City Of Sails

If we speak of New Zealand the first thing that pops our head is “The Lord of the Rings” because there it was the film is shot. But to some travelers when they speak of New Zealand, they think of the city of sails that is Auckland. These travelers love the city because Aucklanders love to party and if there’s party food and wine are aplenty. Not only that, but Auckland offers performing arts, nature, sports and recreation to people who are into these category of fun. Auckland, New Zealand is one stop in the world that travelers can’t resist.

If you are interested to go to Auckland, Auckland accommodation is not a problem because they have it all year round. You can either go to your nearest travel agency then wait for the long process to get a ticket or you can surf the internet for faster, cheaper, and worry-free booking in Auckland Hotels. It’s up to you guys. But for me hotels in Auckland are much convenient to book over the internet, less effort, more fun.

This time of the year these are the events that you shouldn’t miss when you are in the city of sails: Waitakere World Junior Badminton Championships 2007 (October 25 to November 4, 2007); WE WILL ROCK YOU - The Musical by Queen and Ben Elton (October 26 to December 3, 2007); The Adidas Auckland Marathon (October 28, 2007); Clevedon A&P Show (November 10 to 11, 2007); and a whole lot more.

Friends Are Necessary

I received an e-mail from a friend and I want to share it with you. Here it goes:

Funny but true. Friends are your second family so treasure them too.

Program Test

Finally the data entry program that I created in oracle will be put to test by the users and the quality assurance division. It's been quite a while already before I finally finished the program. It took me a while because I need to verify and validate a lot of things first before a certain data in a certain field is allowed to be entered. I am very excited and very nervous because this is my baby in the company that I am currently part of.

One thing more is that it took me a lot before I am able to get this opportunity because there were a lot of programmers who would want to be in my position now. Luckily for me, they were rejected by the company so I got the liberty in having my current position as a Wed Developer and Programmer.

You see, I have been working for about more than 3 years now since I graduated college and this position has been the most challenging by far. In fact, there is almost no one I could turn to in case I don't know certain commands or issues in the program. I don't even have an internet connection in the office wherein I could use in my research. If not for my two officemates of different positions, I wouldn't be able to finish my program. So thank to you two (you know who you are).

I am currently enjoying the challenges that my work is offering me and there are times that I thought i couldn't make it but because of God's guidance and enlightenment I am able to go on. Without God, I wouldn't have make it. Even though, that my program is on the test stage and not yet approved for production, I am already happy and content with it. Should there be any problems with my program, I am sure I will be anle to fix it. I am hoping that it will pass the test and be approved for production.

I'm Back!

Hey guys thank you for sticking with me on my very long hiatus state. Now, I'm back to write for you and give you information about what's the latest happenings in my not so insignificant yet very important exsitance. Not only that, there's more you could expect in my blog from now on. I will also list here what I want, what I dream about, what I think we must have, and what I want to achieve and do in life.

In my long hiatus state, I learned a lot (that's by the way is what is important) and I entend to share some wisdom that I gather (hope it'll help you in someway) during that state. Now, I love life even more and try not to waste so much by just fretting over things I did not do.

You could see some pieces of my artworks here (mostly the traditinal ones), some poems (mostly mushy ones) that came out of my head out of thin air, some silly sad songs (also happy ones) from singers/song writers that come and go, and some silly stories from people that touches my life from here and there.

Now, I leave you with this little poem that just pops out of my mind this instant:

"Facts of Life"

Life might be so sad for some sometimes.
But sadness makes us know who we really are.
Life might be hard for some sometines.
But hardness makes us strong when we overcome it.
Life might be fearsome for some sometimes.
But fear makes us courageous after we're able to face it.
Life might be very confusing for some sometimes.
But confusion will help us see the light much clearly.
Life is not only about you and me.
But it is all about all of us and everything.
Life is truly a blessing from God.
But we must do our own little part of it.
Life is beautiful.
But we must experience ugliness to see the beauty in it.

