me at the doorstep. They had a small reception area that serves as a cafeteria at the same time. I handed my passport to the counter and asked them for a room, and I was able to get one for US$10. It was clean and spacious enough for my standards since I don't particularly look at it because most of the time, I'll be outdoors. Though, this was an exception, since I was tired of walking the whole day, I am not after an extra soft bed. I had a heavy dinner that night at the cafeteria while having a chat with an American while watching the movie "Killing Fields" which is shown every night at the reception area. I wondered if they get sick watching that movie every night for 365 days, anyway, that's none of my business anymore. They also had guided tours, and one thing particularly caught me, they had tours to firing ranges where anybody can fire either an M-16, a 12-gauge shotgun or an AK-47 for a price. Sounds interesting but I think, I'll just avail of the tour next time but for now, I am in sort of a hurry to be in Saigon on the 19th so I can catch my flight back to Singapore. I went to my room after the chow to call it a day.

March 17, 2006 (Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

It was already past lunch when I passed through the Cambodia-Vietnam border in Moc Bai. Before the bus left Phnom Penh for Saigon that morning, the bus conductor collected the passengers' passports to expedite the movement along the border. He handed it to us for the exit formalities with the Cambodia Immigration. You won't fail to notice it because from a distance, you'll see a big arch that welcomes you to Vietnam. Aside from that, there are also duty-free stores that allows people crossing the border to avail of the duty-free privileges before continuing to their destination. I can remember that there was a Vietnamese guy who was working as a tour guide of an English group. That time, we had a stopover to wait for the ferry to transfer our bus to the other side of the river. Small children came running to us and asked if we can give them alms at the same time, if we want to buy something from their merchandise, from small handmade necklaces to fans. It was a moving experience for me. Then this Vietnamese guy told the group that the government of Cambodia is not doing anything for these children, while adding that the English group won't have the same problem in Vietnam. In my opinion, I think it is better to just keep your mouth shut if you have nothing good to say at all.

Our bus went to a floating barge (similar to a Roll-On Roll-Off barge that can transport vehicles) only to be transferred to the other side of the river. Then from there, it was another 2 hour bus to the city of Saigon. Honestly, my disappointment in Cambodia was overcome by Vietnam. There were a lot of oohhs and aahhs as our bus traverses the main thoroughfares of this city. So much was preserved, mostly of French architecture that dates back to the colonial period. I've read in some books that some old Vietnamese people still speak French. I was also surprised that the widely used means of transportation was a motorcycle. You can see that most of the foreigners avail of the very cheap rate, hiring a motorcycle the whole day for only US$7, so far the cheapest way to go around Saigon. Aside from that, they are not strict with licenses, as long as you carry your country's driving license, they'll lend you a bike and off you will go.

I started to look at the street names hoping to find Pham Ngu Lao street which is the backpackers' ghetto of Vietnam, similar to the reputation of Khao San Road in Thailand. I don't know if I was just lucky or was it a coincidence that the bus station is located exactly along Pham Ngu Lao street and the moment I crossed the road, I was able to find Redsun Mini Hotel. It was scorching hot when I stepped out of the bus. So after I registered with the reception, I went to the room that the concierge gave me to take unpack my belongings and refresh. I went out to look for a money changer and on my way back, I passed by this small stall that sells Pho, a tasty beef noodle soup which is very Vietnamese, so I've decided to try it. To be honest it was better than some of the other noodle dishes that I've tried. It costs around 16000 VND (Vietnam Dong) and another 5000 VND for a can of Coke, I can't believe that my bill was only around S$2. I walked around the area and I passed by stores that sells souvenirs from handicrafts, to the traditional Vietnamese hat and used travel books.

It was already 8:30PM when I opened my eyes. I didn't notice that I fell asleep, maybe because of the bumpy ride that I had earlier that day. I was starving (again!). I went out to check the restaurants and see what's cookin'. Then, I went to this restaurant that serves local and Mexican dishes, so I tried to get myself a mixed fried rice with chicken, bacon, jalapeños and chilis. It was one of the best meals that I had during this journey and I can say that I was so full that night. Guess what, they are selling cheap booze too, that's why I didn't hesitate to grab a 500ML bottle of Tiger Beer for 20000 VND before I went back to my room.

March 18, 2006 (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

I had to wake up early so I won't miss the bus. The night before, I told the reception that I've wanted to join a day tour since I have anticipated that I won't be doing anything. They recommended the Cu Chi Tunnels tour.

I just finished my breakfast when the bus arrived. The next thing I knew, the tour guide who was in his 60s was already looking for me. He shook my hand and introduced himself to me, he said everybody calls him Slim Jim. I returned a handshake and introduced myself to him. He guessed where I was from and he got it right. I managed to get an empty row since the bus was half empty and as soon as I sat comfortably, Slim Jim started to talk on the microphone while he stood in the middle of the aisle. He said that much was damaged during the Vietnam War, or for the Vietnamese, they call it the American War. This happened when the communist Democratic Republic of Vietnam, supported by the National Liberation Front or Vietcong, had overrun the Republic of South Vietnam which was supported by the US government and the other Allies, including the Philippines. Slim Jim further narrated that he used to be with the South Vietnam Army who fought the North Vietnamese Army. The Cu Chi tunnels that we visited that day were the same tunnels used by the Vietcong in holding their ground against the South Vietnamese and the Allies. These small tunnels are actually tiny foxholes. These are so small that only Asians can fit it, the Americans had difficulty of penetrating these foxholes, oftentimes they just throw a grenade inside or use a flame thrower to lure the enemy out.

We had to line up when we reached the area, a few miles north of Saigon, so we can be counted. Surprisingly, some of the guards barred me from entering and when Slim Jim told them that I am with the group, they apologized to me. They said that they thought I am a Vietnamese. It made me wonder if they prohibit the locals from entering these foxholes that were used by the Vietcong for their guerilla warfare against the US troops until the latter withdrew. Slim Jim even asked me to try going into one, since I am the only Asian in the group, which I politely refused.

It was already afternoon when we came back to Saigon. The trip was tiring yet worthwhile. I managed to get some rest before packing up my things because I'll be leaving the next day.

March 19, 2006 (Ho Chi Minh City - Singapore)

I had a complete rest the previous night, except for the thought of going back to my work in the afternoon. I was thinking of visiting the War Remnants Museum but I was still suffering the trauma of missing my flight which happened at the first day of this trip. I just went out to buy some Vietnamese hats for my officemates. When it was time for me to leave, I had to take a motorbike ride from Redsun Hotel to the Tan Son Nhat International Airport which cost around 20000 VND. My flight took only 3 hours, arriving Singapore at 12NN, but this trip took 8 days to complete, with stopovers, of course. By 1:00PM, I was already on my way to office. Oh well, back to my work. I've learned a lot of things from this experience, if I'll be given another opportunity to do this again, I'll be more than happy.

South East Asia On A Shoestring (03/11 - 03/19/2006) - Part I

2006-03-25T11:09:00.000+08:00

From the busy streets of Singapore, to the bustling skyscrapers of Malaysia and going through the rice paddies and wild rivers of Thailand to the rough towns of Cambodia, I finally found myself sipping a hot bowl of Pho in Vietnam.

March 11, 2006 (Singapore - Butterworth, Malaysia)

8:00AM on the dot. My head was still aching. I called it overboozed, simply hangover. Oh great, what a way to start my holiday. I overslept, hence I missed my flight to Phuket. So, I picked up myself and thought of other options. And yes, I was planning to travel by land from Bangkok, Thailand to Saigon, Vietnam, now, I might as well make it from Singapore all the way to Vietnam.

I took a shower and had some coffee to at least make my day better. Well, leaving Betelbox is difficult in the first place since it has been my home for the past 6 months. I also had a Sausage Egg McMuffin while thinking if I'll take the train or the bus option, then I took the MRT, from Paya Lebar MRT Station to Bugis Station. I found myself at the Golden Mile Complex. The place is lined up with travel agencies offering coaches or VIP buses to Kuala Lumpur, for S$27 one-way. The earliest available trip was 3:00PM so I have decided to grab it with the fear of wasting 1 more day of my leave. While waiting, I've decided to go to the Keretapi Tanah Melayu station which is a few bus stops away. KTM (Malaysian Railway Station) runs from Singapore to Hat Yai, near the Malaysian-Thailand Border. Much to my surprise, there was a 1:30PM train and I was really disappointed because the bus ticket that I bought is non-refundable. I just went back to the bus station with a heavy heart. When it was already 3:00PM, it was time for the bus to leave. And yes, I forgot to exchange some of my currencies to Malaysian Ringgits. I fell asleep after the Malaysian Immigration formalities. When we had a 30-minute stopover, I was suppose to call Pete, one of my former classmates who is now working in Malaysia, but the sim card that I used before doesn't have enough credits for me to make a call or even send a text message.

The bus arrived Puduraya bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur at around 9:00PM. I knew that the train for Butterworth already left, so I didn't waste anytime and I checked if there were night buses going there, and I thought luck was on my side this time that I was able to find a 10:00PM bus. I managed to buy a ticket since there were a few people going to this northern town at that time. I stopped by a KFC outlet to grab some Zinger since I wasn't able to eat a normal meal since lunch. I've waited for the bus conductor to open the compartment and when he did, it was full of grease, so I have decided to just put my bag beside my seat since half of the bus was empty and nobody dared to sit beside me because they knew that I am a foreigner. Good for me, I was able to occupy a two-seater, I sat on the aisle and I managed to continue my interrupted sleep. Seriously, it's very tiring to carry a backpack and at the same time think of the directions where you should be headed. 3:00AM, I woke up with a stiff neck. By then I knew that I am already in Butterworth. I have decided to just look for a place to sleep and just wake up after sunrise to look for the train station. I found a small inn, and they are jacking up prices for foreigners, even if the conditions are very inhumane. It's either I pay 30 Ringgits or 30 US Dollars. So I told myself, this is bullshit, lucky for me that I was able to exchange some while waiting for the bus that took me there. In fairness, they don't have bedbugs, and they don't have a toilet bowl either. They only have toilet squats, and to be honest, that's the first time I saw one, and I don't know how to use it. Well, I don't have plans anyway. I unpacked my things and grabbed some hot instant noodles at a nearby 7-11 before I went under the bedsheets.

March 12, 2006 (Butterworth, Malaysia - Padang Basar, Thailand)

I heard my alarm by 9:30AM. I had to look for the train station, which was located beside the bus terminal. Butterworth is a very sleepy town, there were no streetlamps when I arrived, hence it was dark. I have noticed that some of the businesses were still closed even if it was business hours already. Then it came to me that it was a Sunday. I kept on walking until I was at the ticket counter, which I had to wait an extra hour for the break period. There was a 2:40PM train that goes to Bangkok, Thailand and it is very cheap. For 104 Ringgits, I got a bottom bed on a 2nd Class Sleeper Train. I checked the time and on my schedule, the train will arrive Bangkok by 12:00NN the following day. So, I went back to the inn to pack up my things and took a shower. Good thing that nobody was around that I didn't had to wait for my turn because they only had a common shower room. I left that inn by 12:00NN with the promise to myself that I won't comeback there anymore.

