Enchanted Kingdom: A date with my sister

My sister's currently working in Manila since June 2011. After 5 months, I visited her and we spent a whole day at Enchanted Kingdom in Santa Rosa, Laguna - the home of magical experiences.

We took the bus from Pasay bound to Balibago for only P57 each. We stopped at Waltermart in Laguna, then from there we had a motorcyle ride  to Enchanted Kingdom for 10 pesos each person.

Upon arriving, this scenario welcomed us.

A school tour for like more than a hundred grade schoolers and high school students not counting their chaperones.

That's my sister posing with the EK entrance behind her. Look at her smile, it's screaming with excitement.

At the entrance, make sure you read the park bulletins. So that you know what time your favorite ride or attraction will open.

There are different prices for the package that you want. You can choose of either going for the ride all you can ticket or just for specific rides. For us, we had the ride all you can so we can enjoy all the rides EK has to offer!

It's my second time to be there, my excitement was not for the rides but for my sister to experience that same excitement I had during my first time there. Join me as I lead you to my enchanting date with my dear sister.

First ride, yey Bump cars.

Everyone's getting ready to bump each other.

Sister's smile is truly priceless. I took this pic after our bump car ride. She liked it and wanted to try it one more time. hehe

Here’s what you’ll see on top of the mega wheel…

The mega wheel

All smile still while riding the mega wheel.

One of the scariest rides in Enchanted Kingdom is the Anchors away. When you ride it, it's as if  your liver and heart will switch places. It's like you’ll fall down especially when you are seated on the last row.

The secret of conquering Anchors Away is to “let go” and scream your lungs out.  I already swore I will never ever ride this again. LOL.  Screaming was not enough, my knees were literally trembling.

The next ride is the most feared ride of them all. Some people don’t imagine riding this.. some even say I-think- I’ll-die-now by just looking at it! Meet SPACE SHUTTLE!

I took this pic when I was on top of the mega wheel.

It was my first time to ride the Space Shuttle because it was under repair during my first visit last 2009. I was really scared, I mean scared in every sense of the word. But my sister has so much adventure in her bones, she really convinced me to try it. So I did. And that's when I found out that the Space Shuttle is a super fun ride- A MUST TRY. I will surely try it again.

I suggest that you ride the ‘wet rides” – Jungle log jam and Rio Grande Rapids last. So that it won’t spoil your day.  I knew that the "wet rides" should be the last because I knew what will happen and was already prepared for this warning.

But before enjoying the Rio Grande Rapids we went the Jungle Log Jam first.

Before the ride, we had to brave this long line first (see picture below). I didn't mind though coz I really want my sister to experience it. I had a mission also that the next time I'll try Log Jam I'm gonna have a big smile on my face once passing that breathtaking slope. Mission accomplished for me but I dont want to share our picture coz my sister had the weirdest reaction on it. LOL.

Take a look at this line---supeeeeer long naman, but log jam ride is so worth the long wait.

Now it's our turn to ride. Whew.

This is it.

Imagine sliding to it without any seat belt protecting you. You only have both sides of the log to hold on.

This pic was taken after the log jam ride.

Time for rapids.

But then again, super huge crowd lining for the Rio Grande.

Crowd outside.

and this crowd below

is from the inside. The view I took when I was upstairs getting ready to get wet.

Finally here we are, on our way to get wet. Yebba.

Thanks to that stranger who took this  pic. hehe

Time to go home then.

My sis and I before leaving EK.

A jump shot. Yey. My sister was so happy. It's all painted in her face.

Indeed the magic stays with us.

See you soon my Sis. Happy birthday. I love you so much.

Travel: Sorsogon it is

Back in April 2011, I was invited by a super close friend/cyber Ate to their place in Sorsogon. My excitement had risen to the nth level upon receiving my plane ticket from her. It was one of the very memorable bday gifts I've ever received. Thank you my Ate. You are amazing.

I honestly don't have any idea that the shortest way to Sorsogon is to fly  from Manila to Legaspi City. Upon landing the airport, imagine my shock when I saw the beautiful Mount Mayon. It was so surreal. I've only seen this on TV, internet and books. Viewing it as if it's just an arms away  is truly fantastic.

