After reading several travel blogs from around the globe and read their nice praises and adoration about how beautiful is our dear country, it made me felt a tinge of guilt for not seeing more of it. So, instead of my daydream to go to Sentosa, I directed my plans to go to Palawan or Bohol… (another daydream? 
)….
Well, to soothe my “guilt,” I am taking inventory of places of great interest I’ve been in the Philippines… (not in particular order and much specific…please bear with me)
1. Cebu City (my first experience of domestic flight)
2. Magellan’s Cross, Cebu City
3. Cebu White Sands Resort, Maribago Mactan
4. Sto Nino Basilica
5. Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro (my first ferry ride)
6. Tanawin Bay Resort, Puero Galera, Mindoro (our honeymoon)
7. Tamaraw Falls, Mindoro
8. Camp John Hay, Baguio City
9. Mines View, Baguio and other city tourist spots
10. Mt Data Hotel, Bauko, Mt. Province (honeymoon again)
11. Intramuros Walled City
12. San Agustin Basilica, Intramuros
13. Manila Cathedral, Intramuros
14. Villa Escudero, San Pablo, Laguna
15. Batangas Beach (twice, same place, with HS friends then with SGV friends)
16. Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan
17. Candon, Ilocos Sur
18. Candon Church, Ilocos Sur
19. A beach house in Ilocos Sur (allegedly owned by C.Singson)
20. Fontana Leisure and Waterparks, Clarkfield Pampanga
21. Nayong Filipino, Clarkfield Pampanga
22. Expo Filipino, Clarkfield Pampanga
23. Zoobic Safari, Subic
24. Tree Top Adventure, Subic
25. Manaoag Church, Pangasinan
26. Club Balai Isabel, Talisay Batangas
27. Ace Water Spa, Quezon City
28. Fireworks Olympic, MOA
29. Star City, Pasay (the rides and the ballet shows!)
30. Microtel Inn Boracay, Aklan
31. Crown Regency Hotel, Boracay, Aklan
32. Station 1, 2, 3, 4 and the Mall, Boracay (see pics here)
33. Ocean Adventure, Subic (most recent)
34. Mt. Samat Shrine, Bataan (most recent)
I know there are several more, like churches, museums and zoos that i have to rake my brain a bit more to remember (and no need to count malls, nearby resorts, parks and dining experiences….). Well, after this exercise I am relieved that i have not taken our “home” for granted after all….
See also my other “Been There” page
I have posted my “favorite moments” photos on this site… in an attempt to win a Sentosa Trip for Two… It needs your VOTE…. (so please…)
check this one, you might want to join too and we’ll see each other in Sentosa, hehehe! (on search box, just type… “babel”)
http://www.myfavouritemoments.com/ph/gallery-s.php.
A great field trip adventure with son Lean! I really made it a point to be with him on this school excursion. He’ll be eight soon and maybe next year he will no longer ask me to take him to field trips! I will not miss this for the world. I had great adventure myself and few realizations! One, that there is Mount Samat Shrine, and we can actually went there (I used to see this cross from afar — just an inch on my view — while going to Subic); Two, that it is beautiful up there; Three, that I can still enjoy field trips, especially with Papi, and Fourth, that we can get lost in outskirts of Bataan and we can still manage to laugh! I also had few lessons in history and WW2. After getting curious again about the “death march” I googled it to know more about it (so sad…, well just click here if you want to be sad 
… or just move along with my blog …)
But anyway, next stop is just as fun! Ocean Adventure makes us commune again with our aquatic friends, dolphin, whale, sea lions and some jungle animals. Though not as big and awesome as Sea World in HK, our Ocean Adventure is great enough for kids aged like Lean. Well, I enjoyed too the Dolphin Show!
With this inspiration, I have made a resolution! I will make sure that our 2010 will be filled with adventure trips, excursion and new places!
