REDEFINING HEROISM

So what have I been up to lately? Let me count the ways...

The past few weeks saw me making a headway for the remote South (Labo, Camarines Norte) to the hot and far-flung North (Tuguegarao City and Kalinga). The final leg of my so-called "race" saw our team flying off to HK to hopefully make a difference in the lives of over a hundred thousand HK-based Filipinos.

More than the sights, sounds and shopping sprees, what struck me about my travels to these places was the harsh reality of OFW families. Being a mother, my heart bled upon hearing the stories of overseas Filipinos (predominantly female and mostly mothers) and their battlefield. Everyday, they fight it out to overcome exhaustion, discrimination and homesickness. They work 25/7, taking care of other people's of children, in the hope that this will ultimately provide a better life for their own. My whining about a day or two's worth of homesickness is undubitably petty compared to the years, even decades these women endure away from their loved ones.

The purpose of our HK visit (which coincided with PGMA's trip to the China territory) was to promote savings and investments to the overseas Pinoy. The noble purpose is to transform the OFW to an OFI--Overseas Filipino Investor :) If things fall into place, working abroad will no longer be a necessity, but an option. Nifty isn't it?

One of the programs promoted at the PGMA affair was the DBP I-net Negosyo Program (uyyy libreng plugging!), a livelihood facility which allows OFWs to secure bank loans for the purchase of a small internet enterprise, inclusive of an e-loading station. Hopefully, this will pave the way for a culture of savings and self-sufficiency for the OFWs and those they leave behind.

And so my friends, this is what I have been working on...



The video was well-received in HK and struck a chord in the Filipino Community. They even said that this will be shown on President's Hour over at NBN Channel 4. But more than that recognition, I take pride in being able to call Roselie, Elizabeth, Jessie and their families, my friends. They are the new breed of heroes, as anonymous and as unsung as they may be.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

SUCCESS!

History was made tonight. Suffice it to say that the evening was filled with these...

An interesting sight at Lan Kwai Fong.

The HK party district was filled with music and booze

as NZ folk celebrated their Hong Kong Sevens victory

My feet ached and protested due to a twelve-hour-workshift on 2-inch heels (no, not the MKs, thank God!), but it was all worth it. Weeks of hard work finally paid off, and how!

I know I am speaking in riddles and I am hoping for your patience. Please do bear with me as I juggle my haligi/gilet time, work, blogging and everything else in between. Sana naman po pumayat na ako nito :) I will spill the beans in a bit.

In the meantime, my friends and I will play GULP :) Kelangan sulitin ang gabi dahil overnight lang kami dito. Bitin na naman. >SIGHHHHHH<

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

THIS IS IT!

Today's off to an early start. Maver is HK-bound!

My check-in was uneventful. No flying shoes and what-have-you. Nonetheless, I came prepared--had my toenails done yesterday. :) It has been a toxic but memorable and insightful week. More on this next time.

Catch you later!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

LAST POST

At least for the week.

I will not turn on my laptop tomorrow, as my small (but hopefully, significant) contribution to this...

Au revoir!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

HEAVEN IN AYALA

Hindi ako excited. Hindi.

There is no god but KK, and we are his prophets

Sa nakakuha ng one-year supply ng heavenly Os, sana makakuha ka din ng matching stash ng xenical and ampalaya supplements (Maver is Bitter Ocampo :D).

I am hoping this will finally put an end to lunch and coffee date mix-ups.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

VOLDEMORT

Word has it that moves are being made to yank Gossip Guy out of the blogosphere. Apparently, it is considered libelous to use one's personal blog to discuss the explosive entries, to participate in the venomous message board, and consequently, to fan the fires of one of the biggest scandals ever to hit cyberspace.

So paano ba yan mga kafatid, malamang kitakits na lang tayo sa piitan? Mwehehe!

The subject blog on "HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED" takes centerstage tonight at Media on Focus, a news program hosted by Che Che Lazaro over ANC. The show will be broadcast at 6:00 PM local time and a replay will be screened at 11:00 PM. Shall this unseat the Pacquiao-Marquez fight in the ratings game? We will soon find out.

In the meantime, shhhhhhh!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

FINAL PIT STOP

Tatlong tulog na lang at malalayo na naman ako kay Haligi at Haligilet. >SIGHHHH<

Travel checklist:

Passport
Press Kits
Shopping Money (or at least, Lafang Money)
and most important of all, FLU SHOT!

