Monday, December 30, 2013

Michael Schumacher in coma


I was having a nice cup if coffee in front of the TV watching an inspiring feature on Malcolm Gladwell over BBC when I saw this news in the crawler in the bottom portion of the screen: Michael Schumacher is in critical condition after a ski accident. 

Schumacher is a 7-time F1 world champion.

I immediately drank up my coffee and Googled the accident and found this update from www.skysports.com:

Although initial reports stated that Schumacher's injuries were not life threatening, the Grenoble hospital treating Schumacher reported at 10pm on Sunday night that the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver's condition had worsened and is now regarded as 'critical'.

A statement from the University Hospital of Grenoble, distributed by Schumacher's management company on Sunday night, confirmed the 44-year-old German national was in a coma.

"Mr Schumacher was admitted to the University Hospital of Grenoble at 12:40pm, following a skiing accident which occurred in the French Alps in Meribel in the late morning," the statement said.

"He suffered a severe head injury with coma on arrival, which required immediate neurosurgical intervention. He remains in a critical situation."

Hope he survives this one. Hate to see another man who lives in the fast lane leave the world too soon.

Image credit: www.fanpop.com.



Saturday, December 28, 2013

I Cheated on my Wife: My Year-end Confession


When my wife and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary recently, I received a lot of kind words and greetings from our family, relatives, friends, colleagues and even from people we just met and interacted online. It really made us realized that seven years of maintaining a strong relationship was quite a milestone.

Some, especially those who have been part of our relationship for years now, asked us how we were able to keep our marriage this long without a "major major" misunderstanding. Well, I have to give much of the credit to my wife who has been very understanding and trusting. These two things have been keys to our hassle-free day to day family life. 

But today, a few days before the year ends, I have a confession to make: I have cheated on my wife, not once, but many times. 

Why am I doing this? I just felt guilty that while my wife has been the ideal spouse a man can ever wish for, I have been been untruthful to her in many ways. I admit of cheating my wife...

a. Every time we play Rock, Paper and Scissors to determine who will clean the dishes (especially now that our kasambahay is on vacation).

b. When she asked if her favorite show is already being aired on TV, I'd say no without checking the channel because my favorite basketball team has an ongoing game.

c. During study time with our son, I will pick the easy stuff and leave to her the home works that would require more time and patience to finish. That way, I can spend more time for online stuff. 

d. When I go home late at night or go out on weekends to attend events and other personal things. I could have spent those times with her instead to make up of lost time since we both work 8 hours and sleep 8 hours every day and only have a few hours for us to sit down for a decent talk.

e. Every time I forgot to say "I love you" to her and hold her hands before we part ways every morning. I just feel that she deserves all the love that I can give, either in big or small ways, because marrying her is the greatest thing that ever happened to me.

To my wife Leah... thank you for coming to my life! Sorry for the petty cheating. Will do the laundry next time to make up with you.

To my readers who felt "cheated" with this post... Happy NiƱos Inocentes! 

Friday, December 27, 2013

Disney on Ice: One cool show for fans of all ages


I've always been a Mickey Mouse fan. Actually, the whole family adores this cute character and face of the wonderful world if Disney.

It was a dream come true this year that I was able to bring my wife Leah and son Charles to Hong Kong Disneyland last May. It's actually a birthday gift of sort to them after just spending their special days in simple family dinner treats.

When we heard about the news about Mickey bringing in his gang to the Araneta Coliseum this December via the show Disney on Ice: Treasure Throve, we were more than excited to see this amazing event.


And we did saw the ice spectacle a few days ago and the experience is very memorable that we encourage friends to see the show as well. Aside from the remarkable performance of the artists who did marvelous stunts on skates, audiences of all ages will sure to be in awe with the magical special effects that only Disney shows can bring. I was one of those who felt like a kid again while watching my favorite characters entertain the big crowd at the big dome.