While I was walking towards the train station, I looked for a place to eat, but I wasn't able to find one. There was only one this small grocery-turned-money changer. They only sell junkfoods, chips, some candies and softdrinks, so I grabbed myself a Snickers bar and a can of Lime Coke just to stop my tummy from grumbling while waiting for the train. I should sue Mars and M&M because their catchphrase with Snickers was, "Hungry? Grab a Snickers" because I was still hungry. An hour after, the train arrived in style, with steam all over the railroad tracks just like in the movies, then people started to get off, or should I say, disembark from the train. In a few minutes, I found myself sitting comfortably in Coach 2, Seat Number 13. I checked out the car and it is neat much like the train that I took from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore a few months ago. Soon, I found out that the crew aboard are all Thais, which made me realize that I am almost halfway of my journey. I saw one of the crew, who likes like a steward with his neatly-ironed uniform, who passed by my seat and I asked him if the train has a Cafeteria car. It doesn't and he said that once we reach Hat Yai, food will be served. So I thought, "Woah, that's 4 hours from here". I stood up from my seat and looked around, a group of old couples, probably English on the rear of the car and some Japanese on the other end. I asked myself, "Should I still wait for myself to get old before I see the world and won't enjoy it anymore, nah." Then an Indonesian couple sat beside me, the guy introduced himself to me, his name is Evan.

We were exchanging notes and travel experiences. We both didn't notice that time that passed by. I told him that I was able to go to Batam island, a 45-minute ferry ride from Singapore, just to satisfy my taste buds with a mug of A&W rootbeer float and some burger. He said that it was so sad that their money, the Indonesian Rupiah, is so devalued. He told me that he once worked in Singapore for 2 years and is now a permanent resident. He then asked me where is my destination, and I told him that I should reach Saigon by March 19th so I can catch my flight back, and that I'll be going through Thailand and Cambodia. He added that making a stopover in Bangkok will be a wise decision and will make me come back. It reminded me of what my friend told me. I met Wesley, a Physical Therapist, who went to Bangkok a few months before me a week before this trip and he told me that I'll be able to catch Bangkok fever, and since then I kept on asking him what it was all about.

Soon, the crew started distributing Thailand immigration/departure cards, so I told myself, this is it, I am approaching Thailand. Minutes had passed, we had to wait for the train to stop. I found myself in line, waiting for proper departure formalities with Malaysian immigration authorities. On the other side of the fence awaits Thailand immigration counters. I had to carry my backpack for Customs clearance.

We boarded the train half an hour after and the crew was right, food was served as soon as we left the border. I checked what's on the menu and there's one dish that I tried, fried chicken with rice and mixed vegetable, priced for 150 Bahts. Not bad for someone who's hungry and who's been eating fastfood since the past 2 days. I was a bit disappointed when the food was served because the fried chicken looked like a fried chick and the soup that came with it didn't taste good too. Dinner came early for me that night, as early as 9:00PM. I heard that some people were already snoring after I finished my plate.

March 13, 2006 (Bangkok, Thailand)

It was my first time on a sleeper car, hence, I wasn't able to sleep well. From time to time, my nap was interrupted by the people who keeps on going to the lavatory which was almost next to me. I guess they've learned their lesson not to drink too much on long journeys. I didn't notice that it was already 8:00AM, so I've decided to call the crew to straighten up my bed. I also checked my map and it states that the ETA is 12:00NN, but I was surprised when Evan told me we'll be in Bangkok by 10:00AM. Good thing, I'll have enough time to look for a place to stay. In an hour, we arrived at Hualamphong Central Station but before I picked up my bag, Evan gave me his calling card and told me to keep in touch. I had a nice conversation with this guy, I learned a lot of things from him, from travelling to the do's and dont's in Thailand. I went to the information booth to exchange my excess Ringgits and some Singapore Dollars to Thailand Bahts, the exchange rate was S$1 = 23 Bahts. Prior to this trip, I've heard a lot of good reviews of this hostel named, Big John's Hostel and Homemade Pies. So, I told myself that I can check it first and if I am not satisfied, I can look for another place. I was also wondering, and wishing, if they'll give me a sample of their pies since I haven't had my breakfast. So, I went to an internet cafe to check their address and the directions of getting there. I was like a kid going to a theme park to take a roller coaster ride when I found out that from my location, I can take the subway train to Sukhumvit station. I paid the lady at the internet cafe then left.

Outside of Hualamphong Station, I was able to walk towards the correct direction of the subway train. I was wondering how did Thailand managed to fund such project which, I think, is at par with international standards. I saw a plate that says it's a joint project of Japan and Thailand. It's true that I wasn't able to understand the letters written in both Japanese and Thai languages, but I saw the two countries' flags, hence I assumed, hehe. I can't help but compare these mass transport system to what we have back home. By the way it looks, this project was well-funded and carefully planned, unlike what we have, which was overpriced by contractors. Anyway, much to my delight, the Thais look very similar with Filipinos, that's why I can blend in with the crowd, well, of course minus the backpack. I looked to my left and right and I've noticed that nobody sat beside me, it's obvious that I'm a foreigner and the people seated in front of me kept on staring. I heard on the PA system that we are approaching Sukhumvit station so I prepared my things, and I've also noticed that Thai people are soft-spoken, just like what Evan told me.

I looked for road signs and I asked one security guard the directions to Thonglor Soi 7 but I wasn't able to understand what he was saying. I was like Bill Murray in the movie "Lost in Translation". I asked a few more people who passed by and they just ignored me. Then I saw an elevated railroad, like the Monorail in Malaysia that goes around Kuala Lumpur. BTS, maybe short for Bangkok Train System. I checked it out and it goes to Thonglor, and I was lucky that the one at the ticket counter was bilingual and I was able to confirm that it really goes to Thonglor. When I reached my destination, it was a long walk for me, around 5 more blocks. I passed by some local restaurants, I was able to tell it with the aroma of what's cooking. The smell reminded me of the seaweed soup that I didn't finish on the train. I found Soi 7 and then saw Big John's. The place is nice, it's cozy, and the staff are friendly so I've decided to stay with them, plus their rate is the cheapest that I found. For budget travelling, you should really get the best bang for the buck. After I checked in with them, I looked for a place to eat and there was only a nearby Burger King, so I indulged.

It was already early evening when I came back. I took a shower and I saw two of my roommates were already back. Earlier, when I left my bag before I went out to eat, the room was empty. The two ladies; Jenny is from the US, and Sofia, from the UK. Jen was the talkative type, there are no dull moments when you talk to her, I can say that she is a good conversationalist. While Sofia was the quiet type, well, maybe she told me it was her first time in Asia, compared to Jen's 9 months. I didn't notice that we've been exchanging notes for an hour and so I invited them to downstairs for some beer. I was surprised to see the Big John. I approached then asked him if they have San Miguel, then he showed me some variations, the Pale Pilsen, Super Dry, Blue Ice, Red Horse and he asked me back with a grin, "Now, do we have San Miguel?". I settled for 3 bottles of Blue Ice. He also informed me that they have a promo, 3 bottles for the price of 2, so I made it clear that once I'm done with the other two bottles, I'll be getting 3 more. An English couple sat with us and soon another couple, a Dutch guy and his Spanish girlfriend joined us too. I call this booze day.

March 14, 2006 (Bangkok, Thailand)

A sip of Mocha Frapuccino, that was how I started my day. My roommates were still asleep when I left our room. Probably, they stayed longer than me for more booze the previous night. I'm lucky I didn't have a hangover this time. I went to the Starbucks, a few doors away, to catch up the latest updates on Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Thaksin. I was also thinking what to do for the rest of the day. So, I've decided to just walk around the neighborhood. I was already starving when I passed by a noodle shop. I told the lady to give me a bowl of hot beef noodles and a bottle of Coke, and I handed 40 Bahts for the meal. I got used to eating noodles since I started working overseas, and my weight has dramatically dropped from 146 to 125 lbs. Since then, I made it a point of eating at a filipino resto at least 2 to 3 times a week. On my way back to Big John's, I saw an internet cafe so I just went there to hangout for a while. The keyboards of the computers were amazing, they had Thai characters, along side the standard English. The default language of the Windows XP was also Thai, it's good that I was able to change it to English easily.

I didn't notice of the time that passed by. It was already lunch time when I went out of the internet cafe. I had lunch at the nearby Burger King (again!). While I was munchin' a flame-grilled cheeseburger, I was humming the song Pure Shores by All Saints, it was the hit single of the movie, "The Beach". It was about a group of backpackers who went to Thailand in search of a place they can call a paradise of their own. It also featured Bangkok and some of the places they've been. One of those places is Khao San road, a known backpackers haven in downtown Bangkok. Suddenly, it reminded me that I am in Bangkok and I won't let this opportunity pass, I have decided to drop by Khao San road later. I had to admit to myself that I was still lazy to drop by there because it was so hot that afternoon. I had to think of one more thing to do before going there. It reminded me of one more thing that I haven't done, that is, to get an authentic Thai massage. So, there I went, for 200 Bahts/hour, I had to change to clothing with a material similar to what they use with a bag of flour. At first, I thought the lady masseuse will be the one who will change me, but after she handed me the clothing, she went out of the room and told me to change into those. It was really soothing, after a few days of carrying my gear while walking, the massage really worked particularly on the neck area.

It was almost 3:00PM when I went to Khao San. I had two options of going there. The highway option, which will cost me around 200 Bahts, or the cheaper one which was the river taxi option. I took the latter. They said that a trip to Bangkok won't be worthwhile if one will not take the river taxi, so I did. I took a motorbike ride to the river, I was so lucky to flag someone with a motorbike similar to the ones used in motocross. The driver was crazy, he literally squeezed our way through the traffic to the riverside. Then from there, I waited for a few minutes until the riverboat came. I paid 14 Bahts for my fare. It passed through some canals which is similar to where the gondolas in Venice, Italy passes. I took another moto from the end of the river ride. The travel took 30 minutes, it was really a breeze, though I was a little bit wet because of water splashes from the boat. True to it's reputation, Khao San road is a backpacker's haven. There are stores and restaurants on both sides of the streets. These stores sell souveniers like shirts, lighters, and bags. There are also some who were selling handicrafts, and some have travel agencies from arranging tours to neighboring countries to visa extensions. Some stores offered services like Thai massage, laundry services, braids, tattoo and piercing stores also abound the area aside from the usual coffee shops, cheap hostels and other accommodations. I was looking for a Philippine flag patch that I can sew on my backpack but I wasn't able to find one without a name.

On my way back, I thought, maybe I can just spend my night at the central train station. I packed up my stuff when I came, took a shower, did some shit and left Big John's for Hualamphong station. I checked the train schedules and the first train to Aranyaprathet will be leaving the following day at around 5:55AM. I was already half asleep when I noticed somebody tapping me. It was one of the station guards, he tried to explain to me that sleeping is prohibited and that they were about to close. I got up and thought of a place to stay, so I walked on a small road beside the train station and I was able to find a small inn.

2006 Aviva Dinner And Dance

2006-03-18T22:25:00.000+08:00

March 10, 2006. It's a dinner and dance, nothing unusual. But I can't believe that some of my officemates were looking forward to it. I guess it's one of those days that they can dress well, or in some other cases, take a shower and some stuff, hehehe. I was suppose to pass that even up, since I am scheduled to work in the evening, but one of my officemates asked me to swap with him so he can spend more time with his wife, well, for humanitarian reasons that they are newly-wed, I agreed. I agreed to swap with his schedule that I will be working in the morning, even if I stayed late the previous night because I was in the evening shift. But not with me as his proxy to the party since I had my mindset of getting up early for my flight to Phuket.

