Surviving Typhoon Pablo Outside the Philippines

Yes, it is sound strange why I have this title about surviving a storm that recently hit the Philippines which in fact I am outside of the country. How on earth should I be affected by this storm when I am thousand miles away from home?

I am an OFW here in Abu Dhabi, UAE, so being away from the family is one of the sacrifices I made to be able to provide them with a better future. It is very normal to us that every minute we think about home and our family. So when news broke out that in 2 days time a super typhoon Pablo (internationally name Bopha) will strike our country and putting our province on the path of the storm our worries starts to grow. My province Bukidnon is not known to be a typhoon path area so I couldn't help but worry if the people, specially my family, is ready for this kind of situation. It is not just a simple passing but eventually the eye of the storm will be on my province. And this, as far as I remember, would be the first time that our place will be directly hit by a storm.

Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) 4 days befor landfall (Courtesy of PAGASA)

THE SUSHI ADVENTURE CALLED YO!

Yesterday, me and my wife traveled to Dubai for the 1st Anniversary of our organization called TaBuk. The event lasted almost four hours and we prepare to heed back to Abu Dhabi. Since it is early yet and it's scalding hot to travel back so we decided to take an hour or two to stop at Dubai Mall.

My wife and I came across this sushi restaurant called YO Sushi. My wife being not a fan of Japanese food, I was amazed that she convinced me that we will try for adventures sake and I gamely agree. It's my birthday and I thought I owe him a meal. Maybe she is so intrigue with the design and the set up of the restaurant. The ambiance is nice even if the set up is like a common carenderia but with a classy touch. What makes it so fun is you can choose your food in a bowl from the conveyor belt called "kaiten" that is revolving around the whole area of the resto in a circuit. If you like something wait til it is near to you and pick it up from the conveyor. In order to indicate freshness, a label is applied to the lid of the dish to indicate when the dish must be consumed. What more interesting is the food and various dishes is prepared right in front of you by a chef. We even have the privileged to talk to the two of the chefs because glad to know they are the same region of mine, Surigao in Mindanao while the other one is from Cebu.

The Chef and The Kaiten

Various sushi dishes and other Japanese cooked food in the kaiten but I only grabbed those whom I am familiar with as so not to upset my stomach, we still had a long way back to Abu Dhabi. I took the salmon sushi and California maki roll, sauces are available right in front of you and its up to you how and what to mix for your preference. I like mine with this Japanese soy sauce and a little wasabe to add the kick. Short orders are also serve, you can write it in an order slip and hand it over to a chef in front of you. My wife ordered a shrimp roll teriyaki.

Paying what you consume is also systematic. It is in color coding scheme. Every color of the bowl has a corresponding price in which the dishes is served in the conveyor. Crew will going to give you the bill after counting the bowls (carenderia concept again ayt?) I found out that this restaurant is originated from the UK and have a franchises all over the world including this one in Dubai.

YO Sushi concept

The empty bowl

My wife not a fan of sushi find the food a little bit odd but eatable as she described but I find it one of the best sushi experience. Definitely I will come back and be more adventurous next time by trying some unfamiliar dishes they serve.

CORONONA'S IMPEACHMENT: WHAT'S NEXT?

For the past 6 months Filipinos were treated with a new telenovela disguising as impeachment trial for the Supreme Court chief justice of the country. All the television networks cover the event and dubbed it as another bookmark of our history. All walks of life listened and glued their eyes to the trial as each side do their shows with a lot of fanfare and gimmickry, lawyers of both sides showed what's on their sleeves to make a point to the senator judges.

A lot of characters surfaced on the said trial, some credible some are mere imagination that they exist. There's one so called little lady, who passes information for the prosecution team for evidence purposes. There was this Mr. Anonymous whom one the prosecution can not reveal his identity (or maybe they will not reveal, as maybe it was one of the prosecution lawyers hiding as Mr. Anonymous?). To top it all there is this one public servant who vehemently delivered an envelop of so called evidence to the senate president acting as presiding judge thus ignoring the court law regarding submission of evidence.

Media is also milking on the said trial, discussing the issues and evidences to create and attract attention for rating purposes. In my own mind, I thought case already in court are not allowed to be discussed in public specially if it is still on trial. But as the trial heightens the battle is not only inside the court but also outside using media as their tool. Evidences not yet submitted in court was announced and shown in public. How could this be? Well, as we understand that this is a quasi political court which understandably this congressmen aka prosecution team waving this evidences for media mileage maybe. 

