Photographers

If there’s one talent I surely admire aside from writers, musicians, athletic people, etc. those would be the ones with good eye for beauty such as photographers. I am not really fond of having my photo taken but I surely love to see pretty pictures from both professional and non-professional photographers.

Here are some of the people I truly admire because they make my heart smile and fill my imagination with wonders whenever I look at the shots they’ve taken:

• Gladys Tolete
• Chito Cleofas
• Carlo Geronimo Villongco
• John Mateos Ong
• Gerald Parra
• Mark Goze
• Jong Navarro
• Richard Parcia
• Marco Cabazal

Thank you for the pictures that you continue to share. Viewer like me was able to see different places and feel different emotions because of your work of art.

Seriously Speaking: Public Servants

Our county has so many aspiring people who would like to run and govern our country, but do they still know what a true politician is?  To all the officials now seated to their RESPECTive positions, how many of them realize that to become a politician they have to serve and not be served, to lead the people in the progressive path, to set good examples, and most of all they have the capacity to change what we have been used to and start a new republic.

I know that this topic has been written and said over and over again.  We are very good at putting things in words but we Filipinos required to act for the betterment of our self, of our family, and concern enough to think of our country because it is our HOME.

I am not pointing fingers only to our government, because all of us are at fault.  But, for a moment reflect on this situation, our country today has about 85 Million Filipinos, can we manage the country individually and decide on our own – of course not, we needed true leaders. 

One of the Filipino priests commented on television that there are so many reason why our country is so poor but most especially because we always SIN.  It is just disappointing that we believe that we Filipinos are intelligent (but too intelligent that many turned out to be notorious and disgraceful), religious (however not too deep to realize that we can avoid sin), and full of optimism (then again having a happy-go-lucky attitude but not going to the point that we need to think deeper to do some action to solve our problems). 

It’s tiring and disappointing that a country that was used to be admired is so messed up.  We need to admit that we need to change slowly but with determination.  We should stop the antics and the comedy and for once let us get serious. Let us stop our arrogance and crab mentality, and start helping one another that we all go to the path of progress.

Let us clear our conscience.  Let us stop stealing from our country.  Let us practice to say enough.  Let us control ourselves when the power is bestowed upon us.  I know this is a frustrating plead to each of the Filipinos; I am hoping that this piece will be published so that I get my voice heard not for popularity sake but I am concern to our home. 

I honestly love this country, though I have Chinese blood flowing inside my veins and brought up with a combination of both Filipino and Chinese cultures, I believe that there is a meaning that I was born here.  Being born in a particular country is like being born without choosing who your parents would be, this was chosen for me.  As a respect, I should love my country as I love my family.  It is easy for others to say we can do whatever that pleases me – YES!  It’s a decision that we all make every day of our life, but not to the extent that someone else is suffering because of our decision.

Let us be true to our self.  Let us stop lying and sinning.  To the government who collect taxes, to the politician who create the laws, to the officials who implement the laws – let us aim to change our country starting from changing our self.  As a start, to the officials and working class let us do our job correctly and to all the Filipinos who have lost their trust to the government let us believe them that they will do good, let us do our share to support them, or even create our own programs so that we can help in changing our country for the better.

Ferdinand “Bob” De Ocampo

I like this guy! He’s smart and cute. But I will never forget his last e-mail before he left the company where we’re officemates. I admire his dedication to his true calling – Being A Teacher. Allow me to share to you his e-mail, Bob buzzed me if I shouldn’t have done this because I know you didn’t send this to everybody but I really believe it should be read by everyone because one way or the other we act as a teacher/mentor to someone else.