Look at these people so "aligaga" to take pic of  that perfect cone Mt Mayon.

I can't stop myself from taking another pic of it.

Of course it wouldn't be complete without my pose with the famous Mt Mayon behind me. Thanks to that stranger who agreed to take this pic.

This was taken at Lignon Hill. Mt Mayon was covered with clouds when we went there.

Overlooking Legaspi City from Lignon Hill.

This is a private spring. This is sooo cold. Look at it's charm, such a nice place of relaxation, recreation and celebration.

Kayaking in this 16 hectares lake was both fun and tiring. I had great time doing it though. Such a wonderful, wonderful place....if only it could show the world the beauty that it really is....

Waking up with this beautiful beach is truly heaven.  It's extra lovely. the water was warm and calm. the sand clean of seaweeds. the surroundings were so quiet and peaceful.

Yebba, I simply love to travel. Cheers to more days of traveling.  

HOME is Divine

After so much negotiation last week, I finally had my 2 rest days. Thank-you-so-much-to-my-generous-workmate for agreeing a schedule swap for a week. Right after my work last Sunday I went straight to the bus terminal and braved the 6hr drive going home with no sleep at all. Thank God, I survived the long travel.

Seeing the happy faces of all the members of my family was heaven. Embracing them was happiness. I truly miss them, terribly so. Being with family is the best. Doing simple things like dining together, updating each other's life, movie marathon, eating merienda together oh man those simple things are divine.

With my kind of work I seldom spent time with my family, when I had the chance I really made sure that each moment was well spent. Hearing each one's laughter is just so refreshing. Spending my "hard-to-get" restdays with my family is nothing but pure joy. Indeed, there's no  place like home.

"Emo"

Yey

Sad story

Let me share this story I read somewhere. This is indeed sad. I agree with the author that each one of us has our own sad story. I had mine too but I don't have the guts to share it, maybe someday I will. For now, just read this:

Everyone has a sad story

    I am a man who currently works in hospital as a laboratory technician. I have a relationship with a beautiful girl who works in a different company. Now since we all know that a hospital operates 24/7, there are times where I work in the graveyard shift. I have a co-worker who I've worked with for more than 5 years already. She is currently engaged to her boyfriend whom she already had a relationship for more than a decade. Now this co-worker of mine has almost if not the same shift with me ever since we started working, so it is safe to say that we pretty much know almost everything about each other. This past few years, we've grown closer than ever before. We've shared secrets and experiences that only both of us know. It has always been her plan that after she gets married she will be devoting her time to become a housewife. Every time we spend with each other the tighter the bond between us gets. One day, she told me that she and her partner has already set a date for their wedding. This caught me by surprise. I've known that this time will come but I guess I just never thought about it since I know that this will be the day that we would part ways. So when she told me about it, I never expected that my reaction will be like this. I really felt sad and down. Only did I realize that what I fell for her is more than just being friends. Don't get me wrong, I love my girlfriend so much. It just that the bond that I share with her (co-worker) has gotten deeper ever since we first met. I am in no position to tell her not to push thru with her plans since I know that she also loves her boyfriend so much. I am left with the struggle to tell or not to tell her what I feel about her. This will be a struggle that I will take with me to the grave. I want her to be happy but I also don't want to lose her. I guess everybody has a sad story. She is mine....

Someday

Random thought on a boring day

Some good things never last, there are times we wish we could hold on too tight so that no one could ever pull that someone away from us, but sometimes, it's also better to let go than to live a life of lies and deception.

There is nothing more to wish for.. than for every significant people in my life to find peace and happiness. Life after all is too short to live with a heart full of bitterness and pain. So looking forward to an eternal happiness with God.For HE alone can give it to us. A love that's unconditional, no bounds, no pain along the way, no frustrations and no expectations. For now, I pray for PEACE to rule in everyone's heart while we are still in this world that's full of surprises and uncertainties.

Let's just live life to the fullest and embrace positive vibes. Let's enjoy life and be happy with whatever we have.