Food Feast @ Pan Pacific

Aren't those delicious?! Yes, I ate a lot during a breakfast buffet. The reason why is that I got a little disappointed because the buffet is good for two persons and I'd been calling friends to share it with me. Unfortunately no one wanted to have breakfast with me that day. Either they're busy, they have work, or they don't reply at all. Thus, what I did is I ate a lot, as much food that would fit my stomach.

After eating I loved the feeling of being able to eat at your heart's content. I really loved each type of food that I put in my platter. I can only eat like this everytime my mom visits me here in Manila. This is also the way of telling me that she misses me, I think. Thank you mom. Hoping for another feast like this one.

Well, the next time I invite one of my friends to have breakfast with me, I hope there will be one who will be available because it would be much fun to have someone eating hearthily with me.

Paranoia

I could soar up high so no one could reach me
Where the words that bites could not cut me
I was hurt and I'm tired of it
I want to be numbed and I want it so badly

I want to soar up high so no one could hurt me
I could put up a fight and bite them back
But I just can't
That would not be me then

I wish I could soar up high so no one could touch me
I am hurting and I can't take it anymore
Someone's always there to stalk me
I want to fly and never go back

I'm in deep s***

As stated...

Training Day

I was, still is, a bit nervous about this new job that I have and I am not quite sure if I'm going to last that long there. I don't know really. It's just maybe because I just recently resigned from my previous job and I am not "that ready" to start a new one or maybe I just felt that I haven't got enough time to really feel what's it like to be jobless. It's not that I am not happy that I do have a new job now, come to think of it, there's a lot out there who doesn't have one, right? So what's I'm complaining about then? Maybe there's a lot going on in my mind right now and I don't think that my brain or system for that matter is fast enough to process all those thoughts. Oh, I don't know. I'm kind of confuse or something but as the saying goes, "Life must go on," so I have to go on then and see if this new job would actually work for me. D***!!!

The training started yesterday and I still have to found out yet if this is the "one" I've been looking for. Sometimes I do get intimidated with the other trainees because unlike me they already have had a couple of experience before. I even felt like an idiot at times and it's kind of frustrating. It totally sucks. I know I should not be acting like this but I don't really know why I act or feel that way. My confidence is slowly draining and I even got scared if our training is going to ask me a question and I wouldn't be able to give the right answer. Duh, you may say that, hey you're already a professional and shouldn't be acting like that, but I just can't help it. The training will last for 6 weeks or more and I am praying (hard, really hard) that I'll be gaining my confidence back and say bye to this silly new old me.

Last Week

Last week I had several interviews and job offers. Finally, I already accepted one offer. The pay is not that big. Actually, it's a hundred lower than my previous job but the thing is, with this one, I'll be able to apply what I sutudied in college. I hope so. Hehehe.

I also spend 3 days, from Thursday to Saturday, with my mom at the Pan Pacific Hotel. Though we didn't have the chance to talk a lot due to several meetings and gatherings she had to attend, just by seeing her is more than enough. Oh I miss my 3 bros, my sister and my Dad. The last time I saw them was last Holy week. It's really hard to live away from your family.

A mushy untitled poem...

I just checked my e-mail and I found one of the poem that I wrote and it's kinda mushy and all that but I like it. This particular poem was written during one of my idle days at work. I think it was around 10:39 am on the 31st of March 2004. It's untitled yet up to now and I just can't seem to find a "nice" title to go with it. Here it goes:

The first time I ever laid my eyes on you
I see something different in you
Something that I do not see from anyone else before
It's just something that you only could ever have

Your eyes twinkle as if it outshined the brightest stars
It tells a lot that no words could ever tell
It sees beyond the obvious, beyond what everyone else see
It sees the person I really am and I thank you for that

When the wind blows and caresses your face
I felt that the world had stopped for a moment
To cherish the wonder of your presence
That God has given me one of the greatest gift a man could ever have