Though, I don't want to put my job into a risk, so out of being attached with my team, I joined them that night. The party was held at Marina Mandarin Singapore, one of the many five-star hotels in Singapore. And I was right on the money: five-star hotels will make you hungry and your stomach grumbling. hehe. They only served finger foods, but the booze was everywhere. Oh no, a free-flow booze party. One of my weaknesses. And I was right again, the Philippine-brand beer was there, San Miguel. At first, I only had a few sips, then it became more and more and more. I didn't notice that I already had 6 glasses. No it's not the light one, but the one with the 6.5% alcohol content, and yes, I had an empty stomach, and yes, it's only cold, served without ice. I started to feel dizzy, then with every burp, I can taste the food that I've eaten since the previous night. I went to the restroom, and tried to induce myself in throwing up, so it will be easier for me to go home. I did. Then I flushed the toilet. It reminded me of my days when I was still working in the Philippines, that I once threw up on a sink, and it was clogged because of me. Not anymore. I did manage to go back to Betelbox that night at around 11:00PM, and I was able to catch the MRT, and I even took a shower before hitting the bed. I forgot one thing. To set my alarm to 3:00AM. *damn!*

Small Wonder

2006-02-22T01:07:00.000+08:00

I was really fascinated with the recently concluded 2006 NBA Slam Dunk Championship won by Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks. Standing at 5'9", which is small for an NBA player, even smaller for a slam dunk championship, he defied all the odds to win the championship this year. The main highlight was dunking over Spud Webb of the Atlanta Hawks, who like him at 5'7", captured the title 20 years ago. whew! These are little men with big hearts, playing in a big man's game.

When Laughter Turns To Sorrow

2006-02-05T10:43:00.000+08:00

When I was back home, I admit that I am a fan of these noontime shows. You'll ask me why? Because you don't have any other show or movie to watch, unless you have a DVD to pop on your player until such time that some Mexican or Korean soap opera takes over the screen. For the record, Eat Bulaga is the longest, if not, one of the longest running noontime shows, going on air for 25 years transferring from one tv network to another. Other tv channels have their own share. Wowowee, a noontime show on Eat Bulaga's rival network, had a large following since it's inception in "nootime show wars". They have a good reputation of giving away cash prizes as much as P1,000,000 (US$ 19,288) everyday to a lucky audience by just joining a guessing game of what's inside a woven shopping bag called bayong in Filipino. Scores of have been lining up every morning just to get a seat inside the studio either during the live or recorded telecast of such shows.

Then tragedy happened, as "Wowowee" is celebrating its first year anniversary, 88 people died and around 400 were injured in a rush to get inside Ultra, the stadium where the live telecast of the show will be held. Probers said that somebody shouted a bomb that caused panic among the crowd, while others claimed that the people at the back of the line started to push, causing the ones in front to be trampled to death. You cannot blame these people. As there were rumors that the first 300 audience will get a chance to play for the jackpot prize, that caused the sudden rush. They should have anticipated the crowd. The way I see it, it's one way of taking advantage of the poor and their conditions. I mourn with the rest of the country for this tragedy, and I hope that both the government and non-government organizations will do something, so as to prevent this from happening again. As one PExer has posted:

" It's hard to think that the human condition has been reduced to this: we believe that only money can save us now. And whatever chance we get, we try to get ourselves some money so we can live. At least those who died were doing it legally and honestly, not like thieves and muggers. Those who perished in the stampede, they died for their dreams, they died wanting and waiting for a ticket out of poverty."

The People's Champion

2006-01-23T09:25:00.000+08:00

Thank you Manny Pacquiao, for uplifting the hopes of the Filipinos in every corner of the globe. Thank you, for beating some world-class boxers like Jorge Julio, Agapito Sanchez, Lehlo Ledwaba, Marco Antonio Barrera, Hector Velasquez and just recently, Erik Morales. Thank you for being an inspiration of a whole nation whose morale has been in the lowest for the last 2 decades. Thank you for giving us another reason to be proud of being a Filipino. Most of all, thank you for uniting us, and settling our differences, even only for a few hours.

DVD For A Cause

2006-01-18T08:06:00.000+08:00

It was a tiring day at the office yesterday. We are 5 in our I.T. Operations team, 3 people usually work in the morning and the rest work in the afternoon. That wasn't the case the past 2 days. One of my seniors, was absent, so, there were only 2 of us in the morning shift, me and our supervisor. If you will be in my situation, are you going to ask your boss to help you? I don't think so. I mean it should come out naturally. As a boss, and knowing that you are understaffed, you should have the initiative to get some work load. Instead, she just went out, for 2 hours, then came back, sat on her desk, grabbed the phone and dialed a number to talk to somebody about everything under the sun. So, literally, I had to do everything. No choice.

Anyway, I was on my way to the MRT Raffles Place station. Then I saw this Chinese guy, selling bootleg DVDs. People were briefly making a stop to look at the titles, then walks away. Since it was not yet 5pm, I looked at the titles. Movies here are expensive, so renting some DVDs is an option for me. I saw a small illustration board, saying he is selling DVDs to fund the operation of his wife who was diagnosed with cancer. Man, I was touched by this, though, I didn't buy a DVD since I only have a few coins enough for me to get home. Piracy laws are strictly enforced here in Singapore. While I was walking towards the boarding area, I kept on thinking what will happen to this guy if the police sees him. He was doing it for a cause, for his wife, and perhaps for their children, that his wife will be leaving soon. *sigh*

Karrimor Cougar 65+15

2006-01-11T11:45:00.000+08:00

I got myself a new gear, a Karrimor Cougar 65+15 bag. The store was on sale, and I can't resist of getting a new bag since March is already near. I bought it for S$174 at the Sports Connection outlet in Peninsula Plaza. They also gave me a 400ml Nalgene water container for S$1 and a S$10 mail-in voucher which I haven't received, yet. Now I am looking for a Philippine flag patch that I can sew on the rear part. Need to say more why?

I was thinking of getting a Habagat Naiilig Elite before, but it will be expensive on my part since it is homegrown, not sold outside of the Philippines, and the store management didn't bother to reply on my inquiries regarding overseas shipping. Their catchphrase was, "Built by Hand, Tested by Nature". This really caught me, and by the way Habagat is a filipino word for monsoon.

Welcoming 2006, the Siloso-way

2006-01-02T08:40:00.000+08:00

This was one for the books. It was my first time to celebrate new year with style. Well, maybe I'm used to just staying home after the fireworks on the streets of Manila, on which, I am allergic to, while keeping the windows and doors closed until the wee hours of the morning.

Anyway, I've been seeing newspaper ads of the upcoming NYE Foam Party at Siloso Beach for weeks. Scantily-clad women banner on the black and white pages of the local dailies. I've also heard their radio ad and I thought, "This will be a good change, and a different approach of welcoming new year, why not?", with a big evil grin. All along, I was thinking of going there by myself since I am used to it but the day itself, some of the people at the hostel also knew about it and they are very eager of celebrating new year with a bang, so I just joined them. We were 10; me, Sean, Nick, Natalie, Katie, Hannah, Marga, Anne, Gia and Christine. At first I can't believe that I am actually going out with them, maybe I am not used to going out with others aside from my friends.

The day itself, Sean told me that he will be the one who will buy the tickets for the rest, so if I want to come, I should give him S$20, which I did. He later came back in the afternoon empty-handed, and told me that the ticet agent he went to told hime to just buy the tickets at entrance of Sentosa Beach, which will cost S$9 more. I thought, "Fuck, these businessmen are killing us". Oh well, I didn't want to ruin my new year so we've decided to just buy their crap. We've also anticipated the prices of the drinks to be sold at the party, that's how businesses run, taking advantage of the consuming public. We've decided that we should be started before going there, so we ended up buying a bottle of Bacardi(750ml), 2 bottles of Coke (1.5L), a small Johnny Walker Red and packs of ice.

We had to let the time pass by, by drinking at the hostel. I mixed my own Rum Cola, making it stronger than the others, and to my surprise, it didn't gave me shit or even a kick. I haven't tried a Mexican tequila, like the Jose Cuervo Gold, but I think the Cubans won't last drinking the Philippine Lambanog.

It was almost 11PM when we went out, I knew we'll be late. We took a taxi, and the group was divided into 3 batches. I went with Christine and Hannah, Nick went with Anne and Marga and the rest went with Sean. We met at the entrance and when we were about to pay, the first batch of fireworks was on display already. I said, "Shit, we just missed it." It was so crowded, since it was sponsored by MTV, and as expected, we lost each other. I was with Anne, Marge, Katie, Hannah, Nick and Natalie. We went inside the foam dance floor and it was slippery, that we had to take off our footwear. We were dancing and I can see that some guys are trying to get into our circle. I just gave them an insulting taunt, because they cannot distract the ladies I am with to dance with them. They must have thought, "What the hell is with this guy, how did he manage to attract these ladies to dance with him?" and at the same time I thought, "In your dreams, losers, die with envy!" hehehe. Those guys, almost all of them were Indians. I knew their style, some greeted me, trying to befriend me with the hopes of being introduced to the ladies, that's old school. I felt like a pimp, really. It was reminiscent of my college days when I was one of the guys trying to strike a conversation with a preety gal, now I rule! I mean, how will the ladies like them if they can't even please the nose of the one sitting beside them. They should learn personal hygiene first and that's one step to getting laid. hehe.

It was already 4AM when I came back to the hostel. Some stayed until 6AM, while those who were about to leave the following day left with me.

The Great Escape

2005-12-28T01:07:00.000+08:00

On the morning of December 14, 2005, Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon escaped from a tightly-guarded Makati City court where their trial was suppose to be held for the July 27, 2003 mutiny at Oakwood Premier Suites. You cannot blame the man, he was just fighting for what he know was right, which I think he is. He said in a statement that he will be joining the fight for a more credible government. Days after his escape, he launched his own website that is calling for civil disobedience against the Arroyo administration, http://www.pilipino.org.ph. How I wish Army Captains Milo Maestrecampo and Gerardo Gambala should have joined their mistah, along with Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV. I believe that sooner or later, VP Noli de Castro will be sworn in, as the constitutional successor, or better yet, a snap election should be held. The pictures below were during the 22-hour mutiny in 2003.

Captain Nicanor Faeldon

Wiring Oakwood Premier Suites

Magdalo Flag

Sentries everywhere

Christmas 2005

2005-12-25T23:30:00.000+08:00

Before this day ends, I want to greet everyone a very merry Christmas!

Christmas Snack(L-R): Eugene(Nigeria), Christine(South Korea), Ali(South Africa), me, Ding(Singapore), Ted(Australia), Sean(USA).

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (12/17 - 12/18/2005)

2005-12-20T00:41:00.000+08:00

I was late. I should be getting up by 7:30AM since I need to pack some clothes and other stuff for this road trip to the "other" side of the border. I've already planned this trip a few days ago. But the night before, I went home late since I had to finish some weekly jobs. I paid my rent late for this month that the BetelBox staff had mistakenly given my bed to somebody. There was a large group that had a reservation, that included my bed. Enough excuse for me to go to Malaysia and see Pete, hehehe. I took the bus, Konsortium, which was suppose to leave by 10:00AM. I estimated the travel time to be 5 hours, or more. I didn't expect the bus to be late, so we left 30 minutes behind schedule. I was lucky to get a window seat. I thought I'll be able to see a lot on my way to KL. It was one of the first times that I was able to see Singapore by day. This city has gone far from the time it got it's independence 40 years ago. We arrived at the Tuas Checkpoint, the driver told us to get off and line up through the ICA(Immigration and Customs Authority) counters. I waited 15 minutes for my turn, then I flashed my S-Pass, they had it scanned since it is machine-readable, and gave them my passport.

In 5 minutes, I found myself on the way to the border. There was a traffic congestion, probably caused by the cars lining up for inspection at the border. I think thousands pass by, legally or illegally. It's human nature to find a better place to stay. After the bridge, or causeway as they call it, we had to get off again, this time with our bags, for the Imigresen Malaysia (Malaysian Immigration). The lady stamped my passport a pass, good for 30 days. It was good that the immigration officer didn't ask me anything, if I have return tickets or I have sufficient funds, to think that Malaysia and the Philippine Government had a dispute regarding Sabah. A lot of filipinos are detained in immigration centers, the most for filipinos on foreign countries, for overstaying their social visit passes. You can't blame them, after all, it is STILL and WILL ALWAYS BE part of the Philippines, and the Malaysian government still pays 5,300 ringgits to the heirs of Sultan of Sulu for the "lease" of Sabah.