Can"t help but share this quote with a pinkish glittery thingy. hehe

Missing you

Haven't been blogging this past few days. I've so many things on my mind to blog about yet I don't have the luxury of time to do it.



Missing you means I miss my blog.

Will be back blogging anytime soon.

Rest day

Videoke with friends in one gloomy afternoon is DIVINE...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="491" caption="Bernhard, Yay, Lyndie, Randulph, Me and Maddie"][/caption]

Perfect time to spend a well deserve rest days.

Third Wheel

This post is from my guest blogger who opted to remain anonymous. I like it so much how words had been put together in this very well-written piece. Enjoy reading.

   "I work in company where the operating hours or the working hours are different from your typical work schedule. At work most of the employees are either committed or married. Well you would ask, what is the problem here. The problem is because we work in a very different operating hours, we usually spend more time with our co-workers than with our partners. Because of this, a lot of temptations would arise. Some would entertain it, some would just brush it of. This is a very common scenario and these types of talks is as common as taking your coffee in the morning (evening if you are in the graveyard shift). My question then is this. Why do we become unfaithful with our partners? Personally, one reason that I can see ( it is not that I'm justifying the act, I'm just trying to make some sense out of it) is that since we work in a very populated company, we will be able to meet a lot of people with different personalities. And since we spend more time with our officemates, it is here where we start (unconsciously) comparing them with what we currently have. We will then realize that our relationship is not perfect. Well, who has one, right? The only problem is when we start to crave for something that we currently do not have. If only others would also think that you also have something that they don't, only then you will begin to appreciate what you have and not desire what you don't. Basically, what I'm trying to say here is, no one has the perfect relationship. It is always a work in progress. You would only start having discontentment if only see what you do not have. Learn to appreciate what you have and you will realize that others will also want what you have. As long as it is not you they want, that's perfectly normal. Hope I helped you in anyway. Thanks for taking the time reading. c",)"

Yey there you have it. Thank you again for this post you-know-who-you-are. And let me say this... MORE please.

Back then

Three months after I graduated college I got my first job. I was a college instructor in a private school in Marawi City. The  place is populated by Muslim Maranaos. A place where tradition is entirely different from ours. I don't have that much idea as to the extent of their tradition and I heard so many horrible things about the place. But still, I landed my first job there and learned to love the place. My stay in Marawi is one of the highlights  of my life, for it gave me experiences I thought I could never had.
 
I'm going to introduce to you the woman who lavished me with love and luxuries in life. The woman who had been a mom and a friend to me. She was my boss and the president/owner of the school I was working. Her name is Hadja Sittie Aisha "Helen" Acoon. She's a Christian married to a Maranao and embraced Islam after years of their marriage.  Before I met her I was expecting to face a president in her executive attire. I've got the shocked of my life the first time I saw her, she was wearing her loose duster and eating using her bare right hand. (Yes, Maranaos preferred to eat without spoon and fork) After regaining myself from that shock that's when I saw her smiling at me. She's a very simple woman in her 50's and I can't believe she's the president of the school. My shock was tripled the moment she opened her mouth and talked to me in English with all fluency and no traces of Maranao accent. From that moment on, I know I'm talking to one of the smartest people I've ever known. I was impressed. Moral lesson, never judged a person by just looking at them. Looks can be deceiving you know.

Months passed, I found myself talking and listening to her every after class. We talked anything like work related topics, politics, showbiz, about her dreams for the school, her advocacy, her failed marriage, about her children's excessive spending of money and her being alone. Yes I love to talk but I'm a good listener too. Sssssh this is supposed to be a secret. I think that was the start and the turning point of our closeness.

She told me her rags-to-riches story. She's from Koronadal, South Cotabato,  belonged to a family of 12 siblings and her parents don't have a stable job. She strived to study hard and used her brain to achieve her dreams. She finished college as working student and graduated Cum Laude. As a working student she created a MANTRA that says " Today, I'd follow order. Tomorrow, I'll give the order". With her excellent scholastic record she worked as a university instructor while finishing her Master's Degree. With her dream to achieve her mantra, she took Doctorate degree and graduated it with flying colors.  What an inspiring journey to achievement!  Btw, in the midst of it, she was already married to her Maranao husband and had 3 kids.  Amidst those, she had her ups and downs. She was emotionally shattered when she  was separated with her then husband for she can't accept Maranao's tradition of multiple marriage.

