How has it been?

It has been almost 4 months since I landed on this foreign lah-lah-land. It has been 4 months of being miles and miles away from my family and friends. It has been 4 months of trying to learn the ropes of the new industry I am in. It has been 4 months.

I was never fearful of my decision to try my luck here in Singapore. It was actually the best decision I've ever made. Why?

One thing is that my mom's going home already, back in the Philippines, after 15 years of not seeing her, the whole family will now have her back.

Good for them.

Sad for me.

I could always see it that way. I could always think that it's sad that just when my mom goes home, I fly away and work abroad. I could always ask why am I doing this? Why am I working for my mom? Why?

But then I always end up smiling and telling myself that, "Hey! Look at the brighter side! You earn money not just for yourself but for your mom."

And yes, it actually is fulfilling to know that your hardwork is slowly paying off.

So, how has it been?

I met new friends.

I built good working relationships.

I work for a good company.

I have the person there is with me.

I am happy.

Yes.

I am happy.

And nobody can take it away from me. Not one.

So if ever you decide to go abroad, take it as an opportunity to discover what is out there and see the best things that could happen.

OFW po ako

It has been a while since I last posted something on this blog. Really long while. A seemingly relaxing hiatus for me and for my search for greener pasture.

And so yes, I went out of the country to earn a better salary. Much better, at that.

But yes, I'm still aligned with what I studied in college. Not underemployed. Not underpaid.

Just perfect.

Let me just get everything straight, I'm here not for the sake of earning a bunch of bread for myself, but for my mom.

But what seems to be the best thing about working abroad?

Aside from the money, you get to start a whole new life for yourself, start a whole new story that everybody will surely love to read.

You get to meet a lot of friends, people from your own country who went to that place with the same reason that you have.

You get to discover a lot about yourself, reflect on what life has become for the past years.

You get to learn.

You get to earn.

We will all have different reasons and answers to that question.

But one thing's for sure, you will live a life full of ooohhhhs and aaaaahhhhs that you never realized you can do.

Ako po ay isang OFW.

And I'm mighty proud to be one.

To PNoy with love

There's always a need for change. And that he said, he will bring about to the Filipino nation.

President Benigno Aquino III, the next big thing in the Philippine history.

Okay, my first two lines showed my full support to PNoy.

Yes.

I am very much a fan, from the start of his campaign to his first day in Malacanan.

Yes.

Even though Charice Pempengco looked like Snow White in her gown on PNoy's inauguration, I still am an avid supporter. Don't get me wrong, I love Charice. It was just her gown that day. But that would be a totally different blog entry.

Everyone's expecting a huge change with PNoy's administration. And everyone means even the people outside the country - Singapore, Japan, China, and even US.

Thus, it's a weight to PNoy's shoulder.

I just hope he won't stoop down and disappoint everyone.

I mean, there will surely be pitholes along the way. But if only the Filipino nation will be there by his side, no walls won't keep the country from moving forward.

So to PNoy, with our hopes held high, may you be the man we hoped you would be.

There would be no easy way to get there to where you want the Philippines to be, but for me, at least, you have our support. It will be a long journey, but hey, we have each other.

To PNoy with love.

Kung buhay pa si Pepe

Sa ikasandaa't apatnapung kaarawan ni Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo Realonda, biglang kong naisip na paano na lang kaya kung buhay pa si Pepe?

Ano kaya ang itsura niya? Ano kaya ang iniisip niya? May position kaya siya sa gobyerno?

Kung buhay pa si Pepe...

Tutulugsain niya panigurado ang bawat buhay na jejemon sa Pilipinas. Hindi. Hindi po ako galit sa mga jejemo'ng ito.

Sabi nga ni Rizal, "Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, mas malansa pa sa isda".

Mula roon, naisip kong magiging anti-jejemon si Rizal. Hindi lang nila binago ang wikang Filipino, binaboy pa ito.

Kung buhay pa si Pepe...

Siguro nangibang bansa na siya, lalo pa't kelangan ng mga doctor sa ibayong bansa. Sigurado'ng mayaman na siya ngayon at may sariling bahay sa Amerika.

O di kaya'y nag-aral ulit ito ng Nursing. Marami rin ang nangangailangan ng nurse sa bansa tulad ng Canada at Amerika, sigurado'ng magkakatrabaho siya doon.

Kung buhay pa si Pepe...

Baka nagpapalit na to ng pangalan. Mula sa Jose, kikilalanin na natin siyang Joe. Mas maganda nga naman sa tenga, mas commericalized.