I have this book lent to me by a dear staff “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom… and it is a great read! I started this afternoon and I know I can finish it in a flash… but I can’t… or rather, I mean, I don’t want to. Very seldom that I do this in a book… prolonging its ending, savoring its every page and every word, absorbing the wisdom and enlightenment. Just like we do to a favorite food…. we savor its taste wanting it to last….
“Don’t let go so soon. But don’t hang on for so long”
This true-to-life book is about “living to the fullest, with compassion and love” and the advice came from a dying man, Morrie. If we can only stop and think that we can die anytime soon, we will do things differently, or shall I say, meaningfully. At one point, I envied Morrie for he knew that “it” is coming, thus he became focused of what he’ll do for the remaining of his life. Unlike most of us, we dread dying but we are not actually doing anything to appreciate life as if death will happen in the next 100 years.
I will not make a review of this books… I will not try to. I just want to share my experience while reading it and some of the enlightenment I had. I rather share here some of the quotes that hit….
About Dying and Living
“You know, dying is just one thing to be sad about. Living unhappily, that’s another matter.”
“Do what the Buddhists do. Every day have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, “Is this the day I’m gonna die, little bird? Huh? Am I ready? Am I leading the life I want to lead? Am I the person that I want to be?”
“When you realize that you are going to die, you see everything much differently. So every day you say, “Is today the day I die?” When you know how to die… you know how to live.”
“I mourn my dwindling time, but I cherish the chance it gives me to make things right”
see other quotes here
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In retrospect, I may have shunned “this” topic about death and dying, but I believe I am “preparing” for this. As you can see the essence of my blogs and my journaling is actually living my NOW to the fullest… seeing life at its finest, seizing every opportunity to be happy and be compassionate. I am learning and there are lot more to experience….
I hope one day when I near “it” I would be able to say that “I took each moment as it came for all that it is worth…”
I have a long-outstanding promise to a friend to post our pictures in internet, I keep reminding myself and keep on forgetting, until today. And I did more than just posting it in my FB account… I made a Smilebox digital scrapbook with designs, music and all… that is, with effort!
This is a compilation of our “celebration” of friendship that filled our 2009 with joy and inspiration… just being together.
Sis Natz, eto na….
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Not everyone we influence will think the same way we do. We have to help them not only to believe that they can succeed, but also we have to show them that we want them to succeed…. So, how….
Expect it: People can sense the underlying attitude no matter what we say or do. Let them know you are expecting them to succeed.
Verbalize it: People need to hear it. Tell them to that you believe in them and want them to succeed. Become a positive prophet of their success.
Reinforce it: People need encouragement. Seeing that you care to know their progress will let them realize that is also important to you.
Pave the way: Give them opportunity to show their best. Give them challenge to harness their worth. Give the boost and helping hand.
Once people recognize and understand that you genuinely want them succeed and are committed to helping them, they will begin to believe that they can accomplish what you give to them.
I left home commuting with just a few bucks (for I’ll withdraw money later), when I was about to ride the taxi, I saw these beggars, mother and child. The kid (a baby about Aliya’s age) is visibly sick, he has a big head (he is afflicted with a hydrocephalus), and my heart fell. Too bad I don’t have food or snacks in my bag, and pity this time I don’t have much money…. So except for the fare for my last ride going to office, I gave all my change and money in my wallet. It was not much… my heart ached because I desired to give more…. but unfortunately I couldn’t at that time… I don’t know really if I hoped to see them again… i hope not… I hope so…
(the photo links to a great site of a photographer who gives “tribute” to kids with hydropcephalus)
Here’s the digital photo collection of Hong Kong Travel 2004, when
Jolo was only 6 and very cute! Sorry for the 6 years delay (woow… too long!)… there were only few photos, because I don’t think digital cameras were not yet invented (at least not for us!)…. (actually this collection was taken using a celfone…)
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See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.
Habit is a mindset, habit is subconscious, habit is much more powerful than our conscious effort to do and change. So, I better change the bad habits and it goes with it I’ll change the mindset/beliefs… for good!
