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EKS-OH-EKS-OH

NEW LIFELINE

There is honor in defeat. Thank you dear readers for voting for me during my Blog of the Week campaign. Although I didn't make it to the top spot, it was rewarding enough to know that you believed in me.

BUUUTTT, it ain't over till it's over! It is my pleasure to announce that Gossip Gehl is doing a MacArthur--I have returned!
So, please, please, please, vote for me again here. Your support will be much appreciated. Have a great week ahead!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

DEJA VU

Not long after my post on missing chat, my long lost chat buddies renewed our ties on free chat. It was almost like yesterday--an abundance of smileys, laughter and guffaws here and there, threads of chat lines that contained our personal updates, anecdotes and even sentiments. I remember spending hours end, day in and day out, being connected by this amazing invention called adult chat. And here we are again, catching up on lost time. It was as if we were never gone.

I give credit to chat for introducing me to some of the most interesting and colorful people that I have ever met. It is amazing how people from different backgrounds, different cultures different geographical locations, different timezones, not to mention, different values are brought together with just a few clicks on the computer keyboard. It is interesting to note that some of these people have grown into my greatest buddies too, and some into...never mind :D But whichever way the ties to my chat buddies went, I acknowledge that my life was never the same because of chat.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

IT'S MY TURN

A few weeks ago, blogging buddy, Haze, was nominated for Filipino Blog of the week. And now yours truly has been nominated! Yeyyy...Thank you to the anonymous, gentle soul who nominated me. Dear friends, would you be so kind enough to vote for me here? Please?

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

TIME FOR THE BIG SWITCH?

Although I am not a "user", I wasted no time signing up for this...

Read more...

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

ANOTHER B WANNA-B

Nabasa nyo na to?

Anobuzz, andami naman galit sa mundo. Take a happy pill, wuja?

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

YOUNG FOLKS

Spotted online.

After going through mp3 collections and websites containing free ringtones and true tone ringtones, Gossip Gehl finally found what she was looking for--no less than the theme song of Serena's and Blair's boobtube haven.

How do you like it?

Apart from the whistling background, I never really paid attention to this theme song. But I gotta admit, I've been having it on LSS for the past few days. It has also kept me company while blogging, with my typing rhythm adjusting to this upbeat song. Odeva!

So much is my fascination with this song, that I am actually considering it as a ringtone. Overkill na ba?

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

ONE BRIGHT IZEA

I guess by now, the secret's out. Yes folks, I've made THE controversial "crossover." I've just turned pro.

The switch wasn't that easy. Part of it, I guess, had to do with pride. After all, I've been pretty vocal about my reservations on blog marketing and pro blogging. And honestly, I felt I was reneging on a previous commitment, at least to myself, that I would never take that paid post plunge.

And so the saying goes...the only thing permament is change. And I do hope, that my change in position did not disappoint you, my dear friends. I will work hard to keep mine as the same old wacky, maybe even irreverent blog, that you have been used to.

Thus far, of all my esteemed "partners," I find IZEA's network of opportunities most satisfying. While at times my writing assignments are few and far between (blame it on the Pinas time difference, and ultimately, Haligi, my internet policeman :D), I feel that I, along with over 50,000 bloggers in the IZEA network, am able to relate most with the topics under the said program. I trust that my blog content would not be compromised.

Thank you dearies, for your hits and visits. Rest assured, Gossip Gehl would still continue to dish out the same anecdotes, discoveries, jokes, side comments, and chika, only this time, carrying a fatter purse. Hehehe!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

DROUGHT

Akala ko ba La Niña ngayon? Ngunit bakit tagtuyot sa mga "oportunidad?" :D EKS-OH-EKS-OH

WHY OH WHY?!?

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

THE PLEASURE IS MINE

Thank you, dear Em and Che for this....

Now for the next step--I need to pick five other blogs to get this award.

For those of you receiving this Award, here are the rules:

1) Pick 5 other blogs that you believe deserve this award for creativity, design, interesting material, and valuable contribution to the blogging community, in whatever language possible;

2) Each award must indicate the name of the author and must also contain a link to his or her blog;

3) Each award winner has to display the award and put the name and link to the blog that nominated him/her;

4) The "award-winner/s" and "award-giver/s" must also show the the origin of the "Arte y Pico" award--http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

It is indeed my pride and pleasure to be handpicked by Em, given my very short "tenure" in bloggerspace. Since some of my favorities have already been cited, I would thus like to recognize some of my other prized bloghops (aside from my daily doze of chuvaness, the baghag, bryan boy, and litratong pinoy that is :D):

ABIE C's Still a Wedding Blog
CATA's Simply Muah
GELO's Where to Now, UP Boy?
JOEY's The Working Mom
PAZETTE's Turning Points

How about you--any blog faves?

