Filler: Four Things About Me

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE:

1. Telemarketing Officer for Credit Card Acquisitions
2. Customer Service Officer for Credit Card Operations – Billing Disputes and Merchant Sales
3. eRep … supervisor
4. Manager for Service Delivery – Operations (Call center professional! Yes!)

FOUR MOVIES I WOULD WATCH OVER AND OVER:

1. The Little Rascals (1993 version)
2. My Best Friend’s Wedding (walang kokontra!)
3. The Little Rascals (1993 version)
4. The Little Rascals (1993 version)

FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED:

1. Quezon/Batangas
2. Taft Avenue / UN Avenue , Manila
3. Cebu City
4. Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati

FOUR TV SHOWS THAT I WATCH:

1. Grey's Anatomy
2. LOST
3. Heroes
3. The Buzz!

FOUR PLACES I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION:

1. Vienna , Austria
2. Prague , Czech Republic
3. Munich , Germany
4. Bohol

FOUR PEOPLE WHO EMAIL ME:

1. Rona
2. AD
3. Marl
4. People @ work of course!

FOUR OF MY FAVOURITE FOODS:

1. North Park Yang Chow Fried Rice
2. Adobo na luto ko
3. Sinigang na super asim na luto ko or ng kapatid ko
4. Isaw (well-done please) sa kanto

FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW:

1. Zurich
2. London
3. New York
4. Amanpulo (hayyyyyyy)

FOUR FRIENDS I THINK WILL RESPOND:

1. Rona (para mag react lang)
2. Paan (pag nag post ako sa blog ko)
3. Lesley
4. Tina (most likely para mag react!)

Two friends... In love... Married!!

My best wishes to very good friends Elaine and Reyan -- you guys rock! I can't believe I've known you guys for over 15 years and for most part, you have been good friends of mine. I really wish you well...

...can't wait to become godfather of your future kids!

The Heroes Personality Test

My Score: Mr. Bennet



I scored 62 Idealism, 41 Nonconformity, 41 Nerdiness

The Heroes Personality Says:

Congratulations, you're Mr. Bennet! You are one mysterious person with mysterious motives. Despite all the mystery, it's clear that you believe what you do is for the greater good, and you are obviously a well-educated person in your field. Your best quality: Dedication to your work/organization/etc. Your worst quality: Keeping too many secrets

Mytunes: Current Playlist and Favorites

Christian Bautista: Just a love song...LIVE!

• Beautiful in my eyes
• Only reminds me of you
• Trying to get that feeling again
• More than you'll ever know
• Blue eyes blue
• If ever you're in my arms again
• You

Erik Santos: Your Love

• Kailanman
• Youre love
• Say you'll never go
• Maging sino ka man

NINA:

• I do
• What if
• I didn't mean to make you mine
• Someday

MYMP: New Horizon

• Nothing's gonna stop us now
• Only reminds me of you
• Back home
• Crazy for you
• Every breath you take
  

What If

by Nina

I often wonder just how can it be
But everytime I think about it
Seems impossible to me
I wanna touch you, call out your name
Would you be my love, would you be my friend
Would you feel the same

What if wishes all came true
And each one had a star
That would keep it shining brightly
However near or far

What if a miracle appeared
And heaven was here for us to see
Oh what if you, were to fall in love with me

I imagine, a picture in my mind
You and me we’ll be together
Together for all time
Like in the fairytales
Where everything comes real
Would you take my hand, would you understand
Just how I feel?

It’s not impossible
It’s not impossible
It happens each day
People find each other
Fall in love with one another
It happens this way
It’s not impossible
It’s not impossible
I don’t believe
If I close my eyes
If I make a wish
You’d be loving me

What if wishes all came true?

2 New things

Gusto ko lang i-share very quickly and very briefly -- a couple of things i just did na hindi ko inakalang magagawa ko...

1) Alam n'yo yung parang "small desk microphone" na ginagamit sa pagtawag ng order from the fastfood's cashier to the kitchen? I'm sure alam n'yo ito! Using my charm (ehem) sa ate sa counter, ako naka-try ako na ako mismo ang tumawag ng order namin sa Chowking! At syempre pa feel na feel ko ang bawat salitang sinabi ko tulad ng:

For dine in: Lumpia Lauriat!