People from all walks of life had their opinion on the said trial, making the nation divides. Some furiously declared the guilty verdict of the chief justice while others declared his innocence. Social networks and other internet forums this is the hot issue, or you may say trending. Facebook pages appeared like mushroom condemning the chief justice but not to be outdone there are pages also defending him. Even OFW's abroad had their own opinion whether he is guilty or not. Some families are divided on their stand. 

All I can think of is, we are just like watching the Pinoy Big Brother eviction night. With the chief justice as the one who is evicted from the house of kuya. I mean after all this clash of mind and reasoning by both sides what is next? What are we going to expect next? Was the victory of the prosecution team successfully impeaching corona a victory to the Filipino people? or it was just a show in preparation of the 2013 elections? If it is the latter, then our chief justice of the Supreme Court, the highest court, becomes the sacrificial lamb! Just sayin'

*Photos from google.com... credit to the owners.

That Feeling Again!

As our plane touches the ground of Mactan Cebu International Airport the sense of excitement become more intense and the grin on the face can not be fathom. It feels good to be home, the air, the people, the traffic, and the hassles in the airport, man! Really feels good to be home.

As an OFW, going home becomes the best and most awaited part of one’s life. The feeling of having freedom on its own country has no equal. The feeling of being a second class citizen is completely gone. While walking at the tube towards passport control, the nearer we are at the immigration counters the faster our heart beats, ah! That feeling again!

Our assigned gate for boarding in AUH

While queuing I can hear my familiar language, no more broken English or language I can’t fully understand. My mind wondered on what to do on this vacation, maybe I can hit the beach with my family, or go somewhere and spend time with them. Even if I will only stay at home for the rest of my vacation it would still be the best one as long as my love ones are with me. I am home and this is where the happiest place I can be.

“Welcome home sir!” the immigration officers greeted me after stamping my entry to my country. I said my thanks and smiled back at him. Now officially I am home!

Airport view inside and out

(The author as of this moment is now back to behind the desk of his work in Abu Dhabi but his mind still lingers back in the Philippines)

VISITA IGLESIA:Catholic Churches in UAE part 3

...the last part of the journey.

We departed Sharjah and proceeded to another Emirate State to visit another church which is in Ras Al Kaimah, The St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church.

St. Anthony de Padua Church in RAK

The Church situated at the back side of a general merchandise store. The church is slightly smaller than other churches we visited but enough to cater the spiritual needs of every Catholic residing around the emirates of Ras Al Kaimah. 

We commemorated the 9th and 10th station of the cross and made some individual prayers and after that we checked out the vicinity for photo opportunity of the church.

The group decided to take lunch first before we embark to a long journey going to our next destination. We settled in a parking lot in one of the mall there and ate our lunch. The spirit of sharing was noted during the feast as foods and beverages were being shared and passed on to everybody like one big happy family, not to mentioned we ate inside the coaster.

After we ate we embarked in a long journey towards Fujairah were the Church of Mother Perpetual Help is located. Along the way we had the opportunity to see God's marvelous creations of mountains which decorated the scenic view of the way. It was a 3 hour travel going to Fujairah but you will never get bored as scenic beauty unfolds during the travel.

The mountains surrounding the road to Fujairah

We arrived at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church past 4 in the afternoon. The group then commemorated the 11th and 12th station and proceeded with a short prayer.

The church is slightly bigger than the one in RAK and also a bit spacious, we saw a lot of parishioners inside the church from different countries. Blessed that they can exercise their faith in this Arab Country.

The ground of the church

The entrance of the church

VISITA IGLESIA:Catholic Churches in UAE part 2

Jump to PART 1 if you haven't read it yet.

continuation....

After a couple of minutes checking out and taking pictures of the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali we proceeded to our next church destination in downtown Dubai.

Next church: The St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubai

The St. Mary's Catholic Church  was build around middle 60's here in UAE. His Highness the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E donated land in 1966 to build a Church. Rev. Fr. Eusebius Daveri and his team pioneered this project. His Highness the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum inaugurated St. Mary's Catholic Church on 7th April 1967. 

Today in this very place stands a magnificent new church that has been designed to accommodate more than 1700 worshipers at each service. Under the guidance of His Excellency Most. Rev. Bishop Bernard Gremoli, Rev. Fr. Daniel Cerofolini OFM. Cap, Fr. Michael Cardoz and their team pioneered this project. This church was inaugurated on 3rd November 1989.

