school's cool

it's school time once again and i can't help but feel a little envy with the students coming back to school this year.

what i miss about school are the times when i get to buy my school stuff and check out my new books, share updates with my classmates and talk endlessly about our vacation.

time really runs rather way too fast. just imagine that in the next year we'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary of graduating from high school. i hope the concerned bodies take the initiative to organize reunions this time.

if i'd be asked which part of schooling would be my favorite? that'll have to be college. yeah. not because it registers the most recent memories but also because it's the time i experienced freedom. freedom to decide on my own on certain things. it was also during this time that i've met most of my friends. i've experienced so many "first times" during college and these make me solicit a smile whenever i get to reminisce these memories.

these made me prove what i was often been told about before, to enjoy my student life because once i graduated and started to have a career, i'd definitely miss school. why is it like that, when you're still studying, you're already eager to get a job, and when you are already working, you'd be wanting to go back to school? oh well...

my advice to students who's coming back to school this year, enjoy and savor every moment of being a student. yes, it is really exhausting but it's where you are groomed to be ready for the real world. establish good relationships as early as now, it will be helpful in the future. remember to balance your academic and social life. most important of all, study well. dunno how exactly to explain it, when i was a student, i used to let it in then out of the other ear. only to prove later on that every advice given to me was right.

been there. done that.

the marikina valley forums

are you from marikina? do you love interacting in forums? then this news you've got to hear. the marikina valley forums is now up and running. discuss anything and everything marikina and meet up with your co-marikenyos as well.

i joined this forums months ago upon the invitation of mhel, a good friend of mine. i was a bit reluctant at first but after joining in, it proved to be one of a kind forum experience.

since we are all from marikina, setting an eyeball is never a problem. almost everyone is just a text away. in about an hour or so, everyone is already at the meeting place.

these guys are really awesome. whenever we are together there is non-stop laughter. we share common interests, discuss different opinions and other bonding stuff.

more power to marikina valley forums and to the people who continue to support its aims and goals!!!

26 thank you's

26 years ago at exactly 1:43 am at e. rodriguez sr. memorial hospital, an eager cry of a 7.9 lb new born child echoed through out the delivery room. i was born. my parents were both excited to see the latest addition to the family while i wailed endlessly maybe because of pain or maybe because i was taken away from my mom's womb which has been my abode for 40 weeks (yes, my birth certificate indicates i "overstayed" for another month). it was probably because of uncontainable joy that my dad even got my name from an old newspaper that was used as a smoked fish wrapper (i wonder what that pambalot ng tinapa was doing at the hospital). enough of the personal history. in my 26 years of existence in this earth, there are inumerable things to be grateful for, great and small, values, things, people, and events that has molded me or has somewhat contributed something significant in my life.

1. my mom, who took care of me since i started to have a heartbeat. all these heartbeats are pounds of love and gratitude i have for you and dad.

2. my dad, despite deriving my name from a pambalot ng tinapa, i know you sacrificed a lot into bringing me up to what i am right now.

3. my family, for always being there. there's nothing really that can be compared to a family's love and concern.

4. my 817,689,600+ seconds of existence. man, that's nearly a billion seconds of God's gift of life. now that's what i call a true "millionaire"

5. my happy childhood memories. my playmates, my yaya amy (yes i still remember her) i remember when she had a fight with our neighbor. she was crying so hard and the only consolation i gave her was to let her watch her idol romnick sarmieta in that's entertainment. to my childhood friends, some of whom i still get in touch with. missin' you all.

6. my education. i am fortunate enough to complete my studies considering a small percentage of the populace are able to finish through college. to my teachers who indefatigueably devoted their time and my classmates whom i shared so many memories with.

7. the simple luxuries in life that i am able to afford.

8. the meals that i eat 3 or more times a day. just imagine those who consider themselves lucky to have even two meals in a day.

9. the places i've been to. some of which i never thought i would be able to go to.

10. my job. again, imagine how many millions who are jobless. imagine those people who wished they were in the position that i am in now. because in the long run, it is not really the salary that matters but the satisfaction you get from doing your work.