Kung buhay pa si Pepe...

Mas magiging maayos kaya ang Pilipinas? Mas maunlad? Mas kaaya-aya?

Tingin mo? Kung buhay pa si Pepe?

Sucker for Hawker

Char Tiew noodles for lunch

Breakfast hasn't been this good with a Kaya Toast

Laksa for your spicy craving tongue

Chicken rice to top it all

When you're a stranger in a country of Buddhas and Dragon dances, there's always that hesitation to try the local dishes.

Not in my case.

I call myself adventurous when it comes to food. Food, anyway, is but the best invention of mankind.

Singapore homes the best Hawker Centers in Asia. Yes. These food havens are the way to go when in a tight travel budget.

When you wake up in the morning and wanted a smell of Singapore right at your table, worry not, Kaya Toast is the best choice.

Perfect paired with iced or hot coffee, Kaya Toast is best dipped in a bowl of half-cooked egg savored with soy sauce and salt.

After a very long walk around the island, hunger will strike you at lunch time. Settle on the nearest hawker center and get yourself a bowl of Char Tiew Noodles.

Topped with roasted pork and veggies, savor sweetness and authenticity of this chinese noodle delicacy right within your pocket's reach.

When under the rain, there's always my favorite noodle soup, Laksa. This spicy and perspiring bowl of noodles will surely get you up for another long walk in the island.

And as they say, you haven't been to Singapore without a taste of the infamous Chicken Rice.

Steamed and sprinkled with a taste of perfection, this genuine chinese delicacy will make you crave for more and drool for even more.

With all these...

Like me, you'll surely be a sucker for Hawker.

Boracay is food. Food is Boracay.

Chocolate Sin-ful

Smoke's Kao Pad

I know of Boracay's fine sand and crystal-clear beach.

But there's more to what your eyes can see, there's also what your tongue can taste. Boracay homes the most mouth-watering dishes and desserts that will make you swim back for more.

There's the artsy-fartsy Smoke restaurant in D'Mall.

When you've been to Soms in Rockwell and Mandaluyong and had a taste of their Kao Pad. Then, you surely need to dine at Smoke and order their bestseller, Kao Pad.

A Thai-inspired dish, you'll go gaga over the battling sweet and sour taste Kao Pad's bagoong-flavored rice topped with mango and scrambled egg.

Then there's Beef Salpicao.

Usual at the first sight of it. But wait until you take a bite of its juicy beef seasoned with fried garlic that will inevitably brainwash your memory of what Beef Salpicao used to be.

When you taste buds crave for that Filipino dish, there's Island Chicken Inasal.

Right at the heart of D'Mall, grab a bite of its authentic Bacolod Chicken Inasal and drool over their Filipino's very own Sinigang. Giving you more reasons to stay on the island.

Thinking of the best dessert on the sand?

Then Zuzuni's the only way.

Enjoy the sand while savoring their sinful Chocolate Sin - a freshly baked chocolate muffin with stuffed with hot fudge and vanilla ice cream on the side.

One true YUM!

And when hunger strikes you in the middle of your booze session, there's always Chori Burger to stuff your alcohol-pumped tummy.

So the next time you're in Boracay, be sure to enjoy all sides of the triangle - beach, food, and booze.

The New Kid in Riverdale

I grew up in a town where playing in the street, climbing the trees, and pressing neighbor's doorbells is a pastime.

Technology was out of our reach. Not until my 6th Grade.

Reading was then my hobby.

And Archie, Jughead, Veronica, and Betty were my playmates.

Fast-forward to the present time.

I left all my Archie comics at home in Davao. I matured to reading novels from all genres.

But now, it seems to be all coming back to me. Now that there's a new kid in Riverdale.

World, meet Kevin Keller.

The newest addition to the gang - hot, hot, hot.

But what seems to be so special about him?

He's the very first openly gay character in the series.

His first appearance is titled "Isn't it Bromantic?" where Veronica (who doesn't have any idea that Kevin is gay) is insanely falling in love with Kevin. The catch, however, is that Kevin tells Jughead that he's gay but the latter prevents the former to tell Veronica about his true identity.

Interesting?

Watch out for him on September 01, 2010 in your local comics stands.

Reality Bites

I found myself on the couch last long weekend watching the latest episodes of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains and The Amazing Race.

Stressful. And I meant that in the most positive way.

Every scene really is something to look forward to. And the challenges are but superb.

And then I thought, TV has gone where now?

From the emergence of series in the boob tube, TV has gone a very long way. Reality shows has now become the trend.

