Filipino dessert: Summer superstar, HALO-HALO

Summer time again and the only thing to beat the heat is to indulge our taste buds with cold desserts. For this time of the year the superstar dessert for the buds of every Pinoy will be the halo-halo.

From the word Halo, which means mix, it is a combination of different ingredients build in a parfait or tall glass to create a mouth-watering and wonderful structure of dessert. It is not literally mixed together when being served, the mixing part would be when you are about to start eating the Halo-halo (of course, mixing it using a spoon).

:: Halo-Halo ::

 Yes, it is as festive and colorful as the Filipino culture. To be honest with you, I rejected the manner of portioning the ingredients in terms of serving this dessert, most especially if it is being served for my family. Once you have started eating this dessert you will be asking for more. On the other hand, some root crops are added to this dessert, it somehow makes you full right away.

Some of the ingredient are sago or tapoica balls, gulaman or gelatin, minatamis na saba at kamote or boiled and sweetened banana and sweet potato, sweet kidney beans, garbansos,  macapuno, rice crispies, sugar, milk, langka or jackfuit; for toppings, it may be ube yam, leche flan, ice cream cheese or all of these as toppings.

Advantage of Hotel and Restaurant Management Graduates in the Cruise Industry

Cruise ship is a floating hotel that provides good, quality and world class service that satisfy every guest's needs. To provide a good service, cruise line companies requires an employee with a good personality, positive helpful attitude and skills. In this field, there is no real advantage of being a university graduate over someone who has not done a degree unless your degree is within the hospitality industry.

The graduates of a hospitality-related program particularly Hotel and Restaurant Management, plays a major role in the management of production and services in the hotel, restaurant, resorts and event operations of travel and tourism industry.  In view of the fact that the hotel operation in the cruise is no different to the land-based operation, quality of service mounted and the demand for the skilled workers ascended during the boom of the cruising industry.

Nowadays, cruise line companies hires people even without college degrees and more highly consider those who are knowledgeable in basic skills and with experience in hotel operations. Since they refers to hire a candidate having extensive information or skills in the position they are applying into, the competition between the graduates of HRM and those who are non-hospitality management graduates and undergraduates rather.

Rising Competition

“[...] Labor and Employment  Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said cruise ships hire people without college degrees and   prefer those with working experience in hotels, casinos and spas, as well as in the fields of beauty and health, information and technology and security.

The basic skills and related requirements for jobs on cruise ships are a high school diploma, experience and proficiency in spoken and written English, she added. 

Baldoz said about 47,000 jobs will be created when 15 new international cruise ships  come into service this year. 

“Cruise vacations are becoming more popular, so global demand is expected to increase in the next five years with new cruise ships to be put in operation,” she said.

Cruise ships hire entertainment and service crew to cater to the needs of passengers, she added.”

47,000 jobs available for Pinoy seafarersBy Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)January 3, 2014

The article contains forecast in the increase of job opportunity in the cruise industry which also comprise of the requirements such as (1) high school diploma, (2) experience, and (3) English proficiency. It is beneficial for the high-rate unemployed Filipinos who are aiming to be part of the industry, yet alarming and unfavorable for the graduates of the concerned academic program since they considered hiring people without a degree in hospitality. This established competition in the demand of employment between a hospitality degree holder and non-hospitality degree holder.

On the other hand, the competition appears to be positive as these factor considered as motivation for on both parties to know their weaknesses, improve themselves and enhance their skills even more.

Advantage of HRM Degree Holder in the Cruise Line Industry

The following factors listed below focused on how HRM graduates can be effective in the hotel operation of cruise lines:

• Advance knowledge.  Compare to any other academic program, Hotel and Restaurant Management programs provides training from food and beverage preparations and service up to marketing and sales, and management skills. All students undergo this program will immersed in every single aspect of hotel and restaurant operation.

• Professionalism.  Every individual that takes part of any services are expected to act professionally especially in the hotel operation since they provide the service face-to-face with the guest.

• Flexibility.  In view of the fact that HRM programs covers management subjects, the graduates under this course cannot only be a food or room attendant, but also a manager of food and beverage, housekeeping and can even take part in the accounting and finance department.

• Behavior and ethics.  As HRM program also have a branch of learning in values education and personality development which improves throughout study period, it can also be reflected during their On the Job Training (OJT) which stand them out of their competitors.

