Unexpected Tragedy

It was a very hot day. I went around the city to visit various government offices to request for documents. I even forgot to eat my lunch and most of the time I've been annoyed by the heat of the sun outside. I don't usually go out of my apartment if it's not going to be a very important appointment. After doing all my transactions outside, I went straight home. When I'm still inside the jeepney, I noticed that my phone's red light keeps on blinking. It is an indication that I've got messages. I just didn't mind it and decided to read it when I'm in the apartment already.

Then I reached my living room. Just like what I always do, I turned on the fan, the television and my laptop. I totally forgot to check my phone. I even kept myself busy by cooking something to eat first and had a cold shower. Then my phone beeped. I know it is not an SMS because I customized the ringtones of my messenger notifications. I know it is a message from my yahoo messenger. I then become curious who's sending me a message then. I checked my phone and found out that it's my cousin. Actually it's my aunt, she's just using my cousin's account. She wants to call me in the messenger but I can't answer her because my headset is not working well. So I just asked her what seems to be the problem. I can sense that she wanted to tell me something serious. As I checked my other notifications, all of the SMS in the inbox came from her with a similar message if she can call me.

She then shared to me that an accident happened between a bus and a motorcycle on a way to our hometown. Then my heart beat fast upon reading it. She is not going to share it to me if no one in the family is involved. She then told me that the one riding the motorcycle is her boyfriend. We already considered her boyfriend as part of the family and they've been in the relationship for quite a long time already. I already considered him as my second uncle (my aunt is a widow and her husband died more than 10 years ago due to motor accident as well).

She said that my uncle is in a serious condition. He's currently in the hospital with two of his ribs fractured affecting vital organs. Several days passed and just this morning, I received an SMS from my mom that my uncle died.

This is such an unexpected tragedy. However, I'm more concerned on my aunt. I'm thinking of the possibility that what if they got married last year and this tragedy happened. That was their plan last year but then there has been several things to consider that's why the wedding didn't materialize. Even though my uncle didn't turn out to be my aunt's second husband, his role in my aunt's life is somewhat similar.

It has been surely entertained in my aunt's mind the similarity of events. She might be thinking right now that there could have been something wrong in her. Even though she's not saying it but the possibility of thinking it is very big.

Things happen for a reason and even tragic accidents have hidden purposes. I'm just hoping that my aunt could recover immediately in as much as my uncle's relatives will recover that fast as well. It is not easy to lose someone you love dearly but then again our life is just a borrowed one and anytime it will be taken from us during times that we least expect it. Value life all the time.

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Together Again!

It's been a long time since the gang has been together and finally yesterday we were able to pull a short meet up. Two of us are already working in Finland (CJ and Lucky). Unexpectedly, Lucky is having his short vacation in the Philippines just to make use of his accumulated number of leaves in work. I happen to know his surprise come back so I sent everyone an SMS for this longed gathering.

All those living in Digos City were able to come as well as from Mati, Davao Oriental (Jhepoy). Well, most of us are from the nearby provinces and having this kind of gathering is really hard to organize. However, since Lucky came from a far away country and his presence is truly important, attendance is must no matter what. For those having a pm shift (Bal), swapped it to night shift and those having AM shift (Mikai) ask for an early out. For the medicine student Yda, she cut her class in the afternoon :D. Maryvic, Won2 and me are jobless so we are free anytime.

We decided to have the meet up at SM City Davao and the fun and long talks started as it used to be. Updating each other with our lives and talking about fun experiences in the past has been always fun. We did it over lunch at Mandarin and after the sumptuous meal courtesy of Lucky, we roamed around the shopping mall and took pictures. Then we went to Gaisano Mall to have snacks and end up in VoyzOut KTV until 12 midnight. Truly one of the moments worth keeping. Until next time guys! I had fun indeed! Great thanks to Lucky! 

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The LAST Events Of Today

It's been quite a while again that I haven't updated my blog. Basically because, as usual , I've been very busy. Today is October 29, 2010 and several LAST events will happen on this day. All of these last events are indeed very important as it defines a lot of changes in our lives afterwards.

To start the list, today is the LAST FRIDAY of the month. The last day of agony for those workers waiting for their salary in the month of October (workers who are having weekends as off days which includes IETLP Part Time Tutors). A hurray for that because it includes me!