I wrote in my 101 in 1001 five months ago 4 of my most compelling goals. I am aware that if I’ll be able to attain them, I will be a “better” person. Consciously, I am lacking at it and I recognized it. But more than that I have to have conscious effort to change….
1. Stop procrastinating
2. Be punctual
3. Keep my promises and do not make promises I cannot keep
4. Laugh some more! Tell jokes! Hear jokes!
These are actually “habit-forming” goals. And as I go about my 101 list now, I was thinking when will I ever scratch it?? Since goals should be measurable and time-bound, I decided that I will consider these “complete” when I have listed 43 instances that keeps me on each of this goal – but net of failures/slide I will make.
I found this site of goal-tracker where I can keep the scoring… and it’s great!
For a start, I listed here, my mini-goals for each goal….
Stop procrastinating! (here’s a list of keeps in my list for a loooong time)
1. organize my important papers
2. sort clothes (old and new and for donation), curtains, bed sheets
3. pay real property tax
4. get meralco stock certificates
5. use the Red studio
6. the fountain for my mini garden
7. tiles for old CR
and so on…….
Be punctual
1. Apply early-to-rise, early to office
2. Be ahead in any meetings
3. Prepare before any meetings
4. Keep on deadlines
5. Say “No” when i usually say Yes (which keeps me doing trivial things)
6. No more last-minute rush
and so on…..
Keeping Promises…
It’s not that I am bad at it, it’s just that sometimes I don’t remember. Or it took a long while before I deliver…. that the person I made promised to thinks that I forgot. Or maybe because I often say Yes when I shouldn’t…..
Laugh Some More…
Don’t get me wrong, I am a jolly person! But hearty laughs from me is just not automatic. While others are laughing their hearts out, I am just smiling (and truly happy). I envied my papi who laughs loud on funny shows! i just want to be more “forgiving” to the comedian, stop analyzing and gives the laugh! Hahaha!
It’s been a month and a-half since my last progress report re my 101 list, and I’m not sure how I fare this time after 40 days because of holiday rush and festivities. Anyway, I will now do my “inventory”….
Great! I have scratched 4 of my goals!
1. First, the homecoming of my brothers and their families are truly memorable although we wished we had spent it longer! Time flies when we are really enjoying!
2. Second, the festive Christmas raffle and bingo was a hit! I actually won the grand prize of TV (weee…I hardly won on anything!) but I have to give it away for re-raffle… Gladly!
3. Third, the Christmas Charity Toy/Gift-Giving (the “Project K for K”) was doubly-fun and twice as successful! Thanks to all donors and volunteers!
4. I bought 2 good mattresses for our bed upstairs. Now Jolo and Lean are sleeping there… I like the bed too that I sometimes sneak in beside them.
I made progress on my several goals,
5. I have added some entries on “Doing First-Time” and “Adventures with Kids”
6. Finally been able to fix lighting, install vinyl flooring & redo paints in the house!
7. I read number of books this month (despite of toxic schedule)
8. I have several photo galleries thru SmileBox and Movie Maker and have posted them in my blog and YouTube.
9. Because I’ve already emptied the “donation box” last month, I’m allotting boxes again.
10. The “Tap-on-the Back” Challenge “reaped” what it “sow” when I announced the recognition of 6 audit staff. in return, they commended also in email a number of people as their mentors and inspiration! This effort multiplies exponentially and have given a boost to number of people.
11. Although the holiday season put “chaos” on my financial planning, I was able to save a portion (without thinking) to the mutual fund and forget about it (until now!)
12. There are few glitches on some of my goals, that I don’t know if I can do anything more (It’s about increasing my sales by 50% and about coming up with new pillow designs to sell)… Well, I believe i still can turn it around! That’s the spirit.