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

ON A ROLL

I cannot believe my string of good luck. After letting go of my discomfort over paid posts, and now embracing the idea of pro-blogging, I received a most pleasing development. The Gossip Gehl blog was accepted into Bloggerwave! Wuhoo!

A welcome addition to the wide array of paid blogging sites, Bloggerwave's unique selling proposition is that it aims to be Europe's biggest blog advertising network, offering a variety of opportunities to earn money. So if you're on the lookout for ways to augment your income, look no further. Bloggerwave may just be the answer you have been waiting for.

Let your fingers do the walking. Check out www.Bloggerwave.com NOW!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

GOING PRO

Today, I did the unthinkable...at least, unthinkable to me. I signed up for paid blogging. With thoughts (hallucinations?) of another baby coming up, I deemed it fit to find ways to augment my and Haligi's income.

The decision didn't come easy. After all, I have been very open about my discomfort with paid posts and using one's personal blog as a venue for it. I also felt that everything had it's perfect place and time. And at THAT time, I felt my blog, wasn't THE place. But that is history.

I'm glad that one of the frontrunners in commissioning blog reviews, PayPerPost (PPP), has recognized me worthy to become a member. I first heard about PPP from a couple of my blogger friends who had nothing but good reviews of the community and the variety of opportunities available. According to them, PPP has provided them with a rich experience filled with new information, new friends, new networks. I hope my experience will be just as rich and fulfilling.

The pact I made with myself has officially been rescinded. However, I vow that the quality of posts and nature of stories are still mine to make and tell. I will not compromise. Never.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

SHALL WE DANCE?

I first learned about the PR shuffle from meldita who made interesting observations on the ratings dance.

And so, on this tiny island, I was able to squeeze in an inquiry on my own page rating. And voila...

I'm not really sure about its significance, especially for a new blogger like me. Just the same, I think this wee bit of info is funny, fascinating and fab! Thank you Mr. G!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

MAVER @ MALCOLM

I am currently at iblog4, the 4th Bloging Summit of the Philippines.

Spotted at UP's Malcolm Hall...The small pieces of paper are meal stubs, by the way. Hehehe.

It is my first visit to UP after 10+++ years. Quite a long story why I used to frequent the campus that bred most of our country's pangulos or pang-gulos :D Suffice it to say that today's visit brought back memories (the good, the bad, and even the ugly). Nonetheless, I am happy to be back, and for a rich and insightful visit at that. The forum brought together an impressive roster of experts with varying takes on the blogging phenomenon.

Attending the summit has given me a renewed sense of commitment and purpose. My entries may be of the petty and mundane. My page ranking may be close to nil. My audience, may just be composed mostly of patient and supportive friends. However, it still gives me a sense of pride and ownership that I have finally made a claim on a small corner of cyberspace.

I am extremely happy to be here. And I hope to make the most of my stay.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

TARA LET'S!

Kitakits tayo dito sa Sabado? :)

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Haligi finally put his foot down. Haaay, so many blogs, so little time!

My recent addiction to the blogosphere (oo na, addiction to CHISMIS!) has finally taken its toll on my health. Pero baket hindi pa din ako pumapayat?!?!

My eyes now look like this ...

But of course, we had to reach a compromise. Haligi caved in and bought me these adorable two-toned eggplant feet candies ...

Not a bad incentive, huh? And for the record, I hope to "get caught" blogging again in the near future.

Kawawa naman si Haligi, mas nakamura sana sya kung Visine na lang binili nya sa kin. Hahaha!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

MUCH ADO ABOUT BLOGGING

A neoblogger, my cyber quotient is inversely proportional to the size of my waistline. I know I have yet to learn the many ropes of this new and exciting world.

My head is swimming in web jargon--hyperlinks, widgets, tags, memes, domains--the list is endless! Even the latest web buzz--blog marketing, has found its way into my very limited web glossary.

I feel truly blessed that I have great online pals who have patiently held my hand through this learning process. Well, it's either they're fab, or they're just patiently masking their impatience. Hehehe. Thanks mucho, folks!

Faced with the daunting task of conquering the blogosphere, I did a little research as well. I came across tales, tips and tools, all designed to make my blogging experience richer and more worthwhile.

I learned that a little tweak here and there can make my blog display my online albums as well as my social networking accounts. I discovered that a few clicks on the mouse can equip my online journal with tagboards, search engines, and other web nice-to-haves. I had a meet-and-greet with some blog marketing sites like Snapbomb, which offers exciting paid blogging opportunities even to blog newbies like me.

To the more seasoned bloggers, this may seem purely elementary. But to me, it means so much more. It is convergence at its finest. It is the wave of the future, made available TODAY.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

BUBUKOL YAN

Thanks to Jun Lozada, we now have a string of colorful quotes to last us a lifetime.

Dadatnan kaya?

The suspense is killing me. Thank God I'll find out this Friday.