Where in the world is Maver off to this time? Kyuuut ba talaga kayo? :D

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

THINGS TO CATCH IN CAGAYAN

After an almost 24-hour roundtrip BY LAND, I am finally back in Manila.

'Twas an interesting trip up north. The region had so much character and it was just too bad that I didn't have enough time to explore. No, I wasn't able to explore the Callao Caves, nor pay my respects to the Miraculous Lady of Piat, nor go whitewater rafting at the Chico River from Tabuk, Kalinga. And I wouldn't even dare shoot the rapids even if I had the time, lest I be mistaken for the first whale-sighting in Cagayan Valley.

Luckily, I was able to squeeze in a few camera clicks and bites here and there, just enough to capture the flair and flavor of Cagayan.

Here are what I have seen at the scene. I'm giving you my top 4 picks in pics.

Kontra-Osteoporosis

The delectable Alcala Milk Candy made of pure carabao's milk served as my calcium supplement for the two days I was in Cagayan Valley

That's it, Pancit! A medley of Cabagan noodles, egg, veggies, lechon and chicharon bits,
the famous Pancit Cabagan was a delightful meal in itself.
A welcome alternative is the Pancit Batil Patong,
which also had a meet-and-greet with my digestive system.

Rice, Rice Baby!
This snapshot of a ricefield in Tabuk, Kalinga shook me to the core.
The sight may soon be rare find as an alleged rice shortage looms ahead.

Takip Silim

The view of the longest and largest river in Cagayan Valley at dusk

dramatically capped my two-day stay in the region.

So, the question now is...am I coming back? The answer is a resounding yes, BUT, get me on that plane, okay?!?!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

NAUDLOT

Sunud-sunod. Kawawa naman siya.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

THIEF IN THE NIGHT

The big C has struck again. I heard this over the news tonight.

Calling it a day on a sad note.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

MOVE OVER, MACARENA

I promised myself that I will be hitting the sack but I just had to post this dahil KINILABUTAN AKO! This one's for Ripley's! (Now not) only in da Pilipins. Hehehe...



EKS-OH-EKS-OH

COUNTING SHEEP

The only thing I hate about travelling alone is the fact that I find it really hard to fall asleep. Em's tag was thus a welcome reprieve from watching B-movie re-runs or staring at the ceiling till my eyelids drooped.

The instructions of this tag are simple:

1. Go to photobucket;
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box;
3. Use only the first page (of results); and
4. Insert the picture into your Blog.

1.) What is your Relationship Status?

In love with my ex-BF-now-current Haligi :D)



2)What is your current mood?


Homesick :(



3.) Who is your Favorite Band / Artist?


Thank you...Na-nana-nana-nanaaaaa...

4.) What is your Favorite Movie?

Hits you, bigtime!

5.) What kind of pet/s do you have?


Hugo, the Minipin

Neo, the Lab

Rocky, the German Shepherd





And lotsa birds!

6.) Where do you live?

That's me, waving from one of the windows :P

7.) Where do you work?


Ditto!

8.) What do you look like?

I am pretty...pretty overweight :P



9.) What do you drive?


Only (but hopefully, not limited to) backseat driving :)




10)What did you do last night?




Pakin en pakin...tu mats pakin!




11.) What is your Favorite TV Show?




Sigh! Swoon! Drool!





12.) Describe yourself:


I'm just like a Speedy.

Fun. Functional. Flexible.



13)What are you doing today?


Roadtriiiiiip!




14.) What is your name?



Trivia: It's actually a stinkbag brand. Kaderrrs! Hahaha!



15.)What is your favorite candy?



Melts in your mouth AND in your hands!


I am passing this on to AbieC and AbieL, Cata, Cez, Che, Hazel, Jen and May. To Farrah, Happy, Mel, Meeya, Toni and Joey, alam ko in arrears pa ako sa mga tag ninyo. And I hope this is acceptable collateral. Will catch up soon, promise :)

And now, I am officially zzzleepy. Thank you kumare!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

TATSDOWN!

Alas, I am finally here--my home away from home for the next couple of days.

Heaven on earth, don't you think so?

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

HAY NAKAO, ARITAO!

Is the gloomy sky a sign of things to come? Juicekoh, wag naman sana!!!