13. Started the “Team 17″ aimed to boost more my staff’s spirit and team efforts.
14. My spirituality was pinched (or tapped) a little after few talks with a friend and my Kuya… and also after reading the books “The Shack” and “Angels and Demons” (this deserves a blog entry, but don’t know yet how to articulate it…)
15. Started planning for the 75th birthday of Mama Abe.
16. Inspired few people in earth (directly or indirectly) to do the 101 in 1001 days!
Here’s our photos during our Malaysian travel in 2007. The motiff and theme and music of the Smilebox production is brought to you by Bong Ngii (no other than Lee Andrew – pen name of Lean)!
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See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
See also other SmileBox creations at Digital Photo Collection at my page.
I am only one
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do something I can do.
– Edward Everett Hale
This is just a manifestation how great we are (& great we can be)— in our own “little” ways.
Just don’t belittle yourself…
And do not look on the “empty” portion of a half-full glass…
Event: Project Kindness for Kids (Share-a-toy!)
Place: The Garage, Matungao Bulacan
Date: December 24, 2009
With : Family
Yes, another episode of Project K for K was held at Matungao Bulacan, Bulacan (our hometown). We have prepared toys for about 150 kids within the vicinity and we gave it away on the 24th. It’s been fun, warming experience having brought smile to kids. Plus, the “cousinhood” was having a really great time volunteering during the distribution…. Some of our nephews and nieces even waited on the line to receive their share of toys as well, then they distributed candies. It was also a plus-experience for Chuko and Deanne as, aside from having fun too, Chuko also need “community service credits” even on vacation as required by their school back in US.
Christmas is really for fun, fun, fun and giving, giving, giving! What a wonderful blessing being a part of a blessing to others (even in simple ways…). What a wonderful feeling! Life is really meant for these moments!
See also related posts:
Episode 1
A - St Agatha’s Resort Grand Reunion & Papi’s Bday (#18) (# reference in previous blog)
B – Boat Ride up to Cruz sa Wawa at Bocaue (#20)
C – Complete Cousins
D – The DAY (my day) (#10)
see also pictures here: Ways to Celebrate a Bday
E – Eucharistic Day of Lean (#4)
F - Family! (#16)
G – Gift-Giving for Kids (#13)
H – Home for Holiday – Chuko & Deanne (#12)
I – “I” Moment at our Christmas party… Audit Bday Tribute (#7)
J – Surprise Bday Treat for John-john (#1)
K – moments with Kuyas (#22)
L – night with SVS at Lorna T’s house in “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” (#2)
M – Kuya’s visit at our house @ Marilao (#23)
N – New Year’s Eve (#21)
O – Opening of Seri Asia (#9)
P – Party! Party! Puregold Audit Family (see this also) and SVS Family! (#6)
Q – Queue at Charity Gift Giving
R – Raffle, Bingo & Games on Xmas Eve (#15)
S – Star Awards for Auditors (#8) (more info here)
T- “These are the Days” (#21) A Music Video @ YouTube – click here
U – Unstoppable “Sports Tournament” – Swimming, Bowling & Basketball
V – Dinner date with Verna and later on with SGV Friends (#5)
W – Wacky Photos! (#14) see more here
X – Xmas Spirit! with Daddy & Mama!
Y – bYe Time… 1st round (#24)
Z – Z-read, bYe… 2nd Round (#25)
December had passed just like a breeze, leaving me dizzy, disorganized and “bitin.” There is a feeling that I could have done more or differently… but then, I realized that every moments that passed during this holiday were all blessed, memorable and joyous! So, I have to recap it here in my “time capsule:”
1. We gave a surprise simple birthday bash for our old friend, John-john. We know he was so happy, just as he thought we have already “forgotten” him.
2. A get-together with SVS Partners for Ron’s birthday, at Casa Milan (the famous house of Lorna T at “Dahil May Isang Ikaw”). Always a great night to spend with close friends!
3. The SGV friends gathered in Judith’s condo for a simple, laugh-filled dinner!
4. Lean’s confirmation… his entry to Eucharistic world!
5. Dinner date with my very good friend, Verna, at Glorietta. We had oyster and beer and a goooood conversation!
6. The Christmas Party of Audit Pipol is such a hit! We had a fabulous time with their presentations and games! They really took effort to prepare.