Inside the compound facing the main entrance to Church

The Grotto

The sign at the entrance of the Church compound

We did the 5th and 6th station of the cross here and contemplate the agony and remembering the painful journey of Christ towards crucifixion. After we finished pray we checked the church again but we can't go inside as it was already overcrowded with people. Makeshift tents were installed to shed the faithfuls from heat and ventilation and fan was also provided. Even with the great scourging heat of the sun churchgoers were flowing to join the lenten mass.

The group hit the road again with a little travel going to the next emirate, to the next church destination. 

Next Church: St. Michael's Church, Sharjah

According to their website (please click the link) the church history was way back from the year 1971.

"The old St. Michael’s Church was founded in 1971 by Fr. Barnabas as a little chapel close to the British Air force base. In 1973 Fr. Barnabas moved   into the old St. Michael’s Church which was then the British officers’ mess. The kitchen area was converted into the Parish house.

Father Barnabas was succeeded by Fathers Attilio, Edmund, Antonino, Felicio, Godwin and Angelo. These Pastors worked with dedication and zeal. As a result the flock continued to grow rapidly. Inspite of the fact, that each of these priests expanded and embellished the converted church, there was still a lack of place to accommodate the parishioners.

Under the guidance and support of Bishop Bernard Gremoli the new church was built by Fr. Angelo Fiumicelli and his dedicated team. The new St. Michael’s Church was consecrated on 02nd October 1997 by Cardinal Artinze from the Vatican with Fr. Angelo as the first Parish Priest." 

- Fr. Ani Xavier Ofm. Cap. 

  Parish Priest 

  St. Michael’s Church, Sharjah

This is what you see upon entering the Church compound

 

 

 

The Church amidst the sea of people during Good Friday

We did the 7th and 8th station of the cross on this church and proceeded to the next church of destination. It's only a few minutes that we were allowed to stay as we need to follow the time frame we have in out itinerary but despite of that seeing this churches for the first time still breathtaking to us, not from it's design, nor from how it looks but by the mere presence of the church on this country is simply marvelous. 

... next our long travel to Ras Al Khaimah to visit St. Anthony de Padua Church.

 

Visita Iglesia: Catholic Churches in UAE

Me and my wife had the opportunity to join the Visita Iglesia on Good Friday organized by the elders of the Couple for Christ here in Abu Dhabi. Without hesitation we joined the said event to make it as our way of doing sacrifice in this lenten season and of course the opportunity to see all the churches of the seven emirates of UAE. Catholics in this country is very lucky and grateful that the ruler of this middle east sheikdom allowed Christians to exercise their faith as well as giving space to build churches for prayers.

The said trip also followed the way of the cross that our Christ suffers up to crucifixion as we remembered and prayed. Two stations of the cross in every church we visited.

We kick off the said event around 6am in the morning starting with the first and second stations in our very own St. Joseph Cathedral here in Abu Dhabi. 

The facade of the Cathedral upon entering on its compound

According to their site this Parish has over 100,000 expatriate Catholics from all over the world.

With the growing economy within the region, the Church has also witnessed a steady increase in the number of faithful. Masses are celebrated in a number of different languages and the Church is generally seen packed to full capacity at most services.

Inside the St. Joseph Cathedral during a mass celebration

 After commemorating the first and second station of the cross we hurriedly boarded to our assigned buses that would bring us to our next church to be visited. There were seven buses with approximately 30 faithfuls in each bus. 

We boarded bus number 5, with us is our co-participants of the CFC-Christian Life Program, our couple DGL, our CFC Elders and some CFC members. 

Our convoy of buses getting ready at the break of dawn for the Visita Iglesia

  

Our next stop: St. Francis of Assisi church

The St. Francis of Assisi Church is located just off of Sheik Zayed road beside the village of Jebel Ali, in the emirates of Dubai. It is near the Ibn Batuta Mall and The Gardens in Jebel Ali interchange.

The St. Francis of Assisi church was inaugurated in November 2001 as part of the Vicarate of Arabia, presently pastored by Bishop Paul Hinder. It is a parish comprised of many nationalities from around the world. We are diverse communities united in one body of Christ

The entrance to the church of St. Francis of Assisi, Jebel Ali Dubai

To GOD be the glory....