You still have until January 5, 2014 to catch the show at the Araneta Coliseum. Buy your tickets online through www.ticketnet.com.ph.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Unisex gifts for Christmas, anyone?

Image source: www.qualityimagesearch.com
Hey, it's a few days to go before Christmas and you haven't bought gifts for your love ones and friends.

Uh-oh! Good luck in facing the dreaded Christmas rush. The only thing I can help you with guys is to suggest some unisex items that you can buy in bulk so you don't have to make a list or end up buying again a boxer for your cousin Stella.

Here are my 25 suggestions. Why 25? Go figure.
1. Tattoo shop gift certificates
2. Jacket with a letter L for Lady or Lalaki
3. Headphone
4. USB flash drive
5. Powerbank
6. Mug (make sure it has text like "Loperamide" or "Compliments of Mayor Binay")
7. That big calendar with images of Saints, Anime and LeBrom James where you can personalize by placing the surname of your recipient. Place "Happy Family" instead.
8. A bottle of Vitamin B Complex
9. Stabillo
10. Complete set of DVD of The Walking Dead (original if possible or if if you can find)
11. Movie tickets (Valid at least for a month)
12. Poster of Paul Walker
13. Casio G-Shock or Technomarine if you have money
14. Snakes and Ladders and other game board
15. Handkerchief (safe color)
16. Towel (again safe)
17. Hand soap or shower gel
18. Conditioner (I have yet to see a conditioner for men)
19. Umbrella
20. Wall clock
21. Canned goods
22. Spoon and fork
23. Kikay kit (yes, even men have that nowadays)
24. Toothbrush and toothpaste
25. or this book below (available at all National Bookstore outlets nationwide)



Saturday, December 14, 2013

Ready, Set... Act!




Ready, set... act!

When I was a kid, I used to act in front of the mirror when I am alone doing my impersonation of Steve, my favorite character in the classic anime Voltes V or sing ala-Beatles. But when I can sense that an “intruder” is about to enter my room, I would immediately sit on the floor with no trace of any sort of activities happened.

That’s how shy I was before even though within me is a dynamo that can energize a boring afternoon in the house. If only there was a school of action then where I can learn not just the art of acting but to overcome my shyness as well.

Last Dece,ber 14, Sacred Heart School Makati (SHSM) held their rehearsal-workshop for their Christmas play The Secret Christmas Eve, which was divided into two parts: ‘Escape of the Cookie Clowns’ and ‘What has Rudolph Done?’

It was quite an amazing scene where preschool students memorize and deliver their lines convincingly under the guidance of Teacher Monique Excueta Bunuan of the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy Philippines. The event was witnessed by parents and guest to have a peek of the staging of the said Christmas presentation for a cause on December 16 (Monday).

Sacred Heart School Makati maintained and managed by Ms. Weng Palma and is a franchise of Ms. Ma.Rowena J. Matti, CEO of the Galileo Enrichment Learning Program.  The first Sacred Heart School located in Malabon offered Nursery and Pre-School program was ounded in 1968 by Mrs. Rosario Tambunting-Juan,   It expanded to new branches in Sun Valley Paranaque, Binondo Manila, Valenzuela, Caloocan and other locations. The school is located at the Ground Floor of Republic Glass Building, 196 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. One good thing about Sacred Heart School Makati is that it offers the Galileo Enrichment Learning Program, Individual Tutorial, Taekwondo, Music Lessons and Chinese Mandarin.

The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy on the other hand is a developmental drama program present in more than 25 countries all over the world, catering to children ages 5 to 17.

To those who are interested to watch the play on Monday (10:00 am), the paky will be staged at the 7th Floor of the CAP Building, corner Amorsolo and Rufino Sts. in Makati.  Tickets are sold at P300 each and proceeds of the sale will go to the relief and rehabilitation efforts of Philippine Red Cross in the Central Visayas region.  You may contact 810-8506 for ticket reservations and other queries.