7. The Audit Pipol surprised me again with a birthday program. As much I feel uncomfortable with solo spotlight, I enjoyed it much! Thank you!
8. The “Star Awards” for Audit Pipol… that garnered a good review!
9. Seri Asia’s soft opening at Alpha Land. Another inspiring (and daring) business move by our friend Flor. Congatulations!
10. The DAY…. my big day! What full-packed day! So here’s the way to celebrate a birthday! a. Charity-gift-giving (Project K for K); b. Lunch with my PG Auditors; c. Swimming at Ace Water Spa with kids; d. Xmas party with SVS Pipol! (wheeew!)… See photos here!
11. Great time bowling with Kuya Ricky, Dad and kids!
12. Kuya Lito and family arrived on the 22th (seeing them again after 10 years is such a blessed, exciting moment!)
13. Another Project K for K with my cousins, nieces & nephews… we brought joy to 150 kids with our toy gifts.
14. The sunset jump shots— super-duper goofying time in the farm doing wacky pics!
15. The Christmas EVE! The long-awaited family raffle, bingo and gift-giving! with TV and digital camera as grand prizes, it actually went to me and Kuya Lito, so we have raffled it off again! Wow Moments!
16. The Christmas morning! Being together again (the complete family) after so many years is just seem so “unreal”
17. Christmas shopping spree with Mama at Puregold Shaw! thank you Boss!
18. The Outing! The great family reunion and overnight outing at St Agatha Resort at Guiguinto! Really bonding moments! It was Papi’s Bday too!
19. Night-out at Buslo’s with Kuyas and Ates and Tito and Dad and Cousins… Where did they go after… What? “Petals?”
20. We went to Malabon and “namasko” and the family ate at Shakey’s on the 31st.
21. Boat ride with Chuko and Deanne and cousins! another highlight of the holiday!
22. The new year preparation, highlighted by a set-up movie theater! I’ve also made a “These Are the Days” music video clip for family affairs.
23. Relaxed moments (after a day at work on the 2nd) with my 2 Kuyas. Bonding moment with Te Leli and Deanne while swimming at Cool Waves on the 3rd. Chuko’s bonding with the dogs and cats!
24. Took leave (on first office day of the year!) and went home to Marilao, where Kuya Lito and family had dinner. The cousins were having fun and bonding moments.
25. The BYE day! On the 6th, we had a despedida dinner for Kuya Lito at Gerry’s Grill at MOA… and off they went to airport… not much to say, it was just a “teary” moment…!
26. Double BYE day! when we went back to Racks MOA to have dinner with Kuya Ricky who will be leaving also on the 9th… not much to say, but another “frowning” moment!
Hey, this should not be ended-up with “sad’ moments! We were just sad because we really had a GREAT time during their stay and this holiday, and it should have more… more… more! The HOLIDAY was really Fabulous, Blessed, and Memorable! We were all Happy in its truest sense!
See also the Holiday Photos A-Z
Check out also aann’s recap of holiday — yes we were together most of the time — experiencing the same great moments!)
Here’s my tribute to my whole family, kins or clans:
Regardless how “huge” is our family, we remained intact, happy, excited, close and harmoniously together! And to think we are now “breeding” the 3rd generation,
We are really indeed blessed and lucky being born in the right time and right place with right family….
See this music picture clips of our glorious times together…
“These Are the Days” by Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniac, our favorite song… see it in You Tube
see also these related entries
Holiday Photo A-Z
The Holiday: A Recap
Event: Project Kindness for Kids (Share-a-toy!)
