Ladies and gentlemen, this is (not) me…

I still do not consider myself as a consistent blogger.  And while I am not blogging (I know, I’m lazy), I read other people’s blogs, too.  Here are 3 of my most read blogs.

1.  Side Trip with Howie Severino (http://gmapinoytv.igma.tv/sidetrip/blog/) - I started to like Howie as a journalist in GMA.  And while I was searching for a website that discusses GMA’s Eleksyon 2007 Isang Tanong, I stumbled upon his blog.  From that day on, I look forward to each of his post.

2.  Our Awesome Planet (http://anton.blogs.com/) - Back in Malaysia, my wife craved for the cakes of Secret Recipe.  Now that we are back in the Philippines, she still longs for it.  Again, I searched the net for it’s lone branch in Manila.  And Anton’s blog gave me the answer.  After that, I got stuck reading his blog because I know we share the same passion - mouth-watering FOOD.  While his blog contains a lot of gastronomic adventures, I still find it a subtle way of promoting the beauty and treasure of our country.

3.  The World According to Manang (http://bigsis222.multiply.com/journal) - This is the blog site of international Filipino artist Lea Salonga.  I learned about this site from Anton’s blog (see number 2).  I was surprised and somehow humbled that such a famous celebrity can blog about her daily life (i.e. sound proofing her apartment).  She blogs more often than me!!!  Where can she find the time.  I am not a hardcore Lea fan, but I do admit that she is one of the reasons that made me proud of being a Filipino.

I wanted to add KC Concepcion’s blog (http://kooki.multiply.com/journal) in the list.  I find it wonderful that such a young and extremely beautiful girl also has the exquisite mind to write a very decent blog.  But, I am finding it hard to read her blog because of her wallpaper color vs her font color.

It was my first day at my new company. I reported at 2PM and submitted some pre-employment requirements. But at about 3PM, I was told that I should come back at around 8PM because the US onshore people who are suppose to fix my access rights will not be in by then.

What should I do to kill 5 hours? I called up Ia and told her to meet me at the FEU hospital in Fairview by 4PM. I told her she will be having her first transvaginal ultrasound.

A few minutes before 4PM, I arrived at the hospital and told the nurse that we would want to have a TVS. She asked where is the patient, and told here that she will be arriving any minute.

Half an hour passed, and Ia arrived accompanied by my niece - Abbey. They were driven by my dad, whom I really find to be always reliable. He was a bit reluctant at first, because he thought it was FEU school in Morayta.

We were the last patient and the OB (forgot his name, but the nurse said he was the head of obstetrics somewhere) was just about ready to leave. Ia was asked to change into scrubs, while I excitingly and patiently waited. She was asked to lie down and there in the screen, the usual blurry black and white picture that I normally see on TV.

Then a big black oval shape appeared, and in it is a small white fetus shape - our baby. It was my first time seeing him, or her. It was a fantastic moment. I immediately asked if I can get a print screen, and they said they will be giving everything to us.

Then the nurse turned a knob and then we can hear rythmic pulses. It was our baby’s heartbeat. It was so fast, as if he (or she) was also excited in our first meeting. The OB assured that that heartbeat is just normal. We recorded everything in our cellphone.

Then the nurse said that it was a 7 weeks baby. Estimated birth date is 06 Dec 2007. Wow, another Dec celebrator in our family.

It was a phenomenal experience, learning, seeing and hearing life in Ia’s womb. I will never forget that day.

p.s. today is 25 Apr, Happy Birthday to my sister - Rhea.

Just a day after our trip to Penang.  I was awaken by ia.  I noticed that she is very happy, despite my norm morning grumpiness.

I decided to fold our clothes, but she insisted that I check my email first.  I told her to restart the laptop, and I will check it afterwards.

After restarting, she literally pushed me in front of the notebook.  I checked my email, and proceeded to delete my everyday spam mail, job announcements and friendster friend updates.

Then she insisted that I check my friendster account.  So I did.  Then right there, the first entry in my Friend Updates section is her, "uploaded new photos".  The small avatar is hard to see, but I am getting an idea.

So I clicked on her profile, and there it is, wide and clear - TWO LINES!!!.  One line is not pregnant, two lines is pregnant, and we got two lines.  My heart leapt, as seen in the video, ia was taking while I squint in front of the screen.  Two lines, that is all I need to see.

And now, I am a proud dad-to-be!!!

A feedback I submitted about an Inquirer.net article:

Arroyo orders end to ‘embarrassing’ hostage crisis

Will a criminal mind think about the education and future of our children?  I doubt.

I am not saying that Mr. Ducat’s action is lawful.  I am saying that his intentions are unselfish and admirable.

I can’t blame him.  It is embarassing to admit, but for him to get media coverage and recognition, he had to resort to such actions.  For him to get the slightest attention from our President in the middle of her luncheon, he had to stage such an act.

President Arroyo handled and managed the situation by putting a stop to the crisis.  Problem resolved.  But was the root cause identified?  She has a brilliant mind, I do not need to lay it down for her.