11. my good health. it is never really my desire to get filthy rich as long as me and my family are of sound mind and body.

12. my friends, old and new. friends in its truest essence. friends who have sticked with me come hell or high water. they may be a few but they add bliss and ease up my life's journey. also to short-lived ones, for without them, i would never truly realize the value of the true ones. it's like finding a gem in a pile of rocks.

13. my knowledge and wisdom.

14. my natural compassion for others. i tend to befriend more those who are lowly, meek and humble. those whom i feel i could give more than i can receive. the satisfaction i get from knowing that i helped even a little is what i value more.

15. my sincerity in dealing with others. often misunderstood and misjudged by those who barely know me, still, i show my sincerest feelings. i'm not good in concealing how i truly feel and i deal with an honest heart. if there's one thing i dont envy with others, it's how some hide their "masks" too well.

16. the recognitions i received. these things that inspire me to believe more in myself despite being a pessimist at times. this only goes to show that i am somehow capable.

17. my gift of a funny bone. it gives me great elation whenever i see that i made someone laugh. it naturally comes out in me whenever i'm at ease with someone i'm talking with, and it goes non-stop sometimes.

18. the courage to face adversities. my natural belief that everything in life is a test. many times we will fall. many times we will be defeated. the will to go on will help you survive through. i know that when everyone fails me, the Lord will help and there's nothing more to expect but win.

19. my appreciation for the small beautiful things in life. i don't dwell to much on the thought of pursuing big things. as long as i am happy and contented with what i have, it is reason enough to be happy and thankful. of course it's natural to dream and desire, but sometimes having too much of these make one discontented on what blessing he already has.

20. the failures in life. this is where true friends shine through. where you discover your true strengths. where you recognize your God and your frailty as a human.

21. answered prayers. God is really good. sometimes when i dont get what i pray for, He always gives something way too much better.

22. my optimism. i find life beautiful in general. there are lots of hindrances and obstacles along the way but knowing everything will be fine at the end of the day is really something to look forward to.

23. my steadfast faith. i may not piously go to church every sunday but my belief and faith remains strong and unwavering.

24. my being forgiving. there are lots of times when the people you would least expect to hurt you would do so. yes, i really forget the wrongdoings done to me. a mere "sorry" or a small spontaneous talk is enough.

25. the people whom, in one way or another, i've made happy. my favorite adage goes "the best way to cheer yourself is to cheer somebody else up." nothing is more heartwarming than knowing you made someone's day, made somebody happy with a small deed from me.

26. the future. what the future holds is always something to look forward to. everyday is like a gift wrapped in a box, you never know what to get inside. i'm just hoping the future would be better than the past.

these are just a few things that i am thankful for. i am so blessed.


as i start on to my real "new year", there is nothing really to hope for but for a better life in general.

updates

been quite busy for the past few weeks because of tons of paper works to accomplish. can't find the time to blog about some happenings that occurred recently. so these are what happened:

MAY 1: BATAAN OUTING WITH THE MCF RIDERS

we had an outing with the MCF riders in a beach resort in bataan during the labor day holiday. the MCF riders are a group of motorcycle enthusiasts from the cityhall. we were originally about to go to san juan, batangas but there was a sudden change of plans, the reason why we travelled to bataan for a long and gruelling 6 hours. that's one problem if the trip is unplanned; no itineraries, so instead of spending more time enjoying the place, we spent more time looking for a resort to stay in.

our group have our own van so we left early from the beach to go to the dambana ng kagitingan in mt. samat in pilar, bataan. we planned about going there long ago so this was the right time to go there. we just made it in time before they close at 5 pm. the entrance gate is located at the base of the mountain and one has to pay a P20 entrance fee (P10 for children). you will then travel way up to the top of the mountain on a zigzag road passing through some lush greeneries.

after marvelling at the awesome sight from the mountaintop, we went up to the viewing deck located at the top of the cross. there is, again, a P10 entrance fee. in getting to the top, you have options of either taking the elevator (with an 8 person capacity) or through a spiral staircase. but mind you, taking the stairs up the 36-stories high structure is no joke. no wonder cobwebs are forming on the steel stairs. who in their right mind would climb the stairs anyway?

i was caught speechless as i look at the panoramic view from the viewing deck. it was simply awesome. the strong winds, the golden sunset, it was a perfect moment to contemplate. we took lots of photos before going back down. after descending the photo shoots continued until we decided to head back to manila at dusk.

