You want reality TV? Nothing beats the news!

I used to like watching the news. Every 6:30 p.m., it was TV Patrol time in our house. It was my way of catching up with what was happening around me, out there…what was happening in the “real world.”

But that was before. These past few weeks [months more likely], I rarely got to catch the news…by choice.

Why? Simple: I get stressed watching the news. As in stressed! All I see are bad, dissapointing events, mostly falling under the three Cs: crime, corruption, crisis! And these are enough to set my mind on the stress mode. The news hour usally starts with a government news stating which official is caught up in a corruption scandal. Then come the brutal and unpleasant crimes happening even in the smallest area: holdups here, murders there, rapes in the next town [makes me wanna get all those self defense products]. And then, nowadays, next come the never-ending news on the financial crisis: thousands of lay-offs, companies closing, the economy slowing down [although these again remind me that I am lucky to still have a job]. Even the showbiz news are full of scandals! Haaayy, I’m starting to hate these news shows…yes, this reality TV: too real for me, too negative, too depressing. I feel like the 3 strands of white hair I found yesterday were a product of watching the news. He! He!

I’m just wondering, where have all the GOOD news gone?

Bebi

When you get to know someone as an adult, it’s hard to imagine that he or she was a baby once. I mean, weren’t we all angels at one point in our lives, that is, when we were babies/kids? Once in our lives, our problems consisted of where the hell did we put our “papu” [pacifier] or how do we keep mommy from noticing that we were faking sleep during siesta! Once in our lives, our only responsibilities were to gulp down the all the milk in our baby bottle and to say “poo-poo” when we were being potty trained. When we were small, our concept of exercise was running around the house [exercise for our parents it seems], and our concept of revenge was hiding kuya’s favorite robot! Oh, how  simple were our lives then…and how fast time flies!

Last year, at kaka’s baby shower, my officemates and I shared our baby pics with each other. I even made up a game where the guests have to guess who that baby is. Seems easy? Not really. Most of us have changed in appearance through the years.

Here, I’m sharing some of my baby pics, which, I’m sorry to say, are faded, obviously because they were taken years ago [thank God for scanners!]! Enjoy! Let us all be reminded that we were children once…and we can still be childlike today!

 In these pictures, I was around 1 month to 4 months old. I was a small baby [no need yet for weight loss pills]. I’m with with my kuya in the bottom-right picture [my gosh! mas mukha pa akong boy kesa sa kuya ko! he! he!]

 Around 2 to 3 years of age…always with my kuya!

If these pics help you through the week, simply because they make you laugh, I’m happy to be of service! But please don’t use these pics to blackmail me in the future! he! he!

Tara byahe tayo!

I was browsing through the channels one night and came upon an “VTR” that I have come to love since I first saw it. It was the “Tara Byahe Tayo” commercial, which has the following lyrics [in bold are places I’ve been to or things I’ve done]:

Ikaw ba’y nalulungkot, naiinip, nababagot?
Ikaw ba’y napapagod, araw gabi’y puro kayod?
Buhay mo ba’y walang saysay, walang sigla, walang kulay?
Bawa’t araw ba’y pareho, parang walang pagbabago?

Tara na, biyahe tayo, kasama ang pamilya
Barkada at buong grupo, para mag-enjoy nang todo.
Halika, biyahe tayo, nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas, ang galing ng Pilipino.

Napasyal ka na ba sa Intramuros at Luneta
Palawan, Vigan, at Batanes; Subic, Baguio, at Rice Terraces?
Namasdan mo na ba ang mga vinta ng Zamboanga
Bulkang Taal, Bulkang Mayon; Beach ng Boracay at La Union?

Tara na, biyahe tayo, mula Basco hanggang Jolo
Nang makilala ng husto ang ating kapwa Pilipino.
Halika, biyahe tayo, nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas, ang galing ng Pilipino.

From city to city, even thousand and a hundred plus islas
Sa mahal kong Pilipinas, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao ating puntahan.
Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan!