I would love to go and bring my son Charles who I see is way more active in school programs compared to me when I was a toddler. But my little boy has classes and I have work. Well, I’m sure this will not be the first and last play by SHSM and hopefully we can watch. I encourage my fellow parents to see this play with your kids in case you are available on December 16.

Image used in this post is courtesy of Mr. Rain De Ocampo.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Why I want a Cyberya Minigosyo

Most Filipinos get offended when they are branded as tamad or lazy.

You hear the word almost every day from annoyed wives to their complacent spouses...  upset parents to their easy-go-lucky children... angry bosses to their unproductive employees... and even from unsatisfied citizens to ineffective government officials.

We get offended by the word but still, we don’t do anything to improve the situation (kasi nga tamad eh.).

That’s why tamad is often associated to the tambays (bums) and people who finds joy spending the the whole day staring at the wall. I also came out with my own meaning for TAMAD as in Taga-abang ng Awa ng Magulang At Diyos.

The unemployment rate in Philippines, a country with a 92-million population, was last reported at 6.5 percent in October this year.  I am not saying that all of those belonging to the statistic are lazy individuals because there are a lot of factors that led to people to being unemployed.

Some blame it to the lack of opportunities in our country but I beg to disagree.

I too was a tambay at some point of my life but I did not let the tag "unemployed" make me unproductive. Almost everyday, I go online in a computer rental shop near our home. I surfed for part-time jobs and any opportunity to earn while waiting for the results of my job applications in different companies. Persistence did pave way for me to get a part-time writing gig for a monthly kiddie magazine and some bonus prizes (cash and in kind) from various writing contest I found in the internet. I discovered that there is a place for my writing style in the cyber space thus I researhed and learned  how to blog through online references and forums.

It is also for this reason why I want a Cyberya Minigosyo. I know some people who, sadly to say, are underachiever--- a college degree holder who seems contended doing household chores after getting married; a smart high school graduate who ended up selling kakanin because his parents can't send him to college; and a witty FX terminal barker who knows a lot of trivia and make sense when he talks about current issues.

Each one of them have a great potential to excel if only given an opportunity and proper guidance to something they have yet to explore, like say, the world of blogging. If get one of them to be a blogger and eventually become successful in it, that's one priceless "profit" I'll be very proud of.
 

If only I have Cyberya units, I can make them "scholars" and introduce them on how easy to set-up a blog and how they can earn from it. I am willing to share my contacts, networks and tips and tricks with them in one condition: that once they learn the trade of the online writing, they should also mentor at least one individual who they think deserves a chance to learn.

With Cyberya, earning and helping others can co-exist harmoniously. As low a P1, people can discover new learning; reconnect with long lost friends; and even find a job and other opportunities. I also see this impressive and innovative product from PLDT as a good opportunity for a start-up business for small entrepreneurs.


It is also a good investment for working people like me to have another source of income and the best thing about this venture is that it is easy to set up and maintain. If you are interested to avail of the Cyberya packages, please visit PLDTHome.com or "like" https://www.facebook.com/PLDTKaAsenso for updates.

Now, there's definitely no reason to be unproductive. With Cyberya, your piso can be your key to a life-long dream to asenso.         

Monday, December 9, 2013

Shine Team Sinag... Shine!


The Philippine Men's Basketball Team will formally open its campaign to depend the crown in the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar tonight.

Team Sinag II will face Singapore tonight and hope to capture a win to open up its bid in a high note. 
The team, which hopes to duplicate the first Sinag group that dominated the games in Indonesia two years ago, is composed of naturalized player Marcus Douthit, skipper Kevin Alas, Garvo Lanete, Jake Pascual, Ronald Pascual, Matt Ganuelas, Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena, Jericho Cruz, Kevin Ferrer, Mark Belo, and Roi Sumang.



Below is the complete schedule of Team Sinag II. Games will be aired lived via Studio 23.