• Interaction and approach to the guest while performing the service.  Since this program focus on the service, they already possessed the knowledge in approaching the guest needs and complaints.

• Greater understanding and vision of the cruise industry.

Hindrances that HRM Graduates faces during the operation

Although HRM graduates have more advantage in the line of operation, the following issues serves as barriers and may have negative effects to the subject matter in portraying the task effectively:

• Inexperienced.  The program unmistakably focused on delivering and improving the knowledge and skills of students, which make them fit in the qualifications of the job descriptions. On the contrary, having experience of working in the field is considered advantage of the competitors and what mostly measured by the companies that leave them behind the field.

• Peer-pressure.   While the idea of working in the cruise line from one opinion may also from a relative or a common friend, hearsay or unfounded information about the nature of the work inside the hotel operation of any cruise lines may affect the way of thinking and their perception towards industry.

• Underdog/Seniority.  This factor is one of the negative aspects that mostly faced and undergone by the trainees and fresh graduates from their superiors and/or senior officers that in this circumstances may alter their performances towards their tasks.

• Deficient training.  In reality, the skills and performance of the graduates under the concerned program is in fact the basis why HRM graduates become effective towards the service. On the other hand, some schools and other training centre that are offering the programs are below standards and/or not able to provide the required training and facility that the students needed to excel during the study period.

• Discourage workers.  Employees and service providers under this field, whether they like it or not, is ought to work double and beyond the working hours since merging of task is implemented in the cruise operation.

• Erroneous belief towards the job.  The slogan, ‘Travel the world for free.’ by the cruising industry sound promising as ever to the aspiring applicants; absolutely free and you were the one who is getting paid for, nevertheless, you have to work hard, suffer seasickness, miss your family across the globe, withstand emotional problems during the voyage and the like.

Coping with the Hindrances

Given that the obstacles listed above are clearly established, the following factors below are to be considered device to break these barriers:

• Continues learning after completing the program.  It is essential that the learning process must not end after obtaining the degree. Undertaking training programs, related or irrelevant to the degree, may appear favorable since training centre that are accredited by TESDA issues a National Certificate (NC; From NC II to NC V) which may add to their credential and make good impression to the employer.

• Improving observation skills.  Despite the fact that being novice in the field may be burdensome, having an excellent observation skill is a convenient way to adjust and adapt in the operation.

• Establishing interpersonal relationship within the department.  By developing interpersonal connection with the people, one may fully comprehend the task given since he may have companion that has been into the certain position before and can assist him during the execution of task which can make the flow of production trouble-free. A healthy and friendly working environment can also prevent the emotional agony that the worker suffers during the travel period.

• Acquired self-esteem, self-reliance, and confidence.

• Greater understanding of the career path chosen.  One must be knowledgeable about the reality and nature of the career they have chosen to avoid misconceptions. This process can also be part of the preparation before entering the industry.

Experience is the key to be hired in any skill-related jobs such as in the hotel operation of cruise lines, hence, being a graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management program in addition with the field experience can be the key to a successful career path towards the cruise industry.

Make life worth living: Developing Yourself through Group Activities

As an individual, we all have our own opinions and differences in dealing with our daily lives. We approach every circumstance in a distinctive manner that defines us how the way we perceived these situations. These differences brought us to the position where we, sometimes, put ourselves in the corner and think if you can face it on your own or do you need a companion along the way?

As a confessed self-centered perfectionist, I admit, this is the question that I asked myself every time I had to deal with a group of people to accomplish a certain task. As far as possible, I want to finish the whole thing on my own to assure that everything will be organized, flawless and will gain credit on my part; but, in return, this behavior constantly leave my group mates behind the limelight. I know it sounds selfish yet, I keep on doing the same thing over and over again. BUT NOT THIS TIME!

Last January, 2014, during our 2nd preliminary examination, our professor in Cruise Line Operation and Management, Ms. Sally Reyes, advised our section to conduct a case study that relates a specific issue in regards with the cruising industry. She decided to divide the class in six (6) groups. I landed on the fifth (5th) group. We closed our first group meeting by settling down the title problem: Advantage of HRM graduates in the hotel operation of cruise lines. (click the link to know more)

This is the first time that I am going to deal with the 3rd year Hotel and Restaurant Management class on my second year of staying in Saint Clair College. To be honest, I was a total stranger to these people and so as they are to me. We never established any formal conversations, just a casual smile every time we encounter each other on the hallway or in times that we don’t know who to ask when we are looking for our friends.