Place: Letre, Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan
Date: December 19, 2009
With : SAMAKA group, EVC and SGV Staff, Ex-SGVeans, Puregold Auditors, SVS Staff, Papi, Jolo and Lean
It was a success! We have brought smiles and joy to almost 700 kids with our humble gift of toys and food packs! The supports from different groups within my sphere were overwhelming! The SGV Staff and Ex-SGVeans were there with our dashing Boss Manny Clarino! My PG auditors were there to help me before and during the event (buying grocery raffle items and soliciting more donations)! Friends like Bel Fernando and Mary Sumera Demetillo also joyfully volunteered. Our SVS Staff, led by my dear friend Flor, also took efforts overnight packing gifts and stuff! Also, the SAMAKA group who organized the kids on location! Thanks to all of you! Of course, a lot of appreciation as well to all who have sent their pledges, donations in kind, and lots of cheers and encouragement! Salamat! It was a success!
What a wonderful day to start celebrating my birthday! (This is just one of many ways!)
Part 2 of this happened at Matungao Bulacan… (my next blog…), and Part 3 will push-through this January…. (because of donations still pouring in!)
By the way, I can now slash one of my no. 58th on my 101 list re this, but definitely I will repeat it again in December 2010…
See related entries:
Project Kindness for Kids
Project K for K: An Update
The pictures were taken at our favorite farm that witnessed a lot from our childhood days! Taken during sunset, that’s also our favorite time to play!
We just had a great, great time during and after our gift-giving activity, the day before Christmas! If there is one moment that I will choose to just “stood still,” this will be it! I came to believe that life is CREATED for moments like these. No other trimmings, no other frills and fuss, no fancy place and ambiance… but just laughs, fun, and great time… surrounded by family and loved ones and nature and blessings! (Made even better with the presence of my brothers Lito and RIcky and their kids, especially Chuko and Deanne plus Te Leli! – whom we have not seen for 10 years….)
Memories are made of these! Wow!
.I have sent this article to my staff as our guide for our annual audit planning and goal-setting…. Thank you for the link provided by the “Your Successful 101″….
It’s that time of year again when our thoughts turn to making new GOALS. The enticing prospect of a blank year ahead invites us to think about what we would like to be different in our lives, how we want to improve ourselves and the work we do. And yet so often, the good intentions of GOAL-SETTING of early January have dwindled down to just IDEAS as we go along the way, sometimes not to be brought out again until next year. And we are left with the same feeling of frustration that another year has passed and nothing has changed.
What happens? One common reason is that we quickly go back to our ‘normal’ lives and the usual routines and along with our usual habits!
Sound familiar?
So how can it be different?
I hope the following TIPS will make it different for this year:
1. Be clear about what you want – BE specific about what you do want. For example, if you have written “lose weight”, write down how much you want to lose and by when
2. Write it Down – Writing down why you want something will give you a handy reminder to go back to when you’re feeling un motivated.
3. Be specific about what you will do – It’s very hard to be in action around a vague list of “will do more of…” and “will do less of…”. If you gave your list to someone else would they know exactly what you were doing when?
4. Know what stops you – There will be times when it feels hard to be in action. Being honest with yourself about what will stop you now will let you plan for these situations rather than ending your resolutions.
5. Create support structures – Put support structures in place now that will keep you on track. Maximize team effort for team goals. Try buddy system, or use “tracker” or require team to do regular feedback.
6. Be in action – Sometimes the only thing that is required is to just do it! For no other reason that you said you would.
7. Embrace imperfection – Sometimes things will not go to plan. It happens. Don’t let it throw you off track completely. Make adjustments, come up with new ways of doing things, create a new plan for the imperfect world you live in. It’s perfect.
8. When failing isn’t failing – Feeling that you’ve failed at something can be a real kick in the teeth and the end to achieving goals. So think of failing differently. Failing means you are doing something different, possibly something new. Failing isn’t failing, it’s just not having done it yet. Fail Forward!
9. Reward yourself – Don’t hold out until the “big prize”. Create reward points along the way. Reward yourself for being in action. Be kind to yourself and use the carrot, or lots of carrots, and not the stick!
10. Enjoy! – Most importantly, your new year’s resolution (goals) are about being happier, more fulfilled, enjoying your life and work. If it is a punishment list put it in the bin right now!
See also my collection of “Tips & Insights” here