The Grotto inside the church compound.

Inside the St. Francis of Assisi Church

Inside the compound of the church.

We stayed at St. Francis church approximately 30 minutes. We prayed and did the third and fourth station of the cross. After that we were given 10 minutes to take pictures and check out the church vicinity before we leaved to our next church destination.

 ... to be continued  --->>>   jump to PART 2 

SUNDAY FEELING ON FRIDAY MORNING

I and my wife went picnic last Friday as it is our day off. Together with some of our flat mates we went to a park where grilling and bbq are allowed. This park is built with kiosk and with a griller nearby. As soon as we arrived we settled in a grass near to a vacant griller as all kiosks are already occupied.

 

As I seated on the grass I can help thinking way back home. The familiarity of the situation strikes me because every Sunday (in our house in the Philippines) is a bbq day. From pork bbq, fish and even eggplant we have it grilled as families come together and feast on what we have prepared on that day. It's only a typical Sunday with no occasion to celebrate or anything but it is quite special to us as we partake what we prepared together as a family. The endless talk and catching up, the children running around the house, and the sense that the family is intact on a beautiful Sunday it is a bliss to us. Eventually it lingered on my mind as I remember this with a slight grin in my face as I sit in the park. Ahh! Maybe I just miss home because there's also a lot of families and children on the park.

I maybe miles away but I never, even in a second, never think back home. There's a lot here to remind me of how was it back there. The simple gathering, the lazy Sunday spent and everything the family does together. Amidst the smoke of the griller and the scent of the burning meat I smell home. I'm looking after the next time I see smoke out of the griller it must be coming from the griller at home. Happy BBQ Day everybody.

GRATEFUL OF 2010

I never write any year end reviews or any rewind about what happen after the year is finished. But since today I am greatly bored and 2010 events always flashes on my mind, I ought to try to write something about how was it in 2010 for me.

For a starter we start the 2010 with a bang, an all out party with our flat mates complete with games, singing, and a lot of dancing with the help of tons of booze. So it's a great and way too loud to start the 2010. It was indeed a great year for us.

I don't have any complains about 2010, there's a bit down moment for us but we survive. God's guidance was with us and will always will. So instead of counting our downs I will enumerate how God made our 2010 great according to His plan.

We are grateful to God of His blessings we received in 2010:

• -         we sent 2 large balikbayan boxes back home (it was a bit delayed in arrival but nevertheless it still on time for us to be there)
• -         we were both given a vacation together (me and my wife)
• -         safe flight on our vacation
• -         seeing some good friends back home
• -         seeing our families
• -         and of course seeing our daughter SAM after 2 years of not seeing her
• -         and the flashes of her eye how happy she was during her birthday
• -         wife's new job (of course a bit higher pay)
• -         new flat
• -         and good health for us and the whole family
• -         And a lot of simple thing that makes us comfortable even we are very far from home.

In general God give us a great year not only for me but for the whole family. We are so thankful for His blessings. I will also pray that this 2011 He will continue to guide and protect us and bless us. My prayer also to the less fortunate ones that this year they may find solitude and blessings, that they should always put in mind that God is always with them.

May this 2011 will also be a good year for us under God's plan!

CHRISTMAS OF AN EXPAT

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." -  Matthew 1:23

Inside the St. Joseph Church, Abu Dhabi UAE - after the mass

 

This would be my 3^rd Christmas away from home, away from the country.  You ever wonder how we celebrate Christmas as an expat or how we celebrate the occasion in an Islamic country?

As an OFW we can't hardly keep our mind of thinking to celebrate the yuletide season back home. It’s a very special if we can celebrate it in our own country, in our own turf. But for some, constraints at work will not allow us to do so. We do what we can to make the occasion as meaningful and enjoyable as possible. With the help of new found families here things will be positive for us Filipinos. 

 

A week before the occasion you can see many Filipinos having there groceries for the Noche Buena. As if we are only in the Philippines buying our groceries. Others are busy finding gift for their manito/manita or the exchanging gifts during the party. You will also notice a lot of Filipinos bringing bags as if they are going to travel somewhere but what inside the bag is of course the liquor. (You need to have it inside the bag as this country allows the sell of alcohol but you are not allowed to display it in public).

