OF OFFICE PRESSURE, SANDWICHES AND VANILLA ICE CREAM

Whew! Thank God I was able to come out of this week alive well maybe with a little scratch emotionally and some physical damages yet here I am alive on a Sunday pondering on what the hellish week I had last week.

Pressures are at work are often present, it is not something that we can just simply ignore because somewhere just around the corner there will be something that will eventually push you hard to the limit - of your patience, of your character and of your attitude.

I was thinking that last week was just another week at work well in fact I really thought so when I started Monday but things started to sing a different tune during the latter days of the week. I was caught off in between some issues that I believe both parties claim to be right in their own right. But sometimes in being between of some problems makes you a shock absorber for both parties that I myself most of times cannot handle well and eventually ends in some uneventful. Well lucky me that the week did not end uneventful but things were a bit resolved.

Thank God for the wonderful sandwiches and vanilla ice cream which made me sane all throughout that week. When I usually feel so burnt out, it's the vanilla ice cream which perks me and makes things moving again. I don't know why but it becomes my addiction.

Tomorrow's going to be a holiday. And yes am clapping knowing that it's a 4-day work week again. And as I close this entry, I am hoping for all of us who works our asses out in the corporate world a cool and calm week ahead. :D

REMEMBERING A WOMAN I TRULY LOVE

I may have not been vocal about this but most of the time if not some of the major nightmares that I am having is about her and how I lost her in my life. She was the woman that I have adored and have been my constant inspiration in my life. She was the woman who each and every step of my life was there. She was the witness of my successes. She suffered with me during my failures and loss.

I am talking about my late grandmother Justina Rendaje-Cayot. This week is her birthday week, October 17 is the exact date. When I think of October 17, her last birthday was a bit uneventful knowing that she is in pain as she struggles with pancreatic cancer and she barely could remember our names - the people whom she loved. Nevertheless, all of us whom she really loved and gave her time was there to be with her. It has been years since we loss her and yet there are still those times when I feel the sting in my heart and with wishful thinking that I still need my Lola. I want her to see how I have become and I know with her signature hugs and kisses, she'll be so proud of me.

I never questioned God's will in our lives but today I just remember that woman whom I really loved and until this very day has a very space in heart - my Lola Tina. Her faith. Her passion. Her endurance. Her love. As I her memories run in my mind, I smile and thank God for the Lola Tina He has given me.

INSATIABLE WANTS

Economics tell us that the needs of men are insatiable but then again I think, are the needs really insatiable or at the wants insatiable? Last year, I bought myself a new mobile phone since I badly need a new phone after three phones of mine were stolen in 2009 alone. I told myself that since I got a good phone for myself and all things that I need from a mobile phone can be well provided by the phone I bought, I thought to myself that by this year I do not need to buy a phone anymore. Fastforward today, I am again in the dilemma of saving money for buying a new mobile phone.

Sometimes we often think that things all around us are needs and not having them will eventually cause dissatisfaction in our lives. But to think about it, it is never our needs which are insatiable, it is our wants that are insatiable. We continuously work hard for what we want and not for the things that we need. We fail to realize that we have all the neccessities.

Then again I bang my head on the wall telling myself that you do not need to buy the mobile phone and I start to tame this insatiable want in me. I do hope that before the year ends, this will be tamed. :D

LA UNION

I have always thought of travelling to this place when I got here in Manila, the problem is nobody was willing to go with me and the expenses shoot up especially if we plan to go to this place during summer. One thing I never thought was that I can go to this place without vacation mainly in mind but for business. Last week, I was able to see amazing La Union for 2 days. And guess I really enjoyed because I am now planning of ways to go back to that place some time soon.

The trip to La Union took about 6 hours via land going there with two stops for some snacks and taking a leak and as per checking today there are some airliners offering flights to and from La Union at a re

asonable price too (good thing, I may not endure that long trip again going to La Union).

After the 6 hour trip, we finally arrived at La Union and th

e place really took me by surprise of how

lovely the

coastlines are and the place just simply mesmerized me. Of course, main objective to be there was WORK so I had to work first before anything else.

We stayed at Thunderbird Poro Point and man, the resort was just beautiful. It am in Santorini! Though the prices were a bit steep to but I guess the place is just too good to deserve to be paid with a good price.