We are currently stuck in Maharlika Highway in the middle of Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. Kamusta naman...45 minutes nang standstill ang traffic because of a procession. So my original 12-hr travel guesstimate was all but a figment of wishful thinking. I'm now looking at a13-14 hour drive. TENKS GAD for Smart Bro Plug-it and the picturesque roadside view for keeping my sanity intact. Otherwise, I will go kreyzi, with a capital KEI!!! Haaaaaaay.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

A MEANINGFUL EASTER HUNT

Our family went on a different kind of Easter hunt this Sunday. We were on a hunt for "Kuya Jess". And we found and felt him here...

Haligilet and my SIL's Ilawlet pose for posterity

at the future site of the Montemaria Shrine

"Pasko"--Pasko ng Pagkabuhay, it sure was, as we were gifted with our first family trip to the Montemaria Shrine site. A perfect Easter blessing indeed.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

REMEMBERING TITO GENE

On Easter Sunday of 2007, Tito Gene, one of my favorite uncles, succumed to cancer. It was a beautiful day to die because finally, he was at peace in the loving arms of the Risen Savior.

As a tribute to Tito Gene, I would like to publish the eulogy I delivered during his wake last year. I hope this gives justice to the beautiful person that he was and the colorful life that he led.

I would like to express our utmost gratitude and appreciation for your outpouring of love, support, prayers and presence in this period of bereavement. I know that all of you will agree with me that we are truly blessed to have been given the chance to call my Tito Gene, father, son, brother or brod, uncle, boss, colleague, friend.

Coming from a predominantly female clan made up of REALLY dominant females, Tito Gene’s personality was the perfect complement. He was very quiet and unassuming. His occasional but significant contributions to our family conversations, would be in the form of cute terms of endearment for my Aunt and their children, his amusing freak accidents, his jokes and puns delivered with a poker face, his tried and tested words of wisdom on life, love, career and later on, even parenthood.

I will forever remember with fondness the number of summers I spent with Tito Gene's family. I acted as pseudo daughter when they didn’t have one of their own, and soon after, became pseudo ate to his children. Those summers were one of a kind because I experienced a lot of firsts—my first dance and piano lessons, first magic trick, first volleyball game, first dog bite, first taste of a century egg, and first nausea attack because of it.

During one of my last visits to my Tito Gene at the hospital, I was given a chance to spend some quality time alone with him. Little did I know that it will be my last. Sadly, the conversation was not made up of his trademark jokes and anecdotes. He actually shared with me his frustrations over the milestones that he may never witness, of the accomplishments left hanging, of words left unsaid, of a job undone, of a journey incomplete. But I assured Tito Gene that God knows, we all know, that he did his best.

And when I hear of your positive experiences of my uncle, when I see all of you here today, when I see how we have all been strengthened by this experience, I know and truly believe that his was a full life. All of us here are his treasures. WE are his milestones. WE are his accomplishments.

Tito Gene’s job is done. And he did it well.

Godspeed Tito Gene. I am sure that you are happy where you are right now. Say hi to Lolo for me. I truly miss you.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

I THANK THEE FOR WASHING AWAY SIN

Even chocolate sin...
EKS-OH-EKS-OH

REFLECTIONS ON A (DOUBLY) GOOD FRIDAY

I asked Jesus how much He loved me.
He said, "This much."
And then He spread out His arms and died.

This year's Good Friday is extra meaningful for our family. I feel truly blessed because aside from giving His life for me, for all of us, the Lord gave me Haligi.

Haligi--my better half, my best friend, marks his birthday today. I am thankful for the many things that we have sailed through. Together, we have laughed and cried; have won as well as lost; have made painful realizations and gained wonderful discoveries; have taken falls and yet stood up again; have enjoyed life's simple joys like children; and have learned life's hard lessons to mold us into adults.

Haligi and Haligilet are my treasures. There is nothing more I can ever ask for. I hope and pray that Haligilet grows to become even just half the man of who his father is. (Sana lang mahigitan nya ang tatay nya sa height :D)

Happy birthday, Haligi! Aylabyu!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

ON WITH THE RACE

I was told that after my assignment here (sorry folks, not Sagada), I will have to take another land trip the next day where I hope to catch a glimpse of this...Saan naman ito? Ang makakasagot, mas lalong kyut :)

Effectively, I will be around 16 hours away from Manila. Parang nag-isteyts na din ako! Mygaz!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

MONDAY'S PIT STOP

And my "Amazing Race" to a March 30th project deadline continues...

On Monday, I will take a 12-hour effin land trip to this place. Good luck, Maver!