The smile you brings is enough to brighten the darkest night
It strikes me like I could die that very moment
It completes my day, it calms my soul
No one could ever take that away from me

If the sun should hide and will not shine tomorrow
I will not falter for you already had given me eveything I could ever
hope for
If the world should stop spinning this very moment
I'm glad that I spend my last breath by your side

We may have tough times together
We may argue until we can no longer hear each other
We may hurt and wounded each other
But what we felt and shared can not simply be broken

You and I share a bond specially made for us
Carefully crafted to bind us together, forever
I thank God and the heavens above
For bringing you to me and me to you

The first time I ever laid my eyes on you
I see something different in you
Something that I do not see from anyone else before
It's just I saw me spending forever with you.

I just declined a job offer...

Earlier today, I declined a job offered to me by a certain telecoms company. I told them that I was not yet ready to work again as a sales person (one of the responsibility of a solutions consultant). I wanted to experience other fields of my profession and try my luck there. I also told them that maybe in due time I will go back to sales but right now that's the last thing on my mind.

Tomorrow, I will be having another interview with another company located in Alabang. This would be my final interview with them. I hope that everything will turn out fine so they will hire me or so that I will not decline if ever they will offer me the job. I don't really know if I'm ready for the said interview but what the heck, "come what may."

Interview series #1

I had a series of interview (and exam) last week:

First, from a credit card company. A lot of us were there for an exam and only 5 of us passed. If you ask me how I find the exam, it is so easy for anyone who took up Math as their major subject and English as their minor subject in college. They ask me "What is an ECE like you doing here?" I don't have any idea at all. Hey, they are the one who called me, duh.

Second, from a call center company. I did not intend to apply for this company but I saw their walkway add along Ayala Ave. and decided why not try it and see if my "English" is good enough for them. I went there as a walkin applicant and you know what, I actually passed the interview for the position of technical customer care representative. Then they ask me to come back the next day for the series of exams. I went back the next day and I took the exam, only 6 of used made it after the 3rd part. Then right now, I am waiting for their call for the final interview.

Third, from a bank company. I went there as early as 7 am for the jobfair because they said that "first come, first serve." I came in 4th. The interview was so quick that everyone looked at me as is they were saying, "Oh poor guy, he must have failed the interview," and all that. Actually, they scheduled me for an exam on August 2, 2004. That's about two months from now. Can I wait that long? I don't know.

Fourth, from ATO. The secretary of ATO - Davao branch called me and told me that I have to give two requirements that I lack: Authenticated original copy of Transcript of Records and authenticated original copy of College Diploma. That I have to submit it on that same day. Like I am in Manila right now so it would be impossible for me to produce those requirements. Huhuhu. I really want to try my luck at ATO but given the situation, I think it seems enough proof that the job was not really for me - at least for now. She told me that she would keep my papers for future reference in case they would be hiring people like me again in the future. Sigh.

Lastly, from a telecoms/electronics company. I arrived the company's premises (Pasig area) around 7 am coming from Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Yeah, I'm always that early. Around 8 am they started interviewing us applicants. There were only 4 of us that day but only 2 of us qualified for the exam. The questions this time were really hard for me like "Draw and exlplain the microwave point-to-point communication," or "Draw and explain the fiber optics communications." Like I knew the answer before but now it's really hard to recall those things specially when you used to be familiar with the topics like two years ago. Fortunately, I passed. They the general manager interviewed me for like 2 hours. Maybe because I just talked a lot or he just asked too much. He said that he would be willing to pay me up to Php **,*** per month plus 10% commission if I would be willing to accept the job right away (like the following week already). I told him that I still have to think it over before arriving to any conclusion because I don't want just to grab the opportunity without thinking it over and over again until I convinced myself that this is the job I want or otherwise. By the way the position is Solutions Consultant for electronics production. I have over weekends to think and I should tell them my decision on Monday. Right now, I am still not sure about my decision. Solutions Consultant is combination of Sales and Service Engineer and if I accept the job then it means that I have to contact all the people I used to talk when I was still with Panasonic. Oh I don't know, the temptation is too much to bear. Oh somebody help me please.