Almost all the things that I want from a resort was there. A clean blue pool, a long stretch of coastline to bask under sun should I start to get bored with the pool and oh, add up the wonderful food that they can offer to please the palate.

I really did enjoy the two-day work-outing. Thanks to all the people who made this trip possible.

P.S. Side trip at Isdaan in Tarlac and others to follow... :D

THE DAMASO OF TODAY

DISCLAIMER: Nothing against Catholics, the religion and it's priests.

Let me put it this way, I am not a Catholic and I do not know many things about what the "religion" but it seems I cannot stand anymore how what they call as "church" and more so "religion" has been interfering with the affairs of the state.

THE ISSUE

It has been an issue for quite some time already regarding the Reproductive Health Bill which is still remains to be a bill until this very day since there are many contradictions that come from the church -- specifically the Catholic church. I was silent during the earlier days of this Bill not until this week when Pres. Aquino who was vocal in supporting the bill was threatened by the Catholic church to be excommunicated and they will be planting civil disobedience in case he continues his support with the said Bill. The issue reached it peak when Carlos Celdran, a tour guide at Intramuros walked in wearing a Rizal costume in a church in Manila carrying a placard with the word DAMASO in it. It was his own way of relating what he feels regarding the current issue facing the church and the state again. It may not be the best means to do it but DAMN IT, I SALUTE THIS MAN. You nailed it dude! Mr. Celdran, your message came across and know I too realize that Padre Damaso of Rizal's saga was not merely a caricature of how Spanish era priests were acting but until this day there are still Padre Damaso's around in a holier-than-thou look wearing white robes.

THE DAMASO OF RIZAL AND THE DAMASO OF TODAY

Rizal's Damaso talked of a supposed to be religious person who should be looking of the spiritual health of his people but then he was greedy, self-righteous, sloth, corrupt and even immoral. Padre Damaso can do anything during his time. He was feared rather than respected. He was an issue for a gossip and no blessing can be held in his name.

Today's Damaso hides themselves in several molestations complaints around the world (which I believe was covered by their own churched and even by the Pope himself). These Damasos are those who just receives donations of each church goer but never spared a dime for the needy. These Damasos out there are those who just stay in the comfort of their own convents not knowing that there is the big need for them to handle the spirituality of their flock. These Damasos are just around who tend to speak of holiness and morality but are those in the dark do things which will never please the god that they serve.

You ask me what difference it is that they make? What difference do they have from Rizal's Damaso to some of today's priests? NONE.

SEPARATION OF THE CHURCH AND THE STATE

It has been a continuous debate in our country with regards to the separation of the state and the church. Whereas some other countries were very successful to implement but our country seems just cannot get over the Spanish era wherein priests have something to say the government. But then think again, this is not the olden times anymore. Year is 2010. A lot has changed. And the government is solely dependent and NO CHURCH CAN EVER DICTATE NO NOT EVEN ONLY A CERTAIN RELIGION on how one should run the affairs of the state. This is my greatest disappointment here in our country how one sect can just threaten to incite civil disobedience just because they do not like a bill which I believe will not hurt anyone but timely. The church is there to remind its people that there is a God. The church is there to make sure that its men and women are growing in a relationship with their God. The church is their to provide place for faith to grow and NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THE STATE. The church serves as the conscience to its people and nurtures its people's spirituality reminding them of what is right and wrong. I believe that this the main purpose why we have churches. It doesn't matter what things the government does leave it to the government and if the church finds anything wrong and finds the decisions inequitable, it's not for them to threaten the government with civil disobedience but its for them to pray for that our good Lord will guide our government and lead the in the right.

YOU ASK ME AGAIN IF MR. CELDRAN DID THE WRONG WAY OF CONVEYING THE MESSAGE. I still would say NO.

THE CHALLENGE OF PARENTING: GRU'S GREATEST CHALLENGE

I never thought that I would love Despicable Me so much that I watched the movie thrice already. Maybe because of the witty punchlines that the movie offers or even the adorable Agnes and her fluffy unicorn or the despicable villain, Gru. I do not need to go through telling the synopsis of the movie here in my blog anymore (to excite those who haven't watched the movie yet) but for those who have watched the movie. Here's my two cent's worth:

In the end, it is in the hands of the parents to raise their children with constant encouragement and love, taking pride in their own peculiarity without comparing them to anyone. the role of a parent plays a vital role on how a child will turn when he grows old - a loving person or a despicable villain.

