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. :)

THE COST OF EDUCATION

I can say that I am a privileged individual knowing that I have finished my education and I have a career which sustains me and say my family. Indeed, earning a degree and an education is a very vital step for one to become a successful person in what ever field he or she may pursue. I can say that the privilege was mine when I got to go to a topnotch school in our province and educated.

But sad to say it seems that education nowadays aside from being a necessity has become an expensive commodity in the market. People pay for the best education there in the country today and there is no doubt that there is that big difference on how education is being offered in the suburbs and to the rural areas in our country. Most public schools in the country do not have enough funding, and most students who go to these aren't that privileged enough. And the Philippines is such a complex country wherein even the remotest place in the country, there are number of people living there. As our government responds to the needs of educating even the minorities, still the minorities do not have it all to prepare themselves to be educated. No matter how one student from some depressed areas in our country today are ecstatic about going back to school last June still some of them lacked even the simplest armor to prepare them for school.

Our office together with the Black Pencil Project responded to the call upon seeing this need. The Black Pencil Project aims to to share school supplies to the depressed areas in our country wherein these places cannot be easily reached by a daily transportation and families earn less than a dollar a day and may not be able to provide the basic needs for the education of their children.

The places were Sto. Domingo and Sta. Ines in Tanay, Rizal. Yes Rizal in Manila. A place that sometimes for me is quite near Metro Manila but then when we took the challenge of going to these barangays it seems like it took forever in reaching these barangays. A ride to Tanay proper and a jeepney ride which almost took and hour and a half passing farms, crooked roads and a number of rivers.

It was a relief when we reached the first site for the distribution of the school supplies, children were running towards the jeepney that took us to that place. It was indeed a joy to see that you will be sharing and will be doing something for the greater good of this children who nobody knows will become a greater good for our country in the next few years to come. We prepared games, and other activities for both barangays where we distributed the school supplies. Seeing the joy in each child receiving a bag and school supplies is priceless. Their excitement to start schooling is fueled by the school supplies that they received at the start of the school year. And also kudos to the principal and the teachers who took the challenge to teach in this remote parts of Rizal. Who took the risk, who thought of others before themselves. See the place is so remote that the transportation is just about thrice a week and two intervals per day. The jeepney can carry a load even on its top just to accommodate commuters.

After the event, I realized how priceless education is to these people. Here in the Metro, most if not all take for granted the education that they have and even take for granted the abundant school supplies, we take for granted the comforts that we have in getting educated like our school buses, our baons, etc. whereas in some parts of the same land where we are there are people who will even write on a banana leaf, who will walk not just a few kilometers but even more than what we can imagine, who will eat just camote to get them to school and get educated.

Indeed the cost education is priceless.

Thank you to the Black Pencil Project for this experience and until the next project! :)

THE END IS ALMOST HERE...

I have that happy feeling but at the same time I feel sad. The end is just around the corner. I am talking about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. After almost 10 years, the worldwide phenomenon is finally coming to a conclusion.

Harry Potter has been a part of my childhood in all sorts of media from the books (both print and audio) and also the silver screen. I feel happy to see what's in store for the fantards visually through the two-part movie and how they will depict the fascinating scenes from the books.

As one blogger said, ACCIO November! Can't wait for that movie! :)

King of Anything by Sara Bareilles

I was able to tuned into the radio this past week and lo and behold, I was struck by this wonderful song and I fell in love with the wonderful rendition and of course, the lyrics. And yeah, am no King of Anything...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmIu4sV1y8s

:))

JUBILATION, HOPE AND FAITH, RELUCTANCE

In less than 12 hours from now, history will once again unfold in our country which claimed freedom more than a hundred years ago and yet seems to be still struggling for freedom until this very day. June 30th of the year 2010 will mark another milestone as each Filipino will welcome the inauguration of Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III as the 15th President of our Republic. Noy-noy (as he is fondly called) or P-Noy's (as he assumes office tomorrow at high noon) inauguration symbolizes something to each and everyone of us - for some it is a joyful occassion, a brilliant jubilation, to some they look forward with anticipation and as they hope for the best and with faith they cling on to the promises made by Noy-noy during his campaign sorties, and to some there is that reluctance in their hearts as to the capacity of Noy-noy to lead the country towards the change that he promised.

BRILLIANT JUBILATION. Nine years and finally the rule of the Iron Woman - Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. For some they consider tomorrow's inauguration as a celebration that after those nine years of GMA's rule, change will finally come. Nine years of lies to the people, deception of what the truth us, stealing the people's money, gratification of only themselves, injuastice, inhumane decisions, corruption. Isn't tomorrow's inauguration of P- Noy indeed a jubilation for all Filipinos who saw how the country has suffered and how the country has been to put shame in the international arena? Indeed, tomorrow is a celebration of a successful practice of the people's right for suffrafe who also for the first were able to vote through an automated election. It is indeed something to celebrate! We were able to conclude a somehow successful election maybe free of doubts. It was never an we easy task to hold the first automated election. Some doubted the capability of our country to do so, some questioned the machines, some questioned the results, and some until this very cannot accept the defeat. And yet, I believe we have emerged victorious in this quest to automate the elections, though it still a work in progress to iron out some issues and yet we did it! Tomorrow, will be indeed a celebration of victory, of freedom, of change, of being a TRUE FILIPINO.

