Entries from February 2008 ↓

Yes, boss Tatint. Here ya go… there is more than 10, so i grouped ‘em:

1. impromptu KC reunions and realizing that half a decade later, we are still friends.

2. stargazing at midnight in Baguio, listening to the utter silence and wrapped in a bright yellow comforter with just my glasses and nose peeking out.

3. taking a group bath: girls and boys, hehe. at the poso in Loob Bunga and at the Iba beach with my EDFD 221 classmates. plus a gorgeous sunset and wonderful food.

4. camwhoring at Camp John Hay and posing on the grass with flowers in my hair.
 
5. in the office: an  influx of previews, team Buffet and the never ending supply of sweets and nibbles

6. free videoke, soaking in the hot springs, instant Tagaytay lunch and and Kylie’s caldereta and chicken lollipop.

7. books: Devotions for Women on the Go, Twilight and The Serpent in the Crown.

8. grace periods, suspended classes, absent professors and extended deadlines

9. finally managed to sweet talk my 2nd hand ipod shuffle into playing music

10. and now, the end is near. countdown starts now for so many things!

and so i tag: Carmi, Chuza, Darlene, Hannah, Sukha, Wendee, Cara, Anne, Elle, and Dennis.

in response to Xaris’s meme:

please leave something

If you read this journal,
even if I don’t speak to you often,
post a memory of me.
It can be anything you want.
It can be good or bad,
just so long as it happened.


Then post this on your journal.
Be surprised and see what people remember about you.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you’ve done.
Not because of what I’ve done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I’m calling,
Lord, you catch me when I’m falling,
And you’ve told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me…
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
‘Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

Perfectionism and excellence are not synonyms. Another set of antonyms are: being stuck and deliberately waiting.
There is a huge difference between being content in all circumstances and settling for something less.
A life-altering gap exists between what is good and what is best. Not all opportunities should be grabbed immediately, or at all.
Feelings are very deceptive. The sneaky things change every second. So, just because you enjoy something does not make it right for you. And even when you don’t feel like it, there are some tasks that are compulsary.
Be more careful in word and deed. People tend to assume, and often they see things that are not there.
A vacation is not a luxury. Rest and recreation is necessary for your health sanity. Stop feeling guilty!
You do not have to explain myself to everyone. They won’t understand anyway. As long as you have peace, go.

People come and leave for a reason. Learn the art of letting go.
It isn’t an accident that you habve this set of skils, talents, likes, dislikes, traits, etc, etc. You are who you are for a purpose. And you know that purpose. Stop denying it.
Pessimism is not good. More than five years of being under grace is proof enough.

And I am loved.

Source: www.philstar. com

2006

October – The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT)  first broaches the possibility of a National Broadband Network (NBN) deal  to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Nov. 21 – NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri and  Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) chairman Ramon Sales endorse the NBN project  to President  Arroyo in a Cabinet meeting. Mrs. Arroyo declares that she wants a build-operate- transfer (BOT) scheme for NBN implemented.

Dec. 5 – Amsterdam Holdings Inc. (AHI) sends an unsolicited proposal for the NBN project to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)  worth $240-million at its own expense.

2007

February – Chinese firm Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) makes its own bid for the NBN project for a complete network for $300 million.

Feb. 20 – NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri requests DOTC to reconcile three projects discussed in the Cabinet — the cyber-education plan of the Department of Education (DepEd), and the competing NBN proposals of Amsterdam Holdings Inc. and ZTE Corp

March 1 – Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza  CICT chairman Ramon Sales submit a report to Neri

March 14 – US company Arescom submits a proposal to supply NBN hardware to DOTC for $135 million.

March 18 – AHI officials complain in a letter to the (DOTC) of bias over the Chinese firm.

March 26 – Neri expresses reservation over the NBN project in a technical board meeting.

March 29 – The NEDA Board and its Investment Coordinating Council — composed of Cabinet members — approve the NBN project.

March 30 –  Columnist Jarius Bondoc first writes about the brewing storm involving  ZTE and AHI over the NBN project.

April 20 – US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney writes to NEDA chief Romulo Neri, expressing “worries” over the upcoming signing of the NBN deal with ZTE.

April 21 – The Philippines and China — through Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and ZTE Corp. vice president Yu Yong — sign a contract for the NBN project during President  Arroyo’s visit to Boao, China. Total project cost is $330 million.

June 5 – Sales abruptly resigns as CICT chair.

June 18 – Bondoc publishes e-mail letter from Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) Graft Investigation Officer Vida Bocar requesting for documents on the ZTE deal; Bocar is sacked from her post on the same day.

June 20 – DOTC Assistant Secretary Lorenzo Formoso admits that the ZTE contract, of which there were two ‘sovereign’ copies, had gone missing but adds that they were “reconstituting” it from previous copies.