Ang mga kuya sa kitchen napangiti na lang dahil may kasunod pa akong "good morning" na closing spiel! Aliw!!!

2) Sa sobrang antok at pagod ko kahapon, tinakbuhan ko ang isang traffic enforcer (basta naka yellow yung manong) sa may Ayala Avenue -- dun sa kanto ng traffic light bago umakyat ng tulay papuntang Edsa! Hindi ko first time na "mag-beat" ng yellow light -- okay fine, it was already red! Ang first time ko ay ang humarurot nang todo nang senyasan ako ng manong dahil nga hindi nakalampas sa paningin nya ang minor violation ko. Of course di nya na ako hinabol maski nakasakay lang sya sa mobile unit nya. Effort nga naman siguro yon!

Wala lang... share ko lang...

Shutter

It always feels good to finally get to that conviction that you have moved on and now trying to live a better life if not happier. When you don’t see the things and people that remind you of the past, it seems that things are a lot breezier! Before I get too carried away, I gotta admit that yeah, this is just a wishful thinking. The fact of the matter is, some twisted ghosts of your past would always have their wicked ways of sneaking up from behind.

I was looking for some archived emails when I came across a couple of conversation exchanges I had with some friends. It had some excerpts of my (used to be dearest) friend’s thoughts on my supposed cold shoulder treatment to him. For a few seconds I felt like there was a speeding bullet that just came through my chest. After all this time I really never thought that it would still have that effect on me. And yeah I admit, it was a bit excruciating and I hated it! I’ve been telling myself and the whole world that I’m so through with all that yet it felt weird somehow.

I may still be right though. It’s just probably natural reaction on my part. Oh please, cut me some slack will yah! Can I get at least some credit for trying?! But seriously, I think what will make everything all okay is if and only if I can totally shut off some people in my life including everything that happened. Imagine if could see a doctor who’d do an “Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind” treatment to me. That I’d love to see! Heaven knows I’d do anything to have that one.

I wonder if it’s just useless going overboard or sounding like a broken record on this. Oh well my thoughts on these/them have never been under wraps anyway so why bother? I may never be too certain of what the future holds for me after all these but one thing is for sure, I can’t simply forget everything until hell freezes over.

Pa 'experience' naman!

1) tv reporter na nakikipag-unahang makasagap ng scoop at headlines. yung tipong sa gitna ng war o kaya may background na helicopter na may search and rescue operation sa isang super typhoon.

2) chef sa isang restaurant ng 5-star hotel. gusto kong magluto na may time pressure tapos yung magagarang mga kagamitan sa kusina. tapos gusto ko rin yung mag garnish ng kung anu-ano sa plato. ako rin ang magse-serve sa guest para may personal touch.

3) empleyado (na authorized to make big decisions) sa BIR, Customs, LTO, LTFRB. maski 1 week lang!

4) chief of staff ng isang senador

5) masahista

6) lagarista

7) barista sa Starbucks with rotating assignments/deployments sa iba't ibang bansa. maski walang sweldo okay lang!!!

8) personal alalay ni Keannu Reeves

9) intelligence officer ng gobyeryo. or asset ng FBI

10) kabet!

Pakialamero Mode

Can I just pay my share of Php 44,000 to the Philippines ’ foreign debt? I wonder if this is somehow gonna give me my financial freedom, wahahaha! Too bad all 88 million Filipinos owe this much. Terrible, even the infants are counted (I think!). President GMA has acquired more debts than all of her predecessors combined, yikes!

*****

Mr. Palengke himself, Mar Roxas has been doing his homework recently. Somebody from his recent Baguio visit boldly ‘announced’ the arrival of THE NEXT Philippine President! How’s that for super early electioneering! Now I see the reason why he is not yet married to Korina Sanchez. I mean come on, both of them would have their own gains for waiting. Let’s see in 2010.

*****

What’s the buzz between CFC-Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto and Frank Padilla? I just read on the papers that there are some splinter groups that have been formed. For the longest existence of CFC this is the first time I’ve heard of some form of intrigue amongst the key people (at least). I hope this gets settled coz GK is one of the best achievements of CFC I must say. I had some first-hand GK experience too a long time ago.

