Charice sings Jingle Bell Rock in Manhattan

Our very own Charice sings Jingle Bell Rock at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

Weird, Funny, Surprising Facts

You may know some of them, or all of them already. I found them all over the internet, things that I find amusing, some made me smile, some are annoying, some even left me dumbfounded. I thought it's fun having them here. Here goes:

1. The Guinness Book of Records holds the record for being the book
most often stolen from public libraries.


2. Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"? A. One thousand

3. 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321. - (source: Useless Facts Weird Information Humor)


4. Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have about 10.



5. In ancient China, doctors could receive fees only if their patient was cured. If it deteriorated, they would have to pay the patient. (I would be happy if this is implemented in my country)


6. Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, is thought to affect between 1% and 15% of the American population. The causes are cited to be anything from restless leg syndrome to mental illness, and the manifestations are even wider spread. There are some cases where people have been said to cook, eat, engage in sexual activity, and even murder…all in their sleep. - source: Bizarre Medical


7. In Los Angeles, CA, it is an offense to lick a toad. Apparently, people were getting high off them! (This explains a lot about the princess and the frog. The frog never turned into a prince, the princess merely thought the frog turned into a prince because she was high from kissing it!) - source: Weird Laws, Turtle Zen


8. Men are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than women! - source: StrangeFacts.com

9. Unnecessary body part: The Appendix: Yep, your appendix is basically useless. While it does produce some white blood cells, most people are fine with an appendectomy. - source: The Nurse Nut

10.Your hearing decreases when you overeat: When you eat too much food, it actually reduces your ability to hear. So consider eating healthy — and only until you are full. - source: The Nurse Nut

Only Friends

I was checking my facebook wall and had read my FB friends talk about this song. Memories came rushing back... First heard this song from my eldest sister (Ate Vi) , learned how to play the guitar chords from my other sister (Ate Emie), and eternally loved singing it since.

Classic and timeless.
(Credits go the the creator of this video)

Fun Dining

Okay, let me correct the title, it was actually both fun and fine dining.

It was our "farewell lunch out" for my officemate and friend, Winky, who was leaving for the You.S (US) in a week's time. My boss, another officemate/friend, Ms. Emi, Winky and myself headed towards San Juan to find some place to eat. My boss brought us to a place called Cafe Ysabel.

My first time to dine at Cafe Ysabel, a classy yet affordable restaurant tucked in an old but homey ancestral home along P. Guevarra St., San Juan, Metro Manila. The very first thing the caught my attention was the pond at the front yard, big and beautiful fishes swarmed the shallow, glistening water. Out of excitement (and ignorance I guess), I asked one of the guys in uniform (who I assumed works there) if they get their seafood dishes from the pond, the answer was negative, and thank God, these creatures are too beautiful to be served on the table, they're better off left swimming to their hearts' content. My eyes were transfixed on them for a brief moment. Then, I reminded myself, we're actually there to dine.

Inside was a cozy, welcoming ambiance. It was roomy, the furniture looked ancient and really matched the old house. It felt like going to grandma's house.

My boss who was the one more familiar with the place and the menu, took the liberty to order our food. Here's what we ordered.
(Arroz Valenciana)


(Lengua, some fish-the green one with nuts on top, and chicken-the one that looked like inverted triangle - forgot their names).

The food had very nice, creative presentation. And the taste Two thumbs up!

I vowed to bring another friend there one of these days.

Kelly Clarkson - Because of You

One of my favorite songs. One of Kelly Clarkson's best! (Credits to the owner of this video)

Awesome Graveyard!

Hong Kong, China - We were on a bus on the way to Ocean Park in Hong Kong when we passed by this huge cemetery. I don't know what it's called (probably Hong Kong Cemetery? - I'm guessing here), but it is by far the biggest cemetery I've ever seen, alongside commercial areas and towering buildings. Oddly, I find it beautiful.

Life and Nature
Hong Kong Ocean Park
May 20, 2010

Amateur video clips taken at Ocean Park, Hong Kong, China.