Since the day that I transferred to my new college school, I promised not to be egotistical any longer. I have to leave introversion to the rear line of my being. I took this opportunity to change this behavior and let myself be open to others.

THE SETUP

Without hesitation, they placed me at the position of leading the group. Justine Mae, Diana, Arianne, Lorence, Peter, Janine, Maridel, Arnelie, and Ms. Tantay were my members.

Unfortunately, I had to eliminate Ms. Tantay out of the group. It was due to her schedule and also her frame of mind where she doesn’t know what to prioritize since she has a part-time job. We can’t afford to loose even a single moment to adjust for someone who doesn’t have a clear mindset of the task. It is important for me as a leader that my members are really interested in the task delegated to them. Second problem occurred when, Arnelie stopped attending classes. And now, we are down to seven members. We have to straighten out the study though we lose two of our members.

During the time where we are in search of answers for our study, we had the chance of knowing each other and exploring the side of ourselves outside the four-corner everyday learning venue.

The Chum Bucket

I am the second eldest among these kids (maybe, let’s not talk about the age gap and our ages. All I know is that I am a way older). Generation gap? Present! There are some topics that they used to talk about, and of course, I don’t have any idea of what these are all about such as trending gadgets or hangouts where they spend their recreation time; likewise, there are some life and wisdom matter that I bring into play that they can’t catch up.

Justine and Diane are best of friends. They remind me of my high school days—they are bubbly, easy going and full of astonishing dreams. Justine, despite her childish acts, can adapt to any type of person, while Diane is a serious one; until now, I can’t figure out how these two can get along with each other.

The eldest, Arianne, is a working student and undergone her training at Negros Navigation. Her experience has helped us completing the study.

For the heart of the HRM department, she is the Ms. SCC title holder even if she didn’t got the title, Maridel eagerly involve into the study while preparing herself for the competition. I should have apologized to her; I stereotyped her and thought she was some sort of irresponsible—I was completely wrong.

The dedicated and enthusiastic, Janine and Lorence, these two lovely ladies and the polar opposite of each other, Janine is the typical Maria Clara, reserved yet full of ideas in her mind, astound the crowd during the case presentation when she fluently explained in English language. There is no more eager other than Lorence, who is excitedly asked me from time to time whether when we would go to 2GO office or if there are improvements on our study.

Lastly, the Mayor, Peter caught the attention of the class when he showed his comic moves while reporting. He closed his topic by simply waving goodbye to the viewers. Quiet informal, but impressively made us all smile and loose the group’s anxiety while the reporting was continuously moving. 

The Venture behind the Scene of the Study

You might not believe, but this is the first time that I and some of the members of my group had the chance to travel outside the city without parental guidance. We don’t even know how to get to the locations that we set for our field familiarization: Pier 2 at North Harbor; F&B Dept., of 2GO Inc., near Manila Hotel; and Times Plaza building.

:: Just Stolen! Inside 2GO Head office at Time Plaza Bldg. ::

We were like fifth graders who are excited to have a field trip. We rode on a public bus; it was a majority decision not to take a private bus because two of us (Diana and me) will suffer in nausea. We used to talk about anything that comes to our mind to forget the word ‘vomit’. 

We stop over at Lawton and took another jeepney ride. There goes the unwanted experience that we will never forget. Justine and I preferred to sit near the driver seat while the rest settled them at the passengers’ seat. During the trip, Justine was shrugging and doing some gestures which, during that time, I can’t actually understand. When I turned my attention to the driver, I refuse not to look back again. As we reached Delpan, Justine and I hurriedly jump out of the vehicle. It is more awful than feeling nauseated. “HAVE YOU SEEN THAT?!! SO GROSS!!!” That’s the first word that came out from Justine. She actually saw the driver doing ‘something’; I don’t know if we were just pretty and sexy in our short-skirt uniform or he just can’t control his libido. Another mind blowing experience was when we were walking along the Tondo area, where there were male residents who stared at us like it was their first time to see such lovely ladies.

:: 2GO F&B personnels; busy on decorating for Valentine's ::

:: Applicants waiting for their documents ::

Let us forget now about those unpleasant memories. Did you know that Justine and Diane fought over Adobong Pusit? You might laugh out loud while Diane insist on the idea that the squid’s eggs are not clean and safe to eat while Justine justifying that it’s not and it was the head instead.