HOPE AND FAITH. Each and every Filipino is hoping that P-Noy will do greater things for this country and change the face of politics in our nation. With much reforms and a major overhaul in the way our country is being run, the challenge is for P-Noy to prove himself worth of the people's votes. People are hoping and they have great faith in this man that he can and he will make all the efforts to make the lives of every Filpino comfortable or at least bearable. From inequality to injustice to human rights violation to taxation to public transport, P-Noy needs to make the right calls in order to move this country forward. Each and every Filipino is hoping for that those promises that he made will nor remain as promises but these will be implemented and each one will feel that the man they voted for has really made a change. It also matters that P-Noy is the son of the Democracy Icon - Pres. Corazon Aquino and martyred Sen. Ninoy Aquino both died with the country in their hearts. A tough lead indeed to follow but the people have that faith in him and so they look forward that for the next six years, P-Noy will not fail them.

RELUCTANCE. On the other side of the coin, other people are reluctant especially with the capability of the incoming Chief. They think that this man has not proven himself enough in the lower and upper house wherein he was a member for quite number of years. They question his capacity to lead. They question the reforms that he is about to make. The question the choices that he made especially with choosing his cabinet members. They question the decision that he made especially with those executives who were said to have accepted the midnight appointments. They question his lifestyle which included smoking which might not be good for the country's chief. They question they way his family intervenes with his decisions. They question his ability to separate himself and be fair especially when it comes with the issues of land distribution. They question his ability to stand alone and not be influenced by other people.

P-Noy's inauguration tomorrow will indeed mark another part ikn our country's history. A man who promised change and the right way. A man who promised to irradicate corruption in the country. Yes, there are many who may be reluctant and may be doubtful about how he will manage the country based on his experiences. Yes, there are some who may be already criticizing him even before he sets foot in the Palace. But June 30 brings us the change as a country to unite and rally behind the new Commander-in-Chief. We are hoping that he will do his best for his country and none for his personal gain and with faith not on the person but on our God we pray that the man He appointed for this daunting task will strive and persevere for the people who not only voted for him but for the country who deserves to have a leader with a passion for excellence, commitment for truth and love for our country.

CHANGE AND MOVING FORWARD: Toy Story 3

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher clearly stated it - "Nothing endures but change." Translated into a more present wording - "The only constant thing is change." It seem that Disney Pixar's Toy Story 3 took the challenge of reminding us of this philosophy once more though I believe each and everyone of us has experienced this somehow and at some point in our lives. Yes, change - be it expected or unexpected. Change is something that we have to deal with.

Disney Pixar treats us to this delightful movie treat as they cap the saga of the toys and their friend Andy. The story takes off years after the Toy Story 2. After years these toys have been played with, Andy has finally grown and is ready to face the new chapter in his life - entering college. As such the toys are already feeling the change that has come to Andy since they were rarely picked from the pile to be played with. And worst, they are facing the dilemma of being thrown away, donated, and completely forgotten by the boy that they loved and who now is a young gentleman who is about to go to college. The movie takes us to ride of emotions as they get entangled in a series of events meeting new toys at a Day Care center which ends up to be a place of cruelty too. The ride continues as they escape the Day Care where they are treated differently and at the same as they struggle to be with each other amidst the eminent disaster that they are facing. The toys go on a ride to finally get home to Andy and just to realize that Andy had enough of them already. Enough in the sense that he indeed is a grown young man and he is to face things without them for now.

I though the movie was so heartbreaking and so dark not for kids to watch. The plot at the Day Care center with those kind of toys with hatred is so dark for me and yes, has a very touchy issue. Over all I learned from the movie two things. 1) Change is something not to be feared. Yes, change is something which will eventually blow your mind off as you think of what might happen. But it is in taking the challenge of a new chapter wherein one's character will be molded and new discoveries can be made. 2) Move forward. I believe moving on is different from moving forward. Sometimes you move on but we still have those heartaches in our heart or even hatred which still has a strong grip. These things will never bring us anywhere and make us successful if we continue to hold on to these things. Let go and move forward.

(Spoiler Alert) I felt so bad with Andy letting go of all his toys (you read that right, all including his well-loved Woody). And yet when we realize that through this change, he has made someone happy. And so as with Woody, Jesse, Buzz, Mr & Mrs Potato, Hamm, Rex and the rest of the gang. The story touched home as sometimes each of us doesn't know that we have been clinging so much on to something not realizing that it's time to let go already.

It's 2-thumbs up for this movie and for Disney Pixar - I am in awe by the kind of movies that you make! For now I am letting go Toy Story and rest assured I will seek to defy gravity and aim for infinity and beyond! :)