Her then failed marriage, made her even stronger. It did not hinder her journey to realize her dreams. With courage and determination she built her own school with only 10 thousand pesos in her pocket. With all the connections that she had in the world of  academe coupled with her knowledge, she was able to build a school and made it a household name in Marawi City 5 years after she built it. I joined her staff when the school was slowly on it's way to achieve thousands of enrolees.

She then pulled me out from her teaching staff and made me her school registrar slash executive secretary. That would mean wherever she goes may it be with school related meetings or personal commitments  I'm always with her. I don't know what I've done but she really trusted me everything that includes her finances, the in and out of running the school and her personal life. She has an extremely scary temper, she'll bark and shout at you when she's at the height of her anger infront of everyone but she has a very soft and kind heart.

She gave me everything an employee could not expect to receive from her employer. I had her motherly love, she gave me financial assistance whenever I'm in need. She let me experience the life of the rich. Shopping without minding how much was the price of the item, dining at those fancy Japanese, Italian, Korean and Filipino restaurants in Manila and anywhere else we go, staying in a high rise condominiums in Manila, sleeping in those five star hotels, rubbing elbows with the Commision on Higher Education and Dept of Education big wigs. I lost count how many times I traveled to Manila in a month, airplanes became my lavatory and airports were my place for meals. I was one busy traveler back then, I didn't mind it though cause I love traveling.

I considered my boss as my mom, I called her Mommy Helen. Yes I know she pampered me so much with all these material things. But the love, care and an unspoken pact of trust were the most significant things of all. Her being so nurturing really made me attached to her more. She, having not much bonding with her children and me, not close to my own mother formed this undeniable surrogate mother-daughter chemistry. We really hit it off. I can calmed her in the midst of her anger, one thing her children were afraid to do.

People would see her as one brave woman. No one have seen her shed tears in times that she was so down, not even her children. But I did. I'm the living witness of how emotionally challenged she was. She cried when she told me the story of her life. I was so amazed how she became so successful but I'm so sad how she can't be happy with her family life. She had millions and she can buy anything, everything she wanted but not the very thing she wanted the most - a happy and peaceful family.

In her whims to rebuild her family, they were able to fix their marriage. Though they had rough times but they sure believed that love is sweeter the second time around. I was the happiest person when I saw her so happy and contented, with her husband beside her and her children making up the lost times.

Then one day I decided to leave my job. For I know  Mommy Helen  will be okay then. Telling her that I'll be leaving was  the hardest thing to do. It broke my heart but I felt that it's time for me to leave.
I knew we were both hurt but because she loved me, she let me go.

For years I was used to convenience and extravagance because of her. I was pampered that much. Seldom rode  those buses when going to any places because there's always that car  and a driver. Lates gadgets were so easy to own just as easy as buying  candies. Money was  never a worry.

Yes that was once my life. I  thought it would really make me the happiest on earth but I was wrong.  Something was amiss, something's missing, something's not in it's proper place. It was my whole Marawi  experience making me realize that money can't buy happiness but it can  make you a different person. It will make you the subject of envy  which is not healthy at all.  Im not hyprocrite if I'll say I did not  miss my life before. Yes I do , I really do miss it. But it doesn't  mean I'll mourn to death to aim the things that I dont have. Some things are just meant not to last.

Mommy Helen, thank you so much for all those exciting and challenging experiences  we had. You will always be in my heart.

Rest in peace, Mommy Helen. I miss you so much.

Muchas gracias my friends

I claimed that I'm one lucky, blessed, wealthy person. I don't have billions, no fancy abode, no luxurious cars yet I'm RICH. Yes I am. Rich in friends. The road map of my life is incomplete without these people who touched my life. No amount of money can buy this treasure. They are my priceless, precious gem. I was thinking what have I done to deserve them. I'm blessed, so much. Thank you Lord for this blessing.This post is one of my ways to say thank you to my treasures.