MAY 3: MOBILE PASSPORTING

it is the role of every local government units to provide the most convenient service to its constituents. as part of this, the city government of marikina through the local civil registry, in cooperation with the department of foreign affairs conducted a mobile passporting service in marikina to accommodate the passport needs of marikina residents and non-residents as well.

being the coordinator of marikina in this project, it is my duty to receive, check, and verify the documents and interview the applicants. we had 698 applicants where 641 got approved.

on the may 3 processing and payment day, everything turned out just well. even though this is my third time to handle this kind of activity, i still get nervous fearing an unexpected problem may arise. but because of proper planning and coordination with the concerned departments, possible problems were averted. i was congratulated by the DFA consuls present and the staff as well, whom i have known for some time already, and even joked about me transferring to their department.

this mobile passporting activity is held every quarter, depending on the availability of the DFA mobile passporting staff since many cities and municipalities also conduct the same activity.

elementary reunion 3: success and fun-filled as usual!

last april 29, we held our third reunion with our elementary classmates at gerry's grill and starbucks at the bluewave mall. it was a bit more special since it was the first time two of our classmates abroad confirmed their attendance. being one of the organizers, richelle and i originally planned it on a weekend so we can spend more time even until the wee hours of the morning. but since the balikbayans' schedules would only allow the 29th where they can make it, so it was set as it is.

my classmate/cousin rexon (from papua new guinea) and francis (US navy) were both much too excited for the event. we had long chats through the net about this event and i can really feel their excitement and longing for their former classmates.

i arrived at the meeting place a little past 7 pm. another reunion first time attendee cinderella (who by the way prefers to be called just cindy) was already there waiting and was about to leave. good thing i arrived early and we just waited for the others to come. bryan, angelo, richelle and the others started to arrive one by one shortly after.

as we were ushered to our table, the thrill of the get-together is clearly felt. updates, exchanging of numbers and non-stop laughter was everyone's contribution. lucky me, i had a porcelain keychain pasalubong from richelle who just came from germany for a work-related trip. that's our little secret. i'm the only one who got a pasalubong. hehehe. but she brought a gummy cola for everyone, also from germany.

rexon texted richelle that he would arrive at about 9 pm. so we started ordering food, since the balikbayans promised to shoulder the bill. at around 9 pm, richelle got a text message from rexon. she went outside to look for him as we anticipated for his appearance. richelle then got back with an envelope and a startling news. inside the envelope was a letter printed from an email. rexon couldn't make it. he's still in papua new guinea and was unsuccessful boarding a plane since he was just a chance passenger. gahd, the day before the reunion we were chatting and decided to talk about other stuff when we meet up. he just asked his cousin to bring the letter and quite an amount of money for the food, and some starbucks coffee. lol.

and so we continued with our merry-making despite what happened. i jokingly quipped that the amount he sent us was enough for another round of beer buckets plus some take home food. after seeing that no more classmate would come, we took photos for souvenirs.

we were prompted by the restaurant staff that they are about to close so some of us called it a night. some went to the hospital to visit a highschool friend who was about to give birth, while some, i included, trooped down to starbucks nearby. we talked about future plans, reunions, and other stuff. i think that with the cooperation and enthusiasm of our classmates, there would sure be more get-togethers to come.

on my part, whenever we have this kind of gathering, it makes me thankful that we have reached where we are right now. i find it rather funny to look at my classmates now then imagine who they were and what they look like years back. oh those were the days...

went home at past 1 am.