:: Diana and Justine, fighting over Adobong Pusit ::

Wanna play hunger games or the hungry games rather? It was truly tiring to travel from Caloocan to Manila and worst is that we haven’t had our lunch while waiting for our interview for the manager of HR department of F&B department of 2GO Group Inc. We had our lunch by 5:00 PM.

:: Janine, tired and hungry... :( ::

During this journey, we developed the phrase:  (“It is expensive to get lost.”).

What I Realize…

Dealing with other people is the biggest gift that this group work has brought to us. It became a Give-and-take process. You may not understand them sometimes, but there is still some point in time where I saw myself in them. I learned from them, the same way they learned from me, and we all learned from this experience.

In the end, it was not about completing the study and understanding what the study was, it was all about the hardship that taught us unity, friendship and finding a way on how we deal of every circumstance that we faced along the way.

There are a lot of times where I used to be a leader but I’ve done everything on my own. I never tried to consider what my members can do for the task. I just depend on my own idea and disregard the fact that it is a GROUPWORK.

Selfishness and being self-centered made me survive from my previous university. I had to depend on myself because I don’t have any companion that I can trust without knowing that I was starting to forget to communicate and connect my self into the reality that I can’t live myself alone.

Immaturity, carelessness, childish acts… These are some of the negative behaviors that most of us rejected and I thought I was mature enough to deal with it, but at the end of this journey, I realize I just close my eyes to the world that these kids see—happiness beyond struggles.

I learned a lot form you guys and I thanked you to for being part of my life. in behalf of the group, we also wanted to send our sincere regards to Prof. Sally Reyes for giving us the challenge where we can learn way beyond the usual learning system. You let us step out of the box and explore and see the college life in a different way.

:: (From left to right) Lorence, Diana, Arianne, Ms. Sally Reyes, Me, Justine and Janine ::

Yes, we considered ourselves as individuals, but after the hardship that we have been through, we are now standing as one. We gained experience, we learned and we developed ourselves into a new and well-rounded individual.

Away from the web world again

    I've been away (again) from the web world for almost a month due to some social experimentation that my friends and I had conducted. I am not also able to touch my PC because of my busy schedule. Around April of 2012, I am not able to use my PC for almost a month because of some malware problems.

    And last night, after a month of not peeking on the web world, not even using internet through my cellphone, I decided to deactivate my Facebook account. I know I will lose all my connections from a lot of old friends since I'm not able to see them personally these days and I might miss some news from them. But, it is final. I want it off. I had made the past 19 years without Facebook, so I know that it is just normal if I want deactivate it.

    I want to make things clearer. There are a lot of news about that psychological, mental, emotional, etc., effects on people's daily living throughout social media especially Facebook, But that is not my reason. I love using Facebook, for real. I just want it off.

    And, for the posting stuff here, I'll be gone for another month for conducting new social experimentation. My experiences from those experiments will be my topics for the month of July.

    The 'Live life, laugh and live longer' Page on Facebook is still active and is now managed by my sister, Elena.

Filipino street food: Barbeque Or Inihaw/Ihaw-ihaw

::Typical scene of Inihaw vendors::
 Source:Filipeanut.com

    If you are walking on the side walks of the cities of the Philippines and you suddenly encounter a heavy smoke with an appetizing smell and an aroma that hypnotizing your taste buds  that is a sign that an ihawan (Barbecue stall or restaurant) is ahead of you.

    Filipino, no matter where they are, can never resist the taste of inihaw ('barbecue' in tagalog).

    In a small stand, a portable grill with flaming charcoal that cooks the marinated meat on sticks and people who patronized the food that is located usually on a corner is the typical scene of an ihawan stall. If you were the vendor, you must have a good memory to memorize those who already got their orders and those who haven't paid yet because the vendor usually the cashier, the server and the cook. It'll be a great loss in the income if the vendor is not attentive.