In 30 days, I will be leaving a company that has been good to me.  A company that recognized my performance.  A company that has confidence in my abilities.  It is not an easy decision.  I am leaving with a heavy heart.

In just a short 16 months time, I found new friends in my colleagues.  All of them left their mark in my life.  I will miss them the most.  It’s a good thing I still have 30 days to be with them.

In 30 days, I will be back in the Philippines.  Back with family and friends.  Back to do something new.  I’ve been thru it twice already, and I do hope, the third will be a charm.

The simplest things can be the sweetest.

Just finished making, perhaps mixing is a better word, my fruit salad. 

After 3 cans of fruit cocktail, 1 can of nata de coco (should be 2 if I did not noticed that the other can expired 3 months ago), 0.87 litre of cream and a can of condensed milk, the Pinoy Fruit Salad is born.

This will be part of our Pinoy Noche Buena menu together with Pinoy style hamonado, patatim, chicken afritada, tuna pasta, crema de fruta and hot tsokolate.  All will be shared with a bunch of Pinoy OFW’s and some Malaysian colleagues.

Another reason to love Christmas.

Anim na buwan ang nakalipas mula ng nangako kami sa harap Niya.  Anim na buwan ang nakalipas mula ng binigay namin ang aming sarili sa isa’t-isa.  Anim na buwan na puno ng tamis at saya, sakit at lungkot.

6 months have passed so quickly since ia and I got married.  Initially, I thought that after the marriage, (and I mean this in the most positive way) nothing would change.  Reason:  we have known eachother for more than 5 years before the wedding.  I thought, hey, we should have known eachother quite well after a such a long time.  I am wrong.

After the wedding, a lot of things happened.  A lot of things still needs to be learned.  We found more of eachother’s strengths and weaknesses.  We learned more of eachother’s dreams and goals (and the lack of it).  We discovered more of our similarities and differences.  We knew more of what makes us laugh and cry.

I thought after the wedding, it’s going to be mundane, routine.  I’m glad I’m wrong.

Oh yes, one thing did not change.  Ia is still the same woman that I first fell in love with more than 5 years ago.

My youngest sister celebrated a fairy tale debut party last night.  I was asked to give 1 of the 18 treasures.  Since I can’t make it to her party, I made a video message for her.  Here was my message:

"Hello Rilet.  I know you are having a blast on your wonderfule debut party.  I feel bad for not being there.  But I want you to know that you are always in my thoughts.

My wish for you on your 18th birthday - for God to always protect you and to shelter you.  So, I am giving you this ( then I opened the umbrella - which I found tacky after I watched the video) … this umbrella.

This umbrella will keep you dry in the rain, same as God can protect you from sadness and sorrow.

This umbrella will shelter you from the hot sun, same as God will shelter you from danger and harm.

So if you don’t want to get wet or get hot, always pray to God.

Happy birthday Rilet, and thank you for being my sister."

For less than 9 minutes, I felt the Philippines again.  And it is such an overwhelming one.

Manny "The Pac Man" Pacquiao had just defeated Eric Morales.  Manny, the pride and joy of the Philippines.  The hero at a time when we need one.  He, once again, lifted us up.

Around 18 of us pinoy’s (a jargon us Filipinos call ourselves) have agreed to subscribe to the Pacquiao-Morales pay per view.  Fantastic food was served - inihaw na baboy (roast pork), fried chicken, seafood kare kare and pancit canton.  We are celebrating even before the match started.  We know that Manny will never let us down.

Sarah Geronimo, a bright young Filipina singer, did the most patriotic act - sing the Lupang Hinirang in worldwide television.  And she did a good job.

You can see in Manny’s eyes the determination, the fire, and the love for his country.  Each punch, each deadly strike he threw to Morales, is like a response to the poverty and oppression in the Philippines.  And every hit he lands, whilst it hurt Morales, it made our hearts jump.

And in less than 9 minutes, it is over.  The Philippine flag waving triumphantly.  Manny did it…again.  And we love him for that.  For less than 9 minutes, 18 individuals united and became 1 in heart.

Manny Pacquiao, thank you!!!

Philippine call details using my Digi prepaid
Last call duration:  21:31
Last call cost:  RM15.91
Call rate:  RM0.74 per minute
Expensive:  Yes.

Last night, I called home.  I talked to my brother.  I have never talked to my 16-year old brother like that.  And I think it is good for the both of us.

I hope he managed to listen to everything I said despite the fact that I woke him up at 12MN.  And I hope that it is not his sub-conscious mind that were doing all the talking, as well.

I miss him.  I miss him a lot.  I watched him grow up during the first 13 years of his life.  But the next 3, I can’t seem to remember.  Darn.

The good thing is, it is not too late.  It is never too late.  I know he can make it.  I believe he will make it.  He will.  Now that someone will be looking up to him.

Just before the line went dead, I managed to say "I love you".  I hope he heard it.

Last call duration:  21:31
Last call cost:  RM15.91
Call rate:  RM0.74 per minute
Expensive:  Definitely NOT.