From Survivor to The Amazing Race to Big Brother. Even Paris Hilton's search for her new BFF is now on your TV screens.

It's great success can be very well rooted to the success of singing competitions in the tube. One, best example maybe is American Idol where viewers all over the world continue to watch.

But wait, let me just say that reality TV has become very popular that it's now nauseating.

Maybe not Survivor and The Amazing Race.

But seriously? Paris Hilton searching for her new BFF? Do you really have to air that?

In the Philippines, I should say that reality TV has become not just a trend, but really famous. You can see Pinoy Big Brother which has now become a talent search.

Kim Chiu? You there?

But I still am a fan though.

Reality bites.

It bites hard.

Pacquiao's butterfly effect

I found myself in a crowd of a thousand shouting at the top of my lungs to a person I see only through an LCD projector.

Weird. I initially thought.

It suddenly struck me at the end of the game.

I don't really know what the hell I was doing there. I could have just spent that Sunday alone in my room and wait for the results to come out in Twitter.

You can never go wrong with what cyberspace feed (Or so, I thought).

I couldn't consider it the Fight of the Year.

But I should admit that I am guilty of not betting for Manny Pacquiao to win this fight.

Yes. I have my reason.

Joshua Clottey is an African, roots came from Ghana. And we know how these people fight. I am not trying to be a racist here. But really, Clottey has all the advantages he could get.

The height. The reach. The weight. The muscles.

All about him was really an advantage.

But everything changed before the game started.

Since the coliseum was closed to minimize the crowd's growing number, I thought of smoking inside instead. I found myself smoking with a 50-ish man.

Out of nowhere, he asked me, "Sino tingin mo mananalo bata?"

"Hindi ko po alam e," I answered. "Pero nagdadalawang isip ako kung mananalo si Pacquiao e. Ikaw po?"

"Ako Pacquiao siyempre. Manalo. Matalo. Sa Pilipinas ako."

I was suddenly speechless.

It felt like a piano was suddenly drop over my head.

I just smiled.

I realized,Filipinos still have that burning pride to be a Filipino. We still hang on to the fact that we are still capable of change.

And I believe you my fellowmen.

To manong, thank you for that remark. It changed my perspective. It changed me.

Come Holy Week

I've had my fair shares of sacrifices.

It might not be the bloody type, but it's my simple way of showing the importance of Christ's crucifixion on the cross.

This year, I thought of taking it through photos.

I am wondering where to best visit and capture the Holy Week.

I first thought of Pampanga, where the sun is hot, and the land is sulky.

Imagining how the photos would look like gives me the thrills.

How about Zambales?

The sight of the beach and the sand as it touches my feet would also be picturesque.

To lessen the cost, I can go around churches in Manila and capture the best sights.

But wherever I'll be this Holy Week, one thing's for sure, I need to reflect on my sins and how the Almighty Father accepted me with open arms despite all my trespasses.

Amen.

EDSA Revolution lives on

I am no EDSA baby.

But the rich history of EDSA Revolution amazes me.

The people.

The shout.

The passion.

Everything about EDSA is an apple of my eyes.

I love the abstract concept of EDSA that I even wanted it to happen again.

Now, 24 years after, do we still have that fervent spirit to fight against the government's crime and corruption?

Elections is fast approaching.

We see TV spots of candidates running for a certain position.

We see tarpaulins around the city.

We even now hear jingles as irritating as it can be.

And I think the spirit of EDSA will live through the coming elections.

I believe that such spirit will spark amidst all these and ignite that righteous thought to vote for who is the best person to sit as our next president.

There will always be that attempt to fabricate the results.

But I know today's Filipinos will stand up for what is right.

Amidst all the adversaries in our country, I still believe that when the situation calls for it, the Filipinos will still unite along EDSA to fight for what they believe.

Filipinos will still raise their voice as high as they can for the government to hear them.

Filipinos can still put down a president.

I believe in you Pinoy.

I believe in you.

Run on the rugged side

I have been stale for years now, fitness-wise.

I tried doing it again this year.

I don't know if my metabolism is still that fast but it's worth a try.

To all you fitness gaga out there, here's Merrell Adventure Run. Details of the event is on the photo.

REGISTER NOW!

I have a SHOE story to tell

It was a very fine Monday morning.

I woke up early.

I went jogging.

I ate my sumptuous breakfast.

A perfect start to a fantabulous week (despite the loads and loads and loads of work).

I took a bath.

Dressed up.

It was just right until I noticed something wrong with my favorite pair of shoes.