July 27 – Neri is transferred from the Cabinet-level NEDA to a lower post as head of the  Commission on Higher Educaction (CHED).

July 30 – The Department of Justice approves the contract, saying that  it is ‘legal’ and ‘valid.’

July 31 – Iloilo Vice-Gov. Rolex Suplico files a taxpayer suit at the Supreme Court questioning the NBN project with ZTE.

August 25 – The Philippines signs the loan agreement with China to fund the purchase of ZTE equipment.

August 27 – Bondoc reveals in his column the so-called hotel ‘sexcapades’ of a high-ranking poll commissioner in China and eight other trips to Hong Kong made  from September 2006 to February 2007 by the official.

August 29 ­– Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla accuses Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos of involvement in the ZTE contract and tagged him as the poll commissioner being referred to in Bondoc’s column.

August 30 – Abalos admits in a radio interview that he had indeed traveled to China four times but only to play golf with ZTE officials, whom he says he met through his   daughter, who is in the import business.  Finance Secretary Gary Teves also admits Abalos was the one who introduced him to the ZTE officials.

September 1 – Teves recants his statements of meeting with ZTE officials with Abalos at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

September 3 – Malacañang gives a gag order to Cabinet officials on the ZTE issue.

September 7 – Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, a major stockholder and founder of AHI, admits he was offered a $10-million bribe by Abalos in an interview. 

September 11 – The SC files temporary restraining order against the NBN project

September 18 – At the first Senate hearing of the blue-ribbon committee on the NBN project, De Venecia reiterates his earlier assertions , adding that First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo told him to “back off” from the deal during a “reconciliatory” meeting at Wack-Wack.

September 19 – First Gentleman Mike Arroyo denies intimidating anyone at Wack Wack.

September 23 – President  Arroyo orders indefinite suspension of ZTE contract.

September 26 – At the second Senate hearing of the NBN project,  Neri admits Abalos’ bribery try at Wack Wack in exchange for his endorsement of the  ZTE contract and reportedly infomed the President about it. Neri, however refused to disclose why President Arroyo went ahead with the project, invoking executive privilege. Abalos denies the allegations.

October 1 – Abalos resigns from the Comelec, saying that he wants to clear his name without dragging his office down.

October 3 – President Arroyo scraps the ZTE contract.

October 4 – Senate goes on session break.  Criticism by opposition senators force committee chairman Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano to schedule first hearing after break on Oct. 25

October 9 – NEDA acting chairman Augusto Santos refuses to hand documents pertaining to the NBN to the Senate, invokling “executive privilege.”

October 10 – Neri disputes NEDA’s claim that documents can be withheld by invoking “executive privilege.” He  says the documents are public in nature.

October 23 – First Gentleman Jose “Miguel” Mike Arroyo says he won’t attend a Senate hearing due to health reasons. Joey de Venecia also reveals that  there is a plot to kill him by Mendoza, Communications Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya, and Bureau of Corrections director Ricardo Dapat. Mendoza, however, denies the charge.

October 25 – Senate hearing resumes.

2008

Jan. 30, 2008 -  Philippine Forest Corp. president Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr., an IT expert who allegedly knows how the ZTE contract was overpriced, flies to Hongkong two hours before the start of the Senate inquiry. The Senate orders his and Neri’s arrest.

Jan. 31, 2008 – The Senate attempts, but fails, to arrest Neri in his office at the Commission on Higher Education because he did not report for work.

Feb. 1, 2008 – The Senate sergeant-at- arms fails to arrest Neri in his house.
Feb. 5, 2008 -  The Supreme Court orders the Senate not to arrest Neri. Lozada arrives from Hongkong at 4:40 p.m., but reports and text messages circulates that airport officials have kidnapped him. Malacañang denies any involvement in Lozada’s disappearance.
Feb. 6, 2008 – Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon in the morning says he wasn’t aware of Lozada’s whereabouts. Arthur Lozada, Rodolfo’s brother, files a writ of amparo before the Supreme Court. Arthur’s wife, Violeta, files a separate writ of habeas corpus. Razon says later in the day that Lozada is in police custody.
Feb. 7, 2008 – Lozada, in a 2 a.m. press conference at La Salle Greenhills, links Abalos and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to the US$329.5-million national broadband deal with ZTE Corp. He reveals that:

- Abalos threatened to have him killed.

- When he quit the project in Jan. 18, 2007, the project was priced at $262 million, but when it was approved it was already $329.5 million.

- That Abalos had wanted a kickback of $130 million, with $70 million meant for Mr. Arroyo.

- He did not know the people who took him and that Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza had him fetched from the airport.

- He has no direct line to the President and that it was Secretary Neri who talked to her about the deal.

Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan

It was the week before Valentine’s
And I was very well fed…

 February 9 Saturday
The Singles Club plus some not-so-single persons had another aftershift camwhoring session at Eat my English. I survived on Cara’s leftovers, Wendee’s Bicol Express and chicharon with rice. Then had coffee at McDonald’s while telling stories about grisly childhood experiences:

voice over from Dennis: When I was in grade school, my head fell off and they just sewed me back together…

In the afternoon, tagged along at a ministry planning session and was treated to yummy veggies for dinner Saturday. I was also introduced to the delight of truffles, cloyingly sweet chocolates that just melted in my mouth.

 February 10 Sunday
The following day, we had a business lunch over lechon de leche, sinigang na hipon, manggang hilaw with bagoong, and pinakbet. In return, I had to endure half a day of “commercial breaks” aka: matchmaking attempts. But the food was worth the teasing. Come Sunday night, had a fastfood blitz with my KC mates at KFC, Starbucks and Chowking.

February 11 Monday
Had dinner at Wendy’s with Carmi and Darlene; shared our usual angst and commiserated over how plans are meant to be changed. Shrimp sandwich and chili rice for me. Also, got each other excited for the summer Visayas island hopping escapade.

February 12 Tuesday
UP Fair for me was walking around the Sunken Garden, sampling isaw, balut, fishballs, dirty icecream, lomi, etc while listening to Imago playing Sundo live.

February 13 Wednesday
Discovered a new eating place, Likha Diwa at Krus na Ligas, Diliman. Winner! There were wonderful veggie meals that were not too salty or liberally sprinkled with MSG. I had grilled buttered tuna with pesto sauce, eggplant salad and fried tofu. Also tasted my friend’s kare-kare dish. Then for dessert, we attacked the blueberry cheesecake and mango crepe with ice cream. Washed it all down with Kalinga brewed coffee which smelled heavenly and delivered the caffeine kick I need to survive the night shift. 

February 14 Thursday
I hibernated, since I already stored enough fat food for 16 hours of slumber. My budget has died from an attack of overeating. No regrets. For me, it’s not really the food that makes eating out enjoyable. It’s who I eat with.

When  I was 21, young, naive, and delusional, I made a covenant with two equally naive and delusional girls. Here is the result of thesis stress, hormonal imbalance, senti overload and prayers (I think) rolled into a list:

UHC Covenant June 23, 2004, 7:29pm Chowking Metropoint MallWe will marry a guy who..

1. Loves God more than he loves us — or anything. 2. Is worthy of our respect / we can submit to. 3. Is stable — financially, emotionally, mentally. 4. Is loyal & committed & faithful. 5. Is not afraid to admit his mistakes. 6. Is sweet and affectionate. 7. Makes us want to be better persons. 8. Is a gentleman. 9. Has a good sense of humor. Not boring. 10. Is musically-inclined. 11. Loves kids; is a family man. 12. Is honest. 13. Is decisive and firm in his convictions. 14. Makes us feel like we’re the most beautiful / wonderful /special girls in the world.. 15. GOOD LOOKING! (haha) 16. Must be taller by at least 3 inches than we are. 17. Must have no vices. 18. Is not complacent and/or tamad. 19 Is a hardworker / industrious. 20. Is our best friend. 21. Is someone who we love. 22. Is not a slob — hygienic, mabango, cool getup. 23. Is not intimidated by us. 24. Is patient and kind. 25. Knows how to cook / willing to do household chores.. (with us naman). 26. Is brave enough to ask our parents’ permission before courting/proposing. 27. Courted us first. 28. Is loving towards his mother and sister(s), kung meron. 29. Is not overly jealous/possessive/suffocating/ controlling. 30. Uses his time/resources wisely. 31. Would never ever hurt us on purpose — respects us.

So far, my professional blog idea is on 50/50 status. Just a few resoponses so far, but the people who have commented online are encouraging:

Content wise, why not do a blog about both finances and language education? That’s what my blog-mentor suggested. The question is finding the convergence of those two very different topics. Also, a friend whose FMD episodes are legendary and one who lurks but never comments emphasized that having a catchy style/voice is important.  If I write well enough, readers will visit my site no matter what the topic is.

On the other appendage, the people who have responded critically have given me plenty of food for thought. Culturally, we are not that comfortable talking about money. Most people here would not be interested in reading about finances when they do go online. People my age (or at least within the 21-31 bracket) would rather spend their hard-earned money on clothes than save it. Or in a lot of cases, they are the sole breadwinners and thus would need the money to support their family.

The most striking insights I got were a series of questions:

Since I am not an expert or financial consultant by profession, so what can I offer my readers?

How would I feel if people followed what I wrote and it turned out to be bad advice?

What would make my blog special?

Enough of the seriousness. While doing my blog feasibility survey during our aftershift breakfast, I asked my friends, “If you had a windfall (received a million dollars), what would you do with the money?” Got these tongue-in-cheek answers in return:

Icky: Get all the hard cash and spread the bills out on a bed and roll around on them.