Oh well, I just slept the whole bus ride from the border until the next stop over. The driver had to answer the call of nature, and gave us a 30-minute break. So I grabbed myself a beef burger that was tasteless and a can of Coke, good thing that I was able to exchange some of my Singapore dollars to Malaysian ringgits before boarding the bus. I realized that it was really cheap buying stuff in Malaysia, so I bought myself a prepaid simcard, Digi, to call Pete. When I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, I walked and asked around for Bukit Bintang, the area where the hostel that I am planning to stay is located. I noticed that there were a lot of Malaysians who cannot speak English, that is why I was lost. My trouble was far from over, it was just the beginning. The hostels that I was planning to stay at were all full. Actually, it was my fault that I didn't confirm my reservation, though, I thought it will be fun just crashing into a a big city where I am a complete stranger and finding my way through it, oh well, so much for that.

I called Pete again, and told him that I will just meet him at the Kuala Lumpur Sentral station so I can go arund a litlle bit since I was already tired of thinking where to stay, so I might as well sleep at the train station, ariconditioned and open 24 hours, with full security. So there I went, from Bukit Bintang, I took the monorail, about 5 stations from Sentral Kuala Lumpur station. It was really a scary ride when it is full because I was thinking it might fall off on the heavier side whenever it turns, luckily it didn't. When I reached the train station, I grabbed myself a Quarter Pounder meal, I know it will make me obese, but hell, it is cheaper compared to McDonald's Singapore. It cost me around 7 Malaysian Ringgits, around 3.50 Singapore Dollars, whereas the Quarter Pounder meal in Singapore would cost 7 Singapore Dollars. Then I passed by Air Asia office, to look for some discounted airfares, since I was thinking of going home for a few days, in time for Christmas, unfortunately, I wasn't able to find cheap ticket that doesn't conflict with my schedule. When I went to the counter to get a train ticket back to Singapore, I was surprised, there were no more economy tickets for the morning train, so I decided to get the first class tickets, leaving the following morning at 8:30AM. Then, I chilled out at Starbucks, still waiting for Pete, while sipping my Mocha Frapuccino. He came, in 15 minutes and told me that I can just let the time pass by at their place. At first, I was hesitant since he is staying with other people, like his girlfriend, Janina, but he told me that we'll be drinking the night away, that was the convincing part. From there, we went to KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center), home of the Petronas Twin Towers, what used to be the world's tallest building, only to be surpassed by Taiwan 101 last year. We grabbed some 6-pack Carlsberg at Cold Storage and went to see the glowing twin towers that seem to reach the skies from where we were standing. We had a few laughs before I passed out that night, hoping to wake up by 6:00AM to catch my train, which I did.

In my entire life, this will be the first time that I will be travelling first class, eventhough it's only a train ride, I thought I was in for a ride, well almost. The ticket was double the price of the economy class, 68 Malaysian Ringgits, on top of that, the seats needed some new upholsters, and I noticed a little friend, a cockroach, going in and out of the reclinable seat in front of me. I thought, it's better than bed bugs, but I thought of complaining and getting a full refund but I was so drained that I fell into a deep slumber and I only woke up when we were already in Johor Bahru for the exit formalities in Malaysia. The immigration officer, took my passport, then I gave him my immigration card, gave me a look and wrote something in red on my passport, written was "JB 18/12/2005".

Unusual Sunday

2005-11-27T20:41:00.000+08:00

It was a very unusual Sunday for me. I got up early, around 9:30AM so I can go to this IT-Expo called SITEX 2005. Well, for me it's early, after spending the whole Friday night at the office and working on a Saturday morning, how cruel. Anyway, I went to SITEX and I really had a hard time refraining myself from buying this thumbdrive, so I eventually gave in. It's a Sandisk 512MB Cruzer Micro, for S$66. I can't believe myself that I am spending for something that I barely need! I guess I have to make the most out of it, I'll just use it to store some data like my CV and some "other" pictures, hehehe. I went to the other booths, looking for a leather case for my Canon IXUS 50 digital camera and a bigger capacity SD Memory Card.

Noontime came, and I found myself on the way to Funan IT Mall, to convince myself that what I had was a good deal. Kidding aside, I guess I just want to entertain myself and let the time and loneliness pass by. From there, I went to Orchard Road, the shopping district of Singapore. The whole stretch was already decorated with Christmas decors. I miss home, I remember when I left Manila, they were already playing Christmas carols at the airport. I know that it will be a very lonely Christmas for me. The other day, I helped Tony, owner of BetelBox, in setting up a Christmas Tree. This was the time that I realized that Christmas in the Philippines is different from anywhere else. How I wish I can go home soon, but it is very unlikely. Going back is not in my options, for now. Then, in the afternoon, I went to The Parish of the Holy Family to hear a mass.

I have redesigned my blog while I spent the whole Friday night at my office. I guess it looks more original now. If you have any comments or suggestions, just hit me, asdfghqwerty@gmail.com. Anything will be accepted, no violent reactions please, hehe. Thanks for reading. I have to go now since one of my fucking officemate asked me to go to the office tomorrow morning, I should be there by 4:00PM, not 9:00AM.

100 Best Things About Being A Filipino

2005-11-26T06:48:00.000+08:00

FROM the 1896 Revolution to the first Philippine Republic, the Commonwealth period, the EDSA Revolt, and the tiger cub economy, history marches on. Thankfully, however, some things never change. Like the classics, things irresistibly Pinoy mark us for life. They're the indelible stamp of our identity, the undeniable affinity that binds us like twins. They celebrate the good in us, the best of our culture and the infinite possibilities we are all capable of. Some are so self-explanatory you only need mention them for fellow Pinoys to swoon or drool. Here, from all over this Centennial-crazed country and in no particular order, are a hundred of the best things that make us unmistakably Pinoy.

1. Merienda. Where else is it normal to eat five times a day?

2. Sawsawan. Assorted sauces that guarantee freedom of choice, enough room for experimentation and maximum tolerance for diverse tastes. Favorites: toyo't calamansi, suka at sili, patis.

3. Kuwan, ano. At a loss for words? Try this saying and marvel at how Pinoys understand exactly what you want.

4. Pinoy humor and irreverence. If you're "api" (being abused) and you know it, crack a joke. Nothing personal, really.

5. Tingi. Thank goodness for small entrepreneurs. Where else can we buy cigarettes, soap, condiments and life's essentials in small affordable amounts?

6. Spirituality. Even before the Spaniards came, ethnic tribes had their own anitos, bathalas and assorted deities, pointing to a strong relationship with the Creator, who or whatever it may be.

7. Po, opo, mano po. Speech suffixes that define courtesy, deference, filial respect--a balm to the spirit in these aggressive times.

8. Pasalubong. Our way of sharing the vicarious thrills and delights of a trip, and a wonderful excuse to shop without the customary guilt.

9. Beaches! With 7,000 plus islands, we have miles and miles of shoreline piled high with fine white sand, lapped by warm waters, and nibbled by exotic tropical fish. From the stormy seas of Batanes to the emerald isles of Palawan--over here, life is truly a beach.

10. Bagoong. Darkly mysterious, this smelly fish or shrimp paste typifies the underlying theme of most ethnic foods: disgustingly unhygienic, unbearably stinky and simply irresistible.

11. Bayanihan. Yes, the internationally-renowned dance company, but also this habit of pitching in still common in small communities. Just have that cold beer and some pulutan ready for the troops.

12. The Balikbayan box. Another way of sharing life's bounty, no matter if it seems like we're fleeing Pol Pot everytime we head home from anywhere in the globe. The most wonderful part is that, more often than not, the contents are carted home to be distributed.

13. Pilipino komiks. Not to mention "Hiwaga," "Aliwan," "Tagalog Classics," "Liwayway" and "Bulaklak" magazines. Pulpy publications that gave us Darna, Facifica Falayfay, Lagalag, Kulafu, Kenkoy, Dyesebel, characters of a time both innocent and worldly.

14. Folk songs. They come unbidden and spring, full blown, like a second language, at the slightest nudge from the too-loud stereo of a passing jeepney or tricycle.

15. Fiesta. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow is just another day, shrugs the poor man who, once a year, honors a patron saint with this sumptuous, no-holds-barred spread. It's a Pinoy celebration at its pious and riotous best.

16. Aswang, manananggal, kapre. The whole underworld of Filipino lower mythology recalls our uniquely bizarre childhood, that is, before political correctness kicked in. Still, their rich adventures pepper our storytelling.

17. Jeepneys. Colorful, fast, reckless, a vehicle of postwar Pinoy ingenuity, this everyman's communal cadillac makes for a cheap, interesting ride. If the driver's a daredevil (as they usually are), hang on to your seat.

18. Dinuguan. Blood stew, a bloodcurdling idea, until you try it with puto. Best when mined with jalape¤o peppers. Messy but delicious.

19. Santacruzan. More than just a beauty contest, this one has religious overtones, a tableau of St. Helena's and Constantine's search for the Cross that seamlessly blends piety, pageantry and ritual. Plus, it's the perfect excuse to show off the prettiest ladies--and the most beautiful gowns.

20. Balut. Unhatched duck's embryo, another unspeakable ethnic food to outsiders, but oh, to indulge in guilty pleasures! Sprinkle some salt and suck out that soup, with gusto.

21. Pakidala. A personalized door-to-door remittance and delivery system for overseas Filipino workers who don't trust the banking system, and who expect a family update from the courier, as well.

22. Chocnut. Crumbly peanut chocolate bars that defined childhood ecstasy before M & M's and Hersheys.

23. Kamayan style. To eat with one's hand and eschew spoon, fork and table manners--ah, heaven.

24. Chicharon. Pork, fish or chicken crackling. There is in the crunch a hint of the extravagant, the decadent and the pedestrian. Perfect with vinegar, sublime with beer.

25. Pinoy hospitality. Just about everyone gets a hearty "Kain tayo!" invitation to break bread with whoever has food to share, no matter how skimpy or austere it is.

26. Adobo, kare-kare, sinigang and other lutong bahay stuff. Home-cooked meals that have the stamp of approval from several generations, who swear by closely-guarded cooking secrets and family recipes.

27. Lola Basyang. The voice one heard spinning tales over the radio, before movies and television curtailed imagination and defined grown-up tastes.

28. Pambahay. Home is where one can let it all hang out, where clothes do not make a man or woman but rather define their level of comfort.

29. Tricycle and trisikad, the poor Pinoy's taxicab that delivers you at your doorstep for as little as PHPesos3.00, with a complimentary dusting of polluted air.

30. Dirty ice cream. Very Pinoy flavors that make up for the risk: munggo, langka, ube, mais, keso, macapuno. Plus there's the colorful cart that recalls jeepney art.

31. Yayas. The trusted Filipino nanny who, ironically, has become a major Philippine export as overseas contract workers. A good one is almost like a surrogate parent--if you don't mind the accent and the predilection for afternoon soap and movie stars.

32. Sarsi. Pinoy rootbeer, the enduring taste of childhood. Our grandfathers had them with an egg beaten in.

33. Pinoy fruits. Atis, guyabano, chesa, mabolo, lanzones, durian, langka, makopa, dalanghita, siniguelas, suha, chico, papaya, singkamas--the possibilities!

34. Filipino celebrities. Movie stars, broadcasters, beauty queens, public officials, all-around controversial figures: Aurora Pijuan, Cardinal Sin, Carlos P. Romulo, Charito Solis, Cory Aquino, Emilio Aguinaldo, the Eraserheads, Fidel V. Ramos, Francis Magalona, Gloria Diaz, Manuel L. Quezon, Margie Moran, Melanie Marquez, Ninoy Aquino, Nora Aunor, Pitoy Moreno, Ramon Magsysay, Richard Gomez, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Sharon Cuneta, Gemma Cruz, Erap, Tiya Dely, Mel and Jay, Gary V.