Then comes the Christmas Eve, we are lucky here in UAE as religious tolerance is exercised in this Islamic state. They allow Christian churches here and as a catholic we have one here in Abu Dhabi, the St. Joseph Church. Mass of different language is scheduled to cater every catholic nationality here in the country. I am proud to say that part of our Christmas as a Filipino is hearing mass.

After going to church all in the flats are now busy preparing the food for the Noche Buena. Everybody is in their festive mood cooking whatever is on their menu. Others are busy on their laptop and computers talking to their love ones back home. Philippines are 4 hours advance from here so we can see them having a party before we can start ours. After dishes were prepared the countdown begins. Singing carols, a bit of loud music (loud enough to strut a dance but not too loud to attract the police outside). After the festive mood some need to curl up in bed as they still have work tomorrow. So to sum it up celebrating Christmas is more like home minus the love ones we had and every crazy thing we do in partying.

The Noche Buena minus the lechon

In bed can't help to think that there's no other merrier way to celebrate Christmas than to spend it back home in the Philippines … I might have it next year! Merry Christmas!

FIRST RUN

I did it; I had my first run yesterday after a long absence of major physical activities. And yes, I am using the Nike+ sporstband given to me by my wife. As I blog earlier it can calculate the distance I covered, the calories I burnt and time I consumed in doing the run. At first I started with a normal pace walk as I managed the labyrinth of park cars going to the park. As soon as I am already at the jogging lane inside the park I increase the speed of my pace (as I intended to start my first run slowly to give my muscle a warm up) but still I am walking. After a few blocks I started an easy run taking my time and watching the sunset in front of me.  I am catching my breathe cause it's been a while since my last run. I am thinking of just walking all the way but what the heck I think I can manage. And then my wife call me as she was about to go home  ( it's already in my calculation that I will be in their building by that exact time she will be out of the office). Before my wife came down from their building I was already in front. As I went home I downloaded immediately my run and whoop it was uploaded to my account in Nike and posted on my facebook status, amazing isn't it?.  I covered roughly 5.32km according to my sportsband not bad for a first run errr walk huh! Here's the post generate automatically in my facebook from Nike+ site:

And here's the area I covered during my run I created from nike+ site:

 and to top it all, I get to fetched my wife from her work, sounds like a win-win situation ayt?

SEE HOW YOU RUN

My wife just bought me yesterday the Nike+ Sportsbands to accessorize my running shoes. The so called bracelet will track down your performance of your run using the sensor that comes with the bracelet.  You can save your run; select a training program and you can even compare your performance from other Nike+ users using their challenge friends’ option. What a way to push and motivate the user of the sportsbands. They even have a mini where the cartoon of you will improve depending on how you run. You can have these features using the Nike+ Sportsbands and the downloadable application from the Nike+ site.

Now all I have to do is run and I don’t have the excuse anymore of not doing so. Actually I really need to lose weight as my BMI is not reading well; I am 6 points overweight the last time I check. I don’t want to belong in the category of the obese so I have to.

So good luck to me, it may be difficult to start but I know it’s worth it. As the saying goes, “health is wealth” so wish me luck.

Tall Order

The Burj Khalifa - day time

 The Burj Khalifa standing tall in Dubai, UAE

This building now holds the record as the tallest in the world. This was named after the famous ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheik Khalifa.

At over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa holds the following records:

•  Tallest building in the world

•  Tallest free-standing structure in the world

•  Highest number of stories in the world

•  Highest occupied floor in the world

•  Highest outdoor observation deck in the world

•  Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world

•  Tallest service elevator in the world 

I am just one of the lucky individual who witnessed the rising of this great magnitude of human achievement. 

The Burj Khalifa at night

Opposite Attracts (PROUD TO BE PINOY)

(a re-post from my other blog...)

It only take seconds to identify the vast differences between this two countries I inhabited. It may be two exact opposite but i'm so proud i am part of this place.

I've been in Abu Dhabi for almost 2 years, I admit that I am in great awe the first month living in this concrete jungle but was able to survive and catch up and became an expat living in the richest city in the world . With left and right infrastructure and almost every corner new skyscrapers are built you can't help but notice that this country was never shaken by the previous economic crisis. Working here climbing the corporate ladder for the Filipinos is never hard compared to other foreign expats...as we may say we have the edge. We have all the advantage in the world from education to work attitude.

(The ABU DHABI Skyline at night)

Despite the grand surrounding and tall skyscrapers surrounding the city I cant help thinking back home. I really agree that there is no place like home, even if poverty is widely observe, politics and corruption which sicken the country but still Philippines is a great home to live in. It is where your roots is even if you make it big abroad but part of you lingers to come home.