December 9, Monday
7:00 - 9:00 PM SINGAPORE VS PHILIPPINES

December 10, Tuesday
7:00 - 9:00 PM PHILIPPINES VS CAMBODIA

December 12, Thursday
7:00 - 9:00 PM MYANMAR VS PHILIPPINES

December 13, Friday
7:00 - 9:00 PM PHILIPPINES VS THAILAND

December 14, Saturday
7:00 - 9:00 PM INDONESIA VS PHILIPPINES

December 15, Sunday
8:00 - 10:00 PM PHILIPPINES VS MALAYSIA

Let's support Team Sinag just like how we cheered Smart Gilas during the FIBA Asia staging here in Manila months ago. Shine Team Sinag... Shine!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Be the Best at what you do with Timex Hero



When I was a child, I actually believed that I am special.

I can climb trees effortlessly ala Tarzan, run around our village tirelessly like The Flash and carry three fully-loaded school bags everyday because I feel I’m a muscle man like the Incredible Hulk.

More than two decades later, I still feel I’m a stud but this time with fear of heights, slower feet and an ab (singular form for abs). But hey, I still have the hero dream and continue to do even the simple things that makes me look like a hero to some people--- sacrificing an important basketball game so my son can watch his favorite show over Baby TV; taking over the kitchen on weekends so my wife gets a well deserve rest; or covering some tasks for an officemate who filed an emergency leave in the middle of busy week.   

This Christmas, I feel like rewarding myself something special. Hmm… another wrist watch, perhaps? Just like what my wife would tell me. I think she already got a clue after I posted that I want to receive a watch winder from my “daddy” or “mommy” in our upcoming family exchange gift on the 24th.

Well, heroes should always be on time and in style whenever a call for help arises. Incidentally, Timex, one of the well-known brands in the world of time pieces, just launched their line of Hero watches.  Timex made available Ironman Run Trainer, Ironman Sleek, Expedition Field Chrono, Originals Vintage Inspired 1978, and the one I'm eyeing for: the Adventure Series™ Linear Indicator Chronograph with Intelligent Quartz™ Technology.



This wristwatch has a very unique and cool design that fits my extra-ordinary ways. The Adventure Series spells TIMEX with the quality features it has which definitely suits my need, my want and my personality.

T-ough. It has a black ion-plated finish stainless steel case.
I-nnovative. With a 4-hour chronograph movement with linear indicator for minute subdial.
M-arvelous. An impressive black dial with neon color accents.
E-legant. Looks amazing with its black silicone strap.
X-treme.  It is water-resistant to 100 M (330 feet).

Wearing this will not necessary make me an instant hero but it will definitely make me feel extra special. And I always believe that if you feel good, you do great things to others. And that I think is the essence is being a modern day hero.

Watch the Timex Hero Story TVC on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2MZxNd_Bag

Monday, December 2, 2013

Seven things I learned from my wife


December 2 is a special day.

In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor of France in Paris. Twelve years later, the first savings bank in the US opens (Philadelphia Savings Fund Society).  British author Charles Dickens gives his first public reading in the United States at the New York City Theatre in 1867. If you want something from the Pinoy history book, well, The Battle of Tirad Pass or the Philippine-American war was happened in 1899.

Some useless trivia? December 2 is the date when a human birth was first shown on TV (1952); Ringo Starr's tonsils were removed (1964); Barbara Striesand's "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" hits #1 (1978) and the first time there were a dozen people in space.

Personally, it’s one of the most important dates in my life. Not only because it’s Britney Spears birthday but it’s the day when Leah and I tied the knot on 2006. Yup, it’s quite a journey and we can proudly say that we have survived what many consider as the seven–year itch.

I don’t intend to cover  in this post the years that Leah and I have gone through together because I can’t. I’ll need a lifetime to retell all the wonderful things and even the trials that we have shared through the years. What I can write now are a few things that I find more memorable since I learned them from my wife.