Election Day

May 10, 2010
Election Day
Philippines

Did you vote? I hope everyone who is qualified, did. Despite the glitches, the long lines of voters waiting for their turn to vote, the defective PCOS machines, the human errors unintentionally committed by untrained COMELEC representatives/teachers - we should still persist and have the patience and perseverance to be able to cast our votes. This could be the one chance we've been waiting for that could change the future of the country. Some didn't want to vote because they believe whoever gets the position won't change anything. With due respect, I believe otherwise. I prefer to never stop hoping that there is HOPE in the country. And if that most coveted CHANGE happens, I can proudly say, I am part of it.

I voted, and I felt good.

COMPANY OUTING - KABAYAN BEACH RESORT

Kabayan Beach Resort
April 27, 2010 Tuesday
Laiya, San Juan Batangas
Philippines


The employees gathered at the company's Corporate Headquarters as early as 4:00am. Some even stayed overnight at the clinic(office) to avoid coming in late and risk being left behind by the bus. As always, there were those who just can't come on time, so we had to wait for them, I should say, unhappily. Even the bus was late (huh!). We were able to leave the office at a little past 6:00am. We had to prepare ourselves for a long trip, about 3 to 4 hours from where we came from.

The bus was a mess - aside from being late, it was running slow apparently due to some mechanical problem, and the AC wasn't working properly. To top it all, the bus driver wasn't familiar with the place and it took longer for us to reach our destination. Good thing, the long trip was all worth it when we finally reached the resort.

Entrance to the Resort


A Grotto welcomes all visitors, found right after the entrance/gate.


A picture of the beach




Serene...but steaming hot!


This is where they do ceremonies like weddings, birthdays, and other events.


Some employees played beach volleyball...


...while waiting for the food, which was being prepared right in front of our cottages


Swimming time!!!


Everybody enjoyed the day. Overall it was a fun-filled, memorable company activity.

Family Outing - Morong, Bataan

After spending the whole morning looking for a beach resort first in Subic, then in Morong, Bataan, we finally settled in a newly opened beach resort, The Bonito Beach Resort, located in Morong, Bataan. According to the receptionist, they opened just a few days ago, and indeed, the rooms were very new, cozy to the point of being elegant, and ours was big enough to fit 11 heads (six adult and 5 children). Well, the sand wasn't as white as Boracay's and other beaches in the South, but it was so fine, and it was surprisingly beautiful.

Day 1

We started swimming at around 4pm, when the sun was not so high and we were spared of sunburn. Just to be sure, I applied a lot of sun block on my kids' body. It was effective.









Day 2

The sky was so clear, the sun was up as early as 6am, still my kids braved the sun and basked in the sea. Oh, how they love the beach!





We went to the other side of the island, about 30 minute travel by a banca (boat). There we were able to visit a small sanctuary for "pawikans" (tortoise).



A "pawikan" (tortoise)


Life cycle of a "pawikan"


Getting ready for home.


It was worth the long search. We had so much fun!

It's Summer! Where to go?

Summer is officially here! School is out, kids are at home, and everyone is thinking of a place to go. Since the start of the month (March) the sun shines so early and at about 9 a.m., it can almost burn the naked skin. My kids have been prodding me to go swimming. Okay, it's the Holy Week (religious holidays among Christians that commemorates Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, it is also the week before Easter). This year, Holy Week holidays fall on April 1 and 2, and it's a long weekend. Where should we go?


My son has been bugging me to go to Baguio City, the country's summer capital. The last time he was there was about 3 years ago. It's definitely the place to chill out, and I mean literally chill out, coz it is cold there as compared to Manila. But it's a long drive too, like 6 hours or more, depending on the traffic, and since it's Holy Week and most of those in the city will go somewhere colder, most of them to Baguio, travel time could be longer.


The Beach. We're planning to hit the beach, but I don't want to travel far, so we're looking at Batangas, this is one of the provinces in the South that boasts of nice, clean, white beaches. My niece did some reservations and it turned out almost all the resorts in that area are already fully booked for the Holy Week. But she hasn't given up yet, neither have I.