Here are some of the of inihaw/barbecued dish at a Filipino ihawan stall:

1. Isaw/IUD - Marinated chicken intestine.
2. Adidas/chicken feet
3. Baticolon or balunbalunan/chicken gizzard

4. Betamax o dugo/chicken's blood
5. Helmet/chicken's head
6. Bato/chicken's kidney
7. Sausage/hotdog
8. Atay/chicken and/or pork liver
9. Tenga ng baboy/ pig ears
10. Puso ng manok/chicken's heart
11. Ewe or pwet ng manok/ chicken ass
12. Pakpak ng manok/chicken wings
13. Kurbata/chicken wings

:: Isaw ::
Source:Foodrecipefetish.com

:: Adidas ::
 Source:Angledvista.wordpress.com

:: Betamax ::
Source:Thefilipinolifestyle.com

:: Helmet ::
Source:Pinoyfolks.blogspot.com

:: Hotdog/Sausage ::
Source:From-my-kitchen-to-yours.com

:: Chicken heart ::
Source:Myfilipinokitchen.com

Filipino Beverage and Dessert: Beat the heat this summer

    Filipinos love to eat; and to beat the heat, we crave for foods that are can quench the thirst and fill our appetite. Here are some of the foods that every Filipinos will surely crave for this summer:



1. Halo-halo - First on the list is the Halo halo. Boiled and sweetened kidney beans or mung beans (munggo), boiled kamote (sweet potato), garbanzos, kaong (sugar palm fruit), nata de coco, macapuno, boiled saging na saba, crunchy pinipig, filled with crushed ice and top with ripe langka (jackfruit) and ube (purple yam) and pored with evaporated milk, this Filipino's all-time favorite is served not only in during the summer season, but throughout the year.

::A bowl of mouth watering Halo-halo::
(Source)

    Even if some of the ingredients are out of season, halo halo, from the tagalog term that is 'mix', it can be mixed with other kinds of fruits and flavorings. The classic recipe of this dish has elevated to the next level as some establishments from the food industry introduced innovations to this dessert such as adding a scoop of ice-cream or serving it on a different way.


2. Ice scramble - Crushed ice blended with sugar and evaporated or condensed milk and top with syrup (usually strawberry or chocolate, or combination of both) and skimmed milk, are well-known and best-selling during hot afternoons especially among kids.

::Ice Scramble::
(Source)

    Since this dessert, which is commonly known as a street food, some food franchising company have seen it profitable and introduced innovations to the ingredients used such as the toppings.

3. Sago-gulaman or Samalamig - A refreshing beverage, from the root word 'malamig' (cold), usually flavored with vanilla extract and simple syrup and contains sago (tapioca pearls) and gulaman (gelatin).

::A refreshing glass of Samalamig:: (Source)

    To make this thirst quenching drink more attractable to the customers, they played with various colors or gelatins and add more options to the flavors that are being served such as fruit salad flavor, buko-pandan, melon, and other fruit combination that you could ever imagine.

4. Buko juice (coconut juice) - Buko craze started to boom on the later part of 2012. Since the modern lifestyle today are focused on the 'more healthier side', this natural drink will surely suit your crave for a nourishing and refreshing drink. Buko juice, young coconut meat and milk serve in its shell for a classy look are usually seen in restaurants and resorts.

::Healthy and refreshing Buko Juice::
(Source)

I hoped you will enjoy your summer with this Filipino refreshing drinks.

Anime marathon: ANOTHER

    Just recently, my brother, who is an otaku (anime addict), let me explore his archive of anime stuff.

Source

    While digging into the volume of CD's he has, my attention was caught by the cover of this anime entitled "Another". He was about to explain what it's all about, but I exclaimed not to because I am too much excited to watch for it that I might be ended up listening to his story and forgotten to watch the whole of it.

    The whole story was interesting. Though, the whole story lasts for 12 episodes, it was worth watching. The way it was compressed and the sequence was very tricky; the cursed of the legend that have been haunting the students for the past years, how to solve the mystery and to know who was the "Another" was the main dish of this story.

    The story goes when a 15-year old Koichi Sakakibara transferred into Yomiyama, class 3-3 in the spring of 1998. There he met Misaki Mei, a strange young girl belong to their class, but being ignored because of the thought that she might be the "another". Sakakibara, being unaware of the said curse, had brought his curiosity to stalk at Misaki. And as soon as Sakakibara gets closer to Misaki, he knew about the curse and the whole class started to ignore him, too.

    Though the students and faculty tried to follow the measures to prevent the unfortunate events, the curse continues as they were caught up by ghastly deaths. And, as Sakakibara and Misaki continued to solve the mystery behind, they knew that the 'another' was someone from the past and is already dead, but came back to the world of the living as of being part of the curse. The only way to stop the curse is to identify who was the 'another' and bring it back to the dead.