“I am a Teacher. I was born the first moment that a question leaped from the mouth of a child. I have been many people in many places. I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new ideas through the use of questions. I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller. I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth through countless stories. I am Marva Collins fighting for every child’s right to an education. I am Mary McCleod Bethune building a great college for my people, using orange crates for desks. And I am Bel Kaufman struggling to go Up the Down Staircase. The names of those who have practiced my profession ring like a hall of fame for humanity…Booker T. Washington, Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia, Moses and Jesus. I am also those whose names and faces have long been forgotten but whose lessons and character will always be remembered in the accomplishments of their students. I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, laughed with glee at the birth of their children and stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves dug too soon for bodies far too young. Throughout the course of a day, I have been called upon to be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist, substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of the faith. Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my students really have only themselves to learn, and I know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are. I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively receive from my students. Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for my students touse their talents and in my constant search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in self-defeat. I am the most fortunate of all who labor. A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic moment. I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with new questions, ideas and friendships. An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he builds with love and truth, what he builds will last forever. I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure, negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and apathy. But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity, Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable support. And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so fortunate to experience, but you the public, the parents. For you have done me the great honor to entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity, your children. And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a present that is challenging, adventurous and fun because I am allowed to spend my days with the future. I am a teacher… and I thank God for it every day.”

John Grisham Fan

I love John Grisham since high school. I love both “A Time To Kill” and “The Client”. He’s actually one of the reasons why I wanted to become a lawyer but didn’t pursue because my mother and one of my principals in elementary convinced me that I’ll earn enemies instead of friends. Hmmm looking back, I guess it was possible but hey I bet I can turn an enemy into a friend.

Let me tell you an incident last Saturday; I was an “addict” again. I stayed up all night on a Friday night working (this is not a Friday night syndrome… really) at the office and finally finished things at around 8am in the morning of Saturday. If I’m too happy I have that big tendency to work like crazy. So, I take the usual train ride going home and I saw this lady reading “The Summons” of John Grisham…

You see, I’ve always wanted to start a conversation with a stranger. I know that even though I barely got good sleep, I still look dignified and happy. I was really thinking, so Sorren is this the moment where you’ll talk with someone you don’t know? Then after the second thought and there’s always a first time lines in my head, I told the lady, “so John Grisham is also one of your favorite authors?” She said yes and for all you know we’ve talked about how we both like courtroom stories. She even watched the Ally McBeal television series and I told her so did I and my mom even knew that I love Ally. Pretty amazing, she said the book was okay and I told her the last John I read was “The Brethren” and I highly recommend that she reads it because it is both witty and funny. I also recommended that she watch the series “Boston Legal” too aside from admitting I got a crush on Alan Shore’s character, it’s another amazing courtroom thingy.

Yes, I spoke with that stranger about John Grisham, Ally McBeal, etc. but I didn’t get her name. Hahahaha so this blog entry is simply called the fan and categorized at Somebody. Should I include a new category called “stranger”? Wehihihihi suddenly I got a little scared there because I may end up meeting a real “addict”. Me and my fear sometimes! (^_^)

Alvin Tan

This guy is something in the world, he’s hyper, jack-of-all-trade, and friendly (trust me he has so many friends). I met him in one of the events which our company participated. It’s one of those times where he used the questions ”Do i know you? Are you sure we haven’t met before?” and I answered, “I’m sure this is the first time I’ve ever seen you.”

In fairness he looks really respectable and can be trusted so believe it or not at that particular moment we seemed to know each other for a long time. I told him about how I love books and marketing, I told him I’m a Sophie Kinsella fan, he said he’ll introduce the author to his sister, etc. Quite amazing how I was able to share personal things to a guy I met for the first time, hmmm was I too trusting again hahahaha nop he’s just an adorable person and it was nice to really get to know him.

After a few days of knowing him, I got a SMS message, yes he was the one who gave the news that my sought after “The Undomestic Goddess” book is already available at PowerBooks. He even offered that he’ll buy it for me since I was too busy to go to the bookstore (but of course that’ll be embarrassing so I politely declined). I was really really happy. He was also the person who told me about Cashflow 101 Seminar that is available at AIM. I played the game twice, and I was able to get out of the rat race (I was really hyper when I finally grasp the concept of the game and was able to achieved my goal), thanks to his mentoring. Now I have a bigger challenge to do that in the real life. ”I’m taking my notes diligently Alvin and I’m starting to decide on things.”