Today is also the last day of my friend Sheng to suffer the fear of facing her speaking interviewer on her IELTS Test as today would be her exam day. She's been having this fear for so long and today it ends, finally. I wish to her good luck and may God bless her to provide her mind with numerous ideas on what to answer to her examiner. After this exam, it would then define her future in pursuing her New Zealand dream. I'm really hoping that she will get the best score that she needs.

Last event that would happen today and definitely not the least is that this would be my LAST DAY of WORK in IELTP (Intensive English Learning Tutorial Program). I posted my resignation letter a month ago in this blog and since November 1 is a holiday and we don't work on weekends so today is my last day. I owe a lot to this company as it has been the first company which invested their money for my skills and capabilities to teach the English language to their clients. I would truly miss my students wherein most of them stayed since  I started working here approximately 3 years ago. I would also miss the memories I shared with my friends who happened to be one those true friends I have in my life. Although I would still join the gang after their work, the laughter spent inside the office every after the 25 minute-class ends would be one of the funniest moments.

So much for it now, this day may have several last events but it's not the last day that I would stop living so I should get going now and start the things that I need to do. 'Til next time! :D

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Enjoying Eden Nature Park For the First Time

You're reading it right! For the first time, I was able to enjoy the beauty of Eden Nature Park of Davao City. Funny though because I've been living here for almost 7 years yet not a single moment I was able to visit this heavenly place. If not because of the pre-birthday celebration of one of my friends, then up to this very moment my idea about the place would only be based on their site's description.

For all those photo freaks like me, the whole day won't be enough to capture all those awesome pictures. You might be thinking right now how many cameras I brought for this escapade but believe it not, I'm a photo freak who doesn't own any digital camera. All of my pictures were taken from my loving BlackBerry Bold 9700. I'm just thankful that it's 3.2 megapixel camera with auto-focus plus a little help of Photoshop was able to satisfy my happiness. Please bear all those blurry pictures because my phone's camera can't capture moving objects because it is not like other digital cameras that you can manipulate the shutter settings.

We only spent half day in the park yet I was able to drain by fully charged battery. Supposedly the group has planned being there early, but just like the usual Filipino time phenomenon, our 8am assembly time has become 11am. We decided to eat our lunch first and off we go. The park is located at the foot of Mount Talomo, Toril, Davao City. It is approximately 12 kilometers from Toril proper. If you're situated in the downtown area of the city, Toril is way southward and is approximately 30 minute ride by private car. If you don't own a car, you also get to the place by riding a jeepney up to Crossing Bayabas, Toril. From there you will ride a motorcycle going up to the park for 50-60 pesos. According to the official website of Eden, the whole park contains 100,000 pine trees spreading throughout the vast 80 hectares land area. For a detailed information of the park, you can visit their site.

The group decided to ride a jeepney going up to the park and the fun begins...

Upon arriving at the area...

The park's map...

A walk under the woods...

My encounter with nature...

Of course your Eden Nature Park adventure won't be complete if it's without an Indiana Jones experience. We had ours on video...

For four hours, I was able to relax from my very tiring week. I know the next time I could enjoy this thing would be not so soon. I couldn't load all the photos here and some of my candid moments in the park were captured in my friends' camera and they just can't upload it immediately because just like me, they are also very busy during weekdays.


My friends would definitely get mad at me if I'm not going to mention them here. You can check their faces in their Facebook accounts


Sheryl Madlangbayan
Marian Elaine Dasal 
Kreng Balilahon
Marc Olorvida
Sheiryl Bacsarsa
Giovanne Vallecera

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Waiting Things To Untangle

Just like the picture shown on the left, my October is definitely tangled. As you can observe, this post is my first post since I submitted my resignation letter. After I did such act, a lot of weird, confusing and mind bogging things has arrived. So much job opportunities and I don't know which one to accept. All of them are promising, and has been offering awesome chances to pursue my dream which is to work in a foreign country. All my documents are ready and all I have to do is to wait and to wait is torture.

Last Sunday, I attended a church service and somehow I was given an enlightenment on what to do. The pastor's sermon was all about prayer and how everyone badly needs it. The whole church offered prayer to my confused mind and until now I'm still waiting for the Lord's ultimate answer. I'm expecting the unexpected though.