   

(No Brandy) Alexander

    Last time, I posted a topic about my happy Sundays with my family; This time I am going to share to you my own recipe of Brandy Alexander.

    First, how to make a non alcoholic Alexander (Brandy Alexander originally) that you can serve to your family during special occasions or even on an ordinary day.

Yields: 3 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pint of Vanilla ice cream
• 1/2 cup All-purpose cream
• Chocolate syrup
• Ice
• (Add 3 jigger of Brandy for BRANDY ALEXANDER)

Procedure:

1. Put all the ingredients in a blender. Be generous with chocolate syrup.

2. Blend until the texture turns smooth.

3. Garnish the glass by frosting the rim with cocoa powder or rolling drops of chocolate syrup inside the glass.

4. Serve and enjoy!

Family Day: RETRO SUNDAY

    I just finished having my lunch with my family and now I am sitting here in front of my desk, tapping new entries for my blog while the ideas in my head is still running. (I can hear them right now teasing me 'you will get fat if you sat for an hour after taking your meal!' I wish I could gain weight just because of sitting after meals.)

    Today is Sunday on our meantime; Instead of having a barbecue party today (which we usually do every Sunday as a part of our family bonding), they decided that I must show-off my bartending skills by mixing something new for them.

    I made a Non-alcoholic Alexander for the kids; And, Pomegranate Deluxe for my parents. Proudly saying that these are all my original recipe.

    The non-alcoholic Alexander was originally Brandy Alexander, but my friends who are non-drinkers tend to dislike the bitter taste of brandy, so I developed this new recipe for non-drinkers. Pomegranate deluxe was inspired by the ice scramble mixture that I always bought beside the school building every afternoon during my high school days.


    Going back, upon all the days on my calendar, Sundays is my favourite day not just because everyone in the family are present, but because it is the only day where we could not think of work nor the school and such--we are free to do everything like what we always did when we were younger.

    We are carefree. We don't have to think of either doing things maturely or act like someone so perfect so that people won't judge you negatively. Everyone accepts your personality whether good or bad. Not because we are family that we understand every aspects of ourselves, but because we respect each other and that is what brought us together.

    We are all busy the whole week and Sundays is the only day wherein everyone is free from work and school. So, we make sure that we could bring out all that we can to make this day the happiest, most exciting and the most unforgettable Sunday ever!

    Unfortunately, NO GADGETS ALLOWED every Sunday except for the only telephone, old radio playing retro songs and a television that can be used after four in the afternoon (4:00 PM). (Obviously, I cheated this time! Ha ha!) I wanted to take a picture, but my father refused.

    By the way, my recipes for the drinks will be posted here soon. :)

    Happy Sundays!

Library as heaven

    The Library. My heaven, but seems to be hell to some who don't own a card or afraid to face a frowning librarian.

    Today, in the generation where everyone owns a tablet/laptop or any gadgets with an eBook application installed in it, the library seems to be too old-school and most of the time, forgotten.

    It makes me feel sad to know that (some) people forgotten the use of library or they don't even know they have a library in their own town. Maybe to some urban poor area, maintaining or having a library is not a major priority. But, having a library that is free for everyone who is willing to learn and at least try to read on their own, makes a place out stand (It is just my opinion).

::Source::

(This next part is what I hate most) Students are afraid of entering the library.

    I don't know why, they are afraid of facing the librarian! They are just too scared to borrow books or even having an application for a borrower's card. Gee! What in the world would they think the librarian will do by the time they enter the library. And, they even scared of touching books like those books will eat them the moment they touch them!

    Library is a paradise. For real.

    People might think it sounds geeky or whatever, but if you value your right to enrich yourself, library is the place to be.

    I know that those gadgets and applications (e.i. eBooks) occupied and replace the use of library and real books and they have the same practice, which is reading. Technology has lessen the hassle of carrying large books or even going to libraries.

    Let me clear first that I am not against the technological innovations. But, holding a real book while cherishing the silence of the place will give you that certain authentic feeling that only the library could bring. And on the other hand, you will help authors in their fight against the copyright problems and plagiarism. It is where real treasures can be found that the new generation can't realize--Knowledge. Knowledge is the only thing that can't be stolen nor rot in this world.