I really hope that he’ll own a business empire soon! He deserves it.

Ana Valera

Believe it or not, I’ve known her for more than a year but it’s only today that I found out that her family name is Valera. Ana is definitely one of the people I’ll never forget especially the part on how I met her!

Once upon a time, I tried going back in our hometown (one of the provinces in the North). I got really bored and gained weight. I read from a Reader’s Digest article that it’s a better option to walk and jog than going in a gym. So I looked for a running buddy and started walking, then jogging, and then running! I fell in love with the activity so to make sure that I am doing the right things, I look for a place where I can get tips on proper running so I found the runner’s room in Yahoo! Chat Room. Are you growing impatient how did I meet Ana, be patient it’s on the next sentence (^_^) In the runner’s room I met Walter from the U.S. and he thought I was Ana, one of the Filipinas who go to the room, I told him that’s a different person. So, Walter made way that I meet her and I sure did.

I was really happy to meet Ana because during my boring days in the province, I chat with her and she makes me laugh, she listens about my crush, she shares good things about life including the painful realities too… When I finally decided to go back in Manila, we made sure we’ll finally meet in person. She’s an adorable lady, she’s very thoughtful, and sweet too!

Right now, she’s in the U.S. with her family. We’re back in chat communication, but I hope she’ll know that I’ll treasure her friendship forever. Ana, I hope you have fun! We create a good day!

Emy Lou Francisco

Emykins is one of the prettiest ladies and not only that she’s a very loving mother but an intelligent programmer too. I will never forget the testimony of one of our friends about her in terms of work… she’s a very good project manager because she gets the job done while staying in control and looking relax.

She deserves to be happy. She deserves to be loved. She deserves to be taken cared of and respected. I pray that she’ll find peace and true love. (^_^)

If you need a happy fool to remind you that someone is a lot more foolish in life than you, I am here.

Richard Parcia

I call him Sir Richard. He’s one of the dearest clients of our company. My friend Joysi introduced him to me and if I remember it correctly her description was “he’s the stress reliever”. After attending meetings and talking to him, I can attest that he was quite witty, funny, and interesting. Lately, he was generous enough to share two beautiful photos from his Batangas trip. The photos were awesome view of the vast sea and my favorite is definitely the sunset shot (around 6PM) painting the whole sky golden.

I hope that he’ll always have the happy smile whenever I see him. Okay, he kept on teasing me “boy” because of my new short hair but it still doesn’t change the fact that he’s interesting and it’s quite nice to talk to him about anything and honestly he reminds me to be proud that I’m a Filipino (he holds a good position in an international company). 

Carlos C. Sevilla

He’s young, driven, and kind. He’s our CEO and I am very fortunate to work with him… Fortunate for so many reasons but most especially learning about business and life. He’s one of the people I don’t want to see sad. He’s such a great leader that it would really be nice that I help out with his business. I like his idea that he doesn’t consider his staff just an employee but as a part of his extended family.

I will never forget his good heart. It may be a simple gesture but it is really nice that he’ll notice when you’re sad and offer a hand, joins you when you’re happy, and do the extra special gesture to make you even happier. He appreciates a good work and for that I strive to be better with my responsibility.

Sir Carlos, do I have to include the second name at the title? Your call. (^_^)

Rico Sabino

He’s one of the nicest bosses! He’s intelligent, funny, and interesting… I never thought it’s possible to be sad after a meal; he is that person, though no one can top him from creating and composing great I.T. solutions in our company.

He’s a friend to everybody at the office. I really appreciate it when he is very patient on me especially when I am getting hyper after taking too much sweet. It’ll be hard to forget how he would always remind me to get some water (^_^) either drink it or pour the water on me to get zap back to reality.