What's clear on me now is that I'm waiting. Waiting for something good and something worth the wait. I can deeply feel that something spectacular awaits me. I know life is vague and no one could really tell on what lies ahead. I've done my part and now I'm facing the consequences that it brings.

When October ends, I hope the tangled things are somehow untangled, I'm looking forward to it and I'm excited. Life is full of surprises and I love surprises. I know this post is a bit confusing as I jump from one idea to another. This post is definitely tangled just like what's happening in my life now. I'm just thankful that I have all the support persons that I need to face life and the Lord above all.

If you've read this post until the end, kudos to you, you've got the patience and I'm sure you would be looking forward to my next post. Maybe you're of those people who are interested to follow my life and wanted to know what I'm up to. You can be a friend or an enemy who just want to be updated. Enjoy!

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Just Passed My Resignation Letter: Sure Did!

I've been reflecting lately and I was able to find out that something has to be changed with what I'm doing. Something is not right and I guess I should solve it immediately. I haven't seen any growth with myself lately (obviously I'm not referring to my height because I've already accepted the fact that I can't grow any inch higher). Anyway, so much for the "emo" mode and let's get straight to the point. In a span of15 minutes, I was able to formulate my resignation letter. Obviously, I'm resigning from my job for real.

Maybe for others out there who has been dying to get a job, a resignation could be a mad thing to do. However, I want you all to know that it's a case to case basis. If you're not happy anymore with your current job and it seems that getting into the office everyday couldn't give you the satisfaction that you're looking for, then it's a different story. If your principles and beliefs in life is no longer inclined with the company's then something has to be stopped. Continuing with your work could either ruin you or the company per se.

I'm writing this post not just because I want to share what I'm feeling right now but might as well be giving idea to others out there what does a resignation letter might look like. Below is a snapshot of my very own resignation letter, in which I'll be giving later to my boss.

In writing a resignation letter you should take note of the following:

1. Get straight to the point in your resignation letter.

2. State your intention of resigning.

3. Mention your acceptance of another job offer if any.

4. Depending on your company's protocol, state the number of minimum days of notice before the effectiveness of your resignation.

5. If #3 exists, don't forget to mention that the new position you have accepted fits better with your personal preferences or career goals.

6. It should contain thanks to your employer for the opportunity to work for his/her organization.

I hope you've learned something from this post.

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Diversely United

I went to one of the major malls in our city a while ago looking for something to eat. I was just bored staying in my apartment and facing the laptop at the same time glancing at the television. The mall is just few blocks away so getting there and stroll for a awhile is not that time consuming.

It has been my hobby lately to take a picture of every food that I'm eating because I do believe that I can relate a story to it and somehow share it here. The picture on the left is a chocolate marble sundae in Fiorgelato, an Italian ice cream stall in the mall. It looks so yummy and it comes in different colors due to its toppings.

I'm wondering how come these combination of different colors adds up the beauty of the ice cream. Diversely united as what the title says. They are diverse yet they are united that made the ice cream a head turner. If this sundae is just being served without the colorful toppings, then it will just be an ordinary ice cream out there. Same as if these toppings would be sold alone without the ice cream, surely it won't attract eaters.

Relating it to my group of friends now. We all came from a different world or society. Our field of expertise are diverse. We have different principles in life yet we are united with a certain friendship that we ourselves can't explain why. We come to know each other in one company though but sooner or later we would be all be parting ways and have our own lives. Whatever happens, I know that someday or somewhere, we would see each other again and by that time still united within our hearts.

I really don't know why I'm discussing such topic in here right now. Maybe because I can already foresee that one by one has been saying goodbye from the office and I know sooner or later, I would say goodbye too. To all my beloved friends in that particular office that I keep on talking in here, you know who you are, I hope we'll stay friends until we grow old and our children would also be building the same friendship that we have. Same also to my friends outside the office wherein some are outside the country already. I'm just thankful to the Lord that I was able to know you guys. You're all adding that color in my life.

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Celebrating Chuseok Holiday

Chuseok holiday is a 3-day special event in South Korea. This year, the holiday falls on September 21-23. I'm writing something about this one now because we are enjoying this event by not having work. My part time job is being an English teacher to Koreans online that's why I'm affected by such event. Sad to say that we won't be having a pay for those days because primarily we are following Philippine holidays. I will not elaborate on that issue anymore because it has been fought and a lot of matters has been creating gap among members already just because of that issue.