Care to guess where this is? Ang makahula, cute!

And to those of you who are wondering why I am still tinkering with the keyboard at this unholy hour--penitensya daw ni Haligi ang payagan ako mag-online ngayong gabi. :)

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

HEY, MR. - - , WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

On...and on...and on...

Wow, from blog scandal to book sensation. This sure beats the hell out of Adsense earnings.

MOVE OVER, MR. RIPLEY
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
03/18/2008

Manila, Philippines--This online telenovela is no longer a silent movie.

On Monday, rising above the din unleashed by his blog was Australian businessman Brian Gorrell's voice- subdued, but also intermittently sardonic. Inquirer Entertainment talked to him by phone.

It was like... Garbo spoke. For 24 minutes.

But who is Gorrell?

He told the Inquirer that he's a landscape designer, that he had owned a "successful flower shop in Sydney before putting up a flower farm with a previous boyfriend.

"We were a couple for 20 years," Gorrell said. "He's still my best friend."

Last year, he sold his shares to the farm to his former partner and made plans to relocate to Boracay.

He also dabbles in photography, said Gorrell, who's now 38. "I've been carrying a camera around since I was 15."

In a way, the call was a welcome, comforting confirmation that the blogger is a real person and not a figment of some publicist's wild imagination.

Prior to the call, there was wild talk that his blog--which he said he had set up to retrieve the $70,000 his Filipino ex-boyfriend had supposedly filched from him--was but a "gimmick" to promote a certain bar where the Pinoy "high" society posse hangs out.

"They can spin it any which way they like," Gorrell said. "I have proof [of the money transfers]. And I witnessed with my own eyes the drug use that I recount in my blog."

On Monday, in fact, he posted a receipt from Western Union, saying he had nine other similar documents in his possession.

That same day, he also re-opened the comments section, which he earlier closed. It had become just as caustic as Gorrell's posts.

He pointed out, "I have no wish to control any social dialogue that may arise from my posts."

The comments section, where ordinary folk have been critiquing society celebs, has made the blog a cyber sensation.

According to Gorrell, a self-confessed "non-techie," his blog has received over half a million hits since its launch on March 4.

Amid the frenzy, the Filipino ex-boyfriend called up the Inquirer on Thursday and declined to comment, adding that he would issue an official statement only if Gorrell filed a case "in the proper forum."

Gorrell, however, asserted that he wasn't inclined to do so. Not at this point, anyway. "I approached three lawyers in Manila, all of whom cited conflict of interest--because they represent many of the people involved in this case," he said.

Not an option

"The thought of spending years within [the Philippine] court system is not even an option for me now. I can't lose any more time... my HIV is not going away."

From the onset, Gorrell had disclosed his ailment to his blog's readers.

"I was interviewed by [the Canadian newspaper] Toronto Star recently; we discussed how being HIV positive made me vulnerable [to the abuse]," he explained.

Asked how the stress was affecting his health, Gorrell said in an earlier e-mail interview: "I'm a very strong man. I have been through a lot. However, my HIV worries me because things pop up all the time. I have no money [in case something happens]. That upsets me. I have a friend who helps with my daily needs. She brings me food and makes sure I'm eating. My nerves are gone until my money is recovered. I am scared."

More rewarding

Rather than attending court hearings, he said, he would rather focus on more rewarding activities, like "taking care of my dog Siesta (a champion Golden Retriever born on Boracay Island) and writing a book."

Yes, a book.

Like the blog, he said, the book will be named after his ex-lover- "The Talented Mr. ----------."

Yup, like that Hollywood movie about an "unrepentant, social-climbing grifter portrayed by Matt Damon."

After the book, can a movie be far behind? Imagine the scenery, the costumes, the plot twists and turns, maybe even a courtroom drama.

And, for sure, the dueling interviews in "The Buzz" and "Showbiz Central."

I wonder if this will make it to Oprah's Book List. *Insert smirk here*

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

AS YOU SOW, SO SHALL YOU REAP

Exactly a year ago, in his interview with Reuters, Tim Yap had this to say about the party republic:

"There is this mindset, which I think is so passe, that says: 'The country is in shambles and the country is having a hard time and you are out there partying'. But this generation is guiltless when it comes to that." (Reuters, March 2007)

It's amazing how the tides have now turned to haunt the so-called guiltless. Worse, they have been labeled GUILTY.

I choose to call it KARMA.

What would you call it?