    And, the library  is like a temple of endless knowledge. I don't want to see the future without a place like this that is vanished by the idea of modernization and technology and worse, by the people's ignorance.

My sweet mom makes me cry again; Strike 21!

    I think it is worth to be shared.

    I have this behavior of checking my e-mail first early in the morning. But today, my mom let me extend my sleeping hours until past eight.

    She tried not to make noise, not even a knock at my door to wake me. Unknowingly, she was into my desktop, already started to the boot-up scan while preparing my favorite breakfast combo—fried rice, my mom's homemade daing na Bangus (milk fish, marinated overnight and fried), unripe mango salsa perfectly goes with the daing, egg sunny side up, cabbage soup and a hot cup of black coffee.

    I woke up past eight and was surprised by the moment and absolutely touched by her effort...

    This, after a long time, was the first time again that she prepared a breakfast for me.

    As I sat and took a sip of the coffee she had prepared, she whispered, "My only princess deserves a dish served with love." She smiled with tears in her eyes and left me in the kitchen.

    I can't help myself, but to cry like a child. I just murmured my thanks because I can't say a thing. Overwhelmed, she never failed to make me cry first in the morning of my every birthdays.

I saw this Google Doodle on the home page. It was so delighting that a doodle
will greet you on your birthday. Nice one Google!

Get together with my long-time friends

    A day before my 21st birthday, I managed to make time today with and gather the people that I loved most--my two long-time friends, Enrico and Rea.

    I haven't been in touched with them for almost three years and this time around, I took the opportunity of the holiday tardiness that resulted to cancellation of class and use my free time to see them again. (I doubt I shouldn't have attended my class today; I waited for about six hours for nothing that even my Entreprenural class, which was the last of the seven subjects I have today.)

    We have been through a fast food and ate spaghetti (thing we never done before) and talk about the moments we are separated from each other and the and, of course, life talk that we miss doing for a long time.

    They change a lot—physically. We have not been speaking to each other for the last three years, but they are still the same person that I used to be with for the past 12 years of my life.

::Having fun in the
Enrico got the first place::

    ::Enrico:: was my first guy friend. He transferred to our school when we were in third grade. And, as I remember, he was the tallest among the boys and the first among the class to wear eyeglasses for medical reasons. I have never been too close to any boys in the class, except him. Actually, we became friends unintentionally; it was like the same ordinary, daily conversation together with the other classroom mates. And, we became comfortable with and get used to talk with each other each day. We are like the geeky type on the class before and we always feel awkward and teased by the bullies. Then, on, we always look up to each other's back like warriors with swords and shields (like a normal kids do, during our daydreaming hours). We never noticed, the years have passed and still, we got each other's back. That is why I really value the friendship we build together.

::preety Rea:

    ::Rea:: was a transferred student from Dubai. That was when we were in third year high school (/junior high/ last of the two years we had in high school). She came back to school late that was a month and a half after the start of the school year. At first, we feel unease because we thought she wasn't talking in Filipino language and we always teased each other, saying: "Nose bleed!" (It can't be said without ending a demonic laughter, ha ha!). Yes, she can speak Filipino language, but not fluent. We taught her of some common terms that she is not familiar with especially in our Filipino Literature subject, which even us are having a hard time dealing with the deeper words. She's three years older than all the girls in the class aside from her step sister, which is also our class mate. Though she is the eldest in the class, she always treated as the "Bunso" or the youngest and fragile (like a youngest sibling in a family). She is fragile in all aspects of her being—emotional. That is why we always smooth and careful with of her.

    We had an enjoyable night together—from arcade games, food, small talk, and most of all, the pleasure of having them, again, by my side after a long time. I am overwhelmed and delighted with this moment to the point that I almost cry, but I just stopped myself a hide the tears just not to break the momentum of each other's amusement.

    I am looking forward to another fun-fun Friday night with them, but this time, I am planning to invite my two best of girlfriends together, ::Joanna:: and ::Christine::.

    I think this is the best birthday gift that I had given myself—a gift that captivate my sentimental soul and an enchantment to my life.

New school, new friends, new life

    The last two months of 2012 was the busiest months I've had since I came back to college to finish the last three semesters of my degree.

    Busy for the documents for transferring to another school (by which, apparently, still on process), but I am able to enroll to another college school. Busy working for Big Boss (which is father) as her auditing/marketing/production assistant which makes me, again, stay away from the web.