35. World class Pinoys who put us on the global map: Lea Salonga, Paeng Nepomuceno, Eugene Torre, Luisito Espinosa, Lydia de Vega-Mercado, Jocelyn Enriquez, Elma Muros, Onyok Velasco, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Lilia Calderon-Clemente, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, Josie Natori.

36. Pinoy tastes. A dietitian's nightmare: too sweet, too salty, too fatty, as in burong talangka, itlog na maalat, crab fat (aligue), bokayo, kutchinta, sapin-sapin, halo-halo, pastilyas, palitaw, pulburon, longganisa, tuyo, ensaymada, ube haleya, sweetened macapuno and garbanzos. Remember, we're the guys who put sugar (horrors) in our spaghetti sauce. Yum!

37. The sights. Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Corregidor Island, Fort Santiago, the Hundred Islands, the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ, Rizal Park, Mt. Banahaw, Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano. A land of contrasts and ever-changing landscapes.

38. Gayuma, agimat and anting-anting. Love potions and amulets. How the socially-disadvantaged Pinoy copes.

39. Barangay Ginebra, Jaworski, PBA, MBA and basketball. How the verticaly-challenged Pinoy compensates, via a national sports obsession that reduces fans to tears and fistfights.

40. People Power at EDSA. When everyone became a hero and changed Philippine history overnight.

41. San Miguel Beer and pulutan. "Isa pa nga!" and the Philippines' most popular, world-renowned beer goes well with peanuts, corniks, tapa, chicharon, usa, barbecue, sisig, and all manner of spicy, crunchy and cholesterol-rich chasers.

42. Resiliency. We've survived 400 years of Spanish rule, the US bases, Marcos, the 1990 earthquake, lahar, lambada, Robin Padilla, and Tamagochi. We'll survive Erap.

43. Yoyo. Truly Filipino in origin, this hunting tool, weapon, toy and merchandising vehicle remains the best way to "walk the dog" and "rock the baby," using just a piece of string.

44. Pinoy games: Pabitin, palosebo, basagan ng palayok. A few basic rules make individual cunning and persistence a premium, and guarantee a good time for all

45. Ninoy Aquino. For saying that "the Filipino is worth dying for,'' and proving it.

46. Balagtasan. The verbal joust that brings out rhyme, reason and passion on a public stage.

47. Tabo. All-powerful, ever-useful, hygienically-triumphant device to scoop water out of a bucket and help the true Pinoy answer nature's call. Helps maintain our famously stringent toilet habits.

48. Pandesal. Despite its shrinking size, still a good buy. Goes well with any filling, best when hot.

49. Jollibee. Truly Pinoy in taste and sensibility, and a corporate icon that we can be quite proud of. Do you know that it's invaded the Middle East, as well?

50. The butanding, the dolphins and other creatures in our blessed waters. They're Pinoys, too, and they're here to stay. Now if some folks would just stop turning them into daing.

51. Pakikisama. It's what makes people stay longer at parties, have another drink, join pals in sickness and health. You can get dead drunk and still make it home.

52. Sing-a-long. Filipinos love to sing, and thank God a lot of us do it well!

53. Kayumanggi. Neither pale nor dark, our skin tone is beautifully healthy, the color of a rich earth or a mahogany tree growing towards the sun.

54. Handwoven cloth and native weaves. Colorful, environment-friendly alternatives to polyester that feature skillful workmanship and a rich indigenous culture behind every thread. From the pinukpok of the north to the malong of the south, it's the fiber of who we are.

55. Movies. Still the cheapest form of entertainment, especially if you watch the same movie several times.

56. Bahala na. We cope with uncertainty by embracing it, and are thus enabled to play life by ear.

57. Papaitan. An offal stew flavored with bile, admittedly an acquired taste, but pointing to our national ability to acquire a taste for almost anything.

58. English. Whether carabao or Arr-neoww-accented, it doubles our chances in the global marketplace.

59. The Press. Irresponsible, sensational, often inaccurate, but still the liveliest in Asia. Otherwise, we'd all be glued to TV.

60. Divisoria. Smelly, crowded, a pickpocket's paradise, but you can get anything here, often at rock-bottom prices. The sensory overload is a bonus.

61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal and dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any ordinary Juan look marvelously makisig.

62. Filipinas. They make the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.

63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero and macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.

64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.

65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.

66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it as a birthright.

67. Bad taste. Clear plastic covers on the vinyl-upholstered sofa, posters of poker-playing dogs masquerading as art, overaccessorized jeepneys and altars--the list is endless, and wealth only seems to magnify it.

68. Mangoes. Crisp and tart, or lusciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings and endless sunshine in a heart-shaped package.Mangoes.

69. Unbridled optimism. Why we rank so low on the suicide scale.

70. Street food: Barbecue, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, IUD (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget hepatitis; here's cheap, tasty food with gritty ambience.

71. The siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.

72. Honorifics and courteous titles: Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, Ingkong, Aling, Mang, etc. No exact English translation, but these words connote respect, deference and the value placed on kinship.

73. Heroes and people who stood up for truth and freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all, and other heroes and revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan and Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armando Malay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa and other comfort women who spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Advincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who didn't let Jalosjos get away with rape.

74. Flora and fauna. The sea cow (dugong), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archipelago unique.

75. Pilipino songs, OPM and composers: "Ama Namin," "Lupang Hinirang," "Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal," "Ngayon at Kailanman," "Anak," "Handog,""Hindi Kita Malilimutan," "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit"; Ryan Cayabyab, George Canseco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, and Florante--living examples of our musical gift.

76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continuously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness--especially now that those darned candidates' posters have to be scraped off the face of Manila!

77. Sari-sari store. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax to Band-Aid and bakya.

78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.

79. Favorite TV shows through the years: "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "John and Marsha," "Champoy," "Ryan, Ryan Musikahan," "Kuwarta o Kahon," "Public Forum/Lives," "Student Canteen," "Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.

80. Quirks of language that can drive crazy any tourist listening in: "Bababa ba?" "Bababa!"

81. "Sayang!" "Naman!" "Kadiri!" "Ano ba!?" "pala". Expressions that defy translation but wring out feelings genuinely Pinoy.

82. Cockfighting. Filipino men love it more than their wives (sometimes).

83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category in himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate and be proud of, anytime, anywhere.

84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark and homely-looking, she redefined our rigid concept of how leading ladies should look.

85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy Aunor and Ate Vi Santos and for many years, the only way to be for many Filipino fans.

86. Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect excuse to mix our love for feasting, gift-giving and music and wrap it up with a touch of religion.

87. Relatives and kababayan abroad. The best refuge against loneliness, discrimination and confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives and fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on the basis of a phone introduction or referral.

88. Festivals: Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan frenzy and Christian overtones.

89. Folk dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, kariñosa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves and a distinct rhythm.

90. Native wear and costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form and ingenious function in the way we dress.

91. Sunday family gatherings. Or, close family ties that never get severed. You don't have to win the lotto or be a president to have 10,000 relatives. Everyone's family tree extends all over the archipelago, and it's at its best in times of crisis; notice how food, hostesses, money, and moral support materialize during a wake?

92. Calesa and karitela. The colorful and leisurely way to negotiate narrow streets when loaded down with a year's provisions.

93. Quality of life. Where else can an ordinary employee afford a stay-in helper, a yaya, unlimited movies, eat-all-you-can buffets, the latest fashion (Baclaran nga lang), even Viagra in the black market?

94. All Saints' Day. In honoring our dead, we also prove that we know how to live.

95. Handicrafts. Shellcraft, rattancraft, abaca novelties, woodcarvings, banig placemats and bags, bamboo windchimes, etc. Portable memories of home. Hindi lang pang-turista, pang-balikbayan pa!

96. Pinoy greens. Sitaw. Okra. Ampalaya. Gabi. Munggo. Dahon ng Sili. Kangkong. Luya. Talong. Sigarillas. Bataw. Patani. Lutong bahay will never be the same without them.

97. OCWs. The lengths (and miles) we'd go for a better life for our family, as proven by these modern-day heroes of the economy.

98. The Filipino artist. From Luna's magnificent "Spoliarium" and Amorsolo's sun-kissed ricefields, to Ang Kiukok's jarring abstractions and Borlongan's haunting ghosts, and everybody else in between. Hang a Filipino painting on your wall, and you're hanging one of Asia's best.

99. Tagalog soap operas. From "Gulong ng Palad" and "Flor de Luna" to today's incarnations like "Mula sa Puso"--they're the story of our lives, and we feel strongly for them, MariMar notwithstanding.

100. Midnight madness, weekends sales, bangketas and baratillos. It's retail therapy at its best, with Filipinos braving traffic, crowds, and human deluge to find a bargain.

one rainy day

2005-11-10T20:07:00.000+08:00

It was raining when I went out of the office today. by 6pm, I was at Orchard Road bus stop, near Lucky Plaza. waiting for Bus 16, on my way home, to BetelBox. I came from Kabayan, the restaurant that I always go to whenever I'm homesick. for every spoonful, I call it home. it has been almost 2 months since i left manila, i've considered myself as an economic refugee since. I lost 10 pounds since I started working here, maybe it's because of the food, or the way they prepare it. For no apparent reason, I lost my appetite. Yet, it never fails whenever I eat some food that I am used to.

I have met a lot of people since I arrived here. and since I am staying on a backpackers' hostel, I already prepared myself for that. there's Thomas, an Indian guy who kept on asking me how will he settle in the Philippines. he's nice, one of my closest during my period of adjustment here. he's been working in Malaysia for 9 years and he's already fluent with Malay. then, there's Milan, a Filipino-Australian, same age as me, born in my hometown, grew up there as a kid and left for Australia in 1989. one of the closest friends that I have while I stayed here. he's the same as me, trying to be independent, I mean, he'll earn a lot back home and yet he's looking for a job here. I told him that there's a price to pay for being independent. and then there's Gamble, an american. she's into some soul searching, trying to figure out the things back home, like school. actually she's in Cambodia right now, but she'll be back since her plane ticket back to the US will depart from Singapore. how I wish she could stay longer. earlier last month, she went to Indonesia for almost 4 weeks, im glad that we keep in touch through emails. we share the same interests, video games, travelling, etc. i am looking forward to seeing her in 2007, or sooner, but for now, i'll be making the most out of my time with her.

there was also Doc Marlon, a filipino, who's into model photography and fashion. then Vicki, an english lady, looking forward to finding a job in South Africa. and some nameless faces that i meet along this journey, who in one way or another, is making my stay here in Singapore, more worthwhile than what I was expecting.

when I boarded the bus on my way to Joo Chiat road, I was wondering, where will I go from here.

Singapore (09/11/2005 - onwards)

2005-09-17T23:29:00.000+08:00

I am fortunate enough that the application for my work permit was finally approved. The last days that I spent back home in the Philippines was in Cebu. This was during the time that I am just waiting for the approval of my S-Pass, that I was so hesitant in accepting my detail which is suppose to last for 2 months. Anyway, I accepted it and I only lasted for a week. Corporate practice on resignations should be 1 month notice prior to the actual resignation date to give the company an ample time to look for a replacement, however, our Assistant Managing Head in Manila got mad because I really had to leave immediately. What a way to resign from my first job in PAGCOR. I finished my career where it all started. I've been with them for almost 3 years, through the company's controversies, failure and success. I won a lot of people, it gave me room to grow and prepared me well with my new job. I wil surely miss the people who I worked with, without the company, I won't be where I am.