In general, last week was quite a busy week for me. Thanks to Igme, it makes my week very difficult and almost unbearable. Well I hope that this coming week would be "a more sunny" week for all of us - and a "good job" for me too. Hehehe.

Toy Convention

I went to the Toy Convention at megamall last Sunday. There were so many people around. Even though the venue now was quite bigger than the previous one, still it was not big enough. Nonetheless, everyone had fun - and that's most important thing.

The Komikero, headed by Gerry, was there during the event. Our group is creating an awareness about the Filipino style of creating a comic book. If you are interrested with the comic books created by Filipino artist just visit the Komikero Museum.

There were a lot of activities done during the event like cosplay, drawing contest, bidding of toys, etc. The Philippine teams of Ragnarok event were also present during the event and they will be going to Korea for the world championship. You go team Philippines. Make us all proud. Hehehe.

I went home early though because I still have an exam and an interview the following day (that is today). I had fun. It was a blast. Congrats to all organizer of the 3rd Philippine Toy Convention.

Requirements and some other things...

Yesterday, I talked to Andy, via Yahoo Messenger, and he informed me that some of our classmates in college applied for Air Traffic Controller/Navigator for ATO. He also informed me that out of a 100 applicants who took the examination, Jay Art landed at the no. 2 spot and Aya on the top 8. Andy also told me that Choes, Charles and Trestan are also going to apply for the said position. Being jobless and all that, I am quite intrigued with their enthusiasm to vie for the said position so I wanted to apply as well.

When I arrived home I immediately informed Butch Gamay about what's going on with our classmates back in Davao. That they are applying for a position in ATO and all that. I told him that I wanted to apply for the position as well. He also expresses his interest too so I told him that why not we go to Manila tomorrow (that's today actually) and get ourselves the requirements needed for the said position. So he agreed with my not so organized yet so tempting (juicy even) idea.

Around 4 am in the morning Butch Gamay woke me up and told me that it's my turn to take a bath. After 2 hours or so, we were already in Balibago waiting for the van to start moving to take us to Robinson's Galleria. Then from Robinson's we took a bus going to Cainta to drop us at Jonah's place to get Andy's key on his apartment (we needed a place to stay for 2 nights kase and since Andy is in Davao so we decided, me and Butch Gamay, to use his place). Unfortunately, Jonah was not in his apartment yet. Luckily, two of his housemates let us in and wait for Jonah to arrived. When the time came that his housemates have to leave for work, we decided to drop by their place later in the afternoon to get Andy's key.

It was raining then so we decided to take some shelter to some small area just enough to accomodate the two of us until the rain will stop. After waiting for 30 minutes the rain got worst, fortunately, there's this driver who was about to go out from his yard taking his jeepney and head to Cubao. I hurriedly asked the driver if he could let us come with him to Cubao. He said that actually his route is from Ever to Cubao and vise versa so we hopped in. I thought that this was afterall a lucky day for us.

Upon getting some of our requirements we had a couple of bad lucks. We were trapped in a "seemed like not going to end" heavy jammed of vehicles from QC to UN avenue and only to find out that they no longer issue NBI at that place so we were not able to get an NBI clearance (we don't have TV and radio kase at our boarding house so I must admit that we are not that updated in terms of what's the latest happening with Manila, or our country for that matter, right now). Then during our ride on LRT and MRT, we were forced to ride an overpopulated train and got ourselves push around with all those strangers wearing different odors and aromas (yuck!!!). And the worst thing there was that all those times, Butch Gamay and I were carrying two bags (each of us has one backpack each for all our clothes, "vanity kit", towels, etc. and one portfolio bag each for our documents and related stuff). Huh, so much for a "lucky day." I think I got ourselves jinxed with my remark earlier.