The sole's ripping off.

What a Monday, I thought.

Confident as I am, I went out of the house clutching with me my daily professional needs, wearing my ripping-off shoes.

I went from one store to another to find a temporary remedy, rugby.

Unfortunately, no one sells even a drop of it.

I was losing hope.

Suddenly, seemingly a gift from the heavens, a blessing from above, it was as if God saw my suffering, a shoe repairman seated on one corner of our street with his paraphernalia.

I hurried towards him.

Had my shoes repaired.

And out of nowhere I asked, "Madalas po ba kayo dito manong?"

He answered, "Ngayon lang, napadaan lang,"

I replied, "Hulog ka ng langit,"

"Done," he said.

With a smile on my face, I flew off.

I then thought, it's 10:30am, "You're late, Cyprus! RUN!"

Kaibigan mo lang ako

BUJOY: Nagpromise ka sakin na hindi ka malelate.

NED: Kaya ako nalate dahil sinundo ko pa si Mary Ann.

BUJOY: Nagpromise ka rin sa akin na hindi mo isasama ang Mary Ann na yan.

NED: Okay, kaya ko sinama si Mary Ann kasi mag-on na kame. At syempre ikaw ang gusto kong ikaw ang unang makaalam nun dahil ikaw ang bestfriend ko.

BUJOY: Get out of my way.

NED: Hindi ka ba masaya para sa akin.

BUJOY: Get out of my way.

NED: Bujoy, hindi ba ito ang gusto mo?

BUJOY: I said, get out of my way!

NED: Ano bang nangyayari sayo?

BUJOY: Wala kang pakealam!

NED: Hindi na kita maintindihan e

BUJOY: Kelan mo ba ako inintindi?

NED: Direchuhin mo nga ako, dahil hindi ko kayang basahin kung anung andiyan sa utak mo. Kung galit ka sabihin mo sakin, sabihin mo sakin kung bakit. Kung nasaktan kita, sampaling mo ako, sige gantihan mo ako. Matatanggap ko lahat dahil kaibigan mo ako.

BUJOY: Oh yes kaibigan mo ako. KAIBIGAN MO LANG AKO. And that’s all I ever was to you Ned. Your bestfriend. Takbuhan mo kapag may problema ka. Tagasunod, tagabigay ng advice. Taga-enroll, taga-gawa ng assignment. Taga-pagpatawa sa iyo kapag nalulungkot ka. Taga-tanggap ng kahit ano. AND I’M SO STUPID TO MAKE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE OF FALLING IN LOVE WITH MY BESTFRIEND. Dahil kahit kailan, hindi mo naman ako makikita e. Kahit kailan hindi mo ako kayang mahalin na higit pa sa isang kaibigan.

NED: Bujoy!

BUJOY: Ngayong alam mo na, I think you can get out of my life.

NED: Bujoy, mahal kita. Mahal na mahal kita kaya siguro duwag ako. Kung magkarelasyon tayo, pano kung masaktan kita. Baka pati ikaw Bujoy na kaibigan ko mawala pa. Bujoy, hindi kita kayang mawala sa buhay ko.

BUJOY: Anong gusto mong sabihin ko Ned? Anong gusto mong maramdaman ko? Mahal mo ako pero hindi mo naman kayang ipaglabang ang pagmamahal mo sakin. Gusto mong maniguro. NED HINDI KA LANG ISANG DUWAG, MAKASARILI KA.

(ENTER MUSIC: NANGHIHINAYANG BY JEREMIAH)

Buwan ng Wika sa buwan ng Enero

Matagal na rin akong hindi nakakapagsulat ng Filipino.

Kahit ba sabihin nating ito ang pangunahing linggwaheng ginagamit ko sa araw-araw, iba parin ang pakiramdam na makapagsulat gamit ang sarili mong wika.

Hindi naman siguro masama na kahit minsan, balikan mo ang pinaglakhan mong wika.

Kumusta naman kaya ako pagkatapos ng dalawang buwan kong pagtrabaho bilang manunulat?

Masaya.

Yun naman talaga ang importante sakin e.

Mahirap, sa kabilang dako.

Dahil hindi sapat ang kinikita ko.

Pero alam ko namang darating ako dun.

One step at a time, ika nga.

Sa ngayon, nagpapakalango na lang muna ako sa trabaho.

Hanggang dumating ang panahon na masasabi ko'ng, ito na yun.

Pero sana po Panginoon ko, dumating na siya sa lalong madaling panahon.

Pressure ba Lord? :)