1.    You don’t peel ampalaya or bitter melon. On our first week as a married couple, I tried to prove to Leah that I also eat ampalaya. I told her that I cook the best bitter melon with scrambled eggs dish ever. She did like it alright. She like it that she could not stop laughing at the sight of peeled ampalaya for breakfast.

2.    You don’t use a knife while getting stuff the freezer. On our first month, I told my wife that I want to maximize the use of our fridge. Instead of buying 5-peso ice cubes from our next door store, I’ll make use of ice bags to save some coins. It just happened that one ice bag was a little sticky that I need to use a knife to take it off. I heard her said not to use a pointed object but it’s too late, I hit the Freon tube in my first try and the next day we got billed P3,500 for service and Freon refill.

3.    Britney Spears, Cristina Aguillera and Mandy Moore rocks! Before I met Leah, I thought music was all about The Beatles, Eraserheads, Robbie Williams, The Wuds, or any guy who can rock the stage. We had only a portable CD player in our house before and we share most of the time. She use it from morning to evening and I get to hold it a few minutes before I fall as sleep. The result: I was converted into a Britney’s slave after just three weeks of listening to her songs at home.

4.    Wearing pink will not make you a lesser man. When I was still single, my cabinet used to contain only two things: black shirts and others. I am very comfortable wearing dark colored tops because they’re basically wash and wear. People will not notice if you’re armpits are heavily perspiring in it. When my wife and I found out that our first baby was a girl, her first decision was to paint our room pink. Do you expect me to argue with my pregnant wife? In the same year, she bought me a pink polo shirt. From then on, I was embracing this fashion called “The Pink and Black Attack.”

5.    I can be strong on a dark day. My first experience as a father only lasted for almost 12 hours. Our baby Monique was not able to survive after my wife underwent an emergency procedure. I was there for my daughter from the very moment she was put in an incubator up to the moments of her last breath. I was emotionally and physically tired since I never expected that after two weeks in the hospital, my wife will have an unfortunate delivery. I postponed the pouring of my tears because if there is someone who’s hurting the most, it’s my wife. I wore a brave face every time I talked to her and would whisper to her “Everything will be okay” with a heavy heart. After two years, we got our prayers answer with our second child bringing new a life to our relationship.

6.    Anyone can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad. I am so glad I have Leah as my wife to raise a wonderful blessing we call Charles. We agreed that we will impose a “no spanking” policy at home no matter and whatever Charles does. We discipline him with words and make him realize what will happen if he will do things that are nice.  I would like to believe that fatherhood made me more patient, understanding and somewhat special.

7.  Married life is beautiful. I’ve always see life as a wonderful gift. I have loved, failed, took a risk again and won the heart of the most amazing person I’ve ever known.  I can’t imagine life without Leah. She is my best friend, shopping companion, dining table seatmate, roommate and  partner for life, or should I say my life.

Thank you for coming to my life, my dearest Leah. Thanks for all the learning and I hope to be a better person that you truly deserved in the years to come.  Here's a line from one of your favorite Britney Spears song: "All I really want is to hold you tight Treat you right, be with you day and night. All I really want is to hold you tight, be with you day and night."
 

TWD 0408: Too Far Gone

Two characters in this photo will bid good bye to the show this week
Disturbing. Simply disturbing.

That's how I would sum up the mid season finale of The Walking Dead.

Season 4 Episode 8: Too Far Gone will finally grant deaths to those who should have died earlier based on the comic book.

Two major deaths... I won't name names but I'll tell you to prepare yourselves on how one favorite character will be killed or slaughtered. Even wearing a helmet will not make you shock-proof.

One question left hanging in this episode is if Little Ask Kicker is dead or not. And we have until February to know the answer.

Team Rick is divided again with groups going to different direction after the bloody attack in the prison camp.

Still have goosebumps every time I think about this week episode.