Very Icky: Imitate Rose from Titanic (holds up a dollar bill) “Paint me wearing this. Wearing only this.”

With friends like these, who needs cash?

Me! Me! Me!

A blog? Is that edible?

This was my first reaction when friends introduced me to the whole new world of blogging. From Wikipedia:

A blog (a portmanteau of web log) is a website where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) are part of a wider network of social media. Micro-blogging is another type of blogging which consists of blogs with very short posts.
For me, the verbs which describe my blog are:

Relate. My blog started as a perpetually updated email to my friends living in far-off places about what’s happening in my life, which then mutated into a tabulas, friendster, multiply and wordpress blog. Keeping in touch with friends has been a breeze, thanks to this technique. In the relational aspect, my blog is a roaring success.

Express. A place for my two cents’ on various topics such as books, movies, current events, etc. This blog also serves as a sounding board when I am trying to make a decision, since I need to put my thoughts down before they make any sense. Also, it is a convenient vent for my emotional turmoil and QLC rants.

Earn. Eventually, I am toying with the idea of this blog or a separate professional one as an alternative income stream.
Most of the articles I have read online advised me to specialize in order to attract readers. Unfortunately, I am beginning to have an allergic reaction to the word “focus.” Easier said than done. Choosing a topic is a pretty big committment since I would have to avoid writing about other things that catch my attention. This blog is basically about my life, hence it is a glorious mess topic-wise. Also I don’t see myself as much of a writer. I am an adherent of stream of consciousness writing. I prefer to read, writing is the lovechild of my lifelong affair with books.

So, help me please? What topic can I focus on?

Personal finance. I love reading personal finance blogs, and I’ve noticed that there aren’t that many PF bloggers in the Philippines. I’m thinking of a PF blog for Filipino quarterlifers/ young professionals who want to get know how to be good stewards of their money.

Language Education. Or related to teaching, training, English, books, writing. Okay, this one is still pretty vague bacause I have not come across any good sites on language education yet. But I hope that soon, I can apply what I’m learning in grad school, so that I can finally blog about it. It’s write to make stories out of theories.

Something else. For other suggestions.

Philcoa, Thursday morning after shift. As I was gleefully eating piping hot rice and ginisang monggo, the owner of the carinderia sat at the table in front of me. On her lap climbed her 4-year old daughter, pigtails askew and sleepily rubbing her eyes. The mother then opened one of those thin Adarna storybooks and for the next quarter hour, the little girl (and I) were treated to an animated narration of “Ang Makapangyarihang Kyutiks ni Mama.” We learned how a manikurista was like a doctor, and how the little girl in the story was fascinated with her mother’s job.  I also observed with amusement how the 4 year old demanded for both the English and Tagalog versions of the narrative.

I have never imagined myself with a husband, much less with children of my own. But in the happy event that I am blessed with my own kids, I hope I can:

1. Feed them a lot and cook for them (the latter would take a miracle).
2. Sing lullabies to them.
3. Read them a story every day (and influence them to become bookworms like me.)
4. Teach them to do household chores (we’ll learn together, since I am abysmally ignorant about these too).
5. Speak to them in straight Filipino and English. My kids will be bilinguals, not semi-linguals!
6. Show them how to handle money wisely and perhaps inspire them to be business minded.
7. Share with them an appreciation for music, theater and the arts.
8. Make them proud to be Filipino.
9. Hug and play with them.
10. And of course… pray with and for them.

If you had kids, what would you like to do with them or teach them?

I want to introduce you to several of my of “selves,” a sample of the multitude that compete for attention in my cluttered head. Thinking hurts.

My pessimistic self, known as Daria, has been dominant for the last three years. She always thinks that if something can go wrong, it will. Daria is myopic and suffers from a myriad of stress-related disorders. Worrying and whining is a part of her daily routine. Daria is  cautious though and always comes prepared. Everyday and everywhere she totes a huge shoulder bag that contains all the necessities for a week away from home. Daria is also fond of squirelling away loose change in a Sola jar and watching in horrified fascination the fluctuating stock market.

Daria has a twin sister, the optimistic and hyper Deedee. Deedee is sunny, childlike and sees the silver lining in every cloud. She is prone  to making impulsive decisions without considering the consequences. Deedee loves to eat, especially sweets, crunchy things, and free food. She can talk at the speed of light and has the attention of a fruit fly. She hates math unless there is a peso sign befor each digit. No matter the occasion, she prefers wearing rubber slippers so that her toes won’t feel oppressed. Deedeee also sings anywhere and can gobble down romance or fantasy novels by the boxful.

Deborah is my serious, studious, polite, reserved,responsible and punctual personality. Unfortunately, she seems to be in hibernation recently.

MPD, anyone? In the midst of my mental turmoil, a prayer:

“Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.” St. Francis of Assisi