Nasubukan mo na bang mag-rapids* sa Pagsanjan
Mag-diving* sa Anilao, mag-surfing sa Siargao?
Natikman mo na ba ang sisig ng Pampanga
Duriang Davao, bangus Dagupan, Bicol express at lechong Balayan?

Tara na, biyahe tayo, nang makatulong kahit pano
Sa pag-unlad ng kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan.
Halika, biyahe tayo, nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas, ang galing ng Pilipino.

Nakisaya ka na ba sa pahiyas at maskara
Moriones at ati-atihan, sinulog at kadayawan?
Namiesta ka na ba sa penafrancia sa Naga
Umakyat sa antipolo, nagsayaw sa Obando?

Tara na, biyahe tayo, upang ating matamo
Ligaya at pagkakaibigan, kaunlaran, kapayapaan.
Halika, biyahe tayo, nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas, ang galing ng Pilipino.

(*I have done these, but not in in the places specified)

(If you haven’t seen this, I suggest you take the time to watch it.)

I don’t know why, but every time I catch this VTR, I can’t help but shed a tear. He! He! To watch these artists sing [for free] to “promote” our country is such a wonderful treat. Also, the lyrics are spot on: Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan. But more importantly, I can’t help but marvel at how beautiful the Philippines is! As in! As I watch the videos and pictures of beaches, mountains, and the people of the Philippines being shown, naiiyak talaga ako sa ganda ng Pilipinas. Honestly!

Ever since we were small, my parents have been taking us around the Philippines for us to appreciate the 7,107 islands we have. We’ve been to so many places in the Philippines and I guess this is where my love of travel and the Philippines started.  [My father has always told us, when we were pressing him to get his own passport, “Papuntahin nyo na ako kahit saan sa Pilipinas, ok lang sa akin. Pero di ako lalabas ng Pilipinas.”] I believe that if you’ve been to more countries than to places in the Philippines, YOU ARE MISSING A L-O-T!

I might sound like a broken record because in all my posts on my travel around the Philippines, I’ve always screamed “Super ganda talaga ng Pilipinas!” or “Super enjoy!” But it’s so true! The Philippines is such a wonderful place! There are so many wonderful places to visit, so many things to experience, so many adventures awaiting! SUPER GANDA talaga!

In the lyrics, I put in bold the things I’ve done or the places I’ve visited for two reasons: first, to know how much I’ve traveled the Philippines, and second, to know what else I need to do or what place to visit [sort of a “to-visit” and “to-do” checklist]. I mean, I was disappointed to realize I haven’t attended a single festival yet [ay, save for the Giant Lantern Festival and Panagbenga]! I’ve been to Lucena, Bacolod, Marinduque, Aklan, Cebu, and Davao but haven’t even gotten to attend Pahiyas, Maskara, Moriones, Ati-atihan, Sinulog, and Kadayawan festival, respectively! Not even one! BUMMER! I better start now! Also, I just know I have to go to Batanes and Caramoan before I die! So much to do, so many places to go to!!

I guess I just want to encourage you all to visit these places because the Philippines is such a beautiful and great country! As in! And will never get tired of saying that! So if you’re thinking of buying a new laptop or playstation 3, or buying a new set of mags for your car,  save your money instead and go to Aklan or Davao to enjoy dancing with the performers of Ati-Atihan or Kadayawan!

Halika, biyahe tayo, nang ating makita
Ang ganda ng Pilipinas, ang galing ng Pilipino

[festival pictures courtesy of wikipilipinas, edited]

Putting meaning into ranting

With the recent unfortunate experience of mordsith regarding customer service and the way the situation unfolded (her writing a letter to the company, and the company writing back, apologizing), I couldn’t help but think of the lack of “art of ranting” here in our country. When we experience poor service or encounter a defective product, our first instinct is to rant to our friends and to whoever might be listening. After that, no more.

Ranting to our friends about the way food was served or that we bought a defetive product is a great way to get that irritation off your chest. Yes, great. But filing a complaint and writing to the company are important steps. Why?