Anyway, going back to the event. Chuseok is similar to our All Souls/Saints day celebration. During this time, Koreans pay tribute to their dead love ones and families would gather in their hometown for a somewhat reunion.

If you happen to observe the sumptuous food on the left then that would exactly be the food that they are serving during the event. It would be first offered and then prayed and then everyone would enjoy eating it afterwards.

The picture above is the Chuseok Rice Cake. It has been the traditional food that they are serving during the event. It is similar to our very own Puto but I think it is more sticky. According to one my students who happens to have a rice cake business, it comes in different flavors and the most expensive one is the Chestnut Flavor and the cheapest is the Rice Kernel. I'm not sure if he was able to translate the terms correctly though. Anyway, their table won't be complete if this food is not present.

Koreans highly honor this event and even those who are in different countries would really see to it that they can go home during this time. Even my Korean boss went to Korea just to celebrate it with his parents. Kids won't have classes in their schools and academies during this time but sad to say that this year, they attended a 25 minute class with our company because our boss told us to have a class on the 21st.

Last year, me and my friends was able to have a trip to Cebu City because the holiday started Friday until Sunday. However this year, the event fell on Tuesday until Thursday so we need to go back to work Friday which is very annoying.

So much for this pre Chuseok Holiday post because I primarily discussed what is the event all about. On my next post, I would be sharing to you what we did during our 2 days without work, without pay Chuseok Holiday. We gathered somewhere and we ate a very delicious dinner at a friend's place and a real chef cooked our food. More details would be on the next post along with the food's pictures.

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Telephoniac and Cellphoniac

You're reading it right, it is not TELEPHONIC but it's TELEPHONIAC. It is yet another word that comes into my mind after my last post about being HALF MINDED. 

As usual, I would be giving my personal meaning to this out this world word again. Well, by merely looking at the picture on the left, you might probably know already what does it mean.  As what I have learned from my reviewer on my licensure review 3 years ago, if you happen to encounter a difficult English word (difficult in the sense that you don't know the meaning and not because you don't know how to read it) try to look for its root word. From then on, you will have a hint on its definition. 

As to the case of the word TELEPHONIAC, it is pretty obvious that the root word is TELEPHONE and suffix NIAC from the word MANIAC. I know exactly what comes into your mind upon reading the last italicized word I've written. Well, according to WordWeb, MANIAC is a noun pertaining to a person who has an obsession with or excessive enthusiasm for something. Relating it to the word TELEPHONE, then TELEPHONIAC would mean a noun pertaining to a person who has an obsession with TELEPHONE.

A busy secretary answering several phone calls inside a very busy office can be described as TELEPHONIAC or if a person happens to collect different designs of telephones and even makes a separate room for it in his/her house can also called TELEPHONIAC. 

Technology has emerged nowadays and obviously you can't carry along TELEPHONE wherever you go because of the cord of course, might as well have the word CELLPHONIAC. Almost everyone owns a cellphone and with all the brands competing in the market presenting upgrades one after the other, there is this person who has been changing cellphones almost every week. Then that person can be called CELLPHONIAC

Makers of Webster and Oxford dictionaries might as well include these words in their list from now on so that I can use it whenever I play scrabble or Word Factory. 

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Sad To Say GoodBye

Everything has its end as they say. It could have been the saddest thing that could ever happen in one's life. If  someone's saying goodbye, you can really can't help yourself from crying especially if you're saying it to someone or something very special. 

Look at the picture on the left, he's crying because he's leaving the company. The company wherein he was able to know a lot amazing friends. The poster on his left is a compilation of messages from his friends in the company printed in a small tarpaulin for him to bring along. 

It is such a sad picture though, but it happens in reality. Sooner or later, someone's gonna say goodbye. Although it is not yet sure when, but definitely that person is saying goodbye. It could be me or a person close to me. However, saying goodbye doesn't always mean it is already the end of everything. Surely, in time, somewhere down the road we'll see each other again. 

Just like the person in the picture, although we don't see him ever night in the office anymore just like before, there are times that he could make it to our petty gatherings after work. I'm hoping that this person is doing well now, especially that he's going to be a great dad in the world. 

I don't know how to end this post it's just that deep inside my heart, I know someone's gonna say goodbye and it hurts.

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