P.S. I want my own minions too!!! And how I love Agnes, she's so adorable.

:D

Have a good day everyone! :D

PREPARE FOR INCOVENIENCE: My DFA Passport Renewal Experience

Today I got the change to personally have my passport renewed and for the first time here in Metro Manila. I never thought that I could come to this day wherein I will be doing all by myself through a different crowd. That is the reason why at first I was a bit hesitant of of applying for passport renewal here in Manila since I do not want to be inconvenienced at any point.

The time I got my new passport, it was like a breeze. I happen to know a friend in Cebu whose aunt works for DFA and I had all the fastest treatment ever. I was there to personally appear but then it did not even take more than 30 minutes at DFA Cebu. Having this in mind, I thought of not having my passport renewed unless I do it in Cebu where everything could be that fast and there is someone who "knows" me already. But considering that I am off to some place next month and I badly need to have my passport ready earlier, I nevertheless applied for passport renewal here in Manila.

SETTING THE APPOINTMENT

Since its MRP/E-Passport nowadays, I guess everything was like touch and go and so as the appointment system by DFA. I logged in to their website www.passport.com.ph. Setting the appointment was a breeze. Nonetheless due to so many applicant the closest schedule that I could get was October 2nd week but last week I was informed that my scheduled appearance at DFA would be earlier than scheduled which is today. I was happy since I will be able to process my requirements earlier to prepare for any thing that my happen to my trip.

TODAY IS THE DAY

My appointment was scheduled at 8:30am. I woke up at 6am and started compiling my requirements making sure that it is complete. I arrived at DFA Aseana an hour earlier around 7:30am and was able to get things going already. I got in to DFA presenting my appointment notice to the guard who pointed the area for the 8:00am applicants then I sat on the area for my group applicants. About 30 minutes later we were ushered to a verification table to confirm our appointment once we were confirmed that we have an appointment. We went inside the main building already to wait for the processing officers to check our requirements. Processing of documents opened at around 8:30am, the windows opened with just some officers to check the requirements of both new and renewing passport applicants. It took me another hour or so in the queue for my documents to be checked and verified. After verification, off I go to the 2nd floor to pay for processing fee of Php 1,200.00 (rush processing for 10 working days, 950 for regular processing of 20 working days). Then I was given a number for the counter which will take my picture and will update my profile. I was given No. 1404 and the number was still 1100. I had to wait and seeing that the booths that are processing are not yet all opened I went out to grab a breakfast and coffee. When I returned around 10:30, the number is quite near already and so I waited. Then came my turn they just verified the details and took me a picture, thumb print, etc. Once ok, sign the details and the voila! the process is alsmost done. Around 11am, I piled in the queue of those who wanted to have their passports delivered to their addresses, it cost another Php 120.00 but then it saves you time from going back to DFA to claim the new passport. It seems like it took me almost 3 and a half hours to go through the whole process.

WHAT I NOTICED

I must say that the system DFA implemented was quite commendable from the appointment system to the way the processing at DFA Aseana was handled though there are still some things that I find still quite alarming maybe because of the procedures or maybe because of what we are Filipinos. Here are some:

Time is of the essence. Document evaluation windows and so as the data capturing booths opened with just few staff and yet the number of people is already increasing. And also for other applicants who keep complaining because they cannot still be accommodated that is because it is not still their turn yet, come on, I must admit that we all want to finish as early as I had in my mind also but give yourself leeway to be inconvenienced since their is a large number of people applying. BE PATIENT. WAIT FOR YOUR TURN. YOU WILL HAVE YOUR TURN. Also prepare all necessary documents, is possible before leaving home all documents are all in a folder with all the forms filled up properly. Sometimes it takes time when you are at windows already and still there you are filling in the information in the forms. There are still some special treatments though - come on stop that in government agencies! And most importantly I would like to reiterate that prepare to be INCONVENIENCED (if this can be even such a word).

Overall, I'd give this experience an 8 out of 10. :)