1. Ranting will not get your complaint anywhere. Writing a complaint can result in better products and better services.
   
2. Writing a letter will put your complaint on record with the company.
3. Letting the company know of their shortcomings will give them the opportunity to be aware of the mistake [it is possible that they are not aware of it] and explain their side of the story. This will also be a learning experience for them and will give them the chance to apply the necessary corrective actions.
4. It is the right thing to do! It would also be fair to hear what the other party has to say.
   

But how do we go on with filing a complaint? Well, first and foremost, and most importantly, make sure that you have a legitimate reason to complain. For example, do not write to Orovo complaining that their diet pills don’t work when you stuff yourself with junk everyday and do not even have a minute of exercise in your daily routine! You wouldn’t want to look a fool and to fall flat on your face when it turns out your complaint has no basis at all. After ascertaining that you do have a legitimate reason, here are some important points :

• Make your letter short and brief. Get to the point. The letter should contain all the important facts about your complaint: the product or service [including serial numbers if applicable], the time of purchase, the location of the store, and other appropriate information.
• Put your emotions aside when writing. Do not be disrespectful, threatening, or angry. Write in a positive tone and remain diplomatic and courteous. You could write your complaint when your emotions are down and your mind has cooled down. Write in a formal and objective manner.
• Ask them for a reply ASAP. Let them know that you mean business. You may even ask for a refund or replacement.
• Write your full name and contact information. This was a lesson I learned when I was younger, when I wrote somewhat of a complaint letter and was told that “It would be fair for you and the one you’re writing to to write your name in full, no matter the tone of the letter” because I was too afraid to write my whole name and information.
• Keep a copy of your letter.

Writing a complaint letter can be empowering. Knowing that you have aired your side and that you may have contributed to the improvement of a product or service is certainly better than simply telling everybody else except the concerned party of the shortcoming! Taking action is better than simply playing an angry, dissatisfied customer and harboring that bitterness because of a poor service or low-quality product.

Moreover, writing a complaint letter is one way of getting freebies! Yehey!

Postscript: There are great sites, like howtocomplain.com, that offer tips and templates for complaint letters. Have fun complianing! he! he!

Kwentong Pinoy: jingle

Kagabi, nang patulog na kami ni Wendy, papikit na ang aming mga mata, bigla syang kumanta:

You’re way too beautiful girl…

Aba! Kumanta pa! Malamang naalala nya yung kanta kasi ito yung sinayaw nila noong Christmas party nila. Sumabay na lang ako sa kanya…

You’re way too beautiful girl… [feel na feel ko…ngitian kami]

Kaya parelax ka lang. Dito na sa speed babad, speed babad. Worry mo ay over!

ANOOOO!!! Tawa sya ng tawa sa akin! Ano yun!?! Jingle pala ng Speed Babad and naalala nya! Wala na kong nagawa kung hindi tumawa na lang din!

Naalala ko na naman tuloy ang napakaimportanteng papel ng mga kanta para sa isang produkto. Ang isang “catchy” na jingle ay napakalaki ng nagagawa para sa commercial ng isang produkto. Isipin mo nga naman, pag nasa grocery ka, di mo alam ang gatas na bibilhin mo, tapos bigla mong maalala…

Wala pa ring tatalo sa Alaska! 

Ayun…e di derecho ka sa Alaska!

Pero minsan, sa dami ng ating pagpipilian, nakakalito din naman. Kunwari, san ka nga ba kakain?

Sa

I Love you Sabado,  Kahit buong linggo. Hintay ka lang Jollibee nandyan na ko…

o sa

Paparapapa love ko to …

Minsan, para mas lalong pumatok, merong may actions pa!

Ito ang beat sabay sabay, ito ang beat bawal sablay
pabilis ng pabilis, wag mag mimis wag mag mimix
gets mo na? gets kona! ang ahh….
Coca cola nalilito nalilito, nahihilo, nahihilo
coke ko toh, coke ko toh, coke ko toh….