Maligayang Kaarawan, Rona!!!

Ang space na ito ay inilalaan ko sa iyong kaarawan...

Wala na akong nais sabihin o di kaya'y isulat pa

Alam kong nauunawaan na ng puso mo ang mga pangarap namin para sayo

Sa halos labindalawang taon ng ating pagkakaibigan

Eh wala ka nang maitatago pa, hehehe!

Maligayang kaarawan! Mahal ka namin!

My most wanted: STARBUCKS City Mugs

VIENNA, Austria
When I went to Austria during the winter of 2002, Starbucks was just put up then. Austrians were of course not as fond as Americans (and Pinoys at that) on the foreign brand. Of course it’s still different when you sip your coffee in your favorite coffee shops in Vienna or perhaps even in Paris !

I found myself in the counter getting myself a cup of coffee, a blueberry muffin and a city mug! That’s when I started collecting these giant coffee mugs!
BANGKOK, Thailand
Later that year, I told a friend of mine that I wanted to start collecting these mugs. And guess what, she said she will bring me one from BKK. Rei went there for a short vacation.
MANILA, Philippines
I think I bought one for myself during the Christmas season of 2002. I got it from Starbucks 6750 (which happens to be the first-ever branch in the Philippines ). I remember spending a quiet “ME Time” there reading a good book (Sighs).

ERRATUM: The Manila mug was actually a birthday gift from a good friend, Mean Jean! It totally slipped my mind, sorry... :( No wonder I used the statement "I think" above, hehehe.

When my mom kept the mugs in the kitchen cupboard the idea of collecting totally slipped my mind for such a long time. And I really mean it! You’ll see later.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates
My brother has been working in Dubai (Hilton Hotel) for over 2 years now. It was during his first month-long vacation when he brought me the city mug (May 2007). He said all the other items I was asking him to “buy” for me are too expensive. Not to mention he probably sensed that I somehow had this wicked plan of not paying him. Hehehe!

Oh by the way, I remember I was staring at the Starbucks store in Dubai Airport (which is really huge! And I mean huge big time!) but for some reason I didn’t buy it. Perhaps it was because I was too excited for my connecting flight to Munich then. Oh well bottom line is, I was still able to get one after a few years.
SINGAPORE
About a couple of weeks when my brother gave me the Dubai city mug when my former boss and good friend Lesley asked what I wanted for ‘pasalubong’ for his Manila vacation. He’s based in HCMC, Vietnam but has been touring around Southeast Asia for some work stuff. I remember he said I gave him a good idea that he’s just going to make the city mug a generic pasalubong to his other friends. Of course he ended up just getting one! I think he didn’t want to have too many items on his hand-carry. But hey thanks again Les!
CEBU, Philippines
I stayed in Cebu from October 2005 to April 2007 and during this time my initial reflex when I stepped into the first (then) two Starbucks shops was to get myself my favorite! But I said, hey I’m staying here for good anyway so I can buy anytime. Funny thing was I already relocated back to Manila (sometime holy week of this year) and yes, the Cebu mug wasn’t in my possession yet until Jai gave me city mug as an early birthday gift!

PARIS, France
Wlad is one of the few non-Pinoy people that I get to hang out with here in Manila . He’s a French businessman introduced by a good friend – Tina. I remember telling him stuff in Tagalog all the time and it’s amazing that he usually understands most of what I say or pretends he gets it then asks somebody later what the heck was it really. I think it was about a couple of months ago when he went to his home country for a visit to his family. And of course, he was kind enough to give me the city mug upon returning home. (Ayos ka talaga Wlad! Videoke na ulet tayo dali!).
HONGKONG
Tina and Wlad planned their HongKong trip a few months ago until finally they pushed through. Tina already promised that she will buy me my mug once she gets there. And she did. She actually texted me when she finally got me the HK city mug. On her last day (I think), I didn’t know that she was supposed to go to Macau as well. Guess what, when she got back she said, “Jeff, I was holding a Macau city mug and I texted you if you wanted me to buy it too but you didn’t reply…” And that was the same day my damn phone got busted! Aaaaarrrgggghhhh!
MADRID, Spain
It was Miguel’s first birthday party (July 2007) when I saw some of Lulay’s relatives from Spain . I think they were here on vacation or something. At that time I didn’t have the thick face to tell her to ask her cuzins to get me a mug. And besides, they just got to the country and even if they go back, it’ll probably take sometime before they go to the Philippines again.