Sigh. Later in the afternoon, when we went to Jonah's place he was already there. We got Andy's key and a place to stay for a night or two. Hmmm, right now, I'm on an internet cafe writing all this S#!+ and don't have any clue whether I am making sense or not. I don't even care if my grammar's right or wrong (spelling even). The h**l I care. I just want to write and don't f*** with me, at least not today. Ok? Ok.

What linkin Park Performed

Listed below are the songs that Likin Park Performed during their concert here in Manila. I got the list from a certain blogsite from a guy named Ariel: In Between Panels

Here are the songs (in no particular order): Dont Stay, Somewhere I Belong, Lying from You, Faint, Breaking the Habit, From the Inside, Numb, Paper Cut, One Step Closer, With You, Points of Authority, Runaway, In the End, A place for my head, Wish (an original by Nine Inch Nails), Crawling, and a mix of songs composed of Step Up, Its Going Down, and Nobody's Listening.

Children of the Dam



I already finish drawing The Children of the Dam story by Oj (an artist friend). It was a story about two children who made a promise to take care of the dam and protect it no matter what. It is also a story of friendship, betrayal, and all that comes in between.

I hope that I will be able to finish the layout so that I can release it during the up and coming 3rd Toy Conference on the 27th of June 2004 at Megamall.

Linkin Park Concert



I watched the Linkin Park concert here in our country last June 15, 2004. It was a blast. I really had the time of my life. They blew me away.

I went to the concert with Rod (Komikero) together with his college classmates. There were so many people at the concert and they were all great. All of us, the crowd that is, responded the groups effort very well. We shouted, screamed and sang along with them. Not only they sing the singles from Meteora album but from the Hybrid Theory as well. They also sing an unreleased single, which I forgot what the title is, and rendered a song from The Nine Inch Nails. Linkin Park is sure one of the best bands there is.

After the concert, I was so exhausted and I just sat in the van silently until Gio drop me off at my friends place.

Real World: Chapter 2

This is my first day away from the company that I used to work. It's kinda strange though because when I woke up, around 5:30 am, I still thought that I have to go to the office. Sigh. It's seems that I have to reset my body clock so that I will be used to the new kind of situation that I am currently in - being jobless that is. Hahaha. Well, since I'm already wide awake, I decided to do the laundry, iron the clothes, fix things, etc. Yes, finally I was able to do all that chores that I usually don't have enough time to do and just let other people do it instead and pay them afterwards.

Later in the afternoon, I went to Raipo's place. Raipo is going to help me find a new place for Butch Gamay, my classmate in college, whose staying with me in my current boarding house. We are going to look for a place near LISP I (Light Industrial & Science Park I), where Butch is currently working. Butch arrived a little late. The whole search is kinda exhausting and we inquired at least three (3) houses and Butch still has to decide which house he's going to rent. It's all worth it all coz Raipo offered us merienda to replenish all the energy we used during the search. Thanks for the time and the merienda Raipo. Sa uulitin...

B#!$!+

I was so mad beyond words could ever express with a certain person for not allowing me to do things that I wanted to do. I mean it's none of his/her business what direction I gonna take with my life. I just can't fathom why he/she had to do the things he's/she's doing. I mean, I don't give a $#!+, or mind for that matter, with what he's/she's going to do with his/her life then why minding mine. It saddened me that this person did not gain or will ever gain my respect but what else can I do, that's how I see that person. He's/she's older that me but he/she behaves like a $+uP!D brat with nothing else in mind than bothering and pestering other people lives.

5 Reasons Why It's Hard to Leave PIAP

Below are the five reasons why it's really hard (and sad) to leave Panasonic.

1 & 2) Dianne & Ollen



3) Sharon B.



4) Windy Jane



5) Sharon T.