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

SEE ALL EVIL, HEAR ALL EVIL

And the bashing continues...

Unfolding like your favorite telenovela, Brian Gorrell's explosive online journal has reached gigantic proportions, landing on papers, blogs and now, even wikipedia. Due to popular demand, the venomous comments section has also been resurrected from its untimely demise. Getting to be tiresome, lah? (Pero nagbabasa pa din ako. Hihihi).

Kelan kaya magkaka wiki-entry on the Secosana Gang? :P

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME...

This March, a welcome addition to the Ayala Avenue landscape will change the lives of Makati workers forever.

They're coming...
For details of the much-awaited debut of Krispy Kreme "Os" in the central business district of Makati, the country's 6th branch, read here.

Sa mga nagliligawan, pwede na kayo magbigayan ng matatamis na O-O. Mwehehe.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

Just had to share this bit which had me in stitches. Thanks to Nostalgia Manila.

QUOTABLE QUOTE FROM ARNIE TUADLES (SLN)

PBA anchor: So sino sa tingin mo Arnie ang may appeal sa mga babaeng artista natin?
Arnie Tuadles: Si JEN siyempre!
PBA Anchor: Sinong Jen?
Arnie Tuadles: Si JEN SABURET.
------
SLN = Suma-Langit-Nawa

Tanders na talaga si Maver!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

w-ALIS DYAN!

Kawawa naman si Weju. Makukulong nang dahil sa walis tingting!

How totally un-glam Tsong!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

THE SIZE SAGA CONTINUES...

Well hello, Manila!

It was a short but sweet trip to Bicol. While half of it was devoted to work (I was tasked to shoot on-cam interviews and scenes for an audio-visual project), I still had the chance to squeeze in some time for sight-seeing, food-tasting and of course, shopping!!! Sayang, di ako nakahanap ng pili or sili magnet for my collection. :(

Haligi and Haligilet seemed to have enjoyed their time alone. My good ole Haligi held the fort while his Ilaw was away. My heart melted when this greeted me at the door.

Hay si Maver, photo opp muna bago kiss kay Haligilet. Hahaha!

I was also able to solve the unanswered questions on the S, M, L mystery.

Ilaw (to Haligilet): It's time for a nap, baby. Come and rest with Mama. Mama is tired from her trip.
Haligilet: Mama, but I'm not sleepy yet!
Haligi (to Haligilet): Listen to Mama. Go take a nap. Sige ka, hindi ka na la-laki!

Haligi (to Ilaw): Mama, don't take a nap. Sige ka, la-laki ka.

Bastosssss!

Mystery solved. Case closed.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

BICOL BERGIN

Top 3 things I will miss about my first trip to Bicol...

FOOD Tubiiiggg!

Ho-ho-hottt Bicol Express is definitely not for the weak at heart.

FAITH

Pausing for reflection at the historic Naga Cathedral.

Opo, marunong po ako magsimba (kahit hindi halata).

FREEDOM

to surf...the water and THE NET. Hehehe!Enjoying my first glimpse of a white water summer

at Bagasbas Beach, Camarines Norte.

Haaay, bitin!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

S, M, L

Last night, while I was packing my suitcase, Haligilet struck a conversation with me:

Haligilet : Mama, I don't have a BAGOTE (moustache) because I am a small boy.

Maver : That's correct, baby. Very good!

Haligilet : And Dada has a bagote because he is a man. He is a medium boy.

Maver : Yes, you can put it that way. Good job! And how about Mama? Does she have a bagote?

Haligilet: No, because Mama is a woman. Mama is a large girl.

Ayan, nagtatanong pa kase!

Sagutin niyo ako. Sino nagturo sa kanya nito? Sino?!?!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

MUNTIKAN NA!

I don't know about you, but my mom used to remind me not to leave the house without what she termed as "socially acceptable" or "decent" underwear. The reason? An unplanned trip to the ER may warrant display of them undies for the whole wide world to see. Thaaaat's my Maver!

What happened to me this morning reminded me of my mom's weird, but apparently sound advice. Read on...

******

The earth stood still for a few moments as I was checking-in for my out-of-town flight. One of my primas got caught in the luggage x-ray belt! Eeeeeek!

Thoughts immediately raced in my mind:

Hindi lang pang escalator ha, pang-xray belt pa!
Awwww, peborit ko pa naman yun.
Balutan ko kaya ng tissue ang isang paa, and feign-a-sprain?
Carry ko kaya mag-erop