Another option is to go swimming at waterparks. This (picture) is one of the more famous waterparks in Bulacan (8 Waves), the nearest province up north, and it boasts of a number of wave pools and offers other activities such as volleyball and billiards. My kids will definitely enjoy it here.

So, where to go? I'll see where our feet bring us.

Pacquiao-Clottey: Pacman wins again!

Today, March 14, 2010 (March 13, Saturday in the US), Manny Pacquiao finished another boxing stunt, this time with Joshua Clottey, a New York-based, Ghana-native boxer. He boasts of several titles himself, and claims he is better than our own Manny P. It didn't take too long for everyone to know how wrong he was. Coz today, in Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas, Manny proved again that he is the best sportsman in his field. Clottey was just no match to this great fighter.

I am not a fan of the sport Boxing, but whenever it's Pound-for-Pound Manny Pacquiao who's on the ring, I definitely cheer for him. He not only fights for his title, he fights for the country. He knows wherever he goes, and whatever happens to him in any of his fights, he brings with him the country's name. And in his last 7 stunts he has never failed his countrymen. It's amazing how he performs inside the ring and though I don't understand how the scoring works, I always revel at how he carries himself while in action, and he is, no doubt one of the best sportsman the country has, and the rest of the world I'm sure will agree. He is the pride of the Filipino people. Congratulations, Manny Pacquiao. Another victory, another reason for us Filipinos to be proud.

Way to go Pacman!

Images of AIDS

MY SON'S PROJECT

This is my son's project in his computer class. He's in grade 5. The pictures were taken from google images, as instructed by the teacher. Would like to thank the "owners" of the all the images used herein. The objective is to promote AIDS awareness.

10 TIPS TO ENJOY LIFE

1. Don't interrupt other people's sentences.

2. Make peace with imperfections.

3. When you die, your in-tray won't be empty.

4. Be the first one to act with love. Reach out.

5. Ask yourself the question, "Will this matter a year from now?"

6. Be aware of the snowball effect of your thinking.

7. Let go of the idea that relaxed people can't be super-achievers.

8. Choose being kind over being right. Better if you can be both.

9. Everyday, tell at least one person something you like or appreciate about them.

10. Live this day as if it it were your last...and treat friends as if it's their last day too.


Source: Internet and Email Network

I HAD MUMPS!

About 2 weeks ago on a Monday morning I felt pain on the lower right side of my cheek, and I thought it was - nothing. I went to work just like any other day, but the pain bothered me. When I complained about it, my officemates told me to see the doctor to find out what causes it. I didn't actually believe it was something alarming, but I went to see the doctor anyway. I work in a healthcare company and I have immediate access to (excellent) doctors. Guess what! I was diagnosed to have mumps! I really found it funny coz I thought mumps are just for kids. But yes, it was my first time to have mumps(as far as I can remember). And what really surprised me was when the doctor said it is in fact contagious! I was ordered to go home right after to avoid spreading the virus in the workplace. The doctor sent me home for a 9-day-quarantine. I also had a strict order to wear face mask at home at all times and avoid any physical contact with my kids without a mask.

Well, I must admit I welcome the sudden and unplanned vacation. This is the first time that I'm going to stay home for 9 straight days, with pay (yes!). But I was also worried about the workload that will be left on my table. I brought home my laptop(at work)so I can still work. So I was on sick leave but was also remotely working. Whew, what a vacation!

I was happy at the thought the I'll be home for a long period, and have more time to bond with the kids. Unfortunately, because of the restriction set by the doctor - I can't go around the house without a mask, I can sleep with my kids, can't kiss nor hug them, oh, the list goes on and on I actually find it OA (Over-Acting). But prudence also tells me I should comply, lest I pass the virus on to my kids (oh, no!) and the other people at home.

I've finished the 9-day quarantine period. Now I'm back to work, back to reality. It was a nice respite, but not so nice because of the "dont's". After a long rest, I'm again behind my desk doing a full time HR job.