Yung iba, inaakma sa panahon. Para nga naman feel na feel mo na ang produkto ay naaakma sa mga araw:

Ang bango ng Pasko ay walang katulad, parang bagong damit na di kumukupas

Pero meron din namang kahit anong panahon ay pwede, yun bang nakatatak na sa mga isip natin, at kahit na 15 0 20 na taon na eh naalala pa natin [kung hindi man ay memorized pa!]. Sino ba naman ang makakalimot sa…

Seiko, Seiko wallet. Ang wallet na maswerte! Balat nito ay genuine, international pa ang mga design. Ang wallet na maswerte. Seiko, Seiko wallet! Seiko, Seiko wallet!

Sabayan mo pa ng

I’m gonna knock on your door, ring on your bell, tap on your window too!

Pag nakanta mo yang mga yan [baka may action ka pa], alam mo na kung saang henerasyon ka kabilang!

Ako? Ang aking paborito [di nga lang sya Pinoy]:

As long as there is thirst, there’s always the real thing.

Coca-cola is always the one. Whenever there is fun, there’s always Coca-cola.

Small heart = big heart

I once came upon something David Letterman said in his show. Although I can’t remember the exact words, it goes something like this:

Eighty percent of Americans said they would be willing to donate their liver to a total stranger…. Yeah right, they won’t even let someone else ahead of them in traffic.

Bulls eye! I know he intended it to be funny, but it does hit a spot. Most people think that we need some mind-blowing, world-changing ways to help and do something for other people, such as to build an orphanage for street children, to donate 1 million pesos to a hospital, or to give discount dining room furniture to the single parent next door. Yes, these are great, great ways to help. And most people are dreaming of doing this. “When I win the lotto, I will donate half of it to church” is a common line.

What is saddening though is that lot of people say they will do these things, but they can’t even say thank you to the weary cashier who has been working for 15 hours, or say a nice word about coworker, or run an errand for a sick landlady.

And what most people don’t realize is that doing something for others can be very simple! In our everyday lives, we are always given the chance to touch someone’s life, even in a small way like opening a door for a person who has his/her hands full, talking with our elderly neighbor who craves for someone to talk to, or, yes, letting someone else ahead of us in traffic.

Have a great week my friends!

Break away

I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly

I’ll do what it takes til’ I touch the sky

(Photo courtesy of http://artisticked.wordpress.com)

It started with us discussing whether we’d join the creative swap. I don’t know how the topics swerved, but somehow, TPS mentioned my being comfortable with the status quo of my life that I don’t want to change it [read: problems with commitment]. I know she was referring to relationships, but somehow, I know that the discussion could refer to life in general. Don’t we sometimes get in to flow of our lives that we get so used to what we have been accustomed to? Have our lives, for some reason, been on autopilot?

And I’ll make a wish. Take a chance,

make a change, and break away

We have so many excuses why we don’t want to change to status quo:

• “This is the way I’ve always done it”
• “It has always been like this. I don’t want to change it.”
• “It won’t work.”
• “I like the way things are, I’m afraid to change it.”
• “I can’t.”

I believe and have realized that refusing to break to status quo hinders our growth. If we are not willing to let change in to our lives, we might as well be zombies walking around. If we are not open to things other than what we are accustomed to, we are actually depriving ourselves of learning and experiencing something new. It is easy to go with the flow, but it is more rewarding to allow ourselves to break away, experience change and something new, and in the process, grow and develop ourselves. Breaking the status quo allows us to explore more horizons and be more well-rounded individuals.

Out of the darkness and into the sun

But I won’t forget all the ones that I loved

 As for me TPS, I’ve done my fair share of “breakaways” in my life [some of which were mistakes, I admit].  Come to think of it, although my days would seem routinary [same old stuff every day], on the contrary, my life in general has been quite an adventure, as is obvious with the crazy stuff I have done [and still do]! I believe that I have gone against that autopilot way of living and take it one day at a time, thinking that each day brings new experiences and surprises! I think that’s the way life should be lived, don’t you think?