When I went back to Manila by September 8, I had to make a reservation for a plane ticket to Singapore, I should be there on Sunday because I will be starting on the day after. Good thing that I was able to grab one of the last four remaining seats on JetStar Asia's flight 3K 562 for Singapore. I only bought a one-way ticket, since I had with me the approval letter of my work permit, good for one year. The whole Saturday, I spent my day packing up my things and some last minute farewells to my friends. I will surely miss them. Sunday came and I wasn't even able to bid goodbye to my only sister who attended a retreat then. I am sad that I had to leave everything and everybody behind including Mercy, my girlfriend of 6 years, 5 months, and 8 days, who is currently taking up here Bar Examinations. I've always wanted the best for her, and for her to fulfill her dreams of becoming a lawyer someday, I know that she feels the same towards me since this will be a career advancement for me. My family then drove me to the airport, I know that they are sad, since they don't know when will I return home. When we arrived at NAIA Terminal I, they all hugged me and bid me goodbye.

At the airport, I had to fall in long lines, waiting for my things to be examined by the airport security. Then I had to check-in my things at the JetStar Asia counter. The lady who received me then asked why I only have a one-way ticket, then without saying a word, I showed her my work permit approval letter and she gave me a boarding pass. I had to fall in line a waited for the Philippine Immigration clearance. The immigration officer asked me, where will I be going, and I told her only in Singapore. I claimed my passport and went to Gate 1 for boarding. Then this problem came. I am carrying with me P28,000 (US$497), hoping it would do until the time that I receive my first salary. Beyond my knowledge we are only allowed to carry P10,000 worth of Philippine currency, so the Bureau of Customs officer told me that I can't pass through, she told me that I had to change everything and just leave P10,000 with me. I begged her to let me get away with it since the foreign exchange in Singapore for the Philippine Peso is higher, besides, it was already 30 minutes before boarding time so I had to be at the Gate 1. I looked for a currency changer and they were even out of Singapore Dollars then, I had to change them to US Dollars. I really had a heavy heart with our government back home, the government that should be looking for the welfare of its citizens, and they were also the one who makes it difficult for us. Bureacracy, it's eating the Philippines up, I hope someday it can be eradicated, but I don't see it in the near future, maybe after 3 generations.

It's good that I was able to board the plane and my trip was a breeze. I arrived Singapore in the afternoon around 1735H, and I found my way to MRT going to Paya Lebar station. My destination? Betel Box Backpacker's Hostel. I took a cab when I went off the MRT since my bag was really heavy. The place was cozy and the staff are friendly. I liked it, I think I will be staying for a month or so. The price was reasonable, S$18 for the first 6 nights and S$15 for the succeeding nights, they even offered me their monthly rate of $450 for a month. It includes free breakfast and internet up to 2AM. This offer really caught me up, since I spend 2-3 hours a day online. Internet Cafes are not a familiar sight, compared back home where there are almost 3 net cafes in every street, aside from that, the price is steep, so I think what will I get from staying in this place is worth it. Besides, it also gives me the opportunity to meet different people from almost all parts of the globe. I am sure this will be a promising stay in Singapore.

Singapore (08/10 - 08/13/2005)

2005-08-16T20:26:00.000+08:00

I've been busy lately planning for this trip. It took a lot of planning(and convincing). If it wasn't for a job interview, I won't be pushing through with this trip. I really want to save up with the amount that's left from selling Rusty. Like what my friends said, "treat this trip as a vacation so you won't get disappointed if your applications are unsuccessful". This trip made me shell out almost P30,000 for the airfare, hotel and other miscellaneous expenses.

August 10, 2005

I left the house at around 1000H to avoid traffic and to beat the 3 hours check-in time. I was suppose to drop by the shoe store where I had my shoes repaired so I can use it for my interview but the staff was not around so I just left with my old shoes to avoid further delays. My ETD from Manila was 1450H. It was delayed as always, thanks to Philippine Airlines. I had to wait for 3 more hours at the Centennial Terminal 2 I almost fell asleep. I was so excited since this will be my very first travel abroad aside from the fact that I will be travelling alone. I am getting used to this setup since I was assigned by my employer in Cebu in 2002. I just slept during the whole flight, and managed to take glimpses at the in-flight movie Fever Pitch. Flight PR501 landed at Changi International Airport at around 1730H. I was really fascinated because it was so clean and it looks better than our malls in Manila. the first thing that came to my mind was to look for a money changer. I exchanged some of my bills for some Singaporean Dollars. I was able to get S$230. After that, I lined up with the immigration authorities for proper documentation. Filipinos are given 30-days Social Visit Pass without a visa. The indian-looking immigration officer asked me, "What's the purpose of your visit?" then I answered, "I'll be touring the city". I went to the baggage carousel to get my backpack when I was approached by a fellow Filipino who was also on my flight. He asked me, "Pare, baka pwede makisuyo? Makikibili sana ako ng alak eh, hanggang isang bote lang kasi ang pwede", referreing to 1 liquor bottle per passenger limit on duty-free items. i gave him a nod and got a Jim Beam bottle for him. Then, I skipped the customs authorities for I have nothing to declare inside my backpack and the portfolio that I am carrying with me. I realized that there are 2 kinds of Singaporeans; Indian-Singaporeans and Chinese-Singaporeans. The indian community is really big here, maybe it's because a lot of indians decided to stay or had been permanent residents already. Finally, there's this Singaporean guy waiting for me at the lobby with my name on a piece of white paper. When I approached him, he was so amazed and said that I am young, he was expecting a middle-aged man. Anyway, he was the organizer of the tourist desk that will send me to my hotel room in Geylang. The first thing that I noticed is that the vehicles are all right-hand driven. I was really fascinated how the cleanliness of this city was maintained. I arrived at the hotel around 1900H. I unpacked my things and took a rest immediately for a long day tomorrow.

August 11, 2005

I started my day by hitting the shower, around 0830H, very unusual for me. I still had to find the address of the agency who's suppose to arrange some interviews for me. I am lucky that the MRT is walking distance from the hotel, anyway, I don't even have plans to get a cab so that I can immerse myself to Singapore commuters and have fun with their efficient transportation system. They had a General Ticketing Machine, much like our ticketing machines with the LRT2. The average fare was $S 2 for a distance like Monumento-Baclaran, and hey, the trains are really faster. In a matter of minutes, I was able to reach the station where I need to disembark to. Singapore just celebrated its 40th National Day. I am really impressed with what Lee Kuan Yew did to this city-state, to think that his adviser then was the late President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines. When I reached the agency, I can't believe that my contact person for the agency is really cute, though she hardly smiles. Snabera effect. hehehe. She arranged two interviews for me, the first was for ABN-AMRO, a dutch bank located at the Singtel Building and the other one in the afternoon was with AVIVA-Asia, located at the Singapore Stock Exchange. I bought a local simcard, Mobile One, so my contact person can reach me anytime. Then I headed for my journey. I was able to tour the city by myself riding back and forth the MRT from station to station. It was really an adventure, asking people regarding the nearest MRT stations. The interviews were good, then I called up my agent and told her that my interviews were done. I wanted to have a first-hand experience of the so-called "high cost of living in Singapore". I went to a McDonald's restaurant near the office where I had my last interview. I made an order; a quarter-pounder combo that includes a large french fries and large coke. It cost S$4.95. The exchange rate was S$1 = P33. In my opinion, the food price is reasonable. After my meal, I strolled their business district and i found a book store where I spent a little more time reading. I had to go home by 2000H for the fear that I might miss the last train to my hotel. Little did I know, Geylang is the red district of Singapore. in the evening, there were a lot of women in revealing clothes, along with their pimps. There were also massage parlors ranging from S$30 up for their services. There are also a lot of local eateries where they sell food for the budget conscious customers. I also tried one of these stalls and the food is great. I ordered noodles, much like pansit, then included some wanton and sausages. In addition to that, they only had chopsticks, good thing that barely I know how to use a pair. I shelled out $3.00 for the food including the soda in can. Some Chinese-looking women asked me if I want to avail their services, but I declined. They even mistook me for a chinese. After my last burp, I went to my hotel room to get some sleep.

August 12, 2005

It's a rest day. I had a good night sleep and I don't have any scheduled interviews for the day. I am suppose to join the tour as much as I really wanted to maximize my stay. Beforehand, I had a list of agencies that I can visit with my free time so I mapped my itenerary and went to the nearest ones first. Good thing that these agencies are accessible with the MRT. I can hear some Filipinos at my back when I lined up for the ticketing machine. I went to 5 agencies, 3 of which conducted an on-the-spot interview and the other 2 asked me to just send my resume online through their company's email address. I noticed that most people obey the traffic rules. They cross only when the motorists are at stop and only on pedestrian lanes. The buses also have their own bus stops. When I was about to cross the street, a speeding vehicle came from my right since they left side of the street. It immedaitely stopped and the driver waved his hand as if telling me to "go ahead and cross the street". I am really amazed that time, if that happens here in Manila, I could have eneded at the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital. Then, this time around, I tried to eat at Carl's Jr. I had a double western bacon burger a large fries and a refillable Coke, costs $8.50. Not bad for a hearty meal after hours of interviews, long walks and searching for the address of some companies. I also went to some of the malls, since one of the agencies I went to was really inside a mall. It is inside Ngee Ann City Tower A. The stalls sell brands like Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, etc. I had to go home early that night because I had to pack up my things for my flight back to Manila the following day.

August 13, 2005

The flight PR504, which was supposedly to depart at 1335H for Manila was delayed again. Thanks to Philippine Airlines, how I wish I could have taken another carrier. Next time, I'll be trying Tiger Airways departing from Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark for a change. The in-flight movie was Monster-In-Law. I sat beside a Filipina, who worked in Singapore as a Domestic Helper. Tears fell from her eyes while she's narrating her story. She said that Singapore has been and will always be a nightmare for her. I symphatize with her. But I do hope to work for this developing country once I find an employer who's willing to take me into its arms. I am still waiting to hear from these companies. But my trip was really a memorable one, Ii hope that in the near future, I'll be back to this city-state.

RuSty (01/03/2002 - 07/07/2005)

2005-07-01T22:30:00.000+08:00

1992 Honda Civic hatchback ("RusTy")
-B16A EF installed by Bong Hilario
-SiR valve cover
-81.25mm(oversized) CTR pistons
-gray gathers interior
-1.5" Neuspeed springs
-Alpine CDA-9826 mp3/wma headunit
-15" Silverwind copy SiR mags
-6500 VTEC, 9000 rpm limit
-EP 2(registered last February)
-Iceman Cold Air Intake
-Fremuff 4-1 exhaust manifold and 2.25" pipe with Apexi N1 copy exhaust
-Evercool 2-rows radiator

Engine Bay

Front Panel

Gray Gathers Interior

EG6 White Gauge cluster

Alpine CDA-9826 mp3/wma player

dent on the rear right side

water spots? no, the roof needs replacement (ouch!)

Side view, 1.5" Neuspeed drop

Bday Pics!!!

2005-07-01T17:49:00.000+08:00

2005 NBA Champions

2005-06-25T20:18:00.000+08:00

Congratulations to the 2005 NBA Champions, SAN ANTONIO SPURS.

Gloria Resign!

2005-06-21T21:47:00.000+08:00

Early this morning, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo left for Hongkong to "meet local business leaders". I don't know if she'll be back or not. It looks like another coup d'etat is being brewed by some senior and junior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It started when a tape containing the alleged conversation of then Comelec Commissioner Garcillano and no less than the President herself on alleged rigging of the May 2004 election leaked to the public. Elections here in the Philippines was widely accepted as dirty, but not as dirty as this one.