Now me and my wife are getting ready for the our first homecoming since we decided to come here in Abu Dhabi. We are hoping for a great time spending our family but most specially to our precious daughter Sam. As many expats would anticipate, that this will be the time to relax after many months of hardwork....despite the chaos and problems in the country we still manage to smile because we are home....and there is no place like home...home is where the heart is. See you soon guys!

Rated BISDAK

(i just stumbled this one pero wa nako kahibawo diing suoka... pwerti nakong katawa tungod kay naka relate ko...suwayi ninyo ug ka relate ba mo...so nag suwat ani salamat ha...repost nako sa ako blog)

BISAYA KA'NG DAKO KON...

1. You feel insulted when a non-Bisdak ridicules someone by saying "Bisaya", but it's okay if another Bisdak uses it to another Bisdak, as in "ah, Bisayaa sab oy!"

2. You feel proud when Matud Nila is sung and you sing along with it bisan dili nimo memorize.

3. Hibal-an nimo kung unsa ang "habal-habal" bisan wala pa ka kasakay niani.

4. Common usages kung ga-tinagalog: the use of "kuwan" as interjection, ang superlative nga pirmi gamiton mao ang "masyado", i.e., maingay masyado, sobra masyado, bilisan mo masyado (read: paspasi lagi) adunay tendency nga pulihan lang ang "o" or "a" og "i", i.e., ang atop into atip, ang kan-on into kan-in, ang sud-an into sud-in ug ang utan into utin)

5. You know what "itlog mo 'noy orange" means.

6. You know that the karaang "bayle" aron mahimong modern gipulihan na og "disco" (discoral).

7. Aduna kay hibaw-an nga at least usa ka kanta ni Yoyoy Villame like Bongsuela! or Max Surban bisan sa tono lang.

8. You can use varied terms of endearment for friends and relatives like bay, parts, paparts, migo, parekoy, pareng, choy, higala, kid, gaw, gaweks, manoy, nong, inse, ditse, iyo, iya, palangga, pangga, gang.

9. You call someone "Inday" and/or "Dodong" as a term of affection and hate it when other non-Bisdaks use the term as if its a title given for a househelp.

10. You know what "maninghag" is?

11. You know Vino Kulafu and Fighter Wine...sometimes you even know their jingles!

12. Instead of Stork, you chose Snowbear or you buy Timbura when you mean Corniks.

13. You're familiar with the brand Loalde in clothing.

14. You crave for inun-unan, paklay, ginamay, halang-halang, kinilaw, ginamos, buwad, binignit, sikwate paresan sa puto maya.

15. Esteban Escudero and Golyat are folk heroes.

16. "Handumanan sa Usa Ka Awit" is closer to your heart than "Maalaala Mo Kaya" TV show.

17. At ...pag-nagulat-nabigla ang mga Bisdak ang biglang sigaw ay "ay bilat" o kaya "ay otin sa kabayo"

18. SUTUKIL is as common as TAPSILOG; in fact you know that SUTUKIL came first (Sugba-Tula- Kilaw).

19. Your common pulutan for tuba drinking is "TARGET" - asin nga targeton lang nimo sa imong tudlo.

20. You have at least once in your lifetime experienced "Ang Mysterio sa Paglawig sa Barko Padulong Manila", a phenomenon that when the boat is approaching Manila, everybody around you suddenly becomes Tagalog speaking nga adtong miaging adlaw lang pwerting Bisaya pa ninyo! Nakatilaw sab ka ug sakay ug "Kukalyong" paingon sa Cebu.

21. You whisper Bisaya to a fellow Bisdak in the midst of a Tagalog crowd ...and he replies loudly to you in Tagalog!

22. The first question you ask when you found out that someone is Bisdak, "taga-asa man diay ka?"

23. You usually use the warning phrase "Hala Ka!"

24. You know the meaning and proper usages of the following (irreverent) words/phrases: pesteng yawa, usapa na, pastilan, lat-inanag, butalo, way kurat, hastang, puslan man, buing, kuwangol, libod-suroy, ligas-paka, way kuha, ka-ubo, kolera, burikat, duha singko, balang, palag, wa ka kyapi?, ok pas olrayt, haybol, ang pahak!, jer-jer, way blema, pagarpar, giro, kalandrakas, ambot sa langaw pilay idad sa ok-ok, bugnawg simod, bagdok, gi-atay!, gi-ahak, gibangkong, tibak (tiguwang bakla), NPA (nawong puros agtang), tira pasagad, basin diay pilay pad sa ungoy, banat kay awaaw, mat-an pas pinya, ngitngit pas alkitran, gi-bangkuliya, tak-om pas tuway, malalim mo na!, sus!