I’ll take a risk, Take a chance

Make a change, And break away

(Photo couresty of blog.skindeepmag.com)

Have a happy weekend everyone!

Bits of my weekend

You’ll know what kind of a parent you are when you hear your kids playing bahay-bahayan.

Last weekend, Wendy and Juday were playing with Wendy’s Puppies in My Pocket. They had this whole village set up, with house, hospital, school, grocery, and playground. It was bahay-bahayan puppy style. Anyway, I heard Wendy saying, portraying the mommy dog, in a high-pitched voice, “Peanut, look at your room! It’s so messy! Pick up your things!” and “Tasha, look after your sister! She might fall off the roof! O, ayan, she fell off! What did I tell you? Didn’t I tell you to look after her? You don’t listen to me!”

And I thought to myself: The words are in English, but the voice and tone sound familiar! Ha! Loko tong batang to ha! Ginaya pa ako! But then I realized, totoo naman eh! Hay, better change my tactics!

*****

On another note, last Friday, Wendy joined the MTAP and they placed third. Being the average student I was, I didn’t [and still don’t] know the significance of this. ButI know I should act the proud mother part…and I am proud!

*****

With our old [and I mean old] photocopy machine conking out on us, my mother had us buy another one. My sister scouted beforehand and we just bought it last Saturday. We bought the Canon Pixma MX318. It’s no secret I am no techie, but boy, the things technology can do! Imagine my surprise that there is now a fax, printer, scanner, and copier ALL IN ONE! [Imagine how much you can save by buying this machine!]

Grabe na talaga ang technology! I had a blast trying the things it can do. Amazing! [That’s how un-techie I am…I bet there are more amazing techie things out there and here I am goshing over a copier machine!] The next time you know it, they will have a coffee maker, lawn mower, sewing machine, and printer in one!

 Have a great week everyone!

Europe post cards: Part 2: Brussels, Belgium

Going through the initial adjustments in Amsterdam for the first 2 days, we were ready for our next destination: Brussels, Belgium. This place was not in our original itinerary, but then we thought, it was just a train ride away, so why not? It turned out to be a very great decision for we found Brussels to be VERY beautiful.

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Printed memories

Here are what kept me busy during the days between Christmas and New year….

I finally got to organize my Europe and Hong Kong pictures. What can I say but…finally!!! Grabe…it has been months and I just had the pictures printed. Well, for one, I had no money. Second, narrowing the 5,000 Europe pictures to just a thousand and the 2,500 Hong Kong pictures to just around 300 is such a hard task! And third, no time!!! So, I took advantage of the past few days to organize my pictures…from printing to putting them in their albums.

Although, then, I had no immediate plans of printing the pics, I was alsways on the lookout for perfect albums, preferrably travel themed. But, as usual, I didn’t seen one that I liked [kung meron man, super mahal]. So, during my recent trip to Divisoria, I bought 5 albums there [100 pesos each, 200 pictures per album…jackpot!], not minding the design. I knew then that I would be busy the next few days because had to I tap into my creative side again to create these personalized albums.

I just used stuff in our house, like the leftover cloth I used for my camera bag, rubber stamps, and the ribbons I had on hand for gifts. It takes just a little imagination, and steady hands [plus lots of glue stick!], to decorate your own album.

The dried leaves depict perfectly the trip that my sister and I had during the autumn season in Europe.

Silver and blue were just right, complementing the lights reflected by the Hong Kong buildings.

Having the right look for my albums was important for me because these hold the memories I had during these trips. And now, I can look at them anytime. Digital photos give us a lot of advantages, but enjoying printed pictures in nice albums is not one of them. And no matter how technologically advanced we become, iba pa rin ang printed pictures!

*****

Postscript: I need help! I need to cover these albums if I want them to last long [if not forever]. Somebody suggested covering them in plastic cover, but I want this to be the last resort. So if anyone has an idea [like is there a craft plastic cover], please, please do let me know! Thanks!