Sure, there was dagdag-bawas(vote-padding and shaving) but this is really one for the books and for the ages. I had Atty. Samuel Ong's version of the tape dubbed as "The mother of all tapes". I was able to listen to the conversations and I believe that the voice talking to a certain Gary/Garci was the President herself. Text messages were circulating the other day, informing the public to prepare for the "declaration of Martial Law on or before June 21". The people were so vigilant that the messages reached the media and sought Malacañang regarding the matter, however, the palace downplayed the issue.

Commissioner Garcillano was also missing, reportedly left for United States via Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia through the backdoor at Sulu. He was accompanied by Hermogenes Ebdane, former PNP Chief and incumbent Department of Public Works and Highways chief. What a shame for covering up the mess that the embattled president has dug herself into.

I'm hoping that something worse should happen to the Arroyo administration, far worse than what happened to the Estrada administration.

I posted an excerpt from an article by PCIJ. It summarizes the events that happened. I kept the copy of the audio conversation since the NBI are reportedly after those who own it. The point was, why are they hiding the truth? Sure, GMA had a share of supporters but up to now, I am still wondering, how she won, call it bias but it is really impossible to beat the late Fernando Poe, Jr because of his charisma and popularity that spanned for 5 decades behind the silverscreen. During his wake at Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City, people from all walks of life lined up to glance at their "president",who was cheated with victory. The wake took 2 weeks, 24/7 to give the people their last chance to pay respect to the "King of Philippine Cinemas".

To Gloria Arroyo, if you can read this, sana tablan ka naman ng kahihiyan. Umalis ka na!

"Gloriagate" Scandal

2005-06-21T10:54:00.000+08:00

Arroyo tape scandal centered on Lanao del Sur vote - PCIJ

By Yvonne Chua, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

The Philippine Star 06/21/2005

Of the 10 recorded conversations supposedly between President Arroyo and Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano recorded from May 28 to June 2, 2004, three of these were said to be calls from the President showing a special interest in the canvassing results in Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Post-election accounts show that it was in Lanao del Sur that one of the worst cases of "dagdag-bawas" (vote-padding and -shaving) took place in the May 10, 2004 elections. This charge was made not only by the political opposition but by Namfrel provincial chair Abdullah Dalidig as well.

In the May 29 conversation, the voice alleged to be President Arroyo's is heard asking the election official if she would still lead by more than one million votes nationwide. The official, who noted that opposition bet Fernando Poe Jr. had been leading in certain places, assured Arroyo: "Mataas ho siya pero mag-compensate po sa Lanao yan." The President, he said, could still get the one-million-plus lead "if we can get more in Lanao," adding that he was still expecting the poll results from seven more municipalities of Lanao del Sur's 39 provinces. The results from Lanao del Sur were among the last to be transmitted to Congress.

The race between Poe and Arroyo for the presidency was close. In the congressional canvass, Poe beat the President in Luzon and Metro Manila by 1,755,837 votes, but was defeated in the Visayas by 2,323,493 votes. In the Mindanao count, he lost to Arroyo by 300,399 ballots. In the end, the action star was defeated by more than one million votes.

In her alleged June 2 phone call to the elections commissioner, the President sought clarification on a reported discrepancy between the statement of votes (SOVs) and certificates of canvass (COCs) in Lanao del Sur and Basilan. Supposedly, Garcillano gave the President this assurance: "Dun naman sa Basilan at Lanao Sur, ito ho yung ginawa nilang magpataas sa inyo, maayos naman ang paggawa eh...wag ho kayong masyadong mabahala. Anyway, we will take care of this. Kakausapin ko rin si Atty. Makalintal."

COCs cover the count at the municipal level and SOVs at the provincial level.

Election returns (ERs) are collected at the precinct level. Then on June 8, the President supposedly made yet another call to Garcillano, shortly after Namfrel's Dalidig appeared in a press conference at a Quezon City restaurant alleging "dagdag-bawas" in Lanao del Sur. Garcillano offered to attend to the matter by getting Rey Sumalipao, provincial election supervisor of Lanao del Sur, to help. "Rey Sumalipao, the supervisor, is coming, and we will also try to make him say something after this. Pagsasalitain ko sila ho without letting the people know that I am the one who will address it ho," he told the President. (Sumalipao is now Comelec's assistant regional director for ARMM.)

The final congressional tally shows Arroyo won in Lanao del Sur. She garnered 128,301 votes and Poe 43,302. The President got another 30,447 and Poe 6,805 in the special elections that were subsequently held in Lanao del Sur towns where a failure of elections was declared.

But according to Namfrel's summary of provincial ERs, which forms part of its June 30, 2004 terminal report on the elections, Poe was leading Arroyo, 42,374 to 32,389, and the opposition's Loren Legarda beating Noli de Castro, 56,568 to 23,242, in Lanao del Sur. Namfrel tabulated 82.98 percent of the ERs nationwide.

Documents from Namfrel's chapter in Lanao del Sur illustrate the extent of the alleged vote-padding and -shaving. The most interesting case involved the town of Poona Bayabao. Located about 37 kilometers from Marawi City, this town merited special mention in Garcillano's May 30 conversation with a certain Rey, whose voice Comelec and ARMM sources identified as that of election supervisor Rey Sumalipao. Sumalipao reported to Garcillano that an en banc order had been issued. He was "to continue with the canvassing but suspend the proclamation."

A copy of the COC that Namfrel obtained of the voting in Poona Bayabao shows President Arroyo and Legarda (it gets the fourth copy) leading their opponents 4,700 to zero. But the ERs that the poll monitor was furnished (Namfrel gets the sixth copy) reveal a big discrepancy: neither Poe nor De Castro obtained zero votes. In two tables prepared later by the Namfrel chapter summarizing the ERs in 13 precincts in Poona Bayabao, Poe got 767 and Arroyo 964, while Legarda obtained 1,252 and De Castro, 350.

Dalidig's chapter also prepared tables comparing the ERs and COCs in seven other towns: Lambayanague, Taraka, Saguiaran, Marantao, Mulondo, Binidayan and Balindong. Dalidig counted 10,077 more votes in the COC. (Some tables contain computation errors.) According to the Namfrel chapter, the President's votes were padded by 21,217 votes while Poe's were shaved by 9,174.

The political report, in its minority report, also identified Poona Bayabao, Tara, Saguiaran, Lumbanayague, Marantao and Mulondo as towns where "dagdag-bawas" purportedly took place. The report also listed the towns of Tubaran, Taguluan II, Masiu and Bulig. By the opposition's reckoning, a total of 6,986 were added to the President's votes in the four towns, while Poe's votes were reduced by 2,680 in Wao. But Congress simply "noted" the minority's objections and request for a return to the ERs, and proceeded with the canvass.

Since the wiretapped conversations were made public, Dalidig told the Philippine Daily Inquirer he felt vindicated because neither the Namfrel national office nor Congress had paid him heed during the canvassing.

The six to seven Lanao del Sur towns that were still canvassing the votes weeks after the elections were held also formed the subject of Garcillano's conversations with other people, presumably including Comelec field officers.

The elections commissioner told an unidentified man on May 25 votes might still be obtained in seven towns in Lanao del Sur. "Kung makuha natin yung maximum sa Cotabato at madagdagan ng Lanao Sur, tama yung sinasabi mo," he said.

On the same day, a certain Danny informed Garcillano that the candidate they were helping was reported to have won in six municipalities in Lanao del Sur. He replied: "Mananalo talaga siya. Nandun si Louie, Macarambon eh. Pababantayan ko..". The two then said they should if the candidate were to win by 20,000 to 25,000 votes.

On May 28, Garcillano got a call from a woman that the results from the six towns from Lanao del Sur were arriving in Manila on the last flight from Cagayan de Oro.

Five days later, on June 2, Garcillano is heard telling an unidentified man that "pinagdududahan nga akong nag-kwan sa Lanao Sur." The man had informed Garcillano that former senator Robert Barbers was still expecting the votes from 27 towns in Lanao del Sur. The ex-senator, however, had gotten his numbers all wrong: The counting was over except for only a handful of precincts, not towns.

Down 2-1, but not out..

2005-06-16T19:50:00.000+08:00

Down 2-1 in a best-of-seven series with the San Antonio Spurs, I am picking the Detroit Pistons to repeat a title run. Game 4 is slated tomorrow and it will be played at Auburn Hills in Michigan. I hope that the Pistons can win the next 4 games.

I hope that the onslaught will be led by 3-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year,
Ben Wallace.

Moving On

2005-06-16T18:50:00.000+08:00

I came to this point of my life wherein I am having a dilemma of thinking about my future. I have decided to push through with my plans of settling somewhere. Some things really made up my decision of just walking away. I had an interview yesterday with this manpower agency which are looking for AS/400 Programmers for deployment, either here or abroad. I made it to the point that whenever I am for interview, I always come ahead of time so they won't have a bad impression. Now, I stepped into their office and the one who received me asked for the hard copy of my resume with my picture attached on it. The lady then handed me 2 forms that I had to complete plus a small paper that contains some math questions, that served as a small exam, it's actually a quiz. The questions are quite easy, most are analytic, but I wasn't able to get on right. The problem was to determine the number of minutes in 5 years, the logic of my answer was right yet I forgot to multiply my answer by 5 hence my answer was WRONG. After the exam, I had an interview with their japanese consultant. I hope that I did good.

I also saw an opening at the Norwegian Cruise Lines but their manning agency here in the Philippines, which is Magsaysay Institute of Shipping, doesn't even have any knowledge of the open position. It's also frustrating that they tend to hire people that they know instead of the competent ones, bullshit. I have decided to just send my documents through Fedex for expedited delivery. The package consists the completed form, a copy of my resume, a cover letter and photocopies of my passport, Seafarer's Identification and Record Book and the certificate of the Basic Safety Course. It cost me P1,500 but I am confident that my documents will reach it's destination.

I also laid out my plans of going to Singapore either in September or early October. I guess it's time for me to do something to save up for the trip. It will be a make or break for my career.

Last week, I wasn't able to update my blog because I was busy sorting things out. One of the things that I have decided was to sell Rusty, my civic hatchback. We've been together for 3 years now and since we don't have a parking space anymore, it's time for me to let go. It's really difficult on my part especially that he is my first car. I am currently on negotiating with somebody from Batangas, my asking price was P235k but he bargained to P225k. For me, Rusty was priceless, but I know it will just be better for him to be handed to a new owner. I will post some pics and a tribute soon.

25 and STILL Standing

2005-06-03T14:35:00.000+08:00

I just had my 25th birthday yesterday. It was not that good, I think it's my worst. Yet, I know that I'll find a way to get over those things that are bothering me for 2 weeks now. Almost everybody left me, at least I have my friends to always watch my back.

I did my usual routine, except going to the office. I had a drinking session at our rented apartment the previous night and I spent it pondering with the things that are happening and at the same time sought some advices from my friends aside from drinking. I went home yesterday, around 10 in the morning. I stayed just home 'til after lunch to play Metal Gear Solid 3 : Snake Eater for PS2. I had to remaster the controls because it's been a while that I stepped away from the game. Now the excitement was back and I think I'll be playing it for the next few days or weeks to keep myself busy. My phone was busy receiving messages from my closest friends and relatives, wishing me everything. Then I went to Shangri-La to meet up Albert and looked at the Bluetooth donggle he earlier purchased and just talked to him some things.

Before dark, I went to Sto.Domingo Church to hear a mass and to thank the Lord for making me 25 and for all his blessings that came and will come. Then, I just spent my evening with my siblings and parents at Quattro in Timog Avenue. Yes, I am 25, and I WILL stand. I know I can. I have to go home early today because I have an exam in the morning at U.P. Another outlet that will keep me busy at the same time will let me grow as an individual. I hope that I can make it tomorrow.

Pete's Beach Party (Subic)!!!