I remember it was only after a few weeks when I finally get to talk to her again. She mentioned she wanted some ‘real-deal’ Spanish sardines from Madrid because they’re so delicious she said. I blurted “why don’t you ask your cuzin to get me a city mug for my collection? J ” We parted ways with a big smile on my face because another cuzin of hers was just going to Manila in 2 or 3 days time. The following week she gave me the mug as a gift! (Thanks again Lulu and cuz!)

COLORADO, USA
This has quite a funny story. Augee (officemate and Rascal Alumna) was scheduled for a client-sponsored visit to their Colorado office. Before she left I was so excited to make my ‘bilin’ about the mug of course. She ym’d me one time to confirm that she already got me my Starbucks but it was a tumbler that she got me… Hehehe. Too bad she was already in San Francisco when I got the message. But it’s okay, for this one it’s the thought that counts! J

The USA is yet a huge continent for me and my city mugs to conquer! Got two other officemates who went to the US (both for client-sponsored visits) and tried searching for my most wanted but funny thing was, there were no stocks at the stores they visited. And I think the client offices were kinda far from the Starbucks stores.
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands
A co-TM (in our office’s other building) heard about my fascination to the city mugs. I was paying her work area a visit one time when she told me if I want to get one from The Netherlands coz her husband was flying back to Manila the following week. Of course I said yes right away to Claire!

We talked about the other cities to get the mugs from since her husband is back to Europe again! Yahoo!
TORONTO, Canada
Dexter was supposed to leave for Canada (client visit) with a co-manager at the office. When the other manager had everything delayed I thought, hey what about my Starbucks? I realized later on that Dexter was already in Toronto . So I emailed and ym’d him a million times (not really, about a couple I guess) and he was like not replying! Until finally he told me on his last day in Toronto that he is getting me my mug! Yey!
LEBANON
A former officemate, Lovely now works as an FA for Qatar Airways. We used to be assigned in the Cebu office about a year ago. I courageously emailed her and asked her how she'd been and of course asked a little favor if she could get me some mugs. Obviously, she travels all over because of her line of work. She was excited to hear about my collection and she said she will squeeze in getting me my Starbucks mugs during her travel. She sent (through another FA friend of hers) the city mug from Lebanon! Thanks Lovely, aside from giving this as a gift! The next ones are of course on me.

I’ll surely have more to say about my future Starbucks city mugs since most of my friends and relatives are now so involved in my collection! How I wish each mug is equivalent to each country I visit. Well who knows maybe soon, my travel plans will be based on the mugs I have from countries and cities I haven’t visited.

Bumblebee daw ako!

I AM
86%
BUMBLEBEETake the Transformers Quiz

Bumblebee
As an Autobot spy, Bumblebee is the ultimate robot in disguise. What he lacks in size and strength, he makes up for with courage. He enjoys the company of humans and would do anything for his Earthly friends.

Like Bumblebee, you are good by nature. But beware because mischievous thoughts sometimes tempt you. You want to be a leader and show some promise, but you have much to learn. In addition, you stick to the basics and don't need all the encumberances of modern technology.

Some interesting Pinoy facts and trivia

PB Com Tower, Makati
- 93rd tallest building in the world
- A 55-storey building constructed year 2000, with 88 feet in height
- Prior to its construction, Philam Life Tower in Paseo held the Philippine record. When I started working for PS as an agent, our office was at the 12th and 14th floor!

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
- Ranked 45th in Forbes’ Most Powerful Women in the world

Davao City
- The residents of Davao City claim they live in the world ' s largest city. They are talking about the land size of the city that covers 2,212 square kilometers. Most of these areas, however, are distributed as forests, coconut groves and rice fields. In comparison, New York , the largest city in the United States , has an area of only 787 square kilometers while the whole of Metro Manila covers only 636 square kilometers.