I know them this much. One message from an unregistered contact with just a "name" they used to call me, is enough for me to know where I've  met them. For I'm never Carms with my childhood friends and Marawi colleagues, never En-En or Shang with my CDO officemates and college buddies.

Here they are.



She is Laarni, we call each other Palang. We're classmates since pre-school until high school, and then boardmates in college. Palang is one good friend. We seldom see each other but when we do it's as if we just talked ysterday.



Here's Ghe Ghe, I so love this woman. She's the reason why I am Shang for we call each other such. Aside from my family she's my number one fan. She knows my strength and my weaknesses. She knew how to appreciate the things that I do have while keeping my spirit high for the things that I don't have. Oh how i miss you Shang.



Meet Diloy(the guy in between me and the woman in red). He's the big brother that I don't have. We argue a lot, we give each other advice. Yes he's the first person who allowed my first taste of alcohol but got mad at me the first time I puffed the cigar. Btw, I stopped smoking already 5 years ago. He's the person who taught me the value of giving words. When he gave you his word taga mo sa bato he will truly fulfill it.

 

 Let's go to my college buddies.No words of thanks enough for these guys. I love them to pieces. When I met them I was a shy student hoping to belong in a world so new to me. They embraced me with love and care. Helped me, encouraged me to survive the stressful days of college. Without them college days wouldn't be fun and exciting. How could I forget those sleepless group study slash night swimming slash eating chichiria slash chismisan. How could I forget those days of delayed allowance yet everyone helped for us to survive our meals. Those times when after prelim, midterm and final exams we rewarded ourselves with a group movie date plus a night with pure fun. Oh my, I've never missed college this much. 

We were blockmates and we all graduated together.So proud of this group.

Now here comes my Marawi folks. Marawi City had been my home for years. I thought I'll be spending almost all my life there. Heard a lot of not-so-good-stories about the place  but  believe me, gradually I learned to love the place. Knowing their culture is one thing but experiencing it is an entirely different thing. Their tradition from marriage to death to their beliefs in Allah is unbelievable and so rare. One of the best achievements I got from there is learning their language. Yes you read it right I can speak and understand Maranao lingo. Now soo much for that lets talk about the people who touched my life from this place.

Below are my previous co-employees, mostly Christians. We're housed together, they are my family there. Since we're not allowed to go out by 5pm for security reasons, so we only have each other. I miss them.

And here's one woman who had been my anchor for so long.

She's Matet.  She's the daughter of my previous boss. We considered each other sisters slash partners in crime. I so love this woman who defied Maranao bethrotal tradition and married her boyfriend. One brave woman, right?

Now came the unexpected. I would say that my departure in Marawi was one of the hardest decisions I ever made.  To those people who knew my life there, can't believe why I left my job. I gave my boss the shock of her life. I wont elaborate the story of my boss for it's worth a separate entry. I resigned from my job and start a whole new life here in CDO and met amazing people.

With my current housemates, Vangie and Mother Anna. We may seldom talk and dine together at home like we used to but I know we are family.

This woman is Loida, my source of novels and a true friend.

My regional family. Read it more here. I can't help but share this pics of my regional buddies.

My CRT family. I had great time with you guys. Im so glad some of us are reunited.

Nine months ago, news of my transfer to STX shocked me. I was not happy nor sad, I'm scared. Exremely scared. For so long I've been with  my comfort zone where multi-tasking was never hard. Ebook reading, email threading, gtalk chatting plus chika galore while on call were so "sisiw". To be transferred in an entirely different support is one tough move. I even lit a candle before starting my training to ask for guidance. Indeed guidance is on my side, for I survived each and every agonizing day and I've come this far.

Thank you to Nolan and Brian, my saviors. I thank God the day HE gifted you both the knowledge of this craft. Saying thank you is an understatement but I will never ever get tired of saying it. You both deserve a tight hug..weeeeeeeeh

Che, thank you for the gift of friendship. We don't know each other that long but we both know we have sisterly connections.

To the rest of the STX pipz, I may not have that much bond with you guys but a simple smile I got from you when at work is just what I needed to last a severe day of troubleshooting, Thank you guys for the company. 

Muchas gracias mi amigos, mi amigas! Live on.