25. Sigurado ko nga naa pa kay ikadugang ani: miembro ka sa GKK no? "gagmayng ki-at ki-at", LKK (Looy Kaayo Ka), bayntchenge (.25), sewewen (.50), wesiwesi (P1), eskina lang noy, pamokong, bahala na'g ligsan basta in-shirt, ug ering-ering DUHA! Sa mga lugar, kahibalo ka asa ang Larsian, Bukid, Boulevard, Sammy's, ka Monette, kandingan, Sutukil, Duawon, original Ngo Hiong (kadtong orange nga plato nga puwerting ka mantikaon).

Be proud that you are a BISDAK!!! PAK! Ana lang!

kanang ginganlan ug YOUTUBE

It's been days that we can't access the site, the one of the most important site on the web. We don't have no idea why, the site will open up to its main page but when you are going to access the videos posted you get nothing but that black screen with no signs of life...

But wait, why I am writing this and making a big fuss about it. Well I just come to think of some theories I stumbled upon by some desperate users of the site. More of a conspiracy thing that government shuts down the site because of that alleged scandal video. Ahh...the creative and imaginative mind of people nothing beats it. Creating stirs and deep conspiracy theories from a simple glitch encountered from this famous site. This makes the world more fascinating with the mysteries surrounding it and the imaginative thinking of some people. Kinda make a color to this already colorful world.

But in my world? hahaha..no big deal, yah im pissed that this isn't accessible to us while the rest of the world enjoying it. I am not going to indulge myself of creating such theories to highlight my disappointment of not be able to get YOUTUBE works. Yah i love to watch videos of my favorite bands, I get some tips also on my new photography hobby (to which by the way i'm not sure which level I am, but that's a different story though) I heard my flatmates cursing, thinking of upgrading our internet line. I understand them, internet is OFW's best friend, makes us nearer to home. Anyway, YOUTUBE is working now...answered prayers perhaps. o..login na...tan-aw nata bidyo.....arib!

NEED HELP... and no it's not the age factor..

Yeah...definitely not age, hehehe...before we argue about age let me clear this thing I'm talking about. Password and user name, that's what is this fuss all about. I almost can't access this blog of mine because of such lapses on my memory. We'll there's a lot of password I'm keeping using only my head maybe that makes me hard to remember which one is which for a particular account. Work related passwords is mixing up my personal one. Passwords for the office servers, the administrative password for my troubleshooting, one for my office mail and one for my personal mail, and so my list goes on. I maintain only a handful of passwords enough to be able to remember it but boom! sh@$ happens 20 minutes of trying the correct password, anyways but i still got it guys...thanks and no thanks to this help module extended by the host website...see below my desperation act:

Well that doesn't work, I did solve my own mystery hehehe... now I learned my lesson. No, It's not by writing all my passwords in my so called blue book ala yakuza gangster style...I stick to my old school style of storing all my password in my own memory bank...My head...don't worry guys I will remember it but if not you will not know it...and hey don't think I will forget your name I have my own ways of knowing that ....Ohhh!.....I forgot I am cooking...shoot! GTG!

Boredom as it happens!

Arrgghh! It hit me...after a couple of hours of punching my time card now I'm on the door answering the knock of Mr. Boredom in tow is Ms. Sleepy. But before I answer their tempting invitations to indulge me to sleepy world I decided to create this blog thingy. Maybe this keeps me awake as my mind is working along with the tapping of my fingers on this keyboard...and come to think of it I may look good on my boss seeing me very busy typing something..hehehe....! ups! Facebook window hide!

This is my first post...or this could be it hahaha...I am fond of starting something and in the middle got bored and dump everything. Yah! the bored thing really comes to my vocabulary. Got a lot of unpublished blogs in other sites which until now still under construction .... this one is no exception.

so let's see and wait...anyway...I will just welcome myself on this blogspot site, hoping this time i found a permanent home for my mind flushing activities......*YAWN!* See yah!