Asian Institute of Management
- The Makati-based Asian Institute of Management (AIM) is richly considered as one of the top business schools in Asia . In the year 2001, it received the Beyond Grey Pinstripes Award for having MBA programs that integrate social, environmental and sustainability topics into business training. The award is a joint project of The Aspen Institute Initiative for Social Innovation through Business (Aspen ISIB) and World Resources Institute.

Pinoy Planetoid
- The minor planet Biyo, which has a diameter of four to nine kilometers and was formerly called planet 13241, was named after Dr. Josette Biyo, a teacher at the Philippine Science High School in Iloilo City who won the International Excellence in Teaching Award during the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) held in Louisville , Kentucky in 2002. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory in the United States game the name.

Henry Sy and Jaime Zobel de Ayala
- Tied at the 349th spot of world’s billionaires according to Forbes.com
Both with $2.6 billion net worth
- Isn’t it obvious that the biggest and most ‘extravagant’ malls in the country are owned by either of them?!

PLDT
- Ranked at the 1,321 spot of the world’s largest public companies
- Sales ($2.37B); Profits ($0.64B); Assets ($4.46B); Market Value ($9.01B)

Josie Natorie
- A Filipino-American fashion designer has been making waves in the New York fashion industry. Josie Natorie, who was born in Manila in 1947, owns and manages Natorie Lingerie. In 2001, she was one of the Asian-American awardees of the nonprofit Asians United to Raise Awareness (AURA) Fund.
- Natorie was already a successful stockbroker and investment banker even before she established her lingerie business. She had served as the head of the Manila branch of Bache Securities and as an executive of the investment banking division of Merrill Lynch.
- I remember when she introduced her perfume line before. I think it didn’t quite make it.

Cebu City
- Oldest Philippine city (earliest European settlement established by Spanish conqueror Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565)
- Calle de Colon (which is also in Cebu ) happens to be the oldest street in the country
It’s like Quiapo and Divisoria! That’s where the good bargains are!
- The oldest fort in the country is Fort San Pedro – construction began in 1565.
I wonder where my pictures of the fort are…
- The University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu City is considered as the oldest school in the country and in Asia . Formerly known as the Colegio de San Ildefonso, it was founded by the Spanish Jesuits on August 1, 1595. This makes the Cebu-based university older than the University of Santo Tomas (1611) in Manila and Harvard University (1636) in the United States .

Prospero Pichay
- AC Nielsen says Pichay spent a total of P202.746 million in radio and television spots, making him the top ad spender among the senatorial candidates. But experts say his ad campaign was among the worst of the lot, and not only because it failed to land him in the top 12.

Miguel Zubiri
- Of the neophyte senators of 2007, Migz Zubiri, with net worth of Php 43.3M is the wealthiest amongst the newly-elected young senators.
Thanks to wife Audrey Tan who also comes from a rich clan

Antonio Trillanes IV
- The Oakwood mutiny leader – now senator has been considered the poorest among the newcomers in the Senate with P2.2M net worth
- Oh, he happens to have a P60,000 liability – government salary loan before the Oakwood mutiny. I bet the funds went to financing it!

DLSU Tuition Fees
- I remember not so long ago when I had a full load of 21 units in a term in the College of Engineering , my tuition fee was about P 18,000 – P 21,000 per trimester. I just learned that now, it’s just about half of the fees EXCLUDING laboratory, miscellaneous, etc.
I haven’t seen a 2007 EAF but I could imagine one term would cost about 50 grand! Jeez!

*excerpts from Forbes.com, txtmania.com, infoplease.com, gmanews.tv, pinoyvote.info.

Sa Kaarawan ni Psycholoves para sa kras nya

Bading ka raw, ‘yan ang sabi ng marami
Ewan ko kung maniniwala ako sa mga sabi-sabi
Nagba-basketball ka at borta pa… kaya parang ‘di naman
Chicks kaliwa’t kanan, may crush sayo ‘di mo ba alam?
Hindi ko nga maintindihan bakit sayo’y nahuhumaling
Ikaw ang laging hanap sa kaibigang Bumbayin
Noon okay na sakin na makita ka
Gets ko naman… ‘di ako umaasa
Carry lang naman sa’kin na maging kabit
Okay lang, basta sa bandang ilalim ako sasabit

*eto ang aking pa-bertday kay psycholoves para ialay nya sa kras nya...