    Going back, I have to transfer to another school. This time, not in a university, but just a college school. Anyway, I am thankful that I am able to study again and finish my degree.

    I met new friends and are very understanding and has a good personality amid their pasts, they stand strong and inspires people—inspire me.

::Gladys::

    ::Gladys::, a returning student on the same course, is so pretty and has an inspiring story that has shared to me; I am not in the place to tell what it is, but it is something that has tested her faith and loved her husband even more. I saw their pictures on Facebook and the way that she describes to me her husband every time she opens her notebook with his picture in it in front during class makes me say: "I wish I could meet the lucky guy". They are very lucky to have each other.

::Marivel and her sister Marites::
My shot :) at Madagascar
Christmas adventure

    Down to earth and a real description of "Dalagang Filipina" and "Maria Clara" is ::Marivel::. She's from Samar and an Octoberian student. Same as me, this is her first semester at the same school and I feel blessed to be with her because she resembles my old time friend, Rea. They have the same characteristics. She makes everyone smile, effortless.

      Lovely as she was named, ::Lovely:: is a true lovely girl with a unique charm and simplicity in her own ways. We are in the same Entrepreneur class, just one subject, but I think we have spent half of our days together chatting about our past universities. I think we are bound together because we share the same situations—stopped for two years and returned as transferred students.

::Study Harder!! lovely in her term papers::

     Though, every day was very tiring—physically, these people who are making me happy in every single ways and enthuse me to make my daily living more splendid. I hoped to have more wonderful days with them.

Back to blogging--with a new life

    Happy new year everyone! It has been months since the last time I posted something here. The last two months of yesteryear was the best months I've had for the year 2012.

    I continue studying my degree, although I had to transfer to another school. Returning to school this time was the best timing since I think I had nurtured myself from other things that has nothing to do with what I my degree scope is. Two years away from school have been a very long time of learning, maturing and making one self intelligent enough and responsible for making decisions and actions. I saw the great difference from what I am two years ago and what I am today, and I can see how gaining confidence and using it in a good way out stand myself from others.

    I met new friends and build a good reputation in my new environment; since I promised to myself that this chance of returning to school will be the time that I will start to live the life that I wanted--with freedom to choose and follow my dreams as I go with the flow of life.

    I hoped this would be the start of enjoying myself and loving the life that I have and say that “I live my life the way I want, just laugh and smile for the good and even the bad things that will come and live longer and make this world a better place”

    Happy New Year!!!

Halloweeee!!!: Spooks and scribbles

    Just lately, I had been into scribble drawings. It really makes me feel awful, it's hard to make something that's out of your line. I'm more of perfectionist in terms of my artworks and this one becomes a challenge for me.

    Scribble drawing is more likely a child's drawing and that's what I've been trying to do for the past years which I can't apply my being perfectionist. I do understand that it is the imperfection that makes the scribble drawings even more beautiful and cute, but my hands can't understand that thing.

Spooky Halloween from your Vampy bunny

    Anyway, I'm subscribe into ::Scribblegraph:: on Google+ and I found his works very cute and the quotes about love is so much are inspiring. They are having their website launching this coming October 31st (yehey!).

Artist of the week: The late Isabel

    This week's my favorite artist that suits the Halloween season.

Source: Multiply TLI band members

 
    Hypnotic, dark and Gothic, The late Isabel's music scheme is one of the Pinoy bands that surely leave the spooks under your skin. If you're looking for some music to set the mood into a misty and spooky atmosphere, their haunted and enthralling albums 'Doll's head' and 'Lackadaisical' are the best to listen to this week.

Photo caption from their song "My favorite things" music video

 
    Wawi Navarroza (vocals), JP Agcaoili (drums), Roval Bacale (bass), and Allan Hernandez (guitar) had brought the stream into a fresh sound to the Filipino music scene. 'Doll's head' is their first album that was released in 2005 and 'Lackadaisical', limited edition CD with four (4) tracks was released last year, April 2012.

Visit their official page at:
::The Late Isabel on Facebook::
::The Late Isabel on Multiply::
    "My favorite things" was the first music video that introduced me to The late Isabel band way back late 2005 (MTV was still available at Philippine free TV that time) and that was also the year when I was slowly digging into the inner me and pulling out the darkness in me...