2005-06-01T12:33:00.000+08:00

I spent my weekend in Subic. I came there with my friends, actually we're 11 in the group, to celebrate the birthday of my good friend, Pete. We were suppose to celebrate it in Boracay last May 18 but there were some circumstance that prevented it so we had to wait for his return to party. I just packed overnight clothes and money for the fare, the rest was up to the celebrant. I wasn't really enjoying the trip because I wasn't feeling well that time, I was thinking a lot of things that almost consumed me up since the previous week. Good thing that I was able to appreciate the things that my friends did to cheer me up. I've realized that the word FRIEND goes a long way and most of all, I've realized that I am so lucky to have friends like them who will stick with you during tough times.

Anyway, we took a rest at Pete's house. The food was really sumptuous. Tapos nag-videoke kami, syempre todo kanta ako, si Leslie at si Albert. I think I had 6-7 songs before we parted for the beach. When we get there, there were a lot of cottages and we placed our bags on one and settled for another, plus they brought a tent which is really big, it can accommodate 7 people. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't that good, it rained. Some of my friends bought a case of ice cold beer and ang mga walang hiya binuhusan ako sa likod, sobrang lamig hehehe. But it's fine, since it was raining. I had to go to the water to rinse myself. Night came and we had to setup a small grill for some pork and chicken barbecue. Some played card games but I managed to find a table where I can comfortably sleep on top since I was already tipsy. Sunday came and we had to pack up early so we'll be in Manila before dark. There were some bottles left, I finished it so we won't be carrying them back home. The trip was really great, made me realize some things and I learned to value my friends.

New Phone and Moving Out

2005-05-19T08:05:00.000+08:00

Last Tuesday, Albert and I went to Shoppesville in Greenhills to buy a new phone. I've been asking a lot of people the past few weeks if I'll buy a Nokia 6600 or a Nokia 6630. I was also eyeing the Nokia 7610 but the price difference is not that much compared to the Nokia 6630, so I might as well get it since it's a newer model. Another option was to buy an Apple 6GB Mini i-Pod for me so I'll have some music to accompany me in the gym. Earlier, Albert and MP bought themselves a Nokia 3230 and I can say that the phone was good, and it helped me decide to just buy a new phone to replace my worn-out Nokia 7650 instead of an i-Pod. So I have decided to pick up: the Nokia 6630. I think it is a little overpriced but it is still a class on its own. It came with a 64MB reduced-sized multimdedia card aside from the 10MB internal phone memory. Not bad compared to the 4MB internal memory of the Nokia 7650. Now I can capture some snapshots and post it here. hehehe.

I also helped my friends to move out to a bigger place. We found a place we can consider a house near Bambang Street in Sta. Cruz, near Masangkay Street where I-Surf was located. It is located on a building, has 2 big rooms and a verranda where my friends, particularly Leslie, and I can drink during tough times. We are planning to install an aircon on the sala one of these days. The caretaker, Mang Ben, was also kind enough to lend us some of the appliances left by the previous owner like the sofa set, washing machine and a refrigirator, of course for a minimum price. My body still aches because of my gym sessions. As much as I've wanted to rest, I can't, since I am career-driven. Besides, I love pain, makes us stronger. Oh well, time to go back to work. Thanks for reading.

Boracay Trip Alternative

2005-05-14T16:36:00.000+08:00

I'm back from Puerto Galera, had a quick dip under the sun and clear waters off this resort in the island of Mindoro. I thought I'll be going to Boracay with my friends but due to some circumstances, we weren't able to push through. The original schedule was suppose to be from May 12-15.

I also signed up a 1 year body-tone program with Ryan J Fitness Center, in front of UST, to eliminate my excess fats and belly. I hope that by next summer, I'll be able to display my toned body under the sun. As I write this down, I am drinking a few bottles of San Miguel Light beer. It's my first time to drink in the afternoon. hehehe.

Tale of the Stupid Boss

2005-05-03T19:33:00.000+08:00

My boss is really getting into my nerves. Everytime she speaks to me, she's giving me more and more reasons to leave the company. You see, I can withstand the pressure from other people, but not from her. Hindi naman sa nagyayabang, but I think she's overrated, she doesn't even know what we, her subordinates, are doing then she still have the guts to meddle with the things that we do, even with the personal ones.

Aside from meddling with us, she made it a habit to place me and my officemate, Farrah, on a graveyard shift for the reason that we are both single. So fucking what? Was that a reason? She's also treating me like a dumbass. I joked to her earlier today, that I'll be on a graveyard shift again by next week, she said that I should get the most out of it since Farrah will be transferring soon to another department. She laughed, I also had my laugh with the thought of making a surprise sooner or later by leaving not just the department, but the company as well. I want to teach them a lesson, by showing someone's importance, so they'll evaluate how our department was being run. I hope that within the week, Philam Plans will already offer me the job that I am applying for. hehehehe.

PICS!!!

2005-04-29T00:33:00.000+08:00

Peachy and Macho, happy together..

Commencement Exercises 2002, P.I.C.C.

The usual suspects

While at the IT office in CF-Cebu, 2002

Malapascua Island, Cebu, Philippines

Update For The Week

2005-04-28T21:27:00.000+08:00

The week was kind enough to let me survive. I had my ups and downs. First and foremost, our supposedly trip to Puerto Galera, originally scheduled on April 30 - May 1, will be cancelled. After a month of intensive planning, I was disappointed that our trip will not push through on the said dates. On the bright note, we both agreed to just move it to a later date, on May 6 - May 7. I guess we'll just try our luck there since it's also a weekend and the rooms will be fully-booked by then. That's where the fun begins, whenever you go to a place and you try to be independent and you look for a place to stay and eat, ala Survivor. hehehe.

Well, our plans has changed, and instead of spending this weekend to Puerto Galera, we have agreed to pack our bags and head north to Baguio City, the summer capital and home of local strawberries. The last time I went there was in 1991 pa, after ng lindol. I am very much looking forward to the trip this weekend.

Then, back to what happened for the week, the mom of one of my closest friend, Jovy, had a major operation in the heart. The doctors need to block a hole that causes his mom to have difficulty in breathing and to tire out easily. He told me that they need 6 blood donors for the operation and I was really honored to be chosen by my friend. I know that it's the best way that I can really help his mom. I know how it feels to be worried when one of your parent needs some surgical procedure, just like what the doctors did to my dad weeks ago. The doctors had to perform a preventive measure for the enlargement of his prostate, and be a cause of cancer. Luckily, it wasn't and dad was recovering well, at his age of 70, I am fascinated that he didn't had any other major or minor operation aside from this, which is common for old-aged men. I hope that the rate of recovery will be the same with the mom of Jovy. I went to the Chinese General Hospital last Tuesday for the blood donation, the last time I made this was in 2003. I don't want to be rejected, as much as I've wanted to help, that I had to prevent myself from sneezing or from coughing to pass their tests, which I did.

Wednesday came, and after I went out of my work at 6am, I went home immediately to prepare for my final interview with Philam Plans. It was scheduled at 9:30 in the morning and good thing that eventhough I was late by 3 minutes, the interviewer was still on a meeting and I had to wait on the lounge until they're done. The interview came, the usual questions. I know I did good, I hope I'll emerge victorious with it, because I need it. hehehe.

By the way, my colds and coughs went from worst to bad. I hope that I'll be fine in time for our weekend getaway. GTG!

More reasons to leave

2005-04-21T17:17:00.000+08:00

Our connection here in the office sucks bigtime, first the bandwith is so slow, and second, my account has a restriction, I can't even update this blog that's why it's taking me a couple of days for the update. Still, I am waiting for other opportunities to call me so that I can leave this bureaucratic office soon.

Anyway, I was so drunk the other day, I had to think about a lot of things, including personal ones and career. With my restricted network account, my employer is really giving me more and more reasons to leave them. I spent the night at I-Surf Internet Cafe, had different brands of beer, from our trusted San Miguel Light to Red Horse Beer. It took toll on me the next day, I had a hangover, ok maybe I am not used to drinking mixed beers. I should have insisted with my suggestion to drink Lambanog instead, but my drinking buddy, Leslie, told me that he had to attend his classes the next day. You know I can't believe that he is an English teacher, siguro nabobola niya mga Koreans, that they refer him as cute teacher. hehehe.

One more thing, due to some external factors, my trip to Puerto Galera this 30th seems to be cancelled. But, I am looking for other places that we can visit. I am really looking forward to having this much needed vacation before going to Boracay by May. Thanks for reading.

still busy..

2005-04-17T16:59:00.000+08:00

It's Sunday, and I can't believe that I am working here in the office. oh well, my days are already counted. I was able to spend last night with my friends after my work last night. I went out 8pm and I picked up a former classmate, James, and took him to the famous I-Surf Internet Cafe along Masangkay Street in Sta.Cruz, Manila. The cafe is owned by a group of former college classmates; Mark, Norman and Perpetuo. It's almost the first year anniversary of the place. I remember that the group invited me to invest with the business last year, but since I had inadequate funds, I had to let that opportunity pass. Sayang, because I think the business is really picking up, even during summer wherein most students are in far flung areas having their well deserved vacation.

We're going to BORACAY on May!!! As of the moment, it will be me, Mark and Albert, but I expect the list to be growing soon. I'll be uploading some pics soon.

busy busy busy....

2005-04-13T23:34:00.000+08:00

It's Wednesday, and I can say that it was a busy day for me. I had to complete my Sworn Statement of Assets and Liabilities which needs to be submitted along with my Income Tax Return form. I had to find a Notary Public within the vicinity of my office so it will be more convenient on my part. I was able to complete all the documents that are needed because I was busy the past few days processing the release papers of my dad from the Medical Center Manila, following a minor surgical procedure . And I am so happy it went well.

Late in the evening, I found myself walking in Greenbelt 3 with a boquet of flowers for my special someone. It was really fun and I didn't expect her to invite me for dinner. I was so happy, and was so unprepared that I was only wearing a plain shirt, a short and sneakers. The fun never stopped there. She even invited me to take the cab with her. How lucky I am that I found her.

Thank you Pope, for everything...

2005-04-09T01:27:00.000+08:00

Today, Carol Wojtyla, known to many as Pope John Paul II was laid to rest as the world mourns. We will always remember you for the things that you have done, for trying to bridge the gap between religions, reaching out from Vatican to the most remote part of the world, with only love and compassion in hand.

You have lived to your title of Pope, we won't forget you...

My First Entry

2005-04-08T00:30:00.000+08:00

It was a pleasure being seated beside a good friend, Albert, since he finally convince me to create my very own blog. Well, we just came from Puerto Galera last weekend, along others; MP, Jovy, April and Jose. Our stay lasted for 4 days and 3 nights. Unfortunately one was not able to come, we hope that next time, Boyet will join us. Anyway, it was indeed special for Albert since it's his first time to visit the island of Mindoro, roughly a month after returning from the US for a short vacation here. The first time we came there was in 2002 and this summer, the island was so populated compared with the previous years. Almost all the rooms were occupied and the prices for both the accommodation and food soared high. We had pitchers of Mindoro Sling (local punch) in which we only had one shot glass and I was lucky enough to be the one who pours the punch on the shot glass or as what we call in Filipino term, tanggero, or the one who pours. That punch really gave me the courage to tell my special someone that I am beginning to like her. Yes I am not drunk, just had the courage. hehehe. We stayed at a room near Manalo's Lodge and Restaurant and I can say that it is clean and cheap compared to others. I stayed with MP, Jose and Albert while Jovy stayed with April. Last monday, the group parted ways and I left the resort with Jovy and April enroute to Manila. The sea was not cooperative that the waves are very wild, that the engine of our boat even died. Funny that the people each grabbed an overhead lifevest. Thank god we're safe and as I write this down, I am already planning my return to Puerto Galera on April 30.