EKS-OH-EKS-OH

A SALUTE TO THE GRADUATES OF 2008

Over a year ago, during my life-changing job interview, my ex-future (now-current) boss asked me to submit a sample speech as part of the recruitment process. The hypothetical situation was that I was being invited to deliver commencement remarks before the graduating class of my alma mater.

I am now publishing that 2006 submission for the first time, as my salute to this year's graduates. This piece also echoes my hope and optimism amidst political strife and economic unrest, for the country I have called home my entire life.

Patnubay sa mga may nais mang-imbita sa akin bilang speaker--wala po akong talent fee. Bogchi at souvenir pic na pang-blog, pwede na. Maari din po ako tumanggap ng TV interviews, pero dapat distorted ang boses ko at naka-silhouette shot lang. Mwahaha...dyok onli!!!

Cheers to all of you!

******

EDUCATING IS PARENTING
(maver, 12/12/06)
It gives me great honor and distinction to stand before you today. I had always dreamed of speaking before a graduating class, either as one of the top graduates, or as a distinguished performer in the career I chose to pursue. It may surprise most, if not all of you, that I am neither. While I trust that my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I take pride in my most significant and meaningful distinction to date—PARENTHOOD.

As a parent, I know that there are two most valuable things that I may give my children—one is roots, the other, wings. Roots shall keep my children grounded, secure, firm in the ideals and beliefs that I have, and will continue to patiently instill in them. Wings shall bring them to greater heights, where they can practice what they have learned from home, and spread the outpouring knowledge, warmth and love given to them. And when rewards and accolades come in, and there is much to share, my children’s wings shall bring them back to their roots, bring them back home.

And so, here I am back “home”, to pay tribute to the institution that has helped mold me into what I am today. For over three years of my life, De La Salle University became my “parent”, teaching me the importance of hard work and discipline, as well as recreation and service; of independent thinking as well as working as a team; of self-reliance and perseverance when the going gets tough; and of having faith and hope when the tough gets going.

Religio, Mores, Cultura—Religion, Morals, Culture. These are the three-fold ideals of the Lasallian Legacy passed on to us the minute we set foot in this campus. Like any loving parent, De La Salle has consistently advocated for our development into well-rounded individuals and Christian Achievers for God and country. The institution we called “home” and “parent” for a significant number of years, inspired us to become citizens dedicated to building a just and humane society through excellence in education, research and community service.

I remember vividly how I felt when I was in one of those seats amongst you in September of 1993. In a year marked with political transition, socio-economic upheavals and power outages, I was indeed full of nervous energy. At the same time, I was full of excitement to join the workforce, and to put my Lasallian education to good use.

However, I do not recall drafting a career map for myself for the next 5, 10 or so years. I am not even certain I had a clear picture of what I wanted to be. But one thing is for sure, I was determined to excel in whatever career or vocation I chose, and to give back my own positive contribution to my family, my alma mater, and my country. I was committed to stay focused in everything that lay ahead of me, in the hope that my presence and efforts, will touch the lives of at least one or two people, who in turn, will perhaps inspire three or several more, and so on and so forth.

I firmly believed then, and certainly still believe so now, that restoring our nation is not an impossible task. No matter how small, how seemingly minor my or your efforts may seem, these tiny steps may indeed teach minds, touch hearts, transform lives and consequently, rebuild our nation.

Many of you will remember this year as that full off political activism and economic uncertainty, and that has probably brought you anxieties and fears about your future. But amidst all these, stories of hope and victories for the Filipino continue to pour in and inspire us. We have scaled the heights of Mt. Everest. We have triumphed in the international boxing and billiard arenas. We have brought home medals from the Southeast Asian Games and titles from international beauty pageants. Our workers here and abroad fight it out and excel in any imaginable job they pursue. These are testaments of hope for the Filipinos. And indeed, our Mother Country is mighty proud!

So my fellow Lasallians, when you leave this campus to join the real world, I ask you to remember three important things—compassion, inspiration and hope. May these three fuel your minds and hearts as you strive to give value to the land of your birth. May you remain steadfast in your commitment to the ideals of Religio, Mores and Cultura, and the wisdom and strength given to you by your Lasallian education. And finally, may you be positive influences in your chosen fields of expertise:

As artists, fearlessly express your thoughts and ideals, and rebuild the Filipino spirit.

As doctors, heal the sick, as well as find ways to heal our land.

As engineers, build infrastructure to help strengthen our nation.

As entrepreneurs, take the risk and create businesses to create more jobs.

As IT practitioners, develop technology for a more advanced Philippines.

As lawyers, defend the rights of the oppressed, and fight for our country’s pride.

And finally, as parents, inspire your children to be well-rounded individuals such as yourselves, so that the Lasallian Legacy lives on.

Animo La Salle!

EKS-OH-EKS-OH